On the afternoon of October 25, as the first wave of cold air from Siberia moved southward in late autumn, dark clouds shrouded both sides of the Yangtze River, the cold wind roared, and the autumn rain blew.
After attending the banquet at the Japanese Consulate, Hubei Provincial Chairman Yang Yongtai, escorted by eight plainclothes bodyguards and four provincial military police, took a car with his wife and arrived at the Provincial Government's dedicated pier at Hanjiang Pass, preparing to cross the river back to Wuchang, the province on the south coast.
Mansion.
Just as Yang Yongtai got out of the car door, two plainclothes men suddenly rushed out of the abandoned old box office next to him, drew their guns and opened fire. Yang Yongtai was immediately shot in the back of the head, left shoulder and back.
The killer ran away quickly before the guards could react.
It was already evening when the fourth hall conveyed the news to Baoding. An Yi, Hu Jialin and other generals who were dining in the canteen were so shocked that they put down their rice bowls and looked at each other in surprise.
The generals realized that the entire political situation was about to be turbulent, and they all lost their appetite. An Yi stood up and gave an order. The generals immediately stood up and quickly returned to the conference room on the second floor of the Seventeenth Army Headquarters Building to urgently discuss countermeasures.
Chiang Kai-shek, who was commanding various armies to suppress the Communists in Xi'an, was shocked to hear the bad news and was extremely sad. He immediately ended the military meeting and summoned his staff to deal with it urgently.
An hour later, Chiang Kai-shek, who was devastated by the loss of his adviser, still could not determine who was behind the scenes from the Japanese military intelligence department, the resolutely anti-Japanese Anyi Group, and the rival CC Department of the Department of Political Science. He could not help but feel a sense of powerlessness that the situation was out of control.
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At the same time, the Japanese army stationed in Shanghai held an emergency military and political meeting.
Over the past year, Wang Jingwei, Tang Youren and Yang Yongtai, all famous pro-Japanese dignitaries, have been assassinated in succession. In particular, the assassination of Yang Yongtai, the leader of the Department of Political Science, one of the three major political factions in China, has had a profound impact on Japan's current policy in China.
It had a great influence. Over the past few years, under the leadership of Yang Yongtai, who was full of strategists, the Department of Political Science came from behind and became the largest faction influencing China's political situation. His assassination not only severely damaged the vitality of the pro-Japanese Department of Political Science, but also destroyed it.
It disrupted the major strategic layout of the Japanese government and military, and the negative impact it caused is immeasurable.
After more than two hours of intense discussions and repeated verifications, the Japanese secret service came to a unanimous conclusion: the mastermind behind the scenes was either the cc department, the sworn enemy of the political science department, or the An family army, which was inseparable from numerous assassinations across China.
The central government of Nanjing was in chaos, and there were hidden conflicts between various factions. As a result of the sudden outbreak of the assassination, the pro-Japanese officials were panicked and kept in seclusion. They urgently summoned bodyguards to take precautions. All kinds of speculations and rumors were rampant.
Almost all daily affairs of the central government ministries have come to a standstill.
…
8:10 pm, Baoding.
Replies from Zhao Rui, director of the Fourth Department of the General Staff, and Dai Li, deputy director of the Bureau of Military Investigation and Statistics, arrived one after another. Liu Qing, director of the Intelligence Division of the Anjia Army Headquarters, read out the message. All the generals present looked at An Yi in shock.
An Yi waved his hand and said with a helpless smile: "Everyone, please stop thinking nonsense. I know that we cannot escape the suspicion of Yang Yongtai's death. It is estimated that various factions in the party, Japan, European and American intelligence agencies will regard us as the biggest suspects, but
We really didn't do this, and there is no need to feel guilty.
"Although Yang Yongtai is a pro-Japanese faction, he has influenced the position choices of many officials in the central government and the military, and he has always had grievances with us, but this person has not yet reached the shameless level of Tang Youren and Yin Rugeng who forgot their ancestors. Considering the feelings of the chairman of the committee,
, I have never considered taking his life, and it’s not like everyone doesn’t know our historical methods of action. If it was really our intelligence agency that did it, where would there be so many tails and traces left? If my estimate is good, then
The two killers probably won't be able to escape, and it will be a matter of time before they are caught. I believe the truth will be revealed by then."
All the generals breathed a sigh of relief, and Hu Jialin asked in a low voice: "What does the commander have to say about this?"
An Yi thought for a while and answered truthfully: "I personally think that the biggest suspect is the cc department. In the past, Yang Yongtai followed the principal every day, and the cc department did not dare to take action. Now that he has left the protection of the principal, although Yang Yongtai seems to have great authority,
It increased, but all that was left was his foul mouth.
"Ever since the Department of Political Science defeated the Department of Political Science last year to obtain many important positions at the central and local levels, the Department of Political Science and Department of Political Science have deepened their feud, especially in April this year when Yang Yongtai had secret talks with Japanese consular officials and Japanese government commissioners in Wuhan.
At that time, he openly said that "Yang Yongtai can be responsible for Japan's affairs in China." A few hours later, Minister Chen reported it to the principal. The evidence presented at the same time was several Japanese consulate secret messages cracked by Xu Enzen's telecommunications department. However,
——Once the principal has determined a certain person in his heart, it is difficult to change his opinion. This is more and more obvious with Yang Yongtai. Therefore, after the principal received the secret report, there was no serious treatment at all as Minister Chen and others hoped.
Instead, he put the so-called evidence aside and sternly warned Minister Chen: Unite not divide, let alone engage in petty tricks.
"Since then, I have heard a saying from within the CC Department: I am not at odds with the Yang thief. This matter was under the charge of Director Liu Qing at the time. Let him talk about it. Maybe everyone will know better."
Liu Qing stood up quickly: "This is indeed the case. The conflict between the Department of Political Science and the Department of CC has been going on for a long time. Now it has reached the point where it is irreconcilable, tit for tat is everywhere, and there is endless fighting every day. Yang Yongtai took office at the end of last year as Hubei Province
At the time of the chairmanship, there was a wave of opposition throughout Wuhan and Hubei. Our Wuhan Intelligence Station clearly pointed out in the report that the many grand demonstrations against Yang Yongtai and the Political Science Department were actually organized and spread behind the scenes by the CC Department.
Due to violent remarks.
"After the principal received Dai Yunong's report, he became furious at this kind of fighting between factions. He sent a telegram to General He Chengjun, the governor of Hubei's appeasement, saying that if such a disorderly and uncontrolled demonstration happened again, he would
Even He Chengjun had to be dismissed from his post and investigated. General He Chengjun panicked at that time and immediately sent out personnel to evacuate the marchers and held a special meeting to nip the problem in the bud. Upon seeing this, Minister Chen and others could only stop their activities.
"After this incident, the status of Yang Yongtai and the Department of Political Science led by him has once again risen. Upon seeing this, many officials who are on the fence in the central government have unconsciously leaned towards the Department of Political Science in order to gain protection. To this end, we have conducted special research and obtained
If we are in the CC faction's position, only by taking decisive and tough measures can we reverse the current decline, and the best way is to kill Yang Yongtai, the most favored faction leader in front of the committee. As long as Yang Yongtai dies.
, the Department of Political Science will inevitably be in chaos, and all problems will be easily solved."
The generals nodded frequently. In recent years, the battle between the Department of Political Science and the Department of CC is well known, especially the conflict between the leaders of the two factions, Yang Yongtai and Chen Lifu.
Department, it is not surprising that he chose the assassination strategy out of desperation.
An Yi took over the conversation and continued his analysis: "Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Japanese invaders are deliberately provoking disputes in China's political circles. Killing a pro-Japanese politician will bring about continued chaos in the entire Chinese political arena.
It seems worthwhile to fight turmoil and create obstacles to the unification of our country's political decrees.
"As for us, there is no need to worry about this at all. Although Yang Yongtai has always wanted to weaken us and often blew the ears of the committee and continued to do things to undermine us, since we have firmly taken root in Yichang and achieved our wish
After promoting the restoration of the camp in Yichang, the foresighted Yang Yongtai wisely chose to remain silent. Not only did he stop scheming against Yichang, but he also cooperated closely on many matters. The principal and the central government saw it and were very relieved about it.
"So I have reason to believe that after the principal calms down, he will be the first to exclude us."
Lu Yixuan had a different view and said very worriedly: "But if someone deliberately throws dirty water on us and deliberately leads clues to us, the situation will be different. Think about it, everyone, for such a big event, according to the usual practice, the principal will be there
We called the commander as soon as possible, but this time... So far, there has been no message from the principal. Our subordinates always feel that things are much more complicated than we imagined, and they are very nervous! Another one, North China
The political situation will definitely be violently turbulent due to the changes in central personnel. This is the most direct impact on us. The Japanese army is very likely to take this opportunity to create public opinion and even carry out provocations. We should be prepared in advance."
"I agree. You can feel free to speak out if you have any opinions." After An Yi finished speaking, he looked around.
Intense discussions immediately began, and secret telegrams were sent to various intelligence stations in North China and important areas such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Xi'an, and Wuhan. Two telegrams drafted by An Yi were sent to Jiang Yunshan of Xufu and Lao Shoudao of Simao respectively.
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Wu Zhefu's technical department, stationed in the special agent camp in the backyard of the Seventeenth Army Headquarters, canceled all rotations and concentrated its efforts on all-round monitoring of radio communications between North China and various factions within the party. Coded messages were deciphered one after another.
Delivered to An Yi.
…
At eleven o'clock in the evening, the Japanese garrison headquarters in Tianjin.
A tall and thin young general wearing the uniform of a major general of the Japanese Army came to the office door of the garrison commander Tashiro Anichiro. He politely saluted the major who greeted him respectfully. Under the guidance of the major, he walked into the room and stood at attention to report:
"General Staff Headquarters Major General Section Chief Ishikawa Koichi has been ordered to report to the General!"
Amiichiro Tashiro, who was wearing a straight yellow lieutenant general's uniform, stood up happily, walked around the desk a few steps to greet each other, raised his head and looked at Ishikawa Koichi cordially, and nodded repeatedly:
"Ishikawa-kun, you have worked hard all the way! I see your face is rosy and you are full of energy when you walk. Are you recovering well?"
"Thank you General for your care!"
Ishikawa Koichi bowed again, with a respectful expression, not daring to be a little casual.
Tashiro Anichiro smiled with satisfaction: "Ishikawa-kun, please sit down! It's already late at night. I took the liberty of sending someone to invite Ishikawa-kun. After thinking about it carefully, I didn't notice that Ishikawa-kun has been traveling for days and hasn't had a good rest yet.
Please forgive me, Ishikawa-kun!"
Ishikawa Koichi replied politely: "It is Ishikawa's honor to be personally received by the commander just half a day after Ishikawa arrived in Tianjin!"
Tashiro Anichiro laughed: "You're welcome, if I hadn't applied to the base camp three times, I wouldn't have let Ishikawa-kun leave his hometown and cross the ocean to suffer in China, which is full of dangers and challenges! Come, sit down, sit down and talk first
.”
"Hiyi!"
After Koichi Ishikawa took his seat, Amiichiro Tashiro also returned to his seat and directly entered the topic of the conversation: "Presumably Ishikawa-kun has read the relevant reports we sent back to the country and has a rough understanding of the current situation in North China.
, I won’t say much here. Now there is a task that I want to give to Ishikawa-kun to complete. Looking at the entire army, only Ishikawa-kun can complete it.”
"Please give me the general's orders, and Ishikawa will go all out to achieve it."
Ishikawa Koichi is still the same Ishikawa Koichi who speaks concisely, decisively and efficiently.
Tashiro Anichiro was very satisfied with Ishikawa Koichi's humility: "Good! The situation is like this. The 17th Army of the China Army has been entrenched in Jizhong and southern Hebei areas in northern China for a long time. It has interests and expansion plans in northern China for the Empire of Japan.
A lot of resistance and threats were formed, especially after the assassination of Mr. Wang Jingwei, the president of the China Kuomintang and the president of the Executive Yuan of the Central Government, the situation in China suddenly became very unfavorable to us. Just six hours ago, we received an emergency call from Wuhan.
According to reports, Yang Yongtai, the leader of the powerful faction in Chinese politics, the head of the political science department who is very friendly to the Japanese Empire, the first strategist of the Kuomintang, and the chairman of Hubei Province, Yang Yongtai, had just attended the banquet held by our embassy in Wuhan and arrived at the Hankou Pier by car.
Two assassins were shot and died on the spot. This was another bad incident after the assassination of our friend Mr. Tang Youren last Christmas. The impact was very serious and was enough to shake a large number of people who had goodwill towards the Empire of Japan.
The position of senior Chinese officials.
"We very much suspect that these assassinations are probably related to An Yi, the resolutely anti-Japanese young leader of the Chinese army. After research and decision, we sent Mr. Ishikawa to Baoding to visit Baoding as the North China Military Commissioner of the Central Military Commission of China.
An Yi. I wonder what Ishikawa-kun has to say?"
Ishikawa Koichi was slightly excited, but his pale face was calm: "Ishikawa obeys!"
"very good!"
Tashiro Anichiro stood up happily: "Ishikawa-kun, throughout North China, our envoys can go anywhere, but they cannot go to the headquarters of the Seventeenth Army led by An Yi and other divisions. The Seventeenth Army has a tough attitude.
Even North China government officials refused to contact us. They responded to our temptations with brutal actions on many occasions and continued to hold military exercises of various sizes, which gave us a lot of headaches.
"Ishikawa-kun, I know that you were once a colleague of An Yi. When you were serving at the Central Military Academy in Nanjing, you discussed the current situation with him many times and established a certain relationship with each other. In the current situation where the two armies in North China are hostile to each other, only
You were able to establish contact with him, so we decided to send you on a trip."
Ishikawa Koichi stood up and asked in a low voice: "General, please give me instructions!"
Tashiro Anichiro raised the palm of his right hand and smiled slightly: "Without instructions, from An Yi's point of view, it is useless to use any strategy against him, let alone to win him over and threaten him. You only need to express your feelings after meeting him.
Just bring it back, and if possible, make an indirect investigation of the assassination, see his army, ask his requirements, how you can learn more about him, and learn some of the conditions of his army, then you can go ahead and do it."