"It is completely meaningless for the Admiralty Minister to say this. Everyone knows that Japan cannot hand over Asia to the Ming Dynasty, let alone surrender to the Ming Dynasty. Does the Admiralty Minister mean that as long as Japan does not want to surrender?
In the Ming Dynasty, we must endlessly support the Qing Dynasty, even if the Qing Dynasty will eventually be defeated one day, we will not hesitate?"
Navy Minister Nagano Shushen stared at Juichi Terauchi and said patiently:
"It is still difficult to say whether the Qing Congress will be defeated."
As soon as these words came out, the three people all stared at him. Even Hirota Kouki and Prince Zairen thought that since Nagano advocated continuing to support the Qing Dynasty, he must have great confidence in the Qing Dynasty. Unexpectedly, he also said something
"uncertain".
Terauchi Shouichi sneered, raised his voice and said loudly:
“Since the Lord Admiral himself thinks it’s ‘hard to say’, then it’s better not to bet the fate of our empire on this ‘hard to say’!”
Hirota Hongyi sighed softly and said slowly:
"Secretary of the Navy, since you also believe that the Qing Dynasty is likely to be defeated, and at the same time advocate continuing to support the Qing Dynasty, then... can you tell me what you think about it."
Nagano Shushen looked at Hirota Koki and nodded slightly, then glanced at Juichi Terauchi and said calmly:
"Of course the Qing Dynasty may be defeated, but our purpose of supporting the Qing Dynasty is not to ensure that it does not fail, but to use it to bring down the Ming Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty can eventually be defeated, but even if it is finally defeated, the Ming Dynasty will be defeated because of this war.
The vitality is severely damaged, the treasury is drained, and the struggle
With only soldiers and reserve soldiers, the people live in poverty and hate the war deeply. Therefore, they only want to conclude a treaty to end the war and nothing else. And our Imperial Japanese Army will become a new force in East Asia and the only force that dominates the future of East Asia.
."
Juichi Terauchi said:
"I would like to remind you that the Qing army is being defeated, and the Qing Empire is likely to collapse within the year. At that time, the Ming Dynasty will declare all the territory of the Qing Dynasty as its own, and we in Japan will get nothing.
When the time comes, if you want to make demands on Manchu and Mongolia, you will have to be prepared to fight the Ming Dynasty!"
"I also remind you to pay attention," Nagano turned around and said word by word, "On the contrary, since the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty promulgated the 'Involvement Order' to rectify military discipline, the Qing army has never suffered a single defeat.
, on the contrary, they fought many beautiful battles one after another. On the battlefield of the Central Plains, the Ming army
Encountered the first major setback since the war began. Now in Taierzhuang, northeast of Xuzhou, the two armies are fighting to the death. The Qing army's fighting will is no less than that of the Ming army. Your Excellency, the current Qing army is no longer the Qing army at the beginning of the war.
It is regaining the feeling of the 'thousand-division army'."
Terauchi Shouichi said disdainfully:
"Obviously, the soldiers of the Qing army did not fight because of bravery, let alone patriotism. It was because the Qing emperor kidnapped their families. Now the whole world is condemning the Qing Dynasty. If we in Japan always stay with such a country, then even the emperor
Your Majesty
It will be humiliating. Besides, what you hope for is that the Qing army can fight a long and arduous Patriotic War. However, a decadent army that can only rely on executions to maintain basic morale will undoubtedly be
It is incapable of fighting such a war!"
Nagano Shushen retorted:
"The Minister of War always considers problems only in terms of spiritual strength, but ignores other factors! In 1812, Napoleon's army was a hundred times more spiritual and morale than the Russian serf soldiers! But we all know the result! It's because Napoleon was just like your Excellency.
, only focusing on spiritual morale, ignoring many important objective factors! For example, war potential! Although the Qing Dynasty has suffered a lot now
It has lost many battles, but the land area, steel and coal resources, and soldier reserves it controls are still several times that of the Ming Dynasty! Please note that the total military strength of the Ming Dynasty now reaches more than two million, which is already the limit! It has almost no reserve soldiers.
Now! And the active army of the Qing Dynasty is already several times the size of the Ming army, and compared with its reserve troops, it is just the tip of the iceberg! These must be taken into consideration!"
After Nagano finished speaking, the living room fell silent. Terauchi Shouichi seemed unable to think of anything to say to refute him.
After a while, Hirota Hongyi said slowly and thoughtfully:
"What the Minister of War said...is certainly reasonable...but what the Minister of the Navy said...is also worth considering..."
Then, he turned to Prince Zain and said:
"Your Highness, you are the Minister of Military Command. What do you think of this issue?"
The three of them all looked at Prince Zai Ren at the same time. Zai Ren's big beard trembled slightly and said slowly:
"What the Minister of the Navy said... was just a comparison of the war potential between the two countries before the war. At the current situation of the war, although the Qing Kingdom still exceeds the Ming Kingdom in terms of territorial area,... its reserve soldiers no longer have an advantage. The Qing Kingdom's soldiers
The major provinces are mainly concentrated in Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhili, Shanxi and Shaanxi. Now
What it has in its hands is only Zhili, Shandong, and the northern part of Jiangsu. The rest is already in the area controlled by the Ming Dynasty. It means that the country has no reserve troops, only its territory before the war. Now the Ming Dynasty
With several large population provinces north of the Yangtze River, even if the war continues, at least in terms of soldiers, the Ming Kingdom will not be afraid.
"And it must be considered that even among the active soldiers of the Qing army, how many of them dared to engage in the frontal battlefield against the Ming Dynasty. The active army of the Qing army is mainly composed of soldiers from the above-mentioned provinces with large populations, and these large provinces
, and at least two-thirds of it has been controlled by the Ming army. In other words, even if the Qing Dynasty uses threats
The methods of the soldiers' families can only effectively control one-third of its soldiers. The remaining two-thirds of the soldiers have been transferred to the rear to suppress the riots. Currently, except for those directly fighting the Ming army on the battlefield in the Central Plains,
The relatively loyal soldiers from the Manchu and Mongolian ethnic groups, and the others were only soldiers whose hometowns were still within the Qing-controlled areas.
"Even according to the most optimistic estimate, these soldiers will not exceed 1.5 million. Even in terms of numbers, they are already at a disadvantage. And once the Qing Dynasty loses this battle, it will lose these 1.5 million troops. Then besides
There is no other way to beg for peace from the Ming Dynasty. Compared with the Ming army, the mobility of the Qing army is quite poor. Every time it loses a battle, the troops on the battlefield are completely unable to withdraw and can only
They were all annihilated. The war has been going on to this day, and facts have proven this time and again."
…
After the old man finished speaking lightly, the Minister of War was immediately encouraged and raised his voice and said:
"That's right! The defeat of the Qing Dynasty has been determined, and I don't see what else is worth supporting! Now, while the Qing Dynasty has not finally collapsed, we cooperate with the Ming Dynasty and attack the Qing Dynasty from the north to the south. The possibility of Ming Dynasty agreeing will be very high.
If we make another request when the Qing Dynasty finally collapses, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to agree! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to obtain a piece of mainland territory. For the prosperity of the empire in the next hundred years, we must seize it!"
Nagano Shushen said coldly:
"Next, we will face the Ming Dynasty directly! I remind the Minister of War that this will be an opponent with the strongest army and the strongest navy at the same time, with intact vitality and strong national power! And we will face it alone.
This opponent! Does the Minister of War think that the Ming Dynasty will be willing to live in peace with us and accept the fact that we occupy Manchuria and Mongolia? Your Excellency is the Minister of War, and you should know the situation of the Army better. In this case, even if we
How long can Manmeng be kept in our hands once it is obtained?"
Temple Shouyi stood up and said angrily:
"What do you mean, Lord Admiralty! What do you mean, your navy is the strongest in Asia and our army is useless?"
Seeing that the two sides were about to fight again, Hirota Hongyi was about to stand up to calm down. At this time, the secretary knocked on the door and came in. He bowed to several adults first, then walked to Prince Zairen, bowed again, and whispered:
"Your Highness, I have your phone number."
Prince Zai Ren stood up after apologizing, straightened his military uniform, and followed his secretary out to answer the phone.
After a while, he returned and sat back on the sofa without saying a word. The three people were looking at him subconsciously. Prince Zai Ren took out a cigarette from the cigarette case on the table, lit it and smoked it.
Said lightly:
"The Ming army has completely occupied Taierzhuang and established a bridgehead position on the south bank of the Hanzhuang Canal. More than half of the three Eight Banners divisions of the Qing army have been wiped out and are retreating towards Xuzhou."
After saying this, the living room became quiet.
After a while, Shouichi Terauchi stood up, walked quickly to the map, tapped Northeast China with his fingers, and said sadly:
"Now that things have happened, there is no longer any reason to hesitate! For the prosperity of the empire in the next hundred years, we should act decisively!"
Nagano Shushen also stared at the map and said nothing.
Then, Prince Zain added slowly:
"According to the latest weather forecast, the haze in the central part of the East Asian continent, that is, Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu, will gradually dissipate, and by tonight at the latest, the sky will be clear again."
Hirota Hongyi muttered:
"So...the Ming Army's air superiority has been restored."
Then, Prime Minister Hirota turned to look at Nagano Shushen and asked:
"What is the opinion of the Admiralty now? Does he still insist that we should support the Qing Dynasty?"
Nagano Xiushen's face was ugly. Under the gaze of several people, he finally said:
"This matter is related to the rise and fall of the empire. I suggest that we ask His Majesty the Emperor to make a final judgment."
Several people looked at each other.
After a while, Hirota Hongyi nodded and said:
"So, the Imperial Council is about to be held. Okay. I'll go find the Minister of Internal Affairs to discuss it."
…
Nanjing.
While the headquarters was immersed in the joy of occupying Taierzhuang, Shi Shigege was hiding alone in the People's Guard headquarters, watching the secret telegrams sent back from Japan.
"So, there will be a royal meeting tomorrow."
She put down the message paper, leaned on the backrest, and murmured.