stonecrandall Chapter 17 Internal contradictions are greater than contradictions between ourselves and the enemy.
Chapter 17 Internal contradictions are greater than contradictions between ourselves and the enemy.
Their hearts were also in turmoil. Last time, they had used every means at their disposal, even risking offending nobles and using the latest medicine, but to no avail. They thought they had succeeded completely, but who could have imagined...?
"Commander!" Yoshimoto Naritada stepped forward, forcing a smile. "This matter... this matter is indeed strange. You know how thorough the last investigation was."
All personnel who might have access to intelligence underwent the most rigorous scrutiny, including their backgrounds, resumes, recent activities, interpersonal relationships, and even financial status, and no suspicious points were found.
"Unless...unless the leaker isn't on our known list, or...is from our home base..." His voice trailed off, and even he felt his explanation was weak and unconvincing.
"It's absolutely impossible at the home base; only senior generals on the home base know about this!"
"Yoshimoto-kun, you've disappointed me greatly. I'll give you seven more days. If you still can't find out the reason for the information leak, the Special Higher Police Chief's position will be revoked..." Takashige interrupted sharply, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Twice now, with the same precision and the same lack of discernible trace. This is truly extraordinary.
At this moment, Chief of Staff Major General Ieda Ko was relatively calm. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Commander, now is not the time to investigate responsibility."
Intelligence indicates that the Chinese army has already taken action. Most importantly, how should we respond? Time is of the essence!
Song Jing Shigen forced himself to calm down, his gaze sweeping over the huge sand table of the Nanjing war zone. His finger tapped heavily on the small blue flag representing the Yoshino Detachment of the Marine Corps.
"The five armies consist of four land forces, led by Tani, Tadashima, Yoshiyuki, and Mimatsu. They are all valiant generals of the Empire, and their troops are formidable. Even if the Chinese know the route, they are no match for the absolute strength of the Empire and will only cause some trouble at most."
His tone carried the inherent arrogance of the army, but then turned cold, "However, the Marine Corps Yoshino Detachment..."
He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, mixed with disgust for the Navy idiots.
"Navy... Hmph!" Takakage Saneyasu snorted coldly, "Regarding the matter of the Zenko-tei, Itagaki-kun begged the Combined Fleet for naval gun support, but they turned a blind eye, citing a shortage of shells!"
"Otherwise, why would the Itagaki Detachment have been forced to annihilate the enemy? These naval idiots, their minds are only filled with their own petty naval ambitions. When have they ever genuinely cooperated with our Imperial Japanese Army in combat? I think they'd be happy to see our Army make a fool of itself!"
Ieda Isao frowned: "Your Excellency, what do you mean?"
"Let's hold off on the intelligence about the Yoshino Detachment for now and give it to them tomorrow."
The reason is that the intelligence source is suspicious and needs further verification. At the same time, our army believes that the Yoshino Detachment of the Navy is well-equipped, well-trained, and possesses formidable combat power.
Even if the Chinese army takes precautions, all schemes and tricks are insignificant in the face of absolute power. I believe that under the protection of Amaterasu and the Emperor's favor, the navy will surely bring back good news.
Silence fell once again in the command post. Several army generals exchanged glances and tacitly remained silent.
The conflict between the Navy and the Army is deeply rooted, and the old grudge of not coming to the rescue last time still lingers. At this moment, no one is willing to speak up for the Navy.
Some even had the cynical thought: let the navy suffer a bit and run into some trouble, so that they might learn how to cooperate with the army in combat.
"But! What if the Yoshino Detachment suffers heavy losses as a result..." Ieda Isao was still somewhat hesitant.
"That's the navy doing its duty to the empire!" Takakage Shigen interrupted rudely!
"Moreover, the Yoshino Detachment is well-equipped and is the only marine corps in the navy. It has 30 tanks and over 50 heavy artillery pieces. Even if it is ambushed, can the Chinese army really wipe them out with their rudimentary weapons?"
This battle is fundamentally different from the last one, the Battle of Quangongting. Last time, the Itagaki Detachment was conducting a landing operation, and heavy weapons were not available, nor was there time to build fortifications. This time, the Yoshino Detachment is completely different; it is an assault operation, and they are well prepared!
Moreover, how could such a great achievement as capturing the Chinese capital possibly fall into the hands of those naval idiots? Wouldn't Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai be strutting around like crazy with next year's military budget?
Song Jing Shigen's words were like a knife chilled to ice, piercing the air in the command center.
A barely perceptible glint of greed and calculation flashed in his eyes. Behind the glory of conquering the enemy capital lay the consolidation of the army's voice in the imperial military and a key bargaining chip for increased military spending in the coming years.
The Navy's dominance in recent years has long been a source of discontent for the Army. If they are allowed to steal the credit again, the Army will find it unacceptable.
The staff officers kept their heads down, their fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. They all knew Matsui Iwane's true intentions, but none of them dared to expose them.
The long-standing animosity between the Navy and the Army has long transcended simple inter-service competition, evolving into a comprehensive struggle for resources, status, and even the Emperor's trust.
At this moment, in the eyes of the army's high command, the fate of the Yoshino Detachment has become a pawn in suppressing the navy, a pawn that is worth sacrificing even if it suffers losses.
November 29th, early morning. The Nanfushantang area was shrouded in the damp, cold fog typical of winters in southern China.
The 5000-strong Yoshino Detachment of the Marine Corps, under the command of Major General Yoshino Chiaki, began its planned maneuver and infiltration into the designated area.
Thirty Type 89 medium tanks roared ahead, followed by 50 Type 92 infantry guns and heavy mortars towed by trucks, the procession stretching for miles.
Sitting in the armored vehicle, Yoshino Chiaki looked out at the thick fog, but her mood was not as gloomy as the weather.
In his view, this was yet another armed demonstration; the main force of the Chinese army had already been routed in the battles of Wusongkou and Shanghai, and what remained were nothing more than scattered soldiers.
The glory of being the first to storm into Nanjing, the capital of China, must belong to their navy; they must not let those idiots in the army steal it.
However, when his vanguard troops crashed into the hastily constructed defensive line of the 103rd Division of the Guizhou Army, the anticipated immediate collapse did not occur.
"Beat them! Beat them to death!" Division Commander Wu Zhizhong issued the order in a thick Guizhou accent.
Many of the soldiers behind him were still carrying opium pipes, but at this moment, their eyes were filled with bloodshot veins and madness.
The opium poppies distributed before the war stimulated their nerves, and their hatred for the Japanese devils fueled their will.
Bullets whistled, and grenades exploded next to Japanese tanks. Although the effect was minimal, their desperate fighting spirit temporarily suppressed the Japanese vanguard.
"Baka! These Chinese monkeys are quite tenacious?" Yoshino Chiaki was somewhat surprised upon receiving the report, but didn't pay much attention. "Order Tank Battalion Commander Mingbo-kun to give him twenty minutes to concentrate firepower and crush them!"
Just ten minutes later, under overwhelming firepower, the defenses of the 103rd Division of the Guizhou Army began to falter, and casualties increased sharply.
Wu Zhizhong, his eyes bloodshot, roared as he watched his soldiers fall in droves: "Retreat! Retreat to Guli Town according to plan! Lend those damned Japanese devils in!"
The feigned defeat quickly turned into a real defeat.