The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

Chapter 384: The Contradictions of the Devils

After talking about the strategic arrangements of their Japanese emperor, Fukushima Yasumasa, as the commander-in-chief of this operation, made another impassioned speech. Almost every sentence revolved around dispatching the South Manchuria Railway's guard troops, which made Matsushita Hideki even more angry.

The entire South Manchuria Railway has now been transferred to the management of the General Staff, while the Eastern China Railway, known as the North Manchuria Railway, is still under the control of the military.

As the highest official of the South Manchuria Railway, Hideki Matsushita had been working with his colleagues in Jilin to promote the full connection of the two railways.

The military was of course well aware of this - in the Northeast, the most important means for Japan to gain benefits was to rely on the railway as a lifeline to create Japanese-controlled territories, and then infiltrate various industries in various ways;

If the railway from Siping to Changchun was opened by the General Staff, could the military still control North Manchuria?

The answer is obvious!

Therefore, when the order was given to send troops to seize the Germans' territory, Fukushima Yasumasa certainly wanted the General Staff to take the lead.

But as the commander-in-chief, how could Hideki Matsushita not know his wishful thinking?
He clenched his fists silently, and his expression became increasingly gloomy: Ever since the Russians handed over North Manchuria, haven't you arrogant fools always had to rely on our General Staff to maintain control of the railways?
From Meng Enyuan to Jiang Cheng, the Chinese have always been eyeing the North Manchuria Railway!

And now, instead of thinking about how to cooperate with us to get the rights to build the new line as soon as possible, you are planning to take advantage of the moment when His Majesty the Emperor is seeking interests in Shandong to suppress us?

This is really unreasonable!

But before he could express his anger, Kenji Shiota, the highest executive officer of the General Staff in China, said slowly: "Commander Fukushima, we have no intention of disobeying His Majesty the Emperor... We can obey your orders and send troops to Qingdao, but how should we deal with the interests of the North-South Manchuria Railway?"

Fukushima Yasumasa suddenly stopped smiling: "What's wrong with the railway? It's still under our control, isn't it?"

"I don't understand why you mentioned the railway - what we are discussing now is to send troops to Qingdao."

Matsushita Hideki couldn't hold back any longer, and immediately glared and said, "Commander Fukushima, are you kidding me?"

"Jiang Cheng is attacking Heilongjiang under the order of Zhang Yuting. How can the safety of the railway and its territories be guaranteed? According to the battle report sent back from the front, Jiang Cheng's troops are able to fight on two fronts and have considerable heavy firepower—"

"Once we kill Bao Guiqing and his son in Heilongjiang, what if we attack the other territories when they are empty?"

The whole conference room was in an uproar.

Fukushima Yasumasa's expression suddenly turned cold: "Mr. Matsushita, are you questioning the Emperor's strategic thinking?"

Hearing this accusation being put on him, Matsushita Hideki immediately lost his temper, but Shiota Kenji was much calmer than him. He glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, then smiled and said, "General Fukushima, there is no need to use His Majesty to pressure us."

"In fact, we all know that our Great Japanese Empire, under the guidance of the two wise monarchs Meiji and Taisho, is capable of competing with Western countries in terms of agriculture, industry, military and technology.

"We do not doubt the Emperor's grand strategy... But as Mr. Matsushita said, there is a turmoil in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. If the main force of our army withdraws from South Manchuria, how can the interests of the railway and overseas Chinese be guaranteed if something changes?"

This question actually hit Fukushima Yasumasa's target: "Currently, the fighting line of the Chinese and Nara armies is concentrated at the junction of Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. Liaoning along the South Manchuria Railway is still very safe--"

"So, after discussion and research, the Governor's Office decided that it would be more appropriate for Mr. Matsushita to go to Qingdao!" Then, perhaps your military will have to find some time to occupy my territory in South Manchuria?

Before Matsushita Hideki opened his mouth, Okawa Masao, who had been watching from the sidelines since the beginning of the meeting, suddenly said, "If Matsushita-kun goes south, who can guarantee that the line from the South Manchuria terminal to Zhengjiatun and Changchun will be open?"

I didn't expect the people from the General Staff to be so straightforward, but it was the consulate that made it clear.

"Also, the Special High Section has already reported that Jiang Cheng secretly signed an agreement with Britain and France to import technology and war preparations from them. I think you have all heard about the Jilin-Heilongjiang War, and tanks have appeared on the front line!"

Okawa Masao spoke each word with a pause, but his words were full of a sense of crisis. "Although the number of tanks is not large, who can guarantee whether Jiang Cheng still has tanks?"

What should I do if my territory is attacked?
Can your military alone guarantee the safety of your territories and expatriates?
A series of questions made Fukushima Yasumasa's expression darker: "In your eyes, the military can't even do basic security maintenance?"

"We can not only ensure the safety of the North Manchuria Railway, but also stabilize the safety of South Manchuria. We can also push for the full opening of the two railways during your trip southwards!"

"If I can't do this, I, Fukushima, am willing to resign!"

"But then again, what exactly are you, the General Staff, trying to do? You have ignored the divine authority of the Emperor and have been making excuses for not wanting to serve His Majesty. I, Fukushima, will write to His Majesty and ask you to..."

Shiota Kenji interrupted him with a sneer: "Fukushima-kun, your passionate words are really disrespectful - have you disregarded the dignity of an imperial soldier?"

"Mr. Matsushita and I have both promised that we will obey the Emperor's orders. Since you said that you can guarantee the safety of the railway, our General Staff Headquarters still needs to demarcate the implementation area."

At this point, Matsushita Hideki also understood what he meant and immediately added: "Indeed, the transfer of authority is still necessary! While we are heading south, the safety of the railway and the expatriates is in your hands."

On the contrary, several high-ranking military officials were worried. However, Fukushima Yasushi was eager to gain credit and occupy territory, so he didn't care about that. He immediately agreed: "Then please go south and serve His Majesty with peace of mind."

Kenji Shiota raised the corners of his lips slightly, and Takema Machino, who was sitting below Hideki Matsushita, also showed some wonderful expressions.

What the General Staff Headquarters failed to do, you want the military to do?

If you can't do it, just resign? Hehehe...

Shiota Kenji immediately stood up and agreed, "We will definitely serve the Empire! However, please ask Governor Fukushima to define the area and authority with us!"

The two of them couldn't help but feel proud, but Matsushita Hideki didn't know their intentions. He just didn't want to go south -

In his opinion, gaining control of the entire North-South Manchuria Railway was far more important than fighting the German remnants in Qingdao...but Commander Yantian actually agreed.

Just as he turned his eyes away, Machino beside him winked at him.

Is it...

(End of this chapter)