Beiyang reactionaries

The status of the Japanese foreign minister is not low, but the rank is still very high.Not to mention anything else, just according to the principle of equality, China should at least send Gu Weijun, Minister of Foreign Affairs.In fact, every time Gu Zhengzhi visited before, the Chinese side received Wang Jingwei, vice chairman of the Supreme Council.Because Sino-Japanese relations are a very important part of China's diplomacy, Gu Zhengyu is also a big figure in Japanese politics.Not only the foreign minister, but also one of the intelligence leaders who has mastered Japanese intelligence, and has a very good relationship with Hideki Tojo.Every time Gu Zhengzhi came to China, he came on behalf of Hideki Tojo, so China also attaches great importance to it.

But what about this time?

The one who came to greet him was Ye Gongchao, director of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.Although it is now reported that Ye Gongchao, a 40-year-old young diplomat, is likely to become China's vice foreign minister.But even if he becomes the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, his qualifications and level are still far behind Gu Zhengzhi.What's more, the current Ye Gongchao is just a director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.If Gu Zhengzhi could bear this a little bit, then when he arrived at the meeting place, he was greeted by Chen Jie, the vice minister of foreign affairs, which made Gu Zhengzhi very angry.

But because it was the first day, Gu Zhengzhi endured it.When Gu Zhengzhi was preparing to negotiate with the Chinese high-level officials the next day, he found out that the person who came was still Chen Jie, the vice minister of foreign affairs, which made Gu Zhengzhi furious.

Gu Zhengzhi was familiar with these people.

In the past, when Gu Zhengzhi came to China, neither Chen Jie nor Ye Gongchao were just attendants.Gu Zhengzhi was a Japanese ambassador in China in his early years. The staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Gu Zhengzhi met at that time are now all figures at the level of Chinese political leaders.Starting from Yan Huiqing, Shi Zhaoji, Wei Chenzu, Gu Weijun, Wang Zhengting.All the people who received Gu Zhengzhi in the past were people of this level.

But what about this time?

Not to mention Wang Jingwei, even Gu Weijun did not show his face, only Chen Jie, one of the vice ministers of foreign affairs, showed up.All diplomacy has procedures, or unspoken rules.Regardless of Gu Zhengzhi's level, no matter what the attitude of China is, Gu Weijun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, should come forward no matter what.

But now Gu Weijun doesn't show up, what does this mean?

Gu Zhengzhi already had some guesses in his mind.Gu Weijun didn't show up right away, Gu Zhengzhi could still comfort himself, maybe Gu Weijun still had something to do.However, there were some negotiations to be held the next day, and Gu Weijun still did not show up. This is an attitude in itself.According to the rules of diplomacy, Gu Weijun had to come out at the last moment, but it was only out of affection.

Gu Zhengzhi now understands that his trip to Beijing will be very difficult.It is a very obvious diplomatic signal that China treats itself so slowly.

"Minister Chen (Chen Jie), do you know if Minister Gu (Gu Weijun) is here? I came to Beijing this time to discuss with your country some issues concerning the territorial dispute between the two countries. If possible, I hope to have a meeting with Vice-Commissioner Wang as soon as possible. Minister (Wang Jingwei) and Minister Gu."

Gu Zhengzhi decided not to delay.

因为谷正之时间不多。朝鲜下的通牒是4月15日，今天已经是4月1日，离朝鲜下的通牒只有14天。留给日本的时间真的不多。

Hideki Tojo and Masaoyuki Tani have analyzed it.

If a war breaks out on the Korean peninsula according to the current situation, the Japanese army and the Korean Empire's army staying in the south may not necessarily be able to fight the North Korean army.After all, the Korean Independence Army has a large number of people, good weapons and equipment, and good training.

That's why Gu Zhengzhi came to Beijing so soon, hoping that China can stop the war on the Korean Peninsula.If China cannot be persuaded, then Japan must prepare as soon as possible.Japan currently has more than 400 million troops remaining in its homeland.

Of course, this is only the troops mobilized by Japan. In fact, most of them have little combat effectiveness.If you go up to fight, the combat effectiveness is estimated to be similar to those of Southeast Asian countries.Because most of them are older or younger, Japan has begun to have a shortage of personnel even now, and there is a serious shortage of young and middle-aged people, so the only way to relax the age is.But even so, Japan still has nearly a million well-trained troops in the country.

If necessary, Japan still has the ability to send hundreds of thousands of troops to the Korean peninsula.But it takes time to mobilize these troops, and Japan must prepare as soon as possible.

Therefore, Gu Zhengzhi has no time to spend in China.

"this one?"

Chen Jie dragged his voice, and then said: "I am dissatisfied with Foreign Minister Gu Zheng. Vice Chairman Wang (Wang Jingwei) recently presided over the meeting of the Overseas Chinese Committee. There is really no time. Minister Gu flew to Chengdu. Foreign Minister Gu Zheng should know that the Federation of China The meeting is held on April 4 every year. I’m really sorry, it’s really because of the unlucky chance that Minister Gu Zheng came.”

"understand."

Gu Zhengzhi was furious in his heart, but he didn't show it.

Although China has given the reasons, they are too lazy to make up the reasons, and fool themselves with just one.The meeting of the Overseas Chinese Committee was indeed held at this time, and many representatives of overseas Chinese from all over the world came.However, although Chinese high-level officials will also participate in this kind of meeting, most of the time they just show up and do not participate in the whole meeting.Even if Wang Jingwei is really busy because of this matter, there is no problem in meeting Gu Zhengzhi for a few hours.But even if he doesn't want to spare this little time, it can be seen that this is completely an excuse.

Besides, talking about Gu Weijun is even more of an excuse.

Currently in charge of the affairs of the Chinese Federation is the Wei Chen group, who is a bigwig with higher qualifications and rank than Gu Weijun.With such a powerful figure sitting in Chengdu, there is no need for Gu Weijun to go there.In the past, Gu Weijun used to preside over the Federation of China meeting, either Gu Weijun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or Wei Chenzuo, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs.Since the establishment of the Federation of China, Wei Chen's group has been in charge, so why does Gu Weijun go to join in the fun.

He gritted his teeth in his heart, but Gu Zhengzhi still calmed himself down.

Then he said: "Minister Chen, our two countries had an agreement on the issue of the Korean Peninsula two years ago, and now the Korean Republic unilaterally issues such a notice to our country. Our country thinks it is very inappropriate. This is destroying the peace of the peninsula. Our country hopes that you will China can come forward to maintain peace on the peninsula.”

"protocol?"

Chen Jie smiled and said, "Minister Gu Zheng, you may have forgotten. Because your country did not implement the original agreement, our country has declared the original agreement invalid. The Korean peninsula has been divided for a long time, and it is time for reunification."

"Minister Chen, the Prime Minister said before I came that there are some historical issues left between our two countries, and he is very willing to sit down and have a good talk. If your country has any demands, you can raise them. Asia should be united, only Only in this way can we preserve the independence of Asia."

Gu Zhengzhi already understood China's attitude in his heart.

For a big country like China, its diplomacy is consistent and rarely changes casually.But Gu Zhengzhi still wanted to work hard in the end, so he expressed his thoughts.Chen Jie nodded and said: "Minister Gu Zheng, our country's attitude has always been very clear. If your country is willing to sit down and negotiate, our country is very willing. As long as your country can agree to our conditions, our country is very willing to negotiate with your country. cooperate."

"Minister Chen, please speak."

"First, withdraw the troops from southern Sakhalin, return the southern part of Sakhalin, and recognize our country's sovereignty over Sakhalin."

"Second, recognize my country's sovereignty over the Thousand Islands and return the southern part of the Thousand Islands to my country."

"Third, withdraw from Taiwan, abolish the 'Treaty of Shimonoseki' concerning Taiwan, and recognize my country's sovereignty over Taiwan."

"Fourth, abolish the "Ryukyu Treaty" and the "Discretionary Clause", recognize the sovereignty of the Ryukyu country, and let the Ryukyu country become independent."

"Fifth, withdraw the troops on the Korean peninsula, and leave the Korean peninsula issues to them to solve themselves."

While Gu Zhengzhi was stunned, Chen Jie calmly stated China's request.Under Gu Zhengzhi's completely inconceivable expression, he said: "These are all issues left over from history. They are all places that your country used the army to seize. They should have been resolved long ago. As long as your country agrees to these conditions of our country and meets these conditions, the two of us will China is still a good neighbor."

Only then did Gu Zhengzhi fully react.

This is not the current negotiation conditions, this is China's ultimatum to Japan.In other words, this is China's post-war arrangement for Japan.At this time, Gu Zhengzhi immediately remembered one thing, that is the Almaty meeting, including the frequent secret contacts between China and the United States.

What are they discussing?What can we discuss?

As Japan who participated in the Paris Peace Conference, how could Masayuki Gu not understand.This is where these world powers are discussing the post-war world order and how to seek benefits after the war.

Chilled all over.

Gu Zhengzhi was really cold all over for a moment.Because according to Chen Jie, China wanted to dismember Japan after the war.At that time, the northern part of Japan will be directly under the deterrence of Sakhalin Island and the Thousand Islands, the Korean Peninsula to the west, and the Ryukyu Peninsula to the south.This directly surrounds Japan strategically, and does not give Japan any chance at all.

Gu Zhengzhi has no idea of ​​any negotiations now, China has too many demands.At this time, it is better to negotiate with Britain and the United States.So Gu Zhengzhi said: "Minister Chen, I'm not feeling well, and I want to take a rest. Look?"

"I was negligent. Foreign Minister Gu Zheng, you rest first, we will talk later."

754

"Tojo-kun, how do you deal with the current situation?"

Koichi Kido, Minister of the Interior of Japan, looked at Hideki Tojo and questioned him again and again.

Kido Koichi was shocked.

The news from Gu Zhengzhi made the Japanese cabinet feel dignified.Although when the Republic of Korea issued an ultimatum, everyone had already made some psychological preparations.But after hearing China's attitude, I was really shocked.China's demands are too excessive. The issues of Taiwan, Sakhalin Island, and the Thousand Islands have always been disputes between China and Japan. They are psychologically prepared for this.However, China's request also involves the issue of the Korean Peninsula, and China even asked Japan to make Ryukyu independent.

Especially the independence of Ryukyu, which Japan absolutely cannot promise.

If even Ryukyu is lost, what is left of Japan.In the absolute defense circle established by Hideki Tojo and the others, the Ryukyu Islands are a very important part.It is impossible for Japan to agree to let Japan cede the Mariana Islands.Not to mention the Ryukyu Islands.

Kido Koichi really regretted it now.Looking at Hideki Tojo, Koichi Kido remembered what happened back then.When Fumimaro Konoe was prime minister, he had a very serious conflict with the military and was constantly bombarded by the military.At that time, the military asked Konoe Fummaro to suspend negotiations with the United States and asked Konoe Fummaro to be tough on the United States.Let the Konoe Fumimaro cabinet prepare for war with the United States.

At that time, both Fumimaro Konoe and Koichi Kido supported negotiations with the United States and not war with the United States.They all believe that Japan and the United States go to war, and there is no benefit.

But because the military's attitude is too firm, and the military has already begun to prepare for war with the United States, the result is that Fumimaro Konoe can only go to the field.At that time, Konoe Fumimaro told Kido Koichi that the royal family or a civil servant must be the prime minister of the cabinet, and a soldier must not be chosen as the prime minister of the cabinet.Because Konoe Wenmaro at that time had already seen that the Japanese soldiers were crazy.

But Koichi Kido hesitated at the time.