Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

A profound sense of bewilderment enveloped these Chinese soldiers who had narrowly escaped death.

They couldn't understand what was happening before their eyes, but this sudden turn of events undoubtedly provided some of the trapped soldiers and civilians with a faint but real chance to catch their breath.

The Japanese troops outside the encirclement seemed to have neither the time nor the intention to carry out a large-scale mopping-up operation; all their attention was focused on the Japanese troops inside the city.

Even the soldiers of the 4th Division who sneaked into the city to do black market business indirectly distributed small amounts of life-saving food to the extremely hungry people, albeit at the cost of cruel exploitation.

With the enemy at the gates, tensions were high, and even fratricide ensued.

After enduring the baptism of external gunfire and the horrific devastation within, Nanjing was plunged into the eye of an even more unpredictable, frenzied, and ultimately unpredictable internal storm.

The air was filled not only with the smell of gunpowder, blood, and burning, but also with a suffocating and insane atmosphere.

All eyes were fixed on the Ministry of Railways building, a symbol of power and despair, awaiting the next spark to ignite this absurd and cruel drama to a greater climax.

At this moment, the air in Nanjing was so heavy it felt like you could wring water out of it.

The steel encirclement formed by the six major divisions has been closed, trapping the main force of the Central China Expeditionary Army, which was living in constant fear within the city.

However, within this seemingly monolithic "rebel" camp, there is no monolithic structure. Strategic differences are quietly emerging as the standoff continues, like undercurrents beneath the ice, surging with uncertain risks.

At the Xiaolingwei front, in a semi-underground bunker temporarily reinforced by engineers from the 4th Division, a high-level military conference that would determine the fate of the nation was underway.

Attendees included Lieutenant General Matsui Masayuki, commander of the 4th Division; Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, commander of the 2nd Division; Lieutenant General Ito Masayoshi, commander of the 101st Division; Lieutenant General Yamada Otozo, commander of the 12th Division; and Lieutenant General Sakamoto Seiemon, commander of the 7th Division, and Lieutenant General Tsukada Osamu, commander of the 8th Division, who came from the southern front.

Captain Yusuke Ichijo, the military police captain, also attended the meeting as Zhou Zhengqing's representative.

The atmosphere was far less one of shared hatred and camaraderie during the march; instead, it was permeated with a subtle tension arising from differing considerations of interests and risks.

"Gentlemen," Yamada Otozo, one of the more senior members, spoke first. He tapped his fingers on a sketch of Nanjing's defenses spread out on an ammunition box, his tone steady yet cautious: "Our army is at the city gates, and the situation is already set."

Matsui Iwane was now trapped, and the morale of the defending troops inside the castle was low, with panic spreading.

In my opinion, while a strong attack at this time could lead to a quick victory, it would inevitably trigger fierce street fighting, and our casualties would likely be considerable.

More importantly…” He paused, glancing around at the crowd, “There are still a large number of Imperial soldiers in the city, fighting amongst themselves, rivers of blood flowing. If this news gets back to the country, or even internationally, public opinion will be extremely unfavorable, dealing a heavy blow to Commander Takasaki’s reputation and the ‘legitimacy’ of the entire operation.”

He favored a strategy of "surrounding without attacking, forcing them to collapse on their own."

Using overwhelming troop and firepower, they imposed a strict blockade and psychological deterrence on Nanjing, cutting off all supplies. At the same time, through political appeals and secret channels, they persuaded Matsui Iwane to recognize the situation, lay down his arms, and accept "reorganization."

This would achieve the goal of disintegrating the Central China Expeditionary Army, minimize the bloodshed of the civil war, and give them a more favorable position in terms of politics and public opinion.

"What Yamada-kun said makes sense."

The 2nd Division, led by Okamura Yasuji, was known for its fierce and bravery.

However, he also showed consideration for costs. In addition, the Second Division had suffered heavy casualties after several major battles in Shanghai. He agreed, saying, "Street fighting is indeed a meat grinder, especially when fighting against our own people who are familiar with our tactics. If we can subdue the enemy without fighting, that would be the best strategy."

However, the tough-minded Sakamoto Seiemon immediately objected. His fierce personality and the ruthless methods he had used in Jinshanwei had already shown his style: "Besiege? How long will the siege last?"

Ten days? Half a month? Anything could happen in a long time!

Kyoto's attitude is ambiguous. The longer it drags on, the greater the uncertainty! Who can guarantee that headquarters won't suddenly change its mind, order mediation, or even accuse us of missing a crucial opportunity?

If the cooked duck flies away, how will we explain it to Commander Takasaki? How will we explain it to Commander Ueda?

We must act swiftly and decisively, taking Nanjing with overwhelming force to completely shatter Matsui Iwane's will to resist and create a fait accompli!

Casualties? What war can be without casualties! For the future of the Imperial Army, the necessary sacrifices are worthwhile!

Tsukada Osamu also supported a strong attack: "That's right! Matsui Iwane is now a frightened bird, and his subordinates are even more panicked. Now is the best time to attack."

A single, decisive blow could decide the fate of the world! Delaying it, allowing them to recover and rebuild their fortifications, will only create more trouble!

Both sides argued endlessly.

The meeting reached a stalemate.

Both the offensive and siege factions have their reasons, and neither can convince the other.

All eyes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, were drawn to the figure who had remained silent with a somber expression: Lieutenant General Matsui, commander of the 4th Division, and the temporary commander of this operation.

Matsui Michiko of the 4th Division, on the other hand, appeared more pragmatic and tactful. He was worried that the huge cost of a strong attack would affect his division's "profits," but he was also worried that a prolonged siege might lead to unforeseen changes and affect his relationship with Zhou Zhengqing. Therefore, his attitude was somewhat wavering.

. . . . . . .

Seeing the meeting reach a stalemate, Yusuke Ichijo, who had been silently observing, stood up: "Gentlemen."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the coldness characteristic of military police: "Arguing is pointless. This matter concerns the overall situation and cannot be easily decided by us here."

Commander Takasaki is far away in Tianjin, strategizing and planning, and must have insight into the situation here.

I suggest we immediately send a telegram to the commander, outlining the two current options, and request his decision!

The proposal was approved by the majority. After all, the "righteous cause" and support behind their actions came from Takasaki Takuto.

The final decision must be made by him.

Soon, an encrypted emergency telegram was sent from the Xiaolingwei Command Center to Tianjin, hundreds of kilometers away.

The telegram detailed the siege situation, the enemy's condition inside the city, and clearly outlined the advantages and disadvantages of two options: "long-term siege and forced surrender" versus "immediate attack and annihilation."

Tianjin, Military Police Headquarters.

Zhou Zhengqing received this fateful telegram in his office late at night.

He read each word carefully, his face expressionless, only the rhythmic tapping of his fingertips on the table sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Standing before the enormous map of China, my gaze swept over Nanjing, then over Wuhan and Chongqing, before finally settling on the more distant Japanese archipelago.

Time is precious.

The delicate nature of the international situation...

The silence and ambiguity of the Kyoto headquarters are temporary. Once they reach a compromise internally, or if the pressure from the Emperor increases, the coup they have painstakingly planned may be forcibly suppressed.

He could not give Matsui Iwane any chance to breathe, nor could he give Kyoto any time to mediate.