Canteen System Assistance Notes

Nakanishi was remarkably calm. Konoe's question wasn't actually a genuine inquiry, but rather a need to find some reason to convince himself: he wasn't anti-war at all; he simply didn't want to go to war with the United States. "As for the United States, while it still maintains isolation from the world, strictly adhering to neutrality and pursuing only commercial gains, it's probably already weakened by now. President Roosevelt has already issued a clear statement supporting Russia's counterattack against the Dokkan offensive." Many scholars believe that if the war continues, the United States will formally declare its support for China. At that point, the Imperial Empire might become the common enemy of both East and West.

"So we must withdraw from the Axis! As long as we withdraw from the Axis, and I personally meet with the US President, there will be hope for negotiations, and a peaceful march south will be just around the corner!"

Konoe slammed the table and shouted excitedly. However, as his palm fell, the wine bottle on the table swayed and almost fell over. Konoe Fumima hurriedly reached out to steady the bottle. His eyes turned, his lips moved, and finally he asked the lucky question in his heart:

“But Nakanishi-san,

"This Duguo country is attacking Luguo. Do you think it can succeed in one fell swoop?"

Chapter 531: The Wise Are Invincible (Part 3) Mr. Tojo

Ever since submitting his resignation, former Army Prime Minister Hideki Tojo felt that his career was over.

After all, the army suffered an unprecedented defeat in North China: an entire division—although it was a division separated from the Kwantung Army—was completely wiped out by the Eighth Route Army.

This was a complete and utter annihilation. Even the regimental flag was confiscated, the division was completely destroyed, and not a single garrison commander or commander remained. It was a monumental humiliation unprecedented in the history of the Imperial Army. Therefore, Tojo felt compelled to bear the blame.

So, Tojo came to the Army Minister's office to pack up his things and prepare to take away his personal belongings; after packing up the Army Minister's office, he turned to the Army Minister's official residence and moved his things back to his private residence.

Seeing Tojo quietly depart, his colleagues and staff expressed a mixture of kindness and regret. Some offered comfort, others shed tears as they flocked to bid him farewell. Some reassured him that the Army would not compromise with the traitorous Konoe, the traitorous Konoe who betrayed the Empire. They said they could thwart the Konoe's schemes simply by not appointing a new Army Minister. General Higashikuni, who was supposed to take over as Prime Minister and form the new cabinet, would undoubtedly support the start of war and his decision to deliver a decisive blow to Na Ying.

Ah, okay. Private Tojo could only smile at this: He had always been a radical and arrogant advocate of war, from the invasion of Manchuria,

From expanding the Sino-Japanese Incident to invading the interior of the country, to advocating war with Chilu, and opening up war with Britain and the United States,

War, politically, I am already a complete advocate of war.

But if he didn't do this, how could he make further progress? If he didn't take a clear stand, almost maniacally, against Konoe, who advocated for negotiations, how could he have gained so many political resources?

As for whether war would actually begin, and what would happen after it did... well, I'm no longer Army Minister, so it shouldn't be my business. Tojo Hideki continued packing up his things in his official residence, packing them into boxes for departure. As he watched the servants and aides work, he thought, "Your Majesty has approved my resignation. Now I'm a criminal. I don't know when I'll be able to return to politics."

Then, the phone at home suddenly rang.

"Moxi Moxi?"

The operator's voice faded away, and Tojo Hideki held the receiver in confusion, wondering who would still call my house now, not knowing I'd already resigned?

"Minister Tojo, I am Kido. Now, please come to the palace immediately to meet His Majesty the Emperor."

“Ah…ah?”

Kido Koichi, the Minister of the Interior, was the only one of the four great daijokan who remained in the post-Meiji government and was the head of the Imperial Household Agency.

His words basically represent the will of the emperor.

Why would His Majesty the Emperor come to me at this critical moment? Didn't His Majesty even approve my resignation?

Tojo was stunned, clutching the phone, bewildered. Even after the other party hung up, he didn't react for a long time. Helping adjutants Sato Xianle and Akamatsu Masao saw that Tojo's mind was offline and he was like a statue, so they hurried over to understand what was going on.

"Sir, this must be the result of your earlier remarks at the discussion meeting on the Sino-Japanese Incident."

Sato Xianla was the quickest to speculate: "At that time, facing the groundless accusations of the army's incompetence, you were indignant and said that the situation of the Imperial Army in China could never be reversed, let alone retreat... How could the Imperial Army lose to the Communist Army again? If you talk about stopping the war, I will resign immediately."

"But recently the Imperial Army's war situation in China has been getting worse and worse, and has not improved. I'm afraid that His Majesty the Emperor will be angry with you because of your previous conclusion and will... criticize you." He concluded, "Your Excellency, you may need to prepare yourself first." "Your Excellency, there is no need to worry so much," said the adjutant Akamatsu Masao, "Just a few days ago, I heard that an imperial meeting was held in the palace. Since the three chiefs of the army were unable to attend, Councillor Sugiyama Motobu was sent instead.

"I heard that at that meeting, there was considerable debate regarding the peace talks or war with Britain and the United States. Your Excellency is known for speaking out for justice under all circumstances. His Majesty may wish to instruct you on this matter. In any case, please bring the relevant documents with you in case of need."

"Ah, well, that's fine... but if Your Majesty insists on punishing me, then I have no choice. How could I dare to contradict Your Majesty?"

Tojo finally recovered from his confusion. He nodded and agreed to the suggestions of his adjutant and staff. He packed the materials that had not been moved away, then hurriedly got into the car and arrived at the gate of the Imperial Palace.

Outside the Imperial Palace gates, a fleeting crowd of reporters had gathered. A few days earlier, they had captured the scene at the Cabinet Office where Prime Minister Konoe was forced to resign and Chief Cabinet Officer Akira Kazami's furious outburst. They were racing back and forth between the Imperial Palace and the Cabinet Office. As soon as Tojo Hideki exited his car, some shouted, "Sir Tojo, are you about to be entrusted with a major task by His Majesty?" Then, shouts of rebuke and ridicule filled the air, urging the unfortunate individual, who had no idea that General Higashikuni was about to form an imperial cabinet, to quiet down.

Tojo Hideki had no time to care about these people. He and his two adjutants quickly passed through the noisy reporters and were led to the waiting room by the palace attendants. Not long after, people from the Imperial Household Ministry came in, took Tojo Hideki away alone, and led him into the audience room with the emperor.

He finally met the Emperor.

The lighting inside the meeting room wasn't very good, and it was a bit dim. Unlike meetings outside the palace, however, the Emperor's face could still be clearly seen here. However, Emperor Hirohito was looking down, polishing his glasses. Tojo Hideki couldn't see the Emperor's height clearly, and it was even harder to gauge his mood.

"today,"

Minister of the Interior Koichi Kido, standing off to the side and one of the few allowed to be present, suddenly spoke up. "Tojo-kun, His Majesty will not grant you a chair today."

"ocean."

Normally, when the Emperor met with people, he would always have a chair to sit on. These few words frightened Tojo, but this warmongerer, who had previously dared to confront the Prime Minister in meetings, now dared not say anything.

"It looks like today is doomed. Your Majesty, I'm sure you'll reprimand me severely," Tojo muttered to himself. He wasn't one to adapt to changing circumstances, so he could only mentally recall the various countermeasures and plans he had agreed upon with his staff when he arrived.

First of all, we must take good care of His Majesty's first wave of reprimands.

Tojo took a deep breath, tensed his muscles, and was always ready for the Emperor to suddenly explode and scold him. Next, should he cry bitterly and put the blame on the navy; or should he accept the punishment and take the initiative to apply for further punishment? All these responses depended on waiting for the Emperor to give the order.

The air in the room thickened like a paste, making Tojo feel as if he couldn't breathe, couldn't stretch out his hands, couldn't move. Beside him, Kido Koichi stood like a lord with his hands folded in a bow, and the Emperor's image gradually blurred, becoming almost indistinct. Finally, Emperor Hirohito seemed to finally clean his small round glasses. In Tojo's view, His Majesty blew on them.

"Tojo."

"Hi, Your Majesty."

His Majesty the Emperor finally spoke, "It has been decided. I order you to form a cabinet. Please abide by the provisions of the Constitution."

....?

"I believe that the current situation, both on the Sino-Japanese battlefield and in the international arena, is undergoing significant changes. Now is the time for the Empire to make a crucial decision.

The army and navy should strengthen their cooperation: the army and navy should work together to

Cope with possible changes in tense.

"Later, I will summon the Minister of the Navy to instruct them to strengthen cooperation. You, please discuss this with the Minister of the Navy and Kido." What? Your Majesty, the conflict between the navy and the army has been going on for a long time. Is it a mission that I alone can accomplish to guide the navy and the army to cooperate?

Tojo Hideki was so shocked that he forgot Hirohito's first order: "You are the one who will form a cabinet." When he finally realized what was happening, Tojo realized he had been inexplicably thrust into the spotlight. "Wait, Your Majesty! Wait! Why am I the one forming a cabinet? I hadn't considered how I would handle this situation before."

He suppressed the trembling all over his body and prepared to use plan C - please allow me to hesitate for a while, in order to buy some breathing time. But who would have thought that Hirohito would speak first. "I allow you to consider and hesitate for a while." The emperor said lightly, as if he was very considerate of his subordinates, "The previous misfortune on the battlefield in Japan and China

I deeply regret that the army is still the backbone of the empire and the lifeblood of the empire.

"I am irreplaceable. Compared to the vastness of Southeast Asia, those little things are nothing to worry about. Don't take them too seriously."

Without waiting for Tojo to open his mouth, Hirohito glanced at Kido Koichi and continued, unleashing the speech he had prepared long ago: "Now, regarding matters that determine the foundation of national policy, you should not be bound by the decisions made at the previous Imperial Conference.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Tojo-kun, you are a man who dares to disregard prejudice and speak out for justice. For the current Imperial State, you should shoulder even greater responsibility. Conduct a more extensive and in-depth study of the domestic and international situation, rectify the current situation, and make decisions based on careful consideration."

This statement was very straightforward, so straightforward that even someone like Tojo, who was not so shrewd and whose political sense was not so sharp, could sense something was wrong: he was suddenly promoted to form a cabinet and asked to "take responsibility".

Ask yourself to clean up the situation, ask yourself to coordinate the conflicts between land and sea, and complete the impossible task...

He recalled the tragic simulation he had watched at the General Warfare Research Institute, everything he had seen when he passed through the United States in the tenth year of the Taisho era, and the current dilemma of the Sino-Japanese war.

Tojo Hideki wanted to open his mouth and shout that all his previous words of war were just to oppose the peaceful southward strategy of Konoe and others. He opposed for the sake of opposition, but in fact he was trying to gain more political benefits. But how could he say this?

How could he say it? How could he, Tojo, dare to go against the decision of His Majesty the Emperor?

"Hey, Your Majesty, I understand."

He could only lower his head and answer like this.

Chapter 532: The Wise Are Invincible (IV) Non-Contact Dialogue

(Update)

"The Konoe Cabinet resigned again, and Lieutenant General Tojo was appointed to form a cabinet."

Zhong Xigong rolled up the newspaper, folded it in half, and stuffed it into his pocket. After reading the headline and a few lines of text, he knew he didn't need to read any further - after all, he was also a reporter, and he knew what reporters would write.

The Army forced the Konoe Cabinet, which was still in the process of forming a cabinet, to fall by not appointing a war minister; and the highly anticipated and popular General Higashikuni was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Emperor Hirohito chose Private First Class Tojo to form a cabinet and become prime minister. This basically served as an irrefutable proof that Japan was about to go to war in the south.

"But it wasn't because Tojo Hideki was a fervent advocate of war that he made this judgment..." Nakanishi Isao thought, "Huh, not allowing the imperial family to form a cabinet is because they're afraid that they'll ultimately have to bear the brunt of the responsibility, right?"

By October 1942, determining Japan's strategic direction was no longer Zhong Xigong's most important task.

Even if we ignore the direct evidence such as the Eighth Route Army's Shandong Province monitoring station deciphering Germany's diplomatic telegrams to Japan and Konoe's secret talks with Isao Nakanishi, the news flying all over Japanese newspapers such as "Our Imperial Army is practicing the heroic and invincible Yanglu Operation like a dragon emerging from the water" and "Our naval fleet has left the port for sea exercises, and the powerful enemy can only be wiped out in front of our Imperial Army's 800 pupils and 3,000 sea eagles" is enough for qualified strategic researchers to conclude that Japan is about to move south.

While the specific date and method remained unknown, this qualitative assessment was sufficient for the Soviet Union and the Eighth Route Army. Intelligence organizations in Japan would undoubtedly need to remain dormant and operate underground. As a key member of the Zhongtongwen Academy's intelligence system, Zhong Xigong's primary responsibility at this time was to assist his comrades in Japan in concealment or evacuation.

Today, he picked up his identity as a "well-known reporter for the Tongmeng News Agency" and went to the Hibiya Public Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, to participate in an exhibition with a very long name. The full name was "The Imperial Country is the most beautiful country in the world. The residents of the Imperial Country regard the blockade of demons and beasts as nothing and should use substitutes to satisfy their lives."

The exhibition venue was set up outdoors, centered around an amphitheater built in imitation of European style during Japan's period of learning from the West. It was an open-air bazaar with multiple booths, and a banner welcoming Ursula, the daughter of the German ambassador. It was filled with all kinds of "substitutes" and a large number of housewives who were organized to come to the exhibition with their children.

Gong Zhongxi and his group of friends became the few adult men here.

"Mr. Nakanishi!" Matsumoto Shigeharu, a fellow member of the Choshokukai but unrelated to the Japanese Communist Party, called out boldly, "Let's finish today's interview quickly and complete that mission for the Imperial Government Support Association—ah, your writing is excellent, you'll be able to finish the manuscript, right?"

"After we finish this, let's go to the garden!"

"No problem, President Matsumoto."

Nakanishi nodded. Today was also the day for some members of his "Powerful Young Masters Club," a gathering of some 1,000 young masters with active minds, high energy, and ample status and wealth. Upon hearing that Nakanishi was coming to Hibiya for an interview, they flocked to visit.

After greeting his young friends, Zhong Xigong took out his camera and interview notebook, hung them on his chest, and quickly disappeared into the crowd. He moved back and forth in front of the many booths and interviewed many stall owners, visiting housewives and children, just like a dedicated investigative reporter.

However, these "substitute" exhibitions really did not make him happy.

"Fish leather shoes... are durable, extremely comfortable, and ten thousand times better than cowhide..." "Algae backpacks, made from nature, meet daily needs..."

"Use kelp quilt covers to get rid of the shameless dependence on imported cotton lint..."

After a few attempts, he no longer wanted to complain about these Cthulhu-inspired substitutes, nor did he want to listen to the housewives and stall owners boasting about how useful these indescribable things were. Currently, just fighting China alone has put domestic supplies so scarce. If a war with the United States were to break out, how much more would the domestic supply shortages be?

How many more Japanese will die? As a Japanese, Zhong Xigong finally became worried.

But the information Mr. Xuewen provided clearly confirmed that the army plundered vast quantities of resources from China annually and shipped them back home. Even the navy, which played a non-dominant role in China, maintained a substantial fleet of automated supply transport vehicles. Ha, the Daiginjo sake that Konoe enjoyed a few days ago wastes more than half the rice in the grinding process alone—he thought as he picked up a brochure handed to him by a girl dressed in a rather hungry but smiling manner.

"Madam, how are you making the bat dishes and roasted snake dishes you mentioned?" He took a deep breath, maintained a joyful expression, and continued the interview.

After a few rounds, Zhong Xigong had several flyers stuffed into his hands, and he came to a painting stall very naturally.

At the art stall, a painter wearing a melon-shaped hat and "national costume" was working beside the canvas, painting a portrait of a visitor sitting on a chair on the other side - the theme of the painting was that colored pigments are fakes caused by poor painting skills, and that using only black and white can still be brilliant."

Miyagi Yotoku, a member of the Communist Party of the United States, is a famous painter...and also one of the "crossing points".

Zhong Xigong silently pondered the other party's identity and did not approach him for the time being. Now, his painting stall was crowded with people. Although it was a good layer of cover, it was not convenient for him to convey the order to evacuate.

Then, once he had finished painting his current customer, he would simply walk up to him and ask if he could add a mustache to his portrait. This would convey the message to Miyagi: "Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate as quickly as possible!"

Especially since he was a cross-point in the previous intelligence network, he had access to information about his superiors, subordinates, and even some of his peers. Now that war was imminent, the Special High Technology Department would probably accuse him of lying even if they only had a list full of errors!

At that moment, Miyagi and Toku's gaze seemed to wander for a few seconds, and for a moment, Nakanishi felt something sting his eyes. But the sensation quickly faded, and he returned his focus to the portrait. "Sir, would you like a little beard added to your portrait?" he inquired.

"What? Why add a beard?"

"Oh, no problem, it's okay if you don't need it."

Miyagi and Toku spoke quietly, but Nakanishi Gong could hear them clearly. Instantly, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Nakanishi Gong's back. This signal wasn't part of the pre-arranged code.

However, anyone with even a modicum of intelligence awareness would have sensed the turbulent currents in Miyagi and Tomo's tone!

"Don't panic, we are arresting the rebels!"

Almost immediately, a cacophony of shouting erupted from the exhibition hall. Then came screaming, crying, people being thrown to the ground, and the sounds of batons hitting people. Looking back, I saw police officers in black uniforms rushing in from several entrances, surrounding the entire venue!

It's the Metropolitan Police Department!

"Don't worry, guest! I'll stay here and finish this painting for you!"

Miyagi Yotoku shouted, trying to appease the guests before him. He then turned to the people still watching and waiting. "My dear friends, I'm afraid I won't be able to paint for you from now on. Please return quickly and cooperate with the Metropolitan Police Department's inspection!"

After saying this, he didn't even look at Nakanishi, who was standing nearby. Instead, he lowered his head again, burying himself in his canvas. "Nakanishi-san! What a misfortune! This perfect interview has been ruined by those police dogs!"

Matsumoto Shigeharu, the president of the Tongmeng News Agency and the sixth-ranking figure in the Chaosakukai, hurried over. He grabbed the slightly dazed Nakanishi Isao and said, "Why are you still standing there? Let's go! Let's go! Those Metropolitan Police Department lackeys won't give us any trouble, but getting tangled up with them is bound to be a hassle! Let's stop interviewing and get out of here together. Let's just go with whatever report the Taisho Yokusankai requests!"

"Okay, let's go."

Nakanishi Gong followed Matsumoto's footsteps. He thought for a moment and consoled the president, "President Matsumoto, don't worry about the report. I will finish writing it.

Chapter 533: The Wise Are Invincible (V) Why Take Risks?

Gong Nakanishi held a press card from the Tendo News Agency and was a prominent figure. In addition, the president of the agency was present. The Metropolitan Police Department police stationed at the door were busy driving people out and arresting people inside, but they just gave him a quick check and then let him go.

Then, he suppressed his anxiety and worry, perfectly playing the role of a reporter who, to outsiders, seemed noble and down-to-earth. He and his boss took a simple tour of the park, mocking the Metropolitan Police Department for making a fuss. Finally, after making sure no one was following him, Nakanishi left the newspaper office and began to head home.

He checked his watch and went into a telephone booth on the street. He took out a few coins, put them in, and dialed the number - it was Ozaki Hidemi's home number.

Since 1940, many telephones in Tokyo have been using electromechanical automatic telephones, making it difficult to record caller information manually. However, he felt it was better to be cautious. "Moshimoshi, who are you looking for?"

A woman's voice answered the phone.

Who was this? Ozaki Hidemi's maid? When did this young master let a maid into his room? Nakanishi Isao replied in his unchanged voice: "Hello, please look for Mr. Mizuno."

"Mr. Mizuno? Oh, oh, okay, please wait a moment..."

The woman on the other end of the phone answered and hung up the receiver. After a while, the receiver was picked up again and a man answered the phone: "Hello, this is Mizuno