Chapter 982 Xiyuanji Temple (the first day off every month tomorrow)

Author: Jiangsu Daozi

"Farewell, Lord Konoe."

"Goodbye, Mr. Konoe."

At the entrance of the Japanese manor, Ozaki and Sorge stood beside the car and bowed deeply together to say goodbye to Konoe Fumiya who came to see him off.

"Yo Xi, if you two are free in the future, you can often come to my house to drink tea. I will sweep the couch for you."

Konoe Fumiya laughed, pretended to stretch out his hand to help him and extended an invitation to the next party, obviously accepting the two of them.

Ozaki and Sorge naturally had no objections and promised to visit again. After saying a few words of thanks, they got in the car and left.

Watching the car go away, the smile on Konoe Fumiya's face faded little by little, and he turned around and walked back to the Japanese-style room just now.

"Saionji-kun, do you think these two can be trusted?"

As soon as he entered the door, he asked a question to Saionji Koji who was enjoying tea leisurely, and then he sat down at the table with his legs crossed.

Saionji Koji didn't expect him to ask such a question. He was stunned when he heard this. After thinking seriously for a moment, he shook his head and gave the answer.

"Konoe-kun, it's hard for me to answer your question. He and I just have the same aspirations. Tsutoki only talks about romance, not politics.

However, considering their status as reporters, I suggest you, Konoe-kun, to be cautious in case important information is leaked.

Especially Ozaki-kun, he was very close to the army guys during the ominous incident, you must be careful about this."

Konoe Fumiya was a little unconcerned. Leftists are like this. It would be strange if the other party didn't get involved in this matter.

Thinking of this, he asked curiously: "By the way, has Ozaki ever said what kind of person Okamoto Shigenobu is.

If that damn guy hadn't bewitched His Highness Yongren, there wouldn't have been such a serious conflict in Tokyo on February 26th."

When Saionji Koji heard the three words 2┴26, he was so frightened that he quickly stretched his head and looked outside. After confirming that no one was there, he immediately warned the Konoe sternly.

"Konoe-kun, I'm going to tell you about something ominous! Even if His Majesty Tian Locust trusts you, you can't speak so openly. Don't forget your identity."

Konoe Fumiya was not afraid at all, and replied nonchalantly: "Okay, I made a mistake just now, I will pay attention to it in the future."

Saionji was very helpless. The other party was such a person. He always spoke inappropriately and was a famous "big mouth" among the cabinet and nobles.

Not to mention in his own palace, even in the Locust House, he dared to say anything. At that time, he even suggested that His Majesty Tian Locust, who had just succeeded to the throne, carry out an "amnesty".

Is it possible for a minister to say such sensitive words? It may be that the other party lost his position as prime minister some time ago for this reason.

Taking a deep breath, Saionji made a serious face: "Ozaki-kun is not familiar with Okamoto Shigenobu, and we only met a few times before the action.

I heard he was a charismatic guy who was very good at stirring up people's hearts. Before being shot, those Army Red Deers cried bitterly because they had failed to live up to their opponents' expectations."

"Sweep Desnai~ What a pity."

Konoe Fumiya muttered to himself, seeming to regret missing a talent, and then changed the topic.

"Intelligence agents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lurking in the mountain city sent back a top-secret message. Did Mr. Saionji know about this?"

"What?"

Xiyuanji Gong's ears twitched, he straightened his back and shook his head in confusion: "I haven't heard of it. I am an idler now. No one will tell me such a thing. What happened?"

"The Red Russians changed their generals before the battle. There was a personnel change in the 57th Army. Zhukov replaced Feiklenko." Fumiya Konoe did not hide anything, lowering his voice and whispering in the opponent's ear.

"Nani?"

Saionji Koji's eyes widened, and then he looked anxious: "If this information is true, we must be more vigilant. The war situation in the Far East may be different from what we imagined before."

"Hey, what Mr. Saionji said is right."

Konoe Fumiya agreed with the other party's statement that the war was imminent and ensuring the stability of the front line was the top priority. The risk of changing generals on the spot was very high and would not happen under normal circumstances.

Mosk may have other plans, such as teaching the Kwantung Army an unforgettable lesson, or taking action against the Northeast and Goryeo regions, just like Tsarist Russia did for decades.

More importantly, he had heard that this general named Zhukov had a very strong will, a tough commanding style, and was good at fighting tough battles. He was very difficult to deal with.

If this person comes to Nomenkan to command the 57th Army in combat, it is indeed not good news for the Kwantung Army and the empire. Some of the original deployments must be adjusted.

In the last battle, the 23rd Division did not lose in morale and tactics, but in weapons and equipment. This made the Kwantung Army very unconvinced.

In particular, Tsuji Masanobu, the chief of staff of the Kwantung Army who mobilized troops without authorization, was very arrogant and could not swallow such a "cowardly attitude" no matter what.

Faced with the increasing number of troops from Red Russia, the other side ordered all troops and personnel in the Nomenkan area to be withdrawn to Hylar and withdraw their fists first.

Due to the terrain restrictions in the fighting area, before the large Red Russian troops could cross the river, at most they could only organize and send out some small troops to fight.

Compared with the Kwantung Army, which has eight divisions, this force is undoubtedly "beating an egg against a stone". The Red Russians are definitely no match for the Locust Army.

Under this premise, the General Staff Headquarters decided that the 23rd Division, the 7th Division, and the 1st Tank Division would work together to attack the Red Russian army stationed in Mongolia and complete the victory in one battle.

But as soon as the order was issued, it immediately aroused strong dissatisfaction from the commander of the 23rd Division, who sent a telegram directly to Tokyo and the General Staff Headquarters.

The other party believed that the General Staff Headquarters looked down upon the Border Guard Division and asked other troops to resolve an incident that clearly occurred within the jurisdiction of the 23rd Division.

As long as the 23rd Division is equipped with enough armor and air power, they are fully capable of defeating the "weak" Red Russia and occupying disputed areas.

Taking into account the number of casualties on both sides last time, the General Staff Headquarters felt that it was reasonable, so they canceled the decision to use the 7th Division as the main force.

The order was changed to assign the 23rd Division to assume the main offensive mission in the next battle, and assign an elite unit of the 1st Tank Division and the Kwantung Army Air Force to the other side.

This was not done due to pressure from the 23rd Division, but it was indeed difficult to transfer the main force of the 7th Division from the mainland. Although the 7th Division belonged to the Kwantung Army, its main force was still in Hokkaido.

In the northeast, there are only two half-strength regiments of the 14th Infantry Brigade and a small number of logistics units, so the number of people capable of fighting is very small.

It will take a long time to transfer the main force, artillery and combat supplies of the 7th Division. No one can guarantee that the Red Russia will not launch an attack before then.

Moreover, due to freight and defense cost considerations, the cabinet and the military did not approve the participation of all the heavy artillery units of the 7th Division in the war.

It is only allowed to follow the procedures for permanent divisions to change defenses in the Northeast, that is, not to move heavy artillery units, but only half of the infantry and field artillery.

As a result, the 7th Division will be unable to perform its main combat tasks. If the losses are too large, the compensation costs will be a large expense.

Therefore, instead of letting the dissatisfied 7th Division go into battle, it is better to let the 23rd Division fight against the Red Russians again, which can save a lot of money.

But now it seems that this decision is a bit hasty. A border garrison division may not be able to stop the Red Russians who want to fight with their generals at the last minute.

Even with the addition of elite tank regiments and air forces, it will not work. In the end, war will always be a battle between people, not weapons.

Konoe Fumiya put his hand on the low table and tapped it again and again. After a long time, he raised his head and looked at Saionji Kōji.

"Saionji-kun, you served as a counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs many years ago, so you should know some people. I have a favor to ask you."

"Please say."

"Please arrange for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intelligence officer who brought the news to continue to pay attention to the actions of the national government and explore more information about Red Russia.

You and I both know that the Republic of China and the Red Russians have been very close in the past two years and have informed each other of a lot of intelligence, including military intelligence.

The fact that Zhukov was transferred to the Far East may have been revealed to Yamashiro by Mosk. The empire and the military needed more and more detailed information.

For example, the military deployment of the Red Russian army in Nomenkan, the planned combat plan, and possible alliances and cooperation between the two parties, etc."

"No problem, I will ask my old friends for help."

Lord Saionji immediately responded. As a Duke, he had the unshirkable responsibility to consider the country. After speaking, he asked curiously.

"Konoe-kun, do you think that the Republic of China and the Red Russian Society will join forces to launch an attack on the Empire from both the Republic of China and the Far East?

I think this is unlikely. The committee chairman in Shancheng does not have such courage. I think you should know this."

Konoe Fumiya was amused by these words. They were naturally no strangers to the leaders of the Republic of China, and could even be said to be very familiar with them.

The other party defeated a group of fruit party elders and became chairman, not by military merit, let alone ability, but by playing politics.

This kind of person can at best be considered a politician. The characteristic of politicians is to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, and will never risk failure in gambling.

He clapped his hands and replied with a smile: "Haha, Saionji-kun, you are right, the other party does not have the courage to go to war with the empire.

Otherwise, it would not have declared war with the empire until now, but the other side has another characteristic, which is its superstition of the power of Europe and America.

We must admit that Red Russia is a powerful country with a vast territory, sufficient resources, a large population and developed industry.

If the Red Russians come forward, it is possible that Mr. Chairman will take the initiative to attack, so we must be vigilant."

Xiyuanji Gongji suddenly realized that this was indeed the case. With Hong Er as his backer, the people of the Republic of China might really be able to fight back.

On the other side, Konoe Fumiya, who was talking with a dry mouth, drank a sip of water to moisten his throat, and then looked at the peaceful dry landscape shape in the courtyard, and his tone became soothing.

"Of course, this is just my personal speculation. It cannot be ruled out that all this is false information released by the Republic of China in order to sow discord between the Empire and the Red Russians in order to take advantage of it.

I will ask people from the military department to verify the intelligence. Zhukov is a close confidant of Marshal Budyonny of the Red Russia. It is impossible for him to go to the Far East alone. He will definitely receive reinforcements or new equipment.

The military has intelligence personnel in the Red Russia and the Siberian Railway. The Red Russians cannot hide such a big move from them. Once the intelligence is confirmed to be true, then the 23rd Division alone..."

"Your Excellency, there is urgent information from the General Staff Headquarters."

Before he finished speaking, there were shouts from outside, and then a major came respectfully into the Japanese room and presented an official document.

Konoe Fumiya opened the file without thinking, not caring at all about Saionji Kōji beside him. The other party was a dignified Duke. Could he still be treasonous? This was simply impossible.

His eyes returned to the opened file. There were only five pieces of information on it, but every time he looked at one, the veins in Konoe's forehead would jump. Finally, he threw the document on the table with a livid face.

"Three days ago, intelligence personnel near Minsk Airport observed a transport aircraft flying eastward."

"Two days ago, a plane landed at Tamtsag-Bragak Airport."

"In the past two days, there have been changes in the Red Russian army in the Nomenkan area."

"The number of military trains on the Xibei Railway increased."

"The Red Russian army established a small landing site on the east bank of the Harkha River."

Saionji Koji glanced at the official document and clearly saw the content on it. He then glanced at Fumiya Konoe, who had an ugly face. He knew it was time to leave, so he stood up to leave.

Konoe Fumiya was not in the mood to chat at the moment, so he sat there and waved his hands. Saionji quickly walked out of the other party's mansion, got into a car with the family crest and said to his subordinates.

"Go back, and invite Mr. Ozaki and Mr. Sorge to the mansion. Just tell them that I have something important to discuss with them. Please keep it confidential and make sure not to let others find out."

"Hai."

This reply slowly drifted under the sunset in Tokyo. At the same time, on the second floor of a shop selling high-end fish not far away, the sound of clicking shutters kept ringing.
Chapter completed!