On the misty river surface, three gunboats flying the rising sun flag were rushing forward through the waves.
In the cabin of one of the gunboats, Ogahara Junsi was resting with his eyes closed. To his left and right, in two rows, were a dozen special forces including Igarashi Sui and Yamayama Takeo. These dozen special forces were During the Second Dameishan Battle, those who managed to escape from Langya were the only dozen remaining members of the entire special operations brigade.
"Ang..." Suddenly there was a long whistle from outside the cabin, and Xiaoluyuan, who was closing his eyes to rest, opened his eyes.
Yamatakeo, who was sitting on the left side of Okahara, opened his eyes and asked: "Captain, I heard that you sent a telegram to the base camp? Is it related to the ninja village?"
Junsi Okahara nodded and said: "I originally wanted to wait until Xu Rui's assassination plan was foiled before returning to the country, but who would have thought that in the end Xu Rui actually feinted a shot and pointed the assassination target at Commander Okamura. Now, , not only Commander Okamura was broken, but also the general died in anger. I'm afraid I won't have time to return home in a short time. Therefore, I can only place my hope on the bureaucrats in the base camp, hoping that they can lower their attitude. Some, ask the ninjas to come out."
Takeo Yamayama said: "The bureaucrats at the base camp are afraid that they won't be able to count on them, so it would be a good idea if they don't help."
In any country and in any period, bureaucracy and corruption are lingering ills. In the United States, which was cited as a beacon country by many intellectual elites in later generations, bureaucracy and corruption are just as rampant. The only difference is that In the United States, bribery and bribery are protected by law and legalized, euphemistically called political donations.
Little Japan during World War II was not only rampant in corruption, but also very serious in bureaucracy.
For example, the Japanese Navy has been dominated by the Satsuma clique for a long time, and the Army Corps has been dominated by the Choshu clique for a long time. Young officers from other regions, no matter how talented they are, can never hope to enter the Navy or the Army. Central, this phenomenon was not finally changed until the rise of the Showa warlords represented by Okamura Neiji.
Although the Showa warlord group has the backing of Hirohito, it has just entered the center of power, and it is still very difficult to control military power. It will take longer to clean up the bureaucratic habits in the military. Therefore, at this stage, the efficiency of the Japanese Navy and the Sixth Military Headquarters In fact, it is very low. Unfortunately, the National Government's work efficiency is even lower.
Xiaoluyuan answered the question and said, "Do you know Rio Yoshino, the commander of the gendarmerie stationed in Jiujiang?"
Yamatakeo shook his head and said: "Last time when His Excellency the General took office and held a welcome dinner, we met once, but he didn't pay much attention to me. He seemed to be a very difficult person to get close to."
Okahara curled up his lips and said, "The Yoshino family is a famous family, so it's no wonder."
Takeo Yamada said suddenly: "The Okahara family is more prominent than the Yoshinoya. Captain, you are not as arrogant as him."
"I have never thought that being from a noble family is something to be proud of. Of course, I don't think it is a shame." Oluhara smiled faintly and said, "Yama-san, you may not know that Yoshinoya and Iido Several ninja villages in the mountains actually have a very deep connection, even..."
Yamatakeo asked in a low voice: "Even what?"
Okahara said: "I even heard that an elder of the Yoshino family lives in Mount Iido."
"Nani?" Yamatakeo said in surprise, "There is actually an elder in the Yoshino family who is a ninja?"
"There is nothing surprising about this. In fact, many aristocratic families in the empire have explicit or implicit connections with the ninja villages of Koga and Iga, including our Okahara family." Okahara gave a faint glance, and then continued, "This time, both the eldest and second sons of the Yoshino family died in Jiujiang and died at the hands of Langya. If nothing else happens, the Yoshino family should be very angry and they should also invite their elders who are practicing in Mt. Iido."
"Yoshi." Yamatakeo said happily, "So, there is really a chance to invite ninjas."
While talking, a sailor hurried in and reported to Xiaolu Yuandun: "Sir, Anqing Pier has arrived."
Okahara Junsi immediately stood up, looked around at the mountain, Takeo, Igarashi Sui and a dozen other special forces soldiers and said: "Let's go and meet the newly appointed Commander Itagaki. This man is a legendary figure. He is in Shanxi Putting aside his battlefield achievements, I admire him for his courage to airborne without guidance in rainy weather!"
(Dividing line)
In the waiting hall of Anqing Pier, Seishiro Itagaki suddenly sneezed twice loudly in succession.
Anqing Military Police Captain Kodera Takashi hurriedly stepped forward with a cloak in his arms and advised: "Your Excellency, Commander, please put on your cloak to avoid catching a cold."
"No need." Itagaki Seishiro waved his hand.
Unlike Hata Shunroku, who was a sick boy, Itagaki Seishiro was very strong.
Kodera Takashi had no choice but to hand the cloak to the orderly behind him and take it away.
Seishiro Itagaki said again: "Kodera-san, I have nothing to do, you can go ahead."
"Hai." Kodera Takashi paused heavily, but his feet did not move. To be fair, Kodera Takashi had a lot of things to do, but he still wanted to spend as much time as possible in front of Itagaki Seishiro. This was not for His presence in front of Itagaki was purely because he admired Itagaki, he truly admired him.
Kodera Takashi refused to leave, but Itagaki Seishiro did not force him to leave.
After a while, Kodera Takashi couldn't help but said: "Your Excellency Commander, judging from the time, at this time, the 3rd, 101st, 17th, 106th and 116th divisions, as well as Namada The detachment should have already attacked the enemy in front of us, right? Then the second army should also attack from the northern foot of Dabie Mountain, right?"
Itagaki Seishiro nodded and said: "If there is no widespread radio failure, this should be it, right?"
Kodera Takashi took a breath and continued: "Commander, are you really not worried about the 3rd and 101st Divisions? You have already read the last report just now. Xue Yue's 1st Corps has captured Gao'an. The Hunan-Jiangxi Highway has been completely cut off, so this is definitely a near-death adventure!"
"Escape from a narrow escape?" Itagaki Seishiro smiled slightly, changed the subject and said, "Kodera-san, I wonder if you have ever heard that there is an old saying in China, which is to live after death?"
"Death to survive?"
Kodera Takashi was awe-inspiring when he heard this.
(Dividing line)
Wuhan, National Army Headquarters.
Chairman Chiang excitedly walked into the command hall, surrounded by more than a dozen senior advisers.
Although he has not had a full night's sleep for a long time, Chairman Chiang looks pretty good today. As the saying goes, people are in high spirits when happy events happen. Chairman Chiang has met a happy event, because just now, the Xue Yue Corps came from the front. According to the news, they successfully regained Gao'an County and completely cut off the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway.
Seeing Chairman Chiang walk in, senior generals such as He Yingqin and Bai Chongxi quickly stood at attention.
"Jingzhi, Jiansheng, and all my colleagues, there is no need to be so formal." Chairman Jiang was in a good mood, with a long-lost smile on his face. He waved his hands and said, "It's all casual. Just pretend I'm not here."
Chairman Chiang was in a good mood, and the atmosphere in the entire command hall immediately became relaxed.
Amid laughter, Chairman Chiang walked up to the big map and said to the map: "Jiansheng, tell me."
Because of Li Zongren's illness, Bai Chongxi is now not only the deputy chief of staff of the Ministry of National Defense, but also the commander-in-chief of the fifth theater. Moreover, Bai Chongxi is also the military theorist second only to Jiang Baili in the National Army camp. Chairman Chiang's answer to Bai Chongxi He always valued him, so as long as Bai Chongxi was around, Chairman Chiang would definitely ask him to explain the situation by name.
In the eyes of He Yingqin, Chen Cheng and many other senior generals in the Central Military System, briefing Chairman Chiang Kai-shek on the war situation in person was a bad thing, but Bai Chongxi was not interested in doing so. Although Bai Chongxi was known as Little Zhuge and was extremely resourceful, his strategic vision was not There are still some shortcomings, especially the inability to escape from the deep-rooted regional concept. He always regards himself as a warlord of the Guangxi faction, and he always has deep prejudices against the Central Army and Chairman Chiang Kai-shek.
However, when Chairman Jiang called his name, Bai Chongxi could not give him any face.
At that moment, Bai Chongxi picked up the wooden pole, pointed to the map on the wall and explained: "Committee, please see, this is Gao'an City. After the Xue Yue Corps regained Gao'an, not only the Japanese 27th Division was cut in half by our army, but also The Hunan-Jiangxi Highway, a transportation line that is no less than a lifeline for little Japan, has also been cut off by our army."
"What does this mean?" Chairman Chiang had actually heard the answer a long time ago, but he still never tired of hearing it.
Bai Chongxi was disdainful in his heart, but remained calm on the surface, saying: "This means that the 3rd Division and the 101st Division in the Hunan battlefield have become alone. As long as Jiujiang is not lost, and as long as the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway is not opened, the Japanese Third Division The division and the 101st Division are like turtles in a urn, and there is no way they can escape!"
Chairman Chiang asked again: "Then can Jiujiang be defended?"
Bai Chongxi said: "Referring to the Feicheng defense battle, I thought that Jiujiang would not be lost within at least ten days!"
"If the 799th Regiment of the Sichuan Army holds Jiujiang for at least ten days, it will take at least twenty days to wait for the Japanese army to capture Jiujiang, open the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway, and then transport supplies to Hunan!" Chairman Jiang clenched his fists and said, " Can we defeat the Japanese Third Division and the 101st Division within twenty days?"
Bai Chongxi said: "There should be no problem."
This answer was somewhat beyond Chairman Jiang's expectations, but it made him even more excited.
Chairman Jiang snorted and asked with interest: "Why is Jian Sheng so sure?"
Bai Chongxi said: "Because of my humble position, I expected that the 3rd and 101st Divisions of the Japanese Army would definitely return to Jiangxi and cooperate with the 27th Division to open up the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway. Unfortunately, this will not have any effect. , but it will increase the defeat of the 3rd and 101st Divisions. In short, these two Japanese divisions are finished!" (To be continued.)