69novels Chapter 63: The Japanese pirates not only had conflicts on land and sea, but also internal strife wi
Chapter 63: The Japanese pirates not only had conflicts on land and sea, but also internal strife wi
He strode up to the huge military map and pointed sharply at the Jinpu Railway line: "Gentlemen! Do you see that?"
Xuzhou! The heart of the Fifth War Zone in China!
Opening up the Tianjin-Pukou Railway will connect the two major strategic regions of the empire, Central China and North China, into one, which will be an unprecedented achievement!
Whoever conquers Xuzhou first will be remembered in the annals of the empire and gain unparalleled glory!
His gaze sharpened and became urgent: "My 10th Division has been advancing unstoppable since landing, and its combat power is unparalleled among all armies!"
The credit for this goes to no one but me!
Jigu Lianjie solemnly took out a letter that had been rubbed and was somewhat wrinkled from the pocket of his inner underwear.
The letter paper was made of fine Japanese washi paper, and the handwriting on it was vigorous and familiar.
"Gentlemen," he said in a low voice, but with an indescribable fervor and solemnity, "this is a personal letter from my uncle, the senior advisor to the cabinet, Lord Jigu Kangfu."
"There are some fundamental things about the Imperial Army that it's time for you to know."
His gaze swept over several trusted confidants who were also from the Choshu region (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture), and he slowly read aloud the core contents of the letter:
"I would like to admonish my nephew: The foundation of the Imperial Army and Navy has been predetermined since the Meiji Restoration."
The navy is the exclusive domain of the Satsuma clan. No one other than a Satsuma native can hold a position as its Minister of the Navy, Vice Minister, or Commander-in-Chief. This has been an ironclad rule for centuries, and no one can break it.
And my army will forever be the cornerstone of my Choshu clan!
The Satsuma Navy and Choshu Army are the eternal glory of the Imperial military!
Since your maternal grandfather, the "God of War" Marshal Youpeng, established this rule, every Minister of the Army and Vice Minister of the Army has been from my Changshu lineage!
Outsiders? Hmph, people like Tian Junlu Fu and Si Nei Shouyi, no matter how strong their abilities or how great their battle achievements, are nothing more than henchmen guarding our Changzhou, and will never be able to touch the true core of power!
They could never become Minister of the Army and wield supreme power over the Imperial Army!
Therefore, you don't need to worry too much about the opinions of these "outsiders".
Your true adversaries are never among them.
Jigu paused for a moment, a sharp competitive glint flashing in his eyes, his voice becoming even deeper:
"My uncle warned me that our real enemy comes from within, from our own people who also have the blood of Changzhou flowing through their veins!"
Ban Yuanzhengshilang's backing is also rooted in Changzhou!
The next Imperial Army Minister will surely be chosen from between my Jigu family and the Banyuan family!
In the first phase of the offensive, you and he were evenly matched, with no clear winner.
However, this second phase of the campaign to conquer Xuzhou is a decisive battle!
You must perform an unparalleled feat and completely suppress the printing press!
Let those bigwigs in Tokyo see clearly who is Choshu's sharpest blade and who truly deserves the honor of Minister of the Army!
This glory must belong to our Jigu family!
This blatant factional struggle and promise of power acted like the strongest stimulant, injecting the minds of the several Choshu faction officers present.
Their eyes shone with the same fervent light, their family's honor and their personal future intertwined at this moment.
We all prosper together, and we all suffer together!
"Commander! Long live the Choshu Army! Long live the Jigu family!" a regimental commander roared excitedly.
However, the brow of the Chief of Staff, Colonel Tsutsumi Fukagawa, furrowed even more deeply.
Although he was not from Choshu, he was deeply influenced by the Bushido spirit and valued the rigor of military affairs and the certainty of victory.
Once Jigu Lianjie's emotions had calmed down a bit, Tibujia Gui stepped forward, his tone heavy and earnest: "Commander! We are in awe of Lord Kangfu's profound wisdom and foresight!"
However, the battlefield situation is constantly changing and is by no means a chessboard for factional games!
He pointed to the map: "Please take a look, Your Excellency! Although our army is strong, the main force of the Guangxi Clique in the Fifth War Zone of China is no ordinary force either."
The warlord conflicts in China over the past few decades have been widely circulated.
The Yunnan and Guizhou armies were sheep.
The Hunan Army was the alpha wolf.
Bai Chongxi's Guangxi Army was the most powerful.
The rumor is that he is "fierce as a tiger and vicious as a wolf"!
Furthermore, it has the complex terrain of northern Jiangsu and southern Shandong to rely on.
Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi were both exceptional talents. The 48th Army under Liao Lei's 21st Army Group, the 7th Army under Ti Zuhuang, the 31st Army under Liu Yitu, and other main forces of the Guangxi Clique, totaling four armies and 15 reorganized divisions, were the elite of the Guangxi Army in China. They were not only good at defense, but also at flanking maneuvers and infiltration!
If my troops advance too far ahead, the Chinese Guangxi Army will easily seize the opportunity to concentrate their superior forces, cut off my logistical supplies, and even encircle me!
At that time, my 10th Division may be in danger of being overthrown!
The Empire's second phase of offensive will also suffer a major setback!
Please reconsider. At the very least, you should wait until the publishing division has conquered Linyi and can advance alongside us. That would be the safest course of action!
Another senior operations staff officer chimed in, "Chief of Staff Tsubasa is absolutely right!"
Your Excellency, the Chinese army is no longer the same as it was before.
The resistance in the Battle of Wusongkou and the Battle of Zhidu far exceeded expectations.
Even the Yunnan and Guizhou armies, whom they called "sheep," fought to the last drop of their blood.
They fought a fierce battle with the Yoshino Detachment, the most mechanized elite marine unit in our entire army, resulting in a draw. It could even be said that the Yoshino Detachment was completely crippled!
The scattered intelligence we received also indicated that the Chinese army seemed to be aware of our movements and was adjusting its deployment.
Underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly is a cardinal sin in warfare!
"Baka!" Jigu Lianjie slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with anger at being questioned, but deep in his eyes was a hint of annoyance at being caught out. "Teebu-kun! Gentlemen! I know your caution is justified!"
But it also reflects a lack of confidence in the empire's military fortune!
This is an insult to the iron will and invincible fighting power of the 30,000 soldiers of the 10th Division of Choshu!
Have you ever considered whether, since 1931, China has ever defeated even one of our reorganized divisions?
Not even once!
Do you remember that in 1942, General Yuan Guan'er led only half a division of more than 10,000 men to face the 250,000-strong elite army of the Sixth Prince of Manchuria, and even 350 aircraft?
Is it really possible to completely defeat Zhang Liuzi in just one month, occupy the territory of five provinces (including Chahar and Luandong), and seize 7500 million Chinese silver dollars, 350 aircraft, and four complete arsenals?
He walked to the map, jabbed his finger hard at the location of Taierzhuang, and said in a passionate voice: "Although the Chinese Guangxi Army has 150,000 troops, its equipment is poor, its command system is chaotic, and it is riddled with factions."
Even during the Central Plains War, they couldn't defeat Zhang Liuzi!
With such combat strength, how could they possibly contend with the 10th Division, the elite Class A division of my empire?
My division possesses a tank battalion, a heavy artillery regiment, and a cavalry regiment, integrating air and ground forces; its firepower far surpasses that of any other Chinese unit!
"As for Ban Yuan?" he sneered, his tone filled with disdain and competitive arrogance. "Wait for him to conquer Linyi? Who knows when that will be!"
"The opportunity to fight is fleeting! The Tailtown Canal defenses, though seemingly fortified, are nothing but a pile of clay and earthenware before my heavy artillery and tanks!"
He looked around at everyone, his tone resolute and unwavering: "My mind is made up!"
The Zhongshan Qi Brigade was ordered to form the Zhongshan Detachment, which was to be the vanguard of the entire army and to advance at full speed immediately!
No need to worry about the flanks, no need to wait for friendly forces! Target: Tengxian and Yixian, head straight for Taierzhuang!