Chapter 271: Talking About Three
“What did the telegram say?” Gu Yansheng asked.
Ding Mocun said, “Song Ziliang has already prepared to return to Hong Kong, and the accompanying negotiation team is also coming. They also made a request, demanding that the Japanese side receive them with personnel of equivalent rank.”
“What rank?”
“The telegram didn’t specify, but from the tone, that Lieutenant Colonel in Hong Kong definitely isn’t qualified. At least a Colonel, or a Major General.”
Gu Yansheng paused upon hearing this, then said: “There was no news for so long, and now there’s movement after the three-party talks ended. Arranging negotiations at this timing—what do you think Chongqing wants to do?”
Ding Mocun was straightforward, “Anyway, no good intentions.”
“That’s for sure. Alright, I’ll make the arrangements. When are you going to Nanjing?”
After chatting idly for a couple sentences, Gu Yansheng knew that Ding Mocun’s Social Affairs Department also needed to take over and rebuild from Liang Hongzhi’s hands, so he had to go to Nanjing to stay a few days.
“In the next few days, I’ll see the situation. How about waiting for you to come back and go together?”
“Sure, it should be quick anyway. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
Gu Yansheng hung up the telephone and called Minister Zhou to tell him about this.
Minister Zhou immediately said: “I guessed what tricks Old Jiang is playing. These two months there was no movement on his side. At that time, I thought Old Jiang must have some plan, otherwise it wouldn’t make sense that talks were going well and suddenly stopped.
Until the Gao Tao incident broke out, I realized that Old Jiang was waiting for this opportunity.
Once the news broke, public opinion attacked us. He wants to make us lose face in front of the national people and the Japanese, thereby making the Japanese voluntarily give up cooperation with us.
Do you believe it? During this negotiation, they will definitely bring up this matter.”
“I believe it. I think what you said is probably the real reason.”
“Good, then wait for your news. As for equivalent reception, I’ll call Nanjing later. You wait for their contact.”
“Okay.”
The next day, Colonel Imai Takeo came to find Gu Yansheng, and they flew to Hong Kong together.
Gu Yansheng wasn’t familiar with this old Japanese, having met him only two or three times in total, all in crowded occasions, and basically never spoken.
This Japanese was the Head of the China Section of the General Staff Office. Logically, his work should be very busy, involving all aspects, but in reality, his work seemed to be just negotiations, all kinds of negotiations.
Negotiating with Wang in the past two years, now negotiating with Jiang.
From the fact that Head Imai Takeo was negotiating everywhere, it could actually be analyzed that the Japanese currently had little desire to attack Chongqing. Domestic economy didn’t support a major war, so they just wanted to achieve bloodless victory through negotiations.
Upon landing in Hong Kong, they contacted the other party for negotiations. The other party changed the location to a residential building for the talks.
“Why change the location?”
“The people coming have important identities and don’t want the British intelligence department to install eavesdropping equipment. The hotel has already been negotiated, but this time they changed to a temporary location to be safe.”
The reason was reasonable. Lieutenant Colonel Suzuki introduced Imai Takeo’s identity.
Upon hearing it was just a Colonel, Song Ziliang showed great dissatisfaction. “We said to send equivalent personnel for talks, and you just sent a Colonel? What, does Japan have no generals left?”
Imai Takeo smiled faintly. “Mr. Song, you misunderstood. We still don’t know what rank Chongqing sent. I am the Head of the China Section and have the authority to represent Japan in response, so General Headquarters sent me. It’s absolutely not a lack of regard.”
“A Colonel, what authority do you have? Let me tell you, you can’t negotiate, and they won’t be satisfied either.”
After Song Ziliang finished speaking, he made a telephone call, saying the people had arrived.
In a few minutes, a car drove into the courtyard, and a group of people got out.
“Deputy Division Chief Chen Chaolin of the Staff Division of Chongqing’s Executive Office.”
“Director Zhang Yousan of the Secretariat of the National Defense Conference.”
“Deputy Director of the Attendant Room, Army Major General Zhang Hanyan.”
After Song Ziliang finished introducing, he sneered at Imai Takeo: “How are you going to negotiate? Is your rank sufficient?”
Imai Takeo was indeed shocked. The ranks of these people weren’t low, and crucially, from their positions, they were all confidants close to Old Jiang.
However, as a negotiation expert, Imai Takeo wouldn’t be intimidated by a few words.
He first greeted the group, then explained: “We absolutely aren’t lacking regard. It’s that I am responsible for the China Section, which is indeed already the highest rank that can be sent.
Any higher would require my superior, who is responsible for this negotiation—the current Chief of Staff of the China Expeditionary Army, General Itagaki Seishiro—to come personally.
Then your ranks here wouldn’t be sufficient either.
In terms of rank, I am indeed one level below Major General, but in terms of identity, I am the second-in-command responsible for negotiations. It’s not disregarding you.”
The Chongqing people discussed in low voices for a bit and could only grudgingly accept.
“Let’s do it this way for now, but this can’t count as formal negotiations, only preliminary talks.”
“Fine.”
The group sat down.
Imai Takeo directly asked, “I wonder if President Jiang has given instructions regarding recognition of Manchukuo, and when will it be recognized?”
Zhang Yousan spoke: “This issue has already been discussed at the National Defense Conference. Northeastern Army generals resisted fiercely. As you know, the military isn’t anyone’s one-man show.
For the President, splitting the army is not feasible, and for Japan, if it truly desires peace, it wouldn’t want to see a divided government either.
So, let’s not talk about this anymore. Everyone can tacitly accept it. After a few years of peace, we can sit down and discuss this issue again.”
Imai Takeo wasn’t so easily fooled. “But like this, we can’t see Chongqing’s sincerity. For the Changsha strategy battle, we proactively halted the offensive to express our sincerity for peace talks. Now you can’t even recognize Manchukuo in our hands. How can we believe you really want to negotiate?”
Zhang Yousan chuckled: “Are you giving yourself too much credit? I am the conference director and know the war situation clearly.
Was the Changsha Battle one you halted?
If you won and withdrew, that’s called halting.
If you lost and withdrew, that’s called running.”
Imai Takeo couldn’t tolerate it. “Hundreds of thousands of troops withdrew from the Changsha front—you call that running?”
Zhang Yousan laughed heartily. “Not having hundreds of thousands left means it’s halting.
The Changsha Battle was a victory won by Kuomintang officers and soldiers fighting valiantly with the commander directing properly!
Ninth War Zone Commander Xue Yue, a genius in using troops, cut off your grain supplies, inflicted heavy losses on Okamura Yasuji, and that’s why you found a way to withdraw.
And hundreds of thousands? More like over ten thousand? Saying so much to intimidate me is useless.”
Imai Takeo glared, saying gravely: “I didn’t expect our good intentions to be unappreciated, and from Your Excellency’s attitude, it doesn’t seem like you’re here to negotiate, but rather to pick a fight with me.”
“A slip of the tongue.” Zhang Yousan smiled, softening his attitude quickly. “Imai-kun doesn’t need to be angry. We’ll negotiate as we should.
What I’m telling you is that we have the power to resist the war. For the parts we can negotiate on, we will. If you insist on nitpicking minor details, then President Jiang’s side can only continue fighting.”
“Good, set that aside first.” Imai Takeo had a calm face. “Regarding the North China garrison suppressing the Communist Party, how have you discussed it?”
“Garrisoning is impossible. The Japanese Army must have a complete withdrawal plan.” Zhang Yousan raised a hand. “No need to rush. The purpose of the North China garrison is to exterminate the Communist Party.
Since that’s the case, no need to wait. As long as negotiations go smoothly, we can completely exterminate the Communist Party during this period.
Once the Communist Party is exterminated, the Japanese Army won’t need to garrison anymore. Am I wrong?”
This obviously didn’t match the Japanese expectations for North China garrisoning, but on the surface, what Chongqing said was indeed correct.
“How do you plan to exterminate them?” Imai Takeo asked.
Zhang Yousan said, “The President said that as long as the Japanese are willing to agree to our conditions and show sincerity, the President can telegram Commander Yan to join forces with the Japanese Army to strangle the Communist Army headquarters in North China.”
“The Eighth Route Army headquarters in the Taihang Mountains?”
“Exactly. Haven’t you been implementing the cage policy against the Communist Army in North China? As long as we cooperate, the Eighth Route Army won’t escape even with wings.”
“What conditions?”
“Kill Wang Ni.”
Imai Takeo had been excited hearing about jointly strangling them. Regardless of whether negotiations succeeded in the end, just this joint strangling could make Kuomintang-Communist turn against each other and greatly weaken the anti-Japanese forces.
But the condition was this?
“Impossible. The Empire of Japan will not assassinate its own ally. This is a matter of credibility.”
“What kind of ally are they? Aren’t they just a nest of traitors?”
After Zhang Yousan finished, he slowly turned his head and glanced at Gu Yansheng and Mei Siping with his eyes.
Gu Yansheng wasn’t a traitor, why look at him.
“And their lackeys.” Zhang Yousan added.
That was true.
“This is impossible. If you insist on this condition, there’s no need to negotiate.” Imai Takeo was quite cold.
Zhang Yousan sneered: “Their reputation is already rotten. Why insist?”
Imai Takeo snorted coldly: “Using the Eighth Route Army headquarters as a pretext, but the real goal is to have us kill Mr. Wang. Fine, you go ahead and exterminate all the Communist Party first, and after that’s done, we can talk about killing or not. Okay?
Mr. Zhang, can you do fewer of these probing things?
You can’t exterminate the Communist Party first, and I can’t kill Mr. Wang first. You understand the reason, no need to say more.
Moreover, I can tell you, even if the Communist Party is wiped out, we won’t kill Mr. Wang. That’s basic credibility.”
Zhang Yousan paused, then smiled: “Fine, then we’ll take a step back. The Wang Ni matter is our internal affair, to be resolved by ourselves after we establish the united government later.
But the premise is that Japan cannot support Wang Ni in establishing a new government. That’s the bottom line.”
This question was easy to answer. Imai Takeo directly gave the final deadline: “Before the end of March, if we can reach an agreement, the new government won’t be established.”
“Time is too tight.”
“It’s you moving too slowly. Two months earlier you weren’t negotiating, now there’s only this much time left. General Headquarters isn’t decided by one person. By then, the new government will definitely be established.”
“You’re forcing us toward negotiation breakdown.”
“You just need to move faster.”
Zhang Yousan exhaled deeply. “We’ll discuss this after the meeting and seek instructions. Let’s talk about other things first.”
The negotiation terms were still the same, pulling back and forth. Other terms seemed negotiable according to Chongqing’s intention.
This negotiation had progress.
Now there were three points of contention.
First, how to handle the Wang Ni matter.
Second, the North China garrison issue.
Third, recognition of Manchukuo.
The first and third were highly controversial, while the second on suppressing Communists was negotiable.
“How about this: I’ll go back and ask the President’s opinion on the other two points, but don’t hold too much hope.
For the Manchukuo issue, I already gave you the reason. The President simply can’t do it. Chongqing has armies from various systems. If recognized now, the situation will deteriorate.
As for the Wang Ni matter, it can only be resolved internally. We won’t sign any government-to-government agreements with Wang Ni.
For the North China garrison issue, do as I said: jointly suppress Communists. As long as the war between us stops, it can start now.
Of course, in terms of the plan, we won’t join you in the campaign. You can blockade on your territory, send puppet army to assist your offensives. We will suppress the Communist Party from our angle.
If you can accept, we continue talking. If not, no need to talk.”
Suppressing Communists was definitely good for the Japanese Army.
“No problem with suppressing Communists. I’ll report back as soon as possible.”
“There are still two issues. Hope you make an effort too, to get your Military Department not to insist, otherwise negotiations can’t proceed.”
“I can try, but don’t expect it, Mr. Zhang. Some conditions can’t be satisfied simultaneously.”
“Then that’s it for now. If there’s progress, contact Mr. Song again.”
The Chongqing people left.
“Let’s go too.”
Imai Takeo led the way out.
Returned to Shanghai.
Gu Yansheng first went to report the situation to Minister Zhou.
As long as the Japanese didn’t abandon the Wang Faction, for the Wang Faction, whether the peace talks succeeded or not wasn’t really bad.
From the current situation, there was no impact on the Wang Faction, so continue advancing the new government handover work.
After finishing with Minister Zhou, Gu Yansheng went to find Shen Linshen and informed him that the Kuomintang might join with the Japanese in a plot to attack the Eighth Route Army headquarters.
“I’ll spread the news immediately.” Shen Linshen looked serious. This news was too important. “That’s the 129th Division there.”
“Right, the 129th Division.” One of our party’s three main division groups.
“Chongqing sent so many high officials for the peace talks. Old Jiang wouldn’t really compromise, would he?”
“If the Japanese agree to all his conditions and withdraw unconditionally, it’s possible, but do you think the Japanese will agree to withdraw?”
“Probably not.” Shen Linshen had his own judgment.
But Gu Yansheng’s tone was more certain. “Definitely not. There are conflicting conditions here. Chongqing wants the Japanese to withdraw, and the Japanese might withdraw, but the premise for withdrawal is that Chongqing recognizes Manchukuo.
Otherwise, once troops withdraw, Chongqing marches to the Northeast, and the Manchukuo the Japanese took wouldn’t be lost again?”
Shen Linshen suddenly understood completely upon this pointer.
“So the Japanese demand North China garrisoning not just for suppressing Communists, but also to prevent Chongqing from moving against Manchukuo.
North China garrisoning and recognition of Manchukuo—if neither is achieved, the Japanese can’t withdraw.
Without withdrawal, these peace talks will never succeed.
Because Old Jiang can’t possibly recognize Manchukuo. If he wants to recognize Manchukuo’s independence, Northeastern Army generals will split, and his position will be unstable.”
No wonder Shen Linshen had wondered before: is Japanese obsession with whether Manchukuo is recognized that important?
It really was.
Chongqing casually said recognition of Manchukuo didn’t matter, delay a few years, but it wasn’t like that at all.
“That’s it.” Gu Yansheng nodded. “So sending however many people is useless. Without resolving these two core contradictions, there’s temporarily no sign of successful peace talks.
I estimate Old Jiang’s current thinking is to use the opportunity for the Japanese to cease fire and exterminate our troops—that’s real profit.”
“I’ll report immediately!”
