Chapter 253: Continue
Nanjing Headquarters.
After the train arrived, Gu Yansheng and Minister Zhou took a car and came here.
The people entering and exiting the gate were all high-level Japanese Military Department officials in military uniforms. In other places, a Lieutenant Colonel could serve as the person in charge of a department, such as Haruki Keiichi in Shanghai, or Suzuki Takuo who went to Hong Kong for negotiations.
Here, Lieutenant Colonels were commonplace. Gu Yansheng had seen several Colonels on the way.
Chinese who could enter here should be uncommon.
Meeting with Itagaki Seishiro.
Since Gu Yansheng did not know Japanese Language, the Japanese side also arranged a Japanese Language translator.
Minister Zhou opened by directly asking, “Your Excellency Itagaki, what exactly are your expectations for this negotiation?”
Itagaki smiled and said: “Mr. Zhou, is it because you heard feedback from the peace talks personnel in Hong Kong, thinking that we would agree to Chongqing’s conditions and kill you, so you came to find me?
Then you need not be so nervous.
For China, we have always hoped to resolve the war in a peaceful way. This is beyond doubt.
After our peace talks with Chongqing succeed, we also hope that you will form a United Government with Chongqing.
This is both for peace, and we do not want China to become a one-man rule under President Jiang of Chongqing. This does not conform to our interests. The United Government will certainly have seats for you, and we will fully guarantee your personal safety. I can assure you of this.”
Minister Zhou raised an eyebrow, “Thank you for Your Excellency Itagaki’s frankness. For peace, we can accept forming a United Government with the Chongqing Government.
But Mr. Wang has been asking me whether Japan is sincere in negotiating, and because so many people gathered by Mr. Wang are now in Shanghai, and there has been no movement on the establishment of the New Government, Mr. Wang also needs to give them a clear answer. We are in a difficult position.
Negotiations are negotiations, but hopes cannot all be placed on negotiations.
If Chongqing just wants to use this negotiation to delay time and achieve the purpose of affecting our side’s morale, Your Excellency Itagaki, have you considered this factor?
By then, if morale is scattered, Chongqing’s purpose will have already been achieved.”
Itagaki frowned and said: “Peace talks are the best outcome for Chongqing. From the feedback on the negotiation content, I believe Chongqing does intend to negotiate. If we push forward the establishment of the New Government at this time, it will make Chongqing feel that we lack sincerity in negotiations.
There is no way around this matter. In the upcoming negotiations, I will order our people to urge Chongqing to quickly implement specific terms and accelerate the negotiation process.”
“This is too passive.”
Minister Zhou still wanted to express dissatisfaction, “If it’s just passively waiting, where is Japan’s initiative? Could it be that Chongqing can now dominate the negotiations?”
“Then what is your brilliant idea?”
“At least give a deadline. Negotiations can continue before that, but after that, things still need to return to normal channels.”
“I cannot give you this deadline.”
Itagaki came to China as this Chief of Staff to lead the negotiations. The peace talks must succeed, otherwise he cannot return to the center.
Minister Zhou felt he should not have come to find Itagaki. This guy was now having a fit.
“Your Excellency Itagaki, if this is your attitude, I need to consider going to Japan to talk with the Japanese Cabinet. I think there is a problem with your thinking. You should be tough on Chongqing, not like now, waiting for Chongqing’s reply.
You are putting our Mr. Wang in an unrighteous position!
So many people in Shanghai are waiting for us. What do you want us to do?
If you do not care about our attitude, you can say so directly. We can leave Shanghai!”
Minister Zhou’s toughness made Itagaki uncomfortable too. He said strongly: “Then go and tell the Cabinet!
Minister Zhou, I remind you that our goal is all for peaceful construction of East Asia. Even if I support you in establishing the New Government immediately now, do you have the ability to take all of China from the Chongqing Government?
Do you not still need a lot of time to do it step by step?
Now there is a peace talks opportunity to solve the China problem all at once. If you were me, how would you choose?
Do you not understand this choice?”
“Let me say a few words.” After hearing the translator’s content, Gu Yansheng interjected: “Both of you, calm down first. We are all for peace. It’s just that the methods are controversial. We are definitely not opposing enemies.
Your Excellency Itagaki, I think Minister Zhou’s considerations make sense.
First, let me state that I am not speaking from the standpoint of a New Government minister, but from an observer’s perspective.
Look, based on my observations at the peace talks venue, the Chongqing Government’s attitude toward peace talks is somewhat ambiguous now.
If they are sincere about negotiating, they should send a specific team to discuss relevant matters.
But now, the person sent by Chongqing is still just Song Ziliang. It was understandable that he was the only one at the first negotiation, but this is the second time. He returned to Chongqing and came back, still only him. This is not normal.
To put it bluntly, he says he talked with Old Jiang and gave conditions. This is just his one-sided statement. Can you be sure he talked with Old Jiang?
What if he did not, and it’s all made up to fool us?
Although Song Ziliang is a relative of President Jiang, he acts too frivolously, completely like a playboy rich kid.
Letting such a person handle such a big matter as peace talks, is President Jiang too reassured?
These are all risks.
So, I think we can go along with his intention.
Did Song Ziliang not propose wanting to end the Changsha Campaign to show sincerity?
I think we might as well end the Changsha Campaign as he wishes and release this goodwill to him.
At the same time, we continue to push forward the establishment of the Wang Government to force him to make a choice quickly.
From Chongqing’s standpoint, they definitely do not want us to establish a new government, especially Mr. Wang’s government which has high prestige within the party.
Since you cannot give a negotiation end time, then we will create a time, using the time of Mr. Wang’s New Government establishment to give Chongqing a sense of urgency.
Either succeed in peace talks before that, or we will start the New Government. Let them choose themselves.
We will also have shown sincerity.
And for Mr. Wang’s side, it will also give the faction personnel a reassurance. They do not need to know about this negotiation, but with a clear time for the government to open, everyone can perform their duties. No matter what, it is good for the current Japanese Occupied Area.”
“I think what Minister Gu said makes a lot of sense.” Minister Zhou responded immediately after confirming Gu Yansheng finished speaking, “With both soft and hard approaches, appropriate toughness can show Japan’s attitude.
Your Excellency Itagaki, you should also hope to get a definite result from this peace talks as soon as possible, whether success or failure, so that you can give an explanation to the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and the Japanese Cabinet.”
Itagaki looked at Gu Yansheng, frowned and pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, “I will step out for a moment. Wait a bit and I will give you a reply. Have some tea.”
“Okay. He must have gone to hold a meeting to discuss.”
Watching Itagaki leave, Minister Zhou smiled, “What you said just now was very timely, very good.”
Merely opposing is nothing. Providing a solution is the most important.
The purpose of this trip to Nanjing was just to persuade Itagaki not to believe Chongqing’s peace talks tricks, but now Gu Yansheng had done one more step, finding another way to advance the progress of the New Government establishment. This was simply an unexpected joy.
Now Itagaki was clearly persuaded, so this matter was as good as done.
Gu Yansheng was not doing this just to advance the New Government establishment. The Changsha Campaign was now in the bumper harvest period for grain. If it could be delayed a bit, this year’s grain could be harvested by local farmers, saving many from starving.
It was just a matter of moving his mouth. Advancing the New Government was incidental.
He naturally accepted the praise for merit with a smile.
After waiting about an hour, Itagaki returned.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Itagaki glanced at the two, “I discussed with the Staff Department. We have decided to adopt Mr. Gu’s plan: end the Changsha Campaign within a certain time, continue to push forward the New Government establishment. The specific time will be discussed later with you by Colonel Kagesa Sadaki, and this time should be spread out, letting the Shanghai Agents inform Chongqing to achieve our purpose of pressure.”
Beyond expectations! Beyond expectations!
“Haha.” Minister Zhou could not help laughing, “Your Excellency Itagaki, this must be a decision beneficial to both sides!”
Japanese are stingy. They had a work meal at the headquarters: miso soup, salted fish, pork ribs. The taste was not bad, and the food was not too poor, but for two big corrupt officials with their own cooks, it was really garbage.
“Japanese are harsh even to their own people. The Army Command Headquarters canteen actually serves this kind of stuff.” Minister Zhou complained.
“I heard that the environment in Japan now is not good either.” Gu Yansheng echoed.
“It is not good. Once the war machine starts, money flows out every day like water. Before the war, Japan’s domestic economic problems had already reached a critical point. War is always to solve economic problems. Fighting China is to solve economic problems.
Now they have not defeated China for so long. The Soviet Union and Germany signed a peace agreement, blocking the Japanese plan to go north to the Soviet Union. There must be criticism domestically about whether their Military Department should continue fighting.
Look at how prosperous the Hongkou concession is, and how many Japanese have come. If there were opportunities at home, who would abandon family and come to Shanghai to make money and live?
And look, how many more brothels have been added in Hongkou? Why do Japanese women come to China to be prostitutes? Is it not because the prostitution industry in Japan is saturated and there is no money to be made?”
Gu Yansheng was impressed. Judging the economy from brothels, Minister Zhou could produce a masterpiece of economics from sleeping with women.
“Minister, you see the big picture from small details. That is something I did not think of.”
“Haha, do not just flatter. When it comes to flattery, I need to flatter you.” Minister Zhou pondered and murmured, “I was previously thinking whether Itagaki really wants to negotiate with Chongqing, and what hidden motives there are, to achieve some purpose against Chongqing.
For example, exposing the negotiation matter, exposing the terms, making Old Jiang lose face, and undermining the resolve of Chongqing’s military and civilians to resist Japan.
But now it seems this matter might really be that their Japanese Imperial General Headquarters does not want to fight Chongqing anymore and wants to withdraw troops. Otherwise, they would not agree so easily to retreat from the Changsha Campaign.
What you said about Japan wanting to go south might really be true.
They want to go south to get resources. Now Europe is in chaos, Britain and America likely have no time for Asia’s colonies. Japanese want to grab a handful, but fear the risk of Britain and America entering the war and do not want to fight on two fronts, so they want to first make peace with Chongqing to buy time, then turn back to deal with Chongqing.
You really hit it, Yansheng. If you do not be Minister of Justice, I think you should go be the Military Department’s Chief of Staff. Although you have not led troops, your strategic vision is not inferior to veteran generals who have been through battles, but even better.”
Gu Yansheng sneered, “Minister, I cannot handle this flattery. It is not confirmed, just a guess.”
Minister Zhou waved his hand and looked at Gu Yansheng seriously, asking, “How did you think of this at that time? Japan had just been defeated in Mongolia, and you thought of this? Tell me, let me learn.”
“I am a vulgar person. When considering problems, I like to start from the economic angle. At that time, I saw a United States newspaper rumor that the reason for Japan’s troop withdrawal was the Soviet-German peace talks. So Japan’s remaining options were to defeat all of China or go south to challenge Britain and America’s colonies.
From the perspective of resource revenue, China has no oil. The economically rich coastal areas are now all in Japanese hands. Attacking Chongqing, Yunnan, Sichuan and those places, is there really much revenue? What is earned may not even cover what is spent.
Challenging Britain, America, and France’s colonies is different. There are really good things there: oil, rubber, raw materials for some western medicine. These are all things Japan wants very much.
Now Britain and America are constrained by the European situation. As long as Germany does not lose, this constraint will continue. This is a great opportunity for Japan.
If I were the Japanese Cabinet, I would decide to go south. The only problem now is whether Japan dares to challenge Britain and America.
I heard that in the Japanese camp, there are quite a few people who are on good terms with Britain and America.”
Minister Zhou nodded as he listened. From the situation, making peace with Chongqing and then taking resources amid Europe’s war chaos is really the best solution for Japan.
Now he completely agreed with Gu Yansheng’s theory.
But it cannot be confirmed. Whether Japanese dare to challenge Britain and America, no one knows until they act.
“So now Japanese are waiting for the negotiation result to determine the next direction. Once peace talks with Chongqing succeed, that will be their time to go south.”
Then whether Japan can succeed in peace talks with Chongqing becomes an important question again.
Returning to Shanghai.
Minister Zhou first took Gu Yansheng to the Wang Mansion to claim merit for him.
Anyway, Gu Yansheng was someone he had shrewdly identified and employed. Gu Yansheng’s merit was his ability.
The Wang Faction personnel were of course surprised and delighted at this progress advancement, and praised Gu Yansheng heavily.
“Talent as a pillar of the Party and State. With Yansheng here, it is truly the fortune of the nation!”
Even Chen Biqun, who had been dissatisfied with Gu Yansheng’s rise, showed a faint smile and comforted, “Fohai, Yansheng, you have worked hard running around.
Since Itagaki said this matter will be communicated by Kagesa, we still need to hurry the follow-up work. Japanese are fickle, so we should complete all preparations as soon as possible.”
“That is what I think too.” Minister Zhou nodded in agreement and looked at Gu Yansheng, “Now that we have confirmed Japan’s intentions, should we pull someone back from Hong Kong? The specific negotiation contacts have always been them. If we change people, Kagesa side will not be familiar, and more people will know. I think there is no need.”
It was just a symbolic question. Gu Yansheng readily agreed: “I think it is feasible. I have personnel stationed in Hong Kong.
Now that Song Ziliang has been going back and forth for a month, Minister Mei and Vice Minister Gao there are indeed not very useful. If they return, we can fly over again. It is just one day later, and coming and going is convenient.”
“Good, then send a telegram back to let them return first.”
“Okay.”
“Do not keep making Yansheng work all the time. You are using the Minister of Justice like a secretary.” Wang Ni still had to speak up for Gu Yansheng, of course it was a joke aimed at Minister Zhou, “Let us have dinner together tonight. We can discuss the follow-up affairs at the dinner table.”
Minister Zhou nodded, “What needs handling now is the merger of regimes.
Liang Hongzhi of the Nanjing Reform Government and Wang Kemin of the North China Provisional Government. These two are old hands. They defected to Japanese from the start of the war and have deep relations with Japanese. We called them to Shanghai for a meeting and they would not come. They are relying on seniority very seriously.
For Nanjing’s Liang Hongzhi, we thought of some ways. The army is now in our hands, and the China Dispatch Army has been abolished and changed to the China Expeditionary Army. His relations in the Japanese military should be weakened, and the Expeditionary Army will support us. I think his problem is not big.
But North China’s Wang Kemin is quite troublesome.
North China is the territory of the North China Army, now renamed North China Area Army. This army has always been entrenched in North China. Wang Kemin was set up by them, with entangled interests. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters also feels it is hard to handle, so they asked us to step in.
But I thought about it, and temporarily cannot think of any angle to break through Wang Kemin’s psychological defense line. If even he cannot be dealt with, forget about the Japanese behind him.”
Chen Biqun interjected: “The Japanese Army’s defeat in Mongolia, Itagaki has stepped down. Will this affect military personnel changes? Can we start from this aspect? If the army changes people, it might be an opportunity.”
Minister Zhou slowly shook his head, “Very difficult. Even if changed, the new general’s butt will still be sitting on the North China side. Why would they cooperate with us?”
“Fohai, I think you can go to North China and talk with Wang Kemin. Give some benefits, let him come forward and talk with the North China Army. We need to know what the North China Army’s interests are.” Chen Biqun wanted to throw this tough nut to Minister Zhou.
Minister Zhou kicked Chen Biqun to Guangdong with one sentence, “I will think of a way. Let us set aside Central China and North China for now. Guangdong is also a major economic province, with both Army and Navy there. Utilizing contradictions within the Japanese Army’s own factions, I think it is easier to handle than single relations. Biqun, that is Mr. Wang and your old home. Why not think of a way to take down Guangdong?”
One on each side, Chen Biqun could not refuse, and Guangdong indeed could not be abandoned. It had plenty of oil and water, and Navy relations needed to be consolidated.
To implement Chu Minyi’s Minister of the Navy, some ships would need to be obtained too.
“Okay, I will think of a way.”
“Talk while eating.” With the big direction set, Wang Ni thought of eating, happily saying, “Yansheng, come on, you decide where to eat.”
