Chapter 286: Darkest Hour
The telegram doesn’t explain clearly. This matter still needs to return to Nanjing to inquire.
Gu Yansheng returned to Shanghai, met with Minister Zhou, and then went to Nanjing together.
Wang Mansion.
“Meet in person? Old Jiang’s people took the initiative to propose it?” Wang Ni showed surprise about this matter.
“Yes.” Gu Yansheng reported calmly, “The on-site negotiations couldn’t reach an agreement. The Japanese pressured Britain and France, Britain and France pressured Chongqing, and Chongqing is probably under considerable pressure, so they proposed this point.
The other side demands that the chosen location must be in an area controlled by Chongqing. The location they now propose is Changsha.”
“This place cannot be gone to.” Chen Biqun spoke up: “Old Jiang has no good intentions. He has repeatedly instructed the negotiation personnel to propose killing you, and as far as peace talks are concerned, you are the biggest obstacle for Old Jiang.
If they make a move in Changsha and kill you, then his goal will be achieved.”
“I know. How could I possibly agree to go to Changsha?” Wang Ni sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, sneering, and looked at Gu Yansheng. “What did the Japanese say?”
“Imai Takeo went to ask for Itagaki Seishiro’s opinion, and there has been no reply yet.”
“Itagaki probably won’t agree to such a stupid approach either.” Wang Ni sneered repeatedly. “Fohai, don’t you think so?”
Minister Zhou nodded. “For the Japanese, the risk of you going to Changsha is something they definitely have to consider more.
But we cannot ignore their goal of successfully achieving peace talks.
I think the location definitely needs to be changed. Propose a location that all three parties are satisfied with. Then, when that location is set, will you go or not? Have you thought about how to negotiate?”
This is a good question. Everyone present has to think carefully about it.
Gu Yansheng didn’t need to think. “Imai Takeo flew straight to Nanjing, arriving before us. He should have already reported. I’ll make a phone call to ask.”
“Good.” Wang Ni agreed.
Gu Yansheng picked up the phone in the room and called Imai Takeo’s home, but the housekeeper said he hadn’t returned yet.
Gu Yansheng asked him to call back when he returned.
Everyone chatted while waiting for the phone call.
Ring ring, ring ring.
Gu Yansheng raised his hand and looked inquiringly. Chen Biqun nodded.
“Hello.” Gu Yansheng picked up the phone.
Imai Takeo said, “Minister Gu?”
“Yes. What did headquarters say? Mm, mm, good, I understand.”
Gu Yansheng hung up the phone and looked at the others. “Imai Takeo said Itagaki agrees to participate in the tripartite talks. For peace, he is even willing to venture into dangerous territory and has no objection to going to Changsha for talks.
However, considering Mr. Wang’s personal safety, they decided to reconfirm the location with the other side, placing it in Hong Kong, Macau, or even another third-party country.”
“The rhetoric sounds really nice. Itagaki himself doesn’t want to go, yet he does it under the banner of being good for us.”
Chen Biqun mocked Imai Takeo’s rhetorical artistry. “But for this matter, Old Jiang probably won’t agree. Going elsewhere increases his assassination risk too much. He can’t ignore that factor. We still need to propose a plan that all three parties recognize.”
“Actually, we can’t go abroad either. Shanghai is still in the control area, and Military Statistics Bureau activities are already so rampant. Outside, the Military Statistics Bureau can act even more freely.” Minister Zhou added.
Wang Ni nodded in agreement, stood up, walked to the map to study it, gestured, and smiled. “Got it. Come look. Old Jiang wants Changsha, but we can’t go to Changsha.
A compromise—how about here?”
Everyone looked where his finger pointed.
“Dongting Lake.” Chen Biqun.
“It’s not bad.” Minister Zhou nodded in agreement.
Dongting Lake is a good place, connected to Changsha on one end and to the Japanese Army in Wuhan on the other.
If some people are sent to one side of the lake and some Pacification Army is placed, then the tripartite talks setup would really take shape.
Secret talks on the lake would be quite secretive.
“Then it’s settled.” Wang Ni was also quite pleased. “Yansheng, explain the benefits of Dongting Lake to them.”
“Okay.” Gu Yansheng agreed.
Who knows what he’s so pleased about. Old Jiang won’t agree to the location you propose. It’s impossible even thinking with your butt.
Rest one night, and the next day they have to fly to Hong Kong again.
Gu Yansheng is really having a tough life as a minister, flying back and forth every day, a model of dedication.
Arrived in Hong Kong and conveyed opinions to Chongqing’s negotiation personnel. As expected, all were rejected.
Dongting Lake is impossible, Hong Kong and Macau are impossible.
Zhang Yousan said bluntly: “No need to say more! No matter how great the benefits of Dongting Lake, even if you talk until the sky breaks, President Jiang won’t leave Nationalist controlled area. That’s the bottom line.
If you’re afraid of dying, then don’t negotiate.”
Negotiations are really troublesome. Even a location can cause a big argument.
Two planes, three planes
Anyway, Old Jiang won’t leave areas controlled by Chongqing’s army, and Wang Wang won’t leave areas controlled by Japan.
Discussed for several days, reported, requested instructions—all said they won’t change their positions.
The Japanese are also troubled. After Imai Takeo inquired, he proposed: if it must be in Changsha, then have Old Jiang issue a document with Old Jiang’s name on it, hand it to them for safekeeping, ensuring the safety of their trip.
Zhang Yousan said they won’t issue it. Otherwise, if any accident happens, it would be blamed on them, damaging President Jiang’s reputation.
Damn, after hearing this, Imai Takeo really wondered if Old Jiang wanted to lure them there for assassination.
In further discussions, Old Jiang won’t leave Nationalist controlled area? Fine. Let Britain, America, and France attend in Changsha together to guarantee.
Chongqing responded that they are willing to ask, but Britain, America, and France refuse. If Old Jiang acts without martial virtue and kills, who do they reason with?
Each side’s reasons are very reasonable. From each side’s perspective, there’s no issue at all, but the matter is stuck.
Zhang Yousan smiled faintly and suggested, “Why don’t you go ask Britain and France if they are willing to guarantee you? If they are willing to guarantee, maybe President Jiang will consider leaving Nationalist controlled area.”
Imai Takeo really went to ask.
Britain and France looked at him like an idiot.
They’re unwilling to guarantee for Old Jiang, let alone for you.
“You’re not sincerely negotiating; you just want to delay time!” Imai Takeo said angrily. “The Dongting Lake plan is very safe! Your soldiers can provide support from the Changsha direction!”
Zhang Yousan didn’t even lift his eyelids. “How many times have you bombed Chongqing? A mere Dongting Lake—bombers with full firepower coverage would be even easier than bombing Chongqing. How can we feel at ease?
If you feel at ease, then go negotiate in Changsha.”
Negotiations made no progress, but these talks must continue and must produce a plan.
The Japanese Army intensified attacks in the Fifth War Zone, militarily pressuring Chongqing.
Then in various concessions, they let No. 76 infiltrate, pressuring the concession countries.
But Old Jiang doesn’t want to leave Nationalist controlled area; no one can force him. Can’t tie Old Jiang up for negotiations.
Gu Yansheng and Imai Takeo went back and forth several times between Hong Kong and Nanjing, but on the location issue, the Japanese truly can’t let Wang Ni go to Nationalist controlled area.
If he dies, it’s all over.
Gu Yansheng and Imai Takeo went back and forth several times between Hong Kong and Nanjing and finally came up with a plan.
Itagaki goes to Changsha.
Wang Ni does not attend.
This way, the possibility of Chongqing making a move is almost zero.
Zhang Yousan reported, and Chongqing agreed.
The deadlock is completely resolved.
Next is agreeing on the peace talks time and final confirmation of negotiation contents.
Other contents of the already confirmed terms are verified by both sides’ personnel, with no objections.
But for the remaining contents—Wang Ni, garrisoning troops in North China, and Manchukuo—Chongqing stirred up trouble again.
Once again clarifying: must state no garrisoning allowed. Manchukuo is tacitly assigned to Japan but not officially recognized. The Wang Ni issue is internal affairs, to be resolved by the future government.
Fine, then sign. Otherwise, no need to prepare for the meeting. President Jiang won’t haggle with you in Changsha; it’s pointless.
This time Zhang Yousan even took out his pen. As long as the Japanese sign, the war can be prepared to end.
Negotiated for so long; finally about to end, just one last push.
Imai Takeo picked up the document and examined it carefully. Although it prohibits garrisoning, requires a clear withdrawal timeline, and doesn’t recognize Manchukuo—these terms are somewhat nauseating.
But as long as the temporary goals are achieved and the Japanese Army can withdraw from the battlefield, future matters can be dealt with later.
Contracts can be signed, and naturally can be torn.
Examining the memorandum, Imai Takeo even picked up his pen. Just as he was about to sign, a phone call came in for him.
“Good, I understand.”
Imai Takeo hung up, walked to the table, picked up his pen, and put on his hat.
He smiled at Chongqing’s people.
Zhang Yousan frowned. “What does this mean?”
Imai Takeo paused, then smiled faintly. “If you had acted faster and negotiated from the start, maybe the Wang Government wouldn’t even need to be established.
Of course, even if established, no problem—we still came to negotiate. If you negotiated properly, straightforwardly, without delaying this one-plus month, perhaps today we would have completed signing, ceased hostilities, made peace, and withdrawn troops.
But you insisted on delaying, dragging it to your worst outcome. Hahaha, too stupid.”
“What do you mean? Say it straightforwardly!” Zhang Yousan didn’t like guessing riddles.
Imai Takeo was too lazy to explain and sneered. “Go back and read the newspaper. There will be new signing opportunities. We’re leaving.”
Out the door, without Gu Yansheng even asking, Mei Siping couldn’t hold back. Negotiated for so long, seemed about to succeed, then suddenly no signing.
“Mr. Imai, what exactly happened?”
Imai Takeo had been teased by Chongqing several times; today he finally vented. He was full of smiles.
“Let me tell you good news: France has been defeated. Hitler’s iron hooves have swept Europe. In just over forty days, the French campaign ended. France’s army announced surrender. Headquarters orders us to stop signing and return to Nanjing immediately.”
Mei Siping was stunned. “The French Empire gone in forty days?”
How powerful France was!
Just look at Shanghai: Britain and America share one concession called the International Settlement.
France has its own exclusive concession—that’s strength.
And now, it’s gone?
“Hahaha, and this was with Britain’s help.” Imai Takeo laughed. “Britain’s nine divisions, the surviving ones, have already surrendered to the German Army.”
“Unbelievable. The German Army is that strong? Hitler is truly a godlike man.” Mei Siping was amazed. “But what does this have to do with signing?”
Imai Takeo explained, “With France defeated, the ownership of French Indochina may fall into Germany’s hands. We have a good relationship with Germany. The Military Department will immediately negotiate with Germany to borrow passage through French Indochina to completely seal the border.
This way, Chongqing’s aid routes are left only with Britain’s. Given the current situation, how many more days do you think Britain can hold?
Once Britain’s European campaign turns unfavorable, all of China will be completely sealed off.
Chongqing will have no more chance of survival!”
Mei Siping was shocked again. He glanced at Gu Yansheng, then turned back to Imai Takeo with a flattering smile. “Well said. Impressive!”
“Talks still need to happen, but when I return, the conditions won’t be these. Chongqing missed its best opportunity. I must return to Nanjing immediately. You two carry on.”
Imai Takeo bowed politely and left.
“Good news. Old Jiang is done for. This must be reported to Mr. Wang immediately.” Mei Siping was quite excited.
“You’re right.” Gu Yansheng gave him an approving look. “The Japanese still need to talk with Germany and pressure Chongqing. I estimate it will take some time. I’m going back to Shanghai too. Will you stay or go back?”
“Go back.”
Staying in Hong Kong too long, such a small place—tiring of it early.
Gu Yansheng returned to Shanghai to report to Minister Zhou.
Mei Siping went to Nanjing to report to Wang Ni.
This matter is definitely good news for the Wang Faction.
For Minister Zhou, establishing the Reserve Bank should be easier too.
The situation was indeed as Imai Takeo said: Japan and Germany have a good relationship. Germany immediately agreed to the Japanese Army’s request to borrow passage to seal the border.
Of course, nominally it was France that agreed, since it’s France’s colony. After defeat, France established a government controlled by the German Army.
And just over ten days after France’s defeat, the British couldn’t hold against Europe’s iron hooves either.
Notified Japan: Britain agrees to close the Burma Road.
And formally announced externally: prohibiting transport of armaments, ammunition, gasoline, heavy trucks, and railway materials through Myanmar to China. Hong Kong simultaneously imposes embargo.
Japan completed the full seal of the border.
All foreign aid supplies completely cut off.
Massive changes in Europe; German Army’s momentum is unstoppable. Japanese Army feels the same.
With border sealed, Nationalist controlled area supplies only consumed, no input—this is a dead end. Exterminating China is entirely possible. Hawkish forces in the Japanese Cabinet rise.
Japanese Cabinet undergoes another change.
Konoe takes power, appoints Army Prime Minister nicknamed Razor—Tojo.
This content can be heard every day on newspapers and radios controlled by the Japanese.
Gu Yansheng reads the newspaper in the tea house. Japanese rhetoric now is no different from during the Battle of Songhu when they boasted of conquering China in three months—all the same fanaticism.
There was a cooling period in between with no hope of victory, but now hope has returned.
Newspapers full of propaganda: how heroic the Japanese Army’s combat is, Nationalist controlled area about to run out of ammo and supplies, Chongqing Jiang Government will be destroyed soon.
Not enough propaganda in Japanese Occupied Area: Japanese Army printed massive leaflets, airdropped by airplane to all major cities in Nationalist controlled area, waging a war of public opinion to attack hearts and minds.
Wang Ni isn’t idle either: urging Chongqing’s armies to surrender quickly. Sino-Japanese peace is the only way to save China.
Had the Propaganda Department print a bunch of leaflets too, to be dropped in all major cities.
Then realized they have no airplanes.
This is a sad discovery, so Wang Ni decides to first find a way to get some airplanes.
The current situation is indeed difficult.
Situation in Nationalist controlled area and base areas: Japan, for propaganda needs, publicizes lavishly in newspapers.
Content exaggerated, making it seem like after today, anti-Japanese forces will starve to death.
Though exaggerated, the real situation definitely isn’t good either.
For example, in North China region, the report submitted by North China’s Wang Kemin: he cooperated with Japanese, starting the May Day mopping-up operation against base areas from May, implementing three-all policy.
In this situation, already pitifully scarce supplies need to cope with Japanese mopping-up. Now with international aid cut off, the situation is even more dangerous.
Chongqing goes without saying: international aid was always the bulk. Now aid routes sealed, no supplies can enter.
Forget winning the war; even maintaining the status quo is impossible.
Bullets: one fired, one less. Bombers fly over Chongqing daily, dropping either bombs or leaflets.
Though police were sent to streets to collect these leaflets, the content had already spread.
Chongqing in panic, prices soaring, officials thinking of defection, businessmen preparing to flee.
Completely no hope in sight.
The darkest moment arrives.
