Chapter 49: Orders
“Baka…”
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko exploded with profanity on the spot.
“One regiment… one regiment of imperial warriors, almost completely annihilated just like that, with even the regimental commander and deputy brigade commander missing. It’s simply a disgrace to the Great Japanese Empire!”
Seeing Prince Asaka Yasuhiko completely lose his composure on the spot, everyone present fell silent as if chilled to the bone.
This was a radical member of the Imperial Way Faction. Although during last year’s February 26 Incident he had sided with the coup soldiers and thus received severe reprimand from Emperor Hirohito, who removed him from the list of imperial family members.
But the imperial family is the imperial family, and it wouldn’t change in any way just because of a list.
This could be seen from the fact that just one year later, Emperor Hirohito ordered him to take over the position of commander of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army from Matsui Iwane. In reality, Emperor Hirohito still trusted him greatly.
If they were labeled as incompetent and foolish by such an imperial family member, it would have a huge impact on their careers.
After venting his anger, Prince Asaka Yasuhiko also realized that he had just taken office and it was inappropriate to thunder at his subordinates before his butt was even warm in the seat.
He took a deep breath and then asked again: “Who can tell me which Chinese troops are entrenched in St. Paul’s Cathedral?”
“This…”
Everyone looked at each other, and finally their gazes fell on Tani Hisao.
Seeing this, Tani Hisao cursed inwardly: Why are you all looking at me? I don’t know either.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he didn’t dare play deaf and dumb, so he could only steel himself and say: “This… these days I’ve been busy commanding the troops in combat, so for the situation at St. Paul’s Cathedral, you still need to ask Kunizaki.”
“You…”
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko suppressed the anger in his heart and turned to Matsui Iwane with a solemn expression: “Matsui, from the intelligence we’ve just heard, this St. Paul’s Cathedral has already become a key point in our Great Japanese Empire’s capture of Nanjing.
Right now, who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching us.
Not only are old powers like America, Britain, and Germany waiting to see us make fools of ourselves, even the Emperor is awaiting our good news. We absolutely cannot allow this matter to spread. Do you understand what I mean?”
Matsui Iwane nodded repeatedly. As expected of an imperial family member; his perspective on issues was always thorough.
As long as this matter could be resolved within the control of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army, no matter how great the casualties, it wouldn’t matter. But once it alarmed the Emperor, the nature of it would be entirely different.
He glanced around at the surrounding generals and said coldly: “Have you all heard the commander-in-chief’s words? This matter already concerns the reputation and honor of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army. Whoever dares to leak it out, don’t blame me and His Highness the Prince for showing no mercy.”
“Hai!”
Everyone bowed their heads in unison.
If Su Yaoyang were here, he would surely sigh with emotion: So covering things up isn’t something unique to our country after all.
After pondering for a moment, Prince Asaka Yasuhiko said to Chief of Staff Iinuma Mamoru, who had been standing respectfully to the side: “Immediately issue an order in the name of headquarters to all participating troops, commanding them to end the fighting in Nanjing city within three days. Violators will be severely punished.”
“Hai!” Iinuma Mamoru bowed in acknowledgment, but then added: “Commander-in-chief, in Nanjing city now, aside from some sporadic resistance, the largest scale resistances are at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Purple Mountain.
Additionally, we have captured quite a few Chinese prisoners, numbering at least tens of thousands. Managing these people is a big problem. How should we handle these prisoners? Please give your instructions, Commander-in-chief.”
“Prisoners?” A ferocious expression flashed across Prince Asaka Yasuhiko’s face. “Since these prisoners have become a burden to us, they indeed need to be properly dealt with.”
With that, he strode to the desk, picked up a brush, wrote a line of characters, and handed it to Iinuma Mamoru. “Have all the generals read my order aloud, but destroy it immediately after. Understood?”
Iinuma Mamoru took the order with both hands, glanced at it, and his body trembled. He then steeled himself and showed it to all the generals in the office. Everyone who saw the order gasped.
The order only had six big characters: “Kill all prisoners!”
Someone trembled and said: “Commander-in-chief… but… but there are tens of thousands of these prisoners.”
“Tens of thousands, so what?” Prince Asaka Yasuhiko said sternly: “As long as we can accomplish His Majesty’s great cause of ruling the four seas, let alone killing tens of thousands, even killing hundreds of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions—what of it?”
“Hai!”
Seeing Prince Asaka Yasuhiko angry, this general didn’t dare say more and quickly lowered his head.
In the end, Chief of Staff Iinuma Mamoru stepped forward to smooth things over: “Alright, you’ve all seen the commander-in-chief’s order.
You must completely eliminate the resistance forces in Nanjing city within three days, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Xiaguan, Purple Mountain, and other places. Have you all understood?”
“Hai!”
A welcoming ceremony for the new commander turned into a military conference. Soon, the various generals left one after another with their tasks, leaving only Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, Matsui Iwane, and Iinuma Mamoru in headquarters.
“Your Highness the Prince.”
Once the office door was closed, Matsui Iwane looked at Prince Asaka Yasuhiko seriously and said: “Nanjing city has basically fallen into our hands now. I’m not worried about other places, but St. Paul’s Cathedral is what concerns me most. You must not take it lightly.”
“Even if you didn’t say it, I would pay attention.”
Prince Asaka Yasuhiko snorted lightly. In a bit, he would personally call Kunizaki Descends to order him to eliminate that isolated force within two days. If he couldn’t, he wouldn’t mind letting him return to the homeland early to retire.
Hearing Prince Asaka Yasuhiko’s ominous words, Matsui Iwane nodded, then stood up: “Your Highness the Prince, by rights, since you’ve just arrived in Nanjing, I should personally host a welcome banquet for you. But my health really doesn’t allow it, so I can only owe you this one. When there’s a chance, I will make it up to you.”
“Yoshi… Matsui, you’re too polite. Your health comes first.
When we return to the homeland, no need for your invitation—I will personally visit!
At that time, I must order the most beautiful geishas to accompany us!”
“Hahaha…”
With that, the two laughed heartily together.
Matsui Iwane acted quickly as well, soon handing over his work to Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, then directly boarding a ship to return to the homeland for recuperation.
And this day became the beginning of a nightmare for the military and civilians remaining in Nanjing city. Over 100,000 Japanese troops, under Prince Asaka Yasuhiko’s orders, unleashed bloody and brutal slaughter in Nanjing city, and a massacre that shocked the world began.
