PFC Chapter 1098 This is his true path to death!
Chapter 1098 This is his true path to death!
The Emperor and Chikao Fumio, seeing his comical demeanor of "brightening up at the slightest praise" and "getting carried away by compliments," couldn't help but shake their heads and chuckle. The atmosphere in the tea room completely shifted to a relaxed state after Chikao Fumio's brilliant political interpretation, even carrying a hint of teasing and praise for "the younger generation is truly formidable."
"Alright, alright, I just gave you a couple of compliments, and you're already getting all cocky."
The Emperor laughed and scolded, his tone no longer gloomy: "However, Fumimaro's words did indeed give me a wake-up call and opened up a new way of thinking."
Tuoren's method may be crude, or it may be imbued with his personal wildness, but the idea may be correct, or at least it is worth trying.
Especially in Shanghai...
The Emperor's gaze fell upon the deep night outside the window, as if he could see that distant, brightly lit metropolis in the East: "The situation in Shanghai is more than ten times more complicated than in Tianjin or Beijing."
The world is a complex web of intertwined powers, with a mix of Chinese and foreigners, and a dense intelligence network where wealth and risk coexist.
While using force and coercion may be direct, it can easily provoke conflict and invite international intervention.
Perhaps, what's needed is someone like Tuoren... well, someone who doesn't play by the rules, knows how to navigate the gray areas, is adept at utilizing local forces, and can also establish basic order with an iron fist.
I'm actually quite looking forward to his trip to Shanghai now.
Near the end, the Emperor smiled and nodded, adding as appropriate, guiding the Emperor's thinking towards a more specific policy level: "Your Majesty is wise and insightful."
Shanghai was indeed the core of the empire's interests in China, and also the most sensitive place in the international spotlight.
A direct assault is no longer the best strategy.
The key to long-term stability lies in combining firmness and flexibility, and employing both offensive and defensive tactics to leverage the contradictions among various parties in a complex situation.
If Tuoren-jun can apply the tactics he honed in North China to Shanghai, adapting them to local conditions, to maximize the Empire's interests and solidify this important eastern city, it would truly be a blessing for the Empire and a boon for His Majesty.
Takasaki Motonori thumped his chest loudly, exclaiming with boundless pride, "Your Majesty, rest assured! Brother Fumimaro, rest assured!"
If that kid goes to Shanghai and doesn't make a name for himself, I won't need Your Majesty to issue an order, nor will I need those old fogies in the Ministry of War to nag me. I'll personally take a boat there, fish him out of the Huangpu River, break his legs, and lock him up at home, so he won't embarrass himself!"
The three looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
The iron kettle on the tea stove made a soft boiling sound, and steam rose gently.
The heavy gloom that had previously permeated the room with the bloody memories of the Central China Incident and the hidden pain of the February 26 Incident seemed to have been diluted considerably by the seemingly frank but actually witty banter, analysis, and outlook on the future between old friends.
The aroma of tea seemed to have become warm and pleasant again.
The discussion about Takasaki Takuto's style of doing things came to an end. Emperor Hirohito had a knowing and amused smile on his face, while Chikao Fumio maintained a thoughtful calm. Only Takasaki Motonori still had a lazy look on his face, as if to say, "My son is amazing. You are right to praise him."
The relaxed atmosphere didn't last long. The Emperor picked up the piece of paper that Takasaki Motonori had brought from the table.
He held it in his hand for a while, then handed the letter to Fumimaro: "Fumimaro, take a look."
The letter was received with both hands and the sealing wax was removed respectfully. The letter was written on "offering paper" specially used by the General Staff Headquarters. It was thick and the handwriting was done with a brush. The strokes were strong, but upon closer inspection, some of the strokes appeared slightly weak and trembling, indicating that the writer was either emotionally agitated or in poor health.
He quickly scanned the document, his brows gradually furrowing, and his expression becoming more serious.
After reading it, Ayako Nakao turned to look at Motonori Takasaki, then turned to the Emperor and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, General Matsui's letter... is ostensibly a plea for forgiveness, but in reality it is full of resentment, and it is vague and contains many accusations."
The usual lazy smile on Takasaki Motonori's lips gradually disappeared, replaced by a sharp remark mixed with sarcasm and coldness: "Hmph... He's senile... Even on his deathbed, he still wants to drag others down with him..."
After the Emperor and the other two had finished expressing their opinions, he slowly spoke up: "Yuan De, tell me, how sincere is his letter?"
Takasaki Motonori casually folded the letter and tossed it back onto the low table in front of him, as if it were something dirty. He sneered, "Sincerity? Your Majesty, there isn't a single trace of genuine remorse in this old man's letter."
The entire piece is just crying foul and downplaying the seriousness of the matter!
He imitated the tone of the letter and read it in a pretentious manner: "Since I was appointed as the commander of the Central China Expeditionary Army, I have been working diligently day and night, fearing only that I might fail His Majesty's grace."
However, in the Battle of Shanghai, perhaps due to the slight achievement in battle, I became muddle-headed and harbored resentment towards the military police dispatched by Your Majesty. My actions were inappropriate, and I even went so far as to place the military police under house arrest. This was truly my fault, and I humbly request Your Majesty to punish me. Listen to this, Your Majesty, is this what you call apologizing?
This is called "showing off one's achievements"! "Working diligently day and night" and "achieving minor victories"—first, they put out their merits.
"Dazed mind" and "inappropriate actions"—do you think you can just dismiss the serious crime of detaining the imperial military police and triggering a large-scale armed conflict with a few words?
As for the reason for his house arrest, he was even more vague!
Takasaki Motonori spoke faster and faster, his tone laced with undisguised sarcasm: "He said it was because the military police were being too aggressive."
How did they force him? Did he actually do it to Yoshida?
Did the military police embezzle his Central China Expeditionary Army's pay, or did they obstruct his operations?
No, not at all! He didn't dare say it outright! What he was really dissatisfied with was that Takuto's military police headquarters had too much power, which threatened their interests, so they were desperate and wanted to use force to suppress the military police!
And the result? They kicked a hornet's nest!
The Emperor listened quietly, offering no comment, but his gaze shifted to Fumiaki Konoe.
The author, understanding the meaning, explained, "What Lord Yuande said, though harsh in its words, is largely true."
In his letter, General Matsui downplayed his own faults but wrote extensively about his "grievances".
He repeatedly emphasized that he "absolutely did not order the attack on military police staff officer Yoshida Hayato," and accused the military police of "pressing him relentlessly without asking any questions, demanding an explanation that he could not provide."
He attributed most of the responsibility for the conflict to the "arrogance" and "coercion" of the military police, attempting to create the illusion that he was forced to retaliate or even wronged.
His remorse is probably minimal.
The Emperor nodded slightly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knee again: "I saw it too."
His repentance was a pretense; his true intentions were to complain, boast of his achievements, shirk responsibility, and beg me to save his life.
He thought that I was far away in the capital and knew nothing about the specific situation in Central China, so he could confuse the public.
Unfortunately, I know more than he thinks. The Emperor paused, his tone turning cold: "What truly displeases me is not his shirking of responsibility, but that even now he still cannot see the situation clearly."
He still clings to his warlord mentality of becoming arrogant after success and even threatening me!
Tuo Ren was sent by me, and he represents my will!
The reason I did not stop Tuo Ren's actions was to imply to him that the progress of the Battle of Shanghai was too unfavorable, and the casualties of the soldiers were seriously inconsistent with expectations!
I'm disappointed in him, and I hope he can give me a proper explanation!
But how did Matsui Iwane do it?
His actions against the people are a challenge to my authority!
This is his true path to death!