PFC Chapter 1056 was even more lively than expected.
Chapter 1056 was even more lively than expected.
Thinking of this, Prince Kyohiko looked up at Zhou Zhengqing and Jingren, asking with his eyes whether they had told Terauchi Hisaichi that he had come to Tianjin.
But Zhou Zhengqing and Jing Ren both shook their heads to indicate no.
"It seems that tonight's guests are not just Uncle Wang." Prince Jingren smiled and teased Zhou Zhengqing, "Tuoren-kun, it seems you'll have to prepare an extra set of bowls and chopsticks."
“Then please invite the general from the temple in.” Zhou Zhengqing spoke, his voice calm and gentle, as if inviting a belated old friend.
Then he gave Prince Kyohiko and Prince Kagehito a meaningful smile: "It's more lively than I expected."
The door was silently pushed open by a servant, and a short, stocky elderly officer with the rank of general on his shoulder and a meticulously trimmed mustache strode in.
Wearing a crisp, crisp general's uniform, the wool fabric gleaming with a cold, hard sheen under the lamplight, he was over sixty years old, his temples already streaked with white, yet his steps remained steady and powerful, his back straight as a pine tree, and his small eyes, beneath his thick eyebrows, shone brightly, revealing the shrewdness and experience honed over the years in the arena of power.
It was General Terauchi Hisaichi, commander of the North China Area Army.
"Excuse me, gentlemen!" Terauchi Hisaichi's booming voice echoed in the high-ceilinged restaurant, carrying the straightforward tone unique to Kansai people, yet without losing the dignity of a soldier.
He first nodded slightly to Prince Kagehito and Prince Yasuhiko. As an active-duty general, he still needed to maintain proper etiquette when facing members of the royal family. The nod was just the right balance between respect and confidence.
Finally, his gaze fell on Zhou Zhengqing, and he nodded with a smile. Zhou Zhengqing also smiled in response, showing great understanding.
"It is quite unexpected that the Grand General of the temple would visit so late at night." King Yasuhiko regained his royal composure and spoke in a calm tone, but a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes.
Put down your wine glass and place your hands folded on the table. This gesture is both dignified and allows you to react quickly.
The sudden appearance of the cunning old fox, Terauchi Hisaichi, is definitely not just a simple visit.
This former Director of Education, now the head of the North China Area Army, has always been known for his pragmatism, or rather, his utilitarianism. Prince Kyohiko had dealt with him before when he was in the military and had experienced his methods firsthand.
"Hahaha, I heard that His Highness Prince Kyohiko is coming to Tianjin. If I, as the host, do not come to pay my respects, wouldn't that be too impolite?" Terauchi Hisaichi laughed heartily, his laughter loud but not reaching his eyes.
He casually pulled over an empty carved chair and sat down, his movements as natural as if he were in his headquarters conference room.
The servant quickly stepped forward and brought him a set of gilded bone china tableware and poured him sake.
The wine was poured into the glass, making a soft, clear sound that stood out in the silence.
Prince Jingren smiled and raised his glass, the rim of which gleamed warmly under the lamplight: "Your Excellency's arrival is just in time; we were just discussing the situation in Central China."
"With the general in charge of North China, he should have unique insights into the overall situation." His wording was skillful, both addressing the key point and subtly relinquishing control of the conversation.
"I wouldn't call it insightful." Terauchi Hisashi waved his hand, revealing short, thick, and powerful hands with prominent veins on the back of his hands, the result of years of wielding knives and guns.
He picked up the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp without even looking at it, and then wiped the wine stains off his neatly trimmed mustache with the back of his hand, his movements rough but not lacking in military bearing.
"I heard that things were getting out of hand in Central China, and even His Majesty was alarmed, so he specially sent Prince Jiuyan to clean up the mess."
As a neighbor, I should at least show some concern. He said it casually, as if he were just talking about the weather, but he emphasized the word "neighbor," implying that North China and Central China are geographically connected and have interdependent interests.
On a deeper level, it means that the North China Front Army cannot stand idly by when things happen in Central China.
Zhou Zhengqing sat silently to the side, toying with his wine glass in his hand, his gaze lowered, as if admiring the shimmering light on the glass.
It was an exquisite thin-walled porcelain cup with a warm glaze that reflected the dappled light from the chandelier.
But all his senses were activated to the extreme. His ears captured the subtle changes in everyone's breathing, his eyes observed the most minute body language with his peripheral vision, and his brain rapidly analyzed the multiple meanings behind every word.
Having been in this world for so long, I've grown a little from being completely clueless and at a loss at the beginning, but it's still not enough, far from enough.
One's identity grants them unlimited leeway for mistakes, but one must also learn—learn to think, learn to understand people's hearts.
Without a teacher, spending time with these old foxes is a great way to learn.
Terauchi Hisaichi put down his wine glass, the bottom of which made a slight "click" sound as it touched the table.
Hikaru turned to Prince Kyohiko, his tone becoming more serious, and the casual manner typical of Kansai people was somewhat toned down: "Your Highness, some of what I have to say may be unpleasant to hear, but as a colleague, I have to say it."
The Central China Expeditionary Army suffered heavy losses this time. Elite divisions were decimated, there was a huge shortage of manpower, and countless equipment losses were incurred.
Regrouping is not as simple as just adding new recruits and allocating some rifles.
King Jiuyan's expression darkened slightly.
He knew all this, even better than Terauchi Hisaichi, as the military's battle reports and loss lists were locked in his briefcase.
However, being so bluntly pointed out to his face by Terauchi Hisaichi still caused him a stinging displeasure.
This is not just a statement of facts, but more like a condescending assessment, even implying a accusation that "you messed things up."
"The military has already made arrangements." King Kyūhiko's voice was a few degrees colder than before, but he still maintained the restraint of a member of the royal family: "Supplies and troops will be replenished in succession."
The most urgent task is to stabilize order in Nanjing and restore the command structure.
Commander Matsui's whereabouts are unknown... Now, Central China is leaderless, with each department acting independently, which is the most dangerous situation." When mentioning Matsui Iwane's whereabouts, Prince Kyohiko glanced subtly at Zhou Zhengqing beside him, who responded with an innocent and bewildered expression.
“Supplies alone are not enough.” Terauchi Hisaichi shook his head, his eyes gleaming. “The situation in Central China is not just leaderless, but the morale of the troops is completely demoralized.”
The shadow of defeat loomed over the various units, with several divisions blaming and shifting responsibility among themselves.
The lower-ranking officers had extreme distrust of the higher command, believing that it was the foolish command from above that led to the Nanjing disaster.
"Your Highness is new here, without a reliable force at your disposal, and without a group of absolutely obedient generals, I'm afraid your orders will have difficulty even leaving the headquarters."
After a pause, letting his words settle in the silent air, Terauchi Hisaichi added meaningfully, speaking each word slowly: "The 16th and 14th Divisions under my North China Area Army are currently resting and reorganizing in the Central China region."
Although these two divisions also suffered some losses, their core personnel remained, their officer corps was intact, and their morale was relatively stable, making them much easier to replenish.