sovbooks Chapter 1968 The wronged Kentaro
Chapter 1968 The wronged Kentaro
Chapter 1968 The wronged Kentaro
"Let's assume the navy loses two aircraft carriers," said Heitaro Imamura.
He pondered, "Hainan Airlines, Hainan Airlines lost more than 100 aircraft and 100 pilots."
When the words were on the tip of his tongue, Imamura Heitaro chose to keep some of them to himself.
In fact, the Japanese Empire lost the Battle of Midway, with four aircraft carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu—sunk.
Compared to the heavy losses of the aircraft carrier, the losses of carrier-based aircraft, especially the losses of elite pilots, were even more fatal.
In this battle, the Empire lost more than 300 carrier-based aircraft and nearly 300 elite pilots were killed in action.
It is important to understand that it takes five years to train a carrier-based pilot, and to become an elite pilot requires not only time but also talent and a large amount of resources. It can be said that the loss of nearly 300 elite pilots is the most heartbreaking loss for the naval aviation force.
After hearing Imamura Heitaro's words, Cheng Qianfan did not answer the question immediately, but fell into thought.
……
After a while.
“Teacher,” Cheng Qianfan said, “Strictly speaking, the loss of two aircraft carriers and a hundred aircraft is not a heavy loss. I believe that with the Empire’s bravery and fighting power, the Americans’ losses will certainly be more than that.”
“Just do the analysis I’m told,” Heitaro Imamura said. “I told you this is a hypothetical topic.”
“Hai,” Cheng Qianfan said, his face turning serious. “Let’s assume the Empire’s losses are greater than the Americans’. In the short term, or before the Empire wins the next naval battle, the Americans have gained temporary naval supremacy.”
He frowned. "This means that the Empire's merchant ships will face the threat of attacks from the Americans at sea. The Empire's need for oil, iron ore, and even food will be affected because the sea lanes are temporarily unsafe."
"Furthermore," Cheng Qianfan pondered, "we must be wary of the Americans once again using their aircraft carriers to launch a shameful sneak attack on the Imperial homeland."
After saying that, Cheng Qianfan shut up.
Heitaro Imamura glanced at Kentaro Miyazaki. "That's all?"
“Yes, teacher,” Cheng Qianfan said.
"I've taught you for so many years, covering everything from economics and military affairs to international politics. Is this all you can think of when analyzing problems now?" Imamura Heitaro frowned and questioned with dissatisfaction.
“Teacher,” Cheng Qianfan protested, “the assumptions you gave suggest that while the Empire’s losses are not small, in my opinion, they are all within the Empire’s tolerance range. At the very least, they are only temporary pains and do not cause any serious damage.”
He told Heitaro Imamura, "Therefore, I only thought about the impact on the Empire's economy and air defense after the temporary change of naval power. As for other threats, I don't think there are any that are too direct or powerful enough to worry us."
……
Heitaro Imamura glanced at his student and sighed silently in his heart.
Yes, it's inconvenient for him to explain the true extent of the losses. Even in the case of the research hypothesis, he chose conservative data, so it's not Miyazaki Kentaro's fault.
Seeing that Imamura Heitaro remained silent, Cheng Qianfan looked somewhat at a loss.
"Teacher, I'm so stupid, I've disappointed you." Cheng Qianfan said, his eyes filled with guilt and unease.
"It's none of your business." In the end, Heitaro Imamura was unwilling to be too harsh on this student who respected and was so sincere to him. "I was just thinking about some other things."
Hearing Imamura Heitaro say this, Cheng Qianfan breathed a sigh of relief. He filled Imamura Heitaro's sake cup with sake and said to him, "This student is incompetent and has no ability to share the burden for his teacher."
"However, this time the Empire defeated the United States and won the naval battle. The Americans lost their sea power and can no longer threaten the Empire. The Empire will continue its efforts and sweep across the world." Cheng Qianfan said, "This is a great joyous event blessed by the God of the Heavenly Swamp and added to His Majesty's glorious glory. As for the other minor troublesome matters, Teacher, you don't need to worry about them. No one can stop the mighty trend."
Looking at his student, Imamura Heitaro thought, "Miyazaki Kentaro is right, very right. It's just a pity that all of this is based on the premise that the Empire actually achieved a great victory at the Battle of Midway."
"Kentaro, I've had such a good time today that I've had a few too many drinks, and I'm feeling a bit tired," Imamura Heitaro said with a smile, pretending to be tipsy.
"Teacher, do you need me to prepare some hangover soup?" Cheng Qianfan asked with concern.
"No need," Imamura Heitaro said with a slight smile. "To get drunk while in high spirits and to rest while drunk is a wonderful thing."
"Okay," Cheng Qianfan said, "then I won't disturb your rest any longer."
Heitaro Imamura waved his hand.
Cheng Qianfan respectfully withdrew, went downstairs and found Imamura Kogoro, informing him that Imamura Heitaro was drunk.
"The Emperor was overjoyed by the great victory and drank a couple of extra cups," Cheng Qianfan said to Imamura Kogoro. "He's a little tired now."
A hint of worry flashed in Kogoro Imamura's eyes. He saw Kentaro Miyazaki to the door, said hello, and hurriedly went upstairs.
……
Cheng Qianfan felt much more at ease.
Although there is no actual evidence, based on Heitaro Imamura's words and actions, he made a conjecture that the outcome of the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean was very likely the complete opposite of what was reported in newspapers and on the radio.
It is highly likely that the Japanese, rather than the Americans, won this naval battle.
It's even possible that the Japanese navy suffered a crushing defeat.
Li Hao could clearly sense that Fan Ge's mood had improved a lot after returning from the Jin Cun Mansion.
"Brother Fan, is what the newspapers said false, and that the Americans actually won?" Li Hao asked.
"Why do you say that?" Cheng Qianfan looked at Li Hao in surprise and asked.
“Because Fan is happy right now,” Li Hao said. “If the Japanese had actually won, Fan wouldn’t be like this now.”
"You've improved again, kid. You've learned to read people and analyze things more deeply," Cheng Qianfan said with a smile. He then instructed Li Hao, "The Americans should have won. The newspapers are distorting the truth. But remember, the Japanese are still blocking the news, so just take it as a victory for the Japanese."
“Yes, I understand,” Li Hao said.
……
a few days later.
Imamura Mansion.
“I was so happy the other day that I drank a little too much,” Heitaro Imamura said. “There were some things I was going to tell you, but I forgot.”
"Teacher, are you referring to the Empire's impending takeover of the French Concession?" Cheng Qianfan asked.
"To be precise, it's a gradual takeover of the French Concession," Heitaro Imamura said. "After all, the Vichy regime was a friendly nation to the Empire, and there are some things we can't go too far with."
Cheng Qianfan nodded, appearing to be listening attentively to the instructions.
“There has been further communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Police Headquarters,” Heitaro Imamura said.
“The military police will assign three Imperial Military Police officers to the Xiafei Police Station, the Central Police Station, and the Fuxi Police Station respectively,” said Heitaro Imamura, observing Kentaro Miyazaki’s expression as he spoke.
Cheng Qianfan frowned, then quickly relaxed, though a trace of worry was still visible.
“With Imperial officers stationed at the police station, all documents signed by the police station thereafter must be signed and stamped by the Imperial side to be valid,” Imamura Heitaro continued.
"Teacher, what about personnel matters?" Cheng Qianfan asked.
“Police Commissioner Ferguson will be demoted to ‘Chief Advisor,’ and all police officers will be subject to gradual review by the Military Police. Those who pass the review can continue to serve,” said Heitaro Imamura.
"Teacher, may I ask how the military police conduct their review?" Cheng Qianfan asked 'subconsciously'.
“This is a specific job. If you want to know, you can ask the military police,” Imamura Heitaro said with a smile.
He looked at the somewhat nervous Kentaro Miyazaki and continued, "The Empire taking over the French Concession is an inevitable trend, and it's a good thing. I understand your concerns."
“Teacher, I’m just worried that I won’t be able to work better, serve Tianhuang better, and help you share your burdens better,” Cheng Qianfan said.
“I understand, I understand.” Imamura Heitaro nodded slightly. “The Imperial Army’s deployment of officers to the French Concession police station is a pre-established plan that cannot be changed.”
“However,” he looked at Kentaro Miyazaki, “the selection of officers to be stationed at the Central Police Station is still undecided. You can work on that.”
"Teacher, I understand."
……
“If needed, I can put in a word with Mr. Ikeuchi,” said Heitaro Imamura. “However, I believe that with your abilities, you can definitely contact the military police and handle this matter. If all else fails, I will step in to help you.”
"Teacher," Cheng Qianfan said gratefully, "I will definitely try my best to handle the relevant matters myself."
Then, he smiled and said sincerely, "However, if I encounter any difficulties, I will definitely shamelessly ask the teacher for help."
Heitaro Imamura laughed heartily and pointed at Kentaro Miyazaki.
“You should get to know that young master of the Kawada family better,” Heitaro Imamura said. “The authority of the Military Police Headquarters will be more concretely manifested, which will be beneficial to you.”
“Kentaro understands,” Cheng Qianfan said gratefully.
He was grateful that Imamura Heitaro spoke so frankly and gave such insightful guidance, which showed that Imamura-sensei cared for and valued him.
……
That evening, Cheng Qianfan met with Kawada Atsuto at an izakaya.
Seemingly anticipating what Kentaro Miyazaki was going to ask, Atsuto arrived at the izakaya, plopped down, opened his briefcase, and tossed a file folder over.
"Young Master Du, what is this?" Cheng Qianfan asked subconsciously.
“I know what you’re going to ask.” Master Atsuto put his arm around the geisha beside him and said, “See for yourself.”
"Thank you very much, Young Master Duren." Cheng Qianfan opened the file bag, took out the document, and was overjoyed after taking a closer look.
"You can look, but be careful to keep it a secret," Kawada Atsuto instructed.
"Hai."
……
This is a plan formulated by the Military Police Command to take over the police and administrative powers of the French Concession.
The document contains more specific information about the Japanese actions mentioned by Heitaro Imamura, including the fact that the military police would send military police officers to the three police stations, ostensibly as advisors but in reality as de facto rulers of each station; and that Police Commissioner Ferguson would be promoted but not actually transferred by the Japanese, effectively sidelining him.
For example, regarding the French police officers in the French Concession, according to the plan, the Japanese would require all French police officers to retire.
In addition, these French police officers will not only be forced to retire, but they will also have to pay a so-called "security maintenance fee" when they leave their posts. The gendarmerie has tentatively set the "security maintenance fee" at fifty taels of gold per person.
All Chinese police officers who passed the military police's review were required to participate in the "New National Movement" oath-taking ceremony and sign the "Oath of Allegiance to the Great Japanese Empire".
In addition, there were specific requirements for changing uniforms and flags, namely, the police uniforms would retain the French-style flat-topped hats, but the shoulder boards would be replaced with the Blue Sky with a White Sun emblem of the Nanjing Wang Reclamation regime, and the armbands would be printed with the words "Supervised by the Imperial Japanese Army".
Suddenly, Cheng Qianfan's expression changed, and his brows furrowed.
The documents show that the Japanese demanded that all police stations be fully incorporated into the Nanjing regime's police system by August.
For example, the other police stations besides the Central Police Station will be renamed the Third to Sixth Police Sub-bureaus of the Shanghai Municipal Police Bureau, and will be managed under the name of the Nanjing Regime Police Department.
As for the Central Police Station, it was renamed the Special Police Division of the Shanghai First Police Bureau, and was directly commanded by the Shanghai Military Police.
……
"What's wrong?" Kawada Atsuto waved his hand, signaling the geishas to leave, then glanced at Miyazaki Kentaro and said, "Are you upset?"
“Young Master Duren.” Cheng Qianfan put down the documents in his hand, his expression more solemn than ever before. “According to this plan, the results of my many years of work in the police station will be almost completely lost.”
He was somewhat agitated. "The Central Police Station has been reorganized into the Special Police Division of the First Police Bureau, which is commanded by Imperial Military Police officers and directly under the command of the Military Police."
As he spoke, he shook his head, his face bitter. "All the fruits of my labor for the empire, which I have cultivated for many years in anonymity, have been lost in a single day."
"It's just that your personal power has been reduced or taken away. For the empire, it has stronger control over the French Concession, which is a good thing," Kawada Atsuto said.
“Young Master Atsuto—” Cheng Qianfan raised his head, looking at Kawada Atsuto with an expression of disbelief, seemingly not expecting that Young Master Atsuto would say such heartless words, “So be it, things have come to this. I am willing to return to Fukushima, farm and fish, read books in my spare time, or go to temples to pray for the empire, wishing only that the empire’s military fortune will last long, and that the great nuclear nation will soon dominate the world…”
Kawada Atsuto just watched him, watching him ramble on and on, his voice getting lower and lower as he spoke, his brows revealing a look of frustration and dejection, and even more so, a look of grievance and resigned misery.
……
Then Kawada Atsuto suddenly burst into laughter.
Looking at Young Master Duren, Cheng Qianfan felt even more aggrieved. His eyes reddened, and he was almost in tears.
"Here you go." Kawada Atsuto took a sip of his drink, then suddenly pulled something out of his briefcase and tossed it over.
P.S.: Please subscribe, give a reward, vote for me with monthly tickets, and recommend me with your votes. Thank you!
Please subscribe, please tip, please vote with monthly tickets, please recommend. Thank you.
(End of this chapter)