bookbashuk Chapter 99 Heated Debate Before the Emperor, Gu Weijun's One Word Decides the Fate
Chapter 99 Heated Debate Before the Emperor, Gu Weijun's One Word Decides the Fate
Chapter 98 Heated Debate Before the Emperor, Gu Weijun's Words Decide the Fate
(Seeking votes at dawn) Wu Jinzhong immediately shouted, "Quick, quick, Li Ya, you go yourself, bring plenty of men, you must get that record back for me no matter what..."
If you can't get it back, don't even think about getting it back for me.
'
An hour later, when Wu Jinzhong saw that Li Ya had finally retrieved the vinyl record without any major incident, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his face. That hour had truly felt like an eternity!
Huangshan Official Residence, Yunxiu Tower.
Night had fallen, but the meeting room was brightly lit, the atmosphere so heavy it seemed to drip water.
The long conference table was filled with the highest-ranking figures from the Republic of China's party, government, and military: Premier Kong Xiangxi, Foreign Minister Wang Chonghui (accompanied by Gu Weijun, the Foreign Minister's Ambassador to France who had just returned from reporting on his duties), Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Bai Chongxi, and several heads of relevant departments.
All eyes were focused on the principal, who stood at the head of the class with a calm expression.
The Chairman held the copy of the telegram that Dai Chunfeng had personally delivered through Hu Qiankuan in his hand, and had read it over and over again.
He slowly put down the telegram, his gaze sweeping across the room, his voice steady yet tinged with barely suppressed excitement: "Gentlemen, this is the situation."
The Military Intelligence Bureau obtained top-secret intelligence that the Kwantung Army and the Korean Army, without authorization from the General Headquarters, were planning to launch a preemptive attack on the Russian Far East Army Group in the Zhanggufeng and Shacaofeng areas five days later, on July 29th.
The intelligence source has been verified and is generally reliable.
Upon hearing this, the meeting room fell into a deathly silence, which was then followed by an uncontrollable burst of discussion!
"Is the news accurate? Do the Kwantung Army and the North Korean Army really dare to launch a preemptive attack on the Russian Far East Army Group?"
"The time, location, and unit number are so detailed..."
...Looks like it can't be fake!
"Heaven is on our side! If Japan and the Soviet Union go to war, the pressure on our army will be greatly reduced!"
The principal gently tapped the table, and after everyone quieted down, he continued, "I've gathered you all here today to discuss how we can utilize this intelligence to maximize the country's interests. Speak freely."
As soon as he finished speaking, Minister of Military Affairs Ho Ying-chin was the first to stand up. He was emotional, and his eyes were even a little red: "Chairman! Colleagues!"
What's there to discuss? The intelligence clearly states it! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
We should immediately deliver the complete intelligence to the Russians through secret channels, but on the condition that we demand equipment from them, as advised by the top KMT agent who provided the intelligence!
Not the T-26s they were planning to phase out, but the latest T-34 tanks! If the intelligence confirms it, while it might not be enough to equip an entire armored division, it would at least equip one or two armored battalions!
He walked up to the huge war zone map, his voice filled with grief and indignation: "Most of you have never been to the front lines, so you don't know!"
The soldiers on the front lines are fighting a tough battle!
Why were the Japanese troops able to advance so rapidly?
To a large extent, it's because their tank force is something we can't compete with!
How could our soldiers, made of flesh and blood, armed with outdated weapons, possibly withstand those steel monsters?
Did you know that many units, lacking anti-tank weapons, had soldiers who could only grab cluster grenades one by one and roll under tanks to die together with the enemy?
One falls, another takes its place... That's using the lives of us, the sons and daughters of the Republic of China, to fill the gap!
He Yingqin's voice choked with emotion, and the room fell into a solemn silence. Many generals lowered their heads, their faces filled with grief.
He took a deep breath and continued, "If we could have one or two armored battalions, even just half of them equipped with T-34s..."
With tanks and armored divisions, the situation will be completely different!
According to intelligence, the Japanese tanks with thin armor were like paper in front of the T-34!
This will not only greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of our army, but also save the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers!
This intelligence is the best bargaining chip to get the tough nuts we desperately need!
This is a golden opportunity, don't miss it!
"What Brother Jingzhi (He Yingqin's courtesy name) said is certainly reasonable, but it is rather short-sighted!" Premier Kong Xiangxi immediately retorted!
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his tone carrying his usual shrewdness, "Compared to one or two divisions of tanks, the very fact that Japan and the Soviet Union went to war is the biggest strategic advantage for us!"
Once a large-scale war breaks out between the Soviet Union and Japan, the Japanese army will inevitably have to transfer a large number of troops from the battlefield inside China to the north!
At that time, the pressure on our army will be greatly reduced, and it may even usher in an opportunity for a strategic counter-offensive!
We should keep this intelligence in our hands, or... we could even consider giving the Soviets a modified, incomplete version of the intelligence. Ideally, we should inflict a major defeat on the Russian Far Eastern Army Group, thus maximizing their anger and prompting them to launch a full-scale war against Japan!
Foreign Minister Wang Zhonghui echoed, "Dean Kong is right."
The essence of diplomacy lies in balance and checks and balances.
The best strategy is to let Japan and the Soviet Union fight each other, while we reap the benefits.
If we let the Russian bear win easily, it might not be grateful to us. Instead, it might quickly compromise with Japan, leaving us with nothing.
Both sides stuck to their own versions of events, and the debate became increasingly heated.
He Yingqin and others insisted on changing their equipment to enhance their immediate combat capabilities!
Kong Xiangxi and Wang Chonghui, on the other hand, focused on a larger strategic picture and advocated using intelligence to ignite the war.
Of course, Bai Chongxi, the deputy chief of staff who was "forcibly transferred back" from the Xuzhou front, wore a cold smile and remained silent as always!
The meeting room was filled with heated debate, and it was difficult to reach a consensus in a short time.
Just then, a figure who had been sitting silently in the corner stood up.
He was Gu Weijun, a diplomat who had just returned from his post as the Republic of China's ambassador to France.
Because of his relatively low seniority and current position, he remained cautiously silent at such high-level meetings.
I wanted to stand up and speak several times, but then I thought, "How can someone as insignificant as me have the right to speak at a meeting of this level?" and I forced myself to sit down again!
Finally, seeing that the Executive Yuan and his own Ministry of Foreign Affairs were gaining the upper hand, and realizing that national interests might be harmed due to short-sightedness, he could no longer sit still.
He first bowed slightly to the Chairman and his superiors, speaking humbly but firmly: "Chairman, esteemed superiors, I am of limited talent and knowledge, and would not dare to presume to discuss matters of national importance."
However, having been stationed in Europe for many years, I have some understanding of the situation on the continent and the mentality of the major powers.
Could you...?
"...May I presume to offer a few humble opinions?"
The principal was somewhat annoyed by the argument between the two sides, but he became interested when Gu Weijun spoke.
He knew that Gu Weijun was a diplomatic genius with unique insights, so he nodded and said, "Shaochuan (Gu Weijun's courtesy name), please speak freely. Today we are here to gather our wisdom."
With permission granted, Gu Weijun cleared his throat and said calmly, "Thank you, Chairman."
The remarks made by Dean Kong and Minister Wang just now, which incited the conflict between Japan and the Soviet Union, seem clever, but are actually extremely dangerous.
From my observations in Europe, Germany's expansionist momentum is unstoppable. Britain and France are pursuing a policy of appeasement, diverting trouble eastward, and their intention to lure the German "little mustache" into attacking the Russian "polar bear" is blatantly obvious.
Against this backdrop, the primary strategic objective of the strong-willed Shidarine was to avoid fighting on two fronts, and she would never easily become embroiled in a large-scale, protracted war with Japan in the Far East.
He paused, looked around at everyone, and seeing that everyone's attention was drawn to him, he continued his analysis: "If we do not inform the Russians, or even provide false intelligence, causing the Russians to suffer heavy losses due to lack of preparation, the most likely outcome is not that the Russians will retaliate in anger, but that, in order to stabilize the eastern front, Tsering will choose to compromise with Japan, and may even sign some kind of non-aggression treaty with Japan!"
At that time, Russia's military aid to my country will likely be immediately cut off!
Not only will we gain nothing, but we will also lose a crucial foreign ally, placing the country in an even more dangerous situation!
These words were like cold water poured onto boiling oil, leaving those who advocated cunning stunned.
Gu Weijun pressed on, saying, "Conversely, if we provide complete and accurate intelligence to the Russians, helping them to prepare in advance and severely damage the invading Japanese army, there will be three major advantages:
First, the Russians owe us a huge favor, and military aid will not only not be interrupted, but may even be increased in scale and sincerity!
As that top agent from the Military Intelligence Bureau suggested, we could use this opportunity to request more advanced equipment, including T-34s.
tank;
Secondly, the Russians' narrow victory served to teach Japan a lesson and demonstrate their strength, without excessively provoking Japan into a full-scale war. This aligned with the strongman leader, Shedarine,'s strategy of maintaining stability on the Eastern Front.
Third, this battle deepened the contradictions between Japan and the Soviet Union, leading to mutual restraint and creating a more favorable long-term strategic environment for my country.
This is the best strategy: "Using someone else's strength to fight them, ensuring a sure profit!"
Gu Weijun's logic is clear and his analysis is thorough, seamlessly combining international trends with immediate interests.
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