Information about Yataro Saito immediately appeared in Cheng Qianfan's mind.
After successfully entering the special high school course, especially after becoming a teacher of Hyotarō Imamura, Cheng Qianfan used various opportunities and channels to understand and master the intelligence of Japanese generals in case of emergency.
It is also embarrassing to say that the Japanese army knows the situation of the mid-level officers at the battalion commander level of our Chinese army very well. They even have special files for some local warlords and even company and battalion level officers of the local security corps.
However, we are unable to fully grasp the basic situation of the senior Japanese generals.
Yataro Saito is a graduate of the 19th Infantry Course of the Japanese Mainland.
This person had served in the Army General Staff Headquarters for a long time, and was later transferred to the Army University as an instructor.
In August of the 19th year of the Republic of China, after Yataro Saito was promoted to infantry colonel, he was transferred to the control section chief of the Army Provincial Maintenance Bureau. The Maintenance Bureau was responsible for army war mobilization, armament production, etc.
At this time, Ugaki was serving as Minister of War, and Sugiyama was serving as Vice Minister of Army.
After the "September 18th Incident", Yataro Saito served at the Japanese Kwantung Army Headquarters, serving as the infantry colonel as the chief of the operations section, and planned and formulated an operational plan for the invasion of Jehol Province.
After the "Marco Bridge Incident", Yataro Saito served as the commander of the Fourth Independent Guards in Mudanjiang.
Last year, Yataro Saito was officially promoted to Lieutenant General of the Japanese Army.
In November last year, Yataro Saito succeeded Ito Sawa, who was injured on the battlefield, and became the commander of the Japanese 101st Division.
Yataro Saito led the Japanese 101st Division and participated in the Japanese attack on Nanchang. During this period, mustard gas bombs were openly used and the war crimes against humanity were committed.
Sakamoto Yoshino mentioned Saito Yataro, and Cheng Qianfan immediately showed an expression of interest. Without him, Saito Yataro's Japanese 101st Division was so topical.
"How is General Saito's health?" Cheng Qianfan asked in a low voice.
"Your Excellency, General, is in strong health, has a large appetite, and has a good appetite." Sakamoto Yoshino said.
Cheng Qianfan's heart moved, and he captured three details from Sakamoto Yoshino's words:
First, Sakamoto Ryano had met Yataro Saito, probably recently.
Second, Sakamoto Yoshino and Saito Yataro ate together.
Thirdly, how could Sakamoto Yoshino have the opportunity and qualification to dine with Yataro Saito, a Japanese Army Lieutenant General?
The most likely possibility is that when Hyōtaro Imamura entertained Yataro Saito, he brought Sakamoto Yoshino with him.
Cheng Qianfan's heart moved, and he immediately remembered the clues he found in Hyōtaro Imamura's study:
Maps, papers in trash cans.
He had a guess. Could it be possible that these military-related writings and drawings were made during the secret conversation between the two of them in the study after Hyoutaro Imamura hosted a banquet for Yataro Saito?
"Ryono, have you met General Saito?" Cheng Qianfan asked Sakamoto Ryano in surprise. As he said this, he was thinking and his eyes lit up, "No, are you dining with General Saito?"
He patted Sakamoto Yoshino on the shoulder and said, "I admire General Saito very much. Given this opportunity to visit, you actually forgot about me."
Sakamoto Yoshino was complained by his friend and quickly explained,
"I must have forgotten Miyazaki-kun." He said, "Yesterday I was at Uncle Imamura's house and happened to meet my uncle hosting a banquet for General Saito. Uncle Imamura asked me to accompany him."
That’s right!
Cheng Qianfan shouted in his heart, just as he had just guessed!
"Miyazaki-kun, it's not like you don't know me. I don't like these companionships and other social interactions." Sakamoto Yoshino smiled bitterly.
Cheng Qianfan looked regretful and said, if you have this opportunity, you might as well leave it to me.
He looked around and lowered his voice and said, "The rumors are really hateful. I feel relieved to hear you say that."
"Rumors?" Sakamoto Yoshino was stunned for a moment, and then after thinking for a moment, he looked astonished and said, "Miyazaki-kun, I was just wondering why you suddenly asked about Mr. Saito's physical condition..."
As he said this, he couldn't help but laugh.
Cheng Qianfan smiled bitterly and said, "You can't blame me for this. There are many rumors about this within the Army."
The rumors he mentioned were discussions about the 101st Division. To be precise, there were unknown rumors about senior officers of the 101st Division within the Japanese Army.
Since September last year, the 101st Division has had one division commander and one regiment commander, one of whom was injured and the other died on the Chinese battlefield.
One year ago today, Japanese military reporter Xiao Tong and his party visited the Japanese 101st Division for an interview.
Ito Jersey arranged for the reporter to conduct field interviews with the 101st Infantry Regiment of Iizuka Kunigoro.
After interviewing Iizuka Kunigoro, in order to pursue the real battlefield background, Xiaotou and his party went to the front of the position to take photos. As a result, Iizuka Kunigoro, who was carried away, was sniped and killed by a Chinese sentry.
Twenty days later.
After the Japanese 101st Division's attack in the direction of De'an was blocked, the Eleventh Army Commander Okamura mobilized the 13th Field Heavy Artillery Regiment for the old senior. Under the cover of artillery fire, the Japanese 101st Division launched another attack. .
Since the previous fierce battles had been fruitless for more than a month, this time with the help of the Field Heavy Artillery Regiment, Ito Jersey, who was quite anxious, decided to go to the front line to inspect in person so that he could personally direct the Field Heavy Artillery Regiment to correct the bombardment parameters.
While he was observing on a high ground, a mountain artillery shell fired back by the Chinese army exploded on the reverse slope of the hillside more than ten meters in front of him. A piece of shrapnel flew up and hit Ito Jersey's head, from his right side. The lower jaw penetrates its head.
Unfortunately, the shrapnel happened to pass between blood vessels and nerves, so Ito Jersey did not die on the spot, but was sent to a field hospital for emergency treatment.
Ito is one of the oldest and most senior division commanders among the division commanders of the Japanese army since the outbreak of the war of aggression against China. Only Ushijima is one year older than him, and Ito's immediate boss Okamura, under his leadership, He was just a junior in front of him. Not only was Lu Shi low and Lu Da low three years younger, he was promoted to Army Lieutenant General two years later than Ito.
Ito Jersey was seriously injured, and the Japanese army kept the news secret.
It was not until the last day of October last year that Japan's "Mainichi Shimbun" published reports sent back by war reporters on the front line, admitting and confirming for the first time that this Japanese lieutenant general with "outstanding martial arts" suffered a head injury while commanding artillery operations. .
Cheng Qianfan once read this issue of the newspaper in Imamura Hyoutaro's mansion.
Ito Zesai was seriously injured and returned to Japan to recuperate, while Saito Yataro was transferred to the commander of the Japanese 101st Division.
"General Saito's outstanding achievements in the Battle of Nanchang made the Chinese people cry in despair. Every time I think about this scene, it is exciting and joyful." Cheng Qianfan lowered his voice and said with regret, "Your Majesty the General came in a hurry and left in a hurry. , I didn’t have a chance to visit this time, and I don’t know if I will have a chance next time.”
"It's my fault. Next time General Saito returns to Shanghai, I will definitely tell you as soon as possible."
Seeing that his friend's words were quite regretful, Sakamoto Yoshino could only apologize again, "I didn't know you had such high regard for General Saito before."
"I admire every imperial general who killed the Chinese people." Cheng Qianfan clinked glasses with Sakamoto Yoshino and said.
As he spoke, he glanced at the American and was surprised to see that the man was still talking.
"Pilsen was very angry because his homeland was annexed by Germany. However, if this person hates Germany, he hates the French even more." Sakamoto Yoshino said.
"Weak countries are destined to be destroyed." Cheng Qianfan shook his head, and then he showed a sarcastic smile, "However, Bilson's words still make some sense."
"France wants allies who are willing to fight for France, not let France fight for them." Bilson said indignantly, waving his right arm.
Because he was too excited, his face turned red.
"The French enjoy the greatest benefits of the victors in the European War, but are unwilling to make even a slight effort to maintain European order."
Bilson ignored the angry looks of the French dignitaries who came to the salon and continued his speech. He criticized the French for setting a very bad precedent and leading other European countries as a bad example. This caused appeasement of Germany to permeate the whole of Europe. !
Some Japanese distinguished guests, including Cheng Qianfan (Kentaro Miyazaki), nodded secretly. This Bilson said something meaningful, and his words were quite insightful and reasonable.
"It is precisely because the French sat back and watched the German army invade the Rhineland, annex Austria, swallow up the Sudetenland, and further encroach on the entire Czech Republic. And other European countries followed the same example and ignored the matter." Sakamoto Yoshino lowered his voice. said.
"Mr. Sakamoto would be very pleased to see your current changes."
Cheng Qianfan looked at Sakamoto Yoshino and said happily.
After working at the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai for more than three years, although Sakamoto Yoshino's deep desire to become a writer has never dimmed, Sakamoto Yoshino has made considerable progress in his work. He is a very outstanding young diplomatic talent.
"The British are the biggest accomplices behind the French." Bilson cried indignantly.
After criticizing the French, he launched an angry accusation against the British.
"The French are obsessed with pleasing the British. Facing the British, they are wagging their tails and are willing to listen to the British and give in to the Germans step by step."
Bilson said mockingly.
"I was wrong, this guy is still criticizing France."
Sakamoto Yoshino said to Miyazaki Kentaro.
Just now he said to Miyazaki, 'This guy finally stopped criticizing France. Look at those French people who can't help but go up and beat them up.'
Miyazaki Kentaro smiled and said, "It's impossible.".
Now, Sakamoto Yoshino admires his friend's accurate judgment very much.
Cheng Qianfan smiled and said nothing. He did not predict that Bilson would continue to use the British as an excuse to sarcastically mock France. He just said "impossible", referring to the fact that although the French gentleman was angry, he would not go up to fight with Bilson. Sen, a subjugated slave, did it.
Without him, Bilson is tall and very strong. It is said that this man was once an excellent boxer.
Of course, the real reason may be that Bilson is not empty talk, but constantly gives examples and uses actual evidence to criticize France. This makes the French feel guilty in the face of Bilson's sarcasm.
Ever since French Prime Minister Clemenceau gave up his claim to French sovereignty over the Rhineland in order to court the British, France has made winning over the British a top priority.
Tough "tiger prime ministers" like Clemenceau had to flatter the British, and the subsequent French government naturally followed suit.
However, under the tradition of Britain's "continental policy" of maintaining the balance of power on the European continent, France's frequent overtures of goodwill turned out to be a hot face but a cold butt, which aroused the vigilance of the British.
Under this situation, the French became even more uneasy, so they turned their heads and intensified their efforts to restrict Germany.
Yes, in the early stage, the French restricted Germany crazily, and the Germans were pursued and squeezed by all sides.
In the later period, the French retreated step by step in the face of the aggressiveness of the Germans.
In this regard, the Salon's most eye-catching speaker, Bilson, loudly declared at this time: "The French are unbearably stupid... They are very afraid of being eaten by tigers, but they keep poking at them."
…
Cheng Qianfan stared at Bilson with interest.
In this person, he seemed to see the shadow of a person.
His instinct told him that this Czech-American might not be as simple as he seemed.
"What, you want to go up and beat up this American?"
A voice sounded behind Cheng Qianfan.
Cheng Qianfan had long been aware of Su Zhikang's approach. The more crowded the place, the more he would be highly alert to anyone trying to approach him.
"Brother Zhikang." Cheng Qianfan turned around and saw that it was Su Zhikang. He seemed quite happy, "When did you come back from Ningbo?"
Su Zhikang had something to do at home, and he went back to his hometown in Ningbo to handle matters some time ago.
"I just came back two days ago, and I was talking about inviting you to my home sometime." Su Zhikang looked tired, and he thanked me and said, "Can you please help me take care of my home."
While he was away from Shanghai, Su Zhikang entrusted Cheng Qianfan to take care of Shanghai. It was only natural that he should pay the host back to Shanghai this time.
"Brother Zhikang is polite." Cheng Qianfan said with a smile, "However, I have long been covetous of the bottles of good wine in Brother Zhikang's wine cabinet."
"Good wine is indispensable." Su Zhikang laughed loudly. As he said this, he looked at the man standing next to Cheng Qianfan with a gentle and humble smile on his face, "I don't want to introduce him to you either."
"It's my fault." Cheng Qianfan quickly apologized and said with a smile, "Su Zhikang, my brother Zhikang, the deputy chief inspector of the French Concession's Mailan House."
"It turns out to be Mr. Su." Sakamoto Ryano said politely.
"Sakamoto Yoshino." Cheng Qianfan pointed at Sakamoto Yoshino, "Sakamoto-kun is the first secretary of the counselor of the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai."
As he spoke, he lowered his voice in Su Zhikang's ear. To be precise, he said in a voice that Sakamoto Ryano could vaguely hear, "Sakamoto Ryōno is the youngest son of Mr. Sakamoto Nagayuki. He has good attainments in literature and will achieve great success in the future. Definitely not inferior to Mr. Sakamoto.”
"It turns out to be Secretary Sakamoto, whose name I have admired for a long time." Su Zhikang was very happy and shook hands with Sakamoto Yoshino enthusiastically.
Cheng Qianfan watched this scene from the side, his heart moved and he smiled slightly.
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There is no problem with the typesetting itself, but I don’t know why it is displayed like that. Now I have converted it into a TXT document and uploaded it again.
(End of chapter)
