Chapter 244: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Phase 1 Chapter 244 The Dirty Imperial Family

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

In a side hall of the Imperial Palace, Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko dismissed his attendants on both sides, leaving only Army Minister Sugimoto Gen.

The light inside the hall was somewhat dim, and the atmosphere was solemn.

The Prince's voice was steady: "Sugimoto-kun, let me first talk about the matter of the Army in Zhengding County, North China, Xia Guo, in October."

Sugimoto Gen bowed slightly: "Your Highness means?"

"In October, inside the Catholic Church in Zhengding County, Hebei, our soldiers killed nine foreign missionaries, as well as nuns in the church......

Now those Western newspapers are making a huge fuss; more than a month has passed, but public opinion is still fermenting, and some external forces have already spread this news domestically. If the subjects of Emperor Tenghuang see this news, the impact will be very bad."

Emperor Tenghuang has also heard of this matter and is very displeased, ordering the army to apologize to the victims. You must take this matter to heart and try to avoid such incidents in the future."

Sugimoto Gen's expression tightened, and he immediately defended: "I have already strictly ordered all units to tighten military discipline; such incidents that damage the Empire's reputation and cause unnecessary diplomatic disputes must never happen again!"

"Hmm." Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko gave a noncommittal response, with no intention of investigating the details: "The most important point is to maintain Emperor Tenghuang's face."

Sugimoto Gen lowered his head and replied, "Hai! This subordinate understands!"

At this moment, Sugimoto Gen recalled the powerful support the Prince had mentioned sending to the Central China Expeditionary Army. He hesitated for a moment, but still asked: "Your Highness, you previously mentioned sending powerful support to the Central China Expeditionary Army, but is it the chemical weapons mass-produced on Okunoshima?......"

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko did not directly admit it: "Sugimoto-kun, the war has reached a critical moment. The Empire needs a decisive breakthrough to completely crush their will to resist, force them to the negotiating table, and even make the Chinese kneel directly."

Sugimoto Gen, as Army Minister, knew about the poison gas factory on Okunoshima. A few days ago, two hundred tons of lewisite had been transferred from the poison gas factory.

Such a large dosage had been directly mobilized by the Imperial Family, so he could not ask too many questions.

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko saw that Sugimoto Gen was silent, so he stared into Sugimoto Gen's eyes and said: "Sugimoto-kun, you know that the poison gas factory on Okunoshima has been serving the Empire since 1927. I rarely inquire about these matters, but once weapons are produced, they must be used on the battlefield."

"Although mustard gas is effective, its production is complex and the cost is high."

"We now have a better choice—lewisite."

"Lewisite is easier to mass-produce than mustard gas, its toxicity is fierce, it takes effect faster, and it can act rapidly through the skin and respiratory tract, causing extreme pain and panic."

"Since the beginning of the war, the factories on Okunoshima have been running at full capacity. Yesterday, the first batch of two hundred tons of lewisite, along with supporting special shells, bombs, and spray devices, was secretly transported to Shanghai and handed over to the Central China Area Army."

"Also being rushed to the battlefield are seven thousand gas-proof suits, to ensure our warriors are not harmed when using them."

Two hundred tons of lewisite poison gas stronger than mustard gas! Seven thousand gas-proof suits!

Sugimoto Gen's heart was shaken as he listened. Such a huge quantity was not a whim, but had been planned and stockpiled long ago!

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko had long treated chemical weapons as a key trump card, ready to play it without hesitation when necessary.

"Your Highness the Prince is far-sighted and profound; this subordinate admires you!" Sugimoto Gen flattered as a minister.

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko smiled: "Regarding the transfer of this batch of lewisite gas, let the Army General Staff issue a transfer order and official document. The use of these chemical weapons has absolutely nothing to do with the Imperial Family or Emperor Tenghuang. Do you understand?"

Sugimoto Gen took a deep breath and immediately bowed his head: "This subordinate understands. The plan to transfer two hundred tons of lewisite poison gas is a decision of the Army General Staff, not submitted to the Imperial Conference for discussion, and there is no Imperial Family involvement whatsoever!"

"If this battle is won, it will be Emperor Tenghuang's wise leadership; if it fails, I will make Matsui Iwane commit suicide to apologize!"

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko was very pleased: "Good! Tell Matsui Iwane that this is the last, and also the most powerful support the Empire gives him. He knows how to use it."

"Be sure to choose the right timing, concentrate on key sections, and use it all at once to tear open the Chinese Xicheng Defensive Line!"

"As for international public opinion... once we take Jinling, all noise will naturally subside."

"Of course, what I said above is aimed at the Chinese army. As for civilians, especially foreigners, the discipline of the frontline troops must be restrained. At least on the surface, it must be passable. Those Westerners' eyes are still watching."

"This subordinate obeys your order!"

Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko walked to the table, picked up a file, flipped through it, and put it down again.

"Besides the Xicheng Defensive Line, we have a more concrete and more dangerous enemy before us: Lv Muzhi. This name is now very familiar to us all; truly a headache."

Sugimoto Gen's face showed a solemn expression: "Yes, Your Highness."

"This man is the Commander of the Ninth Group Army of the Chinese Army, concurrently serving as Commander of the Yangtze River Defense. It is reported that he now also serves as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Jinling Garrison."

"The core of Lv Muzhi's forces is three German-equipped divisions: the 36th, 87th, and 88th Divisions. These are all elite troops of the China Central Army, with equipment and training that are first-rate among the Chinese army."

"But even more troublesome is the Youth Army that he personally organized and directly controls."

Sugimoto Gen had done his homework well and continued: "The Youth Army is currently known to have at least two division designations, with actual strength possibly exceeding fifty thousand. Their equipment is extremely fine......"

Before Sugimoto Gen could finish, Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko drew a military sword and began slowly wiping it: "No need to say these; I know them all. Judging by his background as a Whampoa First Phase graduate, this man is a standard direct-line force."

"But not so standard either. His background is truly complex. The Zhu Family behind him has accumulated vast wealth and has close ties with various forces in the Southwest region. They have close dealings with arms dealers from the United States and Hans State, and he himself is good at managing connections."

"Unlike his teachers and classmates who made a name for themselves in the civil war, Lv Muzhi has been silent in the Southwest for a long time. Unexpectedly, once he made a move, he made even General Matsui Iwane hard-pressed!"

"If he is not eliminated as soon as possible, the later it gets, the more this boy will become a major threat to the Empire!"

"This man is already a Lieutenant General in the Army at a young age, with brilliant military achievements. I do not want to see him promoted to General one day. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I will arrange it immediately! Think of more ways. If we cannot achieve victory militarily, then use other methods to bring down Lv Muzhi!"

Sugimoto Gen walked out of the Imperial Palace while shaking his head and thinking: The most urgent matter now is still to find a way to break through the Xicheng Defensive Line first......

As for Lv Muzhi, it is said that someone has already recommended him for promotion to Second-Class General.

Since Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naruhiko mentioned this matter, this cannot be allowed to happen!