Chapter 243: The Japanese Army

At this time, the Japanese Combined Fleet had already prepared to set out to completely annihilate the United States' Pacific Fleet at Midway, so recalling it to assist the Japanese Army was obviously impossible.

The Japanese Army merely hoped to borrow the strength of Japanese Navy Aviation to destroy this air force operating within Huaxia.

"Then what do you propose? Should we just swallow this foul anger?!" Shan Shan Yuan glared.

In the conference room, the Army–Navy conflict flared sharply again. Arguments rose and fell, each person trying to shirk responsibility while also vying for control.

At that moment, a cool and imposing voice instantly silenced the entire room.

"Enough."

It was the Emperor.

Everyone immediately bowed their heads, silent as cold cicadas.

The Emperor rose slowly, walked to the map. His gaze swept over the crossed‑out markers and finally settled on the distant South, on the vast Australian continent.

"I have just recently approved the final plan of the 'FS operation.'" The Emperor's voice was low yet reached everyone clearly, "For the ultimate victory of the Greater East Asia Co‑Prosperity Sphere, for cutting the United States–Australia connection, the Imperial must seize Australia. This is an established national policy, the cornerstone of the Empire's future, and cannot be altered."

His words, like an imperial edict, completely extinguished any possibility of drawing forces from elsewhere.

"Just as we were preparing to commit all our strength to a southward advance, China mainland suffered such a grave strategic blunder." The Emperor's tone carried a cold disappointment, "I do not understand why a powerful air force equipped with United States aircraft could appear out of nowhere in China's interior, while our intelligence knows nothing about it?"

Marshal Tian Junliu's body shivered violently at those words. He bowed his head deeply, prostrating himself, "Your Majesty! It is my negligence! I… am willing to bear full responsibility!"

The Emperor did not look at him, but continued, "The strategy cannot be altered. The plan to seize Australia must not waver. The Empire's national strength no longer permits us to launch large‑scale offensives in two directions simultaneously."

Those words amounted to a decree that large‑scale reinforcements would be impossible in the short term. Shan Shan Yuan's face showed a desperate expression.

The conference room fell into dead silence again. No troops—how to take revenge? Should we just give up?

As everyone felt hopeless, the Emperor slowly lifted his head, his gaze becoming sharp as a blade for the first time.

"But the Empire's dignity must not be trampled."

He turned to Yong Ye Xiushen and said, "Navy. I want you to deploy all submarine forces, like a pack of wolves, to blockade all of China's coastline. I don't believe their aircraft sprang from stone; there must be a supply line. Find it and cut it off!"

Then he turned to Shan Shan Yuan: "Army. I do not need you to pull divisions. I want you to dispatch from within China the most elite special‑operations units. Whether you use infiltration, sabotage or assassination, I want you to locate that secret base!"

Finally, his gaze fell on Dong Tiao Yingji and Tian Junliu.

"As for the Army's aviation…"

"I want you to immediately form a 'Yasukuni Shrine Special Attack Unit' composed of the Empire's top ace pilots, equipped with our finest 'Zhong Kui' and 'Feiyan' fighters. Their mission is not to bomb but to duel!"

"I want them, in the sky, one‑on‑one, to shoot down those United States pilots! Use their lives to cleanse the Empire's disgrace!"

The Emperor's voice echoed in the cavernous conference room.

They must retaliate, just as the United States bombed Japan; unable to find a target, they would take revenge on the American forces in the Philippines and on the Chinese civilians of Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Japan's home‑soil has few deployable units, and the few that exist still need to be encircled at home.

Even the forces attacking Southeast Asia are elite units drawn from the Kwantung Army and places such as Central China.

It is easy to see that Japan has become deeply entrenched in Huaxia, and now trying to get out is simply impossible.

"I will not tolerate any mistake at this moment." the Emperor said finally, his voice tinged with fatigue but more with cold resolve, "Go, seize the Empire's glory from the heavens for me!"

"Hey!"

All the generals answered in unison, their voices filled with suppressed madness and murderous intent.

Chongqing, Yellow Mountain Residence.

Midday sunlight filtered through a thin mist, spilling onto the residence's courtyard and dispelling the perpetual damp chill of the mountain city. In the Principal's office, however, a completely different, fiery atmosphere prevailed.

He did not, as usual, review documents or pace thoughtfully; instead he stood before a massive map, holding the telegram from Changde that he had examined countless times, and by noon the photos taken by Changde pilots had already arrived in Chongqing, prompting a long‑awaited, genuine smile on the Principal's face.

"Good… good, Jiang Anguo!" he said "good" twice, his voice brimming with uncontrollable excitement, "The nation has trained troops for years, and today finally a marvel appears! A talent worth cultivating! I have not misjudged you!"

The Principal looked at his own, though they had only briefly met in Lashu, and his compatriots had not gathered together for many years.

The head of the attendant office, He Yaozu, stood nearby and, unusually, saw the Principal so elated. He knew that this battle report was, for the Chongqing government, which was being bombed by the Japanese Army and whose international standing was precarious, as potent as the strongest tonic.

"Principal, this battle greatly boosts our troops' morale and devastates the enemy's prestige. Should we announce it immediately at home and abroad to uplift the people?" He Yaozu asked cautiously.

"Announce? Of course we must announce!" The Principal placed the telegram on the desk, his tone decisive, "But we must wait! Wait for Jiang Anguo's second and third battle reports! I will unleash a combination strike! Let the world see, let the United States see, let the British see, that our China is not a lamb to be slaughtered! We have the ability to strike back ourselves!"

That day's surprises were countless: first Wuhan, then Yichang, followed by Guangzhou, and Nanchang.

In just one day, Changde's Thunder First and Second Squadrons kept launching sorties; people stopped but the planes kept flying, and even damaged aircraft Jiang Anguo promptly replaced with new ones.

They achieved a tremendous victory, with at least three hundred aircraft destroyed, delivering a heavy blow to the Japanese Army's arrogant momentum.

He was immersed in the thrill of strategic planning when an adjutant hurriedly entered.

ps: while writing, I noticed the displayed chapter differs from the backend; it seems a few chapters got mixed up.