Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 179: Minei: "Who will rule Southeast Asia in the future?"

half a month later.

Looking at the man in front of him who came to Penang on his own initiative, and came secretly without even a bodyguard, Zheng Yi was a little confused for a moment.

He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and lit a cigar for himself to ease his confused mood.

Behind him, Ma Kui and Li Xiaowei, who were guarding him, had murderous gleams in their eyes from time to time, and their hands were on the gun handles, as if they were ready to pull out the guns and kill this bastard at any time.

The Japanese in the United States, however, acted remarkably calm and composed, with a dignified demeanor, much like Guan Yu going to a meeting alone. He ignored the two eager-eyed fellows, only having eyes for Zheng Yi, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:

"Mr. Zheng Yi, I've long heard of your great name. Meeting you today is truly a great honor."

Zheng Yi turned around and asked Ma Kui, "Have you confirmed that the body search was thorough? Are there any guns, knives, or personal bombs?"

Ma Kui: "Don't worry, everything has been confirmed."

"Ah."

Zheng Yi nodded. He just said that. He actually didn't believe that such a big shot like the Japanese in the United States would use human bombs on him.

There aren't any assassins of such a high level.

In fact, long before the secret visit of the Minai devils today, Zheng Yi had been discussing with Yoshida about their secret joining of the Southern Alliance for the past half month. However, even so, he still couldn't help but feel incredible.

After more than half a month of communication, Zheng Yi has actually almost figured out their issues.

After all, he was not a history researcher in his previous life, and he wasn't even an enthusiast. The historical trends he understood were only general trends, not common sense.

Simply put, Japan's navy and army are slightly different. At least the upper echelons of the navy are actually almost all pro-European and American.

On the contrary, in the army, there are generally more pro-German people.

After the Sino-Soviet War, the Japanese Army faced the Soviet Union alone and was under great pressure. They naturally wanted to sign an alliance with Germany to jointly attack the Soviet Union from both sides.

However, the cabinet, or rather the political elites with a bit of brains, actually understood that if they formed a military alliance with Germany, they would most likely fall into the embarrassing situation of having to go to war with Britain and the United States.

Relatively speaking, instead of signing a military alliance with Germany, it would be better to think of a way to sign a Japan-US Trade Treaty with the United States.

As early as the end of the previous year, the pro-German faction in the army could no longer be suppressed. They even signed an alliance with Germany without the emperor and the cabinet's knowledge, which made the emperor furious and he publicly accused the army of rebellion.

Mine also verbally rejected the Japan-Germany clause. He once said fiercely, "If Japan goes to war with Britain, the United States, the Netherlands, France and other countries, 80% of the fighting will be done by our navy. You ask me if there is any hope of winning? No! Not at all!"

For about half a year, the Japanese Army and Navy argued endlessly over who to ally with. Mine said that Ambassador to Germany Hiroshi Oshima must resign. Oshima threatened that if he dared to make him resign, he would dissolve the cabinet.

Unfortunately, after all the soldiers were killed in this incident, the navy was completely at a disadvantage compared to the army, because it was actually only the top brass of the navy who really advocated refusing to sign the treaty and were determined not to go to war with Britain and the United States.

To be more precise, there were only three people: Mine, Yamamoto, and Inoue Shigemi, the director of the Navy's Military Affairs Bureau.

These three people are also known as "the last three consciences of the Japanese Navy"

But the problem is that apart from these three people, the entire Japanese Navy firmly supports going to war with Britain and the United States and signing the Tripartite Pact.

Especially in recent times, the US Navy has appeared more and more frequently in Chinese waters, and the Japanese Navy has often had friction with the navy and dared to fire.

Every time, their ambassador to the United States would bow or even kowtow to apologize, and Yamamoto would personally clean up the mess, pay compensation, and apologize every time.

After many times, the Imperial Way Faction regained its momentum. First, they submitted a "petition" to the Emperor, then a "letter of resignation" to Yamamoto, and finally they began to openly publish the "Book of Anti-Traitors".

The army really shouted the slogan "Heaven punishes the traitors", and what made them even more nervous was that the navy was also shouting along with the army this time.

As high-ranking naval officials, these so-called "three consciences" have gradually completely lost the ability to lead the navy. When Mine convenes a meeting, it is often a closed-door meeting with only the three of them, and is completely disconnected from the lower-level navy.

"Mr. Zheng, I'm not afraid of death. You may not know that there are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, people in Japan who want to kill the three of us."

"Yamamoto and I have taken everything from the office back home and are staying home unless necessary. I even put on a loincloth (diaper) so that I can walk cleanly when I go out."

"As for my suicide note, I've already written it. I can die at any time, but to prevent my country from falling into irretrievable ruin, I would rather die than compromise with them."

Zheng Yi: "Haha."

To be honest, Zheng Yi has no good feelings towards this guy. From the Chinese perspective, this guy is a real mortal enemy.

But even as an enemy, this is a very pitiful enemy.

He gave him a cigar and asked, "If you join SAARC, how can I help you? And how can you help me?"

Minet: "It was the Fourth Fleet that bombarded Penang, you know."

The Fourth Fleet was basically a lone fleet in the Japanese Navy, causing trouble everywhere and taking the initiative to provoke the US military.

If they lost the battle, they would blame the navy senior officers and the cabinet, blaming them for tying their hands and feet.

Even after winning the war, they still curse the navy seniors, the cabinet, and those in power as cowards and softies.

Regardless of whether they win or lose, these senior naval officers have to go to the United States or bow and apologize to the American ambassador, or even kneel down and kowtow.

From time to time, they would join the army in making trouble and carry out the "Heavenly Punishment of Traitors" campaign.

Those are not subordinates at all, they are clearly a group of living fathers.

Zheng Yi, however, naturally couldn't understand their difficulties. He said, "I don't know anything about the Fourth Fleet or the Eighth Fleet. I only know that it was your Japanese Navy that bombarded Penang. I will definitely hold the entire Japanese Navy responsible for this incident."

"Besides, I have already declared war on Japan. Unless you surrender unconditionally, there is no possibility of reconciliation."

Hearing this, Mine wasn't surprised. She remained calm and said, "Hey! Mr. Zheng, you're right. I agree. Given Mr. Zheng's relationship with Japan, we have no hope of making peace with you except surrender."

"Mr. Zheng, you've been promoting our Japanese threat theory for years, believing that Japan would definitely go to war with Britain and France, and would also inevitably go to war with Penang and the South Asian Alliance. Now it seems that Mr. Zheng is indeed far-sighted and a great strategist."

"Before the Fourth Fleet bombarded Penang, I was still trying my best to stop it. Now, although I will still do my best to prevent Japan, the United States, Britain, France, and the Netherlands from fighting at sea, I also know that I can no longer stop it."

"If His Majesty the Emperor trusts me, supports me, and forcibly entrusts me with this important task, I believe the only outcome that awaits me will be death."

"And if His Majesty the Emperor, under immense pressure, compromises with the Army and those who support the Imperial Way, I will have no choice but to resign."

"Japan will definitely attack Southeast Asia, and will definitely attack Penang. We will have a bloody battle with Penang where it's either you or I."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi remained silent. Of course, Ma Kui behind him, and especially Li Xiaowei, all couldn't help but show expressions of shock.

After all, these words were said by Zheng Yi before. Even if they believed them, they could not help but have a sense of luck. However, now that these words were said by Minai, it was naturally completely different.

"All of this is nonsense to me. You still haven't said what you're going to do. Are you planning to surrender Penang directly to help me develop my navy?"

Minai: "Mr. Zheng, you're joking. If I really were a traitor, it would be a huge disgrace to my family and my country. I'm afraid everyone associated with me would commit seppuku."

"I agree with what you said, Mr. Zheng. Before Japan surrenders, there is no possibility of peace. So, Mr. Zheng, what I want to discuss with you is the cooperation we can develop with you after our surrender."

"Ok?"

Zheng Yi sat up straight upon hearing this and said, "That's quite interesting. Could you explain it in detail?" Minai said, "Mr. Zheng, according to my deduction, there's a certain probability that the Japanese army will achieve a major victory in the early stages of their invasion of Southeast Asia, or at least occupy a considerable amount of territory there."

"I think that when the Japanese Navy faces the British and American navies, it is very likely that they will first win and then lose."

Zheng Yi smiled and nodded.

After all, Minae's position is there, so it is not surprising that such an ending can be deduced.

In fact, in Zheng Yi's opinion, there are at least one or two hundred people in Japan who can clearly see this ending, including the old man Hirohito.

Mine said, "Since we have already determined that the Japanese army will be defeated, we naturally need to consider Japan's survival after the defeat. Mr. Zheng, I need the help of the Southern Alliance to leave a spark of hope for Japan after its defeat, a hope that can allow us to survive again."

Zheng Yi: "I understand. I fully understand your concerns, Mr. Miner. You are a patriot, but what can you give me?"

Mine said: "Our Japanese navy is likely to occupy most of Southeast Asia. Even if defeat is inevitable in the future, we should still have choices on how to withdraw from the occupied areas and who to hand over the colonies to after the withdrawal."

"For example, I can clearly tell you, Mr. Zheng, that our army will send troops to occupy the French East Indies within three months at most. Given the military strength that France has left in Asia, it will definitely not be a match for our Japanese army."

"Perhaps it won't be long before we are driven out of Southeast Asia. So, Mr. Zheng, before we Japanese surrender, do you think we can choose to whom we surrender?"

"If we had left behind some of our discarded light weapons, even a small number, with the local indigenous people, tribal armed forces, and landlord armed forces when we evacuated the French East Indies, Mr. Zheng, do you think France would still be able to send troops to attack us?"

"What's more, since our army has already signed a military alliance with Germany, I conclude that there will inevitably be a war between Germany and France. Even if France can defeat Germany and injure 10,000 enemies, won't it also incur 8,000 casualties of its own?"

"This is just the most conservative scenario. If my predictions are true, the Dutch East Indies will most likely be annexed by us. Mr. Zheng, if we are defeated, will we return this land to the Netherlands?"

"How can the Netherlands, today, possess such fertile and oil-rich land?"

"You Chinese have an old saying, 'The world should be ruled by those with virtue.' In our opinion, you, Mr. Zheng, are that virtuous person."

"Throughout Southeast Asia, there are too many mines, plantations, and oil wells from France, the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States. If we seize all these assets and kill their original owners, then after we lose the war, who will we hand over these things to?"

"If Mr. Zheng is willing to accept us into the Southern Alliance, then I think Mr. Zheng should be able to share the larger piece of the pie when these assets are acquired after the war."

“This is our plan to join SAARC, seek SAARC’s protection, and achieve win-win cooperation with SAARC.”

"As a member of the Imperial Navy, if a real fight were to occur, I would not dare to show mercy. If we meet on the battlefield one day, even if there is a one in ten thousand chance of killing Mr. Zheng, I will definitely try my best."

"However, if human power cannot ultimately defeat nature, I still hope that Mr. Zheng can leave us some seeds. The British, Americans, French, Dutch, and Mr. Zheng's Southern Alliance, we all agree that the Southern Alliance may be the best choice to preserve a spark for us after the entire Japanese nation is destroyed."

"Of course, it's not the only option."

My goodness, the battle hasn't even started yet and you're already worrying about what to do after losing.

Ma Kui and Li Xiaowei both instinctively opened their mouths wide, unable to close them for a long time.

In the past, they had only heard that people involved in politics were dirty, but today, they finally saw it for themselves.

After thinking for a while, Zheng Yi didn't say no.

In fact, Zheng Yi knew very well that these pro-British and American factions in Japan thought the matter was a bit complicated and serious.

Because historically, Japan was only strictly managed and suppressed for about five years after its defeat in the war.

Japan's economy took off in the 60s, and there was no need to maintain any momentum. It even remained the world's second largest economy for a long time.

Even after the defeat in the war, Japan quickly moved away from the labor-intensive light industry of the textile industry, which had no threshold, and instead engaged in high-end manufacturing.
It can be said that for Japan's economy, the economic benefits of defeat far outweigh those of victory.

There is no question of keeping the flames of war. Japan's penalty period for defeat is only five years.

For Zheng Yi, this business would be a waste if he didn't do it.

Strictly speaking, playing such tricks when losing a war will definitely make Britain and the United States unhappy.

Maybe because the Americans are unhappy, the punishment period will be even longer.

"How can I trust you?"

Mine said, "You can have a photo taken right now of us shaking hands and discussing this matter. With just this photo, you can kill me at any time. Believe me, if those lunatics of the Royal Way faction knew I dared to come to Penang to make peace with you, they would punish me as a traitor and make me die without a burial place."

"Mr. Zheng, I'm here with great sincerity. As your secret ally, I've completely placed my life in your hands. You can regret it at any time and take my life by publishing the photos."

"I think we're doing a win-win deal."

Zheng Yi didn't pretend to be polite when he heard this. He turned to Ma Kui and said, "Ask Li Lili to get the camera."

"Yes"

Zheng Yi: "Mr. Miner, I admire your vision and even more so your courage, but I have to make it clear in advance, this is just to keep the spark alive, okay."

"But during the war, those war criminals who committed acts against humanity, regardless of whether they joined SAARC, must pay the price. Blood for blood, life for life. Mr. Minay, can you agree to this?"

Mine: "Of course, even myself, if Mr. Zheng considers me an unforgivable war criminal, he can still take my life at any time when our army is defeated."

"I guarantee that even if I were killed by Mr. Zheng and cut into pieces, my death would be horrible, the secret joining of the Southern Alliance that I discussed with Mr. Zheng today would still stand. Of course, if you want to explain yourself to the British and Americans, Mr. Toyota can handle this matter."

Zheng Yi: "Don't worry about that, Mr. Mine. I wish us a happy cooperation and a speedy defeat for the Japanese army."

As he spoke, Zheng Yi took the initiative to extend his hand.

Upon hearing this, Minai couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Hey~"

After a bitter smile, he did not try to regain the situation with words, but sighed very dejectedly, as if all his emotions were put into this sigh.

Zheng Yi didn't really make things difficult for him. After all, since he was already there, he was a guest. Soon, Li Lili took a photo of him and Mine shaking hands in a friendly manner, and the secret alliance between the two was thus formed.

Zheng Yi even took the initiative to invite him to dinner.

But he said, "Mr. Mine, two countries are at war for their respective masters. To be honest, although I hate your Japanese army, especially some of your navy commanders, I also admire you very much."

"Army, I will definitely do my best to settle accounts after victory. But if Mr. Mine can restrain his subordinates when the Japanese Navy goes to Southeast Asia, based on our secret alliance, I may let you and the entire navy go easily. But if you commit a crime, don't blame me for being merciless."

In the Japanese army, there is still a big difference between the army and the navy. Most of the beastly officers are indeed from the army. If they are really killed according to military discipline, the navy is indeed much stronger than the army.

The two countries are at war for their respective masters. As long as they can pay a sufficient price, Zheng Yi is not actually unable to let one of them go after winning, such as the navy.

Of course, another aspect is that no matter how great the benefits are, they cannot move those beasts who have truly committed crimes. If they don't take revenge, they will not be human beings.

"Hi!"

Minai nodded.

(End of this chapter)