Spy Wars: Return of the Red Luan

At the Army General Staff's monthly agenda discussion meeting, Obata Toshishiro's agenda appeared to have some support from Nagata Tetsuzan, but Chen Jiehua realized that Nagata Tetsuzan had actually sided with the Kwantung Army and supported the invasion of China.

"Now that the Kwantung Army has launched an offensive in southern Manchuria and has occupied the Harbin area in northern Manchuria, it is a fait accompli. According to General Nagata, the army should focus on managing the Manchurian region instead of trying to expand the war and continue to advance southward."

"The Soviet Union is the biggest enemy of the Imperial Army. If the Empire continues to advance south, it will trigger a full-scale backlash from the Republic of China and drag the Empire into a quagmire of war in the south. If the Soviet Union in the north launches a war against the Empire in advance, can the Imperial Army resist?"

"At that time, will the Kwantung Army be considered traitors to the Empire or heroes?"

"Therefore, taking into account the above opinions, I support the proposal of General Obata, Minister of the Third Department, to fully develop the industrial base and prepare for war against the Red Soviet Union."

"Okay, does anyone else have a different opinion?"

"Raise your hand if you support Obata-kun's proposal."

"Alright, General Obata Toshishiro's proposal has been approved."

"The next item on the agenda is the selection of the Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army Headquarters. I recommend Major General Toranosuke Hashimoto. Does anyone have any objections?"

“I agree.” Obata Toshishiro raised his hand in agreement. “I agree too.” Chen Jiehua followed suit, raising his hand in agreement.

He didn't know this person, but Uncle Obata agreed. He firmly opposed the invasion of China, and what he supported must have been in line with his strategy.

Whether Miyake Mitsuharu knew about the September 18 Incident or not, he was no longer suitable for that position, and it would be good to replace him with someone else to restrain Itagaki Seishiro.

The proposal put forward by Lu Xiang was passed unanimously.

"The next item on the agenda is to discuss the list of recommended military ranks submitted by each military unit, starting with colonels, and proceeding one by one in the order in which the recommendations were submitted."

"The Osaka Division recommends Colonel... the reason..."

"agree."

"agree."

……

"The Kwantung Army Headquarters recommends Colonel Kenji Doihara for promotion to Major General. Reasons..."

"I strongly oppose it!"

"Aoki, don't cause trouble!"

"Imperial Army Major General and General Staff Officer Aoki Takashi reiterates that he opposes the Kwantung Army Headquarters' recommendation for Colonel Doihara Kenji to be promoted to Major General!"

Please state your reasons for objecting.

"He's the best! (Because he doesn't deserve it!)"

A buzzing sound erupted instantly after Aoki Takashi's explosive opinion.

"Silence! Aoki Qiao, please state your reasons. I hereby warn you again, do not cause trouble!"

"My reasons? I just said he's not qualified. Why don't you have the Kwantung Army repeat their reasons for recommending him, and I'll criticize him, no, I'll refute him."

Chen Jiehua had only one idea: he originally came for the plan to continue the Kwantung Army's military operations. But since he had run into the promotion recommendation of Tufei Chouchong, he had to take advantage of the situation. If he didn't suppress Tufei Chouchong, all his years of networking in the headquarters would have been in vain.

"Please continue reading the reasons for the recommendation from the Kwantung Army Headquarters."

"The Kwantung Army Headquarters gave three reasons for its recommendation: first, it orchestrated the Liutiaohu assassination plot, successfully undermining the Northeast Army's fighting capacity; second,"

"Bullshit! The Liutiaohu assassination plan was entirely planned by Colonel Kawamoto Daisaku, the head of the 1st Section of the Kwantung Army at the time. I was in the 1st Section of the Kwantung Army then, so I know it best! It had nothing to do with Kenji Doihara! Now you're putting credit on Kenji Doihara? Have you no shame?"

"The first reason for the recommendation from the Kwantung Army Headquarters is invalid! Please continue with the second reason." "Second, personally plan and implement the plan to move the Manchurian Emperor from Tianjin to Lushun, thus promoting the establishment of Manchukuo."

After the announcer finished reading the second clause, he stopped reading the third clause and waited for Aoki Qiao's opinion.

"Bullshit! Stealing a puppet emperor like Puyi is no great achievement at all! Any Tom, Dick, or Harry could be the puppet emperor of Manchukuo. Why waste so many imperial resources to steal a useless puppet and then be so smug about it as a success? Don't you have any shame?"

"If the second reason doesn't hold up, is there a third one?" Araki Sadao couldn't hold on any longer. Aoki Takashi was determined to oppose it, and Masaki-senpai had just given him a meaningful look. There was absolutely no need to offend Aoki Takashi for the sake of a spy, especially since he had his master backing him up.

"Third, he planned and promoted the Manchurian Incident, making contributions to the Empire's occupation of Manchuria..."

"Bullshit! It was clearly Itagaki-sensei and Lieutenant Colonel Ishihara Kanji, who was known as the second brain of the Imperial Army, who planned and promoted the Manchurian Incident. I would like to ask Ishihara-kun here, what's wrong with the Kwantung Army? They even want to steal your credit. Have they no shame?"

"Pfft~"

Ishihara Kanji spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered many people in front of him in time.

"Why is Ishihara-kun spitting blood? Is there some hardship or grievance you have? Did the Chief of Staff threaten you and steal your and your teacher's credit to promote that bug Doihara?"

“Puchi~~”

Ishihara Kanji coughed up a second mouthful of blood, finally relieving the internal injuries he had been holding in earlier.

Obata Toshishiro hid to the side, rolling his eyes. That kid really has a sharp tongue; he's got poison all over him. I've run into him three times in a row.

"Silence! Silence!"

It took Araki Sadao a great deal of effort to quiet down the noisy meeting room.

"Can Ishihara-kun still hold on? Why don't you leave the field and go back to rest?"

"I hereby announce that the Kwantung Army Headquarters' recommendation for the promotion of Colonel Kenji Doihara to the rank of Major General is rejected because none of the three reasons for his merits are valid."

"Aoki-kun, please stop causing trouble. Let's continue reading the next recommendation."

Chen Jiehua stood up, bowed to Lu Xiang and the others, and then sat down.

Damn, my combat power is off the charts, isn't it? I exceeded my goals, stopped the Kwantung Army's plan to continue its southward invasion, ruined Doihara's promotion, and even helped Ishihara Kanji and my teacher save their credit. Itagaki-sensei will definitely thank me, right?

But why did Ishihara-kun spit blood?

Chen Jiehua raised his hand to agree to all the subsequent recommendations until Araki Sadao announced, "This meeting is now adjourned."

After the meeting, news of Aoki's unusual behavior at the Army General Staff's routine April meeting quickly spread throughout Tokyo, drawing mixed reactions from various parties.

The Navy believes that Aoki Takashi did a great job, turning the tide for the Navy.

Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was relieved that he hadn't made an enemy of him.

Some in the army think that Aoki Qiao went too far. Why are you targeting Doihara-kun?

Why? There's no reason. It's because he overestimated himself and went against me at every turn.

……

Kenji Doihara's agents, planted within the General Staff Headquarters, relayed the message back to the Kwantung Army's Fengtian Special Service Agency as quickly as possible.

When Kenji Doihara saw the full text of the telegram, he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the radio.

"Baka!" (You brat 4) (End of Chapter)