Iron Cross

Being forced to transfer to the reserve and stand aside during the Osumi Personnel Incident was the most unforgettable failure in Hori Teikichi's life. After learning from the pain, he reflected:

First, he did not gain public sympathy. Although the treaty faction was more rational and wise, in the atmosphere of fanatical militarization, this voice was not only weak but also regarded as part of Japan's diplomatic compromise and concession. Almost no one sympathized with the loser of the Osumi Personnel Incident.

In fact, he did not gain military support. On the eve of the Osumi Personnel Incident, Hori Teikichi, as the 32nd chief, had a bright future and was the first to be promoted to lieutenant general (Yamamoto Isoroku was promoted to major general at the same time). He was busy fighting for power, taking the upper line, and engaging in factional struggles all day long. How could he be willing to bow down and listen to the voices of grassroots officers and soldiers? The fleet faction only lied to make the grassroots stay away from the treaty faction - restraining armaments and disarmament would reduce promotion space, and cutting military spending would reduce the treatment of soldiers.

Finally, there was no strong support for meritorious service. Although Hori Teikichi participated in the Battle of Tsushima, he was just a graduate of a military academy. What achievements could he make? He was even worse than his classmate Yamamoto Isoroku, who at least had two fingers cut off by a shell and had proof of injury. During World War I, Hori Teikichi went to the Naval University for further studies and served on the Fuso. He also did not participate in any substantial battles. Until the failure of the political struggle, except for participating in the arms negotiations, he could not produce strong proof of military exploits - this was very fatal for a soldier, especially a soldier who had become a lieutenant general.

Hori Teikichi, who had nothing, could only be sent to the company by Prince Fushimi Hiroyoshi in disgrace. At least he had the title of a reserve lieutenant general so that he did not have to start from scratch and directly became a senior executive of the company. But in fact, the company is just like the army. Without ability and without the support of the lower level, nothing can be done. Taking advantage of the 8 years of dormancy, Hori Teikichi continued to follow the dynamics of the navy on the one hand, and on the other hand, he struggled to think about improving his leadership. Fortunately, he had an old friend who was the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet. As an outsider, he sometimes saw more clearly what should and should not be done, and finally seized the opportunity to make a successful comeback.

Yamato led the charge, the air force made a fatal blow, the westward expedition stabilized the army, and the American wars continued. He used his personal charm, combat victories, military honors, and rolling money to control the team. He regarded the Combined Fleet as a part of himself rather than just a means to achieve his goals like Yamamoto Isoroku; he learned public opinion warfare, psychological warfare, and thick black studies, and also obtained German foreign aid. Hoffman chose to fully cooperate with Hori Teikichi in order to cut off the last foreign aid channel of the Soviet Union. 4 Marine Corps Brigades, 50 million initial funds, and the central liaison and cover of Special Envoy Cole were all in exchange for Hori Teikichi's promise: "When it is appropriate and necessary, I will do what is required!"

When Yamamoto Isoroku lost his way and was at a loss, he decisively attacked - because time would not give him a second chance.

On the afternoon of the 28th, the third day of the "Tenchu ​​****" operation, Hirohito finally heard the long-awaited good news: Koshiro Ikawa led the main force of the combined fleet to the waters south of Kobe, and had joined the latest heavy armored aircraft carrier Taiho, and would go to Tokyo to quell the rebellion at the fastest speed.

What made him even more overjoyed was that Takeda Issuke, the major general brigade commander of the Imperial Guard Division, led the majestic tank troops to protect him, which gave him enough confidence and confidence to fight the rebellion army to the end, but Prince Higashikuni Toshihiko frowned after asking Takeda Issuke about the situation.

"Takeda-kun, you said that there was no fighting on your way here?"

"Yes."

"Then how did you get here? Didn't the rebels block the relevant roads?"

"This..." Takeda replied calmly, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, when I led the troops to march, I was indeed intercepted by the rebels, but I used my eloquence to deal with them."

"Oh?" Hirohito seemed very interested, "Tell me about it."

"I said, I am from the tank unit of the 1st Guards Division, and I was ordered to serve the king and fulfill my duties as a subject. Do you want to rebel? The other party replied, I dare not. , to fight the rebels! I asked, am I a ****? The other party denied it. I then asked, are you also your Majesty's subjects? The other party denied it. I then asked, are you also your Majesty's subjects? The other party denied it. I then asked, are you willing to let your Majesty be harmed? The other party denied it. I then asked, are you willing to let your Majesty be harmed? The other party denied it. Finally, I said, I am leading my troops to defend the palace, why don't you let us go quickly? They let us come. "Takeda Gong said, "I see that the rebels are all obedient subjects. There must be some misunderstandings in the current situation. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Hirohito seemed very happy. He asked the Minister of the Interior to appease Takeda Gong for a few words and then left. Prince Higashikuni Prince Toshihiko showed a thoughtful expression.

Sending the tank brigade to defend the imperial palace was a decision made by Tanaka Shinichi after careful consideration. Takeda Gong certainly understood what he meant - the division commander not only did not want to fight, but was also thinking about the future retreat. In fact, everyone knew that the anti-rebel army had no intention of attacking the imperial palace at all. It was the same thing whether to send the tank brigade or not, and it was completely useless in military terms.

But politically this move was not necessarily in vain, at least it was a firm statement, indicating that the Imperial Guards Division firmly supported the Emperor. As for why they did not use force to suppress the rebellion, it was entirely because they were concerned about the safety of Tokyo and His Majesty and did not dare to take action - cleverly covering up the Imperial Guards Division's lack of close combat firepower and its embarrassment of not being able to defeat the Marine Brigade.

Tanaka Shinichi thus jumped out of the pit that the army leaders headed by Ishihara Kanji had dug for him - if you can't win, it's your ability problem, and if you can win, it's the correct deployment of the headquarters. As for the life and death of ordinary officers and soldiers, how can they care about the army leaders? Judging from Hori Teikichi's confidence and his attitude of sending military supplies and tanks (lacking ammunition), Tanaka Shinichi believes that the whole thing will eventually be resolved politically. Since it's a compromise in the end, is it interesting to fight with the anti-rebellion army and let his men die in vain, and let the navy and even the people of Tokyo hate him for the rest of their lives?

He thinks Takeda Kou is right: during the 226 mutiny, the rebel army killed the navy admiral Saito Makoto, and the combined fleet drove the battleship Nagato into Tokyo Bay, but in the end they restrained themselves from opening fire. Why is it worth fighting for power and profit within the navy? Even if Hori Teikichi fails in the end, it won't be too late to kick him when he's down - after all, he's a descendant of an Osaka merchant and a disciple of Obata Toshishiro, so he's got a bright mind!

Of course, the one who benefits the most is Takeda Gong. With the credit for defending the king, no matter how he's rewarded afterwards, it won't be too much. This is also the credit that Tanaka Shinichi deliberately gave to Takeda Gong to thank him for his active advice and suggestions in the past two days.

In the evening, Prince Higashikuni Toshihiko, who saw an opportunity, quickly called Ishiwara Kanji and focused on the Takeda attack and the tank brigade. After listening, the latter sighed: "Tanaka Shinichi seems to be not stupid. He reached a tacit understanding with Hori Teikichi so quickly after suffering a loss. It will take some effort to move him..."

"It's good that the other two old guys in the palace don't make a fuss."

"Your Highness..." Ishiwara Kanji hesitated and said, "I have something else to report to you today, but I don't know where to start."

"Tell me, what else do we have? Can't tell?"

"This evening, Hori Teikichi arranged for someone to deliver condolences to Nagatacho and played an open-air movie."

"Play a movie?" Prince Higashikuni laughed, "He really has the leisure time. I admire him more and more. How could he use such unorthodox means to bring out the Combined Fleet?"

"The means are unorthodox, but they work." Ishiwara Kanji quickly recounted the contents of the movie "Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet". "You don't know, at the end, everyone spontaneously stood up and bowed to the victims, and many people shed tears. Tears welled up on my face. We have all fought in wars and have a personal experience of the scenes..."

Prince Tokuni was silent for a long time before he said, "How dare you watch this kind of movie? You are not allowed to watch it!"

"Will it work?" Ishihara Kanji smiled bitterly, "Starting from today in the morning, the Navy has reserved all the cinemas, big and small, within their control, allowing the public to watch it for free, with primary and high school students given priority. At least tens of thousands of people watched it in the evening! According to the Navy's statement, it will be shown for 7 consecutive days, and copies will be sent to other cities by plane. I will just say no to watching it. Is anyone listening? "

"Great! Great!" Prince Higashikuni Minoru sighed, "This is really possessed, he didn't fire any guns or artillery, the situation was very stable, why are we at a disadvantage everywhere."

"This is not the most amazing thing, the most amazing thing is this..." Ishihara Kanji held the microphone out of the window, "Listen, what's the sound outside?"

Prince Higashikuni Minoru closed his eyes and listened carefully, and there was a faint singing voice coming from the receiver:

...

The powerful only know how to be proud of their family background, and there are really few people who worry about the country;

The rich only know how to boast of their wealth, and they don't think about the country!

The wise see the country's decline and march, and the fools still dance in the world.

The rise and fall of governance and chaos seem like a dream, and the world is really like a game of chess!

In the spring of the Showa Restoration, men unite for justice!

There are millions of soldiers in my heart, and thousands of cherry blossoms will float away after death!

The rotten old corpse has crossed over, and this body is floating with the clouds.

Worrying about the country, stand up and move forward, and men start singing from now on!

…

He was shocked and felt bad: "This…this…this is the "Song of the Showa Restoration"!"

“The Navy repeatedly played this on the Tokyo Radio Station, and used a loud speaker to sing at Nagatacho... The officers couldn't hold it anymore! It's only been 7 years since 226, and the people's suffering is no less than that of the year!" Ishihara Kanji scratched his scalp, very distressed, "The officers are finally clear-headed and know that this road is not feasible, but the Marine Brigade sent people to sing to the Imperial Guards Division. This song was sung by our Army first. Many of the soldiers who survived the 226 Incident are still serving. If this continues, if the Army also gets agitated and engages in "Heavenly Punishment", the situation will be completely uncontrollable, and a political solution must be reached as soon as possible!"

In fact, Ishihara Kanji still underestimated the influence of this action. After watching the movie and listening to the song, more than 20 people from the Imperial Guards Division slipped out of the camp that night to surrender to the Navy and asked to join the Anti-Rebellion Army.

"I understand!" Prince Higashikuninomiya Toshihiko gritted his teeth, "I'll have someone urge Koshiro Kawa to come quickly!"