The Japanese government's "good intentions" have not been recognized by the lower levels, and Shanghai seems to be calm on the surface, but there is a dark tide under the water.

The four divisions and five independent mixed brigades under the jurisdiction of the 13th Army of the Japanese Army, of which the main division and the independent mixed brigade were all stationed in the surrounding cities, and only one division and some service units left behind in Shanghai were stationed in several barracks of the old national government on the edge of the concession.

The main tasks of the 13th Army were to garrison Nanjing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jiujiang, Wuhu and other important cities, as well as to carry out strategic operations around Shanghai, and at the same time to maintain local law and order in Zhejiang and northern Jiangsu.

The subordinate units were all special divisions and regiments of the Third Wing that were reorganized after the war, and the source of troops was the reserves and reserve troops from the remaining divisions and regiments in China, and their combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the permanent divisions and regiments before the war.

For example, the 116th Division was reorganized from the reservists and reservists who had passed the physical examination in the Kyoto Division of the 16th Division. Since the 106th Division appeared ugly in the Battle of Lushan, the top brass of the China Dispatch Army had a full understanding of the combat effectiveness of this group of 100 divisions, and they never had any expectations for them.

In the fourth or fourth year of history, Japan's overall strategy was exhausted, and when the number of troops was really scarce, this special division was pulled out to participate in the famous [Mainland Opening Operation], and as a result, it was completely crippled under the city of Hengyang.

At this time, the 109th and 120th Infantry Wings were stationed in Shanghai. The 109th Wing had just completed its duty of guarding the Yangtze River waterway and had returned to downtown Shanghai to prepare for rest, but before the officers and men could spend two days in the "Little Tokyo of Hongkou," they received an order for the whole wing to be on alert.

Since the [Morimoto Brigade Incident], Japan has carried out a special rectification of the military discipline of the garrison troops, and the power in the hands of the gendarmerie has been strengthened again, and disobedience to the orders of the higher authorities has rarely occurred.

Of course, this does not mean that the Japanese Soldiers' Association has changed its nature, and the military discipline of the Japanese Army is not used to protect the interests of the Chinese people, and the main purpose of strengthening discipline is to strengthen the authority of the officers at higher levels and to prevent the recurrence of the kind of incidents in which the subordinates act without authorization and end up killing their superiors alive.

Ordinary soldiers lost the opportunity to leave the camp, but that didn't mean that the rules worked the same way for officers, and some senior officers could still have fun at places like the officers' service clubs around the camps, or vent the accumulated stress from the comfort women in the army comfort stations.

"I think the guys at the staff headquarters are a little bit taken for granted, they don't know what's really going on here." The 116th Division's General Staff Department put down the glass in his hand, picked up the wine bottle on the table, and poured half a glass of whiskey for Captain Yoshihide Amano, who was sitting next to him.

"Minister of War Tojo doesn't understand the thoughts of our front-line soldiers at all, he only knows how to consolidate his personal authority." Captain Kamiya of the 1st Brigade of the 116th Engineer Wing spoke loudly.

"Hey, I understand your feelings, but please be quiet." Captain Mao Hanaya pressed the wine glass that Kamiya was pouring into his mouth, and the black collar badge on his uniform indicated that he was a military policeman.

"What does it matter, what does it matter, he is not lying." The staff officer of the headquarters shouted with a red face on the lieutenant's face.

"See, you've drunk too much." Captain Amano put down his glass and said to Shiomi with a serious attitude.

"Ha, sorry, I was so rude." Seeing his boss speak, the lieutenant staff officer respectfully bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

"It's all because the envoys of the Independent Country, the guys from the Ministry of War and the General Staff Headquarters are still fantasizing that the Independent People will fall to the side of the Empire." Houdong Shaozo filled the flower valley with wine.

"The attitude of the independent countries is already obvious, and now that the British have surrendered, they are a dominant power in Europe, and they no longer need the diplomatic support of the empire. I have always believed that we must not pin our hopes on the attitude of the Independents, but must have the determination to fight the European powers. Houdong's voice was not loud, but his tone was very firm.

"That's right, only by relying on our own strength, those Westerners can't be relied on." Captain Amano clapped his hands in agreement.

"That's true, but we're just talking here. It is the adults of the General Staff Headquarters and His Excellency the Minister of War who have made the decision, and if they do not change their current erroneous thinking, it will be useless to say anything. Shiomi picked up a slice of tuna sashimi, dipped it in soy sauce and put it in his mouth.

"Let us be heard from above." Captain Kamiya accosted: "So let's collectively petition the commander, if we accommodate the independent mission for the sake of good face, it is really unseemly." ”

"Don't forget, in this matter, His Majesty the Emperor..." Speaking of this, the captain of the Hanaya Military Police puffed up his chest, and the officers present quickly straightened their waists.

"A special order was given. Therefore, this must be resolutely enforced, and those who disobey must be severely punished by military law. The military police captain said with a straight face.

"Don't be so serious, Kamiya just said casually, drink, everyone has a class, it's rare to get together today. Feed! Serve us a bottle of good wine and two hot dishes. Finding that the scene was cold, Houdong Shaozuo hurriedly started a round, he turned around and pushed open the paper window facing the patio, and shouted to the bartender downstairs.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I've had a little too much to drink today, and I still have a mission in the evening, so let's get here first, I'll take my leave first." Hanaya got up from the tatami mat and walked to the door of the box, removing his short cloak from the coat rack at the door.

"Don't be in a hurry, Flower Valley. It's still early in the dark, so let's sit down a little longer. Houdong stood up and enthusiastically retained.

"No need, senior, I do have something. Rude, ladies and gentlemen. Hanaya put on his military cap, saluted the officers present, and then opened the sliding door and walked out of the private room.

"This gendarme red deer, cowardly fellow." Shiomi turned around and took a sip of wine.

"His identity is too sensitive to be blamed." Houdong sat down, picked up chopsticks and picked up a slice of grilled eel.

"It's okay if the troublesome guy leaves, leave this room, and he will no longer be a comrade of my generation. I thought of a plan with Houdong Shaozuo before, and I originally wanted Huagu to participate, but now it seems that it won't work. Captain Amano retracted his head from the window and sat back down at the table.

"Oh, what's the plan?" Captain Kamiya asked curiously.

"For the specific situation, let's ask Shaozo to talk about it." Amano looked at Houdong, who was sitting beside him.

While a group of Japanese young officers were plotting in the tavern box, another group of people also gathered for a meeting in a small Shikumen building on Baylor Road in the French Concession.

PS: If you have something to go out today, I'll write about it first, and I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Thank you all for your support. (To be continued.) )