Shanghai Jiangwan Airport covers an area of more than 7,000 acres, is the largest military airport built by Japan in the Far East, for this project, the Japanese army burned down the famous ancient town of Yinhang, which had a history of more than 400 years at that time, and at the same time destroyed 68 surrounding natural villages, and more than 22,000 Chinese people suffered.

At noon on November 9, 40, a group of luxury cars, which were rarely seen at the time, drove into the heavily guarded airport gate, and six three-wheeled motorcycles of the Japanese Shanghai Gendarmerie opened the way. Under the guidance of airport guards, the convoy was neatly parked on the apron next to the main runway. Immediately, a group of military and political officials in straight uniforms or suits and leather shoes got out of the car, and the Navy military band and army infantry squads loaded on several trucks at the end of the team also began to get out of the car and assemble in formation.

"I didn't expect Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs to come to Shanghai suddenly this time, and I didn't make any preparations in a hurry, which really caught my generation off guard." Sawada Shigeru tugged at the hem of his uniform, straightened out the saber strap at his waist, and took away a metal chain buckle.

This proves that the Cabinet attaches great importance to the visit of the Independent Mission, and just looking at the series of orders issued by the headquarters and the Cabinet, it is really a thousand instructions, and it is impossible to be too cautious. Judging from my many years of experience working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there must have been a new change in the Empire's diplomatic strategy towards the independent state. Your Excellency Sawada, this time the special envoy of the independence country has made Shanghai the first stop of its visit to Asia, and the responsibility on your shoulders is not light. If something goes wrong in our area of responsibility, the consequences will be dire. Horiuchi Kanjo straightened the tie between the hard collars and said with a serious face.

"I have issued a strict order, and any disobedience and disobedience during this period will be dealt with severely and will not be tolerated." Sawada held the scabbard of the 94-style general's saber instead, and his eyes flashed with a penetrating cold light.

This is not a casual joke, Lieutenant General Sawada is really ready to kill, Tojo originally had the intention of cultivating him, and after mixing with the army commander for a while, an army general can't run. Therefore, if anyone makes any mistakes at this time, it will be tantamount to ruining the future of this lieutenant general, and it will be no wonder that His Excellency the lieutenant general will make a black hand and chop off the head of the red deer.

Just as the two high-ranking military and political officials were sighing and greeting each other on the side of the runway, the [Kasuga] passenger plane carrying the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese Empire, Matsuoka Yoyoshi, had already flown over the mouth of the Yangtze River at this time.

"This is my third visit to Shanghai this year, and I have an indissoluble bond with the city. It's funny to say, every time I come to this city, the situation in the world changes dramatically. No, I may be putting the cart before the horse, but I think I come to this city every time there is a new change in the world situation. Matsuoka leaned against the porthole of the cabin and looked down at the once-busy Yangtze River route under his wings, where only a few Chinese wooden boats with hard sails sailed on the sparkling river in the autumn sun.

"Your Excellency Matsuoka, all the plans for the activities of the Independent Mission this time have been passed on to Shanghai, and we still have two days to prepare, so I'm afraid the time is a little tight." Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobuhiko Ushiba, who was sitting next to Matsuoka, said.

"If we don't have time, we will find a way to squeeze out time, this time we have to hold the consciousness of fighting a tough battle, didn't we already make it clear in the meeting before departure? At this time, why do you still say such things. Takahashi Toshitoshi, who is also a political officer, harshly criticized his colleagues for saying that he and Ushiba are both graduates of the University of Tokyo's Law School, and that the latter is two years earlier than him and is still his senior.

"Takahashi-kun, don't be so nervous, the cow farm doesn't mean that. This time, the independent country suddenly proposed to change the itinerary, and none of us was prepared. Since the outbreak of Europe, the diplomacy of the Independents, like their use of troops, has been so varied that it is difficult to judge accurately. Matsuoka turned his face and started a round for his subordinates.

"The Independence is fundamentally different from other European countries in that the Independence Head of State is free to adjust his national strategy and foreign policy at his own discretion, and once a decision is made, no one can change it. Especially now that this Stadler came to power, whether it is the government or the army, it is all in his hands, and there is no force in the country that can contain him. Matsuoka said.

The Reich had not been aware of this fact before, and had thought that the new Führer was simply a successor, so it had made a wrong judgment about the political situation of the independent country. Originally, it was thought that the Independence Parliament would continue the foreign policy of the previous head of state and maintain a friendly attitude with the Imperial State.

Soon after taking office, Städel reversed a series of policies and decisions of his predecessor, and it should be expected that he would likely change his diplomatic attitude towards Japan. At that time, the [Defu Lou Incident] happened again, which made the empire fall into a passive diplomatic position. It is from that incident that the foreign policy of the independent government began to change, and although the person responsible for this incident was ordered to seppuku, the damage caused to the empire by that incident would not be enough to pay for even a hundred deaths. Matsuoka couldn't help but grit his teeth when he said this.

"I completely agree with you, Your Excellency. The [Defu Building Incident] caused great damage to the relations between Japan and independence. The root cause of the "Disappearance of Independent Pilots" and the "Morimoto Brigade Incident" that occurred in Chongqing later began with the "Defulou Incident". It was only the Sophora that the head of state changed his friendly view of the empire and engaged in secret diplomacy with Chiang's government in Chongqing, deploying troops in French Indochina, which eventually led to two conflicts that should not have occurred. Niu Chang said calmly.

"No, I don't agree with you. The Defoo Incident was just an accident, and what really caused the head of state to change his attitude was the brilliant victory of the independence in the European theater, and the support of the imperial state was no longer as important to Germany as it was half a year ago. Takahashi looked a little youthful and vigorous, and he unceremoniously refuted Niuba's remarks.

"Ushiba-kun is actually not wrong, of course Takahashi, you also have your reasons." Matsuoka turned his head and gave Takahashi an approving look.

"At yesterday's Imperial Council, His Excellency the Prime Minister said the same." Matsuoka recalled the Imperial Council two days ago.

"In such a situation in which the Empire will play a role in the complete control of Europe and the framework of the so-called new European order led by the Independence has gradually taken shape, and how the relations with the Independence will develop, are questions that we must now carefully consider." Fumiro Konoe spoke out loud about his opinion.

"The independent country is really powerful, they have already pinched the whole of Europa in their hands, and we are still struggling with the Chiang Zhongzheng government on the mainland." As the Minister of the Navy and Shiro Kawakoshi spoke, the corner of his eye was glancing at Tojo behind the table opposite.

"In the past year, the achievements of the officers and men of the army in fighting bravely have been obvious to all, and the decline of the Chiang Chung Cheng government has been revealed, and it is only a matter of time before the war in China ends." Tojo answered coldly, because it was a meeting in front of the emperor, there could be no rude words and deeds, otherwise he would have pointed at Yoshida's nose and scolded the octopus.

"Now we are not going to discuss the issue of China, please don't divert the topic from the two ministers." Interior Minister Eiji Yasui reminded.

"After the secret diplomacy between the independent country and Chiang Zhongzheng was discovered by the imperial state, they now began to openly carry out diplomatic exchanges. Countless quantities of goods are being imported into China every day from French Indochina and British Burma. According to credible information, the independent country has signed a huge arms purchase plan with Chongqing, and we are completely helpless about it. Kazukawa Koshiro said with a sneer.

"We can lodge a serious protest with the independent countries and ask them to immediately stop this unfriendly behavior towards the imperial state." Eiji Yasui said.

"We have not officially declared war on China, and the independent country is engaged in legitimate trade practices. Moreover, even if it were to protest, I don't see any other effect than to worsen diplomatic relations between the two countries. Minister of Extension Kiyoshi Akita accosted.

"So just watch the independent people send weapons, ammunition and various military resources to Chongqing, so that they can fight against the imperial army with independent weapons?" Yasui asked loudly.

"Do you have any good way to declare war on the Independence? Or send the Navy to blockade the entire South China Sea? Kiyoshi Akita's tone was full of mockery.

"Our Navy isn't here to do such stupid things."

"What do you think about the army, it is you who have the greatest impact on the independent country."

"The army has a full understanding of this matter and has already launched a corresponding investigation, and at present, it seems that the import of only some outdated arms by the independent country has not changed, and the army's superiority in equipment over Chongqing has not changed." Tojo replied with a serious face.

"Do you really think so? Your Excellency the Secretary of War. ”

"This has nothing to do with your Ministry of Health and Welfare."

"What do you mean by that, how can it be that it doesn't matter at all."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think this has anything to do with what we are just talking about."

"Yes, now we're going to talk about how to receive the German envoys."

"Huh? Isn't it a discussion of foreign policy issues toward independence? ”

"It doesn't seem like that's what the Prime Minister just said."

"Enough, no rudeness in front of Your Majesty." In the end, Fumiro Konoe couldn't bear to stand up and stopped the cabinet members from arguing with each other.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is very unfavorable for the Empire, and since the unconditional surrender of Iraq to the Independence State, Japan has lost its greatest ally in Europe. At such a time, we absolutely must not have any more contradictions with the independent country, and the most urgent task now is to immediately make up for the misunderstandings and rifts that arose in the diplomacy with the independent country and restore the friendly and harmonious relations between the two countries in the past. Do whatever it takes to bring the country back to the side of the empire. Konoe bowed slightly to Hirohito, then turned his face to look around at his colleagues.

"Half a year ago, who would have thought that the independent country would suddenly attack Idali, and the powerful Iraqi army would collapse at the first touch, and there was no power to fight back in the face of the independent army. This gave me a new understanding of the strength of the independent country. Now that the new order established by the independent countries in Europe has taken shape, no force can stop the independent countries from rising to become the world's first power.

In this situation, the Reich had to adjust its diplomatic strategy towards independence, deepen relations between the two countries, and find ways to join the new European economic system established by Germany. The most important point is that without the support of the independent country, our plan to expand south will be nothing more than empty talk. Prime Minister Konoe spoke with a serious expression.

PS: The first chapter is delivered, and after eating, I will continue to write the next chapter, about ten o'clock in the evening.

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