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Red Alert: The Republic of China Text Chapter 665 Surrender Meeting

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    In Tokyo, the cabinet continued to meet that night, with debate going nowhere.  As the spokesperson of the military, Anan still refused to give in as before, but Qishui thought that Prime Minister Lu was probably playing his "internal skills".  If what Anan said really represents his own thoughts, then all he has to do is resign, and the cabinet will be disintegrated - no matter who succeeds as prime minister, he will have to be obedient to the military anyway.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Koiso Kuniaki, who had been careful to avoid getting involved in the controversy, announced that the meeting was adjourned.  It is clear that the cabinet itself cannot make decisions.  Now, the last resort is to invite the emperor out.

    A few minutes later, Koiso Kuniaki instructed Shimizu to immediately arrange a meeting before the emperor in his private office.  First, the signatures of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Naval Command must be obtained.

    Force water has long been foreseeable, and the generals of Toyota Navy and the Meijin Army generals have been stamped on the request of the meeting -he once said to them very reasonably that this meeting may be opened.  The two generals believed that the Imperial Council could only be held when everyone reached a consensus.  Osami did not confirm with Umezu or Toyota whether they agreed, because he knew they would not agree.  Nor did he report to the Prime Minister that he had obtained the signatures of the two generals in accordance with the emergency.

    Within an hour, the participants arrived at Yuwenku one after another with confusion and bewilderment - they had been summoned to the meeting hastily and without explanation.  Under the bright moonlight, they got out of the car and were led to a steep stairway covered with straw mats by a palace attendant.  Under the stairs is a long tunnel that leads to the imperial palace's underground air defense trenches.  This air-raid trench was dug into the side of the hill.  It consists of six rooms, the largest of which is a conference room. It has poor ventilation and is stuffy and hot.  The conference room has a simple structure, the ceiling is supported by steel beams, and the wainscoting is made of dark wood, making it look very dim.

    In addition to the "Big Six" summoned to the meeting - plus four registrars and clerks, including Qishui - there was also the elderly Speaker of the Privy Council, Baron Hiranuma.  While waiting in the lounge, they focused their anger and confusion on Qishui.  The sabers on Toyoda, Umezu and the two military officers clanked.  Murderous.  They asked around Xi Shui and accused him of lying to obtain their signatures.

    Even if the Cabinet Secretary had to lie, he still couldn't calm them down.  Qishui lied and said, "We are not planning to make any decisions at this meeting."

    It was not until the participants were called to the conference room to take their seats at two long tables placed parallel to each other that Qishui was able to get rid of his accusers.  At the top of the long table.  There is a small table.  The top is covered with gold-edged brocade.  Behind the small table is a chair and a six-panel gold-rimmed screen.

    Ten minutes before midnight, Hirohito was pushed into the conference room.  He appeared tired and restless.  With the help of the waiter, he sat down on the throne with difficulty.  Everyone participating in the meeting stood up and bowed.  Then he sat down, not daring to look directly at the Emperor.  Several older people started coughing, adding to the uneasy feeling.  At the request of Koiso Kunaki, Qishui read the Hanking Declaration. The disturbing wording in the declaration made his throat choke.

    Koiso Kuniaki briefly reviewed the debates at the "Big Six" meeting and the cabinet meeting, and then asked the "Big Six" to speak one by one.  Although the heat inside was unbearable, Dongxiang remained calm.  He calmly declared that as long as the state system could be maintained, the Hanking Declaration should be accepted immediately.  Mineuchi also suppresses his emotions.  "I agree with Foreign Minister Togo," he said quietly.

    Minai unequivocally agreed with Dongxiang's opinion, which made Prime Minister Anan who spoke next furious.  "I object to the foreign minister's opinion:" he shouted.

    Unless China allows Japan to disband its own army, try its own war criminals and limit the number of occupying troops, the Army will not agree to surrender. "Otherwise, we will have the courage to continue fighting and survive in death." His cheeks were shining with tears, and he shouted hoarsely.  Request a final showdown on home soil.  "We will definitely inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. Even if we are defeated, our 100 million citizens will be prepared to die for the sake of honor and make the cause of the Japanese nation go down in history."

    Meijin, who had shaved his head, stood up.  He solemnly declared that after so many brave soldiers had served the Emperor, unconditional surrender was unthinkable.

    The next person to speak was supposed to be Toyota, but Kuniaki Oiso seemed a little confused, but maybe he wanted to ask Baron Hiranuma to express his opinion.  Anan and Umezu looked at him with suspicion - Hiranuma may be a well-known supranationalist, but he may also be a "Bagdolio-like figure" like most important ministers.  Hiranuma asked a series of pointed questions, the last of which required a direct answer from the military: whether they had the ability to fight on.

    Umezu assured him that the atomic bombing could be prevented with air defense measures.  "We have been maintaining our capabilities for future operations," he said. "We anticipate a counteroffensive at some point.'

    Hiranuma, who has a strong sense of the rule of law, seemed unmoved.  He more or less agreed with Dong Xiang.? opinion, but also said that negotiations with China should be carried out at the request of the Army.  He turned to the emperor and said, "According to the teachings of the emperor, your majesty also has the responsibility to prevent domestic unrest. Please take this into consideration when making your judgment." After the stubborn old man finished speaking, he sat down.

    Toyota made the last speech. He tried to emphasize the military's position again, but the conclusion was ambiguous: "We cannot say that we will definitely achieve final victory. At the same time, we do not believe that there will be a complete defeat."

    He spoke for nearly two hours, repeating past arguments almost word for word.

    After Toyota finished speaking, Koiso Kuniaki stood up slowly and carefully again.  Qishui felt that he was finally going to reveal his long-suppressed beliefs.  However, his words made the listeners even more surprised: "We have discussed this issue for many hours, but there is still no conclusion. The situation is indeed serious, but time is not wasted. We have no such precedent, and I find it difficult to speak.  , However, I must now ask His Majesty the Emperor for his judgment."

    Turning to the emperor, he asked the emperor to decide whether Japan should accept the Hanking Declaration immediately or demand the terms proposed by the Army.  He left his seat puzzlingly and walked towards the Emperor.  Everyone held their breath.

    "Your Excellency!" Anan shouted, but Koiso Kuniaki didn't seem to hear him and came under the emperor's small throne.  His broad shoulders were bent forward with age.  He stopped and bowed deeply.  The emperor nodded knowingly and asked Koiso Kuniaki to sit down.  The elderly Koiso Kuniaki couldn't hear what the emperor said, so he put a hand behind his left ear.  The Emperor gestured for him to return to the table and sit down.

    As soon as Koiso Kuniaki sat down, the emperor stood up.  Usually, the emperor's tone was expressionless, but this time it was full of emotion.  "I have carefully considered the situation at home and abroad and have come to the conclusion that the continuation of the war means the destruction of the nation. It will prolong the bloodshed and cruelty of mankind in the world." The participants all bowed their heads and listened.  "I cannot bear to see innocent citizens suffering anymore. The only way to restore world peace and relieve the country's terrible suffering is to end the war." He stopped here.

    Qishui wiped his glasses with his white-gloved thumb and looked at the emperor who was staring at the ceiling thoughtfully.  The cabinet secretary felt tears welling up in his eyes.  The participants no longer sat stiffly as before, but leaned forward - some even stretched out their arms.  Lie down on the table.  Not shy to sob.  at this time.  The Emperor regained his composure and continued speaking in an emotional tone, but again he was forced to stop.  Qishui almost wanted to call Shan Lai; "We have now understood His Majesty's holy will. Please don't condescend to talk anymore."

    The emperor said.  ¡°Whenever I think of those who have served me loyally and shamelessly, of the soldiers and navy officers who have died or been wounded on distant battlefields, of the families who have lost their property¡ªand often their lives¡ªdue to air strikes at home,  It is deeply saddening. It goes without saying that I cannot bear to see our loyal and brave soldiers disarmed. I also cannot bear to see those who have devoted their lives to me being punished as instigators of war. However, now we cannot help but must endure it.  It's time. When I recall the feelings of my late Emperor Meiji during the Three Kingdoms Intervention (1**5, Germany, and France), I can only swallow my tears and accept the China-Hanking Declaration with approval as outlined by the Foreign Minister."

    After the emperor finished speaking, Koiso Kuniaki and everyone else stood up.  "I have listened to His Majesty's holy words," Koiso Kuniaki said.

    The emperor seemed to want to answer, but just nodded.  He seemed to be carrying a heavy burden, and with the help of the waiter, he left the conference room in a wheelchair with his body without legs.

    "Now," Koiso Kuniaki said, "His Majesty the Emperor's decree should be turned into a unanimous resolution of this meeting." Of course, the so-called resolution is not a decision in the Western sense, it is just the emperor's expression of his wishes.  but.  To a loyal Japanese¡ªand all eleven in the room were such¡ªthe emperor's wishes were equal to orders.

    The proceedings of the meeting were recorded.  Attendees, still reeling from the emperor's anguish, began to sign one after another, thereby ratifying the acceptance of the Hanking Declaration on the condition that China recognized the emperor's legal status.

    Except for Baron Hiranuma, everyone else signed.  As usual, something seemed to bother him, and he objected to the phrase "the emperor's status is divinely appointed."  He insisted that the exact wording of the constitution be used instead - "the supreme power of the emperor."

    Hiranuma signed at two thirty.  After this important meeting, the military also approved a document that amounted to unconditional surrender.  However, after the emperor left, they vented their frustration and betrayal on Koiso Kuniaki.  "You broke your promise, Prime Minister!" Lieutenant General Masao Yoshizumi, who was present as an officer, shouted loudly.  "Are you happy now?"

    Anan persuaded the two of them to leave.

    Now there is only one formality left - approval by the full cabinet.  The Cabinet meeting was held immediately at Koiso Kuni AkikoThe meeting was held at the residence.  The cabinet ministers also drafted a unanimous note to all Chinese states, declaring their acceptance of the Hanking Declaration after "understanding that the above declaration does not contain any requirements that would undermine Hirohito's monarchy as the supreme ruler."

    The night seemed very long.  Koiso Kuniaki went upstairs to go to bed.  The water did not go away, so he fell into the armchair and soon fell asleep.  Others walked exhausted through the dark, quiet streets of Tokyo home.  Everyone left except Dongxiang.

    Pernicious anemia debilitated Dongxiang, and he was probably the most tired.  When his car stopped in front of the temporary house of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the east was already the color of a fish.  There he would record the Emperor's words that burned in his chest.

    He dictated it to his unofficial secretary, Togo Fumihiko, his adopted son.  Although Togo Fumihiko had a family relationship with the Foreign Minister, he was still in awe of the old man.  He had rarely seen Dongxiang become emotional before, but when he recited Hirohito's words, his eyes filled with tears.

    As soon as the sky breaks on May 10th, the weather in Tokyo is hot and muggy.  The base camp Army Department is located on higher ground in Ichigaya.  More than fifty officers from the Army Province were waiting in the air-raid shelter for the arrival of General Anan.  The summoning of so many high-ranking officers led to heated speculation.  Is the Prime Minister going to announce the merger of the navy and army? Is it about the atomic bomb, or is he going to convey the status of the imperial meeting last night?

    At 9:30, accompanied by two senior officers on one side and one on the right, Anan walked down the long tunnel of the base camp building and came to the air raid shelter.  Holding a riding crop in his right hand, he stepped onto the small podium and the generals formed a semicircle.  He said calmly that the imperial meeting last night decided to accept the Hanking Declaration.

    Several people didn¡¯t believe it and shouted ¡°No!¡± Anan raised his hands and asked everyone to be quiet.  "I don't know what excuse I have," he said.  "But. Since Hirohito's wish is to accept the Hanking Declaration, there is nothing we can do." He told them the Army's minimum requirements and expressed regret that he had not been able to fulfill them.  However, he agreed to try again.  Ask them to do whatever happens.  All must help maintain order within the army.  "Never consider your personal emotions or the emotions of your subordinates."

    A major came forward.  ¡°Don¡¯t the Army have an obligation to protect the country?¡±

    usually.  Anan was a gentle man. At this time, he waved his whip towards the major.  "Whoever opposes Anan's order must cut him down first!"

    Lieutenant Colonel Masao Inaba of the Military Affairs Bureau came to see General Anan with a plan to maintain order in the army.  "Whether the war ends or not," he said, "we must issue orders to continue fighting, especially against the Chinese army on the Lu'er Islands."

    "Write the instructions down," Anan said.

    "The cabinet also needs to decide how far it should go with the public.  The military was reluctant to disclose the emperor's decision for fear that it would immediately undermine Japan's will to fight and cause chaos.  The result was a compromise: a vague statement to prepare the nation for surrender.  The statement was drafted by Intelligence Agency President Shimomura Kainan and his staff.  The statement boasted of the victory, condemned the new bombs as cruel and barbaric, and warned that the enemy was about to invade the homeland.  Only in the last paragraph is it pointed out that the public is about to face an unprecedented situation:

    "Indeed, we must admit that we are now in an extremely difficult situation. The government is doing its best to defend the homeland, defend the national system, and maintain the national honor. The citizens must also be prepared to overcome various difficulties and defend the imperial system."

    On the other hand, Inaba¡¯s instructions to Army officers and soldiers not only did not imply surrender at all, but instead asked them to carry out the holy war to the end:

    "Although we may have to eat grass, eat soil and sleep in the wilderness, we are determined to fight resolutely. We believe that there is life in death. This is the great Nan Gong's national salvation spirit of seven lives to serve the country. This is also Tokimune's "Don't worry, move forward suddenly"  "The spirit shattered the fighting spirit of the Mongol invaders."

    Soon after Inaba sent the telegram to Prime Minister Lu for approval, two uneasy lieutenants-one was the officer in charge of the press, and the other was Anan's brother-in-law Takeshita Masahiko-broke into Inaba's office.  They brought news that the cabinet was about to issue a statement hinting at surrender.

    Since doing so would cause chaos within the military, they must immediately broadcast Inaba's encouragement order.  Inaba emptied the wastepaper basket and found the original manuscript.  The order was in Anan's name, so he hesitated to publish it without Anan's approval.  However, the two lieutenants convinced him that there was no time, so copies of the order were immediately sent to radio stations and newspapers everywhere.

    The two contradictory statements released almost simultaneously confused the editors-in-chief of newspapers and radio station managers, and Dongxiang had to take drastic measures.  Anan's statement will undoubtedly convince China that Japan is determined to continue fighting.  Inform all China that Japan is willing to surrender.The note is being sent through slow diplomatic channels, and a few more hours of delay could lead to the possibility of a third atomic bomb.

    Why can¡¯t the official note be released immediately in the form of a press release?  But military press prosecutors could seize the cable if they recognized its contents.  In order to overcome this problem, it was decided to send out the English version of Japan's proposals in Morse. By the time the press prosecutor translated the text, the rice had already been cooked. This was promising.

    Hasegawa Saiji, the editor-in-chief of Domei News International News, accepted the dangerous task of publishing this news.  At eight o'clock in the morning, he sent the message to China and then Europe.  He waited nervously, hoping that the other party would copy the content.

    Almost at the same time, there was a burst of grenade explosions in the streets of Tokyo.  Opposition members within the army, including Inaba, attempted to cause chaos and trigger martial law in the city.  Once Tokyo was under military control, the emperor could be influenced to change his mind and continue the war.  However, Tokyo, which had become accustomed to bombings, did not take this burst of explosions seriously.

    In Nagasaki, leaflets dropped from the sky over the ruined city, issuing post-event warnings urging citizens to evacuate.  (To be continued)
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