Time travel! Regrets will never happen again!

Chapter 168: Battle of Tianjin 3

Okamura Yasuji and other senior officers of the expeditionary force who were preparing for retreat were shocked to learn that their request to return home was rejected by the Prime Minister.

After all, they had had in-depth discussions with Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko and obtained his support before sending this telegram.

After arriving at the front line, His Royal Highness gained a deep understanding of the difficult situations faced by the soldiers on the front line.

When facing the powerful Chinese 78th Army Armored Column, if there is no corresponding armored force to compete with it, relying solely on manpower will not be able to resist the opponent's attack.

In the past Battle of Nomonhan, they had personally experienced this brutal battle and knew how hopeless it was to use human lives to fight against the enemy's armored forces.

That war, won at the cost of human lives, dealt a heavy blow to Japan, forcing them to re-examine their strategic choices.

Since then, the Soviet armored assault force has become an indelible nightmare for the Japanese army, a constant reminder of their powerlessness in the face of modern warfare.

Now, facing the equally powerful armored column of the Chinese 78th Army, they could not help but recall those painful memories.

The strength of the armored group of the 78th Army of China is now many times stronger than that of the Soviet army at Nomonhan. The destruction of the rd Tank Division last time has sounded the alarm for them.

To confront such a powerful armored force head-on in open areas would be like hitting a rock with an egg.

They cannot be defeated unless they can be led into cities or narrow streets, using buildings and obstacles to restrict the movement of tanks and taking advantage of the close combat of infantry.

This is exactly what their German allies experienced at Stalingrad.

However, this is the territory of China and the situation is different. Apart from those diehard traitors who are willing to help those who are regarded as invaders, who else will stand on their side?

The people of this land are full of hatred and anger towards the Japanese invaders, and they will not easily give up their homes and country.

Even when faced with powerful enemies, they would rise up to defend their land and dignity.

Therefore, it was not easy for the Japanese army to win on Chinese territory.

It is not easy to win on the territory of China. They have to face stubborn resistance from the people and endless troubles.

Moreover, the young general of the 78th Army has spoken out in newspapers many times in recent times, saying that if the Japanese army attempts to drag Peking into the war and destroy the city, he will not hesitate to make one hundred Japanese cities disappear.

The Chinese Air Force's B29 bomber had already demonstrated such capabilities, so no one would doubt his words.

Although the young general did not specify the specific scope of the one hundred cities, it can be imagined that this must include some important cities in Japan, such as Tokyo, Osaka, etc.

These cities were Japan's economic and cultural centers. If they were destroyed by bombing, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to Japan.

Of course, one hundred cities may be a bit exaggerated, but cities like Tokyo cannot escape the fate of destruction.

As the capital of Japan, Tokyo plays an important role as the country's political, economic and cultural center.

It has a large population and densely packed buildings. If it is subjected to sustained large-scale retaliatory bombing, it will cause huge casualties and property losses.

The Japanese government had to take the threat from this young general seriously. They knew clearly that the Chinese army had the strength to destroy Japanese cities, and the B29 bomber gave them enough confidence and courage.

Therefore, although Japan may not be willing to give up its ambitions towards Beijing easily, in the face of such a powerful deterrent, they must carefully weigh the pros and cons.

In addition, some people in Japan have begun to call on all parties to resolve the dispute through peaceful negotiations.

After all, a full-scale urban bombing war would bring huge disaster and humanitarian crisis to the entire Japan.

However, no matter what, the young general's statement showed the determination and strength of the Chinese army.

They will resolutely defend their territory and people and will not allow any invaders to succeed. At the same time, this is also a warning to Japan, reminding them not to underestimate the strength and will of the Chinese army.

In this tense situation, both sides need to think calmly and find ways to resolve the problem.

“Your Excellency, only through dialogue and consultation can a peaceful and stable solution be achieved and more conflict and destruction avoided.”

"Otherwise, the shadow of war will cover the entire empire, bringing endless pain and disaster to the people."

"I think the strategy proposed by General Ishihara Kanji before was very good, but it did not receive support from the top leaders of the empire! Alas! So now..."

Chief of Staff Takahashi Tan looked depressed after he finished speaking, and the officers and senior staff among the other commanders also kept silent.

Okamura Neiji had a clear mind and naturally understood Tojo Hideki's little plan.

This greedy guy still treasures his position as prime minister.

But he had no idea that this position had already become a hot potato, and whoever touched it would be in trouble.

And those who still covet this position are undoubtedly extremely stupid in the eyes of Okamura Neiji.

Especially the current Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, in order to avoid being branded as a retreating nation and to preserve his ridiculous position as prime minister, he actually sent hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops into the clutches of the Chinese.

This behavior is simply unbelievable. Does he really naively think that doing this can keep his power? This is simply absurd and ridiculous!

How important is that position? Is it more valuable than the lives of hundreds of thousands of imperial warriors?

"What is the attitude of the prince?" Okamura Neiji frowned and asked Chief of Staff Takahashi Tan with a tired face.

Takahashi Tan took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone: "Your Highness has reported the situation here to His Majesty, but His Majesty said that everything is still up to the Prime Minister to decide."

In fact, Okamura had already expected such an answer. Their Majesty always tried to control power, but when faced with difficulties and responsibilities, he was unwilling to take them.

"Okay! I get it! Since the Prime Minister wants us to stay! Then we will meet their demands!"

When Takahashi Tan heard what Okamura Neiji said, he felt endless sadness in his heart.

"Your Excellency! Are we just going to watch hundreds of thousands of imperial warriors being slowly devoured and destroyed by the Chinese?"

"Commander! Please! Please consider the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and their families behind them. The empire cannot abandon them so easily!" Takahashi was already in tears when he said this.