Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1057 The grand scheme goes far beyond this!

At this point, the intention is crystal clear, as naked as a drawn sword.

Prince Kyohiko's pupils contracted slightly. He understood Terauchi Hisaichi's subtext: "I can hand over my elite troops stationed in Central China to you for command, to serve as the backbone of your reorganization of the Central China Expeditionary Army, and to help you maintain order."

But this was by no means free of charge, nor was it based on "colleagueship" or "imperial righteousness".

This is a transaction, an exchange of chips with clear prices in the political market.

“I remember the 16th Division was assigned to the Central China Expeditionary Army a long time ago. Could it be that General Terauchi is planning to establish his own faction and privatize the Empire’s army?” Prince Kyohiko said, feigning suspicion.

"No, no, no, I just intend to report to the General Staff that, given that our North China Area Army is about to launch a southward campaign, we urgently need to increase our troop strength. The 16th Division, which was previously transferred, as well as the Kuniki Detachment and other units, should all return to North China." Terauchi Hisaichi raised an eyebrow and responded sarcastically.

For a moment, only the faint, long, and hollow sound of a steamboat's whistle could be heard from outside the window on the Haihe River.

"What do you mean by 'General'?" King Kyūhiko took a deep breath and asked tentatively, his voice devoid of emotion.

Terauchi Hisaichi smiled, a smile with a peculiar quality that was a mixture of the shrewdness of a seasoned politician and the straightforwardness of a soldier: "What could I possibly mean? It's all for the Holy War of the Empire."

"Since the 16th and 14th Divisions are temporarily remaining in the Central China Theater, they should naturally obey the unified command of the Supreme Commander of the Expeditionary Army, which is Your Highness's order. This is a matter of course." He first laid out a grand and righteous argument, then changed the subject, drawing out his words and lowering his voice, as if sharing a secret: "However... to be honest, Your Highness, my North China Area Army's next southward operational plan is already being drafted. The target is Xuzhou, to open up the Jinpu Railway and connect the occupied areas of North and Central China into one contiguous zone."

This is a strategic direction personally designated by headquarters.

However, the southward campaign also presents significant challenges in various aspects, including ammunition, fuel, medicine, and troop replenishment. If resources could be allocated more equitably, the soldiers would be more motivated and the advance would be faster, allowing for more timely and effective flank support to the Central China battlefield.

This is a good thing both publicly and privately, Your Highness, wouldn't you agree?

A naked transaction.

King Kyūhiko sneered inwardly, but showed it on his face.

What Terauchi Hisaichi wanted was for him to secure more resources for the North China Area Army from the military headquarters and at higher levels.

As a member of the royal family and entrusted with the responsibility of taking over Central China during a time of crisis, Prince Yasuhiko certainly had more say in front of the old guys in the military, and could even influence the Emperor's perception to some extent.

What Terauchi Hisaichi gave up was command of two complete divisions, which was too tempting for Prince Yasuhiko, who was currently in dire need of reliable troops and urgently needed to establish a firm foothold.

It's like a piece of driftwood appearing in front of a drowning person; even knowing it might have thorns, you still have to grab onto it.

In this deal, the lives of soldiers and the ownership of troops are merely numbers and bargaining chips.

Prince Jiuyan glanced at Zhou Zhengqing, who remained with his head bowed, seemingly indifferent to the transaction. But Prince Jiuyan knew that this young military policeman was the key.

At this moment, Zhou Zhengqing's heart was churning with turmoil.

He merely observed with detached indifference, believing he had seen through the power struggle surrounding the Nanjing campaign and control of Central China.

He thought that Terauchi Hisaichi's hasty transfer of the elite 14th Division from North China to Nanjing was merely out of envy for the unparalleled achievement of capturing the capital of the Republic of China. He wanted to etch his name into the record of merit and, incidentally, do Terauchi Hisaichi a favor as the commander in charge of the military police and internal discipline, so that they could work together to suppress the increasingly arrogant and unruly Central China Expeditionary Army, especially General Matsui Iwane.

The idea was originally clear and cold, carrying a calculated sense of complete control.

But now, in this instant, it was as if a sharp flash of light had suddenly streaked across the dark night, a completely different, yet even more terrifying scene, violently shattering his previous understanding and crashing into his mind.

Perhaps... the intentions and far-reaching plans behind Terauchi Hisaichi's actions go beyond this!

This Japanese army general, known for his composure, shrewdness, and ability to consider the overall situation, did not play the "14th Division" card first in order to compete with the Central China side for the credit that was already within his grasp for capturing Nanjing!

Those battle achievements were probably insignificant in Terauchi Hisashi's eyes.

What he truly cared about was always the "interests of the empire," which transcended factionalism and personal honor.

When the Central China Expeditionary Army was severely weakened and its combat strength was greatly reduced in the bloody battlefield of Shanghai, Terauchi Hisaichi keenly saw the danger.

Even if a main force that is exhausted and wounded manages to capture Nanjing by chance, it may become a spent force, and may even affect the subsequent strategic development.

So, he took action decisively.

On the surface, it was about sending troops to "assist in the battle," to seize credit, and to cooperate with the military police system to put pressure on the Central China Expeditionary Army and force it to comply.

This layer is visible to everyone, including Zhou Zhengqing himself. This action also perfectly conceals his deeper intentions.

But now, Terauchi Hisaichi has put the 14th Division on the negotiating table without hesitation!

In his hands, a fully equipped Class A division was like the most exquisite bargaining chip, used in a transaction concerning the reorganization of Japanese forces across the entire Chinese battlefield.

This deal kills several birds with one stone.

Firstly, it was naturally to secure more resources from headquarters for the North China Area Army under his command.

For the North China Area Army, exchanging some troops for supplies, funding, and strategic priorities was a worthwhile deal.

But the second, deeper reason is to inject crucial "fresh blood" into the Central China Expeditionary Army, a war machine that has already developed cracks!

The addition of an elite division is enough to stabilize the Central China front and prevent it from completely collapsing due to exhaustion of combat power and losing its offensive capabilities.

This is not suppression; it is clearly a lifeline, a necessary lifeline to maintain the empire's overall combat power in China!

Terauchi Hisaichi's vision had long since transcended the corner of North China, and even surpassed his personal feud with Matsui Iwane.

He made this move from the perspective of the entire "China Expeditionary Army" and even Japan's strategy toward China.

This thought sent a chill down Zhou Zhengqing's spine.

Then, an even bolder and more unsettling association, like a beast breaking free of its chains, burst into his mind.

"Then... what about General Kenkichi Ueda, who is far away in the northeast?"

"Would that Kwantung Army commander, who held the Empire's most elite army group, remain indifferent and merely stand by as power shifts and interests are reshuffled in Nanjing at this moment?"