Chapter 56 Judging by sheer numbers alone, their strength could rival that of a first-class division!

“Ambassador, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for us. The Twenty-Third and Twenty-Fourth Security Divisions have surrendered completely!”

“As for the garrison at Wangkou, after losing the Second Mixed Brigade, their strength is now barely over ten thousand.”

“These are mostly local security forces hastily assembled, their morale is exceedingly low.”

“To send them out of the city to face Jiang Bai’s Seventh Reinforced Division is impossible; if they can merely hold Wangkou, it would be a stroke of fortune. Mr. Kawashima, what should we do? Is there any way to prevent the Chenyun Army from capturing Wangkou?”

Faced with Yan Fei’s dejected expression and tone, Hiroshi Kawashima maintained the composure of a diplomat, offering surface reassurance, though he knew it might sound hollow and powerless.

Wangkou, key to the route linking North Hua with Central Hua, occupied a militarily crucial position.

Once lost, not only would the Jinxi Army’s strategic depth be diminished, but the entire northern front risked collapse. Every detail Yan Fei described painted a vivid picture in Kawashima’s mind of the geography and strategic importance.

“Ambassador Kawashima, I’ll speak plainly today. We urgently hope your side can provide us with military support.”

Though Yan Fei’s words carried a tone of helpless determination, his gaze still sought some immediate aid from their Japanese counterparts.

“Oh, Chief of Staff Yan, you’ve come all this way by plane—shouldn’t you have a bowl of rice first?”

But seeing Kawashima continue to feign ignorance, Yan Fei chose to lay all cards on the table.

“Mr. Kawashima, if Wangkou falls into the hands of the Chenyun faction, our southern advance will suffer a major setback.”

In the worst case, we may be forced to withdraw from the south, consolidate our forces, and prepare to counterattack the Chenyun faction. General Yan means that, at that point, all cooperation and previous commitments between us may be rendered void.”

Yan Fei was well aware that Kawashima seemed the spokesman for the Japanese in-country, but the final decision lay with the Tokyo headquarters.

Though Yan Fei’s words brimmed with outright threat.

Kawashima, outwardly still genial, replied,

“Chief of Staff Yan, regarding your request, I will immediately report to our military authorities.”

“Rest assured, I promise to give you an answer by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

After sending Yan Fei off, Kawashima hurriedly boarded a plane bound for Guan Chenyun Prefecture.

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In the southern part of the Liaodong Peninsula lay Guan Chenyun Prefecture, a leased territory seized by the Bear Dynasty from the previous regime through forceful diplomacy after the domestic wars, and now held immense strategic significance.

It not only controlled the Bohai Bay’s sea exit, but could also monitor Korea; its location allowed whoever held it to wield influence across East Asia.

The Bear Dynasty launched massive port construction here, aiming to make it a key base for the distant Chenyun fleet.

Yet history marched relentlessly forward, and the outbreak of war between the Bear Dynasty and Japan left the Bear Dynasty battered on land. Its distant fleet was annihilated in a decisive battle, losing control of the leased territory for good.

When the dust settled, the Japanese, as partial victors, established the Governorship of Guan Chenyun Prefecture, turning the region into an enclave of their own.

At this critical juncture, Nobuyoshi Muto, with his decisive and taciturn manner, rose to prominence in the Japanese military, earning the sobriquet “The Silent General.”

He not only set up special intelligence agencies in Chenyun Province, recruiting impoverished locals to gather information, but also boldly planted spies within the Old Marshal’s forces, greatly strengthening Japan’s position in Chenyun Province.

Muto’s outstanding performance over two short years promoted him from major general to lieutenant general, his name becoming a byword for both fear and awe within the Chenyun Army.

When Kawashima arrived at the Japanese military governorship, he was summoned directly by Lieutenant General Muto—a meeting thick with tension and anticipation.

Kawashima, an old classmate from the Army Officer Academy, wore an involuntary, nervous smile.

Muto's countenance was as calm as ever, his gaze unwavering, filled with resolve and plans for the future.

After brief pleasantries, they quickly moved to the heart of the matter.

In a plain office of the governorship, Muto and Kawashima sat at an ancient wooden table.

The air seemed weighted with the gravity of their conversation. Muto’s motions pouring tea for Kawashima were slow and deliberate; as the tea flowed gently into the cup, Muto finally spoke, his voice low, tinged with imperceptible anxiety.

“Kawashima, you’ve come in haste, I presume for the encirclement at Wangkou?” Muto asked as he poured tea for Kawashima, his gaze fixed, seeking clues in Kawashima’s reaction.

A shadow of seriousness and concern crossed Kawashima’s face.

“Yes, though I knew Sanlaodeng’s troops would lose to the Chenyun faction, their collapse has been faster than I imagined.”

Kawashima replied solemnly,

“This is not because Sanlaodeng’s forces are weak, but because the enemy is simply too strong.”

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“You must understand, the commander on the Chenyun side, Jiang Bai, fields nearly forty thousand troops!”

“In sheer numbers, their strength rivals our Imperial A-Class divisions!”

“So, Sanlaodeng’s defeat is understandable.”

“Does this mean we intend to provide them with military aid?” Muto pondered for a moment, then asked slowly,

“Given the current domestic situation, the civil authority led by Tianzhong does not wish to see the military’s power expand.”

“Since last month, several key posts under my command have been undermined by the civil authority.”

“Therefore, the Imperial government will never allow us to openly send troops into the conflict!”

“If we did, the civil authority would retaliate even more fiercely!”

Muto fell silent after hearing Kawashima’s analysis, his expression growing complex.

As a professional soldier, he yearned for the battlefield and the expansion of Imperial territory, but the domestic situation was like an invisible shackle, restraining his actions.

Despite fierce opposition from the civil authority, an indomitable fire still burned within him, growing ever hotter beneath his taciturn exterior.

Driven by frustration and turbulent emotion, he even entertained thoughts of overthrowing the domestic institutions.

In the dim, enclosed strategy room of the Guan Chenyun Governorship, the tension was nearly palpable.

“Kawashima, but if we don’t provide Sanlaodeng with military assistance, they are bound to be defeated! All our investment in them will turn to ashes, worthless, and we will become criminals in the eyes of the Empire! Can you and I bear such responsibility?” This remark exploded in the room like a bomb, making the already heavy atmosphere even more oppressive.

Muto’s brows furrowed, a trace of helplessness crossing his face. “Directly deploying troops would indeed defeat Jiang Bai’s Seventh Reinforced Division.”

“But the consequences would be too grave; the domestic government would never approve.”

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