$ Chapter 124: Showa Overthrow (3)

Yamamoto felt very sad because among the many telegrams was a secret telegram from his old friend Mitsumasa Yoneuchi, saying that the cabinet was going to be reorganized. Mitsumasa Yoneuchi himself would definitely not be able to get a position, but he reminded Yamamoto that his position might be moved. Before he could react, a telegram from Hideki Tojo arrived, asking for his opinion on the navy's future personnel layout.

He did not have the slightest favorable impression of Tojo's telegram and did not bother to reply, but this did not mean that he did not consider the personnel changes in the navy. He originally wanted to restore the Iron Triangle in the Navy, but Mitsumasa Yoneuchi himself said it was impossible, so he backed down and wanted Narumi Inoue to serve as the chief of the Military Command Department. However, Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyoto took the lead again, and then the Military Command Department The deputy commander cannot do it either, because Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyo clearly chose Toyoda as his deputy, and the position of commander-in-chief of the combined fleet cannot be given to Inoue Narumi, not only because Inoue Narumi has poor combat command ability, and has been unable to command several battles in a row. It was too ideal, and there were too many internal backlash opinions; and because Inoue Narumi was from the Fleet faction, although he and Yamamoto Isoroku were good friends politically, his understanding of aviation operations was too poor. He thought maybe he could make his old friend a vice-officer of the navy? It's just that after much thought, the commander-in-chief of the combined fleet really didn't find a suitable candidate.

The only good news is that all parties have given him face. Both the emperor and Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyou clearly want him to recommend the successor commander of the combined fleet.

Who should be nominated? He kept thinking, and at the end, a person's name suddenly crossed his mind. Although he was surprised, he was still determined to choose this person. After making up his mind, he handed over all daily affairs to Ugaki Matou, and he planned to take the flight back to Tokyo early tomorrow morning.

General Yamamoto's situation was not the most uncomfortable. The most difficult situation was undoubtedly Ugaki Kazunari. When Kido Koichi informed him that he was finally being considered as a candidate for the new prime minister, Ugaki Kazunari, who had been looking forward to the prime minister's throne for many years, almost shed tears of excitement. But when Kido Koichi explained the details, his heart suddenly went cold: It is the prime minister's greatest power to select cabinet ministers, especially important cabinet ministers, but this adjustment would be better to help him select the land minister, the sea minister, and the Tibetan minister in advance. Important personnel such as the prime minister and foreign minister have been confirmed, and even the chief of staff and chief of the military command department have been selected. He, the prime minister, was notified last. He stared at Kido Koichi relentlessly: "Other than that, I really can't move?"

"His Majesty ordered the remaining cabinet members except the five prime ministers to maintain stability. Except for those who are particularly inclined to the former prime minister, it is not recommended to replace the others."

"Wouldn't this mean... wouldn't it..." Ugaki originally wanted to say, "The Prime Minister has become His Majesty's puppet." After thinking for a long time, he finally didn't have the courage to say it.

Kido Koichi looked at his shocked and angry face and knew what the other party was thinking, so he kindly reminded: "Your Excellency, you must understand that this cabinet adjustment is sudden and was almost brought about by His Majesty. Your Majesty has very high hopes." I hope that if you can make achievements, you can reorganize the cabinet according to your own preferences in the future. If you don’t believe it, you can look at Foreign Minister Gu Zhengzhi. He was originally a dispensable person, but after this incident, who dares to underestimate it. What about him?"

"Your Excellency has said this. If I don't accept it, it will be disrespectful." Ugaki Kazunari gritted his teeth and said, "I have accepted this position, and I will go into battle first with the mentality of acting prime minister."

"Ugaki-kun, don't worry, your good days will come."

At a time when the situation in all parties was turbulent, Tojo Hideki, who could not withstand the strong pressure, finally announced the resignation of the cabinet chief. He originally thought that Hirohito would give him symbolic retention and comfort, but he did not expect to even see him in person. Only Kido Koichi informed him in a cold tone that he should serve at the Military Police Headquarters. This arrangement made Tojo Hideki suddenly furious, but he had no choice but to take office dejectedly.

At this time, Cole, the man behind the initiator, had not had time to realize the effect of the overthrow of the cabinet, and was invited to a secret weapons testing site outside Tokyo to demonstrate the power of the new weapon Iron Fist. This test is so eye-catching that not only all the members of the next new cabinet have gathered, but even the emperor himself will attend. Ishihara Wanji received reliable news that a national policy seminar will be held after the demonstration, and the formal test will be held later. It was announced that Ugaki Kazunari would form a cabinet - all the personnel had been decided, it was just a matter of going through the process.

There was a scrapped 97 modified tank placed in the center of the venue. After carefully looking at the technical drawings and the actual object, Cole couldn't help but want to laugh. It is said that this is the most advanced tank in Japan - a little behind the batch of models in Germany. Basically the eliminated No. 3s are better than him. Then the engineer arranged by the Ministry of War Ordnance Department was using bolts to fix a homogeneous steel plate on the front armor. Seeing Cole staring intently at the engineer's work, the technical commander in charge of mecha development said embarrassedly: "Our tanks are not as good as those of the United States." The tank is thick, so adding a piece of armor is closer to actual combat simulation. If you find it difficult, you can remove it.”

"No, no, no." Cole laughed, "You can put another one in if you need to."

"Install another piece?" The other party thought that his ears heard it wrong, "That's close to 100mm, which is thicker than the armor of a cruiser."

"It's okay, trust me." Cole patted the other party's shoulder, "We want to be close to actual combat, right? What if the Americans have such thickly armored tanks?"

The technical colonel was really excited and immediately ordered another piece to be installed. The senior executives outside the site were chatting among themselves. After seeing the engineer's actions, their eyes were also attracted. Several senior executives from the army pointed at the tanks and said in disbelief: "What kind of weapons do the Germans have? Are they so powerful?"

"Who knows? Just don't brag."

Ishihara Kanji, who has been appointed as the deputy chief of staff, resumed his status as an active lieutenant general today. After wearing a military uniform, he looked very imposing, which was very different from the impression of the old man watering the plants in Cole's eyes at the beginning. He came over and asked if there were any questions. Cole smiled and teased, "Sir, you are much more handsome now, at least 10 years younger. If you go to the amusement park in Tokyo, I guarantee that many girls will rush to you."

"This..." Ishihara scratched his head embarrassedly, pointing at Mitsumasa Yonai and Isoroku Yamamoto in the crowd and said, "See, they are the two most popular among the girls in the amusement park."

"The shorter one is General Yamamoto?"

"Yes."

"Can you introduce him to me later? I really want to visit him."

"Yes...but..." Ishihara Kanji dragged out his tone, "Don't mess up your weapon display, you won't be able to explain to His Majesty later."

"Of course not, don't worry."

Hearing that Cole took the initiative to request additional armor thickness and randomly designated a sergeant on guard for a field demonstration, Emperor Hirohito nodded: "The Germans are very confident in themselves."

While talking, the technical colonel in charge of the scene had waved a red flag, indicating that the demonstration could begin. Everyone thought it would start soon, but Cole calmly pulled the randomly selected Sergeant Kobayashi to get close to him, and then said, "Kobayashi, don't be nervous. It doesn't matter if you miss. I brought 20 rounds. You have 20 chances."

"Sir... Sir." It was the first time that Kobayashi met an officer who spoke to him so politely. He was a foreigner. He was so excited that he didn't know where to put his hands. He saluted in a panic and listened to Cole's instructions. Cole had the first improved Iron Fist No. 1. The range was increased from 30 meters to 50 meters. To be on the safe side, he set the distance to about 40 meters. After briefly teaching the operation method, he asked, "Do you understand?"

"I heard it clearly." Sergeant Kobayashi spoke with a tremor.

"Okay! Don't rush to fight. Have a cigarette first." Cole lit the cigarette for the other party without saying anything, and then talked nonsense with him all the way.

The Chief of Staff Prince Higashikuni Toshihiko was getting impatient and asked Ishihara Kanji: "Ishihara-kun, what are they hesitating about? Why haven't they started yet?"

"It's about to start." Ishihara said confidently, "I think it will work in one try."

"Really? Do you want to give it a try?"

"Sure." Ishihara looked eager to try, and suddenly saw Yamamoto Isoroku next to him with a half-smile, so he said, "How about Commander Yamamoto also give it a try?"

As soon as this was said, everyone in the room laughed. Everyone knew that Yamamoto Isoroku was the best gambler and was famous in the circle.

"Okay, what do you bet on?"

"1,000 tons of aluminum."

"Sure, I bet he will succeed the first time." Yamamoto Isoroku spoke.

"What? I bet he will succeed the first time too." Ishihara Kanji said.

Now everyone around was shocked: What's going on? Two generals who are recognized as having the highest IQ said that the Germans can succeed in one try? Even Hirohito, who was far away, laughed and said to Kido Koichi: "Everyone has high expectations for the Germans' new weapons."

While everyone was laughing, Sergeant Kobayashi, who had completely relaxed and operated according to the technical essentials, pulled the trigger. With a "bang", the iron fist hit the armor, and the position was right in the center of the additional armor. The accuracy was absolutely impeccable.

"Very good, you did a good job."

"But, sir, there is no change?"

"Yes, don't worry."

The crowd also became agitated because no one noticed the change. Someone next to him teased Ishihara Kanji: "If you said that the first one was not good, you can beat General Yamamoto now. There are not many people who can beat General Yamamoto here..."

But the technical colonel in charge of the on-site acceptance raised the black flag representing "total destruction" after checking it on the spot. Everyone was stunned and got up and left to see the actual situation. Only Yamamoto and Ishiwara Kanji were left smiling at each other, and the latter said proudly: "As for the gambling thing, even if I can't beat Commander Yamamoto, I can't lose to him."