Iron Cross

Chapter 776 Ah! Navy (7)

"I visited General Hori two days ago. He said that he failed in the domestic political struggle, was ostracized, and would step down soon. He asked me if I could accept him." Cole's face was slightly red, and he was obviously a little drunk, but he spoke clearly and enunciated. The standard Tokyo accent, and the usual straightforwardness of Europeans, without the ambiguity of Japanese characteristics, "I said, of course, I strongly welcome it. The head of state has always hoped that Admiral Hori and his team can go to Europe to work and manage the Axis Combined Fleet. Then Hori The general said, the navy is sorry for me, but I cannot be sorry for the navy. Ask me for a consulting fee... I said, don't worry about such trivial matters. After arriving in Germany, the head of state will grant you the rank of marshal and full power. What kind of treatment do you want? Everything. He said, 'I'm not thinking about myself, I'm thinking about the Imperial Navy. I want to get them some money before I leave. The amount will be determined by your country. Just show your sincerity.' I didn't express my position at the time. I just said that I would think about it when I went back. What amount is appropriate to give..."

Everyone nodded subconsciously, with different expressions. Yamamoto Isoroku's face was particularly embarrassed, but no one said anything. There were too many factors involved, and the Army was not allowed to casually express its position on the Navy's personnel changes, so the atmosphere suddenly became deadlocked. Lived.

Cole was still unfinished, and simply stood up and said: "Since you proposed it today, then I will agree to a package plan. The Kwantung Army's northward march to threaten the Soviet Union is considered a sponsorship of 200 million, and the other 100 million is considered a consulting fee for General Hori and his advisory team. Oh, It also includes the consulting fees of General Ozawa and his team who are currently in Germany. Are you satisfied?

Ishihara Wanji asked for 300 million, with a bottom line of 200 million. Unexpectedly, Cole did not even pay back the price and directly agreed, but his words made everyone a little sad! A commander who has been repeatedly squeezed out by the navy - Horikichi has been squeezed out twice, and a commander who has led the navy to victory many times, even if he is about to run away, still wants to find some welfare and benefits for the navy. In contrast, how can he not It's emotional.

The focus of the Army's top brass is not the total number of 300 million, but the price structure: the Kwantung Army only received 200 million for such a big move, while Horikichi took dozens of people abroad for 100 million. Isn't the contrast too big?

Ishihara Wanji was startled at first, but then he immediately reacted and stopped Shimomura Shimomura's urge to bargain and redetermine the composition of 300 million - 100 million was the retainer fee for Horikichi's team, and talking too much would only displease the navy. But he was not willing to take only 200 million, so he hooked up with Yamamoto under the influence of wine: "Master Haixiang, let's discuss it. We should also share the consulting fee. We are all your Majesty's ministers. The navy is so rich. It would be unpleasant to hear that the Army is so miserable. General Hori must not bear to see it. How can you bear it? In the future, the Army will continue to contribute to the security costs of the Soviet Union, and the Army of the Southeast Asian islands will continue to help defend it. From now on, If there is a little leakage between the fingers, it should be considered as a little hard work for the army. "

Yamamoto was so entangled by him that he couldn't help it. Besides, the 100 million quota was far beyond his psychological expectations. He didn't even think that Horikichi would have money to pay for his visit abroad. A look of shame flashed across his face. In addition, Higashikata Higashikata King Minuhiko kept supporting him, and Shun Tada and Sada Shimomura tried their best to cajole him, so they had no choice but to agree to give another 30 million to the army and 70 million to the navy.

King Higashikanomiya Minuhiko came out to smooth things over: "Mr. Special Envoy, there are some things that are not convenient for us to say, but it is different for you. Please tell me that General Hori, whether it is the army or navy, or your majesty, is very grateful to Mr. Hori for his continued support." His contribution and spirit of sacrifice, some things are not as serious as he thought. His status, military rank, and reputation are still at the peak of the sky. This time he will stay abroad for a year and a half to relax, recuperate, and serve as a staff advisor to the head of state. European naval affairs will soon return to Japan. Life is long, so there is no need to rush. No one can cover up his glory. "

"That's right, General Hori is our country's number one military strategist. He has advanced ideas, forward-looking concepts, grand strategies, and a global mind. However, most people can't keep up with his pace for the time being, so we ask him to take a break and wait for us." Shimomura Sada smiled apologetically, "Please comfort General Hori. His status in our hearts is unshakable and his contribution is indelible."

"real?"

Everyone, including Yamamoto, answered together: "Of course!"

Cole said: "That's good. I hope he goes abroad happily, and my face will be bright. If I accomplish these things, the head of state may give me a reward. If I'm lucky, I can become a major general next year. ”

After the embarrassing scene, the scene suddenly became lively. Both parties had what they wanted, and everyone was finally satisfied. The red-faced King Higashino Higashihihiko led the crowd and raised the wine glass and said: "Then, I wish Envoy Cole a Merry Christmas, and I wish you a good morning Gao Sheng, I wish the friendship between Japan and Germany will last forever, cheers!”

"cheers!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the festive atmosphere reached a climax! Although Cole said that the final figure would still have to be submitted to Berlin for review, everyone believed that it was basically certain. Cole had never regretted what he had promised directly, and the Germans did not have to negotiate for a mere tens of millions of marks.

Cole's face was full of smiles, and he was even more happy in his heart: What the head of state said is true. It is enough to cooperate with Japan and capture General Hori. The investment in him is worth it!

When he went to work the next day, Yamamoto still had a strong smell of alcohol. Inoue Narumi teased him: "Why, sir, you had a lot of fun last night?"

"I finally got into a good mood, and I drank too much without realizing it." Yamamoto Isoroku stretched for a long time, then felt embarrassed and touched his scalp, and said enthusiastically, "We reached an agreement yesterday, and the Germans sponsored We spent 300 million marks, plus the Kwantung Army’s own 300 million, for a total of 600 million marks to buy armaments, which is almost a 50% discount. The Germans are bleeding a lot.”

"Why are you so happy about the Kwantung Army?"

"You don't know something. Cole was probably drunk yesterday, and he so proudly promised to pay a total of 100 million marks in consulting fees to Horikichi and the consulting team, including Ozawa. If it hadn't been for Ishihara's constant pestering, His Highness the Chief of Staff... I helped out, but was forced to give away 30 million by the Army. The Navy could have taken 100 million for free, but now it only has 70 million. You are in charge of the Ship Administration Headquarters, so you can consider buying some additional armaments."

"The Germans must have drunk too much. It is reasonable to give 200 million to the Kwantung Army, but 100 million to Horikichi and the others?"

"I'm not crazy. It was Horikichi who mentioned it first. The amount was actually determined by Cole. Anyway, the total is 300 million. Let him explain. A thousand dollars buys horse bones..." Yamamoto Isoroku told the whole story. Again.

Inoue Narumi was stunned, and finally smacked her tongue: "Good guy, 100 million marks is enough to build a cloud dragon!"

"Yes, it shows that the Germans sincerely invited Horikichi to come over. My old friend has found a good home. I am also happy for him, right? Although most of the money cannot reach his hands, he still sought benefits for the navy before leaving. Your Majesty must be willing to grant a title, right? Tsukahara's villa will be a matter of course."

"How about spreading the word like this?"

"It won't spread. This is a secret operation. The Kwantung Army wants to use this opportunity to blackmail the Russians. I'm even thinking that since we robbed the Russian supply lines, can we also ask the Germans for some money?" Then Yamamoto Isoroku seemed to think of something again and sighed, his tone becoming sad, "For such an excellent commander and such an outstanding team of officers, the Germans directly offered a price of 100 million, and the salary and benefits were calculated separately, but we worked hard to When they rush out, I always feel like a prodigal and short-sighted. I wonder if the navy officers and soldiers will point at my spine and scold me?"

"You can worry less. I'm not scolding you. At most, I'm scolding the person who lives in the hospital."

"That's right." Yamamoto Isoroku smiled, "I don't want everything to be perfect, but I want to have a clear conscience. How about you come with me to visit an old friend in the evening? I guess he will receive the edict today, and he will have to resign as usual. For a while, I’ll be a lobbyist.”

Living civilians who are ennobled for their great achievements must make three concessions as usual. This is a formality, so Yamamoto Isoroku said this.

Inoue Narumi said: "Then you have to have a good rest and prepare to drink again in the evening. I heard that he has a bunch of European fine wines, sent by the German head of state, the French head of state, and the Italian leader. The drinking is endless. …”

"Okay, if you risk your life to accompany this gentleman, consider it an early farewell."

The phone rang. Since Yamamoto Isoroku and Inoue Narumi kept talking, the adjutant ran to pick it up. After saying a few words, he trotted over: "Sir, your call is from my wife."

"Oh..." Yamamoto Isoroku responded casually to show that he understood. He suddenly reacted and widened his eyes in surprise, "Reiko? Why did she call here? What a nonsense!"

After all, he strode over and answered the phone, but his tone was very impatient: "I'm busy, if you have anything to say, please tell me."

Inoue Narumi frowned after hearing this. He knew that the relationship between Yamamoto Isoroku and his wife had been very cold in the past few years. The officer had fallen in love with several geishas outside. The most famous one was Chiyoko Kawai, and the one who had maintained the longest relationship was Masako Tsurushima. , even when carrying out the Nanyang operations after the Battle of Pearl Harbor, he was still busy writing letters to these confidantes. However, Yamamoto's private affairs and official affairs were clearly separated, and his lover was also very secretive. He neither dared to ask Yamamoto for money, nor asked for all kinds of favors and favors, nor dared to use his name to cause trouble, even if Yamamoto was responsible. Even those with such high authority as Admiral, Commander of the Combined Fleet and Lord of the Navy dare not have any special ideas.

As a confidant who has been following for a long time, Inoue Narumi clearly knows that it is difficult to describe a superior simply as lustful. For example, Masako is in his 40s and has been following Yamamoto Isoroku since he was 12 years old (at that time, Yamamoto Isoroku was 28 years old and had not yet Married), now that they are old and golden, the chief still keeps in touch with them. He thinks this kind of relationship is more of an emotional exchange.

Although Mihashi Reiko was a little panicked on the phone, she said clearly: "Are you free tonight? Mrs. Horikichi-kun sent a letter at noon today, saying that Mr. Hori-kun will go to Germany for inspection soon. I want to see you before I leave. In addition, this year is our 25th wedding anniversary. He said that he did not have time to come back to celebrate in Europe and planned to make up for it now... Then he said that it was not convenient for him to go out. Could you please go to his place? ?”

Chapter 776/1109
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Iron CrossCh.776/1109 [69.97%]