freenovelworld Chapter 958 The fighter jets are good, but their capabilities are limited.
Chapter 958 The fighter jets are good, but their capabilities are limited.
Zhou Zhengqing snorted coldly: "Do your best and leave the rest to fate! Deliver the message and set out the temptation! Whether they dare to accept it or not is their problem."
If they don't even dare to seize such an opportunity, then they deserve to suffer defeat after defeat!
Zhou Zhengqing's words revealed his disappointment and dissatisfaction with the efficiency of the National Government. This emotion stemmed from his premonition of the course of history from the perspective of a time traveler, as well as his anxiety about the possibility that no one would respond to his efforts to create opportunities.
Nanzo Yunzi said no more, bowed and withdrew, her figure quickly disappearing into the darkness of the corridor as she went to activate the top-secret communication line.
Zhou Zhengqing sat back down in his chair, closed his eyes, and tried to calm his somewhat chaotic thoughts.
He felt like a chess player pushing a boulder along the edge of a cliff. The boulder had already begun to roll, but whether below lay enemy camps, a desolate abyss, or, as this time... harm innocent people, he could no longer fully control the situation.
A profound sense of loneliness and powerlessness over the course of history quietly crept in.
. . . . . . . . . .
Inside an inconspicuous Western-style building in the French Concession of Wuhan.
Dai Li, head of the Second Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau, paced back and forth in his study on the second floor.
Outside the window, the Yangtze River was shrouded in mist, but the coded telegram he clutched tightly in his hand revealed an unusual anxiety and hesitation in the brow of this man known as the "King of Spies."
This top-secret telegram, which had just been delivered, was so bold in its content and so astonishing in its proposals that even Dai Li, who had weathered countless storms, was enough to cause a huge uproar.
The telegram was transmitted through secret channels, and the sender's code name was "Candle Shadow," a code name given by Dai Li to Nanzo Yunzi.
The core content is shockingly clear: a large-scale internal conflict broke out in the Japanese army in Nanjing, and multiple divisions of the Kwantung Army system had clashed with Matsui Iwane's Central China Expeditionary Army. The fighting was fierce, and the city's defenses were weak.
The proposal is to immediately organize a powerful force and seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch a counterattack on Nanjing.
"Candlelight" even promised to provide top-secret intelligence, including the latest details of the Japanese army's deployment in Nanjing, the strength of its troops, and weaknesses in its supply lines.
Dai Li did not immediately send the telegram to his office.
The successive defeats in the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Nanjing led to a pervasive sense of pessimism within the Nationalist government, and the top leadership adopted an extremely cautious attitude towards large-scale military adventures.
More importantly, the source of this intelligence is too unusual, and the motives behind it are shrouded in mystery.
If he misjudges the situation, not only could he suffer an even greater military defeat, but he himself and even the Military Intelligence Bureau could be plunged into a political vortex from which there is no return.
"Notify Deputy Director Zheng Jiemin, Tang Zong, and Yu Lexing that there will be a meeting in a private room in half an hour." Dai Li stopped and gave a low order to his trusted adjutant who was guarding the door.
He decided to conduct an assessment within his inner circle first.
Among these key personnel in the Second Division, Zheng Jiemin has a powerful background and a close relationship with He Yingqin.
Tang Zong is meticulous, skilled in writing and confidential matters, and has powerful backers.
Yu Lexing was in charge of special agent training and had extensive practical experience.
The purpose of gathering them was not only to utilize their talents, but also to share responsibility should a decision be made incorrectly.
Half an hour later, smoke filled the secret room inside the study.
The heavy velvet curtains blocked out the outside light, leaving only a green-shaded desk lamp casting a dim, yellowish glow on the mahogany table.
Dai Li concealed the specific information about "Candlelight" and its origin in Tianjin from the telegram, only briefly informing the three attendees that an urgent intelligence report came from a "high-level insider" lurking in Nanjing, stating that there was infighting within the Japanese army and suggesting that our army launch a counterattack, and that intelligence support could be provided.
"Gentlemen, this is the situation. Speak freely and discuss the pros and cons." Dai Li sat back in the main seat and glanced at his three capable lieutenants.
Zheng Jiemin spoke first, his tone cautious: "Chief, this matter... is of great importance."
Our army has suffered a recent defeat, with its elite forces severely depleted. The Guangxi clique troops have retreated to Anqing, and the various units of the Central Army are currently reorganizing and replenishing their forces. Can we organize an effective attack force in such a short time?
Firstly, regarding the internal strife within the Japanese army, was the intelligence reliable? To what extent? Was it a localized skirmish or a life-or-death struggle?
If the enemy is using a strategy to lure us deep into their territory, wouldn't our army be walking into a trap if we rashly counterattack? After a pause, Zheng Jiemin continued, "Moreover, even if the intelligence is true and our army succeeds in counterattacking and recaptures Nanjing, given the current situation, can we hold it?"
If the Japanese army recovers and launches a counterattack with a large force, Nanjing may once again become a bloodbath.
Regardless of international opinion, domestic morale and public spirit will likely suffer another severe blow.
Training supervisor Yu Lexing took a deep drag on his cigarette and pondered, "Deputy Director Zheng's concerns are not without merit."
However, if the infighting within the Japanese army is true and on a large scale, it would indeed be a rare opportunity for our army.
As the art of war says, "Strike unexpectedly, attack where the enemy is unprepared." The Japanese army was arrogant and never expected that our army, having just suffered a major defeat, would dare to launch a counterattack.
If planned properly, a surprise attack by elite troops could be launched. Even if the enemy cannot be held for long, it could inflict heavy damage on them and temporarily recapture the capital. Its political significance and the boost to the morale of our army and people would be immeasurable.
The key lies in the reliability of the intelligence, and whether we have a 'sharp knife' that can be used to strike.
Chief Secretary Tang Zong is more concerned about the operational aspects and potential risks: "Even if the inside information is reliable, delays and distortions in the intelligence transmission process must be considered."
The battlefield is ever-changing. By the time I get intelligence and make a decision to deploy troops, has the opportunity already passed?
Furthermore, if we make decisions based on a single source of intelligence for such a large-scale military operation, who will bear the responsibility for "recklessly starting a war" if things go wrong?
Should we first try to verify the intelligence from multiple sources?
The meeting lasted for several hours.
The smoke thickened, and the water in the teacup had long since cooled.
Dai Li listened in silence, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously.
Deep down, he tended to believe the authenticity of the information. With the presence of "Qingyu" Itagaki Yuta, he had considerable trust in "Zhuying," namely Nanzo Yunzi's channels and abilities.
He also longed for a victory to reverse the decline and solidify the position of the Military Intelligence Bureau and himself.
However, the practical difficulties and political risks raised by Zheng Jiemin and Tang Zong acted like cold shackles, binding his decision.
Finally, Dai Li let out a long sigh, his voice filled with exhaustion and helplessness, but also with relief.
“What you all said is very insightful.”
Our military certainly needs time to regroup, replenish supplies, and assemble troops; this cannot be accomplished overnight. While the opportunity is favorable, our capabilities are insufficient.
After a pause, Dai Li made a decision: "Then I will reply to the inside source. The intelligence has been received. Thank you very much."
However, our army has suffered a recent setback and needs time to regroup and replenish its supplies, so it is unable to organize a large-scale counterattack in the short term.
We urge you to continue closely monitoring the enemy's movements and seize any opportunity to act.
He did not completely close the door, leaving room for maneuver by saying "wait and see," but in reality, it was tantamount to politely declining the proposal for an immediate counterattack.
This decision was full of calculations and self-interest among those in high positions during chaotic times.