si-mexico Chapter 791 can be considered as treason
Chapter 791 can be considered as treason
The aides carefully poured tea for each general, but almost no one touched the exquisite porcelain cups. The wall clock ticked, and every second seemed particularly long.
Matsui Iwane cleared his throat and decided to take the initiative: "Regarding the attack on Staff Officer Yoshida, I deeply regret it.
I've ordered the Intelligence Department to conduct a full investigation, and I believe there will be results soon." His voice echoed in the spacious conference room, with a subtle hint of tension.
Shunsuke Nakamura did not respond immediately, but calmly opened his briefcase, took out a document and gently placed it on the table.
This simple action attracted everyone's attention.
"Commander," said Nakamura Shunsuke, in a calm yet powerful voice. "Before discussing the progress of the investigation, please allow me to convey Commander Takazaki's greetings. The General commends the expeditionary force's achievements in Shanghai, but expresses regret for the internal attack that occurred!"
He deliberately emphasized the word "Takazaki" and noticed that Matsui Iwane's eyes twitched slightly.
Matsui Iwane managed to remain calm. "Thank you, Commander Takazaki. Please tell him that the Shanghai Expeditionary Force will thoroughly investigate the attack."
At this moment, Itai Yudai gracefully pushed the teacup on the table and said, "Commander, we have brought some materials that may be helpful in the investigation."
He took out the burnt military uniform from his briefcase and gently placed it on the mahogany table. "This was found at the scene of the attack. It's said that the attackers' bodies were being burned en masse. I wonder if this was a way to destroy evidence!"
The conference room suddenly fell silent, and all eyes were focused on the tattered military uniform.
Although most of the uniform was burnt, the number and badge on the collar were still clearly visible. It was the emblem of the guard squadron directly under the expeditionary force headquarters.
Matsui Iwane's eyes involuntarily turned to Iizawa Mamoru, as if to say, "You bastard!!! You're always causing trouble for me! You're definitely not someone I sent! By doing this, you're just trying to cover up your mistake and getting your pants wet!"
Iizawa Mori gave Matsui Iwane an innocent look in response: "I'm doing this for your own good. You've always refused to acknowledge it, so we, your subordinates, can only plan ahead and try our best to clean up your mess!
I didn't expect anyone would dare to run into the base to steal evidence!"
Beads of sweat formed on Matsui Iwane's forehead. He wiped them with a handkerchief. "This...this is impossible. The entire guard squadron is on duty. No one is missing or injured."
Nakagawa Ken stood up suddenly, his saber scraping against the chair with a harsh sound. "Your Excellency, Commander! Yoshida Yuto is a frontline observer personally assigned by Commander Takazaki. Attacking him is a provocation to the military police system! It is also an insult to the Takazaki family!"
When the "Takazaki family" was mentioned, the atmosphere in the meeting room became more solemn.
Several army officers exchanged uneasily glances. Matsui Iwane's face turned from pale to red, and his fingers trembled slightly.
Abe Katsuo quickly pulled Nakamura Shun and said softly, "Not really, not really. It's not to the extent of insulting the Takazaki family. Calm down, calm down first."
Hasegawa Kiyoshi spoke at the right time, his voice steady and powerful: "The Navy is also paying close attention to this matter.
The attack on an Imperial officer on the front lines severely disrupts the order of battle. Especially…” He paused deliberately, glancing around at the crowd: “The attacker may be wearing an Imperial uniform, which is even more intolerable.”
Abe added: "The Third Fleet is ready to provide all necessary assistance, including intelligence support and evidence preservation."
At this time, Colonel Gongping Kuangwu couldn't help but speak up, "What about your navy shelling friendly forces? We've counted over a thousand casualties! They were the empire's most loyal warriors! Your navy is committing murder!"
Without even raising his eyelids, Hasegawa Kiyoshi chuckled and said, "Friendly forces? Are you sure we were shelling friendly forces? But I heard that when the attack took place, Staff Officer Yoshida was among the so-called "friendly forces" you mentioned!
They turned a blind eye to the attack in front of them, I don't think they are still friendly forces!"
"You...you navy guys are acting as thugs for others. You are seeking revenge. This is blatant murder."
Hasegawa Kiyoshi finally raised his eyes, but the look he gave Gongping Kuangwu was one filled with sarcasm, as if to say, "That's what you think, but so what? What can you do to me?"
"All right!"
Matsui Ishi sat alone in the main seat, his eyes swept over his subordinates, but no one dared to speak at this time.
The balance of power in the conference room was clearly tilted. The army generals kept their heads down and remained silent, while the military police and the navy formed a solid alliance.
The wall clock struck three o'clock, and the dull sound echoed in the tense air.
The meeting had just begun, but everyone could feel that the competition had entered a critical stage.
Matsui Iwane took a deep breath.
The attendant quietly refilled the tea, but no one noticed that it had gone cold.
Everyone's attention was focused on the burnt military uniform, which, like a silent witness, told a disturbing story.
Without waiting for Matsui Iwane to speak, Nakamura Shunsuke took out a beautifully bound document from his briefcase.
The cover of the document was printed with the emblem of the House of Lords, and the golden chrysanthemum pattern gleamed in the light.
"Commander," said Nakamura Shunsuke calmly. "This is a copy of the inquiry letter sent yesterday by the Military Committee of the House of Peers. Would you like me to read it aloud to you?"
The air in the conference room seemed to freeze, with only the wall clock ticking regularly, like a countdown to the trial.
Matsui Iwane's face turned from ashen to pale, and he subconsciously reached out to adjust his collar, as if the straight general's uniform had suddenly become too tight.
"House of Peers", these three words have special weight in the imperial military system. They represent social status and political influence beyond the military level.
"Chief of Staff Nakamura." Matsui's voice had clearly lost its previous confidence. "This matter... I will personally explain the situation to the House of Peers. The attack on Chief of Staff Yoshida is indeed heartbreaking, but..."
Itai Yudai interrupted Matsui Iwane and said in a blunt tone, "Commander, the Yoshida family is not only a member of the House of Peers, but also a family friend of the Takazaki family. Yoshida Hayato's grandfather once served as the Minister of the Imperial Household and has close ties with the imperial family."
His tone of voice was calm as water, but every word was like a hammer hitting Matsui Iwane's heart.
The army officers in the conference room looked at each other in bewilderment, and several staff officers even straightened their backs unconsciously. This was an instinctive reaction formed by long-term hierarchical training.
Hasegawa Kiyoshi added fuel to the fire: "Attacking aristocratic officers can be considered treason according to Article 73 of the Imperial Criminal Code and Article 31 of the Army Criminal Code.
Not to mention the special circumstances of a wartime frontline, which could be completely characterized as battlefield rebellion.”