Japanese militarist ideology had poisoned people to the marrow of their bones. Tsuji Masanobu's attitude toward war was utter fanaticism.
Komatsubara Michitaro gritted his teeth and said, "That is true, but if we want to go to war with the Soviet Union, shouldn't we first seek General Ueda Kenkichi's instructions?"
General Ueda Kenkichi was the current commander of the Japanese Kwantung Army and the superior of both men.
Tsuji Masanobu said, "Naturally. Commander Ueda Kenkichi is also among the hardliners against the Soviet Union. I believe the general will support our actions. Next, I will write a report to the commander and persuade him to support us."
"However, General Komatsubara Michitaro, you must also be mentally prepared. Going to war with the Soviet Union is an extremely grave matter. Headquarters has already settled on the southern advance. If we go to war with the Soviet Union now, to put it bluntly, we would be defying orders. Naturally, we would have to bear the corresponding consequences."
Komatsubara Michitaro was not particularly concerned about this. He said, "As long as we win the war, the Empire will certainly not blame us. I also firmly believe that we can defeat the Soviets."
"Those below overthrowing those above" was a tradition in the Japanese Army, so Komatsubara Michitaro did not worry at all that they would be held to account for acting first and reporting later. Of course, all of this rested on the premise of victory in war.
Tsuji Masanobu said, "In that case, we can begin making all the necessary preparations for war against the Soviet Union."
One day later.
Far East Empire, Changchun.
This was also the location of the Japanese Kwantung Army Headquarters in 1939. Ueda Kenkichi, commander of the Japanese Kwantung Army, was stationed here. At this moment, he