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墨書 Inktalez
The reason why the Military Headquarters dared to take bold actions was that assassination had become a normal phenomenon in the current Japanese political landscape. Since a certain year, Japan had witnessed multiple significant terrorist attacks, political assassinations, and attempted coups. However, the government imposed light sentences on the masterminds behind these events, leading some military officers to act with impunity and further fostering this dangerous atmosphere.
Thus, the Military Headquarters devised a plan to utilize grassroots officers to stir up trouble in Tokyo. In the eyes of the leaders at the Military Headquarters, the confidence of the Emperor and Prince Yuhito stemmed from the support of the Kazoku and members of the House of Peers, as well as officials within the government. As long as they eliminated these individuals, His Majesty the Emperor would naturally come to recognize the opinions of the Military Headquarters and comply with their demands.
However, during this typical discussion of a rebellion plan, Naval Minister Ohashi Sen stated that the Navy would not participate in this matter but assured that they would not interfere. After all, there were no naval forces stationed in Tokyo, and there was no need for naval artillery in this rebellion plan involving assassinations.
Upon hearing that the Navy would remain an observer, the military leaders breathed a sigh of relief. Currently, at Yokosuka Naval Base, three battleships from the fleet were docked. If the Navy threatened with naval artillery, the Military Headquarters would not dare to act; a few shots could obliterate an entire regiment's barracks. However, with the Navy choosing not to participate or take sides, this was already the best-case scenario.
Yet these leaders at the Military Headquarters never considered whether Ohashi Sen might betray them. They were unaware that since acquiring an advanced shipyard from the United States in Lushun, the Navy had established connections with Prince Yuhito. The prince had proposed numerous suggestions to the Navy that could change naval warfare rules and promised that Lushun's shipyard would fully serve the Navy while continuously expanding its scale. Funded by the royal family, a versatile shipyard capable of producing aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines would be built in Lushun, complete with mixed-use docks and sufficient steel supply. The Navy's shipbuilding plans could potentially be realized much faster.
Thus, Ohashi Sen chose to take a stand! If the Imperial Army's foolish plans succeeded, how could Lushun's shipyard project still succeed? It was unthinkable! Those in the Imperial Army who had gained industrial capabilities from Manchuria would undoubtedly go on a military expansion spree! But it certainly wouldn’t involve the Navy!
The Japanese Navy originated from Satsuma Domain while the Imperial Army came from Choshu Domain; historically, these two factions had never seen eye to eye, and their conflicts extended into modern military forces. The people from Satsuma Domain held relatively higher social status; most Navy generals came from Kazoku. In contrast, those from Choshu Domain mostly hailed from ordinary lower-middle classes. This regional and class disparity laid a foundation for hostility between the Imperial Army and Navy.
The Imperial Army was heavily influenced by German military ideology, emphasizing large army principles and absolute obedience while focusing on ground combat and territorial expansion. The Navy modeled itself after the British Navy, advocating for naval supremacy and long-range operations. These differing military philosophies led to significant discrepancies in strategic planning and operational concepts between both branches, making mutual understanding difficult.
It had become commonplace for members of both branches to insult each other as fools within Military Headquarters. Within two hours of formulating their rebellion plan, details regarding which officers would take action and which officials would be assassinated were already laid out before Yamato Emperor and Kujou—this uncle-nephew duo.
Yamato Emperor was furious! Meanwhile, Kujou appeared remarkably calm!
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