July 9th, 2 PM.

Yokosuka, the land of cherry blossoms.

This is one of the most prosperous cities in Japan, with thriving commerce and trade, and countless factories, such as Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Electric, Ishii Corporation, Mitsui Bank, and so on, all located in Yokohama.

Zhao Duc Cai, the general political commissar of the National League for Democracy Army in North Vietnam, wearing a crisp general's uniform, walked through the streets of Yokosuka, looking at the hurried crowds with a terribly gloomy expression.

"Commander, as you instructed, we have sealed off Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba Electric, and other companies. All personnel and equipment have been confiscated, and they are prohibited from transmitting any information to the outside world!"

"Now, the entire Yokosuka region is completely under our control!"

Li Mingyue, commander of the 4th Army, and Sun Chenguang, political commissar, accompanied Zhao Decai to the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal.

Zhao Decai smiled with satisfaction, "Very good. Arrest all the key management personnel of these companies immediately and interrogate them thoroughly. Make sure to extract as much useful information as possible from them!"

"The chairman said that all the blueprints, equipment, including the technical staff and designers, must be kept alive! These people are useful to us for now, so we mustn't kill them!"

"Understood," Li Mingyue and Sun Chenguang replied.

"In addition, there is one more thing to note." Zhao Decai thought for a moment and continued, "I have already contacted the Navy. Pack up all the equipment and personnel and transport them to northern Vietnam immediately to hand them over to Representative He."

"Don't worry, Political Commissar, leave this to me and Lao Sun!"

Li Mingyue patted his chest and assured them, then added, "Commissar General, as you know, this operation went very smoothly. Apart from the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, we have also taken over the other companies. Now there are only three companies left. I think that's too troublesome. Why not take this opportunity to launch a night attack and strike at the heart of the enemy!"

"Um."

"How you operate is your business; I only care about the results."

Zhao Decai glanced at Li Mingyue indifferently.

Although he usually treated Li Mingyue well, he was absolutely uncompromising when it came to matters of principle.

Li Mingyue paused for a moment, then replied respectfully, "Commissar General, please rest assured, I will definitely resolve those three companies before six o'clock tomorrow morning."

Zhao Decai nodded slightly.

Soon, the convoy arrived at its destination, the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal.

Yokosuka Naval Arsenal was one of the four major naval arsenals of the former Sakura Kingdom during World War II.

Its predecessor was the Yokosuka Ironworks, established at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.

The National Shipyard, established in the early Meiji era, was responsible for building warships.

Located on the east coast of the central part of the city on the Miura Peninsula in the southeastern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, at 35°17′36″N, 139°40′17″E.

It is located north of Yokohama and guards the entrance to Tokyo Bay, serving as the gateway to the capital, Tokyo.

Ships built: Battleships/Satsuma, Kawachi, Yamashiro, Mutsu; Heavy cruisers/Myoko, Takao, Suzuya; Light cruisers/Tenryu, Noshiro; Submarine carriers/Taigei, Kensaki; Aircraft carriers/Hosho, Amagi, Ryujo, Hiryu, Shokaku, Shoho, Zuiho, Ryuho, Chiyoda, Unryu, Shinano, etc.

Standing on the dock, Zhao Decai gazed at the brightly lit Yokosuka Naval Arsenal in the distance, a cold smile appearing on his face.

There was a time when northern Vietnam didn't even have a decent naval factory, and the entire operation was supported by the chairman alone.

Now, northern Vietnam finally has its own naval factory.

Besides the naval factories, industrial systems from all over Japan are now relocating to northern Vietnam, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Nissan, Panasonic, Toshiba, NEC, Isuzu, Yamaha, Nikon, Yawata Steel Works, Kobe Steel, and many others.

From army equipment to air force and navy, and then to civilian industries, metallurgy, mining, automobile manufacturing, medical and health care, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and so on, everything was transplanted to the Southeast Peninsula.

I believe that the Southeast Peninsula will inevitably become the world's most powerful economic and cultural center in the future!

Zhao Decai took a deep breath and stepped into the Yokosuka Naval Shipyard.

On the navy's side.

Yang Wenhai ordered the fleet to split into multiple groups and formations, and dispatch them to the coastal ports of the main island of Japan to blockade every sea route leading to the main island of Japan, ensuring that no ship could leave!

Of course, minor conflicts, frictions, and casualties are inevitable during the execution of missions, which are all normal phenomena.

"Quickly! Tell them to hurry up! Load up these supplies and people, and return to northern Vietnam immediately."

Inside the bridge command room, Yang Wenhai roared.

"Commander-in-Chief, the 61st Transport Task Force has loaded all supplies and personnel and is ready to set sail at any time!" the chief of staff reported as he stepped forward.

"Excellent! Order the 61st transport formation to depart immediately, without delay!"

After finishing his sentence, Yang Wenhai instructed another staff officer: "After the 61st transport flotilla returns to northern Vietnam, it will take a short rest and then return to the waters near the main island of Japan to await orders!"

"Yes!" the staff officer replied.

Half a day later, in the mainland waters of Japan.

Huge transport convoys set sail, carrying countless supplies, machinery, treasures, and personnel, heading to northern Vietnam.

To ensure absolute safety, the navy dispatched a large number of U-boats, destroyers, and other vessels to escort the transport convoy. The scale and grandeur of the operation were unprecedented.

………………………………

July 9th, 11 PM.

Chiyoda Imperial Palace, Tokyo.

Emperor Hirohito had just finished dinner and returned to his sleeping quarters, where he was about to take a bath and rest.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" The voice of the attendant Kobayashi Daisuke suddenly came from outside the door.

Hirohito frowned and asked in a deep voice, "What is it? Is there news from the Prime Minister and his ministers?"

Since he was confined to the Imperial Palace, the outside world seemed to be cut off from him, and he could not contact the outside world at all. He could not even see the Minister of Home Affairs, Genki Abe, or the Minister of Finance, Yutaka Hirose.

"Your Majesty!" Daisuke Kobayashi said urgently, "I have just received news that the ministers have all been arrested by the Nationalist Army and labeled as war criminals..."

"well."

Hirohito sighed deeply, his face darkening. "You may leave now. I wish to be alone."

"Hi!"

Watching Kobayashi Daisuke leave, Hirohito slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.

Although Hirohito had anticipated this situation, he still felt somewhat shocked when the reality was actually presented to him.

These ministers were all his handpicked key advisors, his confidants and right-hand men. Now they were all imprisoned as war criminals by the National League for Democracy, while he alone remained alive. For a country's supreme ruler, this was undoubtedly a great irony.

"Kobayashi-kun, please arrange a meeting for me tomorrow with the leader of the National League for Democracy. I'd like to have a talk with him."

"Hi!"