the next day.

The morning sunlight streamed through the glass window and shone on the floor, turning the messy marks a golden yellow.

The earth was enveloped in warmth, like the winter sun, its heat enough to melt away the coldness and chill in one's body.

Clang—

Several black cars drove out of the Chiyoda Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

"Hi!!!"

"Onboard!!!"

The Japanese guards stood at their posts and saluted the convoy.

The convoy traveled along the bridge and through the broken streets, with all the citizens of Japan turning their backs to Hirohito, seemingly disgusted by the act of surrender.

Hirohito looked at the devastated city, his face grim. He turned to look out the window; amidst the chaos, the air was thick with the stench of blood and death.

The once prosperous city has been completely transformed, with countless people lying on the ground groaning in pain, and many others with their limbs twisted and unable to move.

Under these circumstances, it will likely take a considerable amount of time for this city to regain its former prosperity.

Hirohito closed his eyes. He knew he had made a mistake, but there was no going back. If he gave up now, what awaited him was the collapse of the nation and the extermination of his people…

Half an hour later, the convoy arrived at a villa by the sea.

"stop!!"

A low shout rang out, and all the vehicles stopped moving.

The nearby National League for Democracy military police immediately surrounded them.

Daisuke Kobayashi quickly stepped to the front and said, "I am Daisuke Kobayashi, a palace attendant. Inside is His Majesty the Emperor, who has been invited to hold friendly negotiations with the chairman of the Democratic League. Please allow me to announce his presence."

"Emperor?"

The lead military policeman frowned and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Brothers, come and see! There's an Emperor here, and he's alive!"

The surroundings immediately stirred, and the originally serious scene instantly became much more relaxed.

"Hahaha... Really? The Emperor!"

"How many heads does he have? Is it eight heads?!"

"Wow, they look about the same as us, just a bit short, and they don't seem that impressive!"

Hearing the mocking laughter around him, Daisuke Kobayashi's face instantly turned ashen, while Hirohito in the car was furious beyond measure, wishing he could rush out and tear these bastards to pieces.

These bastards actually dared to insult him!

A short while later, the military police captain arrived with the rest of the men. He glanced at Daisuke Kobayashi, then carefully examined Hirohito, confirming Hirohito's identity.

"The Emperor, is it? Our chairman is ready. Please follow me."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling the military police to make way.

The convoy quickly drove away from there, heading towards the Tohsaka Villa.

The vehicle sped along, with trees flashing past on both sides. On this bumpy road, everyone felt their hearts pounding in their chests.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the vehicle stopped in front of a villa.

The car door opened, and Hirohito got out.

He was wearing black leather shoes, a black suit, and a black tie today, looking like a business elite, but his face was still gloomy.

Chen Sanyuan walked up to Yu Ren and saluted, "Chen Sanyuan, Standing Representative of the China Democratic League!"

Hirohito spoke a lot of Japanese, babbling on and on.

Kobayashi Daisuke, standing nearby, said in broken Chinese, "His Majesty said it was an honor to meet you, Representative Chen Sanyuan, thank you for your introduction."

Chen Sanyuan nodded and stepped aside. "Please come in. The chairman of the China Democratic League is waiting inside."

Hirohito and Kobayashi Daisuke walked step by step into the house.

The villa was a huge compound surrounded by high walls. In addition, there were gun-style observation towers and sentry posts on the roof and walls.

Inside the villa's main hall, Lin Feng sat in a chair with his hands folded on his knees, looking dignified and solemn, like an ancient emperor. He wore a sharp black tailcoat, and his neatly combed hair revealed his good upbringing and manners.

Beside him were prominently displayed Zhang Xiaowu, Commander-in-Chief of the National League for Democracy in North Vietnam; Shen He, Commander-in-Chief of the National League for Democracy in Laos; Zhang Jianping, Press Representative; Xue Zhigang, Foreign Affairs Representative; and several staff members from the press department, who were recording everything with cameras.

Seeing Hirohito stand up, Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes.

He then stood up from his chair and walked toward Hirohito. “It is said that the emperor of Japan has never seen a foreigner outside the palace. I am truly surprised that you have come out to meet me in person.”

Hirohito bowed to Lin Feng and said in broken Chinese, "Your Excellency Chairman, it is my honor to meet you."

"Come on, let's take a picture first."

"Zhang Xiaowu, Shen He, you two stand next to Yu Ren."

"yes!"

Upon hearing that he was to be photographed with the Emperor, Daisuke Kobayashi tried to stop him, but was stopped by soldiers from the Democratic League standing nearby.

Zhang Xiaowu and Shen He stood on either side of Hirohito, and several photographers immediately came up with their cameras, pressed the shutter, and took pictures of Hirohito.

Then, Lin Feng waved his hand and said, "Have a seat first."

Hirohito nodded and sat down beside him.

Everyone around them was cleared out, the door was closed, leaving only Lin Feng and Yu Ren.

The two stared at each other in silence for a while. Finally, Hirohito could not hold back any longer, stood up, and bowed to Lin Feng. "Your Excellency Chairman, I have come to see you today to take full responsibility. I hope that all the punishment will fall on me alone."

"Instead of the soldiers and people of the Cherry Blossom Country."

Lin Feng lit a cigarette, took a puff, then slowly exhaled a ring of smoke and said, "What do you want me to do?"

"This attack on Indochina angered the NLD and caused people to be displaced. This is my responsibility. I am willing to bear everything and pay for it with my life."

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly, "You're quite frank, aren't you?"

"My people are innocent. They should not pay for my mistakes, much less suffer undeserved calamities. I beg the National League for Democracy to show leniency. After all, what we did in the Southeast Asian peninsula has already been paid for with the lives of a million soldiers and millions of civilians..."

Upon hearing Hirohito's words, Lin Feng's face instantly darkened. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, and coldly asked, "Do you think this can be compensated?!"

"What do you mean, Chairman!?"

Lin Feng stared into Hirohito's eyes and said, word by word, "You invaded China, causing the deaths of 35 million civilians! And! You even carried out the Nanjing Massacre! 300,000! You killed 300,000 people alive! Do you think that's enough to make up for it?!"

Hirohito shuddered, his face turning deathly pale, utterly bewildered. "Chairman, China's affairs are China's affairs. This doesn't seem to have much to do with the Democratic League, does it?"

"hehe……"

Lin Feng snorted coldly, threw the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it out. "Have you ever heard of the name Chen Ergou?"