“I…I really…didn’t expect this…” he sobbed intermittently, “I thought…I thought we could win…”
"Ha... Win? Win my ass!" Hirohito scoffed. "Right now, we can't even defend Japan!! You still expect to use the agreement I signed to negotiate with the US!! To make me a puppet??? To make my country's people unable to hold their heads high for the rest of their lives!???"
At this point, Hirohito suddenly raised his head and glared menacingly at Tojo Umedo, who was kneeling before him.
"I'm telling you, I'm here today for one thing only: prepare to negotiate with the National League for Democracy! Otherwise, I'll kill you!!!"
"..."
Tojo Umetoku stared at him in shock, seemingly never expecting that the usually weak and submissive Emperor would utter such words as killing him.
Moreover, judging from Hirohito's expression, he was definitely not threatening him.
Seeing that Tojo Ume remained silent, Hirohito's expression grew increasingly grim. He gritted his teeth and threatened, "What? You still want to disobey orders?!"
"Your Majesty!" The Minister of the Army, Korechika Anami, the Minister of the Navy, Mineo Osumi, the Minister of Home Affairs, Genki Abe, the Minister of Munitions, Teijiro Toyoda, and the Minister of State, Seizo Sakon, immediately knelt before him.
"Please don't act impulsively! This is a matter of national security, please think it over carefully!"
"We still have millions of troops!! Even if we have to row, we'll row to the main island and fight the National League forces!"
"We really still have a chance!!!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Please reconsider!"
Hirohito gave the group of cowards a cold glance, then turned to Tojo Umedo, clenched his fist, and gritted his teeth, saying, "If you still refuse to negotiate, I'll kill you with my own hands!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Finance Minister Hirose Yutaka followed closely behind.
The ministers collapsed to the ground, at a loss for what to do, and could only turn their attention to Tojo Umedo.
"His Majesty……"
Tojo Ume sighed and slowly closed her eyes.
After a long silence, a sorrowful yet resolute smile appeared on his lips. "If Your Majesty wishes to negotiate, then so be it. As for us... we will, of course, serve the Empire with utmost loyalty!!!"
As he spoke, he resolutely stood up.
? ? ? ? ?
The others were a bit confused.
What's the meaning?
Do you intend to disobey His Majesty's decree?
This is just ridiculous!
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister!!"
"Mr. Tojo!"
"Lord Tojo!"
Tojo Umeto narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone firm: "So many civilians have died. Even if you survive, I estimate you won't live much longer. Rather than be criticized behind your backs, it's better to sacrifice yourself for your country."
……………………
July 5, 1942, 10:51 PM.
The 5th and 6th Armies swept through the land with almost no rest from the moment they landed. All resistance forces crumbled in the hands of the 5th and 6th Armies.
At this moment, in Puyuan City, the vanguard of the 5th Army, the 15th Mechanized Infantry Division, had already entered the city.
The 16th and 17th Mechanized Infantry Divisions are advancing towards Fujinomiya and Fuji on both sides, attempting to occupy the entire city and then concentrate their forces to completely annihilate the remaining resistance forces in the city.
"Da da da da da da da—!"
"Pfft—"
"Bang--!"
"Bang--!"
Inside the city of Kawara, the 212th Division, along with the city's military police, police, and civilians, bravely resisted the attack of the 16th Mechanized Infantry Division.
These rebels, whether they were well-trained soldiers or the elderly, women, and children, fought desperately.
Looking through his binoculars at the remaining armed forces in the city, Zhao Mingyi, commander of the 5th Army, frowned: "It seems I underestimated these resistance forces. I didn't expect that even after our main force was wiped out, they would still have such a strong fighting force."
Political Commissar Ma Yunlin, who was standing next to him, also shook his head solemnly: "No, the Japanese devils are not human, they cannot be considered as combat power."
"Ha ha!"
"Old Ma, what you said is so philosophical, hahaha!"
Zhao Mingyi laughed heartily, then his expression turned grave as he continued to observe the battle situation. Suddenly, his pupils contracted: "Order the heavy artillery regiment to bombard all buildings within the city, immediately!!!"
Ma Yunlin was taken aback, but immediately relayed the order: "Heavy artillery regiment, listen up! Immediately target all buildings within the city and fire shells at full speed!!!"
“Swish swish swish~~~”
As a barrage of shells pierced the air, Puyuan City was instantly engulfed in smoke.
The sound of shells exploding echoed across the night sky, and bursts of red and blue flames rose and bloomed in the darkness.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang -!!!"
Countless bullets spewed from the gun barrels, wreaking havoc throughout Puyuan City. Houses were shattered into pieces, with bricks and stones flying everywhere.
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang-!!!"
"Bang--!!!"
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!!!!"
"Ah! My leg!! Help me! Help me!! Help me!!!"
"Ah—! Help me!!!!"
"Oh my god!!! Help—help me!!!"
In an instant, cries of agony filled the air, blood stained the streets and alleys, corpses piled up like mountains, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of blood.
"superior!!!"
The spearhead regiment of the 16th Mechanized Infantry Division, armed with submachine guns, fiercely charged into the enemy's positions.
"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—"
The submachine gun spat out fire wildly, and a dense barrage of bullets rained down like a torrential downpour, tearing any enemies in its path to shreds, scattering body parts all around.
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