**Tokyo Announcement**
All officers, soldiers, and citizens of the Cherry Blossom Country:
This is to inform all officers, soldiers, and citizens of the Sakura Kingdom that the People's Alliance Army is about to launch a full-scale operation. To avoid unnecessary casualties and property damage, the following notice is hereby issued:
Given the Japanese government's refusal to accept peace negotiations and its continued hostile actions, the People's Alliance Army has decided to take military action against the Tokyo area. In respect of international humanitarian law and out of humanitarian considerations, we once again urge the Japanese government and its military to surrender immediately and unconditionally.
The specific requirements are as follows:
1. The government of the Sakura Kingdom must issue a surrender statement immediately upon receiving this notice to demonstrate its sincerity.
2. All troops of the Sakura Kingdom (including those in overseas occupied territories) must be disarmed by midnight tonight and assemble in designated areas, to be taken over by the National Alliance Army and the Chinese Army.
3. All officers, soldiers, and citizens of the Sakura Kingdom must obey all instructions issued by the National Alliance Army, remain calm, and refrain from any form of resistance.
If the above demands are not met by midnight tonight, the National League for Democracy will have no choice but to take further military measures and launch a full-scale artillery bombardment of the Tokyo area. In the course of this process, in the spirit of international humanitarianism, we must solemnly warn that any resistance or delay will only lead to the loss of more innocent lives.
We are keenly aware of the pain and suffering that war brings, but for the sake of lasting peace and stability, we must take decisive measures. We hope that the government of Japan will assess the situation and make a wise decision based on the long-term interests of the nation and its people, so as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
This is to announce.
**Date: July 7, 1942 [Specific Date]**
**Issued by: Headquarters of the China Democratic League**
**Posted by: Lin Feng**
………………………………
July 7, 1942, 6:34 PM.
The air was thick with the acrid smell of burning and blood, and the ground was littered with bits of flesh and severed limbs, the corpses grotesque and terrifying in the darkness.
This was a night filled with violence and bloodshed, a city rife with death, slaughter, and destruction!
"Bang--"
The basement beneath Tokyo's Chiyoda Imperial Palace.
A line of black cars pulled up, and cabinet ministers, looking disheveled, stepped out. At the entrance, hundreds of imperial generals and officers had been waiting for some time.
Upon seeing the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers alight from their car, everyone immediately rushed to greet them.
"Prime Minister, please allow us to risk our lives in the final battle against the enemy!"
An army major general stepped forward and, with great excitement, challenged the prime minister to a battle.
Although the others did not express their opinions, they clearly agreed with the army major general's words.
"Prime Minister, the National League army is now at its wits' end, without supplies. This is the perfect opportunity for us to press our advantage and launch a counterattack! Please allow us to lead our troops in pursuit!!!"
Another general stepped forward and spoke.
"Prime Minister, I request to go into battle. I am willing to risk my life to guarantee that we will win!"
"We request the Prime Minister's permission to go to war and win more victories for our nation!!!"
...
"Salute—!" Army Minister Korechika Anami shouted, and all the generals saluted the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister took a deep breath and then slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, his sharp gaze was filled with helplessness.
Tojo Umetoku didn't finish speaking; instead, he led the ministers towards the basement...
6:55.
Inside the meeting room.
On the left are Prime Minister Umetoku Tojo, Army Minister Korechika Anami, Navy Minister Mineo Ōsumi, and Home Minister Genki Abe.
On the right are Finance Minister Hirose Yutaka, Minister of Munitions Teijiro Toyoda, Minister of State Sakonji Seizo, and Commander of the Tokyo Defense Forces Terakura Shozo.
"His Majesty has considered that the National League forces have blockaded the strait, preventing troops from other war zones from arriving at home in time to fight, and that our local soldiers and civilians have suffered heavy losses. He believes that the war cannot continue."
Hirose Yutaka, with a solemn expression, spoke first: "We can only accept the Tokyo Announcement proposed by Lin Feng, the chairman of the Democratic League, and immediately surrender to end the war."
"I'd also like to hear everyone's opinions."
Hirose Yutaka scanned the entire room. No one spoke; it was completely silent. The only sounds were the heavy breathing of those with bowed heads, clenched fists, resentment, and anger.
After a moment, Hirohito looked at Prime Minister Tojo Umedo opposite him and said, "Don't remain silent. Will you accept the Tokyo Notice unconditionally, or will we propose our own conditions?"
Minister of State Sakon Seizo: "First, we need to determine how to maintain the national system."
Interior Minister Genki Abe: "The Emperor's legal status cannot be changed!"
Army Minister Korechika Anami: "Disarmament on the mainland is not a problem, but disarmament of overseas troops is a disgrace to the military. If the conditions are not right, we can only continue the war."
Navy Minister Mineo Ōsumi: "Even if it's a scorched-earth war, we will never compromise and will never surrender to the enemy!"
Tokyo Defense Force Commander Shozo Terakura: "I don't think we've been defeated."
Upon hearing the ministers' remarks, Finance Minister Hirose Yutaka was enraged. "If this isn't a defeat?! What would constitute a defeat?!"
Korechika Anami: "We have only lost a local war, but we have not lost the whole world!"
"Damn it! China has two million troops. Even if your entire army invades northern Vietnam, what can you do? Tokyo will soon be gone! Do you want tens of millions of the empire's people to die with you?!" Quartermaster Minister Toyoda Teijiro couldn't help but roar, his eyes bloodshot and tears wetting his glasses.
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