I built an armada.

"Takahashi, I know far more than you can imagine."

"what do you want?"

Takahashi's voice became more serious.

"Given your personality, you would never contact me personally unless it was absolutely necessary."

Taro Kato took a deep breath.

“I am currently negotiating in Longxia, but the outcome is obvious. The cabinet does not agree with Longxia’s proposals at all, and Longxia has stated that if their demands cannot be met, they will use force to achieve their goals.”

“You know better than anyone the current situation in the Eastern Wilderness. We are already on the verge of destruction.”

Takahashi remained silent for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

"Others may not know, but don't you understand my current situation?"

"You think I can influence the cabinet's judgment? Absolutely not!"

"No, I don't need you to influence the cabinet; no one can do that."

"We...must save this country!"

"what do you mean……"

……

"I will meet you in Kyoto in two and a half hours!"

Ten minutes later, Takahashi hung up the phone, a strange flame flickering in his eyes.

His hands were trembling and his heart was pounding, but he forced himself to take deep breaths.

Ryunosuke Takahashi, a former lieutenant colonel in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, was forced to retire three years ago after angering certain individuals.

He then opened a military-themed bar, which became a gathering place for a special group of disillusioned military officers.

Moreover, he is not a true friend of Longxia, nor does he belong to any organization that is close to Longxia.

But this is not important.

When faced with sufficient benefits, one's stance can be changed at any time!

Moreover, as a semi-hawk, Takahashi had long disliked those pigeons and wanted to drive the Eagle Tribe's soldiers out of the Eastern Wilderness!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The main force of the Eastern Wilderness and the garrison of the Eagle Tribe are all on high alert against Longxia's sudden attack.

Even now, because Longxia has not withdrawn its troops, Donghuang is still constantly dispatching and reinforcing its army to guard against Longxia.

Although everyone knows it makes no sense.

Right now, the Eastern Wilderness is facing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to weaken its local military strength!

However, he alone is not enough to accomplish such a great task; he needs more allies.

More importantly, Kato himself must be present; otherwise, it will be completely unconvincing.

Even though Kato had rushed back from Ryūha as quickly as possible, he still wouldn't be able to meet with Takahashi for at least two and a half hours.

This left them with only two hours.

Time is still very tight!

The Ministry of Defense building looked like a silent behemoth in the rainy night.

Takahashi showed his identification, and the guard stood at attention and saluted.

Although he has retired, this does not mean that he has no influence in the upper echelons of the Eastern Wilderness.

Takahashi walked through the empty lobby, his footsteps echoing on the cold marble floor.

Hundreds or even thousands of bureaucrats usually work here, but now only a few offices have their lights on.

The third conference room on the second basement level is a briefing room built during the Eagle and White Bear era. It is not only soundproof and eavesdropping-proof, but also has no surveillance cameras.

However, not many people were able to use this meeting room. As times changed, the meeting room gradually lost its original function and was sealed off for many years.

Takahashi pushed open the door, and three middle-aged men were sitting inside.

"Ryunosuke Takahashi".

A man with a nearly shaved head and short hair, wearing a black jacket, sat at one end of a long table, like a stone statue.

"What news do you have that requires us old folks to be alerted?"

The man frowned slightly.

"I want you to know that this is a critical moment."

“If it weren’t for the kindness left by your father, I would never waste my time on you.”

Takahashi nodded slightly and slowly sat down.

"As far as I know, Longxia is demanding $50 billion in compensation from us, as well as a public trial of the ringleader and a series of related individuals..."

The man frowned slightly.

"I don't know where you got this information, but if this is all the nonsense you're going to spout, then you can leave now."

Takahashi shook his head slightly.

"If Longxia does not get the results they want in four and a half hours, they will launch a direct attack on the Eastern Wilderness mainland, or even a devastating strike. Nuclear missiles are ready."

"I think none of you are aware of this news yet, are you?"

The expressions of the people present suddenly changed.

They really didn't know this.

The intelligence reported by Kato was partially suppressed by the leader, and apart from the cabinet members present, no one else knew that Long Xia was planning to take action.

The higher-ups only knew that Long Xia planned to try the leader, and of course they wouldn't support that condition!

"How can it be!"

"They've already..."

"The fact that Longxia has not withdrawn its troops yet is the best proof of this!"

Takahashi let out a low growl.

"This is an ultimatum to us, not a negotiating condition!"

"And now, the leader, driven by his own selfish desires, wants to drag the entire Eastern Wilderness into destruction. Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

One person looked unwell.

What exactly is the Cabinet's stance?

"There were arguments, buck-passing, and even some idiots clamoring for war, but everyone knew we had no chance of winning."

Takahashi paused.

"The Cabinet's idea is to discuss this again, but gentlemen, we all know very well that Longxia will not back down."

"so what?"

The middle-aged man stared at Takahashi.

"What do you want us to do, you've summoned us here? Write a passionate blog post? Or organize a protest march?"

His expression was slightly somber.

"But now, isn't it too late for everything?"

Takahashi felt his mouth was dry.

He picked up the water glass in front of him and took a sip; the cold water calmed him down a little.

"The person in charge of negotiating with China is an advisor to the cabinet. He is on his way back and is expected to arrive in Kyoto in two hours."

"What do you mean?"

"Perhaps we can replace them with a new group of ministers who truly care about the people."

The meeting room was silent for ten seconds.

Then, the middle-aged man laughed, a laugh devoid of any warmth:
"Takahashi, do you know what you just said?"

"This is a complete power grab!"

"You, a retired military officer, are proposing a power grab with us, a group of officials ostracized from the center of power?"

"We are not without opportunities." This world is a giant makeshift operation.

In the context of a power grab, there can be a brilliant and completely unscathed grab like the one by All-Kaka, or, decades later, a power grab by the same tribe that is a complete joke like the one by Ikaka.

Especially for the Eastern Wilderness at present, its defenses are weak, its command system is in disarray, and its high-ranking officials are constantly arguing.

As long as they can muster a military force, they won't even need to declare martial law to complete this power grab!
"Besides, this is not a power grab."

Takahashi corrected, "This is an emergency procedure... or rather, a special execution method."

"According to Article X of the law, when the cabinet is unable to perform its functions or the tribe faces a major crisis, an emergency reorganization procedure can be initiated."

"But this restructuring will not be voted on by Congress, but rather... implemented by us."

"As for which law? It doesn't matter, we can amend it after this is over."

"To carry it out with guns?"

The man chuckled.

“Execute with determination.” Takahashi leaned forward. “Your Excellency, do you believe the current cabinet is still capable of making decisions?”

"They don't even have the courage to admit defeat; they will only lead this tribe to war and destruction!"

"And all of this is because some people made foolish decisions, simply because they are afraid to take on the humiliating responsibility!"

“And we,” Takahashi said, opening his arms, “we dare to take responsibility! We will take responsibility for them!”

"This is not a power grab, it is a succession. In a time when warships are sinking, crew members are being captured, and diplomacy is collapsing, a group of more decisive people have replaced the indecisive ones!"

How will history record this?

"I do not know."

Takahashi suddenly swung his arm.

"But I know that if we do nothing, history will record that the Eastern Wilderness tribe perished because of the pride of a group of cowards!"

Takahashi's face was flushed, and his tone was angry.

It must be said that his speech was very persuasive.

At least a few people present were persuaded.

After a long while, one person stood up.

What are your plans?

“First,” Takahashi stood up, “we need to control several key locations…”

"We don't actually need large-scale military operations because our main force isn't inside the tribe, and the operations need to be swift, accurate, and ruthless, so we don't need too many people, but we must have enough and be loyal!"

"besides……"

Takahashi spoke quickly and logically, explaining his plan clearly in just five minutes.

"Finally, I think we still need to keep the Great Chieftain under our control, as a last resort."

"Is this plan... a bit too hasty?"

"Or, what reason should we use?"

Takahashi's expression turned serious.

"It's very simple. The current cabinet has resigned en masse due to immense pressure, and Taro Kato has temporarily formed a cabinet to handle the crisis, while I assist him as his deputy."

"This is not a power grab, but a succession; it is being appointed to a critical mission."

"If we fail... please rest assured, we will admit that we have leverage over you and that everything you have done was forced upon you."

"We will take full responsibility."

Of course, when it comes time to divide the cake, they will get the largest slice.

"Will they believe it? Will the media believe it? Will the public believe Fan?"

"Whether they believe it or not is not important; what matters is whether we can succeed."

Takahashi said calmly.

"The people crave our leadership, they crave someone who can make decisions."

"Besides..."

Takahashi's plan was simple.

If they are forced to hand over their chieftain and numerous commanders, it will be a complete defeat, and they will utterly lose the dignity of a tribe.

But if the power grab is successful, and these people are handed over, the nature of the situation will be completely different.

To put it bluntly, this wrong war was started entirely because of the selfish desires of some people, and it is perfectly reasonable to hand over the criminals to the victims for processing now.

As for compensation? Of course, you have to compensate others with something. If you do something wrong, you should naturally be punished.

However, the angle of this compensation... is something we can discuss.

For example, once the culprit is handed over, the current leader immediately distances himself from the previous executive department in order to get closer to Longxia, or even hand over some land that does not belong to them in exchange for some preferential treatment.

The eldest brother has gained both face and substance; how could we really not give them some preferential treatment?
Domestically, these preferential treatments can be packaged as concessions from China to quickly quell public sentiment.

When it comes to external relations, the natural thing is to acknowledge the elder brother and follow in his footsteps without wavering.

If we go back and forth like this, we can save face, right?
As for the substance? Who cares?

“Now,” Takahashi pointed to the Prime Minister’s residence on the map, “let’s begin!”

An hour later.

The lights in the Cabinet Chief's official residence looked particularly desolate in the rainy night.

The cabinet chief is in his office discussing a so-called final solution with several close confidants—in reality, how to find a scapegoat.

"Who are you people?! Do you even know where you are?!"

The head of the guards at the official residence drew his sidearm, but was stopped by a gesture from Takahashi, and four guards subdued him instantly.

"In this special situation, the official residence will be temporarily taken over in accordance with emergency regulations."

Takahashi's voice echoed in the empty hall.

"Everyone stay where you are and cooperate with the inspection."

“Repeat, this is not a drill, nor is it a hostile operation. We are here to protect the leader’s safety.”

Upstairs, the cabinet chief heard the commotion, went to the window, and saw that the official residence was surrounded by fully armed soldiers. His face turned pale.

As an old man who had lived through the standoff, he immediately understood what had happened.

The cabinet chief slumped back into his chair, giving a wry smile: "As expected... it still happened."

When Takahashi entered the office, the cabinet chief had already regained his composure and even picked up his teacup.

"You look familiar, sir. I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?"

The cabinet leader spat out a mouthful of tea.

"How many of you are there?"

“That’s enough, Your Excellency.” Takahashi bowed slightly.

Despite the unusual circumstances, he maintained a great deal of respect.

"Please rest assured that your safety and that of your cabinet members will be guaranteed, but please stay here for the time being and do not contact the outside world."

"Where is Kato?" the cabinet chief suddenly asked. "Where is he?"

Takahashi seemed surprised that the cabinet chief would realize this so quickly.
“Advisor Kato will arrive in Kyoto in half an hour,” Takahashi said. “He will give you an explanation.”

At the same time, locations such as the Capitol fell one after another, but the process was unusually calm.

All signals from the broadcasting center were cut off, leaving only one backup channel.

Half an hour later, at the chief's residence.

Kato rushed here as soon as he got off the plane.

Surprisingly, after learning Kato's purpose, the chief was very cooperative.

They originally thought that Long Xia would ask for more, and might even take the chief away as well.

But the current situation is much better than they expected, so why wouldn't they cooperate? (End of Chapter)