One man's resistance against Japan, I mobilized a million people to aid Shanghai.

Kyoto, Japan.

Inside the Japanese headquarters, in the meeting room.

Under the magnificent chandelier, the long conference table was filled with key figures from the Japanese army.

Army Minister Fumimaro Konoe, Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai, Army Chief of Staff Prince Kan'in Kotohito, Navy Chief of Staff Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu, and a host of senior army and navy officers gathered together.

Everyone's face looked extremely grim at that moment.

What was initially thought to be a great victory at the Battle of Shanghai has now turned into a successful breakout by the Chinese army, casting a shadow over everyone's hearts.

The Minister of War, with a stern face, spoke first:

"Gentlemen, here is the latest battle report from Songjiang."

"The main force of the Chinese army... about 500,000 men, after suffering heavy losses, broke through the Songjiang defense line of our 11th Army last night and moved westward."

"Take a step back?"

Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai immediately seized on this, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and said:

"That's easy for you to say, but I think they got away."

"The army is a bunch of idiots. Despite having a huge advantage and the artillery support of my navy, they still managed to let the cooked duck fly away."

"The army's combat effectiveness is truly impressive."

The army personnel's faces instantly turned red.

An army lieutenant general couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and shout:

"Lord Yonai! Watch your words! The fall of Matsue is entirely the responsibility of the navy!"

"If the First Fleet hadn't deserted its posts, causing the interruption of land support, how could our forces have failed at the last hurdle?!"

The Minister of War was also furious and shouted:

"As far as I know, the main force of the Chinese navy has already been wiped out in the previous naval battles, leaving only a few broken ships."

"The massive First Fleet actually gave chase because of a few breaches, falling for a diversionary tactic. What is this if not naval incompetence?"

"Furthermore, during the pursuit, the commander of the First Fleet, Chuichi Nagumo, was also killed by the Chinese, and the battleship Mikasa sank. Doesn't your navy owe us an explanation?"

"Baka!!"

Minay's face flushed red. "Our navy fought bravely to support the army, and now that we've suffered heavy losses, you still dare to ask us for an explanation?"

"Our navy risks their lives, who the hell are we supposed to answer to?"

"You army idiots! It's clearly your fault for failing to capture the enemy stronghold!"

"Naval idiots! What can you do besides wasting the Empire's resources?!"

The meeting room erupted into chaos as long-standing grievances between the Army and Navy finally exploded, with each side blaming the other.

In an instant, spittle flew everywhere, faces turned red, and all traces of the dignity of imperial elites were gone.

"Enough!!" A powerful shout silenced the entire room.

Prince Kan'in, who had been silent all along, slammed his cane heavily on the ground, his stern gaze sweeping over the two arguing parties.

"What kind of behavior is this! The Empire is at a critical moment in the Holy War, and look at yourselves!"

"How can His Majesty the Emperor's great cause be accomplished when the Army and Navy are so divided?"

"Regarding the Songjiang incident, the army certainly bears responsibility for its inadequate pursuit, but the navy's failure to effectively blockade the sea and prevent the enemy's escape also constitutes a dereliction of duty!"

"The loss of the Mikasa is a disgrace to the Imperial Navy. Stop shifting the blame!"

Seeing the prince speak, both sides barely managed to suppress their anger, but the resentment and dissatisfaction in their eyes were still obvious.

Prince Kan'in Kotohito regained control of the situation and steered the conversation back on track:

"Let bygones be bygones; the most urgent task is to decide on the next course of action on the East China battlefield."

"The main force of the Chinese army has just suffered a defeat. Although Songjiang was breached by them, the army was already in complete disarray and morale was low."

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"

A senior officer from the Army General Staff immediately stood up and said in a fervent tone:

"Your Highness, Your Excellency, Prime Minister, and Your Excellencies!"

"The gates of Nanjing, the capital of China, are now wide open. Our army should take advantage of the Chinese army's recent defeat and their lingering shock, and strike directly at the heart of the enemy with overwhelming force."

"Capture their capital in one fell swoop, completely destroy the Chinese army's will to resist, and force the Chinese government to surrender!"

"I suggest that the main force of the Central China Front Army, about thirty-five divisions, be divided into two routes, north and south, and advance rapidly towards Nanjing along the north and south sides of Taihu Lake."

"The northern route passes through Wuxi, Changzhou, and Danyang, heading straight for the eastern suburbs of Nanjing; the southern route passes through Huzhou, Guangde, and Lishui, flanking and attacking Nanjing's southern flank and rear, forming a pincer movement. We aim to capture Nanjing within a month!"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the meeting room.

It must be said that this plan is incredibly tempting.

Capturing the capital of an enemy country has unparalleled symbolic significance and practical value, both militarily and politically.

Most of the people in the meeting room, especially the army generals, had excited glints in their eyes.

It's as if I can already see the Chinese flag fluttering over the walls of Nanjing.

Prince Kan'in Kotohito pondered for a moment, then looked at Yonai Mitsumasa from the naval side.

Although Minay was dissatisfied with the army, he also knew the enormous benefits that capturing Nanjing would bring to the empire as a whole, so he nodded slightly and indicated that the navy would provide the necessary artillery support and transportation guarantees along the river.

"In that case," Prince Kan'in Kotohito finally made up his mind.

"Order!"

"The Central China Army, concentrate its elite forces, and prepare immediately for a general offensive against Nanjing according to this plan!"

"We must conquer the Chinese capital with the fastest speed and the lowest cost, and proclaim the glory of our empire's military prowess!"

"After capturing Nanjing, let's celebrate for three days!"

"Hai!!"

The army generals responded in unison, extremely excited.

Just as the key officials and generals at headquarters were immersed in the grand scheme of capturing Nanjing and forcing China to submit—

"Bang! Bang bang bang!!"

"Boom!"

A burst of unusually clear and rapid gunfire, mixed with several muffled explosions, suddenly came from the southeast.

The sounds of gunfire were deafening in the night, shattering the tranquility of Tokyo and exploding like a grenade in the noisy conference room.

The meeting room fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone listened intently, their faces showing surprise and uncertainty.

What was that sound?

Konoe Fumimaro frowned and asked sternly:

"Is this a drill, or has an accident occurred?"

Prince Kan'in also stood up, looking solemnly towards the direction from which the sound came from outside the window.

Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open with a bang, and a pale-faced staff officer in an army uniform practically stumbled in, panting heavily as he loudly reported:

"Report! Your Excellency Prime Minister! Your Highness Prince! Something terrible has happened! Urgent news has arrived from the direction of Yokosuka!"

"Large-scale riots have broken out in multiple areas around the port, with unidentified armed men attacking police stations, warehouses, and military camps!"

"The gunfire was intense, and the fire...the fire was huge!"

"What?! The Yokosuka riot?!"

Everyone in the meeting room was stunned; they could hardly believe their ears.

Yokosuka? The heart of the Imperial Navy, a heavily guarded naval port, how could a riot have broken out there?

Unidentified armed men? Where did they come from?!

The army general in charge of the defense of Kyoto and its surrounding areas immediately stepped forward, both shocked and furious:

"Baka! Where did these thugs come from?"

"Could it be sabotage by North Koreans?!"

"Immediately order the Yokosuka garrison to deploy marines and resolutely suppress them! Kill them on sight! They must not be allowed to approach the core of the port area!"

The order was quickly relayed. Marines stationed in Yokosuka were urgently mobilized, and military vehicles, fully loaded with soldiers, roared towards the direction from which the gunfire was heard.

The beams of searchlights swept wildly across the night sky, and sirens blared throughout the heavens.

Yokosuka was in an uproar, with more than 3,000 garrison troops being urgently dispatched to the scene.

What they didn't know was that in the darkness, more than 20,000 pairs of eyes were watching them intently.