China, Chongqing.

  Chen Bulei, Chiang's chief secretary, rushed into the office and said to Chiang who was reviewing documents, "Chairman, we just received a broadcast from Japanese radio that Emperor Hirohito of Japan has been assassinated. The former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, War Minister Gen Sugiyama, and Chief of General Staff Yoshijiro Umezu were involved in the assassination and have probably been executed."

  Chen Bulei said these words with an uncontrollable joy in his tone.

  Chiang Kai-shek was shocked by Chen Bulei's words and immediately stood up, asking urgently: "What's going on? Tell me carefully. Is Hirohito really dead? And Tōjō Hideki too?"

  Chen Bulei said excitedly: "Our intelligence station has always had the habit of listening to Japanese radio stations, hoping to grasp some social dynamics in Japan through the radio. Just now, Japanese Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso suddenly made a speech, and the content of the speech was that Emperor Hirohito of Japan was assassinated by a lieutenant colonel named Kaichi Asano from the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff, unfortunately dying."

  "In addition, the broadcast also said that this matter was planned by some Japanese army generals, with Tōjō Hideki, Sugiyama Hajime and Matsuoka Yosuke as the main conspirators, and it is likely that some Japanese military leaders who were fighting abroad were also involved. In Kuniaki Koiso's speech, these people were labeled as rebels, saying they tried to seize power in Japan. The broadcast also said that the rebellion had been put down, and Tōjō Hideki and others had been beheaded. According to this statement, Tōjō Hideki, Sugiyama Hajime and Matsuoka Yosuke, who were in Tokyo, Japan, must have been taken care of, and it is estimated that they have already been executed by firing squad. Otherwise, Kuniaki Koiso would not dare to make such a public statement."

  Old Chiang heard this, excitedly walked back and forth in the office, suddenly turned around, facing Chen Bulei said: "This is a big deal, a huge thing, Japan may be on the verge of internal chaos. Immediately mobilize all our hidden intelligence forces in Japan to investigate this matter thoroughly, do not miss any details, and pay close attention to Japan's future dynamics. Inform Military Intelligence and Central Intelligence, spare no expense, I will personally award the Order of Precious Tripod, Order of Blue Sky and White Sun, promotion by one rank, absolutely will not be stingy with rewards."

  Old Chiang looked at Chen Bulei and continued to ask: "Go on, what else is there, be more detailed."

  "Ah, and also, Koizumi said on the broadcast that considering Japan's current situation, before a new emperor is elected, Prime Minister Koizumi will implement a prime ministerial responsibility system, where he has the final say in Japan's governance."

  "Also, Japan will have a nationwide factory shutdown, enterprise suspension, store closures, school suspensions, and organize the whole country to pay respects to the Japanese Emperor. Chairman, you say that Koizumi Junichiro isn't being reckless, it's absolutely a foolish move, under this influence, Japan's logistical pressure will definitely increase even more, but it has given us an opportunity to turn things around." Chen Bulei said.

  Old Chiang couldn't help but burst into loud laughter upon hearing this, he didn't even know how long it had been since he'd laughed so freely. Since the Battle of Henan began in April, the Nationalist government had suffered defeat after defeat, retreating from Henan to Hunan and finally being pushed back to Guangdong and Guangxi by the Japanese army. The Nationalist army had lost 6 or 7 million men, lost three provinces, and several tens of millions of civilians had fallen into enemy hands. The pressure on Old Chiang's shoulders was so great that he hadn't been able to sleep well for a single day. Now, he'd finally heard some good news, and it was tremendous.

  Now he finally understands why the Japanese army suddenly stopped all attacks a few days ago, switching from strategic offense to strategic defense. The root cause is actually here, it's smooth, really smooth.

  "Jiang, hurry up and arrange for the intelligence department to investigate this matter. Also, notify the staff in the Ministry of War at home that we will have a meeting this afternoon. I want to study our next strategy. We can't let such a good opportunity slip away." Old Chiang gave orders excitedly.

  "Alright, Mr. Chairman, I'll go and make arrangements." Chen Bulei turned around to leave.

  "Yanjun, after the announcement is made, let's have lunch together in the afternoon. You'll accompany me for a couple of drinks. Such a joyful occasion, how can we not raise our glasses to celebrate?" Old Jiang burst into loud laughter again, and Chen Bulei also laughed along with him.

  China, Yan'an.

  In a small courtyard outside the cave dwelling, a team of three people were studying and analyzing the latest information they had just obtained.

  "Do you think this news is reliable?" Old Mao pulled out a cigarette from the pack, tapped it on the pack, lit it with a match, threw the match to the ground and extinguished it, taking a deep drag of the cigarette.

  "Firstly, this broadcast is indeed from Radio Japan, which has been confirmed by the radio station staff several times. The announcer of Radio Japan said that the speech was made by the current Prime Minister of Japan, Kuniaki Koiso, which is also very likely. If the Emperor of Japan really passed away, it should be the Prime Minister who announces the news to the outside world," Lao Zhou said.

  Director Zhu looked at the telegram paper in his hand again, then put it on the small square table, took out a cigarette from the cigarette box and lit it for himself, and used the cigarette box to press the telegram paper firmly.

  After spitting out a mouthful of smoke, Old Zhu said: "The Japanese army leaders collectively rebelled, and the three main culprits were Tojo Hideki, Sugiyama Hajime, and Matsuoka Yosuke. They were actually put down by that mediocre Army General Shigenori Kuroda. Look at what it says here, 'the chief culprit has been beheaded'. What does that mean? It means that a former Prime Minister, the most prestigious person in the Japanese army Tojo Hideki, plus the Japanese Army Minister, plus the Japanese Chief of Staff, were actually taken care of by Shigenori Kuroda. If it's true, then those three people, including Tojo Hideki, are just idiots, complete and utter idiots."

  Mr. Zhu's words made both Old Mao and Old Zhou burst out laughing.

  Director Zhu continued: "Take a look at this sentence, 'The remaining remnants of the empire will continue to pursue', what does it mean? It's not over yet. There are still many people in the Japanese army who participated in the assassination of the Emperor. So, Japan's chaos has just begun, and this is our chance to counterattack."

  Old Mao swung his hand fiercely and said loudly, "Right, Xiao Jiguang doesn't know what means he used to execute Dongyue Yingji, Sugiyama Yuan and Mei Tianmei these three people, but he absolutely can't convince all the Japanese military generals. At that time, both sides will inevitably engage in internal struggle, and at that time, it is our turn to counterattack."

  "But all this is based on the premise that the content of this broadcast speech is true, and now we need to further confirm the authenticity of the speech. Also, you said it might be a conspiracy planned by Prime Minister Kishida to seize power?" Old Zhou said.