"Ministers, Matsumoto, Nakamura, and the rest of you should know why I've called you here. Japan is facing a great crisis, and if we're not careful, it could fall back into the chaos of the Warring States period. That's why I've asked you all to come - I want to join forces with you to maintain stability in Japan, and that means taking down this 'April Alliance'." Mōri spoke harshly, his words accompanied by a deepening of the distinctive horizontal wrinkles on Kojima Kōsuke's face.

  Miwa Mitsumasa frowned and said after listening to Mu Yang's words: "Is what Shino Kōichi said really true? So many imperial generals, who once wholeheartedly protected the Emperor, how could they all become rebels overnight? Is Shino Kōichi lying to us?"

  "If this is true, it would be a terrible thing. So many army leaders, holding half of the empire's military power, once they start rebelling, the empire will not be able to withstand."

  "No, the Empire still has the Imperial faction in control of nearly half of the military power, the Empire will not be chaotic. Now I think, regardless of whether this news is true or not, we should make preparations first to prevent the 'April Alliance' from launching a coup, so as not to be caught off guard." Mu Yang found that Mine Kōsei, the guy he wanted to pull down the most, still had a clear head, so he retreated and said this.

  Minamoto Mitsuaki nodded in agreement. In any case, taking preventive measures first is definitely not wrong.

  Nakamura Masao is a key figure.

  Nowadays in Tokyo, the largest military commander is Nakamura Masao, his Imperial Guard Division has more than 20,000 people, responsible for guarding Tokyo and the Emperor's safety. Only by convincing Nakamura Masao can things proceed further.

  However, Muyang did have some confidence in persuading Nakamura Masao. Nakamura Masao is from Yamagata Prefecture and happens to be a fellow countryman of Kojima Kunishirō. It's worth noting that the relationship between fellow countrymen, no matter when, is one of the connections in official circles. As early as over a decade ago, Kojima Kunishirō had contact with Nakamura Tadao, and on Nakamura Masao's career path, Kojima Kunishirō had also helped out before, so the relationship between the two men was not bad.

  These things were investigated by Muyang when he was formulating his plan, so he listed Nakamura Masao as an important part of his plan. Now is the time for him to play a role.

  Minamoto Kōsei left, he had to go back and convene an emergency meeting of the Navy Department to discuss countermeasures. Matsumoto Mitsuaki also bid farewell and left, and before leaving, Muyo gave him an order to mobilize the police under his command to impose the highest level of martial law on Tokyo.

  Muyang left Nakamura Masao alone.

  "Nakamura, ensuring the Emperor's safety is the Imperial Guard Division's responsibility. Although it wasn't their fault that His Majesty was assassinated, it's still a dereliction of duty. In the end, Nakamura, you can't avoid being held accountable. I think if Tōjō wants to take action, the first person he'll eliminate will be you."

  Moyou handed a cigar to Nakamura Masao while talking, and the two lit up and started smoking quietly in the room.

  After a while, Nakamura Masao spoke up and said: "Prime Minister, do you think the 'April Alliance' that Asano Kaichi mentioned really exists?"

  "I don't know, but I do know one thing: the Emperor is dead. He was killed by a lieutenant colonel of the General Staff in the Imperial Palace, and it was Mizutani who brought Asano into the palace."

  "The situation with the Army General Staff and the Imperial Headquarters is clear to both of us. The army has always sought greater power and does not want any restraints. If this 'April Alliance' exists, I am not surprised. It's possible that they were not initially formed to assassinate the Emperor or rebel, but rather a loose alliance organization for promotion and advancement. However, after Tōjō Hideki was dismissed, who knows what new ideas may have emerged?" Murai said languidly.

  "But what good would it do to kill the Emperor? The military already has a great deal of power, and even if they were to establish a new Emperor, wouldn't things just end up the same way?" Nakamura Masao asked in puzzlement.

  "Are you so sure they will re-establish an emperor?" Murong said.

  Nakamura Masao was shocked, "Do they want to take control of the imperial power themselves?"

  "It's not necessarily the imperial power, and the emperor's rights are granted by God, so no one can take them away. They can establish a government composed of military personnel, thoroughly kick out the royal family, and grasp Japan's highest power. Such things happen all over the world."

  " Their ambition is indeed not small." Nakamura Masa-o sighed, he was a pure military man who was rarely involved in political struggles, and it may be precisely because of his character that he was chosen as the division commander of the Imperial Guard.

  "They are all people who have experienced the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, who do not have ambitions, how can they reach their current high positions without ambition. Nakamura, now you have to make a choice, either choose to retreat, hand over the position of Near Guard Regimental Commander, or fight for your own destiny."

  "You're not a member of the 'April Alliance', and the Imperial Guard Division you currently command is the largest force in Tokyo. Tojo Hideki and his cohorts will try every means to take away your military command. They may even fabricate a crime to get rid of you."

  "Nakamura, we can't just sit and wait for death. Now that we know their plan, we must take the initiative and strike first, or else we'll be at a disadvantage. Our chances are still great, as long as we control Tokyo, whether it's the Ministry of War or the General Staff, those old military men will have to follow our lead. At that time, we can join forces with the imperial family and jointly support the next emperor, and we will become the people the emperor relies on most. I think that when the new emperor ascends to the throne, he won't be stingy about granting us titles, we can establish our own family, and forever flourish, and we will be the founders of the family, forever remembered and worshiped by our descendants."

  These words were already highly provocative, and Mu Yang used hypnosis when speaking, making it easier for Nakamura Masao to accept Mu Yang's views.

  Promoting officials and advancing titles, creating a family legacy - what enticing words. Murai's words greatly moved Nakamura Masao.

  "Prime Minister, sir, do you think we will succeed?" Nakamura Masao asked.

  Moyang's face revealed an inscrutable smile. He knew that since Nakamura Masa had asked this, he had basically accepted his argument psychologically.

  "There's a Chinese saying, 'Seeking wealth and honor in danger.' Everything has risks, but I think our chances of success are still very high. Think about it, originally there were only a few troops in the country, and the Imperial Guard Division is stationed in Tokyo, responsible for defending Tokyo's safety. We have every right to impose martial law on Tokyo. Other troops cannot be mobilized without orders, this is our opportunity."

  "As long as Nakamura-san makes up his mind, I'll take care of the government side, and you control the Imperial Guard Division to put Tokyo under martial law. The Navy and Army have never gotten along, we can get the support of General Minami Goro, next step I'm prepared to persuade the imperial family, what else can't we succeed in?"