The birthday banquet dispersed, and everyone left.

But Xiu Xin uniquely called back the commander of the Second Division's Second Special Corps, Kudaka Tarou.

In the study, Kudaka Tarou stood quietly in front of the desk, waiting for Xiu Xin to finish speaking. After a long wait, he proactively said, "Master, do you have any orders?"

"Mr. Gu Tian, how have I treated you?" Xiu Xin seemed to finally return to his senses and asked as he looked at him.

Kudaka Tarou's heart trembled, realizing he might be asked to do something dangerous, but still answered without hesitation, "My parents gave me life, but it was you who made me who I am today. Without you, neither I nor my family would have what we have today. I am always ready to lay down my life for you, no matter what; please instruct me!"

"Don't be so agitated," Xiu Xin said with a slight smile before asking, "Mr. Gu Tian, what do you think of our country? Don't hold back, speak the truth."

Kudaka Tarou hesitated for a moment, gathered his thoughts, and said, "A mess, very bad. The lower class has lost all ways to rise, and the economy is deteriorating further, with no future in sight."

"If that's the case, Mr. Gu Tian, would you be willing to join me in breaking this shackle and reestablishing a path for the lower class to rise?" Xiu Xin stared at him intently and asked word by word.

Kudaka Tarou was doubtful and asked tentatively, "How do you intend to break it?"

"Of course, with guns and bullets!" Xiu Xin retorted, saying gravely, "I've caught wind of the fact that our activities over the years have drawn attention upstairs. With Koizumi Ichiro taking office, he's preparing a grand purge to solidify his base as Prime Minister using our bones. We absolutely cannot sit idly by."

Kudaka Tarou's heart pounded, his breathing grew rapid; he could die for Xiu Xin, but had never thought of staging a coup.

"Master, you're thinking of... a coup?" Even though he had some guesses, he still wanted to confirm.

Xiu Xin declared forcefully, "Failure is a coup! Success is called a revolution!"

He stepped forward, holding Kudaka Tarou's shoulders, staring into his eyes, and said, "If we do nothing, we are doomed to die. But if we succeed, your future will be bright."

"Mr. Gu Tian, you're the first to know about this. Do you know why I told you first? Because you are the person I trust most in the military! To be honest, if we succeed, I'm confident in gaining the United States' support to establish a new regime."

"Such trust from you, how could I fail you? I am willing to face any danger for you!" Kudaka Tarou said through gritted teeth.

Not to mention Xiu Xin's favors, even if Xiu Xin fell, he wouldn't fare well. Just for this reason, he could only support Xiu Xin unconditionally.

Moreover, if successful, the rewards would be substantial.

Xiu Xin's tense face finally blossomed into a smile, "I knew Mr. Gu Tian wouldn't let me down. But for a coup, we can't rely on just us; we need to enlist the entire northern aspect team."

After harboring the thought of a coup for so many years, with action imminent, he had to let those around him know his intentions—to unify thoughts for a collaborative great endeavor.

Otherwise, things would turn into chaos when the crunch came.

....................

After the birthday, time turned to 1999.

The last year before the dawn of the new century.

Japan's economy had been sluggish for many years; this cold winter had been too long. All citizens hoped for an economic miracle after the new century.

On February 16, just after the Spring Festival, Hokkaido remained buried in snow. Xiu Xin urgently met with Ueda Hikoshu, Fushan Yingzhao, and other northern aspect leaders.

"Mr. Aoyama, to call us so early in such cold weather, we're not as immune to cold as you young folks,"

Fushan Yingzhao complained the moment they met.

However, facing his complaints, Xiu Xin didn't joke as he used to, instead looking solemn.

Seeing this, everyone immediately realized something major had happened, and their expressions turned serious.

"Mr. Aoyama, what exactly has happened?" Ueda Hikoshu, the northern aspect leader, asked.

Xiu Xin took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Gentlemen, disaster is upon us. Doing nothing will lead us to death."

"Governor Aoyama, why do you say this?" Kudaka Tarou, Xiu Xin's staunch supporter, knew today's plan and matched it accordingly.

Xiu Xin gravely said, "I have precise information that Koizumi Ichiro has been secretly collecting evidence on our activities over the years. Once he's in power, he aims to overthrow us as one of his introductory measures."

"What? Our activities have leaked?"

"I knew there couldn't be a wall without a crack."

"What should we do now? We absolutely cannot just wait to die; we must find a way to resist investigation."

Everyone was momentarily frightened and flustered.

"Resisting investigation? Easier said than done," Xiu Xin shook his head, saying, "It involves military business and corruption. The cabinet, parliament, and even the public won't tolerate it—a thorough purge both inside and out is inevitable, just a matter of time."

Hearing this, everyone fell silent. As soldiers, they understood the magnitude of their problems better, extinguishing any illusions of resisting investigation.

"Mr. Aoyama, tell us, what should we do? You called us here, surely you have an idea," Ueda Hikoshu asked, looking at him.

Xiu Xin glanced over at everyone, speaking word for word, "Now, we can only uphold the emperor against treacherous ministers, execute national traitors, and establish me as Prime Minister once successful."

Bang!

It was like thunder roaring.

Several people stood up instantly.

They stared wide-eyed at Xiu Xin.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of breathing.

"Mr. Aoyama, are you aware of what you're saying?" Ueda Hikoshu asked, his voice dry.

"I know very clearly," Xiu Xin responded with calm tranquility, "I don't want to die, nor do I want to end up in prison, living worse than death. I'm also unwilling to let go of high positions, power, and wealth. So, I want to fight, but it's up to you whether or not you dare to join me. If successful, I'm confident of securing U.S. acquiescence to control the government."

"Gentlemen, knowing each other for so many years, you know what kind of person I am, and I know what kind of people you are. I won't do anything without confidence, and if successful, I promise not to shortchange any of you! If anyone doesn't want to participate, I won't force you."

After he finished speaking, the room remained quiet.

"Damn it! If we may die anyway, might as well fight! Generals, lead us to gamble!" Kudaka Tarou slapped the table and stood.

With his son working beside Xiu Xin, Fushan Yingzhao promptly expressed support, "The Land Guard has been bullied terribly these years! People always said if Mr. Aoyama became Prime Minister, the Land Guard would fare well. Now that he wants to become Prime Minister, we must support him!"

"Exactly! Damn it! This government is all scoundrels! Just cutting our military budget! Mr. Aoyama as Prime Minister, wealth and success for everyone won't be lacking!"

More and more voiced support, and Ueda Hikoshu also relented, "I also won't sit back and be captured."

As this leader supported the cause, more people voiced support, though some opted not to participate.

"For this matter, gentlemen, I truly cannot comply, and hence won't partake in subsequent discussions. Rest assured, today's matter won't be leaked," one Second-class Land Assistant said before attempting to leave.

As soon as he stood up, Kudaka Tarou grabbed chopsticks from the table and stabbed them into his throat, blood spewing wildly.

"Ah! Mr. Gu Tian, what are you doing!"

"Stop, Mr. Gu Tian!"

Others were shocked by this scene.

Kudaka Tarou wiped the blood from his face, gasping, "Such a matter cannot risk any leaks; I'm doing this for everyone's sake."

"Mr. Gu Tian is correct, such matters cannot allow a shred of negligence," Xiu Xin said slowly, standing over the convulsing Second-class Land Assistant, looking down at him, "We've shared prosperity all these years, yet now you refuse to share the risk. A traitor like you deserves death."

After speaking, he picked up another chopstick, lowered his head, and stabbed the other's neck, then turned to look at the group and said, "Gentlemen, make an offering, let it be like a flag sacrifice."

Finally, everyone left approached the Second-class Land Assistant to deliver final blows, from which there was no return.

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