Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1089: The Devastated Kyoto

Seven in the morning, West District safe house.

"The operation ended perfectly." Black Fox sat in front of the communications desk, and heard shouts and screams outside the window.

Elante leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette: "It's really lively outside. The blood in front of the Emperor's Palace hasn't dried yet, and the Chamber of Commerce and gangs are starting to make trouble on the street again."

"More than 30,000 workers," Black Fox narrowed his eyes, "were dispersed by the army just like that."

"These students are really brave," Elante blew out a puff of smoke, "They are still shouting in front of the Emperor's Palace. I don't know how long they can hold out."

Black Fox picked up the microphone and connected to the channel of the front-line command post: "Reporting to headquarters, this is the God's Punishment Special Operations Group."

"Speaking."

"Operation codenamed 'Jackraven', all targets have been eliminated. Hong Yuzhang has been executed, the two squadrons of the Pu Yu headquarters have been completely wiped out, and the headquarters building has been controlled. Loss statistics: zero casualties on our side."

"Confirmed. Well done, Divine Punishment." The person on the other end of the communicator paused, "What's the situation in the city?"

"It's still chaotic," Black Fox said calmly, "People from the Chamber of Commerce and gangs are causing trouble everywhere. Students are gathering in front of the Imperial Palace, and workers..." He paused, "The workers have been dispersed by the army."

“Understood. Continue to monitor the situation.”

Black Fox put down the microphone and took out a piece of gum from his pocket. Outside the window, in the morning light, people wandering on the street could be vaguely seen, as well as a dark group of students in front of the Emperor's Palace in the distance.

It had been a bloody night, and this morning seemed to be even more turbulent.

Seven in the morning, Cabinet Office.

Watanabe Motoyasu slumped in the leather chair, his eyes bloodshot, his tie hanging loosely around his neck, and the ashtray on the table filled with cigarette butts.

"Overnight..." he muttered, "everything changed."

The secretary gently pushed the door open and came in: "Mr. Watanabe, the latest report."

He waved his hand wearily. "Go on."

"The news that Prime Minister Tojo Takehiro was assassinated has spread. Asanogawa and Nijima Akira of Pu Yu were also killed one after another. Pu Yu is now leaderless and in chaos."

"What about the city?"

"It's still not peaceful. The Chamber of Commerce and gang members are smashing things everywhere, and the army is stepping up patrols. Students are also demonstrating in front of the Imperial Palace..."

“Where are the workers?”

The secretary lowered his voice: "Many people died. There are still traces of blood on the streets."

Watanabe Motoyasu closed his eyes. For the first time, he felt the weight of this position. In just one night, the political landscape of Kyoto was completely disrupted. The Prime Minister was assassinated, the unpolished jade was destroyed, and the streets were rioting...Everything was like a mountain, pressing on his shoulders.

“Who could have thought…” he said to himself, “Who could have thought it would turn out like this…”

He stood up and walked to the window. Kyoto was shrouded in a haze in the morning light. In the distance, sporadic gunshots and the shouts of demonstrators could be heard.

At this moment, Watanabe Motoyasu finally understood that the pinnacle of power is not so easy to sit on. Every decision is related to the life and death of countless people, and every move may set off a huge wave.

"This position..." He smiled bitterly and shook his head, "It's not so comfortable to sit in..."

Another explosion was heard in the distance, and the windows shook slightly. It seemed that the riots in this city would never stop.

7:30 in the morning, Kyoto.

The morning light shines on this ancient city, but it cannot hide its devastated scene.

In front of the Imperial Palace, the air was filled with a strong smell of blood. Many family members of the workers gathered here, trying to claim the bodies of their loved ones. The cries were heartbreaking, as if they wanted to tell the whole world about the grief of this land.

"Give me back my husband!" A woman threw herself on a corpse, sobbing.

"You executioners!" another middle-aged man waved his fist angrily, "You will be punished one day!"

Not far away, students, led by Naizi and Kawamura, shouted slogans: "Punish the unpolished jade! We want to see His Majesty the Emperor!"

Their voices echoed in the morning breeze, carrying the passion and anger unique to young people.

"Punish the unpolished gem!"

"We want to see His Majesty the Emperor!"

Linwan District was filled with smoke.

A group of gang members were confronting people from the Sheriff's Department. Both sides were on guard with guns, and the air was filled with gunpowder.

"Put down your weapons!" the officer ordered loudly.

"You should go back!" The gang leader refused to give in. "This is our territory!"

The streets were filled with fire and blood. The shops on the roadside were smashed and destroyed, with broken glass and damaged goods scattered all over the ground.

A car was overturned in the middle of the road, black smoke still coming out of the car body. Several children hid in the corner, watching all this in horror.

This is a torn city, where violence and chaos are raging, as if to completely destroy the soul of this city.

And above this ruin, the morning light still shines down mercilessly, illuminating every corner.

8am, Cabinet Office.

Watanabe Motoyasu sat at his desk, holding telegrams tightly in his hands, his brows furrowed. Each telegram brought worse news, making him exhausted.

"Minister," the secretary pushed open the door and walked in, his expression solemn, "The latest intelligence is that the enemy is gathering outside Kyoto and may launch an attack at any time."

Watanabe Motoyasu's heart sank suddenly. With powerful enemies outside and turmoil inside, the city seemed to be pushed to the edge of a cliff.

"Also," the secretary continued, "the riots in the city are getting worse and worse, and the Public Security Department can no longer control the situation."

Watanabe Motoyasu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew that he had to make a decision, but every choice was full of risks.

"There are enemies outside and riots inside," he muttered to himself, "how should I deal with it?"

He stood up and walked to the window. Kyoto outside the window was still shrouded in the morning light, but the light seemed so pale and weak.

"Maybe..." Watanabe Motoyasu's eyes became firm, "Maybe only by stabilizing the internal situation first can we resist external enemies."

He turned around, sat back at his desk, and began marking key areas on the map and mobilizing available military forces.

"Pass on my order," he said with a hint of unquestionable majesty in his voice, "The whole city is under martial law, and priority is given to controlling the riot areas. The enemy's defense line must be defended to the death."

The secretary nodded and quickly left to convey the order.

Watanabe Motoyasu knew that this was a life-and-death game, and he had to hold his ground in this storm in order to gain a glimmer of hope for the Fuso Empire.

But he also understood that this road was destined to be full of thorns.

The fall of Kyoto seemed to be a foregone conclusion, but Watanabe Motoyasu still wanted to give it a try.