Snowflakes continued to fall. The police officers inside the Tokyo Police Station were already covered with a layer of white. With their tense and rapid breathing, the white mist sprayed from their mouths and noses became thicker.

The ordinary police officers all looked at the leading officers. The officers' faces appeared particularly stiff due to the cold air and the unwillingness in their hearts. At this time, the officers heard a policeman whisper, "We are just police; why do we have to fight a war?"

Hearing this, the officers felt this was their true inner thought. Police just followed orders; why drag police into it when armies killed each other? If possible, no matter who won in the end, the police should just continue doing their own jobs.

But the military remonstrance troops in front of them obviously had no intention of letting the Tokyo Police Station go. If the police laid down their weapons and the military remonstrance troops failed, the police would be held accountable.

Just as the air became increasingly heavy with silence, the sound of a second-floor window opening attracted the attention of the police on the first floor. The police looked up one after another and saw the window of the Tokyo Police Station Chief's office on the second floor being pushed open. The person appearing at the window should be the Chief of the Tokyo Police Station. They saw the Chief pick up a megaphone and shout to the street outside the Tokyo Police Station, "People outside, what exactly do you want to do? Is it a Restoration?"

On the dim street amidst the snow-light, the soldier persuading surrender heard this and shouted through his megaphone, "Our Revolutionary Army is not here for a Restoration; we are here for a Revolution! To give Japan a bright future, we must overthrow all old orders!"

The police were scared by these words! As police officers, they also knew some of the upper class's views on Restoration and Revolution. If it were a Restoration, the military remonstrance troops entered Tokyo to replace the old upper class. But a Revolution was to destroy the upper class and cause comprehensive changes in Japan.

...At least the Japanese upper class saw it this way. Based on this view of the Japanese upper class, there was a huge difference in the means adopted by Japanese police when arresting and suppressing Restorationists versus Revolutionaries.

The police knew very well what cruel means they had used against the Japanese Revolutionary Party. The troops outside insisted they were here for a revolution. Then, if the police continued to resist, they would be considered staunch supporters of the current Japanese upper class.

At this time, the window on the second floor was still open, but the figure of the Tokyo Police Station Chief had disappeared from the window.

A clattering sound rang out; some police officers dropped their rifles to the ground. Whether this policeman couldn't hold the gun steady due to fear or threw it down out of despair, the surrounding police didn't know. But that policeman was already holding his head with both hands, behind the shelter made of sandbags, shouting loudly, "I don't want to fight! I don't want to fight!"

The weapons police usually used were wooden batons; pistols were rarely used. Rifles were only taken out from the police station's armory during training. Seeing their colleague like this, the ordinary police officers shrank behind the shelters one after another, all deciding not to throw their lives away.

Although the officers didn't want to surrender, they didn't want to fight either. Especially officers with a background as retired soldiers, they knew very well the difference between police firepower and military firepower. Holding the police station's strongest weapon, the Type 38 rifle, actually made them decide to surrender. Dropping their rifles and raising their hands, the officers shouted to the street, "We surrender! Army brothers, don't shoot!"

Soon, the Revolutionary Army outside sent a squad of five or six men to approach first. Since the iron gate of the police station had been locked with a chain, several soldiers quickly climbed over the iron gate and entered the police station. After disarming the police outside and making the surrendered police go to the other end of the yard, the Revolutionary Army soldiers opened the main gate.

Follow-up combat squads rushed in quickly, controlling the personnel and weapons in the yard, simultaneously controlling various entrances of the police station building, and advancing upstairs.

The Tokyo Police Station Chief did not flee. When the Revolutionary Army rushed into the Chief's office, the Chief was slumped in his chair. The Chief, who had lost all hope, did not resist when taken away, but asked abruptly, "Are you really going to revolt?"

The Revolutionary Army officers and soldiers originally thought the Chief would be a die-hard old force. Hearing this question, they were somewhat surprised. Since the old force that had to be resolved asked so bluntly, the Revolutionary Army officers and soldiers answered immediately, "We came here for the revolution."

The Police Station Chief didn't resist either, letting the Revolutionary Army drag him away. The Revolutionary Army didn't execute people on the spot; this was something emphasized repeatedly before the action. There would be sacrifices in the revolution, but killing was by no means the purpose of the revolution.

In the Revolutionary Army's plan, railways, telegraph offices, radio stations, police stations, schools, and various prison intersections must be controlled first. By 9 PM, the railway, all road intersections on the outskirts of Tokyo, police stations, and telegraph offices had been controlled.

Originally, schools should have been the easiest to control, but things went somewhat beyond the Revolutionary Army's imagination. Although many schools were easily controlled, such as girls' schools. The Revolutionary Army conducted a careful search of teaching buildings and offices; in the girls' dormitories, they only searched for men hiding inside.

But as soon as the Revolutionary Army entered the boys' schools, the teachers and students were indeed frightened. When the teachers and students learned that the purpose of the Revolutionary Army was to launch a revolution, there were indeed quite a few who feared the revolution, but there were more teachers and students who enthusiastically supported it. Many male students asked ecstatically to join the Revolutionary Army, wanting to throw themselves into the battle.

The Revolutionary Army officers and soldiers were helpless and could only bring this group of teachers and students to the school building. The leading officer went on stage and said to the teachers and students, "Gentlemen, you are all precious talents for Japan's future. Your battlefield is not here, but in the broad action of building a new Japan in the future. Therefore, we now ask you to stay here until the battle ends."

After speaking, the officer arranged for soldiers to guard the doors of the classrooms and the school building, not allowing students to leave without permission. After arranging the manpower, the officer said to the teachers and students again, "Tonight the revolution will begin comprehensively, and the urban area will be very dangerous. Gentlemen, please remain calm in the school and wait for the news of the revolution's victory!"

After speaking, the officer bowed slightly to the teachers and students and was about to walk out of the classroom. Teachers and students had been targets of surveillance and crackdowns by the Japanese upper class for the past few months. Seeing the Revolutionary Army care for them so much, someone immediately shouted, "Please wait. Several of our teachers and classmates were taken away months ago; can you save them?"

The officer stopped his steps and answered the anxious teachers and students, "Please rest assured, the Revolutionary Army has already taken over the prison. After the battle ends, we will immediately release these teachers and students."

Hearing that teachers and students would be released, the students excitedly bowed to the officer, shouting with tears in their eyes, "Thank you very much!"

Some teachers, after expressing thanks, even blessed, "May your military fortunes be long-lasting!"

Feeling their expression couldn't represent all teachers and students, the teachers immediately shouted to the students, "Fellow students, please follow me to pay respects to the Revolutionary Army. Everyone, wish for long-lasting military fortunes!"

"Wish for long-lasting military fortunes!" the students shouted along with the teachers. Immediately, excited students followed up shouting, "Japan Revolution, Banzai!"

This slogan undoubtedly fit the mood of the hot-blooded youth at this time better than "long-lasting military fortunes." The shouts of "Japan Revolution Banzai" in those classrooms became louder and louder. The deeply moved officers and soldiers saluted the teachers and students and strode out. On the playground covered with a layer of white snow, the troops quickly completed their formation. The officer shouted, "Depart with me, to Sakuradamon. The enemy is inside Sakuradamon!"

At this time, the Special Action Squad had already set off in trucks. After getting the news, Ishiwara looked at his watch; it was already 10 PM. He stopped speaking several times, recalling the matter of being invited by Saionji Kinmochi the day before yesterday. Originally, Ishiwara thought Saionji would mention the revolution, but unexpectedly, what Saionji discussed was all various details of Japanese governance.

What Ishiwara learned from He Rui was geopolitics and political economy. If Saionji discussed macroeconomics, Ishiwara could understand. But these details of Japanese governance spoken by Saionji were unknown to Ishiwara, a military expert.

However, although he didn't understand, Ishiwara quickly understood from a methodological perspective and gained a lot. He couldn't help sighing in his heart; Saionji was indeed a politician. This narration gave Ishiwara a certain penetrating understanding of politics.

The 70-something Saionji was very exhausted when he finished speaking, or perhaps he had no energy to continue because he was too tired. After panting slightly in his seat for a moment, Saionji asked, "Ishiwara-kun, do you have any questions?"

Ishiwara thought Saionji was going to persuade him to serve as Prime Minister or defect to the upper class next, so he answered politely, "What Your Excellency said are all areas I have never understood, so this subordinate is completely unable to ask questions."

Saionji nodded slightly and sighed, "It was I who made excessive demands on Ishiwara-kun. Ishiwara-kun need not mind; what I said are all governing characteristics extended from the context of Japanese politics. As long as Ishiwara-kun can view politics without bias, you can understand these things. I am tired today; let's end here for today. I won't see Ishiwara-kun out."

Ishiwara stood up and saluted Saionji. He wanted to leave but couldn't help stopping to ask, "Excellency, why did you impart such precious knowledge to me?"

Saionji originally had no intention of standing up. Hearing this question, Saionji looked at Ishiwara for a moment and actually stood up supporting himself on the armrest of the sofa. Ishiwara also gazed at Saionji, seeing Saionji's gaze was quite complicated; what could be distinguished was probably relief and expectation. He heard Saionji say, "I am not telling this knowledge to Ishiwara-kun, but entrusting this knowledge to Japan's future. Ishiwara-kun, I also ask you to remember one thing. Those Japanese heroes who have passed away did indeed create very many tragedies, but those heroes never acted out of evil purposes. Do not mistake the foolish and evil acts of incompetent, ignorant, and shameless people for the purposes promoted by those past heroes. If one holds evil purposes, it is impossible to formulate an effective strategy."

Only then did Ishiwara feel that Saionji should already know a lot of things. Even knowing he might very likely lose his life in the action Ishiwara had already started, what Saionji considered was not his own safety, but Japan's future.

But Ishiwara said nothing, because the action to march into Tokyo had already begun. If Ishiwara revealed news because of personal emotion, it would undoubtedly be betraying the revolution and selling out the comrades who marched into Tokyo with the resolve to die.

At this time, Ishiwara could be sure that the Revolutionary Army was already in an advantageous position in the Battle of Tokyo. Based on Ishiwara's understanding of Nagata and others, there was no commander among the enemies capable of reversing the campaign situation through accumulating tactical victories. And the Imperial Guard Division had not received training in new tactics, nor did powerful units mastering infantry squad and platoon tactics exist in the enemy army.

Finally, Ishiwara called over Adjutant Ando. "Ando, contact the troops going to Excellency Saionji's side. Tell them absolutely not to attack inside. They must politely send someone into Excellency Saionji's home and protect Excellency Saionji in a safe room."

Adjutant Ando was somewhat surprised but still accepted the order immediately. Now the Revolutionary Army had controlled the telegraphs and telephones, so calling a telephone point near Saionji's home could let the messenger there convey the news to the attacking troops.

Soon, the phone rang in the police station over there. The Revolutionary Army controlling the police station received the call, and after confirming repeatedly, walked onto the street to notify the Special Action Squad.

The troops heading to Saionji Kinmochi's home hadn't arrived yet, but the Special Action Squad heading to Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo's home had already arrived. At this time, the troops controlling this street had already set up sentries at both the front and back doors of Takahashi Korekiyo's home. The Special Action Squad jumped off the truck, quickly relieved the Revolutionary Army at the front and back doors, and then politely knocked on Takahashi Korekiyo's door. After a while, the lights inside went on. Mrs. Takahashi opened the door tremblingly. The leading young lieutenant asked politely, "Is Minister Takahashi in?"

"...He is in the living room." Mrs. Takahashi suppressed her fear and answered as politely as possible.

"Please take us to see Minister Takahashi." The lieutenant made a request.

Soon, the lieutenant led four soldiers into Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo's living room. They saw Takahashi Korekiyo wearing pajamas, already sitting on the sofa in the living room. The lieutenant stepped forward and saluted Takahashi. "Excellency, I am a lieutenant of the Revolutionary Army, ordered to arrest you."

Takahashi Korekiyo looked very calm. He asked unhappily, "Lieutenant, what do you think you are doing?"

"We are giving Japan a brand new future."

"A future without landlords?" There was already sarcasm in Takahashi Korekiyo's tone. "Lieutenant, do you think landlords are all just villains? They also bear the responsibility of enlivening the economy."

Lieutenant Kimura answered, "After the landlords fulfilled their responsibilities, Japan became what it is now."

Takahashi Korekiyo hated populism very much. In his view, these people didn't understand economics at all, and there was no way to communicate with them. In Takahashi Korekiyo's long career as Finance Minister, even officials in the Ministry of Finance and related economic departments couldn't understand economic principles most of the time. Takahashi Korekiyo was already extremely bored when talking to these people, so he was even less willing to waste time talking about economics with these people he viewed as populist thugs.

Since he didn't want to engage in meaningless communication, Takahashi Korekiyo simply asked, "After arresting me, what do you plan to do?"

"We will execute Your Excellency." Lieutenant Kimura answered politely. Although Lieutenant Kimura's tone was very polite, completely without hysterical killing intent, Mrs. Takahashi, hearing this calm answer, was already scared into crying and shouting. Soldiers had to hold back Mrs. Takahashi, who threw herself at Takahashi Korekiyo.

Takahashi Korekiyo sighed, actually feeling relieved in his heart. He didn't feel afraid at this moment; instead, he felt the lightness of a stone dropping to the ground. Although Takahashi Korekiyo looked down on populist thugs, he knew very well that the current withered and declining Japanese economy had caused huge pain to the entire Japan. The upper class, including Takahashi Korekiyo, had absolutely no way to solve these problems.

Since the economy could no longer improve, the suffering Japanese people would inevitably rise up in resistance to survive. Previous resistances were suppressed, but as long as one resistance succeeded, Takahashi Korekiyo would be killed. And those who killed Takahashi Korekiyo would definitely hold high the banner of justice.

Hearing the future of his execution, the fear instinctively generated in Takahashi Korekiyo's heart didn't last long. After Mrs. Takahashi cried and shouted for half a minute, Takahashi Korekiyo opened his mouth and asked, "Can you kill me here?"

Lieutenant Kimura answered immediately, "Excellency, you indeed have made contributions to Japan, so we received orders beforehand. If Your Excellency is willing to accept death, we agree to let you die at home."

Mrs. Takahashi was initially crying and shouting; hearing this dialogue, she was already screaming while struggling. Takahashi Korekiyo looked at his wife, stood up, and asked Lieutenant Kimura, "Lieutenant, can you kill only me alone?"

Lieutenant Kimura took out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was 10:20. The Revolutionary Army Headquarters required the operation to end before 11:00. There was still plenty of time. Putting away the pocket watch, Lieutenant Kimura answered, "Please rest assured, Minister Takahashi, we wouldn't have implicated anyone else anyway. We can give Minister Takahashi a few minutes to say goodbye to your family."

Takahashi Korekiyo looked at his wife, wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say. Finally, he stepped forward and held his wife's hand, which was somewhat weak from crying and struggling, and said, "Please take care of yourself." Mrs. Takahashi had somewhat realized from the initial panic that her husband was about to be killed. This clear recognition made Mrs. Takahashi not know how to react.

Then she saw the living room door actually being pulled shut by her husband Takahashi Korekiyo. A thin paper door separated the two, and also separated the two worlds of life and death.

Lieutenant Kimura pulled out his pistol, clicked off the safety, and said politely, "Excellency, please sit on the chair, okay? I will minimize your pain to the greatest extent."

However, Takahashi Korekiyo stood blankly in front of the paper door, listening to his wife's crying on the other side of the door. Seeing Takahashi Korekiyo like this, Lieutenant Kimura could only continue, "Minister Takahashi, please die gloriously for Japan."

After speaking, holding the gun in his right hand and gripping his right wrist with his left hand, he aimed the muzzle at Takahashi Korekiyo's temple and pulled the trigger.

The gun fired three times in total. Two shots to the temple, one shot to the medulla oblongata. The impact points were precise; Takahashi Korekiyo died instantly.

The paper door was pulled open. Mrs. Takahashi, who had been released, saw her husband lying on the ground and screamed, throwing herself on him. While Mrs. Takahashi shook Takahashi Korekiyo continuously, thinking this could wake him up, Lieutenant Kimura shouted to the soldiers of the Special Action Squad, "Attention all, salute!"

Five officers and soldiers, including Lieutenant Kimura, saluted Takahashi Korekiyo's corpse together. The Revolutionary Army judged that Takahashi Korekiyo was a die-hard old Japanese upper-class figure, so he must be eliminated. But Takahashi Korekiyo indeed had achievements in his position, so they gave him the most dignified death possible.

After the salute, Lieutenant Kimura led the soldiers away from Takahashi Korekiyo's home, jumped onto the truck, and went in the agreed direction. Today, the great purge of the entire Tokyo, and indeed Japan, began.