At the end of November 1999, Prime Minister Yanchuan Shilang was hospitalized again due to health issues. On the 2nd of the following month, after being discharged, he publicly announced a statement citing severe deterioration in personal health insufficient to support his work and announced his resignation.

On December 5th, Vice Prime Minister Koizumi Ichirou, who had been in office for a year, was nominated as Prime Minister. On December 10th, a vote was held at the National Assembly Hall, where Koizumi Ichirou was elected without suspense. On the 13th, Heavenly Locust issued the official appointment, and Koizumi Ichirou would assume the office of Prime Minister on January 1, 2000.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Koizumi for becoming Japan's youngest Prime Minister after Prime Minister Ito. I believe the new century will surely bring new vitality to the Japanese economy under your leadership."

"Indeed, January 1, 2000, is such a remarkable inauguration date. I think there must be divine favor watching over Prime Minister Koizumi."

The night after the Emperor's decree, guests constantly visited the Xiao Quan family to offer their blessings.

"So many people came, my face is stiff from smiling."

After sending off the last guest that night, Koizumi Ichirou rubbed his cheek and said somewhat helplessly.

"Doesn't this just show that you are well-respected and everyone acknowledges you?" said the secretary who was checking the gift list and complimented him.

"Haha, but not everyone acknowledges me." Koizumi Ichirou chuckled, plopping down on the sofa, "The Aoyama brothers, Aoyama Sosuke and Aoyama Xiu Xin, didn't come, and neither did the group of legislators revolving around them."

These people didn't not come because they didn't want to; most of them had compromising information held by the Aoyama brothers and could only follow them blindly.

"A bunch of short-sighted fellows, still thinking it's the time of Prime Minister Yanchuan. Soon, they will face reality," the secretary dismissed disdainfully, before changing the subject. "But Yanchuan Xianyou came personally and with great humility, not showing any arrogance despite Prime Minister Yanchuan having promoted you."

Last year, Yanchuan Xianyou had left the local arena.

He is now a member of the National Diet's House of Representatives.

"He is indeed a worthy grandson; it must be the result of good family upbringing," Koizumi hinted mockingly about Aoyama Xiu Xin.

His eyes flickered with a cold, teasing glint, "Aoyama Xiu Xin, your good days are numbered."

Once next year's military exercise ends, he will take action.

Initially, Koizumi Ichirou had no personal grudge against Aoyama Xiu Xin, only wanting to act against him to pacify public anger and quickly win people over.

But later, the affair with the Kujō Family was equivalent to a slap in his face, and he was never one to hold grudges lightly.

On another front, after returning home for dinner, Yanchuan Xianyou said to Yanchuan Shilang, "Grandfather, today Xiu Xin didn't go to congratulate him, neither did Aoyama Sosuke."

"Sigh, I'm old and can't manage much anymore, I can only take care of my own family. As for Xiu Xin, let's just let him be for now. As long as I'm alive, I can ensure his temporary prosperity," Yanchuan Shilang sighed.

He didn't quite understand why someone normally as rational as Aoyama Xiu Xin would provoke the inevitable-to-be Prime Minister Koizumi Ichirou because of the Kujō Family and why he wouldn't consider mending relations afterwards.

Yanchuan Xianyou, hearing this, could almost envision the bleak future awaiting Aoyama Xiu Xin, sighed, and said, "Why must he do this, not taking the initiative to ease the conflict is equivalent to deepening it. He simply needs to bow a little, and considering your relationship, Prime Minister Koizumi would surely not hold a grudge. He didn't even go to congratulate today, which will only make the thorn in Koizumi's heart grow deeper, making him want to remove it."

"Everyone has their fate," Yanchuan Shilang shook his head.

Originally, he hoped that Aoyama Xiu Xin and Yanchuan Xianyou could support each other, but that hope was destined to fall through.

The next day, major newspapers announced that Koizumi Ichirou would be Japan's new Prime Minister.

They lavished attention on his youth, declaring him the first Prime Minister of Japan to enter the new century, claiming he would undoubtedly bring change to Japan, which had been in a slump for years.

The people also placed some expectations on this new century's first national Prime Minister.

...............…

December 15th, marking Aoyama Xiu Xin's 33rd birthday.

He still celebrated in Hokkaido, but this time he didn't invite too many people, just the top brass from the Land Guard North Force, Maritime Security Bureau, and Police Department.

After the celebration, a group gathered in the North Force's operations meeting room, with Aoyama Xiu Xin naturally sitting at the head of the table, a map of Japan hanging behind him.

He spoke confidently with a baton in hand.

"According to the scheduled exercise plan, the North Force troops participating in the exercise will set off on the 29th and, at the estimated speed, arrive near Tokyo by the 31st. They will then use a large number of soldiers falling ill from an unknown flu as an excuse to settle at the Chaoxia Garrison."

"After settling in Chaoxia, make up for the fatigue of the rush as quickly as possible. Assemble at midnight for mobilization, with live ammunition distributed to everyone and a one-time grant of five months' salary. This money will be delivered before 10 PM, and it will be promised that after success, salaries will be increased by 50% monthly from the original basis, telling them that I, Aoyama Xiu Xin, will not enjoy this glory alone!"

"After mobilization, immediately move towards Tokyo, control designated targets, block the entire city, hold all transportation hubs, try to capture any resistance alive, and if unable to control, then kill. All officers must restrain their soldiers from looting and other crimes, violators will be dealt with militarily! Understood?"

"Yes!" the North Force officers stood and responded.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at the Police Department director, "Make sure all roads in Tokyo are clear by 11 PM on the 31st, especially the highway from Chaoxia to Tokyo. Additionally, upon receiving my order, take control of all television stations, TV broadcasts, and cut off the internet."

"Yes!" Nobita Daisho and Nakamura Shinichi, along with other Police Department members, stood and solemnly responded.

Aoyama Xiu Xin finally turned to the Maritime Security Bureau team, "Mr. Oda, your only mission is to blockade Tokyo Bay, not letting a single fly in or out. If there are no unexpected circumstances, your task will be the easiest. But if something unexpected occurs, you must dare to open fire. Once we start down this path, there's no turning back! Any hesitation will lead to complete failure. The North Force's artillery will also be deployed to Tokyo Bay."

"Yes!" Oda Seisui and others stood and bowed.

"Mr. Yagyu," Aoyama Xiu Xin called.

Yagyu Tomon stood up excitedly, "Mr. Aoyama, please instruct!"

"After taking action, call your father and tell him you're involved in the uprising, ensuring you persuade him not to mobilize troops to intervene," Aoyama Xiu Xin solemnly instructed.

While both the Yagyu family and Sea Guard have profited from smuggling, what choices they will eventually make when the country's fate is at stake is still unknown.

Moreover, Yagyu Yuichiro is currently far in Kyushu Island participating in exercises, so he may not be able to control all vessels.

The Maritime Security Bureau and North Force artillery blockading Tokyo Bay is to prevent Sea Security Association interference.

Yagyu Tomon nodded heavily, "I guarantee to complete the task, I will definitely persuade my father."

He was confident because he had become part of the coup, how could the Yagyu family escape involvement?

Unless his father had the heart to uphold justice by blood and return a fleet from the exercises in Kyushu Island to bomb him directly.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Aoyama Xiu Xin placed both hands on the table, leaning forward with overwhelming presence, scanning everyone with resolute eyes, "Honor the Emperor, punish treason, heavenly justice upon national traitors! The rise and fall of the Imperial Country lies in this moment! Victory!"

"Honor the Emperor, punish treason! Heavenly justice upon national traitors! Victory!"

Everyone stood straight, responding in unison, their eyes only filled with determination and coldness, without any hesitation.

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