nucmednet Chapter 943: Bad News
Chapter 943: Bad News
In the deep and solemn Imperial Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the tired and haggard face of Emperor Jindong. He supported his shaky body and sat at the desk with difficulty, holding a worn-out brush tightly in his hand, as if trying to find a trace of comfort or strength.
However, at this moment, his heart felt as if it was weighed down by a thousand-pound stone, making it difficult to breathe.
Outside the door, the sound of hurried and heavy footsteps broke the rare tranquility. Prime Minister Tojo Takehide, the veteran minister who had led the country through the storm, walked slowly into the study with a look of worry and heaviness on his face. He glanced at the tired figure of Emperor Jindong, hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to speak.
"Your Majesty, I have urgent military intelligence to report." Tojo Takehide's voice was low and powerful, and every word was like a heavy hammer hitting Emperor Jinto's heart.
Emperor Jindong raised his head, his once sharp but now bloodshot eyes looking at the Prime Minister, as if he had a premonition of some ominous news.
"Speak, Prime Minister." Emperor Jindong's voice was weak and hoarse, revealing his inner powerlessness and struggle.
Tojo Takehiko took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty: "Your Majesty, Osaka City has suffered a heavy blow again. The entire city is almost reduced to ruins. Citizens have suffered heavy casualties, buildings have been destroyed, and the losses are incalculable."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Rento's eyes instantly turned bloodshot and his expression was dull, as if he was completely devastated by the news.
The brush in his hand slipped weakly and hit the desk, making a slight sound. After a moment of silence, he suddenly swept all the paper, pens, inkstones and other items on the desk to the ground like an angry beast, with endless anger and self-blame in his voice.
"It's my incompetence! I am ashamed of my ancestors and the people of this land!" Emperor Rendong covered his chest and gasped, his voice full of pain and despair.
Seeing this, the eunuchs on the side hurried forward and tried to comfort the exhausted emperor. They gently stroked Emperor Jinto's back and chanted something to try to ease his emotions. And Tojo Takehide, an old minister who had experienced countless hardships, also knelt on the ground at this moment, clenched his hands into fists, and tears also flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, this is not entirely your fault. War is ruthless and no one can predict its direction. But please believe that we are still working hard. For the sake of the country and the people, we will never give up." Tojo Takehide's voice was steady and powerful, trying to bring a glimmer of hope to Emperor Jinto.
However, Emperor Jindong just stared blankly into the distance, his eyes that were once full of hope were now empty and lifeless.
This war has shattered his deepest beliefs and pride.
In the mess in the study, Emperor Jindong finally came back to his senses from his brief absence. His eyes revealed an indescribable grief and anger, but more of a deep worry about the country and the people. He slowly spoke, his voice was weak, but revealed an unquestionable majesty: "Prime Minister, please tell me in detail the specific circumstances of the attack on Osaka City."
Hearing this, Tojo Yuei's heart sank. He knew that the next words would be a heavy blow to the emperor and the entire country. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady: "Your Majesty, this time the Chinese army used unprecedented long-range weapons of mass destruction, whose power is beyond our imagination. They suddenly launched an attack when we were completely unprepared. Osaka, a city that carries the history and cultural heritage of Fuso, was almost completely destroyed in less than two hours."
At this point, Takehide Tojo's voice trembled slightly. He seemed to be able to see the once prosperous but now devastated land, and the figures of innocent people struggling in the war.
He paused and continued, "The entire Osaka, whether it is ancient buildings or modern facilities, has suffered a devastating blow. The castle tower, the ancient building that symbolizes the history and glory of Fuso, is now only a ruin. The Tsutenkaku, the tower of dreams that once connected the sky and the ground, also collapsed in this disaster. Not to mention the Osaka Museum, those precious cultural relics that carry the thousand-year-old civilization of Fuso have all disappeared in this catastrophe."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jindong closed his eyes and clenched his hands into fists, as if he could feel the pain and despair coming from afar. He whispered, "So, what are the casualties?"
Tojo Takehiro's voice became heavier: "Your Majesty, according to preliminary statistics, the direct casualties caused by this attack have exceeded hundreds of thousands, including a large number of innocent civilians and brave soldiers. The indirect casualties, including the people who lost their homes and became displaced, are estimated to exceed one million. The economic losses are even more difficult to estimate. The preliminary estimate is that it has exceeded 200 billion yen. This is undoubtedly a double blow to the already exhausted national finances."
Emperor Jindong opened his eyes, tears glistening in them, but he resisted the urge to let them fall. He knew that as a symbol of the country, he could not fall down. He had to be strong for the country and the people. He took a deep breath and said, "Prime Minister, we must cheer up and not let this disaster defeat us. We must take measures as soon as possible to rescue the victims and rebuild their homes. At the same time, we must strengthen defense to prevent similar things from happening again."
Hearing this, Tojo Yuei felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He bowed his head respectfully and said in a calm but powerful voice: "Your Majesty, I will do my best to live up to your high expectations."
Just as Emperor Jinto and Tojo Takehisa were discussing countermeasures for the attack on Osaka City in the imperial study, trying to find a glimmer of hope in despair, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the solemn atmosphere in the room. Minister of the Army Watanabe Motoyasu, a general who was always calm and composed on weekdays, looked hurried at this moment, with unprecedented anxiety and urgency written on his face.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, this is an emergency!" There was a hint of panic in Watanabe Motoyasu's voice. He almost trotted into the imperial study and spoke impatiently without even closing the door.
Emperor Jinto and Tojo Takehide looked at each other and their hearts sank. They knew that this sudden news would definitely not be good news.
"Tell me, Yuantai, what happened again?" Tojo Takeei tried his best to keep his voice calm, but the nervousness in his tone was hard to conceal.
Watanabe Motoyasu took a deep breath, as if he wanted to swallow all the pain and despair, and then slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, Himeji Castle, the main city of the Hyogo region, fell yesterday. Although the soldiers on the front line fought bravely, the enemy's firepower was too fierce, and our supply lines were cut off, so we were ultimately unable to defend this historic city."
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Jindong was stunned as if struck by lightning. He stood there with his eyes wide open in disbelief. Himeji Castle, the castle that carries the history and glory of Fuso, actually fell into the hands of the enemy so easily?
"Moreover," Watanabe Motoyasu's voice became even deeper, "the frontline soldiers suffered heavy casualties. Now the main force of the Chinese army is heading straight for Kobe. The situation is critical and there is no time to lose."
This series of blows was like a bolt from the blue, and Emperor Rendong could no longer bear it. He stood up suddenly, clenched his hands into fists, his eyes flashing with despair and anger, and shouted: "Heaven wants to destroy Fuso!"
However, before he could finish his words, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if something was tearing at his internal organs. Then, a mouthful of blood spurted out, staining his clothes red, and he fell backwards, completely unconscious.