World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

The meeting room was completely deadlocked. The conflict between the army and navy factions had become public and heated. One side insisted on fighting to the death, while the other advocated for immediate peace talks. Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma was caught in the middle, facing a dilemma.

He knew that Yashiro Rokuro was right. From a purely military perspective, with its main naval force destroyed, Japan had lost control of the sea. And for an island nation without control of the sea, continuing the war would only lead to its demise.

But he also knew that if he accepted peace talks now, his cabinet would collapse immediately. The army would not agree, the parliament would not agree, and the people would certainly not agree. The national pride and militaristic sentiment that had accumulated since the Russo-Japanese War would not allow the government to make "humiliating" concessions.

"Gentlemen," Ōkuma Shigenobu said wearily, rubbing his temples, "we'll adjourn today's meeting. I need time to think. Navy, submit detailed battle reports and loss assessments as soon as possible. Army, prepare for homeland defense. Ministry of Foreign Affairs… try to understand Lanfang's intentions through a third party."

He paused, then looked at Yashiro Rokuro: "Minister Yashiro, please stay for a moment."

The other ministers and generals left one after another. As Okaichinosuke passed by Yashiro Rokuro, he gave a cold snort, his hostility in his eyes undisguised.

Soon, only Ōkuma Shigenobu and Yashiro Rokuro remained in the conference room.

The Prime Minister stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the pine trees in the courtyard of the official residence. After a long silence, he finally spoke:

"Is there really... absolutely no hope left?"

Yashiro Rokuro walked to his side and looked out the window as well: "Prime Minister, have you ever seen the main guns of the Kongo-class destroyer fire in a salvo?"

"I've seen several drills."

"Now imagine what it would be like to have cannons that are bigger, have a longer range, and are more accurate than those cannons, firing off the coast of mainland Japan." Rokuro Yashiro's voice was soft. "They don't need to land, they don't need to occupy. They just need to bombard a few ports every day and sink a few merchant ships. A month later, our coal, oil, and iron ore will be in short supply. Two months later, factories will shut down, and trains will stop running. Three months later... famine will begin."

Ōkuma Shigenobu's hands trembled slightly.

"And our navy is completely helpless against this," Yashiro Rokuro continued. "We can't catch them, we can't hit them, we can't even... see them. That's the technological gap, Your Excellency. There's an entire era between us and Lanfang."

He turned to face Ōkuma Shigenobu: "I know my suggestion will not be accepted. The army will oppose it, the people will be angry, and even His Majesty the Emperor might... But this is my last and most honest advice as Minister of the Navy: peace talks, the sooner the better. Every day we delay, the greater the price we will pay in the future."

Ōkuma Shigenobu remained silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a long sigh:

"Did you bring your resignation letter?"

Yashiro Rokuro took a white envelope from his briefcase and handed it to him with both hands: "Please forward this to His Majesty the Emperor. I will take full responsibility."

Ōkuma Shigenobu took the envelope, feeling its immense weight. He didn't open it, but simply held it in his hand, gazing at the neat calligraphy on it: "Wish to resign."

"After you, who is suitable to succeed you as Minister of the Navy?"

"Lord Yamamoto Gonnohyōe," Yashiro Rokurō said without hesitation, "He is a naval veteran, highly respected, and capable of handling complex situations. Most importantly... the Army will give him some face."

Ōkuma Shigenobu gave a wry smile: "At this point, do we still need to consider the army's feelings?"

"This must be considered, Your Excellency the Prime Minister," Rokuro Yashiro said earnestly. "In the days to come, coordination between the Army and Navy is more important than ever. If the Army completely loses control... that would be a real disaster."

The two remained silent for a while. Outside the window, the sky over Tokyo gradually darkened, as if it were about to rain.

"Is there anything else you want to say?" Shigenobu Okuma asked.

Yashiro Rokuro thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "I've said everything I needed to say. I just hope... my successor can do better than me."

He bowed deeply again, then turned and walked toward the door of the conference room.

He paused for a moment as he gripped the doorknob, but did not turn around.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, please take care."

The door opened, then closed again.

Shigenobu Okuma stood alone in the empty conference room, clutching his resignation letter in his hand. The dark clouds outside the window grew thicker and thicker; a storm was brewing.

He knew that Yashiro Rokuro's resignation was just the beginning. Next came the collapse of the cabinet, political turmoil, and an unprecedented crisis for the nation.

All of this stems from the crushing defeat in the East China Sea this morning.

He placed his resignation letter on the table, walked to the phone, and turned the handle.

"I am here before the Imperial Household Department. I request an audience with His Majesty the Emperor."

Outside the Navy Ministry building, 1 p.m.

The rain has started, a light drizzle, but quite frequent.

When Yashiro Rokuro walked out of the Navy Ministry building, he did not use an umbrella. The rain quickly soaked his military overcoat and cap, but he did not care.

A group of reporters were waiting at the entrance. As soon as he came out, they surrounded him, their cameras clicking away.

"Your Excellency! Is the situation in the East China Sea true?"

"Did the Imperial Navy really lose four Kongo-class destroyers?"

"Has the Combined Fleet been completely annihilated?"

"Your Excellency, please say something!"

The reporters bombarded them with questions. The guards tried to push them away, but Yashiro Rokuro raised his hand to stop them.

He stood still, facing the cameras and the expectant (or rather, the eager for explosive news) faces, and slowly began to speak:

"Today, the Imperial Navy engaged in battle with the Lanfang Navy in the East China Sea. The Ministry of the Navy will issue a formal statement on the details of the battle later."

"Is the rumored major loss true?" a reporter from Asahi Shimbun pressed.

Yashiro looked at him, raindrops streaming down his gray hair, across his cheeks, and over the edge of his glasses.

"The soldiers of the Imperial Navy," he said, emphasizing each word, "have fulfilled their duty in the East China Sea today, fighting to the very last moment. They are the pride of the Empire."

He didn't answer directly, but his words said it all.

The reporters wanted to ask more questions, but Yashiro Rokuro had already turned around and walked towards the waiting car. The driver opened the car door for him, he got in, and closed the door.

The car started and drove into the rain.

Through the car window, he saw the Naval Ministry building gradually blurring in the rain. This building, where he had worked for twenty years, this building that symbolized the glory of the Imperial Navy, he might never return to after today.

"Going home, sir?" the driver asked cautiously.

Yashiro Rokuro was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Go to Yokosuka."

"Now? But it's raining so hard..."

"Go to Yokosuka," Yashiro Rokuro repeated, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Yes."