Yes, Prime Minister of Japan

"Is it possible to leave the scene alive?"

As a gigolo who relied on his wealthy Indian father-in-law for support, Vance doesn't have the guts to juggle multiple relationships.

"Who do you think you are? My family is super harmonious and loving."

Li Xinghe's stubborn explanation.

Vance responded with a helpless expression, while Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya and others remained calm about the chaotic situation on Li Xinghe's side.

I've seen it all before.

Once the meeting began, everyone became serious.

The Ryukyu negotiating representatives first announced:

"Before the meeting begins, we have another piece of good news to announce. The Ryukyu Independence Army will be renamed the Ryukyu Self-Defense Force, maintaining a nominal commonality with the Japan Self-Defense Forces."

This is the result of private negotiations between the Japanese government and representatives of Ryukyu.

The Japanese government is now very satisfied; it spent 5000 billion yen to buy Ping An. After all, it only cost 1500 billion yen more than before.

But in fact, they did not lose money, because Japan spends hundreds of billions of yen every year on the Self-Defense Forces to maintain US military bases. After the independence army destroyed those US military bases, the Japanese government actually saved nearly 500 billion yen in expenditure, thus making a huge profit.

The officials in Tokyo even breathed a sigh of relief. From now on, they only needed to pay money and would no longer have to clean up the messes caused by the US military or be insulted by Okinawans every day. In fact, if a major natural disaster occurred in Okinawa, they could let the Chinese provide relief while they lay peacefully in Tokyo.

This approach of abandoning those on the fringes is strikingly similar to their handling of the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the Noto Peninsula earthquake. After all, the Japanese constitution is essentially a federal system of self-government, and Tokyo central government doesn't interfere with problems in other prefectures. This time, with the support of the Chinese community, that's fantastic.

But as everyone applauded and celebrated the peace process, the Ryukyu representative announced:

"First of all, everything the Ryukyu people are fighting for is because of the US military presence, so Ryukyu will not retain any US troops, not a single one."

The American representative was breathing heavily with anxiety:

"You just want to bring the Chinese troops in!"

This brings us to the core issue: who is stationing troops in Okinawa, the first island chain?

But the Ryukyuans disagreed and retorted:

"Actually, that's not the case. We have decided to reclaim the land of all 41 US military bases on the island, especially Futenma and Kadena Air Base. Half of Futenma Air Base will be converted into a base area for the Ryukyu Self-Defense Force, which will also serve as a fire brigade to provide services to the city. The other half will be used to build a Self-Defense Force military hospital supported by China to treat the residents of the entire island. Kadena Air Base will be transformed into a commercial and residential area, and Camp Courtney will be developed into a tourist area. We have countless peaceful visions."

When they spoke, they used a hybrid of Chinese and Japanese, especially for words like "US military," which they pronounced in Chinese to express their separation from Japan.

As for the various military equipment left behind by the US military on the island, including dozens of damaged large aircraft, more than 100 helicopters in the Marine Corps warehouse, various missiles, and electronic warfare equipment, it goes without saying that most of them will be loaded onto ships and taken to China to be pawned for money, while a small portion will be left to the US military stationed in Japan.

Vance was very angry:

"You mean, you want our soldiers to leave the camp empty-handed and powerless?"

Li Xinghe whispered in the corner:

"Um, excuse me, this is called a peaceful transfer. Because according to the previous agreement, the US military in Okinawa must leave."

The US negotiating team, however, remained relentless:

"No, the issue of retaining the US military bases in Okinawa hasn't been discussed yet!"

The two sides engaged in a heated exchange of words.

But everyone knows that Vance made a boast that he would bring people back to the United States before Halloween, which was November 1st.

The general election will be held on November 2nd.

It can be said that at this time, the United States was waiting for the outcome of Vance's peace negotiations, and he had to make a decision within three days.

So after a nearly hour-long discussion, Vance asked about his political achievements:

"Then...how do we get the soldiers back?"

When the topic turned to how to transport American soldiers back home, Li Xinghe couldn't help but laugh.

Just as he was about to begin, two beautiful women next to him, who were also competing with him, looked over.

"Don't laugh!"

Aiman ​​and Hua Yingmei, one on each side, each with one foot, stepped on Li Xinghe's feet with their high heels, stopping his laughter before it could even start.

Li Xinghe suppressed a laugh, glanced at the two beauties' sharp, murderous glares, and snorted:

"Hmph, woman."

"This is a peace conference, not a late-night soap opera."

The two women complained together.

The American team unexpectedly got into an argument because of this.

The accompanying legal officer hurriedly stopped Vance:

"Your Excellency, U.S. goods transported by Chinese cargo ships or ships built in China are subject to berthing fees of up to $150 million if they dock in the United States, according to the Ships Act. Secondly, the goods we are transporting are government goods, and according to the Ships Act, they must be transported 100% by U.S.-owned, non-Chinese-built vessels."

The US military representative was very angry:

"Our soldiers are not cargo!"

But the legal officials persisted in reminding him:

"Whether they are cargo or not, well... that's how the law is. It applies to all ships. If other ships are used for transportation, you know that's illegal."

They were practically ready to openly criticize Vance.

The Shipping Act is just a retro thing that Trump and Vance came up with for trade protectionism. It's your own shit, why don't you eat it yourself?

Vance himself was surprised by the conclusion:

"In other words, because the US military on the island belongs to the US government, transportation must be carried out using 100% US-flagged, non-Chinese-built vessels. Neither Chinese, Japanese, nor South Korean freight/passenger contractors are permitted. However, US-flagged passenger ships are almost exclusively..."

Vance could never have imagined that the bill he enacted in 2025 would bounce back and hit him three years later.

Do we still need to use "but"?

The US can't build any ships. If the US can even repair its warships to a near-complete state, that's already a miracle. Where would it find the capacity to build more ships?

The Shipping Act, to be introduced in 2025, will not only further decouple trade between the US and China, but will also add insult to injury to the already rampant inflation in the US. US importers will have to choose between accepting a $150 million berthing fee, requesting expensive and slow US-flagged cargo ships, or opting for land-based customs clearance through Canada and Mexico after incurring a huge tariff.

As a result, the American people welcomed rising prices, and the inflation index climbed to a new peak.

Logically, South Korea's shipbuilding industry accounts for 15% of the world's new shipbuilding output, and Japan's for 5%. It wouldn't be unreasonable for the two to combine their resources to supply American freight forwarders. However, the problem is that South Korea's interest rates are too high in order to maintain the won's exchange rate. High bank interest rates are making it difficult for asset-heavy industries to operate.

The shipbuilding industry is unable to sustain the construction of low-priced ships, resulting in either constantly raising prices for American clients, driving their bosses crazy, or abandoning the project halfway through.

The problem in Japan is more complicated. It's not that they don't want to build it, but the price is extremely high and the process is very slow.

There is also the issue of counterfeit steel.

As a result, the United States has faced severe difficulties in supplying goods in recent years. During this period, the scope of application of the Ships Act was suspended multiple times and repeatedly adjusted, but unfortunately, there has been no resolution to this day.

After all, the United States really doesn't have many shipyards left.

After three hours of bickering, the meeting was temporarily adjourned.

"You're nothing, adjourn!"

Vance still has to work with his American team to resolve legal issues; he can go off and argue in the sidelines.

Japan, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed.

They presented conditions to the Ryukyu representatives:

“We agree to integrate Amami Oshima into the Ryukyu Islands Federation, but on the condition that each island has its own autonomy. The islands will also have their own weight when voting in the Federation Assembly.”

On the other inhabited large islands of Okinawa besides the main island, the people there do not necessarily share the same political beliefs as the people on the main island.

The Japanese government has already prepared a backup plan, contacting these small islands to hinder their routine governance.

In an effort to demonstrate its power, the Japanese government conveniently organized a multi-island protest, effectively putting pressure on the Ryukyuans.

Privately, people were spreading the latest news:

“In the Ryukyu Islands Federal State, three populous areas—Amami Oshima, Ishigaki Island, and Miyako Island—held rallies to oppose Ryukyu independence and to deny that they are Ryukyuans. They also demanded that U.S. troops be kept stationed on Okinawa Island and threatened to teach the Ryukyuans a lesson in the Federal State Legislature.”

Logically speaking, the Ryukyu Islands are 1,000 kilometers long and have 20 to 30 inhabited islands. The three islands mentioned above are all large islands with populations of 40,000 to 50,000. Since the US military is not stationed on them, they are naturally not as anti-American as Okinawa.

Upon hearing this, Li Xinghe suddenly clapped his hands:

"Friends, I've suddenly had a great idea!"

He proposed:

"Regarding the US military presence, how about this: since the Ryukyuans cannot accept the continued presence of troops, how about dividing the US military presence on the island into three or four parts and stationing them on Amami Oshima, Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island, and Yonaguni Island respectively? This would also fit the Marine Corps' 'coastal warfare concept' and bring economic income to the locals."

The American representative came out to listen in.

"The 25th Division and the 11th Airborne Division do not need to leave completely. After reorganization, several thousand people will remain and be dispersed to the three islands, where the Japanese government will allocate a piece of land to build new camps."

Li Xinghe continued to ask:

"Does anyone object?"

No one objects.

Only a few islanders objected, but they weren't qualified to sit at the table.

Li Xinghe then proposed:

"As part of strategic mutual trust, the Japanese government will approve the land and provide funding for these military camps, with Chinese contractors handling the basic construction and the US military handling the interior decoration. This way, the four parties can trust each other. What do you think?"

They exchanged glances and decided to do it that way.

When the news reached several islands that were clearly pro-Japanese, they were stunned.

That's not right. Didn't they say there were no US military bases there?

The foolish islanders seem to have forgotten that the biggest core issue behind the Japanese government's meddling in Okinawa has always been the presence of US troops.

Since Okinawa is to become part of the Ryukyu Islands, and the other islands have a pro-Japanese and anti-Ryukyu sentiment, then these troops will naturally be assigned to them.

Don't you like being pro-Japanese?

When the American soldiers, full of resentment, arrive on the island, will they still be affectionate?

The two wicked women, one on each side, restrained Li Xinghe's testicles and pressed him for answers:

"What kind of crazy idea are you up to?"

Li Xinghe was full of confidence:

"Hush, from a large military camp of tens of thousands of people to a small island camp of a thousand or so, they'll eat my food and use my things, so they'll have to obey me obediently, won't they?"

The two women exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously.

She's still that wicked little devil.

The author says:

Author's Note: Thank you all for your support. Here's 4500 words. This is the last chapter on the treaty negotiations; the rest will focus on the exciting parts.

Chapter 625: Winning by Turning the Tables, Washington Army Fires Live Ammunition (3600 words)

The second day of the Tokyo Four-Party Talks has basically concluded.

Adhering to the spirit of taking credit for achievements and pretending to have done nothing, Vance held another press conference to announce:

"The four-party talks reached a basic consensus that the situation in the East China Sea will remain unchanged."

This statement is full of subtlety.

Based on today's outcome, no matter how you analyze it, the United States feels like it has suffered a major defeat.

The U.S. military was harassed and attacked by guerrillas for nearly half a year, and was almost bankrupt. Although there were still two U.S. divisions at Futenma Air Station that they could not defeat, the guerrillas also found an opportunity to wipe out the command posts of two divisions, rendering the 11th Air Force combat ineffective, and forcing nearly two squadrons of aircraft to remain on the island forever.

What does 'maintain unchanged' mean?

What exactly hasn't changed?

The outside world was in an uproar. Many people were speculating about what exactly was wrong.

Even after all this fighting, things are still going the same. Are there traitors among them?

Amidst the clamor of public opinion, that evening, the Japanese government quietly released an administrative announcement on its official website regarding the renaming of 'Okinawa' to 'Ryukyu':

"Okinawa Island will be officially renamed Ryukyu Island according to the wishes of the local people. In accordance with the Japanese prefecture system reform plan promoted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Sakishima Islands and other Ryukyu Islands will be merged into an autonomous prefecture. The Japanese government will recognize the Ryukyu people as the third ethnic group in Japan, and the local people can freely choose to register their ethnic affiliation."

The Japanese government has been very discreet about the reasons for Okinawa's transformation into the Ryukyu Islands, only mentioning it in the third-to-last paragraph on the second page of a news report. Almost all major media outlets have also reported on the matter as "national self-determination."

Japanese media are very good at reading the room; they are very accurate in making decisions on major issues.