At 7:00 PM Tokyo time, a car stopped outside the French restaurant 'Futabatei' in Tokyo. The waiter, having seen the car with military plates long ago, immediately came out to welcome them.

The door opened, and Nagata Tetsuzan and Okamura Yasuji stepped out. Nagata went to the driver's seat and handed a box of takoyaki bought on the roadside to the driver. "Thank you so much for today. You can go back; I won't need the car anymore today."

The driver was a sergeant who had heard of Nagata's great name. Seeing that Nagata visited only big shots today confirmed Nagata's status. Seeing Nagata being so polite, he hurriedly took the gift with profuse thanks.

Sending the driver away, Nagata Tetsuzan and Okamura Yasuji were led by the waiter to a private room, which was already full of military men.

Futaba-kai members such as Obata Toshishiro, Tojo Hideki, Komoto Daisaku, Itagaki Seishiro, Doihara Kenji, and Isogai Rensuke had already arrived here first.

The name 'Futaba-kai' originated from the Futabatei Restaurant. A group of young officers not from the domain cliques (Choshu/Satsuma) united around the Crown Prince (Hirohito), aiming to overthrow the domain clique forces headed by Yamagata Aritomo.

Seeing Nagata enter, everyone came forward to greet him. Nagata waved his hand, "Serve the food first; Okamura-kun and I have been starving all day."

Hearing this, everyone laughed loudly, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed. Japanese samurai stressed etiquette; in the old days, even if they had been hungry for days, they had to walk on the street in high spirits with a toothpick or a twig in their mouths, looking as if they had just finished a sumptuous meal.

The members of the Futaba-kai were mainly military attachés from Japanese embassies in various countries. They had all received education in foreign etiquette and paid more attention to decency.

However, when Nagata Tetsuzan was with everyone, he wouldn't put these empty formalities first like those old fogies. Instead, he ate what should be eaten and drank what should be drunk. Therefore, although there were arguments and disputes during the gathering, it was in a fairly mild atmosphere.

The young officers swept the food away like a whirlwind, and their eyes naturally fell on Nagata Tetsuzan. Tojo Hideki was the first to speak, "Nagata-kun, I first congratulate Nagata-kun on assuming the post of Deputy Director of the Quartermaster Department of the Korean Army. The Deputy Director of the Quartermaster Department is often responsible for commanding the reserve forces. Nagata-kun is the first among us to stand out. The future must be boundless. Now many people in the Ministry of the Army and the General Staff Headquarters are overjoyed, thinking that the time to annex Manchuria and Mongolia has arrived. I wonder what Nagata-kun thinks?"

Listening to Tojo's tone, the others understood that Tojo was afraid his views would be refuted, so he used the excuse that so-called many people 'think that the time to annex Manchuria and Mongolia has arrived'. Of course, Tojo wasn't lying; although the members of the Futaba-kai were not that optimistic, they were also more willing to believe that Japan could benefit from this war.

Futabatei was a French restaurant, but the drink was tea. Nagata looked calm, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "Tojo-kun, He-kun attacked the Kwantung Leased Territory; what will the Empire do next?"

Tojo Hideki immediately replied, "Mobilize the garrison in Korea to attack the Yalu River."

"What if the Korean Army fails to win? What will the Empire do?" Nagata Tetsuzan continued to ask.

Tojo Hideki was a bit surprised; he didn't believe the Japanese army would fail. But Nagata Tetsuzan had considerable authority in the Futaba-kai, so Tojo Hideki had to answer, "Naturally, other divisions will be sent to participate in the attack."

Nagata Tetsuzan nodded. "We can think of this, and He-kun can think of it too. What does Tojo-kun think?"

Tojo Hideki was slightly stunned, already somewhat understanding Nagata Tetsuzan's meaning. Nagata Tetsuzan seemed to think that this war could not be a one-sided situation.

Nagata Tetsuzan felt that many people in the Futaba-kai actually shared Tojo Hideki's views, so he didn't let them think wildly on their own and took the initiative to say, "Gentlemen, I met many high-ranking figures today, and their views on this war are actually very optimistic. I really don't understand the reason for their optimism. The Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War were both planned by the Empire for a long time, and we took the initiative to attack. The initiative was actually in our hands. The situation this time is completely the opposite, but those people are actually 'marking the boat to find the sword' (acting rigidly without regard to changing circumstances), thinking that the previous victories were simply because of the Empire's strength. How is the mentality of the upper echelons different from the arrogant Qing upper echelons and the Tsarist Russian upper echelons? No wonder He-kun dared to take the initiative to attack at this time."

Many Futaba-kai members were stunned. As an organization whose purpose from the beginning was to overthrow the factions, everyone didn't feel anything wrong with Nagata Tetsuzan criticizing the upper echelons for holding positions without doing work. If the young field officers thought the upper echelons were wise and brilliant, why overthrow them?

However, what Nagata Tetsuzan was saying now was another matter. The young officers felt uneasy about the implications in these words.

Obata Toshishiro was the eldest son of Baron Obata Daito, a member of the House of Peers. He was the only man of noble (Kazoku) origin in the Futaba-kai and the one who had been competing with Nagata Tetsuzan for dominance of the Futaba-kai.

Since Nagata Tetsuzan had spoken to this extent, Obata Toshishiro asked with a gloomy expression, "Does He-kun think he can defeat the Empire?"

Nagata Tetsuzan shook his head. "He-kun's strategic goal is to unify China. He doesn't need to defeat the Empire. As long as he remains undefeated in a war of attrition with the Empire for two years, the Empire may be forced to make peace with He-kun. Even if He-kun's strength suffers great losses, who else among the Chinese warlords dares to confront He-kun's army? He-kun is using the price he would have paid to unify China on fighting the Empire... Alas! He-kun starts from the perspective of solving the essence of the problem."

Obata Toshishiro felt anger rushing from his chest to his forehead and asked with a dark face, "Is Nagata-kun praising He-kun?"

Many members of the Futaba-kai had the same feeling, and the unhappiness in their hearts was almost uncontrollable. But compared to Obata Toshishiro, the Futaba-kai members trusted Nagata Tetsuzan's judgment more, so they waited patiently for Nagata Tetsuzan's explanation.

Nagata Tetsuzan shook his head. "Tian Ji horse racing: use the inferior horse against the superior horse, the middle horse against the inferior horse, and the superior horse against the middle horse. Two wins and one loss is a victory. Currently, the Empire of Japan has absolutely no rival in Northeast Asia; this is the superior horse. However, the navy has no place to use its martial arts in this war; even if it wins, it will have no impact on the war. Due to military expenditure reasons, the Army within the Empire is the weakest, which is the middle horse. The Northeast Army takes the army as its absolute main force, which is its superior horse. As long as the Northeast Army can draw with the Imperial Army, the Empire is actually at a disadvantage."

Obata Toshishiro listened angrily, wanting to interrupt twice, but didn't do so.

Okamura Yasuji was very resentful of the Northeast's advantage but had to admit that what Nagata Tetsuzan said made sense. While Nagata Tetsuzan lit a cigarette, he pressed, "What is the Empire's inferior horse?"

Nagata Tetsuzan sighed. "I hate the heresy of socialism very much, but in the Northeast under He-kun's rule, everyone indeed has food to eat and receives care from the government. If they have to suffer and endure hard times, from top to bottom, everyone can bear the pressure of war. What our Toseiha (Control Faction) wants to achieve is a system of 'one for all, all for one'. In the current situation of the Empire, the poor struggle to survive, while the powerful and the zaibatsu view public funds as private property and try their best to accumulate wealth. Japan's ability to bear war is the Empire's inferior horse. If we can defeat He-kun in the short term and seize Manchuria and Mongolia, the Empire will have huge gains, and the situation can be maintained. If the war lasts for two years or even longer, He-kun doesn't need to win on the battlefield; the millions or even tens of millions of people who go bankrupt during the war will be enough to shake the foundation of the country, making the Empire unable to continue. The way to inevitable victory that He-kun believes in lies here."

Hearing this, even Okamura Yasuji couldn't listen anymore. It wasn't that what Nagata Tetsuzan said was wrong, but that Nagata Tetsuzan coldly described a very realistic and incredibly terrible future, a future that was likely to happen.

Nagata Tetsuzan didn't stop. He stood up and said with a heavy heart, "The upper echelons I met today are all unaware of the danger of the situation. The wording of the declaration of war issued by He-kun is very precise: the Northeast Army declares war on the Kwantung Army. Although the reason for declaring war is arrogant and rude, that is just a method adopted by He-kun to enrage the Empire's upper echelons. At this time, I'm afraid the Kwantung Army can no longer be saved. The upper echelons are obsessed and are following He-kun's command, urgently ordering the Korean Army to move north to attack the Yalu River area. I expect that the Korean Army is probably doomed. Once the Kwantung Army is annihilated and the Korean Army is broken, will the Empire still have the strength to deal with He-kun in the next half month? He-kun can take advantage of this precious time to deploy defenses, complete social control, and prepare to meet the Empire's subsequent reinforcements. And winter is coming, which will greatly increase the strength of the defensive side. Alas... formulating a correct operational plan should be like this."

Tojo Hideki felt he could understand what Nagata said but couldn't accept it. However, Tojo had always revered Nagata Tetsuzan, so he asked in a tone that wouldn't anger Nagata Tetsuzan, "Is Nagata-kun overestimating He-kun too much? Even though the land of Manchuria and Mongolia is fertile and vast, it shouldn't be able to contend with the Empire after just a few years of governance."

Nagata Tetsuzan looked at Tojo Hideki. Under his sharp gaze, Tojo Hideki couldn't help lowering his eyes, avoiding eye contact with Nagata Tetsuzan.

Nagata Tetsuzan continued to look at the other Futaba-kai officers, seeing that everyone was more or less unconvinced. Nagata Tetsuzan said loudly, "Gentlemen, this is my personal deduction. Whether this deduction is correct will be known within a few days. We are comrades; let's not quarrel over this matter. Just wait for the result."

The Futaba-kai crowd was angry enough at this time, but knowing deeply that they couldn't compare with Nagata Tetsuzan's insight, they stopped talking.

Nagata Tetsuzan continued, "I have been ordered to serve as the Deputy Director of the Quartermaster Department of the Korean Army and will depart tomorrow. Gentlemen, I will take my leave first."

After speaking, Nagata Tetsuzan called his adjutant Okamura Yasuji and went out the door together. Just as they walked to the street outside the door, Isogai Rensuke chased out from the Futabatei. "Nagata-kun, please wait."

The three stood by the roadside. Isogai Rensuke asked, "I really hope what Nagata-kun said is not true. But if things are really as Nagata-kun expected, how should we respond?"

A look of helplessness finally appeared on Nagata Tetsuzan's face. "If the situation reaches that point, *that person* [Prince Regent/Emperor] will definitely ask you privately. If Isogai-kun is fortunate enough to meet *that person* privately, please convey my view. 'A sovereign cannot raise an army because of anger, and a general cannot fight because of resentment.' He-kun issued the declaration of war with arrogant words not because He-kun is arrogant, but because He-kun predicted that the Empire's high-level officials are arrogant, yet inferior and sensitive. Stimulating the Empire with such words, the Empire's high-level officials will definitely strive for a quick victory. He-kun waits at his ease, taking all the advantages. The Empire loses many elites and must conscript soldiers and mass-produce weapons. The situation enters He-kun's expectations, and both sides compete in national endurance for war. Therefore, please be sure to tell *that person* that at this time, the Empire must stabilize and plan calmly. 'Anger can turn back to happiness, and resentment can turn back to joy, but a destroyed country cannot exist again, and the dead cannot be brought back to life.'"

Isogai Rensuke had studied *The Art of War* by Sun Tzu seriously and knew that Nagata Tetsuzan's words quoted a lot from it. But Isogai Rensuke couldn't remember exactly which chapters they came from. However, Isogai Rensuke originally believed in Nagata Tetsuzan very much, which was why he chased out to ask. Hearing Nagata Tetsuzan emphasize that the Empire of Japan was in such danger, he didn't want to talk any further in his heart.

With complex and unhappy feelings, Isogai Rensuke replied, "Nagata-kun, I understand. If *that person* wants to see me, I will definitely convey Nagata-kun's words. The journey to Korea is long. I wish Nagata-kun and Okamura-kun a safe journey."

The three parted ways. Okamura Yasuji followed behind Nagata Tetsuzan on one side. Okamura Yasuji had been very unhappy all day today. Respectfully and humbly visiting those 'traitors' to seek their support. Telling the somewhat knowledgeable high-level officials about the crisis facing Japan, and predicting the development of the war so pessimistically. Everything was something Okamura Yasuji disliked extremely.

Because his emotions were angry much earlier than others, Okamura Yasuji calmed down instead at this time. He walked silently for a while and asked the doubt in his heart, "Nagata-kun, why did you insist on taking Ishiwara Kanji to Korea?"

"Okamura-kun, there is no need to say more about the current upper echelons of the Empire. The Young Officers' Faction is divided into two factions. One faction is us, field officers of various ranks. The other faction consists of lieutenants and NCOs graduated from the NCO Academy. Lieutenants and NCOs are with the soldiers every day; their status is not high, but their numbers are the largest. Do not underestimate Ishiwara Kanji. He has contacted these lieutenants and NCOs for many years and also established some fund to provide help when the families of lieutenants and NCOs are struggling. It is already a substantial faction. If I don't take him with me, should I wait for Ishiwara Kanji to rise with the momentum when the situation changes drastically?"

Okamura Yasuji didn't like Ishiwara Kanji, so he didn't say anything more. After walking for another while, he opened his mouth to ask again, "Nagata-kun, if the situation is really as you expected, what major changes will occur in the domestic situation?"

Hearing Okamura Yasuji's words, Nagata Tetsuzan felt some regret in his heart. Although he could see many things, he came from an ordinary family after all and didn't have the natural rich connections of the factions. Okamura Yasuji could be considered Nagata Tetsuzan's die-hard supporter; he had the level to fight wars, but his ability to engage in politics was quite weak.

However, at this time, there was no other choice. Nagata Tetsuzan explained slowly, "According to the rules, for such a major defeat, someone at the top must take responsibility, and many positions will become vacant. In order to seize power, the successors must achieve victory as soon as possible. At this time, there will definitely be some field officers who can't see the situation clearly, thinking that the opportunity has arrived, and following their superiors to act recklessly. Although we comrades are field officers, we do not serve as commanders of various units. When we have the opportunity, the situation will inevitably be very hasty. Therefore, we must bring in the Ishiwara Kanji faction so that when we clean up the mess, we have troops capable of fighting."

Okamura Yasuji walked silently for a long while again before speaking, "Wouldn't that give the Ishiwara Kanji faction a chance to grow big?"

Hearing this, Nagata Tetsuzan stopped and turned to Okamura Yasuji. Even in the night, Okamura Yasuji could feel Nagata Tetsuzan's serious aura and couldn't help standing at attention.

He heard Nagata Tetsuzan say in a serious tone, "Okamura-kun, what we pursue is Japan's prosperity. If the upper echelons are so muddled, there is no problem cooperating with them in good faith, let alone the Ishiwara Kanji faction. As long as we can solve this crisis for the Empire, after the war, we will definitely become the backbone of the Empire. At that time, the Ishiwara Kanji faction will not be able to escape our grasp."

Okamura Yasuji was in a really bad mood today and even had a lot of dissatisfaction with Nagata Tetsuzan. Even so, hearing these words, Okamura Yasuji still sighed at Nagata Tetsuzan's breadth of mind and bearing, and his admiration for Nagata Tetsuzan increased a bit instead.

At this time, it was 8:00 PM in Tokyo, and streetlights were fully lit. Stalls and open shops made the lights on both sides of the street bright.

In Dairen and Port Arthur, it was 7:00 PM. Both cities had fully implemented blackouts. The urban areas were pitch black, and residents hid at home with doors and windows tightly closed.

At the edge of the city, firelight flashed everywhere. That was the flash of guns and cannons. The Northeast Army finally completely broke through the Kwantung Army's 2nd Brigade's defense line at the Jinzhou Isthmus at 3:00 PM and fought into the core area of the Kwantung Leased Territory composed of Dairen and Port Arthur.

Although night had fallen, the Northeast Army had absolutely no intention of pausing. The troops began street fighting in the urban areas of Port Arthur and Dairen. Every flash of fire was a muzzle flash. The Kwantung Army also knew that the final moment had come; not only did they not flinch, but they fought tenaciously with the Northeast Army on the defense lines outside the city.

At this time, 34 hours had passed since 9:00 AM on October 7th. There were still 36 hours remaining before the stipulated 72-hour end of the campaign.