In North Sea Province, Wu Yinan, the Commander of the East Continent Empire's Army Third Army stationed there, looked at the intelligence report and remained silent for a long time.
As a soldier who had followed His Majesty since he started in Maple Leaf Country, he had participated in all of the East Continent Empire's foreign wars.
It was precisely because of his outstanding achievements that he was sent here by the General Staff Headquarters to serve as Commander.
The former Neon no longer had the ability to threaten the East Continent Empire.
This also meant that from that moment on, this country had no future.
Wu Yinan called a few division Commanders over and handed them the intelligence report.
"Commander, are these people planning to cause trouble again?"
Wu Yinan nodded and said, "The Intelligence Agency has been watching these people for several years. Recently, we discovered that they purchased a lot of weapons from Lighthouse Country. It is said that those who bought the weapons have the same skin color as us."
"It seems those old remnants are still thinking about the past. Commander, if you ask me, we should send out the Navy fleet and directly arrest this group of people."
"We'll follow the vine to find the melon and catch them all in one fell swoop."
Zhou Yu, Commander of the 17th Division, there are three divisions stationed in North Sea Province. This place not only has abundant resources but also fertile land.
There is also a detached fleet stationed there, routinely patrolling the Beibu Gulf.
"Catching them is easy, but these stubborn elements don't care about their lives. Even if we catch them all this time, as long as the source isn't cut off, they will definitely resurface."
Just as Wu Yinan was about to say something, he heard a guard report an urgent telegram.
When he picked up the telegram and saw its contents, his previously worried expression instantly relaxed.
He knew that if this plan were truly followed, this country's future would likely be completely over.
.....
At the port, a passenger ship from Lighthouse Country was slowly docking, and then several young people disembarked.
Looking up, he saw that the pier was full of shabbily dressed people, and a leader even walked directly up to them, asking if they wanted to unload goods at a fair price.
The expressions of the few people were very complex. Just as they were about to say something, a car drove up, honking its horn.
The people surrounding them were so frightened that they immediately scattered. One must know that in this country, only important figures could drive cars.
"Jiuye Uncle," the young man nodded and said.
"Get in the car." The few people nodded and got into the car.
Inside the car, Matsuyama Hiroshi looked at the pier outside the car window. In his view, a cargo ship was docked, and countless people rushed onto it, seemingly discussing something.
Suddenly, the crowd was pushed aside, and a group of people with knives appeared. They drew their knives and pointed them at the laborers, scaring them into scattering and fleeing.
Then this group of people directed another group of laborers to start unloading the goods.
Matsuyama Hiroshi seemed to understand something, so he asked, "Jiuye Uncle, is the country so chaotic now?"
Jiuye Uncle glanced out the car window, seemingly knowing what the young man was asking, and sighed, "Young Master Matsuyama, you have studied abroad for many years and are not very familiar with the situation in our country."
"This situation is still good; at least they can fill their stomachs."
Matsuyama Hiroshi frowned. Jiuye Uncle was his father's capable assistant and had watched him grow up since childhood, so he would not lie to him.
This meant that what he was seeing now was still what they considered the good side.
The country he remembered was one that understood humility, but now all he saw was chaos and disorder.
This was still the capital's largest port; he dared not imagine what would happen in more distant places.
Matsuyama Hiroshi believed that even if the entire country failed, it should not grovel. It should unite and break free from its shackles through struggle.
He returned this time wanting to contact the Emperor of Wa through his father. As long as he received the Emperor of Wa's highest decree, he could persuade those people to unite.
They would overthrow Tokugawa Yoshinobu, that scoundrel, restore power to the Emperor of Wa, and revive the empire's glory.
When the car stopped at a manor, Matsuyama Hiroshi led the few people into the manor, seeing his father waiting for him at the entrance.
"Father," Matsuyama Hiroshi bowed deeply, "I have returned."
"Good child, it's good you're back. These are your classmates, right? I've already prepared rooms. Go take your classmates to put down their luggage first."
"Yes!"
After a while, Matsuyama Hiroshi saw his father again in the study.
"How has Lighthouse Country been these past few years?"
"Father, I've been very well there. Lighthouse Country is very powerful, truly worthy of being the world's strongest industrial nation. The people there are all polite."
"The air there is exceptionally fresh, filled with a sweet scent."
Matsuyama Hiroshi's face was full of yearning when he spoke of Lighthouse Country, but then he thought of everything that happened at the port today, so he said, "Father, has the country become so chaotic now?"
"Yes, our country is in a very bad state now. After Tokugawa Yoshinobu took power, he disbanded the Navy and the Army. Now, there are only tens of thousands of guard troops nationwide, all under Tokugawa's control."
"So, Father has already given up resistance?"
Matsuyama Hiroshi said angrily, "As a general who was once received by the Emperor of Wa, a former great general, Father, if you give up, this country will have no hope."
"You have lost the courage and fighting spirit of a soldier, Father, you disappoint me greatly."
Hearing these words, Matsuyama Hiroshi sighed. His son's words seemed so harsh.
He seemed to want to say a few words, but looking at his son's angry face, it ultimately ended in a sigh.
Matsuyama Hiroshi understood that there was already a huge, invisible yet existing chasm between him and his son.
But what could he do? As a witness to the civil war three years ago, and one of the few surviving officers.
He, like his son, once wanted to defeat Tokugawa Yoshinobu and end the chaotic situation.
For this, he personally led the charge in that battle, leading his troops to continuously defeat two of Tokugawa Yoshinobu's divisions, but ultimately, due to a lack of food and weapons, he had to lay down his arms.
Perhaps because of his bravery, Tokugawa Yoshinobu greatly admired him and intended to let him remain in his post.
But in the end, he chose to leave the military and return home to retire.
For safety, he secretly sent his son to Lighthouse Country. In recent years, as the rumors gradually died down, he dared to let his son return.
Neon had already dismembered its military under the supervision of the East Continent Empire. The Navy didn't even have a single gunboat.
The original Army had all been disbanded, and now they were all farmers or laborers.
The industrial equipment that this country had saved and spent huge sums on for decades had all been dragged away by the East Continent Emperor.
Heavy industries like factories, shipyards, and steel mills had all disappeared from this country.