The Japanese Navy studied under the British Navy and learned not only the training, military building, and system of the British Navy, but also the British Navy's etiquette and style, and the ball was one of them.

In the United Kingdom, the navy is known as the aristocratic navy, in addition to creating a series of brilliant achievements, but also formed a set of very elaborate etiquette style, and dancing, is one of the important behavioral activities, it can be said that the officers of the British navy, all are good at dancing, but also frequent guests in the dance hall. And this style is completely inherited by the Japanese Navy, so in the Japanese Navy, dance parties are often held.

Of course, this is also one of the contradictions between the Japanese Navy and the Army; in the eyes of the Navy, the Army's current activities of visiting kilns and drinking flowers and wine are really too low-level, tasteless, and not at all civilized; in the eyes of the Army, dancing men and women hugging each other among the masses is really immoral, corrupt and moral, and it is not unconventional or nondescript.

However, no matter how the army looked dancing, during the visit of the fleets of East China and the United States, the Japanese navy still carefully prepared a ball to welcome the arrival of the navies of the two countries. Even the female companions at the dance party are specially invited from Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and other places, and of course they are all kabumes who can dance Western-style ballroom dances.

After the Meiji Restoration, Japan was largely westernized, and Western-style dance parties became a new social fashion and social event. Although at this time, the women of good families in Japan were still conservative and could not participate in this kind of dance activities, but there were no taboos for kabui who were engaged in the custom industry, so many kabui went to learn ballroom dancing to have the opportunity to attend this kind of social event, so it was not very difficult to find a group of kabui who could dance Western-style ballroom dancing in Japan.

In addition, the Japanese Navy also invited a number of ambassadors, consuls, and businessmen from various countries in Japan to attend the ball, so that a group of foreign women participated, so that the number of women attending the ball was basically complete.

On the side of the East China ** fleet, a total of 16 people participated in the ball, in addition to Xia Ruichen, Yang Lixin and two members of the command, each warship also sent three people to participate, and the US fleet participated in nearly 50 people, after all, the US fleet has many warships, only 16 battleships, plus various auxiliary warships, a total of more than 30, an average of less than 2 people on a ship. The Japanese side participated in more than 20 people, plus invited ambassadors, businessmen, and female guests, a total of nearly 200 people, but fortunately, the area of the ballroom is quite large, nearly 1,000 square meters, so it can accommodate as much as possible.

At the beginning of the ball, everyone first raised a glass to toast to the peace and friendship of the three countries, and as the music sounded, the Japanese man in charge of presiding over the ball first sent an invitation to an American noblewoman, which was the prelude to the ball. And the American officers over there had already stood up and sent out invitations to the female guests who had already been determined. However, most of the American officers invited Japanese kabuji, and only a few invited foreign women, after all, for Americans, it is clear that they are more interested in Asian women.

On the Japanese side, except for Hitaka Zhuangcheng, only two higher-ranking officers went down, and the rest of the people still sat still, obviously waiting for the officers of East China's ** to go first. Although the Japanese may not be happy in their hearts, after all, they are the hosts, and the etiquette must be thorough.

At this time, Xia Ruichen said to the other officers: "Go and choose a dance partner yourself, have some fun." Saying that, he went down first and invited a foreign female guest, and Yang Lixin invited a Japanese song and dance girl. When the others saw that the two chiefs were gone, they all got up and went to find their respective dance partners.

Although the navy of East China is not as particular as the British Navy, the role of the navy is not only to fight, but also to have many foreign visits, so the navy also attaches great importance to fashion etiquette, social activities, dancing is also one of the subjects that should be learned, and the army of East China also has female soldiers, and often organizes dance activities, the officers of the navy are no strangers to dancing, but it is indeed the first time to participate in this kind of dance party with foreign officers.

For a while, the dance floor was full of people, clothes were flying, and men and women danced to the music.

After the song, Xia Ruichen returned to his seat and sat down, but it didn't take long, and he only heard someone say in English: "General, can you please dance!"

Xia Ruichen turned his head and saw that it was a young red-haired girl, looking 22 or 3 years old, tall and beautiful, with a pair of ice blue eyes, a red face, and a somewhat restrained look.

Although Xia Ruichen didn't plan to end up, a lady took the initiative to invite, of course he couldn't refuse, so he hurriedly stood up, owed slightly, and said in English: "Miss, it's my honor." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and made an inviting gesture.

The girl looked a little surprised, hurriedly put her hand on Xia Ruichen's hand, turned her head and looked behind her, only to see that outside a few tables, there were 3 or 4 young girls sitting around, each making various exaggerated expressions.

Xia Ruichen understood 7 or 8 points at a glance, this redhead took the initiative to invite herself, probably because she had some gambling with her female partner, but she didn't mind, and pulled her into the dance floor, and said with a smile: "Is it your friend!"

The girl's other hand was on Xia Ruichen's shoulder, nodded, and said, "Yes." ”

Xia Ruichen's hand wrapped around her waist, stepped out of the dance steps, and said with a smile: "Is it considered to have won them now!"

The girl also moved with his dance steps and said, "Yes...... Ah, I'm sorry......"

Xia Ruichen did a whirling dance step and said, "It's okay, it's my honor to be able to help a beautiful lady like you win her companion." ”

The girl's dance steps were light, and she rotated with Xia Ruichen, and the cooperation was quite smooth and perfect, and she said gratefully: "Thank you, but you speak English so well, I have rarely met people in Japan who speak English so well." ”

Xia Ruichen smiled: "Thank you for your praise, how long have you lived in Japan?"

The girl said, "It's been more than a year, and my father is doing business in Japan, so I came to Japan after graduating from university. But next year we may have to go to China, because Dad is going to move all his business to China, I heard that it is Shanghai. ”

Xia Ruichen smiled and said, "Oh! That's our territory, welcome you and your father to China." ”

The girl said: "What kind of country is China, is it similar to Japan? What kind of Chinese are they, are they all people like you!"

Xia Ruichen said: "Miss, I can only tell you that China is a beautiful country, as for other situations, it is best for you to observe and experience with your own eyes." ”

The girl couldn't help but laugh and said, "You are really an interesting person, it would be great if Chinese were like you!"

Xia Ruichen said with a smile: "Then I'm afraid you will be disappointed, because there are many kinds of Chinese, and it is impossible for them all to be like me." ”

The two danced and talked, and before they knew it was another dance, the two parted, and the girl took the hem of her skirt in her hands, and made a curt-knee, and said, "My name is Catherine, Catherine Phillips, can you tell me your name!"

Xia Ruichen owed a debt and said, "Xia Ruichen." ”

Catherine nodded and said, "General Xia, I hope that when I go to China, I can see you again." After saying that, he turned and left, returned to his female companion's table, and immediately laughed with his companions.

And Xia Ruichen walked out of the dance floor, asked for a glass of red wine, and was returning to his seat in vain, when someone said: "Major General Xia, it seems that you are very popular with girls!"

Xia Ruichen saw that it was Rear Admiral Charles Spare, commander of the US fleet, who was also holding a glass of red wine and raising a glass to him at this time. So Xia Ruichen came to his seat and sat down, also raised his glass, and said, "Major General Spare." ”

The two of them each took a sip, and Spareh smiled: "Major General Xia became a major general at such a young age, which is rare in other countries!"

Xia Ruichen smiled: "It's just lucky, we just fought a war, you know, promotion in wartime is faster than in peacetime." But don't let our Japanese friends hear that. ”

Sparey also smiled slightly, looked left and right, and said: "Don't worry, there are no Japanese friends here, but I have heard a saying in Japan that Japan believes that the victory of the Far East War originally belonged to Japan, but it was stolen by you, I don't know what you think of such a statement!"

Xia Ruichen said: "I have no comment on this statement, and we don't care what Japan thinks, because no matter what Japan thinks, it is impossible to change the outcome of the Far East War." Therefore, even if we stole Japan's victory, it was done in front of the eyes of Britain, France, Russia, and Japan, and after that, we brazenly showed off the results of the stolen war to the whole world, and it was recognized by the whole world, isn't it?"

Sparey also laughed and said, "That's right, the victor is not to blame, and I think the Japanese are just making excuses for their own defeat." ”

Xia Ruichen said: "This is understandable! Losing so badly, ** always comes to give an explanation to the people." So whatever they want to say, let them say it. ”

"It was really interesting to talk to you, and frankly, I'm looking forward to a visit to China now," Sparey laughed. ”

Xia Ruichen said: "This won't be too far. ”

While the two were talking, the tall and strong man also came over and said, "I don't know what the two of you are talking about, it seems that they are talking very speculatively." ”

Xia Ruichen said with a smile, "Major General Sparey and I are talking about this visit, Japan is really too grand and gracious. ”