Chapter Seventy-Four: Ten Years of Sharpening the Sword
"Chen, how can you talk to the general like this?!" Robert came to Chen Fangzheng angrily.
"Why can't I talk like that?" Chen Fangzheng was a little angry and continued: "You ask this world-renowned General Ito Youheng if what I said is true!" Their Japanese army has already done an inhuman act, it is simply a beast's behavior! ”
"Chen! You've gone too far! Beware of us beating you! Robert and several Japanese students present were already enraged by Chen Fangzheng's words. However, Ito stopped their actions.
"Do you only know about blind worship? Don't you ask this general, who witnessed the First Sino-Japanese War, what did their army do in the end? Do you know that the so-called 'devils' are derived from the devil of the glory of their empire, the 'Mountain Genji'.
You, Japan, have deceived the whole world with those flowery rhetoric of so-called help to the Qing Dynasty to drive out the Western powers. In fact, that is an aggressive conspiracy that you have been planning for nearly a century! You want to use warships and cannons to conquer our entire Chinese nation! ”
Several Japanese students around Chen Fangzheng had already rushed up angrily. Ito Yuhyung and his son Ito Xiangzen stopped them once again.
Ito took a deep breath and said, "Captain Chen Fangzheng, what you said is the truth. However, this is not what I expected to see. I love your culture very much, and I also like Chinese civilization. However, for nearly half a century, your Great Qing Dynasty has closed itself off from the rest of the world and has not thought of making progress, which has seriously affected your country's status in the world. I would love to see your country awaken to the trauma of war.
War is cruel, and although I don't like war, we are soldiers of the Empire, and we must obey and carry out the orders of the Empire.
I deeply regret the actions of Genji Sanji-kun, who have made us ashamed as soldiers of the Great Japanese Empire! This is not the behavior of a professional soldier! I apologize to you and your country!
Yamachi Genji-kun has been ill since that war, and now he is seriously ill, and according to doctors, he will only live until next month at most. Alas! Maybe this is his retribution for being too cruel! ”
After Ito Yuhyung finished speaking, he stood up and bowed deeply to Chen Fangzheng. Ito Xiangzen and Michiko also bowed deeply to Chen Fangzheng together.
Robert was very surprised to see the military soul-level figure he admired and make such a move, what he didn't expect was that General Ito Youheng, whom he admired, actually saluted and apologized to a junior officer of the Great Qing Kingdom.
Several Japanese naval cadets around Robert were furious, and they were insulting Ito Yuhiro and them: "General, your actions have disgraced the Empire!" We're ashamed of you! ”
Chen Fangzheng said: "General, I am studying here today just to defeat you in ten years and drive you devils out of our country!" There is an old saying in China that goes like this - it is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge for ten years! ”
When Ito Youheng heard Chen Fangzheng's words, he frowned and said, "Captain Chen Fangzheng, I appreciate your ambition!" However, I would like to remind you that wars between nations are not something that can be changed by the talents of one person, but what he needs is the will and behavior of the whole nation! If in 10 years' time, you are still in the same government, you still can't win! ”
"Then we'll see you in ten years!" Chen Fangzheng looked at Ito Youheng firmly and said.
"Captain, I admire your courage, and in ten years, I think, I will definitely see a mighty fleet appear on the seas of the Far East! At that time, I may have been old, but my son, Ito Xiangshan, an emperor as good as you, will be waiting for you on that blue ocean, if there is this opportunity, you will have a real battle between soldiers. ”
"Okay, it's a deal!" Chen Fangzheng still said firmly.
Ito Xiangshan walked over from his father's side, stretched out his hand in a friendly manner, and said, "Chen Fangzheng, I never want us to meet on the battlefield. I really hope that in ten years, we can live in a world without war and we can be good friends for life. ”
Chen Fangzheng gently shook Ito's hand and said: "Xiangshanjun, sometimes wishes can only be wishes, although we are studying here together, we are destined to become enemies!" Because, everyone can forget that period of military shame, but as a soldier, I will never forget it! It's something we can't choose! ”
"Hello, Fang Zhengjun, come and get acquainted, I'm Michiko, Ito's sister, don't talk about war anymore, I really hate war, how good it is for us to be together peacefully!" Michiko's innocent smile melted the pale conversation between them......
The sea breeze blew Chen Fangzheng's thoughts many years ago, revealing the past of studying in the UK.
During that time, Michiko often came to the Naval Academy, and gradually, she fell in love with this silent Chen Fangzheng from their neighboring country.
Ito Xiangshan saw his sister's thoughts and intended to match, but Chen Fangzheng refused.
Chen Fangzheng said: "Xiang Shanjun, I also appreciate and like Michiko very much, but we are destined to not come together. Because, sooner or later, this grievance between our two countries will have to be understood, and at that time, you and I will meet each other, how do you let Michiko face it? I don't want to create this helplessness and pain! ”
Ito Xiangshan said helplessly: "Fang Zhengjun, why do you always think that we will definitely become enemies? Why can't we be friends? Why can't you and Michiko be? Fang Zhengjun, do you know? Michiko is in pain! ”
Chen Fangzheng said bitterly: "Xiang Shanjun, I also want to have a good wish like you, but I still say that a wish can only be a wish, and we can't live in a longing forever." We are all military personnel of our respective countries, and we should all look at reality maturely. As your father, General Ito Yokehiro, said, we should not do things because of personal preferences, but because of responsibility to fulfill our duties as soldiers!
Xiang Shanjun, in fact, you have already seen what the future of our two countries will be. As you know, it is inevitable that there will be the most tragic war between China and Japan. You also know that we are destined to be enemies, but you don't want to admit it! ”
Ito Xiangshan lowered his head helplessly and said, "I really hope that we are still friends." ”