Chapter 120

"It's over, Hokkaido!"

"It's over, Sado Island!"

"It's over, island after island!"

For the vast majority of Japanese people, at the time of the approaching early winter, a place name that is familiar or unfamiliar is constantly ringing on their lips, and the vast majority of them do not even know where these places are, but they overwhelm the strong and powerful generals and Daisa, and the whole of Japan is shrouded in an atmosphere of despair.

Almost every day, rumors circulated throughout Japan, and immediately after the fall of Hokkaido, there were rumors that the army of Lu Kuni had landed in Mutsu Bay, and two days later there were rumors that the army of Lu Guo had taken Mt. Akita and annihilated four divisions of Japanese troops. Then came the news that Sado Island was occupied, and the natural Niigata Prefecture was soon "lost". When Shimago Island was lost, the rumor became that Shimane Prefecture was cheaper, and more people believed that the army of Lu Province would attack Kyoto Prefecture and fight directly to Otsu from there. To punish the mob of Otsu and avenge the crown prince and prince of Lukoku.

All kinds of rumors are spread all over Japan, and every time the rumors are spread, a large number of city people will evacuate their girls and family property to the countryside, and some people with wrong minds will go crazy to the mountains to avoid the "Western ghost animals".

In the cities, millions of Japanese joined the "National Advance Force", and because of the lack of weapons, they had to use the Boshin War that brought down the shogunate. Each feudal clan purchases weapons. After the Meiji Restoration, the prefectures were abolished, and the guns of each domain were confiscated. Hundreds of thousands of foreign front-loading guns of all kinds became the weapons of the national standing forces, and even the katana reappeared on the waists of the Japanese, so much so that there were some sharpened bamboo guns and other weapons.

While millions of Japanese tried to defend the country with their warriors, many of them made very different choices, including those who advocated defeat and began to learn Lu Chinese in private in order to live under Lu occupation in the future. At this time, everyone seems to be making their own choices.

"There's really no hope!"

Almost as soon as he left the conference room of the Kure Naval Yard, Fumizaburo Kohata, who was a shipbuilding technician, could not help but complain softly, and the reason for his complaint could not be simpler: just today, the Ship Administration Headquarters ordered the dismantling of the warships damaged in the naval battle and the transfer of their steel to the arsenal for the production of weapons for the army, and not only that, but even the cannons on the last few warships were also required to be removed. to be used to strengthen the defense of the coast.

"If Japan does not have a navy, can it continue to exist?"

When I complained like this in my mouth. Tears flowed from his eyes, all the dreams were over, whether they were Japanese or navy, were now over!

Far from playing any role in defending the Japanese occupation, the navy, which spent a lot of money, had to dismantle all naval guns and all sailors to go ashore to defend Japan.

"Is there really no hope?"

The answer is well known, and it was made very clear at the meeting -- in Hokkaido, Sado Island, and Shimago Island, there are already more than 400,000 troops in Hokkaido, Sado Island, and Shimago Island, who may flood into Japan at any time, and the navy, which carries the hopes of the country, is powerless to confront the navy of the country -- the Russians have already mobilized four combat ships and more than a dozen cruisers, and any naval battle will be devastating for the navy.

At first, in the face of the disparity in strength, the Ministry of the Navy insisted that the fleet should not go to sea to fight, but should cover the land forces between the islands, and the defeat of several encounters made the Ministry of the Navy fully aware of the huge gap in strength between the two sides, and avoiding war and protecting ships became the best choice, so that at least when diplomatic mediation was successful, Japan could still have a navy, instead of being consumed in useless naval battles.

Without a navy, it would not be difficult for Japan to defend the country's safety, but could the navy still be able to defend the country's safety even if it avoided war and protected its ships?

"There's really no way!"

Staring at the several warships in the harbor, Heihachiro Togo, the chief of staff of the Wu Town Guard, shook his head painfully.

"Tokyo asked us to fold the naval guns and transport them to where they are needed to block the landing of the Lu Army, but with such a large coastline in Japan, even with dozens of cannons, what is the use!"

"Bang!"

He slammed his fist against the railing, and tears flowed from Heihachiro Togo's eyes.

"Today they will break the artillery to strengthen the defense of the coast, send sailors ashore, tomorrow they will break the warship, and the navy will not be defeated by the navy of the country, but will be sunk by the high-ranking officials of the navy province......"

Once upon a time, like many naval officers, Heihachiro Togo fantasized that one day he would be able to defeat the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet thousands of miles away, but now, the dream was like a joke, and the Japanese Navy, which had been forging ahead for several years, not only failed to raise its prestige overseas, but was completely destroyed in the shipyard.

Japan's decades-long dream of the ocean has come to naught!

"Now, I seem to be able to understand why Gua Sheng Waiji did that!"

Arai said in a deep voice, as the captain of the cruiser Naniwa, witnessing the reality of the ship's guns being broken off was like a beloved child whose arm had been broken.

"Arai!"

Arai's words made Togo's brows furrowed, and he shouted in a deep voice.

"Don't mention that traitor to the navy, even if we all need to go ashore and pick up our rifles, we must resist to the end, and we must not betray Japan like they did."

Although he did not agree with the decision to strengthen the defense by folding the warship artillery, it did not mean that Togo would agree with the actions of Kuayu Waiyoshi and others, and in his opinion, the cowardly behavior was even unforgivable.

"If the navy and army are like Gua Sheng Waiji, who thinks that the Lu people are invincible and flees from Japan, then who will defend Japan? By that time the whole of Japan will become a joke all over the world, if we fight heroically. At least...... At least after the demise of the country. The world will still remember the Japanese warriors! ”

"Yes. But ......"

Arai sighed, and at the end of his swarthy face was a look of pain.

"If we all die in battle, who will recover Japan in the future?"

This rhetorical question actually expresses the inner thoughts of many Japanese people, who seem to be strong and brave on the surface, but have two sides that are difficult for other nations to understand, on the one hand, they are brave and cowardly. Especially in the face of a huge enemy that could never be defeated, many "people of insight" stubbornly believed that Japan was not far from extinction, and now was the time to make a choice for the future, whether to make unnecessary sacrifices, or to live under the occupation of Westerners as obedient people.

"It's time to leave!"

Facing his friend, Bunzaburo Kohata spit out such a sentence, and at this time his feelings seemed a little low, but more of a loss.

"You've decided?"

The friend's decision did not surprise Honda. As a proponent of the "Russophobia", he firmly believed that Japan would die long before the outbreak of the war. Because he called for an ultimatum, but his appeal was completely rude, and he was even regarded as a "traitor", but now the outcome of the war is confirming his original prediction that Japan will doom.

"It's also a good choice to leave Japan, and instead of perishing with Japan's stupid choice, it's better to leave Japan, maybe ......"

After a pause, a hint of pain appeared on Honda's face.

"Maybe if you go out, you can have a chance to help Japan!"

Obviously, the depressed friend didn't notice his words, but just talked to him without a match.

"Now it seems that Japan is going to be unlucky, we are only a matter of time before we perish, sitting at home, is not Japan's way out, now for Japan, the best choice is to win foreign aid, in the future with the help of the power of the great powers, for the liberation of Japan......"

"Honda ......"

Looking at Honda in surprise, didn't he keep advocating that he should give up resistance in order to win the forgiveness of the Lu people? How could he say such a thing now?

"Kohata, I'm Japanese!"

The look of surprise in Kohata Bunzaburo's eyes, looking at Honda's eyes, made his mood more and more heavy.

"This war was originally triggered by our arrogance, Japan has no way of resisting the attack of the Lu country, from the outbreak of the war, Japan's fate has been doomed, at this time, someone needs to stand up and cooperate with the Lu people, as a buffer between the occupation forces and the Japanese, to protect the poor people, the reason why I call for surrender, because our strength is too weak, how can a baby be an adult's opponent? And the stronger we resist, the more it will inspire the tyranny of the Lu people, so instead of fighting fearlessly, it is better to give up resistance and win their forgiveness with a respectful attitude, but ......"

But they don't listen to their own persuasion at all, only a few people know that the future is doomed, and many people are realizing the problem, just like Bunzaburo Kohata, who also supported the war before the war, but now?

"Hey, let's not talk about that, Kohata, where are you going? Is it going to the United States or the Qing Kingdom? In the future, the only ones who can help Japan recover are the United States and the Qing Kingdom......"

"Rice Country?"

Shaking his head, Kohata Fumizaburo looked at his friend and said seriously.

"Could it be that after this war, we still can't see the faces of the Westerners? In the past, we shouted that we would break away from Asia and join Europe, but now, if Japan is occupied, it will be able to become a European country as we wish, and of course it will be a part of them...... Really, those guys have finally got their wish now! ”

In addition to complaining, Kohata Bunzaburo sarcastically said a few words one after another, and he said that they were naturally high-ranking officials of the Meiji government who were full of infinite affection for the West, and it was they who pushed Japan to the end step by step.

"I decided to go to Qingguo, to North Korea, Honda, I think you should go too, I think, not only the hope of Qingguo is there, but also the hope of the whole of Asia is there......"

For many Chinese people, Inje Hospital, the largest Western hospital in Incheon and the whole of Korea, was the largest Western hospital in Incheon and the whole of Korea, and as a doctor in the hospital, Chung did not need to treat patients most of the time - except for providing medical care to the company's employees. The native Koreans, and indeed many Chinese, resisted Western medicine in some kind of dù. As a result, the work of the hospital is not too busy.

"Is this choice right or wrong?"

I thought of closing the pharmacy myself and came to Incheon. At this time, Zheng Shiliang's whole person seemed to be a little fund-raising, and the reason why he was corrected in his heart was the changes he had witnessed in Incheon in the past year, the changes in the Special Economic Zone were rapid, and changes were taking place almost every day, and the increasingly prosperous Special Economic Zone seemed to symbolize China's awakening, but for some reason. He was a little resistant to this awakening.

After all, this qiē is all Manchu, but is that Tang Lord really a loyal minister of the Manchu Dynasty? Obviously, Zheng Shiliang did not dare to make such a judgment, and even as a doctor, he also noticed that in the past year, more and more company employees and employees who came here for treatment had cut off their braids, and even together with the police on the street, the braids were thrown aside at some point.

Moreover, the "Heavenly Grace Temple" in various parts of Korea and the "Martyrs' Shrine" being built in Korea are all with the meaning of thinking and respecting Ming, is this what the ministers of the Manchu Qing Dynasty should do? Perhaps this was to strengthen the loyalty of the feudal lords, but ...... That's a bit too much!

"Anchen!"

Suddenly, a shout from the door interrupted Zheng Shiliang's thoughts. He looked back and smiled at the sight of the comer.

"Offering incense. Why are you free to come to me today! ”

Looking at the visit of his friend, Zheng Shiliang hurriedly restrained his somewhat chaotic mood, the reason why he closed the pharmacy and came to Incheon was precisely at the invitation of Lu Haodong, in his words, this is where China's hope lies, Zheng Shiliang, who was "bewitched" by him, even closed his own pharmacy. Among the friends, the two of them came to Incheon, and the relationship between the two was naturally extremely close.

"No, there's nothing going on at the telegraph office today, I'll come to you after class over there!"

Lu Haodong said as he took out a newspaper from his purse.

"Xianxiang, have you read this newspaper?"

"Huh?"

Taking the newspaper in surprise, Zheng Shiliang couldn't help but be a little curious, seeing the puzzlement on his friend's face, Lu Haodong pointed to a news item in the newspaper and said.

"Look at this, the Korean Internal Affairs Yamen collected emblems for the "Martyrs' Shrine". ”

"Emblem!"

Looking at Lu Haodong puzzled, Zheng Shiliang was still a little puzzled.

"Offering incense, you want to ......"

"Remember that idea I had earlier?"

As he spoke, Lu Haodong took out a notepad from his bag, opened it and pointed to one of the hand-drawn prints and said.

"There are clouds in the "Daming Banner Poem": the first branch in the sun and moon flag, this Daming, with the sun and the moon as the flag, is the loyal martyr's shrine to worship my Ming soldiers, and he should use this sun and moon flag!"

"But I only seem to see the sun?"

Looking at the sketched pattern, Zheng Shiliang smiled.

"It's because I haven't had time to paint in a hurry......"

Lu Haodong said as he redrew it in his notebook.

"In my opinion, it is composed of a pattern of overlapping golden sun, silver moon and blue background. The blue background represents the blue sky, symbolizing the bright and upright personality and ambition of Chinese people such as me. The overlap of the sun and the moon is the word "Ming", representing the Ming Dynasty, the golden sun and the silver mang, that is, the meaning of the moon reflecting the sun, the sun and the moon are located in the middle of the banner impartially, which is to take the meaning that China is located in the four directions. These twelve moonlit rays refer to the twelve hours of the day and the twelve months of the year......"

Explain your own ideas. Lu Haodong's expression was slightly excited, in his opinion, if he couldn't even convince his friends, let alone others.

"Offering incense, your flag seems to be different from the Sun and Moon Banner of Hongmen!"

Zheng Shiliang, as a member of the party, is naturally no stranger to the Sun and Moon Banner, but there seem to be many differences between the Sun and Moon Banner and the Sun and Moon Banner.

"Since it is different, what we think and think is to expel the Tartars and restore China, not to restore the world of Zhu Ming, is it possible that when the Central Plains redefines China, will he find a descendant of Zhu Ming to inherit the throne?"

Pointing to the "Sun and Moon Emblem" on the notebook, Lu Haodong looked at his friend and said seriously.

"This emblem was born in response to the heart of Joseon Siming, but what I Han people inherited is the ambition of the Han people Kuangzheng, the Manchu Qing Dynasty enslaved me for 248 years, so that my Chinese life is miserable, dim and dull, don't you just wait for the sun and moon to shine to chase away this darkness? This flag is not so much a gift to the loyal souls of the former dynasty as it is a dedication to the cause we want to devote ourselves to! ”

Lu Haodong's explanation only made Zheng Shiliang nod one after another, and at the same time looked at this friend who was several years younger than him, and Lu Haodong did not stop because of this, but continued.

"Is it inappropriate that this flag can awaken the national heart of the Chinese people and show the bullying of the Chinese people when it is fully displayed in China? Brother Anchen, you said, if one day, the dragon flag on the land of China is completely abandoned and replaced by the sun and moon flag, then why can't China be restored! And ......"

With a slight pressure in his voice, Lu Haodong said another layer of his thoughts.

"Offering incense, I came to North Korea at the invitation of an old friend, but you also know that our Lord Tang, looking like a loyal minister of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, but not like a loyal minister, I thought, if this sun and moon flag can be engraved in Seoul "Loyal Martyrs' Shrine" openly, and even rise among young people, then ......."

Without waiting for Lu Haodong to finish speaking, Zheng Shiliang suddenly smiled and said.

"Offering incense, if that's the case, maybe it will cause some trouble for Lord Tang!"

"Trouble?"

Lu Haodong shook his head and said another layer of his thoughts with a smile from his friend.

"There are some things, someone has to do it, Lord Tang is determined to forge ahead in North Korea and train the new army, maybe he will wave his troops in the country to recover China, as for this flag...... At least it can be urged, if this flag is spread to the Manchu court, Anchen, do you think the Manchus will still trust the adults as they do now? When the time comes, how will adults deal with themselves? ”

(This is a big chapter of 5,000 words, which is almost a plus!) Ask for a commuter pass! (To be continued......)