The Crusade led by Li Yongji finally left Smithland by boat, and in the background there was a thick smoke billowing out, which was the afterglow of the destruction of Smithland Fortress.

Of course, it was not only the living who left, but also many of the war dead, and the bodies of these deceased, all of whom were burned into ashes in the form of cremation in the form of cremation, and then put into their respective urns.

After that, the urns will be sorted into wooden boxes with the relics of the deceased, and then carefully placed into a sealed black container, and finally returned by boat under the escort of a team of soldiers.

After returning to China, these urns will be transported directly to the Martyrs' Shrine built by the Empire on the Purple Mountain in Nanjing.

The Martyrs' Shrine, built on the Purple Mountain in Nanjing, is a place dedicated to storing the ashes of martyrs, which has been completed, but has not yet been officially put into use, that is, it has not yet undergone an official launch ceremony.

Therefore, these ashes will be stored outside together with the ashes of the martyrs who were selected before, and the family of the deceased will be notified as much as possible, and when Li Yongji returns to China, an auspicious day of the zodiac will be selected, and the emperor Li Yongji will personally take the lead and open this martyr's shrine after a solemn worship ceremony.

After the Martyrs' Shrine is opened, the ashes of those martyrs will be carefully sent to the Valhalla by the honor guards in the ceremony of the families of the deceased.

Once the ashes of a martyr enter the Valhalla, they will have a separate niche, and the placement of the niche is not equal, but is divided according to the position and contribution of the person before death. The more senior the position and the greater the contribution, the higher the position. At the same time, the more eye-catching.

In short, the Martyrs' Shrine is not only a cemetery, but also a spiritual symbol, because according to the constitution of the empire, as long as it is a soldier who sacrifices his life for the country, whether it is a small soldier or a general. are deliberately stored in the Martyrs' Shrine.

In the Martyrs' Shrine, the ashes of the martyrs can be worshiped not only by their own family members, but also by the entire nation. And this kind of worship is mandatory.

In other words, every year on National Day, all the people do not care where they are, unless they are soldiers who are in the middle of the war. They should all stand in the direction of the Martyrs' Shrine for three minutes of silence. In order to show respect for the martyrs, this whole people, including the emperor.

In addition, as long as the students are admitted to the university, they must come to the martyrs' shrine to visit the tomb, pay homage to the heroic souls of the martyrs, listen to the lectures of the docents, and receive a patriotic education.

Of course. Considering that many students in remote areas are inconvenient to travel, and some students may be poor. Therefore, the regulations also explain that the state pays for the round-trip travel expenses of high school graduates who are admitted to universities during the summer vacation to pay tribute to the martyrs, so it can be regarded as a benefit for students.

In other words, the Martyrs' Shrine is a place like Arlington Cemetery, or Yasukuni Shrine, which represents a national ritual and the greatest dignity of the empire, and no one can desecrate it.

According to the provisions of the Constitution, all people, including people at home and abroad, once they enter the scope of the Martyrs' Shrine, no matter who they are, even if they are the emperor, are not allowed to make loud noises, let alone ride horses, cars or use any other means of transportation, they can only use walking.

Obviously, Li Yongji wants to use this institutionalized form to show respect for the soldiers, so as to win the hearts of all officers and soldiers, because this situation of extreme grief after death just pokes at the heart of the Chinese at this time, no matter who it is, they will be moved by it.

In the past, soldiers never received this kind of respect, and even if they did, it was only for the high-ranking generals.

Not to mention the Manchu Qing Dynasty, even if it was the former Tang Empire, the Martyrs' Shrine was only dedicated to those generals, and they had never heard of small soldiers, and even ordinary people could enter the Martyrs' Shrine and enjoy the incense offerings of all the people of the empire.

However, the Chinese Empire made a start, stipulating that whether it is a trafficker or a general, as long as you sacrifice your life for the interests of the country, then the state will not only give your family rich material compensation and reputation compensation, but also let your ashes enter the martyrs' shrine, and enjoy the worship of all the people after death.

Because according to the Constitution, in order to enter here, two conditions must be met: first, they must have Chinese nationality and belong to the legal Chinese; The second is to sacrifice one's life for the country, that is, to sacrifice one's life for the interests of the country.

In other words, entering the Martyrs' Shrine does not have to be a military person, nor does it have to be a yellow race, as long as a person of Chinese nationality, as long as he dies for the interests of the country and is recognized by the state, he can enter the Martyrs' Shrine and enjoy the treatment of a martyr.

That is to say, even if the expeditionary force does not have the status of the imperial army, they can enter the Martyrs' Shrine after death, because although they are nominally mercenaries, they are all Chinese, and they are all sacrificed for the country, so they meet the conditions for entering the Martyrs' Shrine.

This condition is undoubtedly quite broad, and it also stimulates all citizens who know about it, but normally speaking, it is still the military who is more hopeful to enter, because it is difficult for ordinary people to have the opportunity to sacrifice for the country.

Of course, this will definitely stimulate the emergence of civilian mercenaries, because according to the regulations of the Martyrs' Shrine, mercenaries who are not in the regular army can also enjoy honor, because as long as they fight for the interests of the country, they can also be honored after death and enjoy national worship.

Because of this, in today's empire, whether it is a soldier or an ordinary person, no matter who it is, as long as it is a Chinese, as long as it knows about it, they are all proud to enter the martyrs' shrine after death, and the words "dedication to the country" and "unity of the family and the country" have become new fashionable words in China, the sense of national pride and honor is getting higher and higher, patriotism has gradually taken root in the hearts of the people, and the whole country has gradually fallen into a new state of passion.

According to some foreigners, this condition is tantamount to giving honor to Chinese bandits, just as Britain openly gave honor to pirates. It is a blatant encouragement of Chinese plunder.

Therefore, in the eyes of foreigners, this Chinese martyr's shrine. It is the glory of the Chinese, but the sorrow of the foreigners.

In addition, it should be said that the Martyrs' Shrine does not have to be a special day to worship, and it is usually open to the public at home and abroad in a fee-based manner, and all the fees collected are used as the maintenance costs of the Martyrs' Shrine and the martyrs' fund.

That is, at any time. Anyone can go to the Martyrs' Shrine to pay respects to the martyrs, but they must apply in advance. Because there is a strict limit on the number of people who worship at the Martyrs' Shrine every day, the excess part must be distributed to the next day, in order to prevent too many people from coming and destroying the environment and atmosphere of the Martyrs' Shrine.

And like a special day. For example, National Day, Qingming Festival, etc. It is not open to the public, but only to specially selected representatives of all walks of life in the country.

Li Yongji decided that as soon as he returned to China, he would immediately hold a worship ceremony, officially open the Martyrs' Shrine, and place all the ashes of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country, so as to meet the expectations of the domestic military and people at an early date.

Because Prime Minister Shen Shiming said that because the empire has won consecutive wars on the North American side. The acquisition of a large amount of land has led to a growing patriotic spirit among the people. Everyone had no place to vent, and after hearing that the Purple Mountain Martyrs' Shrine was about to open, the people spontaneously went to the neighborhood to pay their respects, and even went with a kind of worship, resulting in a sea of people nearby.

In other words, everyone's expectations for the opening of the Martyrs' Shrine are getting heavier and heavier, and they all hope that the emperor will come to the opening as soon as possible, but because Li Yongji is not in the country and cannot appear in person, he has delayed it again and again on the grounds that the time has not come.

However, it has dragged on for so long, and it is long enough, and it cannot be dragged on indefinitely, otherwise it will damage the patriotic enthusiasm of the military and the people.

In any case, apart from a few people who were slightly sad about leaving Smithland, most of the officers and men of the expedition were very excited, because it meant that everyone could go home immediately, and for these traditional Chinese, nothing was more important than going home.

Although during the North American war, they relied on advanced weapons and fought smoothly, and they have always belonged to the role of bullying, even if they encountered a snowstorm that is rare in a century, and encountered a large-scale attack, they also relied on advanced equipment and rich experience to carry it without danger.

In the end, through a series of battles, they took a large amount of territory in the western United States, which is equivalent to completing the credit of expanding the territory of the country, and each of them will not only have rich material rewards, but will also be remembered by history and have unparalleled glory.

For them now, this kind of behavior of burning the camp and returning home is a typical return to their hometown, and what awaits them is endless honor and bounty, so what is there to be dissatisfied with?

Therefore, on the steamer heading back, the deck was full of jubilant soldiers, and everyone either gathered together to brag and fart, or sang and sang together, looking like they had returned victoriously and relaxedly.

Unlike the jubilant Chinese soldiers, the captured American soldiers who were escorted back to Memphis were mostly nervous, because they did not know what their future fate would be.

"Hey, sir." In an ordinary wooden sail-style captive ship in the middle of the fleet, Jerry, a soldier who had just turned seventeen, finally found his platoon leader, Jim, who was only twenty-three years old, on the aft deck.

"But I found you, why are you hiding here?"

"It's nothing, it's quiet here, it's not so noisy." Jim, who was lying on the deck, crossed Erlang's legs, and while lazily looking at the sky and counting the white clouds, he said lazily and casually, "What are you looking for me?" ”

"This, I'm just a little worried, I want to ask you." Jerry scratched his head and sat down next to him, "Sir......"

"Don't call me sir, call me Jim." Jim also sat up and slowly stretched, "We're not soldiers anymore, we're prisoners, there's no need to continue to engage in those forms." ”

"But sir......"

"It's all said, don't call me sir!" Jim glared at Jerry, "Don't you understand what I'm saying?" The kid from Maryland? ”

"Yes, Sir Jim." Jerry said obediently.

“…… Forget it, whatever you want. Jim didn't insist anymore, and lay down on the deck again, resting his head on his hands, and went on looking at the white clouds.

"That, Chief Jim." After a pause, Jerry continued to ask, "We, what are we going to do?" ”

"How's that?"

"I mean, are we going to be sold as slaves?" Jerry said. "Will they be sold into slavery in China? Like those black slaves? ”

"Of course not." Jim said lightly, "Why do you think that?" ”

"However, the Chinese didn't say it before. If you pay enough ransom, you can go back, or you can work to pay off your debts. Jerry said worriedly, "I don't covet the identity of the Chinese, nor do I covet the so-called free land, I just want to go home as soon as possible, that's why I work so hard." Because I know that my family can't afford to pay the ransom.

However, it was supposed to be good. As long as you cut down the tree there to pay off the debt, why do you want to force us to take us away now, this, this is not a good sign. ”

"You're overthinking." Jim frowned. "Didn't the Chinese say it? The war had stopped, and the Smithland side was to be handed back to the United States, and they were now going back to Memphis, and then they would continue south to the port of New Orleans, from which they would withdraw their troops.

As for us, didn't we say that there are two choices. The first is to follow the Chinese back to San Francisco, California. continued to live in a concentration camp in San Francisco, working for the Chinese until the ransom was paid; Second, a special concentration camp will be opened in the port of New Orleans, where you can go to live in a new concentration camp, and you will also have to work to pay off your debts, and you will be free to stay until you pay off the ransom money. ”

"I know all of that." Jerry nodded, "I also know that the Chinese say that if you go to California, the salary will be higher, and if you work harder, you will soon be free, but if you stay in the concentration camp in New Orleans, the salary will be halved, and the time to be free will be longer." ”

"Now that you know, what are you worried about?" Jim shrugged, "As far as I know, the Chinese are still quite reputable, at least during our captivity, except for no freedom, the food is still quite good, isn't it?" The taste of rice and vegetable soup...... Well, I'm actually used to it, and it tastes pretty good. ”

"I, I'm not worried that the Chinese will not keep their promises." Jerry continued to grimace, "I just don't like this kind of restrained life, I don't like to be treated as a captive, forced to work for the Chinese, what's the difference between this and a slave?" Moreover, it is said that it is to work for the Chinese to pay off the debt, but our redemption money is too high, when can we repay the redemption money? When is this day the end? ”

"You're thinking too much, Jerry." Jim closed his eyes, "Who made us defeat?" Who made us all captives? Since you are the vanquished, you have to listen to the victors, or rather, is there any way you can resist all this? ”

"We can protest." Jerry said, "We can unite everyone to protest against the Chinese and ask them to release us unconditionally, as long as we protest more, the Chinese will not disobey us." ”

"Oh?" Hearing this, Jim reopened his eyes, sat up, and stared at Jerry tightly, "Jerry, is this your idea, or is it someone else's idea?" ”

"Yes, it's mine." Jerry lowered his head, his eyes daring to look at Jim.

"Honestly, Jerry, it's important to you and me!" Jim looked at Jerry without blinking.

"Well, yes, it was Bob who told me." Jerry shook his head, "He said, this is a message from the big guy above. ”

"Hell, I know." Jim put his hands on Jerry's shoulders, "Listen to me, if you want to come home alive in the future, don't listen to them, don't get involved in their actions, it's business as usual, you know?" At most, don't snitch. ”

"But they ......"

"Jerry!" Jim interrupted him, "Listen, don't be fooled by the current kindness of the Chinese!" They seem to be very loose with us now, let us take care of ourselves, and even provide us with good treatment, it seems to be a civilized person, but don't forget, how many of us did they just slaughter on the battlefield? Do you think they will compromise with us unarmed captives for the sake of our protests? ”

"But the war is over!" Jerry said, "Now that it's over, shouldn't the captives be returned?" China is also a big country, and they want to save face, and they will not do it in such a way regardless of international influence. Moreover, it is said that it is only China's private mercenaries who have defeated us, and if we make a big fuss and let our country issue a formal protest to the Chinese government, it will definitely have an effect, and maybe we can be sent home early. ”

"Don't be stupid, kid." Jim shook his head, "The Chinese will not compromise with the United States for the sake of those bullshit international influences, and if you want to compromise, then you must first be able to threaten the other party." But the reality now is that the United States has been defeated, and it has been defeated so badly that it has even been forced to cede most of the Americas to the other side.

Under these circumstances, how could the Chinese, who were the victors, compromise with an original defeated side for our sake? ”

"But there's always hope." Jerry blushed and said with a thick neck, "I, I don't want to be a prisoner until I am old, and I don't want to work for the Chinese like a slave all the time!" I, I want to go home, I miss my mom, I miss my sister...... Oh God, please let me end this nightmare sooner rather than later! ”

"Only by living can there be hope!" Jim stared into his eyes and shook his head slightly, "Remember my words!" ”

"I, I ......"

"Okay, that's all I'm talking about, where to go, that's your business."

Jim said this, lying back on the deck, and closed his eyes again: "As for me, don't bother, I'm not going to participate in your death petition." Damn, that's looking for death, it's looking for death, you know? I want to continue to live, to continue to live happily, to live to see my family, to have a ranch of my own, to marry a beautiful woman, to have a child for me...... Damn, I just want to live a normal life! (To be continued......)