Port of Nagasaki, Japan

This excellent port in the northern part of the island of Kyushu is located at the westernmost point of the Japanese archipelago facing China. It has always been a window for communication between Japan and the East Asian continent, and even the entire outside world -- during the Edo Shogunate period, when Japan was closed off from the country, Nagasaki was the only port of foreign exchange that was allowed by the shogunate to trade with China and the Netherlands, and it was also the only channel for the Japanese to come into contact with Western civilization at that time -- hundreds of small islands were scattered outside the port of Nagasaki, thus forming excellent sheltered anchorages in the waters between the islands, and filled with ships from Shijie countries.

Lacking a vast coastal plain, Nagasaki's urban area stretches from the shallows of the sea to the mountains inland, and the hilly area away from the sea is densely packed with traditional Japanese-style buildings, while the bustling shopping streets around the port are dotted with Western-style buildings. On the pier pier, groups of short Japanese coolies wearing white cloth belts on their heads and shorts on their lower bodies are shuttling back and forth to carry various goods.

On the slopes of the outskirts of Nagasaki are terraced rice and grains, which resemble the robes of Indian monks. If you look up, you can see Mt. Unzendake on the Shimabara Peninsula, a majestic mountain covered with a large broad-leaved forest shrouded in mist......

This is Japan, a country full of volcanoes and hot springs, and restless sleepers in the midst of frequent earthquakes; A country that boasts of being a melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures, sometimes inferior and sometimes arrogant; a country with an imperial dream of dominating Asia in a cardboard room with a few tatami mats; a country that always tries hard to learn everything but always likes to take the teacher as a knife; A country that values elegant things like ikebana and tea ceremony, but is happy to slaughter foreign people...... All the beauty and ugliness are strangely blended here; All good and evil are skillfully mixed here. All civilization and barbarism have been forged here - and now, this remote East Asian island nation is at the peak of its history!

- Although. In the eyes of those white Europeans and Americans who despise the yellow race, this vaunted Japanese empire is still nothing more than a clown.

Accompanied by the rumbling salute, the battleship "Arizona," which the US Navy had recently transferred from the west coast, as well as the destroyers, light cruisers, hospital ships, and transport ships that followed it, ploughed through the snow-white waves one after another, led by the Japanese pilots. Slowly cross the channel and sail towards the anchorage. Countless American sailors crowded the decks and portholes, whistling. Curiously looking at the scenery of this strange island country.

As the speed of the boat slowed down, many small Japanese wooden boats gathered near the pier surrounded them. The boatmen wore shabby robes, bare legs, and wore cloth bands twisted from rope on their heads. Holding a basket of fruits, eggs and vegetables. Those who were far away shouted at several warships. Sell hard. The stiff and strange English mixed with the noisy sounds of the Kansai Japanese dialect suddenly resounded in a chaotic manner in the harbor.

Between the enthusiastic shouts of the hawkers, the originally murderous armed fleet suddenly turned into a bustling water market. As the fleet stopped and anchored, it wasn't long before almost every ship was filled with small wooden boats shuttling back and forth, as well as gondolas and ropes flying in the air to make it easier to lower sailors or interpreters to bargain. Then a variety of fresh food is pulled onto the deck......

In addition to the water vendors that can be found in almost every port, even the flower boats with pink lanterns come to have fun - only on the decks of these Japanese-style pleasure boats. Squeezed into some women in colorful kimonos, most of their shoulders exposed, and the thick lead powder on their faces was painted like dead people, they were smiling and trembling and raising their handkerchiefs to the Western sailors, and from time to time a few English greetings were popping out...... American sailors who liked the novelty scrambled to the side of the ship, flirting with the women and gesticulating, seemingly in high interest in the exotic encounter.

At the same time that American sailors were flirting with Japanese prostitutes, British, French, and American warships that had already arrived at the port of Nagasaki, and the British, French, and American warships that were currently anchored in various parts of the harbor also hoisted their signal flags to greet the newly arrived battleship formation of the "Arizona."

-- Because the Japanese navy was reluctant to fully open its military port to the European and American powers, which had long been imaginary enemies, and because the berths at the Sasebo military port were limited, after accommodating the main force of the Japanese Combined Fleet that was about to leave for China, it really could not spare so much space to accommodate the vast hundreds of steel warships of Britain, the United States, and France...... Therefore, after some negotiations with the parties concerned, with the exception of a few damaged ships that were allowed to enter the Japanese naval bases in Sasebo or Kure Port and use the shipyard equipment there for emergency repairs, most of the Western warships in good condition were transferred to Nagasaki Port, not far from Sasebo, for berthing and resting. And the officers and men of the navy who were tired from the long war also preferred this option - after all, there must be more places to spend time in a bustling city than in a military port, and they must have more fun.

So, when the battleship Arizona sailed into the port of Nagasaki, the harbor was full of towering steel beasts, a forest of masts and chimneys rising over the sea—huge battleships, majestic bridges, huge cannons, new twill livery...... All of this is filled with a shocking aesthetics of violence, so that everyone who witnesses it deeply feels the shock and ripple of body and mind.

In the sound of the whistles, the rice flag of the British Empire, the tricolor of the French Republic, the Star-Spangled Banner of the United States of America, and the Rising Sun flag of the Japanese Navy fluttered in the wind in this harbor...... Hundreds of majestic steel giant ships, including auxiliary ships and transport ships, and a super fleet with a total tonnage of more than one million tons, seem to have once again sounded the clarion call of war for Westerners to conquer the East.

At the same time, on the bridge of the battleship "Pennsylvania", the flagship of the US Asian Fleet, the battleship "Arizona" was seen in formation flexibly bypassing the complex channel and slowly entering the port safely and soundly. Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Asian Fleet Frank Brown. Admiral Upperm, breathing a sigh of relief, turned around and poured himself a glass of champagne. Celebrate.

“…… God forbid! Our reinforcements and shells have finally arrived! The fleet can also be pulled out again from the port of Nagasaki! Uh, and take the Japanese fleet with you! This time, they can't be allowed to continue to hide behind the battlefield and rest! ”

Admiral Omperm drank champagne from his glass while talking to the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Joseph Murphy, who had just come to visit the ship. Lord Gru complained, "...... We came across the Pacific Ocean and fought off the coast of Chinese mainland for almost a month, not only running out of shells, but also burning out of fuel! And the Japanese fleet quietly hid in the Sasebo military port to watch the play! Is this an attitude as an ally in war?

The reason why the stick boys of the United States have to travel thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. They came to a strange land to fight against the Bolsheviks, who were even stranger, in order to defend the interests of the United States in the East, and not to allow Japan to take advantage of the opportunity to expand its territory in China, even if the Japanese wanted their share of the payment. You'll have to get the job done first! The dignity of a civilized and great country cannot be fooled by these dwarves! ”

“…… You're right, General. The performance of the Japanese government in the previous month's joint operation was truly disappointing. ”

-- Ambassador Gru was born into a wealthy Boston family and was of tall stature. The eyebrows are thick and dark. He has a striking beard. Not only was he a dignitary, "born with a golden spoon," but he was also married to Franklin. President Roosevelt was a classmate at Grutton Middle School and Harvard University, and he was a political celebrity. In addition, Ambassador Grew was well versed in Japan and liked Japanese culture and everything about Japan, so he did quite well in the post of ambassador to Japan, because his wife was a descendant of Commodore Perry, who had "sailed on the black ship", and could speak Japanese. And I have lived in Japan for a long time.

After taking up the post of ambassador to Japan, this "pro-Japanese" American diplomat has been working hard to resolve the contradictions between the United States and Japan. Avoid a bitter conflict between these two countries on opposite ends of the Pacific. The recent successful conclusion of the Manila Conference and the "Far Eastern Joint Anti-Anti-Coalition Conference. The conclusion of the "Communist Convention" is also due to the contribution of Ambassador Grew in threading the needle...... However, since the outbreak of a new round of Japan's war of aggression against China, the Japanese Imperial Government has been bent on taking advantage of the bad behavior of the US ambassador, who is "pro-Japanese," and even the "pro-Japanese" US ambassador can no longer stand it.

Of course, even in this case, Ambassador Grew habitually said a few kind words for the Japanese.

“…… Moreover, the Japanese Army had now launched an offensive against the Red elements entrenched in Shanghai from the inland direction, in accordance with the requirements of the Covenant, and it was said that the casualties were quite heavy...... So, even if it was just to reinforce their own army, the Japanese fleet should be actively mobilized......"

“…… Let's hope so! Admiral Upham nodded noncommittally, then changed the subject, "...... At half past six o'clock this evening, I am going to hold a dinner party on the flagship to wash up the dust of the battleship formation of the 'Arizona' that has come from afar, so I hope that you will help invite some of the leading figures of the Japanese Navy to come over, so that I can probe their voices so that I can determine the next step in the battle arrangement......"

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On the other hand, the Japanese were equally nervous about the arrival of such a large fleet, which was clearly demonstrative, into their own ports -- although theoretically speaking, after signing the "Far Eastern Joint Anti-Countermeasures." After the "Communist Convention", this fleet should be regarded as Japan's ally in the "conquest of China", but seeing the expeditionary fleets of European and American countries with a total tonnage of up to one million tons sailing into the mainland together, and recalling the past half a century ago, Admiral Perry of the United States "sailed with black ships" and forced the Edo shogunate to open the country, still made the sensitive-minded Japanese government and opposition feel like a great enemy for a while.

In particular, the navy not only assembled most of the elite capital ships of the Japanese Combined Fleet in advance at the Sasebo Military Port adjacent to Nagasaki to give the Japanese side a strong momentum during negotiations and negotiations, but also sent a large number of admirals and colonels to Nagasaki to have close contact and exchange with the naval officers and men of Britain, France, and the United States, so as to make it easier to assess the actual combat strength of these imaginary future enemies and to collect more valuable information.

So, at this moment, when the battleship "Arizona" sounded its whistle and sailed into the port of Nagasaki, several Japanese admirals wearing white military uniforms and Western-style swords. He also stood on a breakwater in the harbor and used binoculars to observe the incoming American reinforcement fleet.

“…… Another American fleet, with a total tonnage of no less than 100,000 ...... It should be said. Is it really the first industrial power in Shijie? ”

Mitsumasa Yonechi, the second man in the Japanese Combined Fleet and commander of the cruiser, said in an envious tone while carefully observing every detail of the battleship "Arizona" -- Although the Japanese Navy has concentrated most of the cutting-edge ships in Sasebo in order to be equal, compared with these clusters of Western battleships that cannot be seen at a glance, Japan has only two battleships, the Michinoku and the Nagato, which are quite capable of mastering.

I have to admit it. There is still a big gap between Japan and the Western powers in terms of competition for steel, and it seems that we can only think of ways to improve the quality of officers and men...... Mitsumasa Minouchi sighed. Putting down the binoculars, he turned around and asked the other admiral behind him, "...... Yamamoto-kun. I heard about it recently. You seem to have a lot of fun drinking with American officers all day long in the casino? I wonder what these people think? ”

-- In order to facilitate exchanges with the officers and men of the US fleet and to find out the details of this biggest imaginary enemy after the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese Combined Fleet specially dispatched Isoroku Yamamoto, who had studied at Harvard University and was familiar with American customs and was known for his proficiency in gambling. In the name of "hospitality and guides," Yamamoto Isoroku was specially responsible for accompanying the American officers to eat, drink, and have fun, and at the same time take the opportunity to spy on the actual situation of the US Navy.

“…… Ay. How so? These days, the American officers and soldiers who frequently hang out in the streets of Nagasaki are almost always wearing bulging loose uniforms. There is a cigarette in the left pocket, chocolate candy in the right pocket, and a condom in the butt pocket. They are curious, sexually driven, and shallow...... Many people think that they are an army of young masters who are afraid of death, not good at fighting, and selfish. But in my opinion, they are all very good young people, full of ideals, fantasies and dreams, and they do not lack the courage to sacrifice, the only thing they lack is actual combat experience. ”

Yamamoto Fifty-six sighed, "...... The Army always likes to say that 'the Japanese are far superior to the degenerate American soldiers in spirit, and one can beat all three of them', which is simply nonsense of self-deception! Of course, self-confidence is haode, but once you are overconfident, it becomes nonsense! ”

“…… Oh, yes! In the past two days, the army's 'horse manure' has not informed the military department, so they have gathered a few brigades to 'go alone' in the Jiangnan area without authorization, and because they have no air cover, they have been beaten to the ground by the communist army in Shanghai, and in the end they have to beg our navy to wipe their butts......

Mitsumasa Yonechi also echoed and complained, but then said again, "...... The Combined Fleet, together with the European and American fleets, will be the most spectacular lineup of our Japanese navy since the Russo-Japanese War 30 years ago! Therefore, all officers and men must be of one mind, strictly observe military discipline, strive to perform their best, and must not act hastily, still less lose the prestige and face of our Imperial Japanese Army in front ......of the white people of Europe and the United States."

-- What they didn't know, however, was that the Japanese Combined Fleet no longer had the opportunity to anchor from Sasebo.

Because, a terrifying catastrophe far beyond the imagination of ordinary people will soon befall this harbor of steel giants......

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Shanghai Puxi, Hongqiao Airport

In the evening, a slightly dim sun struggled to peek out of the thick cumulus clouds, gilding the gray sky with a brilliant golden light, and also illuminating the rows of tiled houses and alleys on the ground. The splendid fiery clouds and the smoke of distant farmhouses are contrasted, and a majestic behemoth that stands proudly also shines in the red sunset, showing a shocking majesty.

-- On the runway covered with perforated steel plates, this large, moving castle-like airship stands majestically in the middle of the empty airport in the brilliant twilight. But I don't know if it's weishenme, its airbags and gondolas are painted a thick gray-black, like crows, which feels very ugly, and also makes the airport staff watching this airship can't help but talk about it.

However, Ms. Jinchina, who was standing on the airport tower, clearly knew why this airship had chosen such an ugly "crow" livery -- after nightfall, this "magically transformed" giant remote-controlled airship would carry a 20 million tons of TNT explosive equivalent, that is, a hydrogen bomb 1,000 times that of the Hiroshima atomic bomb in history, across the vast East China Sea, bringing death and destruction to the Japanese archipelago on the other side!

Although she knows that Japan has been China's mortal enemy for decades, she has committed heinous crimes on Chinese soil, and the future will add many obstacles to the Chinese. However, at the moment when the hydrogen bomb was about to be released, Jin Qina's heart did not have the refreshing feeling of retaliating for a tooth and taking revenge, but because of the delicate thoughts unique to women, she was filled with a thousand complicated worries and a trace of pity, but she didn't know how to express it...... Zuihou had to sigh and whisper a short poem, chatting to slightly express the entanglement, unbearableness and melancholy in his heart:

Drunk sad songs and terrifying dreams, where can I tell a lonely shadow?

The prosperity is gone, the mountains and rivers are broken, and the delicate body is difficult to bear the pain of the country!

After the catastrophe, the injuries were left in chaos, and Fu sighed and regretted that he was empty.

Throw the flames and split the blue waves, and fight with violence! (To be continued......)