It's broken, and was picked up by a femme fatale

After Ichiro Umekawa retired, he was assigned as a handyman at the Chinese Embassy.

Today, as an embassy attaché, I followed the Japanese delegation on a Chinese merchant ship to Incheon.

When I arrive in Incheon, I will take the oath of Chinese citizenship with my wife and children.

In fact, there are nearly a hundred Japanese sailors.
Go to Incheon through the safe channel provided by the Chinese Embassy.

After boarding the ship, the two met on the deck and were both stunned.

Yamamoto Rokugo asked in surprise: "Umekawa... why are you on the boat?"

Ichiro Umekawa was even more surprised.

Huh?
Isn't this a shogunate delegation? Why would Commander Yamamoto come along?
He replied: "Commander,

I applied to be a handyman at the Chinese Embassy, ​​and I will go with you this time as an attendant..."

Yamamoto looked suspiciously at the splint on the other person's forearm.

Is there no one left in the Chinese Embassy?

A servant with an injured arm still needs to help with the work?

He asked casually: "I remember you,
You're the lookout for the Yukikaze, right? Why did you retire?"

Umekawa Ichiro said: "Commander-in-chief..."

Yamamoto sighed and said:
"I am no longer the commander-in-chief, and I have left the navy..."

Ah!
Umekawa Ichiro was surprised again.

Yamamoto Rokuroku is a rare famous general in the Japanese navy. Has he retired too?
But he looks healthy and not injured... this is really far from the truth!

However, judging from the other party's expression, it might not be convenient to say it.

"Mr. Yamamoto, my arm is injured.

Couldn’t climb the mast… so retired.”

The fact that Yamamoto had an impression of him was enough to prove that Ichiro Umekawa was qualified for the position of lookout.

Yamamoto valued talent and immediately wanted to help his former subordinates.

In Japan, as a sailor,
Especially technical soldiers, their income is even much higher than that of fishermen.

He said: "Your injury will heal in a few months...

If someone makes things difficult for you, I will speak up for you..."

Ichiro Umekawa was shocked.

Commander, stop joking...

It was not easy to retire after injuring myself...

With just one word from you, I get the same thing back. Who can I go to for justice?
He smiled and said, “Thank you, Lord Yamamoto!
However, I am quite satisfied with my current job.

If I have any trouble in the future, I will trouble you again!"

Yamamoto Rokuroku understood as soon as he heard it that the other party had no intention of returning to the navy.

His heart moved, and he asked casually:

“How many days did you work at the Chinese Embassy?”

"Three days."

Yamamoto understood immediately.
Ichiro Umekawa's retirement and re-employment were seamless.

It seems that the other party must have discussed this with the Chinese Embassy in advance.

With this judgment, Yamamoto realized that

Ichiro Umekawa was not just an embassy clerk.

Have you ever seen anyone using injured servants in the team that transports envoys between countries?
Well, there is probably only one possibility.

The person in front of me, my former subordinate, may be planning to defect to China.

This conclusion confused Yamamoto again.

You know, the treatment of lookouts is higher than that of ordinary sailors.

He alone can comfortably support the whole family.
Why would you abandon your home and career to go to a foreign country?
Is it that the moon in China is rounder and the air is sweeter?

Suddenly, he remembered,

Ichiro Umekawa was a captured soldier.

After being captured by the Beiyang Navy, they were traded.
More than 3,000 Japanese sailors,
He was detained in China and forced to do hard labor for half a year.

It is said that they built roads, bridges, dug wells, opened canals, mined, maintained sanitation, raised livestock, etc.

Anyway, it's all hard labor.

Yamamoto Rokuroku went to China,

The intention is to comprehensively examine the war capabilities of "potential opponents".

Although there were Chinese embassy staff on board, the other party remained tight-lipped.

Even if they are said, they are some ambiguous expressions.

In comparison, Ichiro Umekawa's views are closer to the truth.

Thinking of this, Yamamoto decided to ask the other party about the situation in China.

"Meichuan, you have been in China for a while, right?"

The Chinese Embassy promised to provide security for Ichiro Umekawa.
Therefore, he was not worried about punishment from Japanese officials.

So, I answered frankly: “Yes, sir.

I stayed in the suburbs of Incheon for about four and a half months.”

"What do you do there?"

"I have done everything from breaking stones, building public toilets, constructing houses, repairing roads and bridges."

Yamamoto nodded and asked, "What do the Chinese people think of you?"

Umekawa Ichiro smiled and said, “Most people are nice.

They were very polite, gave us food and drinks, and taught me to speak the local dialect.”

"So they are richer?"

“In fact, when we first arrived,

They were very poor and didn’t have enough to eat every day, and then things got better little by little.”

Yamamoto's heart moved, and he asked, "What do you mean?
After the King of Zhonghua seized Goryeo, did the people's lives improve?"

"Well, apart from anything else, each farmer will be given 100 mu of land.

For the poor, it is a great gift from heaven...they are all so happy!"

The Chinese king has a long-standing custom of "dividing land", and all the high-ranking officials in Japan know about it.

Yamamoto deliberately asked:

"Well, I've heard about it.
But some people say: whether every family issues it or not, there is not much difference, right? "

Umekawa Ichiro laughed disdainfully and said, "Anyone who says that is either stupid or evil."

"Why do you say that?"

"It's very simple. Give each poor family 100 mu of land.

They will have money to buy clothes and food,

If you are sick, you can see a doctor, which can not only save your life but also help you live a better life.

Those who do not want the people to live a better life will be judged by the people sooner or later!"

Seeing Yamamoto hesitate, Umekawa Ichiro continued without hesitation:

"Do you know how many officials have been tried in the Chinese court?"

Yamamoto was stunned. He had indeed heard that the Chinese Censorate was making big moves.

Many officials were arrested, but the details are unclear.

"Well, please tell me in detail."

"More than 120 court officials were arrested, and thousands of people were arrested in various prefectures.

The Censorate investigated corrupt officials without question. They first confiscated their property and then published the truth.

You don’t even know how much hard-earned money those corrupt officials have swallowed up from the people!”

Yamamoto said: "All this money from the people has been collected into the national treasury, right?"

Umekawa Ichiro shook his head:
"No! The King of China said: The people's blood and sweat must be used for the people.
Therefore, all the confiscated stolen money was used to improve the local people's livelihood.
We built charity halls, schools, hospitals and houses, and provided them to the people free of charge.”

Yamamoto disagrees.

Who doesn’t understand the concept of face-saving?
He asked, "Is that really all?"

Ichiro Umekawa said:
"Of course, all the details of the stolen money will be made public.

Expenditure on people's livelihood is also public.
Unconditionally accept supervision from the people, and not a penny will be lost."

Then he said mysteriously:
"I heard that the Censorate is planning to

If we really want to make property public, officials won’t dare to embezzle…”

Seeing that he was very excited, Yamamoto deliberately made something difficult for him.

"I don't believe it. Those county magistrates, prefects, and ministers with meritorious service are wealthy. How is that possible?"

Umekawa Ichiro said with a smile:

"I can't say for sure, but it is said that the Chinese king will take the lead in making it public..."

Yamamoto was shocked.

This, this is too incredible!
"He wants to make it public? The whole country belongs to him. Is it necessary?"

Umekawa Ichiro shook his head again:
"No, I heard from the censor that the king is the king.
The country is the country, and the court is the court. They are completely different concepts."

Yamamoto Rokuroku was extremely shocked.

My Amaterasu!

This kind of outrageous speech,
Is it really possible to say this openly in China?

Even though it was just a brief chat,

But Yamamoto's worldview and outlook on life seemed to have suffered a major shock. He slowed down, as if talking to himself.

"It's incredible. There is no resistance from the powerful people of China?"

Umekawa Ichiro smiled.

"Resist? How can the powerful resist?
The King of China has made the people live better than before, who would follow the powerful to rebel?

Moreover, the rich and powerful are afraid of death. The richer and more powerful they are, the more afraid they are of death.

When the Chinese king's army reached Incheon, the people of Goryeo,
They all rushed to serve them tea and water, and even helped pass them ladders. Guess why?"

Yamamoto couldn't even imagine what the scene would be like.

Umekawa Ichiro said disdainfully:

"Because the stupid and cruel Gao Jianwu and the dignitaries,

Every day they try to exploit the people and do not treat them as human beings.

The common people have been forced to live in such a way that they can no longer enjoy themselves, and they have long hated those in power.
Therefore, when the King of China attacked, the people were happier than anyone else!
Mr. Yamamoto, if one day foreign tribes invade Japan, what will happen? "

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Yamamoto turned pale with anger.

He stared at Ichiro Umekawa, his eyes full of vigilance and anger.

"Don't forget! You are also a Yamato, how can you say such a thing?"

Umekawa Ichiro smiled and said:
"Mr. Yamamoto, I mean if...

In addition, the King of China said:

Don’t ask what country you are from, ask which country treats you as a human being.

Oh, if you don't like to hear it,
Just pretend I didn’t say anything, haha!”

After saying this, he turned and left.

As he walked, he looked towards the west with a light in his eyes.

In Yamamoto's eyes,
The injured Umekawa Ichiro stood straight.

He walks with the wind, as if he has a fearless aura.

After one night, the merchant ship carrying the envoys arrived at Shikoku Island.
The ships coming from the west all said that the Beiyang Fleet had reached the west of the four countries.

After learning the latest battle situation, the air seemed to be filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Abe Shigeji was worried.

He sighed to Yamamoto Rokuroku:

"Foreign enemies have never penetrated so deeply, alas..."

Yamamoto knew very well what Abe Shigeji had not said.

He said calmly:

"I believe that the General will have the right response! God bless Yamato!"

In the afternoon, the merchant ship passed through the waters west of Shikoku.

The Eight Tigers of Beiyang are facing siege from dozens of small and medium-sized warships.

However, the Beiyang Fleet would not attack civilian ships, not to mention that the merchant ships were flying the Chinese flag.

Therefore, the Japanese delegation was able to watch the real naval battle up close.

Yamamoto only glanced at the battlefield ten miles away.
It was clear that these blind Japanese warships were no match for the Beiyang gunboats.

Sure enough, the eight gunboats distanced themselves from each other and moved slowly in a column.

As long as the Japanese armed ships,
If you get within five miles, gunboats will open fire.

"Boom boom boom!"

The shells rained down like rain, but many of them missed the ship.

It fell into the sea, stirring up a high column of water.

But, once hit by a shell,
That warship will definitely set off huge clouds of fireworks.

In this way, the warships of the Japanese side could not get close to the Beiyang gunboats.

In just a quarter of an hour, eight warships had caught fire and lost their ability to move.

It won't be long before they are all burned to ashes and disappear into the sea.

Yamamoto sighed: "Do shells cost money? The Beiyang Fleet must be rich!"
However, many members of the Japanese delegation were moved to tears.
They prayed to God, begging Amaterasu to bless their warships and win.

However, Amaterasu seemed too busy to pay attention to earthly affairs.

Japanese warships were still being destroyed one after another.

In the naval battle that broke out in the west of the four countries, the Eight Tigers of the Beiyang Army were completely bullying the weak.

It is estimated that it won’t take long before this wave of Japanese warships will be wiped out.

Abe Shigeji couldn't bear to watch it anymore and hurried back to the guest room.

Ichiro Umekawa shook his head, unable to understand.

You are clearly seeking death, so why do you continue to attack in vain? Isn't this just giving the other side a head?

Then, he heard someone from the Japanese delegation make a profound statement:
"In the great Japanese bushido, we are ready to face death with equanimity!
It will surely scare the Beiyang bandits! How magnificent! How magnificent! "

Someone said mysteriously: "Maybe the general did it on purpose..."

The person next to him didn't quite understand and asked, "What do you mean by intentional?"

"Think about it, why didn't my navy's main fleet show up?"

"Why?"

"Because the art of war says: Lure the enemy deep into your territory, gather them together and annihilate them!
I dare say this must be a trap set by the general.
So that the Beiyang Fleet can be complacent and invade deep into the enemy territory alone... and then we can give them a fatal blow!"

Ichiro Umekawa just found this stupid talk funny.

However, many laymen firmly believe it.

"Yes! The wise general is making plans and winning every battle! The Beiyang government is about to be destroyed!"

"That's right! This is called the strategy of arrogant soldiers. I bet that the Beiyang Fleet will never be able to pass the four countries east!"

"That's great! The general is mighty! Yamato will win!"

At dusk, a larger fleet came towards them.

Zhang Hongli led the central fleet in a spearhead formation, marching forward in a mighty force, cutting through the waves.

Now, the members of the delegation were speechless.

The two sides passed each other, and someone said sourly:

"No matter how many gunboats we have, it's useless... We have come so far and will be doomed if we run out of steam!"

At midnight, the merchant ship encountered the Beiyang Rear Fleet again.

Fifteen large warships and fifteen supply transport ships looked spectacular.

Now, even the most active members of the delegation became silent.

Finally, some people began to face reality.

"Don't worry! No matter how powerful the Beiyang is, they are no match for the Invincible Fleet!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it seemed as if something had clicked and the activists all spoke up eagerly.

"Compared to the Invincible Fleet, the Beiyang Fleet is just a three-year-old baby!"

"It's a wrong name, but not a wrong nickname. The Invincible Fleet is truly invincible in the world!"

"This time, we must fight for justice and let the King of China do justice!"

"..."

"..."

They didn't know that the sea east of the four countries,

The Japanese navy organized 500 large and small warships.
The battle formation has been deployed, waiting for the "Eight Tigers of the Vanguard" of the Beiyang Fleet.

This was the first major battle organized by Nagumo Chuuji since he became commander.

He stood at the bow of the flagship, drew his sword, and slashed fiercely towards the west.

"Everyone! In the battle tomorrow, we must annihilate the Beiyang Vanguard and present victory to the general!"

Senior officers pressed their chests and shouted in unison:
"Destroy all enemy ships and present victory to the general!"

As if sensing the coming of a war,
Between the sea and the sky, a red sun rises slowly.

The huge Japanese fleet looked as if it was covered in blood.

As the sun rises over the sea, night quickly retreats westward.

Suddenly, in Nanyun Chuuji's telescope,
A huge black warship quietly revealed its ferocious appearance.

Then, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth gunboats came in a row.

"Dang Dang Dang!"

In an instant, a sharp alarm sounded.
The hearts of thousands of Japanese naval officers and soldiers were tense.

On the Dingyuan, Captain Ding also discovered the huge fleet through the telescope.

He laughed and said, “Oh my goodness!
There are at least four or five hundred ships... It seems like we have stirred up a hornet's nest!
They want to use the ‘ship-sea tactic’… What should we do? Should we fight or not?”

The volunteer first mate of the Chinese Invincible Fleet put down his telescope and also laughed:
"In the face of absolute technological strength, numerical advantage is pure self-deception!"

Captain Ding laughed:
"Well said! Since the Japanese do not regard the sailors as human beings,

We won't tolerate them! Raise the flag and fight! "

Soon, a blood-red flag was raised on the Vanguard flagship, redder than the rising sun.

The remaining seven tigers all showed cruel smiles.

Very good!
Now, we can start killing people!

So, the eight gunboats raised all their sails and rushed eastward at the highest speed.

Nanyun Zhonger didn't expect that the Beiyang Vanguard would attack first with a small force...

His face turned livid and two words came out from between his teeth.

"Charge!" (End of this chapter)