Chapter Six: Empathy

Leaving the wounded behind, Chen Qingzhi’s mind remained in a haze, the words of that young soldier echoing endlessly through his thoughts, shaking him to his core.

This is what it means to be a true hero.

They did not fight for vengeance or lofty ideals; they understood nothing of national enmity or progressive thought. They knew only hunger, and so they became soldiers to fill their bellies, to fight the invaders.

Their willingness to die stemmed solely from the desire to fulfill their duty—as soldiers.

Yet it was precisely this simplicity that revealed the sincerity of their hearts.

They were doing only what they were meant to do, shouldering the responsibilities that fell to them.

Such people are rare and precious; they are the true soldiers.

Though none of them set out to be heroes, the fact that they could make such choices in the face of life and death made them worthy of the highest respect.

On the very first day he arrived in the Republic, Chen Qingzhi had already witnessed more than he could have imagined.

The brutality of the battlefield, the terror of death, the savagery of the Japanese army, the deaths of the living, a nation fractured, its people suffering—these images battered Chen Qingzhi, leaving a profound mark and quietly reshaping his heart.

When he first arrived, though he knew this was an era of humiliation, though he thought of resisting the Japanese and restoring China’s honor, he had not truly become a part of this world; he had not truly felt their pain as his own.

To him, this journey was like a game. His fight against the Japanese was but an attempt to redeem the shame and regret of his homeland’s past, and he looked upon those here as if they were mere characters in a story. Deep down, he remained an observer.

But now, after all he had experienced, Chen Qingzhi finally gathered his resolve. He would throw himself wholly into this world, help the Republic, and strive for its strength and prosperity.

…

Forward Command Post of the Japanese 115th Regiment, 128th Brigade, 114th Division, attacking Zhonghua Gate

As the commander of the 115th Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Setsuzo Yazaki was seething with rage. That a regiment of the glorious Imperial Army had yet to seize a position defended by a single Chinese battalion was nothing short of a disgrace!

Thus far, the 115th Regiment had lost nearly an entire battalion’s worth of men. Even the brigade commander had intervened personally. Recalling his superior’s words only fueled Yazaki’s anger.

“Baka! This is an utter disgrace!” Yazaki shouted furiously.

“Lieutenant Colonel, sir, our regiment has been blocked at Zhonghua Gate by the Chinese forces, suffering nearly a battalion’s losses. The casualties are significant. Should we request artillery support from the brigade commander to swiftly annihilate the remaining Chinese troops?” a young Japanese officer ventured, approaching Yazaki quietly.

“Why request support? We face only a single Chinese battalion. Is our regiment incapable of overcoming them? Why bother the brigade commander with such a trivial matter?” Yazaki, still fuming, snapped, “The brigade commander has already intervened. If we fail to take this position soon, he’ll have us replaced!”

“You want me to beg for support? Do you want our 115th Regiment branded as incompetent in the eyes of the brigade commander?” Yazaki glared at the officer, his voice harsh.

“But sir, without the brigade’s support, our firepower alone may not be enough to break the Chinese. The regiment will only suffer greater losses—”

“Baka!” Yazaki slapped the young officer across the face, his fury unabated. “You disgrace the Imperial Army!”

“In the Empire, there are no cowards! For the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, for the Emperor’s grand vision, I—like all Imperial soldiers—am ready to die in his service! Do you understand?”

“Hai!” The officer, his face swelling where the blow had landed and the imprint of fingers already visible, stood ramrod straight, not daring to show the slightest sign of discontent. He bowed in acknowledgment.

“Good! You understand your duty,” Yazaki said, satisfied with his subordinate’s contrition. “Imperial warriors fear no hardship. Our soldiers are the bravest in the world! Under the might of our great Empire, any enemy who stands before us will be crushed to dust!”

As he spoke, he drew his command sword and pointed it toward Zhonghua Gate, his spirits rising. “We face only ignorant, lowly Chinese. If we cannot defeat even them, how can we speak of building the Co-Prosperity Sphere? How can we expect the Emperor’s glory to shine across the world?”

“Hai! Long live the Empire! Long live the Emperor!” The young officer’s face flushed with fanaticism as he shouted his response.

…

Pleased to see his subordinate’s pride rekindled, Yazaki nodded approvingly. Remembering that this officer was among his most capable aides, he softened his tone for encouragement. “The Chinese have already lost the will to resist. They cannot hold out much longer. All we need is a final push to seize this position, and then we can march straight into the Chinese capital!”

“When that day comes, we will be heroes of the Empire! We might even be received by the Emperor himself. Our futures will be boundless!”

“Thank you for your guidance, Lieutenant Colonel! I will serve the Emperor with all my heart. Long live the Empire!” The officer, now thoroughly inspired, spoke with excitement, as if already envisioning his brilliant future.

“Good!” Yazaki nodded, then said with renewed vigor, “Order all remaining troops into battle. Take this position as quickly as possible—do not give the Chinese a moment to breathe!”

“Hai!”

…

Following Yazaki’s orders, the 115th Regiment hurled all its remaining forces into the fight, sending company after company in a determined assault on the Zhonghua Gate position in hopes of overwhelming the defenders in one mighty surge.

“Imperial warriors, seize this position and we will drive straight into the enemy capital! We will be heroes of the Empire, and a glorious future awaits us!”

“To battle!” A battalion commander rallied his hundreds of troops, urging them on.

“Banzai!” The soldiers, faces alight with fanaticism, roared in response.

Satisfied by their fervor, the battalion commander drew his sword and shouted, “Charge!”