Nine Songs of Anti-Japanese War

belittle.The U.S. responded shortly after, sending a draft response to other allies for review.

"From the moment of surrender, the authority of the Emperor, and the power of the Japanese government to rule the country, shall belong to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces. The Allied Forces will take such measures as they deem necessary to implement the surrender agreement. The free expression of the will of the Japanese people will be To determine the final form of the government of Japan."

After China agreed to reply, Chongqing read it again. "Americans are also very good at playing with words," he sighed. "They didn't veto or agree. They just pulled the initiative of raising conditions back to their side."

"If it were me," Chengdu said relaxedly, looking at the ceiling, "I would do the same. How can a defeated country want to erect a memorial archway while expressing its surrender?"

"As if you had the right to write this reply."

"Don't worry about such details—can't you let Xiao think about it? Speaking of which, do other countries agree to this reply?"

"I'm not sure. The UK should have no objection, but the Soviet Union..." Chongqing rubbed the wooden pattern on the table and couldn't help sneering, "Today is the third day of the war between the Soviet Union and Japan. We haven't got enough oil and water yet, so we may not agree to it readily." .”

"Oh?" Chengdu turned to face the map on the wall, "I'm not too tired of beating Japan."

"What can you be tired of? The Kwantung Army was stunned and collapsed at the first touch. I think they stayed very comfortably in the Northeast. I'm afraid they are so comfortable that they don't want to go back to China." When this matter is mentioned in Chongqing, I feel heartbroken.After driving away the Kwantung Army, the arrangement of the Northeast Soviet Army became another burden, a burden that he had no hope of solving during his tenure.

Seeing his displeasure, Chengdu changed the topic: "Don't worry about it. Think about this reply again. The Americans are happy, but the Japanese side... they like to pick words so much, maybe it will be a few days." News?"

Unfortunately.After the Soviet Union lingeringly agreed, the Allied forces' reply was issued uniformly, and Japan's political situation once again became confusing.They were irritated by the vagueness of the emperor's system in the reply. Although Hirohito did not pay much attention to this, some hawks argued that this would turn the post-war emperor into a slave of the Allied forces and must be fought to the end.Some in the middle have also wavered.The fire of the rebellion has expanded, and mid-level military officers clamored to isolate the palace, trying to assassinate the Lord and a group of people.

On the morning of August 8, officials from Osaka and Kyoto gathered with the foreign minister's staff, feeling the urgency of the situation.One official hesitated. If he insisted on peace, his respected boss would probably be assassinated.Kyoto responded that even if a few people were assassinated, it would be an honorable death, rather than the next million innocent lives lost.

"I know it's cold-blooded to say that," Kyoto said earnestly, "but I'm sorry."

After some twists and turns, the officials were persuaded by her.They felt that they needed to go to the Prime Minister again. Since several meetings after receiving the reply from the Allied Forces still could not unify their opinions, they had to discuss another extraordinary measure.

Then there was a knock on the door.Under the surprised eyes of everyone, Yokohama walked into the room with a leaflet in his hand.

"Don't be surprised." Yokohama said, holding up the flyer, "I happened to pick it up when a B-29 dropped it."

The leaflet stated that American planes are not bombing the city today because the Japanese government intends to surrender and that every Japanese should know the terms of surrender.Yokohama reminded them: "If you are going to do something, you better hurry. If the army sees the surrender conditions above, the army may rebel in a large scale."

"Also," Yokohama paused, "It is said that there is a group of soldiers and engineering students in my jurisdiction, and they have assembled several cars and weapons to drive to the capital."

The implication is clear: this group of people has the intention of assassinating. "Why didn't you stop them?" Osaka asked.

"It's too late, the guards who directly obeyed my orders are not nearby." Yokohama turned to Kyoto and bowed respectfully, "I've finished my words. Long time no see, Your Highness Kyoto. I wish you well."

Kyoto thanked him.Yokohama was about to go out, but was stopped by Osaka: "Where's Tokyo? Do you know where he is?"

Yokohama turned his face sideways, half of his cheek was immersed in the dim indoor light, showing a trace of sadness: "It has nothing to do with you."

Osaka doesn't really care where Tokyo is.Although he was surprised by Tokyo's inaction for several days, as long as he doesn't come out to interfere with his major affairs, even if Tokyo sleeps with his head covered at home, it is his personal freedom.They then hammered out a plan to deploy extra manpower to protect high-ranking officials who were easy targets, and try to grasp the rebels' course of action.In addition, I have to trouble "that adult" to show up again.

The emperor quickly convened the cabinet again and asked the ministers to draft the emperor's decree, accept the answer of the allied forces to stop the war, and even said that he could go anywhere and do anything, such as broadcasting on the radio, so that he could preemptively strike and win the hearts of the people.The ministers felt that it was unthinkable for the honorable emperor to make a live broadcast, so they asked the emperor to record the broadcast first.

This day was extremely tense. While drafting and revising the decree, people worried about the imminent rebellion.On the other side, a major who is determined to fight gathers a group of accomplices to occupy the palace and destroy the recording of the emperor's speech.

The coup d'état took place in the night, and it was not a small success at first.The NHK building where the broadcast was going to be broadcast was taken by rebels and the imperial palace was cordoned off.In the middle of the night, the townspeople were awakened without knowing where they were, to find a troop of soldiers hurrying through the street.A man in black stopped them and asked where they were going.The voice of the man in black was not angry and arrogant, but he used the tone of speaking to his subordinates.The leading officer got impatient and told the men to go away and not delay them.

"Get out of the way!" After a few words, the officer shouted impatiently.

"Isn't it good for you to be so impatient?" The man was not irritated, but narrowed his eyes, "Do you know who I am?"

From a distance of three steps, the officer could see the exquisite patterns on the man's black clothes, indicating that he was not a civilian.But the task entrusted to him could no longer be delayed. Since he dared to stop the emperor's decree, it would not be a big deal to attack an unknown nobleman.He drew his gun and shot, but was nimbly dodged by the opponent.Seeing that the opponent was about to take out a pistol, he waved his hand angrily, and the soldiers behind threw a grenade over.

The grenade exploded on the spot.The man in black made a dodging movement, but was still thrown two meters away. Obviously, he was seriously injured and couldn't get up again.

The officer was eager to kick back the lost time.Time was of the essence, and he simply returned to his car and drove away with his men, leaving behind the reverberation of engines.The citizens who were woken up closed their windows and went back to sleep. In a city that was bombarded by air twice every three days, a grenade would not have surprised them for a long time.As for the wounded man who fell on the ground, God knows what he has to do with the military, so it's better not to provoke him.

Tokyo lay on the dirty ground, clutching the wound in his abdomen.After a while, he endured the severe pain and turned over, trying to get up little by little.Just propping up his upper body with his elbows made him feel like he was sweating all over his body.Immediately afterwards, a new fact caused him to lose his upper body, and fell back to the ground: he couldn't see anything.

This land is in a vortex of collapse, and this city is the center of the vortex.But all around was shrouded in a terrible silence, blocking out shouts and shouts.Silence and darkness together slowly enveloped Tokyo like a mist.

The pain lasted for a long time, and the nerves became numb.The memory of the latter part of the meeting came back to him, playing as clearly and unmistakably as a videotape.It is clearer and less emotionally disturbing than on the scene. If he wants to slow down, the video will slow down; if he wants to freeze, the picture will stop at the important moment.

Accepting Washington's invitation was a last hope, but as time passed, that hope became more and more remote.Tokyo knows very well that its own state in this meeting represents the state of the country. Only by showing physical and mental health and a clear mind can it strengthen Washington's fear of Japan's remaining war capabilities and open up peace talks.Washington, however, always picks up ambiguous topics, says things that have no practical meaning, and returns to the same place after going around in circles for a long time. Time is wasted unconsciously.With Tokyo's physical condition, he can no longer bear the tension for a long time, and it will take more energy to not show his feet.Talking about halfway, Washington is still a relaxed posture, but Tokyo began to feel slightly dizzy.

Exasperatingly, Washington somehow returned to a topic that Tokyo had previously sidestepped. "You must have seen what happened to Berlin. Of course, he is still alive, and his health is not too bad, but there is not much luck other than that. Any reasonable person knew long before the battle of Berlin. The city will definitely be breached. It is a pity that because of Hitler's stubborn will, unnecessary destruction and sacrifices still took place." Washington looked at him, his iris turned golden hazel by the light, "If your country insists on resisting, your ending will be nothing but It will be worse than Berlin."

If this is a threat, Tokyo will not waver at all: "If it really gets to that point, I will kill myself directly."

Washington raised his eyebrows in surprise: "Really? I thought Mr. Tokyo was someone who wouldn't run away."

Tokyo sneered. "At that time, suicide is the right thing to do." He said slowly, word by word, "How can a samurai survive when he is humiliated?"

"So...the cultural difference is so big." Washington intertwined his hands, glanced at the ceiling thoughtfully, and then smiled as if he didn't care, "Our culture doesn't appreciate suicide. Whether it's insulted or When you are in prison, you should live with determination, and those who are unwilling to live are cowards."

"Different ideas—not worth talking about."

"Probably, it's just the two of us here, and it doesn't prove who's idea is superior when it comes to dry mouth. But...let me ask a little question, Mr. Tokyo, have you forgotten something important? "

"what?"

"Have you committed the confusion that many urban incarnations will make: forgetting that we are not human beings, even if we apply human status, class, and identity, we are still dissociated, and it is impossible to become human beings with these symbols?"

For a split second, Tokyo seemed to understand what Washington wanted to do.But his dizziness had lasted for quite a while, and he couldn't capture the atmosphere as keenly as usual, so he could only ask mechanically, "What does this mean?"

"You say a samurai shouldn't be humiliated and live. But you're not a real samurai any more than I'm a real politician, even if we identify with ourselves that way. We're all the same, and it boils down to just a wisp of the universe."

As if confirming his words, Washington's voice became strange and ethereal.He went to the counter, pulled out a bunch of documents, and came back with them, all spread out on the table.At this moment, Tokyo couldn't believe what he saw.From his point of view, the content of the written materials cannot be seen immediately, but there are many pictures in it, all of which are his own: black and white, color, long-range, close-up, recent, earlier, and even pictures with undeveloped photographic technology. Pass in copies of previous portraits...

Tokyo's seat shook unavoidably, conveying the astonishment of the owner.

"Your original name was Edo. In the 15th century, the vassals of Ogiya Uesugi built a castle, which can be counted as your birth. About 150 years later, Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Osaka Toyotomi clan, was granted the title of Great General, and established his nationwide empire in Edo. regime, but in the years of the Tokugawa shogunate, you have been only an administrative center, neither the name of the capital, nor the largest city and commercial center in Japan. Until 1868, when Emperor Meiji moved the capital to Edo and renamed it Tokyo, this situation You can make a breakthrough, and you will gradually become an international metropolis. Looking at your history feels like reading an inspirational script-every step, no waste at all, really admires me.”

"These are just well-known things." Tokyo tried to remain calm, "If this is worthy of admiration, wouldn't it be even more admirable that His Excellency Washington has been the capital since his birth."

"I have always been the capital. You can pick a city that is several times the size of me and more attractive within the territory of the United States. A thing that has been attached to you since birth will be regarded as more of a duty. No big deal. You're the one who really enjoys that chase."

After the shock, Tokyo became very tired. He lowered his eyes to the squares on the tablecloth, and didn't want to think about the meaning behind the words.His voice weakened: "The result is not good, and the process is meaningless."

"But the process made you who you are today. Maybe because of the period and background of your birth, you identified yourself as a warrior, constantly moving forward and fighting hard. Even though it is not completely in line with human standards, you still believe so. You You are not willing to strictly abide by the neutral position of the capital, and think that you should be a leading figure in troubled times. Compared with the civilian cabinet, you are significantly friendly with the military group. The occurrence and expansion of wars over the years cannot be said to be without your help Credit. In the end, your decision will be proven wrong, our army besieged the city, then broke it, and you kill yourself... Will this save your reputation? Yes, people will miss Tokyo and cry for the tragedy that happened to the city, But not for you. They're going to hate you for your pride and ambition, for dragging everyone to hell, for walking away and throwing the burden of post-war on the next innocent personality. Samurai The most cherished things, even if you die, you will not keep any of them."

"Please don't judge others without authorization!" I wanted to growl, but my mouth was reprimanded without strength, "It's all your imagination. How can a person like you... possibly understand me..."

"I dare not pretend to understand you. I just feel pity for you..." Washington stretched his fingers, brushing the documents and photos on the table, "No, it's a pity." "You have a very special character, you are very capable, and you are also very good-looking. In this world that is mostly built by ordinary people..." He stroked the pale cheek of the person opposite him, lightly clasped his jaw, and stared intently, "It's a great loss without you. Think about it, can you live a more wonderful life?"

Tokyo's pupils constricted, unable to bear it any longer.For a moment, he seemed to regain his clarity, dropped Washington's hand, and stood up and walked to the door: "Excuse me, it seems that your Excellency did not come to negotiate in good faith—"

His hand reached for the doorknob, but the other man smiled and blocked it with his back against the door.

"This makes me sad." Washington looked down at him slightly. "With the greatest sincerity, I hope that Mr. Tokyo can live well and be my friend after this unfortunate war." He blinked his eyes, feeling a little wronged Shrugged, "Don't you believe me?"

The explosion just now exhausted the remaining energy, Tokyo bent down and coughed violently, the sound became louder and louder, as if he was about to cough out his lungs.Blood flowed from between his fingers to the ground, and he softened, thinking that he would touch the cold and hard ground, but there was something warm to support him.

In the early hours of the morning, he woke up in bed.The room was not completely dark, with a desk lamp left, Washington leaned on the opposite wardrobe and watched him.

"Where is this?"

"My cabin. Sorry, I didn't expect you to be so ill."

"Oh." Tokyo groped out of bed, "I should go. Please send a signal to our ship."

Washington stopped talking and went out to order the soldiers.

Tokyo struggled to maintain a steady gait to the deck.The wind of the summer night in the Pacific Ocean was blowing his body, and his officers and soldiers stood on the opposite deck, with worried and dignified faces and a little curiosity.They thought they had been negotiating so late.

"Being friends," said Washington behind him, in a voice only two could hear, "I would be very grateful if I could gift my city some beautiful cherry blossoms."

Tokyo moved forward noncommittally.

Not long after returning, he heard the news that another nuclear bomb had exploded in Nagasaki.

Now, with Tokyo lying on the ground, there is no need to think about whether it is life or death.Reluctant, unwilling.But what can I do?He was wounded, unable to walk, and blind.This is the evil result of being too confident, thinking that those people will not easily draw a gun on a figure who is obviously a superior.Maybe he was really disturbed by that negotiation, so he committed such negligence...

The footsteps of a group of people came from far to near, and stopped in my ears.

"You are lying on this dirty street," said the voice belonging to Osaka. "Are you trying to make big news? Dead bodies appear on the streets of the Japanese capital, suspected to be trampled to death by passers-by?"

Tokyo said calmly: "I was injured by a group of people who were probably rebels passing by here. I wanted to ask them what they wanted to do, and they threw me with grenades."

"Oh, that's terrible! Why don't you bring bodyguards? Those rebels don't recognize their relatives and have controlled the palace guards. His Majesty the Emperor doesn't know about it yet. We don't want to disturb his sleep."

"I know about the Palace Guard." Tokyo said discouragedly, "Think I'm confused."

"I finally brought out some guards who can turn their heads, and I met your virtue." With the sound of an object falling, a yellow halo appeared in front of Tokyo's eyes, slowly condensing into shape.He should have been temporarily blinded by a nerve impact just now, but his eyesight began to recover, and he recognized a gas lamp. "Lie down and don't move."

Osaka tore some cloth strips and began to bandage them.Tokyo managed to raise his arm to tug on his sleeve: "I still have something to do—"

"Hey, didn't I tell you not to move? What's the matter?"

"I thought about it. The group of people who passed by just now should be looking for General Tanaka. They want to persuade him to come here."

Osaka said nothing.He knew that General Tanaka was the commander of the Eastern Special Zone Army and could control the entire Tokyo area. If he rebelled, the situation would deteriorate significantly.

"Take me to a place where I can make a phone call. I want to talk to General Tanaka before that group arrives."

"You want to stop the coup? I thought you'd have a little sympathy for them."

"The orders of His Majesty the Emperor must be obeyed."

Osaka looked him up and down: "Is it just for this reason...?"

"It's also for the country."

Osaka was silent.After a while, he bandaged it up and said, "Let's go. To save time, I'll carry you."

The call to General Tanaka was successful, or rather, the other party had no intention of rebelling at all.Having declined the rebels' invitation, Tanaka rushed to the palace and sent the guard back to the camp within an hour. Order at the NHK building was also restored.The coup d'état was like a stone falling off a cliff. Although it made a huge splash at first, it quickly sank to the bottom of the water.

This morning, the leader of the rebellion, Hida, was still struggling in vain. He and his accomplices were distributing leaflets in the square in front of the palace, trying to incite people to revolt.Tokyo, accompanied by guards, walked towards him.

"You are..." Huo Tianzhong recognized him.He took half a step back as if he knew he was about to suffer the final blow.

Tokyo scrutinized the young major.Ambitious, strong in action, able to call on officers who are higher than him, if in another era, he might have a better ending.

He said: "Major Hitanaka, you dare to openly disobey the emperor's order, instigate others to assassinate cabinet members, and incite the chief of the palace guard, General Moritake, to fail, but kill him and steal his seal. How many crimes have you committed?"

"I am for the country!"

"You think you are for the country." Tokyo pointed to the indifferent crowd in the square. "Well, you are ignored. Can you bear the humiliation of surrender? How will you pay for your sin?"

Hitanaka stared blankly at his toes.

"Major, kill yourself!"

Hitanaka touched the pistol on his waist that had killed General Moritake.Tokyo turned and left.After a dozen steps, he heard a gunshot and a person fell to the ground.

The radio blared in the square. "This broadcast is extremely important," the announcer said nervously, "all listeners please stand up..."

The national anthem "The Generation of the King" was played.The emperor spoke to the people for the first time through a recording.

The emperor used a very awkward palace language. The common people crowded in front of the palace, but few people could understand what the emperor was saying.But they still whispered to each other and understood the core meaning of this speech: the war is over and peace has returned.Their families and nations can continue from generation to generation.

Gunshots rang out one after another, and the sound of those soldiers committing suicide interrupted people's thoughts from time to time, but it was only a temporary interruption.People wept bitterly and bowed in the direction of the palace. Tears were shame, grief, relief and gratitude.

Over Nagasaki, a U.S. reconnaissance plane was still circling above, taking pictures of the aftermath of the nuclear bomb explosion.Nagasaki wept together in the crowd at the train station, and the buzzing of the planes overhead couldn't attract his attention.In various places, there are still some scattered soldiers who refuse to lay down their weapons, but their last madness has no effect on the ending.

At 8 p.m. on August 15, as reporters poured into the White House in Washington, D.C., the president announced to them that he had received the Japanese government's reply to the Allied Forces notification: "I consider this reply to be a full acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, which The declaration stipulates that Japan will surrender unconditionally."

The sunset glow still stays in the western sky.On this day, World War II ended.

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Note 1: In fact, at this time, none of the ball-milling light cruisers can be used anymore, so let’s assume that this one in the article does not exist in reality.

PS After the Meiji period, the emperor could intervene in state affairs in some ways. The article said that the emperor does not interfere with secular affairs is just a general principle and the perception of ordinary people.However, the role of Hirohito in World War II has not been thoroughly studied due to practical factors, so it will be mentioned here.

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The next chapter is over =v=