Chapter 67 Tainan-Ken

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- Coast of Tainan-Ken ---

It has been a while since Brigadier General Mingde Zhu and his entire brigade, along with Vice Admiral Chen Yi and his fleet, left the area promptly after successfully securing the landing. Brigadier General Zhu's colonels, each leading their respective battalions comprising 2,500 soldiers, accompanied by captains, first and second lieutenants, and ordinary soldiers, among others, formed a significant force.

Due to their substantial numbers, before departing from Vice Admiral Chen Yi's ships, Brigadier General Mingde Zhu decided that they would land at various locations along the Tainan-Ken coast. The total force under their command amounted to 10,050 soldiers, inclusive of the naval personnel provided by Vice Admiral Chen Yi.

Brigadier General Mingde Zhu and Colonel Bhairav Mishra chose to land on the coast of the prefecture's capital, Tainan, effectively covering a significant portion of the coastline due to their sizable force. Colonel Ashish Gupta and Colonel Chandar Rao were tasked with landing and taking control of Hozan village.

The landing was successful, marked by the absence of ships or patrolling soldiers in the vicinity—a stroke of luck for the Butuan forces. Recognizing the opportunity to strategize thoroughly before taking control of the entire prefecture swiftly, Brigadier General Zhu decided to dispatch a reconnaissance and intelligence team to assess the village and its defense capabilities. Ten soldiers, under the leadership of a captain, were tasked with gathering vital intelligence.

As Brigadier General Zhu, Colonel Bhairav Mishra, and their 5,000 men awaited the team's return, the remaining soldiers, guided by Colonel Bhairav Mishra, began scouting the area. Their objective was to identify a secluded spot for establishing a temporary base, allowing them to prepare and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Within minutes, the soldiers discovered a secluded area not far from their landing point. They promptly set up a temporary camp, erecting makeshift tents, one of which served as shelter for Brigadier General Zhu. Two soldiers, armed with musket firearms, stood guard at the entrance of the tent, ensuring the security of their temporary headquarters.

A few minutes more and the intelligence gathering team finally returns, bringing with them the information that they have gathered in the prefecture.

Brigadier General Zhu and Colonel Bhairav Mishra gathered a total of 14 individuals, consisting of Lieutenant Colonels and Captains. All participants donned their military uniforms as they convened at the makeshift tent. The tent, designed to accommodate up to 16 individuals, was furnished with chairs and a small table, on which logistic papers were neatly arranged.

Within the tent, Brigadier General Zhu faced a formation of five lines, each comprised of one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, and ten Captains. All members wore serious expressions, attentively focusing on Brigadier General Zhu. The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonels stood at the front of the line, with two Captains positioned behind each of them. This precise formation, personally arranged by Brigadier General Zhu, marked the final organization of the groups as they prepared to assume their respective roles in the prefecture.

"A few hours from now, we will engage in a battle against the Japanese forces stationed in this village. Due to our substantial numbers, you will be divided into smaller teams. The current formation you are in will determine your team during the invasion. These teams will be led by Colonel Bhairav Mishra, Lieutenant Colonel Wei Li, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Reyes, Lieutenant Colonel Vishal Sharma, and Lieutenant Colonel Rohit Kapoor.

Each team will handle no more than a thousand soldiers. I am confident that you can manage this responsibility with the support of your captains and other officers," declared Brigadier General Zhu with a firm and composed tone, glancing at all the higher-ranking officers. A satisfied smile crossed his face as he observed the attentiveness of his soldiers.

"Earlier, a team of 10 soldiers, led by Captain Rishi Verma, was dispatched to gather intelligence on the overall situation and the number of garrisoned soldiers. Captain Verma, please update us." Brigadier General Zhu stated, shifting his attention to Captain Verma and signaling for him to report on their findings.

"Certainly," Captain Verma acknowledged before directing everyone's attention to the table, which displayed a rough map of the entire Tainan-Ken region."

"As we entered the village a while ago, we found ourselves with three possible directions to explore: one leading from the coast, another from the east, and the third from the west. No defensive walls guarded the village or the nearby military office. In this part of the prefecture alone, approximately 800 to a thousand soldiers were stationed, all armed with their own guns. Additionally, we observed eight artillery guns within the village," Captain Verma explained, tracing the areas on the map that he and his intelligence team had studied during their hour-long stay in the village.

Upon receiving this information, the expressions on the faces of the colonel, lieutenant colonel, and captains inside the tent noticeably brightened. The prospect of facing only 500 to 800 Japanese soldiers significantly boosted their confidence, given their overwhelming numbers and an arsenal of weaponry, including the Winchester rifle, Minié rifle, Brown Bess, and various small firearms. Notably, the Matahawid 1889 (Mk I–IV) and Singh 1893 (Model 1893) were widely produced and utilized by the Imperial Military of the empire, particularly as products of the Rajah Arhaan Armoury owned by the Imperial clan and the government. They were also equipped with an Ordnance BL 5-inch howitzer, Gatling gun, and Maxim gun.

What particularly bolstered their confidence was the addition of a sniper, a variant of the Karter 98B, originally a bolt-action rifle produced by Golden Lotus Armoury engineers and workers. Presently, the Golden Lotus Armoury had successfully manufactured 20 Karter 98B sniper variants, in addition to the 100 units of the original Karter 98B variant produced.

While their planning continues inside the makeshift tent, the soldiers outside the tent have already begun to calm themselves, overcoming their nervousness and excitement. Despite their soaring morale fueled by their equipment and sheer numbers, nervousness and excitement persist, particularly among the newly recruited soldiers.

However, even in the midst of these emotions, some have managed to forge new friendships while awaiting their next moves. As a few minutes pass since the higher officers commenced their meeting, the once tense atmosphere filled with anxious soldiers transforms into a jovial scene. Laughter replaces tension, and merry individuals emerge, setting aside their nervousness and excitement.

Some soldiers even express the desire to initiate a drinking contest, but their enthusiasm is promptly dampened by the first and second lieutenants who are overseeing the entire camp.

As the makeshift camp of the Butuanon Imperial Army thrives in camaraderie, the meeting deepens in merriment. In contrast, the residents of the prefecture's capital, Tainan, continue to sink deeper into slumber as time progresses. By the stroke of one in the morning, no one remains awake to witness or take note of the thousands of people encamped in the distant coastal areas of Tainan.

Even the police, responsible for guarding and maintaining vigilance for the safety of the village, were now fast asleep. They seemed to have forgotten the command issued by Governor-General Nogi Maresuke to stay alert, given the looming possibility of retaliation from the Butuan Empire. However, confidence and arrogance among the garrisoned soldiers in Tainan led them to believe that the Butuan Empire wouldn't make a move.

In the years following the humiliating defeat of Butuan and Siam against the combined forces of the French and British, Butuan's reputation as a regional leader, rivaling the Qing Empire, had deteriorated. This decline was especially notable during Butuan's recovery period after the war. Butuan had refrained from asserting its influence in the region during and after the war. It is only recently that Emperor Siagu XV sought to reinstate his nation's influence in the region.

The silence of Butuan, coupled with Siam struggling to maintain control over its lands, created a vacuum for local powers to rise. Japan seized this opportunity, embarking on a rapid adoption of Western technologies and military and maritime doctrines. This endeavor, under the leadership of Emperor Meiji, proved successful. Japan not only brought down the Qing Empire but also replaced its control and influence over the Joseon Kingdom. Furthermore, Japan gained control of the strategic Island of Formosa, posing a threat to the interests of the Butuan Empire.

Due to the events that unfolded seemingly in favor of the Japanese, the majority of the soldiers perceived the defeat of the Butuanon Imperial Navy at the Yellow Sea against the Imperial Japanese Navy as a sign that the Japanese had now taken over the leadership of Butuan in the region. This victory signified to them that the Japanese were more powerful in terms of technology and military capabilities compared to the Butuanons. Consequently, this attitude led to arrogance and confidence among the garrisoned soldiers in Tainan, as well as a majority of the lower-ranking soldiers, who believed that any attack from Butuan could be easily crushed by them.

The Tainan prefecture capital, housing the central control of the entire Tainan-Ken, boasts a substantial population. Despite the entire prefecture having only two thousand soldiers, one thousand were stationed in this village. The village lacks protective walls against external threats, as pirates and predatory animals are uncommon on the island. The central government office of the prefecture, the village chief's office, and the accommodations for the majority of the soldiers are situated at the northernmost part of the village.

With an almost hundred-thousand-strong population, the village encompasses houses, commercial buildings, government structures, banks, and a police station, among others. However, notable is the presence of unpaved roads, resulting in stagnant waters. Due to inadequate sanitation, diseases such as malaria and cholera are prevalent in the village. As it is already 1 in the morning, no houses are illuminated by lamp fires; everything is shrouded in darkness, with even the patrolling police having retired for the night.

After an in-depth meeting led by Brigadier General Mingde Zhu and his team, they gathered their forces and initiated their strategic maneuvers. Their mission was to swiftly capture the entire Tainan-ken region. However, adjustments were made during the planning phase. Recognizing the still significant size of their forces, Brigadier General Zhu decided to dispatch Colonel Bhairav Mishra, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Reyes, and Lieutenant Colonel Vishal Sharma to the northwestern part of the prefecture with the objective of maximizing their control.

Colonel Bhairav Mishra, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Reyes, and Lieutenant Colonel Vishal Sharma acquiesced to the command without objection. Their acceptance was rooted in their comprehension of the situation and the higher probability of efficiently completing their mission. Departing the camp with no more than 2,500 soldiers, they left as soon as Brigadier General Zhu and the others proceeded towards the village.

Following Brigadier General Zhu's plan, the group was divided into three units, each entering the village from the south, west, and east to ensure comprehensive coverage of the entire area.

Brigadier General Zhu, leading a force of 800 soldiers, took control of the southern part of the village, along the coast of Tainan Village. Lieutenant Colonel Rohit Kapoor's entire team secured the eastern part, while Lieutenant Colonel Wei Li opted for the western section. With this strategic arrangement, the situation began to stabilize, marking the commencement of the invasion of the island of Taiwan.

Brigadier General Zhu and his team advanced steadily toward the heart of the village. At the forefront was Brigadier General Zhu, leading his personal squad of 20 soldiers. Following closely were the companies, organized into platoons and squads.

With no police or Japanese soldiers on-site, the three invading forces from Butuan, approaching from the south, east, and west, smoothly entered the area. As they advanced, an increasing number of houses came into view for the soldiers. The closer they got to the city center, the better constructed the houses became, but signs of mismanagement, inadequate sanitation, and poor planning were evident throughout the entire village.

This not only frustrated Brigadier General Zhu, the other Lieutenant Colonels, and the soldiers but also angered them. They perceived the condition of the houses in this village to be even poorer than those of the people of Butuan who lived below the poverty line.

In Butuan, the sanitation system is a significant concern for the government. Since the onset of illnesses such as malaria and cholera in Butuan, efforts have been made over the years to implement an effective sanitation system. This is why the death rate and the incidence of illnesses have significantly decreased. The government emphasizes that a proper sanitation system is essential for everyone. Even the poorest of the poor have access to public toilets and wells throughout the entire empire.

The sanitary conditions for livestock in Butuan remain appalling, contrasting sharply with the better conditions enjoyed by villages in the mountains of the Butuan Empire. This stark contrast has fueled the anger of Brigadier General Zhu, Lieutenant Colonel Li, and Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor. They perceive the living conditions of the locals as akin to those of livestock in Butuan. As the soldiers of Butuan venture deeper into the village, their resentment towards the Japanese intensifies.

As they proceed towards the heart of the village, en route to the government building, a sudden cold wind brushes against the face of a Japanese soldier who was dozing off. Startled, the soldier, Takahashi Kazutoshi, recalls his duty of patrolling the entire village with his friend before turning his attention to the still-sleeping Murakami Ichirou.

Fearing reprimand from their superiors, Takahashi Kazutoshi takes initiative. He gathers his belongings, especially his gun, and then rouses his friend, Murakami Ichirou. Both are ordinary garrisoned soldiers in this neglected village. In Takahashi's eyes, being stationed in this forsaken place with the locals is a curse, but the presence of his friend Murakami Ichirou is a saving grace.

"E ̄ ~i~tsu… Ichirō… okiro. Toriaezu tōban no jikanda yo. Kono mura no shūhen o patorōru hitsuyō ga aru nda. E ̄ ~i~tsu! (Heeyyy… Ichirou… Wake up. We are still in hour duty hours. We needed to patrol this area of the village. Heeyyy)" Takahashi stated while violently shaking his friend Murakami, worried that gentle shaking will not make his friend fully awake.

Takahashi and Murakami had been friends since their entry into the Imperial Japanese Military a decade ago. Both had grown up in poverty, often struggling to find enough food. This shared experience drove them to enlist in the military, motivated by a combination of poverty and patriotism. They believed that joining the military would not only improve their families' living conditions but also fulfill their deep love for their nation.

Awoken by his friend's persistent shaking, Murakami Ichirou quickly roused himself. In an instant, he readied his guns and equipment as soon as Takahashi, his friend, playfully threatened to report him to their superior. However, deep down, he knew Takahashi wouldn't actually do such a thing.

"Kono shigoto, shinsoko kiraina nda. Taihoku-shū haizoku sa re terya yokatta no ni, kon'na mijimena mura nante kanben shite hoshī yo . Tsss (I really hate this part of our job. It would have been better if we were stationed in Taihoku like the others. but instead, we were put in this depressing village. Tss)" Murakami grudgingly stated as he and Takahashi made their way towards the village centre while bringing with them a lamp to light up the night.

Unbeknownst to Takahashi and Murakami, Lieutenant Colonel Wei Li's team had already reached the village center, taking advantage of the proximity of the western part. Simultaneously, Wei Li and his team remained oblivious to the fact that two Japanese soldiers were already approaching them.

As Murakami and Takahashi progressed, their conversation deepened. Murakami shared uplifting news with Takahashi, informing him that he had received word from their families in Japan. Takahashi's wife had given birth to their first child, a boy. This news brought immense joy to Takahashi, as it had been a considerable amount of time since he last saw his wife.

Takahashi and Murakami had left Japan when Takahashi's wife was still pregnant. It was an emotionally challenging period for Takahashi, particularly since it involved the arrival of his first child. Consequently, upon hearing the news from his friend, Takahashi instantly contemplated returning to Japan after this month to reunite with his family—an idea wholeheartedly supported by his friend, Murakami.

In contrast to Takahashi, a first-time father, Murakami had left Japan with his wife and three children. It marked the saddest day in Murakami's life, considering it was the first time he had been away from his family since joining the military. This is why he fervently supported Takahashi's decision to return to Japan the following month.

As the saying goes, Anata no kodou ga sokoku e no ai o kanaderu you ni, kazoku wa anata no tamashī no senritsu o tsumugu no desu (Just as your heart beats the love of your homeland, so your family sings the melody of your soul).

Their laughter reverberates through the entire area they occupy, indifferent to their surroundings. As soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army, their status grants them considerable authority over the locals in the village, fostering an air of obnoxiousness and arrogance, allowing them to act with impunity. Consequently, even in the dead of night, Murakami and Takahashi engage in loud conversations while on patrol.

This proves detrimental for both of them, as they remain oblivious to the fact that soldiers from Butuan, specifically the team led by Lieutenant Colonel Wei Li, have already identified their presence. Due to their boisterous laughter, Lieutenant Colonel Wei Li spots the two and swiftly prepares his team to silently neutralize the approaching Japanese soldiers. Despite Lieutenant Colonel Li's meticulous planning, one of his soldiers makes a mistake, creating a noise that alerts Murakami and Takahashi, who observe the soldier concealing a box. Before Lieutenant Colonel Li and his team fully grasp the situation, two gunshots resonate through the silent night, originating from Murakami and Takahashi's weapons.

*BANG*

*BANG*

"TUSHAR!! BASTARDS!!!" An enraged Butuanon soldier shouted in agony upon witnessing his friend's death before him. The two gunshots not only alerted Lieutenant Colonel Li's team but also drew the attention of Brigadier General Zhu's and Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor's teams. Even the soldiers stationed in the village and the villagers themselves were roused by the gunfire and the resounding shout.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

"Kuso! Hashire, Kazutoshi-kun! (Damn it! Run, Kazutoshi-kun!)" Murakami Ichirou shouted as he heads towards the alley along with his friend Kazutoshi.

Continuous gunfire erupts from Lieutenant Colonel Li's team, targeting Murakami and Takahashi who are now desperately running for cover. Despite the chaos, they manage to find refuge behind a house a few meters away from Lieutenant Colonel Li's unit. The intense gunfire not only heightens the tension among the Japanese soldiers but also prompts Brigadier General Zhu and Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor's teams to swiftly move towards the source of the commotion.

"haa... kuso! Kazutoshi o mitsukete yokatta na, sa monaito yara reteta yo. haa... puhaa (huff.. Good thing we manages to spot them Kazutoshi or else we would have been a goner. Huff…puff)" Murakami Ichirou stated while huffing and puffing as he held tightly to his gun. But instead of hearing a reply from his friend, silence was the only thing he could hear as he faces the now lit houses in the alley in front of him.

Ichirou's ragged breaths hitched; the air suddenly thick in his throat. He didn't want to look, didn't dare, but a primal instinct clawed at his gut, urging him to turn. Slowly, he forced his head to swivel, his heart hammering against his ribs.

There, sprawled on the blood-soaked earth, lay his friend, Kazutoshi. His first-time father friend. His eyes, once filled with life and laughter, were now vacant pools staring up at the unforgiving sky. Crimson blossomed from the jagged holes peppering his body, each one a silent scream accusing Ichirou of his failure.

A strangled cry tore from Ichirou's throat, a raw mix of disbelief, regret, and soul-crushing despair. He fell to his knees beside Kazutoshi, the world tilting on its axis. His hand, trembling violently, reached out to touch his friend's cold face, but the moment his fingers brushed the lifeless skin, he recoiled as if burned.

"Kazuto-kun… Kazuto-kun… nē… okite… do… jōdan janai yo… okite… nē… wajin! Mada saru-tachi to tatakawanakucha ikenaidesho! Nē! Okiro! Kazuto-kun! (Ka-Kazutoshi… Kazutoshi-kun... hey... wake up... do-don't joke like this... wake up... hey... Kazutoshi! We still needed to fight against those monkeys you know?! Hey! Wake up! Kazutoshi-kun!)" Ichirou stated while tears are forming into his eyes, still in disbelief and refusing to accept that his friend is now dead. Even his mind could not still process that in just like that, his friend is now gone.

"susu... Kazutoshi-kun, go-gomen nasai. Anata no kawari ni watashi ga... anata no, go kazoku... susu, hikku (sniff… Kazutoshi-kun, for-forgive me. It should have been me not you. Y-your fa-family… sniff hick.)" Ichirou muttered as he once again attempted to touch his friends face, slowly accepting the fact that his friend is now gone. Feeling the hot red blood and his friends slowly turning cold body, Ichirou's tears started rushing out from his eyes like a waterfall while bawling in agony.

Ichirou continues to mourn for his friend's death, completely disregarding the fact that he was just few meters away from the group of Lieutenant Colonel Li. But it was like the goddess of luck is with her side as the moment the soldiers of Lieutenant Colonel Li draws a bit closer, the garrisoned Japanese soldiers finally arrived and started firing their guns towards the marching Butuanon soldiers.

"susu... Kazutoshi-kun… susu, hikku (sniff… Kazutoshi-kun… susu, hikku)." Ichirou mourns feeling bad and lost as he lost his friend unexpectedly. In Ichirou's perspective, Kazutoshi's future appears brighter than his own, having already navigated the challenges of fatherhood. Kazutoshi's untimely demise, leaving behind not just a wife but also a child, deeply pains Ichirou. The weight of this reality has left Ichirou's heart aching and his mind grappling with disbelief.

"Heishi o mitsukemashita! (I found a soldier!)" An Imperial Japanese Army soldier shouted after spotting the mourning Ichirou and the cold body of Kazutoshi. But the soldier's arrival did not even make a thing to Ichirou.

"Oi! Ware ni modore! Tomo yo, Ichirou wa mou nakundan da! Ato de kare o itamou, daga mazu ikinobinakereba naranai! Ikari o teki ni muke, juu o tore! (Hey! Snap out of it! Your friend is now dead Ichirou! We can mourn for him later, but we needed to survive first! Channel your anger towards our enemies and pickup your gun!)" The soldier stated after grabbing Ichirou on his collar and shaking him so hard that made Ichirou snap out of it and felt anger not towards the one shaking him but towards the Butuanon Imperial Army.

Ichirou then composes himself and grab his gun, but not after he gets the hat of his friend that has blood in it and exchange it with his all while muttering, "Kazutoshi-kun, watashi ga anata o utsu. Yakusoku suru. (I will avenge you, Kazutoshi-kun. I promise.)" before making his way towards the battle field where the shooting is intense.

Gunfire persisted from both the north and south of the village, thwarting any attempts by the defenders to repel the assailants quickly. The resounding gunshots reverberated through the village every second. This not only jolted the villagers awake but also compelled them to seek refuge within their homes, gripped by fear and uncertainty. Children wept, and adults shielded them within their comforting embrace.

Soldier after soldier fell to the ground, creating a grim sequence of casualties. Ichirou skillfully dodged enemy fire, enabling him to regroup with his comrades. Despite the Japanese soldiers' determined resistance and consistent counterattacks, they found themselves at a disadvantage. The gradual accumulation of fallen bodies forced the Japanese forces into a strategic retreat, opening the way for the combined forces of Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor and Li to advance.

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a/n: Hi everyone. I just want to say this that it would take much longer for me to update this story. Not because I am loosing interest but because classes is about to start and I will be busy teaching High School students already.

Hope you all understand. And thank you for always supporting my story and not dropping the novel. Rest assured that I will still be updating this novel but not as often as I usually does.