Chapter 591: Imperialization“You"re from the Asou family?”
Xiao Luo was very direct with his question, and it was his intention to build his investigation starting with Asou Shuyao. He was sure he"d be able to establish any links between his case and the Asou family.
“That is correct. So, it seems that Mr. Xiao Han has heard of the Asou family?” Asou Shuyao said.
“Well, it"s one of the most influential clans in Ri nation. Of course, I have heard of you.”
“Then, you have probably heard mostly negative things about us,” she said.
Asou Shuyao smiled, but there was no emotion in her eyes. She continued from where she left off and said, “Such as the divine mission of the Asou family as decreed by his majesty, the emperor Hirohito, to imperialize the Hua nation. To this day, we strive to complete this holy mission.”
“Imperialize? So you guys call the invasion of Hua nation as imperialization?” Xiao Luo sneered. When he recalled the horrors of the conflict, his eyes turned cold, and his blood was starting to boil.
“Isn"t that so?”
Asou Shuyao chuckled and said, “About some eighty years ago, the Hua nation was technologically behind many countries but chose to be self-indulgent, wallowing in its past glory of five thousand years. On the other hand, the Ri nation had already entered the second industrial revolution and was on the cusp of entering the electric era. We were far more competent than your people in terms of the economy, politics, cultural developments, military, technology, and even productivity.”
With our industrialization"s success, we ventured into your land, intending to bring progress and prosperity to your people. We wanted to wake you up from your self-absorbed dream and make an empire where the Hua and the Ri could prosper together. Isn"t this what imperialization is to be?”
When Asou Shuyao touched on the invasion of Hua nation, everyone in the office looked uncomfortable. It was a very sensitive subject, especially to a citizen of Hua nation.
Xiao Luo didn"t take too kindly to her statement and replied, “You robbed my people of their land and took their lives through violent force. Violence and blood; are these the effects of your imperialization? Your actions were brutal and inhumane, and you actually think that you can cover up all your sins with just one simple term–imperialization?”
“Cough, cough…”
Xiao Luo"s words had made chief Tanaka Hiros.h.i.+ very uncomfortable, and he coughed as he felt the full weight of guilt hanging over him.
It was the same for Kimura Akino, for his forefathers had committed heinous war crimes in Hua nation and indisputable facts. What was Asou Shuyao thinking when she spewed those words?
But, Miyazaki Ronjin did not react and showed no change in emotion. He casually lit a cigarette and smoked in the corner.
“Progress does not come without a price! If the country can become stronger, is shedding a little blood so wrong?” Asou Shuyao argued.
“Shedding a little blood?”
When Xiao Luo saw the evil that resided in this beautiful woman, he couldn"t help comparing her to a b.u.mbling idiot who kept annoying him. “On 13th December 1937, after Jinling city had been captured, the army of Ri nation began ma.s.sacring its civilians in the city and took to looting the city like it was a compet.i.tion. More than three hundred thousand lives were lost, but yet, you consider three hundred thousand lives merely a little bloodshed? I would like to know what you considered a genocide?”
“Nonsense, that is but a made-up accusation. When the Ri nation army sailed across the ocean to Hua nation to bring peace and progress, we did not expect that your army to ambush us. This was the root cause of the war, and there was no such ma.s.sacre that you speak about. Our nation is a signatory of the Geneva Convention and treated the prisoners of war with respect and even provided them with lodging and food. At Ri nation, even the prisoners of war were well treated. How can you accuse us of slaughtering innocent civilians who had nothing to do with the war! Hence, all these were nonsense fabricated by Hua nation to tarnish the name of Ri nation!” Asou Shuyao screamed.
Xiao Luo could not help clenching his fist, for Asou Shuyao must have been the first woman he"d ever wished to kill. And they barely even knew each other.
Miyazaki Ronjin took a deep breath and said, “The ma.s.sacre of Jinling city happened, and there is sufficient proof, both from eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence. Regardless of what you say in your attempt to disclaim the genocide, it happened! It is an unforgivable crime that our country had committed toward the Hua nation!”
Xiao Luo was caught a little off guard as he did not expect that a citizen of Ri nation would take his side, which instantly improved his impression of Miyazaki significantly.
Asou Shuyao glared furiously at Miyazaki Ronjin as she clenched her teeth, evidently offended by his statement.
“Is that clear to you? I believe I don"t have to argue anymore.”
Xiao Luo mocked her coldly and then said, “Now let"s talk about the imperialization. I will tell you what it means–the Hua nation"s cultural and historical roots have regarded virtue and etiquette as its primary tools of state-building. We have treated people with respect and have never resorted to violence to convince others. We simply do not bully others just because they are weaker. Thousands of years ago, your country had already been learning from our culture, which was far superior and progressive. We were better than you in every aspect but did we ever invade your country? Did we sail across the ocean to invade your lands because of our progress, culture, and power?”
Did we burn your land and rob your people of their lives? No, right? We promoted learning and civilization. We opened our doors wide to anyone who sought knowledge. We did not mind that foreigners come to mimic our culture and success. It is only because of us that a barbaric place like Ri nation could develop its own language, heritage, and propriety. It is only because of us that you guys can finally become a little bit more human-like. This is the true imperialization.”
Xiao Luo"s stirring words cut deep into everyone"s soul like a solemn judgment.
Asou Shuyao could not come up with a reb.u.t.tal, and she could only stare at Xiao Luo bitterly like a mute.
Even the indifferent and nonchalant Miyazaki Ronjin changed his expression. He looked amused as he stared at Asou Shuyao and remarked, “Serves you right!”
Asou Shuyao reeled from his words. She had tried to insult a citizen of Hua nation with pseudo-history, and it backfired in the most humiliating way.
“Ryui, what did you say? I dare you, repeat it!”
Asou Shuyao was infuriated that she could not get her way with Xiao Luo, so she instead directed her rage toward Miyazaki Ronjin.
But, Miyazaki Ronjin did not even bother to look at her as he smoked away in the corner. Asou Shuyao"s threat failed to affect him, which made her feel even worse.
“Alright, why don"t both of you just cut it. Our forefathers" wrongdoings are in the past, and our countries have now established diplomatic ties. The relations.h.i.+p between our two countries is indeed improving, and we should adhere to the adage: let bygones be bygones,” Tanaka Hiros.h.i.+ said, breaking into a smile to try to ease the tension.
“I am fully supportive of the director"s words, but I just cannot make sense about somebody here. As police, one should possess a stronger ideological awareness, but this person"s head is only filled with dangerous ideologies,” Miyazaki Ronjin said.
“Miyazaki, if you think that life is too easy for you now in your old age, I can easily make it harder for you!” Asou Shuyao spat. She was spiteful and reacted to his words with a threat.
Xiao Luo stared at her coldly and said, “Mr. Miyazaki is indeed too old for such things, but if he is not feeling it, I will gladly take you in his place.”
“Fine, I have long wanted to have a taste of Hua nation"s kungfu. Xiao Han-kun is a first-cla.s.s superintendent, so you must be skillful,” Asou Shuyao hissed.
“I won"t disappoint you!” Xiao Luo replied, smiling confidently.