Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 169 "War Hero" Okazaka Hikawa

"Mr. Zheng, are you sure you want me to focus the news report on this Okasaka Hikawa instead of the war hero, Anand?"

"Of course, I'm sure of that. Isn't it okay, Ms. Thomson? I'm also calling for peace."

On the private plane that Zheng Yi flew back to Penang from the United States, Zheng Yi was smiling and drinking and chatting with the beautiful anchor next to him.

It can be seen that this beautiful female anchor admires him very much. If he wants, he may be able to do something pleasant with her on this luxurious private jet.

But Zheng Yi really didn't have any thoughts on it.

In order to bring this beautiful anchor from the United States to Penang, Zheng Yi spent a lot of money, spending five million US dollars to directly invest in NBC and become one of the shareholders of the radio station.

Not only that, Zheng Yi also promised the beautiful anchor that he would not interfere with her freedom of the press after arriving in Penang and offered her a high salary of US$10,000 per month.

A villa at the foot of Penang Hill will be arranged for her to use as a dormitory, and after five years, funds will be provided to help her establish her own media brand, helping her to make money behind the scenes and from being an anchor to becoming a boss.

Of course, although Zheng Yi promised not to interfere with her freedom of the press, she still wanted suggestions and influence. After all, he was her boss, and as long as it did not violate the principles, she would always seriously consider Zheng Yi's suggestions.

Just like now.

In just a few days, the news that Anand had annihilated 5,000 enemies and captured a heavy battleship and several other warships began to spread in the international media, including the United States.

Although things happening in Asia are not considered top-tier in the United States and cannot be said to make headlines in major media outlets, they undoubtedly qualify as hot international news.

In particular, Zheng Yi himself is fanning the flames, paying huge amounts of public relations and advertising fees to major media outlets to ask them to help promote the Japan threat theory.

I dare not say all of them, because Zheng Yi did not stay in the United States for a long time and did not spend too much energy there, but at least 80% of the news media mentioned Zheng Yi's Japan threat theory when reporting this news.

Some even provide lengthy, in-depth analyses of the damage Japan's actions might cause to American interests.

By the way, the numerous crimes committed by Japan in China were also mentioned.

Give Mr. Zheng some face. Besides, Mr. Zheng is now a shareholder of Kodak. If you offend him, you don’t have to worry that Kodak will not sell film to you.

So, after being persuaded by Zheng Yi, Ms. Thomson decided to go to Penang with him to serve as the project leader to establish the Asian branch of NBC Radio. Naturally, the first news she wanted to report in depth was the Anglo-Japanese War.

Yes, under Zheng Yi's manipulation, the media around the world are now reporting on this war based on the basic argument that the war was against North Korea, Britain and Japan.

Just tell me whether Penang was a British colony, and whether Anand, or even Zheng Yi himself, had British military ranks on their bodies.

To fan the flames? When the American and British media have settled in Penang and report on this war again, he will naturally find a way to steer the reports towards the conflict between Britain and Japan and the provocation of each other.

"Isn't it the British Empire, the hegemon of the world? Is that it?"

It is guaranteed to break the British defense, and perhaps even increase military investment in the Far East.

However, when all the news attention was focused on Anand, the Malay war hero, Zheng Yi instead asked her to focus on reporting on the surrendered Japanese.

"What, Ms. Thomson, is the purpose of news reporting? Is it to attract public attention?
With your influence, Miss Thomson, I think no matter what news you report, at least in the United States, there will be no shortage of readers."

"After attracting enough social attention, do we want our news and articles to just entertain the public and pass the time?"

"I heard that you were in Germany before because you exposed the crimes of the Nazis, spoke for the Jews, and even used your influence to hire lawyers to defend the Jews.

Did you anger the German government, get expelled from the country by its leader, and be declared persona non grata? I heard some extremists even threatened to kill you.

Ms. Thomson nodded. "Indeed."

“Why are you doing this for the Jews?”

"It is for the sake of justice, of course, and also to allow the Jews in Europe to find some comfort amidst the brutal oppression."

Zheng Yi: "Ms. Thomson, what do you think of the crimes committed by Japanese militarism in China?"

Thomson: "I haven't visited the scene, but even based on the crimes and evidence we have at hand, they are already too numerous to describe and too outrageous to be described."

Zheng Yi: "So, I suggest you focus your report on that Japanese man, Okasaka Hikawa.

Anand fought such a beautiful battle, whether you report on him in depth or not, he is destined to become a great player of his generation."

"If his reputation has been diminished, I will naturally compensate him in other ways. Besides, too much fame isn't necessarily a good thing for him."

"On the contrary, if you can report more about Mr. Hikawa's deeds, such news will be seen by other Japanese soldiers in Japan, and perhaps other Japanese soldiers will follow suit."

"If there really were Japanese soldiers who chose to fly to Penang to surrender after seeing your report, or if there were navy and army who were not so resolute in resisting on the battlefield."

"Isn't it a good thing if it helps us win the war sooner, and even produces more Japanese people like Toyoda Risaburo? I think this is the true value of journalism."

Thomson: "What you said... does make sense. Okay, then I'll focus my report on the surrendered Japanese soldier."

Two hours later, Zheng Yi's plane slowly landed at the airport in Penang. When he walked out, the people who greeted and entertained him lined up in two rows. Each of them stood with their chests puffed out and their heads held high, standing on both sides of him like a guard of honor.

Before leaving the airport, Zheng Yi saw the tiny tip of a ship anchored in the harbor in the distance and couldn't help but ask, "Is that the captured battleship Shancheng over there?"

Qian Qiwen, who came to pick us up at the airport, said, "Yes, that's the Shancheng's observation tower. It's about the height of a fifteen-story building. There aren't many tall buildings in Penang in that direction, so you can see a little bit."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh repeatedly: "These days, that ship has become a popular tourist attraction in Penang. I can't believe how they built such a big ship. Japan's manufacturing industry is really something."

As she spoke, Qian Qiwen glanced at Dorothy Thomson intentionally or unintentionally. As both were beauties, it was inevitable that they would take a second look at each other.

Especially since this woman got off Zheng Yi's private plane, she was naturally more vigilant.

"The Japanese industry isn't anything special. We in Penang just don't have a shipbuilding industry. Besides, that thing is just for show. By the way, let me introduce it to you."

"This is Ms. Dorothy Thomson, NBC's top anchor and the most influential journalist in the United States. She came back with me this time to establish an NBC bureau in Penang. By the way, I already have a stake in NBC."

"This is Qian Qiwen, my... uh... deputy mayor of Penang. She's my right-hand man and is in charge of most of the chores in Penang."

"Hello." Dorothy Thomson extended her hand generously. "As a woman, you are able to manage such a large city. I imagine it must be very difficult. If you have time, I would like to arrange an interview with you."

Is this woman a leader of the feminist movement? Objectively speaking, the feminist movement of this era is still worthy of praise, and is far less crazy than in later generations. Seeing that Qian Qiwen is so capable and is even the deputy mayor, she immediately felt the desire to have in-depth communication with her.

When Qian Qiwen heard this, her face unconsciously turned slightly red.

Although she did not live with Zheng Yi, she was indeed married to him in a formal ceremony. However, she also knew that this kind of relationship was incomprehensible from the perspective of many Westerners, who would only regard her as Zheng Yi's lover.

Although she felt that being the deputy mayor was indeed very hard and difficult, she thought that this woman must have said so because she didn't know the relationship between her and Zheng Yi.

Anyone who knew what was going on would probably find it difficult to respect her, right?

I could only reply: "It is my honor to have your interview. Please go ahead and do your work. We can meet again anytime after you are done."

At the same time, he kept looking himself up and down, but the more he looked, the more ashamed he felt.

After Zheng Yi introduced her, Qian Qiwen actually knew who this woman was. Penang itself is quite international, and they naturally pay attention to international news.

Qian Qiwen usually reads American newspapers, so she has naturally seen news about her and learned about what she did in Germany.

Seeing this, Zheng Yi said to Qian Qiwen in Chinese: "This woman is quite influential in the United States and even internationally.

Especially among the Jews in Europe, he has a high prestige. Get along well with him. If possible, ask him to introduce you to as many Jews as possible and ask them to deposit money in the OCBC Bank in Penang.

I can give you a higher interest rate. If you can handle this matter well, it will be of great benefit to you. Who knows, you might even be richer than me in the future."

After all, most of the Jews died after World War II, and some even had their entire families wiped out. In this case, all the savings would belong to Penang. Isn’t that how Switzerland started out? If Switzerland can do it, then naturally Penang can do it too.

"Where's Anand? Is he in Penang?"

"No, he and his troops returned to Alor Setar. They said that without your order, Mr. Zheng, it was inconvenient for them to come to Penang. They are waiting for your summons in Alor Setar."

Zheng Yi laughed when he heard this: "This kid is quite capable of stirring up trouble. Is Okasaka Hikawa in Penang or Alor Setar?"

"Okasaka Hikawa? Oh, that Japanese prisoner. He's in Penang. If you don't come back, we don't know what to do with these prisoners. Should we treat them kindly or... For the time being, they're all being held in the police station."

"Oh~, let's release that Okasaka Hikawa first and have him come to my office to see me. Then, anyone who has surrendered and voluntarily helped Anand and his men sail the ship, and has clearly turned from evil to good, will be granted Penang citizenship.
Let Liem Sioe Liong initiate the process and bring their families to Penang, and even give each of them a resettlement allowance."

"Those who refused to surrender but were eventually captured, or those who surrendered but did not volunteer to help sail the ship, will be given the opportunity to commit suicide by disembowelment, considering that the two countries are at war and each serves its own master. Those who neither surrender nor refuse to commit suicide by disembowelment will be shot in the street."

Qian Qiwen: "Yes, I understand."

........................

Just half an hour later, Okasaka Hikawa, who was originally a prisoner, was "ceremoniously received" by Zheng Yi.

"Hello, hello. You must be Mr. Okasaka Hinakawa, the man who decided the outcome of this war. I'm Zheng Yi, and it's an honor to shake your hand."

As he was speaking, Zheng Yi stepped forward and shook hands with him without hesitation.

Click, click, click, click! Countless cameras and video recorders were snapping photos and videos at them, while countless onlookers were clapping and applauding them. Okasaka Hikawa, just an ordinary navy soldier, was completely stunned by the sight.

After a long while, he finally managed to utter, "You, you are Zheng Yi, Mr. Zheng?"

"Yes, I am Zheng Yi. Welcome to our Penang family. Thank you for your contribution to peace."

"You, you can speak Japanese?"

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "China and Japan are neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water. We have been friendly neighbors for thousands of years. This is Penang, once the base of the Xinhai Revolution in China. I have always been committed to friendship with Japan."

After that, Toyota Risaburo, who was standing next to Zheng Yi, shook hands with him again and said, "I am Toyota Risaburo, and I am also the head of the Penang Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to join the Penang Japanese community."

"Mr. Toyota?"

"We have already paid for a duplex apartment specifically for you in the Japanese community in Penang. You can live in Penang with peace of mind. If you have any needs, you can come to me and I will do my best to meet your needs."

As he spoke, he whispered, "Look at the camera and keep smiling. Your performance today will not only determine whether you will live a life of luxury or meager living for the rest of your life, but it will also determine the future fate of all of us Japanese residents."

"I've already arranged to bring your parents, brother, and even your aunt's family to Penang. Don't worry, just enjoy your glory, lucky boy. Smile, okay?"

Okasaka Hikawa didn't know anything anymore. He was originally a country boy, his family had been fishing for generations, how could he have seen such a scene?
When he heard Toyota Risaburo ask him to laugh, he immediately opened his mouth, revealing two rows of big white teeth, like a fool.

After a while, another Japanese beauty came over with a garland, hung it around his neck, kissed him with her fiery red lips, then took his arm and smiled at the camera for photos.

Zheng Yi pulled out a box of his own specially supplied cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to him, saying, "Want to smoke?"

Okasaka Hinakawa is now in a daze, not knowing whether he should smoke or not.

While he was hesitating, Zheng Yi had already handed the cigarette to his mouth, and he quickly took it.

But there was no fire.

"I come"

Zheng Yi took the lighter from Li Lili, but actually opened it himself and lit it for Okasaka Hinakawa, which made him feel flattered and at a loss as to what to do.

"Mr. Hikawa, you are not a coward who cowers in battle, but a hero who resolutely decided to sacrifice himself for peace and justice. You are truly a hero."

As he spoke, Zheng Yi stretched out his hand, and Li Lili took a huge box from the bodyguard behind him and opened it in front of the global media.

There was actually a box full of gold bars in there!
At a rough glance, there are at least fifty or sixty of them.

"This money is a reward for you. Thank you for your sacrifice for peace and justice. This time, we were able to achieve such a smooth victory, even capturing a battleship. Your Excellency, you are truly a role model for the Japanese army. May I ask what made you want to abandon the dark side and join the light side?"

"Ah, I...I often listened to the Japanese Voice of Freedom broadcasts, and I deeply realized the mistakes of Japanese militarism, so...I...I turned from evil to good?"

In fact, there is no such high-sounding excuse. The main reason for deciding to let Okasaka Hinakawa surrender and cooperate in sailing is of course the fear of death.

If he had hesitated even a moment then, Anand would have beaten him to death and let someone else drive the boat.

But although Okasaka Hinakawa is an honest man, he is not a fool after all. He certainly cannot tell the truth in such a situation, so he can only find a reasonable excuse.

Besides, this is not nonsense. If he had not really listened to the Voice of Japan Freedom, and Anand had not really promised to let him move to Penang, he would have really learned about the living conditions of the Japanese in Penang from the radio.

He might not have been able to make up his mind so quickly at that time and turn to the light.

Yeah, yes.
The reason why I surrendered, cooperated, and drove a light cruiser to lead the enemy to seize the battleship was not because I often listened to the Voice of Freedom in Japan and yearned for Penang?
Yes, I am not a coward.

This is my sacrifice for a just cause!

People will constantly rationalize their behavior psychologically, not to mention that there are so many people deliberately guiding him in this direction.

He boasted so much that even he started to believe it.

Seeing that he was quite reasonable, Zheng Yi nodded with satisfaction, then turned around and said to the media:
"Whether it was the Sino-Japanese War or the Anglo-Japanese War, Japan today is experiencing economic decline and the people's livelihood is suffering. The rulers are engaging in excessive military expansion only for their own selfish desires and to consolidate their rule."

"Here, I want to say to all the Japanese grassroots soldiers, wake up a little, does victory in the war really have anything to do with you?

What do the honor of the Emperor and the glory of Japan have to do with you?

You plundered so many resources and so much money during the war, but didn't it all go into the pockets of the upper class? Did you and your family get even a fraction of the benefits?"

"So-called militarism is using the lives of deer like you, your meaningless sacrifices, and your blood, to fulfill the emperor's selfish desires and the luxurious enjoyment of the upper class."

"What's more, according to our authoritative investigation in Penang, while you were away fighting, your wives and daughters, as long as they were beautiful, were bullied to varying degrees."

"Look at your comrades around you. How many of them are from Tokyo? How many are from Edo?
What are those young soldiers from Edo doing? They are enjoying the wealth they have seized through your fighting and playing with your wives and daughters at home, while you are foolishly serving the emperor?

"Brothers of the Japanese army, it is your Japanese militarism that is wrong, not you ordinary soldiers.
If you are willing to turn from evil to good, I will ensure that the crimes you committed during the war can be wiped out and you can live a normal life in Penang."

"I solemnly promise here that any Japanese soldier who can sail a frigate to Penang and surrender voluntarily, we in Penang will be responsible for bringing your family over and rewarding all officers and soldiers on board with US$100 million."

"Cruisers, 200 million dollars, battleships, 500 million dollars, heavy battleships, 800 million dollars, aircraft carriers, 1500 million dollars. As long as you sail over here with a white flag, all the officers and soldiers in the fleet will get a share."

"Also, brothers in the Air Force, you are no exception. Anyone who can fly a plane to Penang and surrender, especially carrier-based aircraft, will receive $97 for a Type 10, $99 for a Type 15, and $96 for a Type 20."

“No matter who you are, as long as you surrender voluntarily, I will do my best to ensure the safety of your family. At the same time, I will also ensure that you can arrange housing, jobs, etc. in the Japanese community in Penang.

I want to ensure that you have a happy life, rather than becoming cannon fodder dying in vain for the illusory glory of the Emperor and the rich and powerful."

"Alright, everyone, please continue the interview."

After saying that, Zheng Yi got up and left, leaving only Toyota Risaburo here to deal with the media reporters, while also constantly comforting Okasaka Himikawa.

After finding Liem Sioe Liong, Zheng Yi also found the cameras and video cameras of the local media in Penang to film the scenes of ordinary soldiers who refused to surrender when being disarmed by Anand and committed suicide by disembowelment.

There were actually very few Japanese soldiers who were truly ready to die. The Japanese army did have many suicide squads, but those who voluntarily and proactively joined the squads were rare.

If they were not afraid of sacrifice and were ready to die, they would have fought to the death when Anand captured them.

Few of those who can be captured alive are truly not afraid of death.

Especially in recent times, although they were detained, they were detained in the Japanese community. They knew very clearly that Penang was indeed a good place, and Liem Sioe Liong also forced them to play the Japanese Voice of Freedom every day.

The most important thing is that although they were all defeated and captured, the Thai soldiers were fine, which is fine. But the Japanese soldiers were a little tough after being captured because they resisted a little while being captured.

There is not even a chance to survive!

Seeing that boy Okasaka Hinakawa holding a beautiful woman in his arms, surrounded by reporters, gaining fame and fortune, looking like a winner in life, they were forced to kneel down and commit suicide here.

What's the difference between that guy and them?!
Because he surrendered quickly, he helped the Malays drive the boat for a while and exchanged a few commands in order to save his life.

Do you deserve such treatment?
You know, the Japanese army took very few prisoners in World War II. On the one hand, it was because they were particularly brainwashed by militarism, especially those rural children.

On the other hand, they generally believed that falling into the hands of the enemy would be worse than death.

Because the Japanese army itself was extremely cruel to prisoners of war, it should be said that throughout the entire World War II, and even in the entire history of human warfare, there was almost no army of any country that treated prisoners of war as inhumanely as the Japanese did.

How could they not know what kind of atrocities these militarist soldiers committed in the occupied areas? Then they would naturally think, after I was captured by you, you must bully me just like I bullied you.

Who would have thought that Zheng Yi really did not play by the rules. Not only did he treat the prisoners well, he also treated Okasaka Hikawa like a war hero.

Damn war hero!
Does he fit too?
For a moment, negative emotions such as regret, annoyance, and dissatisfaction filled everyone's chest. Lin Shaoliang specially prepared a short knife for caesarean section, but everyone held the short knife for a long time and was unable to stab it.

Some shouted for their mothers, some shouted, "I don't want to die." Almost all of them were crying and begging for mercy. There were a few who had the daggers inserted, but it was too painful and they couldn't cut any further. They were also crying in pain while shouting, "Long live the emperor."

Naturally, all these ugly behaviors were captured on camera.

"Have you figured out their home addresses?"

Lin Shaoliang: "Don't worry, everything has been figured out."

"Penang Japanese News, put a comparison photo of Okasaka Hikawa and them on the front page of tomorrow's edition. Also, please mail all the photos, videotapes, and other items back to their homes so they can experience the contrast."

"Yes."

"Let our people follow them and see if they have any relatives at home and whether they are doing well. If they are not doing well, then that's fine. But if they are doing well, we must do everything we can to make their lives miserable, but be careful not to let them die."

"Especially those who have wives, daughters, and sisters. Let the nobles of Edo occupy them as much as possible."

Lin Shaoliang heard this and said with a confident smile: "Master, don't worry. In Edo Castle now, almost 30% of the nobles have established a deep connection with us.
At least 70% of the nobles, or their children, have done business with us and earned our money. Among these people, there are quite a lot of scum."

Zheng Yi nodded and said with emotion, "The one who fears death becomes a war hero, while the wife and daughter who fears death are toyed with, and the parents starve to death on the roadside. What a beautiful story, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)