Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 505: A Speech That Goes Down in History

In early summer, the weather gradually became warmer. In the General Logistics Hospital located in Xianghe City (Posadas), the wounded soldiers changed into thin short-sleeved shirts and long pants and sat around an officer wearing a gray military uniform, a wide-brimmed hat, and without any rank insignia.

The officer was none other than Li Mingyuan. He took out half a day from the front-line headquarters to come to the General Logistics Hospital to comfort and commend the injured officers and soldiers and learn about their recovery status and personal family situations.

"Zhou Jiadong, I remember that you joined the army at the Duraya Mine in Peru. There are not many old people left from that batch of veterans who participated in the uprising. Take good care of your injuries. After you are discharged from the hospital, enjoy your life. The land, livestock, and house that the government allocated to you are enough for you to have food and drink for the rest of your life."

Li Mingyuan smiled and greeted an officer who was over 40 years old.

"By the grace of His Majesty, I migrated from Peru to Rio Grande do Sul in 1868, was given 300 acres of land, and married a mixed-race Indian and white woman.

When we fought Argentina in 1879, the government allocated another 1000 acres of pastureland after the war. The land and pastureland granted by His Majesty, as well as the hundreds of cattle and sheep raised at home, are enough to provide us with food and drink for three lifetimes.

Zhou Jiadong was sitting on a bench, leaning on a crutch, his dark face full of smiles and satisfaction.

"How many people are there in your family now? How are the children?"

"There are eight people in my family now. In the second year after arriving in Rio Grande do Sul, I took a boat back to my hometown in the Far East and brought my father, mother, brother, and sister over. They heard that I had been allocated 8 acres of land in South America and lived a good life. Two cousins, three brothers of the same clan, and the two sons of my distant uncle all followed me to immigrate to South America. Later, they brought all the family members over. The year before last, my father passed away due to old age. There is only one mother left in the family. She married an Indian-white mixed-race wife, three sons, and two daughters. The eldest is 300 years old this year. He failed to get into the Army Officer School. He joined the army two years ago and is serving in the 3th Division of the Imperial Army. He is currently a squad leader.

The eldest girl was 18 years old and worked in a state-owned textile factory. They were preparing to find her a husband.

The second boy is 17 years old and has been admitted to the Naval Academy. He is in the first year of preparatory course. The other two girls and one boy are still young and are still studying in school.

"The children are all good, you can enjoy your life without worrying about it."

Li Mingyuan patted the other person's shoulder and asked tentatively: "After your injury is healed, are you ready to retire from the army?"

"Your Majesty, I am 42 years old and can still fight for another 10 years. My left leg was only scratched by shrapnel. It is a minor injury and will heal soon."

"Doctor Wu, what's the condition of Captain Zhou's leg injury?"

"Your Majesty, the wound from the shrapnel is not serious and will heal in two months of recuperation, but Captain Zhou has hidden injuries and is no longer suitable for high-intensity combat in the field army."

"Old Zhou, you've heard what Doctor Wu said. You've fought for the Empire for 21 years. It's time to enjoy a peaceful life. After you recover from your injuries and are discharged from the hospital, follow the doctor's advice and go through the procedures for retirement and demobilization. You will receive all the medals, honors, and rewards that the Empire should give you."

"Your Majesty, I know my body well. I am really fine. If you don't believe me, just look!"

Upon hearing the news that he was asked to retire, Zhou Jiadong became excited and struggled to stand up, telling Li Mingyuan that he was still in good health.

"Major Ding, help Captain Zhou sit down."

Li Mingyuan gave an order to the attendant officer beside him, then turned to look at the Chinese medicine doctor surnamed Wu and asked, "What if it is the garrison army or militia reserve?"

"If it is only responsible for the command and training of the garrison and militia forces, the impact will not be significant."

"Okay, Lao Zhou, the field army is not suitable. Are you willing to join the garrison army or the militia reserve force?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have served in the army for 21 years. I can do nothing else except fighting in battles. I want to join the Garrison Army and continue to serve Your Majesty and the Empire."

"Then after you recover from your injuries and are discharged from the hospital, take the transfer order and report to the garrison. As for your rank, you will be promoted to a major in the garrison. As an old man who participated in the uprising during the Peruvian period, your rank is still a captain, which is a bit low."

"Thank you for your grace!"

Zhou Jiadong stood up with the help of a crutch, saluted with his right hand and expressed his gratitude.

"Okay, sit down quickly."

Li Mingyuan waved his hand and asked him to sit down.

"General Luo, please count the number of old men who joined the army during the Peruvian period in the field army, garrison army, and militia reserve forces, and their ranks and salaries. They are the heroes who established the empire. Although some of them are not suitable for mid- and high-level command positions due to their age and education, they still need to be given the salaries they deserve."

"There are not many old men left from the Peruvian period. Due to death in battle, injuries, illness, or old age, the number of people still serving is estimated to be around one to two thousand. The specific number and list of serving personnel will be counted and compiled by the Military Affairs Department, and will be submitted to Your Majesty once the statistics are completed."

Lieutenant General Luo Linshan, Chief of the Army, replied.

"Well, let the people below take charge of the specific matters."

Li Mingyuan nodded, then stood up and continued to inspect and comfort the wounded soldiers.

"Sergeant, where are you from? How old are you?"

"Your Majesty, I am from Xuzhou, 19 years old, and I am the sergeant squad leader of the first company, third battalion, second regiment, first mixed brigade of the Imperial Army, Liu Debang."

A tall and thin soldier with a wounded left hand stood up and answered loudly.

"Where did you get injured?" "I was shot by the enemy while attacking the enemy trenches at Mbokayadi."

"Your Majesty, Sergeant Liu fought bravely. In the Battle of Villarrica, he killed four enemy soldiers and captured five. He was one of the first soldiers to advance into the enemy trenches."

An officer in charge of wounded soldier management at the General Logistics Hospital added.

"Well done, you're a hero. The empire's revival and prosperity requires brave and fearless warriors like Sergeant Liu!"

Li Mingyuan nodded in appreciation and continued, "Does Sergeant Liu's combat exploits meet the criteria for exceptional promotion?"

“According to the Imperial Army’s Military Merit Reward and Punishment Regulations, Sergeant Liu has met the criteria for being awarded the Third Class Restoration Medal and promoted to an officer.

After the war, they were awarded the rank of warrant officer for their meritorious service, and then entered the Army Officer School for two years of further study. After graduation, they were awarded the rank of second lieutenant or first lieutenant based on their academic performance, and served as platoon or deputy company level positions.

"Sergeant Liu, you are still young and have many opportunities for development in the future. Take good care of your injuries, and when you are discharged from the hospital, go to the Army Officer School for further studies. Strengthen your cultural knowledge and strive to grow into an outstanding Imperial officer as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Your Majesty. I will definitely not let you down!"

Li Mingyuan had to comfort the officers and soldiers in front of him one by one. Among them, there were many wounded soldiers and he could call out their names directly. The comforting lasted for more than two hours. Near the afternoon, Li Mingyuan walked out from the crowd of wounded soldiers and stood on a high platform. Dozens of soldiers with guns were guarding him.

Whenever the emperor traveled, security measures were strict. Even inside the General Logistics Hospital, the soldiers of the First Division, who were responsible for security and defense, did not let their guard down. They observed their surroundings vigilantly and carefully checked for every possible danger and loophole.

Before leaving, Li Mingyuan prepared to say a few words to the wounded soldiers. When the attendant officer confirmed that the surrounding environment was safe, Li Mingyuan took a few steps forward, looked at the wounded soldiers and medical staff surrounding him seven or eight meters away, and spoke solemnly:
“Before entering South America, all the soldiers, medical staff, and auxiliary personnel in the Wounded Soldiers Camp may have had different identities. Some were coolies, rickshaw pullers, tenants, farmers, merchants, hawkers, workers, technicians, some came from southern Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi, some from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Huguang, and some from Qilu and Jianghuai. No matter how different your origins, status, and native places were before, now, in South America, in the Wounded Soldiers Camp, everyone has a common identity: citizens of the Han Kingdom and soldiers of the Empire!
Here, regardless of origin, status, military rank or position, there is no distinction between high and low, everyone is equal, and we are all passionate men and Chinese heroes who work hard for the revival and prosperity of the empire!
Everyone's injuries came from the Paraguayan battlefield. Perhaps some people don't know why they had to go to Paraguay to fight the Brazilians? The Han country is rich in resources and sparsely populated. Just guarding the homeland, you can live a good life. Why do you have to fight the Brazilians?

Today, I tell you clearly that it is because the empire needs more land to feed our compatriots and relatives who have come from thousands of miles away, because the empire needs to seek justice for our distant relatives the Yin people and rescue them from the White Barbarians in the West, because the five thousand years of civilization inherited in our blood tells us that we are born in adversity and die in comfort, and that those who are self-satisfied and content with the status quo will only be bullied and destroyed by hostile countries!
The 5000-year history of Chinese civilization is a history of pioneering efforts by our ancestors who overcame all obstacles and fought passionately. What the Han Empire needs to do today is to inherit and restore the passion and pioneering spirit of our ancestors, and use the guns in their hands to seize the land and resources for survival for the empire, for themselves, for their comrades, for their parents, wives and children, and for future generations!
War and sacrifice are inevitable in the process of land development, but should we be afraid, retreat and give up because of war and sacrifice?

No! Never will!
In 1868, trapped in dark mines, with endless dangerous work to do every day, humiliated and beaten by Peruvian supervisors, tortured by illness and injuries, full of despair, unable to live or die, in a purgatory-like environment, did we give up?

No, even in desperate situations, we must have the belief of perseverance and fearlessness of sacrifice. It was with the support of this belief that we seized control of the mine, defeated the encirclement and suppression of the Peruvian army, and rescued more Chinese workers from the brink of death!

With hope in their hearts and wills as strong as steel, it was through unyielding resistance and fighting that the rebel forces grew from a few thousand people to more than 100,000 people, and completed the most difficult expedition and migration in human history!

Among the wounded soldiers, there are heroes who personally participated in the Peruvian uprising. Liu Yongsheng, can you tell us what life was like for the Chinese workers in the Peruvian mines?

"We started working at 8 a.m. every day and returned to the shed at 12 p.m. Not only did we not have time to rest, but the Peruvians also refused to treat us when we got sick. There were four Chinese workers in the same shed as me who got tuberculosis because of mining. They couldn't work and were not given medical treatment. In the end, they died of the disease."

"Luo Yuanfa, tell me more."

"The Peruvian mines are not places for people to stay. The mines are dozens or hundreds of meters underground and filled with rain, dust, and rats. If Peruvian supervisors rush the work and fail to take adequate protective measures, it is easy for mine collapse accidents to occur. In February 1868, due to continuous heavy rains, the mines were flooded and Peruvian supervisors forced labor, which led to an accident. More than 2 compatriots were buried in the mines, and not even their bodies were left."

"Peruvian supervisors beat workers at will. Li Dajiang from my village was beaten to death because he did not greet the supervisor!"
The words of Liu Yongsheng and Luo Yuanfa evoked the tragic memories of several Peruvian officers who were former laborers. They gritted their teeth and said.

"Didn't the Chinese compatriots who drifted to Peru, Southeast Asia, Cuba, the United States and other overseas regions and struggled to survive work hard? In mines, plantations, and railways, they were driven, beaten and scolded by the white barbarians and the natives like cattle and horses, but what did they get?
Will they be buried in a mine, committed suicide by drowning, used as roadbed, or be deprived of their basic human identity and deported from the country with injuries all over their bodies?
Is this what we want?

No! Absolutely not. There is no so-called gold mountain in the world! Even if there is, the Western white barbarians will not give it to us. Only by relying on ourselves, uniting, holding a common belief and ideal, and striving for self-improvement, can we turn South America into a gold mountain belonging to all citizens!
"

Li Mingyuan glanced at the wounded soldiers who were listening attentively to the lecture and the soldiers who were conscientiously performing their guard duties, and continued: "Defeating the Republic of Brazil and occupying the entire territory of Paraguay is only the first step. On the road to the revival of the empire and the construction of the kingdom of heaven on earth, there are more obstacles and difficulties that need to be overcome.
What should we do?
The Chinese nation has been in decline for nearly three hundred years. It is time to wake up.

It’s time to take back the time we have lost and bring out the lost glory and brilliance!

All citizens and soldiers should unite and work hard to build the Han Empire into a beacon and magnet for the Chinese world. We should use our sacrifices, blood, and victory in foreign wars to constantly awaken the sleeping Chinese, so that they can wake up and restore the passion and will of their ancestors.

Use iron and blood to awaken the spirit of the nation, and use the unyielding will to reshape the character of the nation.

Concentrate the strength of all citizens to achieve the ultimate revival and prosperity of the empire.

Mingyuan is willing to work with you to build a powerful empire, are you willing?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

There were thunderous shouts from the wounded camp, and infected by the emotions, the guards also raised firm voices.

"Remember the blood of heroes and the sacrifices of martyrs. The red sun-like national flag of the Han Empire was dyed with the blood of martyrs and forged with the lives of soldiers. As long as the empire exists, it will not forget the sacrifices and efforts of soldiers. As long as the empire exists, it will not let down the blood and efforts of soldiers.
As long as the empire exists, it will always remember the glory and honor of today!

I declare that all soldiers in the Injured Battalion, regardless of rank or position, will be awarded 5 mu of farmland, which will be paid after the war! "

"Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!"

The waves of shouting were getting louder and louder. Amid the exciting shouts, Li Mingyuan led the guard troops and left the wounded soldiers' camp in a low-key manner.

(End of this chapter)