Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 567 Korean Peninsula III

Zhang Chengji, Jin Xingjian and others boarded the train and walked through the carriages to their seats. North Korean passengers kept standing up and bowing to everyone.

"Construction, your country has changed a lot. Before I went to the Korean Peninsula to take up my post, I looked up some information. Before 1890, although your country opened several ports and conducted normal commercial trade with various countries, the domestic economy was still dominated by traditional agriculture. I didn't expect that in less than ten years, the peninsula not only built a railway from the south to the middle, but also had some agricultural and food industrial plants. It seems that your country is very active and determined to carry out reforms and develop industry."

"It's all thanks to the help of the Empire. After North Korea and the Empire officially established diplomatic relations, they continued to purchase grain, processed food, and industrial products from the Empire, Songkhla, and Lanfang. After gaining formal independence, North Korea also introduced some light industrial machinery and equipment from the Empire, and produced a small amount of industrial products. However, North Korea's industrialization has just started, and there is still a long way to go to achieve the goal of enriching the country and strengthening the people and ensuring that the people live a good life."

Because he had studied in the Han Kingdom for many years, when Jin Xingjian talked with Zhang Chengji, in order to show the close relationship, he always used the tone of the Han citizens and directly called the Han Kingdom an empire.

"Reform and industrial development cannot be achieved overnight. The empire went from weak to strong, from an agricultural country to an industrial power, and it took two generations and 31 years to develop step by step. North Korea still has time and opportunity. If you continue to advance along the reform and innovation policies currently formulated by your country, you will achieve the goal of industrialization one day."

Zhang Chengji, Jin Xingjian and others were walking and talking when they met a group of noisy Japanese soldiers. After seeing the Han troops coming towards them, they suddenly quieted down.

The Han State was founded on agriculture, with equal emphasis on industry and agriculture. The output of grain and meat was huge, even in surplus, and the daily nutritional intake of ordinary citizens was balanced, so the average height of the citizens was steadily increasing every year.

Most of the officers and soldiers transferred to the Korean Peninsula for rotation were second-generation citizens who were born and raised locally. Their average height was over 1.76 meters. Compared with the Japanese soldiers who were generally around 1.60 meters tall, they naturally felt oppressive.

"Xingjian, you must pay attention to the actions of the Japanese. The Japanese soldiers in the carriage should have been transferred from Japan. Maybe the Japanese government is secretly increasing its troops and has some other plans."

Zhang Chengji returned to the carriage and sat down, reminding Jin Xingjian who was sitting not far away from him.

"Thank you for the reminder, Instructor Zhang."

Jin Xingjian replied seriously.

"I have some information to share with you. The Japanese government has appointed Akiyama Yoshifuru as the commander of the Korean Garrison Army. He will unify the command of the Japanese Army and Ronin forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula. Akiyama Yoshifuru is well-known within the Japanese Army and is valued by Army veterans such as Yamane Tomomi. The Japanese government has transferred him here, which is not a good thing for your country.

"

"Instructor Zhang, do you know when Akiyama Yoshifuru will arrive in Korea to take up his post?"

"It's hard to say. Maybe in three to five days, or ten days, he might have arrived on the Korean Peninsula ahead of time, or even be on the same train with us."

Zhang Chengji explained.

"Japan is still intent on the peninsula. If it weren't for the Empire and Lucia's justice, I'm afraid Japan would be even more aggressive."

Jin Xingjian said in a serious tone: "After arriving in Seoul, I will immediately convey the instructor's reminder to my father and uncle. With the imperial troops stationed here, I believe the Japanese will not dare to make excessive moves."
In the carriage on the other side of the train, a tall Japanese general in black military uniform was walking towards them.

"Damn it, have you forgotten the discipline and honor of the imperial soldiers? Everyone dress neatly!"

Looking at the messy Japanese soldiers who were making loud noises, dressed in tatters, and even beating and scolding North Korean passengers sitting in the same carriage, the leading Japanese general severely reprimanded them.

Before the war in 1904, the Japanese army's culture, discipline, and combat capabilities were generally mediocre. It was common for them to bully the people, have lax discipline, and even escape from the battlefield. Especially after winning the first foreign war and becoming the victors, the Japanese troops stationed in Korea were arrogant and domineering in the face of ordinary Korean people, and had no military discipline at all.

Akiyama Yoshifuru arrived at the Korean Peninsula and was sitting on the train. He did not expect that as soon as he set foot on Korean soil, he was assigned to a small unit under his name. He also caught the bad habits of arrogance and laxity, so he scolded them out loud.

"Who is your commander?"

"General, I am Kenichi Sato, the captain of the 7th Squadron."

"Lieutenant Sato, manage your subordinates well. I don't want to see similar phenomena next time!"

"Yes, General!"

"General, I just received a message that the Han army shot and wounded an imperial citizen. Several imperial citizens were also detained by the North Korean police due to the intervention of the Han army."

A Japanese military officer walked up to Akiyama Yoshifuru and gave him a brief account of what had happened.

"Assholes, a bunch of useless trash! Have they forgotten why they came to the Korean Peninsula? To gather intelligence on the Korean Peninsula for the Empire, to infiltrate all levels and fields of Korea, and to cooperate with the Imperial Army's conquest and occupation of Korea!
What is the current situation on the Korean Peninsula? Don't they know? Han and Russia are aggressive, and the United States has also mixed in. Last year, it obtained the right to station troops on the Korean Peninsula. Han, Russia, and the United States are all competitors of the Empire. They don't want the Empire to dominate Korea. In this sensitive period, they don't want to work hard and contribute to the interests of the Empire, but wander around the streets and actively provoke the Han army.

Go, tell Takahashi Yufu to control his group of ronin and let them handle this matter themselves. I don't have time to manage such trivial matters!"

"Yes, General!"

The Japanese officer turned around and left, preparing to get off the car and convey Akiyama Yoshifuru's request.

After solving two seemingly insignificant matters, Akiyama Yoshifuru returned to his seat, looked out the car window at the Korean land, and his brows couldn't help but become solemn.

Han, the United States, Russia, and Japan are all emerging industrial countries, especially Han, Russia, and Japan, all of which started industrialization reforms around the 1860s.

However, after more than 30 years of reform and innovation, the gap in comprehensive strength between Japan and the three countries of China, the United States and Russia has not only not narrowed, but has widened.

In the steel sector, which serves as an industrial indicator, China and Russia's steel production exceeded one million tons, the United States reached ten million tons, and Japan's was less than ten thousand tons.

In terms of railway mileage, the gap between Japan and the Han Dynasty, Russia, and the United States is more than ten times. Only in terms of naval tonnage, the Japanese government increased its naval tonnage to 16 tons by imposing additional taxes, and its naval strength was reduced to less than twice that of the Han Dynasty.

Comparing the total economic volume, industrial level, scientific and technological capabilities, and the combat effectiveness of the army and navy, Japan at this time was completely at a disadvantage, and was not at the same level as the Han, the United States, and Russia.

However, facing the Korean Peninsula, the bridgehead for Japan's external expansion, the Japanese government could not give it up. Therefore, Akiyama Yoshifuru felt solemn and worried about the situation he was about to face.

However, on the other hand, the conflict between Han and the United States intensified. The two countries are far away in America. If a full-scale war breaks out between the two countries due to competition for dominance in America, then the Korean Peninsula, thousands of miles away, will be out of reach. At this time, using political and diplomatic means, Han and American forces can be squeezed out of the Korean Peninsula. The only enemy the Japanese government will face is Russia, and the situation will improve a lot in an instant.

After sorting out his thoughts, Akiyama Yoshifuru gradually calmed down. The Emperor and a group of army elders promoted him from the rank of cavalry colonel to major general and transferred him to the commander of the army stationed in Korea. This was a sign of their appreciation and expectations for his ability. He had a heavy responsibility and could not be careless or slack off. He had to rectify the military ranks of the garrison, speed up the collection of intelligence on Korea, and re-support pro-Japanese officials.