Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 131 Today is a good day

Kiichiro Toyota didn’t know whether Zheng Yi was a god or not.

But Zheng Yi knew about this major coup in Japan in advance. He was sure of it and had been prepared for it.

Long before the incident, Taiyou Machinery, Toyota Boshoku, and a few other companies that serve Japanese nationals announced that the Japanese would have a day off and go home to listen to the radio.

As the chief of police, Li Xiaowei personally led his troops and immediately surrounded the entire Japanese community.
Lim Sioe Liong also immediately led the police into the Japanese community to maintain order, and obtained many receivers that could broadcast signals. Through technical means, they could directly monitor the broadcast situation in Penang from Penang.

They even got a lot of loud speakers and radios and started broadcasting Tokyo Radio news to them on the streets.

Even Kiichiro Toyoda couldn't help but get a small stool and sit in the front to listen along. While listening to the broadcast, he also received inside information passed to him by his subordinates at any time.

Lin Shaoliang was not polite either. After every telegram was sent and Kiichiro Toyoda read it, he would take it after asking for permission and read it aloud in Japanese to the other Japanese expatriates.

However, the secrecy of the 226 coup was done too well. The coup carried out by the Japanese is not comparable to that of small countries in Africa or Latin America.

Even for Kiichiro Toyoda, the so-called inside information that his subordinates passed back to him was really not much.

It's not even much more than the information in the broadcast. It's all details and it's hard to tell whether it's true or false.

All the Japanese gathered together and listened for more than two hours, but they still couldn't figure out what was going on. Who was killed in this military coup?

As early as last August, the young officer Saburo Aizawa strode into the office of Tetsuzan Nagata, who was known as the "No. 1 brain in the Japanese army", hacked him to death with two knives, and then happily allowed himself to be tied up.

Death? People from all walks of life in Japanese society have become accustomed to it. Those crazy people of the Imperial Way faction kill a big shot every few months to play an extreme one-for-one trade. This has almost become a regular program in Japanese society.

However, this time it is still a bit special, because Nagata Tetsuzan is one of the Three Crows, the leader of the Control Faction, that is, the leader of the Japanese right wing and the emperor's confidant.

The leader of right-wing militarism was hacked to death by extreme right-wing lunatics because he was considered not right-wing enough and radical enough.

This seems to be unique in the world, past and present, right?

Just tell me what you want these ordinary left-wing and centrist people to think.

Moreover, Saburo Aizawa was happy to be tied up after killing someone, and he confessed his crime in court. However, no one expected that this man had an extremely good speaking ability, and he gave an impromptu speech in court.

The general content is: the state of the country is worrying, the peasants are suffering, the officials are corrupt and accept bribes, the diplomacy is weak, and the commander is controlled by Europe and the United States.

Politicians, chaebols, and bureaucrats are frantically corrupting this country for their own selfish interests. They are in cahoots with each other and belong to the same nest of snakes and rats. Nagata Tetsuzan is a big corrupt official and a rat that drives the country's corruption.

I have no personal grudge against Nagata Tetsuzan. It is all out of love for the country and loyalty to the emperor. If one Aizawa falls, thousands of Aizawa Saburo will stand up. I am not afraid of death. I just hope that there will be no more scum like Nagata Tetsuzan in Japan in the future.

I don't know how, but the content of this speech was made public. Just tell me, is what he said inciting enough fire?

Both the public and the military showed great sympathy for Aizawa, believing him to be not a criminal but a national hero.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will be sentenced to a crime that is neither light nor heavy, just like other Blood Alliance predecessors, and will be released after being imprisoned for a few years.

However, this time, Emperor Hirohito himself was a little bit broken.

Emperor Hirohito also had genuine feelings for this militarist right-wing control leader who had sworn allegiance to him when he was still the Crown Prince.

It is said that after the US military landed in Japan, they found that the photo of Nagata Tetsuzan was still hanging in Hirohito's office.

These are a bunch of bastards from the Imperial Way faction!

One by one, they shouted slogans of loyalty to the Emperor louder than anyone else. They kept saying "Long live the Emperor" and expressed their loyalty every other day, as if they were all the Emperor's most loyal warriors and were ready to die for him at any time.

As a result, he carried out assassinations every few days, under the name of clearing the court, and killed dozens of important officials.

He might indeed want to kill some of these important and veteran ministers, and sometimes he really did dislike the veteran ministers left to him by his father.

But he doesn't hate everyone. Now it's obvious that he wants to kill only my close confidants?
Besides, if you kill all my important officials, there will be no one to check me, but who will I, the Emperor, need? Is this how politics should be played?

The campaign to purge the imperial court has been going on for several years, but it seems to be going on forever.

Is there any loyal minister like this?
Even if they are truly loyal ministers.

But if we allow these extreme right-wing lunatics to continue killing people like this, even those on the right, Japan will be doomed.

Hirohito was also afraid.

How can a normal person not be afraid of crazy people?
Even if he is a madman who is loyal to himself.

He promoted Nagata Tetsuzan to develop the right wing in order to seize power from the old ministers of the previous emperor and the country's financial tycoons. To put it bluntly, this was just a normal political struggle.

But now the madman of the Imperial Way faction has even killed Nagata Tetsuzan. It is clear that the country has completely lost its control. If he lets them continue killing, Japan will be finished.

This time, Emperor Hirohito changed his previous style of being arrogant and reluctant to compromise, and put pressure on the court, demanding that the court give a heavy sentence to Saburo Aizawa no matter what.

But the problem is that the court is under great pressure. Who the hell dares to sentence him to death? Any judge who dares to sentence him will die the next day.

Moreover, this group of lunatics is likely to kill his entire family. Even under such turbulent public opinion, he will still be branded as a traitor after his death.

The young officers of the Imperial Way faction were not to be outdone, and they openly began to collude under the pretext of "raising money to defend Saburo Aizawa."

In such a big case, money is naturally not important, but who is brave enough to risk the world to raise money for Saburo Aizawa is the most important thing.

And if in the end everyone found out that the young officers who raised money for Saburo Aizawa actually accounted for the majority of the young officers in the national army.

So who is actually defying the will of the world? This is something worth discussing.

It was in this impending stormy situation that Kiichiro Toyoda went to Penang to find Zheng Yi and request to withdraw his investment.

When these low-ranking officers collectively raised money to help Saburo Aizawa with his legal fees, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Imperial Way faction was unstoppable.

Japan will inevitably shift from militarism to extreme militarism, and will most likely launch a full-scale war with China.

Can't stop it.

Whoever stops him will die.

But Kiichiro Toyoda never expected it to happen so quickly.

At 4 a.m., nine low-ranking officers, only captains, led 1500 soldiers to launch a coup to "assassinate the bad guys around the emperor."

These lieutenants captured the residences and headquarters of the senior army officers at lightning speed. The lieutenants pointed their guns at the heads of the generals and "requested support."

After gaining support, they marched towards the ministers and other civil officials.

Although these civil servants and generals were all close confidants of His Majesty the Emperor, and most of them were right-wing.

When the Japanese in Penang began to listen to the radio, the civil servants had already called the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for help.
Then, everyone waited for Kiichiro Toyoda's men to send them the live broadcast of the Police vs. Guards via telegram.

A group of the emperor's guards, while constantly shouting slogans of "Long live the emperor", slaughtered high-ranking government officials.

It would be a miracle if the Japanese police could defeat the 1st Guards Division.

What the hell are the army generals and navy admirals? When something really happens, they are no more useful than ordinary lieutenants.

After these low-ranking officers robbed and beat Admiral Kantaro Suzuki to death, they saluted his body with their guns and bowed to his wife to apologize.

Although this admiral played a great role in the Russo-Japanese War and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, he was always respected by the soldiers and had a high prestige.

But he dared to sign the Washington Treaty with the United States and Britain, and agreed with the United States and Britain to jointly limit the development of their respective navies, not engage in arms race, and coexist peacefully.

court death!

The army general was a little better off. He was called over and scolded by these young officers like a grandson. After seeing that he was completely convinced, they gave him a list.
They demanded that all the old generals and even the control faction be kicked out and replaced with people from their imperial faction.

After everyone was killed, the rebels surrounded the palace and shouted outside the palace: "Long live the emperor~" "Restore the emperor's absolute authority~" "We swear to be loyal to the emperor~"

This kind of slogan expressed their utmost loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor, and then they killed all the important officials in the inner court, such as the Grand Chamberlain, the Chief of the Guards, etc. around the Emperor.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the emperor finally succeeded in issuing an order to the outside world, asking them to suppress the rebels.

After all, the rebellion was only against the First Guard Division, which was stationed near the Imperial Palace and was specifically responsible for protecting the Emperor's safety.

If the other troops outside the city could rush into the city to support the king and quell the rebellion, the mutiny could still be quelled.

After receiving the order, some high-ranking officers such as division commanders and security commanders of the troops outside also expressed their determination to suppress the rebellion resolutely.

But this group of Japanese in Penang kept waiting by the radio, waiting, waiting, and waiting.

It was a chaotic scene. The rebel suppression troops did not take any action after entering the city. Instead, the number of rebels kept increasing as the rebel suppression troops entered the city. The troops that entered the city to suppress the rebellion only confronted the rebels and no one took any action.

From morning until noon, the army and the rebels still did not engage in battle. Finally, the navy could not wait any longer and claimed to have been ordered by the emperor to land directly to quell the rebellion.

The city of Tokyo was in complete chaos.

At this time, all the Japanese in Penang were thinking about the same question:
Can these navies who abandoned their ships and landed on land with light weapons defeat the army?
In the afternoon, Kiichiro Toyoda received a telegram: the rebels had invited Emperor Hirohito's younger brother, Prince Yasuhito, to come to Beijing.

Kiichiro Toyoda knew that Prince Yoshihito had always supported the Imperial Way faction and had extremely close relationships with all of these young generals.

This mutiny, launched in the name of clearing the court of corrupt officials, ultimately led to the replacement of the emperor. If Prince Yongren truly harbored rebellious intentions...

Kiichiro Toyoda didn't even dare to think about it.

By the evening, the Japanese, still without a clear answer, could not help but whisper among themselves, "Is His Majesty the Emperor... still alive?"

From morning till night, there was no news of the rebellion being suppressed, nor of Hirohito stepping down and Yongren ascending the throne.

Since the matter concerns the succession of the throne, Kiichiro Toyoda's so-called confidants in Japan really cannot get any more information.

All the Japanese in Penang were like headless flies, but they were helpless. There was no news on the radio. Finally, Lim Sioe Liong stepped forward, clapped his hands, and turned off the signal receiver and loudspeaker.

"Everyone, it's late at night, and everyone in Penang still needs to go to bed. No matter what news comes from Tokyo, you can't do anything about it. Since you all live in Penang, let's just treat this Tokyo incident as a joke."

"Tomorrow, early tomorrow morning, I'll bring the radio over again, and we'll listen to it tomorrow. I think we'll know who wins and who loses.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Toyota, please don't forget your appointment with my master tomorrow."

Kiichiro Toyota sighed, stood up and said, "Okay, Mr. Lin, please tell my respected teacher that I will definitely attend the appointment tomorrow."

However, these Japanese residents did not really go home and sleep obediently. Instead, everyone could not help but start a heated discussion.

This is not "news from the motherland" that can be treated as news and listened to for fun. It is definitely not just news.

Even though many of them have now given up their Japanese citizenship, they understand that Penang is ultimately a Chinese city.

They are not as stupid and foolish as those public intellectuals in China. They know very well that the Imperial Way faction will be unable to be suppressed after this incident, and it will be useless even if the rebellion is really quelled.

Because, after all, the Imperial Way Faction is not a political party with a clear organizational leader and a strict political structure, but a fire that is prevalent in the hearts of young officers, grassroots officers, and soldiers from rural areas.

No matter who controls the country's political power in the future, the center left will definitely have no chance.

From today on, the country will be controlled by the military. The only difference is between militarism and extreme militarism.

Thanks to these big lunatics, the time will surely come when normal people in Japan will have to start pretending to be crazy. No matter who wins or loses, it cannot change this fact: a full-scale war will definitely break out between China and Japan.

And given the nature of those crazy people of the Imperial Way, they are so cruel to their own people, so it is natural that they cannot be more merciful to the Chinese.

And it is obvious that today's Japanese community and today's Mr. Lin are not right.

The police outside have surrounded the Japanese community from beginning to end.

Suddenly, a young man held up his household registration and shouted in Chinese: "I am from Penang, I am Chinese! Mr. Lin, I am Chinese, I don't want to live in the Japanese area, I want to get out, I can speak Chinese, I am Chinese!"

This sudden shout was like a signal, and all the Japanese residents suddenly rioted. Those who had changed their citizenship to Penang stood up one after another.

They all shouted similar words. The extreme ones wanted to go home that night to pack their bags and evacuate the Japanese community overnight, saying that they would never live in the Japanese community again.

Seeing this, Lin Shaoliang quickly picked up a loud speaker and shouted at them: "Everyone, be quiet, be quiet, listen to me, listen to me."

As soon as he shouted this, the Japanese below immediately fell silent.

"Everyone, my master said that the establishment of the Japanese Community is to give you a better life in Penang. If there are any of you who speak Chinese as well as we Chinese and have Penang household registration, and you wish to do so, you can of course live outside of Penang. We will not stop you."

"But, the establishment of the Japanese Community District is actually to protect you. If your Chinese is not that good, we don't recommend you go outside of the Japanese Community District. Don't worry, my master has already given instructions."

"My master believes that although there are many bad people, bastards, and beasts among the Japanese, not all of them are bad people, beasts, or bastards. It was the right wing and extreme right wing of Japan, not all Japanese, who launched the war against China and committed crimes."

“We need to distinguish who are our enemies and who are our friends. I believe that the vast majority of people living in Penang are not right-wingers, right?”

Naturally, everyone denied it one after another. At this time, even if there were right-wing or extreme right-wing people who were loyal to Emperor Hirohito, they would definitely not come out to admit it.

Lin Shaoliang smiled and said: "Everyone, don't think too much. At least in Penang, as long as you are not militaristic right-wing elements, my master and I will guarantee your safety.
As long as you do not send money back home to support the war, Penang will definitely protect your livelihood."

“To this end, we in Penang have now officially established the Penang Investment Promotion Bureau. We welcome everyone to contact relatives and friends in China.

If any of you have relatives or friends who are also fed up with the radical right-wing and extreme right-wing elements in the army, you can leave their contact information. We at China Merchants Bank promise to bring them to Penang free of charge to reunite with you.

"If there are skilled workers among these people who can engage in industrial production, China Merchants Bank promises to reward you with a cash reward of US$50 for every skilled worker you help us recruit."

"We at the Penang Merchants Association assure you that every Japanese immigrant from Japan, regardless of whether they are right-wing or extreme right-wing, will enjoy a happy life in Penang. Furthermore, the Penang Merchants Association was officially established today."

"I am not qualified to be the director, but I now announce that the Penang Merchants Association is officially recruiting. I welcome all new Penangites from Japan to join and officially become Penang civil servants!"

"Everyone, this is Penang, the overseas base of the Xinhai Revolution. Mr. Sun's family once lived in Penang, and his statue stands in the City Hall. We Chinese will always avenge our enemies and repay our kindness."

"We will never forget that the Japanese oppressed our compatriots in Northeast China, but we will also never forget that during the Xinhai Revolution, a large number of pro-China Japanese friends helped us!"

With a bang, the whole crowd exploded.

In fact, Zheng Yi played all the famous brands. At this point, the Japanese could also see what Zheng Yi was trying to do.
As one grows stronger, the other shrinks. Although it was an alternative form of anti-Japanese resistance, Zheng Yi's role on the battlefield was no less than that of a general.

During wartime, skilled workers are valuable assets to any country.

What they feared was actually the discrimination, house arrest, distrust, and even oppression and persecution that Penang would inflict on them, the Japanese.

Simply put, it is just like how the Japanese treat overseas Chinese in Japan.

But now it seems that none of these things happened. Lin Shaoliang actually dared to recruit these Japanese expatriates as civil servants in the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company?

Isn't he afraid of spies sneaking in?

Of course, there should be no secrets in the China Merchants Group. The real confidential decision-making level in Penang is only Zheng Yi and a small circle around him.

It seems that I do feel a lot more at ease.

Suddenly, Lin Shaoliang took out a small booklet, held it high, and shouted at them:
"Everyone who joins the China Merchants Group enjoys the same treatment as civil servants according to the labor law. Even for those who do not join the civil service, we at the Penang China Merchants Group would like to assure you that the Japanese and Chinese residents will enjoy the same treatment under the labor law."

“All workers in Penang are entitled to a compulsory social insurance system, namely the old-age pension insurance, which means that upon retirement at the age of 60, they will receive a pension subsidy of no less than 80% of their working income.”

"Medical insurance means that when you get sick and are hospitalized, the insurance company will cover more than 70% of your medical expenses."

"Unemployment insurance means that during your unemployment period, the insurance company will provide you with a certain amount of unemployment benefits based on your years of contributions, making it easier for you to find a job again."

"Work Injury Insurance means that if you are injured or die due to work-related reasons during your employment, the insurance company will compensate you and your family."

"Finally, there's maternity insurance, which means when you or your spouse gives birth, the insurance company will pay you a stipend, and during maternity leave, the insurance company will also pay you your salary."

"The specific and detailed insurance standards are all in this labor law. You can read it for yourself."

“And your insurance costs will be divided into four parts: one part will be paid by your employer, the other part will be paid by the Penang City Government,

Third, you will pay it yourself by deducting it from your wages. Fourth, my master and the insurance company he founded will pay it for you."

"In addition to the above, civil servants will also enjoy special benefits such as civil servant allowances and civil servant housing provident funds."

“Everyone, once you come to Penang, you are a Penangite. Let us forget the past, stay in Penang, and live a better life together in the future!”

After saying that, Lin Shaoliang jumped down from the podium, shook hands with the Japanese in front of him one by one, and greeted them in Japanese.

"You are Mr. Inoue, right? I heard that your daughter married in Shikoku. I remember that you once studied in Europe. With your talent, please join the China Merchants Group."

"Ms. Haruno, I remember you once made suggestions about the sanitary conditions in the Japanese community. Is the sanitary situation better now? Are you interested in working for the China Merchants Group?"

“Hello Mr. Okamoto, I remember that you can speak English, Spanish and Chinese. You used to live in old Penang. Have you ever helped the martyrs of the Xinhai Revolution in Penang?
Please, absolutely, absolutely, join my China Merchants Group. We are in need of talents like you."

Although Lin Shaoliang had an average education, he had an extremely good memory. He remembered the names and basic information of all the Japanese immigrants who were slightly special, and he boldly invited them to join the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company on the spot.

At night, soothing and gentle Japanese music was played from the loudspeakers on the streets as a hypnotic lullaby.

Lin Shaoliang is doing his best to comfort people, hoping to give these Japanese a good dream.

(End of this chapter)