German Red Prince

Page 13

"Pass down the order: the entire army is to rest and prepare for battle. Be on high alert and prepare to cross the river tomorrow morning."

Victory seemed within his grasp. But he was unaware that a secret telegram had already reached Shangguan Yunxiang.

"What a fine transport captain! Let's see who the real transport captain is."

Chapter Eighteen: Katayama Hiroshi's Journey

"Katayama-kun:

How have you been? I attended the French Communist International Congress a few months ago and met many proletarian comrades.

Although we come from different countries, our class friendship transcends national borders. 'The proletariat sees no borders, and the socialist revolution disregards ethnicity.'

I wholeheartedly agree with the French representative's statement. Their support for revolutionary movements around the world after the revolution's victory, and their provision of many guiding opinions for the founding of the Japanese Communist Party, are truly worthy of respect.

I met representatives from many countries, some of whom had succeeded in their revolutions, and others who were still in the process. I deeply admire those comrades who risked their lives to attend the conference. Comrade Lenin once said that death does not belong to the working class. I believe that their unwavering revolutionary faith will surely help them achieve final victory.

Our organization in Japan continues to face difficulties, as the Emperor's government maintains strict oversight of us. The Special Higher Police recently arrested several of our comrades, but there are still many comrades within the party with unwavering faith who are maintaining the organization.

I raised the problems our organization in Japan was facing with the Comintern. The French advisors were willing to provide support, but indicated that the situation in East Asia was completely different from that in Europe, and they could not give us effective guidance.

However, they suggested that we could learn from China's situation, where a revolution is underway and is very promising.

I went to find Comrade Qu Qiubai, the Chinese representative in Paris, and talked with him for a long time. After he learned of my purpose, he introduced me to Comrades Dong Biwu and Li Dazhao, who had come from Guangzhou to attend the conference. From them, I learned about a series of changes in this ancient Eastern country.

I am very interested in these things. The revolution in ancient China can give us a lot of inspiration. I really want to visit this Eastern country, but unfortunately there are still many things to deal with in China, so I am very sorry that I cannot go.

My colleagues in the US told me that you've been helping organize some worker activities in Detroit, searching for solutions to some of our current domestic problems. I hope you can go to China to investigate; I believe you'll gain a lot there.

Nosaka Sanzo”

After reading the letter, Katayama Sen was deeply moved and could not calm down for a long time. As the founder of the Japanese Communist Party, he knew how difficult it was to spread communism in Japan.

Japan's feudal military government dragged all the civilians into the country's war machine. They regarded the emperor as a god, but did not know that he was a man-eating demon.

The war shattered countless ordinary families. The Minister of War shouted that the Japanese should be confident and that they should establish the dignity of Asians. But behind his words were the blood of countless Japanese people, the laborers in factories who were exhausted to the point of vomiting blood, and the Japanese farmers who were weighed down by heavy taxes and could not lift their heads.

They deceive the public to satisfy their own selfish desires, using the false god of the Emperor to deceive and bewitch the Japanese people, leading the entire country and nation into the abyss.

Katayama Sen clenched his fist. He wanted to lead the Japanese people to a bright future, to a free kingdom without oppression.

He was about to leave to travel to China to investigate the local revolutionary movement.

Meanwhile, in front of a factory in Detroit, John Reed was organizing a strike by workers to demand unpaid wages. As a major industrial city in the United States, Detroit had a large proletariat, and the strong working base enabled the Communist Party of the United States to flourish there and become a powerful force.

After World War I, the American economy was severely affected, and the German European Market, established by Germany, brought a huge impact to the American market.

Coupled with the economic collapse of the United States in 1925, American industry rapidly declined, numerous factories closed, and countless workers lost their jobs. President Coolidge failed to take effective measures to alleviate the crisis, social contradictions intensified, and the situation in various states became extremely unstable.

In Louisiana, a politician named Hugh Iran is quite influential and a strong contender for the next governor. In his speeches, he proposed ambitious public works plans and welfare legislation, including building roads to impoverished areas, establishing free hospitals, implementing free textbooks, and redistributing wealth equitably.

His famous quote, "Everyone is a king," attracted countless followers who went crazy for him. All the plans he advocated differed from those in Washington. Moreover, the region was far from the central government, and poverty and public discontent with the government put this southern state on the verge of exploding.

Coolidge continued to oppose large-scale government relief measures, believing that the crisis would pass if unemployment and relief issues were handled by various non-governmental charitable organizations. His government continued the traditional laissez-faire policy.

To express their discontent, people called the shacks built with broken tin cans, cardboard, and burlap "Coolidge shacks," and the temporary shacks composed of many "Coolidge shacks" were called Coolidge Village. The rabbits that farmers caught and ate were called "Coolidge pigs," President Coolidge himself was known as the "Hunger President," and his current period in office is referred to as the "Coolidge Depression."

Due to economic reasons, the central government's control over the states in the United States continues to weaken, while local powers in each state are gradually growing stronger. The most typical example is the Communist Party of the United States, which has effectively controlled Detroit and whose influence extends throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

The labor movement flourished here, making it the birthplace of the North American Revolution.

John Reed was at this time representing local factory owners, demanding payment of workers' wages. Most factories in Detroit were now affiliated with workers' associations, managed collectively by all the workers employed at those factories.

Only a small portion are privately owned, and due to pressure from the labor union and the local Red Guards, the privately owned factories in the area dare not do anything outrageous.

The factory owner was clearly a newcomer, still acting arrogantly towards the union and the Red Guards. After several unsuccessful negotiations, John Reed had no choice but to resort to force.

The Red Guards intervened and temporarily took over the factory until he paid the workers' wages.

Furthermore, the factory was subsequently placed under the supervision of the Red Guards, and if this were to happen again, the factory would be taken over by the labor union.

"You're violating human rights! This isn't democracy, this isn't freedom!" the factory owner continued to shout in protest.

However, the Red Guards' rifle butts soon showed him what the "socialist iron fist" was, which was more powerful than freedom and democracy.

After settling things at the factory, John Reed returned to the General Union, where he happened to run into Katayama Sen, who had come to say goodbye.

“Hello, comrade. May I ask what brings you here?” John Reed asked.

He still held this Japanese comrade in high esteem, after all, Katayama Sen had made a great contribution to the establishment and improvement of the trade union.

“Hello, Comrade Reed. I’m here to say goodbye,” Katayama said in Japanese-accented English. “You know that our party organization in Japan is developing slowly and is constantly targeted by the feudal government. I’ve heard that a great revolution is underway in China, and I would like to go and see for myself to help resolve our problems.”

Hearing Katayama's words, Reed knew he couldn't keep him. "I've also heard about the revolutions in East Asia. Looking at the world, although it's an era of revolution, only France and Britain have truly succeeded. The Italian Communist Party is confronting the Italian Republic to the north, and the Russian Revolution has failed. Now, only China is truly fighting."

"I know I can't keep you here, but I sincerely wish you find the answers you seek in China. I am a journalist, and I am also very interested in the Chinese revolution. A young man named Edgar Snow is just like me, but unfortunately we can't get away right now. I wish you success, my friend."

"must!"

Katayama Sen grasped John Reed's hand tightly and resolutely left for China.

Reed stood there silently, watching Katayama's departing figure. He watched this resolute comrade embark on his journey. Finally, he too was going to fulfill his own mission.

That's the power of revolution: when united, it's a blazing fire; when scattered, it's a sky full of stars.

Chapter Nineteen Ideals

"Sir, why did you choose to dedicate yourself to the revolutionary movement?" Scheffer asked.

"me?"

Peng Pai scratched his head and looked up at the night sky.

"Because of a dream." He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"When I was a child, I fantasized about an ideal world where there was no oppression, no hatred, where every country could live in harmony, and where everyone could have enough to eat and do what they wanted." After saying this, he took out a booklet from his pocket.

"Everyone can do what they want according to their interests. There are no poor or rich people in the world. Everyone calls themselves equal."

There is no oppression here, no hatred.

People from different countries and of different skin colors can talk about the future together. There are no national borders in the world, and people can move freely across the entire continent.

They've even set their sights on the heavens; people can sprout wings, pluck stars from the sky, and fly beyond our continent to faraway places.

Peng Pai finished reading and smiled. "These were all my childhood fantasies. I thought they were impossible to realize back then." He then looked at Schevr.

"It wasn't until I went to France that I was first exposed to communist ideas there."

At that time, I was studying in France and witnessed the entire French Civil War firsthand.

I remember the day the French Red Army occupied Paris, a soldier ran over and hugged me. At that time, my French was still quite rudimentary, and I couldn't understand most of what he said.

But for some reason, I got excited too, and ran towards the center of Paris with their troops. I remember there were still French government troops in the city at the time, but nobody was afraid, and more and more people followed.

I can't remember how many people there were, but I do remember that we ran to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and the soldier climbed up the tower and raised a huge red flag.

Everyone was cheering and singing, including me. Although I am Asian, they didn't discriminate against me at all. I hugged a stranger tightly, and at that moment I suddenly felt that an equal world without oppression and discrimination was possible.

Before we parted, that person gave me a book. Although his clothes were covered in dust and blood, I will never forget his clear eyes. Later, after studying, I learned that it was a French version of "The Communist Manifesto" that he had given me.

It turns out that it's really possible to realize an ideal world in the future; it's not just a fantasy, it's achievable! To thoroughly understand this book, I studied French and German day and night.

So that's what they sang in the streets of Paris that day—the Internationale! And that there's an ideology called communism, internationale, which will surely be realized! This is why I joined the revolution—for a bright future.

After Peng Pai finished speaking, he looked at Schaeffer and asked, "Sir, what about you? I don't even know your name yet. Why did you choose to join the International Brigades?"

“Me?” Schevr paused for a moment before slowly saying, “My name is Schevr von Hohenzollern.”

“Schevl von Hohenzollern? So you’re a nobleman? Wait, Hohenzollern?” Peng Pai was somewhat shocked. He wouldn’t have been so surprised if he were just a nobleman, but the mention of Hohenzollern truly shocked him. “Hohenzollern? What’s your relationship with the German Emperor?” Peng Pai asked cautiously.

“It’s nothing. Our family is just a branch, and although we’re called Hohenzollern, we’re not really related to the Kaiser.” Scheffer shook his head.

“I was tired of that life. I had my own pursuits. I didn't fit in with my conservative family; I sought freedom. I traveled alone to Africa, where I saw another world. I saw death, real death. People who couldn't work were hanged, and those who resisted had their hands and feet cut off and their eyes gouged out. They called these people inferior beings, animals. At that moment, only one sentence came to my mind: ‘Fuck you!’”

“When I was passing through Congo, there was a torrential downpour, and I got a severe case of dysentery and almost died there. But a local family rescued me. These people were what they called ‘animals.’ They could have treated me the same way those people treated them—hanged me, cut off my hands and feet. But they didn’t. They healed me and then sent me away. Nothing else happened.”

"Then I continued on my journey and came to a country that the Germans described as a 'land of beasts and savagery,' Rwanda. I bet you've never heard of this country, sir. It's truly an admirable country, you know?" Scheffer couldn't help but exclaim.

“I didn’t feel any barbarity or desolation here. Their leader even speaks German. I quickly became friends with this leader, whose name is Kagame. He is a very young and energetic leader. It’s hard to imagine that in such an African country, it is a socialist country, just like France. It’s even more unbelievable that they established socialism earlier than France!”

"I stayed in Rwanda for a period of time and witnessed the efforts and struggles of the Rwandan people. They not only have to fight against poverty, but also have to be on guard against harassment from the German African government at all times."

"But they didn't complain or get discouraged. The Rwandans were very enthusiastic and optimistic. They didn't have a navy, or even a sea, just a small lake. But they were actually studying all sorts of warships and tactics. At first, I was just watching with amusement, until I heard them analyze the impact of Germany's cancellation of unlimited submarine warfare on the war. This document was quite confidential even in Germany, and only a very small number of people had the authority to read it. And what they had was almost exactly the same as what the Reich Admiralty had summarized!"

“I sincerely admire them. Although Kagame is the General Secretary of Rwanda, he still asks me, an outsider, for advice. He smiled and told me that Rwanda will definitely become the birthplace of the African revolution in the future, leading the whole of Africa toward socialism. He said he would invite me to come and see the results of his construction in Rwanda then.”

"Isn't it truly admirable? After leaving Rwanda, I was essentially reborn; the old me was dead. I am no longer myself. After returning to Germany, I studied medicine, and after completing my studies, I left Germany. I love my homeland, I love this world! I want to dedicate myself to world revolution, to help my homeland and other countries in the world move towards the light!"

“Mr. Consultant, this is my story.” Scheffer said, lighting a cigarette.

Peng Pai sat there for a long time, unable to calm down. How much courage it must have taken for an aristocrat to devote himself to the revolution.

"Weren't you born into a landlord family? Didn't you also get involved in the revolution?" Scheffer smiled. "Revolution doesn't care about background. We're all comrades. Look at that guy over there dozing off. That guy is really important. He's actually related to the Kaiser. There are quite a few so-called nobles in our German battalion." Scheffer said with a smile.

What could unite such a group of people, and make these nobles set aside their status and wealth to devote themselves to a revolution that should have been detrimental to them? Peng Pai leaned against the tree, lost in thought.

For a dream? For a hope? For a faith?

Peng Pai stood up and walked to the side. Looking at the countless twinkling stars in the sky, they seemed like pairs of clear and resolute eyes.

He shouted into the night sky.

"Comrade, would you like to join us and fight for the creation of an ideal world?"

Chapter Twenty: Transport Brigade Squad Leader

"Mud...mud...okay, I...I'll wag my feet...ha wei."

Harvey was showing off his skills to his comrades nearby. Through his hard work over the past few days, he could now speak some Chinese.

“Mr. Advisor!” Harvey waved to Peng Pai, who was standing there.

"Sir, what does the Chinese on this armband mean?" he asked, pointing to the two lines of Chinese characters on the armband.

Peng Pai looked at the armband and translated to him, "It means that you are an international army coming to China to provide aid, helping us to liberate all of China. If you are injured, the military and civilians should provide assistance."

"I see. How should these two sentences be read?" Harvey then asked.

"Traveling back and forth to provide assistance, with soldiers and civilians offering aid."

"Forget...forget...Lai Wei Yuan, Jun...min...save the pot?" Harvey muttered to himself a few times before running off to show off to his comrades.

“The next stop is Nanchang City, and I think there will definitely be a major battle there. We need to ask some local residents to act as guides, and we also urgently need more medical personnel. We need the help of the local civilians,” Schevr said, looking at the map.

"Okay, I'll take care of this," Peng Pai nodded and said.

"Mr. Advisor, please help me out," Harvey said as he ran over. "Mr. Advisor, I'd like to help too. I can speak Chinese now."

Peng Pai looked at him and smiled, "Okay, okay, China expert, come with me too."

"Commander, Nanchang is just ahead," a soldier said to Chiang Kai-shek.

"Very good, advance quickly." Chiang Kai-shek was now full of confidence, and victory seemed to be within his grasp.

"Principal, shouldn't we send troops to scout ahead?" He Yingqin was still a little worried. They had rushed too fast, and only the First Division had arrived so far, leaving them out of contact with the troops behind the First Army.

"Damn it, what can you do if you're so timid and hesitant!" Chiang Kai-shek cursed. "Speed ​​is of the essence in war. There are only so few troops defending Nanchang. What if they realize what's happening if we don't hurry?"

He Yingqin was speechless at this moment, knowing that he couldn't persuade Jiang Guangtou.

"Commander, what are they thinking? The troops are already out of sync, and they still want us to hurry up?" an adjutant asked.

"Who knows what he's thinking? Who can understand what Principal Chiang is thinking?" Wang Bailing mocked, now deeply aware that this bald man would bring unspeakable disaster to the First Army.

"Company commander, General Shangguan is calling," an officer whispered.

"Very good, you guys make the arrangements. Remember, once we run out of shells, we'll run back to where we were before. There's someone to meet the commander."

"understand!"

As a result, the artillery of this artillery company suddenly "malfunctioned" and had to stay in place for repairs. Chiang Kai-shek did not have time to wait for them and continued to advance.

"fire!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

At this moment, Chiang Kai-shek was still in a daze when he was suddenly awakened by the artillery barrage. The Italian cannons, which were actually French M1897 75mm guns, opened fire at the same time.

It can fire 15 shells per minute, with an astonishing firepower of up to 30 shells per minute at its maximum, with shells falling like raindrops.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"