Chapter 68 The Fall of Tainan

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- 2nd of April 1897 ---

--- Hozan Village ---

The exchange of gunfire still reverberates through the village of Tainan, leaving its entire population traumatized, especially the children. Cries emanate from every house as gunshots mistakenly pierce through homes, claiming lives due to either error or sheer misfortune of its inhabitants. With each passing moment, the conflict becomes bloodier for the Japanese forces.

Initially garrisoned with a mere one thousand soldiers, they find themselves vastly outnumbered by the invading forces of two thousand five hundred soldiers from Butuan. Despite their valiant resistance, the combined forces of Lieutenant Colonel Li, Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor, and Brigadier General Zhu steadily push them back.

Soldiers from both sides fall as if they were mere pawns in a deadly game. Blood now stains the village roads, a grim testament to the numerous casualties and wounded. The once-peaceful village has transformed into a battlefield as artillery units from both sides exchange fire, wreaking havoc on the houses near the contested area.

While these events unfolded, the situation on the side of Colonel Ashish Gupta and Colonel Chandar Rao at Hozan Village was considerably more favorable. With their formidable force of 5,000 soldiers, Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao found it relatively uncomplicated to seize control of Hozan Village, defended by only 100 Japanese soldiers.

However, their entry into the village was far from tranquil, unlike the smoother progression experienced by Brigadier General Zhu and his team. As Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao reached the shores of Hozan Village, they were immediately met with artillery bombardment from the Japanese forces.

Due to the exposed nature of the entire coastline of Hozan Village, the garrisoned Japanese soldiers found it convenient to target the invading Butuan forces. Concurrently, the garrisoned soldiers dispatched a distress message to their capital, Taihoku City, urgently seeking assistance and informing Governor-General Nogi Maresuke that they were under attack and in dire need of reinforcement.

The bombardment from the Japanese side persisted, yet Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao urged their soldiers to press on in advancing towards the village. Simultaneously, they retaliated by bombarding the enemies with their own artillery guns. The scene was indescribable, explosions rocking the landscape from both left and right, houses demolished by the artillery ammo explosions.

Despite the chaos, Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao's team persevered. They successfully captured the coast of Hozan Village, forcing the Japanese soldiers inward. This only occurred after the sudden halt in Japanese bombardment. As their team entered the village for reasons unforeseen, they were met with numerous weeping women and adults. Some cradled the lifeless bodies of their spouses, and others grieved amidst the destruction caused by the artillery.

Approaching Colonel Gupta and Rao, a woman recounted the harrowing events. According to her, during the bombardment, a group of Japanese soldiers entered their homes, taking their children hostage. Although the majority resisted, what could a handful of simple farmers and fishermen do against armed Japanese soldiers? It was a tragic circumstance that left families living near the coast demanding justice for the atrocities committed against them.

Some were forced into submission and could do nothing as Japanese soldiers separated them from their children. Others, however, chose to resist and engage in conflict with the soldiers. Unfortunately, this resistance proved fatal, costing them their lives. The Japanese soldiers remained indifferent, willing to eliminate anyone opposing their directives. The aftermath was a haunting scene — lifeless bodies scattered throughout the coastal houses of the village, a stark testimony to the tragic events that unfolded.

Even children were not spared by the Japanese soldiers. Those who resisted or created disturbances were deemed obstacles and summarily executed. The once vibrant coastal village, home to 800 residents, now echoed with the cries of a reduced population of 300 grieving individuals — a complete catastrophe. This dire situation prompted the women to seek justice and assistance from Colonel Rao and Colonel Gupta's group, explaining why some artillery guns were left in the area.

Upon hearing the woman's account, Colonel Rao and Gupta were not just angered but also incensed the soldiers of Butuan who overheard her plea and story. Promising the woman that they would take action, Colonel Chandar, Colonel Gupta, and their teams departed the village, leaving a few hundred soldiers to secure the area.

As Colonel Rao, Colonel Gupta, and their teams surveyed the aftermath, their anger intensified. The ground was littered with the lifeless bodies of villagers, while the air resonated with the grief-stricken cries of wives and children. When one of Colonel Rao's soldiers inquired about the events, a survivor revealed that a small uprising occurred when the villagers learned of the impending attack by soldiers from Butuan.

Seizing the opportunity to liberate the village from Japanese occupation, some locals staged an uprising against the retreating Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, the outcome was tragic. The Japanese forces opened fire on the demonstrators, resulting in the loss of a majority of their lives. In the years to come, the area would be remembered for the courage of those locals who stood up against the Japanese forces for the last time.

Colonel Rao and Colonel Gupta's team ventured deeper into the village, encountering the remaining Japanese soldiers entrenched in Hozan Village. Their arrival marked the resumption of the conflict, a brief yet intense 30-minute battle where the group of Japanese soldiers found themselves surrounded by Lieutenant Colonels under Colonel Rao and Colonel Gupta.

Despite the fierce confrontation, only eight Japanese soldiers survived. In a desperate act, three of them resorted to a suicide attack, successfully claiming the lives of ten Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers. This tragic event prompted Colonel Rao's team to implement strict monitoring of their Japanese soldier prisoners.

The defeat of the Japanese forces in Hozan Village also symbolized the ascendancy of the Butuan Empire in the region. Colonel Rao himself raised the flag of the Butuan Empire on a pole at the village center, replacing the Japanese Empire's flag. As the empire's flag fluttered in the early dawn wind, soldiers from the Butuan Empire smiled with a mix of happiness and satisfaction. After years of aspiring to reclaim the island of Taiwan from the Qing and the Japanese, their dreams had finally materialized, and they were now an integral part of that triumph.

Their joy reached a level so profound that even some soldiers of the Butuan Empire found themselves tearing up. However, amidst their jubilant celebration lay the cold bodies of their fallen comrades. Cries of agony, pain, and despair still echoed throughout the entire village. Families mourned, comrades grieved, as they grappled with the loss of someone special or dear to them. Husbands found themselves bereft of their entire families, mothers and fathers wept over the lifeless forms of their children, and children wailed in agony beside their parents' chilling bodies.

According to a report from one of Colonel Gupta's team captains, a total of 500 Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers had fallen in battle, while no fewer than 800 civilians lost their lives during the entire invasion of Hozan Village. On the enemy side, only 5 managed to survive, while 95 of the garrisoned soldiers perished in battle or through suicide attacks.

In the future and within the annals of Butuan's history books, the attack orchestrated by Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao's team will be remembered as a pivotal moment—a stepping stone for Butuan in reclaiming its dominion in the region and uniting its ancestral lands.

The tasks of Colonel Gupta and Colonel Chandra did not conclude at that point. While some were still processing the information and others were gradually clearing the area, Colonel Gupta convened his captains and lieutenant colonels for further instructions.

"I need Lieutenant Colonel Rao Yúnzhì's team to gather all Japanese nationals currently in this village—men, women, and children. We must keep a close eye on them to avoid a situation like the one we just witnessed. It's better to be safe than sorry. Bring them to the barracks of the Japanese soldiers in this village for easy monitoring.

Lieutenant Colonel Varma Yīshuò, your entire team will be divided into two groups. The first group will assist the families who have lost their loved ones. I understand some of you may be opposed to this, but creating a positive impression with the residents will not only help us gain their trust but will also firmly establish our control by showcasing that we are superior to the Japanese soldiers.

The second group will be tasked with cleaning the entire village, gathering the bodies of the fallen soldiers and placing them in one area. Handle our soldiers' bodies with care as we still need to prepare for their burial. The bodies of the Japanese soldiers will be buried in a common pit. I don't want to see their corpses lingering around the village. They infuriate me, even in death. Tss.

Lieutenant Colonel Yángyǔ Fāng, your entire team will assist the second group led by Lieutenant Colonel Varma Yīshuò. Now that this village is under our control, we will secure it against any potential attempts by the Japanese to reclaim this land.

Is that clear?" Colonel Gupta firmly inquired, issuing commands to his captains and lieutenant colonels.

"Yes, sir!" responded all the Lieutenant Colonels and Captains of Colonel Ashish Gupta with unwavering determination, earning a nod of approval from Colonel Gupta himself. He then dismissed his men, leaving them to carry out their assigned tasks.

Colonel Ashish Gupta proceeded towards Colonel Chandar Rao, who was engrossed in providing instructions to his own team of Lieutenant Colonels and Captains. In contrast to Colonel Gupta's team, focused on maintaining and cleaning the village of Hozan, Colonel Chandar Rao's team had the crucial task of securing the surrounding villages and advancing northward on the island.

Some of Colonel Gupta's teams would also head north once they had gained full control of the village they were in. Their objective wasn't the capital but rather other villages on the island, as these locations played an integral role in ensuring complete control over the entire island.

Colonel Rao concluded his instructions to his soldiers after a minute of planning and reminders. The soldiers then dispersed to their respective teams, disseminating the information. In a matter of minutes, they would once again be leaving the site, heading towards the other side of the island.

Despite having just completed the siege of Hozan Village, exhaustion and low morale were nowhere to be seen on the faces and in the eyes of the Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers. This not only surprised the soldiers of the Japanese Empire but also astonished the Japanese nationals who had been rounded up by Colonel Gupta's men. Not only did this satisfaction extend to Colonel Gupta, but it also reassured Colonel Rao that his soldiers were still capable of securing key areas of the island.

"It seems like everything is going according to plan, huh?" Colonel Gupta remarked, looking at Colonel Rao with a smirk. Colonel Rao approached him with a smile, unperturbed by the blood from a small cut on his face.

"Heh. Obviously. Aside from some minor changes and a few casualties, our soldiers can still manage to hold our side of the island," Colonel Rao arrogantly declared, his gaze sweeping across the entire area within his vision. "Considering how those Japanese performed during the siege, I wouldn't even be surprised if Brigadier General Zhu and the others manage to take hold of their respective areas within just an hour or two," he continued, a smirk of arrogance and pride playing on his lips.

In Colonel Rao's view, the Imperial Japanese Army would never attain the same level of proficiency and strength as the Butuanon Imperial Army. In his mind, the Imperial Japanese Army would always remain in the shadows of Butuan.

Observing Colonel Rao's reaction and arrogance, Colonel Gupta couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's response. Unlike most of his companions who harbored resentment towards the Japanese army or the entire Japanese community, Colonel Gupta held a more favorable view of the Japanese, influenced by his numerous Japanese-Butuanon descent friends from childhood through adulthood.

As Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao's conversation continued, their respective teams diligently carried out their assigned tasks. Some were tasked with gathering all Japanese nationals in the village, many of whom were the families of the deceased Japanese soldiers. Others provided comfort and assistance to the families who had lost their loved ones during the siege.

Despite protests from the families of the deceased Japanese soldiers, some Butuanon soldiers dug a large pit outside the village for the burial. They reminded the protesting families that the Japanese soldiers were prisoners of war and had limited rights to object or demand anything. This left the Japanese soldiers and nationals in silent grief as they witnessed the bodies of their loved ones being respectfully prepared for burial.

To arrange the deceased, the soldiers of Butuan hired a local Shinto monk, adding a touch of cultural sensitivity to the proceedings.

The bodies of the fallen Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers, on the other hand, were meticulously organized and cared for by the assigned personnel. Each fallen soldier, following the tenets of Aylashanism, had a cross placed on their chest, while those adhering to other faiths were exempt. The designated areas for their cremation had already been prepared.

Originally, Colonel Gupta intended to transport the bodies back home to return them to their families. This was in line with the Butuanon cultural practice of cremation, a tradition that endured even after the conversion to Christianity. The belief was that through this act, in death, they would be closer to nature and God.

However, Colonel Gupta's plan was thwarted by Colonel Rao, citing health and logistical concerns. Instead, Colonel Rao proposed that the soldiers' bodies be buried in the area, with only their valuables transported for the families to mourn—a suggestion that Colonel Gupta eventually accepted.

The ongoing efforts to restore and clean up the village persisted. This involved removing the deceased bodies from the roads and conducting other expedited repairs. Simultaneously, Colonel Rao officially informed the people of Hanzo Village, through a soldier fluent in the local language, that the Butuan Empire was currently at war with the Japanese Empire.

The announcement initially fell upon Hanzo Village like a heavy blanket, rendering the residents silent with shock. Faces, still etched with the raw emotions of the horrors they had recently witnessed, contorted in response to the news. Some eyes widened in fear, burdened by the realization that a broader conflict was now looming over their already devastated lives. Others, their gazes hardening, tightened their grips on tools, a glint of defiance flickering in their eyes, especially among the Japanese individuals who had heard Colonel Rao's announcement.

The impact of the announcement, however, was transient. Life resumed, marked by a collective mourning for the fallen family members. Some locals, eager to join Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao's campaign, faced instant rejection. Locals were told that perhaps in the future, though the truth was that the majority of the soldiers present hesitated to associate themselves with the locals due to their conditions and their previous status as second-hand citizens.

A plot of land was diligently prepared by the soldiers tasked with burying their fallen comrades. A brief mourning ceremony ensued, blending traditional and Christian burial customs. The soldiers from Butuan paid their respects, acknowledging the brevity of the ceremony as the exigencies of war pressed on. The deceased Japanese soldiers were consigned to flames after a local monk offered a prayer.

The village resonated with the sounds of crying and pain, emanating from the surviving Japanese residents. However, to the locals and soldiers of Butuan, this suffering seemed inconsequential. It was as if they had drained themselves of any sympathy for the fallen soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. It wasn't the typical Japanese they held disdain for in this war, but rather those who had succumbed to the allure of power.

After the burial and the successful organization of affairs to a satisfactory level, Colonel Rao's soldiers, along with him, departed from the village. They commenced their march toward the north, east, and west of Hanzo Village, aiming to fully conquer the entire island. Meanwhile, Colonel Gupta's group divided into three, with two units joining Colonel Rao and the remaining group staying behind with Colonel Gupta.

As Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao's teams pressed on with their mission, the onslaught on Tainan Village intensified. An hour into the continuous firing, the Japanese forces dwindled to a mere 300 individuals after numerous setbacks. Butuan, too, suffered losses, with approximately 200 casualties. The relentless gunfire left a trail of bodies, destroyed houses, and the echoing screams of civilians resonating from every direction.

It wasn't until Colonel Li and the four other soldiers of the Butuanon Imperial Army unveiled their secret weapon — the newly developed Karter 98B, the first of its kind. This sniper variant of the original model is a bolt-action rifle with a remarkable range, capable of firing accurately from 800 m to 1000 m (870 to 1090 yd) using a telescopic sight. Its maximum firing range extends to an impressive 4,700 m (5,100 yd) with s.S. Patrone. The Karter 98B stands as a weapon beyond the imagination of the current century.

Colonel Li and his four companions officially introduced this extraordinary firearm to the battlefield, heralding the future of firearms. It serves as the catalyst for a revolution in weaponry, a harbinger of gun innovation, and a formidable force against enemy soldiers.

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

Five sniper shots fired, five Japanese soldiers down after being hit via headshot.

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

*POW*

Another round of sniper shots rang out, claiming the lives of additional Japanese soldiers. This created widespread panic among the remaining Japanese forces, particularly because the victims had strategically positioned themselves away from the view of ordinary soldiers. Adding to the distress, all of the deceased soldiers sustained fatal head injuries.

Historians may dub this event as the onset of the firearms revolution, a pivotal moment propelling the world several years forward to keep pace with the rapidly advancing Butuan.

The morale of the Japanese soldiers took another nosedive. In war, the true threats are not always visible; it's the unseen adversaries that instill fear. Frustrated by an inability to identify the source of the shots, some Japanese soldiers began firing indiscriminately at the Butuanon Imperial forces, with negligible impact. This only fueled more disorder among the Japanese ranks.

With no signs of reinforcement from neighboring garrisons and no communication from the central government, the majority of Japanese soldiers lost hope.

However, one soldier refuses to surrender. Murakami Ichirou, the Japanese soldier who first discovered the enemies that tragically took the life of his friend, Takahashi Kazutoshi, remains in deep anguish and thirsts for revenge. Undeterred, Ichirou grasps his firearm and opens fire on the approaching enemies.

Consumed by pain, unburdened by the fear of death, and devoid of rational thought, Ichirou bravely confronts the Butuanon soldiers with sheer determination and a stroke of luck. One by one, Butuan soldiers fall, victims of Ichirou's gunfire. With each enemy's demise, satisfaction crosses Ichirou's face.

His rampage persists for several minutes, claiming the lives of 36 individuals. However, his spree comes to an end when Brigadier General Zhu borrows a Karter 98B from one of the soldiers and calmly aims the gun at Ichirou's head.

*POW*

*Bugsh*

A resounding shot reverberates through the area, particularly poignant as Ichirou stands as the sole wielder of his firearm. The gunshot is swiftly succeeded by the haunting thud of a body meeting the ground—Ichirou Murakami, struck in the head by the Karter 98B.

Yet, before Murakami Ichirou succumbs to the ground, a single word calmly escapes his lips, "Kazutoshi-kun…". Uttering this poignant farewell, Ichirou collapses, coincidentally facing the alley where his comrade, Takahashi Kazutoshi, met his demise.

In the days to come, Murakami Ichirou's bravery will be immortalized by the Japanese Empire, and his profound friendship with Kazutoshi will be eternally commemorated by the people of Japan. A statue, depicting them together, gazing at the sunset in Matsushima Bay, will stand as a testament to their enduring bond.

With the demise of the last valiant Japanese soldiers in the village and a mere 200 troops remaining, resistance was already futile against the thousands of soldiers from the Butuan side. Instead of capitulating entirely, the soldiers of the Japanese Empire launched a suicidal attack against the Butuan Empire's forces—a successful assault that claimed the lives of 250 Butuan soldiers and left another 50 wounded. Among the casualties was Captain Verma, who sacrificed himself to protect his comrades from the onslaught.

By 2:30 in the morning, the siege on Tainan Village had finally concluded. Of the Imperial Japanese Army, only 200 survivors remained out of the initial 1000, while 800 individuals had perished. On the Butuanon Imperial Army's side, Brigadier General Zhu lost a total of 500 individuals, leaving his force with no fewer than 2 thousand soldiers.

A few minutes after regaining their composure, Lieutenant Colonel Kapoor took down the Japanese Empire's flag outside the government building in the village and replaced it with the flag of the Butuan Empire. The conflict in the village was over, and the soldiers of Butuan, witnessing their flag proudly waving outside the government building, felt a sense of pride and honor—they had emerged victorious.

The banners of war had begun to play their mournful tune, destinies had been sealed, and the war between the Blazing Sun and the Rising Sun had finally commenced.

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