Chapter 70 Chosokei

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- 2nd of April 1897 ---

--- Taihoku City, Governor-General's Office ---

"The Butuanon forces have already landed on the island, Governor-General. According to the reports we've received from the port, it appears that our last remaining ships have fallen. Additionally, the ships and soldiers we sent to assist the troops in Gosei have also encountered difficulties.

Despite these setbacks, our soldiers continue to resist the invading Butuanon Imperial Army strongly. Since the initial bombing, the forces of the Butuan Empire have only managed to advance a few steps along the coast," Major General Sato Jinichiro stated gravely, while observing Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, who in turn surveyed the brightly lit port of Taihoku City. However, the illumination did not stem from the city's usual lights, but from the fire that engulfed the entire port of Taihoku City.

Indifference and calmness still adorn the countenance of Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, a stark contrast to the demeanor displayed by Major General Sato Jinichiro.

Several hours have elapsed since the initial arrival of the invading forces from the Butuan Empire reached the shores of Formosa, also known as Taiwan in Butuan. Approximately thirty to forty minutes have passed since the commencement of the battle in Taihoku City. It was a gruesome encounter, mirroring the brutality witnessed in other skirmishes across the island.

At that early hour, the port resounded with screams of agony, pain, sorrow, and terror, permeating the stillness of the night. Despite the majority of civilians remaining in slumber, the awareness of the island's turmoil heightened. Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, upon learning of the attacks, never entertained the idea of relocating the populace from their vicinity near the port for their safety. Two reasons underpinned his decision: first, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke's confidence that the two ships dispatched to intercept the Butuanon Imperial Navy would suffice to overcome the vessels of the Butuan Empire.

His pride and confidence were adamant, refusing to accept the possibility that Butuan would deploy more than three ships to conquer the entire island of Formosa. However, reality dealt a harsh blow to Governor-General Nogi Maresuke when he realized his miscalculation. The moment he received the report stating that the Butuan Empire had dispatched fifteen ships for an attack from the town of Gosei, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke had to confront the harsh truth - he had been wrong.

While Governor-General Nogi Maresuke had previously acknowledged the superior naval strength of the Butuan Empire compared to his own nation, the Japanese Empire, the unfolding events forced him to reevaluate. In his contemplation, he had begun to entertain the notion that Butuan was losing its dominance, leading to a critical error in judgment. Consequently, he dispatched only two ships, a decision he would soon regret. This proved costly as not only did he lose two ships to the Butuanon Imperial Navy, but he also sacrificed three thousand men in the process.

Governor-General Nogi Maresuke commands a modest force of 20,000 to 21,000 soldiers stationed on Formosa Island to maintain control over the populace. This figure underscores the limited strength of the Imperial Japanese Army, which boasts only 140,000 active soldiers, including the Imperial Guards, and excludes personnel from the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Initially, the presence of 20,000 to 21,000 soldiers sufficed to manage and regulate the island's inhabitants. However, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke failed to anticipate that this force would prove inadequate in repelling enemy attacks. Upon learning that the Butuanon Imperial Army had deployed no fewer than 30,000 soldiers to Formosa, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke finally comprehended why Japanese forces succumbed so easily to the invaders.

Governor-General Nogi's only consolation for this oversight lies in the successful sinking of two out of Vice Admiral Chen Yi's fifteen ships. However, this success came at the cost of the entire Imperial Japanese Navy fleet on the island being decimated. With no naval support remaining to defend Taihoku City against the encroaching Butuanon Imperial Military, Governor-General Nogi and Major General Sato came to realize the formidable and fearsome prowess of the Butuanon Imperial Navy in naval warfare.

The second reason why Governor-General Nogi Maresuke did not consider informing the people living near the port to depart is rooted in his indifference and perceived superiority over them, viewing them as a lower-class human race. Governor-General Nogi Maresuke consistently regarded the natives of the Island of Formosa as inferior to the Japanese. This belief led him to be willing to sacrifice them, allowing them to remain in their slumber near the port.

The structure of Taihoku City can be classified into three layers. The first layer comprises the outer layer of Taihoku City, consisting of the island's natives who belong to the lowest stratum of society. The second layer is a part of Taihoku City that includes both affluent natives and low-income Japanese nationals. Development in this part of the city is significantly better compared to the outer layer.

The inner layer is where high-ranking Japanese officials and soldiers reside, forming the epicenter of power in Formosa. The living standards in this part of Taihoku City far surpass those in other areas of the city or throughout the entire island.

Governor-General Nogi Maresuke disregarded the residences in the outer layer of Taihoku City. To him, the deaths there meant little as they were not Japanese. Japanese nationals, however, were promptly evacuated and relocated to the inner layer for their safety.

(a/n: This is a fictional structure of the Taihoku City.)

As Governor-General Nogi Maresuke contemplated his next steps and Major General Sato Jinichiro awaited his response, a soldier entered suddenly bearing news. The entire southern part of Tainan-Ken had fallen, and reports indicated that the Butuanon Imperial Soldiers, who had attacked the southern part of the island, were planning to advance northward until they reached Taichū-Ken.

This news adds additional pressure on Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, as he and Major General Sato Jinichiro are not only contending with the soldiers invading from the coast but are also grappling with issues from the south. Governor-General Nogi Maresuke is increasingly concerned that the Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers might advance further north, potentially reinforcing their battling forces.

Deep in contemplation, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke is contemplating a strategic retreat towards the northeastern part of Taihoku-Ken, specifically the Chosokei village. This village holds strategic significance due to its proximity to the sea and its close proximity to Yonaguni Island of the Japanese Empire. In Governor-General Nogi's assessment, Chosokei village represents his last opportunity to secure safety. It would also afford him the necessary time for recuperation and the assembly of forces to reclaim the territories rightfully theirs.

(Note: Chosokei village is presently situated in the Shuangxi District of Taiwan.)

Major General Sato is now considering the idea of temporarily retreating to regroup and recover before reclaiming the lands that rightfully belong to them. He believes that by withdrawing and allowing time for recuperation, they can bolster their manpower by welcoming reinforcements from their nation. Acquiring additional ships seems implausible at the moment, given the paramount importance of safeguarding the capital, particularly in the face of the enemy's formidable naval armada, while their nation's fleet comprises only 15 vessels.

Although retreating is typically deemed a dishonorable course of action for soldiers like Major General Sato and Governor-General Nogi, the current circumstances warrant special consideration. They were caught off-guard, and only through retreat and recuperation can they confront the Butuanon Imperial Military on the island with full strength and determination.

While Major General Sato and Governor-General Nogi grapple with these contemplations, intense fighting unfolds outside the governor-general's office in the port of Taihoku City. The air reverberates with the shrieks of gunfire and the thunderous echoes of artillery, traversing from one area to the next. Explosions from the artillery ammunition rupture the air from left to right, claiming the lives of not only the defiant soldiers of the Japanese Empire but also those of the Butuan Empire.

Vice Admiral Chen Yi's relentless bombardment persists, relentlessly striking the surrounding forests of the port of Taihoku City. Houses crumble under the assault, transforming the once serene port into a blazing inferno.

Since the commencement of the battle, the tranquil port has morphed into a war zone ablaze with fire and explosions. Uniformed bodies of individuals from both the Imperial Japanese Army and the Butuanon Imperial Army litter the ground. Intermingled with these fallen soldiers are the bodies of civilians — some members of families, while others are adults crushed by the plummeting debris.

On the waters of Taihoku City, one can witness the grim aftermath of the naval clash—the lifeless forms of Butuanon Imperial Navy soldiers and Imperial Japanese Navy soldiers drifting on the waves. These brave individuals fell victim to the intense naval engagement, resulting in the loss of another vessel from the Butuanon Imperial Navy and the utter destruction of the remaining ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the region.

As the conflict unfolds in Taihoku City, the Butuanon forces strive to seize control of the city, while Japanese soldiers fervently defend it against the invaders.

Meanwhile, the struggle persists in the township of Gaiso, with the tide turning in favor of the Butuan Empire. Soldiers from the Butuanon Imperial Army successfully claim dominion over half of the town, overcoming the staunch resistance put forth by the Japanese forces.

As the soldiers of the Butuan Empire advance into Gaiso, the town becomes increasingly filled with the grim aftermath of war—lifeless bodies scattered across the land. This macabre scene is a somber tribute to the conflict, a price paid for the Butuan Empire's response to the loss of its people in the Yellow Sea.

The challenges faced by the Butuanon Imperial Army in Taihoku-Ken and Taichū-Ken surpass those encountered by the forces under Brigadier General Mingde Zhu in the south. Despite the southern region's lower population compared to the other two prefectures, Brigadier General Zhu finds himself more easily asserting control over the lands in Tainan-Ken.

At dawn, the conflict across the entire island had already ceased. Brigadier General Mingde Zhu's forces had successfully penetrated 50% of the Tainan-Ken region, previously under Japanese control. The eastern lands of Tainan-Ken, still held by the indigenous population, remained untouched by Zhu's forces, as they were not a current priority for the Butuan Empire government.

Village after village, town after town, fell under the command of Brigadier General Zhu. His troops captured 500 Imperial Japanese soldiers, 200 of whom were wounded. Conversely, Brigadier General Mingde Zhu's forces suffered a loss of 1,500 soldiers, including Captain Rishi Verma and Captain Zamora, both under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Rohit Kapoor — a cousin of Duchess Meera Kapoor of Pangasinan, the wife of the current Duke of Pangasinan.

The villages conquered by Brigadier General Mingde Zhu displayed complete acceptance of the Butuan Empire's soldiers upon their arrival.

One of Brigadier General Mingde Zhu's most remarkable achievements is the complete control he has secured over the entire coast of Tainan-Ken. This strategic move effectively isolated the Imperial Japanese soldiers in the inner regions of the island, bordering the territories of the native inhabitants. Information obtained from a captive soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army revealed that the number of soldiers in the inner part of Tainan-Ken was quite limited, ranging from 100 to 200, due to the sparse settlements in that particular area of the prefecture.

This revelation brought great satisfaction to Brigadier General Mingde Zhu, who pledged to conquer the entire prefecture before the main forces of Butuan could arrive on the island.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Yong Li and his team achieved significant progress in Taichū-Ken, notably by successfully conquering the entire township of Gosei. The aftermath painted a harrowing scene: buildings along the coast reduced to rubble or engulfed in flames, bodies strewn across the ground, some even reaching the shoreline, transforming the once peaceful township of Gosei into a vivid portrayal of a 19th-century battlefield.

A few hours after Brigadier General Yong Li and his team captured the township of Gosei, he commanded his three colonels to lead their soldiers into the surrounding villages and towns of Gosei to begin their conquest. The three colonels promptly followed his orders. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Yong Li and his soldiers were tasked with taking control and gradually organizing matters within the township of Gosei.

By daybreak, Brigadier General Yong Li and his entire team had managed to conquer 10% of the entire Taichū-Ken. This achievement was influenced by both the challenging terrain and the resistance encountered from Japanese soldiers during their advance. Another significant obstacle impeding the progress of Brigadier General Yong Li's team in conquering more territory within Taichū-Ken was the emergence of the Japanese resistant group.

The Japanese resistant group comprises local rebels in Taiwan (Formosa) with the objective of liberating the entire island from Japanese rule and reinstating the short-lived Republic of Formosa. However, their resistance proved futile against the overwhelming might of the Japanese forces controlling the island. With the invasion of the Butuan Empire, the rebels chose to align themselves with the Japanese, effectively obstructing Brigadier General Yong Li's further advancements.

During the battle, a total of 300 soldiers from the Butuanon Imperial Army lost their lives, with 280 sustaining injuries. Meanwhile, 400 Japanese soldiers were captured, while many others retreated into the forests of the prefecture. The exact number of civilian and Japanese casualties remained unaccounted for. The battle in Gosei Town is recognized as the most brutal encounter in the initial wave of conflicts across the island.

On the side of Vice Admiral Chen Yi and Major General Antonio Luna in Taihoku, the resistance of 7 thousand Japanese soldiers was so intense that it consumed a significant amount of time for Major General Luna to fully seize control of the City of Taihoku. The devastation was complete. House after house, building after building, all were reduced to mere rubble due to the relentless artillery assaults between the Butuanon Imperial Army and the Imperial Japanese Army.

As daylight broke, the once-illuminated city, set ablaze by fires devouring its wooden structures, had come to a complete halt. The gunfire also ceased as the Butuanon Imperial Army successfully took control of the entire city after an early-morning operation. Japanese soldiers, including Governor-General Nogi and Major General Sato, managed to escape even before the forces of Major General Luna could enter the governor-general's office.

This development angers Major General Luna and Vice Admiral Chen Yi as it further complicates their mission of taking control of the island of Taiwan (Formosa). Major General Luna and Vice Admiral Chen Yi had hoped to secure the island within just a day or two. However, with recent developments, their plan will be extended for a much longer period.

After the battle in Taihoku City exhausted their men, Major General Luna and Vice Admiral Chen Yi decided not to push further with their conquest for the day. Instead, they agreed to send a small group of soldiers to seize control of other surrounding villages in the prefecture. This decision was reached by the officers under Major General Luna and Vice Admiral Chen Yi.

By this time, messengers from Tainan-Ken and Taichū-Ken have also arrived in Taihoku City to report on the events unfolding in their respective regions. Major General Luna is elated upon hearing of the progress his soldiers have made overnight. Before dispatching the messengers, Major General Luna reiterates the plan to be conveyed to Brigadier General Zhu and Brigadier General Li.

On the side of Governor-General Nogi Maresuke and Major General Sato Jinichiro, following the fall of Taihoku City, they, along with a contingent of soldiers, escaped the capital and are now slowly making their way towards the village of Chosokei. After hours of walking, they have reached Heikei village, a few kilometers away from the capital. Governor-General Nogi then decided to rest in the village before proceeding to Chosokei village. This decision was met with delight by the exhausted and demoralized soldiers of the Japanese Empire.

Despite their desire for rest, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke and Major General Sato Jinichiro still carry the weight of anger and shame stemming from their escape from the city, the very place they were entrusted to protect. It is evident that both individuals are struggling to come to terms with the reality of their failure to safeguard the city, a realization that fuels their desire for revenge.

As these thoughts consume them, Governor-General Nogi is suddenly reminded of a report from Tainan-Ken and Taichū-Ken received before losing contact. The message reveals that soldiers from the Butuan Empire possess a mysterious ability, akin to magic, enabling them to target Japanese soldiers even when concealed from the sight of Butuanon forces.

This not only helped Governor-General Nogi understand the reports from his soldiers who fought the Butuanons during the siege of the city, but it also made him realize that the Butuan Empire had made advancements in military weaponry, particularly in guns. According to the report from his soldier, who is currently stationed in the village, the Butuanon Imperial Army managed to inflict significant casualties on his comrades, even when they were in hiding, a level of cover that contemporary firearms couldn't penetrate. Strangely, according to the soldier, his comrades fell one by one with bullet wounds to their heads.

This realization alone helped Governor-General Nogi grasp how easily the Butuanon Imperial Army could seize control of villages and towns in the Tainan-Ken and Taichū-Ken regions. It intensified his urgency to reach the village of Chosokei to communicate with his superiors in mainland Japan. For Governor-General Nogi, this piece of information alone could significantly enhance their nation's preparedness in facing the Butuanons.

The village of Chosokei is situated in the far northeast of the island. Positioned near the border between the controlled Taihoku-Ken and the land of the barbarians (natives), where a small resistance group resides, Chosokei village serves as the last resort and safe haven for Japanese soldiers on the island. A communication station for telegraphs is also located in the village, facilitating contact with the mainland in case of emergencies. This is the reason why Governor-General Nogi and Major General Sato are eager to reach the village, seeking refuge for the time being.

They carry thoughts in their minds, driven by the desire to submit their report to the mainland.

Unknown to them, the telegraphic message from Taichū-Ken has already reached mainland Japan. Alongside this news, reports have emerged that the Butuan Empire is mobilizing its military forces towards Japan and Joseon, though the exact numbers remain unconfirmed. Viscount Takashima Tomonosuke, the current Minister of War of the Japanese Empire, finds himself in a dilemma regarding the appropriate course of action.

After thorough consideration and consultation with the emperor and the cabinet, Viscount Takashima Tomonosuke has decided to dispatch 6,000 soldiers to Chosokei village to assist in the battle in Formosa. Following their aid, the ships will return to Japan to prepare for combat against the forces of the Butuan Empire. Commands have been issued to all focal points in Mainland Japan and Joseon to ready themselves for the arrival of Butuan's soldiers.

With the expectation that the remaining 15 ships and no more than 200,000 soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Military will effectively counter the forces of the Butuan Empire.