activa-t Chapter 1007 Don't let him die!
Chapter 1007 Don't let him die!
These prisoners of war had the most demanding and dangerous tasks: clearing out the most intensely fought areas, such as fortifications at Yuhuatai, Zhonghuamen, and Guanghuamen, dealing with the largest number of ruins, and dismantling unexploded bombs and landmines.
Although the workload was heavy, they were given plenty of food, usually unlimited moldy rice porridge or cold rice balls per person per day. Although it was hard to swallow, it was enough to replenish their enormous physical strength.
The reason why the military police provided ample food was simple: these Chinese prisoners of war were already the "private property" of the military police, and they would continue to serve as free "labor tools" until they earned enough "bail money".
When the military police were stationed in Harbin and Tianjin, they frequently arrested people and sent them to factories to earn "wages" for them. The sudden influx of free labor caused a stir among the military police, from sergeants to sergeant majors.
Therefore, these prisoners of war held a higher status in the eyes of the military police than the defeated Japanese soldiers, since the defeated soldiers were to be reorganized, which had nothing to do with the military police's own interests.
These Chinese prisoners of war were different; they were the "private" property of the military police!
So, without enough warm clothing, many Chinese prisoners of war were shivering from the cold at the labor sites.
The military police would even bring large quantities of clothing to keep these prisoners of war warm.
The military police sourced these clothes locally, taking them from people who were no longer needed.
As for the wounded prisoners of war, the military police did not waste their time; after providing basic medical treatment, they took on logistical tasks such as laundry, cooking, and repairs.
Chinese prisoners of war became mere, free biological machines in the process of the military police "rebuilding order."
The entire city of Nanjing resembled a giant, open-air forced labor camp.
The whistling of whips, the fierce shouts of military police, the heavy breathing and suppressed sobs of laborers, and the occasional sporadic gunshots threatening "slackers" or "runaways" together constituted the city's new, chilling "background noise."
On the edge of this brutally "busy" scene, the military police responsible for supervision are not a monolithic group.
Some veterans, carrying guns, gathered in twos and threes, seemingly vigilantly monitoring the labor force, but in reality whispering and exchanging another kind of calculation.
"Hey, see the ruins of that big mansion over there?" A sergeant with a scar on his face pointed with his chin to a large ruin not far away and whispered to his companion, "I heard it used to be the mansion of a Chinese boss, very wealthy."
There must have been a lot of good stuff hidden before the city fell. After clearing out these corpses, I'll find an excuse to bring a few people over tonight for a "careful inspection."
"Hehe, you have a good eye." His companion chuckled softly, rubbing his fingers together. "But be careful, Captain Ichijo and Captain Mitsuda are strict with their rules, don't run into trouble."
"What's there to be afraid of?" the scarred sergeant said dismissively. "Rules are rules, but people are flexible."
Searching for enemy property and eliminating security risks are just some of the many pretexts used.
Besides, if we find something good, we can offer some to our superiors; there shouldn't be any major problems." He squinted, scanning the group of attractive women in the labor camp, and continued, "Look at those Chinese women, they're so hungry they're almost unrecognizable. Give them some food, and maybe they'll... hehe."
"Hey... this is absolutely not allowed! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you! The general has given strict orders, do not disobey!" Upon hearing the scarred sergeant's words, the men all took a few steps away.
"Uh... Hey... I was just saying, don't look at me like that!" The sergeant's face stiffened, and he quickly tried to salvage the situation.
Seeing that the men were looking him up and down with the same gaze, and then exchanging glances as if communicating with each other, the scarred sergeant became anxious.
"You guys aren't planning to report me, are you?! I..."
"Hahaha, no way, how could we possibly betray you!"
"Damn it! I didn't do anything! What do you mean by betraying me? You can only use the word 'betray' after I've done it!!" The scarred sergeant's face turned black.
"Oh! I've learned something new. When will you be making your move, Sergeant?"
"you!"
In another corner, another sergeant was calculating more "pragmatically": "A young and strong prisoner of war can earn 8 silver dollars a month working in a factory, which is about 15 yen."
I was probably assigned to one of the two hundred prisoners of war, which meant... 3000 yen in income... Half went to the commander, and then the other half was distributed among the subordinates...
That is... 750 yen... for the prisoners of war's living expenses... Uh... the prisoners of war don't need it...
That leaves 9000 a year!!... Hehehe...
As the sergeant watched the prisoners of war working, he was already silently calculating the wages these prisoners would earn after being sent to work.
Just then, a prisoner of war who was swinging a sledgehammer in the distance fell down.
"Baka!!! Hey, you guys! Go check this out!! My 15 yen... don't let him die!"
. . . . . . . . . . . .
In the open space temporarily cleared in front of the military police headquarters, a sense of tension, more biting than the winter wind, permeated the air.
Just as the entire city was engulfed in the violent torrent of "orderly" action, here, a miniature "negotiation" concerning personal fate, filled with humiliation and struggle, was also drawing to a close.
Yusuke Ichijo stood there, his back straight, the collar of his khaki officer's overcoat fastened tightly to ward off the chill, but unable to conceal the cold gloom on his face.
His gaze, like two quenched scrapers, swept back and forth over Li Shouren and Xiao Juan, who was curled up tightly in his arms like a frightened fledgling.
Li Shouren collapsed to his knees, his face covered in a mixture of mud, tears, and congealed blood. His hair was tangled like a mess of weeds, and his worn-out cotton-padded jacket was torn in several places, revealing dark gray cotton fibers.
Xiao Juan buried her pale face deep into her father's dirty but warm neck, her small body trembling violently from fear and cold, occasionally letting out suppressed, animal-like whimpers.
Time flowed slowly in the deathly silence, with only the howling of the cold wind sweeping through the ruins and the faint sounds of truck engines and boots in the distance reminding people of the cruel reality of this city.
Yusuke Ichijo was undergoing a fierce internal struggle.
While forcibly detaining Xiao Juan in public might achieve its goal, the father, who appears to be insane, will undoubtedly become an unstable source of trouble.
Kill directly?
Xiao Juan is old enough to understand things now. Even if we don't do it in front of her, we can wait until she grows up...
If this matter is not handled properly, it could involve Ms. Takasaki Keiko and backfire.
Finally, a look of determination flashed in his eyes.
He took a half step forward, his leather shoes making a clear sound as they touched the frozen ground.