Chapter 7

"Sure..."

"Why did the Chinese lose so badly in the Sino-Japanese War? The Chinese have a slave mentality, always accustomed to being dominated by other ethnic groups, and they flounder in unrealistic old heroism. Such people will again be defeated helplessly if another war breaks out. There's no need to read or teach such people's classics!"

"Yes... Yes..."

The principal could not offer any rebuttal, only sweating profusely and repeatedly responding.

However, a different voice came from the inspection team.

It was awkward Japanese.

"May I speak?"

"What? Who are you?"

"I am Liang Qichao, a journalist who joined this inspection with press credentials from the Qing Dynasty."

He was the person I had made eye contact with. There was a reason his face seemed familiar.

I had seen a blurry photo of him in the newspaper of the Alliance.

Liang Qichao.

He was one of the most renowned thinkers in China's reform movement, alongside Sun Yat-sen.

At the same time, Liang Qichao was the leader of the constitutionalist faction, opposing Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary faction.

"Oh, I remember. A journalist was supposed to come. So it's you. What do you have to say?"

"As a Qing Chinese whose country is being invaded by foreign powers, I have heard your stern rebuke. However, I fear that your rebuke might inadvertently deny the future of the Qing Dynasty."

"Hmph. I merely stated the facts. Isn't the best skill of the Chinese army to surrender in war? I don't know much about Chinese history, but I know they have been trampled by foreign powers countless times. It fundamentally differs from the national character of the Empire, which has never been invaded by foreign powers!"

Despite Yamagata's cruel remarks, Liang Qichao continued undaunted.

"Then how about this? As you know, I joined this inspection to report on new war textbooks. The textbooks are planned to be tested by the cadets of the Military Academy."

"Then what?"

"How about making the test a competition between Qing and Japanese cadets? We can confirm if the difference in national character really determines the outcome of war as you mentioned."

"Huh?"

Surprised by the unexpected suggestion, Yamagata's expression turned sour. However, he soon relaxed, seemingly having an idea.

Yamagata laughed and shouted.

"That's a great idea! In fact, war requires a strong will to annihilate the enemy. If cadets from different countries face each other, the fire will burn fiercely without any coercion!"

"Then, how will you select the cadets?"

"Selection? Yes, we need to. Principal, come here."

Yamagata stood up and led the principal into the building.

The inspection team hurriedly followed, rushing after Yamagata.

Except for one person. Liang Qichao.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Liang Qichao. As a civilian, there's no need for a salute."

"Hello. I'm Han Shin, a cadet at the Military Academy."

We shook hands.

I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"What's going on? Something about war textbooks and testing them with Military Academy cadets?"

"Recently, the Japanese army has introduced new technologies from Prussia. It's called Kriegsspiel, a tool for simulating battles using maps and models. They seem to be testing the actual product of the Kriegsspiel adapted for the Japanese army today."

"Are you talking about a kind of war game?"

"War game. That's a precise term."

An instructor called me from inside the building.

Seeing this, Liang Qichao said,

"It seems they are calling the top cadet of the Military Academy. I'm sorry, but due to my proposal, you are suddenly being dragged into a simulated battle."

"No, it's fine. I was hoping for this. I enjoy encountering new things."

"That's good to hear. It was hard to endure the old man's insults to the Qing Dynasty. Go and show them."

"I'll do my best."

***

In the classroom of the Military Academy.

A large map was placed in the center, hastily assembled by connecting desks.

I immediately recognized which war it was based on.

It was the Port Arthur Campaign, the most intense and deadly battle of the Russo-Japanese War.

The instructor explained the rules of the war game.

It will take place in three rooms.

One for the Japanese side, one for the Russian side, and one for the judges, to simulate the fog of war.

Orders from my room will be relayed to the judge's room by a messenger. The results of the battle will not be known until the messenger returns.

The outcome of the battle is determined by dice rolls, all conducted in the judge's room.

The most important position, of course, is on the Russian side.

In the adjacent room, Yamagata and Liang Qichao, along with the judges, will be waiting.

In the other room, Japanese cadets will be responsible for the Japanese army.

The competition is uniquely 3 vs. 3.

Once the war game starts, communication will only be possible through written messages.

The command structure is divided according to the Russian army's hierarchy, making it feel like a real war.

I briefly greeted my fellow commanders.

"I'm Han Shin."

"I'm Kim Hyun-chung."

"I'm Yang Weiting."

We were the top three foreign cadets in the Military Academy.

But Kim Hyun-chung?

"Are you Korean?"

"Yes."

Before I could say more, the instructor gave the start signal.

The Port Arthur Campaign began.

___________________________________________

Port Arthur Campaign 2

Field Marshal of the Imperial Japanese Army, Yamagata Aritomo, felt his heart racing despite being over seventy years old.

"Good... Let's do it."

The detailed maps and models were so impressive that Yamagata felt the excitement of the war he had experienced.

The Port Arthur Campaign was a victory for the Japanese army but also a battle that caused severe casualties.

Therefore, Yamagata wanted an overwhelming victory for the Japanese army in this simulation.

He had already given the cadets commanding the Japanese army some strategic advice.

The upcoming Port Arthur Campaign, if executed according to the plan, would be a perfect battle of the Imperial Army, different from the historical one.

"The war game is about to begin."

The instructor, who was the judge, announced the start.

Yamagata scanned the map of Port Arthur. The forces on both sides were roughly equal.

The Japanese army had a total of 60,000 troops from the 1st, 9th, and 11th divisions, plus one reserve brigade, and 400 artillery pieces.

The Russian army had 42,000 troops from the 4th and 7th divisions, 600 artillery pieces, and 100 machine guns, with an additional 12,000 naval personnel.

"Principal, what do you think will happen?"

"I expect a Japanese victory."

"Idiot. That's obvious! What do you think the battle will be like?"

Yamagata was eager to share his insights.

"At the beginning of the Port Arthur Campaign, the Japanese army suffered heavy casualties by directly attacking the fortress. We should first establish a position and observe the Russian army's movements."

"What? Don't you have combat experience in the Russo-Japanese War? Haven't you read Clausewitz?"

"It was a later battle, but... Yes, I have combat experience. I have read On War."

"Did you participate in the war without understanding its essence and purpose? The Russo-Japanese War was a short, decisive battle! We had to end it quickly before the Russian army could reinforce!"

This was what Yamagata had strongly advocated in the General Staff.

Especially in the Port Arthur Campaign.

The Port Arthur harbor, where the remnants of the Russian Pacific Fleet were anchored, needed to be captured in one swift operation before the Russians could fortify it.

Attacking the fortress head-on would inevitably result in casualties.

Yamagata believed that dispersing forces and prolonging the battle would cause even greater losses in the long run.

Just then, the messengers from both sides returned with their orders.

The Japanese army first moved their headquarters to the west, along with the relocation of two divisions.

Yamagata exclaimed in approval.

"Good. Well done. That's the way to do it!"

"Excuse me, what is the significance of moving the headquarters?"

Yamagata turned to see Liang Qichao, the Qing journalist.

Thinking that a civilian who knew nothing about war had no business interfering, he decided to make things difficult for the Qing cadets in the adjacent room.

"How did Japan win the Sino-Japanese War? By destroying the Beiyang Fleet and securing control of the Yellow Sea. The same applied to the Russo-Japanese War. Once we secured control of the Yellow Sea, the war would flow smoothly. Port Arthur was the harbor where the remnants of the Russian Pacific Fleet were anchored, and the main objective of the Port Arthur Campaign was to destroy the Pacific Fleet."

"I see."

"The most crucial point is the 203 Hill to the west. It is the highest point in the area and the only place from which the fleet in Port Arthur can be safely bombarded from land."

Liang Qichao, true to his journalistic skills, took rapid notes.

He also continued to chatter.

"So, you must have instructed the Japanese cadets to focus all their efforts on the 203 Hill assault just now."

Yamagata was taken aback but soon pounded his chest and shouted.

There was nothing to hide. Any general who had attended the Imperial Conference at the time would know this.

"Ha! Yes! But at the time, the Manchurian Army Headquarters continuously rejected the General Staff's decision. They ignored the 203 Hill to the west and launched large-scale assaults on the northeast and the front, resulting in the unnecessary loss of many soldiers. They repeated the same mistake three times before finally deploying troops to the 203 Hill and capturing it. Then what happened? The remaining Russian forces immediately surrendered, ending the campaign!"

"I didn't know that."

"Watch closely. The Japanese army's Banzai charge is the strongest."

The Japanese army's large-scale movement to the southwest was in stark contrast to the quiet Russian camp.

The Russians were engaged in routine activities such as fortifying their positions, reinforcing roads, and maintaining artillery and machine guns.

Liang Qichao, with a calm face, was recording the progress of the war game, but his heart was anxious.

The war game was the second objective of this inspection.

The first objective was to meet the cadet named Han Shin.

He knew Han Shin was affiliated with the Alliance, but since Han Shin had not shown any special actions within the Alliance, there was ample reason to meet and talk to him.

The rumors about him from the Military Academy were terrifying.

Moreover, the fact that he had secured the top position at the Military Academy heightened the expectations for Han Shin.

However, listening to Yamagata's explanation, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

No matter what, the judgment of a Field Marshal who was observing all elements from the judge's position would be hard to be wrong.

After the first set of orders, the messengers rushed back to their respective rooms.

The Russian messenger returned first.

"Strengthen the defenses of the 203 Hill! Reinforce the southwest front! Deploy artillery and machine guns!"

Liang Qichao clenched his fist without realizing it.

Han Shin had clearly read the Japanese army's movements.

The detailed orders brought by the messenger led to the movement of the models.

Then, the Japanese messenger entered.

"1st Division, make a wide flanking maneuver to the right and prepare for the hill assault! 9th Division, establish a position at the current location!"

Yamagata was not concerned about the concentrated defense of the 203 Hill.

It was just a small fort defended by a few hundred men.

A large-scale divisional assault would inevitably capture it.

Before the Russian messenger left, a second Russian messenger entered.

This was the charm of the 3-on-3 simulation.

Each of the six cadets commanded a unit, and there was a command structure among them.

Thus, how well they communicated and moved their units organically was crucial.

There was a risk that disagreements could arise, preventing the desired tactics from being executed.

The second Russian messenger shouted.

"Sniper regiments at Dadingzi Mountain and other areas, advance artillery positions and bombard!"

"What?"

Yamagata, without realizing it, slammed the table.

How could the Russians, who should be crouching and hiding, have the nerve to come forward and bombard?

Of course, the reason was clear.

The 1st Division was maneuvering around the hill in an open field with no roads or cover.

It was almost comical to watch them move so openly.

However, the issue was how they had responded so quickly.

Unlike the judge's room, which had a clear view of all the terrain and models, the cadets' rooms were shrouded in the fog of war.

The agile coordination, without prior knowledge of the Japanese army's movements, was hard to imagine.

"The dice will be rolled for the bombardment."

The instructor rolled three dice.

Rattle.

"Japanese casualties: 100 dead, 200 wounded. No Russian casualties."

"It's fine. It's nothing! Messenger, move quickly!"

Yamagata urged.

The pace of the battle rapidly accelerated.

The messengers ran back and forth, and the models on the battlefield were moved around.

"Good, charge! Charge, I say!"

Finally, the Japanese 1st Division, having successfully flanked, launched a full-scale assault with the 9th Division on the left.

During this time, the Russians had been continuously bombarding the Japanese, but the casualties were manageable, barely exceeding a thousand deaths.

On the contrary, the western fort of Port Arthur, surrounded by the Japanese, seemed precarious.

"The dice will be rolled."

The first major offensive since the start of the battle.

The sight of tens of thousands of troops converging on a few narrow hills, though merely represented by several wooden pieces on the map, was enough to make one's heart race.

Rattle.

The front assault by the 9th Division, calculating the success rate of the mortar fire.

"First bombardment, 100 hits. No Russian casualties."

"What? Hey, instructor, how did you calculate that?"

Yamagata suddenly confronted the test instructor.

"Well, this... The hit rate of mortars is set quite low, and firing from a lowland to a hill doesn't apply the weight to break concrete fortifications."

"Damn it, roll the dice properly!"

"Yes..."

The test instructor, looking nervous, rolled the dice again.

This time, it was the implementation of a large-scale assault.

The instructor, holding six dice, rolled them.

"Assault on the 203 Hill fortifications. Simultaneous combat at the 203 Hill, Northeast Bastion, and Southwest Bastion... Japanese casualties: 6,200 dead, 11,800 wounded. Russian casualties: 500 dead, 1,900 wounded. Assault on the hill failed."

Yamagata's anger flared up instantly.

"Hey! Does that make sense? With so many troops charging, why didn't they capture it? What kind of battle is this?"

"Well, this... The results were applied based on the dice roll..."

"Is the fortification defense weight abnormal? Was the weight for the Japanese assault spirit doctrine properly applied?"

"Yes...? The weight for the assault spirit, you mean?"

"Yes! You hopeless fool! Step aside! I'll show you the Imperial Army's battle."

Yamagata snatched the dice from the test instructor.

Rattle.

The dice rolled. The instructor, calculating the result, shouted.

"Japanese casualties: 7,900 dead, 16,000 wounded. Russian casualties: 600 dead, 1,800 wounded. Assault on the hill failed."

The result was even worse than before.

However, Yamagata did not give up.

"No matter how difficult the battle, overcoming it with spirit and launching an assault is the Banzai spirit! You don't lose heart or give up in any situation!"

Rattle.

The dice rolled again.

A major defeat for the Japanese. The result was the same.

"Again!"

Rattle. Major defeat.

"Again!!"

Rattle. Major defeat.

"Again!!!"

Rattle.

How many times did he roll the dice?

Seeing the result, the instructor quickly shouted.

"Result of the 203 Hill battle. Japanese casualties: 8,200 dead, 13,800 wounded. Russian casualties: 500 dead, 2,400 wounded. Fortification captured!"

Yamagata, chest puffed out, shouted triumphantly.

"Here! This is the Imperial Army!"

"Indeed, impressive."

The principal clapped, and the rest of the inspection team followed.

The test room was filled with a festive atmosphere as if the Japanese army had successfully captured the hill in a real battle.

Watching this, Liang Qichao was simply dumbfounded.

'What kind of farce is this? Am I the only sane person in this room?