NOVEL WEB Chapter 21: The Nikolayevsk Incident (Part 5)
Despite suffering significant casualties, the Japanese military successfully defended Nikolayevsk. The feared bombardment from the Chinese naval ships never came, as they maintained their neutrality until the end.
Major General Arima handed over the captured Yakov and his men to the White Army.
"We are grateful for the Japanese military's assistance. Nikolayevsk should be safe for a while now," said Colonel Medvedev.
"However, Colonel Medvedev, once the Amur River thaws, we will return to our homeland with the Japanese residents. What are your plans after that? We've received reports that Vladivostok has already surrendered to the Red Army. As Japan maintains a policy of non-interference in your civil war, it will be difficult for us to provide further support," Major General Arima expressed his concerns about the town's defense after the Japanese withdrawal.
"You're right. If the Red Army attacks again, we likely won't be able to hold out. We have no supplies, and I've heard that some of the townspeople are waiting for the Red Army to arrive. With Commander Kolchak captured by the Red Army, perhaps it's time to consider retreating. Once it warms up, we'll flee somewhere," Medvedev replied.
"I see. Also, here is the evidence collected by our reconnaissance units regarding the looting and massacres committed by the Red Army in nearby villages. I must express my concerns about executing enemy soldiers without a proper trial," Major General Arima handed over the evidence.
"Major General Arima, thank you for your consideration."
"Yakov, do you have anything to say in response to this evidence?"
A military tribunal was held in the town's assembly hall. It was, of course, a mere formality. There was no defense attorney.
"Tch, you're going to execute us no matter what I say, right? When we arrived in the villages, everyone welcomed us. They said they were starving because you White Army bastards took all their food. And then, you know what they said? 'We have nothing to eat, so please give us food.' They handed over their supplies to you without resistance and then begged us for help. So, I gave them my verdict: death for cooperating with the White Army. This trial is no different—it's a farce!"
"Is that all you have to say?"
"And do you know what the Japanese soldiers were doing? They burned villages to the ground and slaughtered everyone. How can you work with people like that?"
At the time, Japan had deployed 37,000 troops to Siberia under the pretext of protecting allied soldiers and Japanese residents held captive by revolutionary forces. However, some units ignored agreements with allied nations like the United States and Britain, expanding their occupied territories and clashing with the Red Army. While the General Staff issued orders to avoid conflict with the Red Army and exercise restraint, some units disregarded these directives, attacking Red Army sympathizers and their villages. On the other hand, these same forces rescued Polish prisoners (including children) from Siberian camps and facilitated their return to their homeland.
"So what? Those villages were Red Army sympathizers, right? Then I'll give them the same verdict: death for all."
All 221 captured Red Army partisans were sentenced to death and executed that same day.
"Doctor, how is the old man doing?"
Lieutenant Arima had come to check on "Rubanov," the elderly man shot by the Red Army.
"He's still breathing, but honestly, it doesn't look good," the doctor replied.
"I see. Thank you for doing everything you can. And what about the girl?"
"The girl is fine. We disinfected and bandaged her wound. Aside from that, she has a gunshot wound on her left arm, likely from the past year or two. There's no sign of proper treatment, so she probably couldn't go to a hospital. By the way, we found this among the old man's belongings. I can't read Russian, so I don't know what it is..."
It was a sealed letter with a wax seal. The seal had been broken, and a letter was inside.
'This...!'
The wax seal bore the image of a double-headed eagle. In Russia at the time, only one person could use such a seal: Tsar Nicholas II.
With trembling hands, Lieutenant Arima carefully unfolded the letter. His hands shook with tension.
'!!'
"Doctor, have you told anyone about this letter?"
"No, Lieutenant Arima, you're the first."
"I see. I'll take this letter to Major General Arima for his judgment. Its contents are extremely important, so please keep this confidential. Also, I'll assign someone to watch the girl to ensure she doesn't escape."
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T/N: If you like it please vote with power stone please. More stones equals faster release.
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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 21!
What does the letter say!?
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