Gwaaah! Writing this chapter is like debating with myself! It's a not so good chapter but it gives clues, I guess. But I think it's leading into something… hmmm…
We'll know soon.. ;)
Notes at the end of the chapter for clarifications.
Please tell me if there were any errors in this chapter.
Ty.
-Edited the typos, misspells, and errors-
"Where are we actually going, Japan?", The young Taiwan asked, sitting inside the carriage as they finally arrived in the Mainland. Their journey from Japan had taken two days but the girl never tried to ask where their destination or the reasons why they need to sail since he's busy and a bit agitated during the trip. She had been asking Korea a few times but the young male nation will just keep smiling and told her she'll found out when they arrive. Now that they did, she still has no idea of their travels. She felt nostalgic when they stepped onto the harbor but still nothing comes into her head.
"We are heading to China's house, Formosa" Japan answered with a wry smile.
"Sensei?!" Taiwan uttered "We are at Sensei's right now?" she cried in joy and turned at Korea who was just laughing. "You should have told me so, Korea!"
"I want to remain it a secret until we reach there but Japan's being a killjoy" whined South Korea while Japan just chuckled.
"It has been a while since I've been here. The place kind of changed a bit, no?", Taiwan said, her smile never leaving her face.
Korea suddenly jokingly exclaimed, "Of course! Aniki's getting so old that a lot of countries' attacking him!" The jolly mood suddenly stopped because of what he said. Taiwan shot a deathly glare at him after pinching his leg. Korea quickly covered his mouth and looked at Japan. Fortunately, Japan doesn't seem to care and just smiled at them. Both the young nations sighed in relief. They know that they shouldn't talk about these things in front of their brothers; especially Japan.
And now, the atmosphere turned awkward. The three never started any conversation until they reached the Imperial house where China lives.
"Aniki!" "Sensei!" cried the two as soon as they went out of the carriage. China, who was standing by the wide porch, was in complete surprise seeing the unexpected visitors. The two run towards him before hugging the older nation. "Korea! Taiwan!" China muttered in happiness "It's unfair no one told me about you guys coming! All I got as a message was a meeting!"
"I made sure this would be a surprise for everyone" the three turned at Japan who just came out of the vehicle. "It's good to see you, China-san", he greeted as he bowed.
"It's good to see you too, Japan!" China greeted back with a smile. "You guys, you should still have told me! I could have prepared a more festive welcome! We could have a celebration!"
"It would be greatly appreciated but that is not the main reason why we came here" Japan walked forwards, his hands held together in front. "We need to talk about my plan"
.
"Treaty, you say?" China could only ask after hearing Japan's ideas. He was a bit astounded of his plans but the older nation was still confused on why the island nation had suddenly thought that up.
"Just like what I said, China-san, I would like to propose that especially to the Western colonizers and empires." Japan briefly answered and waited for more questions from China.
The two are sitting in a huge table in a closed-space room. Both South Korea and Taiwan were sitting in the far edge. They have to be in the meeting as witnesses since this is a secret meeting.
"But Japan, I appreciate your concern to our fellow nations but, why do I need to be involved?", China asked once again.
Japan smiled and answered "You do trade with the other nations in the West. You have connections. Don't you think that by starting from you, we could stop them from coming to Asia? I am even planning to go back into iso-"
"Wait, No!"
Japan was stopped with China's objection. He was a bit surprised, not expecting for him to disagree.
"Japan, that's absurd. You're saying you want to propose a treaty to the other continents to free their colonies, close the whole Asia and stop any trades between the Wests? It is impossible" China leaned on his seat, waiting for the Japanese to sink in his words deep in his dead.
Japan blinked a few times and attempts to say something but quickly closes his mouth. South Korea knew he's confused; confused of being rejected.
"B-but can't you see, China-san, that is the only way for us to gain harmony. If we can't pull them all out, the others cannot attain their freedom. If you worry about the European powers, we could fight them if we all stand together as one" Japan tried to explain once more but he still failed to favor China.
"No, that's not it" China shook his head "if you close the whole continent and make our very own world; it could cause destruction. Don't you even understand why we do trades? Because we need something from them that we don't have. And so is them to us. Same as colonies, we use them for source materials for us to make products to sell to others. If we close down and isolate from the rest of the world, we would be lacking materials and so is them. This could affect, no, this WILL affect our people. Try to understand, Japan. You want to save our fellow neighbors but it's a selfish and risky decision"
Japan gripped his fist tightly. "But they were maltreated there! Forced to do things they do not want; they are in the hands of those brutal Westerners! I can't just watch and let them suffer!"
"I'm sorry, Japan. That is just how things are" China closed his eyes as he weakly shook his head. The room was in silence. No one attempts to say a single word, even a heavy sigh. All the four of them are thinking this as 'useless'. Korea looked at Japan who was not moving. This time, he knew Japan was confused why no one understands him; no one understands his ideas and generosity at all.
Japan was angry. Why won't he be? All his plans and ideas being wasted? He won't allow that; he won't allow this simple blockade to end his plans easily.
"You are just saying that…" he muttered, bringing everyone's attention to him.
"What was that?" China asked.
"You are just saying that because…" Japan's grip tightened "…you are weak"
"Japan!" Taiwan exclaimed as the three were shocked at the words which came out of his lips. Both young nations reacted but China was frozen, wide-eyed at what his assumed brother just called him. He was furious, both of them are. Taiwan was about stop the tension when Korea stopped her. They shouldn't interfere, not right now.
China just smirked at his accusation. "You call a nation that fought big and stronger empires weak? You don't know who you're talking to, or rather, what I have been through, Japan"
"Then why aren't you accepting my idea? Don't tell me you are scared." Japan mocked
"You don't have the rights to say I am scared, moreover calling me weak", China said gritting his teeth.
"Then why did you lose some of your territories like Hong Kong and Macau? Why are most of your ports opened out of your own will? And why are you in Western Influence right now? Russia, Germany and France are taking most of your territories."
China sighed before answering "They are all part of treaties. And being in unequal treaties doesn't mean one nation is weak. And those three, they have intervened in the end of our war. It is not my fault. You even agreed on it"
"It was a reluctant decision. I have no power if ever I resist them. That is why we could have ignored all this if we go into isolation" Japan narrowed his eyes.
"Isolation, huh? Then why did you agree when America forced you to open your ports for him? It just shows that we can't ignore any nation to force open us if we ever close Asia from the rest of the world" China raised his chin lightly up as he asked.
"I told you, it's different this time. I was forced to open my ports because I don't have enough military power at that time. And did I tell you, we can fight them if we all stand and help one another?"Japan answered
"Help one another? Then explain to me your Alliance with that Great 'Opium' Britain! Will you end it now and instead ally with the nations you call 'weak'?" China exclaimed.
Japan calmed down and tried to straighten his back. "I am certain Britain is affected with the Yellow Peril. I don't need to speak more about it but even if I have to let go of our alliance just for the sake of my fellow nations, I will tore our friendship apart"
With Japan's answer, China was completely enraged. This 'boy' doesn't know what he's talking about. "Japan, why are you so angry with those Westerners and Colonizers…" China shot a glance at the Island nation "…when you're a colonizer yourself?"
"No I'm not!" Japan exclaimed, making the two young nations jolt. It was the first time they saw Japan angry. It is unusual for him to raise his voice in front of China, of all. But instead, china was calm.
"Yes, you are! And those two are your colonies!" he pointed at Korea and Taiwan before continuing "You have attacked several territories of mine and others. Don't say you're different from them! You are a colonizer, yourself, Japan!"
"Stop it!"
China jolted, standing from his seat. He turned at Korea who just screamed and then to Taiwan who run towards Japan. Just then he realized everything he had done.
"I am not like them" Japan muttered in between breaths of anger. "I will never be like them"
"Yes, yes, Japan-san. So just calm down" Taiwan worriedly held both Japan's shoulders for support. China felt guilt rush in his chest. Saying such things to his brother. This shouldn't be happening.
Finally, Japan was back to his senses. "I… I was being rude" he said as he stood up and faced china with a face full of troubles. But his eyes; China saw his eye color flashed scarlet before it turned back to regular brown. "Please forgive me for my behavior." Japan bowed, never lifting up his head until he's forgiven.
"No, Japan. I'm also sorry. We have been acting childish instead of trying to understand each other. Please" China worriedly asked and Japan finally lift up from his bow.
"We are guests, we shouldn't have acted indecent in front the host" Japan once again explained.
"No need to be formal, Japan. We are brothers, we do fight sometimes"
Brothers…
"Then please, let's continue the discussion next time. But I don't want your visit to be this quick. Will you stay even just for a day?" China pleaded for the invitation.
Both Taiwan and Korea turned at Japan. It depends to their senior if they can stay or not. They really wanted to be with China but it's now completely vague when the two just had a very serious argument. But Japan knows what the two wants. He is not an evil person, is he? He sighed and smiled wryly. "We'll be honored"
"Lovely. Now, I think, is time for tea. Shall we proceed to the dining room, then?" China gladly said and so the three walked out of the room; Japan and Taiwan heading first.
.
"Korea" China called before the young nation could even exit. He turned to face his older brother, his head tilting slightly. "I am worried of Japan" China said, walking towards South Korea. "Was it because of culture shock? His Xenophobia? Or might be because of Hikikomori. Still, I'm asking you a favor. Keep a close watch of your brother. I don't like this feeling but it seems he's going into a path towards danger"
and destruction…
Korea just blinked. Of course, he's already aware of Japan's sudden change. He knew he needs to be cautious around Japan. It is good that Japan's asking for South Korea's opinions lately but no one really knows what's going on inside his mind.
South Korea smiled and then saluted "You can count on me, Aniki…" Time will only tell what he, Japan, really is trying to prove. "…after all, 'accomplishments' originated from me".
Formosa- The name given to Taiwan Island
Yellow Peril- The term refers to the skin color of East Asians, and the fear that the mass immigration of Asians threatened white wages and standards of living and that they would eventually take over and destroy western civilization, their ways of life and values. The term has also referred to the belief and fear that East Asian societies would invade and attack Western societies, wage wars with and lead to their eventual destruction and eradication.
Hikikomori- a Japanese term to refer to the phenomenon of reclusive adolescents or young adults who withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement.
-The war China was referring to was the 1st Sino-Japanese War and where Russia, along with Germany and France, intervene over the terms of the treaty that ended the said war.
-China was under Western Influence and so Taiwan barely recognizes his place because of the sudden changes.
-United States and the opening of Japan- Between 1852 and 1854, Commodore Perry, and U.S.N. entered Japanese waters with a modern battle fleet, to request that the Japanese open up avenues of trade with the United States. Initially these were refused and the ships left. Commodore Perry then returned and threatened the Japanese Government with a "show of force" (basically he would bombard their coastal towns and cities) unless they accepted trade agreements with America. The Japanese, still almost medieval in policy and weapons, had no choice to give in.
-China's explanation is just one of a lot of reasons why trading is very important.
