Ch. 28: Declaration for Justice
4:02 PM, February 26th, 1919, Office of the Governor-General of Chōsen, Keijō, Chōsen
Viceroy Hasegawa was standing at the window in his office, staring at the people passing by below. Suddenly the sound of someone knocking on his door broke the silence within the room.
"Come in!" said Hasegawa.
The door opened and Marshal Tōdō walked into the office.
"You requested to see me?" asked Tōdō with a serious look on his face.
"As you know the Chons are about to act en masse." said Hasegawa.
"They sent that warning to us that they will peacefully rise up on the 1st of March." Tōdō replied. "We should strike them down now and show them who's in charge."
"You idiot! If we strike too early, we'll have a damn riot on our hands, which is the last thing I need to deal with. Imagine the international press saying "IMPERIAL JAPANESE SLAUGHTER PEACEFUL PROTESTERS" on the front cover!" yelled Hasegawa.
"Than what do you plan to do? Are you just going to let them get away with conspiracy?" asked an aggravated Tōdō.
"No, what I plan to do is to put all our forces to be put on alert status. They are not to act unless they are in mortal danger." responded Hasegawa.
"And how does this involve me?" asked Tōdō sarcastically.
"You were sent here to help me with the Black Army problem at hand. Rumor has it that the Black Army is backing this upcoming peace rally. But as we know, Zero is a sly one, willing to use whatever dirty trick he can think of to win the game. I want you to oversee the security of the capital." instructed Hasegawa.
"Why here?" asked Tōdō.
"The underground intellectual movement is strongest here, along with the fact that this is one of the most populous parts of the whole peninsula. If Zero and the intellectual movement are going to pull any surprises, its most likely going to be here." explained Hasegawa. "But I don't want your arrogant, reckless behavior to make the situation get out of hand."
"I guess I can say the same about you." Tōdō responded.
Hasegawa then gritted his teeth out of anger and hatred towards Tōdō.
"I suggest you leave." said Hasegawa.
Tōdō then left the office and closed the door on his way out.
"I know your bloodthirsty tactics well Tōdō. Don't use them just for your own pleasure. If things fall apart here, I am going to have the pay the price of your mistakes once more, and I don't intend for that to happen." thought Hasegawa as he resumed staring out the window.
1:58 AM, February 27th, Keijō, Chōsen
While the rest of the city was mostly dark and sound asleep, one local printing press shop was still running. Inside, various mechanical sounds could be heard inside the shop as the presses were spitting out dozens of copies of the Declaration. Dietrich was standing nearby, overseeing the Black Army recruits manning the machinery.
"It's amazing how many copies we've made already." said Kim Gu, who had accompanied Dietrich to the shop.
"And this is just one of the press shops we have influence over. Many other shops are printing dozens of copies by the second as we speak." Dietrich responded.
"We'll definitely have enough to get the word out." said Kim Gu.
"March 1st will definitely be a day I want to see. By the way, any word on what the council is planning to do?" asked Dietrich.
"The council plans to distribute these copies to every major city and town all over the peninsula. As for the actual declaration itself, the council has informed me that a group consisting of 33 representatives has been convened to organize and sign it. The plan is to have the declaration occur at 2:00 PM at the Pagoda Park on the first of March. " Kim Gu answered.
"Pagoda Park. If I'm not mistaken, that's right by some of the old Joseon Dynasty palaces." Dietrich replied.
"It's a perfect spot for those palaces embody our nationalism and independence. As you know, one of the palaces has been mostly demolished by the Japanese so they can construct an newer, more elaborate colonial headquarters." Kim Gu added.
"I see. Such a spot will surely fan the flames of revolution." said Dietrich.
"Indeed it shall. The only thing that concerns me is how will everything unfold." said Kim Gu.
9:30 PM, February 28th, The Dangun, Keijō, Chōsen
All of the core members of the Black Army gathered for a meeting within the ship's main common room. Zero and the Black Army cabinet sat at the large wooden table in the middle of the room while everyone else either stood or sat on some of the couches and lounge chairs.
"I'm glad all of you were able to come to this important meeting." said Zero once everyone had settled in.
"So tomorrow is the big day huh. My heart is rapidly beating just from the thought of it." said Kae, wearing her Black Army uniform along with her red scarf. "So you say this thing is suppose to be peaceful?"
"That is correct Kae. The council has urged us not to create any problems or agitate the colonial authorities. The message they are sending is one of peaceful resistance and not of uncontrolled slaughter." answered Zero.
"I still don't understand why we have to put away our arms! If we hadn't gotten our hands dirty, we wouldn't be in the position we are in now!" Roh replied.
"Mr. Roh, the situation at hand is not in the battlefield. This movement is one of not just the Black Army, but of all the Korean people, including the unarmed civilians. Causing more agitation will most certainly result in unnecessary violence. The Black Army cannot be responsible for the deaths of noncombatants." Kim Gu stated.
"Kim is absolutely correct when it comes to appearance. The Japanese are sure to react to this, the only question is how." said Dietrich. "But as fighters for justice and freedom, we would be betraying our cause by not cooperating with the council's nonviolent approach."
Roh, still somewhat frustrated, proceeded to sit back down.
"Since we're not going to get involved physically, what are we planning to do tomorrow?" asked Seo.
"The plan is to be present at the declaration, albeit in disguise." said Gang. "You see, Zero was concerned about the reaction of the colonial authorities and insisted that he oversee the declaration. However, the council said they would agree with the plan if we were to be disguised as civilians so not to arouse suspicion from the Japanese."
"All forces all over the peninsula have been given the same order. As you know, boxes full of copies of the declaration are being delivered as we speak." added Zero. "The message will surely be spread all over, so I want to make sure the Japanese aren't planning any surprises for us."
"With all our forces on stand-by and undercover, we'll be able to mobilize instantly if things start getting out of hand." said General Jo.
"But remember, only take action when the situation calls for it. Is that clear?!" asked Zero.
"Yes Sir!" everyone said simultaneously as they saluted.
"Good. Now, I recommend everyone to have a good night's rest because it will be a long day tomorrow." said Zero.
Everyone then nodded before they all left the meeting and headed to their quarters or to the safe houses located within the city.
11:52 AM, 1919, March 1st, Pagoda Park, Keijō, Chōsen
The Pagoda Park, which was formerly the site of a Buddhist temple, was like a miniature garden within the city. The park consisted of stone terraces surrounded by grass and trees. Some relics from the old temple, such as a 10-storied marble pagoda, stood stood within the park. Across from the large pagoda stood an octagonal, Korean-style pavilion.
With the message of the declaration sent all over the peninsula, the park was filled with many Korean civilians from all different social classes and backgrounds. Some of the men were wearing traditional hanboks, while others were wearing Western-style clothing. The crowd ranged from simple workers to educated intellectuals. Many women along with some children were also in the crowd.
Some of the people in the crowd were Black Army soldiers, dressed in civilian clothing. Each one had a pistol hidden in their pocket and they were constantly surveilling the area for anything out of place. Kae, wearing a hanbok, so she would blend into the crowd, nodded to the disguised Zero Division. Roh, Seo, Yi, Park, Jeong, and Myo, dressed as common workers, nodded back and scattered themselves amongst the growing crowd.
Kae then slowly walked up to a figure wearing a long coat, dirty pants, worn out shoes, and a worker's cap.
"Zero, the Zero Division is in position within the crowd." whispered Kae.
"Good. The Zero Division, due to its small size, will be perfect for this operation." whispered Zero. "If they notice the Japanese pulling any dirty tricks, they will immediately alert the reserve forces I have hidden around the city to mobilize."
Both Zero and Kae, who were standing on higher ground, stared at the giant crowd gathering around the pavilion. Multiple Korean flags and various banners with slogans on them could be seen waving in the crowd.
"I can't believe what we are about to witness." said Kae.
"This crowd and event is proof of the influence and spirit the Black Army had on the people." Zero replied.
"You know the declaration isn't for another two hours. Why are we here so early?" asked Kae.
"I wanted to make sure we would have the first move. I wanted to determine the enemy positions on the game board. With us positioning ourselves here early, the Japanese will find it harder to pull any fast ones on us if they intend to." explained Zero.
"Makes sense." replied Kae. "Zero, just one question."
"What is it?" Zero asked.
"Why did you trust me so quickly? I mean, I treated you like a prisoner and didn't believe you and then you have me command your personal division." Kae asked.
"Well, you and your determination remind me of someone I knew and trusted in the past. You can say they were like my queen in a game of chess." Zero answered.
"Oh. Well, where are they now?"
"All I can really say is that they are really far away from us."
Suddenly a man dressed in civilian clothes carrying a piece of folded paper ran through the crowd and approached Zero. He quickly flashed the Black Army insignia button pinned on the inside of his coat, indicating he was a Black Army member.
"Message from Dietrich sir." said the man as he panted from exhaustion.
"What is it?" asked Zero.
"The council says that the 33 nationalists have decided to move the declaration to the Taehwagwan Restaurant instead."
"What?!" said a shocked Zero. "Why the hell are they moving it right now?"
"The nationalists believe that holding the ceremony at Pagoda Park could possibly lead to a riot, which would be against the non-violent approach they have adopted." said the messenger.
"Well, it seems that despite their concerns and warnings, people are still flocking here." Zero replied.
"Shall we then redeploy the Zero Division to the restaurant?" asked Kae.
"Negative. This crowd is obviously grown beyond what we have expected and it's probably going to grow even bigger. Since the Zero Division is already positioned within the crowd, I think it would be most effective to simply monitor the crowd." said Zero.
Zero then told the messenger to tell Dietrich that he and the Zero Division was not going to be present at the declaration signing. The messenger then immediately ran off into the crowd once more.
Two Hours Later
Like Zero predicted, the crowd had grown even larger within the past two hours. Everyone in the crowd was anxious and excited about the upcoming declaration. The amount of nationalistic pride shown by the people was incomprehensible.
Looking at his pocket watch, Zero saw that it was about 2:00 PM, which was when the 33 nationalists planned to sign the declaration.
"They should be announcing and signing the declaration right about now." thought Zero as he stared into the large crowd surrounding the pavilion.
"Zero something's happening!" said Kae as she pointed at the pavilion.
Zero turned his head and saw that people near the pavilion were standing back, thereby leaving behind a small, open circular space within the heavily dense crowd. A student wearing a hanbok stepped forward, stood on the pavilion steps, and faced the crowd. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and proceeded to open and read it. The crowd instantly quieted down once the student's speech was about to begin.
"We herewith proclaim the independence of Korea and the liberty of the Korean people. We tell it to the world in witness of the equality of all nations and we pass it on to our posterity as their inherent right.
We make this proclamation, having back of us 5,000 year of history, and 20,000,000 of a united loyal people. We take this step to insure to our children for all time to come, personal liberty in accord with the awakening consciousness of this new era. This is the clear leading of God, the moving principle of the present age, the whole human race's just claim. It is something that cannot be stamped out, or stifled, or gagged, or suppressed by any means.
Victims of an older age, when brute force and the spirit of plunder ruled, we have come after these long thousands of years to experience the agony of ten years of foreign oppression, with every loss to the right to live, every restriction of the freedom of thought, every damage done to the dignity of life, every opportunity lost for a share in the intelligent advance of the age in which we live.
Assumedly, if the defects of the past are to be rectified, if the agony of the present is to be unloosed, if the future oppression is to be avoided, if thought is to be set free, if right of action is to be given a place, if we are to attain to any way of progress, if we are to deliver our children from the painful, shameful heritage, if we are to leave blessing and happiness intact for those who succeed us, the first of all necessary things is the clear-cut independence of our people. What cannot our twenty millions do, every man with sword in heart, in this day when human nature and conscience are making a stand for truth and right?
What barrier can we not break, what purpose can we not accomplish?
We have no desire to accuse Japan of breaking many solemn treaties since 1836, nor to single out specially the teachers in the schools or government officials who treat the heritage of our ancestors as a colony of their own, and our people and their civilization as a nation of savages, finding delight only in beating us down and bringing us under their heel.
We have no wish to find special fault with Japan's lack of fairness or her contempt of our civilization and the principles on which her state rests; we, who have greater cause to reprimand ourselves, need not spend precious time in finding fault with others; neither need we, who require so urgently to build for the future, spend useless hours over what is past and gone. Our urgent need today is the settling up of this house or ours and not a discussion of who has broken it down, or what has caused its ruin. Our work is to clear the future of defeats in accord with the earnest dictates of conscience. Let us not be filled with bitterness or resentment over past agonies or past occasions for anger.
Our part is to influence the Japanese government, dominated as it is by the old idea of brute force which thinks to run counter to common and universal law, so that it will change, act honestly and in accord with the principles of right and truth. The result of annexation, brought about without any conference with the Korean people, is that theJapanese, indifferent to us, use every kind of partiality for their own, and by a false set of figures show a profit and loss account between us two peoples most untrue, digging a trench of everlasting resentment deeper and deeper the farther they go.
Ought not the way of enlightened courage to be to correct the evils of the past by ways that are sincere, and by true sympathy and friendly feeling make a new world in which the two peoples will be equally blessed?
To bind by force twenty millions of resentful Koreans will mean not only loss of pence forever for this part of the Far East, but also will increase the ever-growing suspicion of four hundred millions of Chinese-upon whom depends the danger or safety of the Far East-besides strengthening the hatred of Japan. From this all the rest of the East will suffer. Today Korean independence will mean not only daily life and happiness for us, but also it would mean Japan's departure from an evil way and exaltation to the place of true protector of the East, so that China, too, even in her dreams, would put all fear of Japan aside.
This thought comes from no minor resentment, but from a large hope for the future welfare and blessing of mankind. A new era wakes before our eyes, the old world of force is gone, and the new world of righteousness and truth is here. Out of the experience and travail of the old world arises this light on life's affairs. The insects stifled by the foe and snow of winter awake at this same time with the breezes of spring and the soft light of the sun upon them.
It is the day of the restoration of all things on the full tide of which we set forth, without delay or fear. We desire a full measure of satisfaction in the way of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and an opportunity to develop what is in use for the glory of our people.
We awake now from the aid world with its darkened conditions in full determination and one heart and one mind, with right on our side, along with the forces of nature, to a new life. May all the ancestors to the thousands and ten thousand generations old us from within and all the force of the world aid us from without, and let the day we take hold be the day of our attainment. In this hope we go forward." said the student with fervent pride.
Once he was done reading the declaration to the crowd, the student put the copy back in his pocket.
"MANSEI!" the student suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs.
"MANSEI! MANSEI! MANSEI! MANSEI! MANSEI!" repeated the excited crowd.
As the chants increased in frequency, the crowd became more and more rowdy due to the patriotic energy given off by the declaration.
"NOW LET US SPREAD OUR MESSAGE! LET JAPAN SEE OUR DISCONTENT!" yelled the student.
"MANSEI! MANSEI! MANSEI!" repeated the pumped up crowd as it spread out.
"This doesn't look good..." said Zero as the crowd around him started marching in different directions.
"What do you mean? Isn't their intentions to make this a peaceful protest? Shouldn't we be embracing the pride that has just been released?" asked an amazed Kae.
"I'm doubting the intentions of the people. They know that the nonviolent approach is their best move. What worries me is that crowds filled with energy may slip up, causing damage." explained Zero. "It looks like one part of the crowd is heading towards the colonial capitol building. I think we should follow them and make sure things don't go crazy."
"But what about the other crowds? Shouldn't we follow them?" Kae asked.
"The Zero Division should be able to monitor them. And remember, if they see any signs of aggression, they will not fight back and instead will sound the alarm." said Zero.
Zero and Kae then proceeded to walk with the crowd marching towards the colonial capitol building. As they walked with the crowd, many more patriotic Koreans waving small Korean flags and holding small signs could be seen coming out of various buildings. The crowd still kept chanting the phrase "MANSEI!" as they lifted their arms into the air.
"So many people...from all walks of life...potentially walking into dangerous territory." thought Zero as horrific memories of the SAZ Massacre flashed through his mind. "If things get too crazy on one side, the other side will have a reason to retaliate. It would be a disgrace to Euphie if I allow another travesty to be inflicted on innocent people."
Author's Notes: The Declaration has been announced and now the people are more pumped up than ever. The dialogue from the Declaration that was read, which was in bold, is from the actual declaration. Also, the word "mansei" roughly means "Long Live Korea for 10,000 years" or simply "Long Live Korea".
About me repeating Lelouch/Zero's memories of the SAZ Massacre. the memories are being brought up again because I need to give Lelouch/Zero a reason to put much effort in making sure the protests are nonviolent and peaceful, despite the fact that's not his style.
Next chapter, which will be done as soon as possible, is when the heat really rises. With word of the declaration spreading so fast, the Korean people by the masses will step up to the plate, and voice their opinion directly to the Japanese officials.
Remember to Review.