Chapter 649 Community of Interests and Community of Destiny
In the newly established military supply depot in Dinghai City, the sound of looms never ceased, day and night.
Zhou Xiuxiu sat in front of the spinning wheel by the window, skillfully spinning thread.
Her husband's name is engraved on the huge monument to the fallen heroes at the foot of Mount Fuji. He was wounded in a naval battle with Japan and fell into the sea, where he lost his life.
At that time, she was still living with her mother-in-law in Jian'an City.
In the days immediately following the news of her husband's passing, she felt as if the sky had fallen.
How could she survive in Jian'an City with a half-grown child and a mother-in-law with mobility issues?
But soon, Li Wangchun from the governor's mansion came to her door in person, not only comforting her but also bringing her a generous sum of money as compensation.
And she was told that Li Shiyue had long ago given an order that if any soldier who followed her into battle were to die in battle, she would take care of their family!
"If you are willing, you can be given priority to work in the supply depot, and your wages will be first-class."
In the future, when your child reaches school age, they can attend our newly established school to learn to read and write. There will be no tuition fees, and lunch will be provided.
That's what Li Wangchun said to Zhou Xiuxiu.
Later, Zhou Xiuxiu went to the military supplies workshop.
Although working in the supply depot was hard, the female manager took good care of the families of the deceased soldiers, paying their wages on time and in full, and never deducting anything.
Two years later, her son came of age and went directly to Zhenhai School, where he studied and learned to read and write under the guidance of a teacher!
Later, her son grew into a young man, and the Kingdom of Donghai was established!
Her son was an excellent student, quite extraordinary at such a young age. Before he even came of age, he had already secured a job as a teacher at the newly built school in Dinghai City of the East Sea Kingdom!
Zhou Xiuxiu had lived most of her life and never imagined that one day she would leave Jian'an City with her son, board a large boat, and go to live in a completely new place.
A few days ago, at the grand ceremony for the unveiling of the monument to martyrs, she and other families of martyrs who had immigrated from Jian'an and settled in Dinghai City were specially organized to attend the ceremony.
When she heard Li Shiyue say, "I will take care of his parents! I will raise his son-in-law, wife and children!" Zhou Xiuxiu's tears welled up instantly.
She wiped away her tears and looked at the black figure on the platform, her heart filled with gratitude and a strong sense of belonging.
Every thread she spun could one day be woven into the robes of the soldiers of Zhenhai Navy. This made her feel that she was also doing her part for this promise, and that her husband's blood had not been shed in vain!
With these thoughts in mind, Zhou Xiuxiu, sitting in front of the spinning wheel, worked even more diligently.
The women around her were whispering about the grandeur of the monument to the martyrs and expressing their gratitude for Li Shiyue's kindness.
Zhou Xiuxiu listened from the side, a slight smile playing on her lips.
On this new land, these widows have found new support and the confidence to live on, and even to live well.
***
Zhang Tieming is now a mid-level officer in the Zhenhai Army, serving under Chen Yong.
He was a refugee whom Ding Haisheng brought back from Dongmou Port. He had boarded the ship with his elder sister, Zhang Yinhua.
Actually, he wasn't called "Tie Ming" before; his name was Tie Dan, Zhang Tie Dan.
After arriving in Jian'an from Dongmou, he entered school because of his young age, and his teacher changed his name from "Tiedan" to "Tieming".
Zhang Yinhua went to work in the military supply workshop, and thus, after losing their parents and brother, the siblings finally had food to eat in Jian'an.
Later, Zhang Tieming joined the youth army camp, picked up a long sword, and became a soldier under Li Shiyue.
The monument to martyrs holds a particularly special significance for him.
On it were the old sergeant who taught him how to hold a knife, his comrades who had drunk with him, and many others whose names he didn't know but who he knew were from the same battalion.
When he participated in this grand ceremony, he stood in the procession, listening to each name called out, his eyes red-rimmed, but he clenched his teeth and didn't cry out.
Shortly after the grand ceremony, Li Shiyue had a more detailed "Regulations on Compensation and Support" promulgated. Zhang Tieming went to the place where the notice was posted and read it carefully, article by article.
These regulations are very detailed, providing clear guarantees for everything from the amount and method of disbursement of pensions to the livelihood, residence, and education of family members and children.
The higher authorities even stipulated that if the martyr's parents had no other children to support them, their old age would be taken care of by the "Veterans' Home" established by Li Shiyue.
Looking at these articles, Zhang Tieming felt a warm glow in his heart.
He thought of his parents and elder brother who starved to death on their journey to escape famine, trying to save them a bite to eat. If they could have come to Jian'an, perhaps... Zhang Tieming shook his head and stopped thinking about it.
He and his older sister Zhang Yinhua now have a new home on this brand new land!
He told himself that he must train his troops harder and fight more bravely, not only to protect this new paradise, but also to protect everyone on this land, so that his fallen brothers could rest in peace.
***
The Chinkai Martyrs Monument at the foot of Mount Fuji is more than just a building.
It is a symbol, an emblem, a core device of politics and culture meticulously constructed by Li Shiyue.
First, it embodies the utmost loyalty of the Zhenhai Army.
Li Shiyue bestowed upon the soldiers the highest honor and dignity by eternalizing the name of each sacrifice.
Coupled with that unquestionable promise of compensation, she let the surviving soldiers know that their sacrifice would not be forgotten and that their families would receive the best care.
This greatly boosted the military's sense of belonging and combat effectiveness, making the Zhenhai Navy not only professional soldiers, but also a community of shared interests and a community of shared destiny with the East China Sea Nation.
Secondly, it cleverly constructs the founding narrative and sense of community of the Donghai Kingdom.
In his memorial address, Li Shiyue repeatedly emphasized the causal relationship between "sacrifice" and "paradise," directly linking the sacrifice of Zhenhai Army to the well-being of the Han Chinese immigrants in Dalong.
This makes new immigrants feel less alienated and more grateful and responsible when facing this still-scarred land.
The integration of martyrs' families like Zhou Xiuxiu into their new lives, and the joining of orphans like Zhang Tieming into the Zhenhai Army after receiving education, all reinforce this narrative—Donghai Kingdom is a new homeland bought with the blood and lives of the Han people of Dalong, and it deserves to be cherished and built by everyone.
This monument, forged with blood and promises, acts like a powerful magnetic core, firmly drawing together Han Chinese from different regions and backgrounds in Dalong, as well as the Zhenhai Army, its core.
They were to be forged into a new community with Li Shiyue as the absolute core, Zhenhai Army as the armed force, and "Donghai Kingdom" as their identity.
Li Shiyue, the King of the East Sea, not only conquered the land with force, but also began to win people's hearts and shape the national spirit with a stone tablet and the promise behind it!
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