Short Historical Plays: Sino-Japanese War
Author: Liu Yingtao
Synopsis of the story, introduction of characters, text of the article
The protagonists in the first act: Li Hongzhang and Empress Dowager Cixi.
Li Hongzhang: Report to the Empress Dowager that the war between China and Japan is very tense. A letter was written on the naval yamen, demanding an increase in naval military spending to meet the needs of the war.
Empress Dowager Cixi: Oh, then dial some.
Li Hongzhang: Yes! But the queen mother has just paid off the reparations of various countries some time ago, so the national treasury is very nervous now. Therefore, Minister of the Navy Ken Qing, can you temporarily move the maintenance cost of the 60th birthday celebration of the Summer Palace?
Empress Dowager Cixi: What! Throw away the money! Hum, it's finally my birthday, and now I have an idea. Tell them! Impossible, whoever makes me unhappy today, I will make him unhappy all his life! The war against Japan can be reconciled, and I don't want to lose my good mood then!
Li Hongzhang: Yes, Empress Dowager, I will do it!
Li Hongzhang: Ladies and gentlemen, although China and Japan are at war, peace is still the most important thing. Can you not call, it is best not to call? Should we stick to the rules and strive for progress? What's more, Lafayette will do it in a few days. Celebrate longevity? At this point, we don't want to ruin her old man's good mood!
Zuo, Ye and others: Yes, my Lord!
Act II The Lost People in Pyongyang: Li Hongzhang, Zuo, Ye Zhichao and Soldier A
Soldier A: Left, the Japanese army has besieged Pyongyang and the situation is critical.
Left: Come on, follow me to the city head to meet the enemy, and all ministries will listen to orders, concentrate their firepower and fire at the Japanese army! . . . . . . Ah, (causing pain at the expense of falling)
Soldier A: Left, left (after wiping tears)
Soldier A: (running to the other side) Ye, Zuo, he, he died heroically!
Ye: Ah, it seems that this city can't hold on. Come on, let's retreat from the back door!
Narrator: running all the way and Ye Zhichao traveled 500 miles at night and fled back to the Yalu River before daring to catch their breath. No wonder, at that time, ordinary people said: civil servants have three hands, military officers have four feet, and four feet fly, fearing being chased.
In the third act, the Yellow Sea was controlled by people: prefect Ding and Zhiyuan commanded Deng Shichang.
Soldier B and Li Hongzhang
Soldier B: Report to the prefect that our army was attacked by a Japanese ship ahead.
D: OK, give the order to go down and prepare for the battle!
Narrator: In the fierce battle, Zhiyuan was hit, and at this time he had run out of ammunition and food.
Soldier B: Lord Deng, we have no shells.
Deng: What! No shells, (looking at the Japanese Yoshino ship) Well, then we will die with him!
Give the order and speed up with all your strength. Aim at Yoshino (hands on the turntable).
Soldier B: (with tears in his eyes, but firmly) It's an adult!
Narrator: Just as Zhiyuan rushed to the enemy ship, it was unfortunately hit by an enemy torpedo, and all the officers and men of the ship sank with the fleet!
Lord nave, our Zhiyuan and Jingyuan ships were sunk (in a low voice), but the Japanese fleet was also hit hard. I
Request to order the rest of Beiyang ships to meet the enemy together.
Li Hongzhang: No, our army suffered heavy casualties, so we should make good adjustments. I order you to drive beiyang fleet into Ahava and forbid you to go out to sea to meet them.
D: Yes (very wronged), (slightly shaking his head and looking helpless)
Narrator: In this way, due to Li Hongzhang's policy of avoiding war and protecting himself, Japan easily gained control of the Yellow Sea, which laid a fatal hidden danger for beiyang fleet, which is known as the strongest in Asia.