Chapter 1612: Chapter 1612: Slap in the Face Again and Again
Hu Wenjun also heard it, Luo Ziling was belittling the Japanese.
Since he claimed that the Huaxia language is the most superior in the world, and Huaxia characters the most beautiful, he certainly didnât consider Japanâs official language, Japanese, as anything significant, nor did he regard Japanese writing highly.
Although in the art of calligraphy, there is no country that can compare to Huaxia, others might agree to this, but the Japanese never would. They certainly believe that, although Japanese script is derived from Chinese characters, it is superior, and that Japanâs calligraphy art is more powerful than todayâs Huaxia. The influence of a language is proportional to the national power, and Japan has always regarded itself as a leader in Asia, often looking down on Huaxia, thinking their language is superior. Luo Ziling elevating the Chinese language to the height of Mount Everest made the Japanese uncomfortable.
The official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had long found Luo Zilingâs arrogant demeanor irritating, so he couldnât help but retaliate: âSince Mr. Luo believes Huaxiaâs language and writing are superior, why did you even introduce an alphabet, and at one point, even attempted to alphabetize Chinese characters?â
âEveryone makes mistakes. At that time, some people blamed Huaxiaâs backwardness on its script, but their error was quickly corrected. We came to our senses and corrected it ourselves, without causing major trouble. Moreover, it allowed future generations to have a more convenient learning method, with phonetic annotations making reading simpler. This is much less costly than realizing mistakes only after being humiliated.â At this, Luo Ziling paused, and then with a smile, continued, âMy grandfather told me that after World War II, there were very few men in Japan. The Japanese government, fearing a severe gender imbalance and concerned about a population drop leading to social problems, tricked and even kidnapped many Huaxia people to Japan to help impregnate Japanese women. Isnât that a huge cost? We certainly wouldnât make such mistakes, yet you made so many mistakes and still wonât admit to them.â
Luo Zilingâs few casual words instantly enraged all the Japanese.
That war is a painful memory for many Japanese, but also a source of pride.
Japan, a tiny nation, nearly destroyed the giant Huaxia â if not for Americaâs intervention, this possibility really existed.
Therefore, many Japanese are still resentful, looking down on Huaxia people, feeling that Huaxia doesnât deserve their respect.
The ones who defeated the Japanese army werenât Huaxia people, but American people.
They admire Americans, treating them as idols, even being likened to Americaâs sons, always following their lead.
Although that war ended many years ago, people like Ishihara Naka and most of those seated never experienced it.
The war ended over seventy years ago, and those who truly experienced it have mostly died. Those born in that era are now in their seventies or eighties, not remembering the brutal war or understanding the severe gender imbalance and economic collapse Japan faced after the war.
Luo Ziling stated a fact among them, but they vehemently denied it, angrily accusing Luo Ziling of spouting nonsense.
The official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare immediately stood up to protest to Hu Wenjun, saying that Luo Ziling was slandering Japan.
Hu Wenjun did not expect Luo Ziling to talk about such matters in front of so many people, even before the banquet had started.
Even if such things really happened, the Japanese surely wouldnât want to bring it up because it would embarrass them.
Nobody expected Luo Ziling to not only ridicule that war but also mock Japan with the issue of âborrowing seeds to have childrenâ, how could they bear it?
As an official in charge of health and welfare, he was aware of what Luo Ziling just mentioned. After the war, many Huaxia people were indeed taken to Japan to fulfill surrogate duties. Itâs just that neither side acknowledges this history.
Hu Wenjun was momentarily at a loss for how to respond and looked at Luo Ziling with a bitter smile, hoping Luo Ziling would answer for himself.
Luo Ziling, of course, didnât want anyone to shield him, so as soon as the official from the Ministry of Health finished and sat down, he immediately retorted: âI was merely stating a fact. There is an old Huaxia saying, âTo not forget past events is to be a guide for the future.â Remember past lessons to not repeat them, known as âmending the pen after losing the sheep is not too late.â There is nothing to protest about. After all, so many years have passed. A friend of my grandfather is someone who experienced this; when young he was taken to Japan and made three sons and four daughters with three Japanese women before fleeing back. Later, his sons and daughters in Japan even visited him. If you donât believe it, I can find evidence for you. Of course, these matters have nothing to do with you, as you werenât born then. As itâs said, a child doesnât mind a motherâs ugliness. Many compare the motherland to a mother; when she is in trouble and has to make painful choices, we must understand, so donât blame her.â
After saying all this, Luo Ziling with an innocent face said, âIf you told me that during your invasion of Huaxia, many Huaxia women surrendered to the Japanese and even helped them bear children, I wouldnât be surprised or protest, because things like that did happen. The most I can do is express regret and scorn for those citizens. Is it really that hard to admit mistakes? You see, our countryâs history books even tell of Bai Qi burying alive forty thousand Zhao soldiers; when Huo Qubing marched on the Northern Desert, he brought captives and killed many people. Since such things happened, thereâs nothing shameful in acknowledging them.â
Upon using eloquent speech to silence everyone, Luo Ziling made a concluding remark: âWhether one is willing to acknowledge history is a reflection of magnanimity and confidence. We Huaxia people are much more open-minded than you. For instance, this official challenged us as soon as we got off the plane, oh no, rather he tried to humiliate us, yet none of us took it to heart, because we have great tolerance. Isnât everyone still sitting here eating and drinking together? Hahaha, Iâve said enough, you can continue if you have something to say, Iâm listening.â
Luo Ziling spoke rapidly, and Lin Lan translated quickly, fully conveying Luo Zilingâs intended message to the Japanese.
After the official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stood up to protest, he was still indignantly angry, but after hearing Luo Zilingâs subsequent remarks, he became even more furious. However, Luo Zilingâs final few words stopped him and left him speechless.
He indeed had a deliberate intention to make things difficult when welcoming the Huaxia delegation and almost succeeded. If it hadnât been for Luo Ziling standing up, their plan might have succeeded. Even if such things are done, Huaxia people would only suffer in silence, unable openly to seek revenge.
Nobody expected that Luo Ziling, who had countered him at the airport, would use biting sarcasm at the evening banquet, bringing this matter up again.
In a moment, the official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare even considered having Luo Ziling kicked out of the banquet hall.
It was so infuriating â how could there be such an insufferable person in the Huaxia delegation?