Episode 11: Xintai Returns to Serve as a Military Doctor, Signs of Japanese Defeat Begin to Show
1
After returning to the 601 Military Hospital, Matsushita Daisuke immediately instructed his adjutant Saito:
“Adjutant, draft two telegrams for me at once and send them to Tokyo and Taiwan.”
Adjutant Saito said with a troubled expression:
“Reporting to the director, I’m afraid that won’t be possible at the moment.”
Matsushita asked in surprise:
“What? Have the submarine cables been cut again by the guerrillas?”
Saito said:
“Not only that! According to officers who came in for hospitalization, the local guerrillas have blown up the military telegraph office.”
Matsushita asked:
“Have the guerrillas become this rampant?”
Saito said:
“It is said that the military has assessed that the Allied forces will soon launch a large-scale landing in Malaya. They may first seize Singapore…”
At this moment Matsushita was only concerned about the telegrams:
“So when will the telegraph lines be repaired?”
Saito said:
“The military has given no answer, so I do not know either.”
Matsushita said:
“Then draft two letters for me.”
Saito said:
“Even letters cannot be sent now. The Allied forces have already blockaded both sea and air routes.”
Matsushita said anxiously:
“Then what should we do? You should still go to the military headquarters and ask the telegraph office for clarification.”
Saito said:
“Yes! I will go at once.”
Matsushita muttered worriedly to himself:
“What a headache. The Allied forces may really be planning to land in Malaya. Xintai staying in the orphanage—could he be discovered by the guerrillas and captured… No, I must quickly bring Xintai back.”
2
Director Chen Qingke encountered Meixiu on Qingshui Street, carrying a vegetable basket.
Qingke said warmly:
“Meixiu, it’s rare to see you out on the street.”
Meixiu said:
“Director, are my students doing well?”
Qingke said:
“After Teacher Tingkai was conscripted into the army, we couldn’t find anyone to take over, so the principal asked me to temporarily take his position.”
Meixiu said:
“Then thank you for your hard work, Director.”
Qingke said:
“It’s busier than before. I have to watch them all day and also grade a pile of assignments.”
Meixiu said:
“You’ve been through this before. You should get used to it quickly.”
Qingke said:
“I heard that your fiancé, Young Master Yang, fell into the sea and went missing. I really feel very sorry for you…”
Meixiu responded with a bitter smile, thinking to herself:
“Good news never spreads, but bad news travels fast.”
Meixiu said:
“Thank you. Good people are protected by heaven. I believe he will return safely.”
Qingke said:
“You should think it through. A woman’s youth is limited. Don’t give up an entire forest for a single tree. It’s really not worth it for you…”
Meixiu thought to herself:
“Xintai is a great tree, and you are just an annoying biting dog…”
But she restrained herself and said:
“Whether it’s worth it or not, I know it in my own heart.”
Qingke said:
“Seeing you carrying a basket, let me accompany you to buy groceries and help carry it…”
Meixiu refused decisively:
“No need, I can carry it!”
Qingke persisted:
“Then after dinner, I’ll come to your house to pick you up. Let’s go watch a movie.”
Meixiu said:
“I appreciate your kindness, but after dinner I still have to return to the hospital for my shift.”
Qingke said:
“Your Young Master Yang’s life or death is still unknown. Why are you so stubborn?”
Meixiu did not want to deal with him anymore, so she quickened her pace. Unexpectedly, he continued to pester her. Fortunately, after turning a street corner, Officer Murano was patrolling. Meixiu, as if encountering a savior, immediately walked toward him. Qingke saw Murano, remembered being reprimanded before, and tactfully left.
Meixiu said:
“Luckily you appeared in time. Just now there was someone…”
Murano said:
“I saw. It was your former colleague, Director Chen. Is he bothering you again?”
Meixiu sighed:
“Sigh… it seems I’ll have to avoid him from afar in the future.”
Murano said:
“If he bothers you again, just go straight to the police station. If I’m not there, my colleagues will also help you.”
Meixiu said:
“Thank you.”
Murano asked:
“Is there any news about your fiancé?”
Meixiu shook her head:
“Not yet.”
Murano said:
“I will also help you keep an eye on this matter. But recently, it is said that telegrams and letters cannot reach Malaya. In my judgment, the American forces may soon land in Malaya…”
Meixiu asked worriedly:
“Oh? You mean a large-scale war will soon break out there?”
Murano said:
“Most likely.”
Meixiu fell silent again. At this point, she had become somewhat numb to such news.
The two walked slowly along the street. Murano said:
“I have a day off the day after tomorrow. Would you like to go to Gaomei Beach to relax?”
Meixiu thought of Gaomei Beach, where she and Xintai had gone together before he left for war.
“Alright!” Meixiu indeed wanted to get some fresh air by the sea.
Murano said:
“Then at nine in the morning the day after tomorrow, I’ll pick you up at your shop.”
3
Murano and Meixiu walked along the Gaomei beach. Seizing this beautiful moment, Murano gathered his courage and proposed to Meixiu:
“Meixiu, be with me. Although I am not a high-income doctor, I will make sure you live without worry.”
Meixiu recalled how she and Xintai had once watched the sea here before he left Taiwan. Moved by the scene, she decided to make things clear:
“Brother Murano, is this another way of proposing?”
Murano said:
“Yes, it is. I am sincere.”
Meixiu said:
“I am an ill-fated woman. My fiancé went missing at sea right after our engagement. I do not want to bring misfortune to anyone else.”
Murano said:
“Please don’t belittle yourself like that. Xintai’s fate is beyond our control. Why blame yourself?”
Meixiu said emotionally:
“Perhaps I blame myself and feel regret for Xintai. But you don’t understand—this childhood bond between us… unless you have truly lost someone…”
Murano said:
“I understand, Meixiu. I can feel your pain. It makes my heart ache for you.”
Meixiu said:
“Brother, have you heard this ancient Yuefu poem? It describes my feelings now.”
Murano said:
“My knowledge of classical Chinese is limited, but I would like to hear it.”
Meixiu slowly recited:
“Heavens above! I desire to know you and live long without separation.
Until mountains crumble, rivers dry up,
Winter thunder roars, summer snow falls,
Heaven and earth unite—only then would I dare to part from you!”
Murano listened attentively, pondering its meaning, and after a while said:
“Although I don’t fully understand it, I can feel its tragic beauty. It seems like a vow of devotion.”
Meixiu said with a bitter smile:
“Whether Xintai is alive or dead, I will wait for him forever in Qingshui.”
Murano said:
“Meixiu, your foolish devotion pains me deeply.”
Meixiu said:
“My heart belongs only to Xintai. I will not consider any other man in this lifetime.”
Murano said:
“But if Xintai is gone, or if he abandons you, would you still persist?”
Meixiu said:
“Brother, thank you for caring about me, but you may be disappointed…”
Murano said:
“Disappointed? Will you remain a widow for him your whole life?”
Meixiu said:
“Perhaps… living in beautiful memories.”
Murano said bitterly:
“I… truly don’t know what to say…”
Meixiu said:
“What is love in this world? It makes people vow to live and die together. Emotions are often beyond reason. But I know my decision…”
Murano sighed:
“Meixiu, I believe one day you will change your mind… I will wait patiently for that day.”
Meixiu said softly:
“That day… I’m afraid you will never see it.”
After speaking, Meixiu softly sang in Taiwanese the song Anping Reminiscence:
“Wearing a red floral dress, golden hair blown by the wind, longing for my lover…
Where has his ship gone? No news at all…
He sails through stormy seas…
I cannot forget this love… my heart cannot speak…
My longing rides the sea breeze…
The sea breeze laughs at my foolishness…
Ah! My first love is so bewildering…”
As she sang, tears streamed down her face.
Murano said, deeply moved:
“I have heard this song before. I understand your feelings. I truly understand your pain.”
4
Wuxiong asked the house steward A-Fu:
“Where did Meixiu go early this morning? Why haven’t I seen her?”
A-Fu had seen Officer Murano pick her up but hesitated, knowing Wuxiong would be angry. Still, he did not dare hide it:
“Officer Murano came to pick up Miss. She went out with him.”
Wuxiong said:
“Did she say where she was going? When she would be back?”
A-Fu said:
“No, she didn’t say.”
Wuxiong said:
“This Meixiu is really inappropriate. Already engaged to the Yang family, yet going out with that Japanese officer. If neighbors see this and gossip spreads, how will we explain it to the Yang elders?”
Chuntao came out from the inner room and said:
“Master, you’ve been muttering since morning. What happened to make you so unhappy?”
Wuxiong said:
“It’s Meixiu! She went out early with that Japanese officer without saying where or when she’ll return.”
Chuntao said:
“If she went out with Officer Murano, you can rest assured. People say he is upright and won’t do anything improper.”
Wuxiong said irritably:
“That’s not what I’m worried about!”
Chuntao asked:
“Then what are you worried about?”
Wuxiong said:
“I’m worried that if neighbors see them, gossip will reach the Yang family. Then even if we are right, we won’t be able to explain clearly.”
Chuntao said dismissively:
“Her legs are her own. Can we control where she goes? Unless you chain her to the door.”
Wuxiong said:
“You’re missing the point! I’m worried about misunderstanding from the Yang family!”
Chuntao said:
“No need to worry. She’s not yet married into their family. And since the Yang son’s fate is unknown, I’m planning to dissolve the engagement myself.”
Wuxiong said:
“Dissolve the engagement? You’d better get Meixiu’s consent first.”
Chuntao said:
“As her mother, I must plan for her future. Didn’t I already say—if the Yang son doesn’t return or returns crippled, the marriage is off?”
Wuxiong said:
“Even so, we must wait until his fate is confirmed.”
Chuntao said:
“What use is reason? Can it fill our stomachs? I won’t let her waste her life waiting.”
Wuxiong said impatiently:
“I don’t want to argue anymore.”
Chuntao said:
“If she must remain alone, better marry Murano. He’s an official, handsome and respectable.”
Wuxiong jumped up angrily:
“I absolutely forbid marrying her to that Japanese!”
Chuntao retorted:
“What’s wrong with him?”
Wuxiong said:
“He’s a Japanese policeman! We’ll be laughed at by the whole town!”
Chuntao scoffed:
“Many people want to curry favor with Japanese police. Having one as a son-in-law is prestigious!”
Wuxiong said:
“I can’t reason with you!” and stormed off.
Chuntao, however, thought to herself:
“It seems Murano is interested in Meixiu. Perhaps I should find a chance to speak with him…”
5
As soon as Meixiu returned to the fabric shop, Wu Xiong’s face turned livid, and he sternly questioned her, “Where did you go with that Japanese patrol officer?”
Meixiu paused for a moment. She sensed her father’s anger, so she replied cautiously, “We went to the Gaomei seaside, to make things clear with Murano.”
Wu Xiong pressed further, “What did you say to Murano?”
Meixiu said, “Murano proposed to me, but I refused him.”
Hearing this, Wu Xiong felt relieved. His attitude and tone softened as he said, “Meixiu, you are the Yang family’s daughter-in-law-to-be. You must remember your status.”
Meixiu said, “I know. I won’t do anything to betray Xintai…”
Wu Xiong said, “That’s good.”
At that moment, Chuntao had just returned from outside. “Meixiu, you’re back. I heard from your father that you went out with Officer Murano. Did he express anything to you…”
Meixiu did not want the two elders to bring up Murano again, so she said, “Don’t mention Murano anymore. I’ve already personally rejected him.” Then she turned and went back to her room.
Chuntao, cut off by Meixiu, was momentarily stunned and said, “Hey! I haven’t even finished speaking, and you just shut your own mother down!”
Wu Xiong said with concealed satisfaction, “Ah Tao, Meixiu has already made things clear with Murano. There’s no need for you to waste your efforts.”
Chuntao glared at Wu Xiong angrily and said, “You father and daughter are exactly the same—your heads are like stones in a cesspit, smelly and stubborn!”
Wu Xiong burst into laughter and said, “A son takes after you—scheming and opportunistic; a daughter takes after me—loyal and righteous!”
Chuntao cursed angrily, “No way! You old monkey, did you take the wrong medicine again? Are you deliberately talking just to irritate me?”
6
One evening in early May, the air-raid siren sounded. Zhang Zhiling put down the sweater she was knitting, blew her whistle, and rushed into the corridor, urging the orphans to quickly leave the classroom and assemble in formation on the playground.
The stout Director Mary ran, panting, to the front of the formation. The other two nuns had already arrived a few steps earlier.
The director asked, “Who is still missing?” Zhiling and the two nuns were counting heads, while the children looked at one another.
A-Xing shouted loudly, “A-Wen is missing!”
The director asked, “Where did A-Wen go? Did anyone see him?”
Zhiling said, “Xintai and I will go look for him. Director, please take the children to the air-raid shelter first.”
The director said, “Alright. Hurry up! See you shortly.”
Zhiling and Xintai split up and searched through the corridor, classrooms, dormitories, toilets, game room, reception room, and dining hall, checking each room one by one for A-Wen.
Meanwhile, the director and the nuns led the children in neat order, jogging off the playground, along a shaded path, into the air-raid bunker in the woods. The children were already accustomed to such scenes and even treated it as an interesting game.
Inside the bunker, the director, Sister Mu De, Sister Jenny, and a group of children pricked up their ears, listening to the movements outside. The sound of Allied aircraft engines passed overhead one after another, drawing nearer, followed by the explosions of bombs interwoven with bursts of machine-gun fire.
Before long, Zhiling and Xintai came running into the underground bunker, panting heavily.
“Zhiling, did you find the child?” the director asked anxiously.
“We couldn’t find him. He might have hidden somewhere after hearing the siren,” Zhiling speculated.
“Did you check near the waste oil depot?” the director asked.
“No,” Zhiling replied.
“Just now, a child saw A-Wen holding a rice ball, running out of the kitchen toward the waste oil depot,” the director said worriedly.
“That’s terrible! Isn’t that practically seeking death? The waste oil depot is often a target of Allied bombing,” Zhiling said, rising immediately to rush out, but Xintai pulled her back in time.
Xintai said, “You must not go out now! It’s too dangerous!”
“Then what about A-Wen?” Zhiling asked urgently.
“May God protect him—let nothing happen to that child!” the director had just finished speaking when several booming explosions sounded from the direction of the waste oil depot. Zhiling frowned, instinctively sensing that something had happened to A-Wen.
“I’ll go take a look!” Zhiling, disregarding the danger, rushed out anyway.
“I’ll go with you!” Xintai followed right behind her.
The director and the two nuns called out anxiously from behind, “Be careful!” “Come back immediately if it’s dangerous!”
Sure enough, thick black smoke was rising from the direction of the waste oil depot. Zhiling covered her nose and mouth and carefully stepped into the smoke, with Xintai following.
Near a collapsed wall, she found one of A-Wen’s cloth shoes, confirming that he was nearby. She shouted at the top of her lungs, “A-Wen! A-Wen! Where are you? If you hear the teacher’s voice, answer me!” But she heard only her own echo.
Xintai searched along the wall, and a few minutes later discovered A-Wen lying in a pool of blood beside a pile of collapsed bricks.
Xintai said, “Found him! A-Wen is here.”
Zhiling rushed over and saw Xintai lifting A-Wen. His clothes were torn and stained with large patches of blood. One of his lower legs was mangled, wrapped with a strip of cloth—it was a sleeve torn from Xintai’s shirt.
Xintai calmly said, “I’ve already stopped the bleeding for him. Go back and bring a bicycle. I’ll wait for you at the intersection. We’ll take him to the hospital together.”
“Alright!” Zhiling dashed back toward the orphanage.
7
The Sixth Army Hospital in Johor Bahru was set up inside a Mazu temple. According to regulations, this hospital only provided medical treatment to Japanese soldiers. After the air raid, more than a dozen wounded soldiers were brought into the emergency room.
“Your injuries are too severe. I am powerless. I deeply regret this. Please go in peace. We will notify your family as soon as possible.” Inside the emergency room, a square-faced, big-eared medical officer was speaking to a dying soldier.
“Stretcher-bearers, carry this soldier to the mortuary,” the medical officer ordered the stretcher-bearers waiting outside.
At that moment, noisy voices came from the square in front of the temple.
A guard shouted loudly, “You are not allowed to enter. The military hospital does not admit civilians.” Armed guards stood at the entrance, blocking the way.
Zhiling urgently said in Japanese, “Sir guard, please let me bring this child into the hospital. If we delay any longer, it will be too late.”
Xintai held A-Wen in his arms, blood staining his shirt and trousers.
The guard waved his rifle with a fixed bayonet to drive them away and said harshly, “No means no. This is a superior’s order. If you don’t leave, I’ll arrest you!”
This enraged Xintai. He exploded in Japanese, “You bastard! If you’re going to let people die without helping, you shouldn’t hang up a hospital sign!” After saying this, he handed A-Wen to Zhiling and moved to tear down the sign at the entrance.
Zhiling pleaded, “For God’s sake, have mercy and save this child! Please, sir guard!”
Another guard, hearing that both of them spoke Japanese, could not determine their identities. Although he stepped forward to stop them, he did not use his weapon, only pulling at them with his hands. Xintai and the guards argued and struggled loudly.
The commotion caught the attention of the medical officer inside, who walked toward the entrance.
“Guards, what’s going on?” Abe Toshio (26) asked.
The guard replied, “Reporting, this man and woman who speak the national language are trying to force their way in!”
“Medical officer, please have mercy and save this child! He is badly injured. If we delay, it will be too late!” Zhiling pleaded to Abe.
“Guards, leave this to me,” Abe said. Then, turning and seeing Nishikawa Tetsuhiko, he exclaimed in surprise, “Nishikawa Tetsuhiko? Why is it you?”
“Abe!” Xintai and the guards immediately stopped struggling. He seemed to recall something and walked toward Abe.
Abe said, “I heard from Dr. Matsushita that he had just looked for you a few days ago, but you didn’t want to come back with him.”
Abe said to Zhiling, “Carry the child into the operating room.”
“Reporting, sir, this violates regulations. I dare not make the decision on my own!” the guard still blocked the entrance.
“Then call the director on the internal line. Tell him it’s my decision. If there’s a problem, let him come to me,” Abe Toshio said sternly.
“Yes, sir!” the guard replied. Another guard immediately went back to the guardroom to make the call.
Xintai shouted angrily, “You fool! Are you still not getting out of the way?”
Director Matsushita and Adjutant Saito walked out and waved a hand.
“Yes, sir!” The guards immediately withdrew their rifles and stepped aside.
Matsushita said, “Nishikawa Tetsuhiko, welcome back to your post.”
Xintai said, “Dr. Matsushita, this child is in critical condition…”
Matsushita said, “I agree to let you save this child. Only the hospital has an operating room. But you must return to my side.”
Xintai had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Matsushita said happily, “Adjutant Saito, Captain Nishikawa has returned to duty. Go at once and instruct the logistics officer to prepare his quarters, uniform, and daily necessities.”
Xintai said, “Teacher, may I often return to the orphanage to visit the children and stay there overnight?”
Matsushita replied readily, “Yes, as long as there is no emergency.”
Abe said, “Tetsuhiko, this child’s injuries are severe. You perform the surgery. You are more skilled in this area than I am.”
Xintai said, “Alright, I’ll do it.”
Only then did Zhiling finally breathe a sigh of relief, gazing at Xintai’s profile.
Xintai said, “Zhiling, come in with me.”
Zhiling showed a relieved smile and said, “Yes, Medical Officer Nishikawa.”
8
In the operating room, the child lay on the operating table.
A-Wen needed an immediate blood transfusion, but the military hospital did not have enough stored blood.
Xintai said, “Zhiling, I’ll start preparing the surgical instruments. Go back quickly and bring a group of the children to prepare for blood donation. Hurry.”
“Xintai, is A-Wen seriously injured?” Zhiling asked anxiously.
Xintai removed his mask and replied, “The injuries are severe. I must open the chest and abdomen, remove shrapnel, and examine the extent of internal organ damage. As for the left lower leg, it may not be salvageable—it must be amputated.”
Zhiling asked worriedly, “Xintai, are you saying that even if A-Wen survives, he will be disabled for life?”
Xintai said, “Yes. I have already stopped the bleeding. During the operation, he must receive a transfusion. I just asked Medical Officer Abe—he said the blood bank here does not have enough stored blood. They usually rely on soldiers for emergency donations. But this time the recipient is a child, which likely violates regulations, so they cannot mobilize soldiers to donate blood. You’d better hurry back to the orphanage and bring A-Xing and a few of the older children to donate blood.”
Zhiling said, “Alright, I’ll go back right now.”
Xintai began preparing the surgical instruments.
Zhiling left the military hospital and rode her bicycle back to the orphanage at full speed.
Half an hour later, Zhiling returned with Director Mary, the nuns, and a group of children. This time, after the guards at the entrance confirmed their purpose, they immediately allowed them to pass.
Outside the operating room, Xintai and Zhiling were talking, while Director Mary and the children stood nearby.
Zhiling said, “Xintai, I’ve brought them.”
Xintai said, “Good. I’ll have the medics take you for blood typing. After that, we can proceed with the operation.”
9
Director Mary led the children away. On the bench in the corridor outside the operating room, only Zhiling remained, waiting. She closed her eyes to rest. A warm breeze blew, and before she knew it, she fell asleep.
After a long surgery and blood transfusion, Xintai finally saved A-Wen. A-Wen was pushed out of the operating room by medics, but one of his lower legs had been amputated—he was now disabled.
A medic came over and woke Zhiling.
Zhiling thoughtfully wiped the sweat from Xintai’s forehead and said, “Xintai, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take A-Wen back to the orphanage to recuperate.”
Xintai said, “No. A-Wen must stay here for observation and recovery for a while, to ensure there is no infection and to pass the critical period.”
Zhiling said, “But will this cause you trouble?”
Xintai said, “You don’t need to worry about that for now.”
Zhiling asked, “But this is a military hospital. Where would there be a ward for A-Wen?”
Xintai said, “I will arrange for A-Wen to stay in my officers’ quarters to recuperate. When he has recovered to a certain extent, you can come and take him back.”
Zhiling asked again, “Then who will take care of him?”
“This…” Xintai thought for a moment and said, “You may need to discuss it with Director Mary and find someone to come over, because the military hospital won’t allow me to stay idle just to take care of A-Wen.”
Zhiling said, “Alright, I’ll go back and discuss it with the director. If there’s really no one available, I’ll come myself. But I’m very worried—when A-Wen wakes up after the anesthesia wears off and realizes he has lost a leg, I’m afraid it will be very difficult for me to comfort him. This blow is too heavy for a boy still in his growing years…”
Xintai said, “That is A-Wen’s fate. There’s nothing we can do. He must face it himself. If I happen to be there when he wakes up, we’ll comfort him together.”
Zhiling said, “If you’re truly too busy, I’ll have no choice but to brace myself and comfort him.”
At that moment, a medic came before Xintai and saluted. “Reporting, sir. Medic Zongze Kenjiro reporting for duty.”
Xintai asked, “Reporting? Who sent you to find me?”
Zongze said, “Director Matsushita. Every medical officer here has a dedicated medic to handle assigned tasks. The director asks that you go to his office shortly.”
Xintai said, “Alright, I’ll go in a moment. Zongze, help me take this child to my quarters, and look after him in my room until I return.”
Zongze stood at attention and replied, “Yes, sir!”
Xintai turned to Zhiling and said, “Zhiling, go with Zongze to my room and wait for me. I’ll take you back to the orphanage later to speak with Director Mary.”
Zhiling said, “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
Xintai watched as Zhiling and Zongze pushed A-Wen’s bed away.
10
Yang Xintai entered the director’s office. Inside were Abe Toshio, several other medical officers, Adjutant Saito, and a few officers. Everyone seemed to be waiting for him.
Matsushita said, “Captain Nishikawa, you’ve arrived.”
Xintai said, “Yes, Director.”
Abe Toshio stepped forward, shook Xintai’s hand, and said, “Just now, Director Matsushita and I were talking about how our old classmate Nishikawa has returned. The surgery department has gained a new force. Medical Officer Harukawa and I can finally catch our breath.”
Xintai said, “Has junior Harukawa arrived? Didn’t he still have one year before graduation?”
Abe said, “Mainland Japan has been under sustained bombing by the Allied forces. Many city residents have fled to the countryside, and many universities, including the Imperial University, have suspended classes. Harukawa volunteered to serve on the front line, so that he can count it as his final year and obtain his medical qualification without taking the licensing exam.”
Xintai asked, “I see. Why haven’t I seen him?”
Abe said, “He is currently on duty in the wards.”
Matsushita said, “The meeting is about to begin. Please take your seats.”
With a serious expression, Matsushita said, “I have called this emergency meeting to inform you that the military headquarters has just notified us that the sea and air supply lines have been confirmed cut off by the Allied forces. There will be no resupply in the short term. Starting today, all departments must strictly conserve medical supplies, especially surgery, which consumes the most. Save wherever possible. For soldiers who cannot be saved, do not waste medical supplies… Next, I will have Logistics Officer Fujiwara explain the inventory situation.”
Fujiwara Yasushi (35) said, “Director, medical officers, colleagues, our current stock of military medical supplies is only enough for about three months. If the Allied forces land here in the future, the number of wounded soldiers will increase dramatically, and consumption will be considerable. To prepare in advance, all supplies must be used sparingly. All requested items must be applied for by medical officers and signed by department heads before allocation…”
Hearing this, Xintai began to worry about the medical supplies A-Wen would need.
Matsushita continued, “Now, let me introduce Captain Nishikawa, who has just completed his reporting. He is a classmate of Medical Officer Abe. Please take good care of him.”
Xintai stood, bowed, and said, “Please take care of me!”
After the meeting, Xintai and Abe were asked to stay behind.
Matsushita said, “Tetsuhiko, you’ve just returned. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can ask Abe.”
Xintai said, “Yes, teacher.”
Matsushita added, “Also, once communications are restored, write a letter or send a telegram back to Taiwan and Tokyo to inform your family. Both sides of your family are very concerned about your whereabouts.”
Xintai said, “Yes.”
Matsushita said, “Especially your wife, Masako. The news of your disappearance at sea must have been a great blow to her. You are her support for the rest of her life.”
Xintai said, “My wife… Masako?” He could not recall for a moment.
Matsushita said, “What? Has your memory not yet recovered?”
Xintai said, “Yes.”
Matsushita said, “No rush. I understand your condition.”
Abe said, “Teacher, Tetsuhiko may be suffering from traumatic amnesia.”
Matsushita said, “I know. Abe, there are still several surgical cases. Arrange for Tetsuhiko to assist.”
Abe said, “Yes. This is his specialty. I will arrange it.”
Matsushita reminded him, “Tetsuhiko, while serving here, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You are not Amaterasu Omikami. You cannot save every dying soldier. Remember that.”
Xintai said, “Yes.”
Matsushita took out a violin case and said, “Tetsuhiko, this is your violin. You left it at your home in Ueno, Tokyo. Before I left Tokyo by ship, your grandfather specially brought it to me and asked me to pass it on to you.”
Xintai said, “Thank you, teacher.”
Matsushita said, “It was just a small favor. You should thank your grandfather.”
