RON+Minwoo

Basic Profile Name: Zheng Jian han Age: 25 Gender: Male Occupation: Chinese Soldier Social Class: Low class Financial situation: Family is poor and in need of money Appearance: Skinny and Tall Location ( [|map] ): Nanking (Map is a problem: France) Habitual locations: Small house in the city Daily routine: wake up early in the morning -> go to work -> short lunch break -> work again -> go home -> eat a slight dinner -> go to sleep early and prepare for tomorrow Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Work hard for money. Respect others and try to help others. Past/individual-family history: Grandfather served in the army for forty years and died in battle. Family has a long history of serving in the army. Family: 3 Brothers, Mom and Dad Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in other classes, AND your opinions and feelings about them): Religion: Confucianism/Buddhism Education: Reading and writing was my only education. Family was too poor to send me to school. Portrait:

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Diary Entry #1: Calm Before the Storm

Dear Diary,  Another hard day begins. I woke up from my deep sleep at 8:00 A.M and started to get ready for work. I want ed to get to work e arly so I can make more money, since the factory that I work in pays me in hours. Anyway, while I was on my way to the factory, a group of soldiers were talking about some war that was happening? I was curious w hat the war was about... So, I went up to the few soldiers and asked them What was going on. It seems that Japan has declared wa r on China? Knowing that Nanking’s location is on the coast line of China (Not true), I imagined shortly what would happen. I thought of Japanese battleships. What a frightening thought... I said thanks and waved goodbye to the soldiers and started to run towards the factory, realizing that I was late. That whole day I was thinking about the Japanese and their powerful westernized force. I’ve heard that Japan had beaten Russia a few days ago (Again, this is totally false). They really have become strong... Strong enough to beat even a western power. China is going to lose for sure!! China will need all the help it can get if it is to beat Japan.. I know! I will join the Chinese military! But, I have no experience in war. Then, I started to think of my Grandfather and one of his sayings: “One man can make a change in the world.” Yes! I can do it! For my family! For my country! I have finally decided to join the Chinese army. When work was over I hurried home and started to pack my things. I packed all of my clothes my small dagger and some money. The last thing that I packed was a picture of my Grandfather in his soldier uniform. I smiled and packed the picture away, turned off the lights and started to dream of great glory and victory. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Diary Entry #2: A Knock at the Gate

Dear Diary, The next morning I got up early and quickly ran to the military base of China. I finally signed up as soldier for the Chinese army. I didn't tell my family because i knew they would have rejected about the idea. They are probably still asleep at home anyway. I entered the base and the first thing i saw. . was.. a man.. getting beat by his lieutenant. (Capitalization missing at the beginning of sentences, for "I") it was a horrible sight. blood was spilling all over his body. Me frightened, i stepped back like nothing happened and starting walking towards my tent. I saw four other soldiers. I said hi and asked for their names, but none of them responded, gave me a look, and walked out. I was alone. I should have never joined the army. I started to settle myself in, unpacking my luggage. Suddenly, Tang Shengzhi commander of the army ordered a gathering. I quickly changed into my uniform, took my rifle and headed out the tent. I saw thousands of soldiers gathering around the general. I ran quickly to try to maintain a good spot. I listened to his speech with deep focus. He spoke that the army of China is about discipline and honor. We will die fighting and suicide will only come with great dishonor to one’s family. His words inspired me and the whole camp. After his speech it was time for training. All I have to say is.. IT WAS HELL... We ran up the mountains, ran through dirt, did 100 push ups. and trained with rifles. When I got back I was exhausted and was about to faint, but before we were dismissed to our tents an announcement from General Tang Shengzhi was made. Japanese troops were at the gates of Nanking! What?! How could this be happening?! The exhausted troops were ordered to quickly mobilize into formations. When we finally arrived at scene, it was too late. Japanese troops had already passed the three gates on the eastern side and left a bloody scene. Blood was spilled here and there, crisp human flesh was on ground, and children were shot and thrown into the fire. The whole army was frightened by the sight. A lot of them were crying and just about ready to vomit. How can Japanese people be this cruel? Why must we fight a war that is hopeless? We all know the end result.. Then I thought of my family and the promise that I made with myself. I reminded myself to be strong. To not falter. I was enraged. I became thirsty for Japanese blood. General Tang Shengzhi quickly changed plans. He ordered the men to march and defend the western walls. We quickly ran and reached the location before the enemy and waited patiently behind the walls. Then suddenly! In a distance, we saw little ant-like figures running across the field. Before the battle started, General Tang Shengzhi gave a inspiring speech once more. “This is our land! This is our home! Fight for her! Fight for your family! Fight and die with honor!!!” We took out our rifles and waited for our official’s orders. When the enemy was in range of our weapons, General Tang Shengzhi shouted, “FIRE!”. We fired and shot down most of the Japanese army’s front line. We might be able to win this battle! I thought happily, but that small bit of hope suddenly vanished when the enemy took out their heavy weapons.

They shot their machine guns and artillery shells and quickly killed hundreds of our soldiers. General Tang Shengzhi ordered for the army to retreat! We quickly picked up our supplies, weapons and ran back to the base for our lives. While we were running we could see our comrades falling to their knees one by one. It was a long run. By the time we reached the base, half of the army was lost, along with the rest of hope that had remained. We obviously lost due to lack of military training and westernized weapons. Many came back without an arm or a leg and some with half of their face burned. Luckily, I was able to escape unharmed. After, eating some food our troops quickly fell asleep preparing for the next battle. I couldn’t sleep after the things I have just experienced. War is not about honor. War is about killing the person in front of you. All the confidence inside me vanished. I peaked out of the tent and saw the full moon glowing alone in the sky. I stared and stared, until I finally fell asleep.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Diary Entry #3: The Gates Come Tumbling Down

Dear Diary, What? Hm? Is it?... no wait it can’t be.... an earthquake? I rubbed my eyes and looked around what was going on and suddenly my lieutenant kicked me and hollered into my ear, “RUN!” The ground vibrated from thousands and thousands of Japanese soldiers marching. I looked forward and I saw my fellow comrades getting shot and falling to the ground. Most of them were crawling for their lives with multiple bullets in their flesh. I had a choice to make. Should I make a run for it? or die fighting? I had to choose quick... the Japanese army was advancing! I decided to fight! For my country! For my family! I quickly grabbed my rifle and loaded it. I tried to get up, but something was pulling me back! I told myself to get up and fight, but my body wouldn’t agree with me. I realized it was my fear of death... I was scared to die. I thought of other options to survive. Out of choices, I just laid down on the ground pretending to be dead. I hated myself for doing such a cowardly act. I peaked around me and I saw a familiar face a few steps next to me. It was one of the soldiers that lived in the same tent as I did. I quietly asked him his name. He responded in a dehydrated voice. His name was Kong Bao tai. We whispered and introduced ourselves. Shared where we lived and what we used to do. Kong Bao tai was also a factory worker just like me. He was poor and also struggling to earn money. He joined the war for personal reasons such as leaving his boring life.

Now it was timeto be as silent as possible. All of the remaining Chinese forces has retreated and we could hear the Japanese troops marching past us. We were afraid and tried to be like real corpses. I couldn’t understand the Japanese language that the General was speaking, but it seemed like he ordered two soldiers to make sure there aren’t anymore survivors. The two soldiers remained behind, while the Japanese troops continued to push forward. They searched for some time. We waited. When they finally came to us we used our rifles and shot both soldiers in the chest. Kong Bao ta i decided to head for Congqing. Exhausted, we picked up our supplies and guns, and quickly ran away form the scene.

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Diary Entry #4: Through the Gates into Hell

Dear Diary, It was our second day running. Everywhere I go I see countless bodies that have been burnt or ripped. The color red is all that I see. I felt uneasy and dizzy. I was cold and hungry. I lost how a real meal tasted like. So many dead woman and children along the streets of Nanking that I saw. I didn’t know what to say. Kong Bao tai vomited at least five times due to the stench of the corpses. This war was like nothing I have ever seen. While we were walking we talked about the Chinese government and complained. China is dying. What is the Chinese government doing when we are all here dying? unprotected? We do not have enough food to even serve 3 meals a day and the water that we drink is filthy. Has the government really lost hope? I stopped walking for while due to the tiredness and the cold, but Kong Bao tai helped me to move forward. He told me our goal was to reach Congqing and Nanking will be in the hands of the Japanese in less than 3 days. If we don’t escape now then we will be captured and killed ourselves. To forget the hunger I quickly drank some water and recharged myself. To satisfy the hunger was a different story. Like rats, we began to search through the dead bodies for food. We ate whatever we could get our hands on. While we were eating, a Japanese scout was patrolling the city. We quickly ran to a dark isle and waited for him to pass by. After, to Chongqing. We ran with the little energy that we had, but still were able to run pretty fast. I thought of my grandfather. Grandpa, is this war? Nothing but blood on sadness? I kept on talking to myself, but Kong Bao tai helped me to concentrate escaping. I began to think of him as a good friend. We were now refugees.

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Diary Entry #5: A Survivor

Dear Diary,

Its been a long time since I wrote in this diary. After all, I was too busy fleeing from Nanking and all. Wow.. Time flies so fast doesn’t it? 20 years in fact... Unfortunately, this will have to be my last journal entry in my life. Anyways, lets move on to what happened

We were successfully able to reach Congqing. When we got there we looked at the massive armies that were assembled... We were right. Nanking was destined to fall. I felt pretty blown away at the government’s plans. In anger I tried to throw in the sky, but Kong Bao tai stopped me. He told me if we are to help China we must join the Congqing army and help protect the government. We were recruited, but sent to different battalions. We said goodbye and wished for each other for the best of luck. The separation was unfortunate, but I thought if we win the war, we could see each other again. Keeping that in mind, I regained my confidence I had lost and prayed for a fortunate end. The war was long and hard. 7 years of nonstop killing and shooting In the end we were finally able to overcome them and send them back to their homeland. This was a victory for nobody. Both sides lost casualties in the millions! and China was left with nothing. A complete wasteland. This war will go down in history as one of the most bloodiest war humankind will ever experience. After the war, I went home. Going back to my normal life. I was homesick. I’ve never left home that long before. The first thing I did when I got back home was I took out my picture of my grandfather and hanged it where it usually was. I remember every moment of that war and I will never forget.....

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Works Cited

 "Joe Sing, Francisca Moreno broke barriers in early 20th-century Austin." [|__www.satesman.com__]. Juan Castillo, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. < [|__www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/austin-family-finds-clues-in-attic-to-chinese-847487.html?viewAsSinglePage=true__] >.  "ROP PeterP." plashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. < splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net/RON+Peter >.

 "The rape of nanking." thecargoculte.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. < [|thecargoculte.com/archives/293] >.

 "executions.justsickshit.com." executions.justsickshit.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. < [|executions.justsickshit.com/feed/?show=slide] >.

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