５ Mission to Japan２
A week later, at the Port of Maihak.
Clear.
The clouds are high, the clear blue sky spreads, and it is a little cool.
The mission was concentrated in the harbor of Mihak.
At the meeting place, in front of the office of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, a man in tight clothes starts talking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to hear that you will be visiting Japan as a delegation. I am Tanaka from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was dispatched to make your visit as comfortable as possible. If you have any inconveniences, please feel free to let us know."
Tanaka's fresh smile somewhat discourages the members of the mission.
Meanwhile, there is one member of the delegation who looks gloomy.
"LET'S GO ON A SEA TRIP NOW ......"
"General Hanki, you look pale. What happened?"
"OH, MR. YAGOU ...... I'M DEPARTED TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, SO PLEASE STOP THE GENERAL."
"Certainly. So, what's on your mind?"
"Well, now that I think of traveling by sea, it's depressing ......。 traveling by sea is not a good thing. There is no telling when the ship will capsize, and the inside of the ship is dark, damp and smelly because there is no light. On top of that, many people suffer from epidemics on long trips, and they can only eat salty food because they only have preserved food. Above all, it's hard to secure water. Save money even if thirsty ......"
As Hanki sighs, Yagou nods gloomily.
He often goes on sea trips as a sales representative. Every time I had a tiresome experience, I had already made up my mind that I would not be safe again.
"Well, this time they say Japan will arrive in two days. If it's about 2 days, you can have your patience cut short ...... To be honest, 2 days is something I think there was a mistake in the exchange between the Foreign Affairs Bureau and Japan. It's impossible to get to that area in that number of days."
"I also think the time calculation is wrong. However, there is Japan that flies a tekuryu. Maybe it's going to be faster than we think it would be."
Time will soon come.
Moving from the meeting point to the port, a large white ship appeared from behind the island.
"WHA ...... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?"
"Big! AND THERE'S NO Sail!!"
The largest ship stopped off at sea.
Tanaka starts to explain, while the members of the delegation are amazed.
"I will take that ship to Japan this time. I really wanted to berth at this port, but unfortunately the depth of water is not enough, so I would like you to go there by small boat."
Three small ships appeared in the shadow of an offshore ship and flew toward the port at an incredible speed.
The ship had no sail, either.
Hanki asks a series of questions about the mystery.
"Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Tanaka. Well ......。 that boat doesn't seem to have sails, but how does it work? EVEN IF IT'S A SMALL SHIP, WHERE DID IT COME FROM ......? It seems that there is no oar, how can you run so fast? Oh, no, is it like a demon boat of the first civilization?"
"I don't know what an evil guide ship of the first civilization area is like, but the ship is operated by diesel engine."
"Dizerukan?"
"Yes, it's what we call karakuri. To put it simply, we use the flow of air that burns oil as a force to turn the wings, pass through several axes and turn the screw to propel it."
"Um ...... I don't know, but it's great."
The party boarded a small boat that came alongside the pier and headed for a large passenger boat.
When I entered the ship, all the members of the mission were so surprised that I could hardly hear a word.
It's bright. Do they keep the Ghost of Light?
"W ...... THIS SHIP IS MADE OF IRON ...... HOW THE HELL DOES IT FLOAT ......? It's bright and spacious inside. It's like a royal palace."
They were led to their assigned rooms, where they had a relaxing time.
■From the diary of Yagou that day
What do you mean? I can't hide my surprise.
I have never seen or heard of such a large ship, nor have I read it in literature.
It's comfortable and bright inside, and unbelievably the temperature stays constant.
In spite of such a large ship, it travels on the sea like an arrow. Traveling 1000 km in 2 days is not a lie.
What kind of country is Japan that produces such things?
Some officials in the Foreign Ministry said, "It must be a barbaric state of an emerging nation." But for now, don't they think we are a barbarian?
Perhaps Japan has the power equivalent to that of the powerful countries in the civilized world.
■2 days later
"Ladies and gentlemen, Fukuoka City has come into view. Fukuoka City is the largest city in the Kyushu and Chugoku Shikoku regions. You can see Hakata Port in front of you, and from Hakata Port you can take a limousine bus -- a large car -- to Hotel New Nikko, where you can learn basic knowledge about Japan."
The Yagos were so excited that they got up early in the morning and stood on the deck looking ahead.
Then Tanaka came and explained about today's schedule again.
As soon as the land floats on the horizon, the outline of the city becomes clear. It is now possible to see Hakata Port in front of the building, as Tanaka calls it, with ash, white, beige and red buildings next to it. As we approached, we saw a huge bridge across the water and a corridor that overlapped two or three layers.
After arriving at Hakata Port and disembarking from the ship, Tanaka explained that he would take a limousine bus to Hotel New Nikko.
I had been told about cars driven by 'internal combustion engine' called automobiles, but I had never thought there would be so much traffic. I heard that almost every household in Japan owns a car, and even a day laborer in his or her 20s can buy a car regardless of his or her status.
It's ridiculously rich.
When you arrive at the hotel, a study group is held to learn basic Japanese knowledge.
Signal system, vending machine, automatic ticket gate, railway system.
According to Tanaka, all of them look like strange objects, but they were born out of science. If you understand how it works, anyone can make it.
Explaining the Road Traffic Act together, the delegates were convinced that without a traffic light, cars would move freely and the traffic network would be paralyzed.
In addition, students are taught common sense which is a misdemeanor, such as the crime of embezzlement of lost property, etc., if they take what they find and keep it for themselves.
"Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Tanaka."
Hanki speaks.
"What is it? Dear Hanki,"
"This place seems to be developing a lot, but is the capital more developed than this?"
"Yes. First of all, the population is not as large as that of this city, so there are many apartment houses, that is, houses like nagaya houses. High-rise buildings are higher than those found in Fukuoka City, and they are spread out in a mesh so that roads and railways can be operated efficiently. However, I personally feel that the townscape of Fukuoka-shi is more beautiful. It's embarrassing, but people who came to Tokyo from Fukuoka said, 'It's always messy and dirty.' ......"
"HMM ...... IS IT MORE DEVELOPED THAN FUKUOKA CITY?"
In spite of the expected answer, Hanki groaned. He continues to ask questions.
"Mr. Tanaka, I'd like to see the Japanese army. Is that impossible?"
"our country doesn't have a military. There is a substitute called the Self-Defense Forces ...... Well, please wait a moment."
Tanaka starts talking to himself with something like a small board that shines all over. Can you do it with magic? It's unusually small, but ......。
"I'm sorry. An air festival will be held at Tsuiki base of Air Self-Defense Force just tomorrow. It's like an exchange meeting between the Self-Defense Forces and citizens for the general public, but we can arrange it if you like."
"Oh, I'm very sorry to ask you."
Hanki was in high spirits when he got a chance to see the Japanese military ...... the Self-Defense Forces.
"Is there anyone else who wants to go?"
"I will go too."
Yagou raises his hand. The other three will go on a tour of the city, so Hanki and Yagou will go to the air festival together.
