Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 276: The Union of Broken Bones (10)

"The two factions are the Imperial Way Faction and the Control Faction. The Imperial Way Faction, true to its name, desires direct rule by the Emperor, while the Control Faction advocates constitutional monarchy and anti-zaibatsu policies." comment

"Is anti-zaibatsu the same as anti-capitalism?"

"It's different from anti-capitalism. In our country's terms, it would be like denouncing cartels."

Indeed, not much has changed.

The Imperial Way Faction prioritizes the Emperor, and the Control Faction prioritizes democracy, but what's funny is that they're both military cliques.

"What about the navy? I thought relations between the navy and army weren't good."

"Yes, but they're similarly divided into two: the Imperial Way Faction and the Control Faction."

"...Hmm?"

What's this? Constitutional monarchy or direct imperial rule—these are just games of justification, aren't they?

In the end, since power comes from the barrel of a gun, weren't they all just trying to establish their own military regimes?

The army was crazed with internal division, but the division between army and navy would be no less significant.

'No, not yet. Perhaps the confrontation between army and navy hasn't ripened?'

Even though the Imperial Headquarters is already divided into army command lines and navy command lines, outwardly they maintain a single organizational structure, so that might be the case.

However, Beren's continued explanation made it difficult to view this simply as the confrontation period not having arrived yet.

"What's important isn't which military they serve in or which region they're from. That country's military is truly divided by ideology."

"Are you serious? Soldiers are fighting divided by ideology?"

"That's right. From the beginning, the 'control' in the Control Faction meant civilian control. That's why they argue they must rise up to drive out the Imperial Way Faction."

I unconsciously covered my open mouth with my hand in shock.

My goodness... Japanese military forces sincere about democratization.

This makes the flourishing Nazis next door look more normal in comparison.

"This rebellion incident also involves 11 young navy Control Faction officers assassinating Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi. However, the public and some soldiers are speaking out against punishment."

"If the aftermath isn't easy to handle, the incident will grow even larger."

This is similar yet different from the May 15 Incident.

The fact that the public supports them and military officials oppose punishment after they assassinated the Prime Minister indicates an intensification of factional fighting, but while the May 15 Incident was an event that extinguished Japanese democracy and the rule of law:

"The perpetrators are demanding their own punishment and the implementation of a legitimate national general election."

This coup, though it failed, is trying to take a step toward institutional reform.

And this change... well, at least it's not my fault.

==

"Your Honor, here is the investigation report from the truth commission. These are reference materials and informant information, as well as information about witnesses."

"What's this jar?"

"...Fingers. Young people from Niigata, who want to be punished on behalf of the nine navy officers, sent their pickled fingers to the court."

"Remove that immediately!"

"They're asking to at least accept it as evidence—"

"How could we, you fool!"

The attempted coup that broke out on the 15th was immediately indicted on the 17th and arrived before him.

With trials held every other day, more than 10 trials had already been conducted, and it seemed they would continue indefinitely.

Kageta Igoshiro, the presiding judge of the Tokyo District Court who was leading this trial, began to feel a headache coming on today as well.

This case, which he took on because his gray hair indicated experience, was not simply a case of prime ministerial assassination.

Dissatisfaction due to the global trend of naval disarmament.

Militarism opposing it.

The Great Depression and the zaibatsu identified as its cause.

The confrontation between young, spirited junior officers and stagnant senior officers.

Finally, the imperfect parliamentary system leading the empire and the forces dominating that parliament.

To truly investigate this trial properly, one must go back that far.

It's not something for a mere judge to handle.

'Just moderate a bit! Power stations, private mansions, bank headquarters, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Constitutional Association. And if that's not enough, attacking the residences of ministers and the Prime Minister?'

What's more frightening is that these were failed attacks.

These young officers confessed to planning even the assassination of the famous actor Charlie Chaplin from America.

The Tokyo Court was already on the verge of paralysis due to hundreds of thousands of handwritten petitions being sent from across the country.

Nevertheless, he inwardly understood their spirit.

It's not that he, as a judge, was immersed in the ideology popular among young people.

He could comprehend the logic of both the Imperial Way Faction, including the pro-Emperor faction who had to watch their defeat by Russia and its subsequent rise, wanting to unite around the focal point of "His Majesty the Emperor."

And those who wanted to overturn a world dominated by a minority by advocating the values of democracy from Britain or Western countries.

He felt this way simply because the logic of both camps made intellectual sense to him.

"The judge is entering. All rise, please."

"I hope there will be a meaningful result today."

However, if someone were to ask what is right:

"We are not traitors! Those who are trying to abuse His Majesty the Emperor's power are using the three major zaibatsu and top ten companies for personal gain! They are filthy people who collect wicked taxes and exchange bribes using greater power!"

"So you tried to assassinate all the business leaders? By your logic, everyone in politics and business deserves to be dead!"

"Greed knows no bounds! There is no end to avarice!"

"These, these rioters are insulting all of Nippon! Your Honor, they are certainly lunatics who have gone mad with delusions!"

That's right. Trying to kill everyone and eliminate them is certainly close to mental illness.

"So we should just stay silent? The system is wrong, and those who created it, those who lead it, those who abuse it, aren't wrong?"

This is also right. This country is definitely messed up somewhere. Self-purification? What nonsense when there's not even a will to improve.

"Who will listen to our voices if we don't do this!"

"Make that voice one more time, and you'll be the ones trying to overthrow even the imperial family!"

Ah, even as a judge, he no longer knows.

Perhaps.

Is this bloodshed the only way this country can change?

As a mere judge, he couldn't provide a clear answer to any of these questions.

If even he, an educated person, couldn't provide an answer...

'Who on earth knows the answer?'

But again.

He couldn't provide a clear answer to any of these questions.