Chapter 1: Walking with Martyrs

  Qiao Yu struggled to get out of bed, but instantly felt something was off. He wasn't sleeping in his familiar bed, and upon closer inspection, he found himself on a Japanese futon. Looking down at his clothes, he saw that he was wearing traditional Japanese attire. How did he suddenly become Japanese? Had he watched too many things he shouldn't have?

  Qiao Yu pinched his thigh hard, it really hurt! Wasn't he dreaming? He sorted out his thoughts and desperately tried to recall that he had attended a class reunion, seeing his former classmates all successful and prosperous, the bitterness in his heart was hard to express. He was already over thirty years old, often said that at thirty one should be established, but he didn't even have a career, let alone a home, and as for girlfriends, he had met a few, but they lost interest as soon as they saw his poor appearance.

  Women these days are so pragmatic, once they turn ruthless, it's like a knife. Qiao Yu felt uncomfortable and stopped looking at his former classmates' constant boasting, instead drinking cup after cup until he was eventually escorted out of the hotel by his classmates. At this point, a car suddenly appeared from the side of the road and hit him, and then everything went black. Now, how did he become Japanese?

  Qiao Yu struggled to open his eyes, lifted his head and looked around. It was a typical Japanese building, but very simple, without any modern atmosphere, nor any decorations, just an old-fashioned clock ticking away, showing the time as 3 pm in the afternoon. How could there still be such antiques? Qiao Yu couldn't help but laugh, but soon his head started throbbing with pain like needles stabbing him.

  Just then, the door was pushed open and a young man walked in.

  "Shun Qing, do you feel better now?"

  Shun Qing? Is that what you're calling yourself now? When did I get this name, damn it! How do I not know anything about my own situation?! The young man who came in was not tall, but he was lean and strong, with a look of concern on his face as he quickly walked up to Qiao Yu and helped him up.

  "You, if you can't drink, then don't show off, this hangover feeling is terrible!"

  "It's really bad, I'm feeling extremely dizzy now!"

  The young man who came also didn't notice anything unusual and poured a cup of hot water for Qiao Yu.

  "You just take a rest first, I still have to go listen to the lecture. Tonight we'll eat together, Qin wants to talk to you about something!"

  The young man left, and Qiao Yu lay on the tatami all afternoon, his mind in a mess, with countless fragmented images flashing by. Gradually, these images merged into a familiar movie, and Qiao Yu gradually became clear about his situation. It turned out that he had exchanged bodies, or rather, he had traveled through time and space.

  His name is also Qiao Yu, and his style name is Shun Qing. He is from Wanxian, Sichuan, and is currently traveling in Japan. Gradually, Qiao Yu sorted out the memories that remained in his mind and became clear about his situation.

  It was August 1910, and he was currently in Tokyo, Japan. Fortunately, he had not become a Japanese person. Qiao Yu finally let out a sigh of relief, but soon became nervous again. It was now 1910, which meant that China would face an earth-shaking change in just one year and two months. How should he conduct himself in this turbulent world?

  At the same time, he also thought of Yu Peilun, a young man who came to see him, was from Sichuan, and was a fellow townsman and fellow member of the Tongmenghui. As the saying goes, "old countrymen meet old countrymen, with tears in their eyes". Both being from Sichuan, Yu Peilun was very concerned about Qiao Yu, but Qiao Yu also knew his other identity - he was one of the 72 martyrs of Huanghuagang, and his life would not last more than a year!

  Being good friends with him, would I also become one of the martyrs of Huanghuagang? Qiao Yu spent most of his time online and was quite familiar with events before and after the Xinhai Revolution. Among the 72 martyrs of Huanghuagang, there were three from Sichuan: Yu Peilun, Qin Bing, and Rao Guoliang; it seemed that none of them had the surname Qiao, but it's also possible that one was an unnamed martyr. If so, wouldn't I be even more tragic than Yu Peilun?

  Qiao Yu finally couldn't help but think that he had to do something, even if it wasn't for some great goal, just to survive. Now, being with Sun Dapao was absolutely not a good outcome. Qiao Yu didn't have the courage to be a martyr. He barely stabilized his mind and began to quickly sort out the remaining memories in his brain.

  The new body's origin is not bad, it's a big family in Dongchuan, his father Qiao Guangyuan was the right servant, although he retired and returned home, but the family is rich and wealthy, with fields connected to the horizon, and opened many shops, in Dongchuan has a good reputation. At the age of 15, Qiao Yu left Dongchuan to study military affairs in Germany, it was from then on that Qiao Yu began to contact the revolutionary party. After studying in Germany for two years, he went to Britain, France and other countries to study, and then went to the United States, half a year ago arrived in Japan.

  At that time, Japan gathered a large number of Chinese revolutionaries and young overseas students, with a very strong revolutionary atmosphere. Qiao Yu met Yu Peilun, Qin Heng, Lin Juemin and other revolutionaries here. Although he did not formally join the Tongmenghui, he was also an object of active pursuit by the Tongmenghui, especially after it became known that Qiao Yu had studied military affairs in Germany. This was a military talent who absolutely could not be let go.

  Qiao Yu had also met some revolutionary leaders, listened to many passionate speeches and donated a thousand dollars. However, as someone who had traveled the world, although young, he was somewhat dissatisfied with the Tongmenghui's gangster habits and never formally joined.

  Now with a brand new soul, Qiao Yu's heart was filled with waves of bitter smiles. It seemed that the revolutionary party members he knew, such as Yu Peilun, Qin Bing and Lin Juemin, were mostly later Huanghuagang martyrs. Was it really his fate to become a martyr? Wouldn't that be a waste of crossing over?!

  It seems that I must plan my own future, continuing to stay in Japan is meaningless, time is the most important thing, it cannot be wasted. I should hurry back to Sichuan, my family's power is not small, and I can take advantage of it. In the Xinhai Revolution, I can get a official position, get some loyal troops, so that I can achieve something in the future. Since I have arrived at this era, I must compete with Sun Daqiang and Yuan Datou, how can I just watch the warlords and Japanese people harming my country?

  After thinking about it, Qiao Yu hastily got up and wanted to find an opportunity to bid farewell to Yu Pei Lun and others. However, the kimono he was wearing was extremely awkward. The Chinese people at that time had not experienced the painful lessons of the eight-year war against Japan and still had a very good impression of Japan. Therefore, Qiao Yu did not have any resistance to wearing kimonos before, but now it was different. No matter how he looked at the kimono, he felt awkward. Qiao Yu rummaged through his luggage and pulled out a suit, changed into it, and took a look in the mirror. The young man was 1.8 meters tall, with a fair complexion, clear eyebrows, and bright eyes, much more handsome than before. Moreover, his family was extremely wealthy, and his father was an official, a typical rich and powerful nobleman. It seemed that crossing over once still had its benefits.

  Qiao Yu indulged in wild fancies for an entire afternoon, and by the time night had fallen and the street lamps were first lit, Yu Peilun and another tall young man came to look for him.

  "Shun Qing, Qin Da Ge has come to see you!"

  This young man is Qin Bing, also from Sichuan Province, and a future martyr. He was older than Qiao Yu and Yu Peilun, and usually took care of Qiao Yu.

  "Thanks for your concern, Qin Gege, I'm fine now, just a bit dizzy in the head!"

  Qin Bing was tall and majestic, even a bit taller than Qiao Yu, very heroic, and grabbed Qiao Yu's arm.

  "Shun Qing, we are both from Sichuan, so we should take care of each other. Japan is great in every way, but the food can't compare to our Sichuan cuisine! Today, there's a new Sichuan restaurant that just opened up, big brother is treating us!"

  "Qin big brother, you can go, but absolutely cannot drink again!"

  "Haha, alright, it's settled then!"

  Three people left the inn and walked on Japanese soil. Qin Bing and Yu Peilun were both wearing kimonos, occasionally greeting the surrounding merchants. Seeing this, Qiao Yu felt very strange in his heart. How much suffering had this small island nation brought to the great China? Probably no one could say clearly. The blood debt was heavy, the white bones were everywhere, and yet they refused to admit their guilt, beautifying their aggression, which was extremely detestable. Moreover, those revolutionary martyrs still had a deep connection with the Japanese people. From the bottom of his heart, Qiao Yu became even more disgusted with these so-called revolutionaries.

  Of course, this is nitpicking. It's a fact that Lenin and other revolutionaries were supported by the Germans before they launched the October Revolution. But Qiao Yu was still unhappy about it, while Qin Bing and Yu Peilun were very enthusiastic.

  "Shunqing, my younger brother, this afternoon we went to listen to Mr. Hu Hanmin's speech. Mr. Hu told us that the Tongmenghui must take great action, launch a larger-scale uprising, and completely overthrow the corrupt Qing government. Mr. Sun has already raised a huge sum of money overseas, and soon he will lead everyone in launching an uprising. A new China is just ahead!"

  Qin Bing seemed very excited, constantly telling Qiao Yu about the revolutionary truth. Qiao Yu thought to himself that no one could be clearer than him about future events. Qin Bing couldn't deceive him, but although Qin Bing and his kind were naive, they were reliable and respectable. After all, they were willing to die for their lofty ideals. Setting aside the ulterior motives of the revolutionary leaders, these lower-level figures were still worthy of respect. Without them, the Qing government wouldn't have collapsed completely.

  After a short while, a Sichuan restaurant appeared in front of us. Many Chinese overseas students were entering and exiting the place, everyone was laughing and chatting. It felt like we had returned to our hometown. Many of the students knew Qin Hui and kept waving at him.

  At this time, a middle-aged man walked out of the restaurant.

  "Hello, Mr. Qin and Mr. Yu."

  "Hello Mr. Sanmu, let me introduce you to Qiao Yu and Qiao Shunqing. They have studied in Europe and America for many years and are rare young talents. Mr. Sanmu is enthusiastic about the Chinese revolutionary cause and has been of great help to us."

  After the introduction, Qiao Yu only knew that this Japanese man was called Sanji Jiro, a Japanese ronin who had known Qin Bing for a long time and often helped the revolutionary party. The relationship between them was very good, but Qiao Yu always felt that this Japanese man was too sinister and didn't seem like a good person, so he just nodded slightly.

  Four people sat together, the chef's craftsmanship was good, a table of authentic Sichuan cuisine was delicious, especially now that the pollution of ingredients is very light, almost all green products, absolutely rare. However, the attention of the other three people was not on the dishes at all. Sanmu, a Chinese expert, spoke fluent Chinese and said with a smile: "Your country's culinary skills are truly unmatched, but Japan is an advanced country, its economy and culture are models for East Asia. China and Japan are friendly neighboring countries. Your country is still in turmoil, people from all walks of life in our country hope that under the efforts of you young people, the corrupt Qing government will be completely overthrown and a true republic established!"

  "As Mr. Sanmu said, we will soon take concrete actions to thoroughly end the Qing government's rule and follow the trend of the times with our hot blood to establish a brand new country." Qin Bing said.

  "Yes, seeing you young people with ideals and passion, I seem to see a brilliant future for your country. I have met Mr. Sun Yat-sen, he is a capable and prestigious figure, the future of your country lies in Mr. Sun, from him I saw the style of Meiji's predecessors!"

  Qiao Yu's heart became increasingly twisted as he listened, and he had always been inclined to make the worst assumptions about the Japanese. Who knows if this Sanmu was a spy for the Black Dragon Society? Qin Ying suddenly said to Qiao Yu: "Shunqian younger brother, with the support of our Japanese friends and us, I believe that the success of the uprising is just around the corner. Younger brother has learned from others, especially in military affairs, I really hope you can join our Tongmenghui and work together with everyone to overthrow that corrupt government and let China stand tall again in East Asia!"