Instalment 6 (1894)
Scene 1: On the coast at Weihai
Finally, the sea manoeuvre takes place. To the view of the assembled guests a selected ship appears to be bombarded. However, the bombardment is merely a stunt performed with the help of sailors on the targeted ship who ignite explosive material on order. All the guests are stunned by the apparent efficiency of the presentation. Finally, Li Hongzhang even orders to have the ship sunk for the grand finale. The commanding officer, Liu Buchan, first hesitates but then gives orders to fire at the ship which sinks (together with all those on board). Overwhelmed by the presentation, the Chun Prince heaps praise onto Li and, spurred by the ongoing ovations of the audience, the prince spontaneously composes a poem to commemorate the occasion.
Scene 2: At an official building at Weihai
On the evening of the same day, the presentation is followed by a formal reception for all guests. The Japanese Ambassador Komura Jutarô frankly enquires if this extension and the armament of the navy is not directed against Japan. Li’s response is quick-witted and the Japanese ambassador is subjected to the laughter of all guests present. He is so enraged by this that he leaves the reception hall. Afterwards, Ding Ruchang confesses to Li that the bombardment of the ship was a stunt and that all sailors on the ship died when Li ordered it to be sunk. Li is shocked and saddened by this.
At the same time, the English, Russian and Japanese ambassadors gather together outside the reception hall. They openly discuss the attitude which the individual countries may take in case of a war between China and Japan. After the Japanese ambassador has left, everybody speaks in praise of the day’s manoeuvre. The English ambassador concludes that the Chinese fleet is superior to the Japanese. This comment is picked up and noted down by the Times correspondent Morrison, who has joined the group unnoticed. He points out that there seems to be trouble coming up for Li Hongzhang.
Meanwhile, Li Hongzhang and Cixi’s favoured eunuch Li Lianying have retired to talk in private. Sheng Xuanhuai, in turn, serves drinks to the eunuch and subordinate of Li Lianying’s, Xiao Dezi. Sheng tries to win Xiao Dezi’s trust. However, Sheng stumbles over his own words and is forced to admit that the current funds of the Beiyang Navy stem from foreign banks. When at the close of the evening, Li and Sheng get together to discuss the day’s events, Li reveals his worries about Japan to Sheng.
Scene 3: Japan; at the Parliament
During a session of the Japanese parliament, the question of funding for armament of the Japanese navy leads to turmoil among the members of parliament. At that moment, a message by the Japanese ambassador to China reporting on the spectacular Chinese navy parade reaches Premier Itô Hirobumi. The Premier reads the message out loud and it greatly impresses the audience.
With great enthusiasm the Chun Prince reports to Cixi about the success of the manoeuvre. She scolds him, though, for his euphoric reactions and for composing such an emphatic poem after the performance. The prince is completely ta-ken by surprise by this unfriendly reception of his report and suffers a break-down. Cixi, however, is not touched by his collapse at all.
The Japanese ambassador has been urgently called back to Japan. Nonetheless, after his arrival he first visits a small restaurant by the roadside. There he talks to the innkeeper about his stay in China and counsels him to go there to do business and enjoy life. After the guest has left, the innkeeper tells his daughter Junko, who has just returned from school, about the suggestions he received. On the same evening, the daughter meets with her lover, the navy cadet Asahiko Jûgorô. They come to speak of the financing problems which endanger the purchase of a new, modern battleship which is supposed to excel over all other battleships. They both express their deep wish to do everything possible in order to aid their country in purchasing this ship, the “Yoshino”.
The Chun Prince does not recover from his earlier breakdown and passes away in the presence of his closest relatives. At the same time, the Guangxu emperor (his son) is taken by a mysterious restlessness and comes to remember that his father’s birthday will be in two days.
In Japan, the leading government politicians request an audience with the Tennô. But when they enter they are surprised to find him immersed in conversation with the influential intellectual Fukuzawa Yukichi. The politicians are slightly taken aback by Fukuzawa’s meddling in state affairs. However, even though he carries some apprehensions, Fukuzawa ultimately expresses his support for an attack on China. When the Tennô finally receives the politicians, his meal is just being served. When the politicians mention the presentation performed by the Beiyang Army, the Tennô is alarmed, refuses the meal and declares that he shall only take one meal a day until the Japanese Navy will have superseded the Beiyang Navy in power and strength. This, he is told, however, will only be possible if a new and superior warship is purchased. But the politicians contend that funding for such a purchase is hard to arrange for since the Japanese parliament would never agree to it. With his proclamation to eat no more than a meal a day, the Tennô sets a moral symbol of determination to show that he is willing to sacrifice everything in order to reach his goal – and pressurises the parliament.
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