Chapter 348 Showing off the Technology of the West
Two o'clock struck on the afternoon of July 11th. The skies above Kurihama Beach were clear, the sun beating down on the sandy shores where an unusual event was unfolding. French troops, dressed in their navy blue uniforms adorned with gold trims, were forming a neat procession along the coastline.
At the front of the formation, the conductor, a tall man with a distinctive mustache, raised his baton, signaling the commencement of the fanfare. The opening notes of the French National Anthem, "Chant du Depart," began to resonate. Brass instruments gleamed under the sunlight, producing a rich, harmonious sound that echoed across the beach and into the town beyond.
Japanese officials, dressed in traditional kimonos and hakama, stood at a respectful distance. Their faces, usually stoic and unreadable, now displayed a mix of curiosity and fascination. They whispered among themselves, trying to grasp the nuances of this foreign tune. Nearby, local fishermen and vendors, who had momentarily abandoned their chores, gathered in clusters, their heads tilting in unison to the rhythm of the anthem.
Nearby, local children, their eyes wide and brimming with curiosity, cautiously approached the foreign musicians. They watched closely and tried to mimic the posture and actions of the French horn players, puffing their cheeks and pretending to play. Their attempts were met with quiet laughter as no sound came out from their imaginary instruments.
A few meters away, two prominent figures stood side by side. Representing the French Empire was Francis Bonaparte, while the Empire of Japan was represented by the Governor of Uruga, Takeyoshi. Between them was a simple setup: a desk and a chair, soon to be used for their discussions. Further ahead, a display area was set up, showcasing an array of French technologies. These were Francis's tools of persuasion, items he intended to flaunt to impress and intrigue the Japanese representative.
As he swept his glance at the Japanese crowds, he realized something too late. It was the physical appearance of the Japanese. Their facial structures were distinctively different from the Western features he was accustomed to. The almond-shaped eyes, the broader cheekbones, and the more refined jawline stood in contrast to the sharper, angular features common in the West.
They were also short in stature compared to the towering height of many Westerners. The difference wasn't just limited to height; their build was generally more compact, with broader shoulders and a more evenly distributed weight. Their skin tones varied from a pale cream to a deep tan.
The National Anthem was nearing its conclusion as the conductor made a series of precise movements with his baton, guiding the musicians through the final notes. As the last strains of the anthem faded away, polite applause erupted from the gathered crowd, both from the Japanese locals and the officials.
"So that's your National Anthem huh?" Takoyashi noted. Li Wei translated it to French. "What is the meaning of that anthem, Your Highness?"
"Chant du Depart, or 'Song of Departure', is more than just a national anthem for us," Francis began, addressing Takeyoshi's question. "It was composed during the French Revolution and encapsulates the spirit of freedom, unity, and resilience. The lyrics speak of the love for our homeland, the sacrifices made for it, and the call to defend our values. It's a reminder of our history, our struggles, and the ideals we hold dear."
Takeyoshi nodded thoughtfully. "Every nation has its songs and tales that reflect its history and values. It's fascinating to understand the stories behind such anthems. It gives insight into the soul of a country."
Francis simply smiled at the compliment before beckoning him to take a seat.
The Treaty of Peace and Amity hasn't been signed yet as Francis wanted to show their technology to the Japanese as an added effect, making them want to sign an agreement with them even more.
"I believe Edo is your capital city correct? Having had the chance to set foot in your capital and do a little exploring, I must say, your architecture is fascinating but that can be improved upon once we introduce modern technologies and bring civilization to your country. Let's begin with the first one."
With a flick of his finger, Francis called upon one of the staff, who approached the desk carrying a small box. He handed it to Francis and the box was opened.
Francis grabbed what was inside and showed it to Takeyoshi.
"This is what we call a locomotive or a train. It's what we use for transportation over long distances. It's faster than horses and can carry a large number of passengers or goods," Francis explained, holding up a small model of a train. The model was intricately detailed, showcasing the wheels, the steam engine, and the compartments.
Francis's staffers constructed a small railway model on the sand, placing the train model on it. "This train runs on tracks, just like this," he continued, pointing to the miniature rails. "By using coal as fuel, it powers the steam engine, propelling the train forward. It can also be powered with diesel or electricity with one having advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, if you want to modernize your nation, trains are a key infrastructure element you might want to consider."
Another technology was shown to Takeyoshi, this time it was an automobile.
"I'm sure you know about this as I have used it as my means of transportation to navigate in your capital city," Francis said, showing a toy model of an automobile. "This is what we call an automobile, it uses internal combustion engines powered by gasoline or diesel. Five years ago, almost all horse-drawn carriages were replaced with these automobiles in France and in Europe."
Francis showed another.
"This is what we call an aircraft," Francis said, showing a toy model of a propeller aircraft. "Just like the automobile and the train, it's another mode of transportation. But this one can fly. This aircraft is used to transport goods and passengers across vast distances in a short amount of time. With the advancements in aviation technology, we can now travel between countries in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks."
Takeyoshi's eyes widened with interest as he examined the model. "Flying? Humans have dreamt of taking to the skies for centuries. And you're saying you have achieved it?"
"Yes," Francis responded confidently. "And it's not just for military purposes. We have commercial flights that transport civilians, and there are even plans to establish international routes."
Francis signaled another aide to bring forth the next technology. This time, a model of a ship was placed on the table. Unlike the traditional wooden ships that Japan was accustomed to, this model was of a steamship, made of metal, with funnels expelling smoke.
"This," began Francis, "is a modern marvel of maritime technology. It's a steamship. Unlike traditional sailing ships that rely on wind, this uses a steam engine powered by coal or oil as fuel. It can travel faster and is not dependent on favorable wind conditions. Moreover, it can carry more cargo and is far more durable."
Takeyoshi leaned forward, studying the model. It's the same model as their battleship. It has a ratio of 1:100, making him let out a sigh of admiration.
Francis proceeded to show a vast array of technologies like cameras, televisions, telephones, telegraphs, radios, and home electronic appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, air-conditioners, radiators, and microwaves, each taking ten minutes to demonstrate.
Almost three hours had passed, and Francis demonstrated the last technology he was sure would shock the Japanese.
"We have learned in the past that most Asian countries eat rice as it is the staple food for the majority. In France, while we do consume rice, it's not as central to our diet as it is in Asia. However, we have developed a technology that makes the process of cooking rice more efficient and consistent," Francis began, signaling an aide to bring forth the next item.
The aide carefully placed a device on the table. It had a simple metallic exterior with a manual dial to set the cooking time.
"This," Francis said, lifting the lid to reveal an inner pot, "is what we call a rice cooker. Instead of the traditional method of cooking rice in a pot over a stove, this device streamlines the process. It's designed to automatically adjust the temperature and cooking time, ensuring that the rice is cooked perfectly every time. No more burnt rice at the bottom or unevenly cooked grains."
The staff demonstrated its capabilities by cooking rice on the spot. A portion of rice and water was measured out and poured into the cooker. Francis turned the manual dial, setting it in the correct position.
"As you can see," Francis continued, "once you've added the rice and water, you simply set the timer and let the device do its work. It has a built-in mechanism that knows when the rice is cooked to perfection, and it will automatically switch to 'keep warm' mode once done. This ensures the rice stays at an optimal temperature without overcooking."
After a short wait, a beep signaled that the rice was ready. The lid was lifted, releasing a puff of steam, and revealing perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. Francis scooped a portion onto a plate and offered it to Takeyoshi.
"Please, Governor, taste and see the consistency and quality this machine offers."
Takeyoshi hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. His eyes lit up in surprise. "It's cooked perfectly," he remarked, clearly impressed. "So we don't have to gather wood to cook rice."
"Electricity would do," Francis said, satisfied at his reaction. "Which is why when you sign the treaty with us, we can begin building infrastructure that will modernize your nation. We will sign the treaty later in the evening at the Flagship of the French Pacific Fleet."
Takeyoshi nodded. "Since it's going to be dinner time, is it okay if we bring food from our side as well? We'd like to share some of our traditional dishes with you."
Francis smiled, "Of course, Governor. It would be a pleasure to experience Japanese cuisine."
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