Chapter 38: Careful, Bomb
A group of people walked into the VIP Hall, and Iwai Koichi went straight to the stage position.
This stance made it clear that the leader had something to say, so everyone else wisely moved toward the stage.
Iwai Koichi stepped onto the stage, lightly tapped the microphone in front of him with his finger to confirm it was working normally, and then smiled and said: “Everyone, thank you very much for your support of the Empire’s cause.”
“Those attending today’s reception are the Empire’s most sincere partners. I represent the Empire in extending our most heartfelt greetings to you all.”
As his words fell, enthusiastic applause immediately erupted around him.
What followed were some old, clichéd topics, such as expectations for the future, insights on the situation’s development, hopes for breakthroughs through everyone’s joint cooperation, and so on.
It had to be said that as consul, Iwai Koichi was evidently very qualified; he had thoroughly studied all sorts of issues in China.
What he said might sound hard to achieve, but his purpose was merely to paint a sufficiently big pie for the various traitors present.
Moreover, what most excited Mr. Liang and the others was their promise to rule by Chinese.
This meant that if they occupied China in the future, the people present would be the real power holders in the future government.
Next, Iwai Koichi introduced to the crowd present a military advisory group organized under the consulate’s lead.
The head of the advisory group was the section chief of the Homeland China Affairs Investigation Section, Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda Kumakichi.
Below him were personnel in charge of various work,
After introducing them one by one, Iwai Koichi invited Mr. Liang onstage to explain the new government’s structure and daily work issues to everyone.
He then took Sonoda Kumakichi down from the stage and went straight to Chen Yang.
“Mr. Chen, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda. Mr. Sonoda, this is my junior disciple, also my teacher’s most favored student, Chen Yang.”
“He is now the director of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Department. In the future, please take good care of him, Mr. Sonoda.”
Sonoda Kumakichi sized up Chen Yang a few times, slightly bowed, and said: “Mr. Chen, I rarely hear Mr. Iwai speak so highly of a young man.”
“For Mr. Chen to receive such importance from Mr. Iwai, he must certainly have something extraordinary.”
Chen Yang quickly slightly bowed in return and humbly said: “Mr. Sonoda, you flatter me.”
“Does Mr. Chen have any insights of his own on the new government?” Sonoda Kumakichi asked amiably: “What do you think of the current structure?”
Chen Yang was slightly stunned and looked somewhat awkwardly toward Iwai Koichi beside him.
Iwai Koichi just smiled without speaking, and Chen Yang understood: Harada Kumakichi had come to test him.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Yang responded: “Mr. Sonoda, I believe the Empire’s strategy of rule by Chinese for China is extremely correct.”
“The South is now mostly under the Empire’s control. To maintain stability in the vast rear area, the Empire indeed needs a suitable regime to help soothe the common people’s emotions on its behalf.”
“The only thing I’m worried about now is whether the personnel inside this new government will live up to your expectations.”
Sonoda Kumakichi and Iwai Koichi exchanged a glance, both seemingly interested in Chen Yang’s words.
“Mr. Chen, what do you think is the new government’s biggest problem?”
Chen Yang clinked his wine cup with theirs and said: “Mr. Sonoda, Senior Iwai, don’t you think the current new government has major problems?”
“Although this is my first time meeting these people, I can tell that the stage set up by Mr. Liang and Elder Wen is not necessarily very stable.”
“Mr. Liang’s subordinates are all new sharp forces, while Elder Wen’s group is still carrying over old ideas.”
“Not only them, even Commander Qi Xieyuan of the Military and Political Department seems to form his own faction.”
“If I may speak bluntly, do you think using Mr. Liang to suppress Elder Wen and Commander Qi is perhaps overestimating him a bit?”
Iwai Koichi smiled at Harada Kumakichi and said: “Mr. Sonoda, I didn’t introduce him wrong, did I? My little junior disciple’s powers of observation and judgment far surpass others, right?”
Sonoda Kumakichi clinked cups with Iwai Koichi and said: “Mr. Iwai’s judgment has always been sound.”
“Mr. Chen’s performance has indeed somewhat surprised me.”
“I thought someone like Mr. Chen, fresh out of the academy, wouldn’t know so much. Now it seems I did somewhat underestimate Mr. Chen.”
Iwai Koichi smiled and said: “Of course, my judgment won’t be wrong, and my teacher’s judgment is even less so.”
“Mr. Sonoda, have a good talk with Mr. Chen. I’m going to chat with Elder Wen.”
“Mr. Chen, learn more from Mr. Sonoda; it won’t hurt you. Excuse me for a moment.”
With that, Iwai Koichi took his wine cup and walked toward Dean Wen at the other end of the crowd.
Sonoda Kumakichi raised his wine cup and clinked it with Chen Yang’s, then lightly sighed: “Mr. Chen, your senior brother treats you well.”
Chen Yang smiled, said nothing more, and just took a sip of wine with him.
Sonoda Kumakichi continued the earlier topic: “What Mr. Chen said is quite right; using Mr. Liang really is a last resort.”
“Our best option is Elder Tang Shaoyi, who now lives on Fukaisen Road.”
“Unfortunately, after several visits to persuade him, he remains undecided. The new government’s formation is urgent, so we could only choose someone obedient.”
Chen Yang thoughtfully glanced at Mr. Liang, who was grandstanding on the stage, a trace of sympathetic smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He thought he could sit in that position because of his own ability, little knowing that in the Japanese’s eyes, he was merely obedient enough.
“Mr. Chen, actually, I still want to hear if you have any plans for the future of the Economic Department.”
Sonoda Kumakichi said amiably: “The Economic Department concerns future materials supply and stability in the vast rear area.”
“I previously advised Mr. Iwai to carefully consider the person for this position, and his choice of you shows absolute confidence in you.”
“So, I now want to hear if you have any”
Before Sonoda Kumakichi could finish speaking, suddenly, a violent explosion sounded from the gilded dome.
With a deafening boom, the huge crystal lamp hanging in the center of the VIP Hall lost its support and fell straight down.
“Mr. Sonoda, careful.” It was too sudden: the moment the explosion sounded, a warning had already flashed in Chen Yang’s mind.
In less than a second, Chen Yang reacted swiftly, grabbed Sonoda Kumakichi, and quickly retreated several steps backward.
With a crash, the sound of the crystal lamp shattering rang out, and the VIP Hall instantly went pitch black.
Iwai Koichi, having seen the world, dashed onto the stage in one bound, grabbed the microphone, and loudly said: “Everyone stay where you are and don’t move.”
Hearing Iwai Koichi’s voice, the various traitors present barely calmed down.
Harada Kumakichi looked with lingering fear at the spot where he had been standing,
If not for Chen Yang’s quick eyes and hands pulling him away, this several-hundred-jin crystal lamp falling on him would have injured him badly even if it didn’t kill him.
“Mr. Chen, thank you very much for pulling me away just now.”
