Chapter 267: Struggle
“The New Government is born for peace, not to satisfy your dreams of getting rich.
Are you treating it like your family’s private plot?
You open your mouth and demand the prosperous lands. I see Mr. Liang, your ambitions are even higher than your ancestors’. Governor can’t satisfy your appetite; King of a different surname might be about right.”
With Japanese in front, Minister Zhou frantically applies eye drops.
“No need to put a hat on me! For the New Government merger, if you do well, I can naturally cede some cities for you to govern, but this must be based on my observation and judgment that it’s feasible.
Mr. Wang might be able to gain Japan’s trust, but you Minister Zhou and so many people from Chongqing—you can guarantee they’re all working for peace and aligned with Japan?
If so many important cities suffer mishaps because of them, affecting the great cause of peace and Japanese interests, how to end it?
My people as chief officials, your people get some deputy positions—I see no problem with this arrangement.
This is based on prudent considerations.
If your people truly excel, I will promote them later.”
“Promote?” Minister Zhou raised an eyebrow. “Once the New Government is established, what position does Mr. Liang plan to put himself in?”
Mr. Liang calmly said, “I’ll be the President of the Executive Yuan.”
“Hahahaha.” Minister Zhou was stunned. “You as President of the Executive Yuan, and Mr. Wang as your deputy, right?”
“I have the ability, and my qualifications are older than his. Him as my deputy isn’t wronging him.”
“I see you’ve really lost your mind!” Minister Zhou’s face darkened. “You don’t know your own weight. If you could hold the overall situation, would the Japanese side need to bring in Mr. Wang to establish the New Government?
Wang Kemin’s government in the north is right there. If you had the ability, you would’ve long since taken North China under your wing.
You can’t even handle Wang Kemin, yet you want Mr. Wang as deputy?
You barely managed to hold Chengdu, and now you want to establish a unified big government? Are you not awake?”
“Watch your mouth!” Mr. Liang had a temper, and a big one. He pointed and cursed: “What are you? How dare you boss me around? A mere minister—if not for giving face to Headquarters, you wouldn’t even qualify to sit down and talk with me.
Get out, let that Wang fellow come see me himself!”
Minister Zhou shot up, straightened his suit. “Your Excellency Itagaki, looks like we can’t negotiate today. Some people think too highly of themselves and can’t see the situation clearly. They have no understanding at all of Japan’s Greater East Asia plan—simply childish level!”
“Mr. Liang, we called you here today for negotiation. You need to negotiate properly.”
Itagaki had never liked Mr. Liang. From past achievements, it was clear this man’s level was quite average.
Unable to hold back, Mr. Liang said, “Your Excellency Itagaki, am I not negotiating properly? The Empire of Japan says to merge, I support the merger. Says to discuss merger details, I provided a plan.
My people here are all familiar faces. For Japan’s upcoming anti-communist cleanup plan, it’s all benefits and no harm.
Let their people start as deputies first, learn while taking posts—what’s wrong with that?
How can you guarantee none of their people are from Chongqing?
Body in Cao camp, heart in Han—such stories are never rare!
But my people have operated in this area for years, with proven record of cooperating with the Japanese Army.
Believe a bunch of newcomers over these loyal ministers with both merit and hard work?
Even if the lawsuit goes to the Emperor, I’d dare say this is the best arrangement!”
In eloquence, Mr. Liang was not lacking at all.
But Itagaki didn’t listen to this, only looked at results. “Mr. Liang, I’ll tell you plainly: the Cabinet supports Mr. Wang, not you. You’d best recognize your position.”
“That’s because the Cabinet is in Japan and doesn’t understand the situation in the Japanese Occupied Area enough!” Mr. Liang stood up. “I request to meet the Prime Minister and the Emperor to explain these issues personally.”
“Whoever you meet, the result will be the same!”
“I’m flying to Japan today. I just don’t believe the Japanese Cabinet has no one who can see the situation clearly. Farewell!”
Mr. Liang straightened his suit and walked out directly.
The three in the room were stunned.
Itagaki hadn’t expected Mr. Liang to be so tough, full of obsession with not letting go of power.
Minister Zhou wanted to speak but held back.
Gu Yansheng also thought Mr. Liang was using various ways to boost his own status, suppressing Wang Ni to gain concessions—definitely not really wanting to be President of the Executive Yuan.
But he’s serious?
Really thinks he can step on Wang Ni and be this President of the Executive Yuan?
He hasn’t even figured out why the Japanese asked Wang Ni to unify the Japanese Occupied Area.
After a silence, Minister Zhou sneered. “Your Excellency Itagaki, what do you think of this? Need me to make a trip to Japan? Back then he became Chairman, so Japan definitely had supporters. If that person joins him in slandering Mr. Wang before the Cabinet, that would be bad.”
Itagaki frowned at the now-empty door, withdrew his gaze and said: “Let him go. He’s not dead-set until he sees the Yellow River. A trip is good, let him give up completely, then he’ll cooperate better with the New Government later.
Minister Zhou, you don’t need to worry about Japan side. I’ll go handle it personally. He’s definitely not suited to be chairman of this New Government.”
“Good, then trouble Your Excellency Itagaki to make the trip.”
Itagaki nodded lightly. “You rest in Nanjing. I’ll go quick and return quick, aiming to come back tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Gu Yansheng and Minister Zhou took their leave.
Outside, Minister Zhou laughed. “Ever seen someone so arrogant?”
Gu Yansheng shook his head. “I’ve seen the real version of literati despising each other. Comparing himself to Mr. Dongpo—how does that come out of his mouth?”
“Hahahaha, let’s go eat a good meal, then stroll around. Nanjing’s pleasures are top-notch too.”
Here, Gu Yansheng followed the seven-star ladybug to eat and wander.
There, Mr. Liang also flew to Japan.
With his status, he was indeed a registered figure in the Cabinet; meeting the Cabinet wasn’t hard.
But the Japanese Cabinet changed more frequently than underwear; the new Cabinet had no ties to him.
All he got was one sentence: “Merger into a unified government—this is the Empire’s grand strategy. Mr. Liang, cooperate well!”
Itagaki arrived and applied eye drops right away; even the army didn’t support him. Mr. Liang had no chance of winning.
Full of pent-up anger, Mr. Liang reluctantly agreed, smiled, and returned to Nanjing.
Upon arriving in Nanjing, Mr. Liang called Commander Ren Yuandao, telling him to come to his home.
Lavish food and drink reception.
“Yuandao, now it’s really come to the point where you need to aid your brother.”
“You’re too polite. Just say if there’s something.”
At the dinner table, Mr. Liang sighed, face grim: “After that Wang fellow arrived, the Japanese are like they’ve taken a bewitching pill, wanting to seize our power.
I’ve tried other paths. Now there’s only one road left. Big brother needs your help.”
“What road?”
“Kill Wang Ni!”
Ren Yuandao was startled. “Chairman, this isn’t appropriate, right? He’s after all the person Japan trusts now. You’re in negotiations. Killing him at this time—what will the Japanese think? They’ll definitely think you ordered it.”
“Who cares what the hell they think?” Mr. Liang said angrily. “If I don’t kill him, I’m the one who dies!
If he becomes President of the Executive Yuan, what am I? Without this Chairman identity, your Commander position won’t hold either!
I tell you, it’s not that dangerous.
I’ve already thought of the method.
He’s coming to negotiate, right? I’ll invite him to Nanjing for talks.
I’ve already put it in the newspaper, saying our positions might shift a bit. When he comes, you find a few military experts and snipe and kill him directly.
After, when Japanese investigate, say it’s military people, grateful for our kindness, acting out of righteous anger for our plight, took unauthorized action to snipe and kill that Wang fellow. We definitely didn’t know.
This way, the matter becomes an accident.
It’s our people who did it, but it’s an accident. We admit our mistake, apologize where needed, compensate where needed.
But as long as he’s dead, our positions remain unshakable!
Japanese can still only rely on us.
What you need to do is find these few dead men, and stick to the story that they did it on their own.
I’ll do my best to protect them. If lucky and Japanese give me face, they won’t die; afterward glory and wealth. I say it: promotion three levels, bounty twenty thousand silver dollars.
If unlucky and they die, fifty thousand silver dollars per person. Their families, old and young, I’ll treat as relatives and support.
Deal?”
“Deal.”
Ren Yuandao thought and then nodded.
After eating, he sent a trusted aide to find Minister Zhou and tell him this matter.
“Assassinate Mr. Wang?” Minister Zhou looked shocked and turned to Gu Yansheng. “Has Liang Hongzhi gone mad, daring to issue such an order?”
Even with 76 at hand, they hadn’t thought of killing Wang Kemin and Liang Hongzhi.
This nature is extremely vile, no different from the Military Statistics Bureau.
Gu Yansheng reminded, “Since he’s done this, why not report directly to Itagaki and let him handle it.”
Minister Zhou thought and nodded. This step was necessary; it sabotaged the grand unification strategy. With Japanese stepping in to discipline Liang Hongzhi, the merger afterward would go smoother.
“Thanks to Commander Ren’s reminder. Afterward I’ll treat him to drinks—hard work.” Minister Zhou sent off the visitor and went with Gu Yansheng to Headquarters to tell Itagaki.
Itagaki’s anger flared. “He still doesn’t recognize reality to this point? Utterly ridiculous!”
Picked up the phone and called Mr. Liang. “Come to Headquarters immediately!”
Waited half an hour; oblivious Liang Hongzhi arrived at Headquarters.
Seeing Itagaki, he even asked what the matter was.
Itagaki walked up to him, glaring: “Mr. Liang, I really didn’t know you had such guts. The Cabinet clearly told you Mr. Wang’s New Government is an imperial strategic need, yet you dare send people to assassinate him. What big guts!”
Liang Hongzhi’s face flushed red instantly. He met Ren Yuandao at his own home for dinner; such a secret matter, others couldn’t possibly know.
Japanese knowing so fast—either there’s a mole near Ren Yuandao, or Ren Yuandao himself is the mole.
Liang Hongzhi instantly pulled out a plan, loudly rebuking: “Your Excellency Itagaki, I don’t know what you’re talking about. How could I assassinate Mr. Wang?
I get it.” Liang Hongzhi turned to Minister Zhou and Gu Yansheng. “It must be you trying to frame me. You’re really shameless, using such dirty tricks—utterly despicable!
Your Excellency Itagaki, I protest. Such people aren’t worthy to merge with us!”
Minister Zhou laughed. “Mr. Liang, forgot what you said at dinner so fast? Want to call the person involved for a confrontation?”
Liang Hongzhi’s face turned iron-blue. “What dinner matter? Don’t try to frame me!
Your Excellency Itagaki, I don’t know what they told you, but you can’t believe one side’s words. They’re all masters of conspiracy, buying people off is common.”
Itagaki took a document from the drawer and handed it to Liang Hongzhi. “I’m Chief of Staff; I don’t need you to teach me how to judge events.
This is the Cabinet document signed by the Prime Minister. Final notice: the Cabinet supports the New Government’s establishment, and it must be headed by Mr. Wang. You should immediately arrange the merger.
If you obstruct again, I represent the army in promising to cut off all supply of supplies to the Provisional Government and consider forcibly disbanding the entire Nanjing Government’s current setup.
Mr. Liang, you have merit toward the Empire of Japan. The Empire of Japan is giving you face.
But if you don’t want to be decent and keep making trouble, we’ll have to take compulsory measures against you. Hope you behave!”
All expression vanished from Liang Hongzhi’s face; his spirit was drained. Holding the document like he was dazed, probably hadn’t expected this treatment despite his merits for the China Dispatch Army.
Itagaki stared at him emotionlessly. “Mr. Liang, anything else to say?”
Liang Hongzhi paused, came to his senses, and said: “I support the merger, always have. Personal honor doesn’t matter. I suggest for stability’s sake, the Japanese side should supervise well, not let one side deliberately suppress others, and reasonably arrange for existing officials.”
“Of course.” Itagaki nodded. “Wang Kemin has agreed, just needs to discuss seat allocations with Mr. Wang again. Now you agree too, Mr. Liang. So everyone sit down, settle everything at once, formally merge. How about it?”
Liang Hongzhi took a deep breath. “Fine, no objections.”
“Then that’s it for now. Specific time will be notified by others.”
After hearing Itagaki, Liang Hongzhi nodded and left, not even glancing at Minister Zhou and Gu Yansheng—probably lost face, really uncomfortable.
Itagaki also exhaled. He smiled: “What a troublesome person. Now I’ve pushed this for you. Next matters you handle yourselves. The merger arrangements are China Section affairs; Kagesa Sadaki will handle it.”
“Thanks, Chief of Staff Itagaki.”
Nanjing affairs done, Minister Zhou and Gu Yansheng politely took leave.
Back to Shanghai, Kagesa Sadaki came specially to pick up the car.
He’d received the Nanjing call and made arrangements.
“Then let’s formally sign the contract.
Then arrange a three-party negotiation to confirm seats for New Government personnel from all sides. Location I’m tentatively setting in Qingdao—it’s a neutral spot, not in any of your richest areas, symbolizing fairness. Plus Qingdao’s scenery is nice.
Not easy; this matter went through a long time of twists and turns to reach this point.
Minister Zhou, congratulations.”
Kagesa Sadaki let out a big sigh of relief and laughed. With this done, he could record a big merit.
“Everyone rejoice.” Minister Zhou teased subtly. “Will still need General Kagesa Your Excellency’s much help later.”
“Hahahaha.”
Discussed details a bit; Gu Yansheng and Minister Zhou went together to find Wang Ni.
