Chapter 128: Nakamura Isao Has Arrived
“Elder Brother Song used to be a capable general under Boss Zhang, yet a woman of the dust dares not to give you face.” Lin Xueyi muttered a sentence under the influence of alcohol.
“Far more than not giving me face, I’m afraid even Boss Zhang’s face might not work.”
Song Zushan took a sip of wine and said: “This Big Sister’s original name is Gao Hongye. Her background is tragic; she was sold by her father to a brothel for opium when she was very young.”
“However, she has great ability. All the venues under Boss Zhang rely on her management.”
“Management?” Chen Yang frowned, somewhat puzzled.
Song Zushan said: “Yes, from selecting people to training, she has methods. The girls under her are all outstanding, so she has also befriended many high-ranking officials and nobles.”
“Boss Zhang still has to rely on her to step in for many matters.”
“If she is willing to step in, Boss Chen can open any club without problem.”
Chen Yang picked up his wine cup and took a small sip, a strange smile appearing on his face: “Big Sister, heh, interesting.”
Shanghai, No. 89 Fukaisen Road, Tang Mansion.
A gray Austin Sedan steadily stopped at the entrance of Tang Mansion. Kagesa Shinzhao pushed open the back door and got out.
“Mr. Kagesa, Master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please follow me.” Tang De, waiting at the entrance, saw Kagesa Shinzhao appear and hurriedly came forward.
“Thank you for your trouble.” Kagesa Shinzhao nodded slightly to Tang De and, under his guidance, passed through the lobby to the study room on the second floor.
In the study room, an elderly man wearing a dark long gown with a thin face sat behind the desk, looking at the four large characters “family, country, world” on the desk, and let out a long sigh.
An ivory pipe rested on a celadon ashtray, with lingering smoke rising.
Knock knock knock, a crisp knocking sound rang out. Tang Shaoyi said softly: “Please come in.”
Kagesa Shinzhao pushed open the door and bowed slightly to Tang Shaoyi, saying in fluent Chinese Language: “Old Mr. Tang, I apologize for disturbing your tranquility. Kagesa Shinzhao has come specially to pay respects.”
Tang Shaoyi did not stand up. He slightly raised his gaze and calmly examined the visitor. After a moment, he slowly said: “Mr. Kagesa, I’ve heard of your great name for a long time. Please sit.”
He pointed to the red sandalwood armchair opposite the desk.
Kagesa Shinzhao sat down gracefully, his posture relaxed yet respectful: “Old Mr. is too polite. In this time of turmoil, being able to meet you is truly Kagesa’s fortune.”
As a professional agent, while speaking, Kagesa quickly scanned the study room, glancing over the calligraphy and paintings covering the walls.
Tang Shaoyi’s study room was hung with many precious calligraphy and paintings, including some inscribed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. After a brief scan, Kagesa returned his gaze to Tang Shaoyi’s face.
Tang Shaoyi picked up his pipe and slowly stuffed it with tobacco strands: “This old man is just an idle person, secluded in the concession, not involved in worldly affairs for a long time.”
“Mr. Kagesa has heavy military affairs, why bother to care?”
Kagesa Shinzhao leaned forward slightly, his tone earnest: “Old Mr. is too modest. You are the pillar of China’s political circle, highly respected, with words that carry weight.”
“Now the country is unfortunate, war drags on, lives are ruined. We soldiers are not warmongers; we truly cannot bear to see the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere destroyed.”
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity? The corner of Tang Shaoyi’s mouth twitched inexplicably. He struck a match with his right hand, lit the pipe, took a deep puff, and the smoke obscured his face: “Lives ruined… indeed a human tragedy. But national affairs are not for an ordinary cloth-wearing old man like me to comment on.”
A gleam flashed in Kagesa Shinzhao’s eyes, his smile unchanged: “The Blue Camp Government holds fast in the southwest, far from China’s political and economic centers.”
“Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan—these places that sustain the nation’s lifeline urgently need an elder with prestige and experience to step forward, preside over the overall situation, clean up the mess, join hands with Japan to build a new order, and achieve true peace.”
Tang Shaoyi exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze piercing through the smoke to stare at Kagesa: “New Order? What is the cornerstone of the ‘new order’ that Mr. Kagesa refers to? Is it the Manchukuo model, or the North China temporary government style?”
Kagesa Shinzhao did not evade, meeting Tang’s gaze, his tone even more sincere: “Old Mr. sees clearly. Manchuria and North China are both transitional measures.”
“What the Empire of Japan truly hopes to see is a unified, stable, prosperous China, a partner that can cooperate equally with Japan and seek common development.”
“Such a leader must be someone like Old Mr., with both virtue and talent, to win widespread support. The Empire is willing to fully support.”
Tang Shaoyi was silent for a long time, his fingers lightly tapping the desktop, making regular light sounds.
In the study room, there were only the occasional “sizzle” from the pipe and faint sounds of carriages outside the window. After a while, a sigh rose: “Unification… easier said than done.”
“The Blue Camp won’t agree, and Yan’an won’t agree either.”
“Internally it’s a scattered mess, externally strong neighbors eye it covetously. This is not a heavy burden an old man in his later years can shoulder.”
Kagesa Shinzhao keenly caught the softening in Tang’s tone and immediately said: “It depends on human effort, Old Mr.! The Empire has the determination and strength to eliminate obstacles to peace.”
“As long as you step forward and make a call, with your seniority and connections, you will surely rally hearts!”
“As for specific cooperation conditions and the structure of the new government, all can be discussed in detail to ensure they conform to China’s interests and dignity.”
Tang Shaoyi looked deeply at Kagesa, his expression complex and hard to discern, with scrutiny, doubt, and perhaps a trace of attachment to power and indignation at the situation: “Mr. Kagesa, do you know that Chinese people often say ‘fallen leaves return to roots’?”
“At this old age, I seek only to spend my later years peacefully in Shanghai, buried in my homeland. Guangdong, who knows when I can return.”
Kagesa Shinzhao said sincerely: “The day peace is achieved is the day Old Mr. returns home in glory. Please rest assured, the Empire will fully guarantee your safety and prestige.”
“Please believe in the Empire’s sincerity. I believe China needs wise leaders like Old Mr. to guide the way home.”
The study room fell into brief silence. Tang Shaoyi slowly tapped his pipe on the ashtray, the embers extinguishing.
He looked out the window, where the lights of the French Concession were lighting up one by one, like an isolated island floating in a dark ocean.
“This matter… allow this old man to think about it more. It’s a major issue, pulling one hair moves the whole body. Mr. Kagesa, I appreciate your good intentions.”
Kagesa Shinzhao was slightly stunned, thinking to himself, old fox.
However, he did not continue the discussion, because he knew clearly that today could only end here, and it was not advisable to press too hard.
So, he stood up gracefully, bowed, and said: “Of course, it’s right for Old Mr. to think it over deeply.”
“Kagesa has benefited greatly from listening to your teachings today. This modest gift is a small token of respect; I hope Old Mr. will accept it.”
Tang Shaoyi did not refuse and smiled: “Thank you for Mr. Kagesa’s good intentions.”
“Tang De, see the guest out…”
“Yes, Master.”
“Mr. Kagesa, please.”
Kagesa Shinzhao bowed slightly and said: “Old Mr. Tang, this junior takes his leave…”
Shanghai, Consulate.
“Mr. Kagesa’s plan to persuade Old Mr. Tang didn’t go smoothly?” Iwai Koichi looked at the worried-faced Kagesa Shinzhao and asked.
“He’s just an old fox.” Kagesa Shinzhao took a sip of tea and said: “Even from afar, you can smell that calculating Guangdong flavor on him.”
“If it weren’t for Liang Hongzhi and his group being so useless, and no progress from Chongqing.”
“Why would I set aside my face and rush here from Nanjing in haste.”
After speaking, Kagesa Shinzhao let out another long sigh.
China’s problems were far more complex than they imagined. They thought relying on Liang Hongzhi and Wen Zongyao et al. would at least stabilize the major forces in the south.
But the reality disappointed them greatly.
Taxes from regions like Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Anhui never reached the new government’s hands; Qi Xieyuan alone could swallow most of it.
Liang Hongzhi and others were almost like puppets on strings, completely lacking autonomy.
Wen Zongyao, relying on his greater seniority than Liang Hongzhi and others, completely ignored them.
A newly formed government was like a scattered mess. Even with him and Sonoda desperately communicating with the homeland, they still couldn’t achieve results.
“Mr. Kagesa, you’ve studied China problems for so many years; you should be very clear about this country’s characteristics.”
Iwai Koichi said slowly: “I said from the beginning that choosing Mr. Liang was not feasible.”
“It was Sonoda who insisted, thinking we just needed a puppet.”
“But now, in just three short months, the new government has become a joke.”
“Economics, taxes, weapons—even local security regiments need the Empire to step in and support.”
“What can this Liang Hongzhi do besides reaching out for money?”
Kagesa Shinzhao smiled wryly: “So we need someone like Tang Shaoyi to step forward.”
Iwai Koichi shook his head: “Just one Tang Shaoyi is not enough.”
“Imai-kun sent a telegram from North China. He thinks we need to create some trouble for Chongqing from the public opinion side.”
“At the same time, force Mr. Wang to make a decision soon.”
“Public opinion?” Kagesa Shinzhao sighed: “It seems Mr. Iwai still favors Mr. Wang more.”
Iwai Koichi nodded: “Of course. Tang Shaoyi is already 76; his energy and time are insufficient.”
“Mr. Wang is the Empire’s best choice, and Miss Nantian has already tested his attitude. He has goodwill toward the Empire.”
Kagesa Shinzhao frowned and was about to speak when a knock sounded. Iwai Koichi said softly: “Come in.”
Deputy Head of Agency of Iwai Agency, Inukai Ken, pushed open the office door and whispered a few words in Iwai Koichi’s ear.
Iwai Koichi’s brows tightened slightly. After a moment, he said: “Please let him in.”
“Hai.” Inukai Ken bowed slightly, turned, and left the office.
Kagesa Shinzhao said curiously: “Mr. Iwai, has something happened?”
Iwai Koichi looked at Kagesa Shinzhao and said: “It’s not a big deal. An unexpected guest has arrived.”
“Hahaha, unexpected guest? Is Mr. Iwai referring to me?” A hearty laugh rang out, and a lean figure appeared at the office door.
Iwai Koichi smiled at the visitor: “Mr. Nakamura, what are you saying? You’ve come all the way from the north; how could I call you an unexpected guest…”
“Mr. Nakamura, let me introduce. This is Colonel Kagesa Shinzhao, Section Chief of the Eighth Section Military Affairs Section of the Homeland General Staff Office.”
“Mr. Kagesa, this is Nakamura Isao, the new Southern Intelligence Department Advisor of the South Manchuria Railway Investigation Bureau and Director of the Southern China War of Resistance Forces Investigation Committee…”
