Chapter 3: The Future Of The Empire
At the entrance of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce Office, driver Uncle Qi and Lin Yongren were chatting idly.
Accompanied by a burst of footsteps, Chen Yang hurriedly arrived at the car with a Japanese man carrying a cardboard box.
“Put the information here, you can go back now.”
“Hai.” The Japanese man set down the cardboard box, slightly bowed to Chen Yang, turned around, and went upstairs.
This action startled driver Uncle Qi and Lin Yongren.
In their impression, Japanese were always arrogant; when had they ever been so polite to Chinese people.
Chen Yang opened the trunk, put the cardboard box inside, and said: “Uncle Qi, I still need to trouble you to take me to the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai.”
Uncle Qi and Lin Yongren sitting in the front exchanged a glance, neither speaking.
But both had the same doubt in their minds: why was Young Master so different this time upon returning.
No. 106 Huangpu Road, Shanghai, Japanese Consulate in Shanghai.
Chen Yang got out of the car, instructed Uncle Qi to wait at the entrance for a moment, and strode into the consulate.
The Japanese Consulate in Shanghai was the highest administrative organization of the Japanese in Shanghai. Normally, besides assisting Japanese expatriates in Shanghai with various commercial activities, it also bore the responsibility of gathering intelligence in the Chinese region.
The consulate consisted of two red small buildings occupying six mu of land.
The Japanese flag fluttered at the entrance.
Chen Yang walked straight into the small building on the right side of the consulate and said to the staff inside: “I’d like to see Consul Iwai Koichi.”
The staff member glanced at Chen Yang and said impatiently: “Who are you? His Excellency the Consul isn’t someone you can just see whenever you want.”
Chen Yang took a letter from his pocket and handed it to the staff member: “Please deliver this letter to His Excellency Iwai. After he reads it, he should want to see me.”
The staff member sneered, but when he saw the name on the envelope, his expression suddenly changed, and even his gaze toward Chen Yang instantly became respectful: “Mr., please wait a moment. I’ll deliver the letter right away.”
Less than two minutes later, the staff member appeared before Chen Yang, panting: “Mr. Chen, His Excellency Iwai invites you upstairs. Please follow me.”
Consulate second floor office.
In the office, besides the consul of the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai, Iwai Koichi, there was also a Japanese man in a suit sitting there. However, from his expression and demeanor, it was clear he was a military man.
“Mr. Chen, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” Iwai Koichi’s politeness surprised Chen Yang somewhat.
This was the highest leader of the Japanese administrative agency in Shanghai; usually others were polite to him—when had he ever been so polite to a Chinese person.
Of course, Chen Yang knew very well that Iwai Koichi was being so polite not because he was important, but due to the face of his teacher, Fujiwara Tomoo.
“By the way, let me introduce: this is Colonel Abe Mitsuhiro, section chief of the War Command Section of the China Expeditionary Army.”
“Abe, this is Mr. Chen Yang; he’s my teacher’s most outstanding student.”
Chen Yang slightly bowed to Abe Mitsuhiro in greeting. Abe Mitsuhiro clearly knew who the teacher Iwai Koichi mentioned was and immediately bowed back to Chen Yang.
“Mr. Chen, sit. How has teacher been lately? I’ve been in China for so long and still miss him greatly.”
Chen Yang smiled faintly: “Teacher Fujiwara also misses you, his student. He often tells me you’re his proudest student and that I should learn well from you.”
“By the way, this is the letter from Mr. Miki to you.”
Iwai Koichi took the letter from Chen Yang’s hand and opened it without hesitation in front of both of them. After carefully reading the contents, Iwai Koichi suddenly sighed.
“Mr. Chen, what do you think of Mr. Miki’s proposal?”
Chen Yang apparently hadn’t expected Iwai Koichi to ask such a question so directly in front of Abe Mitsuhiro, and for a moment he hesitated.
“Mr. Chen, no need to hold back.” Iwai Koichi smiled lightly: “Teacher has expressed his appreciation for you in letters more than once.”
“To obtain dual degrees in medicine and economics in just four years, and graduate as an honorary graduate from Kyushu University—you’re his most outstanding disciple ever.”
“I believe you must have your own views on Mr. Miki’s proposal to establish the Nanjing Restoration Government.”
“Abe is my good friend, and there are no outsiders here; we can speak freely.”
Chen Yang said slowly: “I think Mr. Miki’s suggestion is very correct. China needs its own government, and the Empire needs a suitable puppet.”
“Your Excellency Iwai should have heard of the bandwagon effect. We can utilize information asymmetry to control a small group of people and thereby attract the majority to join.”
“Once the flock grows larger, it will naturally form a comfort zone; the role of establishing the new government is precisely this.”
“Everyone knows the south is good, so they will naturally abandon resistance to the Empire and join it.”
“Frankly speaking, war is not the goal, but merely a means of conquest.”
After the last sentence, the previously silent Abe Mitsuhiro’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had taken an interest in Chen Yang.
“Mr. Chen’s insights are very good. In fact, the Iwai Agency has already drawn up a detailed plan.” Iwai Koichi smiled: “However, for the new government plan, we still need funding support from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce.”
Chen Yang nodded: “Before coming, Mr. Fujiwara went to see President Shimazu, who authorized me to handle all matters regarding materials in Shanghai.”
“Your Excellency Iwai, please rest assured; I can gather the funds you need before March.”
Iwai Koichi was very satisfied with Chen Yang’s response and stood up: “Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Chen. If the Osaka Chamber of Commerce needs anything, feel free to come to me anytime.”
“Abe and I still have some matters to discuss, so I won’t keep you.”
Chen Yang stood and slightly bowed: “Your Excellency Iwai, then I’ll take my leave. Colonel Abe, goodbye.”
Watching Chen Yang leave the office, Iwai Koichi turned to Abe Mitsuhiro: “Abe, what do you think of this Chen Yang?”
“Do you agree with his views?”
“He’s a smart one.” Abe Mitsuhiro sighed: “I think his views are very correct.”
“The Empire has been too hasty in handling the China issue.”
“Conquering China in three months is simply a joke.”
“I still agree with His Excellency Itagaki’s opinion: for the China issue, it should be gradual encroachment, not wasting most of our forces here like now.”
Iwai Koichi sighed: “Yes, I’ve been in China for so many years and understand this nation’s characteristics very well.”
“There are indeed many smart people among them who know how to trim their sails and go with the flow.”
“But likewise, many among them will not yield to brute force.”
“Do you know what their books say? ‘Wealth cannot corrupt them, power cannot subdue them, poverty cannot move them.'”
“A nation like this cannot be conquered by military force alone.”
