Chapter 256: Abuse
Dohihara’s Headquarters, a sprawling Japanese-style building.
He called ahead by telephone to communicate, and Dohihara graciously came out personally to welcome him, with the household servants and such all lined up in attendance.
“General Dohihara, I’ve long admired you, haha.”
“Please come inside.”
By status, Wang Ni was Vice President, so his position and rank were higher than Dohihara’s, and Dohihara had observed all the proper etiquette.
They were served tea and chatted, inquiring with concern, and introduced each other.
Mainly introducing Gu Yansheng.
Wang Ni and Traitor Zhou went without saying; even when Ding Mocun defected to Shanghai, Dohihara had gone to see him personally, but he didn’t know Gu Yansheng.
He had previously been just a little Division Chief; when Ding Mocun defected, Gu Yansheng wasn’t famous at all and didn’t catch Dohihara’s eye, but now he appeared as Minister of the Ministry of Justice, so the situation was different—he had to get to know him.
Dohihara was an old China hand, with quite strong Chinese language ability.
But with important figures present, everyone just chatted lightly for a few sentences before getting to the main topic.
Minister Zhou said, “General Dohihara, we’ve come to Beiping this time for the matter of merging north and south. Wang Kemin is very resistant— one could say barbaric. Right in front of our group, he even said he was the sky of North China.
We don’t know whose force he’s relying on to become this sky of the region, but as things stand, Japan and we have basically reached agreement on the protocol. Given the situation, the establishment of the new government is also imminent.
But the existence of this kind of person seriously disrupts our next step of cooperation.
We have no acquaintances here in North China, so I can only come to your door for advice. This matter can’t be advanced otherwise.”
“He said that kind of thing?” Dohihara was somewhat surprised.
“Absolutely true.” Minister Zhou nodded.
“This is too brazen.”
Dohihara frowned, thought for a moment, and said, “I actually understand your purpose. To be frank, whether the Cabinet or the Military Department, the general direction is definitely to achieve a unified government. The establishment of the Sino-Japanese Special Affairs Committee is specifically to handle Chinese affairs.
But now my position has changed after all, and I’m no longer in charge of the committee’s specific affairs, so I can help coordinate the matter, but it will take some time. I need to communicate with all sides.”
“That’s of course appropriate.”
Minister Zhou showed a smile, not expecting Dohihara to be so accommodating.
“Specifically, how much time do you think it will take?
The Expeditionary Army Commander has discussed and set a timeline with us for establishing the new government. Actually, the merger itself involves quite a lot of affairs to handle, and time is tight.”
“I’ll handle it as soon as possible.” Dohihara thought and said, “How about Mr. Wang and Minister Zhou stay here to enjoy a few days? I believe it won’t take too long.”
Minister Zhou and Wang Ni exchanged a glance and smiled, “Good, then we’ll wait for your good news.”
The major matter was settled, far smoother than imagined.
Once out the door, Wang Ni sighed, “Even the Japanese are more reasonable than Wang Kemin.”
Minister Zhou commented, “Wang Kemin is clueless. No matter how tightly he relies on the North China Army, the Cabinet and Military Department’s will is something the North China Army can’t ignore. Dohihara knows this very well.
But his being so straightforward still surprised me. I originally thought he would use the excuse that he’s not in charge of this matter and wouldn’t want to get involved in the North China Army and General Headquarters’ conflict.”
“Maybe he wants to claim merit. Didn’t he make a mistake? Using this to show his face in front of General Headquarters and the Cabinet?” Ding Mocun guessed.
“Possible.” Minister Zhou thought and nodded deeply in agreement, “Yansheng, what do you think?”
“Me?” Gu Yansheng had no interest in guessing this. As long as the matter could advance, claiming a little merit to consolidate his position would do. Whatever intentions Dohihara had, it was just infighting among the Japanese.
“I think we can consider eating.”
“Hahahaha, right, with someone handling things, we just need to be responsible for eating.”
Two days later, Dohihara called, saying he had already talked it over with Wang Kemin, who would participate in the merger and come over himself.
Finding the right person really made it a matter of one sentence.
Far more convenient than them approaching the North China Army themselves.
Minister Zhou received the call and called over Gu Yansheng and Ding Mocun to receive him together.
Just two hours after hanging up, Wang Kemin arrived at the hotel.
This time he was much more honest, bringing only three subordinates.
“Mr. Wang, please sit.” Minister Zhou gestured toward the sofa in the room and smiled politely.
Who knew Wang Kemin didn’t even look at him: “Mr. Wang, Vice President Wang, besides relying on the Japanese, what else can you rely on?”
Wang Ni had originally been smiling, prepared to turn hostility into friendship, but Wang Kemin opened his mouth with sarcasm, and now his face fell at once.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m saying you’re useless! How long have you been a traitor? Do you know the Japanese temperament?”
Wang Kemin said with a stern face: “I’m not saying you, but when you encounter something, you think of finding the Japanese to solve it—you’re even more of a traitor than me. No wonder your seniority is higher than Old Jiang’s, your background better than Old Jiang’s, yet you’re still suppressed by Old Jiang with no real power. You really are useless.
Didn’t you ever think to lower your stance, come to my house to plead with me, even beg me? If I softened, I might have agreed. You didn’t even try and just went begging the Japanese.
How many more years can I live? How many years can I compete with you for position?
A matter that could be settled by visiting and negotiating terms, and you beat my son and find the Japanese—do you know how to get things done?
Can’t let go of face, good for nothing but spoiling things.
Throughout history, those who achieve great things can bend and stretch. If I don’t give you an opening, you wouldn’t come groveling to my door?
I just don’t understand, someone like you who can’t let go of face—even if you have no power in Chongqing, at least your life there is comfortable enough, right?
There’s even the legend in Beiping of you assassinating the Regent. Even if you’re mediocre and die in Chongqing, you’ll be remembered forever. Just endure it a bit, endure it.
But you turned around and surrendered to the Japanese—what were you after?
How come now you can let go of face?
I thought someone like you would definitely come begging me. I was even prepared to treat you to a meal.”
“Then what are you after?” Wang Ni was so angry his chest heaved, “You’re a traitor who surrendered to the Japanese right at the start of the war—what right do you have to criticize me?”
Wang Kemin laughed, “Heh, am I the same as you? I’m almost 70, about to be buried soon. Who cares if I’m a traitor or not—enjoy a few more years of comfortable days, and after I die, who will remember me?
If I don’t act as this traitor, plenty of others will.
But you’re different. Who made you Vice President? Can you be a traitor? As soon as you surrender, how many people follow you.
Look at them.”
Wang Kemin raised his hand and pointed at each person in the room one by one, “You dragging yourself into the water is one thing, but dragging young people down too to be traitors and get cursed—you’re immoral!”
What a scolding!
Gu Yansheng had to reassess Wang Kemin—this old man really had a vicious mouth, maxed out on anti-scolding, not afraid even of death; he was truly sharp.
Minister Zhou couldn’t listen anymore, “We’re not traitors for the sake of being traitors. Peaceful Nation Building, guarding our 400 million compatriots, forging a new path for the Chinese nation amid war and seizing a chance at survival—that is what we seek!”
“Don’t gild your face.” Wang Kemin glanced at Minister Zhou, his gaze full of contempt, “Your agreement with the Japanese was published in the newspaper—I saw it. Those terms? Calling it selling out the country is not excessive.
But even with such terms, published in May, you only came to me in October, and it still hasn’t been signed. Why?
I bet the Japanese proposed new harsh conditions.”
Wang Kemin paused here, looked at everyone’s expressions, and sneered, “Gone quiet, huh? Nailed it, right? Know why?
I know the Japanese too well. Those guys say one thing one moment and it doesn’t count the next—their words aren’t as reliable as their farts. Even over a small matter, their ideas change daily. For something as big as the new government spanning so much time, those Military Department people will fight like dogs.
How to deal with them—you still don’t know. You need to learn from me.
You need to come beg me.
And you, Minister Zhou, I know about you—Communist Party defected to Chongqing, Chongqing defected to Japan. You’re quite a character, fully qualifying as a turncoat slave to three families. Read Romance of the Three Kingdoms? What evaluation do they give Lu Bu? You know?”
“Wang Kemin! Have you lost your mind!” Minister Zhou erupted in anger, “Coming in and just cursing, and making Mr. Wang beg you—are you qualified? Let’s talk if we can, otherwise get out!”
Even Minister Zhou, who usually emphasized composure, couldn’t take it—key was his tail had been stepped on.
“Hahahaha, can’t take it already?” Wang Kemin laughed with a teasing expression, “As a traitor, there’s plenty more cursing to come—not just from me, the whole nation will curse: in their mouths, in books, in newspapers, sung in ballads. You can’t cover your ears and not hear it. Get used to it early.”
After speaking, Wang Kemin nonchalantly walked to the sofa, sat down generously, crossed his legs, and said: “Since the Japanese have spoken, I this traitor relying on the Japanese definitely has to come talk. Come on, us traitors will talk it over.”
Damn, everyone in the room wanted to kill him—except Gu Yansheng.
Wang Ni’s chest heaved from the scolding, his face grim, saying nothing.
Minister Zhou’s face was also dark, but reason prevailed—the business still needed doing. Swallow the insult, “I’ll take it as you being emotional because your son was beaten. Once you vent, speak properly!
Mr. Wang, don’t stoop to his level. He doesn’t even understand what Peaceful Nation Building is. You sit first.”
Wang Ni thought and still plopped down, but his gaze didn’t look at Wang Kemin at all—ice cold.
“You all sit too.”
Minister Zhou gestured with his hand to Gu Yansheng and Ding Mocun, then walked to the sofa and sat down himself.
Looking at Wang Kemin, he said: “Speak, what are your conditions?”
After asking, afraid Wang Kemin would make more trouble, he glared and added: “No more nonsense. Talk properly if we can talk.”
Wang Kemin smiled, “Of course we can talk. The conditions are simple too: North China still under my management. For Nanjing Government orders involving North China, they must be discussed with me; I agree before implementation.”
“What’s the difference from what you said last time?” Minister Zhou questioned, very dissatisfied.
“There is some.” Wang Kemin patted his pants, “I’ll save face for you—as long as it’s not excessive, I’ll implement your orders. Understand?”
This meant as long as it didn’t involve Wang Kemin’s personal interests, it was fine.
This concession was sufficient; you can’t refuse to let someone make money.
At this point, Wang Ni could finally vent his long-held anger and mocked: “Why listen to my orders? Don’t you think you can teach me? With your abilities, I should be listening to your orders.”
Wang Kemin chuckled lightly, “You really think it’s something good? The first rafter rots out. Since you’ve taken this mess, no one will curse me anymore—they’ll curse you. I’m old; hearing fewer curses lets me stay calm, play with kids, live in peace in old age.”
“Then go home and retire!”
“I want to work till I die. I’m willing.”
Gu Yansheng listened and wanted to laugh—this guy took no losses, leaving Wang Ni gritting his teeth in frustration.
In theory, this was the moment to help Wang Ni out as a mouthpiece, sending charcoal in snow for maximum effect.
In debate, Gu Yansheng the lawyer by origin—but he wouldn’t help with this. Let them fight, infighting is good.
“Talk business, talk business.” Minister Zhou patted the armrest, frowned, and said: “Since you agree on the general direction, then tomorrow publish a statement that the North China Provisional Government fully supports Mr. Wang’s Peaceful Nation-Building Plan and supports Mr. Wang establishing the new government.”
Wang Kemin’s smile faded, and he said seriously: “What position does the new government give me? How many minister and committee member positions for me?”
“You still want minister and committee member positions?”
“Of course! You hold meetings in Nanjing without my people involved—who provides expert plans for North China matters? Do you even want your orders advanced in North China? I can walk if you don’t.”
This demand was theoretically normal, just unpleasant to hear, but it still needed discussing.
Ask for the sky, settle for the earth—first time definitely wouldn’t close.
“Tomorrow you first publish the statement, we’ll discuss this later.”
“Fine, anyway if no positions, don’t expect to interfere in North China matters. I’m off.” Wang Kemin stood and left.
If this were elsewhere, preliminary cooperation reached, everyone would at least eat to celebrate—no one even mentioned it now. Eat? They were stuffed with anger.
“Old and not dying is being a thief. Mocun, you said it exactly right.” Minister Zhou said with hands behind his back, “I’ve seen plenty of old folks acting superior, but someone like him—first time.”
Wang Ni said: “Can’t give him key positions. Fohai, you guard the gate. This guy’s quality is too poor.”
“I know.” Minister Zhou responded, “Give what should be given, just as Yansheng said—first get the government established, then we’ll have ways to deal with him bit by bit.
But me dragging without agreeing isn’t over committee positions—afraid of offering too high a price and stirring trouble from Liang Hongzhi.
He and Liang Hongzhi one south one north definitely communicate, maybe advance or retreat together against us. We control the numbers—give them voting rights, but no decision-making power.”
“You’ve considered this very thoroughly.” Wang Ni nodded in realization.
This did hit the key point, nearly an oversight.
Minister Zhou continued: “Anyway, once he publishes tomorrow, we’ll have given the Japanese an explanation. Then initiative is in our hands—we use Wang Kemin’s compliance to pressure Liang Hongzhi, and things there will go smoother too.”
Wang Ni hummed, deeply agreeing, exhaled, and said: “Once done, let’s go back. Beiping is such a good place, but with Wang Kemin here, I don’t even want to come anymore.”
“Then tomorrow once published, we head back. What do you say?” Minister Zhou looked at Gu Yansheng and Ding Mocun.
“Of course no objection.”
The next day, Wang Kemin indeed didn’t play tricks; the newspaper published smoothly.
Thank Dohihara, treat him to a meal, then arrange an airplane back to Shanghai.
