Outside the Osaka Chamber of Commerce office, the driver, Uncle Qi, and Lin Yongren were chatting idly.
Footsteps approached. Chen Yang hurried to the car with a Japanese man carrying a cardboard box.
"Put the documents here. You can go now."
"Yes, sir." The Japanese man set down the box, bowed slightly to Chen Yang, and turned to go upstairs.
This startled both Uncle Qi and Lin Yongren.
In their experience, the Japanese had always been arrogant and overbearing. Since when had they ever shown such courtesy to a Chinese person?
Chen Yang opened the trunk, placed the box inside, and said, "Uncle Qi, I'll have to trouble you to give me a ride to the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai."
Uncle Qi and Lin Yongren, sitting in the front seat, exchanged glances. Neither spoke.
But the same question weighed on both their minds: Why had the young master changed so much since returning?
106 Huangpu Road, Shanghai. The Japanese Consulate in Shanghai.
Chen Yang got out of the car, instructed Uncle Qi to wait at the entrance, and strode into the consulate.
The Japanese Consulate in Shanghai was the highest administrative organ for the Japanese in Shanghai. Besides assisting Japanese nationals with various commercial activities, it also bore responsibility for gathering intelligence on the China region.
The consulate consisted of two red brick buildings, occupying six mu of land.
The Japanese Rising Sun flag flew at the entrance.
Chen Yang walked directly into the building on the right side and said to the staff member inside, "I would like to see Consul Iwai Koichi."
The staff member glanced at him and said irritably, "Who are you? His Excellency the Consul is not someone you can see just because you want to."
Chen Yang took a letter from his breast pocket and handed it over. "Please give this letter to His Excellency Iwai. After reading it, he should want to see me."
The staff member scoffed, but when he saw the name on the envelope, his expression suddenly changed. Even his gaze toward Chen Yang instantly became respectful. "Sir, please wait a moment. I will deliver this immediately."
In less than two minutes, the staff member reappeared before Chen Yang, out of breath. "Mr. Chen, His Excellency Iwai requests your presence upstairs. Please follow me."
Second-floor office of the consulate.
Besides Consul Iwai Koichi, a Japanese man in a suit sat in the office. However, his expression and bearing made it clear that he was a military man.
"Mr. Chen, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for a long time." Iwai Koichi's courtesy took Chen Yang somewhat by surprise.
This was the highest-ranking leader of the Japanese administrative organs in Shanghai. Others were always the ones being polite to him. When had anyone ever seen him show such courtesy to a Chinese person?
Of course, Chen Yang knew very well that Iwai Koichi's courtesy was not because he himself was so important, but rather out of deference to his teacher, Fujiwara Tomo.
"By the way, let me introduce you. This is Colonel Abe Mitsuhiro, Chief of the War Operations Section of the China Expeditionary Army."
"Mr. Abe, this is Mr. Chen Yang. He is my teacher's most accomplished student."
Chen Yang bowed slightly to Abe Mitsuhiro. Abe clearly knew who Iwai Koichi's teacher was, and immediately returned the bow.
"Mr. Chen, please sit. How has Teacher been lately? I've been in China for so long, yet I still think of him often."
Chen Yang smiled. "Teacher Fujiwara also misses you very much. He often tells me that you are the student he is most proud of, and that I should learn well from you."
"By the way, this is a letter from Mr. Miki for you."
Iwai Koichi took the letter and opened it without reservation in front of the two men. After carefully reading it, he suddenly let out a sigh.
"Mr. Chen, what do you think of Mr. Miki's proposal?"
Chen Yang had not expected Iwai Koichi to ask such a direct question in front of Abe Mitsuhiro, and hesitated for a moment.
"Mr. Chen, there is no need for reservations." Iwai Koichi smiled lightly. "Teacher has expressed his appreciation for you in his letters more than once."
"In just four short years, you obtained dual degrees in medicine and economics, and graduated from Kyushu University with honors. You are the most outstanding disciple he has ever had."
"I believe you must have your own views regarding Mr. Miki's proposal to establish the Jinling Reformed Government."
"Mr. Abe is my good friend. There are no outsiders here. We may speak freely."
Chen Yang spoke slowly. "I believe Mr. Miki's suggestion is entirely correct. China needs a government of its own, and the Empire also needs a suitable puppet."
"Your Excellency Iwai should be familiar with the herd effect. We can exploit information gaps, controlling a small portion of people to attract the majority to join."
"When the flock grows larger, it will naturally form a comfort zone. That is precisely the effect of establishing a new government."
"When everyone knows the South is good, they will naturally abandon their resistance against the Empire and join in."
"Frankly speaking, war is not the goal. It is merely a means of conquest."
When the final sentence was spoken, Abe Mitsuhiro, who had been silent all along, suddenly brightened, seeming to take an interest in Chen Yang.
"Mr. Chen's insight is excellent. In fact, the Iwai Agency has already made detailed preliminary plans." Iwai Koichi smiled. "However, regarding the plans for the new government, we still require financial support from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce."
Chen Yang nodded. "Before coming, Mr. Fujiwara went to see President Shimazu. The president has authorized me to handle all matters regarding supplies in Shanghai with full authority."
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency Iwai. I can gather the funds you require before March."
Iwai Koichi was very satisfied with Chen Yang's response and stood up. "Then I must trouble you, Mr. Chen. If the Osaka Chamber of Commerce has any needs, please feel free to come find me anytime."
"Mr. Abe and I still have some matters to discuss, so I won't keep you."
Chen Yang stood up and bowed slightly. "Your Excellency Iwai, I will take my leave then. Colonel Abe, farewell."
Watching Chen Yang leave the office, Iwai Koichi turned to Abe Mitsuhiro and said, "Mr. Abe, what do you think of this Chen Yang?"
"Do you agree with his views?"
"He is a clever man." Abe Mitsuhiro sighed. "I believe his views are entirely correct."
"The Empire has been too hasty in its handling of the China issue."
"'Destroy China in three months'—that is simply a joke."
"I still agree with His Excellency Sakagaki's opinion. The China issue should be addressed through gradual encroachment, rather than wasting most of our military forces here as we are now."
Iwai Koichi sighed. "Yes, I've stayed in China for so many years. I understand this nation's character very well."
"There are indeed many clever people among them, who know how to trim their sails and go with the flow."
"But likewise, there are many among them who will not bow to brute force."
"Do you know what their books say? 'Neither riches nor honor can corrupt him; neither might nor power can bend him; neither poverty nor humble condition can make him swerve.'"
"A people such as this cannot be conquered by military force alone."