Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Kikuchi, who had been relatively calm when he entered, suddenly frowned.

He shifted his body slightly back, leaned against the back of the chair, and raised his chin to scrutinize him.

Gu Cheng knew what he was thinking—in the eyes of the old Japanese devils, even Zhang Zuolin was supported by the Japanese. How could a young officer who had just started out have the right to question him like this?

But Gu Cheng didn't care.

Kikuchi, a seasoned veteran who had spent ten years in China, quickly masked his displeasure with a smile, though the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Commander Gu is straightforward, I admire that. Since Commander Gu is so frank, then I won't beat around the bush either—"

He sat up straight, his hands crossed on his knees, his posture as upright as if he were attending a formal meeting. "Kikuchi has come to Jinzhou with three matters. First, on behalf of the Kwantung Army Headquarters, he formally apologizes to your side and will finalize the compensation arrangements."

Second, assist Commander Gu in investigating the ins and outs of Lu Shoulian's case and giving the Marshal an explanation. Third—

At this point, he continued slowly, "Find Haruka Hiromi and bring her to justice."

Gu Cheng listened, his face remaining expressionless, but his mind was racing.

Apology. Compensation. Investigation. Arrest.

He spoke in a grand and dignified manner, but only he himself knew which of his claims were true and which were false.

"Regarding the four things Mr. Kikuchi mentioned," Gu Cheng began calmly, "the Commander-in-Chief has already told me about the compensation. The money has arrived, and I've accepted it. As for the apology, you've already given it, and I'm listening. As for the investigation and arrests—"

He looked up at Kikuchi, his gaze cold. "I'm already investigating the case. I'm already making arrests. Mr. Kikuchi, did you come to Jinzhou to help me investigate, or to investigate for me?"

These words, spoken neither too lightly nor too heavily, were like a nail, precisely driven into the cracks in Kikuchi's words.

Kikuchi's smile remained unchanged, still humble: "Commander Gu is too kind. I'm here to assist, not to replace you."

Commander Gu is the top official in Jinzhou, so naturally he leads the investigations and arrests. Kikuchi merely assists from the sidelines, providing any... conveniences Commander Gu might need.

"Convenient?" Gu Cheng tilted his head and smiled. "What kind of convenience?"

Kikuchi took a document out of his briefcase, held it with both hands, placed it respectfully on the table, and pushed it in front of Gu Cheng.

His movements were as humble as a deliveryman's, but the thieving glint in his eyes made it impossible to feel any goodwill towards him.

"These are the locations around Jinzhou that Haruka Hiromi might be hiding, as determined by the Kwantung Army Headquarters. There are five locations in total, marked in great detail."

His words were sophisticated and clear: "In addition, Kikuchi also found out about the several liaison points that the South Manchuria Railway Bureau had placed in Jinzhou. The people at these liaison points have been taken into custody by the Kwantung Army Headquarters and can be handed over to Commander Gu for interrogation at any time."

Gu Cheng glanced down at the document but didn't reach for it.

That's quite a grand gesture.

The hiding place of the Kwantung Army headquarters.

The liaison point of the South Manchuria Railway Bureau's Research Department.

If Kikuchi had brought these things out earlier, Harukami Hiromi might have been caught long ago.

But he waited until he arrived in Jinzhou and sat down in front of me before offering it with both hands.

Why?

Because this is not "assistance", it is "exchange".

I give you information, what do you give me in return?

Gu Cheng looked up at Kikuchi, his gaze calm.

"Mr. Kikuchi, these things are very valuable," he said slowly. "You've given me such a generous gift; I should at least reciprocate with something, shouldn't I?"

Kikuchi smiled slightly, and finally, a hint of sincerity appeared in that smile—

Or rather, the old Japanese devils finally stopped pretending.

"Commander Gu is a smart man, and Kikuchi will not hide anything from you." He bowed slightly. "Kikuchi only hopes that when Commander Gu reports to the Marshal, he can say a few fair words for Kikuchi."

Regarding the Lu Shoulian case, the Kwantung Army Headquarters certainly bears responsibility for oversight, but it was by no means intentional. Harukami Hiromi's actions are even less related to the Kwantung Army. Kikuchi does not wish for the mistakes of a few individuals to affect the long-standing cooperation between the Kwantung Army and your army.

Gu Cheng remained silent.

really.

The compensation was for the commander-in-chief's benefit.

Intelligence is for my own eyes.

The real purpose was to speak up for him in front of the commander-in-chief—to put it bluntly, to help him get rid of the blame.

Besides, why would he give away this benefit for nothing, just to get a few nice words in return?

The side hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the occasional birdsong coming from outside the window.

"Mr. Kikuchi," he finally spoke, his voice indifferent, "you gave me such a generous gift, and all you're worth are a few kind words?"

Kikuchi's smile remained unchanged as he gave a slight bow: "Commander Gu means..."

"What I mean is—"

Gu Cheng's gaze was clear and unwavering. "You might as well say everything. You came to Jinzhou for more than just a few kind words, didn't you?"

In Kikuchi's amber-colored eyes, the last trace of pretense finally faded away.

"Commander Gu is indeed straightforward." He placed his hands on his knees, his posture still upright. "Then Kikuchi will not hide anything from you."

Gu Cheng looked back, waiting with his eyes for him to continue.

"Actually, I came to Jinzhou to strengthen cooperation."

Kikuchi smiled and said, "You should know that the South Manchuria Railway Bureau's influence in Jinzhou must be completely eliminated."

Haruka Yumi is just one link in the chain; she has people, networks, and funding channels behind her.

"If these people are not eliminated, Jinzhou will never have peace, and the cooperation between the Kwantung Army and your army will never have peace."

Gu Cheng cut to the chase: "So, you want to use me to eliminate the South Manchuria Railway Investigation Department's influence in Jinzhou?"

Kikuchi neither denied nor admitted it: "Commander Gu, Kikuchi simply wants to restore peace to Jinzhou. As for the means used or whose hands we use, that's not important—the important thing is the result."

Gu Cheng stared at him for a long time, his gaze shifting between light and shadow.

The old man speaks in a grand and dignified manner, but deep down he's still using the same old rhetoric—

To use someone else to do one's dirty work.

He used his own hands to eliminate the South Manchuria Railway Research Department's influence in Jinzhou.

Once the South Manchuria Railway personnel were gone, the intelligence network in Jinzhou would consist only of Kikuchi's men.

At that time, he would be able to attack or defend as he pleased, be a "meritorious minister" in front of the commander-in-chief, a "capable minister and general" in front of the Kwantung Army, and a "partner" in Jinzhou.

Killing three birds with one stone.

Well thought out.

Gu Cheng stood up and extended his hand to the Japanese soldier: "Very good, Mr. Kikuchi is indeed a straightforward man. In that case, I wish us a pleasant cooperation in the future!"

With that, he shouted at the door, "Someone, show the guest out!"

…………

The night was as black as spilled ink.

Liutiaogou is located ten miles west of Jinzhou City. Although it is called a gully, it is actually a low-lying, barren slope with a few old elm trees that are half-dead. There are seven or eight mud-brick houses scattered at the bottom of the gully, where most of the residents are refugees from the interior of China.

During the day, you can hardly see anyone, and at night, it's completely silent.

Zhang Tingshu led thirty brothers and walked in the dark for more than half an hour before finally spotting a faint light at the bottom of the ravine in the distance.