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

Kikuchi's smile finally vanished completely, replaced by a deep, unfathomable expression.

"Commander Gu, are you threatening Kikuchi?"

"It's not a threat," Gu Cheng leaned back in his chair. "It's a reminder. Mr. Kikuchi, we're in a cooperative relationship now."

Since this is a collaboration, we should be completely honest with each other. You help me eliminate the South Manchuria Railway's influence in Jinzhou, and I will speak well of you to the Marshal. This is our agreement.

But if you hide anything from me, or do anything underhanded—then this cooperation can't continue.

Kikuchi remained silent for a long time, then picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

The sake hit his throat, spicy and pungent, and his brow furrowed slightly before relaxing.

"Commander Gu, Kikuchi understands what you mean." He put down his wine glass, sat up straight, and placed his hands cross on his knees, his posture still upright. "Kikuchi will handle things with the South Manchuria Railway Company. They won't bother you again. As for anything else, I can't guarantee anything—"

Gu Cheng looked back at him, then smiled instantly: "You really are a great business partner. However—"

He leaned forward slightly. "Mr. Kikuchi, I'm a soldier, and I tend to be quite direct when I speak... When you said 'I can't guarantee it,' are you afraid I'll put you in a difficult position?"

Kikuchi looked back, her cold, sharp gaze seeming to see right through Gu Cheng.

But he quickly picked up the wine pot, slowly filled it for Gu Cheng and himself, and then raised it to toast with them.

"Commander Gu is joking." He smiled sincerely. "Kikuchi has been in China for many years and has always held one belief—as long as it can promote cooperation between the Kwantung Army and your army, there is nothing that can make things difficult for Kikuchi."

Gu Cheng knew that the Japanese had taken the bait... Of course, the benefits he had offered the Japanese were too tempting, and even if Kikuchi saw through the problem, he would obviously still take the risk.

"Since Mr. Kikuchi has put it that way, how about we join forces to completely eliminate the South Manchuria Railway's influence near Jinzhou?"

The air in the private room suddenly became tense.

Kikuchi remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised her eyes to look at Gu Cheng, her gaze filled with a hint of wariness.

"Commander Gu, what do you mean by 'eliminate'?"

"It means exactly what it says." Gu Cheng clinked glasses with him again. "The South Manchuria Railway's liaison points, intelligence network, funding channels, and their moles in Jinzhou—pull them all out, leave none behind. Not just drive them away, but eradicate them. Make sure they can never extend their reach into Jinzhou again."

Kikuchi's pupils contracted slightly.

He knew the risks involved, but he also understood that if he joined forces with Gu Cheng, this young Jinzhou garrison commander would become his second collaborator in Fengtian Province, just like Zhang Zuolin.

Moreover... compared to that shrewd old fox, this young man should be easier to control, right?

Kikuchi stared at him for a long while before slowly asking, "So, what are the conditions?"

Gu Cheng smiled.

The old man has finally gotten to the point.

"The condition—" he raised his glass again, "is that you will gain a good partner."

really.

Kikuchi's heart pounded wildly.

Without hesitation, he picked up his wine glass and lightly clinked it against Gu Cheng's.

They each took a sip, and when they put down their glasses, Kikuchi's gaze was no longer as wary as before.

Gu Cheng was right.

As long as the South Manchuria Railway's influence in Jinzhou is not eliminated, the Kwantung Army will be forever hampered in this area.

That crazy woman, Haruka Yumi, doesn't listen to orders and acts on her own, she's already made a mess of things.

If this disobedient woman can be exchanged for the benefits of the Kwantung Army's occupation of Jinzhou—it's a losing proposition no matter how you look at it.

"Commander Gu, I must say, you are truly an excellent partner."

Kikuchi smiled again, "I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future."

Just as Gu Cheng was about to ask him what the next step was, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.

He got up and said "Excuse me for a moment" to Kikuchi. He opened the door and was about to scold Yang Song for disturbing his conversation when he found Wang Yongjiang's butler, Li Mingshan, standing not far away.

Gu Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and his displeasure vanished instantly.

He quickly exchanged a glance with Yang Song, then strode up to Li Mingshan: "Butler Li, what happened?"

The Wang family has come here; something terrible must have happened at home.

Li Mingshan wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice still trembling: "Master Gu, this afternoon, Miss and Miss Jiang took two maids to the theater in the south of the city to watch a play—it was said to be the first play after the Battle of Jinzhou, and it was very lively."

As dusk fell after the performance, on the way back, passing through Willow Lane, a group of masked men suddenly sprang out and began hacking at the carriage.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all his fear. "Miss Jiang was the first to react. She pulled the young lady out of the carriage and told the two maids to run in different directions. Miss Jiang scraped her leg and ran all the way back to report the news. We've been looking for you for ages—"

"Where is Miss Wang?" Gu Cheng interrupted him, his voice as cold as ice.

Li Mingshan's face paled even more: "Miss Jiang said that when she jumped out of the car, she got separated from the others, and... she came back alone... When she ran back, she saw that group of people chasing after her towards the north of the city. Miss, she—"

"Where are the two girls?"

"No, there's still no news! Everyone in the manor is frantically searching. Some people even saw the girls being taken away in a carriage... Now, they're nowhere to be found!"

Gu Cheng felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his nails dug fiercely into his palms.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the surging anger, and forced himself to calm down.

"Steward Li, does Lord Min know?" His voice had returned to normal, but the light in his eyes was as cold as ice in the twelfth lunar month.

Li Mingshan nodded, his voice still trembling: "I understand. Lord Min sent us to find you; he's waiting for news at home. Lord Min said... said everything will be arranged by Master Gu."

Li Mingshan's words were like a bucket of ice water poured on Gu Cheng's heart, and like a fire burning in his chest.

He forced himself to calm down, his mind racing—he had just finished discussing the collaboration with Kikuchi, and now Wang Yuyou had gotten into trouble; it was no coincidence, absolutely no coincidence.

"Butler Li, you go back first and tell Min'an to rest assured. I'll arrange for people to be brought back to us immediately, and we'll definitely find Miss Wang before dawn."

He spoke these words almost through his back teeth.

Li Mingshan nodded repeatedly, then turned and jogged away, disappearing at the stairwell.

Gu Cheng stood under the eaves, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The smoke dissipated quickly in the night, carrying that familiar sweet scent, but it couldn't suppress the anxiety in his heart.

Willow Lane, the north of the city, masked men—these fragments spun rapidly in his mind.

Harukami Hiromi must be that crazy woman.

She learned of her collaboration with Kikuchi and, in desperation, decided to kidnap Wang Yuyou as a hostage.

He stubbed out his cigarette, turned around, and walked back to the private room.