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

Kikuchi never expected Zhang Zuolin to be so direct, actually wanting to expose this matter directly.

Having spent many years in China, Kikuchi quickly regained his composure and then feigned calmness, saying, "Commander-in-Chief, I don't quite understand what you mean—your cooperation with our Great Japan has always been very harmonious. Why are you suddenly mentioning something like 'not being fair'?"

Zhang Zuolin laughed out loud, but his shrewd triangular eyes continued to scrutinize the other person: "Mr. Kikuchi, please have a seat."

As he spoke, he called out loudly to the outside, "Xishun, come and pour some tea!" Then he led him to sit down and slowly took out a stack of papers: "Mr. Kikuchi, my old Zhang is a rough man, so he just says what he wants to say."

Kikuchi took the stack of papers, and his pupils immediately contracted.

At the top is a copy of a bill of lading, with the Dalian Port seal clearly visible, and the name, quantity, and recipient of the goods all clearly stated – Lu Shoulian from Jinzhou.

Below is an excerpt of the accounts, with several key figures circled in red. The huge difference between the purchase price and the quoted price for inferior timber and cement mixed with sand is shocking.

Kikuchi only turned two pages before gently placing the stack of papers back on the table, still wearing that humble smile.

"Commander-in-Chief, what are these? I don't quite understand them."

"Don't quite understand?" Zhang Zuolin leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest twice. "Mr. Kikuchi, you've been my advisor for almost many years. I, Old Zhang, know very well who you are and what your abilities are. You'll understand these things at a glance... Pretending to be confused is pointless."

Kikuchi was silent for a moment, then glanced at Xishun who brought in the tea before smiling and slowly saying, "Since the Commander-in-Chief has put it this way, Kikuchi will not beat around the bush. Kikuchi has indeed seen these receipts and accounts."

But Commander-in-Chief, please understand—these matters were not handled by Kikuchi, nor were they the intention of the General Staff.

Zhang Zuolin stared at him and sneered, "Whose idea was that? Your Kwantung Army? Or the South Manchuria Railway Bureau's investigation department?"

Kikuchi did not answer directly, but simply bowed slightly: "Commander-in-Chief, I can assure you that the Kwantung Army Headquarters is unaware of this matter. As for the South Manchuria Railway Bureau's Investigation Department..."

He took a deep breath. "Kikuchi can't control the actions of the South Manchuria Railway Bureau's Investigation Department. But I can assure the Commander-in-Chief that the General Staff's policy of cooperation with your army has never changed."

"Can't control them?" Zhang Zuolin repeated those three words, then scoffed, "You're Japanese, and you can't control the Japanese? Mr. Kikuchi, who would believe you if you said that?"

Kikuchi remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged: "Commander-in-Chief, you may not know this, but there are also dissenting voices within the Great Japanese Empire."

Just like your Fengtian clique, they each have their own ideas. The South Manchuria Railway Research Department... they're a separate line, not under the General Staff Headquarters' jurisdiction.

Zhang Zuolin leaned back in his chair and tapped the armrest twice, once, twice, three times.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

"Mr. Kikuchi," he finally spoke, "I, Old Zhang, understand what you're saying. You're trying to tell me—this has nothing to do with you, nothing to do with the General Staff Headquarters, it was all done by those people in the South Manchuria Railway's Research Department. Isn't that right?"

Kikuchi bowed slightly: "Absolutely right."

Zhang Zuolin suddenly laughed: "Mr. Kikuchi, I, Zhang, am a rough man, not very well-educated, but I'm not stupid. You say this has nothing to do with you—"

"Alright, let me ask you this: Is Harukami Hiromi a Japanese woman? Did she commit murder, arson, and sowing discord in Jinzhou? Did she burn down my camp's construction site and kill my chamber of commerce president? Are these facts?"

Kikuchi remained silent.

"You tell me you 'can't control it,'" Zhang Zuolin leaned forward, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Then tell me, who can control it? Who can arrest this woman and hand her over to me?"

Kikuchi raised his head, met Zhang Zuolin's gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Commander-in-Chief, Kikuchi can give it a try."

"Try?" Zhang Zuolin looked at him and laughed. "What do you mean by 'try'? If it can be done, it can be done; if it can't be done, it can't be done. I, Old Zhang, don't play riddles with people."

Kikuchi solemnly declared, "I am willing to go to Jinzhou personally to thoroughly investigate this matter. If Harukami Hiromi is still in Jinzhou, I will certainly apprehend her and hand her over to the Commander-in-Chief for punishment."

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

"You're going to Jinzhou?" He suddenly laughed, gesturing sarcastically back and forth across the other man. "Mr. Kikuchi, are you going to Jinzhou to help me investigate the case, or to help you Japanese destroy the evidence?"

Kikuchi's expression remained unchanged: "Kikuchi is the Commander-in-Chief's advisor, so naturally the Commander-in-Chief's interests come first."

Zhang Zuolin waved his hand, stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Kikuchi, and remained silent for a long time.

Outside the window, the sun shines brightly, and the crabapple tree in the yard has begun to turn yellow, with a few withered leaves swirling and falling in the wind.

"Mr. Kikuchi."

He suddenly turned around, smiled at Kikuchi Takeo, and said, "Then I'll leave this matter entirely to you. Also—"

The highest-ranking official in the Northeast coldly continued, "Since you were the ones who first harmed Jinzhou, then the matter of stationing troops here can no longer be mentioned, can it?"

Kikuchi Takeo rose and bowed deeply in the Japanese style: "I understand, Commander-in-Chief. I will handle this matter as soon as possible."

But his right fist was clearly clenched tightly.

That wretched Harukami Hiromi, she ruined my big plan!

…………

As soon as Ji Jinchun arrived at the brigade headquarters, he saw Zhang Tingshu reporting the results.

In addition to successfully controlling several businessmen involved in the Jinzhou building materials business, a massive net has been cast throughout Jinzhou, just waiting to capture this woman.

"Mr. Gu, is there something you need?"

Upon hearing Ji Jinchun's words, Gu Cheng first settled Zhang Tingshu, then stood up and walked towards him: "Uncle Ji, I didn't invite you here, but to discuss future training matters."

My request to the General Staff has been approved, and the official appointments for the 11th Mixed Brigade will be issued by the end of this month. In addition, I have also consulted with the Marshal... The Marshal's point is that both of them are veterans of the Fengtian Army, and their abilities, qualifications, and character are all impeccable. They should not be wronged by staying in Jinzhou.

Therefore, the position I offered Uncle Ji was the deputy brigade commander and chief training instructor of the 11th Mixed Brigade.

Ji Jinchun's expression shifted: "Master Gu, this—"

"Uncle Ji, don't be in such a hurry to refuse." Gu Cheng raised his hand to interrupt him. "This is not just my idea; it was the Marshal who gave his approval. You've followed your uncle for so many years; I know how capable you are."

Our 11th Mixed Brigade has a poor foundation; the men are used to being lazy and lazy, and fundamentally, it doesn't resemble a fighting force. My goal isn't just to keep Jinzhou safe, but to train these men into an iron army capable of being deployed and fighting tough battles.