Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 151 I will be angry with anyone who doesn’t let me fight against Japan

"Mr. Zheng, please use it, please use it."

Inside the hotel, Toyota Risaburo cordially invited Zheng Yi to sit down. Zheng Yi looked around the hotel's furnishings curiously, and said in surprise:
"I haven't been to the Japanese community for a long time. I remember that this used to be a restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine. How come it's now... Cantonese cuisine?"

He had originally planned to treat Toyota Risaburo to Japanese food.

However, it was discovered that there was not a single Japanese restaurant left in such a large Japanese community.

Not only were the Japanese food stores gone, but even the once conspicuous Japanese symbols were gone. Although it was clearly a Japanese community, Zheng Yi did not find a single plaster flag in the entire area.

Toyota Risaburo: "Japanese food is bland and tasteless. There is nothing to eat. We Japanese expatriates, now that we have acquired Chinese nationality, should naturally learn Chinese culture.

After tasting delicious Chinese food, eating Japanese food will naturally be like chewing wax. Chinese cuisine is extensive and profound, so it is naturally much more delicious than Japanese food. "

Zheng Yi naturally didn't believe it when he heard it, but he also knew that these Japanese were probably just simply afraid, so he was too lazy to correct them.

Besides, the cooking methods of many Cantonese dishes are quite similar to Japanese food. Anyway, he feels that the difference does not seem to be that big.

"Mr. Toyota, how have you been lately? Are you satisfied? Are you having any problems in your life or business?
You are now the leader of the Japanese community. If you need anything, please tell Xiaolin immediately."

As they were talking, the food and wine came up. Zheng Yi picked up the chopsticks and started eating first, signaling Toyota Risaburo not to be restrained.

"Thank you Mr. Zheng for your care. I and the Japanese in Penang are living very well. This is all thanks to your protection, Mr. Zheng.

The entire Japanese community, including the Japanese community in Yangon, now has a total of more than 400,000 Japanese. I can't say they are rich, but at least they can be said to have enough food and clothing.

"Compared to other Japanese expatriates in Southeast Asia who haven't moved here yet, and even to the Japanese in their own country, their lives are already like paradise. We are all extremely grateful to Mr. Zheng."

"As for my business, ah~, it's developing very well. The textile machine factory has now started operating smoothly. There are so many orders that we can't even finish them. We have no choice but to expand production continuously. The profits are also very considerable."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Mr. Toyota, I'm afraid you still have some concerns about me and Penang. Are you being a little insincere?"

Toyoda Risaburo: "No, absolutely not."

"But, you are now the president of the Nanyang Japanese Chamber of Commerce, but I heard that you have never attended a municipal meeting.

Even if we only talk about the number of people, the number of Japanese in Penang is second only to the people of Xiamen and Xinyi.

Wealth-wise, you can be considered wealthy and affluent, but why is it that your voice is completely invisible in politics? Do you not consider yourself a part of Penang at all?

Risaburo Toyota: "Ah, this... this... I'm going to attend the city council meeting?"

As he spoke, Toyota Risaburo's face looked as bitter as an eggplant.

But he smiled bitterly and said, "This... Right now, anti-Japanese sentiment is very strong in Penang, and even throughout Southeast Asia. Even we Japanese expatriates, upon hearing about the atrocities committed by the Japanese army in Nanjing, could not contain our indignation. I know very well that you, Mr. Zheng, are a man of great wisdom."

"Most of us Japanese expatriates also believe that you are able to separate us Japanese civilians from Japanese militarism and treat us differently. We are all extremely grateful for this, but... people with the wisdom of Mr. Zheng are certainly rare."

"Besides, we are already living very well in Penang and we don't really have any political demands. Thank you very much, Mr. Zheng, for your kindness."

Zheng Yi said, "That won't do. I think the more tense Sino-Japanese relations become, the more Mr. Toyota should take on the responsibility. This is propaganda for both Japan and China."

"Even in Penang, there is definitely anti-Japanese sentiment. Many of the actions of the Japanese army in China were indeed excessive.
After all, when two countries go to war, each fights for supremacy on the battlefield, relying on their own abilities. Even if you are the invader, that's nothing. You are trying to expand your nation's living space, and we are trying to defend our homeland. Fighting to the death is the way of heaven."

"But you clearly won the battle, yet you still resorted to butchering unarmed civilians in the rear. This is simply unacceptable. Many of your actions are simply beastly."

"Since your militarism has turned its butcher knife on civilians, it is natural that some Chinese will vent their anger on you Japanese civilians. I hope Mr. Toyota can understand this."

Toyota Risaburo nodded and said, "Of course, of course. We can completely understand this."

In fact, it is more than just understanding. Toyota Risaburo really did not lie to Zheng Yi. The Japanese community now hates those militarist bastards and is really grateful to Zheng Yi.

You know, before the fall of Nanjing, they were actually living quite well in Penang. Although the fighting in Shanghai was brutal, it was a national war after all, and there was no large-scale anti-Japanese wave in Southeast Asia.

They simply refused to buy Japanese goods. At most, the more radical ones would organize strikes in Japanese-owned companies, destroy Japanese-owned railways in Malaya and Siam, or secretly set fire to goods in Japanese warehouses.

That’s all. At least there has been no large-scale kidnapping, extortion, or even forced detention of Japanese women.

This is even more so in Penang, thanks to Zheng Yi's own prestige, and he often explains the differences between militarism and the left and right wings in newspapers and media. He even made no secret of his strategic idea of ​​poaching people from Japanese society.

As for the Nanyang people, they are naturally more accepting of other races. Moreover, everyone works together. Most of these Japanese have renounced their Japanese citizenship and can speak a few words of Chinese, so no one will vent their anger on them.

However, after the fall of Nanjing, when Japanese militarism turned its butcher knife against civilians, the anger of the Chinese in Southeast Asia naturally became excessive.
So much so that even in Penang, even with Zheng Yi's prestige suppressing them, they themselves were extremely uneasy.

Instead of fighting a good battle, you're just messing around!

To be honest, these people, especially the wealthy people like Toyota Risaburo who came directly from China to Penang to live in Penang, were originally hiding from the militarism in Japan. Although they were prepared and knew that the militarist army would inevitably do some anthropomorphic things occasionally.

But they really couldn't imagine that they couldn't even anthropomorphize!

For a moment, all these Japanese were shocked and frightened. They knew very well that Zheng Yi was good to them, but what about the other people in Penang?

Many Japanese in Southeast Asia came to Penang because they were bullied by Chinese businesses outside. After staying there for a short period of time, they found that Zheng Yi was indeed a weirdo and did not vent his anger on them. In fact, his life in Penang was much better than outside.

They really don't hate those Huaji restaurants outside, at least it is understandable.

But I really hate the militarism in their own country.

In fact, in recent times, these Japanese expatriates have been the ones who have cursed Japanese militarism the harshest. After the Nanjing Incident, almost all of these Japanese expatriates have been cursing. They cursed in newspapers, on the radio, in Japanese when meeting Japanese people, and in Chinese when meeting colleagues at work.

It is no exaggeration to say that almost every Japanese expatriate in Penang would curse Japanese militarism in Chinese to the Chinese around them at any opportunity after going to work.

And this is not entirely due to the situation, at least it is half sincere.

Because militaristic Japan was not only cruel to foreign countries, but also to its own people. Those Japanese who gave up their Japanese nationality and joined Penang had long been labeled traitors in this completely crazy Japanese society where everyone was afraid that they were not being extreme enough.

It's no exaggeration to say that if the Japanese ever occupied Penang, the Chinese there might have had a chance of survival, but every one of them would have been condemned as traitors to their country. The massacre of those militaristic beasts in Nanjing has left them unable to integrate into either Japan or Penang.

Those engineers who work on Thai machinery are really afraid that their dear colleagues will suddenly press their heads into the machines and "accidentally" strangle them.

At least until this storm has passed, these Japanese residents dare not even leave the Japanese community unless necessary. Li Xiaowei also added two companies of police to guard the periphery.

What the hell kind of meeting is this!
Do you, a Japanese, still want to participate in politics?
Zheng Yi said, "Here in Penang, we treat everyone equally. Although you were Japanese before, now that you have given up your Japanese citizenship and become Penang citizens, you are now Penangites."

"It is inevitable that the Sino-Japanese conflict will expand during the war. Racial hatred exists all over the world. What we can do is try our best to eliminate the conflict, rather than dodge it.
Mr. Toyota, as a leader of the Japanese community, simply hiding won't really eliminate the hatred. If you truly want to do something practical for your fellow Japanese compatriots and make up for the hatred between China and Japan, you should step out and do something."

"I know that you have recently been criticizing militarism in your own country in order to show your loyalty.
However, I believe that words are powerless, and at least for me, simply watching you Japanese expatriates criticize the Japanese government doesn't make me feel comfortable. It's better to do something concrete.

"Hi!"

But then Toyota Risaburo pulled out a check from his pocket and said, "Here is eight million US dollars. It's a donation raised by all of us Japanese overseas Chinese for the anti-Japanese war. We are willing to support China's war of resistance with our actions. We are Chinese, too!"

Zheng Yi glanced down and saw that the check was indeed for eight million US dollars. He knew that it was indeed a lot of money and that these Japanese had really invested a lot of money.

But he didn't even answer. He picked up the "sashimi" on the table with his chopsticks, took a big bite, and said with a smile:
"Take it back. Penang has already donated a lot of money to China, so we don't need this little bit of money. The gap between China and Japan cannot be made up with this little bit of money. This little bit of money is useless and can't solve the fundamental problem."

Toyota Risaburo was anxious when he heard this: "Mr. Zheng, we are all naturalized Chinese now."

Zheng Yi suddenly started to talk nonsense, saying, "This sashimi is quite interesting. I really like it. You see, even if you Japanese open a Cantonese restaurant, you still make such great sashimi."

Toyota Risaburo quickly said, "But this is Chinese sashimi, this is Shunde sashimi, and this one is Guangxi sashimi, which is different from Japanese sashimi."

Zheng Yi, however, ate with big mouthfuls, savoring the deliciousness while smiling and saying, "Chinese sashimi, whether from Shunde or Guangxi, always contains oil. This is the biggest difference from Japanese sashimi."

"Comparing the two, I actually prefer the one from Guangxi. The raw fish itself has no flavor, but it relies on the mixing of mint, cucumber, lemon leaves, radish and other cold vegetables, mixed with oil, and sweet and sour sauce, and eaten with it.
It gives the sashimi a unique sour and sweet flavor, mixed with the freshness of the sashimi itself, and it feels like dancing in your mouth."

Toyota Risaburo didn't know why he said this, but he nodded quickly and said, "Sir, you are right. Coming to Penang has broadened my horizons. I never thought sashimi could be cooked so deliciously."

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "This is the first time I've eaten such delicious sashimi. You should know my relationship with the Li family. I'm very familiar with the Li family and Xinyiren. I've also eaten a lot of Guangxi cuisine in Nanyang."

"But it's no exaggeration to say that the Guangxi sashimi I ate here today is the best I've ever tasted since I came to Southeast Asia.
This way of mixing fish is a good imitation of the Guangxi method. However, I dare say that there is no better way in Southeast Asia. Even in Guangxi, you may not find such delicious Guangxi sashimi. "

"You are from Japan after all. If I were to ask you, you are more talented in making and eating sashimi. Although this dish looks like Guangxi sashimi,
But in reality, it incorporates a lot of your Japanese sashimi methods and the characteristics of being very delicate, so it probably uses sea fish."

"It tastes like the delicateness of Japanese sashimi and the flavor of Guangxi sashimi. It's absolutely delicious. At least in my opinion, it's much more delicious than both Japanese and Guangxi sashimi.

This is the strength of you Japanese expatriates. The combination of China and Japan is much more advantageous than simply being Chinese or Japanese."

When Toyota Risaburo heard this, he knew that this must be another trick. Zheng Yi had first invited him to participate in the municipal council, but then refused to accept the anti-Japanese donations from the Japanese.
So he specially asked his apprentice to invite him to dinner today. Is he here to be a close friend to the Japanese?

How is that possible?

Toyota Risaburo had been in contact with Zheng Yi for a long time, and he had a rough idea of ​​what kind of person Zheng Yi was.
The reason why this person treated these Japanese expatriates well was that he had the intention of dividing and winning over them, digging into the corners of Japanese society, and even undermining the fighting spirit of Japanese society.

It’s not that Zheng Yi is more tolerant and generous than others, but that he has bigger ambitions and can see further.

She was suddenly so nice to him, so there was no doubt that she must be asking for something.

It's not easy to get into this parliament.

However, he is now living under someone else's roof. Since he chose to separate from Kiichiro and take Toyota Textile out, he can only go down this path until the end, at least until the end of the war.

He had no choice at all.

"Mr. Zheng, is there anything I can do for the cause of the Anti-Japanese War? As long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to help you."

Zheng Yi actually sighed and said, "Of course there are. To be honest, it is difficult for the National Army to defeat the Japanese army on the front battlefield. It is too difficult. However, I believe that Japan is bound to fail in an all-out war."

"To be honest, there's one thing that's perfect for you, Mr. Toyota, to do yourself. Just like this sashimi, you Japanese in Penang and Yangon, you're definitely better at doing some things than the Japanese, or even the Chinese."

Toyota Risaburo: "What's the matter?"

"Oh, forget it. After all, you're all from Japan. Even though you've renounced your Japanese citizenship, your relationship with us still exists. If Mr. Toyota were to do this, it would be too cruel for him."

"Your reputation in Japan is already bad enough. If you do what I did, you will definitely become a thorn in the side of Japanese society, and this will make you the king of Japan.

You and I are friends. Even if this matter is of great help to the war of resistance, and can even be said to be the key to victory, how can I bear to put you on the fire? "

Risaburo Toyoda: "…………"

Sometimes I am really annoyed by Zheng Yi’s hypocrisy.

You force me to be a traitor, and you also want me to beg you for it.

However, Zheng Yi said that it was "the key to victory in the war of resistance."

Can he really take advantage of the situation?
Mr. Zheng is very busy, so how can he have time to treat himself to a meal?

He immediately said in his still broken Chinese: "Mr. Zheng, you are wrong. I, like other Japanese immigrants in Penang, am no longer a Japanese.

The crimes committed by Japanese militarism in China are abhorrent to both humans and gods. Anyone with even a modicum of conscience would be irreconcilable with them.

"Mr. Zheng, I am now a true Chinese. If there is anything I can do to help in the cause of resisting Japan, please let me do it. This is not treason, it is a just cause."

"Please, I'll be angry with anyone who doesn't let me fight the Japanese! If you don't agree to let me fight the Japanese, I won't get up!"

After saying that, Toyota Risaburo actually kowtowed to Zheng Yi.

(End of this chapter)