Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 128 Nakamura Isao Arrives

"Brother Song used to be a capable lieutenant under Boss Zhang. How dare a woman of the night disrespect you?" Lin Xueyi muttered, emboldened by the alcohol.

"Not only are you disrespecting me, but even Mr. Zhang's face might not be of any use."

Song Zushan took a sip of wine and said, "This eldest sister's original name was Gao Hongye. She had a tragic background. She was sold into a brothel by her father at a very young age to exchange for opium."

"However, she is very capable; all of Boss Zhang's venues are managed by her."

"Management?" Chen Yang frowned, somewhat puzzled.

Song Zushan said, "Yes, she is very capable in everything from selecting people to training them. All the girls under her are outstanding, so she has also made many friends among high-ranking officials and dignitaries."

"Mr. Zhang still has to rely on her for many things."

"If she's willing to lend a hand, Mr. Chen can open any kind of club he wants without any problem."

Chen Yang picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and a strange smile appeared on his face: "Big Sister, heh, this is interesting."

Tang Mansion, No. 89 Ferguson Road, Shanghai.

A gray Austin sedan came to a smooth stop in front of the Tang Mansion. Ying Zuozhenzhao pushed open the back door and got out.

"Mr. Yingzuo, the master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come with me." Tang De, who was waiting at the door, hurriedly came forward when he saw Yingzuo Zhenzhao appear.

"Thank you for your trouble." Ying Zuozhen nodded slightly to Tang De and, under his guidance, walked through the hall to the study on the second floor.

Inside the study, an elderly man dressed in a dark long gown and with a gaunt face sat behind his desk, looking at the four large characters "家国天下" (meaning "family, country, and the world") on the desk, and sighed deeply.

An ivory pipe rests on a celadon ashtray, wisps of smoke rising from it.

A series of crisp knocks sounded on the door, and Tang Shaoyi said softly, "Please come in."

Kagesa Masaki pushed open the door, bowed slightly to Tang Shaoyi, and said in fluent Chinese, "Mr. Tang, I apologize for disturbing your peace and quiet. I am Kagesa Masaki, and I have come to pay my respects."

Tang Shaoyi did not stand up. He raised his eyes slightly and calmly examined the newcomer. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Mr. Yingzuo, I have long admired your name. Please sit down."

He pointed to the rosewood armchair opposite the desk.

Kagesa Masaaki sat down gracefully, his posture relaxed yet respectful: "You are too kind, sir. In these turbulent times, it is truly my honor to meet you."

As a professional agent, Yingzuo spoke while his gaze quickly swept across the study, passing over the calligraphy and paintings covering the walls.
Tang Shaoyi's study was filled with precious calligraphy and paintings, including many works inscribed by Sun Yat-sen. After a brief glance around, Yingzuo turned his gaze back to Tang Shaoyi's face.

Tang Shaoyi picked up his pipe and slowly filled it with tobacco: "I am an old man living in seclusion in the foreign concession, and I have been out of touch with worldly affairs for a long time."

"Mr. Kagesa is preoccupied with military affairs, why should you worry about him?"

Kagesa Masaki leaned forward slightly and said earnestly, "Sir, you are too modest. You are a pillar of Chinese politics, highly respected and your word is law."

"The country is in misfortune now, with war raging and lives being lost. We soldiers are not warmongers, and we cannot bear to see the prosperity of East Asia destroyed in an instant."

East Asian Co-prosperity? Tang Shaoyi's lips twitched inexplicably. He struck a match with his right hand, lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and the smoke blurred his face: "The suffering of the people... is indeed a human tragedy, but national affairs are not something that an old commoner like myself can comment on."

A glint flashed in Yingzuo Zhenzhao's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged: "The KMT government is holding fast to the southwest, far from the political and economic center of China."

"Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, and Henan—these places that are vital to the nation's lifeline—urgently need respected and experienced elders to step forward, clean up the mess, and work hand in hand with Japan to build a new order and achieve true peace."

Tang Shaoyi exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze piercing through the smoke to look directly at Yingzuo: "The New Order? What is the foundation of the 'New Order' that Mr. Yingzuo is referring to? Is it the model of Manchukuo, or the style of the Provisional Government of North China?"

Kageyama met Tang's gaze without flinching, his tone even more sincere: "Sir, you are wise. Manchuria and North China are merely transitional measures."

"What the Great Japanese Empire truly hoped to see was a unified, stable, and prosperous China, a partner that could cooperate with Japan on an equal footing and seek common development."

"This leader, unless he is as virtuous and talented as the old gentleman, is hard to win the people's hearts. The empire is willing to give its full support."

Tang Shaoyi remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

The only sounds in the study were the occasional hissing of a pipe and the faint sounds of carriages and horses outside the window. After a while, a sigh rang out: "Unification... how easy is that?"

"The Blue Camp will not agree, and Yan'an will certainly not agree either."

"With the country in disarray and powerful neighbors eyeing us covetously, this is a burden that I, in my twilight years, cannot bear."

Kageyama Masaki keenly sensed the softening in Tang's tone and immediately said, "It's all up to people, sir! The Empire has the determination and the power to remove obstacles to peace."

"As long as you are willing to step forward and make a call, with your qualifications and connections, you will surely be able to unite people's hearts!"

"As for the specific terms of cooperation and the structure of the new government, these can be discussed in detail to ensure that they are in line with the interests and dignity of China."

Tang Shaoyi stared intently at Yingzuo, his gaze complex and unreadable, containing scrutiny, doubt, and perhaps even a trace of longing for power and indignation at the current situation: "Mr. Yingzuo, do you know that the Chinese often say that fallen leaves return to their roots?"

"At my age, all I ask for is to spend my remaining years in Shanghai and be buried in my hometown. I don't know when I will be able to return to Guangdong."

Kageyama Masaaki said sincerely, "The day peace is achieved will be the day you return home in glory, sir. Please rest assured that the Empire will do everything in its power to protect your safety and prestige."

"Please trust the Empire's sincerity. I believe that China needs wise men like you to guide it back to the right path."

A brief silence fell over the study. Tang Shaoyi slowly tapped his pipe against the ashtray, extinguishing the embers.

He looked out the window and saw the lights of the French Concession lighting up one after another, like a lonely island floating in a dark ocean.

"This matter... allow me to think about it some more. It is of great importance, and a single move could have far-reaching consequences. I appreciate Mr. Kagesa's kindness." Kagesa Masaki was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, "Old fox."
However, he did not continue the conversation, because he knew that this was the end of the day and that it was not advisable to press too hard.

So he rose gracefully, bowed, and said, "Of course, it is only right that the old gentleman has given this matter much thought."

"Kagesa has benefited greatly from listening to your teachings today. This small gift is a token of my respect. I hope you will accept it with a smile."

Tang Shaoyi did not refuse and smiled, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Yingzuo."

"Tang De, see the guests out..."

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Kagesa, please."

Kageyama Masaki bowed slightly and said, "Mr. Tang, this junior takes his leave..."

Shanghai, Consulate.

"Is Kagesa's plan to persuade Elder Tang not going smoothly?" Iwai Hiroichi asked, looking at Kagesa Masaaki with a worried expression.

“That’s a cunning old fox.” Kageyama took a sip of tea and said, “You can smell the shrewd calculation of a Cantonese person on him from a distance.”

"If it weren't for the fact that Liang Hongzhi and his group were so incompetent, and that there hadn't been so little progress in Shancheng."

"How could I possibly lower myself to come all the way from Nanjing?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kageyama Masaki let out another long sigh.

The problems in China are far more complex than they imagined. They thought that with the help of Liang Hongzhi, Wen Zongyao and others, they could at least stabilize the major powers in the south.

But the reality was extremely disappointing for them.

The taxes from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui, and other regions never reached the new government; Qi Xieyuan alone could swallow most of them.

Liang Hongzhi and the others were almost like puppets on strings, completely lacking any autonomy.

Wen Zongyao, relying on his seniority over Liang Hongzhi and others, completely ignored them.

The newly formed government was like a pile of loose sand. Even with him and Madoka Kumakichi working hard to communicate with the local people, they still could not achieve results.

"Kagesa-kun, you've studied the Chinese issue for so many years, you should be very clear about the characteristics of this country."

Hiroichi Iwai said slowly, "I told you it wouldn't work when you chose Mr. Liang."

"It was Sonoda who insisted on his own way, believing that all we needed was a puppet."

"But now, in just three months, the new government has become a joke."

"The economy, taxes, weapons, and even local security forces all require the Empire's support."

"Besides asking for money, what else can Liang Hongzhi do?"

Kageyama Masaki said with a wry smile, "That's why we need someone like Tang Shaoyi to step forward."

Hiroichi Iwai shook his head: "One Tang Shaoyi is not enough."

"Mr. Imai sent a telegram from North China, saying that we need to create some trouble for Yamashiro in terms of public opinion."

"At the same time, we must also urge Mr. Wang to make a decision as soon as possible."

"Public opinion?" Kageyama sighed. "It seems that Mr. Iwai still favors Mr. Wang more."

Hiroshi Iwai nodded and said, "Of course, Tang Shaoyi is already seventy-six years old, and he doesn't have enough energy or time."

“Mr. Wang is the best choice for the Empire. Moreover, Miss Nantian has already tested his attitude, and he has a good impression of the Empire.”

Kagesa Masaki frowned and was about to speak when a knock sounded on the door. Iwai Hiroichi said softly, "Come in."

Kenjiro Inukai, the deputy head of the Iwai administration, pushed open the office door and whispered a few words in Hiroichi Iwai's ear.

Hiroichi Iwai frowned slightly, and after a moment said, "Please let him in."

"Hai." Ken Inukai bowed slightly, then turned and left the office.

Kagesa Masaki asked, somewhat puzzled, "Iwai-kun, is something wrong?"

Iwai Hiroichi looked at Kagesa Masaki and said, "It's nothing serious, just an uninvited guest."

"Hahaha, an uninvited guest? Is Iwai-kun talking about me?" A hearty laugh rang out, and a thin figure appeared at the office door.

Hirokazu Iwai smiled at the newcomer and said, "Nakamura-kun, what are you saying? You've come all the way from the north; how could I dare call you an uninvited guest?"

"Nakamura-kun, let me introduce you. This is Colonel Kagesa Masaaki, Chief of the Eighth Section and Chief of the Military Affairs Section of the Mainland General Staff Headquarters."

"Kagesa-kun, this is Nakamura Isao, the newly appointed advisor to the Southern Intelligence Division of the South Manchuria Railway Bureau and director of the Southern China Resistance Forces Investigation Committee..."

(End of this chapter)