Holding the original shares, they fought all the way to the Korean War!

After listening to the three people's words, Hata Shunroku finished speaking.

There was no rush to answer.

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of water, and then slowly put it down.

His gaze swept over the three faces one by one, a faint smile playing on his lips.

That smile lacked warmth.

"Gentlemen, I am aware of the situation you have described."

He spoke, his voice low and his pace slow, carrying a calm and unhurried quality.

"This morning's operation was a routine security check by the Imperial Army in Shanghai."

"The objective is to apprehend those involved in the recent vicious attack that occurred in front of the main gate of the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters."

"You all should know the nature of that incident."

"An Imperial Army lieutenant general and an Imperial Army major general were assassinated in broad daylight."

The murderer is still at large.

"Under these circumstances, the Imperial Army has the right to search the entire territory of Shanghai."

"Any refusal to cooperate or obstruction of the search will be considered as obstructing the Imperial Army from performing its duties."

The British counselor's gaze darkened slightly.

"Commander, I understand the importance your side attaches to that incident."

"But does the search you mentioned cover all civilians who have not been tried?"

"Some of them hold our passports and are entitled to consular protection under the law."

Hata Shunroku's smile deepened slightly.

"Consular protection rights?"

He repeated the word, as if savoring something.

Then he spoke slowly, his tone still steady, but each word had become colder.

"Sir, it's good that you mentioned the right to consular protection."

"So, in your opinion, is the safety of your country's citizens more important than the safety of the Imperial Army generals?"

The British counselor paused slightly in his breathing.

"Commander, this is not a question of who is superior or inferior; it is a fundamental right granted by international law."

"I believe you are also aware that arresting and detaining foreign nationals without due process can trigger serious diplomatic disputes."

Hata Shunroku did not respond immediately after hearing this.

He stood up, walked around the desk, and went to the window.

He turned his back to the diplomats and remained silent for a moment.

Then he turned around and calmly looked at the British counselor.

"Mr. Counselor, you are right, this could indeed cause a diplomatic dispute."

"But have you ever thought about this question?"

"The murderer is hiding somewhere in Shanghai right now."

"If he can kill my men in front of my headquarters, he can kill your people in front of your country's trading houses, churches, and consulates."

"The people we arrested today may not be related to that incident."

"But if we don't arrest, if we don't search, if we give up the search because of your country's consular protection rights."

"That murderer will never be caught."

He walked back to his desk and sat down, placing his hands on the table with his arms crossed, his gaze remaining calm.

"Therefore, my stance is very clear."

"First, the citywide security crackdown will not stop until the murderer is apprehended."

"Second, any person arrested will not be released until the investigation is completed."

"Third, if your country can assist us in finding the murderer, all those detained will be released immediately."

"If your country cannot provide assistance, then unfortunately, these people will have to continue to be subject to investigation."

"Once the review is complete, there will naturally be a result."

There was a moment of silence in the office.

The French consul leaned forward slightly, his voice clearly restrained.

"Commander, you are directly linking our hostages to the results of a criminal investigation."

"This practice is unprecedented in international diplomatic norms."

Hata Shunroku looked at him, his tone still calm.

If there's no precedent, then create one.

"Every corner of this city could be the killer's hiding place."

"If your country cannot help me find him, then I will have to find him in my own way."

"As for those who have been detained, they are safe. As long as they are not involved in the incident, they will be released after the investigation is completed."

"But if they are involved in that incident, that's another matter."

After listening, the British counselor slowly stood up and looked directly at Hata Shunroku.

"Commander, I will report your statement to the homeland truthfully."

"Further developments will be communicated directly between the two governments."

Hata Shunroku also stood up and nodded slightly.

"Please proceed, Counselor."

Several diplomats stood up one after another and walked towards the office door.

The chargé d'affaires of Rui walked at the very back. When he reached the door, he paused and turned to look at Hata Shunroku.

It seemed like he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing, turned around and walked out the door.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away along the corridor.

Hata Shunroku sat back down behind his desk and remained silent for a long time.

He picked up the pencil on the table, twirled it between his fingers, then put it down, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh.

He had anticipated the protests from those Western diplomats.

The large-scale arrests would inevitably affect the concessions.

Those holding foreign passports will inevitably be affected; this is an unavoidable consequence.

But the diplomats' reaction was calmer than he had expected.

This shows that they don't have many cards to play; all they can do is issue verbal protests and formal diplomatic notes.

As long as they don't take more drastic measures, those protests will just be a passing fad, gone as soon as they're over.

What he really cared about were those who were arrested.

Are there any truly valuable clues?

If so, then the day's efforts will not have been in vain.

If not, then the diplomats' protests will turn into a real diplomatic dispute.

……

3 PM.

Hata Shunroku was holding an encrypted telegram that had just been delivered from the communications room.

The telegram came from headquarters.

He unfolded the telegram and began reading it from the first line down.

The first half of the telegram was a routine relay, with a calm tone and restrained wording.

That's the general idea.

Headquarters has received a report from the East China Expeditionary Army regarding today's security operation.

They also expressed their approval of the strength of the action.

Hata Shunroku's gaze lingered on those lines of text for a moment, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

The word "approval" is not uncommon in military telegrams.

However, it is usually not included in the preliminary statements when dealing with difficult matters.

He continued reading.

In the second paragraph, the tone begins to change.

"Regarding the individuals holding foreign passports detained in today's operation, the General Headquarters, after communicating with relevant parties, believes that..."

"To avoid unnecessary diplomatic disputes, such individuals should be identified and released as soon as possible."

Hata Shunroku's gaze lingered on this passage for a moment before continuing to read.

The third paragraph is longer than the first two and the wording is more specific.