1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll

Liu Changchun, a Dalian native, stood up suddenly, then quickly sat down again, saying anxiously:

"Sir, why do you say that? Just because a counterattack failed once, does that mean there will be no more chances?"

"...Liu, you weren't listening carefully just now, were you?"

Trotsky made a few mild criticisms and then explained again:

"It's not the counter-offensive itself that's the problem, nor is it that this counter-offensive exposed the incompetence of the Chinese government. Rather, this counter-offensive has shown me something more dangerous: the people of Northeast China have already leaned towards Bai Ben;"

"As I just said, when people are starving and cold, they are indeed more determined to revolutionize, but they are also more easily bribed by small favors, thus..."

Trotsky continued speaking, and Liu Changchun froze in his tracks. Xi Zhu quickly pulled him back to his chair.

"Liu, you may not know..."

As he spoke, Nishi Takeichi briefly described the things his good friend, Hachimangu Kanezane-no-Ou, had done in the Northeast, with a look of admiration on his face:

"To be honest, although I personally do not support my country invading your country, what my good friend did was much better than those people in your country."

In fact, Liu Changchun was not completely ignorant of what was happening in Northeast China.

He was a running prodigy since childhood and even beat a Japanese runner in a major race in 1922, so he was spotted by the Japanese early on.

If Manchukuo had not been in chaos since its establishment, and Puyi had died before he could even officially take the throne, the Japanese would have had no time to care about trivial matters like the Olympics. He might even have been forced to represent Manchukuo in the competition!

(This is how it happened in history. Liu Changchun flatly refused, causing quite a stir.) Then, after leaving Northeast China and staying in Tianjin, Beijing, and Shanghai, Liu Changchun heard about what was happening in his hometown, but he refused to believe it until he arrived in Los Angeles.

By the way, Yu Xiwei, who was also a famous runner and more informed than Liu Changchun, believed that Northeast China was getting better. In addition, due to the lack of support from the Kuomintang government, he ultimately chose not to come to the United States to compete.

As a result, I actually heard news about my motherland from this fried chicken shop, but it was such a bad news!

For his hometown of Northeast China and his fellow countrymen, Fujiwara no Kanezane is undoubtedly a kind-hearted man who deserves to be worshipped. But what about China as a whole?

In any case, this time, Liu Changchun listened much more seriously.

Trotsky noticed his change and took the initiative to direct the conversation more towards issues related to China. As a result, Liu Changchun asked many more questions and soon came to the conclusion:

It is hard to judge whether Fujiwara no Kanezane could save China, but at least, warlords like Zhang Xueliang could not save China, and the Nationalist government represented by Chiang Kai-shek could not save China!

At least, there was no way to stop the Chinese people from suffering these humiliations! So, Liu Changchun naturally asked the question: "Then... who can save China?"

"Of course..."

Trotsky raised his chin proudly: "We are discussing communism. Can I... can I join?"

"You are most welcome, Davarishi."

400 Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for East Asia

"Hey! I'm in the United States, just got off the plane."

On a cruise ship at the Los Angeles pier, Fujiwara Kanezane stretched out his arms and said, "Ah! Great America, a land of freedom, the air here is so sweet!"

The agent behind him didn't respond, nor did the major next to him. "We Japanese need to reflect! We need to reflect!"

"Such a rich land, why is it left to the white people!"..."

The two still didn't respond.

"The Great Empire of Japan will one day conquer all of America! Board!"

Now, the Major had to speak:

"Your Highness, be careful with your words. This is America after all. There's no guarantee there's anyone here who understands Japanese. If you say something like that..."

Seeing that the accompanying military officer he personally selected was finally being talked to, Fujiwara no Kanezane, who had been deliberately making fun of him, turned around and said:

"It's really boring to travel long distances. Let me tell you a joke to lighten the mood. Why are you so nervous?"

"Your Highness..." the military officer smiled bitterly. "You, you..."

Fujiwara Kanezane curled his lips:

"He's smart, has excellent grades, was awarded a sword by the Emperor, studied in the United States, and received further training at Harvard. Fourteen years ago, he was a lieutenant, and now he's 41 and still a major. Do you know what the problem is?"

...My subordinates...My subordinates are not capable enough..."

Faced with this prince who was in a high position, had made great contributions and was well-known, but when they actually met him, they found that he had an erratic personality and acted on his own accord, the major was still at a loss.

When he was taken back to Japan from his position as military attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Canada, he initially thought and wondered who had set their sights on this insignificant position and wanted to remove him.

After returning home, he learned from the congratulations and admiration of his colleagues that it was actually Prince Hachimangu Kanezane who had ordered the Military Affairs Bureau to issue his transfer order!

Even a "dumbhead" like him knows how great an honor and importance this is!

Why?

He was certain that, whether in experience, origin, history or surname, he had no connection with Fujiwara no Kanezane in the slightest!

So, why?

"Lack of ability? What's the use of background when you want to get involved in this? Knowing how to fight is useless." Fujiwara Kanezane said disdainfully:

"Now that I have such a powerful background before you, you can neither flatter me nor entertain me, and you still want to climb up? Kuribayashi-kun, you have to be ashamed of yourself!"

Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese commander in the Battle of Iwo Jima, which caused heavy casualties to the American military, was a true "nuclear-weapon-seeking man."

Among the non-humans in the Japanese army, this man was a rare officer who was relatively clear-headed, rational, active in tactical thinking, led the troops himself but opposed Wan Luo's charge, and treated the soldiers as human beings;

(The original words are "Ten thousand li suddenly pulled billions of jade shattered left forbidden heart, the bottom of the emblem of the persistent halberd left line ○ て bleeding left strong after the halberd t out of the dragon")

By the way, it is said that this person also loves his family very much. In his letters home, he hardly mentions "the dark sky and the boarding card". Instead, he only expresses his concern for his wife and children, and he also does housework diligently.

Perhaps it was precisely because he had no background and was so "unconventional" that Kuribayashi Tadamichi was extremely unwelcome in the Japanese military system:

He was promoted to major at the age of 39, and to lieutenant general only six years after the invasion of China. He was only in command of the 6nd Division for a few days before being dismissed for a mere kitchen fire and immediately sent to Iwo Jima to die. Before his death, he was promoted to general.

(Compare Doihara Kenji, who was just promoted to major general, and Fujiwara Kanezane, who was a lieutenant colonel at the age of 20)

The thing that best reflects his unpopularity is the aforementioned "the general died on the front line, and his wife sold sex in the rear to support the family", which refers to Kuribayashi Tadamichi.

Honest, capable, loyal but not blind, and kind-hearted... Although this guy had also violated military discipline and set up comfort camps in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, he was still quite good in the madhouse that was the Japanese army.

Just like Kuribayashi Tadamichi's defense of Iwo Jima was just average and without any special features when compared with the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, how about when compared with the "Japanese Military God" Nogi Maresuke and his ilk?

A fairly appropriate description would be a few dirty corn kernels buried in a pile of shit, even though they haven't been fully digested.

The entire Japanese society was becoming militaristic and aggressive. What could Fujiwara no Nakadashi do, since he had not yet gained enough power or support to change Japan?

You can only pinch your nose to pick it out and wash it clean!

Even though Fujiwara no Kanezane's words were so blunt, Kuribayashi Tadamichi still looked bewildered:

"...I...If I can get the lieutenant colonel to retire, I will be satisfied..." "Fuck..."

Not only Fujiwara Kanezane, but even the agent figure couldn't stand it anymore and had to step forward to warn:

"Major Kuribayashi, His Highness means that he wants to promote you and give you important positions. It depends on whether you are willing to do so."

"Ah? Ah!! Thank you, Your Highness!! " Kuribayashi Tadamichi was stunned for a few seconds, then he was overjoyed.

Although he came from a military family and had some wealth, the Kuribayashi family was not a prominent family. In addition, Kuribayashi Tadamichi himself was not good at business, so his career was severely hindered.

Now, Prince Hachimangu Kanezane is willing to promote him. It's not just smoke rising from his ancestral graves, it's simply fire rising from his ancestral graves!

However, Kuribayashi Tadamichi still had doubts in his heart and even asked: "But I wonder what Your Highness likes about me?"

Because you are a "fool." "You will know later."

Fujiwara Kanezane skipped this topic:

"However, I want to take you and your family to Manchukuo. I also need you to retire from the Japanese Army and join the Manchukuo Army. You have to think carefully."

"Your Highness, could you allow me to discuss this with my family?"

".."

What a big idiot indeed.

If your superior is willing to promote you, but you don't show your loyalty right away, but hesitate and pick and choose;

If the war doesn't escalate, you'll be a major for the rest of your life! Forget it, this kind of "idiot" is more useful.

"Okay. Anyway, for the time being, follow me and handle things in the US. I'll introduce you to a few people along the way."

"Yes! Your Highness!"

As they walked, several people got off the boat. Nishi Takeichi, who came to greet Fujiwara no Kanezane, immediately ran over and said respectfully:

"Your Highness Hachiman-sama!" "You bastard..."

Fujiwara Kanezane smiled and punched Nishi Takeichi in the chest, cursing softly:

"I haven't even had a chance to congratulate you on winning the Olympic title, but when did you become so distant? What? Just because I'm crowned a lord, does that mean I'm no longer Kanezane-kun?"

Nishi Takeichi's face finally showed his usual smile, and he changed the subject and said, "Kaneshi, welcome back to America."

"You talk as if you're an American..."

After a few jokes, the slight sense of unfamiliarity disappeared, and Fujiwara no Kanezane introduced Kuribayashi Tadamichi's old subordinate to him:

"This is Nishi Takeichi, son of Nishitoku Jiro, former Foreign Minister of the Ito Cabinet and Minister to my country... Takeichi, and this is Kuribayashi Tadamichi, a very talented officer whom I plan to bring to Manchukuo in the future..."

The two men, with a huge age difference, looked at each other, and an inexplicable sense of familiarity and intimacy arose spontaneously. Xi Zhuyi was the first to extend his hand:

"Hello, Kuribayashi-kun, I'm Nishi Takeichi." "Your Excellency Nishi..."

"No, no, I'm just a bastard, I don't have any title, let's just get along as friends!"

"Uh... I dare not..." "Kuribayashi-kun, you are too polite..." "…."

Kuribayashi Tadamichi glanced at Fujiwara Kanezane, who curled his lips.

"Alright, alright, stop being so polite. There's nothing a drink can't solve. If there is, let's have another one! Come on, Zhu Yi, take us to a bar. We're not leaving until tomorrow anyway, so we'll be drunk tonight!"

"Kaneshi, it's noon now. How about we go get lunch first and then go drink in the evening?"

"Okay, you're the host, so you decide... where to eat?" "A fried chicken restaurant."

"Um?"

When he saw the big white-bearded old man logo and the "TSFC" nameplate at the door, Fujiwara Kanezane couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

This guy Nishi Takeichi is actually hanging out with Trotsky? Could he be planning to introduce me to Trotsky?

Or is it that this guy has actually become a "Trotskyist" and all this is the order of Grandpa "Todd Chicken" to try to recruit me, a member of the Japanese royal family, into the party?

Interesting, interesting, keep watching.

"This place is called TSFC, a new fried chicken fast food restaurant that opened in Los Angeles. It's delicious... What would you like to eat?"

Obviously, for the young and straightforward Nishi Takeichi, it was difficult to disguise himself perfectly. Fujiwara Kanezane quickly confirmed his guess, but he still pretended to know nothing:

"Okay, then give me a serving of fried chicken wings, a serving of French fries, and a Coke." Kuribayashi Tadamichi, who seemed very uncomfortable in this kind of place for the first time, also said quickly:

"Then I will be just like Your Highness!"

"Uh, Kanemi, they don't sell Coke here..." "Just tell them, don't worry, they'll definitely have it."

..."

Seeing Fujiwara Kanezane's insistence, Nishi Takeichi had no choice but to tell the clerk at the front desk. The latter showed a surprised and embarrassed expression and hurried to the kitchen.

Not long after, the old man with a white beard came out with a plate full of food and drinks, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light:

"Here's your fried chicken, French fries, and...Coke." "Um...Thank you."

Fujiwara Kanezane took a sip of the Coke and asked, "Isn't this the Coke sold on the street?"

“Did the guest taste it?”

Trotsky continued to smile:

"Yes, this is our own blend."

"Aren't you worried that Coca-Cola will cause trouble for you?"

"I mix it myself and use it in my own shop. The secret recipe isn't theirs, so why would it be a hassle?"

"Indeed, your very existence is a huge problem. This little business trouble is really not worth mentioning."

"Haha, it seems you already know who I am?"

"After all, your portrait was once displayed side by side with Mr. Vladimir's. I think it's impossible that you didn't recognize him."

"As expected of you... Wait a moment, there are quite a lot of people here. Let me pack up and we can find a quiet place to talk."

Trotsky took off his work clothes, gave a few instructions to the store clerks, and led Fujiwara Kanezane and others to the warehouse in the back. He closed the door and held out his hand: