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

Chapter 38 Beware, Bombs

The group entered the VIP room, and Hirokazu Iwai went straight to the stage.

This setup clearly indicated that the leader had something to say, and everyone tactfully moved closer to the stage.
Hiroichi Iwai stepped onto the stage, gently touched the microphone in front of him with his finger to make sure he could speak properly, and then smiled and said, "Everyone, thank you very much for your support of the Empire's cause."

"Those who have come to this banquet today are all the Empire's most sincere partners. On behalf of the Empire, I extend my sincerest greetings to you all."

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted from all around.

What followed were some familiar topics, such as expectations for the future, insights into the development of the situation, and the hope that we could achieve some breakthroughs through everyone's joint efforts, blah blah blah...

It must be said that as a consul, Hirokazu Iwai was clearly very qualified, and he had a very thorough understanding of various issues in China.

Although what he said sounded difficult to achieve, his purpose was simply to paint a huge pie in the sky for the traitors present, both big and small.

Moreover, what excited Mr. Liang and others the most was their promise that China would be governed by Chinese people.

This means that if they were to invade China in the future, these people present would be the real power figures in the country.

Following that, Hirokazu Iwai introduced the military advisory group organized by the consulate to everyone present.

The head of the advisory group was Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda Kumakichi, head of the Local Chinese Affairs Investigation Division.

Below them are personnel in charge of various tasks.
After the introductions were completed, Hirokazu Iwai invited Mr. Liang to the stage to introduce the new government structure and daily operations.

He then led Sonoda Kumakichi off the stage and went straight to Chen Yang.

"Chen Sang, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda. Sonoda-kun, this is my junior brother, and also my teacher's favorite student, Chen Yang."

"He is now the Director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Ministry of Finance in the new government. I hope Mr. Sonoda will continue to take good care of him in the future."

Sonoda Kumakichi glanced at Chen Yang a few times, then bowed slightly and said, "Mr. Chen, I rarely hear Iwai-kun think so highly of a young man."

"Chen Sang must have some extraordinary qualities to be valued so highly by Iwai-kun."

Chen Yang quickly bowed slightly in return and said humbly, "Mr. Sonoda, you flatter me."

"Does Mr. Chen have any insights into the new government?" Sonoda Kumakichi asked gently. "What do you think of the current structure?"

Chen Yang was slightly taken aback and looked somewhat awkwardly at Iwai Hiroichi beside him.

Iwai Hiroichi smiled without saying a word, and Chen Yang understood that Harada Kumichi had taught him this.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yang replied, "Mr. Sonoda, I believe that the Empire's strategy of using Chinese to govern China is absolutely correct."

"At present, most of the south has been taken over by the imperial forces. In order to maintain the stability of the rear, the empire does need a suitable regime to appease the people's emotions."

"My only concern right now is whether the people inside this new government will live up to your expectations."

Sonoda Kumakichi and Iwai Hirokazu exchanged a glance, seemingly intrigued by Chen Yang's words.

"Mr. Chen, what do you think is the biggest problem with the new government?"

Chen Yang clinked his wine glass with the two men and said, "Sonoda-kun, Iwai-senpai, don't you think the new government has some major problems?"

"Although this is my first time meeting these people, I can tell that the platform that Mr. Liang and Mr. Wen have set up may not be very stable."

"Mr. Liang's subordinates are all up-and-coming talents, while Old Wen's group still clings to the old ideas."

"Not only them, but even Commander Qi Xieyuan of the Ministry of Military Affairs seems to have formed his own faction,"

"Excuse my bluntness, but do you think you can use Mr. Liang to suppress Elder Wen and Commander Qi? Aren't you giving him a bit too much credit?" Iwai Hirokazu smiled at Harada Kumakichi, "Sonoda-kun, did I introduce you correctly? Isn't my junior brother's observation and judgment far superior to others?"

Sonoda Kumakichi clinked glasses with Iwai Hiroichi and said, "Iwai-kun's judgment has never been wrong."

"Chen Sang's performance did indeed surprise me somewhat."

"I thought someone like Chen Sang, who had just graduated from the academy, wouldn't know so much. Now it seems I underestimated him."

Hiroichi Iwai smiled and said, "Of course, my judgment is never wrong, and my teacher's judgment is even more so."

"Sonoda-kun, you should have a good talk with Mr. Chen. I'm going to have a chat with Mr. Wen."

"Mr. Chen, you should also learn more from Mr. Sonoda. It won't do you any harm. Please excuse me for a moment."

After speaking, Iwai Hiroichi took his wine glass and walked towards Dean Wen at the other end of the crowd.

Sonoda Kumakichi raised his glass and clinked it against Chen Yang's, sighing softly, "Chen-san, your senior brother treats you quite well."

Chen Yang smiled, didn't say much, and just drank a sip of wine with him.

Sonoda Kumakichi continued the previous topic, saying, "Mr. Chen is right. Using Mr. Liang was truly a last resort."

“Our best option is Mr. Tang Shaoyi, who now lives on Ferguson Road.”

"Unfortunately, despite our repeated visits to persuade them, they remain hesitant. The formation of a new government is urgent, and we have no choice but to select an obedient one."

Chen Yang glanced thoughtfully at Mr. Liang, who was standing on the stage spouting nonsense, and a sympathetic smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

He thought he was capable enough to get that position, but little did he know that in the eyes of the Japanese, it was just because he was obedient.

"Mr. Chen, I would like to hear what your plans are for the future of the Economic Department."

Sonoda Kumakichi said in a gentle voice, "The Economic Division is responsible for the supply of materials to the rear and the stability of the rear areas."

“I advised Iwai-kun to carefully consider who should be in this position. His decision to put you in this position clearly shows that he has absolute confidence in you.”

"So, now I'd like to hear your thoughts on this position."

Before Sonoda Kumakichi could finish speaking, a violent explosion suddenly rang out from the gilded dome.

With a loud crash, the enormous crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the VIP room lost its gravity and plummeted straight down.

"Sonoda-kun, be careful." In the blink of an eye, a warning appeared in Chen Yang's mind the moment the explosion rang out.

In less than a second, Chen Yang reacted quickly, pulling Sonoda Kumakichi back a few steps.

With a crash, the sound of the crystal chandelier shattering rang out, plunging the VIP room into darkness instantly.

Hirokazu Iwai, being a man of the world, strode onto the stage, grabbed the microphone, and shouted, "Everyone, stand still!"

Upon hearing Iwai Hiroichi's voice, the traitors present, both big and small, barely managed to quiet down.

Harada Kumakichi looked back at the spot where he had just stood, still feeling a lingering fear.
If Chen Yang hadn't reacted quickly and pulled him back, the crystal chandelier, weighing hundreds of pounds, would have seriously injured him, if not killed him.

"Mr. Chen, thank you so much for helping me out earlier."

(End of this chapter)