Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

The convoy stopped and the escorting motorcyclists and soldiers on the trucks quickly got off and set up a cordon on the periphery. Their actions were efficient and demonstrated the good qualities of the elite Kwantung Army.

The passenger door of the leading car opened first, and a staff officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel got out swiftly, trotted to the back seat, and respectfully opened the door.

The first person to come forward was an old man with gray hair, a gaunt face but bright eyes.

He was wearing the uniform of a lieutenant general, with several medals on his chest symbolizing his military achievements and seniority. The two stars on his epaulettes showed his lofty status as a division commander.

He was none other than Lieutenant General Matsui Noriyuki, commander of the 4th Division of the Kwantung Army.

He was nearly sixty years old, had a military career of more than thirty years, and had rich experience. In the hierarchical Japanese army, he should have been a highly respected figure.

However, after getting off the car, he did not immediately display the dignity of a veteran. Instead, he quickly straightened his already straight military appearance, and then walked straight towards Zhou Zhengqing who was standing on the steps with a steady pace that was inconsistent with his age.

Before Zhou Zhengqing could speak, Matsui Ming stopped a few steps away from the stairs, leaned forward slightly, and performed a very standard movement.

Even with a hint of solemnity, his voice was loud and clear, revealing undisguised respect: "Your Excellency Commander Takazaki! I am deeply apprehensive to have the audacity to disturb you!

"I, Matsui Ming, am leading some of my colleagues from the 4th Division through Tianjin for supplies and have come to pay you a visit! I am deeply grateful for your kindness in taking the time to meet with me!"

This attitude vividly demonstrated the hierarchical system deeply ingrained in the Japanese army, as well as the deep fear, or "reverence", of Zhou Zhengqing's Chinese background and the power of the military police commander.

Behind him was the Chief of Staff, Major General Okada Susumu, and a group of colonels and regiment commanders who got off the car shortly after him, including Gu Shile of the 8th Infantry Regiment, Morimura Keitaro of the 37th Regiment, Yamada Tetsujiro of the 61st Regiment, Ono Toshijiro, commander of the 70th Infantry Regiment, as well as senior officers from the 4th Cavalry Regiment, the Engineer Regiment and other regiments of the 4th Division.

There was also a familiar military policeman who was present at the meeting, Taro Shigeno, commander of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, who also quickly lined up and saluted Zhou Zhengqing and his group on the steps in unison.

These captains who were powerful and decisive on the battlefield now restrained their usual bravery. Their faces were full of "respect", and there was even a hint of restraint when facing higher-level authorities.

Zhou Zhengqing had a gentle smile on his face that was just right, not appearing overly enthusiastic, yet fully expressing the hospitality of a good host.

He stepped forward and made a gesture of support. His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable grace. "Captain Matsui, you are so polite! You and the others in the Fourth Division are all pillars of the empire, working hard on the expedition and serving the country.

It is my honor to have you visit my small military police headquarters. How can I say I am disturbing you? You have all had a hard time on this journey. Please come in and have some tea. It is cold outside. Don't catch a cold."

Zhou Zhengqing's words were appropriate, giving the other party face without lowering his own status.

With just a few words, he firmly grasped the initiative in his hands.

Simple greetings and introductions took place quickly in the foyer.

Zhou Zhengqing shook hands with Matsui Noboru and Okada Suke, while Koteng Saburo, Nanjō Yunko and others also exchanged courtesies with the other side's senior military officers.

And at this moment, Xu Zhongyi's role came to the fore.

He was like a slippery fish, nimbly weaving among the regiment commanders, patting Shigeno Taro's sturdy arm familiarly, and winking at Gu Si, Morimura Keitaro and others.

He even chuckled in a Kansai-accented Japanese voice that he had learned from who knows where, "Oh my, Shigeno-kun! Morita-kun! Commanders, we've finally got you here!

You must have had a hard time on this journey! Even though it's cold in Tianjin, there are a lot of good things to see. I must give you all a good welcome tonight!"

His unassuming behavior instantly broke the slight sense of restraint caused by the difference in rank and the first meeting.

Shigeno Taro's somewhat wretched face immediately filled with a smile, and he patted Xu Zhongyi on the shoulder: "Mr. Xu! You are really good at handling things!

My mouth is almost dry from all the way here, I'm just waiting to have a treat with you!"

Gu Silu also said with a smile: "Xu Sang, I heard that you have obtained a lot of good "local products" recently?" He deliberately emphasized the word "local products", which caused several captains around him to laugh in a low voice knowingly.

Morimura Keitaro moved closer to Xu Zhongyi and lowered his voice: "Mr. Xu, is there any news about the batch of "Swiss watches" that I asked you to inquire about last time?"

Xu Zhongyi chuckled and made a reassuring gesture. "Commander Xiao Pu, how could I dare neglect your instructions? I have some clues, I have some clues! We'll talk more later!"

Although the voices were not loud during this lively conversation, as if no one was around, everyone was not far away, so how could they not hear it?

Zhou Zhengqing and Matsui Ming seemed to turn a deaf ear and continued to exchange greetings at the official level, but they understood each other tacitly.

This familiarity between the "people below" just proves how strong and active the close bond of interests between the two sides is.

"Captain Matsui, I haven't seen you for a few months. There have been a lot of personnel changes under you. Have Colonel Toru Morita and Colonel Jiro Koura been transferred?" Zhou Zhengqing asked in confusion.

When he was in Harbin, Zhou Zhengqing had met these regimental commanders of the 4th Division, so he asked this question.

Matsui Nobuko responded with a smile: "Because of the southward movement, the Kwantung Army has been mobilized frequently recently. Morita and Koura have both been transferred from the 4th Division." Matsui Nobuko waved to the two people beside him.

"General Takazaki, let me introduce you to these two. They are Colonel Gu Si and Colonel Morimura Keitaro, who will take over from Morita and Koura."

Gu Silu and Morimura Keitaro did not dare to neglect and quickly bowed deeply to Zhou Zhengqing: "Greetings, Your Excellency Yingqi, it's our first meeting. Please take care of me!"

Zhou Zhengqing smiled in return.

After a few more words of conversation, Zhou Zhengqing made a "please" gesture at the right time and led Matsui Norihito, Okada Susumu and other main generals into the headquarters.

Xu Zhongyi naturally fell behind, huddled together with Shigeno Taro, Koto Saburo, Ogura Daichi, and others, talking in low voices and occasionally letting out suppressed laughter, like a small circle of their own.

Shigeno Taro put his arm around Ogura Daichi's shoulders without hesitation and asked in a gruff voice, "Ogura-kun, I have some new ideas recently. Are you interested in chatting about them sometime?"

Ogura Daichi chuckled and said, "Shigeno-kun, as long as there's something good in it, I'm interested! Of course, good things should be kept close to our own people!"

Koto Saburo added, "As long as there are no problems with the procedures, we can talk about it."

These few conversations clearly exposed the "closeness" and "cooperation" between some officers of the 4th Division and the logistics and weapons departments of the Military Police Headquarters, which went beyond normal official relations.

Zhou Zhengqing and Matsui Ming, who were walking in front, seemed to acquiesce to this and even welcome it. The deep meaning in this was enough for anyone with a discerning eye to understand.