Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

This mixed team composed of senior generals and "people with connections" entered the depths of the Japanese gendarmerie headquarters in Tianjin in an atmosphere that was solemn on the surface but full of the smell of interest exchange inside.

Outside the hallway, the north wind is still howling, and inside, a delicate meeting concerning power, interests and strategy is about to begin.

The reception room deep inside the main building of the Military Police Headquarters was a world away from the biting cold outside.

The thick wool carpet absorbed all the sound of footsteps, and the pine wood burning in the fireplace crackled softly, emitting bursts of warmth.

The air was filled with the fragrance of premium Gyokuro tea, mingling with the subtle aroma of cigar tobacco. Guests and hosts sat on large leather sofas and armchairs, seemingly in harmony.

As the host, Zhou Zhengqing naturally sat in the main seat.

Matsui Nobuyuki and Okada Sue, the highest-ranking guests, sat on his left and right.

The other captains took their seats in turn. Xu Zhongyi, Koto Saburo, Ogura Daichi and others sat a little further away, but still in the core circle.

Nanzō Yunko and Sakurako acted as maids and stood behind Zhou Zhengqing, observing quietly.

Qi brought Zhou Zhengqing's guards to guard the door of the conference room, and no one was allowed to approach.

The initial conversation revolved around innocuous topics.

The bumpy journey south, the difference in climate between Tianjin and Manchuria, and a general discussion of the domestic situation.

Matsui Mikoto once again expressed his gratitude to Zhou Zhengqing for his reception on behalf of the 4th Division, and his words were full of respect for Zhou Zhengqing.

Zhou Zhengqing maintained a proper smile and handled the situation with ease, and the atmosphere seemed relaxed and harmonious.

However, this surface harmony is soon led into deeper waters.

After Sakurako and Nanzō Yunko stood up to refill everyone's tea, Zhou Zhengqing picked up the exquisite porcelain cups, blew gently on the hot steam, and spoke casually, his eyes calmly sweeping over the faces of Matsui Nobuko and Okada Susumu:

"Captain Matsui, Chief of Staff Okabe, the 4th Division is heading south this time with a heavy responsibility that affects the overall situation of the Imperial Holy War. It seems that the war in Central China is not going smoothly." He paused, his tone calm, yet with an unquestionable tone: "Although our army paid a huge price to break through the Xicheng line, the main force of the Chinese army is still there, and the will to resist has not weakened.

The Battle of Nanjing is not something that can be won overnight."

Matsui Nobu's expression froze when he heard this. He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and pretended to listen: "Your Excellency is absolutely right.

The Chinese army relied on strong fortifications to put up a stubborn resistance, which indeed caused considerable trouble to our army.

However, I believe that under the command of General Matsui Iwane, and with the reinforcements from our elite Kwantung Army moving south, we will be able to overcome this decline and capture Nanjing!" His words were a bit of flattery and superficial support for the Central China Front Army.

Zhou Zhengqing smiled noncommittally, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the cup. He suddenly changed the subject, his tone still steady, but with a hint of chill in it: "Captain Matsui, excuse me, you and Iwane Matsui both have the last name Matsui. Are you relatives?"

Matsui Mikoto didn't know why Zhou Zhengqing suddenly asked this, but he still replied with a smile: "That's not the case. I was born in Fukui Prefecture, and General Matsui Iwane was from Aichi Prefecture. Although we have the same surname, we may be related in our ancestors, but there is no intersection between us."

Zhou Zhengqing nodded. He already had the answer in his mind, but he still said as if relieved, "It's good that he's not a relative. Speaking of General Matsui Iwane's command ability, there is no doubt about it.

However... sometimes, if frontline commanders are too stubborn and unwilling to listen to different opinions, they may even... become resentful of their comrades who are responsible for maintaining military discipline and stabilizing the rear. This is probably not a good thing for the overall situation of the war."

As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the living room seemed to freeze in an instant!

The crackling of the flames in the fireplace became unmistakable.

Matsui Nobuyuki, Okada Suge, and all the officers of the Fourth Division present all changed their expressions slightly.

Zhou Zhengqing's words were almost a naked reference to the well-known tensions between the Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters and the Tianjin gendarmerie system, and even implied that Matsui Iwane was "stubborn and self-righteous" and "ostracized his comrades"!

Xu Zhongyi, Koto Saburo and others lowered their heads, as if they didn't hear anything.

Nanzō Yunko's mouth curled up slightly, but Sakurako remained expressionless.

Matsui was no fool either. He served as the chief of the fortification headquarters of the Army General Staff, responsible for the construction of fortresses and fortifications in Japan and the Kwantung Army.

He also served as the Engineer Supervisor of the Army Education General Department and became the highest leader of the Japanese Army's engineering corps.

Although they all do civil engineering work and sometimes seem dull and inflexible, they are veterans after all.

He quickly calmed himself, coughed dryly, and responded cautiously, "Well... Your Excellency the General is burdened with a heavy responsibility and enormous pressure. Perhaps in some matters... you have indeed been inconsiderate.

"But, since this is all for the benefit of the empire, I'm sure... we'll eventually reach a consensus." He tried to smooth things over, avoiding directly taking sides.

Zhou Zhengqing did not give him a chance to be ambiguous.

He put down his teacup, leaned slightly against the sofa, and his eyes became sharp as he stared directly at Matsui Noboru. His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, as if it struck at everyone's heart:

"Consensus? I'm afraid not.

Some, relying on their military exploits on the front lines, believe they can disregard the rules and even attempt to undermine the very foundations of the Imperial Army: military discipline and loyalty. Zhou Zhengqing deliberately emphasized the words "military discipline and loyalty."

"Our military police system has the duty to maintain military discipline and investigate lawlessness, which is the authority granted by His Majesty the Emperor.

If someone, out of selfish motives, obstructs fellow military police officers in the performance of their duties, or even resorts to extreme measures...

Zhou Zhengqing paused meaningfully, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "This isn't just a personal offense against me; it's a challenge to the very structure of the Imperial Army, and a defiance of the will of higher authorities."

These words have completely made the contradiction clear and elevated it to the astonishing level of "challenging the system" and "disregarding higher will"!

Maybe it was because the weather wasn’t very cold to begin with, and the fire in the fireplace was too big, but Matsui Noboru and Okada Sushi had sweat on their foreheads.

Of course they knew that Zhou Zhengqing was referring to the house arrest incidents in Shanghai and Songjiang, but they did not expect Zhou Zhengqing to be so direct and so tough in raising it in a formal setting, and to put such a big hat on them!

Zhou Zhengqing didn't give the other party a chance to breathe and continued to apply pressure. His tone slowed down, but it became even more oppressive. "Captain Matsui, the 4th Division originated from the Kwantung Army, and I... I was assigned to Harbin when I came to China, and I also entered the country from Manchukuo. In a sense, we are of the same lineage, both hailing from the Kwantung Army's territory, so we have a deep connection."

Zhou Zhengqing's words were intended to bring the two closer together and emphasize their common background.

"Now, the main force of the Kwantung Army is about to march south, and the Imperial Holy War has entered a critical stage.

I hope that in the near future, no matter how the situation changes, the 4th Division will be able to distinguish right from wrong and stand firmly on the side of maintaining the purity and discipline of the Imperial Army.

On the side of truth and loyalty."