Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1217 Tuo Ren, are you sure you want to protect him?

As for the puppet government that Terauchi Hisaichi repeatedly mentioned, Zhou Zhengqing felt no ripples in his heart, and even a hint of barely perceptible contempt.

Those puppet regimes, to put it bluntly, were nothing more than tools used by the Japanese army to control Chinese people, and a motley crew of traitors who fawned on others and curried favor with the powerful.

Within Beiping, they might be able to maintain a semblance of official business, earn a living, and put on airs by relying on the power of the Japanese army. But once they stepped out of Beiping, away from the protection of the Japanese army and the authorization of its military police headquarters, they were nothing and could not move an inch.

He didn't even need to think much to guess that those officials of the puppet government, who seemed glamorous on the surface, were actually controlled at every turn. They had to obey Terauchi Hisaichi's North China Area Army Headquarters and were also controlled by Kita Seiichi's intelligence agency. In the end, their life, death, honor, and disgrace were all in their own hands.

The Military Police Headquarters controlled the security and investigation power in North China. Any action of the puppet government could not be carried out outside of Beiping without its authorization. The resistance of the Military Police made it impossible for any government order to be implemented.

Kita Seiichi's desire to seize control of the puppet government was nothing but wishful thinking.

Terauchi Hisaichi's eagerness to assert his authority and protect Beiping, his backyard, was exactly what he wanted.

Zhou Zhengqing didn't need to fight for control of Beiping, nor did he need to care about the puppet government's petty tricks. What he needed to do was stabilize the power of his military police headquarters and wait for the right opportunity.

As long as Terauchi Hisaichi remains in Beiping, and as long as he doesn't actively provoke his bottom line, he will maintain this "bystander" stance, watching the puppet government linger and survive in the cracks.

The wine in the glass had gradually calmed down. Zhou Zhengqing looked up at Terauchi Hisaichi, who was still furious. His face remained calm and composed, but there was a hint of understanding and certainty in his eyes.

. . . . . . .

“I understand.” After a long while, Zhou Zhengqing raised his head, looked at Terauchi Hisaichi, his expression solemn and his tone firm: “Commander Terauchi, since we’ve come to this point today, I will no longer hide my thoughts.”

Kita Seiichi was indeed useful to me, and to some of the things I was going to do later.

His intelligence network in North China, his control over officials in the puppet government, and his underhanded but effective methods are all forces I need to leverage.

As he spoke, Zhou Zhengqing looked at Terauchi Hisaichi with a sincere tone and firm eyes: "Therefore, regarding the accountability for this attack, I hope the Commander can be lenient and give Kita Seiichi a lighter punishment."

At the very least, give him a chance to redeem himself, a chance to make amends for his mistakes, and a chance to do more for the Empire, for the Commander, and for me.

Of course, necessary reprimands and punishments are essential to make him remember this lesson and understand that it was only because I pleaded for him before the commander that he was given this opportunity, and because the commander was magnanimous.

More importantly, he needs to understand who gave him this opportunity, whom he should be loyal to from now on, and whose commands he should obey.

Terauchi Hisaichi looked at Zhou Zhengqing with a deep and complex gaze, as if trying to see through Zhou Zhengqing's heart.

After a long silence, Terauchi Hisaichi finally spoke slowly, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable firmness: "Takuto, are you sure you want to protect him?"

“It’s not about protecting, it’s about using.” Zhou Zhengqing corrected without hesitation, his tone straightforward and cold, without the slightest concealment: “I need a good knife that I can’t find a substitute for right now.”

Kita Seiichi is this sword.

His ambition, his methods, his intelligence network—these are all things I need.

As for what will happen to him after he's done using it, and what his future will be like, that's not something I need to consider right now.

If he can obey me, serve me, and help me achieve my goals, then I can give him a dignified ending.

If he dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy me, dares to betray me, dares to ruin my important plans, then I will naturally have ways to deal with him. At that time, even if you, Commander, plead for him, I will not show any mercy.”

These words were blunt and ruthless, completely exposing Zhou Zhengqing's ambition and cruelty.

In his eyes, Kita Seiichi was nothing more than a tool that could be used; he could keep him and reuse him when he was useful.

When they are no longer useful, they can be discarded or killed. There is no human sentiment involved; it is purely about the exchange and exploitation of interests.

Terauchi Hisaichi understood.

He looked at Zhou Zhengqing, a hint of approval and a touch of relief flashing in his eyes.

He knew that Zhou Zhengqing had truly grown up, had truly integrated into this cruel power game, and had learned to achieve his goals in the coldest and most direct way.

This is what people of their social class should be like: ruthless, unscrupulous, profit-driven, with no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

“Alright.” Terauchi Hisaichi was not one to beat around the bush. Since Zhou Zhengqing had made his point clear, and since he also had his own considerations, he was willing to do Zhou Zhengqing a favor: “For Takuto’s sake, Kita Seiichi’s dereliction of duty this time can be temporarily waived, not sent to a military court, and not dismissed from his post for investigation.”

But whether he can hold onto his position as Minister of Special Affairs depends on his future performance, and... whether he can truly bring value to Tuoren and the Empire.

He paused, then added, "I can give him a chance to redeem himself, but you must manage him well, restrain his words and actions, and make him understand his identity, what he should and should not do."

If he dares to do anything outrageous again, dares to challenge my authority again, or dares to harm the interests of the empire again, then he will have no choice but to leave Beiping.”

"Thank you, Uncle." Zhou Zhengqing nodded in thanks, a faint smile on his face. There was no hint of pride in that smile, only calm certainty: "I understand."

I will make him understand what to do, I will keep him in check, and I will never let him undermine your authority.

If he dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy me, I will personally deal with him and give you a satisfactory explanation.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting in the air. Without saying much, they shared a tacit understanding.

Many unspoken words, many hidden calculations and considerations, were quietly agreed upon in that one glance.

A deal, a deal involving power, interests, and lives, was quietly struck amidst the lingering taste of whiskey and the memory of bloodshed.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Terauchi Hisaichi got up to take his leave.

Upon opening the door, Terauchi Hisaichi's adjutant and guards immediately stood at attention.

Terauchi Hisaichi put on his military cap, nodded to Zhou Zhengqing, turned and left, his military boots making a dull sound on the carpet.