Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1167 What else is there to ask for?

After everyone was seated, the banquet officially began.

Waiters in white uniforms carried trays and moved between tables with the lightness of butterflies, their footsteps quick and silent.

With standard smiles on their faces, they carefully served everyone one exquisite dish after another, afraid of making the slightest mistake.

During the banquet, Japanese generals kept getting up to toast Zhou Zhengqing, one after another, without stopping, as if they had lined up in a row.

Holding their wine glasses, they quickly walked up to Zhou Zhengqing, bowed deeply, and were extremely respectful. They kept uttering flattering words, trying to express their awe of Zhou Zhengqing and boast about their own achievements, attempting to leave a deep impression on him and pave the way for their own careers.

After all the Japanese generals had toasted Zhou Zhengqing, Wang Kemin, the chairman of the preparatory committee of the puppet regime, eagerly came over with his wine glass, afraid that someone else would beat him to it.

He was wearing a dark blue suit this time, made of fine material, ironed perfectly, and his hair was combed so slicked back that even a fly would slip on it.

His face was plastered with a fawning smile that bordered on greasy, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were filled with ingratiation. He walked with a light step, as if he was eager to win Zhou Zhengqing's favor.

Behind him were several members of the puppet regime, all dressed in splendid clothes and wearing the same obsequious smiles, like Wang Kemin's henchmen.

"Commander Takasaki, on behalf of all members of the Provisional Government, I offer you a toast! To express our highest respect!" Wang Kemin bowed slightly, his back bent like a boiled shrimp, his tone extremely humble, almost pleading.

"Tomorrow, the Provisional Government of the Republic of China will be officially established."

All these achievements are inseparable from the strong support of the Empire, and even more so from your care and guidance.

Without the Empire's help and your concern, the preparations for the Provisional Government could never have gone so smoothly.

From now on, our provisional government will resolutely obey the leadership of the Empire, absolutely follow your commands, actively promote various policies, fully cooperate with the Empire's work, and contribute all our strength to the realization of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere"! We will do anything, even sacrifice our lives!

His words were flowery and obsequious, his eyes filled with expectation, hoping to gain Zhou Zhengqing's approval and support.

Looking at Wang Kemin's sycophantic face, Zhou Zhengqing felt even more contempt.

Such scoundrels, who are willing to betray the interests of the country and the nation for their own selfish gain, are truly despicable.

He didn't even get up, but merely raised his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping coldly over Wang Kemin as if he were looking at a worthless piece of trash, and replied in a curt tone: "Chairman Wang, after the establishment of the provisional government, the responsibilities are heavy and the burden is immense."

You must establish a sound administrative system as soon as possible, select capable officials, and improve administrative efficiency.

More importantly, it is essential to cooperate with the Empire in core tasks such as resource control and material requisition, ensuring a continuous flow of resources from North China to the Empire, providing ample power for its war machine.

At this point, Zhou Zhengqing paused, his gaze becoming even sharper, as if trying to pierce through Wang Kemin's disguise: "At the same time, we must also strengthen ideological propaganda among the people, so that they 'understand' the empire's good intentions and 'recognize' the concept of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."

Don't always treat the people with high-pressure policies; that will only provoke more resistance.

One must learn to use both kindness and severity to make the people willingly submit to the rule of the empire.

For example, we should resolve the food shortage in the city as soon as possible and give the people some small favors so that they don't starve to death.

Otherwise, how can people believe in your so-called "co-prosperity" when they can't even get enough to eat?

Only with the support of the people can you secure your position; otherwise...

His words, seemingly instructing Wang Kemin on his work, were actually a veiled reminder that the livelihood problems in Beiping were already very serious, and if they were not addressed, Wang Kemin would not have a good life either.

Given the current situation, Zhou Zhengqing no longer cared whether his words would help the soon-to-be-established puppet government truly win over the hearts and minds of the people.

The common people can't even survive, so what else can they ask for?

Everything depends on being alive.

After Beiping was occupied, the Japanese army implemented food control measures.

Hunger is a widespread phenomenon, and deaths from hunger are extremely common.

When Taniguchi Mayu was serving as the captain of the military police in Beiping, he mentioned in his report that a large number of Japanese expatriates had poured into Beiping, forcibly occupied houses, and inflated housing prices, leaving many citizens homeless.

Normal food supplies were completely cut off.

The Japanese army strictly controlled all necessities, especially food, as military supplies, causing grain stores to close down one after another, resulting in a severe shortage of food on the market and prices soaring to a level that ordinary people could not afford.

In chaotic times, survival is the most difficult thing for ordinary people.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhengqing's words, Wang Kemin's fawning smile deepened, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed, replying, "Yes, yes, Commander, you are absolutely right! You are truly farsighted and have considered everything so thoroughly! I have learned a great deal!"

After our provisional government is established, we will certainly follow your instructions, establish a sound administrative system as soon as possible, fully cooperate with the Empire in resource control and material requisition, strengthen ideological propaganda among the people, solve the food shortage problem in the city, and make the people willingly submit to the rule of the Empire and identify with the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere concept! We will never fail your expectations!

As he spoke, he nodded vigorously, as if afraid that Zhou Zhengqing would not believe him.

Zhou Zhengqing didn't say anything more, but simply waved his hand slightly, indicating that he could leave.

Upon seeing this, Wang Kemin quickly bowed and took a few steps back before turning back to his seat.

After sitting down, he immediately began to whisper with the members of the puppet regime next to him, a smug smile on his face, as if he had received a great favor, and kept praising Zhou Zhengqing's "brilliance".

The toasts continued in waves, with Japanese generals and members of the puppet regime taking turns to offer their flattery, which was so monotonous that it was tiresome to hear.

Zhou Zhengqing maintained a calm and composed demeanor throughout. He would only take a symbolic sip of wine when each person offered him a toast, and then respond with a few bland words, neither appearing enthusiastic nor indifferent, making it impossible for people to guess his thoughts.

Masaki Yamaya stood behind Zhou Zhengqing the whole time, his sharp eyes scanning the entire scene, closely watching everyone's movements.

Whenever someone approaches Zhou Zhengqing, he becomes vigilant, carefully observing the other person's expression and actions, fearing that someone might harm Zhou Zhengqing.

On several occasions, when some obscure members of the puppet regime approached Zhou Zhengqing, he would take a step forward without making a sound, slightly turn his body to block their path, and give them a cold look. Upon seeing this, the other party would immediately understand his meaning, stop in their tracks, bow respectfully, and then retreat.

Zhou Zhengqing's gaze would occasionally drift towards Kita Seiichi, noticing that he always sat on the edge of the crowd, silently drinking his wine without talking to anyone, his eyes filled with unease and anxiety.

Clearly, he had been isolated within the Japanese army and could only rely on Zhou Zhengqing.