Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1166 The chill intensified

The band's performance suddenly stopped, the violinist's fingertips trembled slightly, he missed a note, then hurriedly corrected himself, but could never find the previous rhythm again.

Everyone present turned around, their eyes all fixed on him, like countless searchlights focusing on him.

His eyes were filled with awe.

The crowd, which had been standing scattered, instinctively moved aside in unison, as if they had rehearsed beforehand, clearing a path to the head of the group. People on both sides of the path lowered their heads slightly, not daring to look him in the eye.

Terauchi Hisaichi strode out from the crowd, wearing a crisp Japanese lieutenant general's uniform with two gold stars on his shoulder straps and several medals on his chest.

With a warm smile on his face and wrinkles around his eyes, he strode forward, extended his hand in a guiding gesture, and said in a loud and enthusiastic voice, full of affection: "Takuto, you've finally arrived! I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting! Please take a seat, I have reserved the most honored seat for you."

Zhou Zhengqing nodded slightly in response, his gaze sweeping across the room with a sharp, hawk-like look, taking in everyone's expressions.

Soon, he spotted Kita Seiichi in the crowd.

He stood at the edge of the crowd, dressed in casual gray clothes, looking out of place among the well-dressed people around him.

He had no other generals to talk to, and he was all alone, as if he were isolated.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhengqing, he immediately straightened his back and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Zhengqing withdrew his gaze and, without lingering, walked steadily to the head seat of the dining table, accompanied by Terauchi Hisaichi. His steps were firm and carried an invisible pressure.

Masaki Tani followed closely behind like a shadow, standing by and pulling out a chair for Zhou Zhengqing.

Qi Geng lagged a few steps behind Zhou Zhengqing, standing with his hands crossed in front of him. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, his eyes cold, like a hunting beast, always on high alert, not missing any unusual movement.

After Zhou Zhengqing took his seat, the others also returned to their seats one after another, their movements were uniform and without the slightest delay.

The sounds of the seats rubbing against the ground rose and fell, but quickly subsided.

The banquet hall fell silent again for a short while, with only the faint sound of the air conditioning running and the band playing their still-stiff music.

Terauchi Hisaichi raised his crystal glass, the amber-colored whiskey inside swirling gently, gleaming alluringly under the light.

Looking around the room, his gaze swept over everyone, and he said in a loud voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, today we gather together with the utmost sincerity to warmly welcome Commander Takuto Takasaki to Beiping!" He deliberately emphasized the words "Takuto Takasaki" and "Commander," as if to remind everyone present how distinguished Zhou Zhengqing's status was.

As soon as he finished speaking, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the room. The applause was exceptionally loud and clearly contained deliberate flattery.

Everyone clapped their hands vigorously, their palms turning red, their faces beaming with smiles, and most of them glanced at Zhou Zhengqing, observing his reaction.

The applause lasted for almost a minute, until Terauchi Hisaichi raised his hand to signal that it was about to subside.

Terauchi Hisaichi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and continued, "Takasaki-kun is not only the commander of the Imperial Military Police Headquarters, but also a direct descendant of the Takasaki family. He comes from a prestigious family and has a distinguished military record!"

His arrival is an honor for our North China Area Army, and even more so for the Provisional Government!

Now, I propose we raise a glass together to toast Takasaki-kun's arrival! And to the Empire's great undertakings in North China! And to the grand goal of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere!

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses in unison and shouted in unison, their voices deafening, but without a trace of sincerity; it was more like a carefully rehearsed performance.

Their arms were raised high, their wine glasses pointed towards Zhou Zhengqing, and their eyes were mostly fixed on him, observing his reaction, afraid that they might be the slightest bit impolite and be remembered by him.

Zhou Zhengqing slowly raised his wine glass, his fingertips gently stroking the glass, the cool touch making his thoughts clearer.

He merely took a symbolic sip of his drink before setting it down, his movements calm and unhurried, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness or deliberate attempt to please.

He looked up at the crowd, his gaze calm yet penetrating, as if he could see through the calculations in everyone's hearts: "Thank you, General Terauchi, for your warm hospitality, and thank you all for your welcome."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of praise and agreement immediately arose from the room. Some bowed and nodded, while others smiled broadly. Zhou Zhengqing, however, ignored them and continued, "The Empire's cause in North China cannot be separated from the strong support of everyone present."

Currently, we have successfully occupied the Beijing-Tianjin area, and preparations for establishing a provisional government are nearing completion and will soon be finalized.

He paused, his gaze lingering briefly on the faces of the members of the puppet government, observing their excited or obsequious expressions, a barely perceptible chill flashing in his eyes: "But this is only the beginning."

The empire's journey is long and arduous; this is but a tiny, insignificant first step. Our ultimate goal is to completely control the entire North China Plain.

At this point, Zhou Zhengqing's tone suddenly became more serious, each word sounding as if it were icy: "Plunder the minerals, food and all usable resources here, enslave the hundreds of millions of people here, make them vassals of the empire, and lay the most solid foundation for the empire's grand 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity' cause."

He threw out the two cold, biting words, "plunder" and "enslavement," without any hesitation or evasion.

The moment he finished speaking, Zhou Zhengqing deliberately slowed down his pace, carefully observing the subtle changes in their faces.

He was hoping to see even the slightest hint of unease, fleeting embarrassment, hidden dissatisfaction, or even anger at being exposed on these people's faces.

After all, they were once part of this land, and they should still retain some basic principles and dignity as Chinese people.

However, all Zhou Zhengqing received was deep disappointment.

Beneath those hypocritical masks lay none of the emotions he had hoped for.

Yes, but it's just the same old fawning, a servility that runs deep in the bones!

Those two harsh words seemed like nothing more than an insignificant polite remark, or even a praiseworthy compliment, without causing anyone the slightest discomfort.

The next second, with a neat "whoosh," the generals and members of the puppet regime in the room stood up, exaggeratedly straightening their backs, with their hands hanging at their sides, their faces filled with an almost distorted expression of determination.

"Yes! Please rest assured, Commander!"

The resounding, uniform responses seemed to shake the ceiling of the private room: "We will serve the Empire with our lives and never fail its high expectations! We swear to serve the Empire to the death and dedicate ourselves to the cause of the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere'!"

Zhou Zhengqing's gaze swept over them. Some of them were so excited that their faces turned red and veins bulged on their foreheads, as if his words had truly ignited their so-called "enthusiasm".

Some people had reddened eyes and trembling hands, deliberately displaying extreme loyalty.

Some people were desperately suppressing their excitement, but the corners of their mouths couldn't help but turn up, as if they had grasped at a lifeline to curry favor with the powerful.

This absurd scene intensified Zhou Zhengqing's chill, and he felt an overwhelming disgust for the hypocrisy and stench that filled the room.