Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1163: One sentence is enough to set the tone.

Kita Seiichi, seemingly oblivious to the stares of the crowd, maintained his position blocking the car door, his smile growing even more respectful as he said to Zhou Zhengqing, "Commander Takasaki, it is my honor to serve you."

Your status is so distinguished; these trivial matters should be done by me. How could I trouble the driver?

Moreover, I also have some details about the preparations for the puppet government and the work of the secret agents in Beiping, which I would like to report to you in person. Please grant me this request.” His tone was almost pleading, and he bowed even lower.

Zhou Zhengqing looked at Kita Seiichi, a knowing glint in his eyes.

He could clearly sense the rejection of Kita Seiichi by the generals of the North China Area Army around him. The deliberate neglect and faint disdain all indicated that Kita Seiichi did not seem to have truly integrated into the core circle of the North China Area Army, but rather seemed to be an outsider.

Kita Seiichi's obsequious behavior was probably not only due to the power of his Takasaki family and the authority of the Military Police Headquarters, but also because he wanted to use his status to gain a foothold within the North China Area Army and find a powerful backer.

He didn't say much, walked straight forward, bent down and sat in the back seat of the car.

Masaki Yamaya followed closely behind and sat down beside him.

Qi, who had been closely following Zhou Zhengqing's bodyguard, opened the driver's side door and drove the car himself.

Kita Seiichi gently closed the car door, his movements as delicate as if he were handling a fragile treasure. He then walked around to the passenger side and carefully got in, without making a single unnecessary sound.

Under the heavy protection of hundreds of military police under the command of Ryosuke Matsui, the convoy slowly drove out of Yongdingmen Station and headed along the streets of Beiping toward the pre-booked hotel.

The city of Beiping outside the window has long lost its former prosperity.

Most of the shops on both sides of the street were closed, their doors covered with dust and bullet holes.

Occasionally, you can see a few pedestrians, all in a hurry, with worried expressions, their worn-out clothes wrapped tightly around them, heads down as they walk quickly past.

The walls were covered with propaganda posters from the Japanese army, bearing glaring slogans such as "Long live the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" and "Sino-Japanese Friendship," which contrasted sharply with the surrounding dilapidated scene and appeared particularly ironic.

The atmosphere inside the car became somewhat somber for a moment.

Kita Seiichi sat upright, but deliberately turned slightly to face Zhou Zhengqing in the back seat, and took the initiative to break the silence, his tone still respectful to the point of humility: "Commander Takasaki, the overall security situation in the Beiping area is currently stable."

We have joined forces with the military police to conduct several raids on anti-Japanese elements within the city, arresting a number of suspicious individuals and sealing off several anti-Japanese strongholds to ensure that the ceremony for the establishment of the puppet government will not be affected.

Zhou Zhengqing hummed in response, neither confirming nor denying.

Upon seeing this, Kita Seiichi quickly continued his report, his tone somewhat ingratiating: "The smooth progress of these tasks is inseparable from the strong support of the Military Police, and even more so from your wise guidance."

Actually, I have always greatly admired your prestige and that of the Takasaki family. As the cornerstone of discipline in the Imperial Army, the Military Police Headquarters bears a heavy responsibility. It is truly a blessing for the Empire that you can be stationed there.

Unlike our Special Service Department, which, although also shouldering the heavy responsibility of maintaining order, often finds itself somewhat overwhelmed and frequently relies on the guidance of the generals within the North China Area Army…

He paused deliberately, secretly observing Zhou Zhengqing's reaction. Seeing that Zhou Zhengqing did not show any impatience, he continued.

"To be honest, Commander Takasaki, I have always felt that the work of the Military Police Headquarters is closely related to the work of our Special Service Department. If we could get your guidance, our Special Service Department would definitely be able to do a better job."

"If you ever need anything in the future, just give the order, and I, Kita Seiichi, will go through fire and water without hesitation!" These words were almost a blatant expression of his subservience.

Zhou Zhengqing leaned back in his seat, tapping his knees lightly with his fingertips, without responding immediately.

Kita Seiichi's attitude made it clear that he regarded Kita Seiichi as his direct subordinate, which made Kita Seiichi even more suspicious.

He recalled the scene at the station. Kita Seiichi wanted to go up and exchange pleasantries, but Okabe Naosaburo deliberately stopped him.

Terauchi Hisaichi's attitude towards him was also distant, and the other lieutenant generals and major generals completely ignored him. That differential treatment was not concealed at all.

It seems that Kita Seiichi's situation within the North China Area Army is probably more difficult than he imagined.

Perhaps it was because the powers of the Special Service Department overlapped with those of other units, thus affecting the interests of certain individuals.

Or perhaps it was because his background was not illustrious enough that he could not gain a foothold among these well-connected generals.

As for himself, he was not only the commander of the military police, but also a direct descendant of the Takasaki family, giving him a unique advantage within the Japanese military system.

Kita Seiichi's deliberate attempt to please me, even going so far as to lower himself to call himself a subordinate, is probably not only out of fear of the Military Police Headquarters' supervisory power, but more importantly, because he wants to use his status and influence to find a backer within the North China Area Army and escape his current predicament of being isolated and treated differently.

Zhou Zhengqing sneered inwardly. This Kita Seiichi was certainly playing a clever game.

However, he doesn't mind having another "obedient" subordinate.

The Special Service Department controls the intelligence system in North China. If Kita Seiichi were to join them, it would be beneficial for Kita Seiichi's future work in North China.

Thinking this, Zhou Zhengqing looked up at Kita Seiichi in the passenger seat. The other man was still sitting sideways, his eyes full of expectation and respect, just like a hunting dog waiting for its master's favor.

Zhou Zhengqing spoke slowly, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Kita-kun, you are very kind. The work of the Special Service Department is indeed important. If there are any areas that need coordination later, you can report directly to the Military Police Headquarters."

A simple response was all it took for Kita Seiichi's eyes to light up instantly.

He quickly straightened up, bowed respectfully again, and said excitedly, "Yes! Thank you, Commander Takasaki! I will certainly live up to your trust and fully cooperate with the Military Police Headquarters!"

His use of the word "subordinate" completely confirmed his stance of defection.

For Zhou Zhengqing, accepting someone's defection didn't require complicated procedures; a single sentence was enough to set the tone.

He knew very well that Kita Seiichi would never dare to have the slightest thought of betrayal in the future. The Takasaki family behind him, as well as the power of life and death held by the Military Police Headquarters, were far beyond what Kita Seiichi himself, or even his family back in Japan, could bear.

Seeing his excited expression, Zhou Zhengqing smiled knowingly.

He originally planned to make a brief visit to Beiping to inspect the work of the Beiping Military Police before heading to Shanghai, in order to make preliminary arrangements for the subsequent layout.

However, it seems that the situation in Beiping is far more complicated than he had anticipated, and Kita Seiichi, this pawn who has willingly offered himself up, may play an unexpected and significant role in the subsequent game.