Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1076 Mutually Distrustful "Allies"

King Jiuyan nodded slightly, his face regaining the composure and depth characteristic of a royal prince, and said slowly and deliberately, "Maintaining the stability of the Central China region and the reputation of the empire is my top priority."

As long as it does not jeopardize the overall security of Nanjing or even the entire Central China Expeditionary Army's occupied area, and does not harm the Empire's core interests in China, I may temporarily refrain from investigating some minor and harmless economic activities.

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and gave a more positive signal: "Even... in certain specific circumstances, if it is indeed conducive to easing the situation, or can facilitate the implementation of my new policies, necessary, inconspicuous favors may be granted."

This is tantamount to tacitly acknowledging in principle that Zhou Zhengqing could use his authority and special channels to secure space for the survival and development of that invisible "gray empire" within his territory.

The core exchange of interests had been reached, and the atmosphere in the study seemed to instantly become much more relaxed, although undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.

Terauchi Hisaichi even picked up his wine glass and, with the tone of an elder teasing a promising junior, said to Zhou Zhengqing, "Takuto, your methods, kid, have truly broadened my horizons..."

With a flick of the wrist, they could turn clouds into rain; with just a few bottles of powder, they managed to ensnare us two old folks, and we did it willingly.

It seems I'll have to be more careful when dealing with you in the future, otherwise I might get sold out and still have to count the money for you! Although the words sounded like a joke, Zhou Zhengqing understood the warning and repositioning they contained.

Zhou Zhengqing immediately responded with a humble smile and bowed slightly: "General, you flatter me. You are too kind."

Tuo Ren is young and inexperienced, and has not thought things through in many ways. In the future, he will need to rely more on the guidance and support of seniors like the General and His Highness.

"But living in chaotic times and shouldering heavy responsibilities, I have no choice but to think ahead and prepare multiple paths in order to live up to His Majesty's and my family's expectations." He attributed his actions to the pressures of the times and his sense of responsibility, appearing modest and sincere.

Prince Kyūhiko also chimed in meaningfully, his gaze falling on Zhou Zhengqing as if examining a precious work of art: "His Majesty the Emperor has always had a discerning eye."

In retrospect, it was indeed a wise move for His Majesty to entrust you with some "special" matters concerning the China strategy so that you could "assist" in handling them.

"I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty's trust and expectations, nor will you disappoint... Princess Yuko's kind intentions." He subtly brought up Zhou Zhengqing's marriage to the imperial family again, while using the phrase "assisting" in handling the matter from the sidelines to imply that he knew something about the relationship between Zhou Zhengqing and the Emperor.

Zhou Zhengqing turned to look at Jing Ren, who nodded without making a sound.

Zhou Zhengqing understood, his expression turned solemn, and he turned back to reply earnestly: "Your Highness's teachings will be kept in mind by Tuo Ren."

"We will certainly do our utmost, fulfill our duties, and contribute to the great cause of the Empire's holy war, as well as... our future responsibilities and obligations."

As the talks drew to a close, the three raised their glasses once again to symbolically celebrate the achievement of this "cooperation."

The wine glasses clinked gently in the air, producing a crisp sound. The swirling liquid inside reflected the complex and unfathomable thoughts and calculations of the three individuals.

Terauchi Hisaichi was thinking about how to use the scarce medicines he had acquired as quickly as possible to consolidate his position in the military. At the same time, he was planning how to maximize the benefits for the North China Area Army in the material exchange with Zhou Zhengqing, and closely monitoring this gray channel to prevent it from backfiring.

Prince Jiuyan, meanwhile, was considering how to utilize Zhou Zhengqing's influence and connections to stabilize the situation in Central China more quickly.

At the same time, they were wary of this young man's growing power and began to secretly plot how to gain more control over the distribution of streptomycin, a "strategic resource" that could potentially influence the domestic political landscape, in order to cultivate relationships with powerful figures and consolidate their own position.

Zhou Zhengqing, however, remained clear-headed and detached.

He skillfully turned a potential accountability and power struggle into a strategic meeting that flexed muscles, tied interests together, and demarcated spheres of influence.

He made the most of the Takasaki family's background and the two revolutionary drugs, penicillin and streptomycin, using them like two trump cards.

These two cards became the lever to wield power, the stepping stone to build a network of connections, the adhesive to maintain cooperative relationships, and the cornerstone for building his future vast career.

Once Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Yasuhiko return, they will undoubtedly use all available resources to try every possible way to verify the authenticity and exact effects of these two drugs.

Once proven effective, enormous demand will surge forth. At that time, the two of them, along with the vast network of relationships they represent, will unconsciously become the most effective and irresistible "phantom salesmen" for these two "miracle drugs."

This kind of promotion, driven by the needs of the elite, is far more persuasive and penetrating than any advertisement.

All of this will ultimately bring enormous benefits and dependencies into his hands, forcing the Takasaki family's laboratory to continuously expand its scale and improve its technology. The core control over all of this will remain firmly in Zhou Zhengqing's hands.

While he appeared to have made concessions on direct command of the Central China Expeditionary Army, he used a more covert and deeply entrenched method to implant his tentacles deeper into the body of the Japanese Empire's power in China, even penetrating the health and safety of its highest decision-making circle.

Medicine, weapons, food, fuel, intelligence, money... The outline of a vast and secretive, invisible empire spanning occupied territories is gradually becoming clear with tonight's transactions.

Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Okinawa, Kyoto... These important locations are being connected by invisible threads, weaving a web of power and interests belonging to Zhou Zhengqing.

As night deepened, in the study of this villa in the Japanese concession of Tianjin, a secret transaction that would influence the future landscape of many parties finally came to an end.

Zhou Zhengqing personally escorted his two "partners" with differing intentions to the door, watching their car slowly drive away into the cold darkness, surrounded by the night and escort vehicles.

He did not leave immediately, but returned to his study alone and strolled to the huge French windows.

Outside the window, the night was thick and the lights of Tianjin's urban area flickered in the distance, and further away, the Haihe River flowed coldly.

The key pieces have already been laid out in the future game.

The adversaries are not only the enemies on the surface, but also the "allies" around us who use and guard against each other.

He already holds several "trump cards" that are enough to change the game, as well as the nascent, gray resource empire that is growing.

The wind rises from the tip of a blade of grass.

The waves have already formed within the undercurrents.

He raised the glass, now only half-empty, to the blurry night view outside the window, gave it a slight toast, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

A surge of heat slid down his throat, a stark contrast to his icy composure.

Every step from here on out will be a real test, but he is ready.

...

Volume Two (Stirring Up Trouble) is complete.

Starting tomorrow, we will begin Volume 3 (The Storm in Shanghai).