Chapter 662: Not Even Hiding Anymore

The impact of Wang Zhaoming's treason continued to ferment. At first, it was only those big figures, then students, then workers, and gradually, in the end, even the farmers who planted two acres of thin fields in the fields and didn't know a single big character knew who Wang Zhaoming was and understood what such a high-ranking figure, as high as the sky, had done.

Pointed at by a thousand fingers, cursed by ten thousand people. Wang Zhaoming seemed to have no feeling, and indeed he had no feeling; after all, he was in Vietnam, and if no one told him the situation in the country, he wouldn't know. He knew he would definitely be cursed, but he didn't hear much of the cursing in the end, and the impact on him was limited. If it were in the later internet era, he would have felt the power.

So even if Wang Zhaoming was beaten by everyone in China, it didn't delay him from negotiating further treason matters with the Japanese in Vietnam, and he would occasionally make public statements, provoking the nerves of many people. The newspapers were filled with various commentaries and editorials, all cursing the traitor Wang.

As the largest metropolis in Asia, Shanghai had more intellectuals—scholars, students, workers, or other professions. There was a stronger environment for discussing politics here, and people would talk about principles, ideals, the Sino-Japanese War, and world powers whenever they opened their mouths. Of course, it couldn't be quiet here.

"Wang Zhaoming, the dog traitor, sold out the country, sold out the nation..."

On the streets, students and workers held large banners, parading through the streets and alleys. The scene was spectacular, and the crowd was indignant. They glared, the veins on their necks were prominent, they held their clenched fists high, they denounced the traitor Wang, and cursed Japanese imperialism.

They were very bold. It was one thing in the Public Concession and the French Concession, but there were people parading in Hongkou. However, it wasn't at the Japanese Consulate, but at the puppet government side. They blocked the long street, shouting slogans regardless of their lives.

In a teahouse on Father Jin Road, Wang Yan sat in a private room on the second floor facing the street, drinking tea. Below was the crowded parade.

Accompanying him for tea were three other Chinese police detectives from the Central Police Station, including He Shaohong, as well as Shi Changxing and Gu Yongcheng. Qi Si was lying on the window watching the fun, and there were two little patrolmen holding guns guarding the door.

Wang Yan had long since ceased to be a small figure; he just never had much of an air about him. Of course, in the eyes of some people, he was still an ant. Otherwise, Mao Qiwu wouldn't have listened to Dai Yunong's order and gathered seven or eight people, thinking that if he didn't agree to give up power, he would kill him.

But now, even Dai Yunong would have to think carefully for two days if he wanted to threaten to kill him like last time. Because he had successfully been promoted to Inspector General of the Central Police Station, becoming the most powerful Chinese person in the French Concession, although he was before. But being promoted and not being promoted were always different; after all, he now had more than three hundred patrolmen under him carrying guns, which was not to be mentioned in the same breath.

Gu Yongcheng sighed. "Brother Yan, all our venues have stopped, and many workers have gone out to parade. Those who didn't go can't do much work either, so we just gave them all a holiday; it's too much of a delay."

"It's just these two days; they're all idle. I heard they even have the guts to make trouble in the Japanese-occupied areas? But it's just throwing away their lives in vain. We don't want lives, but these people below still have to lose a few days' salary. With several mouths to feed at home, it's all looking for trouble."

Wang Yan paused, drank two sips of tea, and looked at Gu Yongcheng. "However, we have always been generous, so just treat it as a holiday for everyone. Just pay them their wages for these two days as usual; it's not like we're short of that little money."

"You are truly righteous." Gu Yongcheng gave a thumbs up to flatter him.

Wang Yan shook his head and smiled, not caring about this, and asked the other two detectives, "You are both from the Youth League. The parades to denounce the traitor and eliminate the traitors were all organized by you. How long are you going to make trouble?"

Having reached the position of detective, without a certain amount of wisdom and wrist, and without a gang background, they wouldn't have come up. The wine bags and rice sacks had all died. These two detectives were no exception; they were all human spirits.

One was a fat peacemaker type, kind-eyed and pleasant, looking easy to talk to, in his forties, with some gray hair; his name was Qu Wanping. The other was sturdier than the sturdy, looking strong and powerful, but only a little over 1.7 meters tall, giving a very solid feeling, also in his forties. Because of his strong body, he looked much more spirited than Qu Wanping; his name was He Xing. Both of these people were of the "Wu" generation of the Green Gang, very capable; otherwise, they wouldn't have lived to this day.

The "Wu" generation was the best gift the dead old man Lin Hongyuan gave to Wang Yan, making him not inferior to these Green Gang elders in seniority. Otherwise, no matter how much strength was respected, it was still disgusting. Why did that old guy Huang Jinrong set himself up as the "Tian" generation? It was because he wasn't convinced.

Qu Wanping shook his head and laughed. "Still have to go for two days; the order came from above, and we have no choice. You say, everyone is huddling together for warmth, and this is going up to put eye drops on the Japanese. I have nightmares sleeping these two days."

"That's what you say, but what does it have to do with us? Even if we don't organize it, those students and workers won't go out to parade?" He Xing was much more direct. He said, "I don't believe the Japanese really dare to kill so many people."

"In Nanjing, did they kill few?" Wang Yan drank tea and said with a smile, "However, as long as it's not too excessive this time, the Japanese shouldn't kill people, just suppress it a bit. After all, they made a big profit; the more spectacular the momentum, the more favorable it is for them. This Wang Zhaoming is truly amazing, running to Vietnam without a sound and making such a big thunderclap. This Chinese revolution, I think it's difficult."

He Shaohong took the conversation. "Whether the Chinese revolution is difficult or not has little to do with us. We, don't help, don't hold back, just guard this one-third of an acre of land; it won't delay us from making money and enjoying ourselves."

"That's the truth. Let others do the fighting and killing; anyway, no matter who wins or loses, we are the ones who have to do things."

A group of people laughed like this, looking like behind-the-scenes masterminds who stirred up the wind and clouds in the city and stood tall. Counting one by one, they were all making war money, bastards without a country or a nation.

After talking for a long time, Qi Si, who was on the side, looked at his watch and greeted, "Brother Yan, time is up, we should go."

"It's noon, what else is there? There's a newly opened Cantonese restaurant recently, the taste is good. I'll be the host, let's go drink a bit?" Qu Wanping stopped him and invited Wang Yan, the new superior, to eat together.

Wang Yan waved his hand. "The Deputy Consul General of the Japanese Consulate, Mr. Iwai Eiichi, has an appointment with me for lunch. I don't want to go, but do I have a chance to refuse? You guys eat; I'll invite you later. Leaving first."

After leaving the teahouse, he walked a distance to an alley with no one around and got into the car, then took a detour toward Hongkou. The parade and assembly were just those few big roads, and other places were still very smooth. The scale of this time was indeed very large, and there was basically no one on other streets, not inferior to the previous Lugouqiao.

He arrived at a Japanese restaurant in Hongkou without obstruction, even faster than usual. However, he rarely wandered around here, and when he did, it was at night.

In a room with Japanese style, Wang Yan met Iwai Eiichi, who was currently wearing a Japanese kimono and kneeling upright on the Japanese tatami.

Wang Yan took off his shoes, walked over, and sat cross-legged opposite him. "Long time no see, Mr. Iwai. You told me before that you were going to Hong Kong for official business for a period of time. Now that I think about it, it must be for Wang Zhaoming's matter, right?"

"Haha, Wang-sensei, you are indeed a smart person; the relationship is clear at a thought. That's right, at that time I was requested by Colonel Kagesa Sadaaki to cooperate with him to complete the withdrawal of Wang from Chongqing. You also know Colonel Kagesa; Wang's departure from Chongqing was operated by him, and I just cooperated with him to do some auxiliary work. He has also heard of you; if there is a chance in the future, I can introduce you to meet."

"Then thank you, Mr. Iwai." Looking at the smug smile on Iwai Eiichi's face, Wang Yan flattered him. "Having done such a big thing this time, Mr. Iwai should be promoted, right?"

"His Majesty the Emperor and the Cabinet have already issued a commendation order, which is considered an award. As for the promotion you mentioned, I have already reached the end; if I go any higher, I can only return to Japan to work. By comparison, I am more willing to stay in China; this is the place I am familiar with. In another nine months, I will be forty years old. I came to China when I was eighteen, and I have been in the East Asian Common Culture for nearly twenty-two years now. How many twenty years are there in a life? China is truly a place that makes people linger..."

"Oh? Mr. Iwai's meaning is that you want to stay in China for the rest of your life?"

"Do you think I can't stay? Your Vice President of the Kuomintang is also leaning toward the Great Japanese Empire and wants to join the great plan of *****. Do you think I can't stay?"

Echoing back and forth, the former question and the latter affirmation indicated Iwai Eiichi's strong confidence at this moment. I believe other Japanese are also feeling this way at this moment. This is really too normal; the more discouraged the Chinese are, the more arrogant the Japanese are. Wang Zhaoming did a great thing.

"You know, I have always spoken the truth, and I hope you don't blame me." Seeing the little devil nod, Wang Yan said, "During the Battle of Wuhan before, your meaning was about the same, but in the end, although Chongqing was defeated, it still didn't surrender. The current situation is changing rapidly, but I think Wang Zhaoming cannot decide so much. When Wang Zhaoming arrived in Vietnam, I heard the news and learned a little about Wang Zhaoming. Inside the Kuomintang, he belongs to the defeated side, and his power was hollowed out by Chiang. The only use might be the title of Vice President."

Iwai Eiichi laughed. "I admit that we were too simple last time. But Wang-sensei, you must know that the Kuomintang army was defeated all along the line, and in today's China, the richest eastern region is all under our control. How long can the Kuomintang hold on? As for the problem of Wang Zhaoming you mentioned, of course we know, but Wang-sensei, how many smart people like you do you think there are in China?"

"Those farmers who farm, soldiers who fight—do they know these political struggles? They don't know those; what they know is that the number two figure of the Kuomintang has defected to the Great Japanese Empire. They know that such a big figure has defected to us, so it's nothing for them to defect."

"In the future, when fighting, as long as Wang comes forward, the besieged Chinese army will no longer resist. This will greatly weaken their resistance will and reduce the burden of the Great Japanese Empire's conquest. You know, we support Chinese governments in various places; now they are all acting on their own, but now we have Wang, we have a unified government, which is a good thing whether from the perspective of administrative efficiency or management."

Wang Yan bowed, indicating he had learned, and asked, "Mr. Iwai, in that case, Wang Zhaoming is coming to Shanghai soon? Or to Nanjing?"

"He is going to Japan first to meet His Majesty the Emperor and the Cabinet Ministers, and only after discussing everything will he come back. If there are no accidents, the first stop of landing is Shanghai. But he will go to Nanjing in the future; after all, that is the royal city of the Six Dynasties and the capital of the previous Chongqing government. This time, it is to establish a National Government that shares weal and woe with the Great Japanese Empire, and there is no place more suitable."

Iwai Eiichi watched the restaurant waiter serve the food and picked up his chopsticks to pick up a piece of bluefin tuna sashimi. "Wang-sensei, hurry up and move your chopsticks. We have eaten together many times, and I know you have a big appetite and prefer delicacies. Today's sashimi is bluefin tuna caught in Hokkaido and transported by plane. The owner of this shop is also a famous chef with good knife skills, who can make the most authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine. Wang-san, please."

Wang Yan first toasted the little devil, and then began to eat in big mouthfuls. A table full of things, but the plates were big, not enough for him to eat.

"Wang-sensei truly has a good appetite. We have eaten together many times, and Japanese cuisine has been eaten many times; should be used to it by now, right?"

"Sorry, Mr. Iwai, I have been used to eating Chinese food since I was a child and have an authentic Chinese stomach. To this day, I have eaten Japanese cuisine many times, but I still feel I can't get used to it."

Wang Yan shook his head, looked at Iwai Eiichi, whose face was a bit serious, and changed the subject with a smile. "However, I don't have many advantages, and not being picky about food is one of them. Not being used to it is because I have eaten Chinese food for nearly thirty years, while I have only eaten Japanese cuisine a few times. But if I stretch this time, eating for a year or two, wouldn't I get used to it?"

"Frankly speaking, Mr. Iwai, if you hadn't eaten Japanese cuisine since you were a child, you would also not be used to Japanese cuisine after eating Chinese food for twenty years, right?"

Iwai Eiichi laughed. "You are right. There was a period of time when I really felt this way. At that time, I was in Changsha and missed the taste of my hometown very much, but when I ate authentic Japanese cuisine again, the feeling was just so-so. I have to say, people are so fickle. Come, Wang-sensei, drink."

After drinking a cup of Japanese sake, watching Wang Yan continue to eat and drink in big mouthfuls, he asked, "I heard that you have been promoted to Inspector General of the Central Police Station, and I haven't congratulated you yet."

"Thank you, Mr. Iwai, but there is nothing to congratulate. I didn't even hold a banquet. This position is mine; no one else can sit in it."

"You Chinese like to talk about luck. I think you are lucky now. In the past year, your luck has been very prosperous. From a small team leader to your current position, your business has expanded by more than double. Impressive..."

"Mr. Iwai is over-praising, but it's just a coincidence. There is an old Chinese saying: 'Blessings are what misfortunes lean on.' I am now walking on thin ice every step, not daring to make any mistakes, living too tired."

Iwai Eiichi shook his head. "It's the path you chose yourself."

"If not for this, the French wouldn't have let me be this Inspector General, and I wouldn't be able to have greater value to Mr. Iwai, right?"

"You haven't forgotten our agreement, I am very gratified."

Wang Yan smiled and picked up his wine glass, drinking a sip to himself. "How could I forget, Mr. Iwai. I have business dealings with you, with other officials of the consulate, and with generals of the Army and Navy. These are shackles, but also indestructible ties. Mr. Iwai, in fact, we have long been our own people. Sticking to a name is meaningless. Still the same sentence, if I had defected to you early, would I have today's Inspector General?"

"In fact, you should have notified me early when you came back, so that I could be the host and invite you to dinner. Today, your call was sudden; I was already running to the street to maintain order at that time. Recently, I have obtained two Ming Dynasty antiques, one is an inkstone, and the other is a brush washer. You also like literature and ink, so it is most suitable to give to you. It's not a coincidence today; tomorrow, I will have someone send it to you."

"Hahaha, then I will be disrespectful. However, I also have a return gift. I have two bottles of top-grade 14th generation sake, which were sent to me by friends in the country. Knowing you like to drink, I will give them to you. Taste them well; they are very rare."

"Thank you, Mr. Iwai, please."

The two of them talked about this and that, laughing loudly from time to time, as if they were really happy, and ended a lunch like this. Wang Yan left and returned to the French Concession.

Iwai Eiichi looking for him today was nothing else; he just went to Hong Kong for a period of time, came back to see if he was still obedient, if he had any other ideas, and to beat him up.

There was no special agreement between them, nothing more than telling Iwai Eiichi some secret intelligence of the French Concession, cooperating with their actions, and making the business bigger and stronger.

Wang Yan said this to all the Japanese, and of course, he did it, but there was nothing very critical. The Japanese also knew; otherwise, how could he have become Inspector General...

In the evening, the parade that had been making trouble all day ended. Everyone had to go home to eat and rest well before fighting again tomorrow.

Wang Yan went to the restaurant as usual to eat his extravagant dinner. Opposite the restaurant, it was still that group of little beggars. They didn't eat his leftovers at noon. Wang Yan knew by reading their lips that these little bastards were cursing Wang Zhaoming and also cursing those who were parading for being full and having nothing to do.

They were very lucky. Qi Si still gave some care, paying for their treatment when they were sick, so no one died. It was just that a few were much thinner, which was after recovering from a serious illness. Otherwise, this winter, I'm afraid there would be fewer old faces and more new faces.

Wang Yan listened to the evening broadcast on the radio while drinking and eating, which reported all the big things recently. The Kuomintang had a saying, the Red Party had a saying, and the Japanese had another saying; it was very lively.

While listening, Qi Si stood up silently and took the plate away. Not long after, Wang Manchun sat opposite with a fragrant wind. "Mr. Iwai looked for you today?"

"Had lunch together."

"What for?"

"Haven't seen each other for several months, beating me up, afraid that I would be too floating after being promoted to Inspector General, helping me settle down."

"It is time to settle down. The recent parades were all organized by the Youth League. You don't know how many people from the two parties are mixed in there? It's so chaotic recently, which is most convenient for them to act, making us so busy that our feet don't touch the ground, just afraid of any trouble. Yes, I know you are the nominal chairman of the Youth League, but no matter how nominal, you are still the chairman. This time Section Chief Nantian is unhappy, I guess she is going to kill a batch."

Wang Manchun threw a wink at Wang Yan, meaning your opportunity is coming, and then looked at the buzzing radio on the side. "Didn't listen before, why listen every day recently?"

"It wasn't so lively before. I'm listening to this liveliness." Wang Yan laughed. "I heard from Iwai Eiichi that Wang Zhaoming will establish a National Government in the future. Your opportunity is coming. As far as I know, Wang Zhaoming also has capable people under him, and it is time for you to play a role. You are close to the Tokko and were promoted by Nantian Yoko, so you are the first choice for mixing sand, and your position will definitely not be low."

"Saying it so ugly, what mixing sand? You are the sand."

Wang Manchun glared at Wang Yan, let out a long sigh, and said, "No one knows the specifics. I don't need to investigate to know that the Military Statistics Bureau, the Central Statistics Bureau, the Red Party, and some other so-called patriotic people are all planning to 'sanction the traitor Wang Zhaoming.' Who knows if he can survive?

And I heard that Wang Zhaoming had been assassinated before, and the bullet wasn't taken out of his body, saying he wouldn't live for ten years. He was assassinated three years ago, and it's been three years now. Who knows if it will affect his old wounds and cause any accidents? Better not be too happy too early, otherwise, the happier you are now, the more disappointed you will be later."

"You are the one who understands." Wang Yan didn't even lift his head, just flattering.

At this moment, a current sound came from the radio on the side, and then a female voice came: "Now broadcasting a missing person message: Ma Hongyi, the cousin from the third uncle's family came to Shanghai to seek refuge, now at Youyi Hotel, please go as soon as possible..."

Wang Manchun curled her lips and hummed. "It's the two parties looking for trouble again. They are contacting people. Look, what did I say? They must have some action. The more chaotic, the more they want to make trouble."

"If you know it's the two parties contacting, catch them."

"If we could catch them, would we need you to say it? We have been paying attention to this radio station for more than a year. What Wang Laowu, Zhang Laosan—they aren't even hiding anymore..." ===== CHAPTER 663 =====