cicada

Chapter 1177 Engagement Banquet

"Hase-kun, congratulations."

"Arigado, Fujiwara-kun please come in."

"Sir Hase, this is a little thought from me, please accept it."

"Xinxi, Li Sang, welcome, please."

"Mr. Changgu, good evening."

"Good evening, Mr. Kai Ziwei, please come in. The dinner will begin later."

At the entrance of the Chinachem Hotel, Ryosuke Hase was wearing a traditional Japanese kimono. He and a young woman also wearing a kimono greeted the guests from all over the world who came to the banquet.

Among the guests were important military, political and business officials from Japan stationed in Shanghai, as well as high-ranking figures from the public concession and the French Concession, as well as members of the puppet government who had defected to Japan. For a time, there was a mixed crowd in front of the hotel.

In order to ensure the safety of many guests, Japanese, British and American soldiers blocked nearby streets. Rows of barbed wire fences isolated ordinary people. Only guests who received invitations to Huangpu Changbang were allowed to enter tonight.

Keiko Higashikata bent down and sent an imperial navy rear admiral into the door. She raised her head and secretly glanced at her fiancé, who was doing so freely, and her heart was full of sweetness.

As the distant niece of King Minuhiko of the Higashikure Palace, she has lived in a repressive environment since she was a child. The trajectory of her life has been fixed since she was born, and she can see the end at a glance.

Learn the rules and etiquette required by royal women.

Marriage for the benefit of the family.

To bear children for the husband's family.

Finally, slowly wait for the end of life.

Thinking of this depressing life, she, who had been exposed to Western culture, woke up in her sleep more than once, wanting to escape but being unable to do so.

Royal status is both an honor and a shackle.

But fate favored her in the end and allowed her to meet Mr. Hase. Although he was from a humble background, he had become a senior intelligence officer of the empire through his own efforts.

The days spent with each other were the happiest times in her life.

Chic, funny, considerate, powerful, wealthy, all women's fantasies about their significant other can be found in Mr. Hase.

"Amaterasu bless you."

Keiko Higashikata thanked God softly, thanking Him for finding a perfect husband for her, who could not only satisfy her expectations for love, but also help her declining family.

"Keiko, what's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

At this time, Hase Ryosuke turned to look at his fiancée and asked softly, his eyes full of tenderness, and he couldn't help but thank the old guy Doihara in his heart.

He didn't expect that a child from a commoner's family would one day be engaged to such a beautiful and gentle member of the royal family. This was all thanks to Doihara's introduction, even if the other party's purpose was not pure.

Hase is a smart person who was able to pass the entrance examination of Douwen College. He has been working in the intelligence agency for so many years. How come he didn't know the "matchmaker"'s plan.

But think about it from another perspective, Doihara needs him to open the ascending channel, so why doesn't he need the other's help? Everyone is just using each other.

Hase Ryosuke's real gratitude is "Fat Tiger". Without his dealings with Fat Tiger, he would never have reached his current heights by himself alone, and he might even have lost his life.

The war between China and Japan has been going on for so long, and countless lives have been lost on the battlefield, including many classmates from the same school.

After letting out a long sigh and looking at his fiancée who was wiping his sweat, Hase Ryosuke gently said thank you and continued to greet the guests with a smile.

after an hour.

In the splendid auditorium of Chinachem Hotel, hundreds of guests were chatting and enjoying food and drinks from all over the world. Well-dressed waiters shuttled among them holding silver trays, and melodious music played endlessly.

The head of public settlement intelligence, John Kaizi, held up a glass of champagne, looked at the various crowds through the crystal glass, and then turned to his most capable subordinate, Public Settlement Inspector Kuang Fuan.

"Kuang, there can't be any problems with the hotel's security, otherwise tomorrow's headline news won't be about the Red Russians annexing the three Baltic countries. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir, please rest assured that the patrol room has been fully prepared and there will never be any radical elements mixed in here."

Kuang Fuan, who was wearing western clothes, quickly glanced around, his eyes paused on the plainclothes detectives at several entrances and exits, and he made a promise to his superiors.

John Kai nodded slightly, feeling satisfied but also a little displeased. The Japanese held a banquet at such a sensitive moment, which really caused trouble for the public settlement, these annoying Japanese dwarves!

Cursing secretly in his mind, he raised his glass and took a sip, savoring the Dom Pérignon champagne flown from France and priced at hundreds of dollars a bottle.

At the other end of the auditorium.

Zuo Zhong's classmate and friend Xing Hanliang and his uncle Du Ziteng stood in a quiet place, politely and respectfully greeting the senior officials of the pseudo-government who passed by, even if these people just nodded casually and had no intention of in-depth discussion.

The deputy minister of the interior of the puppet government sounds like he has a high position of authority, but the actual situation is not.

Mr. Ji and his cronies hold all the power of the puppet government. The others are like supporting actors on the stage. Their function is to make the scene more beautiful and prevent people from thinking that this is a grass-stage team.

Therefore, in this situation, Du Ziteng could only stand aside, let alone Xing Hanliang, the rebellious "second minister".

In fact, if it weren't for certain reasons, the nephew and uncle wouldn't even be qualified to enter the Chinachem Hotel.

"Han Liang, are you sure Mr. Changgu will meet with us?" Du Ziteng asked his nephew cautiously, looking respectful and cautious. He did not see the majesty of being the director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Jinling a few years ago. This made many People lamented.

Ding Mocun and Li Shiqun, who were being praised by everyone, happened to see Du Ziteng's embarrassing performance, and their memories instantly returned to the past.

I remember that back then, they were just little people in the secret service headquarters. Once they attended a reception at the Ministry of the Interior and looked at each other from a distance. Now that their positions have been reversed, things are really unpredictable.

Perhaps they had some insights, or perhaps they had a deep understanding of the truth that people are never good and flowers are not as good as flowers. The two sworn enemies raised their glasses together and clinked their glasses, which attracted a group of traitors to applaud.

Amid the chaotic noise, Xing Hanliang tugged on his tie, took a long breath and drank the wine, looking at Hase Ryosuke in the crowd and replied.

"Yes, uncle, Mr. Hase intends to let me work in the Hase Agency. He also personally invited me to attend the banquet. A big man like him would not joke about such a thing."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Du Ziteng muttered a few words to himself, and then said seriously: "Hanliang, you must seize this opportunity. With Mr. Changgu's appreciation, my uncle and I will have an easier time in the new government."

Xing Hanliang didn't want to speak and gave a perfunctory favor. Just as he was about to ask for another glass of wine, he saw Hase Ryosuke walking towards him with his fiancée.

"Xing Sang, welcome, this is my future wife."

Hase Ryosuke shook hands with Xing Hanliang and solemnly introduced his fiancée Higashikata Keiko to him with a very cordial attitude, like an old friend he had not seen for a long time.

After saying that, Changgu once again mentioned the matter of joining Changgu's organization. His words were sincere and his eagerness for talent was evident in his words.

Xing Hanliang first nodded to Dong Jiure Huizi, and then said the answer he had thought of for a long time. This was also the instruction given to him by the military command headquarters.

"Thank you, Mr. Hase. Xing is willing to serve the empire."

Hase Ryosuke was overjoyed when he heard this. Fat Tiger's friend was by his side, and the other party couldn't kill the donkey. No, he was crossing the river and burning the bridge.

The actions of the two people were seen by the guests who were watching secretly, which immediately triggered a lot of speculation.

Why does a little person who defected from a mountain city attract so much attention from Chief Hase? Is there a higher-level political meaning behind it?

The most indispensable thing in the world is people who look down on others and look down on them. When Chang Gu and Dong Jiure Keiko left, people from the puppet government swarmed up and handed Xing Hanliang their business cards.

Even more cleverly, he replaced the words he just praised Ding Mocun and Li Shiqun on Du Ziteng's head. He was respectful in front and cowardly in the back, which made people laugh.

Unconsciously, the music in the auditorium changed to a strange harmony. A kimono woman came onto the stage holding a folding fan and began to make movements to the rhythm.

This is one of the oldest dance forms in Japan, called Maijo. The maiko on the stage is performing an innocent girl playing with the hako board.

The guests who were familiar with Japanese culture all stopped to appreciate it and introduced the origin of the dance to the people around them. Regardless of whether they understood it or not, everyone had a look of intoxication on their faces. After all, Mr. Hase’s face is still very valuable.

Seeing that the guests were all watching the dance, Dofeiyuan, who had just returned to Shanghai from Taiyuan a few days ago and helped organize the engagement banquet, finally had time to take a breath.

As the guest of honor at the man's house, he was indeed very tired today. After resting for a while, he walked up to Chang Gu and motioned to Chang Gu to go for a walk with him.

Hase Ryosuke spoke to Higashikaru Keiko, and Doihara and Doihara went to the balcony outside the auditorium. The two held on to the stone fence and talked softly while looking at the brightly lit street scene.

"Mr. Hase, the empire will sign an alliance with Germany and Italy next month."

Doihara spoke first, telling a piece of news that could shock the world. His expression was solemn and his tone was low as he spoke.

Hase Ryosuke was startled and quickly looked around, wondering if this old bastard was trying to harm someone again. If this matter spread, wouldn't he be blamed?

"Don't worry, it's safe here."

Unexpectedly, Doihara waved his hand and pointed at the men in black inside and outside the balcony: "They are the guards assigned to me by the General Staff Headquarters. No one can eavesdrop on our conversation.

What an irony. I have repeatedly asked the military to be cautious and pay attention to the confidentiality of military operations, but unfortunately to no avail.

But after Zuo Shige once again ruined the plans of the Army and the Cabinet Intelligence Department in Yamashiro, the officials in Tokyo suddenly became reasonable. Hase-kun, don't you think it's ridiculous? "

After ridiculing the cabinet and military leaders, Doihara's contempt slowly faded away from his mouth, and he stared at the American warship passing by and spoke coldly.

"European and American ghosts are really abominable!

Once they learn of the alliance between the Empire and Germany and Italy, they will inevitably try to undermine or even target the Empire, affecting the realization of co-prosperity in Greater East Asia.

In order to prevent this from happening, His Majesty Tianlu and the cabinet decided to strike first and show our determination and sincerity to our allies.

The specific target of the attack may be cities on the west coast of the United States, European and American colonies in the Southeast Asia, or the Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. This matter has not yet been finalized.

Mr. Hase, you will be responsible for one of the most difficult tasks, which is the reconnaissance of Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii. I believe you will be able to do it. "

Hase Ryosuke's blood ran cold. Half of the establishment of Hase's agency was free of charge, and the other half was under the nose of the military commander. How could he investigate the American military port?

This is trouble!

Why not take Keiko and run away to South America?

His head was buzzing and he regretted selling the entire list of his agents to Fat Tiger. Money is a good thing, but it can also cost lives.

If one person doesn't handle it well, his millions of dollars in deposits in European and American banks and tens of thousands of hectares of fertile farmland in South America will become cheaper for others.

My money...huh? !

Not knowing what he thought of, Hase Ryosuke stopped wailing in his heart, his eyes suddenly lit up, his uneasiness was swept away, and he confidently raised his glass to Doihara.

"Please rest assured, General, I will send the most elite warriors to carry out this mission. The Heavenly Black Card is on board! The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Board is on board!"