Cicada Moving

Chapter 1177 Engagement Banquet

 “Congratulations, Mr. Chang Gu.”

 “Arigado, Mr. Fujiwara please come in.”

“Sir Changgu, this is a little thought from me, please accept it.”

 “吆西, Li Sang, welcome, please.”

 “Mr. Changgu, good evening.”

“Good evening, Mr. Kaiziwei, please come in. The dinner will begin shortly.”

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 commercial officials from Japan stationed in Shanghai, as well as upper-class figures from the public settlement 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.

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 have received invitations to Huangpu Changbang can enter tonight.

Higashi Keiko 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 his best. Her heart was full of sweetness.

As the distant niece of King Minuhiko of the Higashikata Palace, she has lived in a repressed 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, having been exposed to Western culture, she 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 became a senior intelligence officer of the empire through his own efforts.

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

 Chicken, fun, considerate, powerful, wealthy, all women’s fantasies about their significant other can be found in Mr. Hase.

 “Amaterasu bless you.”

Higashikata Keiko 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 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 though the other party’s purpose was not pure.

Hase was a smart man to be able to pass the Douwen Academy, and he had been working in the intelligence agency for so many years. How come he didn’t know the “matchmaker”’s plan.

 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 to “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 people’s lives have been withered on the battlefield, including many classmates from the same school.

With 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 delicacies and drinks from all over the world. Well-dressed waiters shuttled among them holding silver trays, and melodious music continued.

John Kaiser, the head of public settlement intelligence, held up a glass of champagne, looked at the various crowds through the crystal glass, and 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?”

“YesSir, please rest assured that the patrol room has been fully prepared and there will never be any radical elements here.”

Kuang Fuan, who was wearing western clothes, quickly glanced around, his eyes paused on the plainclothes police 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.

 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 puppet 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.

Ji and his cronies hold all the power of the pseudo-government. The others are like supporting actors on the stage, their role 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 "second minister" who had rebelled.

 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, with a respectful and cautious look. 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 think back then, they were just small figures in the secret service headquarters. Once they attended a reception at the Ministry of the Interior and looked at each other from a distance, surrounded by stars. 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 no one is good and no flowers are prosperous. These two sworn enemies raised their glasses and clinked their glasses together, which attracted a group of traitors to applaud.

 Amidst 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 the banquet. Such a big man would not joke about such a thing."

 “That’s good, that’s good.”

Du Ziteng muttered a few words to himself, and then said seriously: "Hanliang, you must seize this opportunity. With Mr. Changgu's appreciation, 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 and his fiancée walking towards him.

 “Xing Sang, welcome, this is my future wife.”

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

 Having said that, Changgu once again mentioned the matter of joining the Changgu organization. His words were sincere and his eagerness for talent was evident.

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 aroused a lot of speculation.

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

The most indispensable thing in the world is people who look down on the superiors and flatter the inferiors. When Hase and Tojiure Keiko left, people from the puppet government swarmed up and handed Xing Hanliang their business cards.

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 the oldest dance form in Japan, called Maijo. The maiko on the stage is performing an innocent girl playing with a hako board.

 All the guests who were familiar with Japanese culture 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 groom’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 out 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 **** was trying to harm someone again. If this matter spread, he would be blamed.

 “Don’t worry, it’s safe here.”

Doihara waved his hand and pointed at a few 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 it has no effect.

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. Mr. Hase, don’t you think it’s ridiculous? "

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

 “European and American ghosts are really abominable!

Once he learns of the alliance between the Empire and Germany and Italy, he will inevitably try to sabotage or even target the Empire to affect the realization of co-prosperity in Greater East Asia.

In order to avoid this situation from happening, His Majesty Tianlu and the cabinet decided to strike first, and at the same time, we also showed 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.

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

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

 Now we’re in trouble!

How about taking Keiko and running away to South America?

His head was buzzing, and he regretted selling all his agent lists to Fat Tiger. Money is a good thing, but money can also kill people.

If one person does not 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? !

I don’t know what he thought of, Hase Ryosuke stopped wailing in his heart, his eyes suddenly lit up, his uneasiness was swept away, and he raised his wine glass towards Doihara with confidence.

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