Ning Zhiheng was surrounded by military personnel, all dressed in the uniforms of high-ranking officers. He was not only the youngest among them, but also stood out in a suit.

There were also many high-ranking Japanese officials around them, but the Japanese expatriates in China respected the military and could only watch these people chatting and laughing, secretly envying them. However, due to the difference in their status, they did not even dare to step forward to pay their respects.

Just as Ning Zhiheng was talking to someone, the Japanese Consul General, Kenji Iwai, walked over with his assistant, Hidemi Matsudaira.

Taking advantage of the pause in Ning Zhiheng's speech, he stepped forward and greeted him with a smile, "Fujiwara-kun, it's been a long time!"

Ning Zhiheng turned his head and smiled slightly, "Iwai-kun, Matsudaira-kun, it's been a long time! You two are so busy, you haven't even been to the Mulan Academy these days, unlike me, a free man, who has nothing to do all day long, haha!"

After saying that, he saw that Iwai Kenji seemed to have something to say, so he turned around, looked at him, and then simply stood up, nodded to his friends around him, and then gestured to Iwai Kenji to come over. The three of them went to a resting seat next to them.

When the surrounding guests saw that it was Chairman Fujiwara and Consul Iwai approaching, they quickly bowed and stepped aside to make room.

The three men sat facing each other. Iwai Kenji said with a smile, "Fujiwara-kun, I've indeed been very busy with official duties lately and haven't been able to visit you at the Muran-sha-in for tea and a chat. Matsudaira-kun is the same. He had something to discuss with you today, and I'm just acting as his mediator! Haha!"

Ning Zhiheng turned his gaze to Matsudaira Hidemi beside him and asked with a smile, "Oh! What's so difficult for Matsudaira-kun to say that you have to act as his mediator?"

Matsudaira Hidemi quickly said respectfully, "Mr. Fujiwara, I recently started a newspaper, the 'New Exchange Times,' which is mainly for promoting the friendship between Japan and China. The work is going very smoothly so far. However, I have always wanted to do a heavyweight column to interview some influential people. You are the most influential person in Shanghai. I would like to do an interview with you and share your views on the current situation between Japan and China."

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiheng was taken aback. He hadn't expected Matsudaira Hidemi to make this request, and he hesitated. Given his current status, he had absolutely no interest in these showy interview programs.

Without hesitation, he waved his hand and said, "Matsudaira-kun, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you this time. You know I've never been interested in these kinds of things."

Seeing that Ning Zhiheng rejected his request almost without thinking, Matsudaira Hidemi couldn't help but feel disappointed. He turned to look at Iwai Kenji beside him, signaling to ask Iwai Kenji to say a word for him.

Kenji Iwai glanced at Ning Zhiheng with some difficulty. Given his position, he naturally wouldn't dare to force Ning Zhiheng, but he still spoke up: "Fujiwara-kun, Matsudaira-kun has been in charge of the Iwai Mansion's external publicity affairs recently. This 'New Times' is something we've poured a lot of effort into. Please reconsider, Fujiwara-kun. It's just a simple interview, cough, actually, we just need your attitude..."

When Ning Zhiheng heard Iwai Kenji plead again, he couldn't help but ponder for a moment. The Iwai Mansion was an intelligence department established by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although it was not outstanding in terms of strength among the many departments in Shanghai, the intelligence it came into contact with was diverse and extensive, and its intelligence value was extremely high.

He had always coveted the intelligence system of the Iwai Mansion, hoping to establish an intelligence channel through it. Therefore, he had been deliberately trying to win over Iwai Kenji and Matsudaira Hidemi from the beginning, and the two sides had always had a good relationship.

If it's just a simple interview, but it requires your support, then there's not much of a problem.

Thinking of this, he turned his gaze to Matsudaira Hidemi. He had a very good impression of this young man; he was energetic, talented, and had a deep understanding of Chinese culture. His conversation revealed a friendly attitude, showing that he had no prejudice against Chinese people, which was rare among the Japanese expatriates in Shanghai. This was also what Ning Zhiheng valued most. If he could find a breakthrough through this man and extend his intelligence reach into the Iwai Mansion, it would be a good idea.

Ning Zhiheng smiled and nodded in agreement, "Since Iwai-kun has spoken personally, then alright! Matsudaira-kun, if you have time, come find me at the Muran Academy. I usually stay there, and we can talk."

Matsudaira Hidemi was overjoyed upon hearing this. He quickly bowed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Fujiwara. I will make the arrangements as soon as possible. Please take good care of me!"

Iwai Kenji was pleased to see Ning Zhiheng giving him so much face. He knew that for someone of Fujiwara Tomohito's status to support the "New Times" was a huge favor to him.

The three exchanged a few more words before Ishikawa Takeshi strode in from outside. He glanced around and quickly spotted Ning Zhiheng, then walked up to him in a few steps.

When Kenji Iwai and Hidemi Matsudaira saw that it was Takeshi Ishikawa who had arrived, they naturally knew about the relationship between Takeshi Ishikawa and Tomohito Fujiwara, and they tactfully got up to take their leave.

Ning Zhiheng watched them leave before smiling and saying to Ishikawa Takeshi, "The banquet is about to begin, where have you been?"

As the second-in-command of the Japanese Military Police Command in Shanghai and the Fujiwara Company's spokesperson in the military, Takeshi Ishikawa currently holds a very high position in the Japanese department, so naturally, he would be indispensable at a banquet of this scale.

Takeshi Ishikawa sat down opposite Ning Zhiheng, his expression slightly serious, and said, "Our military police headquarters is responsible for external security. I previously sent people to cordon off several nearby blocks and gradually began searching suspicious locations. Just now, we discovered traces of Chongqing elements in a hotel, but we were a step too late; they had already escaped. These people are very vigilant. It's such a pity, otherwise we could have..."

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