Ning Zhiheng arrived at Nanwu Bookstore very early and was about to start working when he saw Fukui Yuzuru, who had been resting at the bookstore the night before, walking over. He smiled and asked, "Fukui-kun, how did you sleep last night?"

Fukui Yuuma yawned, rubbed his eyes, shook his head and said, "I couldn't sleep at all during the first half of the night. I kept thinking about things. It's not as comfortable as being at home. But after this shift, I can finally get a few good nights' sleep!"

After saying that, Fukui Yuzuru chuckled, perked up, and went back to work. Ning Zhiheng also started cleaning, organizing books, and doing his own work.

When it was 10 a.m., there weren't many people in the library. Ning Zhiheng was flipping through a book of Japanese poetry from the Edo period when he heard Kuroki Takeichi's voice coming from the second floor.

"Fujiwara-kun, please come up here!" Kuroki Gakuichi called out loudly.

"Hey, I'm coming right away!" Ning Zhiheng quickly replied.

He put down the book in his hand, walked quickly up to the second floor, and arrived at Kuroki Takeichi's office.

"Mr. Kuroki, what are your instructions?" Ning Zhiheng asked, bowing.

Kuroki Yue looked at Ning Zhiheng and said with a smile, "Fujiwara-kun, come with me to the garrison headquarters in a little while. General Uehara Junpei of the military headquarters is a good friend of mine. I finally found some books that he has been wanting. I can't carry them by myself, so come with me!"

At this point, Kuroki Takeichi added with a smile, "General Uehara is also a calligraphy enthusiast, so you can have a friendly exchange."

Kuroki Gakuichi was a well-known scholar in Japan and had many friends among the high-ranking officials. Because of the high level of education in Japan, even the upper echelons of the military have a high level of education. General Uehara Junpei was one of Kuroki Gakuichi's friends.

Kuroki Yueyi valued Ning Zhiheng highly, not only because of Ning Zhiheng's noble status, but more importantly because of his outstanding calligraphy, which Kuroki Yueyi greatly admired. This time, he needed to find someone with outstanding calligraphy skills, so he chose Ning Zhiheng without much consideration.

Moreover, the Japanese value traditional culture, especially the nobility. Although they do not place as much importance on status as before, Kuroki Yueyi still treated Ning Zhiheng as an equal and spoke to him very politely.

Upon hearing that Kuroki Yueyi wanted to take him to the Japanese garrison headquarters, Ning Zhiheng's heart stirred. He smiled slightly and immediately agreed, "Of course I'm willing to serve!"

Kuroki Yueichi nodded slightly, pointed to the thick stack of books on the table next to him, and said, "It's all yours now. We'll be leaving right away!"

Ning Zhiheng quickly stepped forward, took a packing rope, and skillfully tied the dozen or so books together, making a slipknot. He held it in his hand, and it was indeed very heavy. No wonder Kuroki Yueyi wanted to find a helper to go with him.

The two left the South House Library together, got into Kuroki Takeichi's car, and headed to the garrison headquarters.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of the garrison headquarters. Kuroki Yueyi and Ning Zhiheng got out of the car. Kuroki Yueyi spoke to the guard at the gate, and the guard picked up the phone, inquired, and immediately bowed to Kuroki Yueyi, saying, "Mr. Kuroki, General Uehara invites you in!"

After saying that, he glanced at Ning Zhiheng behind Kuroki Yueyi, but didn't say anything more.

Kuroki Yueyi didn't bother explaining to an ordinary soldier like him, and instead walked into the headquarters first. Ning Zhiheng, carrying books, walked behind Kuroki Yueyi with a calm expression.

This headquarters building is a very tall, fortress-like structure, entirely made of reinforced concrete, resembling an impregnable fortress.

The surrounding area was filled with dense military bunkers, and many well-trained soldiers were patrolling back and forth. There were also two junior officers with red armbands on duty at the entrance of the building.

They clearly recognized Kuroki Takeichi. As Kuroki approached, one of the captains greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Kuroki!"

Kuroki Takeichi smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Ishikawa-kun!"

After the two exchanged greetings, Ishikawa Takeshi looked at Ning Zhiheng behind Kuroki Gakuichi and couldn't help but ask, "And who is this?"

Kuroki Yue smiled slightly, gestured to Ning Zhiheng, and introduced, "Fujiwara Tomohito, a member of the Fujiwara family of Kyoto, has just arrived in Shanghai from Japan. He is a very talented young man. You can get to know him better in the future!"

At this point, he turned to Ning Zhiheng and introduced him: "This is Ishikawa Takeshi, a member of the Ishikawa family. Like you, he comes from a family with a strong academic tradition, and he especially loves poetry."

The Ishikawa family? This is a noble family in Osaka Prefecture in the Kansai region, but their social status is lower than that of the Fujiwara family. However, this also depends on whether they are legitimate or illegitimate. If they are members of the main branch of the Ishikawa family, their status will naturally be higher than that of Ning Zhiheng, a fake member of the Fujiwara family. If they are both members of the illegitimate branch, then the Fujiwara family will be higher.

Upon hearing that he was a member of the Fujiwara family, Ishikawa Takeshi's eyes lit up, and he immediately looked at Ning Zhiheng with higher regard, since he himself was only a member of a collateral branch of the Ishikawa family.

He quickly greeted her with a smile, "Fujiwara-kun, please take care of me from now on!"

Ning Zhiheng quickly bowed and said in a very standard Kansai accent, "I have just arrived in Shanghai, and I hope Mr. Ishikawa will give me your guidance!"

Kuroki Gakuichi said with a smile, "You'll have plenty of opportunities to chat later. General Uehara is still waiting for me. Ishikawa-kun, we'll take our leave now!"

“Okay, Mr. Kuroki, Mr. Fujiwara, I’ll treat you to a drink sometime!” Takeshi Ishikawa quickly bowed and gestured for them to join him.

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