Shigemitsu Aoki, who was seriously thinking about his future, was also stunned after hearing Fang Lang's words. He was familiar with Ichiro Hatoyama, or to be more precise, they had some friendship. He was also very clear about the fact that the other party was successfully elected as the president of the Liberal Party after the war but missed the position of prime minister.
But what he is more concerned about is whether Ichiro Hatoyama can become prime minister again. Not only is he restricted by the Public Office Release Order, but more importantly, he is not a member of any political party established after the war and is not even eligible to run for election.
If he joins the current Liberal Party, as Fang Lang said, even if others agree to let him join and give him a position because of his past glorious experience, how good will this position be? Can it be the position of foreign minister or prime minister that he wants?
Of course, Shigemitsu Mamoru also wanted to challenge the position of prime minister. A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier! Who wouldn't want to try if they have the opportunity to reach the highest position? Besides, the current prime minister is not the same as the previous one.
It turns out that no matter how successful you are, there is still a Tianhuang above you! The current Tianhuang has long been reduced to a mere showpiece, and the Prime Minister is the actual leader of the country. Of course, there is an American above him now. But Americans are outsiders after all, and in the hearts of the Japanese people, the Prime Minister is the symbol of the highest power in the country!
Unfortunately, one's own family knows one's own business. It is too difficult for him to become prime minister now. Not to mention his identity as a war criminal, his political influence is no longer as great as before. Most of his followers were arrested by the Allied forces. He was released, but many more people are still serving their sentences in prison!
These people are also restricted by the Public Office Release Order, so even if they come out, there is no chance for them to become prime minister.
Now when he heard Fang Lang talking about Ichiro Hatoyama, his first thought was to be able to cooperate with him. You know, Ichiro Hatoyama's current political influence is one of the best in Japan. He founded the Liberal Party directly after the war, and the Liberal Party soon became the largest party in Congress. Such political influence is obviously not comparable to that of him, a war criminal who just came out of prison.
What's more important is that Ichiro Hatoyama is now idle at home due to the public office layoff order. Since the General Fang in front of him can get an amnesty for himself, a real war criminal, he can definitely get an amnesty for Ichiro Hatoyama. If he uses this as a bargaining chip to talk to Ichiro Hatoyama, then he will have a chance to become Ichiro Hatoyama's most important partner!
...
...
With Ichiro Hatoyama's influence, once his public office suspension is lifted, running for prime minister is a sure thing. As an important partner of the other party, wouldn't it be natural for me to get the position I want in the new government?
After understanding this, Shigemitsu Aoki began to think about what kind of benefits would make Fang Lang agree to fight for a pardon for Hatoyama Ichiro. Of course, he was not as eager as Kodama Yoshio. Even if he fought for the pardon for the other party, he had to let the other party know that he had fought for the pardon for him.
However, he didn't know Fang Lang very well, and he didn't even know what the Whip of God company that Kodama Yoshio was afraid of was. So, for a moment, he didn't know what conditions to use to impress the other party.
However, he still agreed with what Fang Lang said, and couldn't help but look at Kodama Yoshio beside him and said:
"Kodama-kun, General Fang is right. Even if Hatoyama-kun could be pardoned, Yoshida Shigeru would never give up the position of Prime Minister to Hatoyama-kun.
How can a person who has tasted the power give up the power in his hands so easily? "
He was still unconvinced, wondering how Fang Lang knew that the person he was talking about was Kodama Yoshio, Ichiro Hatoyama. After hearing what Shigemitsu Aoki said, he quickly reacted. As a former naval officer, he certainly understood the meaning of this sentence. Some things are impossible to let go after you get them.
After realizing this, he instantly became a little depressed, and the hopeful expression on his face just now began to turn gloomy.
Fang Lang, who was standing by, became somewhat dissatisfied when he saw the two of them.
"Hey, guys. What we are discussing now is asking you to help me collect Chinese antiques that have been lost in Japan. Are you taking the topic too far?
Mr. Shigemitsu, what do you think of my proposal? "
Upon hearing this, Shigemitsu Aoki was the first to react. The two of them had indeed strayed too far off the topic. They hadn't even received their own amnesty order yet, but they were already thinking about replacing it for others. They were really too ambitious.
But what Fang Lang said could not be accomplished by him alone. He had not been out for long, and it would take some time for him to restore his influence in Japan. If he wanted to collect the Chinese antiques lost in Japan, he had to get the help of Kodama Yoshio.
So, he turned his gaze to the slightly decadent Kodama Yoshio.
"Kodama-kun, what do you think about this matter?"
Hearing Shigemitsu's question, Kodama Yoshio looked up at Shigemitsu's eyes, and seemed to read something from his eyes. He knew what Shigemitsu was thinking, and he obviously didn't want to miss such an opportunity.
As a Japanese Class A war criminal who was released from Sugamo Prison under his operation, Kodama Yoshio certainly hoped that the other party could have a bright future, otherwise wouldn't all the efforts he had made in vain?
Although Fang Lang's request seemed excessive to him, when he saw the look in Shigemitsu Aoi's eyes, he knew that he could not refuse this request. If he refused, not only would he offend this young man whose depth he could not even see, but Shigemitsu Aoi, whom he had spent a huge amount of money to create, might also become alienated from him.
More importantly, the opportunity to tear up the public office release order that he had finally found was about to slip away. All these reasons combined made it impossible for him to say no. He could only nod to Shigemitsu Aoi, then turned around and bowed deeply to Fang Lang and said:
"General Fang, I agree to this. I am willing to personally help you persuade all Japanese who have Chinese cultural relics to take out their collections and sell them to your cultural relic collection point."
After saying this, he looked at Fang Lang with burning eyes, as if reminding Fang Lang not to forget his promise.
Seeing this, Fang Lang laughed and nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, if your performance satisfies me, I will show you my power."
Then, as if he had thought of something, he turned to look at Shigemitsu Aoi beside him and said in a low and serious voice:
"By the way, Mr. Shigemitsu, I have something to say in advance. Although war criminals like you have been released from prison, if you want to re-enter politics, you must deeply repent for the crimes you have committed.
You must also let us see your transformation in your political ideology. If you still hold on to your original militaristic ideology, do not reflect on the crimes you have committed, do not completely break away from your past self, and do not show everyone your attitude of repenting and changing your ways, it will be difficult for me to help you apply for a pardon.
Do you get me?"
Fang Lang's words made Kodama Yoshio's eyes freeze, and Shigemitsu Aoi was also thoughtful. After the two looked at each other, they nodded together. Shigemitsu Aoi then looked at Fang Lang and said:
"I don't know how I should behave to be considered as someone who has changed his ways."
Hearing this, Fang Lang smiled slightly.
"That depends on you. All I can say is that the more deeply you understand your past mistakes, the easier it will be for me to obtain a pardon for you.
If you behave like those people in prison in the military court, still insisting that you have done nothing wrong and are unwilling to make amends for your past mistakes, then I will have no choice but to let others help me collect Chinese cultural relics in Japan."
Fang Lang's meaning was very clear. If he wanted to return to politics, he had to make a statement to everyone, admitting the illegality of the war and his past crimes. This was considered politically correct in the eyes of the whole world, and only then would he have a chance to help him get an amnesty.
Of course, the Japanese were the invaders from the beginning to the end, and they were the guilty parties. It was only because those militarists refused to admit their guilt and denied the crimes they committed that many Japanese still believed that they were not at fault in this war. They even had the nerve to tamper with the textbooks.
Fang Lang's current goal is to see if he can set an example in Japan, an example of actively admitting that Japan is committing aggression. After all, a Class A war criminal like Shigemitsu Mamoru still has a huge influence.
With such a person taking the initiative to admit that this war was an unjust war of aggression, coupled with his own layout in Japan, Japan will have no chance to change its textbooks or deny its crimes in the future.
More importantly, after Shigemitsu Mamoru took the initiative to admit his mistakes and return to politics, will it be a lesson for other war criminals who want to return to politics? After all, the power of example is infinite. Even a Class A war criminal like Shigemitsu Mamoru can return to politics after admitting his crimes, so can others?
By then, Fang Lang probably won't have to do anything, as people will rush to step forward and admit Japan's war crimes. Once this trend is formed, anyone who dares to jump out and deny it may be put back to the drawing board.
If the war had just ended, it would have been difficult for Fang Lang to do this, and he had no confidence in getting Shigemitsu Aoki to admit his mistake. However, after the trials of war criminals in recent years and the rule of the United States in Japan, the militarist ideology in Japan has been temporarily suppressed.
People can't even get enough food, who would be willing to follow you to believe in the spirit of Bushido? In addition, Shigemitsu Mamoru is a politician, and politicians don't care about face. As long as he can return to politics and regain power, let alone admit his mistakes, he would be willing to kneel down and apologize.
Fang Lang's words were actually not ambiguous. With the political acumen of an old politician like Shigemitsu Aoki, he would definitely be able to easily understand the meaning of Fang Lang's words.
So, after hearing Fang Lang's words, he fell into deep thought. Should he stand up and admit his mistake, throw his face on the ground and crush it, and then get his ticket to politics back? Or, should he continue to stubbornly insist on being stubborn and finally bid farewell to politics.
In fact, this multiple-choice question is not difficult to answer, but now he can also express his opinion directly. After all, he is not the only one here. If he admits his mistake too quickly, would he appear to be too spineless?
Kodama Yoshio, who was standing by, naturally understood what Fang Lang meant after hearing their conversation. This made him very entangled. If someone had said this to him before he went to prison, he would have shot the other person without hesitation. But now he could only watch helplessly, not daring to express any objections.
Shigemitsu Aoi pondered for a long time before slowly nodding and saying:
"General Fang, I understand what you mean. But this matter is too big, I need to think about it carefully, please give me some time, I need to think about it carefully."
As soon as he said this, Fang Lang knew that the other party had actually accepted it. Looking at Kodama Yoshio, who had an ugly face but did not say anything against it, Fang Lang smiled silently.
Once again adding fuel to the fire:
“No problem, I will inform Mr. Marshall of your situation first, and when you have made your decision, you can issue a formal statement. I will decide the next course of action based on the content of your statement.
I hope you won’t keep me waiting too long.”
As soon as Fang Lang finished speaking, Kodama Yoshio beside him spoke impatiently:
"General Fang, who is this Mr. Marshall you are talking about...?"
Hearing this, Fang Lang turned to look at Kodama Yoshio, who was standing beside him. He saw a look of disbelief and anxiety on his face, and knew that he had guessed who he was talking about. He just couldn't believe it.
After all, Marshall may not be very popular in the United States because of the European aid program, but he is really a sweet bun in other countries in the world! Everyone wants to take a bite, hoping that he can also include himself in the list of people to be assisted.
Therefore, when Kodama Yoshio heard Fang Lang say the name Marshall, he had such a reaction.
But Fang Lang did not directly answer Kodama Yoshio's question, he just smiled and said:
"What is it? Of course it's a friend? Why? Mr. Kodama also has a friend named Marshall?"
Although Fang Lang acted very calmly and did not even directly admit that his friend was the US Secretary of State, Kodama Yoshio had already determined in his heart that the Marshall Fang Lang was talking about was the current US Secretary of State.
Thinking that Fang Lang's connections could even reach the US Secretary of State, Kodama Yoshio no longer had any doubt that Fang Lang could get a pardon for Shigemitsu Mamoru.
"No, no, General Fang, you are joking. I don't have a friend named Marshall."
Although Shigemitsu Mamoru had just been released from prison, he had heard that the current US Secretary of State was named Marshall, and as a former Japanese foreign minister, he had a deeper understanding of the power of the US Secretary of State. Fang Lang's words gave him more confidence in Fang Lang.
At the same time, he began to think about the question raised by Fang Lang. How should he reflect deeply on the mistakes of this war in order to show his repentance?
John, who had been silent, was annoyed by the two Japanese's changing attitudes. He could not help but speak directly:
"Are you guys done yet? I brought my brothers here to relax today, not to help you guys solve your troubles.
My brother has made it very clear, this incident ends here, and the rest depends on your performance, you two get out of here right now and call the girls back."
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