Ning Zhiheng said this, but he had a different plan in mind. He still wanted to get involved in Nanjing. Although he dared not manage it to the same extent as Shanghai due to limited conditions, he would at least establish his own intelligence channels.
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Uehara Junpei smiled and said, "That's good. Last time you came to Wuhan to see me, it was just before the great war was about to break out, and the military was very busy. Our time together was too short."
"You should stay a little longer this time. Many military leaders from Central China are gathered in Nanjing these past few days, preparing for the new government's return to the capital ceremony. I'm organizing a gathering, which will be a good opportunity to introduce you to some new people; it will be beneficial for your career!"
"That's wonderful! I'll follow your arrangements, Uncle!" Ning Zhiheng was overjoyed.
His most important purpose in coming to Nanjing this time was to use Uehara Junpei to make contact with the high-ranking officials of the Japanese Central China Area Army, to build a new network of relationships, and to infiltrate his influence into all aspects of Nanjing, just as he had done in Shanghai.
The difference is that back in Shanghai, he had no backing or background. He started from scratch and spent a lot of time and money to pave the way before gradually establishing his position. It wasn't until he became sworn brothers with Uehara Junpei and gained the approval of Fujiwara Hirofumi that his position was completely stabilized and his influence grew, leading to his current situation.
Now he has a very high starting point. With Uehara Junpei's support and the Fujiwara family as his background, it will be much easier for him to do things. He only needs to deliberately cultivate good relationships with the upper echelons. He doesn't need to consider the middle and lower-level departments at all. At most, it's just a matter of a word. This is the huge difference that comes from different social classes!
Early the next morning, Ning Zhiheng led a group of people out. He was staying near the former Nationalist government office area, which had now become the headquarters of the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army. Ning Zhiheng simply looked around the area and left.
He pretended to be sightseeing and soon arrived at the former site of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department. This was the place he was most familiar with, but it had changed drastically. The original walls had been demolished, and several office buildings remained, but there were no soldiers guarding the entrance. There were many people coming and going at the entrance of the office buildings, walking hurriedly, so it seemed that it had been used for something else.
The Hongyun Teahouse, which I used to frequent, was nowhere to be found. It was a barren, desolate place, clearly destroyed by the war. There were few shops on both sides of the street, most of which were closed. Only a few were open for business, and the market looked very desolate.
Ning Zhiheng was in a gloomy mood. He looked at the spot where his office used to be from a distance, sighed softly after a long while, and then turned and walked away quickly.
He no longer had the heart to go back to his residence. Three years had passed, and everything had changed. The city of Nanjing had completely transformed. After the war, it was desolate and ruined, never to regain its former prosperity!
Kamo Yoshichi, who had been accompanying Ning Zhiheng, noticed his low spirits and assumed that the chairman was disappointed by the city's lackluster appearance, which did not live up to its reputation, as it was his first time visiting Nanjing. He stepped forward and said, "Chairman, although Nanjing is famous, it is indeed very different after the war. The central urban area is mostly government departments and administrative offices, which makes it seem rather deserted. However, the eastern part of the city is quite good, with bustling commerce and rich culture, and it is worth a visit. Our Fujiwara Company is located in the east of the city, so you can go and inspect it."
Ning Zhiheng nodded. He was going to visit his Fujiwara branch office anyway, so he could take care of some things.
The group changed course and headed towards the eastern part of the city. Sure enough, once they passed Gulou Street, they could clearly feel the difference in the street scene. The buildings on both sides were well preserved, there were more shops and merchants, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians, just like before the great war.
Ning Zhiheng knew that this was originally a bustling commercial district. When he arrested the Japanese spy Takeda Kaede, he set up a trap here. At that time, due to the complex terrain and dense population, it took Liu Datong more than a week to find Takeda Kaede's whereabouts.
Returning to this familiar place, Ning Zhiheng couldn't help but feel emotional. The eastern urban area is probably the best-preserved part of Nanjing.
The vehicle soon stopped at a three-story building, which was the Fujiwara branch office in Nanjing.
Ning Zhiheng and his entourage got out of the car, where company employees who had been notified were waiting to greet them at the downstairs entrance. Surrounded by the crowd, Ning Zhiheng stepped into the Fujiwara Company for an inspection.
The Fujiwara branch in Nanjing had only been open for a little over a year, but because of its large scale, deep background, and the fact that it dealt in various in-demand smuggled goods, it quickly developed in Nanjing and became the leader in the already declining Nanjing business community.
Ning Zhiheng walked around and inspected the work. He was satisfied with the company's management. Kamo Yoshichi then led Ning Zhiheng to the top floor of the office building, where there were specially arranged offices for Ning Zhiheng and Yi Huaan. Everything was in the style of the Shanghai Fujiwara Company, and even the furnishings were exactly the same.
It was clear that Kamo Yoshitomo had put a lot of thought into it, and Ning Zhiheng became increasingly satisfied. He offered a few words of gentle encouragement, which greatly inspired Kamo Yoshitomo.
Ning Zhiheng then took a walk around the eastern part of the city before ending his trip and returning to his residence to rest.
That evening, Ning Zhiheng and Yi Huaan went out alone to a high-end apartment in the east of the city. The two entered through the back door, where Kang Xuezhi and Deng Zhihong, who had been waiting there, quickly got up to greet them.
Ning Zhiheng sat down in the main seat, waved for everyone to sit down, and asked directly, "How are the arrangements going?"
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