Inside the banquet hall, Ning Zhiheng was drinking and chatting amiably with a Japanese general beside him.
This man was Major General Yoichi Miura of the Expeditionary Army General Staff Headquarters. He was also the backer who supported Liang Anhong in forming the Meiji Restoration Government and had considerable influence in the military. He was also from Kyoto and was a fellow townsman of Fujiwara Tomohito. The two had interacted before, so they had a very pleasant conversation.
Yoichi Miura was clearly in high spirits. He raised his glass to Ning Zhiheng and said, "Fujiwara-kun, it's been a long time since we last met last year. If it weren't for Vice Minister Shimizu's visit, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to see you this time. Come, let's have a drink. I'll need your help when I go to Shanghai in the future!"
Ning Zhiheng also picked up his wine glass and said with a smile, "Mr. Miura, if you have some free time, go to Shanghai and take a look. The prosperity there is incomparable to Nanjing. I will definitely make a special trip to see you and accompany you on a good tour."
The two raised their glasses and drank in one gulp. After putting down their glasses, Yoichi Miura said with some regret, "When we landed in Shanghai, we fought all the way west to Wuhan. We never had the chance to go to Shanghai again. It was the largest metropolis in the Far East. Everyone said it was a place of dazzling lights and bustling activity. It's a pity I never got to see it with my own eyes!"
Upon hearing this, Kagesa Hiroki, who was standing nearby, joked, "Miura-kun, there are plenty of white women in Shanghai, just what you're looking for. When the time comes, let Fujiwara-kun accompany you for a good stroll, so you don't get so mesmerized that you can't find your way back, haha!"
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. It turned out that this Major General Miura was quite lecherous, especially fond of white women. His reputation made him a target of ridicule.
However, if others had said these things, Yoichi Miura wouldn't have cared. It's just a joke, as men are naturally attracted to beauty and food. But Yoichi Miura has never liked Hiroki Kagesa, all because the Nanjing government that Kagesa helped build has completely overshadowed the Meiji Restoration government that he helped build. The two had a very unpleasant falling out over Wang Tianhai's return to Nanjing to establish the capital. Now that Kagesa is at the height of his power, Yoichi Miura naturally harbors resentment.
Hearing what Kagesa Hiroki said, Miura Yoichi didn't show any emotion on his face, but he didn't respond to the conversation. Instead, he continued to talk quietly with Ning Zhiheng, which made Kagesa Hiroki feel a little embarrassed. However, someone quickly changed the subject and cleverly covered it up.
All of this was observed by Hidetoshi Shimizu. He exchanged a glance with Akira Hashimoto beside him, and then continued to chat and laugh with the others. The factional relationships in this dispatched army were complex and intertwined, which was a good opportunity for them to take advantage of.
The banquet had reached its climax, and the atmosphere in the hall was very lively. Just then, several Japanese officers stood up from a table not far away. Their faces were flushed, and they held wine glasses. They walked together to the VIP seats, bowed, and toasted the senior generals and members of parliament present.
These officers all held the ranks of colonel and lieutenant colonel, and were clearly key personnel in the military. One of the colonels stepped forward, picked up the wine pot, and respectfully filled the wine glasses of each of the high-ranking officers present, before stepping back.
The high-ranking officers showed their respect to their subordinates, accepting the toasts readily and drinking them down. Chief of the General Staff Mitsuyoshi Suzuki introduced the three councilors, saying, "These are the brigade commanders and regimental commanders of the 6th Division. The 6th Division has performed outstandingly in its battles against the Chinese army. In particular, Colonel Ichiro Nojima was the first to storm Nanjing and clear out the bandits. He has made remarkable achievements and is also a valiant general in our dispatched army!"
Upon hearing this, Hidetoshi Shimizu and the two councilors showed expressions of appreciation, praising and approving him repeatedly. Ichiro Nojima immediately straightened up, his already flushed face becoming even more excited.
However, Ning Zhiheng, who was standing to the side, was shocked when he heard Suzuki Mitsuki's introduction, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
He had heard of Nojima Ichiro's reputation. This man was a ruthless killer whose hands were stained with the blood of the Chinese people. When the Sixth Division attacked Nanjing, Nojima Ichiro's brigade was the first to enter the city. They looted and massacred unarmed Nanjing citizens. His subordinates alone killed more than 50,000 innocent Chinese soldiers and civilians. The fields were filled with bones and rivers of blood. Layer upon layer of corpses piled up outside Zhonghua Gate. He was a complete executioner.
Later, the 6th Division fought in Central China, massacring innocent civilians and committing numerous atrocities. However, after suffering heavy losses in the Battle of Changsha, it was stationed in Wuhan. Nojima Ichiro never returned to Nanjing. Unexpectedly, he met this bastard here today!
Ning Zhiheng looked at the smug and self-satisfied officers of the 6th Division, led by Nojima Ichiro, in front of him, and his killing intent surged. He had never been so impulsive as to want to kill someone before. He secretly made up his mind that during his stay in Nanjing, he would find a way to take these men's lives to vent his hatred, otherwise he would not be able to get over his thoughts.
After offering their toasts, the officers refilled the glasses of the high-ranking officials and then bowed and withdrew.
At this moment, Yoichi Miura called out and summoned Ichiro Nojima over, introducing him to Ning Zhiheng: "Fujiwara-kun, Nojima-kun is also from Kyoto, our fellow townsman. Please take care of him if you have the chance."
Upon hearing this, Nojima Ichiro's spirits lifted. He and Miura Yoichi were old friends from the same hometown and were both considered confidants of Suzuki Mitsutsuki's faction. Now that Miura Yoichi was introducing Fujiwara Tomohito to him, he quickly bowed deeply again and said respectfully, "I have long admired Chairman Fujiwara's name. It is an honor to meet you today. Please take good care of me!"
Ning Zhiheng was filled with resentment, but he still put on a kind and friendly smile and nodded, saying, "Nojima-kun, we are from the same hometown. When you have time in the future, you can visit the Fujiwara Company. Don't be so formal!"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
