"This is Su Yue, the mayor of Shanghai, who was also my classmate at Kyoto University."
"This is Taro Sagawa, the head of the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section, the Empire's most outstanding intelligence officer!"
"And this is...?"
After Katsuta Takashi finished his introduction, Ning Zhiheng realized that Katsuta Takashi's social circle consisted of very influential figures from all walks of life in Shanghai. He felt that his trip had been worthwhile. He immediately put aside his reservations and made an effort to make friends with them, quickly becoming one of them.
Just as they were having a pleasant conversation, Sagawa Taro raised his glass to Ning Zhiheng and said, "I met Fujiwara-kun once before, but we didn't have the chance to talk in detail then, which is a real pity. It's truly a cause for celebration that we meet again today!"
Ning Zhiheng looked puzzled, but said politely, "I also think Mr. Sagawa looks very familiar, but I can't quite place him. I don't know when we last met..."
Sagawa Taro immediately said, "A year ago, right outside General Uehara Junpei's office at the military headquarters, General Uehara personally saw Fujiwara-kun off to the door. I was waiting at the door at the time..."
Ning Zhiheng immediately feigned sudden realization and said to Sagawa Taro with a smile, "Yes, yes, I remember now. It turns out that Sagawa-kun and I are old acquaintances. Come, let's drink to our reunion!"
The two raised their glasses in celebration, feeling like they had known each other for a long time, which also gave the guests around them something to talk about.
Yoshioka Masakazu, who had been mostly silent, suddenly asked, "So Fujiwara-kun and General Uehara of the military are old acquaintances?"
Katsuta Takashi introduced with a smile: "Fujiwara-kun and Uehara-shogun are close friends despite their age difference. Uehara-shogun's calligraphy is superb, truly exceptional. He even specially wrote a piece of calligraphy as a gift for Fujiwara-kun, and I still remember the content!"
At this point, he coughed lightly, composed himself, his expression became solemn, and his tone deepened as he slowly recited: "Having tasted all the joys and sorrows of life, I know the unspoken warmth and coldness within myself. Truly beautiful words! I am very envious!"
These words shocked everyone. It turned out that Fujiwara Tomohito was not only a nobleman from the Fujiwara family, but also had a relationship with General Uehara Junpei in the army. He was indeed no ordinary person.
Like the intelligence agencies of all countries, Uehara Junpei, as the head of the military intelligence department, held a position far exceeding that of a typical major general in the military.
In the Japanese Army, the average division commander held the rank of major general, and some brigade commanders of main force units even held the rank of major general, but they only commanded the troops under their command.
However, a major general in the intelligence department wields astonishing power; his authority can even control the intelligence work of an entire army group.
Junpei Uehara was the chief intelligence officer in charge of the entire Japanese Central China Area Army. It could be said that one of his decisions could even affect the operational direction of the entire area army.
The situation is similar in China's intelligence agencies. As the head of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, the director's rank is only major general, but he is in charge of the intelligence work of the entire military. His power is so great that he can even stand up to those big shots in the military. Back then, Ning Zhiheng, a major action team leader, was able to arrest and interrogate a colonel-level officer and decide his life or death. You can imagine how valuable the military rank in the intelligence department is!
"There's news that General Uehara, due to his outstanding achievements in leading the Central China intelligence department, will soon be promoted to lieutenant general and stationed in Nanjing. I wonder if Fujiwara-kun has any new information?" an officer wearing the rank of colonel asked.
Ning Zhiheng gave a wry smile and spread his hands, saying, "I'm very sorry, my information is limited, how could I compare to everyone here? However, with General Shangyuan's merits, promotion is only a matter of time, don't you all agree?"
This statement was immediately met with enthusiastic agreement, and the atmosphere at the banquet became very harmonious.
During the banquet, everyone talked to their hearts' content until late at night, when they finally said their goodbyes and left.
Ning Zhiheng also gained a lot from this banquet. Through Katsuta Takashi's social circle, he gradually extended his reach. At the same time, he also gained the recognition of the high-ranking military and political figures in Shanghai, which added another layer of protection to his undercover work. Now he is becoming more and more adept at his work behind enemy lines in Shanghai, the main intelligence war zone!
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