The party lasted until late at night, and Ning Zhiheng personally escorted Katsuta Takashi home.
Sitting in the back of the car, Katsuta Takashi was also quite enjoying himself. He smiled and said to Ning Zhiheng, "Fujiwara-kun, I have heard that Lieutenant General Uehara Junpei has withdrawn from the front lines and is currently staying in Nanjing. He will probably return to Shanghai soon. You two, who are friends despite the age difference, will be able to reunite soon. Don't forget to put in a good word for me then!"
Ning Zhiheng was overjoyed upon hearing this. He was currently in Shanghai, using the names of the Fujiwara family and Uehara Junpei. In fact, of these two backgrounds, only the Uehara Junpei background was genuine.
However, he knew very well that his friendship with Uehara Junpei was not as deep as everyone imagined. At most, it was just a general appreciating the talent of a down-on-his-luck young nobleman and expressing goodwill.
This is one of the important reasons why Ning Zhiheng deliberately tried to befriend and curry favor with Kuroki Yueyi. Kuroki Yueyi was a long-time friend of Uehara Junpei. Only by keeping Kuroki Yueyi in his grasp could he further advance his relationship with Uehara Junpei and truly turn him into his backer.
It seems I need to come up with a good way to bring the two of us closer.
"Really? General Uehara is going back to Shanghai. I haven't been able to contact General Uehara since we parted ways in Shanghai two years ago. It's wonderful to finally see him again!" Ning Zhiheng said happily.
"Fujiwara-kun, now that General Uehara has returned, I would like to invite him to my home. However, General Uehara holds a high position and great power. I wonder if this would be too presumptuous?"
Katsuta Takashi looked at Ning Zhiheng with hopeful eyes, clearly wanting to use Ning Zhiheng to extend an invitation to Uehara Junpei in order to build a good relationship with the head of the military intelligence department.
"Please rest assured, Katsuta-kun. General Uehara has always been approachable and kind to us. If the occasion is not too formal and is just a family dinner, I think there will be no problem. I will go to his residence with the General to invite him for a few drinks!"
Ning Zhiheng's nonchalant attitude and casual tone greatly pleased Katsuta Takashi.
The Military Police Headquarters is also an intelligence agency within the military, and naturally it is under the leadership of Uehara Junpei, the head of the military's intelligence department. Katsuta Takashi has always wanted to show loyalty to his superior and intended to get close to this big shot, but he has not had the opportunity.
Ever since he learned that this member of the Fujiwara family was a close friend of Uehara Junpei despite their age difference, he was even more eager to befriend him and flatter him. He never compromised on any of Ning Zhiheng's requests and always complied with them. Wasn't he just trying to get Ning Zhiheng to be his guide?
Takashi Katsuta is already in his forties. He joined the military as a graduate of Kyoto University and worked his way up to the rank of colonel in the military police. However, he has not been promoted for many years since.
This was certainly because the military police did not go to the front lines, had very few military achievements, and had little chance of promotion. More importantly, he himself did not have strong supporters in the military leadership.
Seeing his old friends all rising to the rank of general in the military while he was still stuck in the middle, how could Katsuta Takashi not be anxious? That's why he placed high hopes on Ning Zhiheng.
"Fujiwara-kun, I wonder what General Uehara likes? Antiques, calligraphy and paintings, or something else?" Katsuta Takashi asked softly.
Ning Zhiheng smiled slightly. With his meticulousness and caution, he must have had some understanding of Uehara Junpei.
He said with a smile, "General Uehara has a high level of calligraphy skills, especially in regular script. If you can find ancient books of regular script by famous ancient figures, or inscriptions on steles and other treasures, that would be the best. Secondly, he likes fine brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, as well as collections of works by modern literary masters. He also really likes handwritten copies in regular script!"
"General Uehara likes these?" Katsuta Takashi was pleasantly surprised.
Takashi Katsuta was a top student at Kyoto University and a learned man who was well-versed in literature and art. He also loved to indulge in refined pursuits. He never expected that Junpei Uehara would share the same hobby.
Katsuta Takashi said repeatedly, "I was really confused. I saw General Uehara's calligraphy at your place. It was indeed powerful and vigorous, with each character revealing the heart. It was quite dangerous, like the edge of a knife. He truly deserves to be called a master calligrapher. I will go back and prepare!"
Actually, what Katsuta Takashi said was somewhat exaggerated. Uehara Junpei's calligraphy skills are indeed quite good, but he has not yet reached the level of a master. At least he is far inferior to Ning Zhiheng. However, this is just praise and should not be taken too seriously.
Takashi Katsuta then cautiously inquired, "Also, does General Uehara have any specific opinions on our affairs in Shanghai?"
This is Katsuta Takashi asking whether Uehara Junpei knew about Ning Zhiheng's smuggling activities, or whether he supported them.
Ning Zhiheng laughed and turned to say, "Katsuta-kun, you're overthinking it. Actually, everyone in this world has one thing in common: they love money! Everything is fine. Just focus on doing your job and don't worry about anything else. Do you understand what I mean?"
Upon hearing this, Katsuta Takashi felt immediately reassured. He laughed heartily, bowed, and said, "Understood, understood. Then I'll leave everything to Fujiwara-kun!"
At noon the next day, Yi Hua'an knocked on the door of the Fujiwara Company and placed the recent account books on Ning Zhiheng's desk, saying softly, "Chairman, this is the recent financial situation. Please take a look!"
Ning Zhiheng nodded. After Yi Hua'an left, he brought in two leather suitcases and placed them next to the table. These were the profits from the previous period.
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