Just as everyone was exchanging pleasantries, He Siming, standing behind Kanda Yushan, also turned his gaze to Ning Zhiheng. Ning Zhiheng didn't say anything, but after glancing at the metal box he was carrying, he knew that the box must contain the printing plates for the legal tender. The two looked away from each other and did not exchange any words.
Kitaoka Ryoko also stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Mr. Kanda, I am Kitaoka Ryoko, the head of the Special Higher Police's intelligence group. I am here to greet you. Please come with me back to the Special Higher Police to report."
Kitaoka Ryoko's words immediately drew dissatisfaction from everyone. Kanda Tamayama also looked displeased and said, "So it's Team Leader Kitaoka. I'm new to Shanghai today, and my students and friends are hosting a welcome banquet for me, so I won't be reporting to the Special Higher Police for the time being."
At this point, he turned to look at He Siming and said again, "Takeshita-kun, I'm entrusting everything to you."
Although he spoke vaguely, those in the know understood that he was simply instructing Takeshita Shinya to protect the woodblocks.
"Yes, I understand!" He Siming quickly replied.
Kitaoka Ryoko frowned. Her mission was to bring all three experts back to the Special Higher Police, especially Kanda Tamayama, who was a crucial part of the Eclipse Project and could not be lost.
So she spoke again, saying, "Mr. Kanda, your safety is very important to us. I have been ordered to protect you. Please follow our instructions!"
Upon hearing this, Kanda Tamazan's expression grew even more unpleasant. He held a prestigious position in the country and had cultivated many connections with powerful figures over the years, all of whom treated him with great courtesy. Even this commission to carve the printing plates for the legal tender was made after repeated requests from his longtime friend, the Vice Minister of Home Affairs, Takeda Hitoshi.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is the administrative center for Japan's domestic and civil affairs. The Minister of Home Affairs holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister, second only to the Prime Minister. The Vice Minister of Home Affairs, the Director-General of the National Police Agency, and the Superintendent General of Police are known as the "Three Household Officers," and they hold extremely important positions within the Ministry of Home Affairs, which cannot be held by anyone other than members of a prominent noble family.
Therefore, Kanda Tamayama holds a very high position in Japan. If it weren't for Takeda Jinkazu's request for national interests, he wouldn't have traveled such a long distance to China at his age.
Seeing that Kitaoka Ryoko still dared to restrict his activities, he couldn't help but feel annoyed, but he was still virtuous enough not to utter any harsh words.
Kanda Tamayama turned to He Siming again and said, "Takeshita-kun, you explain yourself. I don't want to say anything more!"
Before He Siming returned to China to bring Kanda Tamayama to Shanghai, the Vice Minister of the Interior, Takeda Hitoshi, personally instructed him to take good care of Master Kanda Tamayama. He was well aware of Kanda Tamayama's status in China, which was far beyond what a lowly Special Higher Police agent like himself could control. Therefore, he treated Kanda Tamayama with utmost respect and deliberate flattery throughout the journey, daring not to show the slightest negligence. The two got along very well, and Kanda Tamayama was quite satisfied with this young officer.
As soon as Kanda Tamaki spoke, He Siming hurriedly nodded and replied, "Yes, sir!"
After saying that, he turned to Kitaoka Ryoko, bowed slightly, and said softly, "Team leader, Mr. Kanda is an old friend of Vice Minister Takeda of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Before leaving, he instructed us not to do anything disrespectful to Mr. Kanda, and not to restrict his freedom. Please do as Mr. Kanda asks!"
When Kitaoka Ryoko heard that it was a high-ranking official like the Vice Minister of Home Affairs speaking, she was startled. These truly powerful figures were high above her, and with just a word, they could completely change the fate of ordinary people like them.
Unexpectedly, Kanda Tamayama's background was so powerful that Kitaoka Ryoko had no choice but to say again, "I understand, but we must ensure Mr. Kanda's safety. I can bring people to protect you!"
Kanda Tamazan waved his hand and said with dissatisfaction, "These people are all my old friends and relatives. What protection do I need when I'm with them? Please go with Takeshita-kun. I'll go back after the banquet."
Kitaoka Ryoko was at a loss for what to do. She dared not insist on following him, but she was also afraid that something might really happen to Kanda Tamayama. After all, Chinese agents were very active in Shanghai, and she could not bear the responsibility if an assassination occurred.
Just as she was in a dilemma, Ning Zhiheng stepped forward, walked up to Kanda Yuzan, and said to Kitaoka Ryoko, "I think Team Leader Kitaoka should go back first. I will take care of Master Kanda's safety. I have enough security personnel under my command and will never let anything happen to Master Kanda. If anything goes wrong, let Section Chief Sagawa hold me accountable!"
Ning Zhiheng stepped forward, willing to protect Kanda Yushan. Kitaoka Ryoko had no more excuse to follow, so she bowed and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Fujiwara-kun. Please let me know when the banquet is over, and I will go to greet Mr. Kanda."
Ning Zhiheng nodded in acknowledgment, and then everyone helped Kanda Yushan into the car, heading back to Mulan Academy.
Kitaoka Ryoko watched everyone leave, a look of dissatisfaction creeping onto her face. She had been snubbed by Kanda Tamazan and was naturally in a bad mood. Turning to He Siming, she asked, "Takeshita-kun, is the woodblock printing plate in your hands?"
After speaking, he turned his gaze to the metal box in He Siming's hand.
He Siming lifted the box in his hand and nodded, saying, "It's right here. I even sleep with it with me; it's never left my side!"
Kitaoka Ryoko stepped forward to take the box, but He Siming quickly stepped back and said with a forced smile, "Team leader, Mr. Kanda instructed that the woodblock printing plates must not be given to a third person. I must keep them with me at all times, and only Mr. Kanda and I can have access to them."
Kitaoka Ryoko asked in surprise, "Am I not even qualified to be in charge of my Eclipse Project?"
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