Ning Zhiheng put down the phone and said to Kuroki Yueyi, "Sir, General Uehara wants me to go there now!"
Kuroki Gakuichi smiled and nodded, saying, "Very good. I'll take you to headquarters in my car in a bit so you can have a good talk with General Uehara."
"Hi!"
Ning Zhiheng took two manuscripts and arrived at the Japanese garrison headquarters in a car. Just like last time, the headquarters was heavily guarded, with fully armed patrols patrolling back and forth.
He approached the soldiers at the gate and said, "I've come to see General Shōhara Junpei!"
The guard looked at Ning Zhiheng and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll check it right away."
After quickly receiving confirmation over the phone, he nodded to Ning Zhiheng and said, "Please come in!"
Ning Zhiheng nodded in acknowledgment and stepped into the main gate. As he entered the hall, two junior officers wearing red armbands were on duty.
But this time, Ishikawa Takeshi was not on duty. When the two officers saw Ning Zhiheng, they reached out to stop him and asked, "What do you do?"
Ning Zhiheng had no choice but to explain again, "I have arranged to meet with General Uehara Junpei. You can confirm this first!"
The headquarters was heavily guarded, with multiple checkpoints, making it impossible to sneak in.
However, the officer quickly confirmed that there was no mistake before letting Ning Zhiheng in. Ning Zhiheng hurried upstairs, arrived at Uehara Junpei's office, knocked on the door, and entered.
The secretary ushered him into the office, where Uehara Junpei had been waiting for his arrival. He let Ning Zhiheng in and said with a smile, "Fujiwara-kun, you've really had a long journey!"
Ning Zhiheng quickly bowed and replied respectfully, "Not at all, General, you are too kind. It is my honor!"
After saying that, he quickly handed the two manuscripts in his hand to Uehara Junpei's table.
Uehara Junpei gestured for Ning Zhiheng to sit down. At that moment, the secretary served Ning Zhiheng tea and then bowed and left.
Uehara Junpei said with a smile, "You've worked hard these past few days, Fujiwara-kun. I didn't expect the work of organizing the manuscript to progress so quickly. I'll take a look first."
After saying that, he picked up the manuscript and began to read it carefully. Just as Ning Zhiheng had expected, Uehara Junpei looked at it for a while and then showed a surprised expression. Only after he had completely read the manuscript did he look up at Ning Zhiheng.
"Fujiwara-kun, I am very surprised. Your literary skills have completely exceeded my expectations. I don't know how to evaluate it, but it is really too perfect. I can't believe that this is my work."
Ning Zhiheng replied with a smile, "I just made a slight modification to the original. If you think the modification is appropriate, I will move on to the next step."
Uehara Junpei laughed heartily. This work was his masterpiece, and now, after Ning Zhiheng's revisions, its quality had been completely elevated. Even he himself loved it.
"Fujiwara-kun, you've done a fantastic job. I think you can maintain this level of quality in the future!" Uehara Junpei said with a smile.
"Hey, I definitely won't let you down!" Ning Zhiheng nodded in reply.
Both men were very satisfied with the outcome of their meeting. Ning Zhiheng seized the opportunity to say, "General, I've heard Mr. Kuroki mention that your calligraphy is also highly accomplished. I wonder if you could give me a piece of your work?"
Ning Zhiheng's words immediately made Uehara Junpei laugh. Although he knew that his calligraphy was inferior to Ning Zhiheng's, he had always been very confident. Ning Zhiheng's request touched a nerve.
“Fujiwara-kun’s calligraphy skills are superb, so I would like to ask you for some pointers.” Uehara Junpei agreed with a smile, then got up and went to his desk. He picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and pondered for a moment.
Then he wrote a line on the blank paper: "Having tasted all the joys and sorrows of life, I know the unspoken warmth and coldness within myself!"
The inscription reads: "Presented to my young friend Fujiwara Tomohito in Shanghai in the twelfth year of Showa (1943), by Uehara Junpei!"
Then he took out his seal and pressed it down heavily.
This is a famous quote from Natsume Soseki, the Japanese writer whom Uehara Junpei admires most. It also reflects some of Uehara Junpei's insights over the years. He likes this quote very much, so he copied it down and gave it to Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng came to the desk and looked at the calligraphy in front of him. He couldn't help but nod repeatedly and said, "It is vigorous and powerful, with sharp strokes. General, even your writing has the temperament of a soldier. It is truly a masterpiece. Fujiwara is unworthy of such praise!"
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's assessment, Uehara Junpei couldn't help but burst into laughter. He knew that Ning Zhiheng was a true expert, and he was very satisfied to have gained Ning Zhiheng's approval.
Ning Zhiheng rolled up the calligraphy and carefully put it away. He then picked up the two manuscripts from the desk before taking his leave, saying, "General, you are busy with official duties. I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now!"
Uehara Junpei was indeed very busy, so he didn't try to keep him too long. He simply said, "Fujiwara-kun, I know you're just having a rough time right now, especially with the current turbulent situation. If you have any difficulties, you can call me directly!"
This was already a promise to help Ning Zhiheng, and Ning Zhiheng's face lit up with joy. He quickly bowed deeply again before leaving the office.
When Ning Zhiheng arrived at the entrance of the lobby on the first floor, the two officers on duty saw him come out and, knowing that he was a guest of General Shangyuan, did not stop him.
Just as Ning Zhiheng was about to leave, a voice came from behind him.
"Fujiwara-kun!"
Ning Zhiheng quickly turned around and saw that it was Ishikawa Takeshi walking over from one side of the corridor.
“Ishikawa-kun, it’s been a few days!” Ning Zhiheng replied.
"Yes, is he here to see General Uehara again today?" Ishikawa asked, looking at the manuscript and calligraphy in Ning Zhiheng's hands.
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