Uehara Junpei was very tight-lipped, so Ning Zhiheng naturally couldn't ask too many questions. When dealing with a veteran agent like Uehara Junpei, caution was his only option.
However, Ning Zhiheng felt somewhat relieved. Such a high-ranking official's arrival in Shanghai was definitely not because of him. Despite Ning Zhiheng's thriving smuggling business in Shanghai, he was just an insignificant nobody in the eyes of the real top Japanese dignitaries.
These powerful and influential people have a completely different perspective from ordinary people. Historically, all the great families valued power first and foremost. They only cared about their descendants who had bright careers in government and never paid much attention to family members who were in business. The reason is simple: with power, you have everything, including money!
The low social status of merchants is precisely because of this. Even if you are extremely wealthy, without the protection of power, it is only a matter of a word from the powerful and wealthy if you want to seize something. Just like Hirao Daichi's takeover of other Japanese chambers of commerce, it was nothing more than using power to oppress others.
This is also why Ning Zhiheng is trying every means to integrate his smuggling empire with Uehara Junpei and the military forces.
"I am just a distant relative and don't know much about the direct line of the family. But if possible, could you please introduce me to this elder of the family so that I can pay my respects to him in person?" Ning Zhiheng said softly, his face full of hope.
Ning Zhiheng was well aware that contacting this direct descendant of the Fujiwara family risked exposing his identity.
But he had to say it for a simple reason: from Fujiwara Tomohito's perspective, it was absolutely illogical for a clansman who had achieved some success overseas to ignore the arrival of a prominent figure from his own family and even avoid him from afar.
Moreover, this was news that Uehara Junpei had told him personally. Ning Zhiheng could not pretend that he did not know. Instead, he had to put on a happy and joyful attitude and even ask to be introduced to this elder in order to gain his appreciation. This was the correct attitude for a collateral descendant of a noble family.
Uehara Junpei had anticipated Ning Zhiheng's reaction. He told Ning Zhiheng the news so that he could act as a go-between and introduce Ning Zhiheng to Fujiwara Hirofumi. In his view, he was creating opportunities and paving the way for his nephew, Fujiwara Tomohito. With his recommendation, it wouldn't be difficult for Fujiwara Tomohito to gain Fujiwara Hirofumi's appreciation, given his talent. If Fujiwara Tomohito could get Fujiwara Hirofumi's support, his future would be smooth sailing, and it wouldn't be impossible for him to move from the business world to politics and make a name for himself.
He was close to Fujiwara no Tomohito, and if Fujiwara no Tomohito really achieved something with the support of the Fujiwara family, it would be a great thing for him. Being able to establish a relationship with the thousand-year-old noble Fujiwara family was also a very fortunate thing. This was one of the reasons why he took this opportunity to recognize Fujiwara no Tomohito as his adopted nephew.
Placing bets in advance and waiting for the price to rise is a win-win situation, a good opportunity for both him and Fujiwara Tomohito.
"Congressman Fujiwara will be arriving in Shanghai in ten days. I've come here specifically to greet him. His stay in Shanghai won't be long, as he'll be heading to Nanjing to handle military affairs afterwards. So you must seize this opportunity. If you can gain Congressman Fujiwara's favor, it will be a tremendous benefit for you. This is a rare opportunity, so you should be prepared!"
As the intelligence chief of the Japanese Central China Area Army, Uehara Junpei's work focus was definitely on the front line, so he devoted most of his energy to the Changsha front, preparing for the upcoming Battle of Changsha.
Shanghai was merely a base in the rear, and Uehara Junpei generally wouldn't linger there. If it weren't for welcoming Fujiwara Hirofumi this time, he wouldn't have had time to return to Shanghai at all, and who knows when he would have had the chance to reunite with Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng couldn't help but ask softly, "I wonder what my elder's usual preferences are? I should be prepared!"
As the head of intelligence and in charge of the welcoming mission, Uehara Junpei was naturally prepared. He said, "Congressman Fujiwara is also fond of refined pursuits, especially painting and kendo. You should be prepared in this regard. You must seize this opportunity!"
"Hey! I understand!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com