Chapter 006: An Unexpected Encounter at Headquarters

Are you pretending not to hear me? What’s going on? Just arrived and already offended the superior? The worst part is, there’s no system notification—this is so hard to get used to.

Receiving no response to his knocking, Chen Jiehua thought for a few seconds and simply pushed the door open. He stood at the entrance, facing the desk where Kawamoto Daisaku pretended to read files, and announced, “Sir! Graduate of the 37th class of the Army University, Aoki Qiao, reporting for duty!”

“Aoki? Did I hear that right?” Kawamoto raised his head, no longer feigning disinterest, wanting to confirm whether he had heard correctly. But the first thing he saw was the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

“What? Graduating from Army University and already a Lieutenant Colonel? Damn it, I’ve only made it to Colonel after all these years, and you’re a Lieutenant Colonel right out of school! Is your family running the military?” Kawamoto’s sense of injustice grew even stronger.

Responding to the superior’s question, Chen Jiehua repeated, “Subordinate Aoki Qiao!”

So it really is Aoki. “Aoki Qiao? Are you from the Kagoshima Aoki family? What’s your relationship to Senior Aoki Nobumasa?”

“He is my grandfather.”

“I see! So you’re Senior Aoki’s grandson!”

Having confirmed Aoki Qiao’s identity, Kawamoto quickly left his desk, walked over to him, and led him to the tea table, inviting him to sit and pouring tea.

Chen Jiehua was a little bewildered by this sudden shift in attitude. Was Kawamoto perhaps another disciple of Aoki Nobumasa?

Kawamoto didn’t keep Chen Jiehua waiting long. “Senior Aoki has always been my idol. Sadly, I never had the chance to be his student. His passing was a real loss to the Empire.”

So that’s it! He’s an admirer of Aoki Nobumasa. That means caution is needed—such people are often spies!

“I attended Senior Aoki’s funeral that year. Didn’t see you at the house, Aoki.”

Just as he became wary, the probing questions began.

“You must have arrived late, sir. We must have just missed each other.”

“I see! Now that I think about it, I did arrive late, about ten days after the funeral.”

“I heard Senior Aoki named the third generation according to the ancient Chinese sequence of Heaven, Earth, Black, Yellow, Universe, and Wilderness. Your name is Aoki Qiao—was it changed?”

This officer was indeed cautious, knowing even the naming conventions of the Aoki family. But how could he not know the Emperor personally bestowed the name?

“Sir, my original name was Aoki Qingxuan. At the Imperial banquet at the start of Showa Year 2, His Majesty granted me the name Qiao.”

“I see! No need to be formal, nephew Aoki. Drink your tea, drink your tea. I am your uncle Isoya’s friend.”

“You mean Uncle Isoya?”

“Haha, you rascal. Do you have any other uncles?”

“Hehe…”

The emperor’s bestowed name certainly had its effect. Aoki Nobumasa’s influence lingered on.

In the office of the Chief of Section One, Senior Staff on the third floor, Chen Jiehua carefully chatted with Kawamoto until midday. Kawamoto was clearly a cunning and treacherous character; even after basically confirming Chen was from the Aoki family, he made a show of calling Isoya Ryosuke. Ostensibly, he was informing this cheap uncle that Aoki Qiao was here and promising to take good care of him, but in reality, he was double-checking Aoki Qiao’s identity.

Chen Jiehua behaved impeccably, saying little and never exposing Kawamoto’s actions. After all, seeing through but not speaking out keeps the peace; if he were to expose it, it would become awkward, and working under him in the future would be uncomfortable. Making the boss lose face is never wise.

“It’s already noon and you’re not inviting me for lunch? Isn’t there supposed to be a welcome banquet for new hires?”

Strolling through the compound, Chen Jiehua glanced up at the sun, looked back at the building, and decided against finding the canteen.

Forget it, I’ll go out and eat, and maybe wander around the city.

As soon as he stepped out the command headquarters’ gate, Chen Jiehua felt he was being watched! After three years of system training, his instincts were sharp—someone’s eyes were fixed on his back!

“What’s going on? Just arrived and already encountered an enemy? Bought a house yesterday and spent lavishly? Surely spending money isn’t enough to attract attention? Isn’t my Japanese identity useful?” Chen Jiehua pondered as he walked, but none of these reasons seemed likely.

He strolled through the streets as if nothing was amiss, occasionally entering shops. After several rounds of observation, he finally caught a glimpse of his pursuer’s face.

It was him! A classmate from the 17th class of the Army Academy, the short fellow from the engineering department, Zhou Yongsu.

He remembered now: there were only five Chinese classmates in his cohort. Besides his fellow townsman Zhao Yiyue, there was one from Taiwan who didn’t mingle much, and the remaining two—Zhou Yongsu from engineering and Liu Junze from artillery—were both from Fengtian.

As he walked, Chen Jiehua quickly weighed the pros and cons. Zhou Yongsu, being from Fengtian, had returned to Lushun after graduation, which seemed reasonable enough.

Should I approach him, or feign ignorance and let him keep following me?

If he pretended not to notice, things would become unpredictable. What if this guy suddenly snapped and shot him, or got himself into trouble and needed rescuing? That would mean wasted brainpower and effort.

Having quickly made up his mind, Chen Jiehua stopped worrying about consequences and led Zhou Yongsu to Yamashita Street, ducking into a small alley beside the house he had just bought. As Zhou Yongsu reached the alley’s entrance, Chen Jiehua grabbed him and pulled him inside!

He covered Zhou Yongsu’s mouth and dragged him straight into the room behind his shop.

“I’m done for! Too reckless!” That was Zhou Yongsu’s first reaction as he was dragged inside.

No matter how he struggled, it was useless. His small frame was why he hadn’t qualified for infantry or artillery, and only got into engineering because of his carpentry skills. Now, being hauled in by Aoki Qingxuan meant his fate was sealed.

Fortunately, there were no other people inside. Japanese agents had already arranged for furniture and basic necessities that morning, saving Chen Jiehua the trouble.

He sat Zhou Yongsu in a chair, let go of his mouth, and spoke in Chinese, “Sit still and don’t shout. I’m going to close the door.”

Zhou Yongsu thought his life was over. Falling into the hands of the killer Aoki Qingxuan surely meant death! But now, things seemed to be taking a turn—he wasn’t being killed, otherwise he wouldn’t have let go and said he was going to close the door. Why close the door? To interrogate before killing? Wishful thinking; I won’t say a word!

Chen Jiehua closed the door, circled the living room once but couldn’t find a cup, so he settled for less and sat in a chair opposite Zhou Yongsu.

“Speak. Why are you following me? How did you spot me?”

Zhou Yongsu rolled his eyes and turned his head aside, saying nothing.

Chen Jiehua couldn’t help but laugh.

“Do you believe I’ll take you to the command center’s interrogation room and let you taste every torture they’ve got? Your frail frame won’t last past the third round.”

Truly a villain! These Japanese are ruthless!

Zhou Yongsu shuddered—interrogation room!