Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1211 Therefore, I killed Wang Kemin in public.

If this matter were to reach our homeland, or even Kyoto, given your status, being in my territory under my jurisdiction, at an event I personally attended, and at my personal invitation, to suffer such a severe attack and nearly lose your life!!

What do you think of those old guys in Kyoto?

In particular, how will those old men who are close to your family and whose interests are closely related to yours react?

Will they let me go? Will they forgive me?

Terauchi Hisaichi's body trembled slightly; clearly, his worries were not unfounded.

He was also a member of the nobility and knew that the top families in Kyoto were all powerful, shrewd, and vengeful. What they valued most was their own interests and those who were connected to them.

Takasaki Takuto is the Takasaki family's representative of interests in China, and a key figure cultivated by the noble class centered around the Takasaki family.

If Takasaki Takuto were to have an accident in his jurisdiction, those old men would surely hold a grudge against him and would place all the blame on him, plunging him into an abyss of no return.

"Although my Terauchi family is also a noble family and has a certain influence and voice in the Imperial Army, compared to your Takasaki family, or those top families that have been entrenched in Kyoto for a hundred years and hold great power, we are ultimately inferior and weak."

Terauchi Hisaichi's tone carried a hint of helplessness and sorrow: "If something happens to you, I can't explain it to them, I can't explain it to Grandpa Takasaki."

I didn't even know how to send a telegram back home, or how to report this matter to the Army Ministry or the General Staff.

I can imagine that once this news gets back to Kyoto, a flood of criticism will come from those who have long disliked me or who covet the position of commander of the North China Area Army.

For example, that old fellow Sugiyama Gen, and some troublemakers in the General Staff Headquarters, will definitely make a big deal out of this, will definitely take the opportunity to attack me, and will definitely try to pull me down from this position.

They might even try to completely destroy my Terauchi family.

When Sugiyama Gen was mentioned, a barely perceptible look of disgust and apprehension flashed in Terauchi Hisaichi's eyes.

Although Sugiyama Gen was subservient to top noble families like the Takasaki family, he held great power and was ambitious. He had always been at odds with him and coveted his position as commander of the North China Area Army, wanting to seize the lucrative North China region for himself.

With Takasaki Takuto in trouble this time, Sugiyama Gen will definitely seize this opportunity to make a big fuss and take the chance to attack him. At that time, even if he has three heads and six arms, he will have a hard time resisting.

Terauchi Hisaichi's voice grew lower and hoarser, his worry and unease growing stronger: "Takuto, do you know?"

Right now, I feel so much headache and anxiety.

On one hand, I also have to worry about the reaction of those elders in Kyoto, the attacks from Sugiyama Gen's political enemies, and the future of my Terauchi family.

I don't even know if I can survive this ordeal, if I can protect my Terauchi family, or if I can continue to sit in the position of Commander-in-Chief of the North China Area Army.

Zhou Zhengqing listened quietly, still holding the glass of whiskey in his hand, swirling it gently. His eyes were deep, and his face was expressionless, as if everything Terauchi Hisaichi said had nothing to do with him.

He took a sip of the whiskey in his glass. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation that dispelled the chill in his heart and allowed his tense nerves to relax a little.

Setting down his wine glass, Zhou Zhengqing's gaze fell on Terauchi Hisaichi's face. A faint, meaningful smile appeared on his lips. His tone was calm, yet carried a sense of composure and confidence.

"So, I killed Wang Kemin in public, killing this person who clearly shouldn't have been killed."

Upon hearing this, Terauchi Hisaichi's eyes flashed with understanding and relief. He looked at Zhou Zhengqing, and the seriousness and worry on his face gradually faded, replaced by gratitude and appreciation.

Nodding, Terauchi Hisaichi said in a heavy but sincere tone: "Yes, Takuto, you killed Wang Kemin in public, the most important puppet leader of the Empire in North China at present."

You personally took action, using the most intense and irreversible method, to send a clear signal to everyone: the "culprit" of the attack, the person most responsible for the poor security, has been executed by your own hand.

This matter ends here; we can turn the page.

Terauchi Hisaichi leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Zhengqing, his tone filled with gratitude: "Takuto, do you know? The moment you fired the gun and killed Wang Kemin, I understood your intention."

But I dared not show it, not even a little bit!

You are helping me out of this predicament, helping my Terauchi family out of this predicament, and shielding me from the accusations from Kyoto and the attacks from my political enemies.

You used Wang Kemin's death to quell the potential turmoil. You used Wang Kemin's death to give an explanation to the elders in Kyoto, an explanation to Old Master Takasaki, and an explanation to the Empire.

"Domestically, by taking matters into your own hands and dealing with the 'chief culprit,' you have demonstrated your attitude, your loyalty to the Empire, and your unwillingness to cause internal conflicts within the Empire or to affect the Empire's holy war."

Terauchi Hisaichi's tone grew increasingly agitated and sincere, "Then the accountability for me, Terauchi Hisaichi, will be greatly weakened."

After all, even the aggrieved party himself said that it had been "dealt with." Even you, the heir of the Takasaki family, did not pursue my responsibility. If others continue to hold this grudge, it means they have ulterior motives, they are not giving face to you, Takasaki Takuto, and they are not giving face to the Takasaki family.

It means to be an enemy of the entire empire.

Even if they harbored numerous grievances and conspiracies, they dared not easily lash out and could only swallow their anger and let the matter rest.

Taking a deep breath, Terauchi Hisaichi tried to calm his excited emotions and looked at Zhou Zhengqing with admiration and respect in his eyes: "Takuto, this move not only eliminated the useless puppet Wang Kemin, but also relieved me from the predicament and deterred those treacherous villains. It can be said to be killing three birds with one stone."

I, who shamelessly consider myself your elder, am truly grateful for your help and for shielding me and my family from this catastrophic disaster.

This kindness, I, Hisaichi Terauchi, will never forget, and my entire Terauchi family will never forget!

Zhou Zhengqing smiled faintly, a smile without the slightest hint of pride or boasting, only a calm and serene indifference, as if he had only done a trivial little thing.

He picked up his glass, took another sip of whiskey, and said calmly, "Uncle, you flatter me. I simply did what I was supposed to do at the time; there's nothing to be grateful for."

Although Wang Kemin appears to be obsequious on the surface, I... don't like him.

For that reason alone, he deserves to die.