Chapter 86: Personally Requesting Merit

Historically, the only two exceptions who became regent-chancellor without being members of the Fujiwara family were Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Toyotomi Hidetsugu.

However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi became regent-chancellor because he acknowledged Konoe Sakihisa of the Konoe family as his adoptive father.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the Toyotomi family also attained the position of regent-chancellor as adoptive descendants of the Fujiwara family.

The current Prime Minister of Japan, Fumimaro Konoe, was the eldest son of the Konoe family and the Speaker of the House of Peers.

At present, Kawada Yushi, the eldest son of the Kawada family, was a member of the House of Peers.

Kawada Yushi’s wife was a woman from the Konoe family.

This Lady Kawada, born as an illegitimate daughter of the Konoe family, gave birth to four children, the youngest son being named Kawada Atsuto.

Upon reading this, Cheng Qianfan understood why Dai Chunfeng had said he was “lucky” and had “earned another great merit.”

Kawada Atsuto was the legitimate son of the Kawada family.

That identity alone was already extraordinarily prestigious.

The connection even extended to Japan’s current Prime Minister, Fumimaro Konoe.

If Kawada Atsuto had been killed by the Special Service Office without anyone realizing who he was, it would certainly have caused a tremendous uproar.

It might even have become a pretext for the Japanese military to begin hostilities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Yes, Kawada Atsuto was an agent. Strictly speaking, he was engaged in espionage work, and his death would have been his own affair.

However, the Japanese were powerful and would not concern themselves with such details. They could simply insist that the Nationalist Government had killed a young aristocrat and relative of the Prime Minister.

In that case, the Nationalist Government would have had no choice but to swallow the humiliation and apologize.

At the very least, the Special Service Office would have been made the scapegoat. If matters turned worse, the consequences might even have reached Dai Chunfeng himself. At minimum, Yu Ping’an would certainly have ended up taking the blame.

Naturally, agents who had participated in the operation, including Cheng Qianfan, would not have met a good end either.

“Have the Japanese gone mad?” Cheng Qianfan could not help exclaiming.

“Heh, the Japanese.”

Dai Chunfeng let out a cold laugh.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he cursed again.

A young man of such exalted status had secretly mixed into a Japanese intelligence team sent to Hangzhou.

What kind of behavior was that?

It was setting people up!

It was provoking trouble!

It might even have been...

A trap?!

Dai Chunfeng’s expression changed repeatedly.

He could not help suspecting that this was a Japanese intelligence plot.

Had they deliberately sent such a highly placed aristocratic young master to die, intending to use his death as a pretext to start a conflict in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, or even the beginning of a full-scale invasion of China?

“Tell me your opinion.”

Dai Chunfeng stood in military dress with his belt fastened, his expression grave.

“In this subordinate’s humble opinion, the Japanese should not be so insane.” Cheng Qianfan carefully chose his words. “If the Japanese wanted an excuse for provocation, a missing soldier or a murdered Japanese merchant would suffice. Given Kawada Atsuto’s status...”

Dai Chunfeng understood what Cheng Qianfan meant.

Unless the Japanese had truly gone mad, they would never use the life of such a prominent aristocrat as a pretext for provocation.

The Japanese could kill two Japanese rōnin themselves and still use that as an excuse.

When there was already such a severe imbalance of power between the two sides, a pretext did not require such elaborate effort.

“What you say is correct.”

Dai Chunfeng nodded.

“The nation is weak. The Japanese have no need to pay such a high price merely to fabricate a pretext.”

Even so, Dai Chunfeng did not dare lower his guard.

The matter had truly been perilous beyond measure.

Even now, cold sweat continued to seep from his back, and the lingering fear remained strong.

“Very good, very good.”

Dai Chunfeng walked out from behind the desk, patted Cheng Qianfan’s shoulder, and smiled.

“Thank you for your praise, Director. Qianfan is ashamed.”

“Your father and mother were revolutionary martyrs, martyrs of Jiangshan County,” Dai Chunfeng said. “Though I never knew them personally, I have long been moved by their heroic spirit.”

“Thank you, Director.”

Cheng Qianfan appeared deeply moved.

“Mr. Guzhi was a respected elder admired by everyone in Jiangshan County.”

Looking at Cheng Qianfan, Dai Chunfeng smiled.

“Work hard. At a time when the nation faces calamity, a true man should accomplish something worthwhile. If Mr. Guzhi knows in the afterlife, he will surely be gratified.”

“This subordinate will always remember the Director’s teachings, never forget my original aspiration, devote myself to serving the nation, remain loyal to the Director and to the Party and Nation, and never disappoint my grandfather’s expectations.”

Tears filled the young agent’s eyes as he stood at attention, saluted, and spoke passionately.

“Jiangshan truly produces talented people. I am very pleased.”

Dai Chunfeng patted Cheng Qianfan’s shoulder again.

“Work diligently. Remain loyal to the Party and Nation. I will be watching you.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Kawada Atsuto treated you very well?” Dai Chunfeng asked.

“Kawada Atsuto is timid by nature and afraid of death. Therefore, he was extremely grateful that I saved him.”

“What a pity.”

Dai Chunfeng returned behind his desk and shook his head.

Cheng Qianfan’s assumption of the Miyazaki Kentaro identity had been a stroke of genius.

Unfortunately, the matter contained an unhideable flaw.

Otherwise, with Miyazaki Kentaro having saved Kawada Atsuto’s life, Dai Chunfeng could have arranged for Cheng Qianfan to infiltrate the Japanese through the Miyazaki Kentaro identity.

Given the status of a legitimate son of the Kawada family, helping Miyazaki Kentaro rise rapidly within Japanese circles would not have been difficult.

What a pity.

Of course, Dai Chunfeng also understood that even without the problem of the real Miyazaki Kentaro existing in Japan, having a Chinese man impersonate a Japanese and operate under the protection of Japanese aristocrats would itself be extraordinarily dangerous.

A single sentence, a single gesture, a single detail might expose Miyazaki Kentaro as an impostor.

The probability of Cheng Qianfan being exposed exceeded ninety-nine percent.

One could say it was virtually certain death.

Yet for that one percent chance of success, Dai Chunfeng would still have dispatched Cheng Qianfan without the slightest hesitation.

Compared to the potential gains, sacrificing a young agent would not cause him any hesitation, even if that young man happened to be the little fellow townsman he was currently praising so generously.

However, because the real Miyazaki Kentaro existed in Japan, that enormous flaw made it inappropriate to arrange for Cheng Qianfan to approach Kawada Atsuto further.

This would no longer be a dangerous mission.

It would be sending him directly to his death.

Dai Chunfeng actually valued this promising young junior from his hometown.

Knowing it was a hopeless situation, he considered it briefly before abandoning the idea.

Cheng Qianfan’s grandfather, Cheng Guzhi, had possessed enormous prestige in Jiangshan County.

Though deceased, his influence remained.

Many people had received Cheng Guzhi’s assistance in the past. Dai Chunfeng himself had once benefited from Mr. Guzhi’s kindness.

If word spread that he had deliberately sent the Cheng family’s only son to his death, the people of his hometown would curse him behind his back.

Since he had abandoned that idea, it naturally followed that his attitude toward Cheng Qianfan improved further.

A talented young fellow townsman, if properly cultivated, could become a valuable ally.

“Qianfan, regarding the capture of Kawada Eikichi and the destruction of the Japanese spy case, Deputy Director Yu praised you as the principal contributor.”

Dai Chunfeng smiled.

“Now, with the matter of Kawada Atsuto, you have earned another merit. I will personally request a reward for you from the Leader.”

“This subordinate dares not claim credit.”

Cheng Qianfan spoke loudly.

“This was the result of the Director’s and Deputy Director Yu’s strategic planning, as well as the courage of my colleagues. Qianfan merely fulfilled his duty to serve the nation.”

Hearing this, the smile on Dai Chunfeng’s face became even warmer.

“Very good. You are not arrogant despite your achievements. Well done.”

“I will not give you special treatment simply because you are my younger fellow townsman, but your merits belong to you and will remain yours.”

Dai Chunfeng lowered his head and continued reading documents as he spoke.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Cheng Qianfan saluted.

Dai Chunfeng looked up at the young man across from him and burst into hearty laughter.

“I nearly forgot. You are my junior schoolmate as well. Although, since you never completed your studies, you only count as half a junior schoolmate.”

Dai Chunfeng laughed heartily.

He had always taken great pride in being a graduate of Huangpu and a student of the Leader.

Cheng Qianfan’s words had struck precisely the right chord.

A young fellow townsman, a descendant of an old acquaintance, a junior schoolmate, a subordinate, and moreover a young man who genuinely possessed ability and had repeatedly earned merit despite still being a Special Training Class trainee.

Naturally, Dai Chunfeng’s impression of him improved even further.

A promising young man.

At that moment, a thought occurred to Dai Chunfeng.

He handed over the telegram in his hand.

“Qianfan, take a look at this telegram.”

Cheng Qianfan accepted it with both hands and read:

“On April 10, the Qingdao District carried out orders to eliminate the traitor Wei. The enemy learned of the operation in advance, and the Japanese laid an ambush. Second Lieutenant Lu Weiran and Xu Baihe, knowing there was no possibility of escape, fought fiercely and killed several Japanese agents and traitors. When their ammunition was exhausted, the two shouted that they had already exacted sufficient payment and died without regret. They then detonated a grenade and sacrificed themselves for the nation.”

Upon reaching this point, Cheng Qianfan lowered the telegram.

He lowered his head and remained silent.