Mystery One, Toyotomi's Secret Order

Chapter 15

Zhang Wei's embarrassment.

"What, no confidence?"

Zhang Wei took a deep breath and replied, "I'm afraid this task is not as easy as...finding the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Testimony."

The old cowboy's face also sank, and he pretended to be serious and said: "No! It should be much easier. At least you have three clues in your hands now. But, hurry up, I... can't live for 2000 years."

Austin got up and walked around the table to Zhang Wei, stretching out his thick cowboy hands.Zhang Wei instinctively stretched out his right hand, and the two held hands tightly.Both of them had sympathetic smiles on their faces at the same time.

Kodama Agency

Shanghai 1940

In the vicinity of Wusong Road in the Hongkou area of ​​the Japanese Concession in Shanghai, there is a large trading company run by Japanese called "Kidama Organization".The person in charge of the agency is called Yoshio Kodama. "Kodama Organization" is a large trading company on the surface, but in fact it is a legal smuggling company authorized by the Japanese Imperial Government.

The import and export projects that the Kodama Agency is responsible for are numerous, complex, and extensive. In addition to important metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and radium, and livelihood materials such as oil and grain, there is also a little-known secret work: the search of the occupied areas Valuable valuables inside, including gold, jewelry, jade, etc. looted from the people.Most searches are conducted in light and dark gray areas.Not only did it get the tacit approval of the Japanese authorities and military, but sometimes it even got official assistance.

A speeding black car screeched, slammed on the brakes, and under a puff of white smoke, it stopped at the entrance of the Shanghai Branch of the Kodama Agency beside Wusong Road.I saw a burly black figure jumping out from the back seat; everyone around was frightened by the sudden scene and stood on the street. In an instant, a black bear who escaped from the circus performing in Shili Yangchang broke into it. Urban area; take a closer look, a sturdy man with a sturdy appearance, a large Chinese character face, two horizontal thick black eyebrows, and a stout figure is exactly this black bear.

This person is the head of the well-known Kodama organization - Kodama Yushifu.Kodama's behavior today is very abnormal, and the employees who are waiting for orders are all surprised.This young but experienced chief of the agency, who is now in power, has lived overseas for many years, but he is extremely persistent in the Japanese feudal tradition of etiquette.He is not only an extreme conservative and nationalist, but also a loyal supporter of feudalism.This is one of the reasons why he participated in the assassination of Japanese politicians in radical organizations in his early years, including Japanese Prime Minister Saito.

Usually Kodama would sit in the car and wait for the driver to open the door for him.This is a kind of etiquette, a sign of identity, and a insistence on status.The wait of just a few seconds has a very special meaning, especially for Kodama who was born in a declining noble family.

Today, Kodama not only did not stay in the car uncharacteristically, but directly opened the door and rushed out of the car, and asked the staff who came to receive him, "Mr. Jinzhi is here?"

"Yes! Director, Mr. Jinzhi has been waiting in the office for half an hour."

"Slap."

Two loud slaps landed on the respondent's face.The fiery red cheeks looked like a piece of char siu pork just out of the oven, burning redly.The staff member who had been slapped dared to touch his flushed cheeks, but just stood upright in place like a stone statue, a puppet, or a puppet.

"Bageru! This is your punishment for not reporting Mr. Jinzhi's arrival in the first time. Remember... Mr. Jinzhi is not an ordinary guest. Next time, if you are so negligent, I will push you into the Huangpu River to feed the fish .”

Kodama's hoarse voice just fell, the figure has disappeared from the door, turned around and walked quickly into the red brick western-style building.The two followers quickly followed in.The driver with a confused face at the gate of the building and the staff member whose cheeks were still red were left behind.

Kodama has changed a lot over the years.Usually he doesn't treat his men that way, even though he has a background in gangsters.But these rude actions of beating, killing and killing have long been incompatible with his current status as the head of a high-ranking authority.If it was in the early years, he was still rolling in North Korea and Northeast China.Just now, that guy had already lost his arms and legs, and those two slaps were so easy to pass away.

Kodama's series of abnormal behaviors today further illustrate the special status and importance of the waiting guest---Mr. Jinzhi.

Once inside the building, Kodama quickly walked towards the stairs.Along the way, employees frequently bowed to him.But he went straight upstairs without raising his head, and quickly came to the chief's office located at the rear of the third floor.Just approaching the office, Kodama waved his hand to signal the two personal attendants to leave.Then he walked into the office alone.

In an office with pure oriental Japanese style design, I saw a slightly thin figure, with a young but noble face exuding a bit of melancholy, a bit of arrogance, with a hint of depression hidden between his brows, and a mask on his clear and clean cheeks. Round gold-framed glasses, a high-quality suit, and a pair of white socks as clean as clouds, standing on the spotless bright cypress floor, this scene seems to be a distinguished guest from Tianfu who descends on auspicious clouds, standing in a corner of the office, silently admiring the cabinet blue and white porcelain vase and bonsai.

Shisai Kodama's hurried footsteps were of course enough to startle the guests in the room.It's just that this young man turned a deaf ear and continued his movements gracefully, as if he didn't know Kodama's arrival at all.Seeing this appearance, the master was not at all unhappy, and quietly retreated to a corner of the office, quietly waiting for the young man's summons.

After a while, the young man turned around and saw his master.No surprise at all, the corners of his mouth raised with a satisfied expression, obviously he had known about Kodama's arrival.

"Kodama, this bonsai grows well, where did you find it? It should take quite a while?"

"Yes, it's more than 300 years old. It was moved from the "Humble Administrator's Garden" in Suzhou. Sir, if you like it, send someone to transport it back to Tokyo immediately."

It was rare for Kodama to return such respect, but the guest didn't appreciate it.

"I have never taken away people's love, let's keep it!"

Kodama stared at the visitor, without a hint of displeasure in his tone, he replied calmly, "Yes."

Jin Zhi walked to the Japanese room table in the box room on the east side and sat down, at the same time motioning for Kodama to sit down.Kodama stood upright by the side, watched Jin Zhi take his seat, and then carefully sat down opposite Jin Zhi.

"Kodama, the errand was well done. Thank you for your efforts for the motherland."

Hearing Jin Zhi speak.Kodama rarely showed excitement, just a smile, which quickly faded from his face.

"It is my Kodama's highest honor to be able to serve the Emperor and the motherland, and it is also the supreme honor of my family." Kodama deserves to be heard loudly.

"Okay. Kodama, you are worthy of being a warrior of the Yamato nation. His Majesty the Emperor told me personally when you came here, and especially commended your contribution."

The smiling face that the master had suppressed just now surfaced again in an instant.Kodama turned to Jin Zhi, knelt down, and bowed at ninety degrees to the ground.

"Thanks to His Majesty the Emperor...he... personally..."

"Yes."

Jin Zhi nodded.Kodama was inexplicably excited.As a supporter of the emperor's feudal system, it is an honor and a grace to be praised by the emperor himself.This may explain the unfeeling performance and frequent abnormal behavior of the young and ambitious director of the agency today.

"Thank you for the Emperor's grace. I, Kodama Yoshio... swear to repay His Majesty the Emperor's favor with all my heart and soul."

Following Kodama's deep roar, the body of the kneeling black bear trembled slightly.Try not to let your guests see it, though try to stay calm.But Jin Zhi still felt the excitement of his master immediately.

"Very good! Very good! Sit down, Kodama."

Kodama resumed his sitting position. "Sir, do you have any special tasks to do when you come back to Shanghai?"

Jin Zhi looked at Kodama with a half-smile, and said for a while, "I have a very important job to tell you."

"What's the matter, please come to Shanghai yourself. Just send a message. I will do my best to serve you."

Staring at Kodama, Jin Zhi's brows showed a trace of complicated emotions and hesitation intentionally or unintentionally, he pursed his lips, thought for a while, and then said: "This work must...be confessed to you personally."

Jin Zhi paused, took a breath, and then said cautiously: "The most critical moment for our Great Japanese Empire is coming. Now, we need your efforts."

"Critical moment? Planning...to have a showdown with the Americans?"

Jin Zhi was noncommittal.But Kodama understood what his master was thinking.Then speak...

"Alright. Anyway, it will come to this day sooner or later, how about..."

"Why not?"

From Kodama's eyes, Jin Zhi saw a red flame as hot as the sun.

"Strike first! It is said in the Chinese military book: 'A good fighter first strikes the enemy, not the enemy.'"

Kodama seldom made such a sympathetic statement.Because he understands the principle of keeping a low profile and keeping one's edge under control; Sima Yi in China's Cao Wei era and Tokugawa Ieyasu in Japan's Warring States period have always been his idols.Jinzhi looked at Kodama from the empty side, his eyes flashed with curiosity and doubt.Kodama soon noticed Jin Zhi's reaction, his overstepping and rudeness, and his attitude changed back to the original respect.

"excuse me!"

Jin Zhi smiled easily: "Go ahead. I don't blame you. Go ahead. I want to hear your opinion."

Kodama sat upright again, looked at Jin Zhi's sincere eyes, and then spoke.

"Compared to the United States, there is a gap in Japan's population and resources. Since conflicts with the Americans are unavoidable, it is better to "strike people first". We...have not...prepared for a long time for this day."

After listening to Kodama's explanation.Jin Zhi was not surprised, after all, Kodama was no longer the quack who used to roll around at the bottom.

He smiled and continued to ask: "Really? I'd be interested to hear how