Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1112 Will I stay by your side forever?

A complex and indescribable light flashed in Nanzo Yunzi's eyes, but it quickly disappeared, returning to a deep, still calm.

He lowered his eyelids slightly, as if examining the seal of the document bag in his hand.

Zhou Zhengqing helped Huizi straighten her clothes, then stood up and said to Nanzo Yunzi, "Is there anything else? Are there any specific requirements we need to cooperate with regarding the establishment of the puppet government in Beiping?"

Nanzo Yunzi immediately raised her eyes and resumed her work: "General Kita's letter mainly mentioned the framework and personnel. As for the specific operational details and areas where our cooperation is needed, he said that he would send someone to negotiate with the Tianjin Special Service Agency and our Military Police Command."

However, he emphasized that he hoped the puppet governments in both places could ensure social stability, especially the restoration and control of the economic order, in order to better serve the Imperial Army during the initial stages of their establishment and operation.

This might mean they need more support from us in maintaining street order, cracking down on the black market, and controlling the flow of essential goods, or... sharing some power.

Zhou Zhengqing gave a noncommittal "hmm".

Sharing power?

It depends on what price you pay and what you get in return. He never does business at a loss.

"I understand. Leave the documents with me and I'll look at them later. If there's any further news from Beiping, report it to me immediately," Zhou Zhengqing said.

"Yes!" Nanzo Yunzi replied, stepping forward and respectfully handing Zhou Zhengqing the thick document concerning the establishment of the puppet regime.

Taking the thick document, I felt the slightly rough texture of the kraft paper and the weight of the paper itself.

This weight seems to be more than just physical; it carries something intangible: ambition, betrayal, exchange of interests, and the fate of countless ordinary people who are about to be swept up and sacrificed.

The cold touch of the document contrasted sharply with the slight warmth of the winter sun in the snow-covered garden, and with the innocent, naive smile of his younger sister, Huizi, in his arms—a stark and ironic contrast.

On one side are treacherous political intrigues and power transactions, and on the other side is fragile yet genuine childlike innocence and fleeting warmth.

But Zhou Zhengqing seems to have gotten used to this contrast and separation.

It could even be said that this separation allowed him to have a clearer understanding of the world he lived in and the position he had to take with each step.

"If there's nothing else urgent, you can go back and make arrangements."

"Keep a close eye on the consulate and the Mochikawa residence, especially their actions after Iga Seiya takes office. I need to know his policy inclinations and what his first move will be." Zhou Zhengqing gave his final instructions, his gaze calmly fixed on Nanzo Yunzi's delicate face.

"Yes, Your subordinate understands. We will send more people to keep a close watch." Nanzo Yunzi bowed and replied, preparing to take his leave.

However, Zhou Zhengqing seemed to remember something else, and before she turned around, he added in an almost casual tone: "Oh, right, Yunzi, you should get ready too."

After a period of time, once the handover and subsequent arrangements are in place, the main force of the Military Police Command will gradually relocate to Shanghai, establishing a new Shanghai Military Police Command that will directly govern Shanghai affairs.

At that time, the Shanghai Special Higher Police (SPD) will also need to be rebuilt and strengthened. You will come with me and be in charge of all aspects of the SPD's work.

This sudden and weighty appointment momentarily stunned even the usually calm and composed Nanzo Yunzi.

She suddenly raised her head, and a clear glint of surprise flashed in her phoenix eyes, which always carried a hint of charm and calculation.

Shanghai! It is the largest international metropolis in the Far East, the true intelligence center of the Far East where various forces compete, an "adventurer's paradise," and one of the core stages for the Empire's interests and intelligence warfare in China.

The power, resources, intelligence access, and influence wielded by someone in charge of the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section far surpassed those of Tianjin, which was confined to a corner of North China.

This is true reuse and promotion.

But what delighted Nanzo Yunzi even more was that Zhou Zhengqing was going to take her to Shanghai... From Harbin to Tianjin... and now he was going to take her to Shanghai...

But the surprise lasted only a moment.

Her long-term intelligence work had instilled in her a suspicious and cautious nature, which immediately brought a practical problem to her mind.

The joy on her face quickly faded, replaced by a hint of hesitation. She asked cautiously, "Then... what about Aoki Takeshige?"

He's currently the head of the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section, quite capable, and... She paused, observing Zhou Zhengqing's expression, "And, he's someone I recommended to you."

Her mention of Aoki Takeshige also carried a hint of probing.

Zhou Zhengqing's lips curled slightly, as if he had seen through Nanzo Yunzi's little scheme. His tone remained calm, but carried an undeniable determination: "Since you recommended him, he will be your deputy."

"Aoki..." Zhou Zhengqing said the name with a hint of cautious assessment in his tone: "His performance in Shanghai can only be described as mediocre."

He hasn't yet proven to me that he's capable enough to stand on his own.

If one truly possesses the ability, Shanghai, that melting pot, is the perfect touchstone.

Once they have accumulated enough achievements and experience, it's not too late to send them out to take charge on their own.

In Beiping, now Tianjin, and in many more cities the empire will eventually occupy, Special Higher Police agencies will spring up like mushrooms, with plenty of positions available for him, provided... he truly has the ability to hold onto them.

The Military Police Headquarters and the Special Higher Police Section in Tianjin will not be disbanded. In the meantime, you should assign trustworthy subordinates to handle the work of the Tianjin Special Higher Police Section and await further appointments.

These words acknowledged the "favor" given to Nanzo Yunko as her recommender and provided Aoki Takeshige with a higher-level platform. At the same time, they clearly defined the boundaries, stating that Aoki was not yet qualified to independently lead a region and must continue to prove himself under Nanzo Yunko's command.

More importantly, Zhou Zhengqing hinted at a broad prospect.

As the war expands and the occupied territories increase, the Special Higher Police (THP) system will inevitably expand rapidly, requiring a large number of personnel to fill key positions.

This is both an encouragement to Nanzo Yunzi, whose power sphere may expand as a result, and a veiled warning: there are many positions, but only those deemed valuable by Zhou Zhengqing can occupy them.

Nanzo Yunko was incredibly intelligent and immediately grasped the deeper meaning.

A flicker of understanding crossed her eyes, followed by a deeper glint, tinged with ambition.

Going to Shanghai to take on more important power, and being able to bring along the team he had initially cultivated, would undoubtedly be an excellent start.

"General, your considerations are thorough; I understand." She bowed again, her tone filled with sincere admiration.

Then, as if she had thought of something, she suddenly felt a surge of emotion, perhaps a rare outpouring of feeling amidst her current emotional turmoil, or perhaps some indescribable longing deep within her heart.

She raised her alluring eyes to look at Zhou Zhengqing, her voice softening unconsciously, even carrying a hint of almost dependent probing that she would never normally display.

"Young Master... will I stay by your side forever from now on?"