Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1060 A shiny exterior hides a body riddled with cracks

"As for the defense and security of North China," Zhou Zhengqing turned to Terauchi Hisaichi, "the Tianjin Military Police Command will still be fully responsible, and it will not affect the North China Area Army's operational plans or rear order."

The two major gendarmerie agencies in North China and East China will cooperate and divide their responsibilities. Only in this way can the long-term stability of the Empire in the entire China war zone be ensured, and the holy war be supported smoothly. This was said to Terauchi Hisaichi, promising not to touch his base of operations in North China.

These words were spoken in a grand and impeccable manner, explaining the necessity from a strategic perspective while also saving face for the two powerful figures in front of him.

But the three people present were all seasoned veterans of the power arena, and they instantly understood the true meaning behind it.

Zhou Zhengqing's true intention is to use "improving efficiency and adapting to the war situation" as a pretext to expand his power and shift his focus southward.

He shifted the core strength and highest decision-making body of the military police system to the more prosperous, strategically valuable, and practically profitable East China region, thereby expanding his sphere of influence and power.

What kind of place is Shanghai? The largest metropolis in the Far East, the economic center of China, the leading city in the Yangtze River basin, and a place where the powers of various countries converge.

Controlling this area is tantamount to holding the throat of Central China and even the entire Southeast China, and controlling a vast network of wealth, intelligence, and personnel.

Moreover, Shanghai was far from the direct sphere of influence of the North China Area Army Headquarters, while Tianjin was under the very nose of the North China Area Army, which made it easier for the military police system to maintain its independence and freedom of action.

As for "retaining the Tianjin Command," it's just a pretext. Once the core power moves south, Tianjin will naturally become a branch office.

Terauchi Hisashi's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He stroked his neatly trimmed mustache and pondered for a moment.

He weighed the pros and cons instantly.

The southward expansion of Zhou Zhengqing's military police system will not have a direct impact on his rule in North China in the short term. On the contrary, he may feel more at ease because he is free from this strict "lackey".

In the long run, the growing power of the Military Police Command may make it a competitor, but that's a matter for the future.

At present, the main strategic direction of the North China Front Army is to move south to Xuzhou and connect with the Central China battlefield.

If used properly, a military police headquarters located in the heart of East China with greater power could provide him with convenience in terms of logistics, intelligence, and security for his southward operations.

At the very least, Zhou Zhengqing's move clearly indicates that he intends to focus his main efforts on Central and Southern China, which partially overlaps with the direction of the North China Front Army's southward expansion, creating room for cooperation.

More importantly, Zhou Zhengqing's move was tantamount to acknowledging that North China was Terauchi Hisaichi's base, and shifting the focus of competition to the south.

This could be seen as a tacit division.

Thinking of this, Terauchi Hisaichi suddenly laughed, his smile hearty: "This is a great idea! It's well thought out and shows foresight."

Shanghai is indeed more suitable than Tianjin as the command center for governing central and southern China.

"It has convenient water and land transportation, advanced communication, and..." He paused meaningfully, "Shanghai is a place where all nations gather, and the situation is complex. It precisely needs the Military Police Headquarters to maintain order and safeguard the dignity and interests of our empire."

He not only agreed, but also took the opportunity to praise Zhou Zhengqing.

Then, he changed the subject, as if casually mentioning, "It's quite a coincidence that my North China Army Headquarters is also considering relocation."

Although Tianjin is an important city in the north, it is still located in a remote corner of the country.

Beiping was the former capital, which was of great political significance. Its geographical location was also more central, making it easier to command the subsequent combat operations that might cover the entire North China region and even a wider area.

It seems we're on the same page when it comes to adapting to changing battle conditions and optimizing the command system!

His casual remark not only endorsed Zhou Zhengqing's plan but also casually revealed that the North China Area Army Headquarters was also going to relocate to Beiping.

This is both a gesture of goodwill towards Zhou Zhengqing and a statement of attitude: everyone gets what they need and expands their own territory.

On a deeper level, it means that Zhou Zhengqing's military police system wants to expand southward and control East China.

My North China Area Army under Hisaichi Terauchi is also going south to fight and conquer the Central Plains.

Our directions for expanding our interests are largely aligned, at least at this stage, and we can cooperate rather than confront each other.

King Jiuyan's expression changed several times, and he instantly understood the tacit understanding and calculation between the two.

Zhou Zhengqing wanted to move south to control Shanghai and seize wealth and power in East China.

Terauchi Hisaichi wanted to head south to expand his gains and acquire more military achievements and resources for the North China Area Army and himself.

One was overt, the other covert; one was a scholar, the other a warrior; both were paving the way for expanding their influence in Central and Southern China.

He himself is nominally the supreme commander of Central China, shouldering the heavy responsibility of cleaning up the mess and reorganizing the army, but in reality, the power he can directly control is limited, at least for now, and he may be hampered by these two powerful forces.

Terauchi Hisaichi's "lending" of his division was not only an aid, but also a form of surveillance and restraint.

The military police headquarters that Zhou Zhengqing went south to support him, but how can we know that it wasn't another form of control?

But did he have a reason to object? Zhou Zhengqing's reasons were sufficient and in line with the "overall situation of holy war".

Terauchi Hisaichi's agreement and the "coincidence" are also reasonable.

Prince Jiuyan took a deep breath, calmed his expression, and said in a deep voice, "Shanghai has a special status and its importance is beyond doubt."

"It is indeed necessary to have the military police headquarters there; it is conducive to stabilizing the situation in East China and supporting the frontline operations. However..." He looked at Zhou Zhengqing, his gaze profound: "Tuoren, the situation in Shanghai is far more complex than imagined domestically."

With numerous foreign concessions, deeply entrenched British, American, and French influence, frequent Soviet espionage activities, and ubiquitous Chongqing agents, Chongqing's intelligence network was also a major threat.

In addition, there are local gangs, tycoons, remnants of the old regime, and various other forces entangled together.

"On your journey, you must be cautious in everything you do, and careful at every step. If you need any support, the Central China Expeditionary Army will do its utmost."

These words were spoken with earnestness, showing both the concern of an "elder" and a subtle reminder that Shanghai is not your independent kingdom, that the waters there run deep, and that you need my support.

At the same time, it also subtly reaffirmed the proper presence and influence of the Central China Expeditionary Army in the Shanghai area.

"Thank you for your reminder. I have some understanding of the complexities of Shanghai and will pay attention to the methods and act prudently."

"In the future, when I carry out my work in East China, I will inevitably need your support." Zhou Zhengqing nodded slightly, accepting this lukewarm "concern" and its implied condition.

His tone remained calm, but the phrase "relying on your support" was a gesture of response.

A conversation involving the reshuffling of multiple forces, potentially influencing the future direction of the entire Chinese battlefield, reached a fragile consensus in a seemingly harmonious atmosphere where everyone got what they wanted.

Prince Jiuyan secured a promise of command over the divisions of the North China Area Army, marking the first step in stabilizing the situation in Central China.

Terauchi Hisaichi received a guarantee of resource allocation, which gave him an advantage in his southward campaign.

Zhou Zhengqing paved the way for the military police system to move south and personally went to Shanghai, a larger stage, thus expanding his power.

Everyone seemed to have gotten what they wanted, or at least what they urgently needed in the short term.

But everyone knows in their hearts that this so-called "consensus" is as fragile as glass, shiny on the surface but full of cracks inside.

The struggle for resources, the division of territory, the checks and balances of power, the future dominance... countless contradictions are only temporarily masked, and could break down at any time due to conflicts of interest or changes in the situation, even triggering more intense confrontations.