si-mexico Chapter 1094 They're taking him way too seriously!
Chapter 1094 They're taking him way too seriously!
"It started in Harbin."
During several raids, his military police captured some suspected members of the underground Communist Party, as well as stragglers who had been scattered by the Anti-Japanese United Army.
Normally, even if these people are not executed on the spot, they should be thrown into a heavy prison or disposed of secretly.
Strangely, some of these people, especially those who appeared to be educated, organized, or skilled, were secretly gathered together after being "screened" by his military police.
Later, they even reported that they had collectively defected to the Empire.
Takuto even established a so-called "Security Battalion Directly Under the Military Police Headquarters."
The Emperor's voice carried obvious bewilderment, even a hint of absurdity: "Let these former resistance fighters wear imitation uniforms that are slightly different from the official military police, equip them with inferior weapons, and under the 'guidance' of the military police, assist in maintaining security in certain areas of the occupied territory, and even participate in some operations to clear out bandits and small groups of defeated soldiers."
This is simply unheard of! The Imperial Army, especially the Gendarmerie, whose core values are discipline and loyalty, is systematically employing, or even "reorganizing," Chinese resistance fighters?
What is this? A new version of using Chinese to control Chinese? Or some kind of dangerous experiment?
At this moment, Takasaki Gentoku also put away his lazy expression and his eyes became focused.
He had learned about this matter through the "Sakura Group," but the fact that it was being brought up by the Emperor in such a solemn tone at this moment clearly carried a different meaning.
"And when we arrived in Tianjin," the Emperor continued, his confusion deepening. "There was even more and more complicated information, or rather, rumors, about similar matters."
His military police headquarters seemed to be more than just a repressive and ruling body; at times, it was more like a... trading platform, or rather, a kind of "liaison station" in the gray area.
The Emperor counted on his fingers: "Intelligence indicates that his confidants have had secret contact with some wealthy Chinese merchants in Tianjin with complex backgrounds."
The contents of the transaction are unclear; it could be scarce goods, or it could be some kind of "protection" or "facilitation".
What I find most perplexing is...
The Emperor looked at Takasaki Motonori: "There are sporadic, unconfirmed but recurring intelligence reports that suggest his intelligence network may have had extremely covert, informal contact with the Military Intelligence Bureau or the underground Communist Party."
Sometimes it seems to be a pure exchange of interests, such as exchanging certain intelligence for the other party not to interfere with one of his operations.
Sometimes it is like a tentative, fragile channel for information transmission.
Sometimes, it even seemed as if a tacit "non-aggression" agreement had been reached; in his territory, the activities of resistance groups would be relatively "quiet," and his military police would "turn a blind eye" in certain areas and at certain times.
At this point, the Emperor leaned back, his face revealing genuine and undisguised bewilderment: "On one hand, there is open and merciless brutal repression, with people being arrested on the grounds of 'anti-Japanese' at the drop of a hat. Although no one is killed, the exploitation is real."
They maintained a reign of terror and oppression.
On the other hand, he was secretly engaging in various transactions and contacts with these enemies whom he should have eliminated with all his might, and there may even be some degree of "cooperation" or "tacit understanding".
"Yuande, Wenmao, tell me, what exactly is Tuoren up to? What is he trying to do?"
He focused his gaze on Takasaki Gentoku's face again, his tone becoming more serious: "It's simply, unscrupulous exploitation."
He used the channels, information, or conflicts among these Chinese to consolidate his rule and seize greater benefits.
Is this a brilliant, yet extremely dangerous form of pragmatism?
"Or is it that he is young and impetuous, with an inflated sense of self-importance, and treats all of this as a thrilling game that he can control at will?"
He enjoyed the feeling of dancing on the edge of a knife, walking the line between right and wrong, and the thrill of manipulating his enemies.
Is this a form of eccentricity and arrogance in personality?
The Emperor tapped his knee lightly with his fingertips, making a soft tapping sound: "Or perhaps... he has other plans?"
Some deeper, more distant, even... more unimaginable schemes?
I really... can't see through him anymore.
His actions were like a chaotic game of chess, or a deliberately distorted painting, making it difficult to discern his true intentions, what constituted a smokescreen, what was simply a reflection of his personality, and what was the result of careful deliberation.
Zhou Zhengqing's series of actions, which he considered somewhat covert, were practically transparent until they reached the level of the Emperor.
Fortunately, since Zhou Zhengqing was affiliated with Takasaki Takuto, no one would suspect him of betraying Japan. They were even speculating about the motives behind his actions.
The Emperor's final question was directed at Takasaki Motonori: "Motonori, you are his father, one of the people in the world who understands his true nature best."
You are also the controller of the "Sakura Group," possessing countless secret intelligence.
"Analyze for me, what kind of thoughts are hidden behind Tuoren's diametrically opposed and contradictory behavior?"
Silence fell once more in the tea room, with only the Emperor's final words slowly settling in the air.
The question posed by Emperor Hirohito was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating invisible ripples in the tranquil air between the plane trees.
This question points directly to the core of Takasaki Takuto's seemingly contradictory and elusive behavior, touching upon the most unsettling and intriguing qualities of this young Imperial officer.
Faced with the Emperor's gaze and questions, Chikao Fumio and Takasaki Motonori, the Emperor's two most trusted ministers, offered two completely different, yet subtly complementary, explanations that together constituted a complete defense.
Takasaki Motonori spoke first, breaking the brief silence.
In his mind, he recalled being in a secluded room in the Takasaki family mansion, looking at his father's aged face with solemnity and madness, and listening to those rebellious words that would normally cause a great uproar.
Takasaki Motonori admitted that at that moment, while he was shocked, he also felt a sliver of excitement and anticipation.
His usual laziness and playfulness vanished instantly, replaced by a fatherly expression that conveyed a mix of regret and helplessness, a sense of "misfortune for the family" and "failure to properly raise his son."
He let out a heavy sigh, waved his hand impatiently in the air, and raised his voice slightly, as if to vent the "anger" pent up in his chest:
"Your Majesty! If you ask me, you are overestimating him and taking him too seriously!"
What profound planning, what hidden cunning, what grand ambitions?
Bullshit!
As he spoke, Takasaki Gentoku slapped his thigh hard, making a "smack" sound: "He's just a spoiled brat!"
Relying on his limited cleverness, a bit of boldness inherited from me and his mother, and the favor he enjoys from His Majesty, he has become arrogant and lawless, constantly causing trouble in various ways!