Chapter 60: A Series of Ghost Stories

  The news brought by Fang Zidao made Song Jiaoren both surprised and delighted. If Fang Zidao really became Yuan Shikai's son-in-law, the benefits would be obvious. However, Song Jiaoren was also entangled in his heart, wondering if Fang Zidao would completely turn to the Beiyang side in the future? But this thought flashed through his mind and soon dispelled this concern.

  Fang Zidao was able to find himself in the first time and inform him calmly, which is enough to show his attitude. Moreover, intermarriage in politics is not uncommon, let alone Fang Zidao, among KMT members and Beiyang, even between Manchu nobles, such marriages are numerous, this is not a big deal at all.

  Although Song Jiaoren is a more down-to-earth premier than Zhao Bingjun, he has much greater power in his hands. However, he is also aware that the Premier nominally holds the reins of national politics, but on the Beiyang side, he cannot intervene at all, especially in the military, where everything is still decided by Yuan Shikai, the President. Currently, the coordination between the Premier and the President is still tacitly agreed upon, and many works are also supported by Yuan Shikai, but Song Jiaoren always feels constrained, whether in terms of actual power or influence, the KMT cannot yet compete with Beiyang. If Fang Zidao really becomes Yuan Shikai's son-in-law, it would be a good thing for the KMT and for Song Jiaoren.

  Excitedly circling the room several times, Song Jiaoren laughed and congratulated Fang Zidao, saying he would definitely attend as a witness when he got married in the future. Fang Zidao happily agreed, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, it was already late, and since his purpose for coming had been achieved, he stood up to bid farewell.

  After Fang Zidao left, Song Jiaoren did not go to rest, but thought about the changes brought by this matter. He sent someone to invite Liao Zhongkai, Tang Shaoyi and others to come to the government immediately, preparing to discuss the changes brought by this matter and the changes in government work from now on.

  These, Fang Zidao did not know, but even if he knew, he would only laugh. No matter how noble or despicable a person is, as a politician, or rather a political opportunist, grasping every condition that can be utilized to create benefits for oneself, this point is no different whether it's Yuan Shikai, Song Jiaoren or himself.

  Fujiwara Ichiro's appointment is tomorrow, and the news from Wednesday has nothing to refer to. Fujiwara Ichiro spent his time wandering around Beijing, except when he was at Rokoku Restaurant with a few Japanese people. On the second day in the afternoon, Fang Zida changed into new clothes and went to Rokoku Restaurant on time. When he arrived at the banquet hall, Fujiwara Ichiro, dressed in a suit, was already waiting for him.

  "Toda-kun, I didn't expect to see you again in Beijing."

  "Deputy Director Fang, oh, it's almost Director Fang's office now. I apologize for visiting without permission, please forgive me. Today, Director Fang's office has honored us with its presence, and I, Toda, am deeply grateful." With a bow, Toda Ichiro showed unusual politeness.

  "Haha, Mr. Fujita's news is indeed well-informed! However, this General Office has not yet taken office, and I have also resigned from my military position, let alone the title of Deputy Division Commander." Fang Zida's mind became even more convinced of his own speculation, that little Japan was indeed omnipresent. Although the matter of the Central Bank was not a secret, it had spread to Fujita's ears in just a few days, it seemed that this little Japan was really taking care of itself.

  When Fang Ziduo said this, Toda Ichiro smiled and nodded repeatedly, half bowed his body, stretched out his hand to gesture for Fang Ziduo to enter, and personally led him into the banquet hall.

  This wine is hosted by the Japanese Embassy, and the attendees are either diplomats from various countries in Beijing or government officials. Fang Zida followed Fujita into the inner hall, where he even saw Liang Shidu, the Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace, chatting with several diplomats. Liang Shidu also saw Fang Zida who had just entered, his hand holding a wine glass momentarily stiffened, and then he turned sideways as if he hadn't seen Fang Zida at all, continuing to laugh and chat with others.

  In his heart, he couldn't help but sneer. To be honest, Fang Zidao and Liang Shidian didn't have any real conflicts, but because of Yang Du and Xia Shoutian's reasons, the two only had a superficial relationship and didn't have much affection for each other normally. Now, due to the Central Bank matter, Liang Shidian even mistakenly thought that Fang Zidao was instigated by Yang Du to contend with him for power, and he already hated him so much that his teeth itched. Seeing Fang Zidao, he would still put on a good face, which is strange.

  Although Fang Zida's name had already "shaken the country" through newspaper publicity, after all, not many people had seen him in person. Except for a few government officials who had met him before and nodded and smiled at him, everyone else didn't know who he was. That was just as well; Fang Zida, who liked quietness, walked to one side, took a cup of wine and drank it by himself.

  "Hey Fang Sang, let me introduce you to a good friend?" Toda asked with a smile, scanning the crowd before asking.

  Smiling slightly and nodding, Fang Zidao did not refuse. His purpose in coming here was to see what these Japanese people were up to.

  Dōsei apologized and quickly walked to the other side, where he whispered something to a middle-aged man wearing a kimono. The middle-aged man turned his head and looked towards Fang Zidao with a smile on his face.

  "Hosokawa, this is Mr. Uchida Ryōhei, an old friend of your party."

  "Naoto Uchida?" Fang Zidao was taken aback, Naoto Uchida not only being the infamous president of Kurodoryu Corporation but also one of the notorious special agents alongside Tōyama Mitsuru. When did he arrive in Beijing? How come there wasn't a single piece of news about it? Looking at the middle-aged man with gray temples but still full of energy, Fang Zidao suppressed his shock and smiled as he extended his hand: "So it's President Uchida, I've long admired you. It was thanks to your efforts that the Alliance Society was established back then, and also under your guidance that we achieved revolutionary success later on, establishing the Republic of China! As a junior, I have always looked up to your great name."

  Unlike ordinary Japanese, Uchida Ryōhei shook hands with Fang Zhidao in a Western manner and smiled warmly: "This is what Ryōhei should do. China and Japan are separated by a strip of water, and have been friendly for generations. This small effort is not worth mentioning."

  "Believe it, yeah right!" Fang Zidao cursed in his heart, but the smile on his face grew even wider, and the words of admiration from his mouth flowed endlessly, making Fujiwara Ichiro laugh like a blooming flower.

  "Fang Sang is a new star of the noble party, recently emerging and astonishing everyone with his talent. Liang Ping in Japan also heard about Fang Sang's great name and sincerely admired another rising star, feeling extremely delighted. With Fang Sang on board, Japan and China will surely rise again, hand in hand, supporting each other to build a new order in Asia and create a brand-new Greater East Asia that stands tall in the Eastern world."

  Uchida Ryōhei is very eloquent, and his smile is always very sincere. If you don't know the inside story, you might really be fooled by this set of words. However, when Fang Ziduo heard it, it was like listening to a dog farting, and he didn't put it in his heart at all. But on the surface, Fang Ziduo still did very well, speaking politely and deliberately revealing an uncontrollable admiration and a hint of pride in his expression.

  Naito Ryōhei's reaction was to glance at him with a smile that grew even more pronounced on his face. After exchanging a few simple words, Naito suggested that it was too noisy here and invited Fang Zida to go somewhere else to chat.

  "The meat has arrived." Fang Zidaclearly understood and of course would not refuse, so he immediately followed Tōyama Ichirō to the cigar room next door with Uchida Ryōhei.

  "I heard Fang Sang has returned from abroad and loves to smoke cigars. This is a Cuban cigar given by friends, please try one." As soon as he sat down, Uchida Ryōhei clapped his hands, and a servant brought in an exquisite peach wood box, opened it, revealing several high-quality Cuban cigars inside.

  "This is a rare find in China! I didn't expect Nakata-san to be a fellow enthusiast as well." Fang Zida's eyes lit up, and he casually picked one up to play with, chuckling as he spoke.

  "Hehe, I don't understand this stuff, Fang Sang you invite."

  Skilled in repairing, trimming and smoking, he struck a match to light it up, and a rich smoke instantly filled his mouth. Fang Zida picked up the wine glass again, savoring the wine and letting the flavors of the wine and tobacco fully blend together in his mouth, unable to help but nod his head in praise.

  Tanaka Ryōhei finally couldn't help but bring up the topic of the central bank that Fang Zida had mentioned.

  "The General Affairs Department's affairs are still in the initial stages, and this central bank is just an idea. Whether it can be established or not is still unknown. Is it too early for Senior Naito to discuss this with me now?"

  Uchida Ryōhei laughed and said: "It's almost certain, according to what I've heard from Ryōhei, that Fang Shang has already been appointed as the head of your country's central bank."

  "Ten catches nine steady? How could I not know myself?" Fang Zida said in surprise.

  "Haha, Fang Sang, the President's daughter's marriage, are you still trying to deceive me? You've become President Yuan's son-in-law, can this Central Bank general manager be anyone else?" Uchida Ryōhei laughed and patted Fang Zidao's shoulder like an old friend, showing unusual enthusiasm.

  Fang Zida also burst out laughing and shook his head, saying: "Just now I said that Fujita-kun was well-informed, but I didn't expect Uchida-senpai to be even more perceptive!"

  After the laughter subsided, Fang Zida looked at Uchida Ryōhei with a hint of other intentions: "Senior, let's talk about the central bank later. There is one thing that I have been unclear about, and I wonder if you can enlighten me?"

  Uchida Ryōhei was taken aback for a moment, looked at Fujita Ichirō beside him, and suddenly laughed: "Fang Shang, are you thinking of asking why Fujita told you Chen Qimei's whereabouts back then?"

  Naito Ryuhei nodded in agreement, and Inoue Yoshitaka said with a heavy heart: "Actually, this matter is very simple. I think Mr. Fang knows my relationship with Sun San. As for me, I don't agree with Sun San's so-called second revolution. When we were in Japan, I strongly advised Sun San against it, but unfortunately, he was determined to take action and ultimately failed. At the time of the founding of the Tongmenghui, I can say that I was also one of its members. Now, the KMT and the Revolutionary Party have split into two factions, fighting each other, and I feel extremely regretful about it. Your country has finally succeeded in its revolution and established a republic; why can't everyone work together towards the same ideal? We are all comrades, we are all friends; what's wrong with sitting down and talking things over? Unfortunately... As I said before, China and Japan are neighboring countries, with a thousand years of diplomatic relations. We should be working together for mutual prosperity and coexistence. When your country is in turmoil, how can I, who loves China, stand by and do nothing?"