The Empty Spirit Chapter 29: The Japanese and the French

  A French native soldier, or a pure Frenchman from a noble family in France, who was guarding the Consulate of France and was an excellent soldier loyal to his duty, loyal to the French nation and government, was killed by someone within the Japanese concession. This incident shocked the entire Shanghai thoroughly. After receiving the urgent report from his subordinate, Antoine made the most of it in the shortest time possible, causing a sensation throughout Shanghai.

  The body was discovered by a Japanese immigrant who had gone out for a morning walk, and was then received by soldiers from the Japanese consulate, as the deceased was a European. Although there were no identification documents on him, the staff of the Japanese consulate also had to take it seriously and immediately requested that personnel from the British and French consulates come to identify the body.

  Having recognized the identity, the Japanese thought that things should be more or less settled. Although the person died in the Japanese concession, according to convention, it was up to the Chinese government to take responsibility, which actually meant extorting money from the Chinese government. However, what the Japanese consul did not expect was that Anthony directly took the body to the Japanese consulate!

  Antony deliberately made a big deal out of this, and the incident was first reported by major Shanghai newspapers. Once the incident broke out, Antony immediately assembled about 100 French soldiers who could be mobilized within the concession and led them to the Japanese consulate.

  "French Consul-General, according to international law, you have no right to bring troops into the Japanese concession and even surround the Japanese consulate. This is a serious provocation against the Japanese government!" The Japanese consul came out personally to meet Antony as the Japanese soldiers inside the consulate were all ready for battle, while many Japanese ronin were rushing over.

  "Under international law, the concession territory is under your Japanese government's jurisdiction during the lease period. The soldiers of our French Consulate were killed in the concession territory, so it is your Japanese government's responsibility to help us find the culprits. Since our Consul has returned home, I, as the Consular Counsellor, am temporarily handling this matter. For now, I only request that your Japanese Consulate personnel assist with the investigation and allow us to search for important clues around the perimeter of the Japanese Consulate!"

  Originally, according to habit, the language used for diplomatic exchanges is best one that both parties can understand. The Japanese Consul had studied in the United States, so he negotiated with Anthony in very authentic English. Anthony of course understood English, but he still chose to negotiate in French.

  Since it was in French, the Japanese consul could only listen to the translation of the interpreter next to him. After finally hearing clearly, the Japanese consul, who was furious and biting his teeth, had to maintain his composure as a consul, clenching his fists and staring at Antoine, waiting for his inner anger to subside before speaking.

  "Mr. Anton, since you say this is the territory of our Great Japanese Empire, your current behavior is already a provocation of war. Regarding the death of the consulate soldiers, we at the Japanese Consulate deeply regret and mourn it. We will fully cooperate with you to find the perpetrator! There are too many Chinese people causing trouble in our concession."

  The Japanese consul's meaning was clear. Normally, Anthony should have been more satisfied with this, as long as both parties reached a consensus and attributed the murder to the Chinese, they could jointly extort the Chinese government. However, things didn't go that smoothly this time, who would have thought that even Anthony was involved in the murder.

  The Japanese consul thought that Anthony's current actions were, at most, a show of force and demonstration because Anthony had temporarily taken over all the powers of the consulate. As long as he was given certain assurances, Anthony would leave.

  "I also do not want this matter to become a diplomatic conflict, or even a war between the two countries. However, in order for our country's citizen, a brave warrior, to enter heaven on this foreign land, I must today command my soldiers to search the perimeter of your consulate. Consul, sir, I only intend to search the outside of your consulate, not to enter inside. If you continue to obstruct us, I can only apologize. This will be seen as disrespect and provocation by Japan towards France. As the highest-ranking official of the French Consulate, I must take responsibility for every one of our citizens in China and find the true culprit! For France, everyone prepare!"

  For his own safety, to get the approval of the French parliament on this matter, and to one day sit in the position of Consul at the French Consulate, Antoine worked hard! This opportunity and danger are more important than that batch of military supplies still on the road!

  Antoine successfully boosted the morale of the French soldiers around him in French, and all the French soldiers cocked their guns, ready for battle. At this time, a large number of Japanese ronin had arrived, drawing their swords and shouting to fight to the death!

  Things are getting out of control, but since Anthony and Wang Ya-zu conspired to kill that soldier, Anthony has no way out. In order to get through this difficulty, even if a gun battle breaks out now, Anthony doesn't care.

  At this time, the Japanese consul was actually afraid, and such a sudden event occurred, he had no preparation at all. If his toughness caused any loss to the empire, then this consul would have to commit seppuku. His family would also be implicated and ostracized in their home country.

  Just then, the Shanghai police chief who rushed to the scene helped the Japanese consul a lot. The appearance of an intermediary finally gave him an excuse to step down. As soon as he got off the car, the first thing the Shanghai police chief did was to run to the side of the Japanese consul and communicate with him in Japanese. This police chief had studied in Japan before.

  After speaking Japanese for a while, things were more or less clear. In fact, the matter was originally very clear and had already been reported. But who would have thought that the French would suddenly bring troops to kill at the front of the Japanese consulate?

  The sweat on the head of the Shanghai police chief is almost a small river. The Japanese can't be messed with, and neither can the French. And behind the French are the British! If there really is an outbreak of conflict at this time, many French and Japanese will die. Not only will the police chief be in trouble, but also many people in the Shanghai municipal government. Losing their jobs is a small matter; they could be taken out and killed as scapegoats at any moment.

  "Mr. Anthony, this is a misunderstanding, it's absolutely a misunderstanding. Everyone, don't spoil the atmosphere, don't...” The police chief couldn't speak English or French, but he knew that Anthony could understand Chinese. So he had to persuade him in Chinese, but before he could say a few more words, Anthony pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head.

  "I don't want to hear your nonsense! I just want to search the perimeter!" Having no choice, Anthony could only tell the police chief in Chinese what he wanted to do, his unyielding attitude.

  There's no way around it, the police chief who usually acts high and mighty, a big shot who has to be given face by both the underworld and the authorities, becomes nothing in front of foreigners. But at least he can still serve as a messenger, and on the Japanese side, there's still some room for negotiation.

  The police chief returned to the side of the Japanese consul and continued to communicate with the Japanese consul in Japanese. At this time, many Japanese ronin could no longer bear it, and while shouting continuously, a large number of Japanese ronin approached the French soldiers.

  Lock and load! This was Antony's latest order. One hundred French soldiers formed up in record time. If the Japanese ronin took another step closer, Antony would give the order to fire. To many of the French, the Japanese were no different from the Chinese or other Asians. What Antony was certain of was that if a clash really broke out at this moment, the French government would fully support him.

  On the one hand, the situation was getting worse and worse, on the other hand, there were arrogant and stubborn French people. The Japanese consul finally gave in. Unprepared, even if they defeated the French in front of them, it would only lead to an international conflict. This was very unfavorable for the great Japanese emperor who was about to devour China with all his might. The Japanese consul could only choose to endure.

  Anthony smiled, and those shouting Japanese ronin were called to one side, gathered together to prevent new conflicts. At the same time, preparations should be made for possible escalation of the situation. The Japanese consul and officials in the consulate were worried that Anthony would become more aggressive after searching the perimeter and directly demand a search of the consulate. If this really happened, the Japanese would have to fight with Anthony to the death.

  The Shanghai police chief standing beside him was drenched from head to toe, with sweat constantly seeping out. The handkerchief in his hand had been wiped multiple times and could no longer absorb water. He gently wrung it out, and the sweat splashed all over the floor. He was now worried to death, fearing that something else would happen next. But for now, none of these things were within his control anymore.

  Anthony personally led a group of soldiers to search, while another group of soldiers kept watch. It wasn't until much later that Anthony finally found the wallet in a large trash can at the Japanese consulate, buried under a pile of garbage.

  Anthony now believes that even God is helping him. The trash behind the Japanese consulate is cleaned up only once every three days, and if Anthony hadn't come today, all the trash in the can would have been cleared away by a special person tomorrow.

  Having gotten what he wanted, Anthony didn't linger and left with his soldiers. However, watching Anthony's receding back, the Japanese consul in Shanghai couldn't calm down at all. Anthony had found something behind the trash can; how could this have been unknown to him? Smokeless First Volume Empty Spirit Chapter 29 The Japanese and the French