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A Prophet - Chapter 14 (Part 1)

Chapter 1 - Entering the Tiger's Den

Grandpa Zu had waited a full three days without seeing Physiognomist Peng return, leaving him with no choice but to return to the hall alone.

Not long after Grandpa Zu returned, Yoshiko Nishida arrived secretly in Shanghai from the Northeast. She had come to collect the rake-offs from the various secret societies in Jiangnan and to guide the next wave of momentum-building plans.

Grandpa Zu felt that the opportunity for major action had arrived.

That night, Yoshiko Nishida hosted a banquet in the French Concession to entertain Grandpa Zu.

"Has Grandpa Zu been well since we last met?" Yoshiko Nishida asked with a gentle smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Nishida. I have been pondering a certain matter recently..." Grandpa Zu said.

Yoshiko Nishida let out another laugh. "Grandpa Zu has always been meticulous. I wonder what brilliant insight you have this time?"

Grandpa Zu looked at Yoshiko Nishida and said, "I suggest selecting one person from among all the leaders of the secret societies to serve as the 'Grand Master of Chinese I Ching,' unifying the major secret societies across the country to better serve His Majesty the Emperor."

"Is the number one chair in Jiangnan no longer enough for Grandpa Zu to sit on?" Yoshiko Nishida cast a captivating glance at him.

Grandpa Zu smiled and said, "Miss Nishida flatters me too much. To eat the ruler's stipend is to share the ruler's worries."

Yoshiko Nishida burst into laughter and said, "I'm afraid this will not gain the support of the military. What the military fears most is you Chinese twisting yourselves into a single strand of rope. Isn't it much better to divide and conquer right now?"

Grandpa Zu also chuckled softly. "The military's thoughts are not without reason, but methods are not set in stone. Please listen to me, Miss Nishida. Divide and conquer is indeed a sound strategy, but this balance will be broken sooner or later. Just as Miss Nishida analyzed last time, the foreign powers carve up China while keeping each other in check and mutually balancing one another; currently, no one has the ability to swallow China whole. But have you not noticed that the Western powers are also vigorously developing converts through religious infiltration? This superficial calm cannot mask the conflicts among the powers, nor can it mask the conflict between the powers and the Chinese people. A major crisis will erupt in China sooner or later! When the situation descends into chaos at that time, no one will know which way the various secret societies will lean. Most of these secret societies are a mob with no sense of loyalty to speak of. Has Miss Nishida thought about this?"

Yoshiko Nishida's smile faded. "What does Grandpa Zu mean?"

"The major Western nations have just emerged from the shadow of the economic crisis. While they still have no spare energy to integrate the secret societies, the Greater Japanese Empire should take the initiative. We possess geographical advantages and, even more so, the advantage of a shared cultural lineage. We must seize the time to control the secret societies throughout China, especially unifying the key ones in the Northeast, Peiping, Tianjin, Jianghuai, Jiaodong, and Fujian..."

Yoshiko Nishida asked, "To unify them under Grandpa Zu's command?"

Grandpa Zu shook his head and said, "To unify them under the command of the Greater Japanese Empire's Bureau of Imperial Religion."

Yoshiko Nishida gave a cryptic smile and said, "Grandpa Zu should first unify the four major halls of the River and Image Faction under the command of the Greater Japanese Empire."

Grandpa Zu inwardly sighed at Yoshiko Nishida's astuteness and cunning.

"Miss Nishida does not understand. I have long had the intention to unify the River and Image Faction, but the River and Image Faction is different from other secret societies. The four major halls have been separated for nearly three hundred years. This state of affairs has existed since Grandmaster Fang Zhaoyu founded the River and Image Faction, and it is by no means something that can be unified overnight. If we are not careful, we will startle the snake in the grass. The Western and Southern factions are very close to the Kuomintang authorities, and whether they are willing to cooperate with the military remains a question. Rushing to absorb them at this moment might give rise to complications..."

Yoshiko Nishida nodded, then smiled gently and said, "It seems the number one chair in Jiangnan is indeed no longer enough for Grandpa Zu. Grandpa Zu has quite an appetite!"

Grandpa Zu laughed heartily. "I am merely making a suggestion. As for who should bear the title of 'Grand Master of Chinese I Ching,' it shall be entirely decided by the military!"

"'South Yuan, North Wei, East Leyou; when the Three Immortals return, consult Grandpa Zu.' Grandpa Zu has already built up plenty of hype! But this matter is definitely not something I alone can decide. Furthermore, although the Chinese secret societies are a mixed bag of fish and dragons, there is no lack of true masters among them. The title of 'Grand Master of I Ching' absolutely cannot be forced onto any single person—especially since you Chinese love infighting and no one submits to anyone else. Therefore, whether we can secure this title still depends on Grandpa Zu's genuine capabilities..." Yoshiko Nishida said.

"Additionally..." Yoshiko Nishida paused. "Additionally, I hope Grandpa Zu will not play any tricks. Grandpa Zu is a smart man; the general trend can no longer be changed..."

Grandpa Zu burst into loud laughter and said, "Miss Nishida worries too much! This country is already dead, and the only thing that can give this nation rebirth is Japan. I am not helping you; I am helping myself."

Yoshiko Nishida smiled and nodded. "When I return to Manchuria, I will report this matter immediately. Grandpa Zu, wait for my news." With that, she opened the window and gazed up at the night sky. "The night is enchanting, and the moon is so beautiful—as beautiful as the moon in Hokkaido."

Grandpa Zu also stood up. "There is only one moon."

Yoshiko Nishida turned around and said, "It is too late tonight; Grandpa Zu might as well rest here..."

Grandpa Zu shook his head and declined politely, "Thank you, Miss Nishida, but there are numerous affairs at the hall, and it is best to return early. Miss Nishida, rest early, and I shall take my leave."

A trace of disappointment flashed in Yoshiko Nishida's eyes.

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