Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1075 "Small Businesses," "Small Circulation"

Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Yasuhiko both thought to themselves, "As expected of someone from a top-tier noble family with a long and distinguished lineage, how could they possibly be as simple as the rumors suggest!"

The flames in the fireplace seemed to have become much calmer because of the deal made for those two priceless medicines. They no longer leaped and raged, but instead continued to emit a steady heat, dispelling the chill of the Tianjin winter night.

However, the atmosphere in the air was more complex and subtle than ever before.

After purchasing penicillin and streptomycin at exorbitant prices, an invisible bond, based on "demand" and "control," has quietly bound the three together.

Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Yasuhiko were no longer simply high-ranking military commanders or royal princes. In the depths of their eyes, besides the lingering shock and weighing of their options, there was a hint of barely perceptible "dependence" and a deeper "fear".

The dependence stems from the potential need for the "miracle drug" to save lives, while the fear comes from a reassessment of the unfathomable technological strength and precise, ruthless trading skills behind Takasaki Takuto.

Zhou Zhengqing clearly sensed this subtle change. He knew that the time was right and it was time to push this drama, which started with "medicine," to a deeper level of power and interest transfer.

Instead of pushing more alarming "products," he gave a subtle look to Reiko, who had been standing by his side like a shadow.

Reiko understood, stepped forward, and with extremely professional and careful movements, gently closed and locked the two boxes containing penicillin and streptomycin samples. Then she silently retreated into the shadows of the corner, as if she had become one with the darkness.

But the value contained in what she held in her arms weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

Zhou Zhengqing personally picked up the bottle of sake from Fushimi Ward, Kyoto Prefecture, known as "Royal Fragrance Sake," and tilted the bottle, slowly pouring the clear liquid into the cups in front of Terauchi Hisaichi and Yasuhiko.

His movements were elegant and composed, as if what had just taken place was not a transaction involving huge sums of money and strategic resources, but simply a casual drink between friends.

Zhou Zhengqing poured himself a little, then raised his glass, his tone becoming calm yet meaningful, his gaze slowly sweeping across the two faces:

"General, Your Highness, thank you both for your trust and support."

The voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the other party's ears: "Although Antibacterial Dan and Antibacterial Dan No. 2 are currently like sparks in the dark night, with meager production and difficult application, the possibilities they represent may illuminate a glimmer of hope for important figures in the empire during some darkest moment in the future."

The doors of the Takasaki family's Okinawa laboratory will continue to open to all unknown scientific fields.

The path of science is long and arduous; no one can predict where or how the next game-changing surprise will arrive.

These words not only summarize the deal that has been reached, but also hint at the possibility of future cooperation, like a seed sown in the other party's heart.

Then, he changed the subject, like a skilled helmsman turning the rudder, steadily leading the conversation to the more practical and core level of power and interests: "So, regarding the issue of the 'special handling' of some of the captured materials from the North China Area Army, which we discussed earlier, as well as the 'maintenance of order' and 'economic regulation' in Central China in the future, I think that based on the increased trust between us, we can try to reach a clearer and more operational consensus."

He first looked at Terauchi Hisaichi, his gaze frank and direct: "General, what you urgently need are supplies beyond the military's allotted quota, such as medicine, food, cloth, and fuel, to maintain troop morale and combat effectiveness. I can try to obtain some..."

Yes, we will continue to provide this service through an unofficial but highly efficient "special" channel, using the "barter" method we agreed upon.

This can alleviate some of your logistical burden and also give some "idle" resources a new lease on life.

After a brief pause to allow Terauchi Hisaichi to process his words, he then presented his conditions: "In exchange, I would like to have certain... flexibility in handling certain 'gray' trade activities in North China, as well as the flow of certain 'special' materials, and the right to priority access to information."

General, you understand that maintaining research of the scale of the Okinawa Laboratory requires astronomical amounts of money and resources. Although the Takasaki family is large and wealthy, it cannot afford to sit idle and squander its wealth. There is a limit to the family's support for me.

I also need to work on open source on my end.

Then, he looked at Prince Jiuyan, his tone equally respectful, but his words were more targeted: "Your Highness, you bear the heavy responsibility of reorganizing Central China and stabilizing the situation, a task with countless tasks."

Please rest assured that the military police will fully cooperate with you to maintain basic order in the occupied areas and severely crack down on any behavior that is clearly "harmful to the interests of the Empire".

However, Zhou Zhengqing subtly changed the subject: "For some... 'small businesses,' 'small circulation.'"

As long as they do not touch the very foundation of imperial rule, do not affect overall stability, and are even skillfully guided, perhaps... a lenient approach can be taken, or they can be regulated and managed to keep them within a controllable range.

This will not only alleviate the survival pressures of the local people and reduce resistance, but also, to some extent, provide Your Highness with some... additional, unexpected assistance and sources of revenue for integrating resources and establishing a new order system in Central China.

These words are, in fact, a clear delineation of spheres of influence and cooperation models.

Zhou Zhengqing cleverly used the limited supply rights of penicillin and streptomycin, two "miracle drugs," and the potential for even greater future supply as his core bargaining chips.

In exchange, he gained Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Yasuhiko's tacit approval, and even a certain degree of support and cooperation, for the vast gray trade network he was about to build in East China, with Shanghai as its hub, using the military police system as its legal cover and passport.

He will no longer be a mere military police commander, but will become a "ghost king" hidden beneath the regular military occupation and administrative system.

They control an invisible artery that connects Manchuria, North China, and Central China, and may radiate to Japan and even overseas countries through the international port of Shanghai, carrying goods, money, and intelligence.

Terauchi Hisaichi pondered, weighing the pros and cons.

He needed those supplies to stabilize his troops, especially the appearance of penicillin and streptomycin, which made him reconsider his views on Takuto Takasaki and the military police system.

After a long silence, he slowly nodded, looked at Zhou Zhengqing, and his tone regained the composure and unquestionable authority of a commander: "Alright. As for the specific operational details, let someone we absolutely trust discuss them with us, and make sure they are thorough."

The "scrap metal" in North China will be disposed of according to the methods and scope agreed upon by us.

However, medicines and supplies need to be delivered quickly and stably.

Moreover, all of this must be carried out under absolute secrecy, and must not disrupt the normal supply chain of the frontline troops!