Fengtian, Governor-General's Office.
The carved wooden doors were shut tight, sealing the Gongshu Building off from the outside world.
The atmosphere in the conference hall was so oppressive it felt like you could wring water from it.
On the Feng Army's side, Governor-General Zhang Yuting sat firmly in the seat of honor, tapping his fingers against the table now and then. Several burly commanders stood behind him, all sworn brothers of his. At that moment, every one of them glared furiously, their hands already resting on the pistols at their waists.
Across from them, Japanese Consul General in Fengtian Sato Kenichi held a teacup, repeatedly skimming the foam with its lid, yet never taking a sip. Beside him, Special Service chief Matsui Shigeki wore a dark expression, his sharp gaze fixed on Zhang Yuting.
"Governor-General Zhang, regarding the malicious sabotage of the South Manchuria Railway, we require an explanation."
Sato Kenichi set down his teacup and spoke unhurriedly. His tone was calm, but his words were unmistakably accusatory.
"Our intelligence confirms that this was the work of your son, Zhang Xueming! We demand that the Feng Army hand him over at once to stand trial before a military court!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yuting looked as if he'd just heard the biggest joke in the world. He raised his eyelids and glanced at Sato Kenichi.
"Consul Sato, you can eat whatever you like, but you can't go around saying whatever you please."
"My son, Xue Ming, has been sickly since childhood. He's more timid than a rabbit. You expect him to go pull up railway tracks? Even if he had the nerve, he wouldn't dare."
He continued, his face full of anguished sincerity.
"Besides, we've investigated thoroughly. It was those bandits from Jilin Province! White Bear Country was behind them, too! They're trying to drive a wedge between us and your country. Consul Sato, don't let them fool you!"
He spoke with such heartfelt sincerity, he was practically on the verge of shedding a few tears.
Behind Zhang Yuting, several commanders twitched their mouths, struggling to hold back their laughter.
More timid than a rabbit?
That reckless brat who cut down the Japanese Army like wheat on a battlefield?
Only Marshal Zhang would dare say that with a straight face.
"Baka!"
Matsui Shigeki could take no more. He slammed his palm onto the table.
"Governor-General Zhang! You're insulting the intelligence of the Empire! Our intelligence network covers all of Fengtian. We know perfectly well whether your son was responsible!"
"Intelligence?" Zhang Yuting scoffed, leaning slightly forward. An invisible pressure instantly filled the entire conference room. "Is your intelligence what gave you the confidence to send troops across the South Manchuria Railway concession and fire on my Feng Army's positions?"
"Excellency Matsui, you'd better figure out who's really provoking a war!"
Sato Kenichi's expression shifted. He was just about to say something when—
"Reporting!"
The conference room door was suddenly shoved open. A Japanese man in the uniform of a consulate clerk came stumbling in, covered in dust and sweat, his face filled with terror.
He was the lieutenant colonel who had changed into casual clothes at the front and raced all the way back.
He rushed to Sato Kenichi's side and rapidly whispered a few words in Japanese.
Sato Kenichi's expression changed from grim to astonished, then turned ashen, and finally settled into utter disbelief.
The hand holding his teacup began to shake. Scalding tea spilled out, but he didn't even notice.
At the same time, a Feng Army messenger rushed in and quietly reported to Zhang Yuting.
"Marshal, an urgent message from Army Commander Wu! We've won a great victory! The Second Young Master... the Second Young Master carried a cannon by himself and wiped out an entire Japanese regiment! The Japanese Army is now in full retreat!"
When Zhang Yuting heard this, the muscles in his face twitched. He cursed that reckless brat inwardly, but showed no sign of it. He simply picked up his teacup and gently blew on it.
"Consul Sato, it seems your men learned what happened at the front before you did."
Zhang Yuting spoke leisurely.
Matsui Shigeki had already pieced together the general situation from the lieutenant colonel's halting report. He sprang to his feet, his eyes bloodshot.
"Zhang Yuting! You actually dared to start a war! You used New Weapons! This is the gravest provocation against the Great Neon Empire!"
"Provocation?" Zhang Yuting set his teacup down hard on the table. The bottom struck the tabletop with a crisp sound. "I'll say it again: your army fired first! My Feng Army soldiers were merely defending themselves!"
"As for the New Weapons..." Zhang Yuting grinned. "Sorry. The little trinket our Fengtian Arsenal happened to come up with has made you all look foolish."
"You!" Matsui Shigeki trembled with rage, but couldn't utter another word.
They'd lost.
And lost miserably.
An elite infantry regiment had been nearly wiped out by a single cannon and a few rifles.
What was there left to argue?
If they couldn't get what they wanted on the battlefield, they had even less chance of getting it at the negotiating table.
"Ahem."
Sato Kenichi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke. He forced a smile more painful than a grimace and adjusted his glasses.
"Governor-General Zhang, I believe there must have been some misunderstanding."
His attitude had changed completely.
"Our 'necessary measures' were intended to clear out the bandits entrenched near the South Manchuria Railway and maintain local peace. We never expected to clash with your troops. It was truly... unfortunate."
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