Meng Shaoyuan's reputation shocked Shanghai!
Relying on his own power, he made the whole of Japan uneasy.
It even caused Japan to fall into strong condemnation from national public opinion.
Although the governments of major countries such as the United States, Britain and France have not publicly stated their stance on this issue out of consideration for their own national interests, their attitudes are changing.
Americans are undoubtedly the smartest among them.
They first asked the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Gru, to express the U.S. government's serious concerns about the direction and scale of the war taking place in China.
Secondly, the United States was the first to file claims against Japan.
The clever thing about the Americans is that they did not come forward in the name of the government, but let the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the Southern Supervisory Committee make claims.
Their claim is for compensation for the Christ Hospital in Nantong, the American Presbyterian Cathedral, the urban area and Shahe Church, which were severely damaged by the Japanese indiscriminate bombing during the Battle of Songhu.
After the investigation and sworn testimony of Mr. Purkey of the United Christian Missionary Society, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan submitted a summary of the protest to Japan regarding the Japanese bombing of Nantong Mission Hospital and other church properties:
"...The Japanese army dispatched a total of four biplanes with Japanese flags on their wings. These planes flew over various buildings belonging to the church at low altitude, aimed at hospitals and other places, and dropped a large number of bombs, one of which was believed to be Incendiary bombing. This bombing caused heavy damage. The walls of the Christian Hospital collapsed and it was reduced to scorched earth.
… The Presbyterian Church in the United States is just a few feet away from the Presbyterian Hospital in the United States and the Presbyterian Girls’ Bible School, and is in the same courtyard as the Presbyterian staff residences. The cathedral was bombed by Japanese aircraft and was severely damaged; fortunately, the residences of the personnel were not seriously damaged.
...Cathedrals and school buildings were extensively bombed. In addition, American churches in the city and Shahe were also bombed and almost all were reduced to rubble.
It should be noted that all of these bombed buildings had American flags flying very conspicuously! "
The focus is on the last sentence:
"They all fly the American flag very conspicuously!"
This is a flagrant violation and destruction of American property!
The nurses' dormitory of Suzhou Church Affiliated Hospital and two other properties in the hospital were occupied by the Japanese army after the fall of Suzhou.
These are the assets of the Southern Supervisory Commission.
The United States begins to pressure Japan!
Just one day later, the Japanese government announced the formation of an investigation team. If the situation is true, it will provide private compensation for the property lost by the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the Southern American Supervisory Committee.
Note that this is private compensation.
However, this is the first external compensation after Japan became strong!
The Nationalist Government, which was in decline, cheered up and took advantage of the situation to appoint Hu Shi as the plenipotentiary ambassador to the United States. His main task was to make the United States and Japan at odds.
Hu Shi was a man of letters. Everyone's impression of him remains as a writer, translator, and leader of the New Culture Movement. However, his outstanding eloquence and diplomatic skills have been ignored by most people.
After he was appointed ambassador plenipotentiary to the United States by the Nationalist Government, the Japanese authorities reacted with horror.
Yes, panic!
When the news reached Japan, the Japanese cabinet was in chaos and felt stressed. After intense discussions, they came to the conclusion that three people must be sent to serve as Japan's ambassador to the United States at the same time in order to counter Hu Shi's ability!
A rare scene in the history of diplomacy occurred. The Japanese government actually sent three people to serve as Japan's ambassador to the United States at the same time!
Among these three people, Tsurumi Kousuke is a literary expert, Ishii Kikujiro is an economic expert, and Matsuoka Yoyo is an orator.
One Meng Shaoyuan turned the Japanese government upside down.
Hu Shi frightened the Japanese government to death.
The Chairman himself said to his confidant Dai Li:
"Although the frontal battlefield is unfavorable, with Meng Shaoyuan's military skills and Hu Shizhi's literary skills, victory can be expected!"
This should be the highest evaluation.
On February 8, 1938, Yoshio Manda, the head of the Shanghai Secret Service of the Japanese Army Ministry, was relieved of his concurrent duties "due to illness" and was immediately transferred back to China.
He became the scapegoat.
Hitoshi Matsumoto temporarily serves as acting agency director.
In order to fight against military rule, Japan specially mobilized the "Three Imperial Tigers" from China. However, one of the three tigers died, one did nothing, and the other struggled.
Japan's intelligence work in Shanghai is still in a mess.
On the same day, Tang Zong, the former chief of the Military Intelligence Section and now the major general leader of the Sixth Group of the Chairman's Aide to the Chairman of the Nationalist Government's Military Commission, came to Shanghai in person and announced in front of Meng Shaoyuan and all office staff:
"Meng Shaoyuan took the lead in annihilating the giant bandits one after another; his loyalty and bravery to achieve the mission are proven by facts. He has served the country well, the country cherishes it like a tripod, and the light of honor shines everywhere. He is specially awarded the fourth-class Baoding Medal!"
Meng Shaoyuan has been awarded the Yunhui Medal twice in a row before, and this is the first time he has received the Baoding Medal.
He is a military colonel, but in the Nationalist Government archives, his official military rank is Army Captain, so the fourth-class Baoding Medal is the highest honor he can receive.
"Perform your duties faithfully and serve the country!"
Meng Shaoyuan replied loudly.
There was applause all around.
As a spy, he was able to win the Yunhui Medal twice and the Baoding Medal once, which was a great deal of face for the military commander.
When you say it, everyone's face will be bright.
If things continue like this, Director Meng might actually be able to get the Blue Sky and White Sun Medal one day.
"Okay, let's go out and work." Meng Shaoyuan asked his men to leave, and then said to please: "Just a medal, and Section Chief Tang... No, Team Leader Tang... It seems that the official is even younger... General Tang personally I feel really bad about taking the risk to come to Shanghai..."
"roll!"
Originally in charge of military intelligence next to the commissioner, Tang Zong was extremely busy every day, mentally and physically haggard, and exhausted. But this time he came to Shanghai, and when he saw Meng Shaoyuan, his mood involuntarily improved:
"Why are you so glib after I haven't seen you for a while? I really can't believe that a scoundrel like you can make such a big fuss in Shanghai."
Meng Shaoyuan sighed: "I just told everyone the facts."
"Don't underestimate it." Tang Zong also put away his smile: "As soon as you show a movie, the situation changes drastically. The government has received widespread sympathy internationally. Originally, the committee was still hesitant about whether to appoint Hu Shi as ambassador to the United States. decision, but it was the change in the situation that made the commissioner finally make up his mind, Shao Yuan, this medal was awarded to you by order of the commissioner himself.
This honor is incredible. The commissioner not only awarded you a medal, but after Dai Li went to Chongqing to report on his work, the commissioner personally said to him, "With Meng Shaoyuan in military affairs and Hu Shizhi in literature, victory can be expected." What a high praise this is. Even Dai Li was praised by the committee. Dai Li was very happy and took me to drink two bottles of wine that night. "
Ashamed, ashamed.
Meng Shaoyuan was quite happy in his heart. Being able to be valued so much by two big guys meant that he had a bright future.
"But this way, you are in more danger." Tang Zong said immediately: "According to the intelligence sent back from Japan, your name has appeared on the desks of the Japanese Army Staff Headquarters and the Navy Command Department. Japanese They will definitely pay more attention to you, and with reliable information, they will plan an assassination against you."
"Assassination? The Japanese want to assassinate me?" Meng Shaoyuan smiled disdainfully: "Since I started this business, am I still afraid of assassination? This is Shanghai, not Tokyo."
"Don't be careless." Tang Zong said slowly: "Someone has already called you the 'Public Enemy of Japan'!"
Public enemy of Japan?
Meng Shaoyuan was overjoyed.
well.
This nickname is good.
Loud, domineering, and majestic.
"Look at you like that." Tang Zong was angry and funny: "Do you really want the Japanese to call you that? So that you can use this nickname to deceive those ignorant little girls in the future?"
"Old Tang, don't talk nonsense." Meng Shaoyuan shouted quickly: "I, Meng Shaoyuan, always have a breeze in my sleeves, I am upright, and I don't like women..."
"Go away, can any of these words be applied to you?" Tang Zong laughed and scolded: "No one else knows you, Meng Shaoyuan. I am your old boss, and I still don't know who you are? You are greedy for money and stolen goods. Bending the law, having no respect for the law, lustful and immoral, despicable moral character, moral corruption..."
Meng Shaoyuan was dumbfounded when he heard this, and it took him a long time to react: "Old Tang, General Tang, you are very knowledgeable in literature. According to what you said, you can shoot me without trial?"
"Whenever you are shot, I won't shed a single tear. If it weren't for the time of employment, both Dai Li and I feel that you are of some use. Do you think I would have shot you myself?"
At this point, Tang Zong, who was always gentle and gentle in front of outsiders, couldn't help but uttered a curse word: "Fuck, how did God create such a thing like you? It's because the Japanese have no virtue, and they have a public enemy like you. .”
"You lift it, you lift it." Meng Shaoyuan smiled playfully.
Tang Zong suddenly said: "Say, Meng Shaoyuan, you live in such a big house in Chongqing and have such a big business. It's not easy for me to come to Shanghai. Do you want to bribe me?"
"Ah? You are so shameless. How can you be so upright and ask for bribes?"
"I'm serious to you, the military intelligence department I'm responsible for has a funding gap and daily expenditures are huge. Now the National Government is also strapped for funds. I have to find a way on my own. I won't look to you, an old subordinate, to find a way. Who are you looking for?"
"Sure, Mr. Dai beats me up in the autumn wind, and you come and beat me up in the autumn wind too. All the people from Caodu Lane have this kind of virtue, right?" Meng Shaoyuan muttered a few words: "You are my old superior, and you are here to appoint me. I have to please you. Don’t worry, I know the importance of military intelligence. I will have money ready for you before you leave!"
"Shao Yuan, on behalf of the brothers, thank you very much!"
…
Meng Shaoyuan sat there and pondered for a while, then picked up the phone: "Assistant Wu, find some traitors for me. You must remember, they must be rich traitors!"
