"Your Excellency, Consul, the consuls of Britain, France, the United States and Germany are here to see you."
"Invite them in."
Toyama Nakaji's heart tightened. These consuls were like hyenas on the grassland. They would not hesitate to pounce on lone prey. They didn't know what tricks they wanted to play together.
"Consul Yuanshan, don't you welcome us?"
British Consul Bai Longdu walked into Toyama Nakaji's office with a heavy belly. Behind him were the consuls of the other three countries with unkind expressions.
"Of course not. Welcome, my friends."
Toyama Nakaharu showed a hypocritical smile while thinking, apart from economic exchanges, Japan has no relationship with these countries, let alone any conflicts.
The angry French consul saw his smile and sneered: "Consul Yuanshan, we are not happy if you are happy. What you are doing in the Northeast has nothing to do with us, but those robbers want to blow up the Liuguo Hotel. This is the same as We have a relationship.”
Toyama Nakaharu understood that these consuls had stakes in the Liukoku Hotel, and now their private interests had been violated, so they came to put pressure on himself.
But he doesn't care. It's impossible for these established powers to have a war with Japan. Japan's market is what they need. These people have no means except intimidation.
"Mr. Bailondu, I understand what you mean. This is really a tragedy. I think what we have to do is to arrest the robbers as soon as possible and minimize the losses."
"Nonsense, you Japanese must compensate us for our losses during the shutdown, and at the same time end the robbery at the Six Nations Hotel as soon as possible. No matter if you apologize or use other means." The French consul was angry.
The American consul also smiled and said: "Consul Yuanshan, you have to admit that it is you who caused today's situation, so you have to be responsible."
Bailondu lit a cigar and ordered in an unquestionable tone: "Now our consuls from the four countries have decided that Japan must be responsible for this disaster and this hijacking must be ended as soon as possible."
Toyama Nakaharu stood up and said: "You cannot replace your country, and the Empire of Japan is not a weak country that can be bullied by others. If you want..."
"Goodbye." Bai Longdu interrupted Toyama Nakaji's impassioned speech and said before leaving: "You will come to see us soon, and then the price will be another."
Toyama Nakaharu looked at the arrogant consuls of the four countries and cursed angrily: "Damn European and American ghosts, one day the Empire of Japan will let you know how powerful it is."
But after scolding him, he hurriedly reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the matter involved diplomatic relations between the four countries, and it was necessary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate with the foreign ministries of the four countries to avoid long nights and dreams.
The consuls of Britain, France, the United States, and Germany returned to the British Consulate to discuss how to make the Japanese surrender, but they were only small consuls and had few cards in their hands.
"Mr. Bailondu, first of all, we in the United States will not stop business exchanges with Japan. This affects countless families who need to work. What do you think?" The American consul explained the bottom line in advance. It is okay to make a fuss, but not to make a big fuss.
"We found a lot of little mice in the colonies in Southeast Asia. It is these little dwarfs who are behind us. If necessary, our fleet in Cam Ranh Bay can go to China." The French consul was very angry.
After World War I, France's strength was greatly damaged, so it relied on the resources of Southeast Asia to survive. Now that the Japanese have extended their hands into Southeast Asia, the French have long decided to teach them a profound lesson.
"Prime Minister Mustache is not interested in the war in East Asia. If the Japanese are willing to help besiege the red bear in the Northeast, we in Germany will not be overly involved." The German consul looked indifferent.
Bai Longdu was confident. He had no way to deal with the robbers, but he still had a way to convince the consuls. Even though they all talked about national interests, in the end, what they cared about most was money.
"The Six Nations Hotel was originally a joint venture between Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Japan and Russia. After World War I, the Russian interests were taken over by our British capital. Now there are only five shareholders left."
When Bai Longdu talked about the shares, the consuls from the other three countries pricked up their ears and wanted to hear what he meant. They just took some dry shares from the capital of various countries. Maybe Bai Longdu had a little more, but the essence was the same.
"So if Japanese capital can be eliminated, why can't the four of us become real shareholders? It's not a position-based shareholding, but a wealth that can be passed on to the next generation." Bai Longdu Tu had a clear view.
The hearts of the consuls from the three countries were pounding. The Japanese shares were expensive, and the annual dividends were also a large sum of money. This was indeed coveted, but they had no capital.
It would be fine if they were all ambassadors, and they would be able to speak out on domestic policy towards Japan, but can a small consul, cabinet or parliament believe their words?
Bai Longdu pointed at them: "You guys, haven't you heard of killing someone with a borrowed knife? Our trump card is the robbers in the hotel. The bigger the trouble they make, the greater the pressure on the Japanese."
It seems that the consuls of the three countries have realized something, and they have also received domestic reports. In addition to Germany, opposition parties and religious groups in various countries have condemned the atrocities of the Japanese, which has become increasingly fierce.
"I believe you also have a lot of information about the Japanese. Whether it's Japan's small actions within our sphere of influence or the things it does in China, expose them all!" Bai Longdu tightened his palms. He shook his head and showed a wise smile.
Domestic anti-Japanese sentiment must be incited, and those capital forces that keep their mouths will not stand idly by. Whether it is a real war or a commercial war, it is a great opportunity to harvest wealth.
He continued: "We must use this small fulcrum to lift the lever of each country's attitude toward Japan. The heavier we add, the higher it will be!"
The ambassadors of France, the United States, and Germany looked at Bai Longdu with admiration. He was indeed a stick that was passed down from his ancestors. This combination of punches gave the Japanese a headache.
Thinking about the huge wealth again, the three people were almost drooling. They were officials for thousands of miles just for wealth. This ancient Chinese saying is very appropriate. Isn't it true for them.
Opportunities are rare now, no matter what, you can't let it go, especially the German consul's eyes are glowing green now, and even his salary has begun to decrease during the Great Depression.
"I have reports on Japanese intelligence activities in the Philippines and evidence of their brutal rule in Ryukyu, which I can provide."
"We caught several Japanese spies in Southeast Asia and evidence of their tobacco cultivation."
"We in Germany have a bad relationship with Japan. There is only evidence of their massacre in the island city."
The three consuls told them how much they had, but Bailongdu was very satisfied, and what he provided was enough for the Japanese to drink a pot.
"I have information about Japanese espionage activities in Hawaii and Europe. I don't know if the cost I provide is the largest. Do you have any opinions?"
"What!"
The consuls of the three countries shouted in unison, the damn little dwarf dared to reach out to Hawaii (Europe). This time the country and the family hate each other. What I didn't say, I must do it.
Bai Longdu held out four fingers: "Then I will take 40% of the share, and each of you will have 20%."
The consuls from the three countries nodded: "Okay, what should we do next?"
Bai Longdu laid out the plan: "First of all, we have to mobilize our connections and spread all the information we have about the Japanese, so that the Japanese are everywhere."
The consuls nodded repeatedly, and Bai Longdu continued: "Then we must use our identities to publicly express our concerns about Japan's expansion to increase credibility. Finally, we must protect the robbers."
"What, protect them?"
"Yes, they are our trump card. As long as they don't surrender for a day, they will be the focus. I may understand what the masked man is thinking. He is really a genius."
After Bai Longdu answered the three consuls' questions, he blew out a puff of smoke. Everyone had a purpose. As long as the general direction is the same, why can't we cooperate.
The next day, Toyama Nakaji, who was originally as stable as a mountain, couldn't sit still. The newspapers on the table were full of evidence about Japanese espionage activities around the world, as well as various records of atrocities.
This was only a newspaper in Peiping. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed him through a diplomatic cable that mainstream newspapers in major European and American countries are now publishing these news, as well as on radio.
Although there is no evidence, Toyama Nakaji knows that this is what those four bastards did. Are they afraid of the crime of affecting the diplomatic relations between countries? Damn ghosts.
"Consul, the message from the Kwantung Army headquarters is that a special force will arrive tonight and we will be responsible for responding." At this time, the consulate staff came in and took out a translated message and handed it to Toyama Nakaji.
"Oh? Special Forces?"
Toyama Nakaji put on his glasses and read the telegram carefully, and smiled: "Ha, just in time! As long as the hostages are rescued, I see what excuses you have."
The Kwantung Army carefully selected a unit of 100 people from hundreds of thousands of troops. These people were rich in experience and each had a unique skill, such as shooting, bomb dropping, and fighting.
The purpose of this force is to rescue Zhang Jingyao, and at the same time eliminate the robbers and rescue other hostages. It seems that the Kwantung Army really attaches great importance to Zhang Jingyao, Toyama Nakaji sighed.
Before dark, some strong men kept entering the Japanese consulate. Toyama Nakaji personally met them and asked if they needed anything.
The team commander was very rude: "The design of the Rikoku Hotel, the distribution of the hostages, Mr. Consul does not need to worry about the rest. Chief of Staff Itagaki has already arranged everything."
Toyama Nakaji didn't care either. He knew the pride of these red deer and that the consulate had all the things the other party requested. Now he just wanted to see the expressions of the four Bailongdu people after they knew the hostages had been rescued.
Inside the British Consulate
"Mr. Consul, the Japanese consulate's insider report is that the Kwantung Army has dispatched a special force."
"What, hurry up and inform the robbers, let them be careful and don't be careless."
