The Wind Rises in 1898: Becoming a Warlord Starting in Southeast Asia

Chapter 32 An Encounter with the Japanese

Zheng Mingsong placed the list on the table and lit another cigarette: "We've hit it off, so a small deposit will suffice, enough to give me an explanation to my family. These supplies total over five hundred US dollars; I'll round it up and take five hundred!"

This price wasn't inflated; it was even 10% lower than the market price before the US military blockaded Manila Bay.

However, he said he still needed to give his family an explanation, which clearly indicated that his status was lower than he had expected.

Chen Feng shook his head inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. He took out one hundred US dollars from the cloth pocket at his waist. "Thank you for your help, Brother Zheng!"

"No problem!"

Zheng Mingsong took the US dollar bills, casually put them into his pocket, and lowered his voice: "As long as you can let me see General George Dewey, not only will the promised medicine be fine, but I can also get you weapons. The Spanish army's standard-issue Mauser 1893 rifle, that thing is much better than the Springfield M1861 that the Americans gave us."

"Brother Zheng, you've done your research very thoroughly!" Chen Feng smiled, secretly plotting how to meet George Dewey again.

Thinking of this, he suddenly asked, "Brother Zheng, do you know where in Marolos City I can get a suit custom-made?"

"Suits?" Zheng Mingsong thought for a moment, then shook his head. "There used to be a few shops that made suits specifically for Spanish officials, but they've all closed down recently. Why are you asking about that?"

Of course, you should wear formal attire to see George Dewey and thank him profusely.

Chen Feng laughed and said, "If you don't have it, that's fine. It's not a big deal."

Zheng Mingsong looked him up and down, and said after a moment's thought, "Brother Chen, our builds are about the same. I happen to have a black suit here that I haven't worn yet, so consider it a gift. I'll have the waiter deliver it to your room first thing tomorrow morning."

"Thank you very much, Brother Zheng. I'll go check in right away!" Chen Feng nodded slightly and got up to walk towards the counter.

The hotel owner was a middle-aged man in his forties with jet-black hair, but his face had the distinctive hooked nose of a Westerner, so he was obviously of mixed race.

Zheng Mingsong followed him over and gestured with his chin to the boss: "Charles, all of this gentleman's expenses will be on my tab."

This store, located in the city center and operating during wartime, must have been quite expensive.

Chen Feng wouldn't sacrifice his dignity for the sake of saving face, so he immediately clasped his hands in thanks: "Brother Zheng, you're too kind. I'll remember this favor."

"It's nothing!"

Zheng Mingsong waved his hand and turned to walk towards the door.

Chen Feng took the keys from the boss and gestured for Qian Biao to follow. Just as they stepped onto two steps, a piercing Japanese curse suddenly rang out behind them: "Baka!"

Looking back, it turned out that Zheng Mingsong hadn't been paying attention and had bumped into a tall, thin Japanese soldier.

Huh?

Isn't this Japanese devil the skinny spinning top I encountered on the day I traveled through time?

Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze swept over, and sure enough, he saw that the short, fat Japanese man who called himself Aoki Nobuyuki was following behind.

After entering the lobby, the man first cursed at the tall, thin Japanese man in Japanese, and then apologized to Zheng Mingsong in a humble tone.

One doesn't hit a smiling face, so Zheng Mingsong had no intention of pursuing the matter. He waved his hand and walked out.

Aoki Nobuyuki didn't go to the counter immediately. Instead, his gaze swept around the lobby like that of a hawk.

When he caught sight of Chen Feng, a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes, but he immediately recognized him and called out, "Chen-san! We meet again!"

No wonder he's a spy!

I can remember everything so clearly even though I've only met him once.

Chen Feng suppressed his displeasure, forced a smile, and nodded in response, "Mr. Aoki, we really are destined to meet."

"Since we're here by chance, why don't we sit down and have a drink?" Nobuyuki Aoki pointed to the restaurant next to the counter, his tone full of enthusiasm.

Chen Feng, also wanting to know the purpose of the two Japanese soldiers, handed the key to Qian Biao, indicating that he should go back to his room to rest first, before loudly replying, "Then I will humbly comply!"

"Mr. Chen, please have a seat." Aoki Nobuyuki smiled and turned to the boss, speaking fluent Spanish.

Seeing this, Chen Feng knew he was ordering, so he didn't stand on ceremony, walked straight into the restaurant, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

Aoki Nobuyuki pulled out a chair and sat down. The tall, thin Japanese man next to him also sat down silently, but he never said a word. He just looked at Chen Feng with cold eyes.

"Last time the situation was urgent, and I really couldn't take care of Chen Sang and your junior sister. I have offended you a lot, and I hope you will forgive me," Aoki Nobuyuki said in a deep voice.

Don't the Japanese bow 90 degrees when they apologize?

This guy didn't even bend over, clearly showing no sincerity whatsoever.

Chen Feng sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive. He waved his hand and said, "It's alright. My junior sister and I are very lucky to have escaped this calamity."

At this moment, the waiter brought over a tray with three wine glasses and a bottle of wine on it.

Aoki Nobuyuki first filled Chen Feng's glass, then poured some for himself and the tall, thin Japanese man, explaining, "There's no sake here, and I'm not used to strong liquor, so I can only serve you this grape juice, Mr. Chen. Please don't mind."

"What kind of wine we drink isn't important; what matters is who we drink with!" Chen Feng smiled slightly and raised his glass.

"Chen-san, you're right!" Aoki Nobuyuki and the tall, thin Japanese man raised their glasses together.

Chen Feng took a small sip, put down his glass, and asked casually, "Mr. Aoki, didn't you come to Luzon to buy medicinal herbs? Why didn't you go to Manila, but instead came to Marolos?"

Aoki Nobuyuki's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal in an instant, and he said with a sigh, "Aren't the Americans going to invade? The price of medicinal herbs in Manila has skyrocketed, so I had no choice but to come here to try my luck."

"I'm afraid you can't buy it here either?" Chen Feng continued, following up on his question.

"Indeed, that's disappointing." Aoki Nobuyuki nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, his gaze fixed on Chen Feng, "By the way, what brings Mr. Chen to Marolos City?"

"Buy some daily necessities!" Chen Feng said honestly.

Aoki Nobuyuki then asked, "Oh? Which village does Mr. Chen live in?"

"Xihua Town, Zhangjia Village!" Chen Feng said, referring to Zhang Xiuwu's village.

Upon hearing the place name, Aoki Nobuyuki's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Chen-san, I heard that a Chinese Free Army has recently emerged over there... By the way, their leader shares your name. Have you heard of them?"

Chen Feng chuckled inwardly, deliberately speaking vaguely: "I've heard a little about it. I heard that the Chinese Free Army is quite powerful, with several thousand people, and it seems to have the support of the Americans."

Aoki Nobuyuki's face was beaming: "I also heard that the Free Army is offering a monthly salary of $2.5, which is quite good. Chen-san is exceptionally skilled; haven't you considered joining them and getting a position?"

Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, secretly wondering: Does this old Japanese devil want to recruit me as a spy?