allonlinenovel Chapter 155: The incident leads to a war of public opinion
Chapter 155: The incident leads to a war of public opinion
The next morning, the follow-up development of the incident hit Su Zhengyang like a storm.
First of all, Fuso directly issued a strong condemnation of the Northern Frontier Government, claiming that Lieutenant Colonel Takata, captain of the Fuso Concession gendarmerie, visited Su Zhengyang with great sincerity, but was caused indelible harm by the other party with extremely cruel means. The Northern Frontier Government must make a statement on the matter and order Su Zhengyang to express sincere apologies to the injured Fuso officers. Otherwise, Fuso will not rule out the use of tough military means to make the Northern Frontier Government pay the price.
The pro-Fuso faction headed by Zhang Chengxiang gathered in Beilong City overnight like a clown. At the congressional meeting, they directed their criticisms against Su Zhengyang in unison, believing that Su Zhengyang's actions were too radical and would bring huge hidden dangers to the Northern Frontier government. They demanded that Su Zhengyang be severely punished and immediately ordered to apologize to Fuso.
Soon after, well-known newspapers in Shanghai, such as the Yamato Daily and the Dong-A Ilbo, published reports that Su Zhengyang's troops launched a war in the city, disregarding the safety of civilians, resulting in the deaths of a large number of residents and the destruction of countless homes and private property.
The photo on the front page of the newspaper showed the ruins of Xiaguang Road and other places under the artillery fire of the SS Division.
Under the influence of public opinion, a large number of local residents in Shanghai developed a strong resistance to Su Zhengyang and the Northern Frontier government. At this time, Fuso used some local people who had been bribed in advance to lead the masses in the streets to incite the masses and launched a parade, shouting slogans to get Su Zhengyang, the thug, out of Shanghai.
Su Zhengyang had just got up when he received a call from Duan Jinshu.
"Zhengyang, what's going on between you and the Japanese? Now that you have successfully regained control of Shanghai and quelled all the hidden dangers, you should focus on appeasing the people instead of directly offending the Japanese. You are still a little too impulsive."
Su Zhengyang responded slowly, "Prime Minister, please rest assured that I, Su Zhengyang, will be in charge of all situations in Shanghai and will never let you and the president down. As for those clowns who are jumping up and down and trying to use the pressure from the top leaders of the Northern Frontier government to force me to surrender to Fuso, let them continue to dream."
"The Northern Frontier government currently has reservations about Fuso's demands and condemnations, and will never force you to bow to Fuso. But I heard that public opinion in Shanghai has fermented. Once the people of Shanghai develop resistance to the Northern Frontier government, it will be extremely detrimental to our subsequent control of Shanghai."
"Don't worry, I have arranged everything in advance. You and the president can just sit back and watch a good show."
After hanging up the phone, Su Zhengyang said to Zhang Luanyu, "Have you arranged for the Northern Frontier government's government officials in Shanghai to do what I asked you to do?"
Zhang Luanyu nodded and responded, "Governor, everything has been prepared as you ordered."
"Immediately notify Dahua Daily, Huashang Daily, and the Shanghai Evening News founded by Fang Jingyao. Get ready. Our counterattack is about to begin."
At noon, all major Chinese newspapers, led by Dahua Daily, released new newspapers.
The front-page headline explained in detail that during the Battle of Shanghai, Su Zhengyang's troops did not harm the local civilians at all, and the houses and private property destroyed in the war were compensated at double the price immediately after the war.
At the end of this news report in Dahua Daily, Yang Qiyue, the current editor-in-chief of Dahua Daily, bluntly and sharply explained from multiple angles that all these unfavorable remarks against the Northern Frontier government and Su Zhengyang were a conspiracy instigated by Fuso.
It even listed the facts that before Su Zhengyang arrived, gangs were rampant in Shanghai, the Japanese were showing off their power, and even committed crimes in the streets many times, harming Chinese people, but the Southern Government and the Songhu Army turned a blind eye, reversed right and wrong, and protected the Japanese.
Su Zhengyang looked at the Dahua Daily in his hand and revealed a knowing smile. It seemed that Yang Qiyue's imposing and heroic appearance, who was as brave as a man, had already appeared before his eyes.
After mainstream newspapers such as Dahua Daily released a series of killer moves, listing the evil deeds of the Japanese and a series of people-friendly measures taken by Su Zhengyang since he started his army, public opinion has completely reversed.
At the same time, under Fang Jingyao's strict orders, the French Concession Police Station began to crack down on the marches targeting Su Zhengyang in the concession.
Two of the organizers who were captured even admitted that they had received valuable benefits from Fuso.
Without leaving his house, Su Zhengyang broke up a series of attacks against him from Fuso, but Su Zhengyang did not seem satisfied.
"It's pointless to keep engaging in a war of words with these Japanese devils. Shuangying, take your men to Wusong Street in the Japanese Concession and give them a big gift!"
The next morning, Yan Shuangying brought hundreds of his men to the gate of the Fuso Consulate, holding a huge plaque and walking towards the consulate.
"Stop right there! This is the Fuso Empire Consulate. Anyone who trespasses will be shot on the spot!"
The Fuso soldiers at the door raised their rifles with alert expressions. Yan Shuangying smiled slightly: "I am here on the orders of our Governor Su to give a great gift to your Consul Hashimoto."
Soon, Hashimoto Masamune, who had received the notice, strode out with his guards, looked at Yan Shuangying in front of him and said coldly: "You stupid Chinese, what are you doing? Get out of the Fuso Concession quickly. You are not welcome in the Fuso Concession!"
Yan Shuangying was not angry. He gently placed the plaque wrapped in white satin on the ground, greeted Hashimoto Masazan with a smile, and left with his elite intelligence agency officers.
At the gate of the consulate, after the guard confirmed that what was in front of him was not dangerous, Hashimoto Masazan strode forward, squatted down, and tore off the white cloth wrapped around the plaque. Only then did he realize that the plaque was wrapped with the national flag of their Fuso Empire. Under the red sun of the flag, there was a cute giant turtle painted on it.
This scene almost made Hashimoto Masama furious. Looking at the words on the plaque, Hashimoto Masama was furious and roared hysterically: "Su Zhengyang! If I don't peel off your skin, I will not be a human being!"
There were a few huge red words "Sick Man of East Asia" engraved on the plaque, and a limerick below.
Wait until September 8th next year, and go to Tokyo to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
The specific meaning of these four words and this poem is self-evident. It is a great shame for the entire Fuso.
At this moment, Hashimoto Masazan had almost completely lost his mind, and he wished he could draw his samurai sword and fight Su Zhengyang to the death.