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Chapter 59 – An Unexpected Encounter

In November of 1927, just as the Dow Jones Industrial Average in America was hovering around the 200-dollar mark—on the verge of its next leap, or rather, a surge—the Ootori estate received a certain visitor.

It happened just as I was returning home from school.

At that moment, a car was parked beneath the front portico of the mansion.
Since it was an Ootori vehicle, it had to be carrying either a member of the family, someone from the zaibatsu, or a guest of the Ootori clan.

So I waited for a moment, but the car didn’t seem like it would be moving anytime soon. 

My own car had already entered the mansion grounds, so I said to Shizu, “Let’s walk,” and got out of the car to head toward the mansion on foot.

The idea was to get a look at the situation near the front entrance—if no one was there, I’d enter through the main door; if someone was present or things looked busy, I’d circle around to the back.

At first glance, the front door appeared closed and there was no one in sight, so I exchanged a look with Shizu and made a quick decision to go in through the front.

And then, just as I opened the front door and stepped into the spacious hall—

“Chung… Chung-cheng… sama?”

I couldn’t help but utter the words when I saw who was there. That’s how unexpected the person was.

The man standing before me was Chiang Kai-shek.

I had only ever seen him in photographs, and he had no connection whatsoever to the otome game Tasogare no Ichizoku.
But he was one of the most prominent—a historical figure by every measure. 

And in a way, one of the “Demon Kings” from Japan’s perspective.

He looked a bit younger than he did in the pictures I’d seen.
Still, there was no mistake. 

The smile he gave when I called him “Chung-cheng-sama” confirmed it.

Chiang Kai-shek’s courtesy name is Kaishi (Jieshi), but his given name is Zhongzheng (Chung-cheng).
Through his interpreter, he praised me, saying:

“As expected of a daughter of the Ootori family, to recognize me.”

At that moment, he didn’t seem entirely unlikeable—just a pleasant older man. 

And he definitely gave off the air of someone accomplished.

Still, I couldn’t let myself be overwhelmed, so I quickly offered a greeting.

“Please excuse me for speaking in Japanese. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Ootori Reiko. Welcome, Chung-cheng-sama.”

“Thank you for your courteous greeting. I’m the one who came to visit Sou-sama today. So if anyone must be excused for using their native language, it should be me.”

“Not at all. Please, make yourself at home.”

“I would like nothing more, but I’m just about to take my leave. Still, I must say, meeting such an adorable young lady at the end has made my day. Now then, if you’ll excuse me, little lady of the Ootori family.”

“I’m terribly sorry we couldn’t offer you proper hospitality. We look forward to your next visit.”

Though our exchange was entirely through interpreters and remained nothing more than a surface-level formality, I didn’t get a bad impression.
Maybe it was because I was just a little girl—Chiang Kai-shek must have felt at ease. 

Probably.

But on my end, my heart was pounding like crazy.
I had just had an unexpected encounter with a historical figure—one of the most prominent of the prominent name-drops.

While the exchange between us was taking place, my great-grandfather had deliberately ignored me, focusing solely on seeing Chiang Kai-shek off.
I waited in the entrance hall for him to return.

“I apologize, Great-Grandfather.”

With the household staff watching, I didn’t use casual childlike language, but rather spoke in the refined tone of a proper young lady.

“Think nothing of it. If anything, your impromptu greeting helped smooth things over a bit. Thanks to you, Lord Chung-cheng seemed somewhat appeased—it was a real help.”

“So then, what kind of business did the guest have with the Ootori family?”

“…Well, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. After you’ve changed, come to the detached wing. I’ll keep it brief, then you can get back to your afternoon studies.”

“So, why did Lord Chung-cheng—no, why did Chiang Kai-shek come to visit the Ootori family?”

I reset myself and sat face-to-face with my Great-Grandfather in the detached wing.
Since the Ootori children in the “Ootori group” were already in the study room, I let them know I’d be out for a bit and came here.

“You’re aware of what’s going on on the mainland, right? Chiang Kai-shek had stepped down, but couldn’t stay on the mainland, so he went into exile in Japan. While here, he’s been running around trying to stage a comeback.”

(Oh dear, to think someone whose life got thrown off track because of me ended up right here. Well, I already knew, though.)

I stuck my tongue out inwardly, but on the surface, I just gave a serious nod.

“But things haven’t gone well for him. Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi and his cabinet are firmly aligned with Zhang Zuolin, so even after several visits, Chiang couldn’t get support from the Japanese government.”

“So that’s why he came to the Ootori family?”

“He’s apparently been to other places as well. But according to the information we obtained, Prime Minister Tanaka isn’t entirely unforgiving of Chiang Kai-shek’s blunders. However, when Tanaka proposed mediating a reconciliation with Zhang Zuolin, Chiang couldn’t accept it. After all, that would place Zhang above him.”

“Well, of course he couldn’t. So in other words, he wanted the Ootori family to persuade Prime Minister Tanaka?”

“That’s exactly it. He also begged for money, but we refused. The brothers we’re connected to on the mainland—let’s just say they don’t have the best relationship with the Zhejiang clique.”

(Zhejiang clique shows up again. Actually, it’s the first time I’ve heard that the Ootori family and the Zhejiang clique have a bad relationship. I want to gather more info.)

Apparently, my expression betrayed that thought.

It’s hard to keep a poker face when you’re a little girl.

“The connection between Ootori and the mainland will be explained by Kiichirou eventually. But you probably know a bit about the society my father—your great-great-grandfather—belonged to. In short, they rose from the Chinese underworld. That group and the Zhejiang clique have a deep-seated grudge.”

“So for Chiang Kai-shek to come here, he’s a pretty bold old man.”

“Tell him he’s gutsy. Well, both sides have pride to protect, so if Chiang Kai-shek manages to persuade the second daughter of the Soong family currently in Japan, then we’ll consider it. We should get an answer soon.”

Great-Grandfather smirks with some amusement. Since this is Great-Grandfather in his dark mode, he’s expecting failure.

And that prediction turned out to be right.

After that, Chiang Kai-shek apparently visited Soong Ching-ling, who was convalescing at Arima Onsen, to ask permission to marry Soong Mei-ling, whom he’d been involved with for seven years.
He also requested help repairing the relationship between Ootori and the Zhejiang clique.

Neither request was granted.

Marriage was promised to be restored within three years, but later, Great-Grandfather heard directly from Chiang Kai-shek that since he wasn’t yet the husband, he was told not to interfere in the relations between Ootori and the Zhejiang clique.

I felt a little guilty that the changes I made to history had reached even into personal matters.

(But Soong Mei-ling is Japan’s greatest enemy, spreading all kinds of rumors in America. Serves her right!)

Yeah. 

I’m not wrong. 

Probably.

Because of this, I came up with the idea to promote Japan in America, and at the same time, expose just how evil communism really is.
I still have to figure out exactly what can be done, but history shows that the anti-Japanese propaganda by Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling seriously damaged Japan’s image in America.

There’s no need to question history about how dirty communists and their sympathizers are.

If I can get hold of dollars, I can fund politicians and influential people in America, invest in the media, advertise in films — there’s so much that can be done.

Money has the power to cross borders.
And the dollars, my greatest weapon, were only continuing to grow.

In the summer of 1927, the Dow Index in America reached 200 dollars.
Since it was around 90 dollars in 1924, that’s more than double. 

It is expected to start rising even more by next spring.

Moreover, Phoenix is using as much leverage as possible for this era, so even by 1927, unrealized gains easily exceed 1.5 billion dollars.

The name Phoenix is becoming widely known in the Dow Index market—as a mysterious investment organization.

Also, Tokita’s locally organized team and the fund managers operating there are apparently very competent.
There is secret attention on who the true boss is.

Furthermore, according to analysis by the Ootori General Research Institute, Ootori’s think tank, there are already people who have grasped that the Ootori financial conglomerate or the Ootori family is deeply involved.

Therefore, Tokita, Ootori Holdings, and Ootori Trading have become even more vigilant in their dealings with the American branch.

Tokita also completely stopped issuing orders directly from the main family.
It might be too late already, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Chiang Kai-shek

Well, he needs no explanation.

Soong Meiling

One of the Soong sisters of the Zhejiang Faction. One of the key figures who helped spread the Nanjing Massacre narrative.
To put it mildly, one of Japan’s archenemies.

Soong Ching-ling

Wife of Sun Yat-sen.
Held power even under the People’s Republic of China as the “Mother of the Nation.”

Basically, someone in a position similar to an Empress Dowager.