Chapter 17: Commotion at the Graduation Ceremony

"The holiday is coming soon. Should I consider returning to my hometown in Miyazaki, going back to China, or heading to America to do business and earn some money?"

"I think it's better to use our spatial abilities and go to America to make money. After all, when the nation resists the invaders, funds are needed everywhere—buying radio stations costs money, purchasing penicillin costs money, and so does acquiring weapons."

"The host can decide for himself."

Lying in bed, Chen Jiehua engaged in a conversation with the system in his mind, then suddenly sat up.

"Why buy penicillin? I can manufacture it myself!"

"System master, please advise me. If I graduate from the Imperial Military Academy as planned, whether I join the Kwantung Army or follow Okamura Ninji to Shanghai, at most, I’d be a behind-enemy-lines operative, able to provide intelligence and save a few people, right?"

"But if I go to America or Europe, figure out how to obtain sulfa drugs and penicillin, acquire radio equipment, wouldn’t I be of greater help to the organization?"

"Perhaps this is my true mission in this era!"

"System, what year was penicillin discovered?"

Even the most basic historical timeline eluded Chen Jiehua, which was ironic given he studied medicine.

"Penicillin was first discovered by British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1928. Correction, host: discovered, not invented. Mass production for medical use began after 1943."

"Discovered in 1928? Three years from now—but mass production only in 1943, that's far too late!"

The discovery and mass production of penicillin would be challenging for medicine in this era.

Yet, there were still three years until 1928, and a full fifteen years until 1943. Chen Jiehua could neither wait nor was willing to.

"What about sulfa drugs? I’ve forgotten."

"Sulfa drugs were invented by German chemist Gerhard Domagk in 1932. Again, host, invented, not discovered!"

"Invented, discovered... Is there really a difference?" Chen Jiehua was irritated.

"Of course, host. Discovery refers to recognizing something that already exists in nature for the first time. Invention is when humans, through their intelligence and creativity, create something that did not exist before."

"System master, are you giving me a science lesson now?"

But Chen Jiehua quickly calmed his emotions and began to seriously consider his next steps.

Sulfa drugs might have to wait; he didn’t know German yet. For now, he only spoke Chinese, English, and Japanese—he could start by approaching the British. He could gradually learn German in the future.

"I don’t care if it’s invention or discovery! I want both!"

"The system recommends the host act within his capacity; choose one to pursue first."

"Only elementary school students do multiple-choice questions! I want it all! I've already decided: start with penicillin, slowly learn German, and once I can communicate, I’ll tackle sulfa drugs."

"System master, third question: between now and 1949, what are the best models of radio transmitters? Where were they invented and manufactured?"

Chen Jiehua abruptly shifted the subject, returning to the core duties of a behind-enemy-lines operative.

"Host, this is a question about radios, but there’s no standard answer."

"Let’s leave radios aside for now. If I go to America or Europe, what’s the most lucrative business? Don’t mention those two! If you do, I’ll end up in solitary confinement!"

"Host, you’re in luck; it’s the roaring twenties in North America. The US stock market is just taking off—you can still catch the wave! American Radio Company, Curtis Aircraft Research, Boeing, and so on, all are ripe for speculation!"

"System master, please confirm, did you say speculation? Not investment?" Chen Jiehua asked, puzzled.

"The system determines that speculation is what the host needs most right now."

"That settles it! Act fast! Go straight to the principal and leave school early! Head to America!"

Chen Jiehua leaped to his feet. Time is money; he couldn’t waste it in a Japanese school!

He marched straight to the principal’s office.

"Principal, I have urgent matters to attend to and wish to leave school early."

Upon entering the office, Chen Jiehua spoke directly—there was no need for pleasantries. He would wave any flag or borrow any authority, as long as it worked.

"Just two days until the holiday, and you can't wait? Haha! Go ahead, I'll inform the security office."

"Thank you, Principal!" Aoki Seigen bowed deeply.

After leaving the principal’s office, Chen Jiehua hurried back to his dormitory to pack.

"System master, could you help me plan the route and itinerary to America? I don't know the way in this era."

"The host can choose to sail from Tokyo to San Francisco; the journey will take about two weeks. Upon arrival, you can head to New York or Washington, which are the financial and political centers—ideal places for your ventures."

Chen Jiehua shouldered his luggage, left the dormitory, completed the paperwork at the security office, and took the first step toward America.

The road ahead was long. To venture alone into the roaring twenties of America, to make a fortune from nothing, to stir up the winds of change, would not be easy—but at least he had the system master.

In July 1926 (Taisho 15), Chen Jiehua—Aoki Seigen—returned from America to the Japanese Imperial Military Academy to attend the graduation ceremony for the seventeenth class, receiving his diploma. Though he hadn’t studied much in the latter period, the necessary procedures had to be followed.

At the graduation ceremony, the trouble of one Chen Jiehua or Aoki Seigen vanishing finally erupted.

When it was Zhao Yiyue’s turn to receive his diploma, Zhao Yiyue suddenly made a move!

Zhao Yiyue had secretly gathered the Chinese students from the graduating class, together with those from the next two classes who had not yet graduated, and publicly demanded an explanation from the school during the ceremony.

The mysterious disappearance of the Chinese student Chen Jiehua needed an explanation!

"In October 1924, Chen Jiehua disappeared after communicating with him! I returned home, but Chen Jiehua did not!"

Zhao Yiyue’s hand pointed steadily at Aoki Seigen.

"So! I suspect that Aoki Seigen murdered Chen Jiehua! We demand an explanation!"

"Moreover, when I investigated Aoki Seigen in secret, the military legal affairs section chief personally came to warn me to abandon my investigation!"

Chen Jiehua almost wanted to cover his face! He’d forgotten the passionate and persistent nature of his compatriots—adorable and admirable! For the sake of a fellow countryman, for the truth, they dared to risk offending the school at the graduation ceremony!

Everyone’s gaze followed Zhao Yiyue’s hand toward Aoki Seigen below. At this moment, Chen Jiehua—Aoki Seigen—was frozen in place!

The situation was tricky—a single oversight, forgetting to reassure Zhao Yiyue, and the boy had launched a direct attack at the graduation ceremony!

If handled poorly, he could get himself into trouble—certainly not what he wanted.

But if he responded too forcefully, matching fire with fire, it would harm Zhao Yiyue and the other Chinese students. That was even less desirable.

What should he do?