I own nothing from Hearts of Iron nor the Kaiserriech Mod.

Private Bedros Sahakian

Journal Entry 19

June 24, 1932, Friday

Felt nervous most of today in light of what happened last night. Tried to keep my mind occupied with whatever tasks I was given back at base. Even Al had to tell me to slow down and he is usually the excited one in our squad. Ate some humble pie from that observation. Well earlier word came around town that the would-be assassins called themselves the New Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists in of the Boxer Rebellion.

They had confessed to plotting to assassinate the municipal council and its high profile guests such as the German Crown Prince tonight. All part of a plan to begin the city's liberation from all forms of government. Interestingly it has been rumored that they were exposed by an anonymous phone call, alerting the police of the supposed repair truck. If that is true I wonder who it was. All of this makes me think of the Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot back in 1605.

Unless something crazy happens these bombers are going to be tried and most likely executed when it's over. It's just only a matter of time and location.

Major Suvilian made sure I had no reason to be outside the base until it was time to head for the Cathay Hotel. While we drove there the security tightened up more so than before, mostly made up of the Volunteer Corps. Also there was a political demonstration miles from the joint. We managed to avoid driving there but I could see the crowd with their signs and banners. I couldn't read it all but recognized some syndicalist icons in the mix.

It looked like college students and workers, screaming their heads off. Taking a good guess who are the main targets of their outrage and they all happen to be at the hotel. However, the cops who came out in full force quickly got confrontational with them and it escalated from there.

The sight of it as we passed by wasn't something to celebrate. Utilizing nightsticks and a water hose the authorities distressed the crowd, arresting dozens of those who couldn't get away. Several of them were bleeding pretty badly. Doubt they're going to be allowed medical treatment anytime soon. Maybe I'm naive but that was a protest not a riot as far as I can tell.

Have a guess that the authorities were instructed to squash any sign of what they deem as trouble and keep it away from tonight's main event

I've seen strikes get busted up before back home but it doesn't make me feel any better about what I saw. Major Suvillian, who noted my reaction, ordered me to focus on the objective, not on what I can't control.

Easier said than done but I have no choice.

Finally after navigating through the streets we reached our destination. We had a hard time finding a parking space with so much already occupied but we managed and went inside the back way.

It's fortunate this commercialized palace had two elevators because it had a lot of levels to go up. Crazy enough Yi Shang, dressed as a busboy, was waiting for us. He smirked in that mischievous way of his. It turns out the major arranged for the boy to get a job for the night at least. Don't know what they have in mind but Shang does have a knack for finding out things.

I have the sense I was only a little cog in this operation and that Shang really took the greater risk. He is more resourceful than I ever was at his age.

Before we reached the dining hall we saw the hotel owner himself, Sir Sassoon, with a glamorous woman in arm with him. Al would be so jealous if he saw that. Once in the hall I was posted as a guard near where the Japanese delegation would be seated as intended while the rest of the marine honor guard stationed in separate points to maintain the act.

Soon after the rich and powerful and their retinues began to show up with the servers on hand. Glasses cling amidst laughter as most enjoy themselves or at least put on for it. All the while a small orchestra with musicians armed with violins, flutes, trumpets, a cello and a piano playing the classics in the background. That whole evening I had to stay at attention, looking at the wall on the opposite end. Yeah the spy films really don't do justice to how boring and frustrating the whole thing can be.

There certainly wasn't any beautiful damsel becoming attracted to me like how Gary Cooper pulls it out in his movies. Even if there was, I imagine the major would have me crucified for getting distracted. Best not to test that possibility.

The exiled Duke of York seemed more content with smoking his cigarettes and talking with our secretary of state than anyone else. If you ask me he seemed uncomfortable being here. Now Crown Prince Willhelm, well the guy seemed to be drawn to any attractive woman within reach. Sure he put on a gentleman's charm but anyone with eyes and brains can tell he wanted to do more with them than having pleasant conversations. Suppose there is some truth to the rumors of him being like a promiscuous dog.

Regarding Admiral Yomamoto the guy was bored of this shindig and confided as much to his staff from what overheard them. Of course to his hosts he was respectful but that was to keep up appearances. Remembering my instructions I listen as carefully as possible but all the other folks talking and music made it a challenge to put it mildly. What I did catch on was that Tokyo was becoming more inpatient with how the other powers treat their interest. Of course their talks then dived in about gambling strategies and favorite drinks and their mistresses.

Needless to say it wasn't that enlightening and the Japanese delegation left sometime after the toast. However, it was then when a pair of Russian officers stopped near me from behind they talked. Knowing some of the language I picked up something interesting in their discussion.

The Russian Republic apparently decided not to send a regiment to the Shanghai legation as originally discussed back in the Kremlin. They don't want to waste their army's manpower on an outpost too far away from the motherland. Also the general Wrangel appears to have rejected an invitation to talk with Boris Savinkov when the former returns home.

I stayed still and pretended not to understand when the officers finally went on their way. The rest of the party was uneventful and once guests left our honored guard made it's departure. Shang was already back at base, handing Major Suvillian a lecia model camera he apparently had been using. Then Suvillian debriefed me about what I learned from the Japanese.

He was about to dismiss me when I revealed I overheard some of the Russians talking. As soon as I said that he was utterly surprised before those eyes narrowed. He got into my face, mad as a bull, demanding an explanation on how I knew Russian. Alarmed, I revealed that I grew up with some Eastern Armenians in Los Angeles who spoke it.

Then Suvillian wanted to know why I didn't mention this sooner. Reluctantly I made my confession about wanting to stay as a field marine not a staff clerk in some office here. That statement caused the intelligence officer to sign before telling me that is not what I'm going to be. In fact he can make use of my language skills for future intelligence gathering here in Shanghai. Of course Suvillian demanded to know if there are other languages I understand or speak.

So I came clean about knowing Armenian, Arabic, Japanese and Russian. Also gave him a full report about what those two Ruskies gossiped about. Pleased with the report he next instructed me to make sure to write it all down by tomorrow. Also he ordered me to start studying at least one of the Chinese dialects. Sounds like a good deal I was wanting to anyway.

About to turn in for the night but have to admit this was a rather interesting day.