Chapter Twenty: The Kinoshita Family
The Tide Rider of Time Travel had no pop-up windows. Fortunately, Wei Hua never intended to become friends with Master Bruce Lee—an iconic figure—through a single letter, nor did he expect to gain his unwavering trust so easily. It was reassuring that half a year still remained before Master Bruce Lee’s accident, and perhaps, within those six months, there might yet be a turning point. Receiving Bruce Lee’s reply and his martial arts teachings already delighted Wei Hua. He immediately wrote back, seeking advice on certain aspects of martial arts. From then on, Wei Hua sent a letter to Master Lee nearly every week, and Bruce Lee always replied personally. Soon, the two became friends who spoke without reserve. From the questions Wei Hua raised in his letters, Master Lee discerned a rare martial arts prodigy, with exceptional insight. Subsequently, Bruce Lee began to share his Jeet Kune Do philosophy and techniques with Wei Hua through their correspondence. Though Wei Hua mentioned Master Lee’s health several times, the master always dismissed his concerns. Wei Hua, however, had discovered from the biological computer’s archives that, with the technology of the seventies, Lee’s illness could not yet be detected, which troubled him greatly.
After Wei Hua’s duel with Kinoshita Nosuke, Sato Eimon visited several times, acting on behalf of Kinoshita. The match had brought favorable results, and business at the Kinoshita Judo School flourished. Upon learning that Wei Hua had no intention of teaching students, most martial arts enthusiasts flocked to Kinoshita’s school to study judo, for Kinoshita’s skills had also shone during the duel. Three weeks passed swiftly. One weekend, Sato Eimon and Kinoshita Nosuke paid an unexpected visit to Wei Hua. Wei Hua cordially welcomed them into the living room of the apartment he shared with Jessie, Mary, and Kathleen. Conveniently, all three young women were out, giving Wei Hua and his guests privacy.
After entering, Kinoshita Nosuke and Sato Eimon bowed to Wei Hua and spoke in Mandarin:
"Mr. Wei, forgive our abrupt visit. I should have come to thank you in person for your help to the Kinoshita dojo and to my family after the match, but I have been overwhelmed with affairs lately and could not pay my respects sooner. I hope you will pardon me."
"No need for such formality," Wei Hua replied. "I have no animosity toward rational Japanese gentlemen like yourself and Mr. Sato. I enjoy making friends with such people. Friends help each other; there’s nothing to be thanked for. You are too courteous to come all this way for this."
"My family and I hope to become friends with you, Mr. Wei. Our family’s ties to China are ancient and deep. Throughout our history, relations with the mainland were close—only when the Qing government ruled did those ties grow distant. The philosophy passed down in our family has always been shaped by Confucian moderation, and we have adhered to closed, self-preserving policies. Thus, despite our long history, the Kinoshita family holds little influence in Japanese politics, especially in modern times. We were powerless regarding the recent relations between China and Japan, and our family has never intervened. But even if we had wielded influence, I doubt we could have changed those relations, for the Chinese government of that era was so weak—everyone saw it. While we lack political power, our family, with its deep roots, retains considerable influence in other fields. Mr. Wei, you may not know this, but if necessary, we could even indirectly affect the emperor."
"Hmm," Wei Hua mused. "Mr. Kinoshita, I learned from Mr. Sato that he works for a family from Nagoya. I need a knowledgeable Japanese partner, which is why I proposed cooperation. But in truth, I only seek a standard business partnership with your family—there’s no need to reveal family secrets. But if you don’t mind sharing, I’d be happy to listen."
"Mr. Wei, these secrets are no longer vital to my family. Our latent influence has been noticed by other Japanese powers. Our pursuit of moderation cannot shield us from disaster anymore. Now, our family is facing pressure and encroachment from the Black Dragon Society; a single misstep could spell our end! We urgently need to ally with external forces to resist the Black Dragon Society’s aggression."
The Black Dragon Society! Wei Hua’s anger flared at the mention of that notorious name. As an impassioned patriot, Wei Hua could hardly be unaware of this Japanese organization, which played the vanguard in every invasion of China, trailing behind Japan’s militarist government like a dog. After World War II, the Black Dragon Society suffered crippling blows and became nothing more than a violent gang in Japan, much diminished in power. How had they resurfaced now, threatening the Kinoshita family? Wei Hua could not ignore such a group.
"The Black Dragon Society—I’ve heard of them. How could I not? I utterly despise them. In this, we share a common foe. But I have a question: Why did your family choose someone like me as a partner?" Wei Hua asked.
"Mr. Wei, at its core, our family understands and is profoundly influenced by Chinese culture. Its vastness and depth taught us that if Japan continues to antagonize China, disaster may someday befall Japan. ‘Whoever offends the great Han, no matter how far, must be punished!’ These words were spoken two thousand years ago, but they stand true for the future. China’s rise is only a matter of time."
"My family was founded during the An Lushan Rebellion of the Tang Dynasty. When Lady Yang committed suicide, she did not die, but sailed east to Japan, living incognito. Though she never returned in her remaining years, she sent many servants back to the mainland to seek news of the empire, maintaining close ties with China. My family’s ancestor was Lady Yang’s personal attendant, and in her leisure, Lady Yang taught him Confucian philosophy and Chinese culture. Thus, our family became entwined with Chinese culture, sending members to study in China each generation, until the Manchu rule."