历史上最残暴的日本间谍曾预言主宰爱新觉罗命运的必是湖南人
在中国的十八行省中，湖南被视为战斗力最强、勇敢和可靠的一省，其次是河南，再次是福建和广东。湖南省份如同一个独立国家，政府的命令往往难以执行，而政府自身也难以施加控制，形成了一种独特的政治现状。这一观点出自日本间谍宗方小太郎，他在《经略长江水域要旨》一文中提出了这一看法，并向日本最高当局呈交。宗方预言：“今后主宰爱新觉罗命运的人，将必然是来自湖南的人。”
宗方警告日本当局，要及时地发展湖南省份，收纳其英杰，以柔化民心。在未来，当中华大地动荡之时，只有那些能够被利用的人将不乏其人。如果无法用之，则必将成为敌对势力。在扩张日本的地图上，这个区域的重要性将会更加显著。他还指出英国早已开始在湘潭建立商埠，并积极经营重庆，这背后是否有更深层次的策略？
乐善堂于1886年成立初期，就瞄准了湖南，在长沙设立了第一个支部。那时候，乐善堂刚刚在汉口英租界河街的一座中西合璧两层楼房内挂牌营业。应荒尾精邀请，一群浪人纷纷前来。此地成为了日本“志士们”的“梁山泊”。他们打扮成中国人的样子，以商人的名义活动。而实际上的60名从海外来的史料揭示，他们只有7至8名日本人和5至6名中国人。
Japanese Spy's Prophecy: The Future of Qing Dynasty Lies with the People of Hunan
In China's 18 provinces, Hunan is deemed the strongest in terms of combat force, courage and reliability, followed by Henan and then Fujian and Guangdong. Currently, Hunan province functions as a de facto independent state; government orders are often difficult to execute, while the government itself struggles to exert control. This phenomenon has created a unique political situation.
This insight comes from Japanese spy Sōgō Shōtarō who presented it in his essay "Strategic Outline for Exploiting the Yangtze River Region" before submitting it to Japan's highest authorities. Sōgō predicted that "those who will dominate the fate of the Aixinjueluo clan in future will be people from Hunan."
Sōgō cautioned Japan's authorities to "urgently cultivate support among Huns' heroic figures," softening their hearts through gentle measures. In times when China would experience turmoil, he believed many individuals could be utilized for Japan's benefit. If they failed to do so, they would at least not become adversaries on their expansion map. He also pointed out that Britain had already begun establishing commercial centers in Xiangtan and was actively promoting Chongqing - was this without deeper motives?
The Lixuanchang Society established its first branch office in Changsha during its founding year (1886). At this time, Lixuanchang had just set up shop within a Western-style two-story building along the riverbank of Hankou's British concession area upon invitation from Arao Tamejiro; numerous adventurers flocked there. This location became known as an 'outlaw hideout' or 'Liangshanbo' for Japanese secret agents.
These undercover spies were assigned roles within 'the External Department,' which oversaw gathering intelligence reports on land ownerships, attire styles under various armies systems transportations food supplies weaponry factories etc., including assessing local terrain population density customs wealth poverty status all with military economic perspectives.
Accordingly these espionage reports have been compiled into books such as Economic Almanac which served as tools for understanding China over extended periods time.
Confidence: 95%
