A Hypocrite in Republican-Era China

In the autumn of 1937, a Whampoa cadet expelled from the academy named Kong Xun called himself a modest gentleman while “committing every kind of evil and raking in money like mad.” He completely changed people’s understanding of the word “gentleman.” The Central Bureau of Investigation: Kong Xun is the party-state’s biggest parasite! The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics: Boss Kong is a hero of the party-state. He’s just a little expensive! The Special Higher Police: Advisor Kong Xun, we agreed you’d devote your life to the cause of Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity! Kong Xun, you hypocrite! The Communist Party: We must never forget our comrades on the covert front. Believe us, Comrade Kong Xun really is one of our own!