Chapter 253: Let’s Go See Our Jiangshan
This is showing the dagger behind the smile…
That’s right, it’s showing the dagger behind the smile…
Just as Mr. Ozaki thought all parties had reached a superficial consensus under his leadership and was about to announce the end of the meeting, Yoshida Hirohiro stood up quietly!
And his speech left everyone stunned for a moment…
After stating his request, Yoshida did not stop and continued, “Mr. Ozaki, General Sato, General Kagesa, please forgive my bluntness.”
“The ‘coordination mechanism’ proposed by Mr. Ozaki earlier has good intentions, but it will likely fail to meet the rapidly changing battlefield demands of the Nomonhan Front.”
“Please forgive my bluntness, Your Excellency Sato. The multi-layered coordination and joint decision-making you described sounds prudent, but in reality, it is inefficient and highly likely to miss critical opportunities!”
Everyone’s expressions changed as they looked toward the middle-aged man wearing a colonel’s military uniform with his hair combed impeccably.
Sato Buntai frowned upon hearing this. As a fellow soldier, he felt a kindred resonance with Yoshida’s manner of speaking, yet grew increasingly annoyed due to their differing positions.
Just as he was about to erupt, Yoshida did not wait for him to speak and continued clearly and firmly, “In extraordinary times, we must take extraordinary measures.”
“To ensure absolute efficiency and reliability of this lifeline, the only feasible plan currently is not power-sharing checks and balances, but rather the South Manchuria Railway temporarily taking command and dispatch authority over the entire transportation system!”
“Colonel Yoshida!” Sato Buntai slammed the table and stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at this colleague whose rank was lower than his own but whose presence was no less imposing. “Do you know what you’re saying?! Let the South Manchuria Railway take command? What qualification do you have to command the lifeline of the Imperial Holy War!”
“You at the South Manchuria Railway are far too arrogant.”
As the words fell, Sato’s gaze pierced toward Yoshida and Nakamura Isao like icicles.
He quickly realized that Yoshida Hirohiro’s speech was no spur-of-the-moment impulse, but a carefully prepared move by the South Manchuria Railway.
Mr. Ozaki’s heart sank as well. Yoshida Hirohiro’s army background meant he could not pressure him as easily as an ordinary South Manchuria Railway civilian official; his professional seniority and tough stance made the South Manchuria Railway’s demands carry more “weight.”
Facing Sato’s fury, Yoshida Hirohiro showed no fear. Instead, he stepped forward, his tone even calmer, carrying the stubbornness unique to technical bureaucrats and the directness of a soldier: “General Sato!”
“May I ask, do you know more about the gradient, curve radius, and load limits of every section of railway, or do I?”
“Do you know better which marshaling yards can keep operating under artillery fire, or do I? Can you precisely calculate how to transport a division’s equipment from Busan to Nomonhan with the lowest loss and fastest speed, or can I?”
“Your Excellency General!” Yoshida’s tone was grave. “Commanding transportation is like commanding a complex campaign.”
“Laymen interfering with experts will only result in the front lines’ blood flowing in vain! The Military Department can state demands and the most urgent materials list; we at the South Manchuria Railway can issue a military order guaranteeing flawless execution!”
“But how to dispatch rolling stock, how to plan routes, how to coordinate each critical transfer link—these must be unified in decision-making by the most professional people, that is, us at the South Manchuria Railway, executed seamlessly! Any superfluous links show disregard for the lives of frontline soldiers!”
With that, Yoshida turned his gaze to Mr. Ozaki: “Mr. Ozaki, this is not about seizing power; it’s for efficiency, for the Empire’s victory!”
“Dispersing command authority and letting those unfamiliar with the realities interfere—that is the greatest irresponsibility!”
“If the Military Department and Ume Agency are uneasy, they can station liaison officers in the dispatch core layer for oversight, but the final dispatch instructions must come from the South Manchuria Railway Dispatch Center!”
“This is the only conclusion based on expertise and battlefield conditions, and it is my bottom line!”
The meeting room fell into dead silence…
Yoshida Hirohiro’s speech laid bare the South Manchuria Railway’s long-accumulated dissatisfaction in the most hardline manner.
They not only wanted power, but framed it as “for victory,” making it hard for the Military Department to refute head-on for the moment.
Nakamura Isao remained silent, but this silence now carried weight.
His acquiescence to Yoshida’s speech represented the collective will of the South Manchuria Railway, including its military-backed forces.
Sato Buntai’s face turned ashen; he stared fixedly at Yoshida. As a fellow soldier, he understood Yoshida’s logic, but the Military Department’s dignity and desire for control made it impossible for him to accept easily.
He forced the words through gritted teeth: “Colonel Yoshida! You’re using frontline pressure to hold the Military Department hostage!”
“Moreover, if we’re talking efficiency, you at the South Manchuria Railway can’t find a transportation officer more outstanding than Deputy Minister Chen.”
“Can I take it that handing the transportation plan to Deputy Minister Chen for responsibility is the final optimal choice?”
Yoshida sneered, “That’s because the Southern Transportation Department doesn’t have vast territory like the North.”
“Your Excellency Sato, I insist that the South Manchuria Railway is the best.”
“Enough, Colonel Yoshida,” Kagesa Shinzhao’s cold gaze shifted between Yoshida and Chen Yang: “Colonel Yoshida’s professionalism and determination are impressive.”
“But power and responsibility are equal. If any ‘unplanned’ deviations occur on the transportation line, whether due to technical reasons or…”
“How will the South Manchuria Railway atone to His Majesty the Emperor?”
Mr. Ozaki felt unprecedented pressure. On one side was the Military Department’s unquestionable authority, on the other, the South Manchuria Railway invoking expertise and victory!
The hardline demand from an executive with military background, and Nomonhan Front supplies could not be delayed.
All eyes once again focused on this cabinet representative.
Mr. Ozaki’s fingers tapped lightly on the desktop, then he suddenly asked Chen Yang in the corner: “Deputy Minister Chen, what do you think of Yoshida-kun’s proposal?”
Chen Yang stood and said, “From a professional perspective, Yoshida-kun’s proposal is indeed very correct.”
“The biggest problem with transportation now is too many checkpoints and cumbersome procedures. Yoshida-kun’s willingness to shoulder responsibility is truly a model for us all.”
Sato’s expression changed abruptly: “Deputy Minister Chen, this is not the time for you to play the good guy and speak well for others.”
“You are also Deputy Minister of Transportation. Can’t you take responsibility for the Empire?”
Take it on myself? I’d have to be out of my mind!
With great difficulty, someone was willing to take the burden; of course Chen Yang supported it with both hands.
“Your Excellency Sato, if the Empire needs me to make a sacrifice, I am one hundred percent willing.”
“But we are now discussing transportation matters; everything is for the Holy War.”
Mr. Ozaki nodded: “Yes, Deputy Minister Chen is absolutely right; everything we do is for the Holy War.”
“Then, transportation dominance matters will be handled by Colonel Yoshida.”
“Mr. Nakamura, you are now representing the South Manchuria Railway at this meeting. Can you also reveal some of the South Manchuria Railway’s trump cards to us?”
Nakamura Isao stood and said, “Gentlemen, I can represent the South Manchuria Railway in promising that we will mobilize all resources to maintain the materials delivery process and handle all supply work.”
Mr. Ozaki nodded slowly, but before he could speak, Sato Buntai questioned again: “Mr. Nakamura, I don’t want to hear verbal promises. I want to know if your headquarters has issued a written order.”
“If not, where do you get the confidence to take on everything?”
Nakamura Isao pondered and said, “Your Excellency Sato, this issue shouldn’t be a problem. The South Manchuria Railway’s purpose of serving the Empire will not change; it’s just a written order—frankly, a procedural matter.”
“Given the current situation, anyone who brings up process is the greatest saboteur of the Holy War path.”
Sato’s expression shifted slightly; Onodera Ken at his side quickly leaned in and whispered a few words.
Sato’s brows furrowed tightly, and he looked up at Chen Yang behind him.
Chen Yang, however, seemed utterly unperturbed, sitting quietly in the back.
Onodera Ken smiled faintly: “Your Excellency Ozaki, we have no objection to the arrangement.”
Hearing this, Mr. Ozaki finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The four-party talks at Chongguangtang ended in an extremely delicate and tense atmosphere.
Under Mr. Ozaki’s strenuous mediation, the South Manchuria Railway, represented by transportation officer Yoshida Hirohiro, gained dominance over the main dispatch plan.
The Military Department retained final review authority over priority levels and key materials.
The Ume Agency handled oversight and security.
Chen Yang, as the new Deputy Minister of Transportation, handled specific coordination and implementation.
On the surface, the South Manchuria Railway seemed to have gained dominance, but the Military Department and Ume Agency had already set up numerous checkpoints.
When Yoshida actually took over the transportation lines, he discovered that everything was completely different from what he had imagined…
Shanghai, June, lights just coming on.
Inside the “Moonlight Sand” private room in West Shanghai.
Logistics Department Deputy Minister Onodera Ken sat facing Chen Yang.
The exquisite dishes were almost untouched, sake gently rippling in the wine cups.
Chen Yang had dismissed all attendants; only the two of them remained in the room.
Onodera Ken stared at Chen Yang: “Mr. Chen, I’m a bit puzzled. A few days ago at Chongguangtang, why did you have me speak up to stop Your Excellency Sato from challenging the South Manchuria Railway?”
“That old guy Yoshida Hirohiro was so aggressive, practically snatching dominance from our hands!”
“General Sato had high hopes for you, expecting you to seize the initiative for us at the meeting.”
“Frankly, your ‘concession’ left the general and me feeling very surprised… and disappointed.”
Chen Yang did not answer immediately; he slowly lifted his wine cup, took a sip of sake, and a deep smile appeared on his face.
“Minister Onodera, in that situation, if I had clashed head-on with Deputy Minister Yoshida, or even supported General Sato in forcibly reclaiming dominance, what would the result be?”
Onodera Ken was slightly taken aback, his brows involuntarily furrowing: “At least it would show the Military Department’s stance and bottom line! It wouldn’t let the South Manchuria Railway be so arrogant, treating our Logistics Department as nothing!”
“Wrong,” Chen Yang shook his head gently: “Stance and bottom line are secondary in the face of the massive daily consumption figures at the Nomonhan Front.”
“Artillery fire waits for no one. Deputy Minister Yoshida’s reasons are professional: efficiency, avoiding laymen commanding experts… From a pure transportation perspective, it’s hard for us to completely refute head-on.”
“If we forcefully opposed, causing the meeting to deadlock or collapse and delaying frontline supplies, who would bear that responsibility?”
“How would Mr. Ozaki, representing the Tokyo cabinet, view the Expeditionary Army Logistics Department?”
“Minister Onodera, sometimes, tactical retreat is not cowardice, but for more thorough strategic control.”
“What are you trying to say, Mr. Chen?” Interest flashed in Onodera Ken’s eyes. “Mr. Chen, I am deputy minister and must be responsible for all materials supplies for the Expeditionary Army in the South.”
“I hope to hear no empty words.”
Chen Yang’s fingers lightly traced the desktop, as if outlining an invisible transportation network: “Minister Onodera, nominally handing dominance to the South Manchuria Railway, especially to someone like Deputy Minister Yoshida with a strong background and extreme confidence, brings several advantages for us.”
“First, clear responsibility and risk transfer.”
“From now on, any ‘inefficiency’ or ‘dispatch errors’ on the transportation line will primarily fall on the South Manchuria Railway, on Deputy Minister Yoshida.”
“We shift from potential executors of responsibility to overseers and assessors.”
“We can stand at a higher position, strictly scrutinizing every link of theirs; once problems arise, we have full grounds for intervention or accountability.”
“This is far more proactive than commanding ourselves and bearing all failure risks.”
Onodera Ken looked thoughtful, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desktop.
“Second, to make them perish, first make them mad.”
“With Deputy Minister Yoshida holding dominance, those in the South Manchuria Railway who resent our Military Department or engage in underhanded dealings will become more active.”
“Thinking they’ve succeeded, they will lower their guard and may even make dispatches not in the Empire’s overall interest to show off their ‘ability’—this is our prime opportunity to see their cards and catch their handles.”
“Third, and most importantly, true control lies not in who sits in the dispatch room issuing orders, but in who firmly grasps the execution chain!”
“Who has the ability, at key moments, to make those seemingly perfect dispatch plans undergo a slight ‘adjustment’ favorable to us.”
Onodera Ken’s gaze sharpened, his body unconsciously leaning forward: “Go on!”
The deep smile on Chen Yang’s face widened: “As deputy minister of the coordination headquarters, I am responsible for the specific coordination and implementation of all dispatch instructions.”
“This means every instruction from Deputy Minister Yoshida must pass through my link to become rolling stock running on the railway tracks.”
“I can ‘ensure’ that materials marked ‘express’ by the Logistics Department get absolute priority, all green lights.”
“I can also… on those seemingly secondary lines critical to the South Manchuria Railway’s own interests or vital to certain forces we’re watching, create some ‘reasonable’ delays, congestion, or let materials needing ‘special attention’ imperceptibly mix into military trains and reach their destinations.”
“Minister Onodera, why fight over a nominal dominance? Let Deputy Minister Yoshida and the South Manchuria Railway take the spotlight and all the pressure.”
“While we stay behind the scenes, ensuring the Empire’s core interests are unharmed, and using this system to achieve our deeper goals—whether rectifying the South Manchuria Railway or otherwise.”
“Don’t you think this is far wiser than tearing faces at the meeting and possibly getting burned by frontline setbacks?”
“But I heard you’ve halted all business to cooperate with Yoshida!” Onodera said calmly.
“Yes,” Chen Yang did not deny: “That’s why I asked you here today. Actually, not just you—three days ago, I had all logistics officers on the Southern Route notified to prepare supply details and seize the chance for a big deal.”
“A big deal?” Onodera Ken’s brows jumped: “How big?”
Chen Yang nodded: “Exactly. We aim to complete half a year’s transaction volume in one month. All clients are already arranged; now we just wait for materials outbound.”
“I’ve calculated: if this business goes smoothly, we can at least split this amount…”
Onodera Ken looked at Chen Yang’s five extended fingers, trembling slightly: “Five million?”
“Clap clap,” Chen Yang smiled and clapped lightly.
Creak, the sliding door was pushed open; Lin Su slipped in: “Boss!”
“How’s the matter I asked you to handle?” Chen Yang’s voice was very gentle.
Lin Su nodded: “All arranged, Your Excellency. The guests you invited have mostly arrived; just waiting for you.”
“Good!” Chen Yang stood: “Yoshida-kun, let’s go take a look at the vast empire we’ve worked hard to build…”
