Chapter 220: Wow, The Married Woman Is Super Righteous
Haruki Keiin stood at the door, quietly watching Chen Yang on the seat. Finally, he still took a step forward.
This step represented his attitude.
The two sat facing each other. Chen Yang picked up the wine pot on the table and personally poured a cup of warm Huadiao Wine from Shaoxing for Haruki Keiin.
Huadiao has a flavor similar to sake, but this Huadiao Wine aged over a dozen years has a far richer taste than sake..
After a few cups of wine, once the atmosphere became slightly more cordial, Chen Yang dismissed all the waiters. Only the two of them remained in the private room. Haruki Keiin slightly leaned forward: “What did Director Chen mean just now.”
Chen Yang smiled and sized up Haruki. The other man moved with elegant composure, his speech refined, more like a scholar than a professional soldier.
“Lieutenant Colonel Haruki,” Chen Yang set down his wine cup, his expression turning solemn, “Your visit this time is surely not just to take a look.”
Haruki Keiin’s right hand trembled slightly. He immediately picked up his wine cup and pretended as if nothing had happened while taking a sip.
Indeed, his mission this time was under orders from Inspection Department Minister Kujo to represent the General Headquarters Inspection Department in auditing the Expeditionary Army’s material consumption and allocation over the past half year.
This was a position with immense hidden power, enough to make the generals at the Expeditionary Army Headquarters wary.
Haruki Keiin set down his wine cup, expressionless: “Oh? It seems Director Chen has heard something.”
“Shanghai is a pot of boiling oil,” Chen Yang said meaningfully, “On the surface, the Imperial Army is mighty, and the New Government has already been established.”
“But in the shadows, various forces are intertwined. Chongqing elements, Communist Party underground organization, Western powers, Concession Public Works Department, Municipal Council, and even Green Gang strongmen from all sides are constantly fighting.”
“With the strength of the Special Affairs Committee, it is far from enough to cut through all this chaos.”
He paused, observing Haruki’s reaction. Seeing the other man simply listening quietly, he continued: “Your Excellency Kagesa has grand vision and strategy, but his energy is mainly focused on macro strategy and ‘peaceful work’ with Chongqing.”
“At the specific execution level, especially in economics, finance, and dealing with those invisible wars in the Concession, we often feel powerless.”
Haruki Keiin nodded lightly: “Hardship is inevitable. As a high-ranking official, Director Chen, these are all part of your duties.”
“Moreover, Imperial Interest comes above all.”
“Precisely for Imperial Interest!” Chen Yang leaned forward, lowering his voice further, full of sincerity. “Lieutenant Colonel Haruki, with your Inspection Department identity, you can freely access core data on various materials and fund turnover. Your keen insight and profound understanding of economics are exactly what we need most right now.”
“And our Special Affairs Committee has informants and execution forces all over the Shanghai Bund.”
“What do you mean?” Haruki Keiin seemed to guess something but remained expressionless.
“On behalf of Your Excellency Kagesa and our entire team, I sincerely invite you,” Chen Yang said with burning eyes, “Not just to complete the Inspection Department’s audit task, but we hope you can stay.”
Haruki Keiin was silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the desktop.
He had indeed discovered many issues this time. There were numerous suspicious points in the Expeditionary Army’s material consumption, the logistics system was full of loopholes, and the intricate financial and economic undercover war in Shanghai deeply intrigued him.
Just coming once and writing a report truly could not satisfy his ambitions.
“Stay? I’m afraid it’s not that simple, right?” Haruki Keiin took a sip of Huadiao and said slowly.
Chen Yang raised his wine cup and lightly clinked it with his: “Haruki-kun, you should know it’s not that I need you to stay—many people hope you can stay.”
“Your Excellency Kujo has high expectations of you. Your every move affects many people’s positions.”
“The Empire’s warfare is in a period of steady development. As a leader of the Inspection Department, you should know the Empire’s current predicament.”
“We are temporarily unable to launch large-scale combat. At this time, if there are problems in logistics, the forward layout will face unprecedented crisis.”
“Director Chen,” after much contemplation, Haruki finally spoke, his voice unusually steady, “The Empire’s holy war requires us to work together in all fields.”
“The importance of logistics materials goes without saying.”
“But for now, my primary duty is still to complete the Inspection Department’s audit report.”
“However, during this time, I can use my authority to assist you in accessing some data information possibly related to economic sabotage and material smuggling. We can start cooperation from this aspect…”
Very good, those who understand the times are heroes.
Hearing Haruki’s words, a smile appeared on Chen Yang’s face.
“Excellent! Lieutenant Colonel Haruki, for our future cooperation, for the Empire’s great cause, cheers!”
“Cheers.” Haruki Keiin also raised his wine cup.
Clap clap clap. After setting down the wine cup, Chen Yang lightly clapped his hands.
The private room door opened, and a woman wearing a black floral qipao with her hair in an updo entered holding a tray.
“Haruki-kun, a small gift, not much respect.” Chen Yang nodded slightly to the woman, gesturing for her to sit beside Haruki Keiin.
This woman’s appearance did not quite match youthful beauty; her age was probably a few years older than Haruki Keiin.
Snow-white skin, plump figure, her looks very much like Teacher “Yama no Koharu” in Chen Yang’s impression.
And Haruki Keiin’s eyes could not move away upon seeing this woman.
As expected, the information left by Kagesa was reliable.
This Haruki Keiin indeed had some Oedipus complex.
“Director Chen, what is the meaning of this?” Haruki Keiin turned his gaze to the items on the tray, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
“This is a gift specially prepared for Haruki-kun: the appointment letter for Deputy Head of Ume Agency, and the account you opened at Huafu Fund.”
“And a garden house in the Japanese residential area.”
“This…” Haruki Keiin suddenly became flustered.
As everyone knew, the Inspection Department was a clean office; even Minister Kujo relied on ancestral blessings to hold his position.
Although Haruki Keiin held titles from the Inspection Department and General Staff Office Third Section Counselor, his income was pitifully low.
Suddenly giving him a garden house.
“Haruki-kun, as I said earlier, the Gate of Wealth and Honor has already opened. You made a very correct choice and walked in.”
“So, from now on, as long as I prosper, you will surely prosper too..”
“Mrs. Morizawa, take good care of Your Excellency Haruki. I will take my leave first.”
“Yes,” the woman slightly bowed and curtsied..
Walking out of the private room, Chen Yang slowly let out a breath.
Haruki Keiin had come to Shanghai on the surface as Counselor for intelligence survey work, but his true mission was under orders from Inspection Department Minister Kujo to investigate the Army Department’s material consumption.
Over the past year or so, the Expeditionary Army’s consumption had greatly exceeded the homeland budget, and the homeland side was already overburdened.
Haruki Keiin was the chess piece sent by the Inspection Department to probe the way.
Fortunately, this guy was sensible. Otherwise, his return cruise ship might meet with an accident at any time..
“Boss.” Lin Su had appeared beside Chen Yang at some point: “Mrs. Morizawa is almost forty. You want her to accompany Your Excellency Haruki? Is that appropriate?”
Chen Yang pursed his lips. So what if almost forty? Some like the fresh and green, naturally others like the mature.
Hadn’t someone surnamed Zhang said: “Wow, married women are just right.”
***
Shanghai, Paramount Ballroom
In early spring March in Shanghai, the damp tail of lingering winter still dragged on.
Under the night curtain on Avenue Joffre, the dim yellow halo of streetlights layered open in the cold rain threads.
The facade of the Paramount Ballroom brazenly emitted nearly decadent brilliance.
That rotating flashing huge neon sign—”Paramount”—blood-red English letters flickering on and off, like the irregular pulsing of some massive and ominous blood-sucking creature, illuminating the small patch of rain-soaked asphalt road in front of the door in bizarre lights.
A black Austin sedan splashed up murky water flowers and steadily stopped under the most glaring neon light spot.
The lean bodyguard on the passenger side had already nimbly jumped down and alertly opened the car door.
The sound of leather shoes stepping on the pooled water on the ground was exceptionally clear.
The one emerging from the car was Central Executive Committee member Huang Xiangu, and right behind, emerging from another car, was fellow Central Executive Committee member Chen Mingchu.
He was even more cautious than Huang Xiangu. The gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was sharp as a hawk, quickly scanning the complex corners of intertwined lights and shadows around, the various vehicles parked at the ballroom entrance, the dark alley mouths beyond the neon, even the black hollow windows of the apartment building opposite.
Two cold-faced attendants stood like iron casts, never leaving his sides.
Inside the heavy carved glass door of the Paramount Ballroom, the frenetic brass of the jazz band merged with noisy human voices into a scorching wave, surging straight into the cold rainy night.
In the shadows not far away, leaning against the base of a low wall on Fukaisen Road, Zhao Lijun deeply inhaled smoke.
The twisted red cigarette butt of “Old Knife Cigarettes” sizzled on the damp wall and instantly extinguished.
The smoky acrid smell briefly overpowered the damp chill.
“Position locked. Action targets: Huang, Chen, kill without mercy.” His voice was low and deep, almost blending into the pattering night rain.
“Remember, at 7:55, I give the signal to act.”
He paused, his bloodshot eyes deadlocked on the two figures escorted by bodyguards under the neon light about to push open the door. “Gentlemen, national vengeance and family hatred, execute the traitors! Do not fail the leader’s expectations! Do not fail the country!”
“Yes!” From the darkness behind him, several suppressed yet sharp auras silently responded, like blades drawn before striking.
No more grand words, just a faint syllable, yet killing intent fully exposed.
That distant glass door spilling colorful lights and decadent sounds was like a giant greedy maw devouring everything.
The Paramount Ballroom glass door was pushed open again, the surging heat wave and laughter briefly stirring the cold air before returning to position.
The orchestra inside erupted again, beating out an even crazier rhythm, the drumbeats almost stepping into people’s chests.
Zhao Lijun’s gaze locked dead on those two target figures. Huang Xiangu and Chen Mingchu, escorted by bodyguards, walked back toward their seats, gesturing animatedly in the air with Huang Xiangu’s hand.
Now.
“Act!”
This low roar was mostly swallowed by a sudden intense drumbeat from the ballroom, but the hunters ambushed in various places all received the signal simultaneously!
In an instant, death lurking at the edge of the neon lights was like a black python long in ambush, suddenly raising its icy head!
“Bang!” From the right-side shadows, Agent codenamed “Old Knife” Wang Shun fired the first thunder.
The Boxer pistol spat blinding fire, the bullet whistling and tearing through the dense damp air, aimed straight at Huang Xiangu!
“Watch out..” Huang Xiangu’s well-maintained glossy head jerked back violently!
Half of his expensive mink hat flew high upward, tracing a desperate light arc.
That explosive crack like a hard nutshell splitting was instantly diluted by the saxophone wail surging from inside the Paramount Ballroom.
Warm blood mixed with sticky brain matter splattered in spots on the front of his dark brocade robe, also splashing onto the dark baked enamel door of that shiny Austin sedan.
In an instant, the entire body slumped straight down as if boned, toward the wet ground.
The body unconsciously curled and twitched once on the damp ground, then moved no more.
Dark bloodstains quickly spread beneath him.
At the same moment Wang Shun fired!
Zhao Lijun shot out like an arrow from string from the left-side car pile shadows!
Two Boxer pistols already raised high simultaneously!
Muzzles locked dead on Chen Mingchu trying to dodge behind the sedan!
“Protect Mr. Chen!!” Chen Mingchu’s bodyguards reacted extremely quickly.
Almost the instant “Old Knife” fired, the two most elite attendants by Chen Mingchu charged forward like wild bulls, using their thick bodies as meat shields!
Simultaneously instinctively drawing their waist holsters!
Zhao Lijun pulled the trigger “Bang bang! Bang bang bang!”
Bullets tore the rain curtain, but were soon blocked by the targets!
The two charging bodyguards shuddered violently all over, huge blood flowers bursting on their chests!
The close-range explosive cracks hammered the eardrums! The Austin sedan’s windshield that was meant as a barrier suddenly shattered into a spiderweb, then exploded with a crash!
One bodyguard was knocked backward by the force, his fall path exactly where Chen Mingchu hastily retreated!
Tripped by the corpse, Chen Mingchu stumbled, his gold-rimmed glasses face twisting in extreme horror for the first time.
Zhao Lijun’s dense bullets “thud thud thud” drilled into the bodyguard blocking in front of Chen Mingchu.
Chen Mingchu rolled and crawled behind the car. Zhao Lijun fired several shots in succession, bullets viciously chiseling into the car body behind him, sparking blinding flashes.
One ricochet whistled sharply, plowing harshly past the outside of Chen Mingchu’s calf!
“Urgh ah—!” Chen Mingchu let out a beast-like twisted pain roar, his calf pants leg instantly soaked in blood!
Heart-piercing agony blanched his face, his leg buckling to kneel!
The driver behind him was also cut by glass shards on the forehead, blood pasting half his face.
Two other action team agents also rushed out from side cover along the predetermined route at the first moment!
Bullets poured like storm rain toward Chen Mingchu’s bodyguards and sedan!
The Boxer pistol slide jumping frequency even surpassed the ballroom’s dense drumbeats.
“Da da da—!” The astonishing change happened in these few seconds of life and death!
The rear canopy cloth of an apparently ordinary rickshaw opposite suddenly tore open! A black submachine gun barrel abruptly extended from the rip! The muzzle spat head-numbing dense flames!
The fire tongue hissing like venomous snakes almost licked viciously over their bodies the instant those two agents rushed from cover!
Ambush.
One agent’s upper body was like continuously struck by an invisible giant hammer, his body torn backward by violent kinetic energy!
Chest torn open several shocking holes by bullets!
“Run” He used all his strength for a broken syllable, the light in his eyes thoroughly drained.
The slim body heavily crashed into the cold pooled water.
Nearby agent Li Qiang was grazed on the right shoulder by the first bullet volley, stumbling.
Before he could steady himself, fire tongue shot from another dark corner on the side!
Bullets “thud thud” into flesh sounds chilling!
Gunfire exploded violently in the narrow space, car hoods, body steel plates, windshields parked at the door pitted countless deep holes by bullets!
Fragments flew splashing like rainstorm, air thick with choking gunsmoke and the strange metallic stench from ironware fiercely impacted.
Zhao Lijun’s heart plunged into a millennium ice cellar, piercing chill instantly spreading through limbs! Ambush! Early ambush!
His body under instinct drive rolled close to the ground, dodging a string of oncoming bullets, scorching warheads chiseling sparks on the cement where he had been.
His two Boxer pistols fiercely returned fire toward the rickshaw hiding the submachine gun!
“Old Knife” Wang Shun reacted extremely quickly too!
Huang Xiangu’s corpse lay in a puddle a few steps away. Having completed the first kill, he rolled at the first gunshot to seek the next cover.
Just as he rushed behind another car, his peripheral vision caught a reflective lens on the second floor side—a second fire tongue abruptly spat from an opened window on the Paramount Ballroom second floor!
It was hunting him, the first shooter!
“Thud!” Dull penetration sound.
Wang Shun’s body jerked violently! Followed by the second! Blood flowers burst simultaneously from his shoulder blade and lower back! Scalding liquid immediately splashed onto the cold car door, mixing with rain flowing down.
A muffled “gurk gurk” issued from his throat, with unspeakable shock and pain, he softly slumped against the car sliding into the cold muddy water.
“Station Chief! Rally point direction! Withdraw fast! Brothers… holding!” Another young elite agent hoarsely roared at Zhao Lijun!
His cuff torn by bullet, one arm blood-drenched, but his Boxer pistol stubbornly kept firing at the emerging fire points opposite and on the second floor!
Bullet casings clinked bouncing on the cold slippery ground. He tried to cover Zhao Lijun’s withdrawal to the predetermined escape route side-rear.
The originally meticulously planned assassination instantly faced a shocking reversal.
Of the accompanying agent team, seven or eight agents were now dead, the rest in dire straits.
Zhao Lijun gnashed steel teeth nearly to bits, blood threads crawling his eyeballs, gunfire and dead faces alternating tearing in his vision.
“Go!” Zhao Lijun’s voice was forced by booming gunfire into an air-tearing roar.
The Boxer pistol’s roar never ceased, bullets pressing one after another toward the greatest threat—the exposed second floor window!
Seizing this critical instant, he abruptly turned!
“Thud!”
A bullet from diagonally behind slyly grazed the outside of Zhao Lijun’s right arm!
Flesh plowed open a deep gash by the bullet! Agony with scorching exploded instantly!
Zhao Lijun’s vision blackened, body swaying violently! Warm blood immediately soaked the whole arm. But his steps did not pause a bit. Charge!
Zhong He witnessed the station chief shot, emitting a near-beastly rage roar. His remaining left hand dragged the injured right arm, staggering forward a few more steps, frenziedly pulling the trigger toward a plainclothes agent just peeking from the street corner trying to flank!
Trying to bait himself, deadlocking the pursuers!
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Bullets viciously chiseling sounds on the car body in front of Zhong He were chilling!
He abruptly side-rolled, but still a bit slow! One bullet pierced the edge of his cover hood, ultimately wedging harshly into his left thigh!
In the muffled thud, Zhong He was flipped to the ground, emitting a grunt.
He struggled to rise but collapsed again from agony and blood loss.
In just this instant, Zhao Lijun had rushed into the entrance of a dim lane piled with debris nearby.
Pursuers’ shouts and sporadic gunfire behind were bounced off by the lane’s twisting walls, drawing shrill hollow echoes.
His injured right arm dangled like broken, every breath tugging the torn arm muscle agony.
Cold rainwater mixed with scalding cold sweat dripped madly, soaking his tattered clothes.
He did not stop a step, driven by inhuman will, deep and shallow footing on slippery soaked green bricks.
Screech, a long brake sound at the lane mouth. The relay agent roared at Zhao Lijun: “Station Chief, get in.”
Zhao Lijun clenched his teeth, rapidly approaching, leap-stepping through the window into the back seat. The car whipped a handsome drift, bursting through the rain curtain, vanishing into the night.
That small battlefield at the Paramount Ballroom entrance soaked in blood, the neon at the ballroom door still tirelessly spun and flashed, under scarlet light everything heart-stopping…
Huang Xiangu’s brocade finery soaked in deep red pooled water, expensive otter fur hat torn by bullet, rolling beside nearby tire…
Behind the car, one gold-rimmed glasses leg broken, askew on Chen Mingchu’s pained twisted face, he curled by the car groaning from blood loss…
Tap tap, leather shoe sounds rang out. Ding Cun and Li Qun slowly walked out from the Paramount Ballroom.
“You, you…” Chen Mingchu looked at the two figures, as if understanding everything.
Ding Cun coldly waved: “Men, send Committee Member Chen to the hospital…”
Two agents slightly bowed, one left one right propping up Chen Mingchu, stuffing him into the car.
Li Qun watched the car’s receding figure with a long sigh: “Zhao Lijun this Demon King of Killing truly lives up to his name, ruthless to others and to himself.”
Ding Cun smiled faintly: “Rest assured, this time his action team is almost wiped out. He shouldn’t have any big moves in the short term.”
“Brother Li, we can finally report to Director Chen…”
