Chapter 48: Let Everyone Know
The shooting case was just an extremely ordinary case for Shanghai at this time.
The gunshot rang out, and the people at the wharf were quickly alerted.
Hirata Jizaburo’s body was naturally discovered by them.
Of course, besides the body, there was also a carefully prepared “information” about secret transactions between the Logistics Department and certain businessmen in Shanghai.
Shanghai, Zhabei District, Jinjiafang, Manchurian Railway Affairs Investigation Bureau.
The full name of Manchurian Railway is Manchurian Railway Co., Ltd.
It is the largest materials supplier for the Japanese Navy and Army, providing more than three million tons of materials and 100 million in military expenses to the Navy and Army every year.
Besides full support in funds and materials, they also established their own Investigation Bureau.
The Investigation Bureau is directly under the Manchurian Railway High Command and is an independent intelligence agency.
It only has a cooperative relationship with the military.
Because the purpose of establishing this organization is to serve the Manchurian Railway High Command, their focus, besides scouting the movements of anti-Japanese elements, is mainly collecting information.
Third Floor, Director’s Office.
Knock knock knock, a series of knocking sounds rang out.
Aoki Kenichiro, sitting in the office, put down the steel pen in his hand, looked up and said, “Come in.”
The office door was pushed open, and Yokogawa Hiko, section chief of the information collection section of the Manchurian Railway Affairs Investigation Bureau, walked a few steps to Aoki Kenichiro.
“Director Aoki, something happened to Hirata-kun.”
Aoki Kenichiro frowned: “Hirata-kun reported to me this morning that he had important clues about the Shanghai materials transaction situation.”
“How could it be so sudden?”
Yokogawa Hiko said gravely: “It might be because of this materials situation.”
“Special Higher Police Affairs found a document on Hirata-kun stating that someone in the Empire’s Logistics Department used their authority to embezzle materials.”
“Moreover, they used the Osaka Chamber of Commerce’s sales network to resell the materials to the Blue Army.”
“Osaka Chamber of Commerce, baka.” Aoki Kenichiro’s face instantly darkened upon hearing this: “Yokogawa, do you have evidence for what you’re saying?”
Yokogawa Hiko was startled by Aoki Kenichiro’s furious expression and nodded: “Matsui-kun of Special Higher Police Affairs found evidence of the transaction on Hirata-kun.”
“But the other side is very cunning; this evidence can only prove there was a transaction, but not the specific parties involved.”
“I guess Hirata-kun was silenced because he knew about this news.”
“Director, this matter involves the military; should we report it to the Expeditionary Army Headquarters?”
Aoki Kenichiro’s right hand lightly tapped the desktop; after a moment, he still shook his head.
“Yokogawa, we can’t report it for now; we don’t have a complete chain of evidence proving corruption in the Logistics Department.”
“Our military has always been extremely severe in punishing corruption cases.”
“Without solid evidence, the only result will be a reprimand from the Military Department, nothing more.”
“By the way, where is that information you mentioned now?”
Yokogawa Hiko said in a low voice: “It’s temporarily still in the hands of Matsui-kun of Special Higher Police Affairs.”
Aoki Kenichiro said gravely: “Do they have any suspected targets?”
Yokogawa Hiko pondered for a moment and said: “The clues provided by Matsui-kun point to Nagata Raishiro of the Gendarmerie Headquarters Inspection Department and Matsuda Kazuo of the Logistics Department.”
Upon hearing this, Aoki Kenichiro seemed to understand something and sneered: “Embezzlement by those in charge?”
“One from the Logistics Department and one from the Inspection Department; these two alone couldn’t pull off something this big. There must be others.”
“Yokogawa, I’m assigning Hirata-kun’s case to you.”
“If this really involves a military corruption case, then we must root them all out.”
“Hirata-kun can’t die in vain.”
“Hai.” Yokogawa Hiko slightly bowed and was about to leave when Aoki Kenichiro suddenly said: “Wait a moment.”
Yokogawa Hiko stopped and respectfully asked: “Does Director Aoki have any other instructions?”
Aoki Kenichiro said slowly: “The Expeditionary Army Special Services Section sent us a letter of assistance.”
“They request to form a South China War of Resistance Forces Investigation Committee with us to specifically study anti-Japanese armed forces in the China region.”
“I plan to recommend you to headquarters as director of the investigation committee.”
Yokogawa Hiko’s body shook; he quickly bowed: “Thank you, Director Aoki, for your care.”
Aoki Kenichiro smiled faintly: “Yokogawa has been in Shanghai for many years and is very familiar with the situation here. I’m relieved to have you in this position.”
“Handle Hirata-kun’s case well, dig out the parasites in the military, and give me a satisfactory answer; this position will be yours.”
This sounded just like painting a big pie; Yokogawa inexplicably felt like he hadn’t eaten anything but suddenly felt full.
“I understand. Please rest assured, Director; I will do my best to handle this case.”
Shanghai, Gendarmerie Headquarters Logistics Management Center.
Ino Yusuke pushed open the door to the Logistics Department minister’s office, carefully closed it again, and hurried to Suzuhara Shingo: “Uncle, the matter is settled.”
“Chen Yang really took action, though his technique was a bit novice; even after killing the man, he wasn’t reassured and fired a few more shots.”
Suzuhara Shingo laughed heartily: “For a newbie, this is normal. I’m not surprised by Chen Yang’s reaction.”
Ino Yusuke leaned in: “Minister, will Matsuda-kun and the others have trouble next?”
Suzuhara Shingo looked up at Ino Yusuke: “What? You can’t bear to?”
Ino Yusuke quickly waved his hands: “No no no, that’s not what I mean. I mean, if Matsuda-kun and them get in trouble, will it implicate us?”
Suzuhara Shingo’s expression softened slightly and said flatly: “I thought you were reluctant because of your colleague bond.”
“Heh, rest assured, they are them, we are us. Even if they insist these things involve us, they can’t produce evidence.”
“Besides, the hole in the Logistics Department’s materials is getting bigger; when that hole can’t be plugged one day, someone will naturally have to jump in to block it.”
“This is also me planning for our future.”
Ino Yusuke frowned but ultimately said nothing.
Suzuhara Shingo stood up, walked to the window, suddenly turned and asked: “There won’t be any oversights in Chen Yang’s matter, right?”
Ino Yusuke respectfully replied: “Ando-kun arranged it very thoroughly. After Mr. Chen took action, Nishida-kun took him to Huishan Wharf.”
“Then arranged a car to Yong’an Department Store in Zhabei District; no one tailing was spotted along the way.”
“Well arranged.” Suzuhara Shingo nodded slightly: “Yusuke, since the other side has acted, we must honor our agreement.”
“Notify Yamada-kun; the cleanup and rectification work at the Chinese Territory wharves officially begins.”
“Remember, when doing it, make a big splash so the entire Shanghai knows that the Shanghai Wharf has new management now.”
