Chapter 119: Osaka Division
Those constables from the police station hurriedly nodded and bowed as they retreated out.
Those who can eat this bowl of rice know how to fawn over the high and trample the low, flatter and curry favor, and handle social niceties; those are all basic skills.
The lower-level petty officials like these understand even better who they can afford to provoke and who they cannot.
Given Ino-kun’s earlier display, it’s clear he has a significant background; he’s not someone they can afford to offend.
You don’t really think the French Concession has that many iron forests, do you?
“A Ren, you take care of the guests. Gentlemen, enjoy the show slowly. If you need anything, make an appointment with Boss Lin.” Chen Yang greeted the crowd and led Ino Yusuke and his group up to the second floor.
The second floor was also meticulously renovated, with plaques for handling various businesses hanging in each area, as well as offices exclusive to mid-level leaders.
The group walked all the way to an unmarked office inside.
Chen Yang opened the office door and beckoned everyone inside.
Ino Yusuke gave a look to the people behind him, and the group immediately stopped; only a kindly-looking middle-aged man followed him into the office.
The office still retained the smell of clear varnish left from the renovation.
Ino Yusuke smiled and said, “Mr. Chen, this time I’ve brought you a major client. Let me introduce him: this is Lieutenant Colonel Teruchi Ken from the Logistics Department of the Osaka Division.”
Osaka Division? The one that later Chinese people mockingly called Japan’s number one useless division, the Osaka Division?
Hearing this, Chen Yang couldn’t help but curiously size up Teruchi Ken.
His face had typical aristocratic lines, with slightly high cheekbones and a jawline as sharp as if chiseled by knife and axe, exuding an unquestionable dignity.
Beneath his eyelids, there was a faint accumulation of dark shadows, like meticulously ground ink spreading out, silently telling of prolonged mental strain and sleepless nights.
His deep brown eyes were like deep autumn pools, profound with a hint of aloof pride.
The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes were clearly visible and rugged, like stubborn creases on ancient book pages that couldn’t be smoothed out, with a few strands of silver stubbornly mixed into his impeccably combed black hair, strikingly noticeable.
His nose bridge was high and straight, with an almost arrogant curve, a symbol of pride inherited through bloodline.
His lips were thin and sharply outlined, with the corners naturally drooping, forming a line that was kindly yet slightly distant.
His cheeks were smooth and clean-shaven, but that deliberate neatness instead added a sense of unapproachable distance.
In short, he gave the impression of being kindly on the surface but always maintaining a distance from you at every moment; that distance was the innate arrogance of nobility.
“Teruchi-kun, hello. I’m Chen Yang.” Chen Yang gave a slight bow in greeting.
Teruchi Ken said mildly, “Mr. Chen, I’ve heard Matsui-kun mention you; I know you have great ability.”
“That’s why I came all the way from Nanjing.”
Sure enough, doing business requires good reputation; only then will your clients keep introducing more guests.
Chen Yang smiled and said, “Teruchi-kun, as far as I know, you’ve always cooperated with the Osaka Chamber of Commerce. What brings you here this time?”
Teruchi Ken said slowly, “For materials matters, we can cooperate with them.”
“However, the things we have on hand this time are a bit, well, hot to handle.”
“Director Tanaka doesn’t have the guts for it, and moreover, our division has already received orders to head north.”
“Before departure, these things need to be dealt with as quickly as possible.”
“As for price, like with Matsui-kun, if you handle the transportation yourself, we can sell to you at an 80% discount.”
Chen Yang’s heart stirred slightly; the Osaka Division was a piece of fat meat.
You could question their combat ability, but you absolutely could not question their ability to handle materials.
Moreover, this division had excellent reputation.
Whatever amount of materials they promised you, they would deliver exactly that amount.
In his previous life, Chen Yang had once seen an amusing article about the Osaka Division.
It said that during the Fourth Division’s stationing in the Northeast, they secretly traded with the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.
They promised the other side six hundred rifles but couldn’t gather enough at once; they directly had a company of their own soldiers hand over their carried firearms, forcibly scraping together six hundred rifles to deliver to the Anti-Japanese United Army.
At the time, many people thought it impossible, and the forums were in heated debate over it.
Later, the blogger who posted it went specifically to Japan to verify with soldiers who had served in the Osaka Division back then.
The other side said such things were commonplace; us Osaka people value reputation the most.
However, whether it really happened that way, they couldn’t remember clearly either.
After all, they had done such things as trading guns for money more than once.
Chen Yang poured tea for the two, then poured himself a cup, took a small sip, and said, “Teruchi-kun, may I ask how many materials you plan to sell?”
Teruchi Ken glanced at Ino Yusuke beside him; Ino Yusuke nodded slightly, showing an affirmative expression.
Only then did Teruchi Ken pull a pre-prepared note from the inner pocket of his Japanese-style suit.
Chen Yang examined it carefully, and the AI program in his mind quickly calculated, soon arriving at an accurate figure.
Looking at the arms list on the note, Chen Yang hesitated: “Teruchi-kun, a full eight hundred thousand silver dollars worth of materials—are you sure you can deliver them?”
The list from Teruchi Ken was all firearms, including not only Type 38 rifles but also German weapons, Hanyang-made, and so on.
All sorts added up to nearly one million silver dollars.
Even after an 80% discount, this batch of goods would still be nearly eight hundred thousand silver dollars.
Teruchi Ken looked at Chen Yang with some surprise: “Mr. Chen, your mental calculation ability is truly astonishing.”
“You can estimate the approximate price just by glancing at so many firearms.”
“That’s right; some of these firearms are captured from the battlefield, others are regular logistics supplies.”
“You can rest assured; the goods are already prepared, all stored in the warehouse in Nanjing.”
“If you’re not at ease, we can deliver the goods first and settle payment later.”
Wow, these Osaka people know how to do business; they even dare to deliver goods before payment for so many materials.
While Chen Yang marveled at their generosity, he was even more shocked by their boldness.
Selling some battlefield-captured materials would be one thing, but they even dared to sell off regular logistics supply firearms.
This boldness was really no small matter.
You know, if discovered by the Inspection Department, this was a heads-will-roll offense.
“Teruchi-kun, it’s a deal. Once the goods arrive in Shanghai within three days, I’ll prepare the money and transfer it to the designated account under the name of overseas special investment funds.”
“By the way, any issues before the goods are loaded onto vehicles are not our responsibility; after loading, if anything happens, we’ll pay full compensation. If there’s personnel loss, compensation at the level of battlefield solatium for a lieutenant.”
Teruchi Ken’s eyes lit up as he looked at Chen Yang: “Mr. Chen, you really know how to do business.”
“I think we’ll have many opportunities for cooperation in the future.”
“Ino-kun, your eye for people is truly excellent.”
Before Teruchi Ken finished speaking, before Chen Yang could humbly respond, there was a knock at the door.
Lin Yongren poked half his body in with an apologetic smile: “Sorry, gentlemen, Young Master, the Eldest Young Master has something urgent for you. Do you have time now? From his expression, it looks quite urgent.”
Lin Xueli? Chen Yang hesitated for a moment.
Ever since he was last thrown into the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee jail, Lin Xueli had rested for a full week.
Of course, not from injuries; according to Gao Yuying, it was purely from excessive fright.
Chen Yang could understand; after all, a businessman had never seen such a scene.
However, Chen Yang couldn’t shake the feeling—maybe he was overthinking—that Lin Xueli’s behavior seemed somewhat abnormal.
“Mr. Chen, if you have matters, we’ll take our leave first.”
Teruchi Ken stood and said, “I’ll arrange the transaction matters as soon as possible; all procedures will follow Mr. Chen’s instructions.”
“Ino-kun, let’s go.”
Ino Yusuke gave Chen Yang a slight bow: “Mr. Chen, we’ll head out first. Teruchi-kun will stay in Shanghai for another day; let’s go to Night Shanghai for drinks tonight.”
Chen Yang smilingly agreed.
No sooner had the two left than Lin Xueli and Lin Yongren walked in together.
“A Ren, you go out first; I have something to say to Chen Yang.” Without waiting for Chen Yang to speak, Lin Xueli shooed Lin Yongren out first.
Chen Yang looked at Lin Xueli with a smile: “Elder Brother, what matter requires such secrecy that even A Ren can’t hear?”
Lin Xueli pulled out a chair and sat in front of Chen Yang: “To be frank, I have a batch of goods I want to move.”
“But it can’t go through normal channels. I know you privately help the black market transport things.”
“So, I’m asking you for a customs inspection commissioner slip. Will you approve it or not?”
Chen Yang was stunned: “Elder Brother, this doesn’t seem like the attitude of someone asking for a favor.”
“Who asks for help with such arrogance?”
Lin Xueli laughed and cursed: “Hey, you little bastard, do I have to kneel down and beg you when asking for your help?”
“You cozy up with the Japanese and have unclear ties to the black market. What? You can make this money, but I can’t?”
Chen Yang quickly waved his hands: “Elder Brother, that’s not what I mean. If you want to move goods, just go to Second Brother.”
“Why come to me? One word from him at the wharf and it’s done.”
Lin Xueli said, “The second child is a blockhead; I don’t trust passing through his hands.”
“You’re now the Chief Inspector Commissioner of the Nanjing Customs General Administration; your seal is more reliable than his face.”
Chen Yang suddenly understood: “I get it now, Elder Brother. You want an inspection-exempt pass.”
“Looks like this batch isn’t ordinary materials—medicine, right?”
Lin Xueli’s face flushed slightly: “Why ask so many questions? The rule in this business is never to ask about the goods’ origins.”
“Come on, I’ll give you a layer of transport fee as per the rules, okay?”
Chen Yang smiled: “I wouldn’t dare take your transport fee. When are the goods ready to go? I’ll have someone prepare.”
“Of course, the sooner the better,” Lin Xueli said without hesitation. “You know how hot this stuff is; the sooner it’s handled, the safer.”
Chen Yang smiled: “No problem, I’ll get it done for you this afternoon.”
Lin Xueli seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then suddenly asked Chen Yang, “Kid, you haven’t done anything heaven-defying or harmful with the Japanese, have you?”
