Chapter 138: I Have A Plan
Oshima Kenjiro’s tone suddenly rose a few notches: “Can’t do it? What’s the reason?”
Saito Koichi said in a measured tone: “Using small wharves and barge points requires a large number of additional workers and security forces.”
“Currently, among the wharf workers, due to… uh… various reasons anyway, there has been severe loss of manpower.”
“If we forcibly procure them, efficiency will be low and chaos is likely to arise. You should know that the navy has limited strength in wharf security and cannot cover all the scattered unloading points.”
“If…” He didn’t finish his words, but the meaning was clear: if spies or agents or the like sneaked in, the wharf would easily be attacked by the Military Statistics Bureau, or guerrilla teams, and various anti-Japanese resistance organizations, leading to even greater losses.
Oshima Kenjiro took a breath and said slowly: “Safety issues, I will coordinate with the garrison army and the gendarmerie to strengthen patrols and alerts.”
“As for the workers, I will have Section Chief Chen assist you in procurement.”
“In extraordinary times, use extraordinary means. Empire soldiers are shedding blood on the front lines; the rear assurance must not drop the ball!”
Before Saito Koichi could speak, a knock on the door sounded.
Oshima Kenjiro said: “Come in.”
The office door was pushed open, Chen Yang walked into the office, and slightly bowed to Oshima Kenjiro: “Minister Oshima, you wanted to see me?”
Oshima Kenjiro said: “Section Chief Chen, you already know Saito. This time, the Naval Transportation Department has sent Saito as the special liaison officer. You’ve dealt with him before, so I want you to continue handling joint sea and land transportation matters with him.”
“Do you have any problems?”
Chen Yang slightly bowed: “I will do my best to serve the Empire.”
Oshima Kenjiro nodded slightly: “Good. Saito, you can now discuss the issues we talked about earlier with Section Chief Chen.”
“If he can’t make the decision, I will react to the superiors.”
Saito Koichi nodded slightly and suddenly said: “There’s one more thing that needs to be communicated in advance. According to meteorological forecasts and reports from upstream hydrological stations, there may be heavy rainfall in the Three Gorges area in the next week.”
“Once the flood is released, navigation on the Yichang to Hankou section will face greater risks. Our next batch of ammunition and medicine stockpiled at Yichang Port…”
Oshima Kenjiro impatiently waved his hand: “Yichang’s problem, start handling it immediately after Jiujiang is cleared. Now all energy must focus on Jiujiang!”
“Tell your dispatch personnel that all ships coming from downstream carrying supplies for the 106th Division and the 6th Division enjoy the highest priority at Jiujiang!”
“Everything else, including some of the navy’s own supplies, must give way to them…”
“Do you understand?”
Saito Koichi seemed to dislike the other’s tone very much, but he didn’t show it. Instead, he slightly bowed: “I understand.”
Oshima Kenjiro nodded in satisfaction: “Handle the remaining matters yourselves. Section Chief Chen, report to me in time if there are problems.”
Chen Yang and Saito Koichi bowed together and walked out of the office one after the other.
Southern Transportation Department Third Section Chief’s office.
Saito Koichi quickly explained the difficulties encountered at Jiujiang Wharf.
“Section Chief Chen, the biggest problem now is not transportation, but shortage of manpower.”
“Without workers, it’s hard for us to achieve on-time delivery.”
“Can you handle this matter?”
Chen Yang pondered for a moment: “Lieutenant Colonel Saito, to serve the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere cause, our section will naturally do our best.”
“For the worker issue, I will personally supervise it and find ways to draw more manpower from surrounding counties and villages.”
“If necessary, I will communicate with Nanjing to ensure we can procure enough manpower as soon as possible.”
Saito Koichi’s expression softened slightly: “That would be best.”
“Section Chief Chen, to ensure the navy transport ships successfully complete the transportation mission, Jiujiang… must be cleared.”
“Otherwise, Commander Okamura’s anger will burn directly to the Naval Transportation Department, burn to me. I hope you understand the seriousness of the matter.”
Chen Yang nodded: “Of course I understand. Please rest assured, Lieutenant Colonel Saito. There will definitely be good news within three days.”
“Three days, I can’t give you that much time.” Saito Koichi said gravely: “The situation is tense now, and you know, heavy rain will hit Hunan in the next few days.”
“If the cargo ships are still blocked at Jiujiang by then, the supplies will definitely be delayed.”
“So, Section Chief Chen, I can only give you one day. I want to see the detailed proposal by tomorrow afternoon, and the transportation plan must be completed within a week.”
Chen Yang frowned: “Alright, I’ll try my best.”
Saito Koichi showed a trace of satisfaction: “Section Chief Chen, then I’ll leave it to you. I’ll go back first to report today’s communication results to Colonel Yamaki. If there are any problems, contact me anytime.”
“I’ll take my leave first.”
Chen Yang quickly stood up: “Saito, take care.”
Shanghai, Jiangnan Wharf, riverside park.
Chen Yang went to the dead letter box at Yong’an Department Store at the agreed time of 5 p.m. to receive intelligence from Chongqing.
To ensure he wouldn’t be easily exposed, Chen Yang had agreed with Song Yilin that, unless there was an emergency, he would receive intelligence at different locations every Wednesday and Saturday.
Taking the intelligence from the dead letter box, Chen Yang read the information on it, and his gaze slightly condensed.
Headquarters wants intelligence on the Japanese in Jiujiang, and Song Yilin even left a meeting address.
Chen Yang pondered for a moment, stuffed the intelligence into his mouth, and swallowed it.
Evening, riverside park.
Chen Yang held a newspaper and sat on a chair by the river.
The July weather was still somewhat hot, with Huangpu River water vapor permeating, and the sunset’s afterglow plating the river surface with a layer of blood color.
In the distance, the outlines of stagnant ships were vaguely visible at the wharf.
There weren’t many people in the park, only a few passersby hurrying along and a peddler selling cigarettes.
Soon, a familiar figure appeared in Chen Yang’s sight.
It was a young woman wearing a plain qipao and carrying a small handbag.
Song Yilin naturally sat at the other end of the bench, took out a handkerchief, and wiped non-existent sweat.
After scanning the surroundings and confirming safety, she said slowly and softly: “Eh, the wind by the river today is a bit restless; it seems like the weather is about to change.”
Chen Yang folded the newspaper, looked at the murky river water, and said: “Yeah, the upstream rain is probably about to burst. Jiujiang is severely blocked; big ships are all stuck and can’t move.”
He slightly turned his head, confirming safety with his peripheral vision: “The ‘shipper’ is urging tightly, three times a day, full of fury, saying the lifeline is being choked.”
Song Yilin said gravely: “The ‘shipper’ being anxious is expected. How much ‘hard goods’ have they piled up in Wuhan? The 106th Division’s ‘belongings’ are all stuck at Jiujiang?”
Chen Yang vigilantly glanced left and right and said softly: “Not just the 106th, but also the 6th Division’s follow-up supplies: heavy artillery, tractors, ammunition… piled full at the wharf.”
“That guy Saito is like a cat whose tail was stepped on, forcing me to issue a military order to clear it within the week.”
“His prescription is to forcibly procure civilian ships and wharves, drive workers to unload day and night, even disperse to small wharves, completely ignoring the risks.”
“Disperse unloading? Specific locations? How about security?” Song Yilin asked urgently.
Chen Yang said slowly: “The Army Department will coordinate with the garrison army and gendarmerie to strengthen patrols, but you know how much area the gendarmerie can cover?”
“Especially those remote small wharves… Workers are also a big problem; under forced procurement, complaints are rife, and public sentiment is unstable.”
Song Yilin pondered for a moment: “Is there a way to get the detailed plan? Headquarters was very satisfied with the intelligence you sent last time.”
“Wuhan is under a lot of pressure now; the boss hopes we can do what we can.”
Chen Yang put the newspaper aside and intentionally knocked on an inconspicuous spot on the bench: “The thing is inside. The ‘shipper’ wants to see my clearance plan tomorrow afternoon; this is a draft.”
“Saito’s urgency shows huge pressure on the front lines and tight logistics.”
“In my judgment, their offensive is ready to launch; Jiujiang is the throat. This ‘plan’ is invaluable.”
Song Yilin watched Chen Yang’s gesture and deliberately moved closer, then while wiping non-existent sweat beads, she groped behind the chair and soon a folded note fell into her hand.
This is the caution of intelligence personnel: even when meeting, the intelligence doesn’t have to be on oneself.
First, to avoid being caught on the spot with evidence in hand.
Second, to prevent accidents; if Song Yilin had a special situation and couldn’t arrive on time, Chen Yang could still tell her the location of the hidden intelligence based on the left information.
Song Yilin suddenly said: “If an accident happens at the wharf, will the shipper suspect you?”
“After all, this matter is under your responsibility.”
“It’s not impossible, so…” Chen Yang frowned: “Reply to Chongqing, this matter cannot be done by Military Statistics Bureau people.”
“Jiangxi is Communist Party base area, with some guerrilla teams stationed there.”
“Best to utilize the resentment of wharf workers, create conflict, then let the guerrilla team act, making everything look reasonable.”
Song Yilin nodded, and Chen Yang said slowly: “Besides this, I have another plan that needs headquarters’ cooperation.”
“Southern Transportation Department’s First Section’s Matsushima Jun doesn’t have outstanding transportation ability.”
“I want to give him more burden.”
“If the plan goes smoothly, I have a chance to replace his position.”
“Three days later, go to the dead letter box in Pearl Park on Wutong Road to receive the proposal.”
“Understood, I’ll go first. Be careful yourself.” Song Yilin stood up, carefully folded the handkerchief, and in that simple action, the draft was already folded inside the handkerchief and put into the handbag.
Immediately after, she left the park, walked over a hundred meters along the main road, turned the street corner, and quickly slipped into a quiet alley.
Leaning against the cold brick wall, she quickly and carefully checked the intelligence in the handkerchief, and after confirming it was correct, carefully hid that key draft in the interlayer of the handbag.
