Chapter 141: Let Me Try
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department.
The heavy oak door at the bottom was roughly pushed open, and Chief of Staff Kitahara Kenichi of the 106th Division strode in with several soldiers, their leather boots striking the polished marble floor with a harsh sound.
The people from the Southern Transportation Department saw the yellow sashes on them and all dared not make a sound.
This group came in aggressively, charging straight ahead, and went all the way up to the third floor Minister’s Office of the Transportation Department.
Inside the Minister’s Office, Section Chief Matsushima Jun of the First Section, Chen Yang of the Third Section, and Liaison Officer Saito Koichi from the Naval Transportation Department stood respectfully to the side.
Oshima Kenjiro expressionlessly flipped through the investigation report sent back from Jiujiang.
Bang, the office door was forcefully pushed open.
“Chief of Staff Kitahara,” Oshima Kenjiro saw the ashen-faced Kitahara Kenichi and immediately felt that something was amiss.
“The 106th Division is fighting hard on the front lines, why has Chief of Staff Kitahara come to Shanghai?”
“Is it strange? This is all thanks to Minister Oshima.” Kitahara’s voice was like tempered ice, without any pleasantries, his gaze directly fixed on Oshima.
“Yesterday, July 16th, at 8:20 PM! The crucial supply ships of the Imperial Army’s 106th Division were subjected to a devastating attack during unloading operations at Kuitong Wharf in Jiujiang Port!”
“Two entire barges loaded with ammunition, medicine, first aid kits, field rations, and other materials urgently needed by the division were completely destroyed at Kuitong Wharf. The scene was a mess, and the Empire’s precious materials were reduced to ashes.”
“Not only that, seventeen loyal soldiers and several wharf laborers were killed on the spot. For this matter, the Southern Transportation Department must give me, Division Commander Matsuura, and the entire 106th Division an explanation!”
The air in the office instantly froze. Fine beads of sweat seeped from Oshima’s temples. He stood up with difficulty: “Chief of Staff Kitahara, please calm down. This… this is truly a heartbreaking tragedy. We just received the preliminary report from Jiujiang, and we’re…”
“Tragedy?” Kitahara interrupted sharply, his voice suddenly rising. He strode to Oshima’s desk in a few steps, placed both hands on the desktop, leaned forward, creating a powerful sense of oppression.
“Minister Oshima, this was a sabotage operation against the Imperial Holy War, not some tragedy. The 106th Division is fighting bloodily on the front lines, giving their all to seize the gateway to Wuhan!”
“Now, our soldiers may be unable to suppress the enemy due to lack of ammunition, or die in agony due to lack of medicine. How will your Transportation Department compensate for these losses? With empty words?”
His gaze swept over Section Chief Matsushima Jun and Saito Koichi like a venomous snake.
Matsushima Jun instinctively took half a step back, his body slightly bowed forward, face pale as death, fingers nervously twisting the hem of his suit.
Saito Koichi straightened his back, expressionless, but his eyes revealed a hint of “this is your Army’s own mismanagement.”
“Section Chief Chen!” Kitahara Kenichi glanced at everyone, but his spearhead pointed directly at Chen Yang.
“I’ve seen the report submitted by the Transportation Department. The Third Section is directly responsible for the vessel dispatching, berth arrangements, and on-site operation supervision at Jiujiang Port!”
“Now, tell me, why did such an important supply fleet dock at Kuitong Wharf at that exact time? Who approved the wharf’s alert deployment?”
“Why were suspicious individuals able to infiltrate the work area so easily? Where is your safety plan? Are your on-site supervisors blind?!”
“Your Excellency Kitahara!” Chen Yang’s voice was neither humble nor arrogant: “Kuitong Wharf was the only berth available at the time for large barges.”
“The front lines were urging urgently, all wharves were operating overloaded, and the alerts were deployed according to standard procedures, with military police squads and a Marine Corps detachment coordinating…”
“Originally, I had reminded Lieutenant Colonel Saito that the wharf situation was complex, and at that time, the ships should not be docked at Kuitong Wharf, but closer to Jiujiang Port.”
“But a large amount of silt had washed down from upstream, and the area near Jiujiang Port needed to prioritize dredging for ship berthing and operations.”
“Moreover, Lieutenant Colonel Saito only gave me an order to transport the materials out of Jiujiang Port within a week.”
“All I could do was carry out Lieutenant Colonel Saito’s order.”
“As for the saboteurs… I can explain. Before this, I had already reminded Lieutenant Colonel Saito that forcibly conscripting laborers for high-intensity operations at that time would definitely have oversights…”
Saito Koichi frowned and explained: “Chief of Staff Kitahara, the Navy Department doesn’t want this kind of thing to happen either.”
“However, we have our own procedures. If we don’t quickly resolve the backlog of materials at Jiujiang Port, it could lead to materials in Yichang being affected by the flood season.”
“Procedures? Hmph,” Kitahara let out a short, sharp sneer, “What are the standard procedures in Lieutenant Colonel Saito’s mouth?”
“Is your so-called standard procedure to expose invaluable Imperial materials right under the enemy’s nose and let them blow them up?”
“I think it’s the Navy Department’s negligence and incompetence that created the opportunity for the enemy to sabotage the materials!”
“Chief of Staff Kitahara, you need evidence to speak,” Saito Koichi’s tone sharpened: “The Navy Department’s procedures have no issues. This was just an accident.”
“Accident?” Kitahara slammed the table hard, causing the teacup on it to jump, “Lieutenant Colonel Saito!”
“You tell me the Navy’s procedures have no problems, so I must properly consult you.”
“The Navy is responsible for escorting the Yangtze River waterway and surface alerts! Why didn’t you detect the saboteurs’ infiltration in advance? Why didn’t the river patrol gunboats react in time when the attack occurred?”
“Is the Navy’s claimed absolute control over the waterway just empty words? Or do you only care about protecting transport ships flying the Navy flag, and perfunctorily handle our Army’s supply ships?”
Saito Koichi’s face finally darkened. He responded coldly: “Chief of Staff Kitahara, mind your wording!”
“The Navy’s control over the Yangtze River waterway has never slackened. The saboteurs clearly infiltrated the wharf area via land routes; that’s the scope of land security and internal wharf management, the responsibility of the Army Military Police and the Southern Transportation Department!”
“The Navy’s patrol gunboats are responsible for river surface safety, not monitoring every inch of the wharf at all times!”
“Moreover, after the incident, our gunboats immediately sealed off the river surface, preventing possible follow-up attacks!”
“I believe we have fulfilled our duties. If you have any more opinions, I suggest you verify with Lieutenant General Hase.”
“See if there’s any problem with our Navy’s deployment?”
“Baka, Saito Koichi, are you trying to use Lieutenant General Hase to pressure me?” Kitahara Kenichi was instantly furious.
Saito Koichi was only a lieutenant colonel, yet in the face of the 106th Division Major General Chief of Staff’s anger, he still showed a disdainful demeanor.
It was precisely this attitude that made Kitahara Kenichi feel utterly enraged.
Both sides were at daggers drawn, on the verge of losing control. Oshima Kenjiro hurriedly mediated: “Chief of Staff Kitahara, Lieutenant Colonel Saito, please calm down! This is not the time for mutual accusations! The top priority is to ascertain the truth, punish those responsible, and quickly gather replacement materials for the 106th Division!”
Oshima Kenjiro turned his gaze to Chen Yang beside him: “Section Chief Chen, you’ve always been in charge of procuring laborers. Go to Jiujiang immediately and gather all the original records regarding the Kuitong Wharf operations.”
“Including personnel lists, the dispatch log for that day, guard rosters—investigate thoroughly, don’t miss a single link! All relevant Chinese employees, detain them all for interrogation!”
“The guerrilla team was able to precisely select the assault target; I believe there must be an insider planted within. Find him, I want him dead.”
“Hai.” Chen Yang slightly bowed, about to leave.
“Minister Oshima, such great authority.” Kitahara Kenichi’s mocking voice rang out again: “Minister Oshima, I didn’t come to watch you throw your weight around. While you have time to investigate traitors, our 106th Division can’t wait for your lengthy internal investigations!”
“Division Commander Matsuura demands: First, the Southern Transportation Department must, within three days, prioritize replenishing at least seventy percent of the lost materials for the 106th Division! This is the minimum!”
“Second, the direct responsible persons and related derelict officials for this incident must have our division’s officers participate in the investigation, and submit a report within five days!”
“Third, Jiujiang Port’s security system must be completely reorganized, directly taken over by frontline combat troops! Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that the division commander won’t directly accuse the Transportation Department of serious dereliction to the Expeditionary Army Headquarters, even suspicion of colluding with the enemy!”
The word “colluding with the enemy” hit Oshima like a heavy hammer.
Oshima’s face became extremely ugly. Kitahara was using the harshest accusations to pressure him, even threatening to report over his head.
He knew the 106th Division was one of the main forces in this campaign, and the Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters would not ignore their demands.
Saito Koichi frowned but said nothing more. He was happy to watch the Army fight internally.
Oshima Kenjiro took a deep breath: “For the materials, I’ll try to coordinate with Your Excellency Sato.”
“Give me three days, Section Chief Matsushima.”
“I’ll apply to the Army Logistics Department for emergency transport of ammunition and materials to supplement the front lines. Arrange vehicles immediately.”
“Make sure the materials are transported to Jiujiang within three days. Do you see any problem?”
“Sorry, Minister Oshima, the First Section’s transportation tasks are currently overwhelming. I think it’s hard to arrange vehicles in the short term,” Matsushima Jun said rigidly.
“All transportation plans have been carefully designed from top to bottom. If you suddenly ask me to change the transportation plan, it will disrupt all our arrangements.”
“Moreover, the 106th Division’s supplies are no small amount. Three days, I think it’s impossible.”
Chief of Staff Kitahara sneered: “Minister Oshima, your subordinates are as straightforward as you.”
“I’m not discussing with you now, I’m ordering you. Within three days, I must see the materials in Jiujiang.”
“If you can’t do it, I’ll complain to the homeland. Your Transportation Department will bear full responsibility.”
“Especially you, Minister Oshima. Just wait for the Inspection Department’s inquiry.”
“I’ve said all there is to say. Let’s go.” Chief of Staff Kitahara threw down a cold remark, called his adjutant, and walked out of the Minister’s Office.
Oshima Kenjiro’s face was ashen white. In just a few words, his palms involuntarily clenched with sweat. Kitahara Kenichi had no time for jokes with him. If the transportation mission wasn’t completed, dismissal and punishment would be minor; if saddled with a charge of causing operational disadvantage,
Heh, that wouldn’t be something a few light explanations could brush off…
Just as he was at a loss, Chen Yang’s voice rang out: “Minister Oshima, how about letting me try.”
