Chapter 183: Special Higher Police Affairs Summons
“What did you find?” Ando Shinichi instantly perked up.
That Special Higher Police Affairs subordinate respectfully replied: “We have already found Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Ye Liangping’s body, and, and”
“And what? Just say it.” Ando Shinichi couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.
The man lowered his head and said: “The situation is a bit complicated, Major Ando. You’d better see for yourself.”
“Take me there.” Ando Shinichi frowned and said.
The man hurriedly led the way in front, passing through several ruptured train cars, and Ando Shinichi was led to a train car.
The decorations inside this train car had been mostly burned away by the big fire, and a pitch-black figure was sprawled dead on the train car floor.
Judging by the posture, it seemed as if he was protecting something.
Seeing Ando approach, several Special Higher Police Affairs members put on white gloves and together turned Xiong Ye’s body over.
Ando’s eyes instantly bulged; he saw that Xiong Ye’s arms were tightly clutching a briefcase.
And the briefcase’s lock was already broken, with the documents inside.
“This is bad, the documents may have been tampered with.”
Not just Ando, everyone present thought the same upon seeing this scene.
“Major Ando, what should we do?” That subordinate cautiously asked.
Ando Shinichi pondered for a long time before slowly saying: “Take the things back to Special Higher Police Affairs, report all the circumstances to Colonel Fujita Tsuyoshi, and let him decide.”
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department.
As soon as he started work, Chen Yang was called to the office by Oshima Kenjiro.
The special train that Xiong Ye Liangping took was arranged by Chen Yang.
Now that Xiong Ye Liangping was dead, Oshima Kenjiro naturally had to question Chen Yang about any issues.
Fortunately, Chen Yang had anticipated this, and as soon as Oshima Kenjiro asked, he had driver Yoshida Ichiro from the driver pool come up.
Yoshida personally confirmed that yesterday Chen Yang had Li Ningyu arrange for him to take Xiong Ye Liangping to the materials warehouse near Mai Gen Road Train Station to wait for the train, and Chen Yang had accompanied them the whole time.
Section Chief Chen had even specially bought some local specialties from Hezi Department Store for Xiong Ye Liangping to eat on the road.
That is, sushi platters, plum wine, and some bestsellers.
Moreover, all three of them had been together the entire time, never separating.
Even going to the toilet was together.
While speaking, Yoshida did not forget to praise Chen Yang to Oshima for his dedication to duty.
Yesterday they had been busy until dark before returning, and it was already eight o’clock at night when they got back to the Transportation Department.
Chen Yang still made sure to finish the work schedule to avoid affecting the next day’s work.
In Yoshida’s mouth, this was a model worker who was diligent and dedicated; how could he possibly leak secrets.
Oshima Kenjiro listened and felt somewhat regretful, guilty, and full of self-reproach.
It seemed he shouldn’t suspect someone who was so wholeheartedly devoted to the Empire’s cause.
Imagine, a Chinese person laboring late into the night every day for the Empire’s cause, not seeking high office or wealth, just to realize the Empire’s hegemony as soon as possible, and yet he shamelessly suspected him of problems…
Am I even human?
At that moment, there was a knock at the office door. The secretary pushed it open and said: “Minister, Special Higher Police Affairs Team Leader Matsushima Yoko is here. He wants to invite Section Chief Chen to Special Higher Police Affairs to assist with the investigation.”
Oshima Kenjiro’s expression became a bit unnatural: “When did Special Higher Police Affairs get to interfere with our Army’s Transportation Department.”
“I’ve already questioned Section Chief Chen clearly. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, let Colonel Fujita Tsuyoshi come ask himself.”
“Section Chief Chen has a lot on his plate and no time for some bullshit investigation.”
The secretary was silent for a moment before slowly saying: “Minister, I’m afraid that’s not possible. Summoning Section Chief Chen is General Dohihara’s order.”
“Moreover, Colonel Fujita has already obtained the Army Department-issued authorization for assistance in the investigation.”
“Procedurally, we cannot refuse.”
Oshima Kenjiro’s expression froze, and his tone softened: “Section Chief Chen, go to Special Higher Police Affairs with peace of mind. I guarantee they won’t make things difficult for you. If they dare do anything to you, I’ll take the case all the way to Commander Tada Shunroku.”
Chen Yang smiled faintly: “Minister Oshima, thank you for your trust. I have a clear conscience.”
With that, Chen Yang asked the secretary: “Where is Team Leader Matsushima?”
The secretary hurriedly said: “Section Chief Chen, he’s waiting for you in your office.”
Shanghai, Special Higher Police Affairs. Interrogation Room.
The air was thick and cold, permeated with rust, disinfectant, and a faint bloody smell.
Chen Yang sat in the chair, his hands neatly placed flat on his knees, naturally in front of him.
His face was carefully composed with confusion, the tension of being inexplicably disturbed, and a hint of the timid, aggrieved dissatisfaction unique to a technical bureaucrat pulled into such a setting.
Across the table, shadows swallowed most of the details, only faintly revealing two human silhouettes.
Leading the questioning was Investigation Team Team Leader Matsushima Yoko.
Beside him, the secretary’s pen tip scratched monotonically and continuously on the paper, recording this silent struggle.
The door slid open soundlessly, and a taller figure blocked the doorway before lumbering in like an iron tower.
He did not go to the chair but embedded himself in the room’s deepest shadows, standing against the wall.
The harsh sound of a match striking rang out, followed by a thick tobacco scent that permeated the air, overpowering the original odors.
In the fleeting flash of the match, Colonel Fujita Tsuyoshi’s expressionless face was illuminated.
His presence immediately multiplied the pressure in the room exponentially, the air turning solid and weighing heavily on every living thing.
Matsushima Yoko’s voice rang out, carrying an probing scrutiny: “Mr. Chen, your position is Section Chief of the Army Transportation Section. According to the information, you are mainly responsible for the scheduling and coordination of military supplies and special personnel transportation on the Shanghai-Nanjing, Shanghai-Hangzhou lines, and Nanxun Line, correct?”
This information was outdated; now Chen Yang was responsible for all long- and short-haul transportation arrangements for the Army in the south.
“Yes, Team Leader Matsushima.” Chen Yang did not refute, his voice deliberately hoarse as if nervous and dry-mouthed. “My duties end at vehicle scheduling and document approval for materials transportation priorities.”
“As for armed escorts during transportation and on-site execution, that’s the military police and railway garrison’s domain.”
Chen Yang restated his duties, as if afraid of being implicated in anything unclear.
“Very good.” Matsushima pushed a piece of paper over from the shadows, the sound of paper scraping the desk unusually clear.
“Regarding last night—well, precisely this morning’s explosion near Suzhou Station, which caused North China Area Army Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Ye Liangping’s death and serious damage to Train K-5471.”
“The train’s schedule and vehicle approval records show it was a special train arranged by the Army Transportation Section.”
“I want to know if you were aware of the specific circumstances.”
Matsushima Yoko suddenly flipped up the desk lamp in front of him, the glaring white light stinging Chen Yang’s eyes.
He had to slightly turn his head and squint: “Yes, Team Leader Matsushima, I arranged for Xiong Ye-kun to take that train.”
“However, I must state that K-5471 is a fixed night train, with its weekly schedule routinely filed.”
“I only ensure it has a path and handle scheduling conflicts with military trains.”
“There were no special circumstances yesterday, so according to the train schedule, it departed at night from Shanghai East Station, that is, Mai Gen Road Freight Station.”
“Team Leader Matsushima, I don’t understand what you mean by asking these things.”
Matsushima Yoko said flatly: “Section Chief Chen, don’t be hasty. I want to know if you were aware of Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Ye’s itinerary in advance.”
“Yes.” A look of offense at the absurd question immediately appeared on Chen Yang’s face, his tone rising slightly: “Team Leader Matsushima, why don’t you make yourself clearer.”
“Are you suggesting now that the train Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Ye took had an accident because our Army Transportation Section leaked his whereabouts.”
“Team Leader Matsushima, I want to know if you have any solid evidence proving the Army Transportation Section was at fault.”
In the shadows, Colonel Fujita Tsuyoshi exhaled a thick puff of smoke, the swirling mist making his rock-like face even more inscrutable.
“Section Chief Chen, please control your emotions. I have no ill intent.” Matsushima seemed not to expect an affirmative answer and continued in that unhurried tone: “According to survivor confessions and preliminary investigation, before the explosion, at Suzhou Station platform, an unidentified woman collided with Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Ye, causing his important briefcase to fall and get damaged.”
“Regarding this, does the Transportation Section’s system have any related records or anomaly reports? Or recently, have any suspicious persons tried in any way to inquire about information on Train K-5471?”
Chen Yang furrowed his brows, making an effort to recall: “A woman? Collision?… This… I can definitely say there are absolutely no records of anything like that.”
“Incidents on the platform fall under station police and local military police jurisdiction. As for inquiring about information…”
“Team Leader Matsushima, as you know, every day there are crowds of people from all walks of life trying various channels to ask about train numbers and get tickets. My subordinates follow procedure and usually brush them off.”
“Unless it involves clear military train core secrets, it won’t be reported up the chain.”
“K-5471 has been running for over sixteen months; its schedule is not top secret… I really can’t recall anything particularly targeted at it worth reporting.”
“Among your section members, has anyone recently acted unusually? For example, unexcused absences, sudden expense changes, or unreasonable interest in matters beyond their authority?” Matsushima changed angles, combing through finely like a comb.
“No!” Chen Yang answered quickly and affirmatively this time, with a sense of defending his territory and subordinates. “My section is full of dutiful colleagues and reliable officers. At least within my sight, absolutely no such situations!”
“Section Chief Chen, can you be responsible for what you’ve said?” Matsushima Yoko pressed: “Section Chief Chen, this is a major matter; think it through before speaking.”
Chen Yang affirmed: “Of course, I naturally trust my subordinates one hundred percent.”
