Chapter 231: Surprised? Unexpected?
Shanghai, Special Affairs Section One Section Chief’s office under the Joint Special Higher Police Affairs,
The office was brightly lit, Nantian Yangzi’s gaze scanned the report like a hawk, the rhythm of her fingertips tapping the desktop revealing a hidden impatience.
“Knock knock.” A knock on the door sounded, steady and powerful.
“Enter.” Nantian’s voice remained devoid of warmth.
“Section Chief Nantian,” the one who pushed the door open was Deputy Section Chief Ino Yusuke of the Land Transport Section.
Ino Yusuke’s Japanese carried a standard Tokyo accent, his voice low and steady, his bow at just the right angle, expressing respect without losing his status, “Disturbing you late at night is truly a last resort.”
“I now have a major malfeasance case that I must report by name to you, Section Chief!”
“So it’s Ino-kun.” Nantian’s tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of probing interest, “A malfeasance case? This sort of thing doesn’t seem to fall under Special Affairs Section One’s jurisdiction, does it?”
“Why did you think to come report it to me? This Special Affairs Section One isn’t an Imperial oversight department.”
“I know that very well, but right now in all of Shanghai, probably only you, Section Chief Nantian, dare to confront this person head-on.” Ino Yusuke raised his head, looking at Nantian with candid eyes: “Because the target of the report is none other than Land Transport Section Chief Chen Yang!”
“Chen Yang, exploiting the Imperial Army’s trust in him, abusing his authority, colluding with Jin Dayou of the Green Gang in West Shanghai, Qiao Zhenshan in the International Settlement, and other black market merchants, has for a long time systematically stolen, resold, and smuggled strategic materials under Imperial control!”
“The smuggled materials include gasoline, medicine raw materials, high-quality steel, cloth…”
“They’ve gone to any lengths! His actions are those of a giant rat gnawing at the Empire’s foundations!”
“Moreover, he’s become increasingly brazen, openly cooperating with the Empire’s enemies.”
“I’ve observed his smuggling operations for a long time; he has a batch of materials to be traded at Mai Gen Road Train Station tonight at three o’clock. After the transaction succeeds, the entire batch will be transported to the Suzhong region and handed over to the Red Party Guerrillas there.”
“According to my intelligence sources, this batch includes ten military radios, one hundred kilograms of high-grade medical sulfanilamide powder, fifty barrels of gasoline. Besides medicine, gasoline, and radios, he has also prepared weapons.”
“Fully one hundred Type 38 rifles as well as some pistols, over thirty thousand rounds of ammunition.”
“Based on current Shanghai Market prices, the entire batch is worth at least three hundred thousand silver dollars.”
“Evidence.” Nantian’s voice remained ice-cold.
“Evidence! Of course I have it; I’ve brought it.” Ino Yusuke unhesitatingly presented the blue-covered account book in both hands, placing it before Nantian.
“This is a core record copy of the secret accounts that Chen Yang personally destroyed but that I managed to salvage! Having served under him for so long, I knew of his corrupt nature early on. To guard against the worst, I secretly kept track and retained some vouchers!”
This statement both explained how he obtained the core evidence and cleverly portrayed himself as a far-sighted and loyal deputy.
Nantian picked up the account book, flipped through a few pages, a flicker of anger appearing between her brows.
The recording method in the account book perfectly matched the habits of a cunning corrupt official’s secret black accounts.
All items were basically denoted by codes: “Coal A” for gasoline, “Stone B” for steel, “Water C” for medicine raw materials.
The entire account flow details were very clear; their Shanghai “Hu Ji Goods Warehouse” served as the transaction point, controlling material quantities via discrepancies in escorting inbound and outbound amounts, then utilizing transport convenience to sell to the black market, even supporting Imperial enemies…
All evidence complete, facts clear—this was exactly the evidence chain Nantian had always wanted…
Ino Yusuke pointed to key entries: “Please look closely at this page, Section Chief.”
“Fifteenth of last month, the dispatch order showed three hundred tons of raw coal transported to the Zhabei Boiler Plant,”
“but this account’s ‘Coal A’ outbound record shows that the same batch of railcars underwent ‘unloading maintenance’ for three hours at the Nanxiang junction en route, unloading amount… fifty tons!”
“But here the recipient is marked ‘New Ji’. Were those fifty tons ‘disappeared’ high-quality smokeless coal? Clearly gasoline!”
“Look here! One hundred kilograms of ‘Water C’ marked for entry into ‘Military Supplies Warehouse No. 5’; according to actual warehouse inventory and receipt, only eighty kilograms actually entered!”
“Where did those twenty kilograms go? This account records on the same day, twenty kilograms of ‘Water C’ ‘transferred’ to Jimin Western Medicine Shop in the French Concession! Transfer? This is clearly smuggling!”
“Medicine, gasoline—these are the Empire’s most vital frontline materials—turned unclearly into gold bars, lining their pockets.”
“Such blatant embezzlement of Imperial materials, smuggling for profit—it’s simply outrageous.”
Every page turned, every precise accusation, struck straight at Chen Yang’s fatal weakness.
Nantian Yangzi’s heart began to beat faster, her mind constantly weighing the pros and cons.
Based on the accounts submitted by Ino Yusuke, it was certain that Chen Yang’s corruption was massive in scale and vile in nature; taking him down would not only seize large amounts of materials to recover losses but also purge the Southern Transportation Department internally, intimidating other officials, with immediate merit.
Because Nantian knew very well that with Chen Yang’s abilities alone, he couldn’t connect outbound, inbound, transportation, material transfer, funds recovery, and monetization across multiple links.
There must be many people behind him helping, and likely Logistics Department officials protecting him.
This period, Nantian had been pursuing evidence of Chen Yang’s corruption.
Last time, she finally caught Lin Yongren trading tungsten ore with Shen Qingyao, only for Chen Yang to intervene and ruin it.
This time, with ironclad evidence, it remained to be seen what means this Land Transport Section Chief could use to wash away his stains.
“Ino-kun, I’m very curious—why did you suddenly choose to stand against Chen Yang?” Nantian tossed out the question unhurriedly.
The accounts were real, but she wasn’t so foolish; Ino was Land Transport Section Deputy Chief—he wouldn’t do this for no reason.
Ino Yusuke said slowly: “I want Section Chief Nantian to convey my loyalty to the Empire to General Dohihara.”
“I believe it’s unsafe for transportation of this scale to be in the hands of a Chinese person.”
“Even if he is indeed working for the Empire, we still need to maintain some vigilance toward him.”
“Section Chief Nantian, I believe my abilities can fully replace Chen Yang.”
A curve appeared at the corner of Nantian’s mouth as she looked at Ino Yusuke: “I see, Ino-kun has indeed considered thoroughly.”
“I’ve always thought Section Chief Chen’s power was a bit excessive.”
“The Empire’s transportation should be controlled by our own people, especially since on the surface he’s working for the Empire but actually using the Empire’s transportation network to enrich himself.”
“His actions are shameful, his heart even more deserving of execution.”
Ino Yusuke chimed in: “Section Chief Nantian is wholeheartedly for the Empire’s future—this is also why I chose to report to you.”
“The Empire’s future cannot be devoured by these parasites any longer.”
“So, I hope you can personally lead the arrest operation tonight and root out Chen Yang’s entire corrupt group at once.”
Nantian Yangzi did not agree immediately: “Ino-kun, I’d very much like to send these parasites to hell.”
“But the matter isn’t as simple as we think.”
“Last time I personally led the team to arrest Chen Yang’s subordinates trading with the Red Party, but it came to nothing.”
“This time, it may not nail him for good.”
Ino Yusuke was slightly taken aback, pondering: “Section Chief Nantian, I believe handling this case must not be a low-key arrest! It should and must be a thunderous special operation that shakes all of Shanghai!”
“It’s the best stage for your Special Affairs Section One to declare to all sides that we show no mercy internally and strike hard externally, defending the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity order!”
“Thunder operation? Be specific!” Nantian seemed interested upon hearing this.
A cold yet confident smile finally appeared at the corner of Ino Yusuke’s mouth: “I know full well the gravity of this case, and your loyalty to the Empire, Section Chief.”
“For Chen Yang to prop up such a vast corrupt network, the forces behind him cannot be ignored.”
“As you said, last time you had solid proof yet he escaped on fabricated pretexts—this shows that simple catching red-handed may not work.”
“So, we must strike from another angle, publicize his crimes, making those behind him dare not protect him.”
Nantian’s eyes lit up, quickly pressing: “Ino-kun, do you have any good method?”
“Of course.” Ino Yusuke said with full confidence: “We need to leverage the power of media and public opinion.”
Nantian was stunned: “Ino-kun, what do you mean by that?”
Ino smiled faintly: “Section Chief Nantian, we can contact Mr. Inoue Ken, chief editor of Shanghai New News, and Mr. Zhao Jiefu, deputy chief editor of New Shenbao!”
“‘Invite’ them to witness on site! Let their pens and camera lenses fully record you, Section Chief Nantian, commanding your elite subordinates to crack this earth-shattering case right at the transaction scene!”
“Then, red-handed with spoils! Ironclad proof! When these photos and shocking reports fill tomorrow’s Shanghai front pages…”
Ino painted the reachable blueprint: “All of Shanghai Bund’s Chinese and foreign officials and merchants, government high-ups, even Tokyo headquarters! Will see your Nantian Yangzi’s illustrious merit in purging corruption and rooting out traitor parasites for the Empire!”
“You will rise like the morning sun! While Chen Yang and his shadowy protectors will utterly vanish in the Empire’s sunlight, with no room left for struggle!”
Nantian Yangzi’s blood boiled under this highly provocative blueprint!
Every word from Ino precisely struck her most sensitive and desired points.
Massive and direct merit, seizing materials worth three hundred thousand—equivalent to battlefield spoils from a small campaign—for the increasingly material-short Special Higher Police Affairs, it was a godsend, real achievement weightier than any verbal praise!
Moreover, public case-breaking with authoritative media endorsement! This was the top political show!
Enough to make Nantian Yangzi’s name resound through the entire Japanese Army intelligence system in China and even higher!
Before, Dohihara had used lack of merit as an excuse to block her promotion; now, there should be nothing to say.
Most importantly, she really hated Chen Yang.
This Chen Yang had repeatedly made her lose face in Special Higher Police Affairs operations; even red-handed, she still couldn’t convict him.
Even more infuriating, Dohihara had spoken for him.
This time, Nantian would nail Chen Yang publicly to the pillar of shame for “sucking the Empire’s lifeblood,” greatly consolidating her own authority.
“A perfect proposal, Ino-kun; I believe you fully have the ability to replace Chen Yang as Land Transport Section Chief.”
Flames of near-madness shot from Nantian’s eyes—that was the ultimate thirst for power and success!
“Your plan is thorough! Your thinking meticulous! This is not just your merit, but the Empire’s victory! No time to lose!”
She grabbed the heavy black dedicated line telephone on the desktop, “Moshi moshi. Lieutenant Yamamoto, this is Special Affairs Section One’s Nantian Yangzi; immediately convey my order: Action Team One and Two, full personnel! Assemble in fifteen minutes…”
“All personnel! Fully armed! Search equipment must be complete!”
“Additionally, notify the driver platoon: ready in five minutes! Vehicles must be fueled and engines warmed!”
“Fifteen minutes later, all personnel and vehicles must assemble in the courtyard! Target, Mai Gen Road Train Station! Execute top-level arrest operation!”
“Must capture in one net the Imperial traitors and their accomplices conducting illegal transactions! Seize all smuggled materials!”
“Hai…” The Special Higher Police Affairs duty military attaché, Lieutenant Yamamoto Ryuji, respectfully acknowledged and immediately arranged to notify the on-duty Action Team First Squad and Second Squad to assemble.
Then called the on-duty driver platoon to transparently arrange two heavy trucks and a van for transporting action personnel.
Everything proceeded methodically according to Nantian’s orders.
Nantian Yangzi took down the hat hanging nearby and the Nambu Pistol: “Ino-kun, are you coming with me?”
Ino shook his head: “Section Chief Nantian, I need to contact the press first; I wish you immediate success and total victory.”
Nantian holstered the pistol, a look of assured victory in her eyes: “Rest assured, Ino-kun; this time Chen Yang definitely won’t escape.”
Shanghai, 2:40 a.m., Mai Gen Road Train Station.
The platform shone with faint yellow light; on the third branch line of “Old Railway Track,” shadows loomed indistinctly.
Several men with hats askew and tense expressions directed a dozen coolies, sweating profusely as they unloaded large canvas-covered oil drums from several battered trucks.
Several men in slightly cleaner clothes urged them on in low voices nearby.
These men wore well-fitted Zhongshan suits, clearly from Special Agent Headquarters.
Among them, one in a long gown watched them, a trace of vigilance in his eyes.
Seeing the materials nearly ready, the leader handed over a cigarette: “Mr. Mu, Minister Chen instructed that this batch is worth three hundred thousand total; it should be enough to exchange for Colonel Suzuki’s life.”
“Materials are secondary,” Mu Yun took the cigarette, lit it, inhaled, and said slowly: “Minister Chen promised to release seven comrades—why haven’t they been delivered yet?”
The man shrugged: “Mr. Mu, we haven’t confirmed Mr. Suzuki’s safety yet, so naturally we can’t agree to all your conditions at once.”
“Handing over the materials first shows the minister’s sincerity.”
“Once we receive Colonel Suzuki, your seven comrades will immediately be sent to the northern Anhui region.”
“Minister Chen always keeps his word; no issues with integrity.”
“Besides, with materials in hand, are you afraid we won’t release them?”
“Three hundred thousand silver dollars in materials—how many lives can that buy, Mr. Mu? Your comrades’ lives aren’t as valuable as you think.”
Hearing the mocking words, Mu Yun frowned, took a deep drag, and exhaled a ring of white smoke.
“I hope you keep your word. When can we depart?”
The man checked his watch: “About ten minutes, Mr. Mu; wish you a smooth journey.”
As Mu Yun was about to respond, suddenly a voice came from the darkness: “Action!”
A bone-chilling, metallic Japanese command sliced through the dead night like a blade!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several powerful illumination flares were hurled from behind the railcars on both sides of the “railway track,” shrieking piercingly in the air before bursting into blinding white light!
Click! Click! Click-click!
In the instant the strong light pierced the darkness, accompanied by frantic flashing of magnesium lamps!
The pre-positioned Continental New News and New Shenbao reporters, guided by Special Higher Police Affairs Squad Leader Yuga Ryuji Major, excitedly locked their lenses on this impending “trial of justice”!
“Don’t move!”
“Hands up! Surrender weapons and no killing!”
“Special Higher Police Affairs arresting smugglers; resisters executed on site.”
Dozens, even hundreds of flashlight beams like solid searchlight rays instantly pierced the panicked faces of the coolies and thugs!
Screams, curses, frantic shouts exploded like a burst dam!
Special Higher Police Affairs Action Team One and Two elites pounced from the shadows like a pack of hungry wolves!
Clad in black assault gear, gripping submachine guns and Nambu pistols, their movements swift, well-trained, tacitly forming an encirclement.
Those few who were Chen Yang’s confidants changed expression upon hearing the voice; before they could explain, they were swarmed by Special Higher Police Affairs action team members from all sides, slammed down, pinned underfoot, and handcuffed.
The scene was extremely violent and efficient, perfectly meeting the reporters’ expectations for “crime scene” and “heroic enforcers.”
Yuga Ryuji Major strode into the spotlight, pointing at the mountain of oil drums piled in the boxcar, their brand-new “Mobil” labels gleaming under the magnesium lamps.
Inside another boxcar were dozens of wooden boxes, several freshly pried open revealing neatly arranged sulfanilamide powder with English labels.
Besides gasoline and medicine, another boxcar held military radios, intact rifles, pistols, and twenty crates of ammunition.
Nantian Yangzi stepped before the boxcar, righteously addressing everyone: “Gentlemen reporters! This is ironclad proof!”
“What you see is the work of Southern Transportation Department Land Transport Section Chief Chen Yang, this greedy vile national parasite, Imperial traitor betraying the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity ideal!”
“As everyone sees, Special Affairs Section One received intelligence early that Chen Yang, as Land Transport Section Chief, manipulated transport lines, colluded with gangsters, long-term stealing and reselling Imperial military strategic materials.”
“These materials you see now are the most direct evidence!”
Nantian pointed at the oil drums and medicine boxes, “These materials could supply frontline air squadrons and save thousands of Imperial warriors’ lives! Yet these vampires used them to trade for their decadent lives!”
“But evil cannot triumph over justice! Under the Empire’s, His Majesty the Emperor’s divine protection! We successfully intercepted key intelligence and with thunderous force captured the core gang red-handed in their evil transaction!”
“Seized all spoils! Completely destroyed this far-reaching smuggling network! This fully demonstrates the Imperial law enforcement agencies’ firm resolve and powerful ability to eliminate internal tumors, purify officialdom, and ensure the stable prosperity of the New East Asian Order!”
“Any attempt to sabotage the Greater East Asia Holy War or harm Imperial interests will suffer crushing blows from the Special Higher Police Affairs iron fist!”
The on-site reporters, led by several pro-Japanese personnel, applauded and cheered.
At that moment, the controlled lead secret agent suddenly struggled and shouted: “Section Chief Nantian, don’t falsely accuse good people!”
“We weren’t smuggling; this was Minister Chen’s order to ransom Colonel Suzuki.”
“What?” The reporters swarmed upon hearing the secret agent.
“What colonel? Sir, is there some inside deal you can’t speak of?”
“Why use materials to exchange for a colonel?”
“Sir, can you explain the situation in detail?”
Reporters buzzed with discussion, but Nantian’s heart sank like a stone into the abyss.
“Take, take them away, quickly!” In desperation, Nantian could only order them taken away fast.
Under everyone’s gaze, she dared not shoot on site, or it would be solid proof of murder to silence, covering unspeakable secrets.
They might even think Nantian was framing Chen Yang, choosing this moment to act.
Public opinion was a double-edged sword, able to wound others but also constrain her; sometimes, the pen killed easier than the gun.
Special Higher Police Affairs action team members pushed the several toward the exit upon the order.
But that secret agent kept talking nonstop, and the news he revealed instantly stunned everyone.
Next day, Special Higher Police Affairs senior commander’s office.
Nantian Yangzi stood bowed before Dohihara.
Several newspapers lay before Dohihara.
From pro-Japanese New Shenbao, Shanghai Daily, Economic Times to Chinese Workers’ Vanguard, People’s Livelihood Daily, and others…
All uniformly headlined “Japanese Red Civil War Constitution, 122nd Mixed Brigade Captain, royal family Colonel Suzuki Kawataro captured, Empire uses massive materials to ransom.”
“Empire royal family good-for-nothing, Shanghai fundraises to prolong his life.”
“Class contempt from top, colonel captured, burdens Shanghai organizations.”
“Land Transport Section Chief secretly trades with Red Party, actually to…”
These headlines instantly exploded Shanghai public opinion, thoroughly turning the Japanese royal family into a laughingstock.
A colonel captured, requiring so many materials to rescue.
For frontline blood-soaked soldiers, was this fair?
“What explanation do you have for this?” Dohihara’s voice rang out cold as eternal ice.
