Chapter 237: In The Minister’s Name
After saying this, Chen Yang decisively stood up and walked out.
When passing by Li Qun, Chen Yang gave Li Qun a meaningful glance.
“Director Li, investigate thoroughly, give everyone a way out, don’t make it too ugly.”
“Yes, yes, yes, this subordinate will definitely give Minister a satisfactory explanation.” Li Qun nodded and bowed as he saw Chen Yang out of the office.
Once Chen Yang’s back disappeared, Li Qun’s expression instantly tightened, gazing at the secret agents patrolling back and forth with loaded guns inside the Seventy-Six courtyard outside the window.
“Team Leader Lin, Liu Geqing, actually rescued under the heavy guard of Seventy-Six..” Li Qun suddenly turned around, slamming his palm hard on the redwood desk, causing the tea cup to rattle.
The earlier obsequious and submissive demeanor vanished completely, leaving only the rage from humiliation.
“You all saw it just now, Minister Chen personally ordered a thorough internal investigation! We must find out who leaked the information, who assisted in secret! Otherwise…”
Otherwise what, he didn’t say, but everyone present understood.
The Japanese would not tolerate a “efficient” secret agent agency that had been infiltrated like a sieve.
Without a satisfactory answer, his position as director, even his life, might not be secure.
Standing before him were several action captains and confidential room heads who were silent as cicadas in winter.
Action Team Group Two Leader Lin Zhijiang’s face was especially grim; Liu Geqing had been lost from his hands, making him the primary person responsible.
“Director Wan!” Li Shiqun’s gaze coiled like a venomous snake onto Wan Tianmu who was watching from the side, “You just said it was the Loyal Salvation Army who acted, do you have solid evidence?”
Wan Tianmu frowned: “Director Li, based on the method of action and scene traces, I can only speculate it’s highly likely.”
“After all, Military Statistics Bureau’s forces in Shanghai have been mostly cleared, they couldn’t possibly have such a rapidly acting team.”
“Moreover, even if they sent agents temporarily, they couldn’t know Shanghai’s situation so well.”
“This is clearly an organization that’s been active in Shanghai or Shanghai Vicinity for a long time.”
“Over half of the Loyal Salvation Army are Green Gang members, and some are former Jiangsu-Zhejiang Independent Team personnel; these people know Shanghai’s situation like the back of their hands.”
“Plus the Green Gang as internal support.”
Wan Tianmu didn’t continue, but the meaning was already obvious.
A large portion of the current Seventy-Six are disciples of Green Gang boss Ji Yunqing.
And these people were personally recruited back by you, Director Li.
If any of them leaked information, that would mean you, Director Li, misjudged people.
With such a hat pinned on, the consequences..
Li Qun didn’t dwell on this issue, turning to the flustered Lin Zhijiang beside him: “Team Leader Lin. Who knew your action plan? Holding location, guard arrangements, shift times, escort personnel, these core secrets, who handled them?”
Lin Zhijiang instantly broke out in cold sweat: “Director, the escort plan was known in full only to me, my two deputies, and the confidential room recorder.”
“Liu Geqing suddenly fell ill, no time for layer-by-layer approvals, I could only report to the confidential room per procedure; that recorder might have accessed the details.”
“As for holding location and guard arrangements, limited to the direct guard squad leaders and core guards…”
“Investigate! Check them one by one!” Li Qun growled low, “From the confidential room recorder to every person in the guard squads! Their social relations, recent contacts, any abnormal spending, sudden extra money at home! Results in twenty-four hours!”
“Yes! Director!” Lin Zhijiang hurriedly responded.
“And you,” Li Qun pointed again at confidential room director Gong Mingshu, “All who recently accessed Liu Geqing case files, isolate and review them all! Cipher book, communication records, any possibility of theft or copying?”
“Yes! I’ll handle it immediately!”
Li Qun waved his hand, shooing the others away like flies, leaving only his core advisor and confidants like Wu Sibao.
After the office door closed, Li Qun slumped into the chair, rubbing his throbbing temples.
Wu Sibao is She Aizhen’s paramour and also Ji Yunqing’s entry disciple.
This Seventy-Six was built by Li Qun single-handedly, but the director position isn’t his, it’s Ding Cun’s.
No choice, Ding Cun’s reputation is much bigger than his; that’s Party Affairs Investigation Section Three, i.e., Postal and Telegraph Place Director.
If not for being forced by Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics’ Shi Jisheng to kill Japanese back then, he wouldn’t have defected and fled in desperation.
“Director, this matter is suspicious.” Wu Sibao stepped forward and said lowly, “Liu Geqing was held in the innermost underground room, only two keys, one with Director Wan, one with the guard captain.”
“If there’s really an internal spy, that spy’s position isn’t low, at least able to access core secrets, possibly even… right beside us.”
Li Qun rubbed his brow, faces flashing rapidly in his mind: Wan Tianmu? He just earned merit, no need to destroy his own fortress? Some action captain? Or… confidential room, telecommunications section, those seemingly insignificant people who can access massive information?
“What about Xiong Jiandong?” Li Qun suddenly asked, “His betraying Military Statistics Bureau, could it be a self-inflicted ploy? Or Military Statistics Bureau deliberately sacrificing Liu Geqing to cover for this higher-level undercover?”
Wu Sibao hesitated: “Advisor Xiong, that doesn’t seem likely. Since defecting, the intelligence he provided has all verified true, and helped us bust several Military Statistics Bureau contacts.”
“But we can’t completely rule out the possibility.”
“Better to kill wrongly than let go!” Li Shiqun’s eyes flashed ruthless, “Strengthen surveillance and testing on Xiong Jiandong too! Also, notify all, recent actions, plan knowledge limited to minimum! Internally activate new contact codes and review procedures!”
“Also, surveillance on Wan Tianmu can’t be lifted; these two have the biggest suspicion now.”
“The rest,” Li Qun sighed: “The rest, investigate slowly, don’t let any suspicious person go.”
“Yes. I’ll arrange immediately.”
A purge and suspicion storm sweeping the entire Seventy-Six interior was suddenly unleashed by Liu Geqing’s successful rescue.
Everyone could be suspected, everyone was suspecting others.
The former “efficient” collaborative atmosphere vanished, replaced by everyone-on-edge terror.
Li Qun knew clearly, if he couldn’t quickly find this “internal spy” to give Minister Chen an explanation, Seventy-Six’s foundation would shake, and he himself would face dual fatal threats from Japanese masters and internal rivals.
As for who this internal rival is? Ding Cun, Wan Tianmu, none of them want Li Qun to do well.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Land Transport Section Section Chief’s office.
Knock knock knock, a knock sounded.
“Come in.” A low and deep voice sounded, the office door was pushed open.
A document with “Top Secret” sealing wax seal and “Expeditionary Army Headquarters” red stamp was personally delivered by a military police captain with a fawning smile to Land Transport Section Section Chief Chen Yang’s desk.
“Section Chief Chen, Chief of Staff Kawabé Saburo Your Excellency will personally come to your department at three p.m. to hold a ‘Special Transportation Coordination Meeting’. This is the order.”
“Your Excellency Kawabé requires: Land Transport Section must list detailed tables of existing transportation lines’ railway and highway capacities
“Transportation periods, load, nodes, current fuel depot material warehouse gasoline, diesel, coal, vehicle parts supply including tires, engines, military supplies including food, clothing, ammunition reserve locations and exact quantities, and all civilian capacities that can be mobilized or repaired in the next three months, etc., make a detailed written report.”
“Provide to War Operations Section for assessment of whether this transportation action meets requirements,”
Chen Yang’s back instantly went taut. He picked up the hot potato-like document, eyes scanning the dense requirements and deadlines above.
Just from these requirements, it was clear this was no ordinary coordination meeting, but pre-logistics pressure for a massive military action!
“Understood. Please convey to Chief of Staff Your Excellency, Land Transport Section will fully cooperate and complete the task on time.” Chen Yang’s voice maintained its usual confident tone.
“Good, please Section Chief Chen sign here to confirm receipt of the document.”
The military police captain took out a document delivery receipt, handing it to Chen Yang with both hands.
Chen Yang took the document and signed his name below.
“Ino-kun, thanks for your trouble.”
“Section Chief Chen, you go ahead with your work, I’ll head back, goodbye.” Military Police Captain Ino Yusuke slightly bowed and turned to leave the office.
“Take care,” Chen Yang stood and slightly bowed; once Ino left the office, Chen Yang immediately called secretary Li Ningyu.
The next moment, Land Transport Section entered a war footing. Phone bells rang incessantly, urgently heart-pounding, typists’ fingers flew, sweat beads rolling from foreheads.
Subordinate staff hugged stacks of original vouchers and reports shuttling between desks, faces grave, even low talks carrying suppressed gasps.
“Ino-kun,” Chen Yang called Ino Yusuke into the office: “Take people immediately to verify vehicle dispatch records at Yangtze mid-lower reaches railway hubs! Also, compile all complaints from last month on fuel allocation anomalies! Go quickly!”
“Yes, Section Chief!” Ino Yusuke responded immediately, expression serious, actions swift.
He quickly gathered assigned personnel, dispatched tasks, instructions clear and precise.
Immediately after, Shanghai vehicle dispatch center, Mai Gen Road material center also received Chen Yang’s instructions.
Stacks of thick materials were sorted and rapidly delivered to Land Transport Section Section Chief’s office.
The entire process took only two hours.
And an even more jaw-dropping thing happened.
All materials compiled, delivered to Chen Yang’s office at noon twelve o’clock.
At this time, the data was still a string of useless figures, but Chen Yang was leisurely drinking coffee, seemingly not taking the three p.m. meeting to heart at all.
After lunch, time reached one p.m., the office now piled with small mountains of various files and data.
Chen Yang closed the office door, flexed his wrists, casually picked up a stack of files to browse; the small mountain of files began shrinking at an astonishing speed.
One hour later, a complete report was finished.
Per Kawabé Saburo’s requirements, all data sorted.
In just one hour, accomplished what would take a team nearly months of data integration.
Had to say, the gap between computer and human brain really is a chasm.
Two fifty p.m., Southern Transportation Department heavily guarded large meeting room atmosphere stagnant.
Around the long conference table sat Japanese Army officers in khaki military uniforms, shoulder insignia showing most from logistics, transportation systems.
Head seat empty, reserved for that Expeditionary Army Headquarters big shot.
Air filled with tobacco and tension, no loud talk, only occasional coughs and rustle of turning paper.
Southern Transportation Department Minister Oshima Kenjiro occasionally took out a handkerchief to wipe fine sweat from his temples.
He knew this meeting was extraordinary; Chief of Staff’s personal arrival meant northern demands had reached a critical point.
Meeting room door suddenly pushed open, adjutant shouted: “Attention!”
All officers snapped to their feet, eyes toward the door. Chief of Staff Kawabé Saburo strode in with standard military steps.
He was not tall, but extremely lean, military uniform impeccably pressed, face without excess expression, only a pair of eyes sharp as hawk, sweeping the room with undeniable pressure.
Behind him followed several similarly stern staff officers.
“Gentlemen, be seated.” Kawabé Saburo sat at the head, voice steady yet chilling.
No pleasantries, he cut straight to the topic, fingers tapping the huge map spread on the desktop, marked with China’s various railway lines and material depots.
“Gentlemen, the situation in Nomonhan area, surely you’re all aware. Soviet-Mongol Allied Forces’ provocations increasingly rampant, Kwantung Army determined to strike back decisively, defend Empire’s interests boundary in Manchuria-Mongolia!”
“This operation concerns Empire Army’s honor, and the overall north advance strategy!”
“But the foundation of all operations is logistics! Supplies! Artillery shells, fuel, medicine, food, clothing… all these must arrive at the front on time, in full quantity! Any delay could cause needless sacrifice of frontline soldiers, even affect the entire battle!”
Oshima Kenjiro hurriedly bowed: “Chief of Staff Your Excellency, we will do our utmost to ensure supplies for the northern battlefield…”
“I don’t want to hear ‘do our utmost’ empty talk!” Kawabé Saburo unceremoniously interrupted, tone icy, “I want concrete plans and absolute guarantees! From now, all railway trunk lines under Southern Transportation Department, priority levels must be readjusted!”
“All military supplies trains to North China, Northeast enjoy highest passage rights! All other non-emergency transport, including some civilian materials, must unconditionally yield!”
He turned to his staff officer: “Read the list.”
The staff officer immediately took a document, reading clearly and rapidly: “Per Kwantung Army Headquarters requirements, first batch urgent materials include: 75mm mountain gun shells 100,000 rounds, Type 92 infantry gun shells 50,000 rounds, gasoline 5,000 barrels, field rations 200,000 portions, combat uniforms 50,000 sets, various medicines list attached… above materials to be safely transported via Jinpu Line, Pinghan Line north section within thirty days to Xinjing Changchun and Hailar frontline depots!”
After reading, Kawabé Saburo looked again at Transportation Department Minister: “Today is April 15, before May 15, full thirty days! Minister Oshima, tell me, can you do it?”
Oshima Kenjiro dared not speak, hurriedly cast a pleading glance at Chen Yang beside him.
Chen Yang stood and handed the pre-prepared data to Kawabé Saburo.
“Chief of Staff Kawabé, Transportation Department has prepared a plan to ensure optimal arrangements for all this.”
Rustle rustle, meeting room filled only with sound of Kawabé Saburo turning pages.
Over ten minutes later, Kawabé Saburo finished the detailed document, looked up at Chen Yang: “Section Chief Chen, I must remind you, land transportation as artery, yet your report shows worrying status! Huge capacity gaps! Supply shortages! Three days! I give you only three days!”
“I don’t want to see these empty data, I only require you to quickly produce a practical, covering-all-requirements supplemental transportation plan!”
“Fuel, spare parts, personnel supplements, I’ll have General Staff Department allocate some, but gaps, you must figure out ways to fill yourself! Use every means!”
Chen Yang slightly bowed, saying as if extremely confident: “Understood, Land Transport Section will discuss a perfect solution within the time limit, please rest assured, Chief of Staff Kawabé.”
“Yasuda-kun,” Kawabé glanced at Transportation Department Vice Minister Yasuda Nobuo, who sat beside Chen Yang, just transferred from South Manchuria Railway.
“Headquarters sent you south to assist Section Chief Chen in completing the transportation plan.”
“Now capacity so tight, you too must share Section Chief Chen’s burdens.”
“Wonder if South Manchuria Railway has any methods to raise efficiency.”
Yasuda Nobuo stood: “Chief of Staff Your Excellency, currently Jinpu Line north section often harassed by guerrilla teams, Pinghan Line capacity near saturation, plus recent Jianghuai area rains may affect some sections… thirty days is very tight…”
“Difficulties?” Kawabé Saburo sneered, “Of course I know there are difficulties! But soldier’s duty is to overcome difficulties!”
“Guerrilla harassment? Then strengthen line guard forces, organize armored trains for patrol! Capacity saturation? Increase train formations, raise operation efficiency! Rain? Even if knives fall, trains can’t stop!”
He stood, hands braced on the desktop, body leaning forward, gaze sweeping each person, enunciating: “Gentlemen, remember! North’s victory depends on your south’s wheels!”
“If frontline fails due to transportation issues, not only you gentlemen here, even I Kawabé Saburo will have no face to face His Majesty the Emperor, no face to face all Kwantung Army soldiers! Then, military law merciless!”
These words extremely stern, meeting room dead silent, all officers feeling chills down spines.
Yasuda stood: “Hai! I’ll apply to headquarters, South Manchuria Railway mainline can daily allocate sixteen military specials!”
“But Dalian Port backlog materials, currently sea transport insufficient, we still hope to…”
“No, cannot occupy Land Transport Section resources,” Kawabé dipped tea water on desktop drawing a wet line, “Have Korean Governor-General requisition civilian ships via Sea of Japan.”
“This time’s purpose is prioritize weapons, medicine etc. materials.”
“Things to homeland can temporarily seek other methods.”
Yasuda Nobuo stood: “Understood, I’ll telegram headquarters now, request backlog materials switch to sea transport, yield to Land Transport Section.”
Chief of Staff Kawabé slightly nodded, signaling Yasuda Nobuo could leave first.
After Yasuda left, Transportation Department’s other heads also per Chief of Staff Kawabé’s requirements went to contact their material supply issues.
Chen Yang stood to take leave, but Kawabé Saburo raised hand signaling him to stay.
“Section Chief Chen, can you ensure these materials arrive frontline on time?”
Chief of Staff Kawabé fingers lightly tapped desktop: “Kwantung Army for this plan has mobilized all reserves.”
“Commander Komatsu already advanced into Far East for reconnaissance, if after battle starts supply problems found.”
“Entire Logistics Department will be held accountable.”
Chen Yang respectfully said: “Your Excellency Kawabé, please rest assured, as long as under my control, no problems will arise.”
“However, you know Land Transport Section’s current difficulties; if prioritizing ammunition equipment transport, then some sake supplied to Kwantung Army.”
“Northeast region temperature differs from here.”
“Sake warms against cold, also essential material.”
Kawabé Saburo looked up at Chen Yang, “Divert three hundred cases of sake for frontline.”
“Fill sorghum in sake barrels, Manchukuo customs won’t open inspect.”
Chen Yang immediately showed an understanding expression.
Sake how much per barrel, sorghum wine how much per barrel.
Three hundred cases sake swapped to sorghum wine, blatantly tampering with military supplies.
“Understood, Your Excellency Kawabé, I’ll arrange material warehouse replacement immediately.”
Kawabé Saburo nodded, slowly stood, adjacent secretary immediately took briefcase.
“Section Chief Chen, do well, any problems come find me anytime.”
“As long as within my authority, I’ll surely help you solve.”
Chen Yang hurriedly bowed: “Thank you Chief of Staff Your Excellency for guidance, I will complete transportation mission.”
Kawabé Saburo satisfied nodded, turned and left the office.
Downstairs Land Transport Section Section Chief’s office.
Chen Yang returned to office, butt not yet warmed seat, office door abruptly pushed open.
Yasuda Nobuo entered: “Section Chief Chen, not disturbing your work? Can we chat a bit.”
Chen Yang smiled: “Minister Yasuda, what’s the matter?”
Yasuda Nobuo organized his words: “Actually not a big deal, South Manchuria Railway’s transportation capacity no problem.”
“Just now Dalian Port backlog materials, I’ve reported Chief of Staff Kawabé’s requirements to headquarters.”
“Headquarters feels material issue urgent, hopes Minister Chen can”
“No,” Chen Yang flatly refused: “Minister Yasuda, you should know current priorities, South Manchuria Railway making money also needs to distinguish priorities?”
Yasuda’s face somewhat flushed: “Section Chief Chen, you can not give me face, but South Manchuria Railway.”
Chen Yang waved interrupting Yasuda’s words: “Yasuda-kun, please clarify, hundreds of thousands Kwantung Army need to fight, need materials, supplies, equipment; now I’m the person in charge of overall transportation plan, not you.”
