Chapter 240: Repay The Enemy With Their Own Methods
“But, we only allocated a total of 1.6 million. Here,” Oshima still seemed a bit worried.
The total security deposit they applied for was only 1.6 million. This box of Japanese Yen plus a box of gold bars is at least 200,000.
If he could get 200,000 just from the periphery, that would mean Major General Sato, Colonel Onodera, and Chen Yang would receive even more.
This is just the preliminary stage; there will be a dividend after all supplies are procured.
They aren’t planning to just split the money, are they? Damn it, they aren’t even going to procure the supplies? They’ll lose their heads if something goes wrong.
Chen Yang seemed to see through Oshima’s doubts and smiled slightly, his smile appearing somewhat blurred in the light: “Minister, regarding the ‘procurement’ matters, your subordinate has already made the necessary arrangements, which will be sufficient to handle possible inspections.”
His so-called “arrangements” naturally referred to using a very small portion of the money to buy a small amount of supplies to make up the numbers, then using the bulk of the funds to purchase supplies from officials in other logistics departments, as well as forging complete procurement documents and transportation records.
The supplies coming out of the warehouses in the southern regions were not cheap. He had purchased them at a price three times the market price. Is this what they call “everyone makes money”…
Oshima’s gaze returned to the boxes, his eyes becoming eager: “That’s excellent! Mr. Chen, I trust you with my business!”
Colonel Onodera of the Logistics Department was already used to it: “Minister Oshima, you don’t need to worry.”
“I’ve always said that Section Chief Chen is my idol. We must learn from Mr. Chen in our work.”
“With a budget of 1.6 million, we’ll distribute 1 million first, and all departments in the south will benefit.”
“Next, we’ll have headquarters increase the budget, and each level of the logistics department will contribute some supplies, and we’ll collect more supplies from the market.”
“It’s like making a simple stew, everyone gets money and everyone benefits.”
Hahaha.
The crowd burst into laughter.
Oshima trembled as he picked up his wine cup and took a sip, then hesitated: “Mr. Chen, I know this is presumptuous, but I still want to know, how do you plan to distribute the first portion of the security funds?”
Chen Yang glanced at Major General Sato Buntai, who was seated at the head of the table. Seeing his gaze lowered and his silence, he then picked up the wine pot and slowly refilled Oshima’s and his own cups, his movements elegant and steady.
“Minister,” Chen Yang said, putting down the wine pot, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable weight, “this operation is fraught with immense risk and numerous steps. It is not something you and I can complete independently.”
“Colonel Onodera is responsible for smoothing over the accounts. Without him, the funds cannot flow smoothly. He needs to take one-tenth.”
“The key personnel in the Transportation Section responsible for specific ‘procurement’ and ‘escort,’ as well as the matters that need to be handled at the warehouse, will collectively require one-tenth for grease money to ensure everything is foolproof.”
“Your Excellency Sato, as the main administrator of these security funds, will also take one-tenth.”
Oshima’s brow furrowed slightly. That’s already three-tenths gone.
Chen Yang, as if not noticing his displeasure, continued: “The remaining seven-tenths, five-tenths are to be distributed to officials at all levels, requiring them to procure supplies.”
He paused and looked into Oshima’s eyes: “Of course, Your Excellency, who has been orchestrating everything and bears the greatest responsibility, should take the lion’s share.”
“Your subordinate believes that Your Excellency should take one-and-a-half tenths. Your subordinate has merely been a facilitator, not a major contributor, so I will only take half a tenth. What do you say?”
One and a half tenths!
Oshima’s heart leaped.
He was getting half a tenth more than Sato Buntai. Was that appropriate?
Oshima wanted to agree immediately, but years of caution in officialdom made him suppress the impulse.
He pondered for a moment and said magnanimously: “Mr. Chen, your contribution to this matter has been immense, with all your maneuvering. Would it be too much of an injustice for you to only take half a tenth? Perhaps…”
Chen Yang raised his hand, gently interrupting him, his face still wearing that humble expression: “Your Excellency’s kindness is appreciated, but rules are rules, and hierarchy must not be disrupted.”
“Your Excellency bears the greatest pressure and risk, so this share is deserved. Your subordinate is honored to be able to serve by Your Excellency’s side and receive half a tenth.”
These words praised Oshima and demonstrated his own “sense of proportion” and “understanding of rules,” making Oshima extremely pleased.
He no longer refused and showed a genuine smile, raising his wine glass: “Excellent! If that’s the case, then let’s proceed as Mr. Chen suggested! To our future cooperation!”
“To our future cooperation, and to Your Excellency’s bright future!” Chen Yang raised his glass in return, the smile on his lips deepening.
The two wine glasses lightly clinked in the air with a crisp sound.
“Mr. Oshima, how do you plan to handle this money?” Onodera asked with a light smile, raising his wine glass. “Cash isn’t safe.”
Before Oshima could speak, Sato Buntai raised his hand and said: “Mr. Onodera need not worry. I believe Mr. Oshima will naturally have a way.”
“Mr. Chen, we’ve covered most of the important matters for today. Mr. Onodera and I will take our leave now. You can stay and have a few more drinks with Mr. Oshima.”
With that, Sato Buntai stood up and led Onodera and the others away.
Chen Yang respectfully saw them to the door.
Onodera Ken remained silent, merely glancing at Oshima Kenjiro, who was inside caressing the gold bars and Japanese Yen.
Chen Yang nodded slightly, signaling that he knew what to do.
“Mr. Oshima, it will be too dull drinking with just the two of us.” Chen Yang clapped his hands.
A female attendant opened the door to the private room, and two young, beautiful girls dressed in kimonos walked in.
“These are Miss Kinoshita Junko and Miss Mishima Tsubaki, from Kanagawa Prefecture.”
“Tonight, they will entertain Minister Oshima well.”
“This might not be appropriate,” Oshima Kenjiro said, though his gaze never left them.
“Does Minister Oshima dislike us?” Kinoshita Junko asked with a feigned pout.
Oshima Kenjiro quickly waved his hands. Before he could speak, the two beauties had already taken their seats on either side.
At the back door, in a car.
Sato Buntai and Onodera Ken got into the same car.
After the car drove out of the back door of Moonlight Sand, Onodera Ken slowly said: “Your Excellency Sato, you seemed reluctant to let Oshima join our network.”
Sato took a breath: “Mr. Onodera, what kind of person do you think Oshima is?”
Onodera Ken frowned: “Mr. Oshima and I have worked together for some time. Before the Transportation Department was established, he was the transportation supervisor in charge of the logistics segment.”
“He is a cautious person.”
Sato raised his hand: “Precisely. Cautious, restrained, not greedy, not corrupt. These are the reasons I refused to let him join.”
“Mr. Onodera, you and I are in the same boat. I have always believed that only those who are sufficiently greedy are qualified to be on this boat.”
“Because they are greedy for more, they cannot turn back.”
“Oshima is not that kind of person. He knows how to weigh things and restrains his desires as much as possible. Such people can only be temporary collaborators, not our friends. There is no place for him on this boat.”
Onodera Ken fell silent. After a long pause, he suddenly said: “Your Excellency Sato, what do you think about Chen Yang’s situation?”
“I have a feeling that Chen Yang has sensed something with Yasuda’s arrival.”
Sato seemed prepared for Onodera Ken’s question.
“Mr. Onodera, the problem is not with us. Chen Yang’s transportation line has attracted the attention of Mr. Matsuoka.”
“The transportation lines of the South Manchuria Railway were built by him. He knows better than anyone what transportation efficiency represents.”
“We are really not in a convenient position to interfere with this matter.”
Onodera Ken sighed: “Your Excellency Sato, Chen Yang is charging ahead on the front lines, and we are reaping the rewards from behind.”
“If we don’t lend him a hand at this time, wouldn’t that be morally questionable?”
Sato was silent for a moment and said faintly: “Let’s wait and see.”
The gentle breeze outside continued, and the black sedan soon disappeared into the night.
Shanghai, Mai Gen Road, Southern Transportation Department, Land Transport Section, Large Reserve Warehouse.
The spring sunlight streamed through the high windows, landing on piles of material boxes and illuminating countless floating dust particles.
The air was filled with a mixed scent of tung oil, metal, and old paper.
This heavily guarded large material transfer warehouse, a symbol of the smooth operation of the Empire’s war machine, was today receiving an unwelcome guest.
Yasuda Nobuo, dressed in a sharp suit, walked directly into the warehouse management office, escorted by a squad of military police.
His arrival was unannounced, causing the warehouse supervisor Miyajima Masanobu and several clerks, who were calculating documents in the office, to panic.
“Mr… Minister Yasuda!” Miyajima quickly stood up, cold sweat beading on his forehead, “We were unaware of Your Excellency’s visit. Do you have any instructions?”
Yasuda’s expression was impassive. His eyes scanned the office like a falcon’s, finally fixing on the large inventory table hanging on the wall. “By order of the Special Inspectorate of the Southern Transportation Department,”
“Given the great importance of the northbound material transportation, to ensure that the accounts match the actual inventory and to prevent any oversights, we will now conduct an unannounced inventory check of Warehouses No. 3, No. 5, and No. 7.”
“Please cooperate immediately by opening all warehouse doors and providing all original inbound, outbound, and inventory records.”
“An unannounced inventory check?” Miyajima’s face turned ashen.
He knew in his heart that the warehouse accounts and physical inventory, after a series of “operations” by Chen Yang and others, were already riddled with loopholes and could not withstand such a detailed surprise inspection.
“Colonel, if you are going to inspect the warehouse supplies, should this matter… be first reported to Minister Oshima or Section Chief Chen…”
“What?” Yasuda took a step closer, his eyes sharp as knives. “I am acting on orders to audit Imperial assets. Do I still need to ask for instructions from a section chief? Or is there something unsavory in this warehouse that you fear I will discover?”
“Never! Absolutely not!” Miyajima, terrified, bowed repeatedly. “I will arrange it immediately, immediately!”
“Mr. Kitaoka, go to the warehouse and inform Deputy Officer Lu that he needs to gather all warehouse management personnel.”
“Mr. Machida, go and get the detailed list of material entry and exit. Find me at Warehouse No. 3 in ten minutes.”
“Your Excellency Yasuda, please follow me.”
Miyajima Masanobu issued instructions while leading Yasuda Nobuo towards Warehouse No. 3.
Machida Hikoshiro and Kitaoka Goichi did not dare to delay and quickly went to carry out their orders.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Land Transport Section, Section Chief’s Office.
Chen Yang was processing documents when suddenly, a telephone rang. Chen Yang answered, his writing hand pausing slightly, causing a small ink stain to spread on the paper.
He looked up, his eyes instantly deepening. As he had expected, Yasuda would not miss any opportunity to strike him.
“Officer, what should we do?” Lu Jian on the other end of the line sounded anxious.
Chen Yang turned the receiver slightly and said calmly: “Why are you panicking? What can he possibly find out?”
“Deputy Officer Lu, immediately carry out two tasks: First, notify our people to prepare according to the predetermined ‘Plan A’.”
“Second, contact Deputy Minister Onodera of the Logistics Department immediately and tell him, ‘We have a guest at home.’ He will know what to do.”
Chen Yang straightened his collar, his face regaining its usual composure, even with a hint of a smile.
When Onodera Ken rushed to Warehouse No. 3, Yasuda was already there with military police and several accountants, meticulously cross-referencing the stacked material boxes with the ledgers.
“Mr. Yasuda,” Onodera Ken greeted him calmly, “thank you for your hard work, personally coming to inventory these trivial materials.”
“What? Does Mr. Yasuda have an issue with our Expeditionary Army Logistics Department?”
“Are you afraid I will skim supplies during the provision of materials?”
Yasuda looked up, a sardonic smile on his face: “Mr. Onodera, please speak cautiously. I am also responsible for the Empire’s interests. After all, for the northbound operation, supplies are the lifeline; there is no room for carelessness or… parasites.”
“Mr. Yasuda is absolutely right.” Onodera Ken’s gaze swept over the materials being inventoried. “May I ask if Colonel Yasuda has found any problems during your inspection?”
Yasuda picked up a ledger and pointed to an entry: “Here, on the 15th of last month, the warehouse accounts clearly recorded the inbound of five hundred boxes of mountain artillery shells, marked as ‘Xinjing standard’.”
“However, according to my spot check just now,” he pointed to several opened wooden boxes, revealing bright yellow artillery shells, “the primer markings and craftsmanship of these boxes are more like refurbished early inventory from the Jinling Arsenal. Their efficacy and safety are questionable, wouldn’t you agree? Furthermore, the quantity also seems to have minor discrepancies with the inbound records.”
Onodera Ken carefully examined the artillery shells, even picking one up to weigh it, and then calmly replied: “Mr. Yasuda is indeed meticulous. That’s correct, this batch was temporarily transferred from Jinling by the Logistics Department.”
“The front line was pressing urgently at the time, and the goods from Xinjing were not available. To deal with the emergency, we did indeed use a batch of refurbished items from Jinling. This matter has already been verbally reported to Your Excellency Sato, you can call him to inquire directly.”
“As for the quantity discrepancy you mentioned,” he turned to the sweating warehouse supervisor Miyajima Masanobu, “it may have been due to handling losses or recording errors during the inbound inventory. We will have the subordinates re-verify it later to ensure the accounts match the inventory.”
His answers were watertight, attributing the problem to “emergency measures” and “operational errors,” and using the highest commander of the Expeditionary Army Logistics Department, Sato Buntai, as a shield.
Yasuda snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the explanation, but he had not yet found any more fatal flaws.
“Then, what about this reserve of ‘No. 100 high-octane gasoline’? I heard that Section Chief Chen used quite a few ‘special channels’ to procure northbound supplies before.”
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard. Chen Yang, with a wide smile and a document in his hand, arrived: “Minister Yasuda! Oh my, why didn’t you let us know in advance about your warehouse inspection? We could have prepared and assisted your work.”
Yasuda said coldly: “Advance preparation? Then would it still be called an unannounced inspection? Section Chief Chen, you’ve arrived just in time. Regarding the approval of funds for the procurement of this gasoline, I happen to have some questions…”
Chen Yang smiled and handed the document in his hand over: “Minister, please take a look. This is an urgent dispatch order from the Kwantung Army Logistics Department, received just now!”
“It requires us to prioritize the shipment of half the gasoline in Warehouse No. 3 and all the artillery shells in Warehouse No. 5 to Tianjin Port within four hours for onward transport to Lüshun! Time is tight, so what do you think about this inventory check…”
Too coincidental! This sudden dispatch order caught Yasuda off guard, its timing so opportune that it was suspicious.
Yasuda took the document and carefully examined the seals and handwriting, but could not find any flaws for the moment.
He knew this was likely an “imperial sword” that Chen Yang and Oshima had urgently obtained from higher up to disrupt his investigation: “Section Chief Chen, your methods are quite clever.”
Chen Yang bowed slightly, his tone still humble: “Mr. Yasuda, our Land Transport Section does everything for the front lines. A soldier’s duty is to obey orders. Since there is an urgent dispatch mission, what do you think about the inventory check…”
“Good, very good.”
“The mission is urgent, and the inventory can be temporarily postponed. However,” he said, looking at the two and speaking word by word, “this matter will not end here. Every cent and every ounce of the Empire’s resources must have a clear destination. I will be watching you, Mr. Chen.”
With that, he left the warehouse with the military police without looking back.
Onodera wiped a cold sweat from his brow, saying with lingering fear: “That was close… Mr. Chen, that dispatch order came just in time!”
The smile on Chen Yang’s face gradually disappeared, his gaze becoming solemn: “This is just a delaying tactic. Yasuda will not give up easily.”
“Although he didn’t get concrete evidence today, he has become suspicious.”
“Mr. Onodera, you go and notify those people to clean up all loose ends. All ‘special’ operations in the near future are to be suspended.”
Onodera pondered: “Is Mr. Chen afraid Yasuda will play more tricks?”
“It’s better to fear the thief than to fear the one being stolen from,” Chen Yang said slowly. “There are too many people involved on this line; we cannot easily be caught with our hands tied.”
“We must first find a way to deal with this troublesome Yasuda.”
“Mr. Chen, what are your plans? Is there anything we can do to help you?” Onodera did not find Chen Yang’s actions problematic in the slightest.
“Treat him the way he treats others,” a curve formed on Chen Yang’s lips.
“Yasuda intends to break through our defenses with supplies, so we will do the same, leaving him speechless with supplies.”
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Third Floor, Minister Oshima Kenjiro’s Office.
Oshima Kenjiro sat behind his desk, quietly listening to Chen Yang’s report on material procurement.
Chen Yang quickly gave a brief report on the series of supplies currently being transported north, then changed the subject: “Minister Oshima, through your subordinate’s full coordination, the required military supplies and fuel, as well as other energy sources, have all been loaded onto trains bound for the north.”
“At the current transportation speed, they should arrive in Xinjing before the 25th, where they will be transferred by the South Manchuria Railway to the Hailar military post for frontline use.”
“Our only deficiency is in medical supplies. Due to the excessive price fluctuations of medicines and medical supplies, we have increased some funds for operations, but there is still a huge deficit!”
“According to the requirements of the Military Department, we still need one hundred barrels of high-grade medical alcohol and three hundred boxes of gauze.”
Oshima Kenjiro pondered for a moment: “Mr. Chen, I know you have indeed done your best, but you must find a way to resolve this final batch of supplies.”
“Your efforts in procuring supplies have been commendable and are evident to all. You’ve already gone through so much, you can’t falter at this last step.”
Chen Yang put on a distressed expression: “Minister Oshima, it’s not that I don’t want to, but current drug prices are soaring.”
“We had previously agreed on a supply contract with Mitsui & Co., but they suddenly demanded a 60% price increase, citing a large deficit in medical supplies and their need for temporary procurement.”
“In the past, many merchants selling medical supplies on the Shanghai black market have recently been cleared out by the Special Affairs Section One, which is under the Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“The current solution is either we increase the budget by 60%, or…”
“Increasing the budget is impossible,” Oshima Kenjiro said sternly. “The Logistics Department is already very dissatisfied with us, believing we have misappropriated a large amount of funds, leading to a shortage in their own material supply.”
“We must obtain sufficient medical supplies within the constraints of the limited operating funds.”
“Mr. Chen, the Kwantung Army has already prepared a contingency plan. Once war breaks out, all supplies must be in place.”
“Minister, even the most resourceful cook cannot make a meal without ingredients,” Chen Yang said with a look of helplessness.
Oshima Kenjiro stroked the steel pen in his hand, his gaze slowly shifting to Yasuda Nobuo, who stood to the side with a stern expression.
“Mr. Yasuda!” Oshima’s voice carried a deliberate pressure. “You have repeatedly emphasized the resources and efficiency of the South Manchuria Railway, and you have also been critical of my previous reliance on Mr. Chen’s channels.”
“Now is the time to prove your capabilities!”
“This batch of medical alcohol and gauze, which concerns the lives of countless Imperial soldiers on the front lines, I entrust you with the full responsibility for procurement! Utilize all your connections within the South Manchuria Railway, spare no expense, and complete the procurement and safe warehousing within five days!”
“What I want to see are qualified products that meet the highest military medical standards. No defects will be tolerated!”
Yasuda’s body instantly tensed. Five days?
One hundred barrels of medical alcohol? Three hundred boxes of sterile gauze? This mission was almost impossible to complete!
Especially now, with the shadow of war looming and all parties hoarding supplies.
Seeing Yasuda’s silence, Oshima Kenjiro seemed to lose patience.
“Mr. Yasuda, do you have any difficulties?”
“Don’t tell me that your vast South Manchuria Railway cannot solve these problems.”
“If you can’t even handle this, and you aspire to control all material supply and transportation, I have serious doubts about your capabilities.”
“If you refuse, I will report your performance, word for word, back to the homeland.”
Yasuda Nobuo’s expression changed drastically: “No problem, your subordinate accepts the mission! I will do my utmost to utilize the South Manchuria Railway channels to procure qualified supplies on time!”
“Not do your utmost, but you *must* complete it!” Oshima corrected him unceremoniously. “The Empire’s honor and the lives of the soldiers rest on you! Go prepare, time waits for no one!”
