Chapter 76: This Is From Last Week, Right?
After the explosion at the Mai Gen Road Material Warehouse.
Firefighters and constables who rushed over from the French Concession and the International Settlement were all stopped outside the material warehouse door by the Japanese with an extremely tough stance.
Even the chief constable from the French Concession’s Mai Lan Patrol Room was stopped at the door by the Japanese and not allowed in.
If it weren’t for the heavy rain that fell from the sky, with that kind of fire, it probably would have burned until dawn, leaving the material warehouse as nothing but a pile of charred remains.
Early morning, City Hall, Director of the Economic Department’s Office.
Chen Yang silently flipped through the materials list in his hand. Director Qin from the First Section and Tang Yuelin from the Second Section stood to one side of the office. Both men kept their gazes lowered, lost in thought.
“Director Qin and Director Tang did a good job on the report.” After a long pause, Chen Yang set down the report in his hand and said slowly, “But somehow, I feel like there’s something off about the things in here.”
Qin Gang hurriedly explained, “Officer Chen, these numbers were all checked and reported accurately.”
“The inbound and outbound accounts are absolutely fine.”
“If the inbound and outbound are fine, then everything’s really fine?” Chen Yang crossed his hands, staring at Qin Gang as he said, “Director Qin, I’m not an ungrateful person.”
“We’re all eating from the same pot. I don’t do things that smash other people’s rice bowls.”
“But don’t treat me like some fool and toy with me either.”
“If I really hand over these numbers to the Special Higher Police Affairs, they’ll just check your train cargo data from this period and spot something wrong. Two thousand tons of materials, and you think you can settle it just like that?”
“When putting on a show, you have to do the whole act. Don’t tell me you don’t understand that rule?”
“Hey, teach me. What should I do?”
Qin Gang’s heart had already leaped to his throat, but hearing Chen Yang’s words was like a lifeline, instantly pulling him back from despair.
“Director Chen truly lives up to being the talent chosen by Your Excellency Iwai. None of what we do can escape your eyes.” Tang Yuelin on the side quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
“So, whose idea were these things?” Chen Yang asked lightly.
Qin Gang and Tang Yuelin exchanged a glance. After a long pause, he said slowly, “It was Minister Chen who commanded it.”
“Nanjing just started operations, and all departments are reaching out. Minister Chen felt the shortage was too big and told us to think of a method from within.”
“The material warehouse happened to catch fire, so we thought”
Chen Yang raised his hand and said, “Since Minister Chen entrusted the matter to you, you have to handle it beautifully.”
“If you hand this thing over as is, if it’s really investigated, that would put Minister Chen in an unjust position.”
“Do you really think the Special Higher Police Affairs investigation team is pushovers?”
Qin Gang and Tang Yuelin instantly heard the implication in Chen Yang’s words.
“Officer Chen, I wonder if you could help us out.”
“We brothers finally made it to this position. If this matter causes us to lose everything we’ve worked for, that would be too much of a pity.”
“As long as the officer helps us pass this hurdle, in the future, whatever you command, we two brothers will go through trials and tribulations without hesitation.”
Chen Yang’s fingers lightly tapped the desk. After thinking for a long time, he furrowed his brows, sighed, and said, “This is one or two thousand tons of materials. We definitely can’t settle it on our own.”
“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll think of a method for you, but…”
“Understood, completely understood.” Qin Gang said fawningly, “Officer Chen thinks of a method for us, and the expenses required in between will naturally be handled by us.”
Chen Yang nodded in satisfaction. “Alright, you two focus on your own tasks and don’t make this kind of low-level mistake again.”
“Otherwise, if you’re really targeted, I won’t be able to guarantee your safety.”
The two repeatedly agreed, nodding and bowing as they left the office.
Just as the two directors left, Feng Jian from the Tongji Office burst in hurriedly.
“Officer, you’re amazing. You predicted the material warehouse would really have an incident.”
“That gold…”
“Shh.” Chen Yang made a silencing gesture and said casually, “What gold? I don’t know anything about any gold.”
“Pah pah pah, it was this subordinate talking nonsense. Where’s any gold?” Feng Jian said softly, “That truck of things left at the Dispatch Center has already been delivered to the French Concession. My elder brother took delivery.”
“Officer Chen, rest assured. With his skills, he’ll quickly digest these things.”
“Plus, gold is hard currency. Plenty of people want it. Guaranteed no oversights.”
“By the way, I just saw Director Qin and Director Tang sneaky, whispering about something. Officer Chen, they wouldn’t be doing some underhanded dealings behind your back, would they?”
Chen Yang said displeased, “Deputy Director Feng, a gentleman travels openly and straightforwardly. Gossiping about others’ troubles behind their backs is truly not the act of a gentleman. Don’t say these words that harm unity in the future.”
“Besides, we’re all eating from the same pot. Helping others is helping oneself.”
Feng Jian was stunned for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, “Officer Chen is right. This subordinate will definitely pay attention from now on.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first.”
“Wait a moment.” Chen Yang twirled the steel pen in his hand and said flatly, “I heard Boss Li from Wanxiang Ju is your brother.”
Feng Jian was stunned, then smiled cautiously. “Nothing escapes Officer Chen. Li Lang is my half-brother from the same mother. That gold—no, those materials—were taken by him to handle.”
“Officer, rest assured. He keeps a tight lip, and his reputation is excellent. Even if there’s any issue, he won’t rat us out.”
The so-called half-brothers from the same father but different mothers are mountain-crossing brothers, while those from the same mother but different fathers are sea-crossing brothers.
Feng Jian’s mother was originally from the countryside. She married and had a child in her teens, but due to family poverty, her husband fell ill from overwork and passed away early.
The clan elders saw they were a widow and orphan and had evil intentions, forcing them out and swallowing their fields.
Perhaps it was fate not yet ended. When Feng Jian’s mother wandered to Nanjing, she caught the eye of Feng Jian’s father and was brought home.
Feng Jian’s father originally thought he was too old to have children, so he naturally took extra care of the child his mother brought.
Who knew, the old clam produced a pearl. Already past forty, Feng Jian’s mother still gave him a big surprise by bearing him a son.
By then, Li Lang had already started a family and business, making a living in Shanghai. The two brothers were a full twenty-some years apart in age, so naturally no one knew that Deputy Director Feng Jian of the Tongji Office and Li Lang, the shopkeeper Li from Wanxiang Ju, were brothers.
Chen Yang set down the steel pen in his hand and said, “Perfect. I have a small favor that needs your brother’s help.”
Feng Jian quickly said, “Officer, you’re too polite. Whatever needs us brothers to handle, just command us directly.”
Chen Yang nodded slightly, opened the drawer, and took out a strangely shaped wine vessel.
“A few days ago, while strolling in the market, I took a liking to this thing.”
“I just like these rare and strange items.”
“The boss said this was a wine vessel used by high officials and nobles during the Shang Zhou Dynasty, a priceless treasure, worth at least thirty thousand silver dollars.”
“I want your brother to take a look and write a slip proving this thing is worth thirty thousand silver dollars.”
Feng Jian was startled upon hearing this. He carefully took the wine vessel from Chen Yang and examined it up and down several times.
But the more he looked, the more something felt off: this shape, this color, and this texture.
Hmm, this thing doesn’t seem like it’s from the Shang Zhou period. More like from last week…
Feng Jian swallowed and was about to speak when Chen Yang raised his hand to interrupt him.
“I know what you want to say. Take the thing to your elder brother. He’ll know what’s what at a glance.”
