Chapter 78: Need Some Slips
“Boss Li is truly thoughtful.” Chen Yang toyed with the jade piece in his hand, a hint of appreciation flickering in his eyes.
Indeed, these things in his hand were truly antiques, and compared to them, that Shang Zhou Dynasty wine vessel was a joke.
Feng Jian hurriedly said: “This is all what we should do. Actually, for such small matters, Officer just needs to give the command.”
“Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Chen Yang smiled: “You tell Boss Li, close brothers keep clear accounts. Everything follows the trade rules: three points on handling. If the other party is interested in the thing, we’ll settle the price separately.”
Feng Jian nodded repeatedly: “Everything as Officer says.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go get busy.”
Chen Yang nodded. The next moment, as if thinking of something, he suddenly said: “By the way, Deputy Director Feng, Nanjing has decided on the director for the Tongji Office, who will arrive in Shanghai to take office soon.”
“Make sure you don’t have any bad feelings about it. Also, Nanjing Special Higher Police Affairs has found Xie Rong’s body. Go notify Xie Rong’s family.”
“Xie Rong was killed as a special commissioner of the Economic Department. I’ve applied to the Nanjing Ministry of Finance to issue solatium to his family. Of course, the Economic Department should also make some gesture.”
“After you go down, find Zhuo Mingquan and discuss how to assist his family in handling Xie Rong’s funeral arrangements. Remember, it must be done grandly…”
Feng Jian nodded repeatedly. This superior was really good, taking care of both the substance and the face.
He just didn’t know what was going on; the Tongji Office had been running for less than a month, and the original director and deputy director were both gone.
Would the next director taking over
Night, Wafuu Restaurant.
Old Qi, the driver from Lin Mansion, dropped Chen Yang off at the Wafuu Restaurant entrance and then tactfully left alone.
This young master was now a big official; some things weren’t convenient for him to know.
Chen Yang held the brocade box in his right hand and lifted the half-curtain in front of the Wafuu Restaurant with his left, greeting the beautiful Boss Lady: “Boss Lady, has Ino-kun arrived?”
“Oh, Mr. Chen, long time no see.”
Seeing Chen Yang appear, the Boss Lady hurried forward to greet him: “Ino-kun and Minister Suzuhara arrived a while ago.”
“Mr. Chen, Minister Suzuhara is a very formidable person; you must be careful.”
Chen Yang was slightly taken aback. This Boss Lady seemed fierce and brainless, but actually had a meticulous mind.
So, the world never lacks smart people; what it lacks is opportunity.
Chen Yang glanced at the Boss Lady and said: “Thank you.”
The Boss Lady’s face inexplicably flushed red; she could tell this thank you was sincere.
And precisely because of that, she felt something different.
One must know that in Japan, women’s status was very low. Even if she was willing to become some people’s plaything, she was always just a plaything.
“Mr. Chen is too polite. Let me take you up.”
With that, the Boss Lady walked upstairs to the second floor with small steps, leading Chen Yang to the door of a private room.
“Rustle.” The Boss Lady pulled open the private room door, where two men were already sitting inside.
Chen Yang slightly bowed to the two, smiling: “Sorry, gentlemen, I don’t seem to be late, right?”
“No, no, we arrived early.” Ino Yusuke stood up and gave the Boss Lady a look.
The Boss Lady bowed to them and respectfully withdrew, conveniently closing the private room door.
“Mr. Chen, let me introduce: this is Lord Suzuhara Shingo, Minister of Gendarmerie Headquarters Logistics.”
“Lord Suzuhara, this is my good friend, Director of the Economic Department Chen Yang, Mr. Chen.”
Chen Yang slightly bowed to Suzuhara Shingo: “Lord Suzuhara, pleased to meet you. Please take care of me.”
Suzuhara Shingo waved his hand, signaling Chen Yang to sit.
Chen Yang placed the gift on the table and sat across from the two, his gaze slightly sweeping over them.
Suzuhara Shingo’s face was typical of a soldier long engaged in paperwork and coordination work.
Loose skin with a dull yellowish tone from lack of sun exposure.
Deep law lines extended from both sides of his nose wings to the corners of his mouth, like two carving knives etching years of worry and fatigue.
Heavy eye bags sagged under his eyes, the whites turbid and yellowish, but his gaze was exceptionally sharp, like two old probes.
Graying hair clipped extremely short, nearly a buzz cut but stubbornly standing upright, faintly showing traces of his military academy days.
But his hairline had retreated uncontrollably, revealing a broad forehead riddled with the ravines of age.
On his nose bridge sat an old-style pair of round-rimmed glasses, with thick lenses and edges worn blurry.
Perhaps out of habit, he occasionally subconsciously pushed the frames with his finger joints, the motion rigid.
Suzuhara Shingo slowly said: “Mr. Chen, we’ve cooperated for so long, but this is the first time meeting you.”
“Actually, I think such meaningless meetings are unnecessary.”
Ino Yusuke seemed not to expect Suzuhara Shingo to be so inhospitable right away. He hurriedly picked up the tea on the table and poured for the two, saying while pouring: “Mr. Chen, don’t misunderstand.”
“Minister Suzuhara means our cooperation can be simpler and purer, without needing meals and drinks to build relations.”
Chen Yang nodded: “Minister Suzuhara, I understand. Actually, I asked to meet you this time because I need your help with some matters.”
“It’s not a big deal; I just want some allocation slips for materials from you.”
“Right, this is a gift for you.”
“Picked out personally by Boss Li of Wanxiang Ju. See if you like it.”
Ino Yusuke nervously watched Suzuhara Shingo. Suzuhara Shingo sighed and nodded slightly.
As if receiving some signal, Ino Yusuke hurriedly opened the brocade box, inside which lay a uniquely shaped wine vessel, with a slip issued by Wanxiang Ju below.
The slip stated the item was sold by Wanxiang Ju; if anything was wrong, Wanxiang Ju would compensate, total value thirty thousand silver dollars.
Ino Yusuke picked up the wine vessel and examined it up and down. The shape was very unusual, but a price of thirty thousand silver dollars probably wasn’t worth it…
Suzuhara Shingo just glanced at it and shook his head: “Mr. Chen, I dare not accept such a valuable thing.”
Chen Yang hurriedly said: “Minister Suzuhara, don’t misunderstand. I picked up the thing at a market bargain.”
“It didn’t cost much, and it’s just for some slips—not a big issue, right?”
Suzuhara Shingo looked Chen Yang up and down: “Mr. Chen, we’re all partners; helping out is only right.”
“But skip the antiques. I don’t know much about them anyway. Lord Otani is the one who likes these things.”
“I’ve also prepared a gift for Lord Otani.” Chen Yang stood up: “You two wait a moment; I’ll get the gift and have Lord Suzuhara pass it to Lord Otani.”
With that, Chen Yang turned and left the private room.
Seeing Chen Yang leave, Ino Yusuke seemed somewhat reproachful: “Uncle, isn’t your attitude toward Mr. Chen a bit too much?”
“Mr. Chen has been nothing but good to us.”
Suzuhara Shingo glanced at his nephew, said nothing, and just sighed.
Before long, Chen Yang returned, now holding a celadon vase. But Ino Yusuke felt this vase looked familiar.
How was the shape of this vase so like the one with flowers at the Wafuu Restaurant toilet entrance.
