Chapter 89: You Can’t Do It This Way
Year 27 of the Republic, May 20th.
Shanghai, Director of the Economic Department’s Office.
Chen Yang stood in front of the window, holding coffee in his hands, his face appearing somewhat grave.
On the desk in the Director of the Economic Department’s Office was an internal notice newly issued by the Japanese.
In January of Year 27 of the Republic, the Japanese Army assembled the 5th Division and 10th Division along the Jinpura Line and Longhai Railway to launch war on Xuzhou.
The purpose was to connect the transportation line.
These two railways might not seem impressive at first glance, but at this time they were of extremely significant importance.
The Jinpura Line was the railway line from Tianjin to Nanjing Pukou Town.
Passing through Jinan, Linyi in Shandong Province, Tai’erzhuang, Xuzhou in Anhui Province, Bengbu, until Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.
It could be called the most important transportation line running north-south.
The Longhai Line, on the other hand, was the longest railway line in the Republic era, starting from Lanzhou, the largest city in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region, going from west to east through Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Xuzhou to the Lianyungang sea outlet,
Because Gansu has been called Longyou since ancient times, and the goal of this line was to reach the sea outlet at Lianyungang, it was called the Longhai Line.
These two railway lines were of extraordinary significance.
On May 5th, Commander Li Delin of the Fifth War Zone, after experiencing the victory at Tai’erzhuang, decisively expressed his intention to retreat to his superiors in the face of the Japanese Army closing in from north and south.
All troops completed their transfer by May 16th, and on May 19th the last unit covering the retreat withdrew from the Xuzhou Battlefield, formally announcing the fall of Xuzhou.
Early on May 20th, the Central China Expeditionary Army issued an internal notice to all organizations, announcing the completion of the plan to connect the north-south military lines.
What Chen Yang was worried about was not this; what he was most worried about was that China was about to usher in a catastrophic moment for the entire nation.
During the Blue Army’s retreat, to stop the Japanese Army from pursuing, they blew open Huayuankou, intentionally causing the Yellow River Diversion.
This action caused even more harm, leaving millions of common people homeless.
This action could be called the most humiliating moment of the entire War of Resistance.
As a traverser, Chen Yang very much wanted to change something, but he also clearly knew that his current self was completely incompetent.
Knock knock knock, a knock at the door interrupted Chen Yang’s thoughts. Chen Yang sat back in his chair and said, “Come in.”
Li Ningyu walked into the office holding a report and said, “Director, the expansion work at the material warehouse is basically complete.”
“After the last explosion case, parts of the main warehouse still have not been fully repaired.”
“Director Zhuo came to ask for instructions. When do you think is appropriate for the ribbon-cutting ceremony?”
“Director Zhuo proposes May 28th; that’s a good day.”
Chen Yang took the report handed over by Li Ningyu and glanced at it. He had to say that although this era lacked mechanical assistance, the efficiency was still acceptable.
The material warehouse was originally the goods transfer center at Mai Gen Road Train Station, previously just one large warehouse plus two or three small warehouses.
In just over two months, after a lot of repairs and renovations, the current material warehouse has four large warehouses and six small warehouses; it can be called the largest storage center in the Jiangnan region.
Of course, achieving such a large scale was not Chen Yang’s merit, but a special request from the Nanjing Restoration Government to the Japanese.
“The material warehouse still needs a ribbon-cutting ceremony? Truly idle with nothing to do.” After reading all the reports, Chen Yang’s conclusion was two words: ostentatious.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Yang picked up the steel pen, signed his name on the report, handed it back to Li Ningyu, and said, “Since the matter has been assigned to Director Zhuo, how he handles it is his business. In any case, just don’t cause trouble.”
Li Ningyu took the report and nodded, then suddenly said, “Officer, shouldn’t you pay some attention to the new Director Guo at the Tongji Office?”
“Now everyone up and down the Tongji Office says this director is a bit, a bit, um, obsessed.”
“Obsessed?” Chen Yang was stunned: “What do you mean?”
Li Ningyu said seriously, “Since Director Guo started work, he studies information every day, and at every turn he says something is impossible.”
“He has turned over all the transportation dispatch orders from these two months like flowers, yet he can’t arrange any vehicle scheduling matters.”
“Faced with a pile of data but helpless, Deputy Director Feng is afraid that if time drags on, Director Guo will sooner or later go crazy.”
Oh hehe, Chen Yang secretly felt smug in his heart. What do you call it—genius only sees my doorstep.
He really thought just transferring anyone over could take over. Now he’s dumbfounded, right?
The train running times that Chen Yang arranged were the result of simulation experiments with a large amount of data, the optimal plan obtained in the end.
Something that even a human brain can’t figure out—could Guo Zhaohui with that pig brain understand it?
This is purely asking for trouble on himself; no wonder he’s being driven crazy.
Without that diamond drill, yet wanting to take on this porcelain job.
Heh, going crazy is what he deserves.
“Don’t bother with him. For Tongji Office matters, still have Director Feng come to me to arrange. Director Guo isn’t adapting at once; let him adapt slowly.”
Li Ningyu nodded knowingly, a hesitant expression appearing on her face again.
Chen Yang looked up and said, “Secretary Li, is there something else?”
Li Ningyu thought for a moment and said, “There’s one more thing I want to report to you, about that Director Zuo who came last time.”
Chen Yang put down the steel pen in his hand and said, “Zuo Mingquan? What’s with him?”
Li Ningyu mustered her courage and said, “Recently Shanghai doesn’t seem very peaceful; a lot of things are caused by this Zuo Mingquan.”
“You are the Deputy Director of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee. Shouldn’t you look into it?”
Chen Yang’s face turned stern. “Secretary Li, you are the secretary of the Economic Department, not of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee. What they do seems not something you as a secretary have the right to inquire about.”
“Alright, that’s it. Just do your own job.”
Li Ningyu sighed, bowed slightly to Chen Yang, and turned to walk out of the office.
Chen Yang looked at the direction Li Ningyu left, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned.
From the beginning, he felt this Li Ningyu was not simple. Based on her performance today, this woman should not just have the identity of a secretary.
So, who arranged for her to come here? The Special Higher Police Affairs? Or Iwai Koichi?
Shanghai, No. 625 Daxi Road, Nanjing Special Affairs Committee Shanghai Office.
“Four, four, Fourth Uncle, bad news,” Zhang Zixian hurriedly burst into Zuo Mingquan’s office, panting and saying, “Something, something happened.”
“Calm down, calm down.” Zuo Mingquan narrowed his triangular eyes displeased and said, “Little Treasure, I’ve told you several times: at work, use the title, call me Director Zuo.”
“How does your brain grow? I’ve said it so many times and you still can’t remember.”
“Speak, what happened this time?”
“Yes, Director Zuo.” Zhang Zixian swallowed and said, “Report to Director Zuo, our brothers were ambushed on the Fourth Navigation Route.”
“Two had their heads smashed, and one had his ear cut off; they’re now bandaging at the hospital.”
“What?” Zuo Mingquan flew into a rage: “Who did it?”
Zhang Zixian muttered, “Who else could it be? It’s Tian Darong, one of Zhang Xiaolin’s men. Director Zuo, what do you think we should do?”
“What to do?” A ruthless glint flashed in Zuo Mingquan’s eyes: “Of course, tooth for tooth, blood for blood.”
