Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 422, Section 416: We're all in the mud, how can you be so clean?
"Thank you for the reminder, Chairman Lin." Ireland didn't mince words and thanked Lin Longma in front of Vermouth.

Thanks to Vermouth's prior training in Hollywood, her acting skills are exceptional. She managed to suppress a subtle, almost mocking smile and render it completely expressionless.

Here's a joke: the Irishman who got tricked and became lame is thanking Lin Longma!
Lin Longma is destined to hone his acting skills against countless "acting masters" in the future. How could he be outdone by Vermouth?

"It's nothing, just a small favor. Ireland, you're the Deputy Minister of Intelligence Support, we're friends, right?"

Lin Longma's meaning was clear: as long as you can cause trouble for Rum in the Intelligence Support Department, then we are friends.

Our friendship is unbreakable.

“That’s right!” Ireland clapped his hands and laughed, then glanced at Vermouth, seemingly casually, before saying:
"Although we don't interact very often, I believe Ireland would be a great partner."

Chairman Lin will find out about these things later.

Of course, my sincerity won't be empty words, or even complaints and resentment.

Ireland's words were quite pointed, after all, Vermouth had just complained to Lin Longma.

It's no wonder that Pisco cultivated such high-level talent for the organization; his ability to find opportunities and exploit gaps is truly remarkable.

After Ireland blatantly insulted Vermouth, he began to show Lin Longma his "sincerity".

"Based on my investigation in the intelligence support department during this period, I unexpectedly discovered a place called Rokuro-rei in Tottori Prefecture, where there is a family named Takeda."

Every quarter, or at most every six months, the head of the Takeda family would regularly deposit a sum of money into the secret account of the intelligence support department.

This pattern of behavior has persisted for at least a decade.

The last time the head of the Takeda family sent money was two quarters ago, which is about half a year ago.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this period will be when the Takeda family transfers funds to the organization.

"Furthermore, this money did not flow into the organization's normal accounts, but was instead manipulated by Curaçao to be sent to Rum's 'slush fund'."

If Chairman Lin is willing to make a small fortune, then he is willing to give up this information free of charge.

Consider this a way of repaying Chairman Lin for his reminder, how about it?

As the saying goes, "A daughter from one family is sought after by a hundred families."

Within an organization, those without a strong backer must form alliances to increase their "size".

What is a powerful backer? The boss's loyal dog, Gin, is a powerful backer.

Rum, the second-in-command, is also a powerful backer.

There is a difference between a "backing mountain" and a "mountain stronghold." For example, Lin Longma is one of the "mountain strongholds" within the organization.

But while Lin Longma is a reliable support to the members of the foundation, he is not a reliable support to his own class.

Ireland's original backer was Pisco, but Pisco ended up being treated rudely.

Now he can only try to find a reliable partner to make his "size" bigger.

Hmm. Let's see what happens to the factions at the Tokyo headquarters. Rum has to do it all, and Gin is ruthless.

Vermouth is a lone wolf.
Ireland realized that he didn't really have any other choice; only someone like Lin Longma seemed somewhat reliable.

When he noticed that Vermouth intended to "ally" with Lin Longma, he naturally had to seize the opportunity to sow discord between Lin and Vermouth. This was Ireland's intention, which was obvious to everyone with eyes to see.

Other calculations were unspoken by Ireland, and were, in a sense, "small traps" designed specifically for Lin Longma.

It is common knowledge that all methods for quickly amassing wealth are written in the criminal code. The heavier the punishment, the faster the money comes in.

Why was the Takeda family on Luogang Ridge able to consistently transfer money to the secret account of the Intelligence Support Department for over a decade, contributing to Rum's slush fund?

Could they really rely on their ancestral puppetry skills?
How could that be? It wouldn't work even in ancient times.

Therefore, the Takeda family's business must have been problematic; anesthetics and gunpowder were the fastest ways to make money.

It's a bit more "safe" than robbing a bank or a jewelry store; it's more about a steady, long-term approach.

In other words, the Takeda family's "savings" over the past six months were not entirely clean.

Lin Longma certainly had ways to launder money, and his Yixin Society could even operate on its own. However, just to be on the safe side, Lin Longma never let the "semi-retired" members of Yixin Society do these dirty jobs.

After finally washing my hands clean, there's no need to turn around and shove them back into the mud.

The Irish intelligence was accurate; the Takeda family of Luoganling was indeed one of Rum's hidden strongholds for making money.

There is money, but it's probably either with the Takeda family or somewhere that the head of the Takeda family has put away.

It can be obtained with just a little scrutiny; it's practically within easy reach.

Ireland's sincerity was undeniable, but it also had its own ulterior motives.

From Ireland's perspective, Lin Longma was far too "clean." Not only was he completely out of step with the organization's dirty dealings and shady activities, but he also maintained a somewhat detached, albeit distant, connection to them.

These guys, whose hands were all filthy, naturally couldn't stand Lin Longma, a "clean person."

We're all crows, so you have to be as black as us!
Once a bottom line is crossed, it can be crossed a second and a third time.

Similarly, if Ryoma Lin took the dirty money from the Takeda family this time, there will be other slightly overstepping "advantages" waiting for him to take advantage of next time.

If you've already taken advantage of this time, what's the harm in taking advantage of others next time?

Over time, this persistent and gradual penetration will eventually push Lin Longma and Yixin Society completely off the line.

When everyone gets dirty, that's when we're truly family!
"Are you really tempted?" Ireland left decisively, and after he left, Vermouth asked Lin Longma, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Be moved? How could that be?" Lin Longma shook his head. How could he not see through such an obvious trap?
He was simply thinking that Ireland's methods were truly extraordinary. They had only been in the Intelligence Support Department for a short time, yet they already had access to the department's secret accounts.

This isn't something that members of the intelligence support department can simply hand over at Karasuma Renya's command.

This requires slow infiltration and investigation within the intelligence support department. Even with Binga's "assistance," it won't be an easy task.

Ireland picked up his job in the intelligence support department surprisingly quickly, which also meant that the conflict between him and Rum would accumulate very quickly.

When will the two of them finally have a falling out?
How can you allow others to snore on the side of the bed?

Lin Longma didn't believe that just because Rum said "loyalty" a few times, he would actually be loyal to Karasuma Renya.

To be honest, in this organization, the only one who can truly be considered loyal is probably Gin.

(End of this chapter)