Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 240: Treat others with their own medicine.

“But we’ve only allocated 1.6 million in total, and here…” Oshima was still a little worried.

The total amount of the security deposit they applied for was only 1.6 million yen, but this box of yen plus a box of gold bars is worth at least 200,000 yen.

If he can get 200,000 just from the periphery, then that means that Major General Sato, Colonel Onodera, and Chen Yang, who are present here, will get even more.

This is just the initial stage; once all the supplies are collected, there will be a bonus.

Are they planning to just split the money? Damn it, they're not even planning to buy supplies? If something goes wrong, they could lose their heads.

Chen Yang seemed to see through Oshima's doubts, and smiled slightly, the smile appearing somewhat blurred under the light: "Your Excellency, I have made the necessary arrangements for the 'procurement' matter, which is sufficient to handle any possible inspections."

His so-called "arrangement" naturally refers to using a very small amount of money to purchase a small quantity of supplies to make up the numbers, while a large amount of funds are used to purchase supplies from other logistics department officials, as well as to forge a complete set of purchase orders and transportation records.

The supplies coming out of the warehouses in the south weren't cheap; he bought them at three times the market price. That's what they call "everyone making money together"...

Oshima's gaze returned to the box, his eyes burning with excitement: "That's wonderful! Mr. Chen, I trust you to handle things!"

Colonel Onodera of the Logistics Department was already used to it: "Chief Oshima, you don't need to worry."

“I’ve always said that Section Chief Chen is my idol, and we must learn from him in everything we do.”

"With a budget of 1.6 million, we'll distribute 1 million to everyone as soon as we get our hands on it, so that all the departments in the south can benefit from it."

"Then we asked headquarters to increase the budget, and all levels of logistics departments to squeeze out some supplies, and collect some more supplies from the market."

"A bowl of glutinous rice ball soup is ready, everyone gets money, everyone benefits."

Hahaha.
The crowd burst into laughter.
Oshima trembled as he picked up his glass, took a sip of his drink, and hesitated before asking, "Mr. Chen, I know it's presumptuous, but I still want to know how you plan to divide the security deposit?"

Chen Yang glanced at Major General Sato Fumita, who was sitting in the main seat. Seeing that Sato's gaze was lowered and he was silent, Chen Yang picked up the wine pot and slowly refilled the wine for Oshima and himself, his movements elegant and steady.

“Your Excellency Minister,” Chen Yang put down the wine pot, his tone calm yet carrying undeniable weight, “this operation is extremely risky and involves numerous steps. It is not something that you or I can accomplish alone.”

"Colonel Onodera is in charge of streamlining the accounts. Without him, funds cannot flow out smoothly. He needs to take 10% of the profits."

"The key personnel in the transportation department who are responsible for specific 'procurement' and 'escort' operations, as well as the personnel in the warehouse who need to be bribed, all need to be bribed to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"As the person in charge of this guarantee fund, Mr. Sato will also receive 10%."

Oshima's brow furrowed slightly; this alone removed 30% of his brow.

Chen Yang seemed oblivious to his displeasure and continued, "Of the remaining 70%, 50% will be distributed to officials at all levels, who will need to raise the necessary supplies."

He paused, looking into Oshima's eyes, "Of course, you are the one who planned and orchestrated this, and bears the greatest responsibility, so you should take the lion's share."

"In my opinion, if Your Excellency takes one and a half percent, and I am merely acting as a go-between, which is not a great achievement, then I should only take half a percent. What do you think?"

One and a half percent!

Oshima's heart skipped a beat.

Is it appropriate that he takes half a percent more than Fumita Sato?

Oshima wanted to agree immediately, but his years of experience in officialdom made him suppress his impulse.
He hesitated for a moment, then said in a seemingly generous manner, "Mr. Chen, you have made a great contribution this time, managing things on all sides. Is it a bit unfair to only keep half a percent? Perhaps..."

Chen Yang raised his hand and gently interrupted him, his face still bearing that humble expression: "I appreciate your kindness, Minister. But rules are rules, and the hierarchy must not be disordered."

"Your Excellency bears the greatest pressure and risk, so it is only right that you receive these. It is a great honor for your subordinates to serve by your side and receive half of the profits."

These words both flattered Oshima and demonstrated that he "knew the proper boundaries" and "knew the rules," which Oshima found extremely pleasing.

He stopped refusing, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he raised his glass: "Alright! In that case, let's do as Mr. Chen says! For the sake of future cooperation!"

"For future cooperation, and for the Minister's bright future!" Chen Yang raised his glass in response, his smile deepening.

Two wine glasses clinked gently in the air, making a crisp sound.

"Oshima-kun, what do you plan to do with this money?" Onodera raised his glass and said with a faint smile, "Cash isn't safe."

Before Oshima could speak, Sato Fumita raised his hand and said, "Onodera-kun, there's no need to worry. I'm sure Oshima-kun will have a solution."

"Chen-san, that's about it for today. Onodera-kun and I are leaving now. You stay here and have a few more drinks with Oshima-kun."

After saying that, Sato Fumita stood up and led Onodera and the others away.

Chen Yang respectfully escorted the group to the door.

Ken Onodera didn't say anything, but glanced at Kenjiro Oshima, who was inside stroking gold bars and yen.

Chen Yang nodded slightly, indicating that he knew what to do.
"Oshima-kun, it's a bit too boring for just the two of us to drink." Chen Yang clapped his hands.
The waitress opened the door to the private room, and two young and beautiful girls dressed in kimonos walked in.

"These two are Ms. Junko Kinoshita and Ms. Tsubaki Mishima from Kanagawa Prefecture."

"They'll be in charge of entertaining Minister Oshima tonight."

"This isn't a good idea," Kenjiro Oshima said, but his eyes never left her.

"Doctor Oshima doesn't like us?" Junko Kinoshita gave a reproachful look.

Kenjiro Oshima quickly waved his hand, but before he could speak, the two beauties had already sat down on either side of him.

The back door, inside the car.

Fumitsu Sato and Ken Onodera got into the same car.

As the car drove out of the back door of Tsukishima, Onodera Kensuke slowly said, "Mr. Sato, you seem reluctant to let Oshima join our network."

Sato took a breath: "Onodera-kun, what kind of person do you think Oshima is?"

Ken Onodera frowned: "I worked with Oshima for a while. Before the transportation department was established, he was the transportation manager in charge of the transportation process."

This person is cautious in their actions.

Sato raised his hand and said, "That's right, caution, restraint, and incorruptibility—that's why I refused to let him join."

“Onodera-kun, you’re on the same boat as me. I’ve always believed that only the greediest people are qualified to be on this boat.”

"Because he was so greedy, he couldn't turn back."

“Oshima is not that kind of person. He knows how to weigh things and tries to restrain his desires. Such a person can only be a temporary collaborator, not our friend. There is no place for him on this ship.”

Onodera Ken fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Mr. Sato, what do you think of Chen Yang's situation?"

"I have a feeling that Chen Yang has already sensed something since Yasuda came over this time."

Sato seemed to have been prepared for Onodera Ken's question.

“Onodera-kun, the problem is not with us. Chen Yang’s supply lines have attracted the attention of Lord Matsuoka.”

"He was the one who built the South Manchuria Railway's transport lines, and he knew better than anyone what transport efficiency meant."

"It is really not convenient for us to intervene in this matter."

Onodera Kenji sighed: "Lord Sato, Chen Yang is charging ahead, while we sit back and reap the benefits."

"If we don't lend him a hand at this time, wouldn't that be against morality?"

Sato was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "Let's see."

A gentle breeze blew outside the window, and the black sedan quickly disappeared into the night.
Shanghai, Maigen Road, large-scale reserve warehouse of the Southern Transportation Department's Land Transportation Division.
Spring sunlight streamed through the high windows, falling on the mountain of supply boxes and reflecting countless floating dust particles.

The air was filled with a mixture of smells of tung oil, metal, and old paper.

This heavily guarded large-scale material transfer warehouse, which was originally one of the symbols of the smooth operation of the imperial war machine, has today welcomed an uninvited guest.

Dressed in a sharp suit, Nobuo Yasuda walked straight into the warehouse management office, escorted by a group of military police.

His arrival came without warning, throwing the warehouse manager, Masanobu Miyajima, and several clerks, who were in the office checking documents, into a panic.

"Minister Yasuda!" Miyajima hurriedly stood up, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. "What brings you here, Your Excellency?"

Yasuda remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping across the office like a hawk's, finally settling on the massive inventory list hanging on the wall. "By order of the Southern Transport Department's Special Inspectorate,"

"Given the critical importance of transporting supplies northward, in order to ensure that the accounts match the actual situation and to eliminate any omissions, we are now conducting a surprise inventory check on warehouses No. 3, No. 5, and No. 7."

"Please cooperate immediately, open all warehouse doors, and provide all original copies of inbound, outbound, and inventory records."

"A surprise inventory?" Miyajima's face turned pale instantly.

He knew perfectly well that the accounts and physical goods in the warehouse had been riddled with loopholes after a series of "operations" by Chen Yang and others, and could not withstand such a thorough surprise inspection.

"Colonel, you need to inspect the warehouse supplies. Should we inform Chief Oshima or Section Chief Chen beforehand?"

"What?" Yasuda took a step closer, his eyes sharp as knives. "I'm acting under orders to inspect the Empire's assets. Do I need to ask a section chief for permission? Or is there something shady in this warehouse that you're afraid I'll find out about?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Miyajima bowed repeatedly in fright. "I'll arrange it right away, I'll arrange it right away!" "Kitaoka-kun, go to the warehouse and inform Lieutenant Riku to gather all levels of warehouse management personnel."

"Machida-kun, go get the supply entry and exit records, and come find me at warehouse number three in ten minutes."

"Lord Yasuda, please come with me."

While issuing the orders, Masanobu Miyajima led Nobuo Yasuda toward Warehouse No. 3.

Machida Hikoshiro and Kitaoka Kazuichi dared not delay and immediately carried out their orders.

Office of the Chief of the Land Transportation Section, Southern Transportation Department, Shanghai.

Chen Yang was processing documents when suddenly the phone rang. He answered it, his hand holding the pen paused slightly, and the ink smeared onto the paper in a small blot.

He raised his head, his eyes instantly becoming deep and intense. Just as he had expected, Yasuda would not miss any opportunity to strike him down.

"Sir, what should we do?" Lu Jian asked anxiously on the other end of the phone.

Chen Yang turned the microphone around and said calmly, "What's the panic? What else could he possibly find out?"

"Lieutenant Lu, immediately do two things: First, notify our people to prepare according to the pre-arranged 'Plan One'."

"Second, immediately contact Onodera, the deputy head of the logistics department, and tell him, 'We have guests at home.' He will know what to do."

Chen Yang straightened his collar, his face regaining its usual composure, even with a faint smile.

When Ken Onodera rushed to warehouse number three, Yasuda was there with military police and several temporarily transferred accountants, meticulously checking the piled-up boxes of supplies and the ledgers in their hands.

“Yasuda-kun,” Onodera Ken greeted him in a calm tone, “It’s really kind of you to come and take stock of these trivial supplies in person.”

"What? Does Yasuda-kun have a problem with our dispatched army's logistics department?"

"Are you worried that I might withhold supplies during the provision process?"

Yasuda raised his head, a forced smile on his face: "Onodera-kun, please watch your words. I am also acting in the interests of the Empire. After all, supplies are the lifeline for the northward campaign, and there is no room for carelessness or...corruption."

“Yasuda-kun is absolutely right.” Onodera Ken’s gaze swept over the supplies being inventoried. “I wonder if the Colonel found any problems during his inspection?”

Yasuda picked up a ledger and pointed to a record: "Here, on the 15th of last month, the inventory of the supplies warehouse clearly records that 500 boxes of Type 75 mountain gun shells were put into storage, marked as 'Xinjing standard'."

“But based on my spot check just now,” he pointed to several open wooden crates next to him, revealing gleaming yellow shells, “the primer markings and workmanship of these crates seem more like refurbished early stock from the Jinling Arsenal. Their effectiveness and safety are questionable, aren’t they? Moreover, the quantity seems to differ slightly from the warehousing records.”

Ken Onodera examined the shells carefully, even picking one up and weighing it in his hand, before calmly replying, "Yasuda-kun is indeed very meticulous. That's right, this batch of goods was temporarily transferred from Nanjing by the logistics department."

"At that time, the front line was in urgent need of supplies, and the goods from Xinjing could not be supplied for a while. In order to make an emergency, a batch of refurbished products from Jinling were indeed used. This matter has been verbally reported to Mr. Sato. You can call and inquire about it yourself."

"As for the discrepancy in quantity you mentioned," he turned to the sweating warehouse manager, Masanobu Miyajima, who was standing next to him, "it's probably due to handling damage or clerical errors during the inventory check at the time of receipt. Have your staff check it again to make sure the records match the actual inventory."

His answer was impeccable, attributing the problem to "emergency measures" and "operational errors," and using Fumitsu Sato, the highest-ranking commander of the dispatched army's logistics department, as a shield.

Yasuda snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied with the explanation, but he had not yet found a more fatal weakness.

"So, what about this batch of reserves labeled '100-octane high-grade gasoline'? I heard that Section Chief Chen used quite a few 'special channels' to procure supplies for the north."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached. Chen Yang, all smiles and holding a document in his hand, said, "Minister Yasuda! Oh dear, why didn't you tell us you were coming to inspect the warehouse? We could have prepared and cooperated with your work."

Yasuda said coldly, "Prepare in advance? Can that still be called a surprise inspection? Section Chief Chen, you've come at the right time. I happen to have some questions about the approval of the funds for this batch of gasoline purchases..."

Chen Yang smiled and handed over the documents in his hand: "Minister, look, this is an emergency evacuation order that we just received from the Logistics Department of the Kwantung Army!"

"We are required to send half of the gasoline in warehouse number three and all the artillery shells in warehouse number five to Tianjin Port for transshipment to Lushun within four hours! Time is of the essence, look at this inventory work..."

What a coincidence! This sudden transfer order caught Yasuda off guard, and the timing was so clever it seemed suspicious.

Yasuda took the document and carefully examined the seal and handwriting, but couldn't find any flaws for the time being.

He knew that this was likely a "secret weapon" that Chen Yang and Oshima had urgently obtained from higher-ups in order to interfere with his investigation: "Section Chief Chen, your methods are quite clever."

Chen Yang bowed slightly, his tone still humble: "Mr. Yasuda, everything our Land Transport Section does is for the front lines. A soldier's duty is to obey orders. Since there is an emergency evacuation mission, what do you think of this inventory..."

"good very good."

“The mission is urgent, and the inventory can be postponed. However,” he said, looking at the two of them and emphasizing each word, “this matter will not end here. Every single resource of the Empire must have a clear destination. I will be keeping an eye on you, Chen Sang.”

After saying that, he left the warehouse with the military police without looking back.

Onodera wiped away a cold sweat, still shaken: "That was close... Chen-san, your transfer order came just in time!"

Chen Yang's smile gradually faded, and his gaze turned serious: "This is just a delaying tactic. Yasuda will not give up so easily."

"Although he didn't get conclusive evidence today, he's already become suspicious."

"Onodera-kun, you need to inform those people to clean up all the mess and suspend all 'special' operations in the near future."

Onodera pondered, "Is Mr. Chen afraid that Yasuda might pull some other tricks?"

"It's not the theft itself that's scary, it's the thief's eye on it." Chen Yang said slowly, "There are too many people involved in this line of work, we can't let anyone easily find a handle against us."

"We need to figure out how to deal with Yasuda first."

"Chen Sang, what are you planning to do? How can we help you?" Onodera didn't think there was anything wrong with Chen Yang's actions.

"An eye for an eye." Chen Yang's lips curled into a smile.

"If Yasuda doesn't intend to break through by supplying resources, then we will do the same. We'll use resources to leave him speechless."

Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, third floor, Minister Kenjiro Oshima's office.

Kenjiro Oshima sat behind his desk, listening quietly as Chen Yang gave him a report on the collection of supplies.

Chen Yang quickly gave a brief report on the series of supplies currently being transported to the north, and then changed the subject: "Minister Oshima, thanks to the full coordination of my subordinates, the necessary military supplies and fuel and other energy sources have all been loaded onto the trains bound for the north."

"At the current transport speed, it will arrive in Xinjing before the 25th. At that time, it will be transferred by the South Manchuria Railway to the Hailar military station for supply to the front line."

"Our only shortfall right now is in medical supplies. Due to the extreme volatility in the prices of medical supplies, we have already added some funds to our operations, but there is still a huge gap!"

"As required by the military, we also need 100 barrels of high-standard medical alcohol and 300 boxes of gauze."

Kenjiro Oshima pondered for a moment: "Chen-san, I know you have indeed done your best, but you also need to find a way to deal with this last batch of supplies."

“You did a great job in raising supplies. Everyone can see that. You’ve gone through all the formalities, so it shouldn’t be this last step that you fail to do.”

Chen Yang said with a bitter face, "Minister Oshima, it's not that I don't want to, but the price of medicines is rising sharply right now."

“We had originally reached a contract with Mitsui & Co. for the purchase and sale of supplies, but they suddenly demanded a 60% price increase, arguing that there was a huge shortage of medical supplies and they needed to temporarily allocate more.”

“In the past, many merchants selling medical supplies on the black market in Shanghai have been inexplicably wiped out by Special Section 1, a subordinate unit of the Special Higher Police, recently.”

"The current solutions are either to increase the budget by 60%, or..."

“Adding a budget is impossible,” Kenjiro Oshima said in a deep voice. “The Logistics Department is already very dissatisfied with us, believing that we have misappropriated a large amount of funds, which has led to a shortage of supplies for the Logistics Department itself.”

"We must obtain sufficient medical supplies with limited funds."

"Mr. Chen, the Kwantung Army has prepared contingency plans. Once the war starts, all supplies must be in place."

"Minister, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice," Chen Yang said, his face full of helplessness.
Kenjiro Oshima stroked the pen in his hand, his gaze slowly shifting to Nobuo Yasuda, who stood to the side with a stern expression.

“Yasuda-kun!” Oshima’s voice carried a deliberate pressure. “You have repeatedly emphasized the South Manchuria Railway’s resource network and efficiency, and you have also expressed some reservations about my previous reliance on Chen-san’s channels.”

"Now, the time has come to prove your abilities!"

"I'm entrusting you with the full responsibility of procuring this batch of medical alcohol and gauze, which is crucial to the lives of countless Imperial soldiers on the front lines! Use all your connections at the South Manchuria Railway Company, at any cost, to complete the procurement and safely store it within five days!"

"What I want to see are qualified products that meet the highest military medical standards; I will not tolerate any flaws!"

Yasuda's body tensed instantly. Five days?
One hundred barrels of medical alcohol? Three hundred boxes of sterile gauze? This task is virtually impossible to complete!
Especially now, with the shadow of war looming and all sides hoarding supplies.

Seeing Yasuda's silent demeanor, Kenjiro Oshima seemed to lose his patience.

"Yasuda-kun, is something wrong with you?"

"Don't tell me that a large railway like yours can't even handle these kinds of problems."

"You still dare to dream of controlling all the supply and transportation of materials? I seriously doubt whether you have the capability to do so."

"If you refuse, I will report your performance to the local authorities word for word."

Nobuo Yasuda's expression immediately changed: "No problem, I accept the mission! I will do my utmost to utilize the South Manchuria Railway's channels to procure qualified supplies on time!"

"It's not just about giving it your all, it's about completing it at all costs!" Oshima corrected mercilessly. "The honor of the Empire and the lives of our soldiers rest on your shoulders! Go out and prepare; time waits for no one!"

(End of this chapter)