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

Chapter 257 The Great Changes in North China
Yusuke Ino was startled. "Uncle, are you saying that Chen-san wants to make a move against Colonel Yoshida?"

"What? He can't move?" Suzuhara asked with a mocking smile. "Power struggles have always been like this."

"The dominant control over transportation held by the South Manchuria Railway is the asset that Chen Sang has been longing to obtain."

"Judging from the transportation situation during this period, Yoshida's capabilities have reached their limit, while Chen-san hasn't even made a move yet,"

"I guarantee that this time, Yoshida is doomed."

Ino's expression changed drastically, and even her right hand holding the teacup began to tremble.

A deputy minister of transportation wants to kill another deputy minister.

Yoshida is no nobody; he's a colonel with connections to the South Manchuria Railway and the Vice Minister of Transport—a top-tier elite. Chen Yang can just do whatever he wants? Where does he get his confidence?

“You’re not exactly a genius, but that’s fine,” Minister Suzuhara smiled. “People who are too smart always have too many ideas. If you’re not smart enough, then just remember to find your place.”

"Effort may not always be useful in this world, but choice always is!"

"Find your place, and someone will naturally shield you from the storms outside!"

"Moreover, Chen Sang is a smart man. As long as you wholeheartedly work for him, even if you don't participate in anything, he will find a way to give you some credit and help you get promoted."

"Ultimately, Chen Sang is Chinese, and his identity means he can't have much power in personnel matters."

“You’re different. You’re a top student from the Army Sergeant University. You’re fully qualified and capable of climbing the ranks. As for how far you can go, that depends on your own destiny.”

Ino wasn't that stupid; she immediately understood and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Uncle, I understand."

Suzuhara nodded. That's the good thing about Ino; she knows she's not smart enough, so she listens to advice.

Yusuke Ino took a sip of tea, looked at the letter next to Department Head Suzuhara, and asked curiously, "Uncle, how did you figure out that Chen wanted Yoshida dead?"

“Of course, it’s because of these supplies!” Suzuhara pushed the letter in his hand in front of Ino and said slowly, “By compressing three months’ worth of supplies into one month for sale, Chen-san’s other purpose besides cashing out on a large scale is to put pressure on Yoshida by overloading the supply transport.”

"As supplies are replenished at each level, Yoshida's pressure will also increase."

"Chen is slowly boiling the frog, gradually tightening Yoshida's nerves. Under this pressure, if the transportation of supplies gets out of control on a large scale, what do you think will happen?"

“Yoshida’s confidence, physical strength and willpower will collapse instantly. Even if he can be sent to the hospital alive, he will not be able to leave the hospital alive.”

"Even if he doesn't want to die, he must die in the hospital because he suffered a major psychological blow during work hours, became exhausted, and could not be saved."

Ino's expression changed drastically: "No way, Yoshida has the South Manchuria Railway Company behind him."

“South Manchuria Railway, humph,” Suzuhara grinned coldly, “Do you believe that if Chen killed Yoshida, South Manchuria Railway would have to thank him?”

Ino was even more puzzled upon hearing this!

Suzuhara sighed, "Such a big problem has occurred during the transport of supplies; someone has to be held responsible."

"Yoshida's sudden death at work is an honor in itself, and even the greatest responsibility ends here."

“If Yoshida were alive, the South Manchuria Railway Company would have to compensate for all the losses. And with such huge losses, the South Manchuria Railway Company would definitely investigate the cause. Chen-san has resold so many supplies, he will surely be able to find some trace. At that time, things will get out of control.”

"Therefore, as soon as Yoshida dies, Chen will immediately take over the transportation leadership and clear the transportation routes."

"Next, he can use the excuse that Colonel Yoshida died suddenly on the job after working hard to apply for honors for Yoshida, and blame all the recent mistakes and problems on Yoshida."

“Yoshida did make a mistake, but that was because of his incompetence. The fact that he died at his workstation proves that his attitude was not the problem.”

"After the headquarters weighs the matter, they won't hold a grudge. The South Manchuria Railway can also save a lot of money on compensation. They only need to give a symbolic amount, and they can still gain the trust of the headquarters."

"And Chen not only gained control of the transportation, but also led everyone to make money."

"This is called using honor to cover up the truth, so that even if someone has doubts, they won't investigate further."

"After all, the person is gone, who would bother arguing with a dead person..."

There are so many twists and turns in this whole thing.

Ino's eyes immediately filled with admiration as she looked at Department Head Suzuhara...

The year was late summer of Showa 14 (1939)...

The North China Plain should be a time when crops are sprouting and budding, but instead, it is filled with the stench of death, a mixture of burnt and blood.

Due to the escalating situation at Nomonhan, almost all strategic materials were forcibly transferred north, plunging the already under-supplied Japanese North China Area Army into an unprecedented predicament.

Soldiers' ammunition quotas were reduced, rations were intermittent, and medicines were extremely scarce.

Faced with this predicament, the newly appointed commander of the Japanese North China Area Army, General Tada Shun, instead of trying to appease the troops and seek normal supply channels, proposed an extremely cruel operational plan at a high-level military conference, aimed at "using war to sustain war" and completely destroying the survival foundation of the resistance forces.

"Gentlemen! The Empire's resources for the Holy War are limited, and the war in North Manchuria is a matter of national destiny, which cannot be lost! To maintain order in North China, we need to find another way!" Tada Shun stood in front of a huge map of North China. "Since we cannot obtain sufficient supplies from the rear, then we will requisition the food and supplies we need from these 'bandit areas' on the spot!"

"Any village that dares to resist or hide supplies will be considered a traitor and subjected to a complete 'annihilation operation'!"

"Burn them all, kill them all, loot them all! Make every village that supports the resistance pay an unbearable price!"

"We must turn the Taihang and Yimeng Mountains into no-man's lands, and deprive the Eighth Route Army of all its manpower and supplies! We must use this absolute measure to ensure the 'stability' of the occupied areas!"

This command was like opening the gates of hell.

Japanese troops, especially the officers and soldiers at the lower levels who had long been corrupted by militaristic ideology and had become restless and brutal due to the scarcity of supplies, regarded this order as a license to burn, kill, and loot.

Wherever the iron hooves trod, villages were reduced to scorched earth, and thick smoke obscured the sun.

The villagers who did not have time to escape, regardless of age or gender, were all mercilessly slaughtered. The scene was so tragic that it resembled a living hell.

Grain, livestock, and any valuable property were looted; wells were filled in; and houses were burned down, in an attempt to create "vacuum zones" where no one could survive.

The Japanese army's "Three Alls" policy did indeed bring unprecedented survival pressure to the anti-Japanese base areas in North China.

Deep in the Taihang Mountains, in a secluded valley where the Red Army headquarters was located, the atmosphere was as heavy as if a storm was brewing. Inside a command post converted from a natural cave, the dim light of an oil lamp illuminated the stern face of the leader.

Zhang Jianliang, the special envoy who came from Shanghai, looked at the intelligence on the table, his eyes filled with anger and worry.

The intelligence summary on the table was shocking: multiple outlying villages had been massacred, the base area had been reduced, food reserves had dwindled, and wounded soldiers were dying one after another due to lack of medical care and medicine.

"Comrade Jianliang," the commander behind the table, whose face was weathered but whose eyes were still sharp, said, "the Japanese devils' 'draining the pond to catch all the fish' tactic is extremely vicious!"

"They want to starve us to death! The troops at the front are bleeding, the people at the rear are suffering, and we... our bullets, medicine, and food are almost gone!"

"Comrade Jianliang, after deliberation, headquarters has decided to assign you an extremely arduous and crucial task: spare no effort to procure a batch of urgently needed munitions and medicines and secretly transport them into the base area!"

"The key items are rifle bullets, grenades, machine guns, sulfanilamide powder, surgical instruments, and gauze. The more the better!"

Zhang Jianliang suddenly stood up, straightened his back, and said in a slightly hoarse voice due to the weight of the responsibility: "Please rest assured, sir! I will definitely find a way to complete the mission! Even if it costs me my life!"

"Your life is very important; it should be used where it's most crucial." The commander walked up to him and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "The organization trusts you, which is why they entrusted you with such an important mission."

"After you return to Shanghai, arrange for supplies as soon as possible. If you have any needs, Comrade Han Nian will mobilize all available resources to assist you."

"Remember, the enemy is like a mad dog, hunting people everywhere. Our operations must be kept absolutely secret, and our channels must be absolutely reliable!"

Zhang Jianliang stood up abruptly, saluted, and said, "Please rest assured, sir, I guarantee to complete the mission."

Entrusted with a heavy responsibility by headquarters, Zhang Jianliang set off swiftly, once again sneaking back into the treacherous city of Shanghai.

At this time, although Shanghai was called an "isolated island," it was still in a state of high alert under the strict control of the Japanese army and the No. 76 secret service.

Large-scale procurement of weapons and prohibited drugs is tantamount to playing with fire.

French Concession, Rue Foch, White Elephant Tree Café.

Shen Qingyao wore an elegant cheongsam, her face was beautiful, but her brows carried the competence and decisiveness honed by her experience in the business world, as well as a hint of hidden fortitude.

In just over a year, Shen Qingyao has shed the naivety she had during her time at Shanghai University.

Her originally slender figure gradually became more voluptuous over time, and her voluptuous curves seemed to have undergone a second growth spurt. Her eyes and brows revealed a shrewd and capable air, which was perfectly in line with her businesswoman persona. She exuded a confident glow.

Ring ring, ring ring,
A gust of wind swept through the street, causing the wind chimes on the eaves to ring out with a series of clear sounds.

With a whoosh, the coffee shop door was pushed open, and Zhang Jianliang walked in, then quickly walked up to Shen Qingyao.

"A cup of black coffee," Zhang Jianliang ordered the waiter.

"Comrade Qingyao," Zhang Jianliang said, taking advantage of the waiter's turn to leave after serving coffee, he cut straight to the point without any pleasantries, explaining in detail the dire situation in the Taihang Mountain base area and the headquarters' procurement needs...

"That's the situation in the mountains right now. The Japanese are implementing the 'Three Alls' policy, so if we want to survive and fight, we need food and medicine."

"This mission is extremely difficult and risky. After careful consideration, the organization believes that only you, by taking the lead and utilizing the Shen family's business network and personal connections, can possibly raise this batch of supplies in a short period of time."

Shen Qingyao listened quietly, her slender fingers gripping the handkerchief tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She could almost see the soldiers fighting bloody battles on the Taihang Mountains, and the helpless eyes of the villagers under the Japanese army's butcher's knife.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qingyao slowly said, "I understand that the Taihang Mountains are not fighting alone; their difficulties are our difficulties."

"Please feel free to tell me what you need me to do. The Shen family still has some influence in the business world and knows some... capable people."

"Good!" A hint of approval flashed in Zhang Jianliang's eyes. "What we need is large in quantity and highly sensitive. We must proceed separately, using multiple channels, and quickly!"

"You'll handle the supplies and medicines; I'll be in charge of weaponry. Do you have any objections?"

Shen Qingyao said slowly, "Please rest assured, Special Envoy."

“Our Shen family is considered a prominent family in the French Concession. Although my father is not in the Green Gang, he is very familiar with everyone in the Green Gang.”

"There's no problem with supplies, but I'm a little worried about whether you can complete the mission."

Zhang Jianliang frowned slightly; he knew Shen Qingyao was telling the truth.
Shen Qingyao's father is named Shen Xingshan. His official identity is that of a merchant, but in reality, he is in the business of selling opium.

He was the leader of the Big Eight Party and a prominent figure in the underworld.

Shen Qingyao was able to gain a foothold in Shanghai's business circles precisely because of this identity.

Of course, more importantly, besides Zhang Jianliang, Shen Qingyao's direct contact is Lin Xueli in Hong Kong, who is Chen Yang's older brother.

They procured supplies from outside the city and transported them to Shanghai. Shen Qingyao's trading company served as their best cover.

After pondering for a long time, Zhang Jianliang said slowly, "I can't say how confident I am, but I do have some connections in the Shanghai market."

"Hopefully we can get it sorted out!"

Shen Qingyao stirred her coffee, took a small sip, and said, "Comrade Special Envoy, have you ever thought about asking Vice Minister Chen for help?"

"His fees are a bit high, but the advantage is that he takes care of everything and can deliver to the designated location!"

Zhang Jianliang pondered for a moment: "I'll try to find the channels I have first. If I can't gather the supplies we need..."

"Miss Shen, I'll have to trouble you to find Minister Chen."

"Regarding prices, we still have a batch of crude oil produced by oil fields in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region, which is about 40,000 barrels from last year to now!"

Shen Qingyao's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

“If there is oil, then things will be much easier. Minister Chen only cares about two things: the Wusha mine and crude oil.”

Zhang Jianliang raised his hand and said, "Using oil for the transaction is absolutely no problem."

"The price can even be slightly lower than the international price of crude oil, the only condition being that he must transport it himself..."

(End of this chapter)