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

Chapter 267 Wild Arms Can Grow on the Taihang Mountains? (Bonus Chapter Thanks to the Alliance Leader)

Shanghai, Headquarters of the Expeditionary Army!
Sunlight streamed through the office's huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright spots of light onto the polished floor, but it couldn't dispel the oppressive heaviness in the room.

Hata Shunroku sat upright behind a large desk, with a military flag hanging behind him.

His sharply defined face was almost devoid of emotion, his cold gaze fixed on the intelligence summary on the table, in which Nakamura had drawn huge circles over the words "Shanghai" in red pen, as if trying to pierce through the thin paper.

"Xi Chuan!" His deep, cold voice rang out like the sudden clang of steel in the air.

The door opened with a click, and Lieutenant Colonel Yoshinori Nishikawa, the aide-de-camp, stood in the doorway like a javelin: "Commander!"

"Notify the Special Higher Police (TAT) Shanghai branch head, Haruki Yoshitaka; the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Military Police Command, Major Miyazaki Shigesaburo; Major Takada of the Maritime Anti-Smuggling Section of the Special Marine Corps; and Colonel Okamoto Kiyofuku, Director of the Inspection Department of the Expeditionary Forces Command,"

Hata Shunroku paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the summary, "Also, Fu Xiao'an, Chairman of the Shanghai Special Municipal Government Materials Control Committee and Acting Mayor of Shanghai; Qian Dajun, Vice Mayor of Nanjing and member of the Executive Committee; Oshima Kenjiro, Minister of Southern Transport; Chen Yang, Vice Minister; and Nakajima, the newly appointed Director of the South Manchuria Railway Research Bureau..."

"A Level 1 Emergency Meeting in one hour. Agenda: Eliminate the enemy sabotaging transportation and supplies within Shanghai, and cut off the supply chain of the Chinese resistance forces. Anyone who is late will be court-martialed!"

"Hai!" Yoshinori Nishikawa bowed sharply, his movements clean and swift, before turning and leaving quickly. The sound of the door closing gently was the only punctuation mark in the brief silence of the room.

The occasional long, drawn-out whistles of ships outside the window only served to highlight the silent storm raging within the commander's heart.

The blood of the enemy flows in the veins of Shanghai? This is absolutely unacceptable!
The atmosphere in the large conference room on the third floor of the headquarters was as stagnant as the Dead Sea before a storm.

The heavy, dark velvet curtains were tightly closed, with only the cold white light from the overhead lamp shining down evenly, illuminating the huge strategic map table and the tense, even slightly fearful, faces sitting around it.

The air was thick with an almost suffocating tension.

Hata Shunroku sat in the main seat, his military cap pressed against the corner of the table, his meticulously styled buzz cut with lines as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe.

Without much small talk or opening remarks, he picked up the copy of the document left by Masao Nakamura with his right hand and slammed it onto the smooth mahogany table with a loud "smack," as if he were holding up a branding iron.

The crisp sound made all the attendees involuntarily tense up.

"Gentlemen, this is the strategic lifeline map of the 'Cage' that the Imperial Army relies on most heavily on in the North China battlefield! Its core secrets and its weaknesses are being repeatedly studied by the commanders of that rabble! The 'Cage' has been torn open and is bleeding us out!"

"And that's just one thing. On the North China front, our valiant Yamazaki Regiment suffered a heavy blow last month."

"Intelligence indicates that the Eighth Route Army attacking them is well-equipped and has far greater firepower than ever before! They not only have brand-new Type 38 rifles, but also mortars!"

"Where did the ammunition come from? Where did the guns come from? Did God give them to them?"

"Or perhaps someone sent it over via our transportation department's railway!"

As soon as the last sentence was spoken, everyone's eyes turned to Kenjiro Oshima!

Kenjiro Oshima, the Minister of Transport of the South, instantly had fine beads of sweat appear on his forehead.

Under Hata Shunroku's piercing gaze, his body tensed like a taut bowstring. He hurriedly stood up, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness: "Commander... Commander! The Empire's control over Shanghai's land and water transportation hub... uh, this, this is absolutely... secure!"

"The list of important military supplies under control is strictly double-checked and registered by the Hong Kong Garrison Military Police and the Marine Police Department... There is absolutely no possibility of major... oversights! Inland waterway... shipping is personally supervised by Deputy Director Saito of the Naval Transport Section, with the Navy Ministry providing full escort, and each ship has a detailed cargo manifest for verification..."

"Solid?" Okamoto, the head of the Inspection Department, asked arrogantly. "The solidity you're referring to, Mr. Oshima, is that the three tons of seamless steel pipes that mysteriously 'vanished' from the warehouse at the Huangpu River dock last month?"

"Is it the small transport barge that 'lost its way' outside Wusongkou last week? Or is it the supply train that was looted in the southern Shandong region?"

"Your Southern Transportation Department's ledgers probably only record what 'ought to be,' but not what 'actually is,' don't they?"

“Okamoto-kun, what evidence do you have to prove that these things are related to our Ministry of Transport?” Oshima pointed at Colonel Okamoto, his face flushed red, and was about to argue.

"Silence!" Hata Shunroku's deep command was like a thunderclap, instantly shoving both of them back into their seats.

He turned to Major Shigesaburo Miyazaki, the military police commander who had been sitting silently: "Miyazaki-kun, your military police are the cornerstone of order in Shanghai. Recently, have you been following any clues about those ghostly underground supply flows?"

Major General Miyazaki slowly rose to his feet, his voice calm yet ruthless: "Sir, the military police dedicate a significant amount of resources to surveillance and searches every day."

"But we must admit that the other party's methods are very covert and highly mobile."

“They infiltrate legitimate trade chains, using chambers of commerce, charities, and even gangs as cover.”

“The process of cutting, transferring, and repackaging supplies involves many steps, making it easy for leads to go cold. Currently, we have arrested some lower-level ‘smugglers,’ but the source, especially the source of weapons and ammunition, has not yet been reached.”

Hata Shunroku pondered for a moment, his gaze finally settling on Chen Yang, the Vice Minister of Transport: "Mr. Chen,"

His tone softened slightly: "The control of supplies at the Maigen Road supply warehouse in Shanghai is a key guarantee for the smooth operation of the front-line battles."

"The failure of 'The Cage' plan and the bloodshed of the soldiers on the front lines are rooted in the fact that someone is using supplies smuggled out of the empire's veins right under our noses to turn against us! The empire needs absolute security and order in Shanghai, and you should be clear about that."

Chen Yang leaned forward slightly, his attitude humble and earnest: "What the Commander says is absolutely right."

"Our Department of Transportation has been fully cooperating with the Army's material control strategy and remains highly vigilant against the outflow of materials for any 'illegitimate' purposes."

"I have increased the number of personnel to implement stricter approval processes and spot checks on sensitive commodities such as pharmaceuticals, hardware, and chemical raw materials."

"However, the concessions and Chinese-controlled areas are intertwined, with a population of tens of millions and a deeply entrenched black market... Sometimes, it really feels like catching eels in a swamp, where even with strength, you can't do everything you can."

"But please rest assured, Commander, we will do our utmost..."

"Do everything in our power?" Before Chen Yang could finish speaking, a cold voice came from the conference room doorway, "Mr. Chen, the army of the Great Japanese Empire doesn't want the attitude of 'doing everything in our power,' it wants results!"

"It's an immediate effect! The Empire can tolerate the cost of temporary chaos, but it will never tolerate the enemy establishing a supply lifeline in the heart of our metropolis!"

"This malignant tumor entrenched in the logistics system must be eliminated within a month..."

"Uproot it completely! No matter how cleverly it's disguised, no matter where it's hidden! Remember, whoever stands in the way of the Army's great cause will be utterly crushed!"

The newcomer was dressed in an earth-yellow uniform, with the star on his collar and the yellow sash on his shoulders indicating that he was no ordinary person.

Chen Yang lowered his head: "Yes, sir! I understand! Please rest assured, Chief of Staff, the entire Transportation Department will mobilize all its resources and go all out! To strive for..."

“I want to hear something else,” Nakamura Masao waved his hand to interrupt Chen Yang’s long speech, then slowly walked to Tian Junliu’s side and handed him a document.

"I received a tip, Mr. Chen. Someone reported that your transportation department has been engaging in obvious misconduct during recent transportation operations. I wonder if you can explain this?"

"What does Mr. Nakamura want me to explain?" Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's respectful expression vanished instantly, and even his tone became harsh.

I was just being polite with you casually, and you took it seriously? Do you really think you're something special?

Nakamura said in a deep voice, "First, there are the multiple mistakes made by Vice Minister Yoshida during the transportation process, and second, Minister Chen, there was excessive material loss during the coordination of the transportation." "Stop," before Nakamura could finish speaking, Tian Junlu stood up and said, "Nakamura-kun, let's not discuss these issues here."

"Everyone, please follow the procedures and review all trading venues within your jurisdiction to strengthen the management of supplies!"

"Chen Sang, Nakajima-kun, Okamoto-kun, Oshima-kun, you guys come with me."

"Hayi!"

The group stood up, bowed slightly, and followed Tian Junliu to the commander's office!
With a creak, the heavy oak door to the commander's spacious office slammed shut the next moment!
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the huge French windows, casting orange-red patches of light into the room, which extended all the way to the heavy sofa in the corner!

Hata Shunroku took off his military jacket, leaving him in only a crisp white shirt with one button undone at the collar—a rare display of "relaxation."

"Please, everyone, have a seat." Hata Shunroku gestured to the sofa and sat down on a single sofa diagonally opposite him, deliberately relaxing his posture a little.

The group sat down as instructed, but none of them dared to relax in front of the commander. They stood up straight, placed their hands flat on their knees, and maintained an impeccably respectful posture.

Hata Shunroku didn't beat around the bush: "Just now at the meeting, Chief of Staff Nakamura expressed his concern about the situation in North China and his worries about potential dangers in the rear, especially in Shanghai. He was very...urgent."

"I can understand his attitude. How much effort did the North China Area Army put into the 'Cage' plan? How many officers and soldiers on the front lines were lost because of it?"

"The First Army even lost its most elite Sakata Regiment!"

"Nakamura identified the source of the materials as being in Shanghai, and he directed his enormous dereliction of duty and sense of shame towards this place!"

"What he needs now is not an explanation, not difficulties, but a clear and convincing result!"

"A 'leak' that can fill his immense sense of frustration and provide an explanation to the Tokyo Army Ministry!"

"Otherwise, the entire imperial institutions in Shanghai will face an unprecedented and fierce purge! No one will be able to stand aside in this storm."

“Mr. Chen, transportation matters are the cornerstone of the Empire’s municipal administration in Shanghai.”

"I'd like to know if you have any different explanation for the accusations against Mr. Nakamura."

"There can be no rifts within the empire. That's the bottom line, do you understand?"

The office fell into a deathly silence.

The golden-red spots of the setting sun fell quietly on the floor, illuminating the dust floating in the air and also illuminating Chen Yang's eyes: "Commander, for the sake of our transportation department's reputation, I feel it is necessary for me to explain to Mr. Nakamura in person."

Tian Junliu's fingers trembled slightly. "Mr. Chen, you should think this through. Mr. Nakamura represents Commander Shinotsuka of the First Army of the North China Area Army."

Chen Yang calmly said, "Commander, I think that no matter who he represents, we should still be reasonable."

“My personal honor or disgrace is a small matter; the key point is that he is insulting Minister Yoshida and the Ministry of Transport.”

"Minister Yoshida's health deteriorated due to his long-distance work, which gave him an opportunity to be targeted by the Kuomintang assassins."

"I will not allow anyone to smear him!"

Upon hearing this, Kenjiro Oshima and Shinichi Nakajima both agreed.

Tian Junliu frowned, but ultimately asked Nishikawa Yoshinori to inform Nakamura Masao to come over!

Xi Chuan accepted the order and went to summon him. Tian Junliu looked at Chen Yang, who was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, and didn't know what to do for a moment.

Soon, Masao Nakamura, led by Yoshinori Nishikawa, arrived at the commander's office.

"Commander, did you call me here because you already have a result?" Masao Nakamura came out aggressively.

“Mr. Nakamura,” Chen Yang opened his eyes and stood up, “I would like to know if there is any actual evidence to support your so-called secret intelligence.”

"Evidence?" Nakamura Masao stared at Chen Yang and said, "Vice Minister Chen, this investigation report is the result of the Special Higher Police audit team spending more than ten days reviewing all transportation data."

"Aren't these enough to serve as evidence?"

Chen Yang sneered, "Calculate? That means you'd rather believe numbers than a transport officer who has dedicated his life to the empire."

"When it comes to data, I think it's easier for data to deceive people than for people to deceive people."

"Simply having data can be deceiving. Moreover, the data you have is incomplete. I'm sure your so-called data is just a summary report from various points, without any detailed transfer data of the transport trains. What? Are you planning to ruin a meritorious official with a bunch of cold data?"

"Is there no law anymore? Is there no morality left?"

Chen Yang was very confident when he said this, because all the detailed information on the transport trains was sealed in the Ministry of Transport, which was in his charge!
To gain access to these documents, both Oshima's and his signatures are required.

These are all top-secret documents. The Special Higher Police did not submit a document review request to the Ministry of Transport, perhaps because they were afraid of alerting Chen Yang and did not want him to discover their purpose!

Therefore, the answer is obvious!
Masao Nakamura paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "But Minister Chen, no matter what, you still have to give us an explanation."

"An explanation?" Chen Yang scoffed. "I wonder what kind of explanation Mr. Nakamura wants."

"You want to know how so many weapons suddenly appeared in the Taihang Mountains?"

"If we follow your logic, I think that the land of China is rich in resources, and the Taihang Mountains are especially blessed. It's normal for wild heavy machine guns and mortars to grow there from time to time!"

"Since nobody talks about evidence anyway, it's all guesswork. Maybe I'm more accurate than you guys!"

“Baka yarou…” Nakamura Masao’s face flushed instantly upon hearing this: “Minister Chen, please watch your words. As the Vice Minister of Transport, how can you speak so recklessly? Are you insulting my intelligence?”

"Insulting intelligence?" Chen Yang sneered. "Who is insulting whose intelligence? If Mr. Nakamura still wants to use this so-called data as evidence to insult the Ministry of Transport and Colonel Yoshida,"

"Then I boldly predict that in the future, not only will mortars and heavy machine guns grow on the Taihang Mountains, but even 75mm mountain guns and 105mm howitzers are not impossible."

"I wonder how Commander Shinotsuka will deal with such heavy firepower?"

With a loud bang, Nakamura slammed his hand on the coffee table and gritted his teeth, saying, "Baka! Vice Minister Chen... how dare you threaten me?"

"Tch," Chen Yang scoffed, his face turning cold. "That's right, I'm threatening you..."

[P.S.: The author is recovering well and is finally able to be discharged from the hospital. I'll be looking for a rental apartment in the next couple of days, and I'll need to stay here for a few more months. By the way, the battle scenes in the previous chapters were just a setup for this passage. When writing novels, it's always necessary to build up tension before revealing the main plot. The author is very experienced in this and won't pad the story unnecessarily. However, if you really don't like it, I won't write about direct battles anymore, since that's a weakness, I admit...]

(End of this chapter)