radicalducati Chapter 197 executes economic criminals.
Chapter 197 executes economic criminals.
"Yes, sir! Your subordinate will certainly help Kuroki-kun capture Akako, help the Empire crush its stubborn enemy, and achieve final victory!"
Gao Bin stood ramrod straight, responding loudly, his face plastered with a fawning and eager smile, as if he couldn't wait to show his loyalty.
"Yoshi! Good! What a loyal servant!" Kuroki Tsuna picked up his teacup, laughed loudly, his tone full of arrogant praise, his fingertips lightly stroking the rim of the cup, but a hint of scrutiny was hidden in his eyes.
He never trusted anyone, including this sycophantic traitor in front of him.
"Haha! Wishing Kuroki-kun every success, and wishing the Empire a triumphant victory!"
Gao Bin quickly picked up his teacup, took small steps forward, deliberately lowered the rim of his cup, and gently touched Kuroki's teacup. The tea swayed slightly, but he didn't dare to make a sound. The two looked at each other and smiled, each with their own hidden agendas.
Kuroki Tsuna plotted to use him to build up his power and capture Hongdou, while Gao Bin hoped to gain a higher position under the Japanese with his support.
After a moment of laughter, Kuroki Tsuna abruptly stopped, his expression turning serious, his tone carrying an undeniable pressure: "Takasaka, remember, the traps we set and the location of Feng Yaodong's transfer must not be revealed to anyone in the Special Higher Police who is not involved! This matter concerns the success or failure of capturing Hongdou; if it is leaked, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Rest assured, Mr. Kuroki! I would rather die than divulge a single word!" Gao Bin bowed deeply, his head almost touching his chest, his tone both firm and humble. "I personally oversaw the entire operation, ensuring absolute secrecy. Not only were unrelated individuals kept in the dark, but even my closest confidants knew nothing. I have already issued strict orders: anyone who dares to inquire about Feng Yaodong's whereabouts is not to be arrested on the spot. They must be kept under close surveillance, 24 hours a day, without giving the mole any chance to detect anything!"
"Once we successfully capture Hongdou, we'll take down those who were asking questions!"
A sinister glint flashed in Gao Bin's eyes, and his tone turned colder. "No matter how deeply the mole hides or how many accomplices he has, once he falls into our hands, with the Empire's severe tortures, we will make them confess one by one, drag out all the traitors, and leave no one alive!"
"Oh? Hahaha! What a brilliant plan! What a clever idea!"
Kuroki Tsuna laughed heartily, patted Gao Bin's shoulder heavily, and said with a much more genuine tone of praise, "Gao-san, you really are smart! You're meticulous and thorough in your work. With you here, capturing Hongdou will be a sure thing! I didn't misjudge you!"
Gao Bin immediately bowed deeply, his waist almost touching his knees, his face full of humility mixed with barely concealed pride: "Thank you for the compliment, Lord Kuroki! This is all within my duty. It is my honor to be able to share Lord Kuroki's burdens and serve the Empire! I will certainly dedicate myself wholeheartedly and never fail Lord Kuroki's trust and cultivation!"
The aroma of tea wafted through the air on the tatami mats, and the laughter of the two echoed throughout the room. Beneath this seemingly peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, undercurrents surged and danger lurked, as they laid a trap to hunt down Hongdou.
At the same time, Yan Shuo, with Kobayashi Kichiemon's face on his back, stood steadily at the entrance of the Special Higher Police.
He glanced at the heavily guarded gate, a faint smile playing on his lips. He calmly handed over his identification, and after the guards verified it, they respectfully saluted. Yan Shuo then smoothly entered the Special Higher Police Department.
As usual, he didn't wander around, but went straight to Kobayashi Kaoru's office.
Kaoru Kobayashi is the head of the Telecommunications Division of the Special Higher Police. As his subordinate informant, he has the most convenient way to gather information.
"Report!" Yan Shuo stood at the office door, his tone respectful, perfectly befitting Kobayashi Kichiemon's status.
"Come in!" came Kobayashi Kaoru's voice from inside the office, revealing an undeniable weariness, suggesting that the past two weeks had been incredibly tough.
The Shanghai Military Intelligence Station seemed to have vanished into thin air, not a single word came out, leaving the people in the Telecommunications Section exhausted and suffering from dark circles under their eyes.
Yan Shuo pushed open the door and entered. He immediately saw Kobayashi Kaoru looking tired with bloodshot eyes. Tanaka Miku was bending over to brew tea, her movements practiced and her eyes showing a hint of caution. She had clearly noticed Kobayashi Kaoru's agitation.
"Kobayashi-kun is here. Now, speak."
Kobayashi Kaoru rubbed her throbbing temples, her tone languid yet tinged with impatience as she scrutinized Yan Shuo, glancing up at him, "Anything unusual at the prison lately? Are they still embarrassing prisoners?"
"Sir, everything is stable at the military police prison recently, and there have been no further incidents of prisoners being lost."
Yan Shuo bowed and answered, his tone steady and respectful, perfectly befitting his status as Kobayashi Kichiemon's subordinate. "Yesterday, Section Chief Okamura Jiro personally took away seven prisoners. According to what I've heard in secret, he sold them off, and they are most likely prisoners of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS)."
"Oh, anything else?" Kobayashi Kaoru nodded slightly, signaling him to continue, her gaze returning to the telegram on the table.
"In addition, two prisoners were just executed; they were marked as hardcore communists."
Yan Shuo changed the subject, deliberately showing some hesitation and adding a touch of caution to his tone, "But if I may be so bold as to speak frankly, judging from his appearance and behavior, he seems more like an economic criminal than a member of the Communist Party."
"Oh? Tell me, how did you tell that it doesn't look like it?" Kobayashi Kaoru sat up straight instantly, the weariness in her eyes fading, replaced by a hint of doubt and seriousness.
Identifying prisoners is of utmost importance and cannot tolerate the slightest error; he wanted to hear his subordinate's opinion.
"Sir, I have seen Communists executed before. Even when they were in dire straits, they would shout 'Long live the Communist Party' before they died, their expressions resolute and unwavering until death."
Yan Shuo spoke with certainty and clarity, "But those two people this morning, before they died, were timid and silent, their expressions panicked like frightened birds, completely lacking the faith and backbone of Communists."
"Oh? They shout every time a communist is executed?"
Kaoru Kobayashi raised an eyebrow and pressed for more information, clearly interested in this detail.
"Yes, sir, that's roughly it."
Yan Shuo nodded and added, "Besides, those two are very well-off, with ruddy complexions. They look like people who have been pampered and have money all year round. They don't have the tenacious and intelligent temperament of Communists. Instead, they exude the mercenary and calculating nature of businessmen and look very greasy."
"Oh? A businessman's calculation?" Kobayashi Kaoru repeated thoughtfully, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table.
"Yes!" Yan Shuo nodded quickly, his tone both affirmative and respectful. "In my opinion, they seem more like accountants or compradors of foreign firms, or shop clerks. They reek of money and have not a trace of revolutionary integrity."
"Wow! You have a sharp eye!" Kobayashi Kaoru suddenly smiled, his tone softening considerably. "Those two were economic criminals, long-term smugglers of contraband, secretly funding the Communist Party, and utterly disloyal to the Empire. Executing them was entirely deserved!"