69novels Chapter 192 Shen Qing's Arrangements
Chapter 192 Shen Qing's Arrangements
"Did you cause trouble for Yueqing Silk Shop?" Kodama Yoshio's face darkened, and he reprimanded sternly, "What did that shop do wrong? You actually wanted to shut it down?"
"Hmm? No, sir." Takagi Masao looked bewildered and quickly lowered his head to explain, "I only sent Xiao Jingshan to the store to check on the situation. I haven't received any news about what mistake the store made. However, they did receive a large batch of fabric, enough to make military uniforms. I'm investigating who sent this fabric and who it's for."
"No need for further investigation!" Kodama Yoshio interrupted him sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Hai!" Takagi Masao immediately shut his mouth, bowed his head respectfully, and dared not utter a single word of rebuttal.
Kodama Yoshio immediately put on a fawning smile, turned to Yan Shuo, and hurriedly explained, "Mr. Liu, look at the mess this has made. This shop belongs to your aunt, and Ms. Su Yueqing is your cousin's aunt. Those fabrics, presumably, were given to us by you, right? You're one of us, so these fabrics will naturally end up being given to us anyway, won't they, Mr. Liu?"
"Of course." Yan Shuo smiled, his tone relaxed, and casually asked, "Koudama-kun, what do you think about this? Should we use official channels or buy it privately?"
"Hehe, of course it'll be done privately!" Kodama Yoshio quickly replied, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "This little bit of stuff isn't worth going through the proper channels; it's too much trouble!"
"Haha!" Yan Shuo laughed loudly, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Hahaha!" Kodama Yoshio also laughed along, the two of them knowing each other without saying a word, but each had their own thoughts.
Everyone present knew that to process the transaction, it had to be made public on the business books. With each layer of deductions, Kodama Yoshio's share of the profits would be significantly reduced.
If the purchase was done privately, only a few people would know about the deal, and the profits would naturally go entirely to Yoshio Kodama. At most, Masao Takagi would receive a small share as a form of appeasement.
How do you calculate this? There's no fool in this room.
As for the idea of stealing the fabric? That's ridiculous.
Kodama Yoshio knew perfectly well that if he really angered Yan Shuo, Yan Shuo would immediately stop all business with the Kodama Organization, and the Kodama Organization would be completely paralyzed in less than a month.
Without money, nothing can be accomplished, let alone dealing with General Sakai Kusanai's urging.
The back office of the Begonia Tavern was somewhat somber, filled with the smell of smoke mixed with the fragrance of begonia blossoms drifting in from outside.
Yan Shuo sat in a wicker chair by the window, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. Seeing Shen Qing push open the door and enter, he spoke directly before Shen Qing could even sit down, his tone a mixture of impatience and concern: "Brother Shen, what's been going on with you lately? It's been almost two months. Have you forgotten your way home? Or are you hiding something from me?"
Shen Qing rubbed his hands together, put on a perfunctory smile, pulled over a chair and sat down, waving his hand: "Hey! What could it be! It's just some trivial financial matters for the big boss that got me delayed."
Yan Shuo raised an eyebrow, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and asked with a hint of surprise, "There are still big bosses' assets in Shanghai? Whose? The bureau chief's side?"
"It's not just the Director." Shen Qing's eyes flickered, and he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to warn, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Knowing too much won't do you any good!"
Yan Shuo scoffed, leaned back, and crossed his arms. "Go away, do you think I'm a busybody? What's the big deal? Is it worth spending two months in Shanghai? Are you kidding me? Brother Shen, aren't you going to tell me the truth?"
Shen Qing was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. He scratched his head and his tone softened a bit: "Hehe, you're good. It's nothing major. Some people's families want to go to Hong Kong or Macau, and some want to immigrate to the United States or Canada. They ran into some trouble with the paperwork, so I came over to help them out."
"Oh," Yan Shuo nodded, his expression turning serious. "How much is still unresolved?"
"There aren't many left." Shen Qing's tone also became serious. "It's just that it's been a difficult time to make a move these past few days. I always feel like someone is secretly investigating me. I don't dare to go anywhere else, so I just hang around public places like bars every day, make a few drinking buddies, and talk about some trivial business deals, hoping to wait until things calm down before making my move."
Yan Shuo's face darkened, and his tone turned cold: "You'd better go back right now! Otherwise, you know in your heart that trouble will come sooner or later! Every person you send out will be monitored and investigated by the Japanese and Western agents. As long as they identify these people as relatives of our high-ranking officials, you try it, and within two days you'll be tied to the Japanese agents' rack. I was able to save you last time purely by luck; they were outnumbered that day, which gave me the opportunity to act. You want to take the risk again? I don't have the materials to make masks right now; I have to wait for the ship to deliver them in a month. If you really get caught, good luck to you. I can only see you off one last time; I can't save you a second time."
Shen Qing's smile vanished completely, replaced by a troubled expression. She sighed, "Well, I still have a few people I haven't seen off. If this isn't finished, I won't be able to go back and explain it to my superiors."
Yan Shuo frowned, his tone laced with sarcasm and dissatisfaction: "The Party and the State support you, and all they do is send you to do these underhanded, dirty things?"
"What can I do?" Shen Qing said helplessly, spreading his hands. "I'm also very troubled, but how can I dare disobey orders from above?"
Yan Shuo remained silent for a moment, then softened his tone and waved his hand: "Give me the list, I'll arrange for someone to take care of it, you go back now."
Shen Qing looked up abruptly, her eyes wary: "This is classified! I can't give it to you. If it leaks, we're both finished!"
"Go to hell!" Yan Shuo glared at him, reaching out to snatch it. "Give it to me now, stop talking nonsense, and get the hell out of here. Don't cause me any more trouble!"
"You brat, watch your manners!" Shen Qing scolded playfully as he dodged, but he didn't actually refuse.
"Don't give me that, here you go!" Yan Shuo snatched the note from Shen Qing's pocket, unfolded it, and glanced at it.
Shen Qing sighed helplessly and instructed, "Here you go! Remember, this must be kept secret, not a word can be leaked! The person is already in Shanghai, now all that's left is the visa and the ship ticket, you have to keep an eye on things."
Yan Shuo nodded, put the note away, and casually asked, "Okay, I understand. Are you taking Xiaoqing with you when you go back?"
"Take it with you." Shen Qing's expression softened. "The rear is safer than Shanghai after all. I'll get her a marriage certificate when we get back, as a way of giving her an explanation. You, please change her resume so that it doesn't leave any trace."
"Okay," Yan Shuo readily agreed, "How about changing it to the identity of a schoolteacher? It won't attract too much attention."
"Okay! Thank you so much, brother!" Shen Qing's face showed gratitude. He got up to leave, "Then I won't keep you any longer. I'll pack my things and go back now."
Yan Shuo waved his hand: "Okay, be careful on the road."