chsdbacks Chapter 203 Money? Or Life?
Chapter 203 Money? Or Life?
Yan Shuo knew perfectly well that this fake document absolutely could not be presented to high-ranking Japanese military officers with authority, or it would be exposed in no time. But it was more than enough to deal with a country bumpkin like Kamiya Konosuke.
His audacity in using fake documents to intimidate people stemmed from the chaotic state of Japanese intelligence agencies in China during World War II.
Japan's various intelligence agencies in China, such as the Special Higher Police, the Special Service Department, the Ume Agency, and the Iwai Mansion, had a multi-level and multi-system supervision and command system. At its core, it was directly managed by the Army and Navy command systems, supervised by the military police system, and coordinated by the Cabinet and the General Headquarters. At the same time, there was also a situation of multiple overlapping supervision by the military, government, and constitution. It seemed strict, but in reality, it was chaotic.
The top-level coordination and highest-level oversight (in Japan) are divided into multiple agencies, which are independent of each other and even hinder each other:
Firstly, the Imperial General Headquarters, as the supreme wartime command, was composed of the Emperor, the Minister of the Army, the Minister of the Navy, the Chief of the Army General Staff, and the Chief of the Naval General Staff. It was the highest decision-making and supervisory center for all intelligence agencies in China. It had an Intelligence Committee under it, which was specifically responsible for coordinating intelligence and espionage operations of the Army, Navy, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid internal friction. However, even so, internal friction continued.
Secondly, the Cabinet Intelligence Department, established in September 1937, was the central intelligence agency and coordinating body for the entire country of Japan. Nominally, it oversaw the Second Department of the Army General Staff, the Second Department of the Naval General Staff, the Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all intelligence agencies in China. It was responsible for collecting intelligence, formulating national intelligence policies, and supervising the implementation of these policies. However, in reality, it did not have direct command authority, and the real power remained firmly in the hands of the military.
Third, the Second Department of the Army General Staff, also known as the Army Intelligence Headquarters, was the highest intelligence and special operations command of the Japanese Army. It directly led all army special operations agencies in China, such as the Army Special Operations Departments in Fengtian, Tianjin, and Shanghai, and the Mei Agency. It had a China Section and a Strategy Section. The China Section was specifically responsible for the planning and supervision of intelligence and special operations on the Chinese battlefield, while the Strategy Section was responsible for special operations strategies such as defection, supporting puppet regimes, and undermining anti-Japanese forces.
Fourth, the Second Department of the Naval General Staff was the highest intelligence and special operations command of the Japanese Navy. It directly led the naval special operations agencies in China, such as the Shanghai Naval Special Operations Department and the Hankou Naval Special Operations Department. It was parallel to the Second Department of the Army General Staff and was not subordinate to each other. During their time in China, they often had various conflicts over territory and authority, and neither side would give way.
Fifth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Intelligence Department (East Asia Bureau) leads intelligence agencies within the diplomatic system, such as the Special Higher Police in consulates across the country and the Iwai Residence. Under the guise of "diplomatic cover," they conduct intelligence and cultural infiltration operations. Although coordinated by the Cabinet Intelligence Department, their operations are relatively independent and they are directly responsible to the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This is just the top-level organization. In addition, there are hundreds of branches scattered all over China. These branches ignore each other, undermine each other, and even betray each other, creating a complete mess.
For example, the navy and the army have always been at odds, ignoring each other and often arguing over trivial matters; the military intelligence department, financial intelligence department, and cultural intelligence department also operate independently and do not cooperate with each other; even the diplomatic system and the army system sometimes have irreconcilable conflicts, ranging from minor arguments and shoe-throwing to serious fights involving bayonets.
These chaotic phenomena have long been the norm within Japanese intelligence agencies in China.
It was precisely because of this chaotic situation that Yan Shuo dared to produce this fake certificate and recklessly intimidate Kamiya Konosuke.
After all, even if Kamiya Konosuke wanted to verify it afterward, he would have no way to do so. The various agencies were passing the buck and not cooperating with each other. No one would verify a seemingly "top secret" document for the sake of a lowly ronin.
As expected, the moment the fake certificate was shown, it terrified Kamiya Konosuke. His previous stubbornness and resistance vanished, leaving only fear and obedience. He answered whatever Yan Shuo asked without daring to hide anything.
Yan Shuo looked at Kamiya Konosuke in his current state, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
This chess piece wasn't a waste of money.
Yan Shuo looked down at the terrified Kamiya Konosuke and asked him directly why he had been sacked by the gangsters. It didn't take much effort for Kamiya to tell the truth.
Ultimately, it was his own greed that led him to refuse to admit his losses after gambling, resorting to dishonest tactics and procrastination, which incurred the wrath of the gang and resulted in his downfall.
"Ha, he does have some guts, daring to gamble and renege, but he doesn't have much brains."
Yan Shuo chuckled, his tone full of mockery, and gestured with his chin toward Zhou Hu beside him, "Keep beating him, teach him a lesson, and show him what he can and cannot say."
"Yes, Captain!" Zhou Hu responded and stepped forward, raising his hand to deliver another series of swift punches and kicks to Kamiya Konosuke. He controlled his strength perfectly, causing Kamiya to howl in pain, but without injuring him. This was just enough to wear down the arrogance of the ronin in his bones.
Kamiya curled up on the ground, covering his head with his hands, repeatedly shouting "I won't do it again!" and "Sir, spare my life!" He had lost all his previous stubbornness.
After beating him for about half a minute, Yan Shuo raised his hand to signal Zhou Hu to stop, and then looked at Li Gang: "Go to the gambling den where he owes money and pay it back. It's not much, just a hundred or so silver dollars."
"Understood!" Li Gang nodded in agreement, turned around and walked towards the alley entrance, the Nambu No. 14 pistol at his waist faintly visible, exuding a powerful aura.
When Li Gang arrived at the gambling den, the owner was waiting in front of the counter with several thugs, his face full of displeasure.
He was still seething with anger after his men had been brutally beaten by Zhou Hu and his gang. Now that someone had come to return the money, he suddenly felt emboldened. Pointing his finger at Li Gang's nose, he gestured wildly and said, "You're here to return the money? That's not enough! Your men beat my men black and blue. You'd better give me an explanation and some compensation, or you're not leaving this house today!"
Before he finished speaking, Li Gang, without a word, pulled out a Nambu XIV pistol from his waist and a hand grenade, slamming them simultaneously onto the counter with a "smack." He slightly raised the muzzle, his eyes icy, his tone completely flat: "Money? Your life?"
The cold muzzle of the gun and the heavy grenade instantly silenced the gambling den owner. His arrogance vanished without a trace, his face turning deathly pale. He frantically waved his hands, forcing a smile, "No, no! It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! The money's back, no need for compensation!"
He ran a gambling den and was involved in gangs, relying on ruthlessness. But this guy in front of him was armed with guns and grenades. He was clearly not a good guy. If pushed too far, the other party would definitely dare to attack. In that case, he wouldn't even be able to save his own life, let alone pay compensation.