chsdbacks Chapter 202 The Dark Underground Criminal Network
Chapter 202 The Dark Underground Criminal Network
Chen Mansion, Study.
Under the dim light of the desk lamp, Chen Zijun sat at the table, holding the document on the "black gold" project that had been inventoried in the French Concession.
The document was very thick, with dozens of pages.
Each page documents the underground criminal networks of the French in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Far East.
Chen Zijun grew colder and colder as he looked at it.
His fingers traced across the pages, each line of text like a knife, piercing his eyes.
"Drugs. This is something we have long ordered to be cracked down on, yet they still dare to sell it to other warlord forces in the country?" Chen Zijun said, his voice filled with suppressed anger.
Mo Lanzhi stood to the side, her expression calm, but a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.
"Yes," Moranze said. "According to this document, the French established a vast drug smuggling network in Southeast Asia. They purchased opium from Indochina and then shipped it by sea to China, Japan, and various parts of Southeast Asia. The annual drug trade amounted to more than 20 million pounds. Moreover, they also sold drugs to some warlord forces in the country through various channels, using drugs to control those warlords."
Chen Zijun turned to the next page, his finger pausing briefly on the paper.
"And cultural relics, that's not surprising. After all, they steal cultural relics from China, India, and Southeast Asian countries, and then transport them to Europe to sell to collectors. This is their traditional skill. I just didn't expect it to have become a large-scale operation organized by the government. They really have no shame!" Chen Zijun said, his tone full of sarcasm and anger.
Moranzie said with a wry smile, "This document records that the smuggling of cultural relics amounts to more than five million pounds every year. Moreover, they have organized tomb raiding gangs to frantically plunder ancient tombs all over China, selling our national treasures as commodities."
Chen Zijun continued turning the pages, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Suddenly, his hand stopped.
"They're even involved in human smuggling and trafficking?" Chen Zijun said, a cold glint in his eyes, his voice low and terrifying.
"Yes," Moranzie said. "This is the worst. They traffic people, including women and children, from China, Southeast Asia, and Africa. This document records human trafficking over the years, and based on their scale, they have handled more than 100,000 of our citizens over the years."
Chen Zijun slammed the file shut, the movement so forceful that it shook the teacup on the table.
"One hundred thousand people?" Chen Zijun asked, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.
"Yes," Moranzie said. "And this is only what's on record. The actual number is probably much higher. And there are a huge number of children and young girls involved, whose whereabouts are unknown! Many have been sold to Southeast Asia, Africa, and even further afield, never to return."
Chen Zijun stood up and paced back and forth in the study.
"These beasts," Chen Zijun said, "not only do they ravage our people with drugs, but they also smuggle human and cultural relics, including a large number of children. These imperialist powers are truly inhuman; there's no limit to how inhuman they can be!"
Moran said, "Young Marshal, this smuggling network is enormous, involving multiple countries and forces. The French are just one link in the chain; the British, Japanese, and Dutch are also involved."
Chen Zijun stopped and turned to look at Mo Lanzhi, his eyes as firm as iron.
"No matter who is involved," Chen Zijun said, "I will eradicate it. Something that harms the country and its people must not be allowed to continue to exist."
Mo Lanzhi nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.
"Understood," Moran said. "I've already arranged for people to investigate. According to preliminary investigations, this smuggling network has bases in the five southeastern provinces. It mainly operates through comprador firms, chambers of commerce, and secret societies, and its reach is very wide."
Chen Zijun said, "That's something I should consider, not you. What you need to do is take down all these strongholds for me."
"Yes," Moranzhi said.
"Furthermore," Chen Zijun said, "I will launch a five-province crackdown. We will rigorously investigate human smuggling and the loss of cultural relics. Anyone involved, no matter who they are, will be severely punished."
A hint of surprise flashed in Mo Lanzhi's eyes.
"A crackdown in five provinces?" Moranzhi asked.
"Yes," Chen Zijun said, "This smuggling network is too large, involving too many people. I need to conduct a thorough investigation."
Moran said, "Young Marshal, this investigation may affect the interests of many people, including some local tyrants, gentry, and compradors."
Chen Zijun sneered: "Touch their interests? So what? They should pay the price for their involvement in human trafficking and cultural relic smuggling."
Moranzhi said, "Understood. I'll arrange it right away."
Chen Zijun said, "Wait. First, have Shen Li and Su Guiying cooperate with you. The Military Intelligence Bureau and the Green Gang will handle intelligence, while the military and the Labor Movement Bureau will handle the operations. It must be swift and decisive; take down all the strongholds in a short time. Let them know that this kind of crime is absolutely forbidden on my turf."
Moranzhi said, "Yes."
Mo Lanzhi turned and left, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Chen Zijun sat back down at the table and looked at the "Black Gold" project document.
This document is just the tip of the iceberg.
The darkness of the underworld was far deeper than he had imagined.
But he will not back down.
He wants to eliminate all of this.
Just then, Mo Huixin pushed open the door and walked in, carrying a stack of account books.
"Young Marshal," Mo Huixin said.
Chen Zijun looked up and saw the solemn expression on Mo Huixin's face.
"Sister Huixin," Chen Zijun said, "Anything else discovered during the asset inventory in the French Concession?"
Mo Huixin walked to the table and placed the account book on it.
"Young Marshal," Mo Huixin said, "I discovered some strange things while dealing with the assets in the French Concession."
Chen Zijun asked, "What strange thing?"
Mo Huixin said, "Sassoon & Co. seems to have close ties with this underground smuggling network. I found records of financial transactions between Sassoon & Co. and the French in the French Concession's account books. Moreover, these financial transactions were all related to drug trafficking, cultural relics, and human smuggling."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes.
"Sassoon & Co.?" Chen Zijun said, "The Jewish Sassoon & Co.?"
"Yes," Mo Huixin said. "The Sassoon Company appears to be doing legitimate business, but in reality, they have long been involved in underground smuggling networks. Moreover, the Sassoon family itself made its fortune by smuggling opium. We originally thought they had changed their ways, but now it seems they are not as innocent as they claim! They have been secretly involved in these dirty businesses all along."
Chen Zijun sneered, "The Sassoon family built their fortune on these kinds of things, so it's not surprising. Why would they give up a profitable business? But this Englishman is colluding with the French. It seems these Jews don't consider the British Empire their homeland..."
Mo Huixin asked, "Young Marshal, what are your plans?"
Chen Zijun said, "Since Sassoon & Co. was involved in smuggling, it must pay the price. This crackdown in five provinces also includes Sassoon & Co. In this crackdown, Sassoon & Co. is included in the scope of the investigation. No matter whether they are a British or American firm, as long as they are involved in the crime, I will not let them go."
Mo Huixin nodded.
"Understood," Mo Huixin said.
"And another thing," Chen Zijun said, "you continue investigating Sassoon & Co. I need to know exactly how much smuggling they were involved in, and who else is behind them. I want to get to the bottom of this network."
Mo Huixin said, "Yes."
Mo Huixin turned and left, her footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
Chen Zijun looked out the window at the night scene.
The city of Shanghai is brightly lit at night.
But beneath this glamorous facade lies a dark undercurrent.
He wants to eradicate this darkness.
At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Shen Li walked in, a hint of excitement on his face.
"Young Marshal," Shen Li said.
Chen Zijun turned around and saw Shen Li's expression.
"Shen Li," Chen Zijun said, "how are the preparations for the purge going?"
Shen Li said, "Young Marshal, the Military Intelligence Bureau is ready. We have identified 120 smuggling locations in the five southeastern provinces, including comprador firms, chambers of commerce, and gangs. We can act simultaneously as soon as you give the order."
Chen Zijun nodded.
"Very good," Chen Zijun said. "Let's take action tonight."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Li's eyes.
"Tonight?" Shen Li asked.
"Yes," Chen Zijun said. "If we're going to fight, we'll fight hard. We'll wipe out all the strongholds overnight. Let everyone know that this kind of crime is absolutely forbidden on my turf."
Shen Li said, "Understood. I'll arrange it right away."
Chen Zijun said, "Wait. This operation must be kept secret. No one can know about it beforehand."
Shen Li said, "Understood."
Shen Li turned and left.
Chen Zijun sat back down at the table and looked at the "Black Gold" project document.
Tonight will be a bloody night.
But he won't hold back.
These beasts deserve to die.
Midnight.
In Shanghai, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Wuhu... hurried footsteps suddenly echoed on the streets.
Military intelligence agents, workers from the labor movement bureau, and local troops were all mobilized simultaneously.
In Shanghai, agents of the Military Intelligence Bureau surrounded the comprador firms, broke down the doors, and dragged the compradors out of their beds. These compradors, who were usually arrogant and domineering, were now trembling like stray dogs.
In Nanjing, workers from the Labor Movement Bureau, in coordination with the troops, stormed into the headquarters of a gang. The gang members attempted to resist, but were utterly outmatched by the well-trained troops, and the headquarters was completely taken over within minutes.
In Suzhou, a smuggling operation hidden behind an antique shop was busted, and a large number of precious cultural relics were seized.
In Hangzhou, the headquarters of a chamber of commerce specializing in human trafficking was raided. Dozens of women and children were being held captive in the basement. When the People's Liberation Army entered, they finally saw hope.
One hundred and twenty smuggling dens were raided simultaneously.
Comprador firms were shut down, chambers of commerce were searched, and gang headquarters were destroyed.
Overnight, the underground smuggling network in the five southeastern provinces was completely uprooted.
Chen Zijun stood on the balcony of the Chen Mansion, looking at the distant firelight.
That was the burning of a comprador trading company that had been shut down.
The firelight illuminated half the sky.
He knew this was just the beginning.
The real investigation is yet to come.
But he won't stop.
He will eradicate all darkness.