War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1805 Osaka People's Business

That afternoon, Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan hid on the third floor of Lihua Theater and got drunk with "Boss Mu" and Boss Jin who was invited along.

That is, while they were drinking, "Manager Qi" had already taken the unconscious Liuzi and quietly left Dongyi Photo Studio and even the concession, avoiding all eyes and ears, and finally mingled in the county town where all kinds of people gathered.

The next morning, Wei Ran, who had just woken up from a hangover, hurriedly left the Dongyi Photo Studio which had been closed for a long time, and took a rickshaw to arrive at Musashino Photo Agency early.

"Nakamura, is Musashi-sensei here?"

Wei Ran asked in Japanese, and gave a cigarette to Nakamura, the clerk guarding the counter at the door.

"not yet"

Nakamura took the cigarette Wei Ran gave him with extra respect, lit it, and said, "The president came back very late yesterday, and he was very drunk."

"I'm glad you're back," Wei Ran said, "What work do you have today?"

“Not much work today”

Nakamura took out a few rolls of film and said, "This was sent for development yesterday. The president brought this film back and asked that it be developed before he comes. He will deliver it to the other party later."

"Are you coming to help?"

Wei Ran invited with a smile, "I think there is actually no problem with your skills, you just need more experience."

"Can I?" Nakamura asked immediately.

"Don't ask me"

Wei Ran encouraged him in a casual manner, "Ask yourself, do you think you can do it?"

"I think I can!" Nakamura answered immediately.

"Not only do you need to have confidence, you also need to have the responsibility and courage to bear the consequences if you mess up."

Wei Ran asked again, "Do you think you can do it now?"

"Yes, I can!" replied Nakamura, who was already drunk.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Wei Dahuyou patted the other's shoulder affectionately, "Come on, Nakamura! I'll wash the ones the president brought back, and I'll leave the rest to you!"

"Thank you, Musashi-senpai!"

Nakamura immediately bowed politely, then ran into the developing room with the films.

Where did this hammer come from?

Wei Ran weighed the film left by Ichiro Hoshino and walked into another printing room.

While he was busy, the roll of film was developed into black and white photos. However, when Wei Ran saw the contents of these photos, he frowned.

Among these photos, there are several photos of Ichiro Hoshino and the izakaya owner, two photos that are suspected to be of the izakaya owner's family, and a solo "Japanese art" photo of a geisha in his izakaya.

But in addition to these, there are also two group photos and one individual photo.

He could recognize at a glance that the Japanese soldier in military uniform and holding a wakizashi in the solo photo was none other than Hirano Daisho he was looking for!

Look at the two group photos again. One is a photo of Hirano Daisho and Hoshino Ichiro, and the other is a photo of Hirano Daisho and two other Japanese devils who are also wearing military uniforms and holding samurai swords.

In addition, there are several photos with clever composition, in which Daisho Hirano, who has an injured ear, stands sideways without revealing the wound.

The background of these photos is obviously in a military camp, and Hirano Daisho's ear is also wrapped in gauze, just like one of the ears in Black Cat Sheriff.

I finally found you.

Wei Ran was muttering to himself, but at the same time he heard the voice of Hoshino Ichiro coming from outside the door - he was asking "Is Ryunosuke here?"

It was obviously too late to develop a new one, so Wei Ran immediately took out his Rollei twin-lens reflex camera, put the photos that had not yet dried together, and then copied them as quickly as possible.

Putting away the camera, Wei Ran responded loudly and enthusiastically in Japanese, then unlocked the darkroom door and walked out.

"Teacher, I have just finished developing the photos you asked me to take. It may take a while for them to dry." Wei Ran said respectfully in Japanese.

"Not urgent"

Hoshino Ichiro waved his hand with unsteady steps, "All the work for the morning is up to you. Come with me for a walk at noon, and remember to bring those photos with you."

"Okay, teacher." Wei Ran responded respectfully.

After watching Ichiro Hoshino walk into the office, Wei Ran winked at Zhang Taichuan, who had just finished taking photos for a customer, and said in Japanese, "Qinshenjun, come to the darkroom and help me."

"What's wrong?" Zhang Taichuan asked.

"The drying rope is a little loose, I need you to help me hold it up." Wei Ran made up an excuse and took the other person into the darkroom.

Making a gesture to the other party to keep quiet, Wei Ran pointed to the photos on the drying line, and then touched his ears.

Getting the hint, Zhang Taichuan looked at the photos, and Wei Ran also stepped on the table and tightened the drying rope a little.

With just one glance, Zhang Taichuan realized what Wei Ran wanted him to see, and he stared at the person in the photo, as if he wanted to engrave the appearance of the devil in his eyes.

"My teacher and I will go out at noon, so the work in the photo agency will be left to you." Wei Ran reminded.

"I am one with you"

Zhang Taichuan took a deep breath halfway through his speech, then smiled and changed the subject, "Don't worry, Ryunosuke, I'll have Nakamura to help me, so I can handle it."

"I'll come back to help you as soon as possible," Wei Ran said as he jumped off the table.

For the following morning, Zhang Taichuan inevitably looked absent-minded, which even earned him the concern of Ichiro Hoshino, who scolded him after he learned that he was "drunk".

But Wei Ran knew that even if this vaccination was painful, he had to give it to the other party, in order to prevent him from reacting abnormally after seeing Hirano Daisho without any preparation.

On the other hand, he was also particularly fortunate that Zhang Taichuan looked very different from Zhang, the owner of the Mingxiang Opera Troupe, so he didn't have to worry about being discovered.

As for Zhang Zhengqi, there is even less to worry about. Although he is quite similar to Boss Zhang, he rarely shows up in public.

While distracted by thinking about the possible omissions in details by their small team, Wei Ran also completed a lot of filming work this morning.

Before lunch, Wei Ran put the developed photos into an envelope, but deliberately left the negatives and gave Zhang Taichuan a hint. Then he helped Hoshino Ichiro carry a gift and got into the car parked at the door.

Under the guidance of Ichiro Hoshino, Wei Ran drove through the streets and alleys and bought some souvenirs at random. Then he drove into a military camp with a flag of the aunt hanging, and finally stopped in an area similar to a warehouse.

"Mr. Hirano, I'm late."

Without waiting to get out of the car completely, Ichiro Hoshino enthusiastically greeted the Japanese soldier who helped open the door.

"Mr. Musashi, you're welcome. You've arrived just in time."

Hirano Daisho, who helped open the car door, said politely. One of his ears was still wrapped in gauze, but even so, it did not stop him from looking at Wei Ran warily, "Who is this?"

"This is my student Musashi Ryunosuke."

Ichiro Hoshino introduced, "Don't worry, Mr. Hirano, this young man is trustworthy."

"Nice to meet you, please take care of me." Wei Ran bowed respectfully and greeted him. His attitude was as enthusiastic as ever.

After looking at him carefully, Hirano Daisho patted Wei Ran's shoulder affectionately and said, "Come with me."

Under its guidance, Wei Ran, holding a gift, followed behind Ichiro Hoshino and walked into an office which was not very big but relatively clean.

Almost subconsciously, Wei Ran saw the familiar wakizashi placed on the table against the wall, and also saw his aunt's blood-stained flag hanging on the wall.

"Ryunosuke, please wait outside the door." Hoshino Ichiro said after Wei Ran put down the various gifts and envelopes containing photos in his hands.

"Hi"

Wei Ran responded respectfully and then left the office. However, he did not go far. He just sat on a chair against the wall outside the door, lit a cigarette, waited quietly, and listened to the faint conversation coming from the office.

"This is a photo from yesterday. I developed it myself."

In the office, Ichiro Hoshino said enthusiastically, "You can send these photos to your family. They won't know that you were injured, and it won't make them worry."

"Mr. Musashi is very thoughtful," said Daisho Hirano politely in the office.

“It’s nothing”

Hoshino Ichiro smiled and said, "I also brought a small gift, please be sure to accept it."

"what is this?"

"A pair of silver-gilt katydids from the Tang Dynasty in China"

Hoshino Ichiro proudly introduced, "It is said that these are from the harem of the Tang Dynasty royal family. They can be used as paperweights."

"Mr. Musashi, these things are expensive, right?"

“Of course it would be expensive if it were traded as an antique.”

Hoshino Ichiro replied, "I am sure I can sell each of them for the high price of a large gold bar, but the process of obtaining them is very easy. All you need to pay is some insignificant medicines."

"Is this the deal you mentioned last night?"

"That's right"

"I would rather trust my samurai sword and my soldiers than exchange them for medicines."

“Yes, but with samurai swords and soldiers, you can only grab worthless things, the real treasures are hidden by them.

And even if you rob valuable or worthless things, a considerable portion of them will have to be handed over to your superiors for their use, right?

Also, although it is very rude, Mr. Hirano, you are only a quartermaster now. Even if your soldiers participate in the looting, I am afraid they can only pick up what is left by the front-line soldiers. "

Hoshino Ichiro said, "Mr. Hirano, we all have Osaka blood, trading is what we are good at, and it is also what can really get good things, so why not change to a way that we are better at?

Take these two bugs, for example. They came from a royal tomb from the Tang Dynasty. I got them with just a box of anesthetic.

Neither you nor your soldiers will have the chance to dig up the royal tombs unless you receive an order." Hoshino Ichiro paused for a moment, waiting for the other party to catch up with his thoughts, and then continued to persuade him, "Even if you receive an order to dig up the tombs, how much good stuff can you get in your pocket?"

"If you trade, what do you want to get?" asked Ichiro Hirano.

"No, no, no, Mr. Hirano, I still say the same thing as last night."

Hoshino Ichiro's voice lowered a little. "The point is not what I want, but what you can give. You have to know that even the feces in the toilet of the military station has a price."

“I don’t want to be in the shit business”

Hirano Daxiang paused, and asked in a voice that Wei Ran outside the door could barely hear, "What is the most valuable? I mean, what can be exchanged for those valuable antiques?"

"Medicines and weapons," Ichiro Hoshino answered immediately.

"Who are you selling it to?" Hirano Daito asked warily.

"Gangs, of course, are the gangs in Shencheng."

Hoshino Ichiro answered as a matter of course, "They need weapons to fight for territory, and they need medicine when they get injured in the fight. As long as there are gang disputes, guns and medicines will never be out of stock."

“It really helps.”

“There are many people doing business with gangs now.”

Hoshino Ichiro reminded, "If you don't do these businesses, someone else will. Even if something happens, those gangs will naturally send people out to be scapegoats. What do you have to be afraid of?

Mr. Hirano, I want to remind you that if it weren't for your senior Mr. Aoi's strong recommendation, I could have done these insignificant little businesses with other people in this military station."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Musashi."

Daisho Hirano quickly apologized and said, "I want to ask one last question."

"Of course, please ask." Ichiro Hoshino said with extraordinary patience.

"Are you funding anti-Japanese elements?" Hirano Daisho asked a stupid question.

"Mr. Hirano!"

Hoshino Ichiro stood up amid the sound of the chair being dragged, and said with dissatisfaction in his tone, "I am a businessman, and I only brought you into the business because of Mr. Aoi's friendship. If you want to frame me and then gain merit, you can be more direct."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Musashi, I'm sorry! I'm so rude!"

Hirano Daisho quickly apologized and lowered his attitude. "I will prepare some in-demand items, but how should I deliver them to you, and how should I pay for them?"

"I heard that you just lost your translator recently?" asked Ichiro Hoshino.

"Yes," said Hirano Daisho, "I am hiring a new translator."

"Let my students be your translator"

Hoshino Ichiro said, "You can also give him some of the goods you prepared, and he will bear the risk. As for the settlement, let me think about it."

After a moment's hesitation, Hoshino Ichiro asked in a superior manner, "Daxiang-kun, do you have any relatives or family members in Shencheng?"

"No, no, there is no one else except my senior Mr. Aoi."

Hirano Daisho replied, "But my sister will be here soon. She will be sent here as a nurse."

“When she comes, I will sponsor her to open a clinic.”

Hoshino Ichiro said, "When the time comes, just give the payment to your sister in the name of medical fees. This way you will be much safer."

"This is great!" said Hirano Daito excitedly.

"Then it's settled. Can you accept my student as your translator?" Ichiro Hoshino asked finally.

"It's outside the door."

"No, no, no, it's not him. It's someone else."

Hoshino Ichiro said, "I will not be involved in this kind of business, and you don't have to be involved either. Just let my two students take care of the rest. They are all very hardworking people, and even if something goes wrong, they can take the responsibility."

"I understand," Hirano Daito replied immediately.

“This is a list of some items that have had higher prices recently.”

Hoshino Ichiro said, "I will ask my student outside the door to bring your translation over later. His name is Kawaguchi Yoshiyoshi."

"Kawaguchi Yoshiyoshi? Is he a Chinese?" Hirano Daisho asked with a frown.

"He is a Chinese who is both flattering and loyal enough"

Hoshino Ichiro replied, "I have observed him for a long time. He is a trustworthy subordinate and his Japanese is very good."

"I will get along well with him," said Hirano Daisho.

"For your safety, let's meet less often in the future."

Hoshino Ichiro said, "When your sister's clinic opens, I will visit it often, and I will give her a large portion of your profits."

"I'll leave everything to you," Hirano Daito said with great respect.

After overhearing this, Wei Ran outside the door immediately pushed himself up with his feet and slid to the other side of the bench.

"Click"

Almost at the same time, the office door opened, Ichiro Hoshino walked out, and Wei Ran stood up immediately.

"Ryunosuke, let me introduce you again."

Hoshino Ichiro smiled and said, "This is Hirano Daisho. We will be friends from now on and will meet often."

"Hello, Mr. Hirano." Wei Ran smiled and bowed slightly, then shook hands with the other party enthusiastically.

"Hello," Hirano Daisho was also much more enthusiastic, "We can have a drink together if there is a chance."

"There will definitely be a chance," Wei Ran said with a smile, which was extremely sincere.

Amid the warm farewell of Hirano Daisho, Wei Ran drove away from the military station with Hoshino Ichiro.

"This Hirano Daisho is an idiot"

On the way back, Hoshino Ichiro snorted and asked casually, "Ryunosuke, have Boss Mu and his men made any moves recently?"

"Nothing much has changed," Wei Ran replied, "We just had a drink together yesterday."

"Have you found out who they sold the drugs and weapons to?" asked Ichiro Hoshino.

"not yet"

Wei Ran replied helplessly, "I didn't have the opportunity to come into contact with these, but there were many times when I suspected that they didn't even bring the medicines and weapons out of the city."

“This is a good thing”

Hoshino Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief, "Keep watching them, Ryunosuke, you are the person I trust the most. After the war is over, I will take you to recruit nuclear weapons and start a new life."

"Thank you teacher for your cultivation," Wei Ran replied with an exceptionally bright smile, as if he was full of longing for the future.

After driving back to Musashino Photo Studio, Ichiro Hoshino carefully burned incense to the statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva placed on the stone lotus pedestal in the shrine, and then immediately called Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan to his office.

"Kawaguchi"

Hoshino Ichiro said directly, "How about you work as a translator for a friend of mine for a while? By the way, he will also supply us with some goods."

"No problem, teacher, it's my honor." Zhang Taichuan said respectfully.

"You need to find out how much goods he has."

Hoshino Ichiro lowered his voice slightly and said, "The Pacific War has already begun. It is foreseeable that the supply of materials will become extremely tight in the future, but this is a good thing. This is a great opportunity to make money.

So Kawaguchi, you must find out what he can provide as soon as possible. If his value is low, we need to change the trading partner immediately. "

"Please rest assured, teacher!" Zhang Taichuan made a solemn promise that made Wei Ran sigh inwardly.

"My friend is called Hirano Daisho, and he is a quartermaster at the 4th Division's military station."

Hoshino Ichiro briefly introduced, "That's all I know. Kawaguchi, let Ryunosuke take you there now. Become friends with him. We are going to empty the warehouse he is in charge of of all valuables! Especially fuel!"

"Hi!" Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan responded in unison.

"Go in my car. There's no need to rush back." Hoshino Ichiro said finally, "If he has time, you can take him dancing."

"Please rest assured, we will treat you well." Zhang Taichuan said finally, and then he and Wei Ran left the photo agency and got into the car at the door.

"Let's go buy some souvenirs first."

Wei Ran suggested, "Mr. Musashi has brought gifts with him when he visited us. There is no reason for us to go empty-handed. It would be too rude."

"makes sense"

Zhang Taichuan immediately understood, "I'll go back and change my clothes. I accidentally spilled the developer on my clothes when I was in the darkroom just now."

"Alright"

Wei Ran heaved a sigh of relief. He wanted to use the time on the road to think about how to confirm Zhang Taichuan's obvious premonition, and how to comfort Zhang Taichuan to face this coincidence that God had eyes but no wisdom.

But he could guess what kind of torment the other party would face next and how much pain he would feel inside.

(End of this chapter)