20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 721 Saito Rokuro
When Saito Rokuro heard that the Police Department was preparing to transfer the investigation power of the arson case to the Fengtian authorities, he was furious.

For several days, he went to the director's office from time to time to argue his case and request that the director lead the investigation. Finally, he got tired of asking questions and simply told him directly:
"The consulate has made the final decision after reporting to its superiors on whether to transfer the right to investigate. Even I have no right to ask about it. Don't waste your time on this matter."

Having said that, Saito Rokuro was still unwilling to give up.

After all, Song Lucheng was his informant, and Qingqiu Society had always shown him respect. Now that he had lost some extra income out of nowhere, anyone would feel depressed.

At noon that day, after completing the routine patrol, Saito Rokuro and Yamazaki Yuta hurried back to the police station building to talk to the chief again.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the building, they saw a group of colleagues discussing in the office lobby, as if some major news had happened. But when they saw them come in, they immediately fell silent, as if they were a little shy.

"What's going on?" the two asked curiously.

A police officer held out a newspaper and handed it to me, saying, "Saito-kun, take a look. Here's the latest news."

Saito Rokuro frowned, took the newspaper, glanced at it quickly, and suddenly froze in place.

This is a Japanese newspaper, but its content is mainly about gossip on the peninsula. Normally, it mostly advocates the many benefits brought about by "Japan-North Korea co-prosperity" and friendly exchanges between Japanese and North Korean civilians. But today is different. The title in the lower right corner of the front page is quite "inappropriate" - "Illegal group "Yiretsudan" announces death list."

The article first denounced the numerous crimes of the "Righteous Group" and condemned them as hostile elements that undermined the "Japan-North Korea friendship", and then got to the point.

To the effect:

The Righteous Group was extremely vicious and in recent years, most of its members had been roaming around the three northeastern provinces, plotting subversive activities and terrorist attacks, causing severe disasters to Japanese and North Korean civilians.

Recently, our police officers conducted a surprise search in a city on the peninsula and seized a large number of the group's secret publications, and found important clues from them - the secret liaison station built by its members in Fengtian in the Far East has suffered heavy losses, and all the core backbones have been killed. It can be foreseen that these criminals will eventually be destroyed.

The list of members killed in the Yilietuan incident, along with the pseudonyms they used, is as follows:
Kim Woo-hyun (Song Yul-sung), Lee Jae-soon (Choi Sung-ho), Park Tae-hoon (Shin Jawa-jin)…

"Nonsense!" Saito Rokuro threw the newspaper angrily, his expression extremely indignant, "These reporters are simply idiots, they report whatever they see, regardless of whether it is true or false!"

"But these are intelligence found on the peninsula, and have been confirmed by many parties. They are indeed the statements issued by the 'Yi Lie Tuan'!" the police officer beside him whispered.

"Impossible, I've known Song Lucheng for a long time, he can't be a member of the 'Yilituan'!"

"Saito-kun, I think you should not jump to conclusions too soon."

The police officer handed over the original Korean newspaper and then said, "We received information from the Fengtian Office. There were only 26 bodies at the fire scene, but there were 27 people in Qingqiu Society in total, and one of them escaped."

"Who?" asked Saito Rokuro.

"It's not clear yet. The body is so burnt that it's impossible to identify it. That's not the point."

"Then what do you mean?"

"The key point is that the list of casualties released by the 'Yiliutuan' is exactly the same as the current situation, with only 26 people. In other words, it should be the person who escaped who reported the situation to the Yiliutuan. Otherwise, you can't explain why the people on the peninsula know everything about the situation here."

Saito Rokuro was stunned for a moment, then suddenly woke up: "It was Jiang Lianheng who reported the news. You should know the Jiang family in Fengtian City, right? He has a relationship with the "Yi Lie Tuan", that must be the case!"

However, other police officers were not buying it.

Of course, they had heard of Jiang Lianheng, and even went to the Jiang family's place for entertainment, but they couldn't figure it out - the Jiang family was domineering in Fengtian, so why did they need to help the Yilietuan? This was a choice that would do all kinds of harm and no good!
Moreover, given the current situation, Qingqiu Society is obviously more suspicious.

First, Song Luben himself was a Korean and had sufficient motivation to join the Righteous Corps; second, after the fall of Qingqiu Society, the Righteous Corps immediately issued an obituary, and the information was discovered from the peninsula; third, the number of deaths and the obituary list completely corresponded, and those who managed to escape were most likely members of the Righteous Corps lurking in Fengtian.

Given all these factors, it is a bit far-fetched to link the Righteous Corps with the Jiang family.

Seeing this, Saito Rokuro had to emphasize again and again: "You have to understand that the fire in Qingqiu Society is actually just a personal grudge of the Jiang family. It is not that complicated at all!"

Everyone looked suspicious, but was apparently not shaken by this.

In recent days, Saito Rokuro has been paying too much attention to the arson case, and all he keeps talking about is Jiang Lianheng, which inevitably makes people suspect that he has mixed too many personal grudges into his official duties.

But none of this matters. What really matters is that they are willing to believe that Qingqiu Society is related to the Righteous Group. They are especially willing to believe that this is the hidden truth of the case.

The reason is also very simple.

If Qingqiushe was just an ordinary opium den, then the arson case was a serious dereliction of duty by the police, and everyone in the Toyo Police Department would be held accountable.

But if Qingqiu Society is really the liaison station of the Righteous Group, then not only will there be no accountability for this arson case, it may even be possible to use it as an excuse to defraud rewards.

This concerns the official hat of the Police Commissioner - Qingqiu Society must be related to the Yilietuan!

If Saito Rokuro insisted on getting to the bottom of the matter, he would offend more than just Jiang Lianheng.

The so-called open conspiracy has no solution. This is the case.

In comparison, setting a fire is really just a trivial matter.

Saito Rokuro knew very well that this case was related to the official career of his immediate superior, and he could not do anything but shook his head helplessly and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Yamazaki Yuta suddenly took the opportunity to ask, "Where did this information come from? Do we have an informant in the Fengtian Office?"

My colleague put away the newspaper and said nonchalantly, "Oh, these are all sent by Director Takeda of the Southern Railway Company, including news from the peninsula."

"It's him again?" Saito Rokuro narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but muttered softly, "What the hell is this guy doing? He always comes to oppose me..."

After that, he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Come on, Yamazaki, follow me to the Nantetsu Company to talk to Takeda-kun."

Unexpectedly, when they were about to leave, several police officers stopped them.

"Saito-kun, you can't leave now."

"What do you mean?"

Several police officers pointed to the ceiling above their heads and said awkwardly: "Director Ishihara wants to see you and is waiting in the office. Go quickly."

Upon hearing this, Saito Rokuro immediately understood.

Everyone in the police department knew that he had frequent contacts with Song Lucheng of Qingqiu Society and they had a very close relationship.

Now, Director Ishihara needs to classify Qingqiu Society as the secret contact station of the Righteous Group, so Saito Rokuro will naturally be questioned by his superiors.

Thinking of this, his hatred for the Jiang family grew stronger.

Of course, there is also Takeda Nobuyuki!

Saito Rokuro snorted coldly, walked around a few colleagues and went straight to the stairs.

"Hey, senior..." Yamazaki Yuta was a little confused.

Seeing this, everyone said a few words of comfort, "Don't worry, we didn't ask you to go, just sit here and wait!" However, Yamazaki Yuta hesitated for a moment, but finally followed his senior and went up the stairs to the second floor.

However, he did not enter the director's office, but stayed in the corridor, quietly waiting for news from his senior.

……

In the office, Director Ishihara was busy writing a work report. When he heard the sound of the door, he immediately stopped writing and took off his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Oh, it's Saito!"

"Director!"

"Hurry up and sit down!" Director Ishihara was usually very strict, but today he seemed amiable. He first pointed to the chair opposite him, then personally poured two cups of tea, and then laughed, "You just came back from patrol, right? You've worked so hard, hurry up and sit down!"

If your boss is trying to please you, he will either assign you a hard task or ask you to take the blame, but it is definitely not a good thing. If it is a good thing, he will act pretentious and act like "you owe me a favor".

Seeing this, Saito Rokuro already had a bad feeling in his heart, but he still didn't dare to neglect it for the sake of face, and still replied respectfully: "Director, you are too kind, these are all my duties."

Director Ishihara nodded and chatted about some family matters, but he finally got back to the main topic.

"Saito, you should have understood the current situation, right?"

"Yes, I was downstairs just now and heard Ueno and the others say it."

Director Ishihara leaned back in his chair, folded his hands, and spun his thumbs back and forth. He suddenly groaned and asked, "Qingqiu Society is the secret contact station of the 'Yilituan'... Well, do you think this is possible?"

Saito Rokuro whispered back, "Director, judging from the current situation, Qingqiu Society is indeed very suspicious... I think this matter should be true."

"Oh?" Chief Ishihara immediately sat up straight, with an admiring look in his eyes. "Saito, you are the detective captain of the police department, and your words are very important. But if this is true, how should you explain your contact with Qingqiu Society?"

"I was blind and allowed the members of the Righteous Group to operate under my nose for so long. I am truly ashamed of the director's trust."

"Well, you can't say that. Everyone is careless sometimes! However, this incident is indeed not very glorious for our Fengtian Branch. The appropriate punishment should still be given. We can't let the entire police station be implicated because of one person's mistake, right?"

"Yes, the Director is right!"

Saito Rokuro did not resist.

He is doomed to take the blame. Instead of struggling in vain, he might as well give his boss a way out. If his boss treats him decently, he will not treat him unfairly in the future.

However, seeing that Saito Rokuro was so sensible, Director Ishihara felt a little embarrassed. After thinking about it, he had to make amends by saying something back.

"Saito, you should know that I personally trust you very much--" He pointed to the phone on the desk, "Just now, I called the superiors on your behalf to explain that you are an indispensable backbone elite of our Fengtian Branch. But you also know that this matter involves the 'Righteous Group', so it is not just an ordinary criminal case."

"Director, the higher-ups want to investigate me?"

"Let me help you push it off!"

Director General Ishihara waved his hand with a heroic gesture, like a good brother who protects people from the wind and rain, and then pointed at the phone and started cursing.

"Those bastards sit in the office all day, investigating this or that. How could they know the hard work of frontline patrol officers? I told them that Saito-kun's loyalty is unquestionable. If they don't believe me, they might as well investigate me too!"

Saito Rokuro smiled awkwardly: "Thank you for your care, Director!"

"Ah, what's the use of caring? I can only try my best to help you."

"What did the superior say later?"

"They finally backed off and said that even if you didn't go to Guandong Province for investigation, you would still have to be investigated in Fengtian."

"Fengtian?" Saito Rokuro was stunned. "Director, you are the most important person in Fengtian. Could it be... that you are here to investigate me?"

Director Ishihara quickly waved his hands: "No, no, no, I want to avoid suspicion. There are others in charge of investigating you."

"Who is it?"

"Minamitetsu Co., Ltd. Research Department Director - Takeda Nobuyuki."

"Who?"

As soon as he heard the name "Takeda Nobuyuki", Saito Rokuro felt his head buzzing, wondering how he had gone around in circles and finally fell into that guy's hands?
Thinking of this, his face gradually turned pale.

Seeing this, Ishihara asked in confusion: "What's wrong? Do you have a grudge against Takeda-kun?"

"No--" Saito Rokuro said, "but it seems like there will be a festival soon."

Upon hearing this, Director Ishihara's face immediately turned serious, and he quickly warned: "Saito, I have to remind you that although Takeda-kun is only a director of the Investigation Department, he is an intelligence officer and a member of the Black Dragon Society. The power he controls far exceeds his position. Even I dare not offend him. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand. I will do my best to cooperate with the investigation, but... I'm not sure if Takeda-kun will deliberately embarrass me."

"That shouldn't be the case, right?"

Director Ishihara frowned and muttered, "I have met him several times. Takeda-kun seems very kind. Could it be that you have some misunderstanding about him?"

Saito Rokuro said: "Director, I know he is very kind, but he may be too kind, and even often speaks for those Chinese pigs."

"He must have his reasons for doing that. I advise you to be respectful to him. After all, your career is in his hands. Moreover, if you want to do a good job in police work in Fengtian, you will definitely need his help. He is a person that the top leaders of the Black Dragon Society value."

"Thank you for your reminder, Director. I understand."

Even if Saito Rokuro had never experienced how powerful the Black Dragon Society was, he had heard about it a long time ago, so he naturally did not dare to speak out against it.

"In short," Chief Ishihara continued, "During this period of time, you need to give up your position as detective captain. You can only come back to serve with Takeda-kun's consent. Just think of it as a vacation. I will help you with your monthly salary. You won't lose anything. But remember, during the inspection period, you must always consider the dignity of the police department first!"

"Yes, Director, don't worry!"

Saito Rokuro asked: "When should I go to report to him?"

"Uh... He just called and told you to wait for him downstairs at the South Railway Company at five o'clock."

"I go by my own?"

"Yes, I said that Takeda-kun is very kind. He probably doesn't want to make it too formal so as not to hurt everyone's harmony." Director Ishihara said, "By the way, Saito, this may also be an opportunity. If you need anything, you can try to ask him for help."

Saito Rokuro frowned, pondering his boss's words, and left the office thoughtfully...

(End of this chapter)