20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 826 Traitor
The Jiang family mansion is located in the north of Fengtian City.

It was almost midnight, and Jiang Lianheng was still sitting in the courtyard warming himself by the fire, waiting for news of Zhao Guoyan and the others' return.

Unexpectedly, after waiting for a long time, the first person to arrive was a messenger from the Su family.

Li Zhengxi is on night watch tonight.

When the moon was nearly at its zenith, he suddenly pushed open the door and announced in a low voice, "Brother, Old Qian from the Su family has arrived."

"You found out the information so quickly?"

Jiang Lianheng was a little surprised. Only two days had passed, and the Su family's investigation into Qin Huaimeng had already yielded results. It was truly remarkable how different professions could be so different. So he quickly got up and went to the door to greet him.

Pushing open the door, I looked up and saw a skinny old man.

Jiang Lianheng looked him up and down and couldn't help but laugh, "Old Qian, how old are you? Still running errands for the Su family?"

Qian Boshun bowed respectfully, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Oh, young master, you're joking with me again—"

As he was speaking, he suddenly realized his mistake, quickly patted his mouth, and laughed as he corrected himself, saying, "Look, it's been so many years! I accidentally let something slip. You're a gentleman now, my apologies!"

We're all old acquaintances.

Jiang Lianheng didn't mind, and immediately stepped aside to let him in, sighing softly, "I really wish I were still a young master! Come, come, please come in!"

Qian Boshun stepped into the courtyard, turned his head and saw Xu Ruqing's mourning hall. He immediately put away his smile, straightened his clothes, and became solemn and dignified. He first went to the offering table to light incense for the old lady, muttering, "Alas, the old people of the past, one by one they are gone..."

After exchanging pleasantries, the host and guests took their seats.

Qian Boshun said, "My master cares about me and didn't want me to make this trip, but he's always a little worried about entrusting this task of reporting information to an outsider."

Jiang Lianheng ordered two cups of hot tea to be brought over, gestured for them, and nodded, saying, "I really didn't expect you to be able to investigate so quickly. In the past few days, I've sent out quite a few spies, but we still haven't figured things out. The Su family's roots are still intact, which makes it seem like my brothers are out of touch."

"No, no," Qian Boshun quickly declined. "The Jiang family has eyes and ears all over the provincial capital, which the Su family can't compare to. It's just that this time they are familiar with the business, and my master happens to be an insider, so they gained an advantage and got some benefits."

So what exactly is the situation?

Jiang Lianheng stopped being polite and got straight to the point.

Qian Boshun stroked his goatee and continued, "This Qin Huaimeng has been investing in Japanese factories for about two years now. Although he made a lot of money before, it wasn't until this summer, when he got a loan from Yokohama Specie Bank, that he truly started to make a fortune."

"Wait a minute!" Jiang Lianheng suddenly interrupted, "I know everything about our Fengtian Chamber of Commerce. I also know who invests in Japan. How come I've never heard of which factory he owns or how many shares he has?"

According to the treaty, although Japan was allowed to invest in and set up factories along the Nantong Railway Zone, in practice, it was not without its limitations.

In order to preserve national industries, the provincial government required that Chinese investors must participate in certain sectors in order to successfully establish factories, euphemistically called Sino-foreign joint ventures.

In most cases, this form of Chinese participation in the business was led by the government to raise funds, or by assigning a government-affiliated businessman to negotiate the cooperation.

In other words, if you didn't have some power and influence, you weren't even qualified to invest in Japanese factories.

The Jiang family knows all the merchants with such qualifications in the entire city of Fengtian, so it's impossible that they were completely unaware of it.

Unexpectedly, Qian Boshun said, "Qin Huaimeng is holding a hidden stake; it's difficult to find out if you're not in this business."

Jiang Lianheng was even more confused and hurriedly asked, "No, what kind of ability does he have that the Japanese would give him a secret share?"

"I don't really know how capable he is, but the key thing is that he owns land!"

"What did you say? He sold the land to the Japanese?"

"I dare not say more, but as far as I know, there are two places: one was allocated to the Japanese to set up factories, and the other was allocated to the settlers to grow grain."

"No wonder, the Japanese need him."

"That's not all!" Qian Boshun continued, "This summer, during the Shanghai tragedy, when students rioted, he did a lot of dirty work for the Japanese. It was because of this 'merit' that he was able to get a loan from the Yokohama Specie Bank! Mr. Jiang, can you guess how much money he borrowed in total?"

"How many?"

"Half a million!"

"How much?" Jiang Lianheng almost doubted that he had heard correctly.

Qian Boshun said with certainty, "A full 500,000 gold notes!"

“His life isn’t even worth 500,000!” Jiang Lianheng was astonished, then puzzled. “But he took so much money, why haven’t I seen him buy any properties recently?”

Qian Boshun retorted, "Then it's not his money!"

Jiang Lianheng frowned upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and then realized: "The Japanese want to use him to continue acquiring land and setting up factories?"

The provincial government has explicitly prohibited people from renting or selling land to foreigners, especially Japanese. However, if Chinese people buy and sell land and then "lend" it to Japanese people for free, ultimately profiting through hidden shares, it would be considered exploiting a loophole in the regulations if one were to scrutinize every word.

Undoubtedly, this is an act of treason.

Qin Huaimeng had completely sided with Japan, so the Japanese were naturally willing to support him in making a name for himself in Fengtian.

Qian Boshun continued, "Actually, he wasn't working alone. He was doing things for many people. In the eyes of the Japanese, I think he was at most a handyman. It's just that the Japanese were so powerful that they could easily give him a hand and he would become someone important."

"Who else is there?" Jiang Lianheng asked.

"Has Mr. Jiang ever heard of the Manchu-Mongolian Cultural Association?"

"I think I've heard of it... I have a vague recollection, but not a deep one..."

"No wonder!" Qian Boshun nodded. "It seems that Master Jiang doesn't usually pay much attention to cultural trends, which is why he overlooked this matter!"

Jiang Lianheng felt ashamed.

It's not that he doesn't pay attention to cultural trends, but rather that he himself has little cultural knowledge.

Although he had studied with his third uncle for five years in his youth, and had a rudimentary understanding of several classics, a basic knowledge of rhyme and meter, and some historical allusions, Sun Chengmo himself was a cunning and poor scholar, so naturally he could not teach any learned scholars.

Moreover, with the current promotion of modern and Western learning, such as that of Babbitt and Montesquieu, he understands even less.

The "Manchurian-Mongolian Cultural Association" was founded by Japanese people and is headquartered in Dalian. It receives funding from the Kwantung Government and the South Railway Company and has been in existence for four years.

The association promotes cultural exchange between the two countries and frequently holds academic seminars. Dr. Hu and Professor Wu have both been invited to give lectures in Lvda.

Jiang Lianheng had no interest in this matter, having only heard a little about it, and couldn't help but ask:

"What does this have to do with Qin Huaimeng?"

“He also sponsored that association,” Qian Boshun said. “And he was an honorary member. Most of the people there were pro-Japanese, and I heard that the members were even planning to start a ‘Japan-China Friendship Association’!”

"Is that so?" Jiang Lianheng frowned. "Then I'll have to send someone to investigate thoroughly!" Qian Boshun, however, took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve and said with a smile, "I have a list here. It may not be complete, but consider it a reference for Master Jiang!"

"Wow! Old Qian, you're really putting in the effort!"

"Don't say that, let's help each other out to the end!"

Jiang Lianheng didn't stand on ceremony anymore. He took the list and glanced at it briefly by the candlelight in the mourning hall.

Then, his gaze suddenly froze.

He saw a name he barely recognized on the list—Meng Duo!
Qian Boshun glanced at it and asked, "What, is there someone you know here?"

Jiang Lianheng nodded and said, "Yes, quite a lot!"

“That’s not surprising,” Qian Boshun sighed. “People who have seats in the Manchu-Mongolian Cultural Association are all quite capable. They’re either top students or big bosses. My husband knows quite a few people on that list.”

"Old Qian, thank you so much this time."

"Don't mention it. Our two families have been friends for generations. It's just a small favor, nothing to mention."

"Would you like to come inside and have a seat?"

"No, no, it's the middle of the night, I'd better go home early."

As he spoke, Qian Boshun rose to take his leave: "Boss Jiang, my master asked me to pass on a message to you: This war has left endless troubles, and the future of Fengtian may be rewritten. Please be careful, and don't be quick to speak or act rashly. Think thrice before you act!"

"Okay, thanks for reminding me!"

Jiang Lianheng escorted Qian Boshun to the gate, bowed in farewell, and was about to turn back into the house when a light suddenly flashed in the alley.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that Zhao Guoyan and the others had returned.

The three of them got off the bus at the same time, all looking dejected and ashamed.

Jiang Lianheng didn't even need to ask any more questions; he could deduce the general situation simply from the expressions on their faces.

"Boss, things have gone awry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Lianheng raised his hand to interrupt him, muttering to himself, "He's really not a pushover!"

Chuang Hu hurriedly said, "Master, please let me explain. This is all my fault. It was when I was scouting the place..."

"Never mind, never mind, you can talk about it later!" Jiang Lianheng waved his hand, then strode into the courtyard. Everyone hurriedly followed, and then they heard him whisper, "Go and call Nanfeng down, I have something to ask him!"

Li Zhengxi dared not delay and hurriedly rushed into the mansion.

A short while later, Wang Zhengnan, dressed in pajamas with a padded jacket draped over his shoulders, came running over sleepily and asked, "Brother, were you looking for me?"

Jiang Lianheng folded the list, put it in his pocket, and ordered, "You and Xifeng go and call Meng Duo here. Whether he's asleep or not, I want to see him now!"

…………

"Snapped--"

The following morning, at the Dongyang Police Station.

Saito Rokuro slammed the investigation report onto the table, unbuttoned his collar, and yelled, "Damn it! Our branch office is just two blocks away to the west of that apartment building. We could get there in five minutes at the fastest. How could you not catch anyone at such a close distance?"

Several police officers standing in the lobby quickly bowed and apologized, saying, "We're so sorry! It was already very late, and the suspect had already fled in his car. We couldn't react in time, we're really sorry!"

"It's an absolute disgrace! On our turf, we were played like fools by those Chinese pigs, and our overseas Chinese were almost killed. You should all commit suicide to atone for your sins!"

Suicide by disembowelment?

The group looked at each other and thought to themselves, "Should we reschedule?"
"Why aren't you arresting them now?" Saito Rokuro asked again when he saw that no one was moving. "I've already told you that the criminals are from the Jiang family. We're in charge of the police in Fengtian City now. Why aren't you arresting them? Do you doubt my judgment?"

"This……"

Several police officers lowered their heads, stammering, and couldn't say a word for a long time.

Saito Rokuro, too lazy to ask any questions, immediately ordered, "Form ranks immediately, and come with me to the city to arrest people!"

No one was willing to move.

"Can't you understand what I'm saying?"

Saito Rokuro cursed again and was about to make a move when Yamazaki Yuta pushed open the door and walked in.

"Senior—" He leaned forward and whispered, "The chief's order is that all detectives must remain at the branch office on standby and are not allowed to enter Fengtian City until they receive further instructions."

"why?"

"I don't know, the director is looking for you. You should go to his office and see!"

Saito Rokuro was completely bewildered. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and quickly called Yamazaki Yuta aside, asking in a low voice, "What's the deal with that Hou Chuanyan?"

Yuta Yamazaki replied, "He volunteered to be taken away, saying he wanted to hide here for a while and come out when the Japan-China Friendship Association holds a meeting. He also hoped that we could help him out then."

"Can they really defeat Jiang Lianheng?" Saito Rokuro frowned. "I'm starting to doubt their abilities. They made preparations beforehand, but they didn't capture a single person and even lost three of their men. What's going on?"

Yamazaki Yuta wasn't sure either, but he reported truthfully: "I heard from Hou Chuanyan that they have follow-up plans, which are to eliminate Jiang Lianheng directly, and then you can have half of the Jiang family's money."

"Only half?"

Saito Rokuro was slightly dissatisfied, but he didn't ask any more questions. Thinking that the director was still waiting for him, he quickly turned around and left the hall, then hurried up the stairs.

The office door was ajar, and the director could be heard talking on the phone from the corridor. His voice was low and rapid, as if he had encountered some kind of emergency.

Saito Rokuro was hesitating whether to knock on the door when he saw the police chief beckoning to him through the crack in the door.

Upon entering the room, the director was seen repeatedly saying into the microphone, "Hi! Hi! Hi!"

After the call ended, Saito Rokuro stepped forward and asked, "Sir, why haven't you sent anyone to investigate? Are you just going to let those Chinese pigs run rampant in our territory? I have enough evidence to..."

"Let's put this case on hold for now!" the police commissioner interrupted, raising his hand. "For the time being, the police force should stop patrolling the city. All elite officers should remain in the dependent areas to protect the safety of the overseas Chinese!"

"Why?" Saito Rokuro felt utterly defeated, then hurriedly asked, "Is the Chinese police force deliberately provoking us again?"

The police chief shook his head and said, "We just received news that Guo Jun's vanguard has approached the outskirts of Xinmin County, and the main force is expected to arrive soon. We're going to fight. Although the fighting probably won't affect the affiliated areas, the police force's top priority is to protect the safety of our overseas citizens. All other matters will have to wait until the fighting is over!"

(End of this chapter)