Agents of the Republic of China

Sasaki, captain of the Shanghai Gendarmerie, is a middle-aged man in his 40s, with a figure like a bamboo pole, with a hooked nose that adds a strong sinister aura, and two triangular eyes that always seem to be probing people's hearts.

Lin Xiaotang didn't expect Otani Kazuya to choose Todatsu as the meeting place. When he saw Haruka Tachibana, his face was full of his signature humility and kindness, and he didn't show any surprise at all.

Lin Xiaotang looked at the water stains on the bottom of a faint teacup on the table, and looked at Haruka Tachibana calmly.Haruka Tachibana poured tea for the three of them while turning his eyes to the room on the right inadvertently.

This is the case in Japanese-style taverns. Each room is only separated by a wooden door. If the sound is a little louder, it will be heard from the next door.

Lin Xiaotang pretended to drink tea, and quietly looked at the room pointed by Tachibana Haruka's eyes, feeling suddenly enlightened.

Sasaki bowed slightly, and said to Tachibana Zhichang: "I'm really sorry, because we have asked seniors to suspend business, I'm sorry! Don't worry, it won't be too long."

Chief Tachibana smiled and replied: "How could it be? All of you are our distinguished guests, and the funds for our meeting are provided by the Ministry of the Army. It's a trivial matter, and it's nothing to worry about!"

After Chief Tachibana quit, Sasaki poured wine for Lin Xiaotang and Otani Kazuya, "This is an industry affiliated to the Black Dragon Association. Boss Tachibana is also our old friend. I told Otani-san to choose to meet here. Mr. Lin should also know , Our gendarmerie has always been a nightmare for the people here, in order to prevent Mr. Lin from having other thoughts, or feeling uncomfortable, I specially arranged it here!"

As Sasaki spoke, he looked at Lin Xiaotang's expression with his eyes.

Lin Xiaotang smiled, "You are welcome, Commander. I am just a businessman. Although I come from a gang, I have been focusing on business these years. Although I care about political matters, I still serve business. As long as it is to make money, then Sovereignty can be done casually!"

Sasaki was taken aback, he didn't expect Lin Xiaotang to say such shameless words.The reason why he agreed to meet with Lin Xiaotang today is because of Otani Kazuya's face, after all, the two are classmates in the non-commissioned officer school; on the other hand, it is because of some things he heard that made him have a strong interest in Lin Xiaotang. .

"I'm from a gang, maybe that's not accurate?" Sasaki looked at Lin Xiaotang meaningfully, and said something, "As far as I know, Mr. Lin once joined the intelligence training class organized by the Chongqing Military Command. good!"

Lin Xiaotang didn't hesitate at all, and nodded immediately, "Mr. Sasaki is very well informed. In the 27th year of the Republic of China, I joined the Linli training class of the military command in Changsha. That's right. It's just why I came to Shanghai later. I believe you must be more interested. you know?"

"Aren't you sent to Shanghai?" Sasaki said jokingly.

Lin Xiaotang laughed, but the laughter was full of hatred and sadness, "If I say it myself, the credibility will be greatly reduced. But there is a person on the 76th who knows the reason for my coming to Shanghai. If Sasaki-kun is interested, you can Just ask him directly, I believe he will know everything and talk endlessly.”

"Who?" Sasaki chased after him.

"Fu Shenglan!" Lin Xiaotang said a name.

Sasaki nodded in satisfaction, "Mr. Lin is honest enough!"

In fact, Lin Xiaotang had already thought that Sasaki would check out his situation before meeting.His experience in the Linli training class was not deliberately concealed in all his files, because too many people knew about this matter, and there was no way to conceal it.After that, no one knew the reason why I came to Shanghai except for a few people.As for Fu Shenglan, I believe he will have a deep impression of what happened in the training gang that day. With him, he can become a powerful witness when he left the military organization after he came to Shanghai! And Wang Tianmu, he will not be so stupid as to give up on himself The only way back to the point.

Everything makes sense and fits seamlessly.

"Then Lin Jun came to Lin'an not long ago, and why did he come in contact with the local rescuers?" Sasaki pressed every step of the way.Daguhe on the side was also a little dazed when he heard it, but the three words "save her" still made his body tremble uncontrollably.

Lin Xiaotang suddenly realized that as soon as Sasaki asked this question, the identity of the eavesdropper in the next room was ready to be revealed.He raised his glass to Sasaki with a wry smile, raised his head and drank it down, "I didn't expect Mr. Sasaki to know this. But I have to say, you still don't know me deeply enough."

"Oh, is that so? Please tell Jun Lin!" Sasaki didn't expect Lin Xiaotang to come back like this, and suddenly became interested.

"It's a long story. When I first arrived in Shanghai, I was unaccompanied and felt abandoned. During that time, I had experienced enough hardships in life. Forced by livelihood, I had to follow Although I haven’t paid homage to the guild so far, thanks to the care of my seniors and brothers, I can live to this day. After some achievements, I tried to leave the guild, but Sasaki-kun should be able to understand that this is simply impossible Arrived. As for saving the gang, Mr. Sasaki is very clear about its composition. It was originally composed of people from the Jianghu. I am not afraid of the jokes of the two. If I break with them, it will not be long before all the gangs in Shanghai will unite to deal with it. Me, this bit of my property could be wiped out overnight!"

Lin Xiaotang sighed and poured himself a drink.

Sasaki chuckled, "I can understand Mr. Lin's difficulties, but I still hope you can master the scale, and don't do things that embarrass me."

Otani Kazuya and Lin Xiaotang secretly breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

Sasaki seemed to appreciate Tachibana Haruka's craftsmanship, and kept calling Lin Xiaotang and Otani Kazuya to taste some side dishes, and the slightly dull and tense atmosphere immediately relaxed.

"I don't know why Mr. Lin asked me to meet today...?" Sasaki asked a question after drinking for three rounds.

Lin Xiaotang's request was very simple. The casinos, restaurants and other industries under his name located outside the concession are currently struggling, and he wanted to rely on Sasaki's influence in Shanghai to get rid of the heavy burden.

Sasaki was surprised by the meaning revealed in Lin Xiaotang's words. In his opinion, the prosperity of Shanghai has returned to the level in front of the station, and all walks of life are developing vigorously. The Japanese side also means to maintain the Shanghai Expressway. The development trend makes it a representative international metropolis within their sphere of influence.However, what Lin Xiaotang said inside and outside the words pointed out that the industry and commerce in Shanghai are currently on the verge of collapse, so how could he not be surprised.

Lin Xiaotang put on an even more surprised look, "Could it be that Sasaki-kun knows nothing about it?"

Sasaki shook his head in confusion.

Only then did Lin Xiaotang put down his chopsticks, "I don't mean anything else, just referring to my casinos, restaurants, nightclubs and other businesses. According to regulations, these businesses need to register with the gendarmerie for approval. We have gone through all the procedures, including The monthly taxes and fees are also handed over for a fraction of a penny. But the problem is now, now...!"

Sasaki was a little impatient, "Mr. Lin, don't hesitate. If you have anything to say, please speak directly. Don't worry, there are only the three of us here, and no one else will know!"

Lin Xiaotang looked distressed, and looked at Kazuya Otani, Kazuya Otani nodded, "Mr. Lin, you don't have to worry about being in front of Mr. Sasaki!"

Lin Xiaotang hesitated for a while before making up his mind, but he still looked around vigilantly, "My casino and other industries received a notice on the 76th, and I have to go through the registration procedures with them again, and every month must Pay the fee, which is euphemistically called the protection fee. Only after paying this fee can the casino and other industries be safe. But the fee is too much, and it is three times more than the amount stipulated by the imperial army. More than enough."

Lin Xiaotang's face turned pale, and his voice subconsciously lowered a lot, "I'm in business, and I'm looking for harmony to make money, and I don't want to cause trouble, so as soon as I receive the notice, I will let people follow the rules. But This month, I received a new notice that after the Spring Festival, the protection fee will increase again, and it is said that it will be doubled again. I, I, this, I really can't bear it!"

Otani also echoed, "That's right, I've heard about this too, it's too much!"

Sasaki frowned, and gave Otani Kazuya a blank look, "Otani-san, I know that you and Lin Jun are business partners, but you are a member of the imperial court after all, it's better for you not to get involved in these matters!"

Otani and Yaren claim to be.

Sasaki turned his head to look at Lin Xiaotang, "Is it really what No. 76 did?"

Lin Xiaotang carefully took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Sasaki with both hands, "Sasaki-san, please take a look, this is the protection fee paid by a casino under my name for a month!"

Sasaki glanced at the numbers on it, and his face flushed immediately, "Baga, how dare they do this!"

Lin Xiaotang looked sad, "According to this number, I am already struggling and doing my best. If it is doubled, to be honest, I can only close down!"

Sasaki shook the receipt in his hand, "Mr. Lin, as far as you know, who else are they collecting protection money from?"

Lin Xiaotang thought about it carefully, "Casinos, brothels, restaurants, smokehouses, dance halls, and some manufacturers, there are all kinds of industries!"

"Then what do you mean by coming to me?"

Lin Xiaotang approached Sasaki, "I would like to ask Mr. Sasaki to help me clear up and reduce some expenses. If the business can continue normally, I would rather share half of the ownership of these industries with the Gendarmerie to support the empire's jihad!"

"Nani?" Sasaki was stunned, "Mr. Lin, this is your wealth and life, are you really willing?"