Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Gu Cheng smiled and said, "Actually, I was planning to find a place for Li Mao... We really can't let him stay in the 11th Mixed Brigade anymore."

Ji Jinchun was taken aback: "Does Master Gu mean... a transfer?"

"Transfer him." Gu Cheng nodded. "Although he testified before that he hadn't received any benefits under Tang Yulin, he's been in charge for so many years, even a broken ship has some nails, let alone someone who can judge the situation."

Besides, if he betrays us at this crucial moment, he'll eventually betray us too when faced with interests or threats... We might as well take this opportunity to relocate him. This will allow us to completely control all the key points of the 11th Mixed Brigade and also eliminate a threat.

Ji Jinchun nodded repeatedly: "Mr. Gu, you're right... but where can I be transferred to?"

Gu Cheng smiled slightly: "Chamber of Commerce."

Ji Jinchun was slightly surprised, but then laughed: "Master Gu, your move is brilliant! With Lu Shoulian dead, the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce is leaderless. By transferring this old fellow to manage it, we have leverage over him, which is much better than dealing with outsiders."

But then he quickly thought of something and added, "But Li Mao is a coward. I've dealt with him twice... and I feel like he can't hold his own. You know, everyone doing business in Jinzhou is shrewd, even the smallest ones are as clever as monkeys. Can he possibly win?"

Gu Cheng said unhurriedly, "Lu Shoulian is incredibly audacious, daring to collude with the Japanese; but Li Mao is not only cowardly, he also knows his own limitations—"

As long as he stays in his position at the Chamber of Commerce and does his job well... as for everything else, he can just report everything, big or small, back to headquarters.

Ji Jinchun slapped his thigh: "Master Gu's idea is good! Letting Li Mao take the place is ostensibly to fill the vacancy for Lu Shoulian, but in reality, it puts a bridle on the Chamber of Commerce - it's like we've planted 'our own people' in the Chamber of Commerce."

Gu Cheng nodded and smiled: "That's right, Li Mao is just a 'housekeeper,' not the 'owner.' If he's obedient, we'll keep him; if he's disobedient, we'll replace him anytime."

After saying this, his smile widened. "Alright, that's about it. Uncle Ji, prepare the proposals for organizational structure and military reorganization for me in the next few days, and we'll discuss them and implement them!"

Ji Jinchun immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, Master Gu!"

…………

Early August is considered the hottest time of year in Jinzhou.

The summer heat was intense, and there was hardly a single pedestrian on the entire street.

A black sedan slowly drove into Jinzhou City along the Jingfeng Highway. A thin layer of dust covered the car, indicating that it had traveled a long distance.

The car stopped in front of the hotel. The door opened, and a middle-aged man in a dark gray suit with a neat short beard got out.

Takeo Kikuchi.

He stood at the entrance of the brigade headquarters, looked up at the imposing courtyard, and his gaze lingered for a moment on the plaque above the door that read "Jinzhou Garrison Brigade Headquarters," a faint smile appearing on his face.

It's been almost ten years.

He spent nearly ten years in China, meeting three Fengtian military governors: Zhang Xiluan, Duan Zhigui, and Zhang Zuolin. He visited Fengtian, Changchun, Harbin, and Dalian, but rarely came to Jinzhou.

But this place, which he doesn't visit often, has kept him up at night for several days in a row lately.

He straightened his clothes and stepped up the stairs.

The guards at the gate had already been informed, so they stepped aside and saluted, leading him through the courtyard and toward the side hall.

Sunlight fell on the bluestone pavement, casting his shadow long and thin. Kikuchi walked slowly, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings—

The pomegranate trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the lanterns under the eaves were new. Several orderly soldiers carrying teapots walked past the other end of the corridor with light steps and calm expressions.

They don't seem like a team that has just gone through internal strife.

Kikuchi made a mental note of it.

Yang Song was already waiting at the entrance of the side hall.

He saluted Kikuchi: "Mr. Kikuchi, Commander Gu is waiting for you inside."

Kikuchi nodded slightly, lifted the curtain, and went inside.

The side hall was small and simply furnished, with a map of Jinzhou's defenses hanging on the wall and thick stacks of documents on the table.

Gu Cheng was standing by the window, his back to the door, holding a cup of tea. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

Eyes facing each other.

Gu Cheng sized up the Japanese man in front of him—not tall, wearing a spotless gray suit, with a neatly trimmed beard and a humble smile on his lips, but there was something unsettling hidden in his amber-colored eyes.

It wasn't hostility, nor arrogance, but rather a condescending scrutiny, like a seasoned chess player sizing up an opponent on the chessboard.

Kikuchi was also sizing up Gu Cheng.

He had heard of this young man—Feng Delin's nephew, a graduate of the Japanese Military Academy, who became the garrison commander of Jinzhou in his early twenties, and in less than a month he had taken down Tang Yulin, investigated Lu Shoulian, and turned the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce upside down.

There aren't many young people like this in Fengtian Army.

"Mr. Kikuchi, you must be tired from your journey." Gu Cheng put down his teacup, stepped forward, and gestured for him to sit down. His tone was just right.

"Commander Gu, you're too kind." Kikuchi bowed slightly, sat down in the guest seat, his back straight, his hands on his knees, his posture as upright as if he were giving a lecture. "Kikuchi has been ordered to come to Jinzhou to assist Commander Gu in investigating the Lu Shoulian case. If I have caused any trouble, please forgive me."

"Assistance?" Gu Cheng sat down opposite him. "Mr. Kikuchi is the Marshal's military advisor; only the Marshal should be able to order you around. The Marshal sending you to Jinzhou to 'assist' is a great honor for me, Gu Cheng. How could I dare to say I'm 'bothering' you?"

At this moment, the orderly outside brought in tea and snacks. Kikuchi picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam: "Commander Gu is young and promising, and the Marshal often mentions him. Meeting him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."

Gu Cheng changed the subject: "Mr. Kikuchi, you're here to investigate a case. Let's get straight to the point—where would you like to begin your investigation into Lu Shoulian's case?"

Kikuchi was taken aback by his directness, but quickly recovered and took out a document from her briefcase. She held it with both hands, placed it respectfully on the table, and pushed it in front of Gu Cheng.

"This is the official response from the Kwantung Army Headquarters to the Jinzhou Incident. The personnel involved in the Dalian Port material allocation have been dismissed and are under investigation; the Kwantung Army is willing to compensate for the losses caused to the Jinzhou camp, totaling 80,000 silver dollars, which has already been transferred to the Jinzhou Yokohama Specie Bank account."

Gu Cheng didn't look at the document, but stared into Kikuchi's eyes: "The Commander-in-Chief has already told me about the compensation. The money has arrived, and I've accepted it. But is simply paying compensation enough to end the matter?"

Kikuchi's smile remained unchanged: "What does Commander Gu mean?"

"What I mean is—" Gu Cheng leaned forward, his gaze darkening, "Who approved the shipment of that substandard timber and cement mixed with sand? Who transported it? Who signed for it? And where is Haruka Yumi, that woman who committed murder, arson, and sowed discord in Jinzhou? Who is tipping her off? Were these things written in the reply from the Kwantung Army Headquarters?"