Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

The pent-up anger finally overwhelmed Akira Ito's reason.

He decided to no longer tolerate this and to report the arrogance and targeted behavior of the Harbin Army, especially Kiriguchi Keiichiro, to his superiors and higher-ups.

He drafted a strongly worded whistleblower letter overnight, detailing in detail the inappropriate public remarks made by "Tongkou" and the deliberate obstruction of naval supplies.

The fact that the Army should take responsibility for some of its own security vulnerabilities while shifting blame to the Navy is an extremely egregious act of infighting and dereliction of duty.

The letter requested that higher authorities intervene in the investigation and strongly recommended that Kiriguchi Keiichiro be transferred from his current position.

But whether this letter can successfully reach the hands of the Navy's top decision-makers is itself a question.

Akira Ito had limited connections, and his direct superior's power was nowhere near that of a veteran army general like Keiichiro Kiriguchi.

Given the already delicate relationship between the Navy and the Army, he might not dare to directly break the ice.

In addition, conventional communication channels are completely controlled by the army system.

Shortly after Ito Akira sent the letter, it was delivered to Cui Ming's desk.

Looking at the letter, Cui Ming felt that Ito Akira's attack power still needed improvement.

So Cui Ming prepared to offer a little help to this "loyal" naval lieutenant commander.

Chapter 172 Expanding Influence

Under Cui Ming's manipulation, Ito Akira's angry whistleblower letter skillfully bypassed the intricate network of communication channels laid out by the army system.

After all, when it comes to covert transportation, the Tang Clan is an expert.

With the technical support provided by the Divine Machine Alliance, the speed at which this whistleblower letter could be delivered far exceeded what others could imagine.

After several twists and turns, the letter of denunciation eventually found its way into the folder of Adjutant Yoshikawa Koji.

Yoshikawa Yoshitomo was the highest-ranking Japanese naval commander stationed in the East Asian waters at the time, and was known for his toughness and protectiveness.

Born into a naval aristocratic family, he has always looked down on the army's "shortsightedness" and "vulgarity".

Therefore, when he saw the whistleblower letter from Harbin, which detailed all sorts of "misdeeds" committed by Kiriguchi Keiichiro, his face instantly turned ashen.

The letter describes more than just ordinary land and naval friction!

Instead, it was the army's targeted suppression and resource encroachment, even blaming the navy for its own incompetence.

What angered Yoshikawa even more was the end of the letter.

Kiriguchi Keiichiro dared to declare that he would drive the navy out of Harbin.

"asshole!"

Yoshikawa slammed his hand angrily on the hard wooden table, making the teacups jump around.

He was not unaware of the discord between the army and the navy, and even tacitly approved the army's acquisition of more resources on the front lines to some extent.

After all, acquiring resources largely depends on the army, so they can tolerate the army taking the lion's share of the resources.

But all of this is predicated on the navy's basic share and dignity being guaranteed, and its long-term development not being fundamentally damaged.

In his view, the situation in Harbin has clearly crossed the line.

The army not only wants to steal the meat, but now they're even trying to cut back on the soup that's been allocated to the navy, and they're even going to smash the navy's bowl.

"Pass on the order!"

Yoshikawa's voice was icy.

"Effective immediately, all additional fuel, special steel, artillery and aircraft support originally scheduled to be sent to various units of the Kwantung Army through our department shall be suspended."

"As for the reason? Hmph!"

He gave a cold laugh.

"Stockpiles are running low, and transport routes are disrupted. Prioritizing the fleet's combat readiness is crucial. Let them figure it out themselves!"

The adjutant hesitated.

"General, isn't this an overreaction? Especially with the army, particularly with Admiral Nishio..."

"Nishio?"

A fierce glint flashed in Yoshikawa's eyes.

"His men acted so recklessly; he should have considered the consequences!"

"You think this whistleblower letter got to me without anyone in the army knowing about it?"

"They know about it but do nothing; that's condoning it! Now, get on it immediately!"

"At the same time, a formal inquiry document was submitted to the Army Ministry in the name of the Naval Ministry's Military Affairs Bureau."

"We demand a serious investigation into the alleged dereliction of duty, obstruction of military affairs, and disruption of coordination between the Army and Navy by Kiriguchi Keiichiro, the head of the Special Higher Police Section in Harbin, and a reasonable explanation!"

This order was like a boulder thrown into a lake that was already turbulent.

The news that the navy had stopped providing non-essential support, along with the formal inquiry document, quickly caused a stir within the Japanese high command.

Some army units that rely on naval supplies and artillery and carrier-based aircraft support, especially technical branches and front-line troops, immediately felt the pressure.

Although the official document of the inquiry was not made public, its harsh wording and the attitude it represented from the Navy Ministry made the Army Ministry extremely embarrassed.

When Army Supreme Commander General Nishio Kōzaburo received the relevant report, he was reviewing frontline battle reports.

He was first taken aback, then his brows furrowed.

He found the Navy's reasons for suspending support rather far-fetched, and the inquiry document concerning Harbin directly targeted one of his lieutenant generals.

"Harbin? Kiriguchi Keiichiro?"

Nishio tried hard to recall his impression of this subordinate. He remembered him as a tough officer who was particularly strict with outsiders and was reasonably capable.

However, Harbin has indeed been quite unsettled in recent months, with various accidents occurring frequently.

He initially thought it was due to increased resistance activity or sabotage by supernatural beings, and that it was necessary to intensify the crackdown.

But now it seems that things are not so simple.

What alarmed Nishio the most was the way the whistleblower letter was delivered.

According to normal procedure, such letters from junior officers accusing senior generals are considered normal.

It would be difficult to bypass the Army intelligence system and bureaucrats at all levels and reach the desk of the Navy's top commander so quickly.

Unless... the messenger used unconventional channels, or some force was secretly assisting, deliberately avoiding the army's eyes and ears.

"Could it be those 'monsters' causing trouble?"

The images of those supernatural organizations in the country flashed through Nishio's mind.

He has always been wary of superhuman abilities, but these abilities are indeed convenient, so he must both utilize them and guard against them.

Although there are also extraordinary individuals in the navy, their numbers are far fewer than in the army, and they are mostly skilled in technology or provide support.

Could it be that some alien forces dissatisfied with the army have secretly sided with or colluded with the navy, using this incident to sow discord?

"Hmph, a bunch of ungrateful wretches!"

Nishio muttered a curse under his breath.

He suspected that some of the non-human units employed or controlled by the army had developed disloyalty.

The possibility of betrayal ignited a fire in his heart.

As for Kiriguchi Keiichiro, regardless of whether the contents of the whistleblower letter are entirely true.

With things having escalated to this point and the Navy's stance so firm, this person is no longer suitable and should remain in his position as head of the Special Higher Police in Harbin.

Continuing to hold his post would only give the Navy a pretext to continue attacking the Army, and would also be detrimental to quelling any potential internal repercussions.

"Have the General Staff draft a plan..."

Nishio gave instructions to the adjutant who was standing to the side.

"The head of the Harbin Special Higher Police needs to be replaced. Kiriguchi Keiichiro... should be transferred back to Japan and given a sinecure position."

As for the successor..."

He paused, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

"Qin Yansanlang is a steady and reliable man who knows how to maintain balance. Let him take over the position."

"Remember, we can't let the Navy find any more faults."

"In addition, conduct an internal review of the domestic supernatural organizations in Harbin, especially those that may have contact with the Navy, and conduct a thorough investigation."

"Give them a good talking-to, let them see clearly who the master is."

Nishio's order was issued swiftly.

Harbin.

Cui Ming quickly learned through the Special Higher Police's internal intelligence channels that there were rumors of upcoming personnel changes at the top and that the Army intended to conduct internal reorganization of the superhuman forces.

He stood calmly by the office window.

The navy's fierce reaction was within his expectations, and even came sooner than he anticipated.

The suspicions and warnings from the army's top brass are also developing in the direction he had anticipated.

The identity of Kiriguchi Keiichiro has completed its phase of mission.

Stepping down allows for a safer transition to a behind-the-scenes role, enabling him to continue playing a significant role elsewhere. After all, the position of lieutenant general still offers considerable room for maneuver.

A whirlpool has formed beneath the surface and is beginning to show its power.

The rift between the army and the navy has been further widened by Harbin, a "thorn in the side," and seeds of suspicion and distrust have been sown.

This is just the beginning.

Cui Ming withdrew his gaze, turned around and walked back to his desk, beginning to think about what else "Kiichiro Kiriguchi" could do before stepping down, and how to create the next person to succeed him.

After all, this game of chess is very large and long, and you can never have too many pieces.

Chapter 173 Attack on the Earth Vein Village

The transfer order arrived in Harbin faster than expected, and Qin Yansanlang and a group of others also arrived with it.