Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 17 Checks and Balances
Shanghai, Osaka Chamber of Commerce Office (HK District).

"Ino-kun, goods worth two hundred thousand US dollars... isn't that too risky?" Tanaka Taro hesitated, unsure how to begin.

As Chen Yang suggested, this material allocation application form needs to be issued by the Osaka Chamber of Commerce.

Tanaka Taro was responsible for the first step, which was to fill out the material allocation application, then have Chen Yang sign and confirm it before submitting it to the Logistics Department of the Military Police Headquarters, and finally to Suzuhara Shingo for approval.

This shipment was borrowed; its original value was US$200,000, but the inventory list showed it as worth 200,000 yen.

Add in sales profits and the price difference between the US dollar and the Japanese yen.

They could earn 500,000 yen from this one deal, which means that this single transaction would be more profitable than the profits they made from scavenging goods like ants moving grains over the previous six months.

The greater the potential reward, the greater the risk. For a cautious and prudent person like Tanaka, the risk of making such a deal all at once was simply too great.

Yusuke Ino said softly, "What are you afraid of? You're the one who puts up the order, Chen Yang is the one who signs it, Minister Suzuhara is the one who approves it, I'm the one who allocates the supplies, Major Yoshimoto is the one who transports them, and Major Matsushima from the Inspection Department will report everything at any time."

"If our actions attract the attention of the Joint Special Higher Police, Major Ando will remind us to stop immediately."

"Everything is fine in every aspect, so who are you afraid of getting into trouble with?"

"I, I..." Tanaka Taro stammered, unable to utter a word.

"Director Tanaka, all you need to do now is focus on your own work and wait for your share of the money," Yusuke Ino said with a smile, patting Taro Tanaka on the shoulder. "Don't worry about things that aren't your concern."

"After all, you don't want to become the next Arimura Jiro, do you?"

Despite the incredibly gentle tone, Tanaka Taro clearly felt a chill creeping up from the depths of his heart...

"Yes, yes, I understand, I understand, I'll write the requirement form right away."

Lin Mansion, Ferguson Road, Shanghai.

Chen Yang looked at the list of supplies required written by Tanaka Taro and silently calculated the amount in his mind.

All the supplies combined would definitely not amount to the one million US dollars he had previously proposed.

Even though sulfonamide anti-inflammatory drugs are much more expensive than ordinary supplies, this batch, when calculated carefully, can only barely reach about 200,000 US dollars.

Clearly, Shingo Suzuhara, the logistics chief of the Military Police Headquarters, still had reservations about his proposal.

They dared not place all their bets at once.

Being cautious and meticulous is innate, especially for an old fox like Suzuhara...

Chen Yang sighed, took out a pen, signed his name on the request form, and then sealed the information in a file folder marked "Confidential." He then had the Osaka Chamber of Commerce employee who delivered the request form take it back to Tanaka Taro.

The visitor respectfully accepted the file folder, bowed to Chen Yang at a 45-degree angle, and then returned to the Osaka Chamber of Commerce with the documents.

Sitting in the garden, Chen Yang silently calculated how to sell this batch of goods.

He knew very well that this was a test from that old fox, Suzuhara.

No matter how glamorous his vision of the future may be, Suzuhara Shingo will not join the crew so easily without seeing any tangible benefits.

Chen Yang was also having a headache. The $200,000 worth of supplies were easy to handle, but adding medicine would be more troublesome.

The Japanese have very strict controls over medicines, especially sulfonamide anti-inflammatory drugs.

The Japanese and the Blue Army are currently in a standoff in Xuzhou, and both sides are in dire need of medicine.

If we could get in touch with the Blue Team's logistics department, we wouldn't have to worry about selling the medicines, but the key question is how to get them out.

If a dedicated supply channel could be established, the business of selling supplies would be worry-free. However, it's not that easy. More than half of Shanghai is controlled by the Japanese, and the rest is monopolized by foreigners.

To break the existing rules, a suitable opportunity is needed.
"Young Master, Young Master!" Lin Yongren's voice called out from afar.

"Young Master, a Japanese man has arrived at the door. He says he is your senior brother and has come to deliver an invitation to you."

Senior brother? Could it be Iwai Hiroichi? As far as I can remember, apart from this consul, he doesn't have any senior brothers in Shanghai.

"Where is he?" Chen Yang stood up and buttoned the top two buttons of his suit jacket.

Lin Yongren pointed to the door and said, "It's at the door."

"Quick, take me there."

In the living room of the Lin Mansion, Chen Yang politely invited Iwai Hiroichi to sit down and casually asked Aunt Gui to make him a cup of coffee.

Chen Yang had heard his teacher, Fujiwara Tomoo, mention Iwai Hiroichi, and knew that after graduating from Kyushu University, he went to the United States to study for three years and was classmates with Lieutenant General Kuribayashi of the 23rd Division.

Perhaps due to their experience living in the United States, their lifestyle has become more Westernized, and they enjoy drinking coffee and spirits.

"Senior Brother Iwai, I'm sorry, but logically I should be the one visiting you."

Iwai Hiroichi raised his hand and said, "Chen-san, I know you have concerns. My teacher mentioned in his letter that you are a very opinionated person."

"They won't come to me unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Besides, it's just a small matter like helping the Osaka Chamber of Commerce handle supplies."

“I have read the report on this sale of supplies. I think you handled it quite well. It was well-organized and didn’t make a big fuss or embarrass anyone. Moreover, one ton of gold is enough for our next plan.”

"By the way, this is for you."

As he spoke, Hirokazu Iwai took out two items from his briefcase: an invitation and a file folder marked "Confidential".

Chen Yang opened the file folder, and what came into view was an appointment letter: "Mr. Chen Yang is hereby appointed as the Director of the Economic Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Nanjing Reformed Government."

The bottom is stamped with the seals of both the Shanghai Consulate and the Nanjing Reformed Government.

“Senior Brother Iwai, this isn’t quite right,” Chen Yang said respectfully. “I’ve just returned to Shanghai and I’m not very familiar with the situation here. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you if you recommend me for the position of Director of the Economic Department.”

“Chen Sang, don’t underestimate yourself. I have high hopes for your abilities.”

"Moreover, the new government is rife with conflicting forces, and it would be difficult for the twenty-odd advisors led by Yoshikumura Sonoda to fully control the new government."

"You can play a very crucial role in it."

It sounds nice to say that it plays a very crucial role, but in reality, it's nothing more than treating oneself as a pawn to be used to control the opponent.

This method has been used to death by our ancestors for thousands of years.

Iwai Hirokazu said seriously, "Mr. Chen, please don't think I'm exaggerating on purpose."

"The Economic Department of the Ministry of Finance is responsible for tasks such as fundraising and transportation of materials, and is a very important position within the new government."

Hmm, wait a minute, this position also oversees transportation?

Chen Yang's eyes lit up. "If that's what you're talking about, then I'm really interested..."

(End of this chapter)