Quartermasters can also fight the devils

Zhang Wenwu casually unbuttoned his military uniform, looked at Kojima Kenzo and asked with some interest, "I wonder what kind of business do you want to do with me, Mr. Kojima? I'm a soldier, and I don't know much about business."

Kojima Kenzo was full of contempt in his heart. You are still a soldier? Look in the mirror and see if you look like a soldier at all. It's no wonder that a person like you can become a "good brother" with Chen Mingzhang, a loser. But Kojima Kenzo still smiled and said, "Deputy Director Zhang, I am good friends with many Japanese businessmen in Shanghai. They often have some goods that need to travel back and forth between Zhenjiang and Shanghai. If they can get the care of Deputy Director Zhang, I think they will be happy to do business with Deputy Director Zhang."

Zhang Wenwu was stunned when he heard what Kojima Kenzo was talking about. Transporting goods? Really transporting some contraband? No, if the Japanese merchants wanted to transport contraband, they didn't need the Japanese to find them personally. The Japanese were very bad. They usually found a local force that was loyal to them to do these things. That would save time and money. They didn't need to find a way themselves. In this way, even if something went wrong, the Japanese would blame all the reasons on the local cooperating forces and clear themselves of all charges.

After understanding this, Zhang Wenwu was not in a hurry. The Japanese would show their tail sooner or later, so he smiled greedily and said, "It depends on what goods Mr. Kojima's friend is transporting."

Kojima Kenzo leaned closer to Zhang Wenwu and whispered, "Deputy Director Zhang, you know that my friends are transporting some relatively "scarce" goods, and they are also quite sensitive, so I want to work with Deputy Director Zhang."

Zhang Wenwu did not answer Xiaodao Jianzo's words, but lowered his head to eat the food. Xiaodao Jianzo did not urge him, he knew from Zhang Wenwu's greedy expression just now that Zhang Wenwu would definitely agree to do this business, as long as you are greedy for money, it will be easy.

When Chen Mingzhang saw that Zhang Wenwu was silent, he became a little anxious. He was still counting on making money from this business, so he persuaded him: "Brother Zhang, this is a great opportunity. Kojima Taijun knows a lot of businessmen. Once we get the business started, there will be a steady stream of money. When we have money, we can do whatever we want. Besides, I'll be your guarantor, so what are you worried about?"

"Yes, Brother Zhang, it's not easy to get such an opportunity to make a fortune these days. What Mr. Chen said makes sense. If you make money, you will be able to do whatever you want." Hu San also chimed in.

After listening to their words, Zhang Wenwu raised his head and said slowly: "Mr. Chen, who doesn't want to make money? But the goods Mr. Xiaodao mentioned are difficult to deal with."

It seemed that these words were spoken to Chen Mingzhang, but Kenzo Kojima understood that Zhang Wenwu was talking to him. At the beginning, Zhang Wenwu made it clear that he wanted to make money, and then he said that the goods were "difficult to get". It was obvious that it depended on how much money he gave. Difficult meant that the thing could be done, but because it was difficult, he had to "pay more".

Kojima Kenzo smiled inwardly, this Zhang Wenwu's speaking skills were quite good, he was worthy of being the deputy director of the Quartermaster Department. He was much better than that loser Chen Mingzhang, but he still didn't like him, these were just some tricks.

He knew he had to express his opinion. Only he could answer this question. "Deputy Director Zhang, it is precisely because it is difficult that I have alarmed you. On behalf of my friend, I am willing to pay Deputy Director Zhang one thousand French francs as a reward for his hard work. Do you think this is okay?"

When Chen Mingzhang heard that Xiaodao offered a bribe of one thousand French francs, he was so excited. It must be too easy for Brother Zhang to make money. Why not try Brother Zhang's connections and see if he can get a job in the army's quartermaster department. It's too easy to make money.

Zhang Wenwu glanced at Kojima Kenzo, shook his head slowly and said, "Mr. Kojima, this is indeed a difficult matter. I have to take care of the brothers at the checkpoints below, and I also have to take care of my superiors. It's a bit involved. I also want to do business with your friend."

When Chen Mingzhang heard that Zhang Wenwu actually refused, he immediately found it unbelievable. Such a good way to make money, but Brother Zhang actually refused. What was he thinking? He had to persuade him well, otherwise how could he ask Kojima Taijun for his share of the money.

Before Chen Mingzhang could speak, he heard the voice of Kojima Kenzo: "Oh, it's my fault for not thinking it through. Please forgive me, Deputy Director Zhang. It's indeed as Deputy Director Zhang said, this matter involves a lot of things, and we can't ask Deputy Director Zhang for help for nothing. How about this, we are willing to pay Deputy Director Zhang 2,000 French francs as a hard work fee for this business, how about it?" Kojima Kenzo sneered in his heart. The greedy Chinese officer said so much just to get more money. However, it seems that this Zhang Wenwu is very easy to corrupt and win over. As long as he makes a deal with him once, he will be able to control him in the future and he will definitely make contributions to the Empire of Japan.

After hearing what Xiaodao said, Chen Mingzhang realized that Zhang Wenwu wanted more money. This brother had a really big appetite. However, the Japanese were also generous enough and directly doubled the price.

When Zhang Wenwu heard that Kojima Kenzo was willing to give 2,000 French francs, an excited expression flashed across his face, but he quickly returned to normal and said, "Hey, Mr. Kojima, you're too polite. Since you and your friends trust me so much, I will definitely help you. Mr. Chen and I are good brothers, and you were introduced by him, so I should help you even more. Don't worry, I agree to this."

Zhang Wenwu understood right away that this was a test by the Japanese. After all, it was the first time for both parties to discuss business matters, and it was impossible for the other party to ask for military intelligence from him right away. They needed to use some insignificant business to test him, and then slowly wait until he was deeply involved in it and unable to extricate himself, then they would ask him to sell out military intelligence. As for asking for more money, this was also the message he wanted to convey to the Japanese, that they were greedy for money and were easy to win over.

Seeing Zhang Wenwu agreed, Kojima Kenzo immediately raised his glass to toast Zhang Wenwu. He was also very happy in his heart: Oh, this Chinese officer is just as I judged, a person who cares a lot about money. This kind of person is the easiest to deal with. People like them can sell anything for money.

After discussing the details with Kojima Kenzo, Zhang Wenwu said that he would give him a "pass" tomorrow to ensure that the goods could reach Zhenjiang City. Kojima Kenzo also happily said that after getting the "pass" tomorrow, he would pay Zhang Wenwu a deposit of 1,000 French francs, and the remaining fees would be settled immediately after the goods arrived.

Chen Mingzhang was very happy. He also had a great contribution in making this deal. The Japanese would definitely give him some kickbacks. Thinking of this, he quickly invited everyone to eat and drink, as if he was treating them all.

After dinner, Zhang Wenwu and Chen Mingzhang went to Hongyun Casino together, with Hu San leading the way.

Kenzo Kojima looked at Zhang Wenwu's back and couldn't help but smile. After getting the pass, he needed to report the matter to Chief Ono as soon as possible, and he would definitely get Chief Ono's praise.

Zhang Wenwu and his two companions swaggered into the casino's private room and called the waiter to exchange chips.

Zhang Wenwu took out his three hundred French francs and handed them to the waiter casually, then pretended nothing had happened and picked up the tea on the table and started drinking.

Chen Mingzhang was feeling a little embarrassed now. He just remembered that he had paid for the dinner at the restaurant himself and he only had more than 200 French francs on him. The gambling requirement in the private room was to exchange chips for at least 300 French francs. Now he didn't have enough money. It was so embarrassing in front of Brother Zhang.

After Zhang Wenwu put down his teacup, he pretended to be concerned and asked, "Mr. Chen, why haven't you exchanged your chips yet? We're waiting for you to come to the table and play a few games together."

"Oh, oh, okay, okay." Chen Mingzhang said vaguely. He said okay, but his body was very honest. He didn't mean to stand up to exchange the chips.

At this time, Hu San, who always went to the toilet on time, walked back to the private room and saw Zhang Wenwu and Chen Mingzhang sitting and drinking tea, so he hurried over and said with a smile: "Hey, I don't know if it's a habit, I want to go to the toilet as soon as I get to the casino. Haha, brothers, why don't you go to the table and play a few games."

Zhang Wenwu laughed and said, "Mr. Chen, Brother Hu, I'll go to the table and play a few rounds first. You guys should hurry up and join the table. I'm lucky today and I have to win more money." After saying that, he walked to the gambling table, found a seat, sat down and started gambling.

Chen Mingzhang felt uncomfortable watching Zhang Wenwu leave, especially when he heard the shouting at the gambling table, which was a fatal attraction to him.

Seeing that Chen Mingzhang was still sitting there, Hu San pretended to be surprised and asked, "Mr. Chen, what's wrong with you? Aren't you going to exchange your chips and play a few rounds?"

"Cough, cough." Chen Mingzhang coughed a little embarrassedly and said in a low voice: "I was in a hurry when I came here just now, and I left the money in the hotel room." He had no choice but to find an excuse to prevaricate.

Hu San suddenly realized that Chen Mingzhang had no money, so he asked tentatively: "Mr. Chen, how about I go to the hotel and get the money for you? Or should I get some "high money" from the casino first and then bring the money back tomorrow to pay?"

Chen Mingzhang definitely couldn't let Hu San help him get money from the hotel. There was no money in the hotel room. It would be too embarrassing to let Hu San know that he had no money. If he didn't go to the table to play, not to mention that he had become addicted, he would have a hard time explaining to Zhang Wenwu, and it would be easy for Zhang Wenwu to look down on him, and he would not be able to hide the fact that he had no money.

He knew what Hu San said about going to the casino to get "high money". This is a kind of high-interest short-term loan provided by someone in the casino to the guests. This kind of business is usually done by the casino itself. It depends on the amount and you just need to sign the receipt. But the interest on this kind of money is very high and is calculated on a daily basis. Chen Mingzhang also wanted to get some "high money" to play with first, but he had nothing to mortgage.

Chen Mingzhang looked at Hu San and said, "Brother Hu, don't go to the hotel anymore. Don't tire yourself out by running around. Are you familiar with the people who make high money in the casino? Why don't you take some high money and have some fun first?" Chen Mingzhang still couldn't help it. Once the gambling addiction came up, he felt very uncomfortable.

Hu San immediately said that he knew the person in charge of placing the "high money" in the casino, and immediately left to find that person. Hu San was so happy that he had to quickly find Liu Tou, who was in charge of placing the "high money", and tell him about the task assigned by Commander Zhang.