novelAbuy Chapter 1973 Novelist Sakamoto Ryono
Chapter 1973 Novelist Sakamoto Ryono
Chapter 1973 Novelist Sakamoto Ryono
Araki Harima suddenly asked this question.
Everyone looked at Araki Harima.
“Yes, why would it be Shangguan Wu…” Kawada Atsuto pondered before speaking.
He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki and said, "Miyazaki-kun, you know the situation in the French Concession best. Tell me your opinion."
“I need to think about it carefully,” Cheng Qianfan said, then looked at Araki Harima. “The question Araki-kun raised may seem meaningless, but based on what I know of Araki-kun, he would never speak without a reason.”
Araki Harima smiled slightly and nodded.
……
“The enemy’s choice of a target to cause trouble may be random, and Shangguan Wu could even be described as ‘unlucky.’ He was just unfortunate to be chosen as the enemy’s target,” Cheng Qianfan said. “However, on the other hand, Araki-kun is right. No matter what, even if it was a random choice, why Shangguan Wu was chosen is indeed a question worth discussing.”
“As expected, Miyazaki-kun knows me well.” Araki Harima said with a smile, “This is exactly what I wanted to express, why I chose Shangguan Wu.”
“I have a suggestion, but I’m not sure if I should say it,” Sakamoto Ryono suddenly said.
“Sakamoto-kun, please speak.” Cheng Qianfan looked at Sakamoto Ryono, his eyes lit up, and then said to Araki Harima, “Araki-kun, you may not know this, but Sakamoto-kun is always able to find clues in the smallest details that others have not noticed.”
"Miyazaki-kun, you flatter me," Sakamoto Ryono said with a smile. "I just enjoy writing novels and am used to thinking from the perspective of a creator, using storytelling as a way of thinking."
"Hurry up and tell me, novelist," Atsuto Kawada urged with a smile.
……
“In my novels, when someone dies inexplicably,” Ryono Sakamoto said, “I usually write that this person was actually killed for personal gain.”
He looked at the group and said, "Let's set aside the possibility that Shangguan Wu, this unlucky fellow, was randomly chosen. Let's just assume that he was specially selected, which means..."
Sakamoto Ryono smiled and said, "The enemy wants to kill Shangguan Wu; they're after him."
“That makes sense.” Cheng Qianfan thought for a moment and said, “When the police station investigates a case, there is a logic that if the victim is involved in an incident, the person who benefits the most from it is more likely to be the murderer or to be connected to the case than others.”
……
“Interesting logic.” Atsuto Kawada nodded. “It certainly makes sense; self-interest is always the most likely factor in the occurrence of various cases.”
"So, this wasn't an assassination attempt launched by the Red Party or Chongqing against those close to the Empire? It was a murder case involving vested interests?" He looked at the group.
“That’s not how it is, Atsuto,” Sakamoto Ryono said. “The interests I’m referring to can be more directly understood as motives. So, the person who killed Shangguan Wu may have been an anti-Japanese element, or his killing may have just been an ordinary murder case. But either way, there was a motive. Shangguan Wu was a specially selected target, not a random killing. That’s what I’m trying to say.”
“Young Master Atsuto,” Araki Harima suddenly asked Kawada Atsuto, “according to the established plan, after the Empire takes over the French Concession and reorganizes the police station, what position will Shangguan Wu be assigned?”
"The Xiafei Police Station will be reorganized into the Third Police Precinct of Shanghai, and Shangguan Wu is basically confirmed to serve as the precinct chief," said Atsuto Kawada.
"So, does Shangguan Wu have any direct competitors for the position of director of the Third Precinct?" Araki Harima asked.
“Araki-kun!” Cheng Qianfan’s expression turned serious. “You suspect that Shangguan Wu’s murder was actually a case of murder triggered by a power struggle? That’s unlikely.”
“Why is it impossible?” Araki Harima looked at Miyazaki Kentaro. “Isn’t this kind of case caused by power struggles perfectly normal?”
……
“That’s not what I meant,” Cheng Qianfan explained. “The Empire has taken over the French Concession and reorganized the police force. The appointment and removal of officials at all levels are under the Empire’s consideration. Under these circumstances, unless someone is certain that they have eliminated Shangguan Wu and are guaranteed to take over, otherwise…”
As he spoke, Cheng Qianfan's expression changed slightly. He looked at Araki Harima and said, "What Araki-kun means is that this potential competitor of Shangguan Wu is very confident in replacing Shangguan Wu."
His brows furrowed, and he looked at Kawada Atsuto, "Young Master Atsuto, behind Shangguan Wu..."
“Lieutenant Colonel Zuo Shang-guan Wu is very impressed,” said Atsuto Kawada.
“In other words, according to Araki-kun’s analysis, this guy who thinks he can replace Shangguan Wu must have the support of the Empire behind him, and he is very confident in his rise to power,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Even if this person knows that Shangguan Wu has a lieutenant colonel and a colonel behind him, he is still confident.”
……
“However, Lieutenant Colonel Zuo…” Cheng Qianfan shook his head as he spoke, “The possibility is not high.”
Araki Harima understood what Miyazaki Kentaro meant by this: Sagami Umezumi was a powerful officer in the Military Police Headquarters, and there were people who could stand up to him, but there was no need to antagonize him over the position of the Third Police Precinct Chief.
“What if Lord Sasami gives up on Shangguan Wu?” Araki Harima suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Qianfan's face showed an expression of disbelief.
"Araki-kun, you can't say things like that carelessly," Cheng Qianfan hurriedly said to Araki Harima. "That's tantamount to admitting that the Empire eliminated Shangguan Wu."
“This case has caught the attention of the Special Higher Police, and I’ve had my men gather some intelligence,” Araki Harima said. “Some of the intelligence is quite interesting.”
He said to the group, “There are indeed people who are qualified to compete with Shangguan Wu for the position of chief of the Third Police Precinct, and there is more than one. However, there is one important factor that truly enables one to compete with Shangguan Wu: the support of the Empire.”
"And the person who fits this condition, or rather, the person who best fits this condition, is Shao Yifeng, a Chinese detective in the Xiafei Police Station," Araki Harima said.
……
Atsuto Kawada looked at Kentaro Miyazaki.
“Shao Yifeng, I know this person.” Cheng Qianfan nodded and said, “He was suddenly transferred to the police station last year. As far as I know, he has some connections with the police department in Nanjing under the Wang family.”
“Shao Yifeng is very close to Yokoyama Akima, the squad leader of the Shanghai West branch of the Military Police,” Araki Harima said. “As far as I know, Yokoyama often accepts invitations to banquets from Shao Yifeng.”
Cheng Qianfan fell silent. He frowned in thought, his eyes flickering occasionally, as if he was not entirely willing to accept this possibility.
“Of course, this is just my guess,” Araki Harima said at this point. “I would only say this in front of everyone.”
“Young Master Atsuto.” He looked at Atsuto Kawada, “I have already ordered the Special Higher Police to cease their investigation of this case.”
"Thank you." Atsuto Kawada nodded slightly.
If, as Araki Harimaru claims, Shangguan Wu's death was due to a power struggle and the perpetrator had an imperial officer as his backer, then this is an outright scandal.
Araki Harima's decision to abandon the investigation was a sign of respect for the Military Police Headquarters.
After all, if it really is a scandal, it's more appropriate for the military police to handle it internally.
Kawada Atsuto thanked Araki Harima more because if it were anyone else, they would have been eager to dig deeper into the matter. The infighting among the various special agencies of the Empire makes them most happy to see other agencies make fools of themselves.
Kawada Atsuto then looked at Sakamoto Ryono and said with a smile, "We also have to thank our novelist, Sakamoto Ryono."
He pointed at Ryono Sakamoto and said to the two of them, "It seems that novelists are indeed very capable."
Cheng Qianfan and Araki Harima both burst into laughter.
……
“I didn’t,” Shao Yifeng shook his head decisively.
He looked at Akima Yokoyama, fearing that Akima Yokoyama wouldn't believe him, and hurriedly cursed and swore, "Major Yokoyama, you know me."
"I am utterly loyal to the Japanese army and to you, Major," Shao Yifeng said. "I am already deeply grateful to the Great Japanese Empire for being appointed as deputy director. I have absolutely no, and dare not, have any improper thoughts."
“Even if I did have improper thoughts, I wouldn’t have the audacity to do such a thing behind your back, Major,” Shao Yifeng said urgently. “Major, you know I am absolutely loyal to you.”
"Alright, Shao-san." Yokoyama Akima scrutinized Shao Yifeng from head to toe, making Shao Yifeng tremble. He then nodded and smiled, "I know you, and I believe in your loyalty."
“You’re right about one thing: even if you have ulterior motives, you wouldn’t dare do anything behind my back,” Yokoyama Akima said.
"Hai," Shao Yifeng said, then shivered and quickly added, "Absolutely not, I have absolutely no improper thoughts. I will do whatever you ask me to do, Major, and I would never dare to overstep the bounds."
……
“Very good, very good.” Yokoyama Akima nodded in satisfaction.
Just as Shao Yifeng breathed a sigh of relief, Yokoyama Akima suddenly asked, "If the Empire appointed you as the head of the Third Police Precinct, what would you do?"
Shao Yifeng was startled. He cursed and swore that he had absolutely no improper thoughts and would not dare to lay a hand on Shangguan Wu.
"Answer me." Yokoyama Akima looked at Shao Yifeng coldly and said in a cold voice.
Shao Yifeng looked at Yokoyama Akima, needing to ponder and analyze what Yokoyama Akima meant.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, followed by overwhelming joy.
Could it be...
Shao Yifeng gritted his teeth and decided to take a gamble.
"Whatever the Major assigns me to do, I will obey without question." Shao Yifeng stood at attention and saluted. "The Major's will is an order that I must carry out at all costs."
Yokoyama Akima just stared at Shao Yifeng. Just when Shao Yifeng was about to lose his temper, Yokoyama Akima suddenly burst into laughter. He patted Shao Yifeng on the shoulder and said, "Shao-san, you're very good, very good."
……
Two days later.
“Lu Dazhang?” Kawada Atsuto glanced at Miyazaki Kentaro. “I’ve heard that this Detective Lu has been visiting the Cheng residence very frequently lately.”
“The Empire’s military fortunes have been long-lasting, but the French Concession has already undergone a major change,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Lu Dazhang is a smart man, so he can naturally see the situation clearly.”
He said to Kawada Atsuto, "Lu Dazhang has worked in the French Concession police station for so many years. His power comes from the French Concession, and the comfortable life he enjoys now is also thanks to the power of the French Concession."
Cheng Qianfan stood up to pour wine for Kawada Atsuto and continued, "The Empire is the master of Shanghai and the master of China. A smart man like Lu Dazhang naturally knows which side to stand on in order to obtain the greatest benefits and maintain his power and comfortable life."
"To have you, Kentaro, say so many good things about him," Kawada Atsuto said with a smile, taking a sip of his drink. "It seems this Inspector Lu has spent quite a bit of money on you."
“Of course.” Cheng Qianfan didn’t mind being called out by Young Master Du Ren for taking money. He laughed and said, “Otherwise, why would I speak well of a lowly Chinese person?”
Then he said to Kawada Atsuto, "However, Lu Dazhang has always been relatively friendly to the Empire. I personally think that the Empire should consider giving him a promotion."
……
"So, Director Cheng," Kawada Atsuto joked, referring to Miyazaki Kentaro's new position, "what position do you think Lu Dazhang should hold?"
“Young Master Atsuto, I’m naturally telling you the truth,” Cheng Qianfan said, standing up to light Atsuto Kawada’s cigarette.
Atsuto Kawada nodded slightly.
What he was most satisfied with was Miyazaki Kentaro's attitude—absolute honesty and absolute loyalty in front of him.
“At the beginning, when Lu Dazhang came to me, he was still unsure when the Empire would take over the French Concession,” Cheng Qianfan said. “To be precise, Lu Dazhang must have heard some rumors from certain channels and only knew that the Empire might take over the French Concession.”
“This man is very clever. He knows to plan ahead and build connections first,” Cheng Qianfan continued. “Lu Dazhang does know people in the Empire, but none of them are close enough to be entrusted with such a private matter.”
“This person is a good friend of Cheng Qianfan, and Young Master Duren should know this,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Lu Dazhang knows that I have connections with the Empire, and I suspect that he knows that I am close to the Military Police. I can’t even rule out that he knows that I am a friend of Young Master Duren.”
……
"So, Lu Dazhang came to your doorstep, 'Little Cheng'?" Kawada Atsuto joked, "Trying to get through to you?"
“Yes, young master Duren.” Cheng Qianfan nodded and said, “Lu Dazhang’s initial request was rather humble. He only hoped that after the Empire took over the French Concession, he could have a place in the reorganized police station so that he wouldn’t be bullied because he had no power.”
"He is indeed a rather pragmatic person." Kawada Atsuto nodded slightly.
Then a thought struck him, and he looked at Kentaro Miyazaki, "So, this Detective Lu is now harboring improper thoughts again?"
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(End of this chapter)