Chapter 317: $80,000 Down the Drain

"Isn't this what you arranged?" Peng Chengtao also furrowed his brows.

"Damn it!

"The Americans shorted me two-thirds of the shipment.

"I've already given my word to that side; how am I supposed to explain this?"

Lu Qiaoshan was furious.

He grabbed the telephone next to him and, with trembling hands, dialed the number for Anderson's office.

He dialed it several times.

Only then did Anderson's drunken voice come through: "Hong, my frie..."

"I am not Hong Zhiyou, I am Lu Qiaoshan," Lu Qiaoshan reminded him coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Oh, right, it's Section Chief Lu.

"Is something the matter?"

Anderson asked from the other end.

"Why are two-thirds of my goods missing?" Lu Qiaoshan demanded in a deep voice.

"Oh, my friend, let me explain..."

A few minutes later, Lu Qiaoshan hung up the phone with a stony face.

"Old Lu, what happened?" Peng Chengtao asked.

"Anderson said there's a hurricane in the ocean, and the rest of the cargo has run into some trouble, so he wants me to wait a while before taking delivery," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"A hurricane? It couldn't have come at a better or worse time; what rotten luck.

"Staff Officer Yang is waiting for the goods to plug his holes.

"If there's really no other way, we'll have to use a batch of Japanese goods to fill the gap first."

Peng Chengtao frowned.

"Nonsense.

"Can the stuff discarded by those Japanese arsenals compare to American equipment?

"Do you think the Ministry of National Defense investigation team is blind?"

Lu Qiaoshan glared at him irritably.

"Then what do we do? We can't conjure up equipment out of thin air," Peng Chengtao said.

"Don't worry about it for now.

"Ship this batch over, and give the rest later.

"As for Staff Officer Yang making a scene, let Chief Zheng handle it." When it came to passing the buck, Lu Qiaoshan was quite skilled.

"The problem is, if the goods don't arrive, what if they don't pay?

"Wouldn't it all go down the drain?"

Peng Chengtao frowned.

Aside from assisting, he was also there in part to monitor Lu Qiaoshan.

Chief Zheng had invested so much money into this; he wasn't about to let Lu Qiaoshan mess around recklessly.

"What are you panicking about?

"American equipment is as much a hard currency now as penicillin.

"Even if Staff Officer Yang doesn't pay, as long as Anderson fills the order later, I can still sell it to others at a high price; this money won't be lost."

Lu Qiaoshan remained extremely confident.

"With that said, I can rest easy.

"It's time; the convoy should be able to set off," Peng Chengtao said, glancing at his watch.

"Mm.

"Tell them to depart," Lu Qiaoshan nodded.

"By the way, that Li Ya won't cause any trouble, will he? He is one of Jianfeng's men; if he investigates something and finds a problem, it won't be easy for us to answer for it," Peng Chengtao said.

"He's busy earning merit in Mawang Town right now.

"It's a pity for that dog," Lu Qiaoshan sneered disdainfully.

Mawang Town.

Li Ya acted with lightning speed, capturing a group of 94th Army soldiers on the spot for reselling military supplies.

There was no hesitation whatsoever.

After the arrests and loading the trucks, he had them sent directly to the Shuitun Prison.

It wasn't until after nine o'clock that Li Ya returned to his office.

"Gaoyuan, Yucheng, how did it go?"

He unbuttoned his collar and twisted his aching neck as he asked.

"Our people tracked the movements of the Garrison Headquarters and discovered that there are quite a few trucks near the Embroidered Uniform Guard church.

"At least a dozen or so."

Gaoyuan deliberately lagged a beat, letting Yucheng rush to answer.

"A dozen or so?

"Where would Jinhai get so many trucks?

"You have to know that the total number of trucks the Generalissimo sent to the Northeast is only about a thousand; where did these pop up from?

"Is it the 94th Army or the Garrison Headquarters?"

Li Ya asked with a frown.

"Hong Zhiyou has a convoy; back when he was transporting grain for Fu Zuoyi, Jinhai specially approved a batch of vehicles, and the Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce also brought a batch over from Shanghai and Ningbo.

"There are twenty in total.

"I saw those vehicles; they are quite new, so it is highly likely they belong to Hong Zhiyou,"

Gaoyuan said then.

"Hong Zhiyou's cars—why would the Garrison Headquarters requisition them?" Li Ya pondered with a frown.

"No need to think about it, it must be that Lu Qiaoshan borrowed them from Hong Zhiyou," Yucheng said.

"Mm.

"A petty man like Lu Qiaoshan has handed me a real merit for nothing; so that's where the trick is.

"Keep a close eye on them for me.

"Remember, don't be hasty; see where the convoy is going. If it's heading toward the Central Army, intercept and stop them as soon as possible.

"If they are being transported to a miscellaneous army, just note the route; we can strike later."

Li Ya thought for a moment and said.

The Whampoa generals in the war zones were all quite arrogant; if the goods were being shipped to someone like Qiu Qingquan, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics wouldn't dare to intercept them, or they might get their heads smashed in.

Miscellaneous armies were easier to deal with; not only could they intercept the goods, but they could also keep tabs on this supply line.

"Understood."

Yucheng and Gaoyuan took their orders and left.

Li Ya was too lazy to go home, so he just made do on the sofa while waiting for news.

In the early hours of the morning.

The phone rang.

Li Ya quickly got up to answer: "It's me, how is it? Where are they heading?

"Toward the Ludong War Zone?

"Intercept them immediately, stall them for now, I'll call the Security Brigade near Handan."

The next morning.

Lu Qiaoshan walked into the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics building carrying his briefcase.

"Old Lu, nice tie today, very festive," Yu Zecheng said, walking over quickly to walk alongside him.

"My wife bought it.

"I'm offending the Grand Duke of the Year this year, so I need to wear a bit more red," Lu Qiaoshan laughed.

"Yesterday, Cuiping was playing cards with your wife at the Military Families Association; I heard from her that you're planning to buy a new house?

"Congratulations, congratulations! You must notify me when you move into your new home,"

Yu Zecheng said.

"Shh.

"It's not even a sure thing yet, just a thought.

"A woman's mouth is truly fast.

"To tell you the truth, I've taken a liking to the niece of Commander Fang of the Military Police Headquarters, and I intend to introduce her to Lu Ming.

"If this marriage can be settled, I'll have Lu Ming transferred to Jinhai."

Lu Qiaoshan didn't hide it from him; giving him a heads-up now would make things easier to look after later.

"That's great.

"Fighting tigers requires brothers; going into battle requires father and son."

"You have gained another capable helper."

Yu Zecheng said with a smile as he walked.

"Not at all.

"He's just a money pit; it'll be good enough if he doesn't cause trouble when he comes over," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Indeed.

"I heard Lu Ming is the 'godson' of Officer Zheng, and with your guidance, his future is boundless.

"Alas, it's a bargain for Commander Fang."

Yu Zecheng was so eloquent that he coaxed Lu Qiaoshan into a beaming smile:

"You, you are a brother indeed.

"I originally thought Hong Zhiyou's mouth was peerless under heaven, but I didn't expect your mouth, old Yu, to be a marvel as well.

"I accept your kind words, brother."

As he spoke, he even cupped his hands toward Hong Zhiyou.

As the two were chatting, they saw Li Ya leading members of the Action Team, escorting several people in military uniforms toward the interrogation room.

Lu Qiaoshan's expression changed instantly upon seeing this.

These were all people sent by Peng Chengtao to transport goods; how could they have fallen into Li Ya's hands?

Truly, one fears what one dreads.

He hurriedly raised his hand to stop him and asked, "Captain Li, what is going on here?"

"Oh, it's Section Chief Lu.

"Well, these people were caught red-handed by the Handan Security Brigade while reselling military supplies, and Commander Song asked me to bring them back for questioning.

"It is also thanks to your intelligence.

"I was returning from Mawang Town when my brothers happened to run into them and followed them all the way to the border between Handan and Xingtai.

"If we had been one step later and they had left Jibei, this batch of ordnance would very likely have entered Ludong.

"If it were to be delivered to the ordnance of Chen and Su, wouldn't that boost the morale and combat power of the thieves?

"It is also thanks to Commander Song.

"This bunch was stubborn and actually dared to resist arrest, so we killed over a dozen of them on the spot."

Li Ya smiled.

"Handan Security Brigade?

"Captain Li, these are people from the Garrison Headquarters.

"If they are to be handled, it should be by the Inspection Section and Commander Chen; hand them over to me."

Lu Qiaoshan said with a gentle, smiling tone.

"That wouldn't be appropriate.

"You were also present when the Station Chief gave the order yesterday.

"He ordered me to strictly investigate the theft and transport of military supplies; with so much American-made equipment, the circumstances are grave, and I fear I cannot bear the responsibility if I release them rashly."

Li Ya said with a forced smile.

"Li Ya, are you trying to overstep your authority?" Lu Qiaoshan frowned.

"I wouldn't call it overstepping.

"The Bureau of Confidentiality has the function of supervising the garrison and the Garrison Headquarters; if Section Chief Lu has any objections, why not ask the Station Chief yourself?" Li Ya raised his eyebrows and sneered.

"Fine.

"I will go ask the Station Chief for instructions right now.

"However, I advise you to restrain yourself; be careful of causing trouble by meddling in others' affairs."

Lu Qiaoshan glared at him coldly and walked quickly toward the Station Chief's office.

"Whether it is meddling in others' affairs or catching a fox, who can say for sure?" Li Ya sneered behind his back.

Lu Qiaoshan arrived at the Station Chief's office, fuming.

"It's early in the morning, and the courtyard is so noisy; what is going on?" Wu Jingzhong stood by the window, turned around, and asked.

"Station Chief.

"I was acting under the instructions of Officer Zheng to escort a batch of military supplies to the Ludong war zone, but I didn't expect them to be hijacked by Captain Li and the Handan Security Brigade last night.

"Please have Captain Li release the people and the goods immediately; we must not delay the war situation in Ludong."

Lu Qiaoshan said, getting straight to the point.

"Instructions from Officer Zheng?

"I didn't receive any instructions about transporting military supplies," Wu Jingzhong said with a look of confusion.

"Yes, yes, they were sent to the Garrison Headquarters," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Oh.

"Since it is a matter for the Garrison Headquarters, how did it fall into Captain Li's hands?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I don't know.

"Station Chief, that is not the point; now there are people counting on these goods to fill a hole, and if they cannot be delivered, someone might lose their head, and then it will be troublesome."

Seeing him playing dumb, Lu Qiaoshan simply laid it out clearly.

"These are all American-made weapons, so it is indeed troublesome to handle; why don't I ask Commander Chen?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"Don't do that.

"Chen Zhangjie is of the Jin-Sui clique, and the Chairman has invested a large amount of military aid and supplies in the Ludong, Northeast, and Shanbei areas; wouldn't telling him now be like rubbing salt in a wound?

"He certainly won't get involved.

"Besides, he is the Commander of the Jinhai Garrison Headquarters and has no jurisdiction over the Handan Security Brigade.

"Station Chief, no matter how arrogant Li Ya is, isn't he still your subordinate?

"Why don't you say a word and have him return the ordnance."

Lu Qiaoshan said hurriedly.

"Are you sure it was an order from Officer Zheng?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Yes... yes!"

Lu Qiaoshan gritted his teeth secretly and nodded.

This matter was too big; he could not bear the loss at all and had no choice but to bring up Zheng Jiemin.

"Very well, I will ask," Wu Jingzhong said.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number: "Jinhai Station, connect me to the Ministry of National Defense, line two, Officer Zheng."

Soon, the call went through.

"Hello, old classmate, it's Jingzhong.

"Qiaoshan has a batch of military supplies that were detained in Handan by the Security Brigade and Captain Li; he says it was secretly transported by you to the Ludong war zone; I wonder if this is true.

"It is, is it?

"Very well, I will coordinate with the Security Brigade and Captain Li to release the people and the goods.

"Goodbye."

He hung up the phone and said to Lu Qiaoshan: "Go find Zhiyou and have him call Li Ya over; I will communicate with him, though I cannot guarantee it will work.

"You know that the Handan and Xingtai areas are not under my jurisdiction.

"Furthermore, Li Ya is one of Jianfeng's men.

"If he starts acting stubborn, he is very difficult to persuade."

"Understood, thank you, Station Chief." Lu Qiaoshan walked out quickly.

"Secretary Hong, the Station Chief wants you to find Captain Li." Arriving at the door, he knocked and called out.

"Brother Shan, your complexion doesn't look very good," Hong Zhiyou put down the newspaper and stood up.

"That son of a bitch Li Ya hijacked all your vehicles."

Lu Qiaoshan wanted to pull Hong Zhiyou into this.

"It's fine.

"Those vehicles were sponsored by the Chairman, and Li Ya doesn't do transport, so they are useless to him," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"The problem is that the ordnance I was escorting was also hijacked by him.

"Brother, this is my life; you have a good relationship with Li Ya, so no matter what, you must help me get it back."

Lu Qiaoshan said anxiously.

"Can't you just go to Officer Zheng for this?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's useless.

"Li Ya is backed by Jianfeng, and even Officer Zheng doesn't dare to blow this matter out of proportion.

"You, brother, think of a way to help me get through this crisis."

Lu Qiaoshan was truly panicked.

Although Fiersun only sent one-third of the goods, this was still a business worth twenty or thirty thousand US dollars, which was by no means a small sum.

"Brother Shan, don't worry, I will go find Captain Li right now," Hong Zhiyou said.

He walked out of the office.

His expression was as usual, but he sneered incessantly in his heart.

How much depth does Lu Qiaoshan really have?

The local Security Brigades are nothing but bandits.

With so many hours having passed since last night, I'm afraid Li Ya's shipment has long since been looted clean by the people from the Security Brigade.

"Captain Li, the Station Chief wants to see you in his office," Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's about Lu Qiaoshan, isn't it?" Li Ya said.

"How much is left?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I reckon less than half," Li Ya said.

"When I made the arrests, I told them these people were stealing military supplies," Li Ya sneered.

"Then it's likely there won't even be half left," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Lu Qiaoshan has been quite active lately, and his business is doing well; you should know that, right?" Li Ya said.

"I don't know."

"But seeing this shipment, I can probably understand a bit," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Let me tell you."

"He is doing business with the Americans, and your deal was intercepted by him."

"I just can't stand his look of a petty man drunk on his own success."

"The last two times he shipped goods, I didn't move against him; did he really think I didn't know anything?"

"With me here, he won't have a chance to make money."

Li Ya sneered.

"Then shouldn't I be thanking you?" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"That won't be necessary."

"I am only targeting Lu Qiaoshan," Li Ya said.

Upon arriving at the office, Wu Jingzhong got straight to the point:

"Li Ya, communicate with the Handan Security Brigade and have him return the items to Lu Qiaoshan; also, release the people from the Garrison Command."

"Zheng Jiemin called."

He twitched his eyebrows, hinting that Li Ya shouldn't go too far.

"Fine."

"I can release the people, but as for the items, he can contact the Security Brigade himself," Li Ya readily agreed.

Following that.

Lu Qiaoshan spent the whole day making phone calls, and even Zheng Jiemin personally stepped in.

However, this matter wouldn't be resolved even if the King of Heaven himself came down.

After a night of circulation, that batch of weaponry had long since been offloaded to the black market and other garrison troops.

Three full days.

Less than one hundred rifles were recovered in total.

What made Lu Qiaoshan even more depressed was that Tang Enbo and Li Tianxia were dismissed from their posts, and even Staff Officer Yang, who was in direct contact with him, was taken to Jingling.

The fifteen thousand US dollars in military supply funds that had been promised became a dead account with no one to claim it.

One side couldn't deliver the weapons.

The other side had no one to acknowledge the debt.

This business deal had completely gone down the drain.

Garrison Command.

Lu Qiaoshan sat expressionless, lighting matches one by one.

"Brother Shan, is there any news from Philson?"

"If the eighty thousand US dollars go down the drain, we're in trouble."

"The Lady called me this morning and said that Chief Zheng hasn't slept well for several days and is furious about this; you must hurry and urge the American."

Peng Chengtao walked in quickly and relayed the dissatisfaction of Ke Shufen.

"What are you panicking about?"

"I have already made an appointment with Philson."

"He promised that he would definitely deliver the remaining arms within three days."

"Once the arms arrive, I will double the price; there will be profit to be made regardless."

"And there's the winery; it was almost delayed by this, but I have an appointment with Powell tonight. As long as we secure this, there will be a continuous stream of massive profits."

"And it's a profit where the source is in our own hands."

Lu Qiaoshan was extremely annoyed by his suspicious gaze.

Zheng Jiemin just valued money too much.

He got agitated at the slightest sign of trouble.

In business, can one afford to be impatient?

Peng Chengtao was speechless.

When it comes to making money, you are more impatient than anyone.

When it comes to taking responsibility, you pretend to be calm.

With so much money, if this deal flops, Ke Shufen will surely tear your head off.

Nine o'clock at night.

Lu Qiaoshan carried his briefcase to a secluded restaurant in Hedong.

Long Er and Lin Sufang were drinking tea.

"No need to look, I've booked the whole place; there are no outsiders," Long Er said coldly.

"Money."

As soon as Lu Qiaoshan sat down, Long Er reached out his hand.

"What money?" Lu Qiaoshan frowned.

"The eighty thousand US dollars for the arms this time."

"You invested thirty thousand, and I invested fifty thousand US dollars."

"Now you've messed things up."

"Forget about the compensation, you at least have to return the fifty thousand US dollars of investment capital."

Long Er held out his hand coldly.

"Long Er, investment naturally carries risks of loss; besides, Philson promised me he would give me the goods."

"If you don't believe me, you should at least believe him."

Lu Qiaoshan said irritably.

"Lu Qiaoshan, you had better pray that Philson can make up the arms and sell them for a good price, otherwise your life alone might not be enough to cover the debt," Long Er said.

"Alright."

"Second Brother, there is no point in dwelling on what has already happened; the American's credibility is still guaranteed."

"Back then, Hong Zhiyou could easily move shipments worth ten or twenty thousand US dollars."

"Given the relationship between Chief Zheng and Commander Ke Ke, I assume Philson wouldn't dare to play tricks and swallow such a large sum of money."

"What we need to discuss now is wine."

"Back then, the list price Hong Zhiyou got from Powell was eighty thousand US dollars."

"Facts have proven that the Axe brand was a success; Hong Zhiyou's red wine almost monopolized the Jinhai wine industry, and not only that, but people like the Song family and He Zhiyuan also entered the market."

"Now it is also selling very well in places like Xiangdao."

"Therefore, the Hennessy brand label is a mountain of gold and silver."

"I have telegraphed Powell, and now the Cherry brand label has been speculated up to one hundred and forty thousand US dollars."

"Our Caobang does not lack sales channels."

"So no matter what, we must take this down this time."

"The question now is, do you and Chief Zheng want to enter the market?"

Lin Sufang said very efficiently.

(End of chapter)