Chapter 441: Where did the gold go?

"Secretary Lin, what do you think of this news?" Chen Yongren casually tossed the newspaper onto the table and tapped the Pearl Harbor headline.

Whether in Songhu or Chongqing, Chen Yongren's aura was too large, overshadowing Lin Ke Xin's abilities.

Chen Yongren also wanted to use this matter to test her level of attention to international affairs.

Lin Ke Xin pursed her lips, saw that Chen Yongren wanted to test her, sat up straight and said: "Since Director Chen asks, I'll share my humble opinion."

"The Japanese choosing to go to war with the Americans is utterly foolish, no different from seeking death."

"I can be certain they are not far from death; they won't last more than a few years."

"At most ten years, no, at most five years, they'll be finished."

"The Japanese have the ability to start a war but not to end it; after suffering a loss, how could the Americans possibly let it go?"

"War is a money‑draining affair, and without continued supplies, the Japanese will only suffer more and more."

"I expect the Japanese will next pull back their Asian‑based troops, concentrate their main force against the Americans, and leave only second‑line, even third‑ or fourth‑line divisions on the home islands."

Chen Yongren nodded in satisfaction; Lin Ke Xin was correct.

But hearing Lin Ke Xin's inner thoughts, Chen Yongren felt increasingly that this young woman was not ordinary.

"The Americans have always been fence‑sitters, selling equipment to both sides and profiting from war."

"This time they suddenly jumped in; the reasons behind it are probably not so simple."

"The Japanese sneak‑attacked the port, yet they immediately launched a counter‑attack—this bears no resemblance to reacting to a surprise strike; it looks more like pre‑meditation…"

"Too bad we can't see more information; we can only judge from scattered news."

"As expected, one can't just blurt out one's inner thoughts; Lin Ke Xin is quite good at hiding her words."

Chen Yongren muttered to himself, nodded in agreement, was about to speak when the phone suddenly rang.

'"Hello?" Lin Ke Xin rose to answer the phone.'

'"Yes, Director Chen is having a meal."'

'"Alright, I understand; please wait a moment."'

'"I understand; I'll have him come to the Military Statistics Bureau right away."'

After hanging up, returning to the desk, Lin Ke Xin hadn't spoken yet when Chen Yongren said.

'"Was that the boss's call?"'

'"How do you know?" Lin Ke Xin exclaimed.'

'"How novel—you're my subordinate; the whole Military Statistics Bureau treats you so politely, and not just "wait a moment," but "right away…"' Chen Yongren gazed at Lin Ke Xin.

'"Besides the boss, who else would have the nerve to let me, a major general, go to his office to see him?"'

'"Director Chen, your insight is correct; the boss indeed wants to see you, saying he has an important matter to ask you." Lin Ke Xin said.'

"Anyway, there's nothing else."

Chen Yongren immediately went to the boss's office.

The boss sat before his desk, his expression unusually stern.

'"Senior." Chen Yongren bowed slightly.'

The boss came to, nodded at Chen Yongren: '"Lixing, you've come."'

He scanned it open.

The display showed the boss worrying over yesterday's incident in Songhu, unable to discern the composition of that spy squad, so he specially summoned Chen Yongren to ask if he had any leads.

"You've come to the right person."

"The matter was done by me—how could I have no leads?"

"But you just need to think about it in your heart."

'"I don't know what you want from Lixing, Senior?" Chen Yongren feigned ignorance: "Surely it's not that another traitor has surfaced inside, requiring me to investigate?"'

'"You brat, can't you wish us well? We haven't finished catching traitors yet." The boss laughed and scolded: "This time I specially called you here mainly to ask you one thing."'

'"Senior, you're joking—what in the world could escape your eyes that you'd need to ask me?" Chen Yongren flattered.'

'"Get lost, I called you here not to listen to your wisecracks." The boss tapped the table, picked up a file folder, and threw it in front of Chen Yongren.'

'"Here is a report from Songhu; after you read it, tell me your thoughts."'

'"A telegram from Songhu?" Chen Yongren picked up the folder: "It couldn't be that old devil Tengyuan Jintai coming back to life, could it?"'

'"If that were the case, that'd be fine—if you could kill him once, you could kill him again." The boss replied unhappily.'

Chen Yongren flipped through it casually, his expression showing surprise: '"These are all things that happened yesterday in Songhu—no way…"'

The boss nodded; '"Songhu district sent an emergency telegram yesterday—you've stayed in Songhu a long time, have you ever heard of a similar organization?"'

Chen Yongren pretended to ponder, then shook his head.

'"Damn it, this is strange—they couldn't have just popped out of rocks." The boss was quite irritated.'

"If they were merely an independent action squad, it would be much simpler—we could co‑opt them ahead of the Red Party and place them under the Military Statistics Bureau's name."

"Once successful, it would be like adding wings to a tiger."

'"That wing of yours, I fear, can't be added—after all, I can't recruit myself." Chen Yongren mused: "Senior, are you interested in them?"'

The boss also didn't hide it, saying directly: '"They suddenly appeared in Songhu; we must uncover their background."'

'"I always suspect that something about what happened in Songhu is off."'

'"These fellows showed up far too opportunely."'

'"Senior, are you referring to the matter of the Japanese and Americans going to war?" Chen Yongren asked.'

"How interesting."

"Being able to let the Americans take the blame is also their honor."

"If it weren't for the fact that we can't let the boss know, these matters wouldn't fall to you."

"It seems, whether there's business or not, we still have to make a trip back to Songhu; whatever a three‑person team is doesn't matter—the most important thing is to seize the Japanese supplies!"

Then use their supplies to do business, and rob them again.

Again and again, back and forth, plucking the dog hair off the devils' bodies, squeezing them dry.

"The Japanese have gone mad, wanting to pick a fight with the Americans—this isn't just asking for death?" The boss was about to continue speaking.

A knocking sound came from outside the door.

"Come in." the boss said in a muffled voice.

A young man pushed the door open, glanced at Chen Yongren, and wanted to speak but hesitated.

"Section Chief Chen isn't an outsider, just speak directly." the boss said in a muffled voice.

"An urgent telegram from Songhu District." He handed the telegram to the boss,

The boss glanced at it, his face changed drastically, gestured for him to leave, and only then passed the telegram to Chen Yongren.

"Lixing, something big has happened again in Songhu District!"

"According to the intelligence I've received, the devils' bank was robbed, and all the gold mysteriously disappeared!"

When the boss said that, he even felt it was somewhat absurd.

Five banks, plus industries like goods, so much assets—where could the robbers possibly hide?

Especially that gold, hidden in the bank vault—how could it be stolen completely without a sound?

"How is that possible? In one night they robbed five banks?" Chen Yongren exclaimed, thought a moment, and said: "Senior, do you think this might be the devils deliberately stirring up conflict as a conspiracy?"