Chapter 693

Chen Yongren stepped forward and accepted the order.

"It's getting late, Chief Director Sir, you should go back and rest properly." Gangcun Ningci had the look of someone who just lost their mother.

Although the mastermind had been found, two brigade‑level officers had been shot dead; the most important thing now is to find a suitable commander to avoid delaying the upcoming mop‑up operation.

"Hai!" Chen Yong didn't ask further about rewards and punishments.

Having cracked such a big case, the old devil Gangcun certainly knows the score in his mind; he won't suffer a loss.

Asking too many questions now is just like stabbing it with a knife; it will only be counterproductive.

After Chen Yongren left, Gangcun Ningci urgently reassigned two colonels to temporarily act as commanders of the 9th and 16th brigades, to avoid a situation where no one would be in command when the mop‑up operation began.

Since it's a mixed brigade, it's not unreasonable for ranks to fluctuate by one level, but Gangcun Ningci still promised grand rewards.

If they can successfully complete the mop‑up mission, inflict heavy losses on the Eighth Route Army, and recover the equipment and supplies that had been sold off, they will gain an opportunity for promotion.

Now that it's already dark, the old devil also plans to wait until tomorrow morning before reporting this to headquarters.

After sorting out the report, Gangcun Ningci's face showed utter exhaustion.

This old devil has long coveted the marshal's position, but now that this has happened, hoping for promotion will likely be difficult.

"Damn!" This will really affect his career prospects.

Thinking of Yuan Chief's outstanding performance, which promptly cut off the possibility of headquarters and political rivals continuing their investigation, Gangcun Ningci also felt somewhat relieved.

The North China Military Command has produced a really outstanding young person.

"Anda, what do you think of Chief Director Sir's performance?" Gangcun Ningci put down his pen and looked at Anda ershisan sitting beside him.

Anda ershisan felt a stir inside, silently thinking a reward was coming, and without changing his expression said: "His performance was outstanding; even some experienced officers might not be able to match his decisiveness."

After all, they are two major generals and a colonel—who wouldn't tremble with both hands if placed on anyone?

But Yuan Chief is different—he says kill and kills, just like slaughtering a little chick.

After all, he's from an aristocratic family, with a ruthless streak in his bones.

Gangcun Ningci nodded in approval: "Chief Director Sir, if you solve another strange case, how do you think we should reward him?"

Upon hearing this, Anda ershisan knew that Gangcun Ningci didn't know how to reward him.

Yuan Chief had just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel not long ago, and at under thirty years of age he was already an exception in the military.

In just a few days, if he were promoted to colonel again, it would likely invite criticism and even arouse the envy of some ulterior‑motivated people.

Although Yuan Chief had this time caught a major parasite in the army, avoiding greater losses, his qualifications are still insufficient.

Anda ershisan immediately understood that Gangcun Ningci didn't really want to promote Yuan Chief's rank; otherwise he could have just proposed it directly instead of asking himself what to do.

"General Gangcun, Chief Director Sir is still young; if you value him this way, you'll spoil him." Anda ershisan laughed: "I think this time, a mere verbal commendation and applying for a medal would be enough."

An Da 23 also didn't want to waste this military merit.

As soon as these words were spoken, it simply struck Okamura Ningci's heart.

"A single medal is too perfunctory; this would make the commander-in-chief feel cold-hearted." Okamura Ningci affected a pose, pondered for a moment, and said: "How about expanding the commander-in-chief's Special Investigation Unit a bit?"

"The Special Investigation Unit has already proven its strength; it should also strengthen their power, so that the commander-in-chief has a blade of his own in hand."

Most importantly, this person is someone I promoted myself; he is far more usable than the North China internal gendarmerie that has passed through who knows how many hands.

"Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief is absolutely right." An Da 23 echoed in agreement.

"I recall a batch of new recruits will arrive tomorrow?" Okamura Ningci suddenly asked.

"Hai!" An Da 23 said.

Okamura Ningci pondered and said: "Assign him a squad—no, a company's worth of troops—to be organized independently of the gendarmerie."

"As for the name, let the commander-in-chief choose it himself."

"The new office has already been rebuilt; tomorrow let them move in. Our great meritorious officer should have a better office."

"Also, let the commander-in-chief have time to select talent from the training class; give him a quota of 30 people, and let him allocate them as he sees fit."

"New recruits have no background, so the commander-in-chief will find them easier to use."

"General, your insight is high; I think once the commander-in-chief learns of this, he will certainly be pleased." An Da 23 listened and nodded; Okamura Ningci was thinking of creating an independent intelligence organization outside the gendarmerie and the Beiping Special Agency.

Okamura Ningci, however, fell into silence again.

"Commander-in-Chief, what's wrong?" An Da 23 asked.

"Although this matter can be considered concluded, we cannot let our guard down; if there are still problems internally, what should we do?" Okamura Ningci said.

An Da knew that Okamura Ningci worried that there might still be such incidents internally, just undiscovered.

"If that's the case, we can have the commander-in-chief lead us on an inspection." An Da 23 pondered and said.

"Once this incident is reported, the interior will definitely start a new round of investigation."

Okamura Ningci deeply agreed and nodded.

Two lieutenant-generals colluding with the enemy is enough to cause a major upheaval internally; the Imperial Headquarters would certainly not let it pass without action.

An Da 23 also said: "Commander-in-Chief, instead of letting the Imperial Headquarters send people, why can't we take the initiative and propose it first?"

"So as to avoid our bitter rivals coming and picking apart everything."

"The commander-in-chief has just achieved great merit, and there are no political rivals in North China; considering everyone's feelings, I think they will surely agree to this."

"What you say makes perfect sense." Okamura Ningci had no hesitation, immediately decided to call the Imperial Headquarters early tomorrow morning to settle this matter as soon as possible.

……

The next day, noon.

The officers who needed to be investigated successively came to a meeting room of the North China Command.

They didn't yet know what was happening; the faces of the Japanese big and small officers showed a hint of confusion, unaware that a big surprise would soon appear.

The office of the Special Investigation Unit's commander.

Chen Yongren had just arrived when he received the news of changing offices.

Compared to the previous office, the new one has several times the space.

Moreover, each department will have its own office, and they will not disturb each other.

Chen Yongren and the others also didn't stay long in the old office, so the move didn't take much time.

"Chief Commander, the account books in this box are all empty; can we really handle them? If they see them, wouldn't that be troublesome?" Zhongyuan Shen looked at Chen Yongren, puzzled.

Anteng Zhongsi casually picked up an account book: "Yes, Commander, why are all the account books here empty?"

The other team members looked somewhat puzzled.

Chen Yongren, however, remained calm: "It's precisely because they're empty that they're useful, Zhongyuan Shen; their people have already arrived—just bring the boxes to the meeting room right away."

"Let's give these bastard turtles a good meeting!"

Walking out of the office, the few members of the Special Investigation Group excitedly gathered around Chen Yongren.