"A problem?" Huang Xianzheng asked, frowning.
The Equipment Department of the Military Intelligence Bureau was Huang Xianzheng's sphere of influence and his earliest core group. It had always been the most lucrative department in the Bureau. The current head, Cui Guohao, was one of his old subordinates. Now that the Director had mentioned the Equipment Department, what did that mean? Could it be that the accounts were shoddy and the Director had discovered it? But skimming money from the Equipment Department was an open secret. Was it really going to be brought up today? That would be a complete falling out!
The director said quietly, "The equipment department's accounts are naturally clear and there are no problems. But what I find strange is that our gasoline inventory has always been sufficient. I remember that three months ago, there wasn't much gasoline left. Now, so much time has passed, but the amount of gasoline in the inventory has actually increased. Isn't that strange?"
Huang Xianzheng found it strange. He had a large amount of military supplies, including a lot of gasoline. The Military Intelligence Bureau also needed gasoline, so he directly paid for it at a high price. But gasoline was priced the same everywhere. To be honest, he hadn't done anything wrong in these transactions, and he had no leverage over anyone. What was the Director trying to do?
"We're out of gasoline, so what's wrong with the equipment department getting some to replenish our inventory?" Huang Xianzheng asked curiously.
The director continued, “Guangzhou Bay has long been in enemy hands. The economic artery of our controlled areas to the outside world has been cut off. There is a shortage of supplies and prices are soaring, especially military supplies such as gasoline. However, I found that the price of gasoline engines has only increased by one and a half times compared to three months ago. It can be said that the increase is very low. So I sent people to investigate the black market and found that Chongqing is not lacking in supplies. As long as you are willing to spend money, you can buy any scarce supplies.”
Grains, sugar, machinery, electrical appliances, medicines, gasoline, hardware, rubber, and so on—in short, everything was available.
Moreover, the fact that these goods could be purchased immediately, without even needing to place an order, indicates what? It means that Chongqing is not lacking in supplies. This puzzles me greatly, as our supply lines were cut off long ago. Where did these goods come from?
Upon hearing this, Huang Xianzheng finally understood what the bureau chief meant. He must be suspicious of the source of these supplies and then traced them back to him. He was going to settle scores with him later. Did he think that $300,000 was too little and wanted more money?
"The investigators eventually discovered that all these supplies on the black market were supplied by Liu Ruichang, who was one of your old subordinates. Now, let me ask you, did Zhiheng manage to open up a supply line in the Japanese-occupied area and transport these military supplies into Chongqing?" the director asked in a deep voice.
Huang Xianzheng did not answer immediately. His heart sank. He could not hide it any longer. Thinking about it, it made sense. There were many secret agents in the Military Intelligence Bureau. He was really being naive to think he could make a fortune in secret. It was only a matter of time before the director found out. At worst, he could give him some more money. But he could not agree to let Ning Zhiheng take such a risk.
"Director, you are wise. However, this matter has just been completed, and we have no intention of hiding it. We just wanted to wait until everything was on track before we could have a proper talk with you. But this matter has nothing to do with carrying out the mission, does it?" Huang Xianzheng remained firm in his position and refused to agree to the Director's arrangement.
Seeing that Huang Xianzheng still refused to give in, the director was not in a hurry. He continued, "Zhongxin, have you heard about the incident just over two months ago when Xu Ancai, the commander of the 143rd Division stationed in Changde, suddenly drowned in a rainstorm?"
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