Chapter 16

Kiyoshi Takenaka was a seasoned intelligence officer in the Tokko (Special Higher Police) and had been active in the Beiyang Government for many years, achieving significant results. A few months ago, he was directly ordered by the headquarters to rush from the northern capital to the Devil City to investigate the case of the missing gold.

After months of investigation, Kiyoshi's already sparse hair was almost completely pulled out by himself. The matter was too bizarre; the fishing boat that had been burned and sunk at the bottom of the river was salvaged, but there was not a single trace of gold. "How did they do it?" This was something Kiyoshi could not understand. He had tracked the five-ton gold all the way to the boat, and then the boat caught fire and sank. The Tokko people had been watching closely, so it was impossible for it to be secretly transported out. The next morning, they started salvaging, but after the boat was brought up, there was nothing—no gold, no one!

Several Tokko intelligence officers who had been tracking the gold swore by the name of Amaterasu that they had not made a mistake! After months of investigation, there was no clue, except for one name.

A few days ago, an informant inside the U.S. Consulate reported that a mysterious person was selling a miraculous drug to the Americans that could cure meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis! This was the first antibiotic in history! The Americans confirmed through experiments that it was truly effective!

Kiyoshi was shocked by the news. Although he was not very familiar with economics, he could see the enormous value of this drug. People all over the world would go crazy to buy it. Its military value was even more incalculable! Before the invention of antibiotics, at least half of the people who died on the battlefield did so due to infected wounds!

Although he was very suspicious that it might be an American trick, the Japanese greed and desire for profit overcame reason.

He immediately sent people to the SC Trading Company in Zhabei to test the waters. After being refused, they launched a surprise attack that night to try to forcibly obtain the molecular formula and ratio. However, they did not expect the other side to be so strong. They were met with a barrage of gunfire before even entering the gate, suffering heavy casualties. After a fierce exchange of fire, they realized that the other side was well-trained and well-equipped, and they could not gain any advantage. They captured a wounded prisoner and immediately retreated.

They used all the Tokko's interrogation techniques—red-hot irons, water-soaked leather whips, and mustard-laced pepper water—but got not a single word. They had never encountered such a tough person! Staring into those emotionless, cold eyes, Kiyoshi felt as if he were being watched by a venomous snake.

The other side sent a negotiator to discuss the terms and took the prisoner away. Kiyoshi never intended to pay, planning to capture the leader and force them to reveal the formula. He did not believe that everyone could be so tough.

However, the other side suddenly proposed to confirm the gold before the transaction, which made Kiyoshi very cautious. They did not care about the time or place, only wanting to confirm the gold? Based on his years of experience in intelligence, Kiyoshi sensed danger. But the situation was no longer under his control. The Tokyo headquarters had dispatched General Seishun Aoki to Devil City to take full responsibility for the matter.

"General Aoki, something is very wrong. As long as one is not a fool, they can see our ill intentions, but the other side is willing to rush in as long as the gold is there! There must be a problem, but I can't figure out what it is," Kiyoshi said excitedly to Aoki. He felt that the matter was as bizarre as the mysterious disappearance of the gold on the fishing boat!

"Mr. Takenaka, the headquarters has confirmed that the Americans have conducted experiments, and the drug is effective! This has already decided that the matter must proceed. The gold has already been shipped, and the Empire of Japan must obtain this antibiotic! We should discuss the specific details of the operation, not whether to do it! No matter what the other side is preparing to do, we will accept it!" Aoki said sternly to Kiyoshi.

After a pause, he continued, "Mr. Takenaka, in a completely enclosed basement, under the watchful eyes of over a hundred fully armed elite soldiers, and surrounded by thousands of loyal samurai within a one-kilometer radius of the hotel, could you take away ten tons of gold?"

Kiyoshi frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "No, no one could, unless they were a god!" "Then what are you worried about?" Aoki said with a smile.

"Ha ha ha ha..." The two short men burst into laughter.

Gao Yang walked into the hotel. There were armed men with guns everywhere—by the tables, behind the counter, in the kitchen, on the stairs, and on the first and second floors. "Bang" The door was tightly closed. A short man in a kimono and wooden sandals walked over, bowed slightly, and said, "I am Kiyoshi Takenaka, the manager of Osaka Hotel. May I ask how to address this gentleman?" He spoke to Gao Yang but kept his eyes on the box in Arno's hand.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Where is the gold?"

Takenaka did not say more, made a gesture inviting Gao Yang to follow, and led the way to the basement.

There was a round table with two chairs. Seishun Aoki sat in the main seat, surrounded by armed men with guns. Behind him, a pile of objects was covered with black cloth.

Gao Yang walked over and sat opposite Aoki, with Arno standing behind him with the box.

Aoki sized up the young man across from him. He had an ordinary appearance, was quite tall, and wore a well-fitted suit. Most importantly, he was calmly smoking a cigarette, showing no fear or tension despite being pointed at by so many guns. "What gives him such courage? How can he be so calm in this environment? Is he naturally fearless?" Aoki speculated.

After composing himself, Aoki smiled and said to Gao Yang, "Sir, I am Seishun Aoki, the full representative of the Empire of Japan in Devil City. The Empire of Japan is very interested in the drug you possess and would like to befriend you. May I ask how to address you?"

Gao Yang smiled, blew a smoke ring, and said calmly, "I am Smith."

Aoki suddenly stood up, and before he could speak, Takenaka had already shouted, "You are Smith?" His voice was filled with joy, as if he had found what he had been looking for after a long search.

"Ha ha ha ha..." Aoki laughed loudly, and the sound of bolts being pulled echoed as the surrounding gunmen all pointed their guns at Gao Yang. "It is truly a pleasure to meet Mr. Smith," Aoki said, feeling elated. Could such a good thing really happen?

"Mr. Smith, where is the five tons of gold you took from the Empire of Japan? Can you return it to us?" Aoki said with a look of pity on his face.

"Baka. Do you think you can leave here alive today without returning the gold?" Takenaka roared.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Let me show you a magic trick. You may never have the chance to see it again." With a flip of his hands, a large military box appeared on the table. With a light laugh, he said, "I will take my leave now. See you in three minutes, if you are still alive. General Aoki, you are so old, why not stay in China?" Then he activated the time travel and left. Arno reached out and lifted the lid, taking out a Maxim machine gun!

"Fire!" In Aoki's anguished cry, Arno began to fire. The dense, loud gunfire echoed in the small basement, bullets flying, the smell of gunpowder, and the long muzzle flash of the Maxim, accompanied by piercing screams!

Three minutes later, Gao Yang returned to the basement. Arno was blocking the entrance, engaging in a fierce exchange of fire with the outside. His clothes were riddled with holes, and his artificial skin was torn, exposing the alloy skeleton underneath!

Gao Yang pinched his nose and walked over to Aoki, closing his eyes. "Since you are a China expert, stay in China forever." The floor was covered with severed limbs and blood! In a corner, the once mighty Takenaka lay dead, his eyes open in disbelief, as if shouting, "There really are gods!"

After removing the black cloth, Gao Yang saw a pile of gold blocks and smiled. He stored the gold in his storage space, took out a box of explosives, and set a timer. Arno, being a non-active reaction life form, could enter the storage space.

Thirty seconds later, a huge mushroom cloud rose over Hongkou, the bright fireball almost illuminating the entire night sky of Devil City! It was incredibly magnificent!

The next day, countless Japanese with bloodshot eyes rushed to the location of SC Trading in Zhabei, but it was already empty. The Japanese could only burn down the three-story building in anger. The Japanese headquarters then released a message: "Former Army Lieutenant General Seishun Aoki passed away at his home in Miyazaki Prefecture yesterday due to illness, at the age of 65."

At the U.S. Consulate in the International Settlement. "Mr. Consul, I am a businessman, and pursuing profit is my only goal. Don't talk to me about friendship between countries; I don't understand that. I will only say this once: there is no exclusive agency, and it costs $20 per unit. If your country does not agree, I will find other buyers." He paused, took a sip of coffee, and continued, "Of course, you can also learn from the Japanese. As long as you can seize it, I don't mind giving it to you."

"Mr. Gao, it's a pleasure to work with you." Consul John extended his hand. He had also seen the big explosion that day!

Back in Feng County, Wicks reported that the reorganization was initially complete, and the troops were now undergoing intensive training. "The soldiers are excellent, hardworking, and obedient. However, their education level is too low; most of them cannot even read orders," Wicks complained.

"Each company has a cultural instructor who organizes cultural studies for the soldiers every evening. It will take time to see results," Gao Yang explained.

"There is another important matter. The live ammunition training is very intense, and the consumption of various types of ammunition is high. We need to replenish it quickly," Wicks said.

"A new batch of weapons has already been shipped from Germany, along with the second batch of recruited mercenaries. They are all experienced veterans of the European war. I have an idea: when these mercenaries arrive, we will assign them as deputy officers. When there are enough qualified new recruits in the training camp, we will transfer them to become full officers and lead the new recruits, immediately forming combat-ready units," Gao Yang said.

"This method is excellent. One unit has two strengths. In case of war, it can quickly form combat-ready units and be deployed," Wicks' eyes lit up, immediately understanding the benefits.

Time passed quickly, and the whole country, from south to north, was in a state of strange agitation. The Zhili clique's strong stance and calls for military unification of the country forced all the warlords to stand against them. Zhang Dazhun of the Fengtian clique was unanimously recommended as the leader, and the war between the two sides was on the verge of breaking out.

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