Chapter 94: Assigning Tasks to Everyone (Chapter named by reader "Poor Person Waiting for Gold Coins")

The drinks were flowing freely.

"Miss Mio, over here!" As Fujiwara Mio entered the room, Watanabe Wataru, who was facing the door, spotted her and waved her over.

"Now that Mio is here, our steering group is complete. It’s not easy for us to get together like this during the New Year, so let’s take the opportunity to arrange our subsequent tasks."

"As we just discussed, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Zhao and Mr. Zhou, the first batch of shop managers has been successfully placed. All 72 branches across Shanghai are now operational. The rollout of our 'Run-Fast' delivery system is also progressing smoothly; we had more applicants than expected, and the first group has been fully deployed. It is a commendable achievement."

"For our next steps: first, Miyazaki-kun and Tangchuan-kun, you must return to Tokyo as soon as possible to report the situation here in detail to the headquarters, including our progress, the difficulties we've encountered, and our requirements."

"Don't say Aoki didn't consider you two; I've arranged for you to be the first to go back and see your wives!" Watanabe Wataru chimed in with a timely quip.

"Hahaha, come, drink up!"

"The two of you, while going back to see your wives is fine, remember the mission. Bring back a second group of people, but screen them first—those who can't handle hardship need not come. After training, the second batch will be placed in the surrounding counties and cities, where conditions will certainly be much harsher than in Shanghai."

"Second, Higuchi-kun, you must go to the academy and assist Mio in completing the testing and job placement for the students. It is time for this class of students to be sent out for practical experience."

"Third, Watanabe-kun, your enforcement team bears a heavy responsibility. You are responsible for disciplining and training the gang elements within the 'Run-Fast' system. Don't be afraid to use firm methods! If they take the medicine and fail to deliver the money back in time, dismiss them without hesitation. If they take the money and try to run, hunt them down to the end!"

"Fourth, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Zhao, and brother Obata Kazuki, I apologize for not being able to give you a break. You must take turns heading out to the surrounding counties to scout for storefronts and prepare the groundwork for the second batch of managers."

"Fifth, everyone, eat, drink, and have a good time today! Come, let’s have another toast—to the future of the Empire! And to making money! Cheers!"

Once the crowd had drunk their fill, the dance party organized by the club began. People scattered to small tables, some continuing to drink while others sought out dance partners—the scene was one of utter debauchery.

Taking advantage of a lull when Miyazaki Shuichi and Tangchuan Anfu were resting, Aoki Qiao found the two sitting together and said in a casual tone, "When you two return to headquarters this time, remember to do some persuasion at home and bring your wives over!"

Both men turned to look at Aoki Qiao in unison. *Why hadn't we thought of that?*

"There are many imperial expatriates living in the Hongkou district behind this club, so living conditions won't be an issue. As for money, we have our large pharmacy system. In this bustling Shanghai, do you really think we'll be short of funds?"

"Aoki-kun's suggestion is excellent!"

After teasing the two, Aoki Qiao went over to chat with Zhao Shiyu and Zhou Yongsu. Though he couldn't say much, relaxing over a drink was always acceptable.

He had set a few more hooks today. The brainwashing of these classmates would be a slow process—first, he would trick them into ignoring the organization's business, and then, he would make his next move.

Turning the impossible into the possible—that was the real challenge.

The club activities didn't end until two in the morning. Everyone returned to their residences, and Aoki Qiao and Mio drove home for their routine check.

"Mio, the organization has been active in Shanghai recently. Even though I’ve tried to avoid them, Higuchi still discovered traces. His mind is too sharp."

"That’s why I believe that blindly avoiding them is impossible. After all, not everyone in 'Run-Fast' is one of our people; there are many from the Green Gang. These people are picky about their delivery work, but they are incredibly diligent when it comes to gathering intelligence."

"You need to pay attention and see who is constantly monitoring the organization's activity sites. I'll make sure a few of them 'accidentally' disappear!"

On the morning of the 2nd, Chen Jiehua and Mio didn't wake up until 9:00 AM. After a simple breakfast, they headed to the main pharmacy. Old Zhou had taken Obata Kazuki to Suzhou, and since Zhao Shiyu frequently had to teach at the academy, the current shop manager was Chen Jiehua’s cousin, Shimazu Yasunosuke.

With Mio driving and Chen Jiehua sitting with Zhao Shiyu, the car started up. Chen Jiehua couldn't wait to ask, "Old Zhao, look, I asked you before if the organization had a major operation planned. You wouldn't say, but your actions weren't discreet, and you've been spotted by Yang Dengying!"

"Setting aside Yang Dengying’s true identity, on the surface, he is still a special commissioner for the KMT Party Affairs Investigation Section, right? I heard that Xu Enzeng came from Jinling at the end of the year."

"Never mind whether you’ll get caught by Xu Enzeng; just look at Higuchi. He mentioned it to Mio before, and he brought it up to me again last night. His logic is actually very simple: he knows that the movements of the Red Party aren't of much use to the Japanese right now, but he could sell that information to Yang Dengying, to the Party Investigation Section!"

"It's the Party Investigation Bureau now."

"So you can talk? I thought you’d gone mute! I have no objection to you sticking to organizational principles, Old Zhao, but I don't want to be the one tracking you. If I wanted to, your activity trajectories couldn't escape my eyes. You understand, don't you?"

"In this street, if I stood here for half a day, I could pinpoint the start and end points of your couriers just by watching them run back and forth. You believe me? It's just that my current status isn't suitable, otherwise, I’d really like to give the comrades a lesson—a class on counter-surveillance."

"Old Zhou has already given the comrades several lessons."

"Old Zhou is only suited for manual labor classes—teaching comrades how to build tools, modify guns, and tinker with radios. He is a treasure, and you must protect him. Damn it, he teaches too many people and knows too many people; who knows if one day..."

"You jinx, shut up! Don't say another word!" Zhao Shiyu directly covered Chen Jiehua’s mouth to stop him from continuing. Your mouth is cursed; I still remember what happened last time!

"The Communist International has asked our organization to hold a national Soviet congress in Shanghai. The comrades have been looking for a suitable meeting place."

"What are the requirements? Don't tell me the standard ones; I already know them."

"We need a conference room that can accommodate about 50 people."

"Mio, could we send all the teachers and students of the Tongwen Academy out for internships in Suzhou, Ningbo, and Nantong, and leave the academy empty for three days for the organization to hold its meeting? Wouldn't that be great?"

"You're oversimplifying it. I've already considered that. The academy has Japanese chefs and cleaning staff. You can't just send them all away; they live on the premises, and it wouldn't work without a reasonable excuse."

"Most importantly, the academy walls are too high, and there are no hidden escape routes nearby. If they were exposed, the delegates wouldn't be able to run!"

"Let me think again. I feel like there’s a place like that for rent. I saw it when I was looking for pharmacy addresses last time, but I can't remember where it was."

As they spoke, the car arrived at Tongwen Academy. After Mio and Zhao Shiyu got out, Chen Jiehua moved to the driver's seat and drove away.

As Chen Jiehua drove, he kept thinking, almost hitting someone! But that jolt sparked an inspiration! *Right! We could rent a building and open a hospital as a cover!*