novelden Chapter 1004 You Help Me, I Help You
Chapter 1004 You Help Me, I Help You
Liu Changhe's face changed drastically upon hearing this: "What? Taking grain from the government's granaries? And trying to drag Grain Bureau Chief You Shichang into it? Isn't this like the God of Longevity eating poison, or someone who's tired of living?"
Ma Dazhi took a drag of his cigarette, looked at Liu Changhe, and sneered: "What, you don't dare? The Boss Liu who strikes fear into the hearts of both the underworld and the legitimate world doesn't dare to bribe You Shichang to smuggle rice out of the government granary? You've committed murder, arson, and all sorts of evil deeds, and you're afraid of this?"
Hearing Ma Dazhi's sarcastic remarks, Liu Changhe couldn't help but smile wryly and said, "Commander Ma, it's not that I'm afraid. I've never dealt with government officials before, and I don't know the intricacies and complexities involved. I'm worried that I might mess things up and delay your important business."
"Moreover, rice and other grains are strategic resources, and the Japanese control them too strictly. If I were to let the news leak out because of my carelessness, it wouldn't just be a matter of being beheaded; my whole family would be in trouble!"
Ma Dazhi asked, "What are you afraid of living in the French Concession? Even if the Japanese find out, can they storm into the French Concession to arrest you? You're just reselling grain, it's not a serious crime!"
"As for dealing with You Shichang, do the same thing you did with Lao Huang. First, find an acquaintance to introduce you, give him money and gifts, explain the situation, and promise him a certain amount of benefits. If he agrees, great; if he thinks it's too little, add more; if he doesn't agree, don't you know how to frame someone, kidnap them, or assassinate them?"
Liu Changhe took out his cigarette case, lit a cigarette, took several deep drags, and looked up to ask, "Commander Ma, if I agree, could you tell me how you plan to save my son?"
Ma Dazhi took a puff of his cigar and said, "I will ask the Criminal Investigation Department of the police station to delay the investigation as much as possible. It is normal for this type of criminal case to take two or three months to investigate before the case file is sent to the court!"
"During this period, it's time for you to get in touch with You Shichang. If you really can't get through to You Shichang, you can try to contact the person in charge of the Japanese military supplies and logistics depot. Everyone has weaknesses. Some people love money, some love women, some want official positions, and some have other special hobbies. The Japanese are no exception. As long as you can find his weakness, you can successfully get in touch with him!"
"The evidence chain in your son's case is very complete. Moreover, because the Japanese have people watching over him, it's impossible for the police station to fabricate evidence even if they wanted to. The foreigners in the police department are also watching. No one dares to do anything under the watchful eyes of everyone. Even if I made a request, it wouldn't matter. I wouldn't do that!"
"Therefore, it's a foregone conclusion that your son's case will be transferred to the court for trial, and the outcome is almost certainly a death sentence!"
"But don't worry, even if he's sentenced to death, he might not die. I have many ways to not only keep your son alive, but also get him out of prison!"
Liu Changhe, smoking a cigarette, asked, "May I ask you what your specific plans are?"
Ma Dazhi said, "I haven't been Chief Inspector Hua for so many years for nothing. I have friends throughout the police force, police stations, courts, and the prison system!"
"I will make arrangements with my friends in various departments beforehand. After your son is sentenced, his identity needs to be verified before the execution by firing squad. I can have my friends in the prison find a prisoner who looks and builds similar to your son to replace him. This is the first option."
"The second option is to replace the executioners with my men. Before the execution, secretly give your son a drug that will stop his heartbeat. When the executioners shoot, they should avoid vital organs such as the heart. After the execution, we can deceive the judge who examines the body. Then, as his family, you can immediately take the body back. After he wakes up and his injuries are treated, let him leave Shanghai incognito!"
Liu Changhe knew that such an operation would be difficult for anyone else to accomplish, but it had a high chance of success for Ma Dazhi. Ma Dazhi was the Chief Inspector of the Chinese Police Force, a real big shot in the French Concession Police Department and the judiciary. Moreover, most of the people involved in the investigation, trial and execution of the case were Chinese police officers, and no Chinese police officer would dare to disrespect Ma Dazhi.
“If the first plan doesn’t work, we’ll use the second plan; if even the second plan doesn’t work, I have a third plan: to create conditions for your son to escape from prison and to pull strings to get the prison staff to cooperate secretly. I’ll arrange this!”
"In short, if you can get me 100 million shi of rice within a month, I'll help you get your son out!"
"But I must warn you, throughout this entire process, you are not allowed to reveal my existence to anyone. Even if you are captured by the Japanese devils and severely tortured in the interrogation room, you are not allowed to utter a single word about me!"
"If you dare to betray me, I will wipe out your entire family. You know I have that ability, understand?"
Hearing Ma Dazhi's warning, Liu Changhe swallowed hard and nodded involuntarily.
He then added, “Commander Ma, the price of rice is very high now. A dan (a unit of weight) of japonica rice costs 440 yuan. If we want to get 100 million shi (a unit of dry measure) from the government's granary, that would require hundreds of millions of yuan!”
Ma Dazhi twirled his cigarette ash and said, “Someone will send you 20 million tomorrow. Once the first batch of rice is ready, I will send another 20 million. We’ll do it in batches. Your priority right now is to find a source of supply. You need to decide whether to go to You Shichang or to Koizumi Junzaburo, the head of the Japanese military supplies and grain depot!”
"Yes!"
As Liu Changhe left Ma Dazhi's villa, he found his back was completely soaked. A gust of cold wind made him shiver and shudder.
"Master!" Upon seeing Liu Changhe emerge, his advisor, Wang Dezhi, hurriedly went to greet him.
Attorney Han hadn't left yet either, and he came up to him, asking, "Mr. Liu, how did the talks go?"
Liu Changhe nodded: "Commander Ma agreed to help, but the price is very high. However, I agree. I am willing to give up everything I own to rescue my son!"
"Attorney Han, Commander Ma said that my son may eventually have to go to court. I will need your help with the defense in court. I will reward you handsomely after it is done!"
Attorney Han said, "This is my duty, please rest assured, Mr. Liu!"
Liu Changhe had one of his underlings drive Lawyer Han back home, and he beckoned his advisor, Wang Dezhi, to get in the car. The car then sped off toward Liu's mansion.
The neon lights on the street flickered incessantly, and Liu Changhe's face inside the car was illuminated and dimmed by the light and shadow.
"Master Wang, do you think it's profitable to do rice business now?"
Liu Changhe's sudden question startled Master Wang. He thought to himself, "Shouldn't Master Liu be worried about Young Master Liu's affairs at this time? Why is he suddenly asking about the rice business?"
He suppressed his doubts and thought for a moment before saying, "Uncle Liu, rice is in extremely short supply right now! At the end of 37, a load of top-quality japonica rice was only 12 yuan, but now it has risen to 440 yuan. Moreover, as soon as it appears on the market, it is quickly snapped up. There is no worry about selling it at all!"
"Mr. Liu, why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Liu Changhe sighed, "It will cost a lot of money to rescue my son. I have to find a way to raise the money; I can't do it without it!"