Chapter 037: Completing the Transfer of Medicine (Exclusive Chapter for the Book’s First Patron: Not Ao Bing)

Since boarding the ship at Lüshun on October 31 and disembarking in Shanghai on November 3, after meeting with his superiors, Zhao Shiyu first reported on the situation in the Northeast, informing his leader about the identities of Chen Jiehua and Zhou Yongsu. Throughout, the leader remained composed.

But when the leader learned that Zhao Shiyu had broken the rules and left the Northeast for Shanghai in order to receive a shipment of vital medicine, he could no longer keep his calm. All the bases everywhere were desperately short of medical supplies—so short it was critical!

After a thorough discussion, the leader stopped Zhao Shiyu from personally going to Ningbo to investigate, instead dispatching a Special Section member to scout ahead. Ten li south of Ningbo Port there was a reed marsh, perfect for receiving the goods.

The rest was for the leader to arrange: have trusted people secretly count the small fishing boats there, calculate transport capacity, and once the ship’s arrival time was confirmed, organize the reception. As for Zhao Shiyu, he had only one task: wait in the house for the telegram.

On December 2, Chen Jiehua arrived in San Francisco, where he checked the schedule of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) at the port. The next passenger liner was set to depart at 9 a.m. on December 5, with stops at Honolulu (Hawaii), Manila (Philippines), Shanghai (Republic of China), Kobe, and finally Tokyo.

“Oh! Yes!” Chen Jiehua had found a solution. He immediately purchased a first-class cabin ticket for the December 5 liner to Kobe.

Next, he phoned Tokyo to inform them of his departure time, stating that he would transfer directly to a train for his hometown in Miyazaki upon arrival in Kobe.

The second matter was to instruct Lukas to find a suitable freight company—one discreet and reliable, with enough money to ensure silence from every officer and crew member—so that the medicine could be mixed in with ordinary cargo.

The requirement for the freighter’s captain was strict: depart at 10 a.m. on December 5, follow the Honolulu–Manila route, and unload the cargo at Shanghai.

The third matter: he sent a telegram to Zhao Shiyu, informing him that he would depart San Francisco on December 5 and would arrive near Ningbo Port around December 15. Zhao Shiyu was to wait in Ningbo for a telegram starting December 13, at which point Chen Jiehua would be able to receive his messages.

On the morning of December 5, the weather was clear and favorable for a long journey. Chen Jiehua sought out the freighter captain, slipped him a wad of dollars, and instructed, “Set out at 10. Follow the NYK passenger liner’s route ahead of you. When you near Manila, dock early for supplies and preparations. When the liner arrives, I’ll give you the signal to depart. This is for your ears only.”

The captain nodded. With money in hand, he would obey.

At half past eight, Chen Jiehua boarded with the other passengers.

On December 12, the liner arrived in Manila, where they resupplied and rested for a day. The freighter continued on.

Chen Jiehua sent a telegram to Zhao Shiyu: “Departed from Manila, arriving at Ningbo on December 15. Please provide precise coordinates! Arrange the fastest route to Shanghai!”

“At last, it’s happening!!”

Under cover of night, the organization’s small boats and personnel moved in advance into the reed marsh.

On December 15, the freighter arrived at Ningbo as scheduled. Chen Jiehua stuffed ample dollars into the hands of the first mate and all the crew, with only two instructions: (1) Help unload the cargo! (2) Keep your mouths shut.

On December 17, with Zhao Shiyu’s escort, Chen Jiehua reached Shanghai safely, slipped into the passenger liner at Shanghai Port, and returned to his own cabin.

On the 18th, the freighter arrived in Shanghai and unloaded the ordinary goods as usual.

(The above plot has been adapted according to suggestions from the reader “I Am Not Ao Bing.” Many thanks for your participation.)

On December 20, the passenger liner docked at Kobe. Chen Jiehua disembarked with the crowd and, at the exit, saw Okamura Ninji and the army driver waiting to greet him.

Damn! Okamura Ninji came in person! This is Kobe, not Tokyo! Do I really rate such treatment?

“Uncle! How could I let you come to meet me personally? It’s terribly disrespectful!”

“Well, I’ve been cooped up in the army headquarters for too long—thought I’d take the chance to get some fresh air.”

“Qingxuan, this trip to America—did it go smoothly? Was it still about the medical supplies?”

“Yes, uncle! It was indeed for the medicine. Unfortunately, things went badly. Asians have no rights in America.”

Okamura Ninji questioned him the whole way. Chen Jiehua skillfully deflected every overt probe and subtle test, not without difficulty.

The car drove them to Kobe Station. Only after Chen Jiehua boarded the train to Miyazaki Prefecture did the two part ways.

Chen Jiehua knew perfectly well why Okamura Ninji had come in person and watched him board the train before leaving.

He saw through it but did not expose it; after all, they were still friends.

Once on the train, Chen Jiehua thought he could finally get some sleep. But when he closed his eyes, he immediately sensed a malign presence from the seat diagonally across.

Indeed! When your abilities reach a certain level, your sixth sense becomes ever sharper!

Chen Jiehua did not open his eyes or turn his head, simply continued to feel it out. Fortunately, it seemed there was only one person—probably just some small-time thief or wandering ronin.

He had only visited Aoki Qingxuan’s hometown once before, wearing a military uniform that had deterred any would-be thieves. This time, returning from America in the latest American down jacket, it was no wonder he attracted attention.

Chen Jiehua opened his eyes and glanced toward the source of the hostile gaze. It was indeed a ronin. For the sake of a peaceful sleep through the coming dozen hours, he decided to warn the man.

But just as he was about to speak, he was struck again by that sudden, pounding heartbeat—the same sensation he’d felt when the headquarters was investigating the leak!

What on earth is happening!

Chen Jiehua was shocked, but outwardly he simply turned his head slowly and closed his eyes again. The feeling vanished.

What was wrong? He quickly analyzed the possibilities:

First, could the ronin’s martial prowess surpass his own? If he issued a warning, it might backfire, provoking an immediate attack. If he couldn’t win, he could always draw his gun, but with so many layers of clothing, who could say where the weapon might appear from?

Second, could this be a test from the Aoki family patriarch, one that began as soon as he boarded? He compared the man’s appearance to those in Aoki Qingxuan’s original memories but found no match.

What else could it be?

Was there a third possibility?

Ever since the incident with the Kwantung Army headquarters, Chen Jiehua had learned to trust this kind of intuition absolutely.

This must be a special gift the system left him after its departure. This sixth sense had only surfaced twice before, both times saving his life.

Chen Jiehua wanted to extend the range of his sixth sense even further, but alas, that was the stuff of fantasy novels.

When he closed his eyes, there was only darkness. This time, even the hostile gaze from the ronin had vanished.

Chen Jiehua never did figure out why he received a warning here (let’s call this ability “intuition” for now; if a better term comes to mind, it can be changed later). Unable to understand it, he simply chose not to act rashly.

The journey passed without incident. Chen Jiehua awoke with a start the next morning, to find the sun already risen.

“I actually fell asleep in this kind of situation!”

The ronin opposite had, at some point, left the train.