Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 988: Fujita Family's Granary

"Master Fujita, Master Mitsui, thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation." Asakawano's tone was full of sincerity and gratitude. "We at the Jade Agency are well aware of the status and influence of the two families in Fuso, and we also understand that your reputation and interests are equally important. Therefore, during the investigation, we will strictly abide by laws and regulations to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of any party are not harmed."

"Thank you very much for your trust and support." Asakawano expressed his gratitude to the two again. "During the next investigation, if there is anything I can do to help you, please feel free to let me know."

Fujita Hisahisa and Mitsui Kazuki both nodded with a smile, expressing their willingness to provide assistance at any time. Then, accompanied by Asakawano, the two heads of the family slowly left the reception room.

After Fujita Hisahisa and Mitsui Kazuki left, Asanogawa returned to the reception room. At this time, Niji Yuzhang was already sitting on the tatami behind the screen, staring at Asanogawa with sharp eyes, as if waiting for his report.

"Master Hong Yuzhang, I have followed your instructions and talked with the head of the Fujita family and the head of the Mitsui family." After bowing respectfully, Asanogawa began to report the situation. "They both expressed their willingness to fully cooperate with our investigation."

Hong Yuzhang nodded slightly, but his eyes revealed a subtle doubt. "So, do you see anything wrong?" he asked tentatively.

Asanogawa heard this and couldn't help but secretly admire Hong Yuzhang's sharpness and cunningness. He knew very well that these two family heads were not easy to deal with, and every subtle expression and movement of theirs might hide deep meanings.

So, he replied respectfully: "Master Hong Yuzhang, these two are old foxes. Even if they are really involved in this matter, they will not easily show it on their faces. However, judging from their statements, they seem to be willing to fully cooperate with our investigation."

Hearing this, Hong Yuzhang nodded slightly, seeming to be satisfied with Asanogawa's answer. "You did a good job," he praised, "Invite them to come and gain their support, so that we will not encounter any obstacles in the subsequent investigation. This can be regarded as courtesy before force."

Upon hearing this, Asanogawa couldn't help but feel secretly relieved.

He replied more respectfully: "Yes, Lord Hong Yuzhang. I believe that with their support, our investigation will be smoother."

However, Hong Yuzhang did not let down his guard.

The Kyoto secret report incident was of great importance, involving the loss of contact with the prince and the safety and stability of the country. Therefore, he urged Asanogawa to immediately investigate and gave a strict deadline. "Asanogawa, you must investigate immediately. If there is no definite result before sunset tomorrow, not only will I lose my life, but the entire Jade Agency will also be blamed. At that time, it may lead to a major purge."

Asanogawa was shocked when he heard this. He knew that Hong Yuzhang's words were not alarmist, and this investigation was indeed related to their survival. So he answered firmly: "Yes, Lord Hong Yuzhang. I understand what you mean. I will start the investigation immediately and try to give a definite result before sunset tomorrow."

Then, Asanogawa put forward his own opinion: "Lord Nijiya, I think both families are suspects. The Fujita family has a huge printing business, and they are capable of printing a large number of Kyoto secret reports. Although the Mitsui family is not involved in this industry, the prince's disappearance is related to them. Therefore, we cannot rule out their suspicion."

Hong Yuzhang nodded slightly after hearing this. He knew that Asanogawa's analysis made sense, and that this investigation really needed to be conducted from multiple angles in order to find the real clues. So, he reminded Asanogawa again: "You must be careful and don't alert the enemy. At the same time, you must also pay close attention to the movements of the two families, and report to me immediately if you find anything suspicious."

That afternoon, following the order from the Uncut Jade Agency, multiple investigation teams quickly dispersed to every corner of Kyoto like arrows from a bow, and began to conduct a comprehensive and detailed investigation of the industries under the Mitsui and Fujita families. This was a war without the smoke of gunpowder, and each member of the investigation team was on edge, as they were fully aware of the weight of the mission they were shouldering.

Outside a hidden warehouse of the Fujita family, Fujita Ying was standing next to a pile of grain with a satisfied smile on his face.

He was a burly man, and his eyes revealed a businessman's shrewdness and cunning. His assistant Xiao Lin looked puzzled. Looking at the piles of grain, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Ying, now that the war is looming, the price of grain has skyrocketed. Why don't we sell the grain? This way we can earn huge profits and avoid the risk of grain backlogs."

Hearing this, Fujita Ying curled up a sneer on his face, and he retorted bluntly: "Xiao Lin, you are still too young. Under this situation, the whole Kyoto is short of food. As the order to seal the city begins to be implemented, food from outside cannot be brought in, and war may break out at any time. The price of food will only get higher and higher, and it will become more and more scarce. Do you know? The royal family is an unsatisfied vampire, they always want to squeeze our blood and sweat. If the authorities know that we have so much food at this time, it may be confiscated. By then, not only will we not make any money, we may even lose our lives."

Kobayashi's face changed when he heard this, and he realized the seriousness of the problem. He nodded, indicating that he understood Fujita Ying's intention.

"Moreover," Fujita Ying continued, "our Fujita family has been doing business in Kyoto for many years and we know the importance of connections and relationships. These grains are a trump card in our hands and can be used to exchange for more benefits and resources at a critical moment. Selling them now is undoubtedly a short-sighted move."

"But, Mr. Ying," Xiao Lin continued, with a tremor in his voice that was difficult to conceal, "What if the Chinese army really attacks us? Wouldn't all this food be wasted? At that time, wouldn't all the wealth we have worked so hard to accumulate be gone?"

Fujita Ying turned around and looked at Xiaolin with a sharp gaze. "Xiaolin, you have to remember that the business world is like a battlefield. We must always be prepared to deal with all kinds of possible situations."

"If the Chinese army really attacks us," Fujita Ying said calmly and calmly, "then we can take the initiative to donate the grain and find a way out for our family. You have to know that no matter whether it is the royal family or other forces, they all need grain to maintain their rule and operation. And these grains are our bargaining chips."

At this point, Fujita Ying showed a smug smile on his face. He seemed to have seen how he could take advantage of these grains in the game of multiple parties and become the final winner. "No matter what, with these grains, we can maneuver between the various forces with ease and gain the greatest benefits for ourselves."

When Kobayashi heard this, a look of sudden enlightenment flashed in his eyes. He began to understand Fujita Ying's deep meaning and felt the foresight of this family elder. "I understand, Mr. Ying." He nodded respectfully, "I will follow your instructions."