Spy Wars: I can get rewards by being a bully!

Chapter 1076 Tianfu Ship's Pork Knuckle

While the Jinling Reform Government was holding urgent discussions, the General Headquarters of the Expeditionary Army was also in chaos.

It is said that Hata Shungo was furious when he heard about this and summoned Yokoyama Isamu, commander of the Central China Area Army, and Shibayama Kenshiro, the chief advisor in Nanjing.

To be precise, the Central China Area Army no longer exists. The several armies under the Central China Area Army have been incorporated into the General Headquarters of the Expeditionary Army. However, the General Headquarters of the Expeditionary Army still mobilizes and commands troops according to the previous organization. Therefore, the Central China Area Army has been effectively retained. Yokoyama Isamu, as the commander of the 11th Army, also coordinates the actions of the other armies under the former Central China Area Army, making him the de facto commander-in-chief of the Central China Area Army.

Yokoyama Isamu's relationship with Okamura can't be described as bad, but it's certainly appalling. Now that he's fallen into Okamura's hands, there's already a premonition of how Okamura will deal with him.

While things were in chaos in Nanjing, Lin Ze was quite relaxed in Beiping.

The rest was left to Okamura to worry about, so there was nothing for him to do. A few days later, Wang Mengqun went to see the Russian as arranged by Kishida Shoji, and finally reached an agreement. After returning, Niu San'er treated him to a meal, and Wang Mengqun recounted Document No. 42.

Lin Ze had no intention of changing this matter.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Russians will withdraw their troops from the Far East, and once they withdraw, the Japanese will also be able to free up troops to commit to the Pacific theater.

Even if the Japanese spare more men, they are no match for the Americans at present. Let them do whatever they want.

However, the Germans and Americans would definitely be very interested in this intelligence. Since he had nothing better to do, Lin Ze planned to sell this intelligence for a good price.

The study in the Lin family mansion.

Lin Ze picked up the phone and called the German Consul General, Gross.

"Hello, Mr. Gross, it's me, Lin Ze."

"Oh, dear Lin, although the telephone line made your voice a little distorted, I still recognized you immediately."

"Okay, hopefully your transfer agent didn't tell you that I called you, Gross. How busy have you been lately?"

“Lin, you haven’t been to Tianjin lately, and I’ve been very bored. You know that. Things in Europe may be busy, but this is the Far East. I’m still writing those Far East military intelligence reports, and I’m not even sure if the big shots in Berlin have actually read them.”

"Gross, I have a document that I believe will be of interest to those important figures, including His Excellency the President, to read carefully."

On the other end of the phone, Gross's breathing suddenly became heavy. After a two-second silence, he said, "Given our cooperative relationship, Lin, could you give us a brief overview?"

"The Russians are about to transfer troops from the Far East."

Gross's breathing became undisguisedly heavy, like a burly man who had been single for thirty years seeing a delicate young lady dressed in eco-friendly clothes.

"How detailed?"

"Gross, this is what we're going to trade. Of course, the timeframe won't be precise to the day, and the number of people won't be precise to the hundred."

Gross nearly threw the phone away after hearing that!

"Lin! Where are you now? When can we meet?"

"I'm in Beiping. If you're not busy, come find me. I'll treat you to braised pork knuckle. Hmm, there's also a beer hall that opened in the East City. I heard it's run by Germans. You can try it out when you get there."

Gross said, "You have to wait for me!"

Then hung up the phone.

To Lin Ze's surprise, Gross arrived in Beiping that very evening.

He didn't come by train; instead, he had someone drive him all the way from Tianjin to Beiping.

Judging from the current road conditions, he set off in the morning and arrived in Beiping by evening, which can be described as a high-speed journey.

Upon arriving at the Lin residence, Gross said impatiently, "Lin, I must talk to you right away."

Lin Ze pulled him to the flower hall, and after tea was served, he said, "Don't rush, don't rush. I didn't know you came so quickly. Niu San'er just sent someone to Tianfuhao to buy pork knuckle. Let's have some drinks tonight and chat while we drink."

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Lin Ze decided to give Gross a talking-to. Ever since he became the highest-ranking German official in the Far East, he's held a high position and wielded great power. It wouldn't hurt to give him a little nudge now and then.

Gross was really anxious. If Lin Ze really had the information he mentioned on the phone, then Gross would come under the scrutiny of the highest-ranking officials in Germany!

Maybe he'll be transferred back to his hometown and become a high-ranking official.

Even if they can't go back, they can greatly increase their influence. Sometimes, a casual remark from above can translate into countless benefits for those below!

Half an hour later, the braised pork knuckle from Tianfuhao arrived.

Tianfuhao's full name is Tianfuhao Meat Shop, located in Xidan Archway.

Originally, it was just a cooked food shop selling braised meat, without any dine-in service. Later, it grew bigger and bigger, and a few small tables were opened upstairs. These tables were only opened when big customers came. Most people still bought food to take away, since no one can eat only braised pork knuckle; they have to order other dishes as well.

Tianfuhao Meat Shop is run by people from Yexian County. It is said that the seasonings they use are all secret recipes, passed down only to men and not women. Many people want to pay a high price to learn the recipes, but they refuse to teach them.

This pork knuckle has been famous for over a hundred years. It is said that the emperors and empresses dowager of the Qing Dynasty often sent eunuchs to purchase it. Whether it is true or not is unknown. There are too many such legends in Beiping, making it difficult to tell the truth.

However, this braised pork knuckle is truly delicious. Unlike other braised pork knuckles, this one is a darker, dark red color. The skin and fat on the outside are stewed until they are soft and sticky, almost so soft that you can scoop them up with a spoon. The lean meat inside, however, is still quite chewy. With one bite, the aroma of the sauce fills the air.

Lin Ze asked the kitchen to prepare a few more side dishes and heat up a pot of wine.

"Old Ge, you're in such a hurry to come. I didn't even have time to ask anyone to buy beer. But it's getting chilly, so a little baijiu would be fine too. Come on, some genuine Xinghuacun Fenjiu, warmed to a perfect temperature. Shall we have one?"

Gross was in no mood for drinking!

Seeing Lin Ze's insistence, she could only pick up her small cup and clink it against his.

"Old Ge, have a taste, how's this pork knuckle?"

Gross used chopsticks quite skillfully, immediately took a bite, and then praised it highly.

After praising him, he couldn't wait to ask, "Mr. Lin, is the information reliable? How do you plan to trade, and at what price?"

Lin Ze sipped another small glass of wine. "Old Ge, the Japanese and the Russians negotiated. The negotiations were about the mutual withdrawal of troops. The Japanese are withdrawing one division and one mixed brigade, while the Russians..."

Which troops are the Russians withdrawing?

Lin Ze put down his wine cup. "Old Ge, you'll stay here tonight. Then think about the price. This time, you'll make the offer, and the entire transaction must be in gold."

Gross gritted his teeth and said, "No problem, I'll give you an answer by tomorrow morning!"