Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1104 Come help me build one too!

Zhou Zhengqing took it and, without intending to go back inside, stood in the cold snow and, using the slightly brighter sunlight reflected off the snow, quickly and attentively began to read it.

The General Affairs Department was in charge of all the tedious and mundane affairs of the headquarters, including food, drink, and daily necessities, salary disbursement, and material procurement and reimbursement. The accounts were numerous and the figures were trivial.

While Kotoburo's abilities weren't top-tier, he was extremely cautious and meticulous in his work. The accounts he handled were always clear, well-documented, and verifiable, so Zhou Zhengqing trusted him to work with.

"This month's coal expenses have exceeded the budget by so much?" Zhou Zhengqing's fingertip hovered over a number on a certain page as he looked up and asked.

"Yes, General." While Zhou Zhengqing was looking at the documents, he had been secretly winking at Huizi who was curiously peeking at him, trying to make a face to amuse her. Upon hearing this, Fujisaburo immediately turned around, his expression returning to its usual serious and rigid state, and explained in a methodical manner: "This winter is exceptionally cold and has lasted a long time."

Heating demands have increased significantly in headquarters offices, officers' quarters, and several major military police outposts, with coal consumption far exceeding that of the same period in previous years. Furthermore…

He paused, then continued calmly, "Over at the prison... the number of new inmates has increased by about 30% compared to last month. Although they are all suspects, basic heating supplies cannot be completely lacking."

In addition, coal prices have fluctuated in the market recently, with the average price rising by about 15% compared to last month.

Taking all these factors into account, the expenditure did indeed exceed the original budget.

Zhou Zhengqing nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and continued to flip through the pages.

He casually asked about a few other points that raised some doubts or involved unusual amounts, and Kofuji Saburo was prepared to provide clear and reasonable explanations immediately. He could even accurately state the relevant invoice numbers and the people who handled the purchases.

Finally, Zhou Zhengqing took out the black fountain pen he always carried from the inside pocket of his coat, smoothly signed the four characters "Takasaki Takuto" on the approval column of the last page of the report, closed the folder, and handed it back.

"You've worked hard, Xiao Teng. It's cold and things are busy, so the accounts need to be even clearer, especially the various procurement expenditures. Keep a close eye on them and don't let anyone take advantage of the situation, and don't mistreat the people working under you." Zhou Zhengqing said calmly.

"Yes, sir! I understand. Please rest assured, General." Kotoburo bowed again at a perfect 90-degree angle, took the folder with both hands, and held it tightly to his chest.

He hesitated for a moment, then his gaze quickly swept over Huizi, who was squatting in front of the snowman "Grey" and earnestly scratching something in the snow with a small twig. A very rare, almost imperceptible, faint smile appeared on his usually expressionless and serious face. He said in a low voice, "Miss Huizi... is very cute. General, if there are no other instructions, I will take my leave."

"Go."

Kotoburo bowed again, then turned and walked away in his usual orderly steps, his figure quickly disappearing outside the moon gate.

He had barely left when another figure swayed and listlessly shuffled in through the side door.

It was Prince Jingren.

Today he was wrapped in an extremely luxurious dark purple mink cloak, the glossy mink fur around the collar making his face appear even thinner. Underneath was a silk-cotton robe with a brocade fabric, and he wore a pair of soft deerskin boots. In his hands, he held a small brass hand warmer with intricate carvings.

But he looked listless, his eyes were drooping, and he was muttering to himself, seemingly complaining about something.

As he approached, he first glanced at the snowman wearing a hat and scarf, his lips twitching slightly. Then he looked at Zhou Zhengqing, who was teaching Huizi how to plant the branches more securely, and let out a long, melancholy sigh, a sigh filled with utter boredom.

“Takuto, I’m so bored, so incredibly bored,” Prince Keihito said listlessly, his voice trailing off. “You’ve ruined all my fun things.”

My beloved Panzer II tanks and armored vehicles were all dispatched to the Central China front with a single order from you, under the guise of "reinforcement."

Okay, the front lines are more important, I understand.

But I only got to play with those light tanks I painstakingly "borrowed" from Terauchi Hisaichi for a month or so, and before I'd even had my fill, you found an excuse to take them back, saying it was to strengthen the military police force...

Now, in this huge command headquarters, apart from a few old armored vehicles that are broken down and can't be moved in the warehouse, there isn't a single decent piece of metal that can run and move.

I'm so bored!

As he complained, he leaned closer to Zhou Zhengqing and nudged him lightly with his elbow. The dejected expression on his face instantly changed into a sly look between friends, full of encouragement and expectation. He lowered his voice and said, "I'm telling you, Tuoren, my good general, can't you think of a way to get a few more newer ones to play with?"

I think the Panzer II tanks that the Germans provided were quite good!

Compact and agile, yet powerful enough.

The few vehicles we have now are scattered and scattered, not even enough to form a standard squadron. It's pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!

If you use your connections to smooth things over, even if you get another ten or eight units, what do you think?

"Money... there's always a way." He said, winking at Zhou Zhengqing.

Zhou Zhengqing was both amused and exasperated.

This prince, who was born into the royal family, had little interest in governing the country or fighting on the battlefield, but he was obsessed with mechanical weapons such as steel chariots, and would become very animated when talking about them.

"My Prince, please spare me." Zhou Zhengqing shook his head helplessly and adopted a more casual tone: "You know how tight things are right now."

The military was watching, and the Emperor was watching too. That's why I only had a few days of peace.

If we go and try to take over tanks again, won't those old guys in the military jump out of their skins immediately?

"Tch, boring. Really boring." Prince Jingren curled his lip, his face revealing an undisguised expression of great disappointment, his eyes filled with the mournful look of a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.

He turned his head away sullenly, his gaze sweeping over Huizi, who was intently sprinkling snowflakes onto the snowman "Grey" with her small hands, and then glancing at Yingzi, who stood quietly by her side with her hands at her sides, a faint smile on her lips. His eyes darted around, and his cynical smile returned to his face. His tone became light and even a little roguish.

"Forget it, if I can't play with tanks for now, I won't."

Building a snowman is quite fun!

Sakura, come here, don't just stand there, come and help me build one too!

We need to build... build something imposing, like a tank, it needs to be impressive!

Upon hearing this, Sakura quickly bowed slightly, her tone gentle but clearly showing her difficulty: "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me. Building a snowman in the shape of a chariot... well, I really don't know how."