by Chen Ching-Yang
11
Street Chief Yang Zhao-jia and Block Chief Cai Ji-cheng entered the office of the police precinct chief together to lodge a protest.
Yang asked,
“Chief, I hear you took your men to the vegetable market and brought back more than a dozen shopkeepers and stall vendors?”
Hashimoto replied,
“My officers are currently questioning them and recording statements in the interrogation room. Until the troublemakers who violently assaulted my subordinates are apprehended, I have decided to detain them.”
Yang reminded him,
“Chief Hashimoto, doing so may constitute an abuse of authority and unlawful detention.”
Hashimoto replied dismissively,
“Street Chief Yang, I am exercising my authority as the head of local public security. Please do not interfere.”
Yang asked,
“Where is Inspector Fukuda? I wish to see him now.”
Hashimoto said,
“The inspector is away on official business. Even if he were here, this matter would not be his decision to make.”
Cai Ji-cheng spoke up,
“Chief, the shopkeepers and stall vendors you arrested are innocent. From what I understand, those who assaulted the police were itinerant vendors from outside the town, not locals.”
Hashimoto said,
“As long as they identify the troublemakers, I will release them once the culprits are caught.”
Yang asked,
“So by your logic, if you fail to arrest the culprits for ten days or half a month, you will continue detaining them?”
Hashimoto replied calmly,
“Of course. Someone must be held accountable for a criminal act of assaulting police officers. The perpetrators must be prosecuted.”
Yang asked angrily,
“What kind of twisted logic is this? Arresting innocent townspeople to serve as scapegoats? Aren’t you afraid this will spiral out of control?”
Hashimoto retorted,
“Hah! Are you threatening me? Even as a street chief, you have no right to interfere with my authority.”
Yang said sternly,
“Chief, I am reasoning with you. My wife and I were present at the scene. From what I understand, the incident was triggered by Officers Koizumi and Musashi enforcing the law unfairly and favoring the Tanaka couple, which incited public resentment. Even if the itinerant vendors were at fault, a fine under the Public Order Maintenance Act would have sufficed. Moreover, the people you arrested are not the troublemakers. Detaining people to extract confessions is illegal. As street chief, I must exercise administrative oversight and correct your wrongdoing!”
Hashimoto sneered,
“I was not appointed by you. Don’t even think about ordering me around.”
Yang said,
“I now request to meet with the detained townspeople.”
Hashimoto replied arrogantly,
“No. Officer Koizumi is questioning them. They will be transferred to the detention center shortly. Once the troublemakers are caught, I’ll release your people.”
Yang warned,
“If you insist on escalating this incident and intensifying police–civilian confrontation, you alone will bear the consequences.”
Hashimoto said coldly,
“Don’t try to threaten me. I fear no consequences.”
Yang shook his head and said displeased,
“It seems I have no choice but to report you to County Magistrate Abe.”
Hashimoto said indifferently,
“Suit yourself. Guards—see them out.”
Yang waved his hand,
“Ji-cheng, let’s go.”
Unable to get anywhere, Yang Zhao-jia and Cai Ji-cheng left the Qingshui Police Precinct, simmering with anger.
13
Inspector Fukuda Ei (45) returned from a business trip and saw more than a dozen civilians detained in the holding cells.
He asked Constable Maruyama Yoshihito,
“What crimes did these people commit?”
Maruyama replied,
“Inspector, they are shopkeepers and stall vendors from the Shijai Market. Yesterday, Officers Koizumi and Musashi were assaulted while on duty. The chief led us to arrest people…”
Shopkeeper A shouted,
“We’ve been wronged, Inspector Fukuda! The attackers were itinerant vendors from outside town. The chief couldn’t catch them, so he arrested us instead. Please uphold justice!”
Vendor B added,
“Yes! We didn’t strike anyone. Arresting us like this is utterly unjust!”
Shopkeeper C said,
“The incident began because Officers Koizumi and Musashi enforced the law unfairly and favored the Tanaka couple. They even struck the vendors first with batons, which sparked the outrage.”
As the crowd protested repeatedly, Fukuda sensed something amiss and said,
“Quiet down for now. I’ll go speak with the chief.”
He turned and went to the chief’s office.
“I am Fukuda.” He knocked.
“Inspector, please come in.” Hashimoto rose to greet him. “You’ve had a tiring trip to the state police meeting. Any new directives?”
“No new regulations,” Fukuda replied. “But there is an instruction.”
“What kind?”
Fukuda said,
“Director-General Tsui-zawa has ordered that police officers are strictly prohibited from accepting gifts or entertainment from proprietors of special businesses. Violators will be prosecuted for dereliction of duty, suspended during trial, and dismissed upon conviction.”
Hashimoto said lightly,
“A new broom sweeps clean.”
Fukuda asked,
“Those shopkeepers in detention—Ive heard they were arrested unjustly.”
Hashimoto replied,
“I brought them in to assist in investigating a violent assault on police.”
“That’s improper,” Fukuda said worriedly. “If they were brought in as witnesses, they should be released after questioning. Continued detention violates regulations.”
Hashimoto replied,
“I’ll release them once the culprits are caught.”
“Did Street Chief Yang come by regarding this case?”
“He did. I sent him away.”
Fukuda sighed,
“That’s bad, Chief.”
“What are you worried about?”
“You’re new here and don’t know Yang Zhao-jia’s temperament. Now that he has evidence against us, this won’t end easily…”
“Why are you so wary of him?”
“I’ve been here over ten years. Yang may be young, but he’s decisive. Arresting innocent shopkeepers and detaining them—he will certainly report this to higher authorities.”
Hashimoto said,
“At worst, I’ll release them now. I already have their statements.”
Fukuda urged,
“Please release them immediately. If this stirs public resentment, the consequences will be severe.”
Hashimoto asked hesitantly,
“Is it really that serious?”
“Trust me,” Fukuda said. “I won’t mislead you.”
“Very well,” Hashimoto sighed. “Release them immediately.”
14
Based on the names listed in the statements, Chief Hashimoto dispatched officers to arrest suspects door-to-door. Over ten itinerant vendors were arrested.
Officer Nakagawa asked,
“Your name is Lin Shuang-xi?”
Lin (26) replied nervously,
“Yes, sir.”
“Cuff him.”
Four officers seized Lin and handcuffed him.
“Sir, what did I do? Why am I being arrested?”
“You’re suspected of assaulting police officers at the Shijai Market.”
“I’ve been wronged!”
“Whether you’ve been wronged—we’ll discuss it at the precinct.”
Lin’s wife rushed forward, crying,
“Sir, my husband is innocent!”
An officer shoved her aside.
“Interfere again and you’ll be arrested too.”
She collapsed helplessly, watching her husband being taken away.
15
Qingshui Street was gripped by fear. Block chiefs, community leaders, and gentry gathered in Yang Zhao-jia’s ancestral residence to discuss countermeasures.
Cai Ji-cheng said,
“Street Chief, fellow leaders and elders—those arrested shopkeepers were released that night. However, Hashimoto has since arrested over ten itinerant vendors. He clearly won’t let this go. Street Chief Yang has called this meeting to discuss rescue strategies.”
Block Chief Lin Mao-de (35) said,
“Three people from my town were arrested. Their families are terrified. Hashimoto may take this chance to abuse them. We must rescue them quickly.”
Yang said,
“My proposal is to report immediately to County Magistrate Abe and request that the case be closed with fines. The incident arose from improper enforcement, not premeditation.”
Block Chief Zheng Da-fu (40) added,
“I propose a three-day general market strike to support the street chief and show higher authorities the long-standing abuses by the police.”
Community Head Yang Tian-cai (38) agreed,
“Notify every household. Next week we strike for three days. Children attend school as usual; everyone else stays home.”
Yang Zhao-jia concluded,
“Though inconvenient, if this forces the magistrate to confront the abuses, then let us take the risk.”
Chapter 16
On Monday morning, all the shops along Qingshui Street went on strike. The entire street lay in eerie silence. The neighborhood marketplace was closed; shopfronts were shuttered, and vendor stalls stood empty. Patrol Sergeant Koizumi Shigenobu and Patrolman Musashi Jirō walked along the street on routine patrol until they reached the market.
Koizumi said, “Jirō, don’t you find this strange? We’ve been patrolling all the way here, and we haven’t seen a single soul. All the shops and stalls are closed—where did everyone go?”
Musashi replied, “Senior, I was wondering the same thing. Today isn’t the market’s scheduled day off. Why would it suddenly shut down?”
Koizumi said, “I think we’d better head back to the station and report this to our superiors.”
Musashi said, “That’s probably best. With no one on the street but the two of us, it feels rather unsettling.”
The two turned and walked back toward the police station, when they encountered Tanaka Fumio and his wife.
Koizumi asked, “Tanaka, are you heading to the market?”
Tanaka replied, “Yes. But on our way here, we noticed that except for the hospital and clinics, every shop was closed. My wife and I were still debating whether to go to the neighborhood market.”
Musashi said, “There’s no need—you can skip it. The market has shut down without warning today.”
Tanaka exclaimed, “How could that be? Today isn’t a closing day!”
Koizumi said with a wry smile, “We’d like to know the reason ourselves.”
Musashi added, “It feels as if all the residents of Qingshui Street agreed in advance to go on strike—deliberately opposing the police.”
Tanaka turned to his wife and said, “Looks like we made the trip for nothing today.”
His wife asked, “Then what about lunch and dinner?”
Tanaka replied, “We’ll have to take a ride to nearby Shalu or Dajia to buy groceries.”
“That’ll take so much time,” she said.
Tanaka countered, “Then do you have a better idea?”
Chapter 17
Just as Koizumi and Musashi reached the entrance of the station, they saw several other patrol units returning as well.
Koizumi asked in confusion, “Okada, why are you back too?”
Okada Tetsuichirō (24) replied, “There wasn’t a single person on the streets. I just heard that the entire Qingshui Street is going on strike for three consecutive days.”
Musashi exclaimed, “Three days straight? Whose idea was that?”
Okada lowered his voice. “Shh—keep it down. The chief and the inspector are looking into it right now.”
Inside the chief’s office, Chief Hashimoto and Inspector Fukuda were analyzing the strike.
Fukuda said, “Chief, a three-day strike across all of Qingshui Street must be Street Chief Yang Zhaojia’s doing. He certainly has that influence here. According to informants, dozens of jia heads and bao leaders met secretly at Yang’s home a few days ago. Most likely, they were discussing this strike.”
Hashimoto said, “Yang Zhaojia is probably retaliating because I arrested more than a dozen mobile vendors. He’s deliberately using the strike to pressure me.”
Fukuda replied, “The county magistrate and the prefectural governor will hear about this soon. I’m concerned that Magistrate Abe will blame us. As far as I know, Yang Zhaojia studied commerce at Waseda University in Japan. The magistrate has always trusted him and will likely side with Yang. And frankly speaking, when Koizumi and Musashi were attacked by vendors at the market, my private investigation showed that their improper enforcement was indeed the root cause.”
Hashimoto snapped, “Fukuda, even you say that? Are you suggesting I should go easy on an assault on police officers—settle it with fines? Wouldn’t that tell the public that as long as they can pay, they can openly attack the police?”
Fukuda replied calmly, “Chief, that’s not what I mean. There’s a Taiwanese saying: ‘There’s no smoke without fire.’ If officers enforce the law impartially and without procedural flaws, they won’t give people grounds for grievance. From the residents’ perspective, the beating of Koizumi and Musashi reflects long-accumulated resentment. I suggest you consider this carefully.”
Hashimoto asked, “So you think I overreacted?”
“Yes,” Fukuda said frankly. “We were in the wrong first. Treating the vendors as criminal offenders will only attract more criticism. Eventually, we may face an investigation from above.”
Hashimoto gave a bitter smile. “It’s too late for that now. Street Chief Yang has already made his move. All we can do is respond.”
Chapter 18
At the Qingshui Street Office, Yang Zhaojia was at work as usual. With nothing urgent to attend to, he and Cai Jicheng were leisurely brewing tea and playing Go when the telephone rang.
An aide announced, “Street Chief, Lord Abe is on the line.”
“I’ll take it,” Yang said, rising.
“Street Chief Yang, what exactly are you doing in Qingshui?” County Magistrate Abe Moriyoshi demanded over the phone. “I’ve heard reports that today the entire street is deserted—shops and markets closed.”
Yang replied calmly, “My lord, there is a reason.”
“Oh?” Abe said. “Let’s hear it.”
Yang briefly explained the events leading up to the strike.
Abe said, “It does sound like Chief Hashimoto overreacted. But matters like this can be discussed. If you felt wronged, you could have come to me directly. Why embarrass me with a strike?”
“My lord,” Yang replied, “this was a joint decision by local officials and community leaders. It wasn’t my personal choice. I couldn’t oppose everyone.”
Abe scolded him, “You are the street chief—you could have dissuaded them. Frankly, your stubborn temper hasn’t changed. Whenever things don’t go your way, you organize protests. You’re in public office now—you can’t act so emotionally.”
Yang asked, “Then what would you have me do, my lord?”
Abe said, “Summon the town heads, jia heads, and bao leaders. Convey my instructions: the market is to resume tomorrow. I’ll send people to handle the matter—I know exactly how to deal with it.”
“Very well,” Yang replied. “I’ll follow your instructions.”
After hanging up, Yang returned to his seat and rested his chin on his hand, pondering.
Cai said, “Magistrate Abe is certainly decisive—his orders came down immediately.”
Yang said, “I know his temperament well. He’s smooth on the outside but firm within—skilled in both softness and force.”
“So how should we respond?” Cai asked.
Yang replied, “I believe he’ll give us substance in line with the elders’ wishes. But we must also give him face.”
“You mean…?” Cai prompted.
“Notify all local cadres to meet at my home this evening,” Yang said.
“Even the Japanese town heads?” Cai asked.
“No,” Yang replied. “For confidentiality, they weren’t involved from the start.”
“Understood. I’ll see to it immediately.”
Chapter 19
In the county magistrate’s office at Dajia County Hall, Magistrate Abe Moriyoshi (50) was briefing Police Commissioner Satō Morio (45) and Secretary Kawai Kitarō (35).
“This Hashimoto made a mountain out of a molehill,” Abe said. “He turned a simple police–civilian dispute into an official confrontation.”
Satō replied, “Sir, I understand Hashimoto’s mindset. In that clash, he felt the authority of the police was being challenged, which led to his extreme reaction.”
Abe said, “Street Chief Yang claims the incident stemmed from improper enforcement. I believe there must be a cause. Kitarō, take my written order to Hashimoto and instruct him to handle the aftermath properly. If the situation escalates, I’ll be the first to remove him from office.”
Kawai snapped to attention. “Yes, sir!”
Abe continued, “On the way, visit Street Chief Yang. Tell him I’ve handled the matter as he wished, and ask him to calm his subordinates and end the strike tomorrow.”
Satō remarked, “That Street Chief Yang seems rather uncooperative. Yet you appear quite tolerant of him…”
Abe said, “No one knows Yang Zhaojia better than I do. If I extend goodwill, he’ll know when to stop. Go now. If anything unusual arises, contact me immediately.”
“Yes, sir!” Satō and Kawai replied in unison.
Chapter 20
Secretary Kawai Kitarō, carrying Magistrate Abe’s written order, accompanied by Commissioner Satō Morio, went first to the Qingshui Police Substation.
Satō said, “Hashimoto, you know why we’re here.”
Hashimoto replied, “Sir, is this regarding the violent assault on police officers at the neighborhood market?”
“Exactly,” Satō said. “By order of the magistrate, the vendors are to be fined and released upon payment.”
Kawai presented the letter. “Hashimoto, here is the magistrate’s directive. See that it is carried out.”
Hashimoto complained, “Sir, the magistrate accepted only Street Chief Yang’s side of the story. How am I supposed to maintain authority in my jurisdiction after this?”
Satō frowned. “The magistrate has given clear instructions. You need only obey. His priority is to quell the incident quickly and prevent further escalation.”
Hashimoto sighed. “Since the decision is final, what more can I say?”
Satō warned him, “Hashimoto, remember this: although you are the local security chief, administrative ethics require you to show due respect to the street chief. Don’t forget—there are precedents where local heads have petitioned for the removal of an appointed police chief on grounds of incompetence.”
“Yes, Commissioner,” Hashimoto replied.
Satō turned to Fukuda. “Inspector Fukuda, it is your duty to advise and remind your superior when necessary. Do not forget that responsibility.”
“Yes, Commissioner,” Fukuda said. “My post-incident investigation confirms that Sergeant Koizumi and Patrolman Musashi acted improperly. I will handle it according to regulations.”
“I suggest transferring them to desk duty for now,” Satō said, “to avoid further trouble.”
“Yes, Commissioner.”
Kawai added sternly, “Hashimoto, the magistrate has made it clear: if you mishandle the aftermath and provoke serious confrontation between officials and civilians, you will be dismissed and investigated. Proceed with caution and pacify public resentment quickly.”
Satō concluded, “We’re heading to the street office to see Chief Yang. Hashimoto, take care of yourself.”
“Yes, sirs. I’ll see you out,” Hashimoto replied.
Hashimoto and Fukuda escorted them to the door. Returning to the office, Hashimoto shook his head and sighed. “In all my years, I’ve never been dressed down like this.”
Fukuda said, “Don’t dwell on it, Chief. Let’s follow orders and clean up the mess.”
Hashimoto muttered, “From now on, I’ll never be able to hold my head high in front of Street Chief Yang.”
Fukuda reassured him, “Don’t think that way. From what I know, Chief Yang is a reasonable man—not difficult to get along with.”
