by Chen Ching-Yang
11
Township Head Yang Zhao-jia and Section Head Cai Jicheng entered the police station chief’s office together to negotiate.
Yang asked,
“Chief, I heard you personally led your officers to the market and brought back more than a dozen shop owners and stallholders?”
Hashimoto replied,
“My men are currently questioning them in the interrogation room and making written statements. Until we arrest the troublemakers who violently assaulted my officers, I have decided to detain them.”
Yang cautioned,
“Chief Hashimoto, what you’re doing may constitute an abuse of authority and unlawful detention.”
Hashimoto said dismissively,
“Township Head Yang, I am exercising my authority as the local head of public security. Please do not interfere.”
Yang asked,
“Where is Inspector Fukuda? I want to see him now.”
Hashimoto answered,
“The inspector is away on official business. Even if he were here, this matter would not be his to decide.”
Cai Jicheng said,
“Chief, all the shop owners and stallholders you arrested are innocent. From what I understand, the ones who attacked the officers were mobile vendors from other towns, not people from our township.”
Hashimoto said,
“As long as they identify the troublemakers, I will release them once the offenders are caught.”
Yang said,
“By your logic, if you fail to catch those troublemakers for ten days or even half a month, you will continue detaining these people?”
Hashimoto replied calmly,
“Of course. This violent assault on police officers is a criminal case. Someone must be punished. The perpetrators must be handled as criminal offenders.”
Yang demanded angrily,
“What kind of twisted logic is this? Arresting innocent townspeople as scapegoats? Aren’t you afraid that if this escalates, it will become impossible to control?”
Hashimoto retorted defiantly,
“Ha! Are you threatening me? Even if you are the township head, you have no right to interfere with my authority.”
Yang said sternly,
“Chief, I am reasoning with you. My wife and I were at the scene. From what I understand, the entire incident was caused by Koizumi and Musashi enforcing the law unfairly and favoring the Tanaka couple, which provoked public anger. Even if the mobile vendors were at fault, imposing fines under the Public Order Maintenance Act would have been sufficient. Moreover, the people you arrested are not the troublemakers. Using detention as a means to extract confessions is illegal. As township head, I must exercise administrative oversight and correct your misconduct.”
Hashimoto sneered,
“I was not appointed by you. Don’t even think about commanding me.”
Yang said,
“I now request to meet with the detained townspeople.”
Hashimoto said arrogantly,
“No. Koizumi is taking their statements. After that, I will send them to the detention center. Once the troublemakers are caught, I will release your people.”
Yang warned,
“If you insist on complicating this disturbance and intensifying confrontation between police and civilians, you alone will bear all consequences.”
Hashimoto replied coldly,
“Don’t try to threaten me. I’m not afraid of any consequences.”
Yang shook his head and said displeased,
“It seems I have no choice but to file a formal complaint with District Governor Abe.”
Hashimoto said indifferently,
“Do as you please. Guards — see them out.”
Yang waved his hand,
“Jicheng, let’s go.”
Frustrated and angry, Yang Zhao-jia and Section Head Cai Jicheng left the Qingshui Police Station.
13
Inspector Fukuda Ei (45 years old) had just returned from a business trip when he saw more than a dozen civilians being held in the station’s detention room.
Fukuda asked Patrolman Maruyama Yoshimi,
“What offense have these people committed?”
Maruyama replied,
“Reporting to Inspector — they are shop owners and stallholders from the market. Yesterday Officers Koizumi and Musashi were on duty at the market substation and were violently attacked by local vendors. The chief led us to make arrests…”
Shop Owner A shouted,
“We’ve been wronged, Inspector Fukuda! The ones who beat the officers were mobile vendors from other towns. The chief couldn’t catch them, so he arrested us as substitutes. Please seek justice for us!”
Vendor B said,
“Yes! Yes! We didn’t hit anyone, yet we were arrested — there’s no justice in this!”
Shop Owner C said,
“The incident was actually caused by Officers Koizumi and Musashi acting unfairly and favoring the Tanaka couple, which angered the mobile vendors. And it was the officers who first swung their batons at them, which led to the crowd’s outrage…”
More than a dozen people cried out their innocence.
Fukuda sensed something was wrong and said,
“Calm down for now. I will go clarify this with the chief.”
He turned and walked toward the chief’s office.
“I’m Fukuda.”
He knocked on the door.
“Inspector, please come in,” Hashimoto said, rising to greet him.
“You went to the prefectural police headquarters for a meeting — that must have been exhausting. Were there any new directives from above?”
Fukuda replied,
“No new regulations — but there was an order issued.”
Hashimoto asked,
“What kind of order?”
Fukuda said,
“Director-General Tsuizawa has instructed that officers under his command must not privately accept gifts or hospitality from proprietors of special businesses, in order to rectify police conduct. Violators will be charged with dereliction of duty, transferred to court for trial, suspended during proceedings, and dismissed upon conviction.”
Hashimoto said,
“The new director-general is just lighting his three customary fires.”
Fukuda asked,
“I heard the dozen shop owners in the detention room were arrested without cause?”
Hashimoto replied,
“I merely brought them in to assist with an investigation into a violent assault on police.”
Fukuda said worriedly,
“That’s not appropriate, Chief. Since you brought them in as witnesses, they should be released after questioning. Detaining them violates detention regulations and could cause serious trouble.”
Hashimoto said,
“I’ll release them once I catch the troublemakers who attacked the officers.”
Fukuda asked,
“Did Township Head Yang come here about this case?”
Hashimoto said,
“He did — I sent him away.”
Fukuda said anxiously,
“That’s bad, Chief.”
Hashimoto asked,
“What are you worried about, Inspector?”
Fukuda said,
“You’ve just been transferred here and don’t know Yang’s temperament. Now that he’s caught you abusing procedure, this won’t end easily.”
Hashimoto asked, puzzled,
“Why are you so wary of Township Head Yang?”
Fukuda replied,
“I’ve been here over ten years — I know local people and affairs well. Though Yang is young, he acts decisively. We arrested innocent shopkeepers and detained them — he will definitely report this to higher authorities.”
Hashimoto said,
“At worst I’ll release them now. I’ve already taken their statements — tomorrow I can arrest the troublemakers.”
Fukuda urged,
“If I’d been here earlier, I would have stopped you. Chief, release them quickly. If this sparks public resentment, we’ll suffer endless consequences.”
Hashimoto asked hesitantly,
“Will it really be that serious?”
Fukuda said firmly,
“Listen to me. I’m not trying to harm you.”
Hashimoto said,
“Fine. I’ll do as you say. Release them immediately.”
14
Based on the list of troublemakers recorded in the interrogation statements, Chief Hashimoto dispatched officers in teams to make house-to-house arrests.
One by one, more than a dozen mobile vendors were apprehended for participating in the disturbance.
Officer Nakagawa asked,
“Is your name Lin Shuang-xi?”
Lin Shuang-xi (26 years old) answered nervously,
“Yes, sir.”
Nakagawa ordered,
“Men — handcuff him and take him away!”
Four patrolmen rushed forward, twisted Lin’s arms behind his back, and snapped the handcuffs on.
Lin cried in terror,
“Sir! What did I do? Why are you arresting me?”
Nakagawa said,
“You are suspected of participating in a violent assault on police officers at the market.”
Lin protested,
“I’ve been wronged, sir!”
Nakagawa replied,
“Whether you’re innocent or not — you can explain it back at the station.”
Lin’s wife rushed forward, trying to pull the officers away,
“Sir, my husband has been framed!”
One patrolman shoved her aside.
Nakagawa warned,
“If you interfere with police business again, you’ll be arrested too.”
Falling to the ground, Lin’s wife watched helplessly as her husband was dragged away.
15
Panic spread through Qingshui Street.
Many section heads, village ward leaders, and local gentry gathered in the main hall of Township Head Yang Zhao-jia’s large ancestral residence to discuss countermeasures.
Section Head Cai Jicheng said,
“Township Head, fellow section heads, ward leaders, elders — the shop owners and stallholders whom Hashimoto took to the station were released that night. But now his officers have gone into each of your districts and arrested more than ten mobile vendors. From the looks of it, Hashimoto will not let the assault on Koizumi and Musashi rest. That’s why Township Head Yang has invited everyone here to discuss rescue plans and responses.”
Section Head Lin Maode (35 years old) said,
“Fellow townspeople, I am Lin Maode from Guoxing Township. Three people from my district were taken. Their families are terrified. Chief Hashimoto may use this opportunity for personal revenge and abuse those he arrested. We must rescue them as soon as possible.”
Yang Zhao-jia said,
“My proposal is to immediately report this to District Governor Abe of Dajia District and ask him to intervene, ordering Hashimoto to close the case by imposing fines. After all, this incident was caused by unfair law enforcement — not by premeditated violence.”
Zheng Dafu (40 years old) said,
“I am Zheng Dafu, section head of Seaside Township. In addition to the rescue plan proposed by the township head, I suggest we hold a three-day market strike across the whole street in solidarity, to make the Japanese authorities understand how these officers have long abused their power here, and how much resentment the people have accumulated.”
Ward Leader Yang Tiancai (38 years old) said,
“I support Brother Dafu’s proposal. Everyone should go door to door to notify households and prepare in advance. Next week we close the market for three consecutive days. Children go to school as usual, but adults stay home and keep the streets completely clear.”
Yang Zhao-jia said,
“Although a strike will cause inconvenience to the townspeople, since everyone has decided to force the district governor to take this seriously and confront the long-standing abuses of these officers — then let us risk it all together.”
Cai Jicheng concluded,
“Everyone go back and begin notifying households. This time, no matter what, we must show Hashimoto that we Taiwanese will not allow ourselves to be trampled upon!”
16
On Monday morning, all businesses along Qingshui Street went on strike.
The entire street was eerily quiet.
The market was closed.
Shops shut their doors.
Stalls stood empty.
Patrol Sergeant Koizumi Shigenobu and Patrolman Musashi Jirō walked along the street on routine patrol and arrived at the market.
Koizumi said,
“Jirō, don’t you find this strange? We’ve patrolled all the way here and haven’t seen a single person. All the shops and vendors are closed. Where has everyone gone?”
Musashi replied,
“Senior, I’ve been wondering the same thing. Today isn’t a scheduled market holiday — why would it suddenly close?”
Koizumi said,
“I think we should go back to the station and report this to our superiors.”
Musashi said,
“That’s probably best. The street’s completely empty — just the two of us. It feels creepy.”
The two turned back toward the station and soon encountered the Tanaka couple.
Koizumi asked,
“Tanaka, are you heading to the market?”
Tanaka replied,
“Yes. But we noticed that except for the hospital and clinics, all the shops were closed along the way. My wife and I were just debating whether to go to the market at all.”
Musashi said,
“You don’t need to go — the market is suddenly closed today without notice.”
Tanaka exclaimed,
“How can that be? Today isn’t a market holiday.”
Koizumi said with a bitter smile,
“We’d like to know ourselves why this is happening.”
Musashi added,
“It feels like the entire town of Qingshui has agreed to strike together — deliberately opposing the police.”
Tanaka said,
“Looks like we made this trip for nothing, dear.”
Tanaka’s wife asked,
“Then what about lunch and dinner today?”
Tanaka replied,
“We’ll have to take the train to Shalu or Dajia to buy supplies.”
Tanaka’s wife complained,
“Won’t that take a lot of time?”
Tanaka countered,
“Then do you have a better idea?”
17
As Koizumi and Musashi reached the entrance of the station, they saw several other patrol teams returning as well.
Koizumi asked in confusion,
“Okada — why are you all back too?”
Okada Tetsuichirō (24 years old) said,
“There’s nobody on the streets. We just heard that the entire Qingshui Street will strike for three consecutive days!”
Musashi exclaimed,
“Three days in a row? Whose idea was that?”
Okada whispered,
“Shh — keep your voice down. The chief and the inspector are looking into it.”
Inside the chief’s office, Chief Hashimoto and Inspector Fukuda were analyzing the strike.
Fukuda said,
“Chief, a three-day shutdown of the entire street must be Township Head Yang Zhao-jia’s doing. He has that kind of influence here. I’ve heard from informants that dozens of section heads and ward leaders met secretly at Yang’s house a few days ago — most likely to plan this strike.”
Hashimoto said,
“Yang Zhao-jia is probably doing this to pressure me because I arrested those mobile vendors — deliberately confronting me through this shutdown.”
Fukuda said,
“The district governor and the prefectural governor will hear about this very soon. I’m worried Governor Abe will hold us responsible. From what I know, Yang studied commerce at Waseda University in Japan. The governor has always valued him and will likely side with Yang. And frankly speaking, the incident where Koizumi and Musashi were beaten at the market did indeed originate from their improper enforcement.”
Hashimoto said,
“Fukuda, even you think that way? Are you saying I should just let the assault on police go lightly — settle it with fines? Wouldn’t that tell the public that as long as they can pay, they’re free to attack officers?”
Fukuda replied,
“Chief, that’s not what I mean. There’s a saying in Taiwan: ‘There’s no smoke without fire.’ If officers enforce the law fairly and without obvious misconduct, they won’t give people grounds for resentment. From the townspeople’s perspective, the beating of Koizumi and Musashi reflects long-accumulated grievances. I ask you to think about this calmly.”
Hashimoto asked,
“So you think I overreacted?”
Fukuda answered,
“Yes — it was indeed an overreaction. Koizumi and Musashi were at fault first. Forcing criminal punishment on the vendors will only invite more dissatisfaction and criticism. We may end up facing an investigation from higher authorities.”
Hashimoto sighed bitterly,
“It’s too late to say that now. Township Head Yang has already made his move. All we can do is respond as things come.”
18
Inside the township office, Yang Zhao-jia was at work as usual.
He and Cai Jicheng had nothing urgent to do and were leisurely drinking tea and playing Go.
The telephone rang.
A clerk said,
“Township Head — Governor Abe is calling.”
Yang stood up and took the phone.
“I’ll take it.”
“Township Head Yang, what exactly is going on in Qingshui Street?”
Governor Abe Moriyoshi asked sharply.
“I’ve been told the entire street is empty today — shops and the market aren’t operating at all.”
Yang replied calmly,
“Sir, there are reasons behind this.”
“Oh?” Abe said.
“Let’s hear them.”
Yang briefly explained the whole sequence of events.
Abe said,
“It does sound like Chief Hashimoto overreacted. But issues can be discussed reasonably. If you felt wronged, you could have come directly to me — I would have handled it immediately. Why make things difficult by organizing a strike?”
Yang replied,
“Sir, this was a collective decision by local leaders and gentry — not my personal choice. I cannot oppose everyone alone.”
Abe said,
“You are the township head — you could have persuaded them, couldn’t you? I must say, your stubborn temper hasn’t changed. Whenever things don’t go your way, you mobilize protests. You’re in officialdom now — you can’t handle matters emotionally like before.”
Yang asked,
“Then what would you have me do, sir?”
Abe said,
“Gather all the township heads, section heads, and ward leaders and convey my instructions. The market will reopen tomorrow. I will send people to handle the matter — I know exactly how it should be resolved.”
Yang said,
“Very well, sir. I will follow your orders.”
After hanging up, Yang returned to his seat, resting his chin in thought for a long while.
Cai Jicheng said,
“Governor Abe certainly acts decisively — orders come down immediately.”
Yang replied,
“I know Abe well. He’s smooth on the outside but firm within — skilled at using both softness and force.”
Cai asked,
“So how should we respond?”
Yang said,
“I believe he’ll give the local elders what they want in substance — but we must give him face in return.”
Cai asked,
“What do you mean, Township Head?”
Yang said,
“Send people immediately to notify all local leaders to come to my house for a meeting this evening.”
Cai asked,
“Should we include the Japanese township heads?”
Yang replied,
“No need. For secrecy, they were excluded from the strike from the beginning.”
Cai said,
“Understood. I’ll go right away.”
19
Inside the district governor’s office at Dajia District Hall,
Governor Abe Moriyoshi (50 years old) was privately briefing Police Commissioner Sato Morio (45) and Secretary Kawai Kitarō (35).
Abe said,
“This Hashimoto has made a mountain out of a molehill — turning a simple police–civilian dispute into an official confrontation.”
Sato said,
“Sir, I understand Hashimoto’s thinking. In this clash, he felt police authority had been challenged, which led to such an extreme reaction.”
Abe said,
“Township Head Yang says the incident began with improper law enforcement — and I believe there must be truth in it. Kitarō, take my written directive to Hashimoto and tell him to handle the aftermath properly. If the situation escalates further, I will be the first to remove him from office and investigate him.”
Kawai snapped to attention.
“Yes, sir.”
Abe continued,
“On the way, go see Township Head Yang as well. Tell him I’ve handled the matter according to his wishes. Have him calm his subordinates and end the strike tomorrow so life can return to normal.”
Sato said cautiously,
“That Township Head Yang doesn’t seem very obedient… yet you appear quite accommodating toward him.”
Abe replied,
“No one understands Yang Zhao-jia better than I do. When I extend goodwill, he will know when to stop. You two go — and call me immediately if anything unusual happens.”
Sato and Kawai answered together,
“Yes, sir!”
20
Secretary Kawai Kitarō, carrying Governor Abe’s written order and accompanied by Commissioner Sato Morio, went first to the Qingshui Police Station.
Inside the chief’s office, Sato said,
“Hashimoto, you know why we’re here, don’t you?”
Hashimoto replied,
“Sir — it’s about the violent assault on police at the market, isn’t it?”
Sato said,
“Correct. By the governor’s order, those vendors are to be fined and released immediately after payment.”
Kawai produced the letter.
“Hashimoto, the governor’s written directive is here. Please carry it out.”
Hashimoto complained,
“Sir, the governor listened only to Township Head Yang’s side before issuing this ruling. How am I supposed to maintain authority in my jurisdiction after this?”
Sato said sternly,
“The governor has made his decision. You are to obey — nothing more. His priority is to calm the situation and prevent further escalation between officials and civilians.”
Hashimoto sighed helplessly,
“Since it’s already decided, what more can I say?”
Sato warned,
“Hashimoto, though you are the local chief of public security, administratively you must show due respect to Township Head Yang. Do not forget — there have been precedents where township heads requested the removal of police chiefs for incompetence.”
Hashimoto replied stiffly,
“Yes, Commissioner.”
Sato then said,
“Inspector Fukuda, it is your duty to advise and correct your superior when necessary. You must remember that.”
Fukuda answered,
“Yes, Commissioner.”
Fukuda added,
“Regarding the market assault incident, my investigation confirms that Sergeant Koizumi and Patrolman Musashi did act improperly. I will handle it according to regulations.”
Sato said,
“Good. Transfer the two officers to desk duty for now — to prevent further trouble.”
Fukuda replied,
“Yes, Commissioner.”
Kawai added coldly,
“Hashimoto — the governor made it clear: if you mishandle this and provoke serious official–civilian confrontation, you will be dismissed and investigated.”
Sato concluded,
“We’re going to the township office now. Hashimoto — conduct yourself wisely.”
Hashimoto bowed.
“Yes, sirs.”
Hashimoto and Fukuda personally escorted them to the entrance.
Back in the office, Hashimoto sighed heavily,
“I’ve never taken such a scolding from superiors in my life.”
Fukuda said gently,
“Don’t dwell on it, Chief. Let’s follow orders and clean up the aftermath quickly.”
Hashimoto muttered resentfully,
“I’ll never be able to hold my head high in front of Township Head Yang again.”
Fukuda comforted him,
“Don’t think so negatively. From what I know, Yang is a reasonable man — not difficult to deal with.”
