Re:Zero - Starting a Different World Industry

Chapter 1607 The Problem Facing the Intelligence Bureau

Just when the bloody battle was going on at the front line.

There was another "small" problem at the rear.

To be precise, it is a problem caused by the system.

Because at the beginning, all means of production were in Lyon's hands.

In order to improve the lives of ordinary people, Lyon adopted a planned economy.

All people's livelihood products are basically produced on demand.

Basically, everything the people need is produced according to strict calculations.

Except for military-industrial enterprises, the army is completely over-exploited, and the people are basically able to have enough food and clothing.

Of course, this was only at the beginning. Later, as the economy improved and the country became more stable, the planned economy gradually changed.

But overall it is still completely state-owned.

This has led to ordinary people having to queue up to buy supplies.

But Lyon doesn't want to become the next Big Brother.

After all, the joke at the time was that I paid the money and it took two years before I got the TV.

At this time, I would ask the teller whether I can get it in the morning or afternoon two years later.

The teller asked, "Why are you asking so clearly? You've waited two years, are you still worried about a morning and an afternoon?"

And I would say that because the microwave oven I just bought arrived that morning...

There is no waste in on-demand production, but the problem is that there is no vitality.

That's why Lyon allows local companies to open factories abroad.

But things were different later.

Because all the countries where these companies are located overseas have been incorporated into their home countries.

They no longer have the economic competition they once had.

Now it is back under the framework.

Some domestic companies have lost their competitiveness.

They began to become complacent and content with the status quo.

The quality of many products has been questioned, but after all, they are one of the few suppliers in the country.

They naturally have the confidence to reject other people's doubts.

However, some children of officials were not happy about this.

Why are domestic products worse than foreign ones?

That's right, because many companies have left factories abroad.

Those foreign factories are still in operation, and the products they produce are indeed better than those produced by domestic factories.

It’s not that they can’t be produced domestically, but there is a lack of competition domestically. If there were competition, their products would definitely be taken to the next level.

Faced with these inferior products.

The children of high-ranking officials in the country and those wealthy people are unwilling to do so.

After all, they are all powerful, wealthy and influential, but you tell us that we can't even enjoy the most basic things.

Our parents suffered for most of their lives, so can’t we enjoy ourselves a little?

So they started putting pressure on the stores.

But the store is originally a transit station, or the people who manage the store are originally a group of ordinary people.

Faced with pressure from these children of the powerful, shop managers had no choice but to find a way to import goods from abroad.

Logically speaking, there is no problem at all.

But the root of the problem lies in the barriers between non-local and local companies.

The goods from those autonomous regions and provinces are priced one way locally, but another way when they are shipped here.

Shops can import some goods from autonomous provinces.

However, you need to fill out a form to report the unit price and other things.

In other words, it means reporting the price and quantity of imported goods to the Commerce Bureau.

There is no problem at all in importing high-quality goods from other regions.

But the problem is that many powerful people require stores to import not just ordinary goods, but even some customized goods.

For example, a luxury car produced by the First Automobile Manufacturing Plant of the Demon Empire.

This luxury car was originally intended for the royal family of the Demon Empire.

It's just enough to drain the money from the royal family and nobles of the Demon Empire.

But in the end, the children of the powerful and wealthy found ways to get the car back.

The problem is that the cars are not cheap, and one car is equivalent to a tank.

This is where the problem lies.

Because the list of goods reported by the store listed ordinary cars!

At first, the intelligence agency was not aware of this problem.

Until a few days ago, an agent from the Intelligence Bureau happened to see a group of shop assistants carrying goods into a luxury car while purchasing goods.

Coincidentally, this intelligence agent happened to know who the car belonged to...

The owner of this car is not anyone else but the family of the deputy director of the Commerce Bureau.

Logically speaking, the deputy director doesn't have that much money to buy such a luxury car.

Perhaps ordinary people can't see it, but the problem is that this agent happens to be in charge of economics.

Specially responsible for combating the smuggling of luxury goods.

So he could tell at a glance that this was a car that looked extremely simple on the surface, but was actually extremely luxurious.

But he did not rush to take action, but observed everything silently.

The agent returned to the intelligence bureau in silence.

Then I went directly to Hans' office.

At this time in the office, Hans had just returned from the Dwarf Empire.

Because Leon has decided to wage a conventional war against the dragon.

So the Intelligence Agency has to find a way to infiltrate the Dragon's Lair.

Obtain intelligence through the means of the Intelligence Bureau.

Just as Hans was signing the document, the agent knocked on the office door.

Hans spoke without thinking.

"Please come in!"

"Comrade Director! I have a situation to report!"

When the door opened, Hans looked up and found that the person in front of him was an ordinary agent, and he didn't have much impression of him at all.

There was a hint of doubt in his brow, but more of solemnity.

No one would knock on his door for no reason, especially an ordinary agent like this.

No one would joke with their future.

Hans then signaled the secretary beside him to bring tea, pointed to the seat in front of him and signaled the agent to sit down, while putting down the documents in his hand.

"Tell me your information!"

After listening to Hans' words, the agent was silent for a long time before speaking.

"Comrade Director, you should know the first store in District 1, right?"

"I know it's a shopping center for the wealthy and powerful people in District 1. The goods there are carefully selected and generally of good quality and low prices."

Hans spoke up, not realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"But what if I say there's something wrong with the First Store?"

"Hmm? What do you mean...?"

Hans was a little confused.

The agent then spoke.

"Comrade Director, I believe the First Store is suspected of smuggling luxury goods and even bribing officials!"

After hearing this, Hans could no longer sit still.

Because these two together translate into the problem of corruption!

Hans's face darkened when he heard this information.

"Are you sure?"

“Although I don’t know the details of the smuggling, I only know that the deputy director of the Commerce Bureau has a royal sedan produced by the Demon Empire at home.

The Demonic Royal Sedan is on the list of prohibited items for import into the country! If this isn't smuggling, what is it? This is challenging the leader's bottom line!"

After hearing this, Hans took a deep breath.

Being able to smuggle a car into the mainland and have it appear in the capital requires extraordinary connections.

How did such a large car get smuggled in?

Are customs and checkpoints just for show?

Hans realized the seriousness of the matter, and immediately picked up the phone and called the gendarmerie.

"Notify them to set up a special task force, and the person in charge will be..."

Hans said and glanced at the agent in front of him.

When the agent felt Hans's gaze, he immediately spoke out his name.

"Peskov!"

"Comrade Peskov will be the head and have full responsibility for this action group."

The head of the gendarmerie department was a little confused after hearing the order, but still chose to carry out Hans' order.

Neither the head of the gendarmerie nor Hans and Peskov could have imagined that a simple smuggling case would eventually turn into a major crime...