Chapter 268: Defection
Wang Mansion.
Wang Ni and Chen Biqun received them.
Gu Yansheng had come before and had to stand aside to listen to Minister Zhou chatting with Wang Ni; now sitting down didn’t seem wrong to anyone, and it was even Chen Biqun who greeted him, having tea served.
“How was the trip to Nanjing?” Wang Ni asked.
“You can tell from how quickly we returned—it must have gone smoothly.”
Minister Zhou smiled and briefly recounted what happened in Nanjing.
The key point was Liang Hongzhi’s attitude.
When he mentioned comparing himself to Mr. Dongpo, everyone laughed heartily.
Hearing that Liang Hongzhi was also preparing assassination, the mood turned unfriendly.
Wang Ni’s expression changed slightly as he angrily rebuked, “Such a person cannot be given any power in the future—he’s simply gone mad! Arrogant and insane, with not a clear thought in his head!”
Chen Biqun nodded deeply in agreement, “Fortunately, we gave money to Ren Yuandao back then and pulled him to our side; otherwise, this time it really would have been unpredictable.
If Liang Hongzhi had been prepared to fight to the death from the start, decisively backing down the moment we arrived in Shanghai, inviting us for negotiations—or even just a visit—we really would have gone to Nanjing.
At that time, there was no Ren Yuandao yet; if Ren Yuandao listened to Liang Hongzhi and carried out the assassination, that was very possible.
He could even shift the blame for the assassination to the Military Statistics Bureau.
This person is too terrifying!”
“He lacks that awareness.” Minister Zhou sneered mockingly: “If he realized Mr. Wang’s importance to the Japanese, he wouldn’t have done this.
Precisely because he thinks Mr. Wang is as important in the Japanese eyes as he is—or even less so—he delayed until now.
The root of his anxiety isn’t really about Mr. Wang; I suspect it’s because Wang Kemin yielded, making him uneasy day and night.
That’s the main reason.”
Wang Ni hummed and nodded, “This person must be dealt with; remember this, all of you, and think of a way later to eliminate this dangerous factor.”
No one objected; Liang Hongzhi’s future was now set.
Wang Ni continued, “The money given to Ren Yuandao was well worth it; since he’s confirmed to have defected to us, giving him a commander’s position is fine.
As for signing the agreement with the Japanese, since it’s nearly done, just sign it. Do you have any objections?”
“None.”
The matter had dragged on long enough; Chongqing was wavering on talks again, and the Japanese indecision wasn’t new—delays breed change, so sign first and settle it once and for all.
Minister Zhou said, “After negotiating so long, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
Wang Ni agreed, “Then have Chen Gongbo handle it; he’s the future President of the Legislative Yuan, suitable in status and rank to review the agreement’s terms.”
As Minister Zhou was about to leave, Chen Biqun invited him to eat together; running back and forth was tiring, and a meal was in order.
Gu Yansheng ate a meal without returning to the Tea House and went straight to find Chen Mo.
The signing had entered the final stage, with the agreement content finalized; to obtain it, Gao Zhongwu this pawn still needed a push.
Gao Zhongwu hadn’t gone bankrupt stock trading; instead, he made money, greatly reducing the chance of luring him with profit.
Not impossible, just the difference between sending charcoal in snow and adding flowers to brocade.
At Chen Mo’s home, no coffee.
Gu Yansheng sipped tea and asked, “Has Gao Zhongwu made any moves these days?”
“He’s still stock trading.” Cotton yarn was done trading, but others could still be traded; as long as the stock market was open, he could always play.
Once into the stock market, deeper than the sea, hard to exit—especially for someone who profited from the start. Gu Yansheng thought and said: “How many guards around him?”
“Three, all from 76.”
The Wang Government wasn’t established yet, with no dedicated bodyguards or army personnel for guards, so 76’s people were used casually.
“Hmm, any way to create a chance for solo contact? Could be a talk, or you pass a note or something?”
“Shouldn’t be hard; 76’s three—one driver’s basically off the car, the other two guards follow him. How diligent they are at work is questionable; they’re just coasting. Over time, with no incidents, vigilance isn’t high.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t let him go to the exchange daily—that place is a mix of all sorts; if I really wanted to kill him, it’d be easy.”
“Then try it; pass him a message saying Boss Dai relays President Jiang’s order: aware of his poor treatment under Wang Ni and that he’s a negotiation participant. If willing to bring back the Japan-Wang peace talks secret agreement and return from the wrong path, the Party and State will forgive past deeds.
If he sinks deeper, the Iron Blood Assassination Group will pay a visit; whole family, none spared.
He has a wife and child, right?”
Lure failed, so direct threat.
“Yes.”
“Alright, do that and see his reaction.”
“Good, I’ll handle it.”
The next day, the exchange.
Gao Zhongwu arrived just in time to check the stock market.
A middle-aged man with no career prospects—what else but stock trading?
Money or power, gotta have one, right?
He actually regretted coming to Shanghai; following Mr. Wang brought no benefits, only a traitor label.
Those days rebuked by the Japanese were his life’s darkest.
But stock trading showed life had hope.
Turns out diplomacy wasn’t his strength; stock trading was.
He now studied the market more seriously than work, notebook in hand recording stock prices for daily review at home.
From price trends, reverse-engineer the main force’s intentions to greatly boost win rate.
Like the crowd of ordinary stockholders, craning necks at the blackboard prices; he couldn’t bear the VIP room upstairs yet—needs capital verification for a room, plus monthly fees, unacceptable while building principal.
It would affect compound interest.
Just endure.
Two 76 personnel followed behind, anyway ensuring his safety.
Behind, the two 76 personnel also stared at the blackboard prices.
They didn’t trade stocks originally, but dragged to the market daily, staying all day.
Ears filled not with Military Statistics Bureau or Central Statistics Bureau assassinations, but building positions, reducing positions, main force wash trading, high sell low buy—impossible not to notice.
Especially watching Gao Zhongwu make big money on stocks; hard not to itch.
Gao Zhongwu was generous too; at lunch together, he’d discuss stocks, urging them to buy a bit to supplement family income.
Then buy a bit.
Then they bought a bit.
The exchange was booming.
Suddenly, gunfire from outside the exchange.
Followed by pedestrians’ screams.
Even 76 action team members—not just ordinary stockholders—were drawn by the gunfire, heading to the door to check.
“Mr. Gao, don’t go out.” A 76 man instructed; one reached into his suit for the waist gun, cautiously approaching the door.
The other stepped forward, blocking in front of Gao Zhongwu, watching the exchange entrance.
Just then, Gao Zhongwu felt bumped; crowd was thick, he habitually glanced back, paid no mind.
The team member at the door soon returned to report, “Not aimed at us.”
They didn’t take it to heart, continued studying the market.
Evening close.
Gao Zhongwu went home.
Casually hung his suit on the rack.
His wife nagged, “Don’t go to the exchange trading stocks every day; no proper job.”
“What do you know? What else should I do if not trade stocks? I need something to do—should I, a vice minister, go negotiate diplomacy with Chongqing?”
His wife knew Mr. Wang disliked him and suggested, “Or buy something, see Minister Zhou, have him put in a word.”
Gao Zhongwu dismissively said, “You still don’t get it; negotiations are nearly done—what am I? Would they argue with Mr. Wang over me?
Even if they did, so what? The minister spot’s taken; even if Wang spares me, can he pull down the current minister for me?
Don’t daydream; impossible.
Sending gifts—with that gift money, better trade stocks.”
His wife had nothing to say; indeed no way now.
Gao Zhongwu sat eating veggies, studying the market with his notebook.
“I’ll wash the clothes.”
Pocketing out came a folded paper; his wife, literate, glanced and paled, rushing to hand it: “Military Statistics Bureau.”
Gao Zhongwu instantly alert, gravely took and read the paper.
“Found in the pocket?”
“Yes, how’d it get in your pocket? You didn’t know?”
Gao Zhongwu recalled the bump, face paling.
This was a letter, but could be a knife; the bump a warning—slipping paper in pocket meant they could take his life anytime!
“What now?” His wife panicked a bit.
“Panic what? Just trade stocks elsewhere.”
Gao Zhongwu had thought it through; monthly dozens of silver dollars—what good was being a traitor?
“At a time like this, still thinking stocks?”
“We must think stocks! Do we have a choice? Like this, how to refuse? Not trading, what to eat? You think Old Jiang’s benevolent—woe, we bring stuff back, he’ll spare us? Keep us in high office with riches?
Look, he wants the Japan-Wang secret agreement, not us.
Get it? Hand over the stuff, we’re valueless.
Same as Wang demanding us for negotiations—done, kicked aside.
Their upper echelon, all the same.”
“Will Old Jiang kill us?” His wife worried.
That possibility existed; Gao Zhongwu frowned, pondering how to ensure survival.
Next morning.
Noon, Chen Mo came to Gu Yansheng.
“He agreed; in the letter, told him if yes, wear a blue hat, then put needed words in the restroom of the noon eatery.
He followed fully; here’s the letter.”
Gu Yansheng took it, skimmed: front nonsense like deep guilt, unworthy of leader, willing to return from wrong path, provide secret agreement, request escape route, and convince Tao Xisheng to flee together.
“This Tao Xisheng is Minister of Propaganda, right?” Chen Mo asked.
Gu Yansheng nodded, “Yes.”
Per the letter, Tao Xisheng was close to him, long in propaganda, complained current work too tiring—all traitor stuff, meaningless.
Because Tao Xisheng truly believed in Save the Nation Through Peace concept, but the advisor system deviated too much from his vision.
“Tell Chongqing, arrange route, send them both away.”
For Gu Yansheng, one more wasn’t much.
“Alright, I’ll arrange.”
Chen Mo went back to send a telegram.
Chongqing responded immediately with a plan: they’d arrange outbound ships; Chen Mo just confirm handover spot, rest handled by Du Yuesheng’s people.
Gang members sending people aboard unnoticed were more professional than assassination groups.
One day later, action launched.
Still at the exchange, this time in the toilet, handing the action plan to Gao Zhongwu.
Gao Zhongwu went home to arrange.
Next day, Gu Yansheng got an unexpected guest: Gao Zhongwu.
“Vice Minister Gao, something?” Gu Yansheng didn’t know why Gao Zhongwu came then.
Gao Zhongwu sighed, awkwardly smiled: “Ashamed, Minister Gu; I’m here to ask a favor.”
“What favor? Speak, no need to be so polite.” Gu Yansheng was magnanimous.
Gao Zhongwu embarrassedly said: “Like this, Shanghai prices are high; I’m short on cash, don’t know who to borrow from for a bridge loan… very sorry, is Minister Gu convenient?”
Tsk, tough to answer.
Damn, wants to scam money before fleeing—you’re ruthless, capitalist potential.
“How much?” Gu Yansheng briefly thought and agreed; of course, it was Minister Zhou’s money—national treasury anyway.
Doing business, unrecoverable loans normal.
“Ten thousand silver dollars.” Gao Zhongwu didn’t hold back.
“That much?” Gu Yansheng surprised but didn’t pry, “Vice Minister Gao, money’s fine, just need an IOU to record the account—no problem?”
“No problem, thanks Minister Gu.”
“No matter, borrowing for turnover normal.”
Gao Zhongwu quickly wrote the IOU.
Gu Yansheng had cash fetched for him.
Then booked it as five hundred thousand silver dollars.
Can’t lend free; debt reasonable.
Next day, Gao Zhongwu and Tao Xisheng timed a department store shopping trip, then bath and massage.
Using massage excuse, picked up from back door, straight to the wharf.
Given two concession resident IDs and legit ship tickets, boarded the American liner.
Fifteen minutes aboard, ship departure time.
Whistles sounded, ship left Shanghai for Hong Kong.
76 action team noticed him missing an hour later; first thought self-interrogate and search.
Reporting to Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun took three hours.
Soup’s cold.
First suspect Military Statistics Bureau abduction.
By Li Shiqun’s full search, a day later.
One day, people nearing Hong Kong.
76 gritted teeth reporting to Minister Zhou.
Minister Zhou first chewed out Li Shiqun.
76 assigned for protection—also surveillance; now person gone, even family—this where else?
“What are you eating for?! Investigate! How’d he leave? And watch others—prevention basics, get it?”
76 continued searching.
Minister Zhou’s mood was foul.
Person unfound, but daily affairs must advance; pure defection or Military Statistics Bureau abduction—huge difference.
If abducted by Military Statistics Bureau, secret agreement exposure would massively damage Wang Faction credibility.
Qingdao Conference itinerary set; getting three sides to talk hard, let alone rescheduling risks.
Could only push forward.
Fortunately, days passed with no incidents; Gao Zhongwu and Tao Xisheng seemed fled, not taken by Military Statistics Bureau.
Wang Faction sighed relief.
Defection better than betrayal.
Days continue; next, full prep for major upcoming meeting, Qingdao Conference.
This first meeting deciding new government seats, most important—likely only one.
One meeting sets pattern.
Qingdao Conference opening set for January 23.
January 21, Gu Yansheng, Minister Zhou, etc., headed to Qingdao.
Distance creates beauty.
Landing Qingdao, current mayor, revering Wang Ni, offered priciest seafood set meal.
Tasty and high-end sure, but unremarkable to Wang Ni.
Most talked-about: Wang Ni finally enjoyed vice president’s treatment here—unlike with Wang Kemin and Liang Hongzhi.
That is, fawning.
This man extremely pro-Wang Puppet Regime, speaking with bows.
Such attention pleased Wang Ni, gratified Wang Faction attendees.
Lavish meals served, high-end hotel arranged; without next day’s news, world perfect.
Next day, Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao and broadcast news.
Two-hour broadcast: full Japan-Wang secret agreement content.
Unlike prior leaks, this detailed advisor system’s meaning, stating Wang regime government Japanese-controlled, attempting to colonize China, dooming it—a traitor regime.
Tao Xisheng condemns!
Gao Zhongwu condemns!
Wang Ni signing this secret agreement will stink forever!
Qingdao’s harmony shattered instantly by radio broadcast.
News timing flexible.
But right before Qingdao Conference start.
No doubt Gao Zhongwu and Tao Xisheng’s idea: embarrass Wang Ni pre-conference.
Timing perfect.
