Chapter 266: At Someone’s Mercy
“Such a big commotion?”
No. 76 used to just kill some expendable police officers from the police station, but now they actually killed a British Director.
Gu Yansheng was surprised for a moment, picked up the phone and dialed, calling Director Ding.
“Hello, Director Ding, did you do that for Sato?”
Ding Mocun understood in one second, “That British person Kaiseke? How could it possibly be me who did it, Wu Sibao brought people to do it.”
“Wu Sibao?”
“Yeah, I heard from my subordinates that Wu Sibao traded futures and put up his house and his wife’s jewelry, but he still got a margin call.”
“Is he an idiot?”
Gu Yansheng didn’t even know what to say upon hearing this.
At that time, he had instigated Wu Sibao to do stock trading, first to distract his attention, second to plan that one day he would suffer a big loss, and as long as Wu Sibao needed money, Gu Yansheng could control him.
But he hadn’t expected that Wu Sibao could lose everything in one go.
What a talent.
“He was an idiot to begin with.” Ding Mocun wouldn’t give Wu Sibao any face, sneering: “No matter how he trades stocks, he loses, even I know about this, and he still dares to trade? And plays so big? If he’s not an idiot, who is?”
“Alright, I got it, as long as it’s not you, I’m reminding you, now whether Sato can keep his position as the person in charge of Shanghai is still up in the air, if he has any demands, you’d better be careful.”
“How could I not understand? Don’t worry.” Ding Mocun wasn’t stupid either, Sato had lost money and caused such a big confrontation with the concession, it was only a matter of time before Mitsui got rid of him.
“Then that’s it for now, hanging up.”
Gu Yansheng put down the phone, since it was Wu Sibao who killed the person, there was no need to worry about it.
If Wu Sibao caused trouble, it was also Li Shiqun who had to clean up after him.
As for money, Gu Yansheng really didn’t have any sudden windfall financial paths to give him at the moment.
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
“Hello, Minister.”
“Are you busy? Come over to my place if you have time.”
“Alright, I’ll come right away.”
Gu Yansheng went downstairs, drove to Zhou Mansion.
The Wang Faction’s people had been busy with negotiation matters these days, so finding him probably meant there was some follow-up.
Gu Yansheng’s car drove into Zhou Mansion.
“Minister.”
Gu Yansheng greeted him, Minister of Propaganda Mei Siping was also there, greeted him and left.
“Yansheng, you’re here, have a seat.” Minister Zhou frowned: “I heard a British Director was killed, and it was done by No. 76 people?”
“There’s that matter.” Gu Yansheng explained what he knew, stating that this was Wu Sibao’s individual behavior, and provided a solution.
“If it needs to be covered up, this matter can be pushed onto the Military Statistics Bureau, saying it was the Military Statistics Bureau trying to provoke opposition between the two sides.”
But Minister Zhou’s ambitions lay elsewhere.
“Even I heard about the Cotton Yarn War, it can be said one thought heaven, one thought hell, how’s your business?” Minister Zhou asked with a smile.
Gu Yansheng smiled faintly: “I wouldn’t dare risk the country’s money, I took profits when ahead, made a small profit of nearly 40 million.”
“40 million?!” Minister Zhou’s volume rose eight degrees, very shocked, “That much?”
Gu Yansheng just nodded quietly.
Minister Zhou sighed with emotion, “Impressive, this ability to make money beget money, Yansheng, you’re really an expert at it.”
“The timing was right, I was just a bit lucky.” Gu Yansheng was very modest.
Minister Zhou didn’t believe it, “Just being able to spot the timing puts you far ahead of others, otherwise why am I not the one making money?”
“Not you?” Gu Yansheng was surprised.
“Huh? Hahaha, you, don’t pick holes in my words.”
Gu Yansheng continued reporting: “The money is all on the money shop’s accounts now, Shanghai’s economy has been turbulent lately, I told the money shop people not to lend out if they’re not confident, so the total loans aren’t much, and there’s plenty of balance, do you have any instructions?”
Minister Zhou drew out a hum, pondering: “Our negotiations with Japan lately have basically reached the end, the big framework is set, just filling in the details, cooperation is certain.
But we did make concessions, like the advisor system.
We have to admit, to a certain extent, what we do needs to consider the Japanese’s opinions, which means, in the future, the flow of the country’s funds will be known to us and also to the Japanese.
So, this money is best stored separately.
We need one open account book, one secret account book, in other words, we need our own little slush fund, rather than every time we need money, it’s under the Japanese’s watchful eyes.”
Gu Yansheng nodded as he listened, thought for a moment and said: “Should be no problem, currently only Fu Xiao’an knows how much we made, but he has his own little schemes too, I think he won’t report his own property revenue to the Japanese, so this money can indeed be hidden.”
Minister Zhou smiled satisfactorily, pointed at Gu Yansheng and himself, “This money temporarily just the two of us knowing is enough, you get my meaning, right?”
How could he not get it, it was to guard against Wang Ni.
“I’ll handle it well.”
“Good, have some tea.” Minister Zhou raised his hand, and after Gu Yansheng finished drinking, personally refilled his cup, “Although the negotiations with the Japanese are nearing the end, they haven’t ended yet, so we can’t control No. 76’s behavior.
Wu Sibao’s actions have nothing to do with us.
Lately, I’ve decided to go to Nanjing, still need to talk with Liang Hongzhi over there.
These days I’ve been waiting for Liang Hongzhi to come talk to me proactively, but not even one phone call, this person is a bit inconsiderate.
Do you have time, come with me?”
“Sure, I’m available anytime.” Gu Yansheng nodded.
Liang Hongzhi was indeed a bit inconsiderate, his position as Chairman of the Nanjing Reform Government was far worse off than Wang Kemin in North China.
The most crucial point, the North China Army supports Wang Kemin, that has never changed, but the China Dispatch Army, even its headquarters has been disbanded, Liang Hongzhi has no chips at all.
Oh, perhaps he thinks the Pacification Army in his hands is a bargaining chip, who knows.
Taking him down should be easy.
Called Ding Mocun, the next day, the group headed to Nanjing.
On the train, Minister Zhou was still joking, “Do you think this Liang Hongzhi will be like Wang Kemin and not come pick us up?”
“Possible, last time we came to Nanjing, didn’t he not come?” Ding Mocun held a grudge.
Minister Zhou smiled, “Yansheng, what do you think?”
Gu Yansheng sneered, “He definitely won’t come, isn’t he putting on airs now? If he comes over now, what was all that previous tough talk? It would be all for nothing.”
“Hahahaha.” Minister Zhou shook his head and laughed, “How disliked we are, unwelcome everywhere,
Sometimes I really think, if they could read the situation a bit, I’d give them some face, everyone get along peacefully, the government isn’t run by one or two people, there’d definitely be a bowl of rice for them.
But they just have to be the first, knowing full well the Japanese don’t back them anymore, yet they still insist, stupid to the point of surprise.”
The train arrived at the station, the group exited the platform, saw No. 76 people standing like wooden posts, and indeed no sign of Liang Hongzhi nearby.
Minister Zhou sighed, in a good mood, smiled at the two beside him, “Best if he doesn’t come, then no need to save face.”
The car went straight to the Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
Meeting Itagaki Seishiro.
Minister Zhou said: “Your Excellency Itagaki, our visit to Nanjing this time is to handle the merger issue with Liang Hongzhi, the peace talks between us have reached the final stage, just this merger left.
Now Liang Hongzhi is avoiding us, what does he mean by that?
I think you might need to invite him before he’s willing to sit down for negotiations.”
Itagaki had no objection to this, whether from the angle of pressuring Chongqing, or from the angle that Chongqing won’t agree and thus the Wang regime government must be established, supporting the Wang Faction was inevitable.
And in this, Liang Hongzhi had no role, this person had no great value.
“I’ll make a phone call to get him over.”
“Thank you.”
After Itagaki finished the call, during the wait, Minister Zhou asked: “Any new messages from contact with Chongqing?”
“None.” Itagaki frowned and let out a long sigh, whether Chongqing really wants peace talks, even he didn’t know now.
How to go back and report, over a month with no response, this attitude really as Gu Yansheng said, very abnormal.
But if Chongqing is deceiving them, delaying time, at least they should continue talking, even once a month, that’s still talking, no need to completely play disappearance.
“Over a month, not a single piece of information?”
“We’ve asked, according to the Hong Kong report, this Song Ziliang communicated once with them via telegram in Chongqing, Chongqing’s upper echelons need to discuss the terms we proposed, due to many factions, reaching an agreement takes time, so it will take longer, asking us to wait patiently.”
“Heh.” Minister Zhou laughed upon hearing it, “Isn’t this completely playing you? Sounds insincere right away, a month and a half, we’ve finalized all these details, they just have a few framework contracts, how much discussion do they need?
Your Excellency Itagaki, have you thought, if their goal is really to delay, delay for a year, how many things would be dragged to ruin? How many accidents could happen in between?
For example, might they be thinking to delay the establishment of the new government here, while sending Military Statistics Bureau to Shanghai to assassinate Mr. Wang there.
Once successful, not only no government to oppose him, but his prestige within the party would rise again.
At that time, the Japanese side loses everything.”
These words made Itagaki feel bad, after all, establishing the Wang Faction isn’t his merit, only successfully negotiating peace with all of China could bring him back to the center.
“I know Minister Zhou’s meaning, you want me to fully push forward the new government, my commitment to you won’t change, March is the final deadline, if the Jiang Government doesn’t succeed in peace talks by March, the new government will be established.”
Minister Zhou’s alarmist talk achieved its purpose, paving the way for the upcoming conversation, he nodded with a smile, “Everything is getting better, when hearts are united things succeed, we and Japan are friends on the same boat.”
Waited half an hour, Liang Hongzhi arrived.
When Itagaki called, he just told Liang Hongzhi to come over, didn’t say they were there, now seeing Minister Zhou and others, Liang Hongzhi’s face changed instantly from an enthusiastic smile to a fake smile.
Itagaki didn’t care about his feelings, greeted: “Mr. Liang, Mr. Wang’s representative Minister Zhou, here to negotiate the new government merger, hope you can reach an agreement soon, complete the handover of new government departments, let’s begin.”
Minister Zhou smiled: “Mr. Liang, long time no see, merger benefits country and people, Mr. Wang also knows Mr. Liang’s hard work in Nanjing, so sent me to ask what demands Mr. Liang has?”
“Demands? Heh.” At this point, Liang Hongzhi simply sat down boldly on the single sofa, “Saying the new government merger benefits country and people, I agree with that.
So from the angle of benefiting country and people, shouldn’t the nearby provinces be managed by those familiar with them, to benefit country and people even more?”
Liang Hongzhi raised his hand toward Itagaki, “And beneficial to the Empire of Japan’s interests in China.”
Liang Hongzhi turned back with a smile: “Does Mr. Zhou think I’m right?”
Minister Zhou paused, smiled faintly: “Can’t put it that way, yes, from the angle of handling affairs, those familiar definitely get up to speed faster than newcomers, but from the angle of final results, it’s always the victor is king, so to speak of latecomers surpassing, that’s the meaning, does Mr. Liang think that makes reason?”
Liang Hongzhi sneered, “No reason, right now it’s wartime, no time to let you slowly familiarize, these cities in the Japanese occupied area are like a precision machine, its daily output supports the Japanese Army’s frontline combat.
If a city changes to a new leader, it might very well throw the city’s operations into chaos, causing the entire machine to collapse and stop running.
Shanghai is a perfect example, changed person in charge, in a short time the economy collapsed twice, in the end, it’s that Fu Xiao’an has a big reputation, but administrative ability quite average.
Some people are all show, hard to live up to their fame.”
Minister Zhou chuckled lightly, ignoring the indirect scolding, raised his hand to introduce: “This is Minister Gu Yansheng, he’s not from Chongqing, nor my acquaintance, but his ability in my eyes, in your words, is unknown fame but strong capability, Mr. Liang, do you think he can govern Nanjing?”
“Him?” Liang Hongzhi glanced at Gu Yansheng, burst out laughing, “About the same age as my grandson, he can be the minister in your mind, doesn’t that just prove you have no one?”
“How is that not appointing based on talent?”
“Based on talent?” Liang Hongzhi laughed heartily, “Fine, let’s discuss then, on family background, my family has produced famous scholars for generations, even two governors by my count, as far as I know, Mr. Wang’s ancestors didn’t produce any officials, right? His father didn’t even have a basic degree.
On learning, I’m a juren graduate, not one in ten thousand but at least one in a thousand, him? A xiucai.
On insight, my father was vice consul at China’s Nagasaki consulate in Japan, I’m well versed in Japan’s customs, social operations, Japan is my second hometown, I know how to cooperate with the Japanese, and have the ability to cooperate with the Japanese.
Him? Government-funded study abroad in Japan, in that little time learning some textbook knowledge is already good, does he know what Japan is like? Not knowing the first thing about it is no exaggeration.
On administrative ability, when he took his wife to study in France, I was already in Yuan Datou’s cabinet as participant.
On personal ability, I reached the chairman position, he latched onto President Sun and got vice president position, suppressed by Old Jiang for half a lifetime, no real power.
On experience, how long have I been in the Japanese occupied area, how many days has he been a traitor?
Appoint based on talent, Minister Zhou, go ahead and appoint.”
Truly surpassing on all fronts, well-reasoned and verifiable, Minister Zhou was even a bit stunned by his own words, “Mr. Liang’s eloquence is truly impressive.”
Liang Hongzhi laughed heartily, “This is just the beginning? On literary talent, I won’t say full of knowledge, but can match Mr. Dongpo, if Mr. Zhou can convince me with words, you’d have jinshi level, hahahaha.”
Minister Zhou smiled along, glanced at Gu Yansheng, on eloquence, he believed Gu Yansheng would say it better than him.
“Yansheng, do you think Mr. Liang’s words make reason?”
“No reason at all.” Gu Yansheng opened his mouth and pulled aggro, “So-called family background is just leftovers from predecessors, chicken has its coop, dog has its kennel, nothing to it.
So-called learning and insight, a vice consul’s son is a juren, a man without degree raises a xiucai son, I’d lean toward the latter being more diligent and clever.
Juren is his ceiling, but xiucai is just his floor.
Without that family background, the former might be nothing.
Times are different now, competing who glanced at Japan more means nothing.
Compete on development, on economy, on stability, that’s what the new government urgently needs to solve now.
Mr. Liang thinks his subordinates manage very well.
But in fact, even Nanjing under Mr. Liang yourself, the economic accounts are a mess.
Nanjing’s housing prices are shockingly cheap, which can only prove many people haven’t returned to Nanjing.
Why not come back? Four words, Nanjing sucks.”
“Sharp tongue.” Liang Hongzhi was too lazy to argue with Gu Yansheng, turned to Minister Zhou: “Merger is fine, but jurisdiction over Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, plus Shanghai and Nanjing all under me.”
“Impossible.”
