Chapter 177: Funeral Arrangements
The next day, Li Shiqun called and asked Gu Yansheng to come over.
After Gu Yansheng went, Li Shiqun said: “For He Xingjian’s funeral, my idea is to make it a big deal, set up a funeral committee, you represent the city government, Luo Junqiang represents Minister Zhou, plus me and Ding Mocun, and two people from the Japanese side, go through the motions for him, and give him a grand send-off at the end.
But the Japanese still disagree. They just praised He Xingjian for defecting to the Imperial Japanese Army in the newspaper not long ago, and now this man has been assassinated. They feel they have no face. If the funeral is made big and reported by the media, the matter of his defection will be brought up again, which is too upsetting. They just want to buy a coffin and bury him.”
The Japanese idea is good, Gu Yansheng thought and said: “It is indeed easy to damage morale. The Japanese consideration is not without reason.”
Just for a man who just defected, and setting up some committee for him, what a big face, and even Gu Yansheng has to lend his name.
Li Shiqun frowned and shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Some of He Xingjian’s subordinates have already arrived, and those out of town will arrive in the next couple of days. When I received them, I told them we would hold it. It’s not that I’m fast-mouthed, but these soldiers think that way. If you don’t hold it, what if they cause trouble later?
What I’m considering is Minister Zhou’s side. We can’t account for it well. One He Xingjian is already dead. If his subordinates rebel again, what do we say to Minister Zhou? No coordination, leading to their mutiny? Didn’t watch He Xingjian, leading to his assassination? Too ugly.
Tsk, very troublesome. Do you want to help talk to them? I’ve had too many disruptions from the Military Statistics Bureau lately, no results to show, and I can’t say much to the Gendarmerie Headquarters. I already said it once and was rejected.”
“What’s troublesome about this matter?”
Gu Yansheng said straightforwardly: I think you shouldn’t get too involved. The Japanese and the army, neither side will appreciate it. Haven’t his subordinates come?
Just tell them that our intention is to make it a big deal, we will cover the expenses, but because the Japanese disagree and think it’s embarrassing, we have no choice.
They disagree, so let them make a fuss with the Japanese themselves. I know you want to say what if they make a fuss, just let them make a fuss, then cut off their contact with outside the city, let them make a small fuss, at most just a few bodyguards. If they succeed, the Japanese will hold it, and everyone is happy.
If it gets big and the Japanese still won’t hold it, you prevent the situation from expanding, arrest them back, comfort them to calm down, and we quietly bury him. Then they will know it’s the Japanese who won’t hold it.
We have done all the favors and worldly matters, they will resent the Japanese, not us, and it won’t affect Minister Zhou controlling this army in the future.
But if you insist on persuading the Japanese no matter what, isn’t that putting eye drops on ourselves?
The Japanese will resent us for not obeying, and their small ones will also resent us for not putting in effort. Isn’t that the reason?”
Li Shiqun thought for a moment and nodded, “You’re right. They really have to make a fuss themselves. They must make a fuss themselves. Okay, let’s do it that way.”
Hey, that’s right. There’s no reason to have Gu Yansheng go and give him face.
“Director, one of our points in the concession was attacked.” A subordinate ran over to report.
Li Shiqun narrowed his eyes, “Attacked again?”
“Yes, that point was hidden quite secretly. We had only been there for three days total and operated once. I don’t know how they found out.”
“Then you get busy, I’ll leave first.” Gu Yansheng said goodbye.
“Okay.” Li Shiqun started to get busy.
Previously, it was the Military Statistics Bureau killing indiscriminately, the purpose was to kill He Xingjian, of course, and also the grain release matter.
Now logically speaking, He Xingjian is dead, the grain is released, the Military Statistics Bureau should quiet down for a while.
But now Li Shiqun is starting revenge, the chaos in Shanghai not only didn’t lessen, but intensified, even the concession is fighting every day.
Ding Mocun didn’t make Gu Yansheng wait too long.
Two days later, Ding Mocun took advantage of Li Shiqun fighting in the concession to launch a surprise attack on a British foreign firm in the concession, preparing to capture a British person who was reselling guns on the black market. He was the manager of this foreign firm.
Who knew this stirred up a hornet’s nest. The people in this enterprise were not decent at all. When No. 76 rushed in to grab the manager, the employees inside pulled out guns from under the desks and fought back, even with several machine guns.
What kind of trade enterprise is this? It looks more exaggerated than a military industry enterprise.
The arrest battle turned into an escape battle. The people inside fought fiercely, and the No. 76 guards outside quickly called for reinforcements by telephone.
The battle expanded, even dragging in those hiding and searching for Military Statistics Bureau people in the concession, fighting chaotically, some not even knowing why they were fighting.
Afterward, police station people arrived, several No. 76 personnel were arrested, some fled.
The Public Works Bureau immediately sent a protest to the Japanese Consulate, why did No. 76 dare to attack a British foreign firm? Who instigated them?
For the mutual killing between No. 76 and the Military Statistics Bureau, they could turn a blind eye, but for this infringement on British citizens’ rights, they must lodge a strong protest!
Ding Mocun and Li Shiqun were summoned to the Gendarmerie Headquarters.
Facing Commander Miura Jiro and Major General Haruki.
Ding Mocun frowned and reported: “I’ve preliminarily investigated the matter. My people pretended to be Chongqing elements buying guns on the black market. My people asked several vendors, some had pistols, but no Type 38 rifles.
Some had them, selling for 380 silver dollars each. To avoid him being a scattered vendor with only one gun, I proposed wanting 100.
Finally found this person who said he had stock.
I proposed wanting a large quantity, to talk to the boss behind the scenes. I paid a deposit for five, and he took my people to the person behind the scenes. The source of the guns was this British person, so that’s why I made the move.”
The Japanese listened, the process had no problem, but the result was failure to capture.
“Now you didn’t catch the person, how do you prove to me that the guns flowed out from our warehouse?”
“Although the person wasn’t caught, during the inquiry, the other party had already revealed the information.”
Ding Mocun stated the overheard information, “According to him, he has connections inside the Japanese Army. Even if I want a thousand Type 38 Arisaka rifles, he can get them. This clearly points to the quartermaster. Who else but him can produce so many guns?
Even if not selling directly, he must be aware.
And the money in his bank account is suspiciously large.”
Ding Mocun handed over the account book he investigated.
The Japanese looked at the account book, and the disturbance caused by No. 76 in the concession was passed.
The Gendarmerie Headquarters didn’t care much about what temper the concession threw, what was it to them.
Miura Jiro looked at the quartermaster’s bank accounts, talked to Major General Haruki, and soon reached a conclusion.
Major General Haruki said: “Director Ding, you did very well on this matter. Next, secretly arrest the quartermaster. It must be a secret arrest, absolutely no leaks. Get the confession and hand it to me, but I remind you, once the news leaks, watch your lives.”
“Yes.”
Ding Mocun judged that the Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters mostly wanted to cover it up, but it wasn’t his business anyway.
Secret arrest was even easier.
Taking advantage of the quartermaster coming out drunk from the geisha hall at night, a small car pulled up, two people clamped his shoulders, covered his mouth, and the person coming from the front punched the quartermaster’s stomach.
The person doubled over in pain instinctively.
The person coming from behind leaned his head, and cleanly got into the car, as if he got in himself.
The whole thing wouldn’t exceed 30 seconds.
That night, in the interrogation room, after half an hour of arrogant yelling, thinking he had backing, upon learning it was an order from the Gendarmerie Headquarters, his legs went soft.
He spilled everything about his tenure in Shanghai.
Ding Mocun made a phone call to the Gendarmerie Headquarters.
Miura Jiro and Major General Haruki came personally. They were not surprised at all about the quartermaster’s corruption.
They were just shocked at the details of this corruption.
Miura Jiro couldn’t believe it, “All the soldiers below are selling?”
