Chapter 144: Robbing Grain
The next day, forced requisition began.
It had been two days since the news of forced requisition of cotton yarn came out. There was a requisition that day, but no further action afterward, so some people might think it was over.
Only those cautious people who experienced the last forced requisition knew what to stockpile under forced requisition.
Under Japanese rule, remembering what you ate but not the beating won’t work.
Gu Yansheng called Ding Mocun, asking him to provide some manpower for this dirty work: people from Agent Headquarters act as thugs, people from Judicial Department Inspection Section keep accounts, large trucks are prepared, go door-to-door to have friendly talks with bosses, introducing the necessity of purchasing new government special bonds.
Whether you buy or not is up to you, but anyway, the grain and cotton yarn serving as cash must be pulled from the warehouse.
Gu Yansheng told the action team to go slow, leaving enough time for Sha Shun and Zhang Xiaolin on the other side to acquire.
The mission must be completed, but the goods can’t all be left to the Japanese; they must be made to buy them back from him.
Once the fact of forced requisition occurs, the news spreads, all grain shops on the market open, large amounts of stored grain begin bargain sale, the streets are very lively, residents are overjoyed, even borrowing money to buy some cheap rice and flour.
Every forced requisition, businessmen suffer heavy losses, but residents always get some bargain, especially those idle old men and women, snatching happily.
It takes time for the action team to persuade house by house, while Shanghai businessmen and Sha Shun use every trick: warehouses, private houses, ships, rickshaw frames, any place that can hold rice and flour, any warehouse not on the registration book, can be used to temporarily hide grain.
Even eating two more mouthfuls is better than exchanging for that crappy bond.
Who knows how many years this Wang dynasty can last? Yuan Shikai was so arrogant forcing the Qing Emperor to abdicate, but he himself was emperor for only 83 days, yet his Yuan Datou coin was at least made of real gold and silver.
Nowadays everyone accepts it, but this bond is just a piece of crappy paper, and this crappy paper hasn’t even been printed yet, yet they come with IOUs to forcibly rob?
Ring ring, ring ring.
Calls harassing Gu Yansheng are extremely numerous.
Either big businessmen with connections or officials themselves, even people from Nanjing calling city government people, then city government people come to plead.
Gu Yansheng welcomes all, has time today to chat slowly with them, and smilingly.
“The grain shop on Park Road is yours, brother. Oh, this is a case of family not recognizing family, like flood rushing into Dragon King’s Temple?
My fault, must return for sure, just tell me how much goods you have, I’ll verify and have it returned intact.
No thanks needed, small matter, as it should be.
But brother, let me remind you, Nanjing new government is about to be established, this is a task assigned by Mr. Wang and Minister Zhou, when others hand over but you don’t, if Mr. Wang finds out, what will he think?
I can keep quiet, but others know you didn’t hand over, jealousy spreads the word, Minister Zhou inquires, how should I respond?
Right, just a little grain, how much money can it be?
Twenty-two kilograms of flour is only four point five silver dollars, sixty kilograms of rice is twelve silver dollars, even six thousand kilograms is not much.
Yes, everyone wants to sell a favor, after all they will govern Nanjing later.
Besides, we’re not taking for free, giving bonds, have confidence in the government.
Hey, brother, I have a suggestion, listen: this batch of bonds is led by Minister Zhou, also the new government’s first batch of special bonds, Minister Zhou will definitely inquire who bought how much.
Then, I’ll recommend some people to Minister Zhou, and Nanjing government establishment is a time to use people, buy more, right? One hundred thousand? Fine, I’ll speak highly of you to Minister Zhou.
Then that’s it for now, I have many people calling, hear? Noisy, other calls coming, add another one hundred thousand? Good good, excellent, I’ll emphasize to Minister Zhou your support for the new government.
No need to thank me, you willingly support, I get chance to speak for you.
Then I’ll send someone to pick up? Good, goodbye.”
Click, Gu Yansheng hung up, noted name and amount on notepad, rewrote on paper, tore it off and gave to waiting Wen Yan.
Wen Yan took it, glanced, went out to instruct subordinates to collect money door-to-door.
All willing to subscribe must write voluntary subscription statement, not like anyone forced them.
Gu Yansheng busy, picks up next call.
Today anyone daring to call him to plead is powerful, all noted down.
Willing to pay, easy, proves grievances resolved; unwilling to pay but coming to posture, sorry.
Those sending money may not be remembered, but those not sending will be remembered, someone will remember him.
Afternoon, Gu Yansheng took time to complete dirty deal with Fu Xiao’an.
Procedures naturally handled by subordinates and foreigners found by Fu Xiao’an.
They drink tea in tea house, Fu Xiao’an just responsible for counting money.
Millions in military scrip, sounds impressive when said.
Gu Yansheng always curious, thought Fu Xiao’an hammered into hospital by Sha Shun in stock market last time should have suffered huge loss, not total bankruptcy but at least clear out supplies and industry that should be liquidated to cover stock market deficit, avoid full forced liquidation by exchange.
But unexpectedly, Fu Xiao’an still has so much cotton yarn, this deal alone over one million silver dollars, not small amount, proves Fu Xiao’an far from desperate then.
Where so much money from? Truly hard to kill.
Goods can’t stay in Fu Xiao’an’s warehouse, have pulled to city government’s dedicated warehouse, face-saving still needed, and money and goods cleared, safer pulled back.
“Price difference still need Mayor Fu’s people to help exchange to US dollars.”
Fu Xiao’an rolled eyes, “No wonder you’re so generous this time, only wanting ten thousand US dollars in chips, turns out you profit nine silver dollars per on price difference, Director Gu, isn’t that a bit excessive? I earn less than you.”
Gu Yansheng smiled without explaining, if you have guts don’t sell, normal price acquisition, concession has goods for sale.
Fu Xiao’an honestly had money exchanged and given to Gu Yansheng, for businessman, sold is sold, now Gu Yansheng connected to Minister Zhou, not soft persimmon to pinch, Fu Xiao’an doesn’t want more trouble on this.
If really fall out, no good for him either.
Took exchanged US dollars, Gu Yansheng must report to Minister Zhou.
Made call, confirmed at hotel, Gu Yansheng rushed to hotel.
“Minister Zhou, this is the acquisition list details.”
Gu Yansheng handed over transaction contract: “Acquired twenty thousand bales of cotton yarn now successively stored in city government warehouse, original inquired price from merchants was seventy-five silver dollars per bale, but bulk acquisition, some gave face, final negotiated to sixty-six silver dollars, remaining funds all here.”
“That’s quite a discount.” Minister Zhou pleased, waved at ledger: “No need to check ledger, Yansheng, I trust you, return extra money.”
Gu Yansheng smiled lightly, persuaded, “I considered new government setup may need buy other things, reapplying troublesome with Japanese process, and Economic Department already signed and entered accounts, total this much, you handle remainder, more convenient for you to use money in Shanghai.
Foreign enterprise merchants tight-lipped, you work hard for new government, can’t make you pay out of pocket.”
Clear enough, Minister Zhou eyes flickered, mild smile at corner of mouth, then looked at money box, curiously asked: “Why all changed to US dollars, wasn’t military scrip issued?”
“Economy fluctuates severely, originally trading with foreign enterprise, so had them exchange to US dollars, more convenient, after all concession merchants don’t recognize military scrip.”
“Fine, leave here then.”
Minister Zhou patted box, “Yansheng your connections broad, efficiency fast, saved new government much money, great merit, heard grain requisition also started?”
“Yes.” Gu Yansheng nodded, “Already entering warehouse, these twenty thousand bales cotton yarn purchased, more cotton yarn coming, buy some, requisition some, have some donated, I’ll try to make up thirty thousand, during grain requisition find more, if grain short, cotton yarn can fill, also advancing bonds, will report progress timely.”
Minister Zhou sighed, “Hard work, no one handles Shanghai matters as smoothly as you, have to trouble you to run more.”
“Should be, you rest, I’ll report progress.”
“Have meal before leaving?”
“Many matters, handle first, next time.”
Gu Yansheng returned to city government.
Back to office, Liu Xiaolou told him more calls came while he was out, she noted them.
Gu Yansheng glanced and handed back, “No need to note, those who should call will call again.”
Liu Xiaolou nodded, “Right, Director, a Police Station Section Chief Wang came to see you, I said you out, he willing to wait till you return, still in meeting room, see him?”
“Section Chief Wang?” Gu Yansheng frowned thinking, no idea who.
“Meeting room?”
“Yes.”
“Then see him.”
Gu Yansheng went straight to meeting room, Liu Xiaolou opened door, man about forty in police uniform sat, saw Gu Yansheng smiled and stood quickly, stepped forward: “You are Director Gu? This lowly one is Police Station Legal Section Section Chief Wang Desheng.”
“What matter?” Gu Yansheng direct.
“Something to report.”
Wang Desheng chuckled, glanced at Liu Xiaolou beside Gu Yansheng.
Gu Yansheng had Liu Xiaolou leave first, pulled chair and sat, “Can speak now?”
Wang Desheng serious, bowed: “This lowly one dares not conceal, today heard Director Gu helping soon-to-establish Nanjing Government prepare military supplies, promote bonds, lowly one comes boldly to ask Director Gu help transfer me to Nanjing, seek a minor post in new government police department.”
Finished, Wang Desheng took suitcase from under chair, opened before Gu Yansheng, gold US dollars plus land deeds or house deeds.
Wang Desheng stood straight head bowed, respectfully: “This lowly one will follow Director Gu’s lead, in new government, any matter big or small, easy or hard, will handle fully, this is lowly one’s token of appreciation, hope Director Gu accepts.”
See that, what eyes for opportunity, inquired news, slightly associated, came to give gifts.
Gu Yansheng smiled, “Giving gifts to Judicial Department, bold, but you say you’re a section chief, unhappy working in Shanghai? Must go Nanjing? Have to start over.”
Wang Desheng bitter smile, tugged shoulder clothes, “Struggled years for section chief, still idle Legal Section, this section chief counts as nothing in Shanghai.
Even in Police Station, not as prestigious as an action section captain, lowly one still young, wants change of life, dares not hide from Director Gu, all family fortune here, even my house deed brought.”
All-in gamble, Gu Yansheng respectful, serious expression, took land deed from box, looked, put back closed, thought and said.
“Shanghai house old, change for new, in Nanjing, I’ll reserve a villa for you.”
“Thanks Director Gu for promotion!” Wang Desheng excitedly bowed, face flushed, bet right, this step right.
“This takes time, work normally first, when transfer time, definitely move you.”
“Yes! Won’t disturb, Director Gu busy.”
“Good.”
Watching Wang Desheng leave, Gu Yansheng picked up suitcase and left, money secondary, inserting one or two in Nanjing police department necessary.
Good timing picked up, otherwise gold bars plus cash less than ten thousand US dollars, plus Nanjing villa, no such cheap deal.
Ring ring, ring ring.
Gu Yansheng picked up the phone, Kobayashi Nobuo’s roar from phone.
“What madness! Know your forced requisition will cause Shanghai’s economy chaos! Gu Yansheng, brain problem? Who allowed such decision! Idiot!”
Gu Yansheng put receiver on table, sipped coffee first, what comes will come, let him vent first.
Hearing pause in phone, Gu Yansheng picked up wearily: “Mr. Kobayashi, forced requisition not my idea, you know it’s agreement from Military Department and Minister Zhou, no choice, what can I do?”
Kobayashi Nobuo furiously cursed: “You all idiots! Don’t execute stupid suggestions, tell me, report to Gendarmerie Headquarters!”
“Can I? Mr. Kobayashi, you overestimate me?
Truly don’t want forced requisition, Judicial Department doesn’t want infamy, if possible, hope you persuade Mr. Kageza, give order to stop requisition, ok?”
“Stop first! Wait my news!” Click, phone hung.
Gu Yansheng ears not yet rung, disdainful expression.
Kobayashi really can’t distinguish ranks, a lieutenant colonel, what qualification compare to Kageza.
If no major issues, possible, but now new government army grain problem urgent, Kageza impossible abandon.
Even if Kageza agrees abandon, Gu Yansheng still consider consulate suggestion.
Kobayashi, not in league.
