Chapter 115: Praise
Fu Xiao’an is busy raising money, other directors are busy avoiding suspicion, now everyone is very tacit, the central thought is that they must not be grabbed by the Japanese to do forced labor.
The last incident of holding a gun to interrogate in the office showed it, in the eyes of the Japanese, they are no different from ordinary people outside, if the Japanese are unhappy they kill, without any respect.
Since it’s like this, don’t blame everyone for not working hard.
The city government as a whole enters slacking mode, don’t ask, if asked just say they are busy, isn’t it easy to find a reason for being busy?
If really can’t find one, just hit yourself on the head with a brick, say it was smashed by citizens during inspection, lie down in the hospital, what can the Japanese do?
The city government is paralyzed, the Japanese are also powerless regarding the current situation.
Foreign merchants pressure through various channels, reporters frequently protest at the entrance of the consulate in Hongkou.
The Japanese don’t even dare to show up for interviews, if pushed they directly have gendarmes clear the way and leave, but they still won’t say a word.
And Shanghai’s economy shows a bizarre scene.
Military scrip is completely refused by everyone, the ones leading the refusal, doing it most decisively, are the Japanese’s own chamber of commerce, whoever dares to pay with military scrip is directly kicked out.
If even the Japanese don’t accept military scrip, who among the other shops dares to accept it?
All chambers of commerce collectively refuse military scrip, trading switches back to silver dollar, legal tender, gold, US dollar.
But in this incident, many enterprises got a lot of military scrip, they thought that military scrip would definitely still be used in Shanghai urban area next, so in the previous open exchange they didn’t fully exchange it, or even didn’t go to exchange at all.
Now military scrip has factually become waste paper, thus suffering heavy losses.
Have to cut back on expenses, barely maintaining the enterprise’s operation.
And among ordinary people, there are always some who trust Japan too much, or are too poor, exchanged all their cash into military scrip, now these people all have difficult lives.
Some people march on the streets, demanding Japan solve the military scrip problem.
Some people barter, temporarily solving survival issues.
Some people do short-term labor, this way at least they can earn some silver dollar or legal tender from rich people.
Unsmooth trading, shrinkage of ordinary people’s assets, impact of agent headquarters on the concession, Japan’s attitude toward military scrip, all these events reflect in the stock market.
That is continuous falls.
Stocks that were already steadily falling, after plummeting ten points at Yong’an Department Store, like having taken laxatives, at a certain moment suddenly crash heavily, entering plummet mode.
Sha Shun’s revenge though late but arrives, the first revenge target is Shanghai’s economy.
Whatever the Japanese value, he destroys that.
As soon as he hears Fu Xiao’an is raising money, combined with the stock market situation he knows Fu Xiao’an’s bottom line is almost reached, then smash once more, directly smash Fu Xiao’an out of the game, and by the way bring down the overall economy of SH City!
Sha Shun smashes the market regardless of cost, directly margin calls Fu Xiao’an, Fu Xiao’an doesn’t even have a chance to salvage, stocks are forcibly liquidated and sold by the exchange.
Fu Xiao’an’s chips thrown out, almost no one in all of Shanghai can take them.
The plummet after the steady fall thus begins.
With this smash by Sha Shun, that day he directly smashes Fu Xiao’an into the hospital.
The Japanese side completely stops, not even coming to find trouble with the city government.
City government, Gu Yansheng is reading the newspaper.
Recent newspaper news all say Shanghai’s economy is not working, or scolding the Japanese’s incompetence.
But today there is a freshly baked one.
Chongqing’s Vice Chairman Wang in Hanoi, Vietnam, formally betrayed the country.
“Good day, Secretary-General.” Outside, Liu Xiaolou deliberately loudly reminds.
“Iwasa was called back to Japan to report on duties, probably won’t come back.”
Ling Xianwen walks into Gu Yansheng’s office, plops down on the sofa, legs crossed and says: “Mr. Hase called me, meaning let us do our best to maintain Shanghai’s situation, everything wait for Japan side to discuss the result.
Moreover he also told me, the Japanese Cabinet is very dissatisfied with the military department’s recent work in Shanghai, the people sent next should not be as overbearing and unreasonable as Iwasa.
Our days should be a bit better.”
Now in the city government, Ling Xianwen is the biggest.
“Good news.”
Gu Yansheng smiles and also sits down, complains: “Iwasa’s style indeed has problems, sending troops rushing into the meeting room, pointing guns at government high-levels, which superior would do such a thing!
No demeanor at all, after he does this, people’s hearts are scattered.”
“Yeah, some hide, some claim sick, either they don’t meddle so much and let us operate ourselves, or send someone who understands a bit, this Iwasa is just a troop leader, letting him supervise Shanghai economy, he fundamentally doesn’t know shit.”
Ling Xianwen thinks of Iwasa and gets angry, accuses: “Look at the people he uses, Su Xiwen.
During the Reform Government period he was a complete idiot, completely incompetent at economy, even chose the government office location in Pudong, look at that place, either muddy fields or farmland, going back and forth to the concession takes one day, how to communicate with the concession’s merchants and office institutions?
How could Shanghai’s economy possibly develop?
Only letting him slack off easily during the strict control period after the war ended, now once he takes charge of a department, actually forced to run away by his own policy, saying it out is laughable.
And that Sheng Wenyi.
You say things are being handled properly, the Gendarmerie Headquarters insists on sticking in, sending such a stunned young man to be director, thinking he understands very well, Shanghai’s money is that easy to earn.
The biggest responsibility for Shanghai’s chaos lies with Sheng Wenyi, otherwise just the military scrip matter alone, wouldn’t have such a big external reaction.
Now he’s in trouble, huh?
Two generals, one caught by Nanjing, one ran away not knowing where, now it’s his turn.
I estimate according to their Japanese punishment method, light is enter reserves waiting for retirement, heavier is go to military court and can commit seppuku.
Perfectly good Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters commander, such a good position, really asking for trouble.”
“Too eager for progress.” Gu Yansheng smiles, teases: “Don’t talk about him, Secretary-General Ling, when are you becoming Mayor Ling?”
“Me?” Ling Xianwen glares, points at himself and sneers: “I’d better not think about it, Fu Xiao’an is sick, not dead, this vice mayor position don’t want it, I’d rather be my secretary-general, if really something happens, at least someone to take the blame, you say is that the reason?”
“Hahahaha.” Gu Yansheng laughs: “Since no need to bear such big responsibility, how about go out for lunch together at noon? Eat lamb in winter and ginger in summer, I heard Songjiang’s lamb is just right now.”
Ling Xianwen sighs, “I don’t have such good luck with food, I have something at noon.” Leans closer, says softly: “Seen the newspaper?”
“I’ve seen lots of newspapers, which matter?” Gu Yansheng also leans over.
Ling Xianwen glances with his eyes: “What else? Chongqing’s Vice Chairman Wang gave a speech in Hanoi, responding to the several major clauses proposed by the Japanese Prime Minister for getting along with China, proposing to peacefully handle bilateral relations, giving all economic privileges in Manchuria, North China, Yangtze River basin to Japan, seeking troop withdrawal.”
Gu Yansheng restrains his expression, nods seriously: “I saw this matter, I remember this person has always been main peace faction, him saying this is not surprising, what’s up?”
Ling Xianwen smiles, “Yesterday he spoke in Hanoi, today’s newspaper just issued in Shanghai, but his envoy can arrive in Shanghai at noon, Mr. Hase’s side asked me to go pick up together, accompany for a meal, magical, right?”
“No wonder not accompanying me to eat, what are they coming to Shanghai for?”
“Negotiation of course, at that time new government established, Japanese racked their brains to find some senior people to prop up the facade, look isn’t Fu Xiao’an dug out like that?
Now a vice chairman delivers himself, holding who knows how many secrets from Chongqing, Japanese definitely won’t let him go, hot cake, and let me tell you, they have negotiated not just once before, I’ve accompanied Mr. Hase before.
Estimate this time it’s really almost done, otherwise this Vice Chairman Wang wouldn’t run to Hanoi to issue such a statement.”
Gu Yansheng frowns, “Then we superiors will have one more dad?”
Ling Xianwen stuns, then laughs: “Your wording is interesting, correct, definitely, if he comes, this position can’t be low, and let me tell you, not one dad, a group of dads, would such a person have few people around?”
“True.”
Gu Yansheng thinks, smiles and shakes head: “Anyway this matter not up to us to decide, I’ll just guard my own plot of land, too lazy to bother.
Just right, now nothing much, and no one managing, I’ll first think where to buy a house, first get the house settled.
Worrying me to death, the canteen food is too bad, the funding Japanese give is already little, canteen people probably still skim some, now economy bad, food worse, the rice Japanese give us actually has moldy ones, really humiliating.
Now I’m forced to sneak out to find good food, even eating a meal have to bring a bunch of people, afraid Iron Blood Assassination Group comes knocking.”
“I’m thinking of this for you, before your relationship with Iwasa wasn’t good, couldn’t mention this matter, but I think living still need to live near Hongkou barracks side, safety must be considered.”
Ling Xianwen thinks: “You wait a bit more, wait for new commander arrives, perhaps this matter solved, if you buy yourself, the best few villas near the barracks you can’t buy, those are all circled by Gendarmerie Headquarters.
You buy those ordinary ones nearby, that’s too ordinary, no need, endure a few more days, go outside eat a few meals, or find some trustworthy person to buy vegetables bring over to eat, Japanese won’t leave Gendarmerie Headquarters commander position empty too long, I estimate just these few days, Japan will send someone to take over.”
“Eating well in city government, I’m afraid bad influence.” Gu Yansheng smiles, “Alright, wait and see, I also want to save some money.”
Not long after Ling Xianwen left, Liu San calls, asks Gu Yansheng to come down.
Car drives to riverside, Gu Yansheng meets Chen Mo.
Chen Mo says: “People returning from Shanghai have all safely arrived in Chongqing, Director Dai commends our operation destroying Japanese military scrip with complete success via internal telegram.
Especially to Silver Fox your deliver money plan, gives high praise!
Your plan is the core step of this operation, completely shattering Japanese Army’s dream of long-term scraping Shanghai wealth via military scrip, whether from effect or harvest, both fruitful results, outstanding war record.
Express respect to you, record one bureau internal commendation notice, apply for one reward medal, but due to being in enemy camp, inconvenient to reveal personnel info to relevant departments, hence first record and seal, specially send me to explain to you.”
“Thank Director for trust, I just did what I should do, thank Director Dai for care.”
Commendation not much, but medal is something, a bit unexpected.
Gu Yansheng estimates this commendation and medal, mainly earned quite some money for Chongqing’s Boss Dai.
This operation, at least brings Boss Dai 15 million legal tender revenue, converted to US dollar that’s over 1 million, absolutely not small number, simply windfall.
“One more thing, Wang Ni betraying country, don’t know if you heard?”
“Saw newspaper, says he’s in Hanoi.” Gu Yansheng nods.
“Boss Dai received message, someone flew from Hanoi to Shanghai, should be Wang Ni’s subordinate, coming to Shanghai to contact and negotiate with Japanese, instructs us to obtain their negotiation content, and depending on situation execute elimination mission, give severe punishment to traitor!
Mission executed by our action group, hope you can help us scout the situation, provide relevant information.”
“The person has indeed arrived in Shanghai.” Gu Yansheng tells him what he knows, “This person’s info I estimate can get, negotiation I probably have no qualification to participate, otherwise today would have called me along.”
Chen Mo nods, “Then you get the basic info, once you have we formulate plan, see if opportunity to strike.
Such negotiation definitely forms document recorded, Wang Ni didn’t come, document definitely to be brought back to Hanoi for him to see, then we can strike at hotel, find this document, take photos record.”
“Good, I know, you wait for my message.”
Gu Yansheng returns, evening, tailor shop’s Shen Linshen also comes over.
“Heard? Chongqing’s Vice Chairman Wang defected to Japanese, and his close aide subordinate arrived in Shanghai.”
“Your news is well-informed enough?” Gu Yansheng surprised laughs: “I knew of betrayal this morning, near noon knew his subordinate arrived Shanghai, logically this matter quite secret, you all actually know.”
“You all?” Shen Linshen keenly, “You all who? Military Statistics Bureau found you?”
Gu Yansheng nods: “Today Military Statistics Bureau asks me to find out Wang Ni envoy’s Shanghai mission, and depending on identity see if execute elimination mission.”
“That saves trouble.” Shen Linshen smiles, “You eat two fish with one effort, organization instructs, obtain substantial evidence of Wang Ni colluding with Japanese, best get meeting minutes, but don’t force it, prioritize own safety, if encounter danger, decisively abandon.”
“Understood.” Gu Yansheng nods smiles: “Eat two fish with one effort, nice.”
“Additionally one more thing.”
Shen Linshen seriously: “I represent organization notify you, Comrade Gu Yansheng, Southern Anhui region encountered once-in-a-century cold wave, this year temperature there especially cold, due to your efforts, medicine and cotton yarn timely sent to Southern Anhui, let Southern Anhui base’s New Fourth Army in severe cold have clothes to wear, wound medicine to eat.
New Fourth Army Headquarters specially sends document to headquarters, requests thanks to comrades in Shanghai region who transported medicine and cotton yarn to them, and proposes headquarters commend them, and hopes to know their names, for special thanks later.
Names can’t be told to them, this is organization discipline, but headquarters also telegraphs New Fourth Army, Shanghai’s Underground Party will always help New Fourth Army guard New Fourth Army, fight together with New Fourth Army on the front line of East China battlefield.
Organization lets me convey to you, pass New Fourth Army’s thanks to you.
