Chapter 98: Confrontation
Woke up from one sleep and the world had changed.
New official takes office with three fires; Sheng Wenyi’s first act upon taking office was to have the Police Station join forces with the Gendarmerie, sealing up 36 opium dens in Zhabei and Nanshi overnight.
Arrest people, seize goods, and immediately convene a City Government press conference, announcing the public burning of five tons of seized opium to demonstrate anti-drug determination.
Burning opium is indeed rare on the Shanghai Bund. Reporters asked when exactly it would start; Sheng Wenyi said there’s no time like the present, right now today.
With that, he led the reporters to a suburban warehouse, took out the opium for them to take photos, lit a big fire, thick smoke rose from the opium mountain. Don’t say, this scene was indeed spectacular. The reporters felt that smelling too much of this smoke really made them dizzy and lightheaded as described in books, just like smoking opium.
Pretty exciting.
Sheng Wenyi stood in front of the burning opium mountain, clenched his fist, and shouted, “I declare on behalf of the Anti-Drug General Bureau! We vow to fight Shanghai’s drug problem to the end!”
Reporters snapped photos one after another; such a bold declaration instantly put the Anti-Drug General Bureau’s name out there.
At least the next day’s newspapers really made some people think the City Government was serious about anti-drug efforts.
This way, reputation builds fast; Sheng Wenyi had his fun, but someone was bound to feel uncomfortable.
Zhang Xiaolin called Gu Yansheng to vent.
“Director Gu, is this Sheng Wenyi out of his mind? Doesn’t even talk, just starts arresting people, dares to arrest my people, then calls me to brag and demands I go listen to his bullshit. Has he smoked too much opium?”
Zhang Xiaolin was referring to the opium that was burned; Sheng Wenyi stood closest and inhaled the most smoke, so it definitely affected him.
But Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and really realized something: “Don’t say, you’re pretty accurate. I saw him at the Gendarmerie Headquarters yesterday and indeed smelled opium. This Sheng Wenyi is really smoking opium.”
Nowadays, opium is sold at different prices based on quality; the kind that attracts the upper class must have fragrance, smells just like spraying perfume, especially fragrant, different opiums have different fragrances, and the fragrances have become symbols of status.
Of course, Zhang Xiaolin also had this smell because he smokes opium too; Gu Yansheng had smelled it, both seasoned opium smokers steeped in the flavor.
“What exactly did he say to you on the phone?” Gu Yansheng asked about the main issue.
Zhang Xiaolin snorted coldly, “Hmph, wants me at the City Government at two in the afternoon to listen to his lecture. From his tone, he’s summoning more than just me.”
“Beat with the stick, then offer a sweet date?” Gu Yansheng guessed Sheng Wenyi’s approach and chuckled lightly: “Then just go listen. You already took the call, don’t keep him waiting.”
Gu Yansheng wasn’t afraid of betrayal.
He wanted to keep the profits the Japanese seized as low as possible, offering these people relatively good terms, but Sheng Wenyi couldn’t do that; their goals were different.
“Not going!”
Zhang Xiaolin’s anger didn’t subside: “I’ve been mixing on the Shanghai Bund for so long, never had the habit of turning the other cheek after one slap! Barking orders, who does he think he is? A scoundrel, piss me off and I’ll chop him up and dump him in the Huangpu River for the fish.”
Gu Yansheng smiled: “Then send a underling. Still need to send someone. Do me a favor, I want to know if you don’t give him a chance to flare up, how he plans to continue.”
In the afternoon, Sheng Wenyi held a meeting.
Quite a few people sat around the conference table; Shanghai’s big and small gangs all sent representatives. Some small gangs feared Sheng Wenyi, so the gang leaders in charge came themselves; at worst, a second-in-command showed up.
But the biggest ones sent at best a mid-level boss to listen in.
Don’t mention Zhang Xiaolin; even Mr. Sassoon himself wouldn’t attend such an occasion. Admitting to drug trafficking was impossible.
Sheng Wenyi wasn’t too happy seeing this.
But it didn’t affect his next plan.
Still smiling, he said, “Since everyone’s here, let me explain why I invited you. The Anti-Drug General Bureau is established to crack down on smuggling. Henceforth in the SH urban area, whether Zhabei or Nanshi, no selling smuggled opium allowed.
But I also know you all need to survive, so I’ll give you a way out. This is the document; everyone can take a look.”
Sheng Wenyi waved his hand, and his men began distributing documents.
“This document details the future drug landscape. No matter what drugs, you can still sell them, but all the goods you need must come from me. All categories, marked prices, price list is there, see for yourselves.
But one thing I must state: those who sign the contract today get this price. After today, one day late, every item rises fifty cents. Don’t say I didn’t warn you upfront, no arguing later.”
Among the attendees, the small gangs were the most anxious, immediately grabbing the documents to look. Their faces changed upon seeing the prices.
“Opium from you costs 10 dollars per liang? But black market opium sells for only 12 dollars, and shop management fee 100 silver dollars a month?”
Originally thought the “way out” in Sheng Wenyi’s words meant room for negotiation; who knew this way out was worse than death.
Their own procurement costs absolutely wouldn’t exceed two dollars.
“Director Sheng, this business can’t be done. Two dollars profit, we still have staff to feed, shop costs, transport, warehousing; we can’t make anything on two dollars.”
“Yeah.”
A few small gang members shouted there.
Sheng Wenyi smiled faintly: “Gains and losses, right? Procure from me, you earn a bit less, but it’s safe. I, the Anti-Drug General Bureau, issue you licenses; you sell opium openly, no more hiding. No police will trouble you. Paying some protection fee reasonable, no?”
“But two dollars, we can’t make it! It’s not about earning less; it’s no earning at all, definite loss.”
“Then raise your prices?” Sheng Wenyi glanced sideways at him: “You think no profit, so raise prices; did I stop you?”
“Raise prices and customers can’t afford; fewer people, costs even higher.”
“What’s that got to do with me?” Sheng Wenyi’s face turned cold: “I gave you the method; earn more or less is your business. Think it’s too little, don’t do it. Talking nonsense, who do you think you are? I just ask, sign or not!”
Bullying too much; small gang people dared to be angry but not speak, shrank back silent; anyway, major investors were still there.
Seeing them silent, Sheng Wenyi looked at a few major investors.
Smiled: “What about you few? Don’t want to sign either? I know these guys scraping by in SH urban area have no choice. Your territories have concessions, choices, so if you don’t want to sign, no problem. Withdraw your people from the urban area, I’ll buy your shops, guarantee you don’t lose money.”
Mr. Sassoon’s man left most directly, “Sorry, I need to go back and discuss this. Farewell.”
With someone leading, Zhang Xiaolin’s man also stood, sneering: “Such a big appetite, Director Sheng not afraid of bursting his belly.”
Two stood, then everyone followed, one by one leaving.
Sheng Wenyi didn’t stop them, just said: “Gentlemen want to go back for instructions, no problem, but time limit one day. By City Government closing tomorrow, if no reply and your shops still open in urban area, don’t blame me for courtesy first, force later.
Hope everyone remembers yesterday; I’m not joking, I’m very serious.”
“Sheng Wenyi turned drug business into thin profit high volume; high volume for him, thin profit for us.”
Sassoon House, in a room three people: Gu Yansheng, Mr. Sassoon, Zhang Xiaolin.
Mr. Sassoon laughed after his subordinate’s report call, “12-dollar opium, he wants to skim ten bucks; whole SH urban area must procure from him, or by sunset tomorrow, arrest and seal shops.”
This affected Zhang Xiaolin most, as his main territory was entire SH urban area.
“Little devil’s appetite is really big.” Zhang Xiaolin just said that, not that angry.
Because everyone’s main purpose today wasn’t drugs, but the underground Economic Department.
Mr. Sassoon and Zhang Xiaolin already knew each other; underground money shop business needs gang involvement. Mr. Sassoon and Gu Yansheng said needing massive staff, high cost, meant using Zhang Xiaolin’s people.
Now personnel all assembled.
Zhang Xiaolin’s people provide channels for SH citizens in market needing exchange, collect military scrip.
Military scrip resold straight to Mr. Sassoon’s hands, becomes real gold and silver.
Gu Yansheng provides legal protection; final trial authority with him.
Zhang Xiaolin being called for this business made him not so angry at Sheng Wenyi the scoundrel’s appearance.
Compared to drugs, this business is exclusive, and market way bigger than drugs.
“Director Gu, what do you think of next steps? Can’t let him keep sealing forever?”
“Still say the same: value is fought for. Want bargaining room, make Japanese know your value.
Mr. Sassoon’s value is status; he has foreign enterprise as shield, actually fine.
But you, Mr. Zhang, Expeditionary Force quite recognized your value; now changed people, Gendarmerie Headquarters doesn’t seem to. They think your businesses too many, so make them know following you means lots of people eating.
Rice bowls smashed, so many without food, vent anger, smash and burn a bit not overkill? Best foreign enterprises; once hurt, they’ll jointly pressure.
For Japanese, drug profits important, but taxation profits and image equally important.”
Zhang Xiaolin got it, nodded thoughtfully: “Alright, this matter to me.”
“Not finished.” Gu Yansheng smiled: “Smash and burn a few, Sheng Wenyi won’t hurt, Gendarmerie Headquarters may not. Need to make him hurt; one person’s shop must be smashed.”
“Whose?”
“Fu Xiao’an. Fu Xiao’an is originally Sheng family man; they knew each other from start. High chance he’s Sheng Wenyi’s backer. Move Fu Xiao’an, he hurts, naturally goes to Sheng Wenyi for trouble. Either retreat, or force Sheng Wenyi retreat. Smash his shop, he’s our ally, willing or not.”
Zhang Xiaolin chuckled: “This move interesting. Alright, I’ll greet him properly.”
“Don’t smash too fast; he seals one of yours, you smash three of his.”
Gu Yansheng looked at Mr. Sassoon: “Mr. Sassoon, concession should have plenty of Fu Xiao’an’s warehouses? Trouble you burn a few.”
“But he’s my friend.” Mr. Sassoon smiled.
Gu Yansheng also smiled: “Aren’t we?”
Mr. Sassoon nodded smiling: “No way, who let him cost me money? Accidental fires common; tonight looks good for a fire.”
“Good, then proceed per plan.”
This contract definitely won’t be signed, and unite everyone, not one signs.
Next day City Government closing, Sheng Wenyi waited in office till six, no one came.
Smile gone from his face.
Because subordinates told him urban area opium dens still open, none closed, as if no meeting yesterday.
“Treats my words as fart.”
Sheng Wenyi picked up the phone, one call to Lu Ying, one to Gendarmerie, arrest and seal shops!
Capture thief first capture king; Sheng Wenyi first targeted Zhang Xiaolin, to beat his arrogance.
Half hour later, urban area streets, large numbers of police appeared, clubs in hand rushed into opium dens to arrest and grab goods, while Gendarmerie with rifles stood by aiming; for any daring resistance, shoot directly.
Opium den people subdued at once.
Then police and Japanese rushed together to next door second, third.
Two streets away, Green Gang members who got the news of Japanese action, clubs in hand, targeted Anglo-American trading company, rushed in smashing glass counters, scaring British inside into screams.
Green Gang members smashed while shouting: “I’m Anti-Drug Director Sheng Wenyi! I’m Anti-Drug Director Sheng Wenyi!”
Smash open and grab everything, leaving British standing stunned in anger and confusion, recalling if “I’m Anti-Drug Director Sheng Wenyi” was some spell.
Their treatment still good, just glass smashed; but shops related to Fu Xiao’an were tragic, not just glass, interiors splashed paint, even clerks beaten black and blue. Who let Fu Xiao’an’s underlings always arrogant, even tried stopping them from burning shop.
Beat and throw outside, douse shop goods with gasoline, light with flammables, flick cigarette over, flames roared up!
