Chapter 94: Sincerity
Lu Bowen slapped the table, his eyes lighting up, “Got it.”
For Lu Bowen, the purpose of coming to Shanghai was to make money for the organization, but whether he made a lot or a little, it was all profit, and this number was hard to pin down with a specific goal, so he could only tell himself to do his utmost.
What enterprise to open and what business to do had a bit of a go-with-the-flow feel, and the mission wasn’t clear.
But after Gu Yansheng said this, at this moment the goal in his mind took concrete shape, and the commercial path could completely follow the way of opening up transportation lines incidentally, deciding what enterprise to open.
First select cities, then select businesses—as long as the business can make money, what business can’t be done? Every city has supplies it needs to sell and buy, so it’s absolutely profitable and can also accommodate secret transportation, killing two birds with one stone.
From Shanghai to Anhui and Jiangsu, this was for the New Fourth Army.
From Anhui to Henan, from Henan into Shaanxi, or via Shanxi then into Shanxi, and that would reach Yan’an.
Land routes can be opened, and railways too, from Shanghai to Nanjing, Nanjing to Zhengzhou.
Thinking too far ahead, the road still has to be taken step by step, and the flour mill hasn’t even been bought yet.
“In the future when I go for procurement, I’ll pay extra attention to the routes, which checkpoints have Japanese, which checkpoints check strictly, I’ll note them all down for him, and I can also build some relationships—this I’m good at.”
The happy little peddler now had to moonlight as an inquirer, and Lu Bowen thought that running long hauls like this would have its own kind of motivation.
Gu Yansheng looked at him—why was he suddenly so happy?
“Anyway, the business matters are handed over to you, I won’t interfere, if you need passes or quotas or such, come find me again.”
“Alright, then I’ll head out first, the two factories will be busy next.”
Going out, Lu Bowen greeted Liu Xiaolou, and speaking of which, they were neighbors, so they could chat a bit about family matters and idle talk.
Mostly nonsense like He Yun asking Liu Xiaolou to go shopping together or come over for dinner.
Once the person left, Liu Xiaolou came in to whisper, “Division Chief, I heard some news that Vice Mayor Su was furious earlier and went to find Secretary-General Ling, apparently saying that the overtime document issued yesterday was forged under his name by Secretary-General Ling, the two quarreled in the office, and later even fought.”
“Fought?” So exciting, damn, missed it, “Who won?” Gu Yansheng was curious.
Liu Xiaolou had been excitedly sharing the gossip, but upon hearing this his smile slightly faded, with a puzzled face: “Division Chief, the point you’re concerned about is a bit odd, two such big leaders fighting—who wins matters?”
“Of course it matters.” Gu Yansheng gave him a look of you don’t get it, and smiled faintly: “If the Secretary-General won, Vice Mayor Su would have lost two battles in a row, inevitably flying into a rage from shame, and in desperation borrowing the Economic Department’s name to pressure people below and assert official authority—what do you think, might new measures come out?”
“A draw, heard Secretary-General Ling took a slap first, face a bit swollen, but Vice Mayor Su didn’t get off easy either, nose took a punch, nosebleed came out.”
“Tch, a draw.” Gu Yansheng thought for a moment, grabbed his coat and left, “If anyone asks for me, say I went to the Concession for a meeting.”
Why the hell did they have to fight, making it seem like he instigated it.
Nosebleed even came out, face definitely lost, Su Xiwen was probably about to explode, better go out and avoid for now.
French Concession, Gu Yansheng came to the Police Station to find Director Liao.
First time awkward, second time familiar, finally no risk of being chased out, politely invited by the police officer to the reception room to wait.
The police officer went upstairs to report to Director Liao.
Director Liao frowned upon hearing Gu Yansheng.
He actually didn’t really want to see Gu Yansheng, back then he had a chance to befriend him, but judged that Gu Yansheng’s value might not match Wu Sibao’s, no need to tear face with Wu Sibao to gamble.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, the Wusongkou pass still relied on Wu Sibao, the choice was definitely right.
So the car matter fell through.
But later Wu Sibao actually knew Gu Yansheng, damn it, Wu Sibao returned the car, equivalent to directly ripping off his underpants.
Once looked down on!
On this matter, now the man was Deputy Division Chief of Judicial Department, this was really awkward.
“Brother Gu, long time since you came to my place, is it because I didn’t find you a car, blaming me?” Director Liao entered smiling and teasing.
Gu Yansheng smiled: “Wouldn’t dare blame Director Liao, but I’m afraid if I drive my car over and park at the Police Station door it’d get stolen again, I don’t even know if the French Concession’s public order has improved.”
Director Liao’s smile stiffened a bit: “This matter I indeed didn’t handle well.”
Gu Yansheng laughed haha: “Just kidding, Director Liao, today I came over with something to ask your help.”
Help not to mention, Director Liao actually quite liked Gu Yansheng coming to ask him for help.
He smiled: “Brother Gu, say it, what help do you want?”
Gu Yansheng paused, looked at him and said: “Director Liao should know I’m working in the Judicial Department now, the Gendarmerie Headquarters wants me to step in and rectify all of Shanghai’s drug market, all drugs in and out must accept Judicial Department jurisdiction.”
“What does this have to do with me?” Director Liao had a face full of confusion.
“But as far as I know, Director Liao is also a big market maker.”
Director Liao raised a brow: “Saying this in Police Headquarters is a bit much, but no beating around the bush with smart people, yes, I do have some business in this area, so what? My operations are mostly in the French Concession, seems not to overlap with Director Gu’s power range, Japanese can’t reach me, right?”
Gu Yansheng nodded in acknowledgment: “Indeed can’t reach, as long as Director Liao’s goods don’t land at Wusongkou Wharf.
Generally speaking, the Japanese Army at Wusongkou won’t fully inspect ships heading to the British American and French Concessions.
Maintain some ruling authority, show off power after rule, occasional spot checks, as long as no contraband is found, nothing happens.
But if they really find crates of opium…
The Japanese will publicize it internationally, attacking that drugs are rampant under Concession rule, this is what Britain, America and others love to do, the Japanese have waited a long time for this counterattack.
At that time public opinion definitely won’t look good.
Britain, America, France for the sake of face, if they find this batch’s owner is Director Liao, then Director Liao’s Chief Constable position might not hold, even after paying protection fee to the French.
So, if I were Director Liao, I’d choose procurement from Wusongkou.
First, Wusongkou people’s fees are definitely cheaper than the French, second, Shanghai such a big market, surroundings have Jiangsu, Anhui, doing it anyway, why be content guarding a small Concession?
On ordinary people I’d believe it, on the Green Gang, isn’t this appetite too small?”
Gu Yansheng looked at Director Liao and smiled faintly: “Just guessing, Director Liao don’t take it to heart, I came today to ask Director Liao for a favor.
Director Liao should be very familiar with the French Concession’s newspaper companies, have them publish an article.
Say the Japanese Military Department plans to pocket all of Shanghai’s drug profits as military expenses, such open support for drug trafficking, feeding war with poison, is truly detestable, attack as fiercely as possible, get several papers, British American newspaper companies can join too, I don’t mind more, just don’t write my name.”
Director Liao was suddenly stunned hearing this.
Originally thought Gu Yansheng said so much to threaten him, force compliance.
But this twist was too convoluted, convoluted to the point he completely couldn’t understand Gu Yansheng’s purpose.
“What’s the reason for doing this?” He frowned puzzled and asked.
“Isn’t it to help you all, I just ask Director Liao one thing, want to pay money?”
Director Liao sneered, “Only fools want to pay!”
Gu Yansheng nodded emphatically in agreement, “That’s right, to tell Director Liao the truth, the Japanese gave me the mission to get all of Shanghai’s drug profits, not fifty percent seventy percent, but all.”
“Go dream in broad daylight!” Director Liao really laughed, haha big laugh, “What kind of thinking, all, hahahaha, I wouldn’t dare dream this big, hey, Brother Gu, when you took this mission, didn’t you feel something off?”
Gu Yansheng chuckled, puzzled and counter-asked: “Why should I feel it’s off, I don’t traffic drugs, I execute mine, you resist what does it have to do with me? Will I lose a penny of salary? Hm?”
“Then what is this?”
“Not obvious? If you don’t fight, where does your bargaining power come from?”
“Got it.” Director Liao knew why he wanted him to issue this newspaper, “Alright, tomorrow I’ll make sure this blows up, flip the roof off.”
“Good, then thank you Director Liao.”
Gu Yansheng let out a long breath, stood to say farewell, finally leaving one sentence: “But Director Liao, I still have to remind you first, the Japanese might concede, the difference is how big an effect you can make.
But money definitely has to be paid, know when to stop, give me a reply early.”
Director Liao watched Gu Yansheng leave, pulled a face frowned and pondered deeply but not for long, spoke up as Gu Yansheng pulled the door.
“Money I can pay, as long as goods transport stably, but this quantity needs negotiation, and I’ve already paid thirty percent to Agent Headquarters, pay more, even if you let me take I can’t, French, Green Gang people, my men, all need to eat.”
He knew Gu Yansheng spoke truth, even very sincerely, not framing him at all, Japanese won’t let go of this meat, this gang are robbers to begin with.
“Brother Gu, what I say is also sincere.”
Gu Yansheng turned to look at him, nodded: “If Director Liao is willing to help that’s great, then let’s settle it today, what’s the total for a month?”
“Around 200,000.”
A bit less than Zhang Xiaolin’s, but this number at a listen was more than just French Concession.
Whether hiding profits or not Gu Yansheng didn’t care, as long as he collected a sum.
“Then like this, French Concession’s I don’t care, all goods going through Wusongkou, I take twenty percent, you pay twenty percent, but accounts made as thirty percent, Agent Headquarters side I’ll handle the split, you don’t pay another penny, alright?”
Compared to original only ten percent more, this result very acceptable.
“Good, then do as Brother Gu says.”
Another one settled, Gu Yansheng refused Director Liao’s invitation to eat together, simply settled the last one too.
Jewish Gang.
As long as Sha Shun settled, the remaining few gangs, Gu Yansheng didn’t plan to negotiate one by one, no need.
But Sha Shun still necessary, who made him in the British American Concession, nominally still a very prominent public figure.
