Chapter 92: Used As A Gun
“Resist the Military Coupon System!”
“This is plundering the wealth of SH citizens!”
“We don’t want military scrip! We have silver dollars! We have legal tender! We have US dollars!”
“Mayor, come out and speak!”
“Don’t be the Japanese’s running dog!”
“Fu Xiao’an! Come out and answer the questions!”
When Gu Yansheng returned from the prison, he already saw that the city government entrance was blocked by many people, with the crowd highly agitated.
Some were pulling banners, some were waving fists, no officials from the city government came forward, the excited crowd wanted to rush into the government building to smash things, but were firmly blocked by the guards at the entrance, so they simply started throwing rotten vegetable leaves and stinking eggs.
And behind them, a bunch of reporters were taking photos, clearly preparing material for tomorrow’s newspaper.
The news spread fast enough, it seems everyone who should know already knows.
Gu Yansheng honked twice, the guards checked the license plate before forcefully clearing a path to let Gu Yansheng enter.
Inside the building, clerks were secretly watching outside, whispering to each other.
Seeing Gu Yansheng, they greeted him one by one, then quickly left.
Gu Yansheng went upstairs, Liu Xiaolou reported: “Director, while you were out just now, Secretary-General Ling called, I told him you were out on business, he said if you came back, to have you go see him.”
“From his tone, his mood didn’t seem good.” Liu Xiaolou added slyly.
“Okay, got it.”
Gu Yansheng turned around to go find Ling Xianwen.
Before reaching the door, he heard Ling Xianwen shouting inside: “You lot are usually so capable, aren’t you? Figure something out! Cat got your tongues?”
People in the corridor hurried past, those in the office trembled in fear, Ling Xianwen stood by the window, looking down through it.
“Secretary-General, what’s wrong?” Gu Yansheng called out and walked in, there were some people in the office, probably from the secretary’s office.
“Mouths loose as panty waists, news spreads faster than diarrhea! No need to wait for tomorrow’s newspaper, the whole world knows the Japanese are pushing military scrip! Get out!”
Ling Xianwen said angrily, watched his subordinates leave, let out a deep breath, furrowed his brows and said: “Look at those people downstairs, blocking here, foreign businessmen are one thing, those dressed in rags, you can tell they’re hired by businessmen to make a scene.
The people from External Affairs and Propaganda Department are completely useless, go out and say two words and they get cursed at, total wastes!”
“Citizens having opinions is normal, this is nothing, tomorrow the whole world will know, I reckon bigger trouble is coming, Secretary-General why are you so anxious? There are plenty who should be anxious, don’t get mad.”
“But with them blocking here, how do we get off work?” Ling Xianwen’s anger didn’t subside.
“Why not have Su Xiwen handle this?” Gu Yansheng didn’t understand, “He’s the director, he took the job, why should we?”
“He ran!”
Ling Xianwen’s eyes blazed with fury, he cursed: “I asked around, he was still in his office when the crowd first arrived, but as soon as he heard about the protest he got in his car and bolted without a word!
Now Fu Xiao’an is lying in the hospital, Su Xiwen ran too, I’m the highest officer here! This mess has fallen on me to handle!
How to handle it? Can this even be handled? Even idiots know no one wants the change, I don’t want it! Whoever steps up gets hated!”
Gu Yansheng finally understood what was going on, he had been set up, no wonder he was so angry.
Ling Xianwen said hatefully: “His own mess, he grabbed the power, doesn’t want to do the work, slipped away faster than a rabbit, half an hour till off work, look at that entrance, how is the city government supposed to get off work? When departments ask later, what do I say?”
“Did you call the Japanese? What did they say?” Gu Yansheng asked.
“Of course I called, the Japanese say they won’t interfere, because nominally the city government proposed it proactively for the new government’s economic stability, requiring currency unification, switching to military scrip, and with foreign businessmen on site, they can’t send gendarmes or it might cause conflict leading to international disputes.
The Japanese want their image, make us the bad guys to explain!”
“What about Lu Ying? Have his police maintain order?”
“Can’t get through on the phone, his subordinate said he’s off negotiating with enterprises, I told the one who answered to send people, he only sent a few, said without the director’s order he can’t mobilize more, that’s all the office can send, see, those few at the entrance, clearly dodging the issue.”
“Fine, everyone’s got backbone, since they’re all playing like this, why panic, if you ask me, Secretary-General you’re just worrying blindly this time.” Gu Yansheng calmly brewed coffee and drank.
“What do you mean blindly? Right now I’m the one with the biggest hat, all these people looking to me to get off work? When calls come asking later, what do I say?” Ling Xianwen looked at Gu Yansheng and asked.
Gu Yansheng smiled, held his cup and said: “Simple, in Director Su’s name, issue a document to all departments, say time is tight and tasks heavy, everyone must write down enterprises or individuals they think can be persuaded, every department every person must write, no going home tonight, everyone pulls an all-nighter.”
Ling Xianwen’s eyes widened in shock: “What rotten idea is that, send that document and it won’t cause a riot?”
Not letting people go home, where’s the reason in that?
Gu Yansheng smiled calmly and raised his head: “That’s why have the Secretary-General issue it in Director Su’s name?”
Ling Xianwen paused, thought about it and laughed: “Screw him over? He’s not here anyway, can’t explain, if anyone asks, I just say it’s what he said, nothing I can do?”
“Yep.” Gu Yansheng smiled and nodded: “And that’s not all, the department heads below don’t know he’s gone, those with grudges will go ask him first thing, ask and find out Su Xiwen made them stay but ran himself, Secretary-General, what do you think those heads will think?”
“Brilliant, he started it, don’t blame us for finishing it.”
Ling Xianwen’s eyes lit up, playing like this could ruin Su Xiwen’s reputation.
Immediately he picked up the phone and ordered the document issued to all departments, then instructed the secretary section how to answer calls from heads later.
Then very thoughtfully ordered the canteen to make extra food, tonight there’ll probably be a lot eating there.
Of course didn’t forget to pick the best dishes, he wanted to have a private meal with Director Gu.
As Secretary-General, his memory was spot on.
After he hung up, Gu Yansheng teased: “Not anxious anymore?”
“Not anxious, why would I be, now I hope he doesn’t come back.”
Ling Xianwen leisurely sat on the sofa, shaking his leg and said: “Doesn’t want responsibility, then let him lose popular support, the longer it drags, the more he can’t show his face in city government, I don’t believe he won’t come back.”
“If he doesn’t come back, even better.” Gu Yansheng said indifferently: “If he really doesn’t, then won’t the Economic Department director position be Ling’s?”
Ling Xianwen smiled hearing that, Economic Department was a juicy post, no loss either way.
“Yansheng, you’re reliable, come sit sit sit, idle is idle, let’s chat.”
“No chatting, I’m not idle, I still have a pile of drug matters, otherwise I wouldn’t have come back, so as not to get locked in and not get home tonight.”
Ling Xianwen laughed: “You’re hoist with your own petard, take some coffee back, count it as compensation from big brother.”
He went to his cabinet to get stuff, while getting it asked: “Any ideas on the drugs?”
“Went to the prison, I know nothing about drugs, prison has people who know, so I went to ask the experts, can’t be kept in the dark.”
“This job is tricky, those selling opium are all desperate characters, not easy to talk to.” Ling Xianwen handed over two imported cans, asked: “Any thoughts yet? See where I can help.”
“Not for now, I need to sort my thoughts first, got to figure out the drug situation in Shanghai, right now besides knowing a few names, I know nothing.”
Gu Yansheng took the coffee, thought and said: “Actually there is one thing Secretary-General can help with, at the last banquet, that Zhang Xiaolin you told me about, he’s one of the market makers in Shanghai’s drugs.
You told me to find a chance to meet, but then the explosion poisoning thing, I missed it? How about you contact him for me, have him come over, I’ll chat with him.
He wasn’t poisoned, right?”
“Pfft, he’s smoked opium for years, immune to all poisons.” Ling Xianwen teased as he picked up the phone and dialed directly, “Hey, Xiaolin, it’s Ling Xianwen.”
“Alright, he’s heading over right away, you go wait in your office, when he arrives I’ll have someone take him to you.”
“Good.” Gu Yansheng gestured phone to his ear, smiled: “If our Director Su comes to throw a fit, give me a heads up, I wanna hear.”
“Hahahaha, good.”
Gu Yansheng returned to his office, an hour later, Zhang Xiaolin arrived.
“Director Gu”
“Mr. Zhang, long admired.”
Gu Yansheng shook his hand, “Please.”
“Having the Secretary-General invite Mr. Zhang today, there’s something I need Mr. Zhang’s help with, Gendarmerie Headquarters is preparing to integrate Shanghai’s drug market, has Mr. Zhang heard?”
Zhang Xiaolin nodded slightly, “Heard of it, but don’t know how Director Gu plans to integrate?”
“Heard from whom? Director Lu?” Gu Yansheng smiled probing.
Zhang Xiaolin felt the trap but kept a straight face: “Maybe, could be Gendarmerie Headquarters too, if Director Gu wants to know who, no need, pointless.”
“Seems like ordinary people don’t know about this, just curious.” Gu Yansheng smiled: “Gendarmerie Headquarters wants to take back all of Shanghai’s drug profits, what does Mr. Zhang think?”
Zhang Xiaolin raised a brow: “Since Director Gu asks, I’ll be straight, no matter who does it, impossible.”
“Why?” Gu Yansheng was very friendly, eager to learn.
“Because it’s not just Gendarmerie Headquarters that needs to eat, so many people in Shanghai need to eat, I need to eat too, and I eat a lot.”
Zhang Xiaolin was utterly calm, “And I can tell Director Gu, in my share, there’s a portion for Expeditionary Force Headquarters, can Gendarmerie Headquarters take that?”
No wonder they say no investigation no right to speak, if you charge blindly, you’d offend people?
“Green Gang’s three big shots, one hiding at home, one fled to Hong Kong, rumors say Mr. Zhang threw in with the Japanese, looks like it’s true.” Gu Yansheng nodded seriously.
“Then how about Mr. Zhang give me an idea, how should I tell Gendarmerie Headquarters about this, so Mr. Zhang’s business isn’t affected by this integration?” Gu Yansheng finished smiling, “Actually I don’t even want this job, if you can tell me, saves me trouble.”
Zhang Xiaolin didn’t expect Gu Yansheng to toss the question back, but it’s his business anyway, unavoidable, thought and said: “Since Gendarmerie Headquarters spoke, I’m not unreasonable, as long as you don’t touch my business, I’m willing to hand over ten thousand silver dollars a month to Gendarmerie Headquarters, and one thousand to you Director Gu, how’s that?”
“Haha, even got a share for me, Mr. Zhang so polite.” Gu Yansheng’s smile wasn’t fully satisfied: “No problem for me, I’ll pass whatever you say, but ten thousand silver dollars, you think that’ll fill Gendarmerie Headquarters’ appetite?”
“Then let them go to Expeditionary Force Headquarters.” Zhang Xiaolin wasn’t fazed by the threat, “This is already what I squeezed out, no more.”
Gu Yansheng stood, “Wait while I make a call, I’ll ask for you now.”
Love watching Expeditionary Force Headquarters and Gendarmerie Headquarters fight, Gu Yansheng would play the messenger well.
Left the room, used Liu Xiaolou’s outside phone to call Hase Jinagawa.
“Hey, Mr. Hase, something important, need to report to you.
On the drugs, at the city government meeting, Su Xiwen handed it to me, said it’s a judicial matter.
I met with Green Gang’s Zhang Xiaolin, his attitude is tough, says he’s already paying Expeditionary Force Headquarters, no money left for Gendarmerie.”
“Expeditionary Force Headquarters?” Hase Jinagawa paused, “Asked who exactly, how much a month?”
“Didn’t dare ask, afraid to learn what I shouldn’t, Mr. Hase, Su Xiwen is Gendarmerie Headquarters’ man, now I think him handing it to me, is Gendarmerie already knowing and wanting the money, using our consulate as a tool?”
Hase Jinagawa perked up, hadn’t thought much at first, but Gu Yansheng’s analysis made it seem off.
Something wrong here.
The one sent to negotiate with Zhang Xiaolin was indeed from Shanghai Expeditionary Force Headquarters, so Zhang Xiaolin’s claim likely true.
If Gendarmerie still wants money from Zhang Xiaolin, probably using them to snatch from Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
But Shanghai Expeditionary Force’s entire setup was disbanded over a month ago, commander transferred back to Japan, army merged into Nanjing Central China Dispatch Army Headquarters, doesn’t exist anymore.
Meaning whoever Zhang Xiaolin paid originally, if the commander, he’s already in mainland Japan.
If not the commander, then Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters is actually snatching from someone now in Nanjing.
No problem at all, Nanjing thinking of controlling Shanghai, wishful thinking.
Shanghai’s money stays in Shanghai of course.
So he said: “Mr. Gu, no need to worry, just do as Gendarmerie Headquarters wants, Shanghai Expeditionary Force setup is disbanded, all money must stay in Shanghai, but one thing, all money must first go through Judicial Department hands, not directly to Gendarmerie Headquarters, get my meaning?”
Didn’t get it, Gu Yansheng was a newbie, “Because consulate needs daily funding, that the idea?”
Hase Jinagawa dead serious: “They’re using us as a tool, shouldn’t Gendarmerie Headquarters provide activity funding?”
