Chapter 91: Forming A Team
After eating, he returned to the office.
Not long after, Gu Yansheng received a call from the fisherman, so he found an excuse and went to Shen Ji Clothing Store.
The shop was in Zhabei, with a decent space, two rooms front and back, and rooms upstairs, living and selling in one.
The room was hung with all kinds of suits and qipaos, and the table was laid out with various cloths. Judging by the fabric, it was indeed taking a mid-to-high-end route.
“Boss.” Gu Yansheng walked in.
“Hey, you’re here.” Shen Linshen lifted the curtain and came out from the inner room. Seeing Gu Yansheng, he said, “The assistant isn’t here. I sent him to buy things, and it’ll take at least an hour for him to come back. Does the boss want a suit made?”
Gu Yansheng glanced over. Now Shen Linshen was wearing a smock and glasses, looking quite refined, just like a master craftsman.
“Alright, let me see your craftsmanship.”
“Then let’s take measurements first.”
Gu Yansheng obediently spread his arms out horizontally. “What did the reply say?”
Shen Linshen took the tape measure and started measuring. “The organization really doesn’t seem to know you have this much money. We communicated three times to clarify this. I sent over enough for ten thousand people, and their reply was actually to have me confirm if the number was sent wrong.
Though questioned, I can understand the organization’s feeling, since I went through it yesterday too.
After communicating again, the organization’s reply was that the quantity is too large and doesn’t need transportation at all. Don’t consider Yan’an; just meet the New Fourth Army’s requirements.
If there’s extra money, you can give them some. You decide the amount yourself, give them a reply, and if needed, he will send someone to pick it up.”
“How many people in the New Fourth Army?”
“Ten thousand.”
“The amount for 100 packs of cotton yarn?”
“Right.”
“Got it. No wonder when I heard you talk about this transportation method yesterday, I felt this batch of goods wasn’t for Yan’an. The cost isn’t worth it at all. Turns out it’s really not.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. Actually, this matched up. The organization’s initial mission target for them in Shanghai was just for the New Fourth Army’s winter clothing.
Supplying 100 packs of cotton yarn for the New Fourth Army was already difficult enough. Meeting that would be great, and the organization never thought they could get more cotton yarn.
They just didn’t know the mission’s destination, so subconsciously they wanted to send the good stuff to Yan’an.
“New Fourth Army ten thousand people, 100 packs of cotton yarn.”
“80 packs. I’ve already sent 20 packs over.”
“Mm, like this. Still calculate for ten thousand people. Maybe the New Fourth Army has recruited more. We’ll have more, not less. The plan is to just give the money and let the New Fourth Army buy it themselves. Southern Anhui isn’t far from here. I think there must be smugglers who will take cotton yarn over proactively. They have some locally too. If they really can’t buy it or run into other issues, we’ll think of other ways. What do you think?”
If it really came to delivering the goods, Gu Yansheng felt he could figure something out within his power scope, but if money could solve it, solve it with money first. Everyone saves trouble.
“Fine. You provide the money, I’ll handle the contact.”
“Later I’ll pick it up and send it over.”
“One more thing.” Shen Linshen said, “The organization says the situation around Shanghai is changing, and your position is changing too. It’s necessary to build an action group centered on you. You’ll be team leader in charge of command, and I’ll be deputy team leader in charge of recruiting staff and action details.
The action group has decision-making power and can make necessary action judgments based on the situation, then report afterward.”
“Sure, this is really good.”
An action team was exactly what Gu Yansheng needed. The organization was thoughtful, knowing that he, Lu Bowen, and He Yun weren’t suited for hands-on work.
“Now you’re my leader. Anything you want to ask?”
“Where to recruit staff from?”
“When I contact New Fourth Army Headquarters, I’ll have them pick a few people and send them over. Aim to establish an action squad in every district. Don’t need many people, two or three per district is fine. The goal is quick response.
Also, I’m applying to the organization for two female comrades. Otherwise, all men would make some occasions inconvenient to enter or exit.
Keep the transportation station’s staff unchanged. Their main task is still mid-transfer, but if a major action needs manpower, they can deploy as backup.
Mainly these directions. I estimate it’ll take at least a month to set up.”
Shen Linshen really had experience. Gu Yansheng had nothing to say.
“Do as you say.”
“Then turn around.”
Gu Yansheng cooperated by turning around, and Shen Linshen finished measuring all the sizes.
He smiled slightly. “Boss has a good figure. He’ll look great in the clothes I make.”
“Looking forward to your work.” Gu Yansheng smiled too.
“Ten silver dollars deposit.”
“Black shop.”
Gu Yansheng made a trip home, took 2500 US dollars plus ten silver dollars to him, and reminded before leaving: “Send the money out as soon as possible. The Japanese are going to push military scrip. All currency except military scrip won’t be allowed to circulate.”
“There’s such a thing?” Shen Linshen’s brows furrowed at once.
“Tomorrow’s newspaper, all of Shanghai will know. If you have a lot of money, remember to deposit it in the concession today. Tomorrow the banks will have queues. But no need to worry too much. The black market always exists. Rarity drives up value. I’m off.”
With the cotton yarn issue not needing to worry about transport, Gu Yansheng could breathe a sigh of relief and start handling the drugs matter.
Though Lu Ying was unwilling to help, he still made clear the key figures in this matter.
French Concession’s Liao Shan, Green Gang’s Huang Jinrong.
International Settlement’s Sha Shun, Hongkou’s Japanese ronin,
And Shanghai urban area’s Zhang Xiaolin.
No matter how the matter was handled, Gu Yansheng needed to meet each of these people.
But before that, he needed to find someone to check the situation, to avoid being fooled.
Caohui Jing Prison. Gu Yansheng came to find North Jiangsu Tycoon Gu Zhuxuan and brought him a roast chicken.
“How’ve you been lately?” Gu Yansheng leaned his butt on the desk.
Gu Zhuxuan sat down and started eating, joking, “With Director Gu’s care, how bad could it be? Can’t go out, plus no women, but otherwise no different from outside. The stuff you bring is still the best. Need something from me? The mouth that eats is short. Speak quick, or after I eat, I won’t care.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “Yeah, something. You’re the North Jiangsu Tycoon. I want you to tell me about smuggling.”
Gu Zhuxuan looked at him in surprise. “How come you’re interested in smuggling? Got goods to move?”
“I’m investigating smuggling.”
“Then can my people still make a living?”
“I’m investigating Huang Jinrong.”
Smack, Gu Zhuxuan slapped the table. “Why not say so earlier? I’ll tell you everything I know. What do you want to know? But you’re not fooling me? Really investigating Huang Jinrong?”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “Absolutely true. He’s one of my targets, but I don’t guarantee I’ll arrest him.”
“No problem. With Director Gu making a move, he definitely won’t have it easy. I don’t expect you to drag that old turtle out of the French Concession. He’s clever. Even the Japanese can’t catch his handles. Just give him some trouble.
What aspect do you want to know?”
“Medicine and drugs.”
Since asking, Gu Yansheng included medicine too, since it’d be useful later anyway.
“Pro stuff. The two highest-profit things.”
Gu Zhuxuan smiled and said, “First, medicine sources. From abroad, that’s certain. Now with Japanese border blockades, to get in without detection, only a few routes.
I have time. Take it slow.” Gu Yansheng listened attentively.
“First, medicine sources. From abroad, that’s certain. Now Japanese block borders. To get in without inspection, only a few routes.
One is Burma Road. Smugglers use mule caravans or small vehicles. Medicine from Myanmar’s Lashio via Yunnan Kunming to Chongqing. That’s the smuggling line to Chongqing.
For port cities like Shanghai, to avoid searches, can’t unload at port. Before inspection, use small boats to take delivery midway, then go up river channels directly to inland landing.
As long as willing to run it, Shanghai goods via Suzhou River can still reach Nationalist controlled area.
Also from Hong Kong, small boats just head to any Guangdong coastline to land.
These are for small businessmen. Method saves money, no protection fee. Downside is small quantities, can’t carry much per trip.
Big businessmen generally use concealment methods.
Seen oil drums? Bind medicine to a weight to sink it. One shipload of oil, how much can it carry inside?
Tires too. Tires are great. Before fitting the wheel, stuff full of medicine. Huge space, fits a lot.
Just slip some money to inspectors, agree on their shift time for check, passes easily.
But these two types are still far behind those with hats.
Actually, if Director Gu wants to smuggle, just issue a note, and the goods go right out?”
Gu Yansheng smiled. “Anything else?”
“Plenty. Small methods galore. Could talk three days and nights.”
Gu Zhuxuan really seemed bored in confinement. Usually maintaining big shot vibe, couldn’t chat with ordinary people. Catching someone like Gu Yansheng, he talked a lot.
“Like these sulfonamide tablets. Know where they can hide? Soap.
Make with mold: put sulfonamide first, pour soap liquid to solidify. Ship casually. Unless broken, totally undetectable?
Same principle, stuff tablets in cotton. Cotton looks light per bit, but compressed it’s heavy. Checking inside cotton? Inspector tires to death and still won’t find.
Rice too. Can hide in rice, right?”
“Alright, got it.” Gu Yansheng had heard enough. Basic trick was conceal in common items. Nothing new.
“What kinds of medicine are you smuggling now that have high profit?”
“Sulfonamide, quinine, anesthetics like morphine, then hemostatic bandages, disinfectants. All western medicine. Western medicine sells expensive. Plus potassium cyanide.”
“Potassium cyanide too?” That was something Gu Yansheng hadn’t expected.
“Of course, very expensive.” Gu Zhuxuan smiled meaningfully. “Killing tool. Always someone likes to keep some. Half gram kills quick. One tablet sells 40 silver dollars. Imagine one trip’s worth? Just few buyers, or it’d outvalue drugs.”
Indeed expensive. 40 silver dollars for half gram medicine, equals twenty US dollars per gram medicine, twenty grams gold per gram medicine. Ordinary people don’t deserve to die with this.
“What about drugs?”
“Drug channels differ from these medicines. More regional.”
Gu Zhuxuan took a sip of wine and said, “Now Shanghai’s drugs controlled by major forces. Each force mainly sells different things.
Japanese and Koreans like selling opium and morphine. Zhang Xiaolin likes selling opium and cocaine. Jews like selling morphine injections, high-end injectable stuff. Chaozhou Gang likes selling Yunnan soil, shipped from Yunnan.
Huang Jinrong mainly does opium too. Old method he’s used to, stable customers, no desire to change.
If you want to hit Huang Jinrong, French Concession’s Xingfei Road. Go check, plenty of his selling opium shops.
They gotta restock, right?
Follow and find his warehouse. Find the warehouse, how goods go private, how they enter, won’t you uncover it?”
“Mm, makes sense.” Gu Yansheng nodded, thought, and asked, “If among these, I pick one to strike first, which is weakest?”
“Chaozhou Gang. Outsiders, small force.”
“Which is toughest?”
“Still Chaozhou Gang. So-called fierce dragon crossing river. Without some real chops, dare they come to Shanghai? They fight hardest.”
“Good, got it.”
