Chapter 89: Strategy
“Understood clearly, it’s very difficult. I thought beforehand that transporting goods would be tough for you, but without experiencing it, I really couldn’t imagine the process being this hard. Setting up a transportation line is truly not easy.”
Gu Yansheng could tell just from listening that how many people were risking their lives to transport goods on this stretch of road, and this was just to Southern Anhui, still ten thousand miles away from Yan’an.
Sun Monkey’s eighty-one tribulations on the journey to retrieve scriptures probably didn’t involve as many handovers as their channel to Yan’an.
“I also couldn’t anticipate beforehand that we’d fight such a wealthy battle, 1000 packs.”
Shen Linshen smiled: “This year we’ve only managed to get out seventeen packs of cotton yarn, and that’s with me running a tailor shop and having purchase rights to begin with. But your number here, I reckon the organization would be shocked to hear it too. How to handle them, they probably don’t have a good plan over there either, so we can only discuss it ourselves.”
“Then let’s discuss it.”
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and said directly: “We can’t do this matter this way; we need to change our approach.”
Relying on this method to transport a thousand packs of cotton yarn is too unstable. Building a transportation line is not easy for you. For this one trip, your transportation personnel might suffer heavy losses, which would be very unfavorable for future operations. We can’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Here’s my suggestion; I need you to help me ask Yan’an.
First, for nearby troops, like those around Shanghai, such as the Taihu Lake guerrilla team and the New Fourth Army that you mentioned—these close ones—I can figure out a way to get land route passes, then study how to deliver to them. They’re close, so time will definitely be sufficient.
Second, for distant ones, like Yan’an, which is ten thousand miles away from here, with the Japanese Army’s defensive lines and Chongqing’s defensive lines, the losses along the way are too severe. How about we just give money directly? Do they have places nearby to purchase?
If giving money works, then we’d be better off just giving money directly. Cotton yarn shouldn’t be too scarce a supply either; it’s not like rare medicine that’s only available in Shanghai and scarce or nonexistent around Yan’an.
Xi’an, Luoyang, even Taiyuan occupied by the Japanese—all big cities. I don’t believe no one resells cotton yarn there. No matter which city it’s bought from, it’s definitely far more convenient than transporting from Shanghai, and it can arrive earlier too.
Anything that can be solved with money, we solve with money; use money to help us avoid risks.
This way, not only is the overall safety factor much higher, we’re also spared the worry. It’s nothing more than selling the cotton yarn in Shanghai and buying it back in Yan’an to cover the price difference—isn’t that the reason?
If the New Fourth Army can buy nearby, we can give them money to buy it themselves; we might as well not send a single bolt, which is even less hassle.
Shen Linshen listened somewhat stunned and organized his words: “This method is definitely feasible, but the money required is also considerable. Cotton yarn is this price in Shanghai, but in the Yan’an area, the price is estimated to double, or even more—it’s not just a small price difference.”
Shen Linshen felt Gu Yansheng might not fully understand how black the black market prices were in those cities.
“The money issue, I’ll handle it; you don’t have to worry about a single penny.” Gu Yansheng said quite straightforwardly.
This matter was indeed due to poor communication, leading the organization to not fully understand his capabilities.
Otherwise, they should have proposed the most cost-effective solution.
Even if the price doubles, factoring in labor transportation costs and losses, it might not be much less cost-effective than the black market price.
Mainly, Yan’an is truly poor and hasn’t considered fighting a wealthy battle. In a helpless situation, manpower losses can only be accepted with gritted teeth.
But why did Gu Yansheng and Lu Bowen come to Shanghai? Precisely to solve this problem.
Now that they’ve encountered it, it should be solved.
“You have this much money?”
“A bit; definitely enough to cover the price difference.”
Shen Linshen was shocked by this straightforward and confident tone, then thought of a point: “So in that case, the money for these 1000 packs of cotton yarn is your own, not from the organization?”
“Of course not.”
“As expected.” Shen Linshen smiled and nodded; otherwise, there wouldn’t be the idea of putting up more money. “Impressive, as expected of the Deputy Division Chief of Judicial Department valued by the Japanese; your abilities are indeed extraordinary. Admirable. You’re sure you can come up with it, right?”
“If I can’t come up with it, I’ll go rob; guarantee to rob enough from traitors for you.”
Shen Linshen laughed upon hearing this. “This bandit talk is worlds apart from your upright persona in the newspapers. The organization truly had foresight introducing us; I can definitely save a lot of effort. Alright, I’ll send a telegram when I get back. As soon as there’s news, I’ll notify you, and then we can arrange to meet.”
“Fine. How to contact? You find me? I find you?”
Shen Linshen looked at the suit on Gu Yansheng: “Here’s an idea: when there’s news, I’ll call your office and say something casual, then you come find me at my shop. Your suit’s craftsmanship is actually average; I’ll make you two good ones, just right.”
“You can make suits too?”
“Of course, master craftsman!”
Gu Yansheng was impressed; a high-end craftsman.
“Alright then, buy two; the best fabric.”
Being able to explain things clearly put Gu Yansheng in a pleasant mood.
This route wasn’t just difficult; any mistake could easily lead to backtracking investigations, potentially exposing even him.
The next day at work, Gu Yansheng had the archive room look for files on smuggling cases with sentences, planning to study Shanghai’s smuggling channels.
But he hadn’t looked long when the telephone rang.
“Hello.”
Ling Xianwen’s voice came through the phone: “Yansheng, Vice Mayor Su is convening a meeting; notifying you—half an hour later in the large meeting room.”
“Got it, Secretary-General. What’s it specifically about?”
“The matter mentioned at that banquet. Fu Xiao’an was poisoned, right? Su Xiwen is acting in his place.”
“Understood. Alright, I’ll head over shortly. Thanks, Secretary-General.”
Gu Yansheng hung up the phone.
This explosion had only happened two days ago, Fu Xiao’an was still lying in the hospital, and the Japanese were truly in a hurry.
After looking at some documents, Gu Yansheng went to the meeting room.
The other directors who could make it were already there, exchanging greetings while waiting for Su Xiwen to arrive.
“Today’s meeting is mainly to assign a few tasks. First, the city government is establishing the Economic Department, with me serving concurrently as Director, Secretary-General Ling concurrently as Deputy Director, all directors concurrently as committee members, and Director Gu taking on an additional role as legal advisor to the Economic Department.”
“The Economic Department’s first task upon establishment: complete the exchange of all existing currencies in the city to Japanese Army military scrip. I emphasize: all, no distinction between enterprises. Any questions, gentlemen?”
No one opposed, only nodding. Even the directors who hadn’t attended that banquet had heard about it. Though the news came late, they’d avoided one poisoning—not a loss.
Su Xiwen scanned the room: “Good, since no one has issues, I’ll elaborate on the details.”
“First, Japanese military scrip denominations.”
“Denominations include 100 yuan, 50 yuan, 10 yuan, 5 yuan, 1 yuan, 50 cents, and 10 cents.”
“Second, military scrip exchange rates, per the Gendarmerie Headquarters’ suggestion: one US dollar exchanges for a total of twelve yuan in face value military scrip.”
“One silver dollar exchanges for three yuan in face value military scrip; one legal tender exchanges for one yuan in face value military scrip.”
“The rest—gold, silver, and such—detailed documents will be circulated to you all later.”
This exchange rate had someone unable to hold back; the Social Affairs Bureau Director sneered.
“Mayor Su, this price—isn’t it a bit too…”
He didn’t dare continue, but from everyone’s gazes and expressions, that was basically the sentiment.
Exchanging a worthless paper note for one legal tender was too ruthless. Shanghai citizens’ wealth was in legal tender and silver dollars; now at 1:1, if the exchange rate adjusts later, wouldn’t their wealth shrink drastically?
Whereas US dollars—decent people wouldn’t exchange them. Foreign merchants had legal tender too and wouldn’t offer dollars until it ran out.
“Want to say it’s too black? Headquarters set it; you go tell them?” Su Xiwen shut the Social Affairs Bureau Director’s mouth with one sentence.
“No opinion, just worried it won’t be easy to implement.”
“No opinion is best. Hard to implement or not, it must be implemented; this isn’t a joke.”
Su Xiwen said solemnly: “Gentlemen! The Gendarmerie Headquarters has issued a strict order to the Economic Department: order—within half a month, at least half the enterprises in Shanghai must accept this system; within one month, all enterprises citywide must complete the exchange!”
“Enterprises drive employees, employees drive family members, family members drive relatives; all enterprises must lead by example.”
“Enterprises that shirk or fail to complete will be directly cleared out—make them leave Shanghai!”
“People can leave, but enterprise assets cannot be taken away!”
“Additionally, all committee members must lead by example: each person has a hard quota of three enterprises per day, which must be met. Time starts counting from today; in seven days, if the number isn’t at least 21, resign yourselves.”
“Mayor, this number is a bit high, isn’t it?” Someone immediately shouted.
“Yeah, 21 enterprises—we’d run our legs off in a day, plus persuading; how is it possible to close three deals in one day?”
“Right, Mayor, this is simply impossible.”
People in the meeting room looked at each other; it was obvious they were being made to play the villains—extortion and threats might not even suffice for three.
“If you can’t do it, fill it with your own enterprises!”
Su Xiwen glared and knocked the table, scolding: “Don’t complain to me—I’m doing five a day, Deputy Director Ling four a day; those lying in the hospital get three even if they can’t get up. Want to switch?”
“This…” Several people fell silent, faces grim.
“Second matter: Shanghai’s drugs problem. Drug smuggling is rampant; Gendarmerie Headquarters instructs us to rectify it. Director Gu, you’ll take the lead on this. Any problem?” Su Xiwen looked over.
Gu Yansheng hadn’t expected this task to fall on him, and solo.
He paused, then said: “The three-enterprise hard quota—do I have that too? Then time might be tight. And the drugs problem isn’t just a judicial issue, right?”
Others might not know, but Su Xiwen had attended the banquet and couldn’t be unaware of the drugs racket. This was a huge pit; the Green Gang would revolt.
“One less for you per day; can’t be fewer. Drugs problem is essentially a social issue; having your Judicial Department take the lead is reasonable. Director Lu, you cooperate.”
Police Station Director Lu Ying was named.
“Me? I’m very busy too. I can try my best to cooperate, but can the enterprise number be reduced a bit?”
Cooperation from the police station was a given; Lu Ying had no reason to refuse, but one fewer enterprise would be much better—power had to be fought for.
But Su Xiwen shattered his sweet dream, saying expressionlessly: “You can’t reduce it.”
“Why?” Lu Ying’s eyes widened: “Director Gu gets a reduction, so I can’t?”
“Need to ask why? How long has Director Gu been in government? How well does he know Shanghai?”
“Reducing his makes sense, but you, Director Lu Ying, have been a police officer in Shanghai Territory for so many years—which enterprises are easy to talk to, don’t you know? Believe me, if I tell the Japanese you want one fewer, they’ll slap on two more for you. Wanna bet?”
“This damn…” Lu Ying laughed in anger.
“Who are you cursing?” Su Xiwen glared and snapped.
“Figure of speech, not cursing you.” Lu Ying swallowed his frustration and begged off.
Su Xiwen then withdrew his gaze, scanned the room, and said: “Move quickly, produce results—the Japanese will see it. But if you shirk and dawdle, I’ve staked a military order; if it’s not completed, don’t blame me for turning ruthless!”
“Yes!”
The meeting adjourned; Su Xiwen left first, while the others tacitly stayed behind.
Commencing grievance mode.
Target: Su Xiwen.
The Japanese intent was obvious: knowing they had enterprises, make them lead by handing them over themselves.
Extremely ruthless.
They suspected this was Su Xiwen’s suggestion.
This old guy had been squeezed by Fu Xiao’an to just being a figurehead; who ever heard of a mayor becoming vice mayor? Shameless?
But Su Xiwen had done it.
And turned the tables.
Now controlling the Economic Department—a true position of power, wielding great authority.
“So ruthless even to his own people; no good days ahead.”
“Who’s ‘his own people’? Director Su was pushed by Gendarmerie Headquarters from the start; not close to you.”
“True enough.”
“Hey, Director Gu, what about the drugs matter?” Lu Ying spoke up proactively.
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment, then stood: “Let’s talk in my office.”
