Chapter 62: Prison
Judicial Department.
Gu Yansheng was holding the newspaper and reading the news about arresting Military Statistics Bureau people on it.
While reading, he picked up the phone and called Liang Youwei from Shen Bao.
“Editor Liang, your news is very timely. You actually managed to gather such detailed information about last night’s incident, and even had time to print it. Your information channels are comparable to intelligence departments.”
Liang Youwei chuckled, “Director Gu, Shen Bao has been operating in Shanghai for so many years, so it has some information channels. As for the printing time you mentioned, that’s because you don’t understand our newspaper company’s operation mode very well.
Usually, for Shen Bao, we screen manuscripts during the day, and from 9 to 10 p.m., there will be another round of information gathering. If a big news event appears, there will be a final typesetting and finalization at 10 p.m., printing starts at 1 a.m., no later than 5:30 a.m., and the first batch of newspapers will appear in the newsstands on the streets and alleys.
So although yesterday’s incident happened late, it was still within our newspaper company’s final information gathering time, so it was definitely in time.”
“So, you received the news before 9 p.m.?”
“The Military Statistics Bureau arrest happened around 6 p.m., of course we knew. Doesn’t Director Gu know?”
“I’m not talking about this incident, but this person, Ding Mocun. When did you know that Ding Mocun had arrived in Shanghai?”
This was also the most interesting part for Gu Yansheng when reading this newspaper. Specifically for Ding Mocun’s name, he was only informed by Hase Jinagawa when he went to the consulate last night.
If it were two days earlier, powerful people like Ling Xianwen and Fu Xiao’an only knew that the Japanese had an operation, but had no idea what specific operation it was.
But before 9 p.m., the newspaper company had already gotten the news, and that was during the time when the operation was still ongoing. Ding Mocun himself definitely didn’t have time for an interview, and No. 67 didn’t have time to entertain these newspaper people. Logically, no one should know this person’s name, but in fact, this name leaked out.
“Oh~, you’re talking about this. It was an anonymous phone call. We didn’t believe it at first, but the other party provided verification methods. As for what specific methods, I can’t tell Deputy Division Chief Gu. You’re now in a government position, if I tell you, and you find a loophole, I’m afraid I’ll get sued by you again. Deputy Division Chief Gu, please forgive me.”
“Hahahaha.” Gu Yansheng laughed loudly.
Liang Youwei had actually gotten smarter.
“Editor Liang is pointing at me. Fine, I won’t ask. Pay attention to the related reports on releasing prisoners. Arrange reporters to come to me at noon, and I’ll take them down to the prison to have a look.”
“Okay, okay, okay.” This was a big deal, Liang Youwei agreed readily, “Deputy Division Chief Gu, rest assured, I’ll come personally at noon and guarantee not to delay your business.”
“Good, see you at noon then.”
“Hey, wait, Deputy Division Chief Gu, there’s one thing. After my newspaper was published, the response was quite strong. Several family members of the detained prisoners called our newspaper company early in the morning, inquiring if this matter was real, and asking specifically what time they could be released.
I think, if you start releasing people, can you release this batch first? Then we can do follow-up interviews on this batch. With real cases, the story you want to tell will be more touching, right?”
“Sure, then bring the list of these family members with you.”
It was releasing prisoners anyway, no difference to Gu Yansheng.
“Okay, then I’ll thank Director Gu on their behalf.”
Gu Yansheng hung up the phone, shook the newspaper in front of him. Before the arrest, the news must have been confidential, and the only people who knew were the Japanese from Gendarmerie Headquarters and the people from No. 67.
After the operation started, the news would spread to some extent, but to say such a quick anonymous phone tip-off, there weren’t many people who would make that call, and the suspicious person was actually only one.
Li Shiqun.
The Military Statistics Bureau’s revenge would definitely come, this was pushing Ding Mocun out as a scapegoat.
Once no longer useful, kick him away. Li Shiqun was ruthless enough.
“Xiao Lou.”
“Division Chief.” Liu Xiaolou pushed the door and came in.
Gu Yansheng said: “Notify the Prison Management Section Chief and General Affairs Section Chief to accompany me to Caohui Jing this afternoon. Have the prison side make preparations. General Affairs should have explained the specifics to them already. Just don’t drop the ball for me.”
“Yes.”
Afternoon.
A convoy headed to Caohui Jing Prison.
Gu Yansheng and Hase Jinagawa rode together.
Hase Jinagawa was more concerned about the impact of last night’s incident, “Does the matter with Li Shiqun have a big impact on you?”
“Big.” Gu Yansheng nodded, “For people buying newspapers today, basically they are all rushing for last night’s Military Statistics Bureau incident.
Before I went to work this morning, I observed the content of newsboys selling newspapers in the concession. The first sentence of all newsboys’ hawking was definitely last night’s Military Statistics Bureau incident, and the second sentence rotated among the remaining hot news. My news appeared with good frequency, but definitely not as good as dominating the headlines.
However”
Seeing Hase Jinagawa frown.
Gu Yansheng wanted to tell his leader some good news: “Liang Youwei from Shen Bao told me that people from all walks of life are already inquiring with them about the authenticity of this news and the exact release time of this batch. Although our news heat is suppressed, there will always be people paying constant attention to various news.
Including today, someone from the city government notified me that reporters from the concession have inquired with the city’s Propaganda Department about the authenticity of this matter and requested to interview me. I didn’t agree and deliberately kept them hanging.
But the fact that I have been appointed as Deputy Division Chief of Judicial Department must have spread, which makes the authenticity of the whole thing very high, worth them looking forward to the follow-up.
The Military Statistics Bureau incident is just a sporadic event, and the impact of such events will decline rapidly with the passage of time. By then, my event will turn around, with news appearing one more eye-catching than the other.”
Hase Jinagawa’s brows relaxed, and he exhaled the stifled breath in his chest.
“Good, leave this matter to Mr. Gu to arrange. I believe in Mr. Gu’s ability to handle this well.
Regarding the actions at the prison later, what cooperation do you need from me? I see quite a few reporters have come.”
“Very simple. Just chat normally with me. We two stand a bit closer, take two photos at the prison gate, done. You don’t need to worry about the rest.”
“Just that simple?” Hase Jinagawa smiled in surprise: “Don’t you need me to visit the prisoners and express my attitude?”
“No need to be so deliberate.” Gu Yansheng smiled: “Today’s newspaper has aroused some reporters’ interest in us. We were photographed by the stalking reporters, not that we invited them.”
With this explanation, Hase Jinagawa instantly understood and laughed: “Overdoing it would be counterproductive?”
Gu Yansheng nodded: “Exactly.”
The warden of Caohui Jing Prison had already brought a group of subordinates to wait respectfully at the prison gate. Ma Sihai from the Prison Management Section was afraid they would make any mistakes. After receiving Gu Yansheng’s message in the morning, he arrived at the prison first, personally supervising and checking all matters. At this moment, he took the opportunity to wink at Gu Yansheng, indicating everything was under control.
“We respectfully welcome Consul Hase and Deputy Division Chief Gu to visit and guide our prison’s work.”
Hase Jinagawa disdained talking to such a small figure, didn’t even give him a proper glance, and directly asked Gu Yansheng if they could start.
Gu Yansheng went over to communicate with Liang Youwei, asking them to find some candid shooting angles to take a few photos of him and Hase Jinagawa visiting and talking.
“Got it, leave it to me.” Liang Youwei was experienced in taking such photos.
The two stood at the prison gate chatting, with a bunch of subordinates standing a bit farther away like stars surrounding the moon.
Click click click, in just a few shots, Liang Youwei had taken the photos. Anyway, it was supposed to be candid shots; too many would seem too deliberate.
One photo with an angle that could barely make out Hase Jinagawa’s face, one of the two men’s backs, both photos including the prison’s terrain, done.
“Next, I’ll take them to shoot photos for the next few issues in advance, so as not to have to come every time. It might take some time. Does Mr. Hase want to join?”
“How long roughly?”
“One or two hours.”
“Then you go ahead with your work. I have other matters, so I’ll head back first.”
If not for Gu Yansheng’s invitation, Hase Jinagawa wouldn’t even come to such a place. There was nothing to see inside the prison, and hearing it would take so long, he left directly.
Having sent away the tool man, Gu Yansheng got down to business.
Borrowing Hase Jinagawa’s authority to reprimand a few people, the intimate photos were for the concession to see, and also for the subordinates to see. Seeing some things with their own eyes would make them more reassured.
Let Liang Youwei go take photos, select a few prisoners in decent condition to walk out, take photos pretending they have already been released, do all the superficial work thoroughly.
Gu Yansheng approached the warden, with Ma Sihai from Prison Management and Liao Litang from General Affairs also present.
Gu Yansheng said with a stern face, “I heard you previously arranged for people to go out to work? Do you know how big a problem this is?”
One sentence scared the warden badly, thinking it was settling old scores, but Section Chief Ma had clearly told him the matter was settled.
He immediately became nervously stammering, glancing at Ma Sihai, “This…”
“I’m not here to hold you accountable. I also know the prison’s funding is indeed insufficient. The new government has just been established not long ago, and money is needed everywhere. You wanted to find a way out on your own, which shows some brains.”
“Yes, yes.” The warden immediately smiled obsequiously, hearing the tone wasn’t that serious.
“But violation is violation! Privately taking prisoners out, what if a prisoner dies outside? What if a prisoner escapes? What if the concession media makes a big fuss about it? When you used your brain, did you think ahead or behind?”
“Ah? Subordinate knows his mistake…” The warden bowed his head.
“Past matters are past, but not allowed under me, not even once. If something happens, I have to take responsibility. You can’t harm me.”
“Understood! Understood! Guarantee no next time!”
“I know you’re in a difficult position, but since prisoners can work after release, can’t they work inside the prison? I say you just don’t like using your brains. Does weaving cloth, making clothes and socks require going outside the prison? Will prisoners die outside? Will prisoners escape?”
“Ah?” The warden’s eyes widened.
“What are you staring at? Section Chief Ma.”
“Here.” Ma Sihai immediately bowed and waited for instructions.
Gu Yansheng said: “I heard your brother-in-law is in this industry. The prison has difficulties, can you help persuade your brother-in-law to contract the prison’s sales? They don’t need to leave the prison, the prison pays salaries on time, and your brother-in-law can earn a little, consider it doing a good deed.”
Ma Sihai understood instantly upon hearing this, glanced at Liao Litang who also understood instantly, the two exchanged eye contact, and he said in a high tone: “No problem, of course I’ll do my duty for such a thing!”
“If handled well here, the second prison can follow suit, which can be considered a self-rescue measure to compensate for insufficient funding.”
“Understood, understood.”
“Renting some second-hand machinery, finding a few textile workers as masters, no need for me to teach you that, right?”
“Please rest assured, Division Chief, we can handle these matters.”
“Good, then I’ll leave it to you here. But I remind you, textile products are flammable after all. Prisoners are clumsy, so be careful storing them inside the prison. If not reassured, rent a warehouse outside. Even if the outside warehouse burns, it has nothing to do with the prison. We can’t make any news.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s go.”
Gu Yansheng took the reporters and left.
Once the people left, the warden let out a big sigh of relief and said with a wry smile: “Too scary. You two section chiefs, this new deputy division chief is too scary. One sentence from him and my heart was up and down. But what does this mean? How did the prison suddenly become a textile factory?”
Ma Sihai and Liao Litang smiled at each other.
“Buddha says it cannot be told, cannot be told. Just do your job well, and your share won’t be shorted.”
