Chapter 59: Eve
After holding a public opinion manipulation meeting with the editors, Gu Yansheng returned to the Judicial Department.
He picked up the document that Xiao Lou had handed to Fu Xiao’an that morning. Now, it bore Fu Xiao’an’s signature and seal.
This was a substantial sum of money, enough to renovate two new courthouses and all their surrounding facilities.
Actually, Gu Yansheng had expected Fu Xiao’an to give him some trouble, so sending the same document to Hase Jinagawa at the same time was also a tactic to use power to override power.
He just didn’t expect that Fu Xiao’an, a true “in-corruptible,” wouldn’t hesitate on matters that absolutely needed to be done. Fu Xiao’an was truly in a league of his own this time.
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment, recalling the saying “Giving roses to others leaves a lingering fragrance in your hand,” and took the document to the Secretary-General’s office.
“Secretary-General? Are you busy?”
“Oh, Yansheng, come in and sit down.”
Ling Xianwen smiled and walked out from behind his desk. “How’s it going? Are you used to working at the City Government yet? I heard you disciplined someone at the department yesterday.”
Gu Yansheng respectfully replied, “The Secretary-General is indeed the Secretary-General. Not a ripple in the City Government escapes your notice. Yesterday, I was merely rectifying the atmosphere in the department.”
“Haha, Secretary is for liaison, running errands here and there. It’s your third day today, how’s it going?”
Gu Yansheng handed him the document. “Here, it’s approved.”
“Is that so?”
Ling Xianwen said this, took the document, but showed no great joy. He even looked a little unhappy.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?” Gu Yansheng had looked at the document; it seemed fine.
Ling Xianwen shook his head and sneered, narrowing his eyes. “Good for Fu Xiao’an. He’s so domineering. Such a big matter, involving such a large sum of money, and he didn’t even discuss it. Without calling a meeting, he just signed it. If this continues, won’t the City Government become his absolute domain?”
Gu Yansheng paused and nodded. “I didn’t realize it until the Secretary-General mentioned it. It’s true. I sent someone to deliver the document to the Mayor this morning, and not much time has passed since then. He had the document approved and sent back. It was barely moments apart.”
Ling Xianwen let out a snort and slumped onto the sofa magnanimously. “Forget it. Who isn’t impressed by his backing? He probably doesn’t even consider the rest of us. If this weren’t your document, I would have found some trouble for him. But since it’s family, it’s good that it’s approved. Have you thought about how to proceed?”
“How would I know about this? It’s all about money and land. I’m not familiar with these things. I was hoping you could help me with the communication with the Construction Bureau?” Gu Yansheng pleaded, “Secretary-General, it’s not that I’m being lazy, but the Judicial Department has matters, and Mr. Hase is pressing me.”
Ling Xianwen smiled and pointed. “Alright, you. I know you’re busy. I’ll handle this for you. I’ll definitely help you choose a good location for your courthouse and expedite the construction.”
“Thank you, Secretary-General. Then I won’t bother you any longer.” Saying this, Gu Yansheng stood up. Since his message was conveyed, it was time to bid farewell.
It was most appropriate to let Ling Xianwen, the leader, handle the distribution of money. After all, what was due to him wouldn’t be shortchanged.
“Wait, you came, sat for less than two minutes, and you’re leaving? In such a hurry, are you just coming here to make me work?”
Ling Xianwen stood up, opened his file cabinet, and took out two packs of coffee beans. “I know you like coffee. These were gifts. Take them home to drink.”
Gu Yansheng didn’t refuse this. It would be too distant.
In the afternoon, the editors brought the first draft of the newspaper.
Gu Yansheng reviewed it. He had to admit, Liang Youwei’s writing skills were indeed top-notch. When asked to describe it from a neutral perspective, it was absolutely not an exaggeration.
The only of Gu Yansheng’s achievements in the Concession so far that could be publicized was the court battle. Liang Youwei, as the defendant at the time, focused on describing his personal capabilities and his statements in court regarding the Concession’s efforts in rescuing refugees during the war.
This would give readers who saw the newspaper a basic impression of him and generate some ideological agreement from the rescued refugees in the Concession.
“Editor Liang’s writing skills are profound, and it’s written very well. Let’s publish it as is.”
Gu Yansheng specifically called Liang Youwei to build rapport. He would definitely have to deal with the Shen Bao editors in the future.
Once the newspaper was published, the plan to release the prisoners could proceed. However, it would take time to build the new courthouse, and delays could lead to complications. Gu Yansheng considered that he still needed to find an existing courthouse for a transitional period to accelerate the progress of the entire matter.
As Shanghai was still relatively peaceful, it was best to release them as soon as possible.
At the same time, in the Concession, Hongkou.
Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun’s vehicles left Major General Haruki’s residence. To be precise, the house should be called the Tōin Agency’s Shanghai Office, but it looked like a villa from the outside, with no plaque at the entrance.
Major General Haruki was the aide to Japanese Lieutenant General Kenji Tōin, and concurrently the head of the agency, Lieutenant Colonel Haruki Keiichi.
Ding Mocun, having come with intelligence, had undoubtedly had a pleasant three days of conversations with both parties.
The first two days were for exchanging intelligence and discussing demands. Today, the Japanese were directly fulfilling their promises without any delay.
“Brother Ding, Major General Haruki has promised to establish an Agent Headquarters for you and allocate 300,000 Japanese Yen in funding each month. Hahahaha! Your arrival makes a difference. I’ve been asking for a long time, and Major General Haruki wouldn’t agree. But with you here, everything is possible. I’ll be waiting to enjoy the good life with you.”
“Major General Haruki is indeed generous, and Director Tōin truly values me, flying all the way from Japan. I am deeply honored.”
After a long talk with Kenji Tōin, Ding Mocun no longer had the evasive demeanor he had when fleeing from Kunming. He had regained his bearing as a Major General, sitting confidently.
Before coming, he didn’t believe it, but after arriving, it was as Li Shiqun had said. The Japanese valued him a thousand times more than that man named Chiang.
300,000 Japanese Yen, 500 guns, 100,000 bullets, replenished monthly. This funding and supplies alone showed the Japanese sincerity in welcoming him.
“Shiqun, don’t worry. As long as I have food to eat, I won’t forget your kindness. We brothers will enjoy the good life together and dominate Shanghai.”
Li Shiqun smiled slightly. “Then it’s up to Brother Ding’s performance. Intelligence matters require timeliness. We can’t delay any longer. Let’s act quickly to maximize our results and annihilate the entire Military Statistics Bureau in Shanghai! To avenge the ambush by Dai Yunong on Brother Ding.”
The cars returned to Da Xi Road.
Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun quickly entered the building and assembled all personnel to plan the operation.
Both sides decided to launch simultaneous arrest operations in Nanjing, Shanghai, and other places. Both the Central Statistics Bureau and the Military Statistics Bureau were targets.
“Where is Wu Sibao?” Li Shiqun asked, not seeing Wu Sibao upon entering.
A subordinate immediately replied gleefully, “At the car dealership across the street. We just got a Buick back. Brother Sibao is probably repainting it.”
“Call him back.”
“Yes.”
“What’s wrong?”
Wu Sibao was called back, still looking displeased, deliberately showing his annoyance to Li Shiqun. This was mainly because he had lost quite a bit of money recently. 5,000 had not been earned, and he still had to lose 2,000.
He thought about it and decided to trust Gu Yansheng one more time, waiting for an opportunity to double his money. After all, Gu Yansheng was the Deputy Division Chief of the Judicial Department, and there would surely be more opportunities to make money in the future.
If this 2,000 were truly lost, the 5,000 would be a complete waste. He couldn’t bear to lose it.
For now, he would steal cars to pay off debts.
“Sibao, call back all the men you sent out. There’s a mission, and it needs to be done quickly.”
“Call them all back? We’re not following them anymore?” Wu Sibao asked in surprise.
“Not for now. Call them back. Let the small fish and shrimp jump around for a couple more days. Today, we’re going for the big fish.”
The suspect in the French Concession case had not shown any movement, and the pharmacy owner released by Liao Shan had also disappeared. With such limited manpower, Li Shiqun had no choice but to prioritize the urgent matters.
Compared to a long list of targets, a pharmacy owner could be sacrificed.
As for the future, that could be dealt with later. As long as the person was still in Shanghai, they could still be found.
Of course, if they couldn’t be found for a long time, that in itself was also an answer.
“So it’s all for nothing again?” Wu Sibao complained.
“It won’t be for nothing. The Japanese have agreed to Director Ding’s request for 300,000 Japanese Yen per month in funding. As long as you show results, will you lack money? Don’t wear a long face, it’s really unsightly.”
“300,000?” Wu Sibao’s eyes lit up instantly, all his dejection vanishing. He slapped Ding Mocun on the back vigorously. “Director Ding, that’s impressive. As they say, old ginger is spicier.”
Ding Mocun subtly glanced at the arm and laughed heartily. “Sibao, life won’t be so difficult from now on. I’ll definitely ensure sufficient funding for the Action Team.”
“Got it!” Wu Sibao readily turned and instructed his subordinate, “Go notify them to return quickly.”
“Yes.”
Watching his subordinate leave, Li Shiqun asked, “Have those people made any moves in the past two days?”
“No significant moves,” Wu Sibao blurted out, then casually added, “However, my subordinates reported that three groups of people met at the entrance of the City Government. After inquiring with the security guards at the entrance, it seems they were taken away by Deputy Division Chief Gu’s Judicial Department.”
“What does Gu Yansheng want with them? Isn’t that case over?” Li Shiqun frowned in confusion.
“How would I know? Shall I go and ask him directly?”
“Which three groups of people?”
“A couple, a professor, and a manager from a car dealership.”
Li Shiqun had read the files of the suspects, and Wu Sibao’s description immediately jogged his memory.
“A couple, a professor, and a manager. The case should be over. What does Gu Yansheng want with them?” Li Shiqun mused to himself, then asked, “Where did these three groups of people go next, and what did they do?”
Wu Sibao replied, “The woman from the couple returned home, and the man went to the Construction Bureau. The professor returned to school. The manager went to a brothel and then to the car dealership.”
“The Construction Bureau? What is he doing there?” Li Shiqun asked, his face full of question marks. It was normal for the professor to go to school, and it wasn’t the first time the manager had gone to a brothel, but why would this couple go to the Construction Bureau?
“He must have been sent by Gu Yansheng. Isn’t that obvious?” Wu Sibao found it strange why Li Shiqun was pondering this. “What kind of connections could a mere businessman have at the Construction Bureau?”
Li Shiqun raised an eyebrow and thought, “We can’t think like that. To be safe, we should investigate. What if this person is problematic and is deliberately using our assumptions to do the opposite? What if the person he needs to meet is actually at the Construction Bureau? Then wouldn’t we have been deceived?”
“You find someone to inquire at the Construction Bureau and see what he’s doing there and who he met.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Of course, it’s necessary. If all these people are innocent, then why would the pharmacy owner smash the tea set from the second floor?”
Li Shiqun maintained his view. Someone among those arrested that day must be problematic.
“The most reasonable explanation is that the pharmacy owner sensed the risk, or saw someone, and decided to smash the tea set to give a warning.
Don’t forget, we hadn’t taken him into custody at that point. Theoretically, if he had pretended not to know about our presence, he could have slowly gone downstairs and created an opportunity to escape.
But by dropping the tea set, he lost all chance. This was a life-saving act. Saving whom? Wasn’t he saving his accomplice?”
Wu Sibao nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, I’ll ask someone to inquire. Should I recall the people following him, or continue to keep an eye on them?”
“Recall them.”
Li Shiqun also felt a headache. They truly lacked manpower at the moment.
However, this situation should improve after the current arrest operation. For now, compromises had to be made.
These people hadn’t run off after being followed for several days, so they probably wouldn’t run off in the short term even if they weren’t followed.
“Prepare for the operation first.”
