Chapter 42: Assassination
“Such a big background?”
“Big?”
Since things were out in the open, Ling Xianwen no longer hid anything, lest he bump into trouble blindly.
“The people in the new government are basically backed by higher-ups. For example, the former mayor who was ousted is now the Vice Mayor. He is from the Gendarmerie Headquarters.
As for the leaders of the remaining 29 departments, they all have connections behind them.
The situation in Shanghai is essentially divided into four factions, with the Japanese Army Headquarters represented by Commander Matsui.
The local military department represented by the Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by our Consulate.
The remaining are the Navy stationed in Shanghai. Their strength is not great, but their position is crucial.
All port trade in and out of Shanghai requires their approval, otherwise, ships cannot enter. They will definitely have their people among the relevant personnel.”
Gu Yansheng understood. Ling Xianwen had explained it very clearly. Although he was talking about several factions, he was actually discussing the distribution of interests among the Japanese themselves.
The Japanese military department gets the most. The Gendarmerie Headquarters and the Consulate are about the same. The Navy gets a share, but they must get something. However, their demand for positions might not be as high.
“Government work is not as straightforward as being a lawyer; it involves more human relationships and social complexities. But don’t think the factions are too complicated. Take your time, it’s not a problem, there’s plenty of time.”
Ling Xianwen smiled and said, “No matter who is behind them, as long as we do our own jobs well, there won’t be any problems.
For example, your Judicial Department’s primary duties are trials and supervision.
But what judicial system is there in Shanghai now? If I said there’s a judicial system in Shanghai now, would you believe me? Who would believe it if I said it?
I don’t believe it myself.
Shanghai after the war is a Japanese monologue. We don’t even have laws. We can’t still use the laws of the National Government and needlessly incur the resentment of the Japanese.
Everything needs to be rebuilt, so you have time to experience it slowly.
However, Mr. Hase has requirements for us, and this must be taken seriously.
There are two major Japanese forces in Shanghai: the Japanese Military Department, which is responsible for war, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for diplomacy.
What is diplomacy?
Don’t cause trouble.
Whether it’s military trouble, judicial trouble, or trouble in international relations.
Anything that makes Mr. Hase lose face in front of the major newspaper companies is trouble.
People’s hearts are unpredictable. Some people are lawless, and we must keep a close eye on them. At critical moments, we must correct mistakes, regardless of who is involved. We absolutely cannot let Mr. Hase’s consular diplomacy fall into a passive position. This is the core focus of our work.”
“Understood.”
Gu Yansheng nodded, “I don’t know the current situation in the new government, but give me some time, and I will first sort out the situation in the judicial department, so that at least in my own domain, Shanghai can be peaceful and Mr. Hase can be at ease.
Then I will expand to other areas and fulfill my supervisory responsibilities.”
“Ah, that’s very good.” Ling Xianwen put down his coffee cup and stood up with a smile. “Alright, I’ve been out for a while, and it’s time for me to go back. If you have nothing else to do, why don’t you come with me to get acquainted?
The City Government has a meeting hosted by Mayor Fu at ten o’clock this morning. All the leaders will be there. I’ll introduce you to them, so it won’t be inconvenient to get things done in the future.”
Gu Yansheng traveled with Ling Xianwen in the same car, sitting in the back. They still had things to talk about on the way.
“Regarding the safety issues you are concerned about, the current situation in Shanghai is indeed quite severe, so the City Government is urging some agencies to quickly come up with detailed protection measures. Actually, the Japanese are also very anxious about this matter.
The carefully selected candidates are killed by a single shot. The instability of Shanghai’s economy is not something they want, is it?”
Ling Xianwen smiled after speaking.
Gu Yansheng nodded in agreement.
“But it’s not them who died. Honestly, I’m not a saint. I can reduce my financial gains to do something for Shanghai, but you say, if even life safety cannot be guaranteed, then there’s no point for me to try so hard.”
Ling Xianwen patted Gu Yansheng’s thigh. “This is not just your idea. I guess it’s also the effect Chongqing wants to achieve. This is what they call ‘wind rustling grass,’ but there should be progress soon.
Those who stole your car are actually a branch of a Japanese intelligence agency. The leader is a former Central Statistics Bureau agent from Chongqing, seemingly a director.
Among the rest, some are his old subordinates, and some are from the Green Gang. He also has some connections in the Green Gang.
From what I understand, they already have a plan to strike the Shanghai Military Statistics Bureau. I don’t know the specific details, but the Japanese seem quite satisfied, and I estimate the situation should improve significantly then.”
“That’s good,” Gu Yansheng said. “As long as it’s not a matter of life and death, everything else is a minor issue.”
“That’s right. And during this interim period, I have arranged for someone to protect you.
Actually, you don’t need to worry at all now. Who are you? Frankly speaking, Chongqing doesn’t even know who you are. People like us, old timers in the City Government, might be on Chongqing’s list.
But you’ve just arrived, so you can’t possibly be a target, right?”
Gu Yansheng joked, “Then I guess I shouldn’t be sitting in the same car with Secretary-General Ling. With your talent, your ranking should be quite high.”
“Hahahaha,” Ling Xianwen laughed, pointing out the window. “I’m afraid of dying too, so if you observe carefully, you’ll notice there are actually four cars protecting me, and more than a dozen men.
Although Chongqing agents are rampant, they are also smart. They won’t provoke someone like me if they know there are people around. The cost would be too high.”
Just as he finished speaking, there was a sudden explosion, the ground burst open, and bricks and stones flew everywhere, hitting the car with a loud clatter!
Due to the ground explosion, the front of the car was thrown up high, followed by dense bullets raining down around the car. As the car fell due to gravity, it hit the ground, causing continuous tremors.
The sudden attack made both their expressions grim.
This was Gu Yansheng’s first experience of real gunfire. He was genuinely afraid of dying; this undercover mission was truly difficult!
However, without hesitation, Gu Yansheng immediately ducked down, hiding in the gap between the back seats and the front seats. In his spare time, he didn’t forget to pull Ling Xianwen’s hand, trying his best to pull him down as well.
Saving someone was from Ling Xianwen’s perspective. From Gu Yansheng’s perspective, it was pulling someone as a human shield to reduce his own exposure to bullets.
With the driver in front, Ling Xianwen to the right, and the trunk behind, only stray bullets from the left door could cause him to bleed. Gu Yansheng instantly analyzed the situation and made a confident judgment, ensuring the possibility of injury was minimized.
Ling Xianwen was also startled and angered, unable to speak at all at this moment, only able to cower and wait for time to pass.
The crackling gunfire continued for a while. Fortunately, Ling Xianwen’s guards were indeed sufficient, and the assassin’s bullets never broke through the guard’s defense.
This was a bustling area, and Japanese soldiers on patrol could arrive at any moment. After three to five minutes, the attackers chose to retreat, and their lives were saved.
The car door was opened, and a guard came in asking, “Secretary-General Ling, are you alright?”
Gu Yansheng felt Ling Xianwen’s body tremble when the door was opened, but upon realizing it was their own man, he became furious. “Where are the assassins? How many did you kill?”
The guard quickly replied, “We killed one, and the rest all escaped.”
Ling Xianwen’s face was grim. He got up, shaking off his humiliating posture, and patted the shoulder of the timid but alert Gu Yansheng. “It’s alright now, let’s get some fresh air.”
Gu Yansheng followed him out of the car. The scene outside was like a blockbuster movie. Four bodies lay on the ground, several people were injured, the explosion caused chaos, the car was damaged, and many people were already watching from a distance by the roadside.
As soon as Ling Xianwen got out of the car and saw this situation, he cast a cold glance at the street scene, turned around, and got back into the car. “Drive.”
“The police and gendarmes are coming,” the driver reminded him.
“I told you to drive!”
“Yes.”
The vehicle sped past the gendarmes, and the accompanying escort vehicles quickly followed.
They remained silent all the way. Upon arriving at the City Government, Ling Xianwen, with a grim face, stormed towards the meeting room and slammed the door open.
He had been skipping work to recruit Gu Yansheng, and after the assassination attempt, many people were already present. They were sitting on both sides of the conference table, chatting and laughing over tea, their laughter echoing loudly.
Ling Xianwen’s violent door-slamming interrupted the atmosphere, and everyone in the meeting room became somewhat subdued upon seeing him.
“Secretary-General Ling, what’s wrong? Why are you so agitated?” someone asked with a smile.
Ling Xianwen’s anger-suppressing gaze swept across the crowd, settling on a rather stout 50-year-old man sitting in the front row. He strode over and slammed his bag onto the table:
“When will the assassinations in Shanghai be resolved! I was almost killed on my way here! If you, the Police Chief, can’t handle it, then find someone else to do it!”
“There was such a thing?”
Police Chief Lu Ying stood up in shock, looking at Ling Xianwen up and down. “Brother Ling, they came after you? Are you injured?”
“Injured? I’m damn near dead! If the assassinations aren’t resolved, it’s not just me, but you, you, you, and you, the Police Chief, will all die!”
“I understand. I will immediately investigate upon my return and give Brother Ling an explanation!”
“Explanation, explanation. Are you going to wait until I’m dead and write ‘explanation’ on my tombstone? Is that useful! Are you a Police Chief who eats for nothing? How long has it been?!”
“Enough! Ling Xianwen! The police’s role is to maintain public order, not to catch spies! If you want to catch spies, let the Japanese find their own agents to do it!”
Lu Ying was not to be trifled with either, his face darkened, and his temper flared.
“What kind of agents are they? Elites trained by the Chongqing government, they know how to hide. Are my police officers a match for them?
You should use your brain and realize you can’t catch them. You’re taking it out on me, why don’t you take it out on the Japanese?
Scolding them is enough, you’re still going on.”
Ling Xianwen narrowed his eyes with a stern face. “But weren’t you the Inspector Chief of the Shanghai Police Department during the National Government period?
Don’t you know anything about the tactics of National Government agents?
Is it that you don’t know how to find them, or you simply don’t want to find them?
Or, you yourself are a member of the National Government.”
“Ling Xianwen! Watch your mouth!”
Lu Ying suddenly shouted angrily, “My background and resume have been reviewed by the Japanese. If you want to harm me, find another way. Catching agents is the job of agents. Go to the Japanese, go to the Tokko, or if not, go to Li Shiqun on Da Xi Road.
If you can catch agents, fine, take my position. Show me some results, and I’ll pack up and leave without a word. Can you do it?”
“Don’t provoke me. I can’t do it because I’m in an administrative position, but you’ve been a police officer in Shanghai for nearly twenty years. If you can’t do it, is that appropriate? Ask everyone here if they believe you?”
“What are you arguing about?” Saying this, a man in his fifties or sixties wearing glasses and a suit, with an imposing presence, entered through the doorway.
