Chapter 227: 226, Penicillin Shanghai Trading Network, Tall And Short Romance, The Bund Crisis
The penicillin matter hasn’t ended yet.
Without leaking identities, letting all of Shanghai know the miraculous effects of penicillin, that is, Miraculous Sterilizing Agent, is just the beginning.
Next, they needed to establish a supply channel.
Since they had already taken the path of hidden identities, the supply method also needed to maintain a sense of mystery.
Moreover, from now on, it could not have any relation to Taishan Airlines.
Wu Yingzong’s shoulder was shot, causing a cracked shoulder blade and nerve damage, so his right arm flexibility would decline from then on.
He was no longer suitable to stay in the Special Action Team, and Fang Wen also needed a trustworthy person to lurk in Shanghai.
For this, Fang Wen had a private conversation with Wu Yingzong, who had been discharged from the hospital and returned to the airport dormitory to recuperate.
Wu Yingzong, with his right shoulder wrapped in bandages, arrived at the general manager’s residence.
Qiu Ju brought him in and then left the living room to wait outside in the courtyard.
“Sit. I called you here today to talk about future matters.” Fang Wen said.
Wu Yingzong sat straight across from Fang Wen and replied, “The general manager can arrange anything for me.”
“Given your physical condition, you’re not suitable to stay in the action group anymore. Exit early. I’ve arranged a new job for you.”
“Yes.”
“I want you to change identities and stay in Shanghai. Can you do that?”
Wu Yingzong agreed without hesitation. “Yes.”
Fang Wen knew this was a form of repaying kindness, and he didn’t mind gaining a more loyal subordinate this way.
Perhaps this was the most traditional source of loyalty in the Republic of China.
He had a more detailed exchange with Wu Yingzong.
“Shanghai is the intelligence gathering place in the Far East and also where representatives of various interest groups communicate. I need a trustworthy person to operate in Shanghai. At the same time, penicillin will be sold externally through your hands, so you will have two identities in Shanghai: openly, you operate a trading company; secretly, you are the supplier of penicillin, well, now called Miraculous Sterilizing Agent. Therefore, you must be careful and cautious, and not expose your secret identity. Can you do it?”
“Yes. General Manager, I may indeed not be suited for combat, but disguise is my strength.” Wu Yingzong replied very confidently.
Fang Wen nodded: “You’re alone in Shanghai, and I’m not at ease. I’ll assign you a partner. Given your physical condition, it’s best if they have good skills. I think Zhang Yunfei and Zhao Wanping are both good. Which one do you choose?”
This choice left Wu Yingzong somewhat at a loss.
If action group members were present, they would probably speculate he would choose Zhang Yunfei, since Zhao Wanping had always shown interest in him, but Wu Yingzong had no reaction.
After hesitating for a while, Wu Yingzong replied, “I choose Zhao Wanping.”
What an unpredictable decision.
Fang Wen was also a bit surprised. Before he could ask, Wu Yingzong explained the reason himself: “My dad said women with big hips are good for bearing children. Now our Wu family has only me, so the task of carrying on the family line falls to me. General Manager, if I get together with Zhao Wanping, will you agree?”
What a simple and direct idea!
Fang Wen scratched the back of his head. This matter should be settled today to avoid trouble later.
He replied, “I have no objection, but I don’t know if her mom and dad will agree. Here’s an idea: today I’ll host, call Zhao Wanping’s mom and dad over, and I’ll act as matchmaker for you. If it works out, you two will partner up. Go call Zhao Wanping over.”
“Okay.” Wu Yingzong got up and went out.
Fang Wen picked up the telephone and dialed the secret contact number left by Gang Leader Wang.
The phone transmitted the code: “Wu Ji Trading, what goods do you want to order?”
“Do you have Taishan Stone Daring?” Fang Wen replied.
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
Moments later, Gang Leader Wang’s voice came through the phone. “General Manager Fang, long time no see. I heard you encountered danger in Beiping. Do you want our Axe Gang to deal with the Japanese? I can give you half price.”
“No. I want to find Zhao Wanping’s parents, um,” Fang Wen, doing matchmaking for the first time, found it hard to say: “talk to them about Zhao Wanping’s marriage.”
Gang Leader Wang was very surprised: “Someone has taken a fancy to that girl Wanping? That’s too rare. Which family’s young man is so bold?”
Unexpectedly, Gang Leader Wang also gossiped. Fang Wen had to explain: “Tou Men’s Wu Yingzong. The man is willing, the woman is interested, they’ve privately pledged their love. I just found out, so I’m immediately finding Zhao Wanping’s parents to propose marriage. If it works, I’ll help make it happen; if not, better not become enemies.”
“It can work. You don’t know, her parents are worried about not being able to marry off this daughter. I’ll have them come over right away.”
Fang Wen hung up the phone and waited.
Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping returned first, followed by Zhao’s parents who hurried over.
After Fang Wen introduced them, the two were very happy to have such a prospective son-in-law and agreed to the marriage on the spot.
But the wedding date would be decided by the two.
The two disagreed with holding the wedding now, mainly fearing exposure of identities and affecting subsequent actions.
Shanghai secret stronghold established.
Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping exited the Taishan Volunteer Army Special Action Team. They had new identities and opened a trading company in Shanghai under pseudonyms.
The two operated the company jointly under the guise of a couple, but privately they had another business: sellers of Miraculous Sterilizing Agent.
During the day, the two handled trading work, that is, importing some perfume and chemical daily necessities from Europe and America. The supply source was found by Taishan Airlines European Branch, the shipping channel was Taishan International’s cargo ship, and the business setup went very smoothly.
At night, the two would partner with each other: one providing cover, the other disguised, leaking messages to the outside world through the intelligence network.
Thus, Shanghai also learned that sales of Miraculous Sterilizing Agent were about to begin.
This medicine was in demand not only locally in Shanghai but worldwide.
Through the Far East Intelligence Station’s message relay network, the news quickly spread.
News of a battlefield miracle drug appearing in the Far East region spread among various parties, and many people placed orders in Shanghai through their own networks.
The mysterious supplier released information externally:
1. Miraculous Sterilizing Agent has limited output, only about 5 kilograms supply per month, that is, 5000 vials of injectable dry powder, until sold out.
2. Do not probe his identity, or full supply cutoff.
3. Not selling to Japanese.
These three points meant the scarcity of the item. For one infection symptom, one vial of injectable dry powder did not guarantee recovery; at least 3-7 vials were needed. 5000 vials of injectable dry powder could treat about 1000 patients.
Great Shanghai needed more than 1000 people for these medicines, let alone people outside Shanghai.
With demand came the market, and with market and interests came disputes.
They wouldn’t target the mysterious supplier but wanted to take all the medicine. A struggle quietly emerged in Shanghai.
Green Gang and Hongmen people joined in, concession people joined, even National Government officials participated in this interest game, and even Japanese, not allowed to participate openly, found proxies.
On the supply day, Shanghai streets were unusually calm.
Beneath the calm, countless undercurrents surged.
Everyone was waiting for the supply moment.
Fang Wen was also worried about problems in the first supply transaction, so he went early to the vicinity of the transaction location.
The transaction location was around the Bund dock in the British Concession of Shanghai.
Disguised Fang Wen brought the action team into a hotel on the Bund avenue.
The people staying in the hotel with them today seemed somewhat different, but they didn’t interfere with each other, each entering hotel guest rooms.
Fang Wen also entered the room, went straight to the window, picked up binoculars, and observed the outside situation through the curtain gap.
Trams ran on the Bund avenue, cars parked along the roadside, and the river surface had docks and private ships.
This was the gathering place of the most powerful batch of foreigners in Shanghai, also the safest place, the best transaction location.
Fang Wen checked the time: 7:40 PM, 20 minutes until the transaction.
Suddenly, a team of concession patrolmen appeared, forcibly implementing a lockdown. Whether Chinese or foreigners, all were driven out of the area.
The streets suddenly became empty, with only patrolmen guarding both ends.
The only ones who could still observe the situation here were Fang Wen and others who had checked into hotels in advance, as well as people in various commercial buildings.
Under countless gazes, a car drove over. When passing the concession patrol, it said something unknown and was allowed through.
The car drove to the middle of the Bund street, stopped, and a man and a woman got out.
It was the disguised Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping. The two took suitcases out of the car, surprisingly preparing for an on-site transaction.
Wu Yingzong picked up the loudspeaker and shouted loudly:
“First transaction. Hope everyone follows the rules for it to continue. I have a total of 5000 vials of injectable dry powder here, 50 US dollars each.”
Hearing this quotation, buyers hidden around the Bund gradually appeared.
Someone responded: “Isn’t 50 US dollars too expensive?”
Wu Yingzong sneered, raised the loudspeaker, and responded: “Before Miraculous Sterilizing Agent appeared, no doctor could guarantee curing bacterial infection symptoms. I think you all know that. In this world, bacteria are everywhere. They invade the body when one is sick and weak. Without Miraculous Sterilizing Agent, one can only rely on the body to fight it off. With Miraculous Sterilizing Agent, there’s an extra ray of hope after bacterial infection. Do you think 50 US dollars is worth it?”
Definitely worth it. As long as obtained, it was absolutely valuable. Even reselling at double or several times the price, someone would buy.
Except for that one, no one else objected.
Everyone accepted this price.
Wu Yingzong continued shouting through the loudspeaker: “We only handle tonight’s supply. Price is uniformly 50 US dollars per vial. Other matters have nothing to do with us. Now I ask you, who wants this batch of goods?”
Everyone wanted it. Already some bold people stepped forward.
It was Green Gang people.
Bang! A gunshot rang out, sparks exploding on the ground in front of the Green Gang man.
The sudden shooting halted everyone’s desirous steps. They looked toward the direction of the gunshot.
It was the red-headed A’an patrolmen who fired.
They were the British people’s most loyal subordinates. Clearly, the British had made a move.
People successively came down from several foreign firm buildings, along with the British Concession Consul leading officers.
The consul said loudly: “This transaction is in the British Concession. We have the right to acquire all the medicine. Please everyone restrain yourselves and not act impulsively. After all, there will be future transactions.”
Everyone was aimed at by guns, and there were probably troops nearby. Clearly, this transaction was to be taken by the British.
Though unwilling, no one was foolish enough to oppose the British in the British Concession.
Then someone asked loudly: “Mysterious person, the next transaction won’t still be in the British Concession, right? Playing like this is basically helping the British bastards?”
Wu Yingzong responded: “We chose here for our own safety. Other matters are not our consideration. But next time we can change to another place, or you discuss a mutually beneficial transaction method yourselves, we can also accept.”
These words gave everyone face to exit. This transaction ended thus.
All who wanted a piece left empty-handed. Only Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping completed the transaction with the British.
Transaction completed, all medicine purchased at the price converted to British pounds.
The British Concession Consul shook hands with Wu Yingzong: “These medicines are important to anyone. I represent Britain in hoping to establish long-term purchase cooperation.”
Wu Yingzong shook his head: “Sorry, this is just the beginning. We need to find the most suitable interest exchange method. Transactions will continue until we find the best partner.”
After saying the special implied words instructed by Fang Wen, he and Zhao Wanping carried the cash suitcases into the car.
Watching them get into the car, Fang Wen’s heart couldn’t help but tense up.
This was the moment to test humanity. With 250,000 US dollars in cash in the car, would someone try to rob them?
As long as someone made a move, the situation would become chaotic, and the two couldn’t complete the subsequent actions.
Losing this money was nothing, but the long-term plan would fail.
He was waiting for the result.
Inside the car, Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping were equally nervous.
Zhao Wanping, occasionally observing outside, said: “Someone is watching from the shadows. I saw a reflection.”
“Don’t be afraid. We represent the endless supply of Miraculous Sterilizing Agent. That’s more precious than gold. If they dare to move, future transactions are gone.” Wu Yingzong comforted, though unsure in his heart.
In this city full of material desires, anything was possible.
Suddenly, shadows moved ahead, then a wooden barricade blocked the road.
Under the headlights, Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping saw more than a dozen short jacket men blocking the road.
“Don’t be afraid. Leave the money, and we’ll let you pass.” The leading man demanded money but didn’t reveal his name, clearly wanting to pocket it without anyone knowing.
His actions didn’t represent Shanghai’s true big shots and even violated the big shots’ interests.
And not just one big shot’s interests.
Before Wu Yingzong could speak and negotiate, bullets came from different angles, killing all these people.
More than a dozen fresh lives died on the spot; their fates were easily decided.
Then, a team ran over, removed the wooden barricade, and apologized to Wu Yingzong and the other: “The boss didn’t expect someone so bold. Sorry about that. Rest assured, after leaving here, no one will make a move on you.”
Wu Yingzong nodded and drove into the darkness.
Fang Wen had bet correctly. No one was willing to give up the golden cake of Miraculous Sterilizing Agent. To maintain this interest, various forces were willing to tolerate the two planted by Fang Wen staying in Shanghai.
This was a new form of interest exchange. Everyone needed Miraculous Sterilizing Agent. As long as the penicillin supply was maintained and the source secret not leaked, this interest network would persist and grow larger.
No longer worried about the penicillin matter, Fang Wen piloted the airplane, carrying the first batch of recruits from Northern China to Yangon, starting the new undertaking of aircraft manufacturing.
