Chapter 283: 282 Shanghai Intelligence Station Expands, Axe Gang Returns To Allegiance, Salon Reunion
In the Axe Gang secret stronghold, the gang members were at a loss.
Everyone was somewhat at a loss regarding Gang Leader Wang’s decision.
Gang Leader Wang’s confidant spoke again: “You can consider your future paths. You don’t have to join Mr. Fang’s team just because Gang Leader Wang says so; you can also find your own way out.”
Some gang member couldn’t help but ask.
“Is the gang leader just abandoning us like this?”
“How to manage? The gang leader is now a cripple who can’t even stand. Do you still want him to worry about you?” Gang Leader Wang’s confidant angrily rebuked.
“Which Mr. Fang?” someone else asked.
“Fang Wen of Taishan Airlines, Gang Leader Wang’s friend from a different generation. He’s willing to take over, which is the best arrangement. Discuss it among yourselves and give me a reply tonight. Dismissed.”
The Axe Gang members immediately dispersed, gathering in groups of three or five to whisper and discuss their future.
Gang Leader Wang’s confidant then brought Fang Wen to the third room on the left at the second-floor staircase of this house.
He took out a key to open the door, led Fang Wen inside, and said.
“This is Gang Leader Wang’s room. I need to pack his personal items to take away, and there are some things the gang leader wants to give you.”
After saying that, he began busying himself, clearly knowing every item in the room very well.
Fang Wen said nothing, found a seat and sat down, observing the furnishings in the room.
This was Gang Leader Wang’s residence in the secret stronghold: simple and rustic, two rooms, with the inner one being the bedroom and the outer one the study room and reception room.
Fang Wen speculated on Gang Leader Wang’s intentions for living in this location from his perspective.
The rooms on either side should be guard rooms, and being on the second floor allowed him to be aware of any emergencies in time; if absolutely necessary, he could still escape through other secret passages.
As he was thinking, Gang Leader Wang’s confidant came over with some items.
“These are for you from the gang leader: the gang’s accounts, bank account keys, personnel roster.”
Fang Wen took them and flipped through.
The accounts showed little surplus, barely breaking even, mainly supported by some secret bounty assassinations and secret door income in Shanghai. The bank account stubs noted 2000 US dollars, thirteen thousand francs, and over 3000 silver dollars in the money house.
This was all the Axe Gang had.
The roster showed the Axe Gang had over a hundred members in total; this secret stronghold didn’t have everyone, there were more on the periphery.
All these people’s expenses were paid by the Axe Gang, so that little money wouldn’t last long.
Having understood the situation, Fang Wen couldn’t help but think about how to reform after accepting the Axe Gang members.
He had no ideas yet when Gang Leader Wang’s confidant, having finished his tasks, came over to continue talking with Fang Wen.
“The Axe Gang was founded by Gang Leader Wang himself. In the tenth year of the Republic of China, Anhui workers at the Shanghai docks were exploited terribly and lived in misery. As out-of-towners, they were often bullied by all sides. Gang Leader Wang gathered the Anhui workers, had over a hundred axes made at a blacksmith shop, rushed into the home of the dock manager who withheld wages, and got the workers’ pay back. From then on, the Axe Gang gained its name in Shanghai. Unlike other forces, we all came from poor backgrounds with nothing to lose. If anyone messes with us, we’ll fight them to the death.”
Fang Wen listened to the Axe Gang’s history; it was truly exciting.
And the things they did could indeed be called audaciously bold.
In the second year after founding the Axe Gang, they killed Songhu Police Chief Xu Guoliang, who controlled over 7000 police, at the entrance of the bathhouse opposite the Great World.
After that, they even made killing the righteous path.
Assassinating Chiang, shooting Song, bombing to death the Japanese Army invading China Commander Admiral Shirakawa, stabbing Wang.
This made a group of people hate them to the bone.
Through Gang Leader Wang’s confidant’s description, Fang Wen also learned of another clever use of the Axe Gang.
Under Gang Leader Wang’s management, all rickshaw pullers in Shanghai were eyes and ears for the Axe Gang. Not just rickshaw pullers—people from all walks of life had connections with the Axe Gang, making their intelligence network in Shanghai extremely sharp.
This was exactly what Fang Wen needed.
As Shanghai, where forces from all over China converged and the hub of the Far East intelligence network, having the Axe Gang’s connections would make things much easier in the future.
But how many would be willing to follow him this time?
And would anyone set up their own mountain peak to oppose him?
Time passed quickly. Fang Wen, who had arrived at noon, continued talking with Gang Leader Wang’s confidant in the secret stronghold until the afternoon, had dinner, and now it was time for the results.
He deliberately removed his disguise and appeared in the lobby on the first floor with Gang Leader Wang’s confidant.
All gang members in the secret stronghold gathered.
Facing them, Fang Wen introduced himself: “Hello everyone, I’m Fang Wen, General Manager of Taishan Airlines. I’m here at Gang Leader Wang’s request to discuss the future of the Axe Gang with you. Gang Leader Wang wants me to take full control of the Axe Gang. At first, I had doubts—with so many people who have followed him for a long time, would there be problems if they followed me? Gang Leader Wang said that the Axe Gang acts on conscience, fairness, and justice. As long as I act upright and do righteous things, you will follow me just like you followed Gang Leader Wang.”
Pausing, Fang Wen observed the expressions of the Axe Gang members.
It seemed everyone agreed with his words, similar to the exchange with Gang Leader Wang in Hong Kong.
He continued:
“I’m a focused person; I have only one thing in mind: driving the Japanese out of China. So, I want to use you for that one thing—against the Japanese. Are you willing?”
The Axe Gang members didn’t expect Fang Wen to say this.
All their doubts instantly vanished.
Although the Axe Gang had done various assassinations, their hatred for the Japanese invaders was no less than that of progressive patriotic youth.
Back then, bombing the Izumo, and later sending people to bomb to death Army General Shirakawa Yi, who attended the “Songhu War Victory Celebration,” made the Japanese hate them no less than the Kuomintang executives.
Therefore, everyone agreed on this point.
With this good start, Fang Wen struck while the iron was hot.
“Of course, if anyone has other ideas or wants to start anew, say it now. If after today someone mentions it again or does anything unfavorable to my resistance against Japan, don’t blame me for taking action.”
This effectively confirmed the takeover of the Axe Gang.
Now waiting for the members’ decision.
Immediately, someone spoke up.
It was Zhao Wanping’s parents.
These two firmly supported their daughter, and other parents and friends of the special action team also unhesitatingly agreed to follow Fang Wen.
Led by them, a large group agreed to Fang Wen taking over the Axe Gang.
Only 5 people disagreed. Their leader said: “Gang Leader Wang has been kind to us brothers, but now he’s out of the picture. We brothers don’t want to live under someone else’s roof anymore. We part ways today; see you in the jianghu another day.”
After saying that, the five slung their bundles over their shoulders and turned to leave.
Gang Leader Wang’s confidant quietly explained: “These five are river bandits from north of the Yellow River, all skilled. The gang leader took them into the action team. Their leaving is no big deal; they don’t know much about the gang’s situation.”
Fang Wen nodded and, after watching the 5 leave, spoke as the new Axe Gang gang leader: “One must be cautious of others. Since they’ve parted ways, I think we should still send someone to follow and see.”
“I’ll go.” Li Tie Zhu’s father Li Tianming responded and followed them out.
Then Fang Wen continued:
“From now on, following me, let’s be straightforward. I’ve prepared two options: one is to become staff at the Taishan Volunteer Army Shanghai secret intelligence station; the other is to go to South Asia for combat team training with the Taishan Volunteer Army. Choose well, and I’ll arrange it.”
Regarding Fang Wen’s two options, everyone discussed animatedly, making the lobby buzz.
Becoming staff at the Taishan Volunteer Army Shanghai secret intelligence station was essentially just a name change, still using the Axe Gang’s connections network in Shanghai.
Going to South Asia for combat troops meant becoming soldiers.
Some wanted to keep things as they were, staying in Shanghai for secret work.
Some wanted to kill enemies on the battlefield later, so they chose South Asia.
Each had their path, and Fang Wen guaranteed their pay would be substantially higher than before.
This was something the Axe Gang members hadn’t expected: changing bosses actually increased their income.
An hour later, the discussion concluded: two-thirds stayed in Shanghai, one-third chose South Asia.
Fang Wen instructed: “Those going to South Asia, wait at the Shanghai Airport. You’ll stay in Taishan Airlines’ old house. An airplane will pick you up in three days. As for those staying in Shanghai, I’ll arrange for the Shanghai intelligence station person in charge to meet you.”
While instructing, Li Tianming, who had gone to track the five, returned.
He looked at Fang Wen, hesitated, and reported:
“Gang leader, there’s a situation. After those five left, they went straight to Hongkou. They’re probably going to defect to the Japanese.”
This stirred everyone up; they all clamored to eliminate these five traitors.
Fang Wen timely stopped them: “Dealing with traitors will be your intelligence station’s job later. No rush now. Since they’ve defected to the Japanese, they’ve surely sold out this place’s intelligence, wanting the Japanese to swoop in for a clean sweep in exchange for their riches. So, we must transfer immediately. Do we have other secret strongholds in the French Concession?”
Gang Leader Wang’s confidant replied: “Yes. Leaving now?”
“Yes, transfer immediately.”
Under Fang Wen’s orders, everyone in this secret stronghold quickly packed their luggage and hurriedly left through the exit of this dark alley.
Not long after they left, a large group of plainclothes men entered the French Concession, quietly entered the dark alley, and surrounded the entire secret stronghold.
After confirmation with the five brothers who came along, this group of Japanese agents immediately burst in.
They rushed in ready for battle but found it empty. In rage, the Japanese agent action commander gave the five defectors a beating and verbal abuse.
Because of the timely transfer, the Japanese agents found nothing.
But this hasty departure caused heavy losses to the Axe Gang; various implements left in the secret stronghold had been prepared by everyone.
For example, the medical poison couple’s various pharmaceutical and poison-making equipment, and others’ implements and equipment weren’t taken.
Thus, this suddenly made the Axe Gang’s finances difficult.
The new secret stronghold had nothing inside; it meant starting completely from scratch.
But they didn’t expect that after changing bosses, money was no issue—these expenses were far less than one airplane.
After promising sufficient funding, Fang Wen called Chen Suoxin and Liu Yinshou, the head and deputy head of the Taishan Volunteer Army Shanghai intelligence station.
These two would receive the Axe Gang people and root the intelligence station in Shanghai, properly managing it.
After the instructions, Fang Wen had settled the Axe Gang matter.
As for whether good or bad results would come later, it was hard to predict. He followed the principle of using people without doubt and doubting those not used, doing his best.
Now, there were still some things to handle in Shanghai; after that, he had to go to the company headquarters in Wuhan.
After reapplying disguise, Fang Wen left the secret stronghold alone.
With the new makeup, outsiders couldn’t recognize him at all.
He waved down a rickshaw and headed to Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin’s residence.
After knocking, Mr. Lin opened the door and asked the unfamiliar visitor: “Who are you?”
“Airplane pilot.” Fang Wen replied.
“Ah.” Mr. Lin was surprised but then understood, stepping aside to let Fang Wen in. “You’ve changed appearance again. You’ve been gone for months; you must tell us about your experiences.”
Fang Wen walked straight into the room, followed Mr. Lin into the guest room, and removed his disguise makeup.
Meanwhile, in the living room, the daily salon was discussing the latest developments in the situation.
“Currently, the whole country is united in calling for unity to resist foreign invasion. The National Government has telegraphed nationwide; the situation is very good.”
“It’s a pity about Generals Yang and Zhang; I hear they’ve both been imprisoned.”
“Zhang is better off, having a good relationship with Chiang. Yang is probably in trouble.”
“Doing such a thing requires that awareness. General Yang is righteous.”
“By the way, with such a good situation now, do you think there will be a second Kuomintang-Communist cooperation?”
“There probably will be. I hear military and political officials everywhere have been calling to stop the civil war; they don’t want to keep consuming in civil war.”
“If domestic fighting stops and we unite against the Japanese invaders, we can definitely drive them out of China?”
At this point, Fang Wen’s voice interjected.
“Hard to say. Surface peace, but actually each minding their own business, hard to twist together. Moreover, if we stop the civil war, it pressures the Japanese invaders. From the 21st year of the Republic of China to now, over 4 years have passed; the Japanese invaders are well-prepared, and we must have a battle with them.”
Everyone was surprised and turned to look.
“General Manager Fang, you’re back.”
“Long time no see. Where have you been?”
Fang Wen smiled and replied: “Went to Europe, joined a European revolutionary war in the name of the International Brigades.”
The Shen Bao bearded man said in surprise: “You joined the International Brigades?!”
“Yes, joined as an aviation team, plus 4 planes supported by the Soviet Air Force, totaling 7 fighter jets. We had a designation in the International Brigades, called the Asian Aviation team.”
Fang Wen’s words greatly interested the cultural people present.
They were curious about the Spanish Revolution in Europe and the global internationalist fighters supporting Spain.
Subsequently, in this salon, Fang Wen became the protagonist, introducing his experiences in Europe to them.
Hearing about the International Brigades—composed of a complex group of workers, writers, painters, etc.—fighting the rebels in Madrid and repelling countless enemy attacks, the salon members were enthralled.
This was an alternative bloody romance, something they didn’t dare but yearned for.
Someone couldn’t help but ask aloud: “If we, in the future, dare to pick up guns and fight the Japanese invaders?”
The bearded man put down his pipe and affirmed: “I will.”
Several others expressed the same view; some remained silent.
Fang Wen smiled without speaking; true warriors aren’t seen from words.
Perhaps after the full-scale War of Resistance breaks out, some here will pick up guns to become anti-Japanese soldiers, but not necessarily those speaking now.
After reminiscing with the salon people, Fang Wen got up to leave; there was one last thing in Shanghai.
That was the long-overdue movie production.
Over a year had passed; how was Star Film Company’s movie coming along?
