Chapter 117: Grand Opening
Year 27 of the Republic, June 10.
Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters officially approved《 Hankou Operation Plan》.
Under the personal command of Central China Expeditionary Army’s supreme commander Tada Shunroku, the Army Department mobilized five divisions of the Second Army to launch an attack from the north bank of the Yangtze River.
Nineteen divisions of the Eleventh Army launched attacks along the south bank of the Yangtze River.
A total of 350,000 Japanese Army troops divided into five directions and closed in on Wuhan Three Towns.
The Blue Camp Government anticipated the Japanese Army’s attack intentions. To thwart the Japanese Army’s morale, Blue Army military committee high-level officials assembled 1.1 million troops, with Chen Cixiu serving as commander-in-chief to counter the Japanese Army’s offensive.
On the morning of June 11, the Japanese Army received the Central China Expeditionary Army’s attack order and launched an assault on Anqing. The Wuhan Battle officially began.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department.
In order to destroy the morale of China’s corps in one fell swoop, the Expeditionary Army intended a quick battle and rapid decision, aiming to complete the occupation of Wuhan within a month.
To this end, Southern Transportation Department, Section 1 obtained the greatest transportation authority.
The Second Section under the Transportation Department, namely the mid-range transportation section for the Eight Southern Provinces, and the Third Section, namely all transportation plans of the Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi Transportation Department, were to be temporarily suspended to make way for Section 1.
Chen Yang was quite happy with such an arrangement from superiors.
However, transportation is something where the human brain differs from a computer.
Even if all links made way for Section 1, materials transportation still did not achieve the expected effect.
Regarding this, Transportation Department Head Oshima Kenjiro was very dissatisfied.
All transportation lines made way for Section 1, but materials transportation efficiency only increased by less than 30%, far from the double efficiency he had envisioned.
Regarding this, Section 1 Chief Matsuzaki Jun was also helpless.
Materials transportation work cannot be done just by yielding a few lines; it requires coordination from top to bottom.
This is equivalent to a weightlifting champion who has reached his limit; adding even a few kilograms is a challenge to the limit.
Delaying the transportation missions of the Second Section and Third Section could only make their arrangements smoother, but the actual effect was very limited.
Of course, this depends on the person. If Chen Yang were in charge, this efficiency could at least triple.
The reason for such a big gap between the two sides is that their foundations are different.
Both are weightlifters, but Matsuzaki Jun is just a child over one meter tall; lifting 100 kilograms is already his limit.
Whereas Chen Yang is a two-meter-tall burly man; 400 or 500 kilograms is no big deal. That is the difference between the two.
Third Section Chief’s office. Chen Yang was half-reclining on the chair in the office, flipping through the latest newspaper in Shanghai.
After the Wuhan Battle began, many newspapers in Shanghai published related articles.
But a large portion were coerced by the Japanese, defining this war as the Japanese’s “Holy War.”
The language was full of flattery, making Chen Yang almost want to vomit.
People can be this shameless.
Of course, some newspapers righteously pointed out that this was the Japanese’s blatant act of aggression, though most such newspapers had foreign backgrounds.
Don’t think they are speaking out for China; they are actually afraid of the Japanese encroaching on their own interests.
There is a saying that is very correct: Those who are not of our race must have different hearts.
Knock knock knock. A knock sounded at the door. Li Ningyu stood at the doorway and said, “Section Chief, the guard post called. Someone named Lin Yongren wants to see you. Will you see him?”
“A Ren?” Chen Yang put down the newspaper and said, “Secretary Li, go bring Mr. Lin up.”
Li Ningyu nodded, turned, and left the office. About a few minutes later, Li Ningyu brought Lin Yongren to the office doorway.
Chen Yang quickly invited Lin Yongren in and instructed Li Ningyu to brew a cup of tea.
After Li Ningyu left, Lin Yongren said impatiently, “Young Master, I’ve come looking for you several times.”
“With your early outs and late returns, it’s not easy for me to find you.”
What Lin Yongren said was true. During this period, Chen Yang had been discussing with Netherlands Princess William and Aisha the establishment of Huafu Fund and a new company.
He returned home after 10 p.m. at night and left early in the morning.
If he wanted to see Chen Yang, he really could only come here.
“A Ren, what do you need me for? Did you run into trouble with the renovations?”
Chen Yang instinctively thought Lin Yongren must have come across some trouble.
Lin Yongren smiled and said, “Young Master, it’s been three or four months. The shop’s renovations are all done.”
“I came to have you pick an opening date.”
Chen Yang was stunned for a moment before recalling that the shop renovations had started in March, three or four months ago. Calculating the time, it was indeed about the agreed completion date.
“Young Master, this is the opening date picked by a gentleman from Jing’an.” Lin Yongren took out a red paper with ink writing and handed it to Chen Yang. “June 16. If that day doesn’t work, then it has to be the 22nd.”
Chen Yang took the note, glanced at it, pondered for a moment, and said, “Let’s choose the 22nd.”
“I’ll make some arrangements during this time. The business firm opening needs to make a splash.”
“That’s right. Five days is a bit rushed.” Lin Yongren nodded and said, “Then opening on the 22nd. Young Master, I’ll go arrange the opening matters. Do you have any special requests?”
“Note down some things. Never mind, I’ll write them for you.” Chen Yang picked up a steel pen, grabbed a sheet of draft paper, wrote down some requirements for the opening, and handed it to Lin Yongren. “A Ren, arrange according to what I said.”
“Money and such aren’t important. The important thing is to do it well.”
Lin Yongren took the note. “Rest assured, Young Master. I’ll handle it well. Then I’ll be off.”
“Mm, be careful on the road.”
********
Year 27 of the Republic, June 22. Sunny, great auspiciousness, suitable for breaking ground, bathing, opening.
French Concession.
In early summer Shanghai, the air was filled with dampness and stuffiness. The concession still maintained its deformed prosperity.
Hua Long Business Firm’s brand-new golden signboard was covered with red silk.
Both sides of the street in front of the door were filled with flower baskets sent by various circles. Vibrant colors and rich fragrances, yet this grand scene could not block the faint sense of tension from the situation in the distance…
On the street, newsboys were hawking news of the Blue Army’s great defeat in the Wuhan warfare. Rickshaw pullers hurried along, and occasionally foreign constables in different uniforms could be seen passing by.
At 9 a.m., deafening firecrackers exploded, red paper scraps flying like rain, the smell of gunpowder instantly overpowering the floral scent.
The gong and drum team vigorously beat a festive rhythm, lions dancing nimbly among the crowd, drawing cheers from onlookers.
Reporters’ magnesium lights flashed frequently, recording the rare grand opening of a large business firm.
Chen Yang and Lin Yongren stood at the shop doorway, dotting the lion’s forehead with red cinnabar ink.
Accompanied by enthusiastic applause, the red silk covering Hua Long Business Firm slowly slid down, the golden characters on the signboard gleaming in the sunlight…
