Chapter 40: Killing Two Birds With One Stone
After a long while, Iwai Koichi let out a long sigh and said with a hint of apology: “Mr. Chen, I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you.”
“Things within the Empire are not as simple as you think. Teacher serving as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also means bearing a lot of pressure.”
“Not long ago, Teacher wrote to me that the Empire’s 《 US-Japan Commerce Agreement 》 with the United States is about to expire.”
“But the other side has been reluctant to state their position on continuing to sign the agreement, and Teacher is very anxious, hoping I can lend him a hand in Shanghai.”
“But I really can’t help. The United States has no intention at all of continuing to cooperate with the Empire.”
The US-Japan Commerce Agreement can be said to be the greatest source of confidence for Japanese expansion.
Japan is a resource-poor country. Before obtaining iron ore supplies from China’s homeland, their largest Yawata Steelworks produced less than one million tons of steel annually.
They almost had to rely on scrap steel and oil sold to them by the Americans to sustain their consumption in China.
Therefore, Japan’s policy toward China has always been quick battles and rapid decisions.
At this time, the Blue Army had also noticed the Japanese predicament, and the troops began shifting from head-on clashes to luring the enemy deep.
This Xuzhou Campaign is the best proof. The Japanese Army’s 5th Division and 10th Division tried several times to capture Tai’erzhuang but were beaten back each time.
Not only battlefield defeats, but the Japanese influence in the international community was extremely negative. As the largest supplier of resources to Japan, the Americans’ initial goal was to alleviate the severe effects of the 1929 economic depression.
But once the war machine started, the Americans realized that Japan had slipped out of their control.
At this point, they could only choose to change their trade policy, but this move instantly aroused dissatisfaction from the Japanese side.
Chen Yang said to Iwai Koichi: “Senior Iwai, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if I should say it.”
Iwai Koichi smiled faintly: “It’s fine. There are no outsiders here. Say whatever you want.”
Chen Yang said seriously: “Senior Iwai, I think this explosion action planned by the Revival Society may not be a bad thing for us.”
Iwai Koichi was stunned for a moment and asked in surprise: “What do you mean?”
Chen Yang said calmly: “I’m thinking, can we use this incident to put pressure on the Municipal Council.”
“Have the Consulate cooperate with the Gendarmerie Headquarters to send troops to guard the wharves in the International Settlement and prevent Revival Society agents from leaving via the International Settlement wharves.”
Whoa, this is an old Japanese trick. They used the same method to occupy the Northeast back then.
Iwai Koichi’s eyes lit up: “Mr. Chen, you mean for us to control their wharves and use incoming and outgoing freight merchant ships to put pressure on the Concession Municipal Council.”
Chen Yang nodded: “Senior Iwai, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“Doing this would, on one hand, demonstrate the Empire’s strength, and on the other, force the Americans back to the negotiating table.”
Iwai Koichi didn’t speak but began considering the feasibility of this plan.
Chen Yang didn’t urge him but picked up his coffee and took a sip on his own.
He was willing to bet that Iwai Koichi would follow his suggestion.
It was just like how the Japanese thought they could force the Americans to the negotiating table by sneak-attacking Pearl Harbor.
The Japanese arrogance and conceit made them believe the Americans wouldn’t dare make a move against them in Asia.
Moreover, Shanghai was already Japanese territory. Besides protesting and citing international law, what other methods did these consulates have?
If Iwai Koichi really followed his suggestion and joined forces with the Gendarmerie Headquarters to target the International Settlement wharves, it would be like Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou—borrowed but never returned.
Such a bold infringement on American interests would also intensify contradictions between the two sides.
This move appeared to be fighting for Japanese interests on the surface, but in reality, it was constantly stirring up friction between the Americans and the Japanese.
For Chen Yang, this proposal could both help him gain the Japanese trust and use their hands to control all wharf freight in Shanghai.
It was simply a sure-win deal.
Even if the Americans later truly fell out with the Japanese, that would be their problem.
After considering for a full ten-plus minutes, Iwai Koichi still hadn’t stated his position.
Chen Yang stood up and said: “Senior Iwai, it seems you need more time to think it over.”
“I won’t disturb you then.”
“Wait a moment.” At that moment, Iwai Koichi suddenly spoke up: “Mr. Chen, your proposal is really too bold. I indeed can’t make a decision on my own right now.”
“But from my standpoint, what you said makes a lot of sense. We must use tough measures to force the Americans back to the negotiating table and renegotiate with us.”
“Mr. Liang’s group is setting off for Nanjing the day after tomorrow. You don’t need to go with them.”
“Go report to City Hall tomorrow morning.”
“Sonoda has already had someone arrange the office for the Economic Department. This unit is to handle the collection and transshipment of materials from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian Provinces.”
“Shanghai has convenient transportation and is more suitable than Nanjing.”
“Moreover, after you take over, you need to quickly complete the inventory of materials and coordinate supply work.”
“The homeland has already formulated the 《 Guidelines for the China Battlefield》.”
“The top priority after the establishment of the Nanjing New Government is to complete the anti-rebel cleanup tasks within the jurisdiction.”
“Commander Qi’s troops might have some difficulty dealing with the Blue Army, but handling some guerrilla teams scurrying around should still be manageable.”
Chen Yang gave a slight bow to Iwai Koichi: “Senior Iwai, I’ve got it.”
Iwai Koichi stood up and patted Chen Yang’s shoulder: “Do a good job. Don’t let down my and Teacher’s expectations.”
Shanghai, Lin Mansion on Fukaisen Road.
Chen Yang had just returned home when he saw Lin Xueyi pacing back and forth in the living room.
Lin Xueyi hurriedly came forward upon seeing Chen Yang enter.
Chen Yang asked somewhat puzzled: “Second Brother, why aren’t you at the wharf at this hour? What are you doing back home?”
Lin Xueyi glanced around, pulled Chen Yang, and said: “There are too many people here. Let’s talk in the study.”
Chen Yang didn’t refuse. The two quickly went up to the study on the second floor. Lin Xueyi closed the study door and said to Chen Yang: “I came because I have something to ask your opinion on.”
“It’s almost time to pay up. Do you think we should pay or not?”
“Pay up? Pay what?” Chen Yang was a bit confused.
Lin Xueyi quickly explained: “This Sixteen Rows Wharf was originally Boss Du’s territory. According to the rules, we have to pay a sum to the French Concession Municipal Council every month and a sum to Boss Du.”
“We also have to give a token amount to my master Boss Cao. After deducting all that, what’s left is ours.”
“To put it simply, the wharf revenue goes three-tenths to the French Concession Municipal Council, three-tenths to Boss Du, one-tenth to my master, and the remaining three-tenths is for us brothers.”
“If not for the wharf having plenty of oil and water, with so much going out, we wouldn’t have much profit left. Even the night market income is more than this.”
Chen Yang thought for a moment and slowly said: “Since that’s the case, then let’s not pay Boss Du’s share.”
