Chapter 103: Delivery
Shen Ji Clothing Store.
Gu Yansheng received a telephone call to pick up clothes.
Shen Linshen took out the clothes for Gu Yansheng to try on and said softly: “Southern Anhui’s troop lost two groups of underground couriers and porters in a row to the Japanese puppet army on the line from Wuhu to Jing County during the cotton yarn procurement process, totaling seven sacrifices.
Southern Anhui now suspects their cotton yarn procurement has been targeted, and it’s likely underground merchants turned traitor and directly tipped off the Japanese puppet army; the route was pinpointed too accurately—they were tailed before even leaving the city.
They need time to investigate this, but the cotton yarn issue can’t wait; it’s already very cold in the mountains, with signs of snow, and once heavy snow blocks the mountains, nothing can get in. The organization wants us to think of a way.”
Gu Yansheng thought quickly and asked: “How many days from Shanghai shipment to New Fourth Army Headquarters?”
Shen Linshen knew clearly: “Water route is fastest: from Shanghai across Yangtze River to Wuhu, then land transport from Wuhu to Yunling in Jing County. If all smooth, 7 days; slow, ten days.
But Japanese Army has checkpoints on Yangtze River around Wuhu and Ma’anshan; passing is tough, night sailing might risk lucking through.
Slower is pure land transport: Shanghai to Suzhou, Suzhou to Huzhou, then Guangde, then Xuancheng, then Jing County. This route detours mountain roads to avoid Japanese checkpoints, possibly 17 to 22 days. Such a large quantity from Shanghai would require mule and horse team.”
That really means only water route works; mule and horse team from Shanghai requires too many people.
“What does Japanese Army checkpoint inspection require for normal passage?”
“Pass, cotton yarn is controlled item, needs special pass for military supplies issued by Japanese Army shipping section, stamped by gendarmerie.”
“City government’s no good?”
“Probably not. City government’s works for urban area entry/exit, but in other cities, Japanese likely won’t recognize it, unless bribed, but not sure if it works.”
“Japanese enterprises’? Mitsui’s work?”
“Mitsui’s works! But also needs Grade A transport label, to prevent fakes posing as Mitsui.”
Mitsui is Japan’s giant military industry enterprise, has the clout.
Gu Yansheng nodded, thought, and said: “Alright, ask headquarters if after passing checkpoint there’s a place they can hijack the ship. You said earlier our people were killed in two waves from Wuhu to Jing County. If goods unload at Wuhu, I think this transport is first unsafe, second if something happens en route, the goods’ whereabouts will be problematic. Hijacking solves it—goods disappear on river, plenty ways to cover up.”
“Past Wuhu is Tongling, past Tongling is Anqing, past Anqing is Jiujiang, that’s Nationalist controlled area. Hijacking only possible at Tongling, actually closer to headquarters than Wuhu. I’ll ask, reply ASAP.”
“Good, say clothes need more alterations, shoulders not comfortable.”
“Ship? How? I rent? The hijacked ship, I send people to escort?”
“Mm, no rush on renting ship first; confirm if hijack possible. I’ll ask someone about this.”
“You can ask someone about this?”
“Of course, prison’s full of talent.”
“Alright, contact when there’s news.”
“Good, also ask what else they need; transport all at once if possible.”
“Got it, take care, boss.”
Gu Yansheng went out, bought a roast chicken and a jug of wine, headed to Caohui Jing Prison.
Reception Room, Gu Zhuxuan was brought in.
He smiled on entry: “Three times, three roast chickens. None fresh, but I crave Director Gu’s taste.”
He sat and bit into the roast chicken, paired with fine wine, savoring it.
“You picky with food available? Too good to you, huh?” Gu Yansheng teased, sitting down.
“Eating this in prison has unique flavor.”
“Enough, eat your food. I’m here to ask something: if I want to sell a batch of cotton yarn to Nationalist controlled area, any way?”
Gu Zhuxuan raised a brow, looking meaningfully at Gu Yansheng: “Director Gu, changing tune?”
“I’d like to, but no Chongqing elements recruiting me. How to change?”
Gu Yansheng sneered: “Shanghai’s cotton yarn market trend is bad now; I have a batch stuck. Heard Nationalist controlled area’s price high, cotton yarn is hot commodity. Think of a way, help me ship it over, sell quick before winter ends.”
Gu Zhuxuan nodded, pondered: “Then Yangtze River route, past Japanese checkpoints. You handle that? If yes, simple.”
“If I could, why find you? Selling this to that side, even if I could, think I’d risk it?”
“True.” Gu Zhuxuan agreed, “How much goods?”
“Sixteen or seventeen hundred bales.”
“This much?” Gu Zhuxuan surprised, thought: “Ways exist. Your large quantity, price can bear. Japanese Army shipping section’s Kobayashi Colonel sells special passes for military supplies, 3000 silver dollars each, per ship—so 3000 per ship. If needed, I can get someone to buy for you, you take zero risk.”
“Not cheap.” Japanese ruthless making money; 3000 silver dollars enough for year of luxury in Shanghai.
But easy come. This Kobayashi Colonel, Gu Yansheng must meet sometime.
“You make plenty. Rent those 30-ton iron barge ships; cotton yarn volume, one trip 20 tons, fifteen ships enough. Forty-five thousand silver dollars. Sell in Nationalist controlled area, double it, way more than selling in Shanghai. Extra space not fitting cotton yarn, carry other stuff: western medicine, opium—these huge profits there. Return trip haul stuff back to Shanghai, another profit?”
“Jianghu folks always have ways.” Gu Yansheng clapped lightly, “North Jiangsu Tycoon lives up to name.”
Gu Zhuxuan chuckled: “I can contact the person, handle the matter for you, but I have a condition.”
Gu Yansheng smiled: “Anything but release prisoner.”
“That’s it.” Gu Zhuxuan lowered head to eat meat, no temper.
“Hahaha.” Gu Yansheng smiled, looking at him: “Said I’d release you, not time yet and you’re rushing?”
“Can’t I rush? You think this roast chicken’s tasty?”
“Not tasty, don’t eat.”
“Still passable. Can’t waste Director Gu’s kind intent.”
“Haha, actually releasing you isn’t impossible; I can bear the risk. But this only counts as interest. I need you to help with something.”
Gu Zhuxuan perked up instantly, serious: “Say.”
Gu Yansheng raised a brow: “Later, your people help with things I can’t do openly, nothing against your principles. And one thing you must do: soon I need someone to smuggle medicine for me, requires foreign routes. I want your people involved; some I don’t trust.”
“Just that.” Gu Zhuxuan raised wine glass.
Gu Yansheng poured a glass, clinked, downed it.
“Deal.”
“When release prisoner?”
“No time like present, today.”
Gu Yansheng said casually; Gu Zhuxuan stunned, happiness too sudden.
Temporarily at loss: “Then do I need procedures, or?”
First time in prison, no experience.
“What procedures? I’ll handle later. Telephone call to your wife, have her come receive people. Also, bring 500 silver dollars as bail. Officially, government needs you for work, you’re bailed. That’s the line for anyone asking.”
Gu Zhuxuan laughed: “Refreshing!”
After telephone, Gu Yansheng told him: “The matter I want you to do, keep confidential, don’t tell outsiders. And fast, no dragging delaying my business.”
“Rest assured. Soon as I’m out, give me warehouse address, today start loading. Latest tomorrow night or next day dawn, ships sail.”
“Good.”
Chatted details: mainly Gu Yansheng sending overseers; they’d handle Nationalist controlled area cotton yarn sales, treat as your own Green Gang disciples.
Gu Zhuxuan didn’t pry; jianghu folks’ one good point: know when to mind business, seen much, not overly curious.
When his wife arrived, Gu Yansheng took Gu Zhuxuan out, told warden: “He’s bailed.” Warden smiled farewell, dared not ask reason.
Next day, Gu Yansheng went to Shen Linshen for altered clothes; fit much better now.
“Southern Anhui home says doable. Past Wuhu checkpoint, Japanese less strict on rest of route; patrol boat every two hours. Tongling river section narrow, many undercurrents. Southern Anhui already organized underwater commando team training, originally to harass Japanese Yangtze shipping. Taking delivery no problem, just disguise as river bandits hijacking. Up to you getting pass.”
“Handled. Tonight to tomorrow dawn, ships sail.”
“This fast?”
“Mm, noble help.” Gu Yansheng explained Gu Zhuxuan matter.
Shen Linshen knew him: “Heard his story. If him, no problem. Definitely not Japanese man, has grudge against Japanese. If develop him to help transport our goods, perfect.”
Gu Yansheng mm-ed: “Just Nationalist controlled area side, contact organization via transportation station, see which station has people to take delivery. Face-saving needed. Long route, enough time for organization arrangements. If no one, send your transportation station comrades to rent warehouses there for taking delivery. Goods must end in Nationalist controlled area.”
“Understood. Your efficiency high; I need to urge Southern Anhui, lest not enough transport horses.
I’ll send people to wharf to link with Gu Zhuxuan’s people. No reception for you.
Right, Southern Anhui says if can buy some western medicine, do so. Winter illnesses in mountains many, conditions too poor. Japanese blockade tight; without locals helping procure supplies, even food difficult.
Last time transportation station comrade said they’re foraging pine nuts everywhere, occasional wild rabbit a rare delicacy.”
“I’ll think of way.” Gu Yansheng checked watch; under one day to source so much medicine, need to think where.
“Time tight, delay ship one day?” Shen Linshen checked time too; near noon, evening sail leaves under 12 hours.
New Fourth Army medicine not a few pills, at least hundred-person share.
“No, ship time can’t delay; too many route uncertainties. We sail early, more time for Southern Anhui.
Still time, I’ll manage—even rob, I’ll get batch for you.”
