Chapter 108: Extort
The news of Matsui coming to Shanghai was extremely secretive.
The city government operated as usual in the morning until two o’clock, when suddenly a large group of gendarmes rushed into the city government, taking over all defenses from the entrance to the meeting room.
Two teams of armed guards cleared a path.
Those who didn’t know thought all the city government officials were about to be gunned down, especially hearing that these people were from Nanjing, scaring everyone out of their wits, after all, Shanghai’s battle record had indeed been worrisome recently.
And the Japanese Nanjing Command Headquarters sending people to Shanghai to handle the problem, this was the first time since the city government was established, showing how serious the situation was.
Accompanied by Iwasa and Hase Jinagawa, Matsui brought a group of officers from Nanjing straight to the meeting room, then called all the city government high-level officials in for a meeting.
In the meeting room, Gu Yansheng was present.
Matsui had each department report their achievements and explain the problems encountered in Shanghai’s economy.
After the explanation.
Sheng Wenyi was the first to be held accountable.
Sheng Wenyi shouted his innocence, “The drug mission was handed to me, I did everything according to the Gendarmerie Headquarters’ instructions, I completed it without any issues, and the results were outstanding, obvious to all!
The problems in Shanghai’s economy are due to some gang members maliciously provoking, when problems arise, how can you blame it on me?”
But Fu Xiao’an brought in his backers, if they still couldn’t bring him down, wouldn’t that backer be for nothing?
Matsui didn’t want to hear his nonsense at all, directly ordered people to drag him away, to be taken back to Nanjing and handed over to the military court for disposal.
And during this process, Iwasa just kept a grim face, not saying a single word of help.
Next was the main event.
“Shanghai is the city that General Headquarters has high hopes for, and also the benchmark city for the Empire of Japan to establish the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and show to the world, Shanghai’s economy must recover, and recover quickly!”
Matsui’s stern gaze swept over everyone, “We have high hopes for you, you must also produce results, Deputy Division Chief Gu.”
“Here.” Gu Yansheng stood up.
“I heard you were previously the person in charge of the drug mission?”
“Yes.”
“How did you handle it?”
“Report to Your Excellency Commander Matsui, when I first received the drug mission, I investigated the personnel composition of Shanghai’s drug market and found that the personnel composition of Shanghai’s drug market was unusually complex, with people from various countries.
Like on the Japanese side, there were Japanese businessmen, ronin, and people from the colonies, Koreans, Taiwanese, involved in drug trafficking and smuggling.
Just Japan has so many, one can imagine, adding up the whole world, the forces entrenched in Shanghai making a living from this are countless.
Simply wanting to eliminate them is easy, Shanghai is in the hands of the Japanese, as long as strict control is imposed, just like the previous Anti-Narcotics Bureau director’s approach, they can certainly be wiped out, all shops taken back into our hands.
But after that, they will definitely come back, this is determined by human nature.
Merchants for profit can sell the rope to hang themselves, let alone a bunch of desperate international drug dealers?
Their destructive actions in SH urban area today are the best proof.
So after I understood all this, with the purpose of peaceful development, I negotiated with representatives of various forces, to talk about sharing profits, adopting a gradual steady strategy, then squeezing their profit margins.
Not because I was timid and didn’t dare to do like Director Sheng, but because I knew, only this way, can the Empire of Japan get the most profit.
Eyes only on drugs, but not seeing the big picture of Shanghai’s economy, let alone director, even as a section chief I think he is unqualified, not high enough in position, too narrow-minded.
I think Commander Matsui as Commander-in-Chief, must have encountered such people in work, had such experiences, some things cannot focus on single gains and losses.”
Matsui could indeed empathize with this, nodding, “Since you know where the problem lies, if this matter is handed to you again, do you have confidence to complete it?”
At this question, Gu Yansheng paused and said: “Regrettably, the current situation in Shanghai is different from then, the troubles caused by the Anti-Drug General Bureau have already created huge rifts in our relationships with all parties, wanting to complete it, the difficulty is great, I can try, can do my best, but I dare not hide from Your Excellency Commander, I haven’t been in contact with them for a while, temporarily cannot make promises.”
Matsui slightly frowned, looked at the others, “Everyone present are Shanghai’s elites, also entrenched in Shanghai for a long time, who has confidence to complete this mission?”
Saying try is okay, saying complete, no one dared to speak, standing like a pine sitting like a clock, this was the perfect time to perform sitting like a clock.
Matsui saw this scene with an unhappy face, but no matter how unhappy, no one dared to agree, everyone was slacking off, that was trouble the Japanese brought themselves, they had no choice.
Still Fu Xiao’an spoke: “Commander Matsui, I think only Gu Yansheng Deputy Division Chief Gu has the possibility to complete this, after all he contacted before, him handling it, would be faster to get started than others, if you don’t mind, can I go out and chat with him a few words, you first inspect other problems?”
Gu Yansheng was surprised, how Fu Xiao’an so quickly dragged him in.
He was still waiting to refuse more times, to let Hase Jinagawa come invite him.
But seeing Matsui nod, this matter could only be like this.
Gu Yansheng followed Fu Xiao’an out, to the end of the corridor.
Fu Xiao’an straight to the point: “I know you have connections with Green Gang people, you step in to solve this, count me owing you a favor.”
Empty promises fool ghosts, better to agree to him than Matsui, Gu Yansheng frowned with a troubled expression.
“Mayor Fu, I have some connection with Green Gang, but just a little, not much, and that little has already been exhausted in this cooperation with Anti-Drug General Bureau’s arrests and trials, they asked me to release prisoner, I couldn’t, I didn’t give face to others, why should others give me face? Can’t do it.”
Fu Xiao’an was also old jianghu, this bit of words couldn’t block his mouth, raised his eyebrow and said: “When you could negotiate with them back then, you must have had something in hand that could make them sit down to talk.
Ten thousand US dollars, as my personal hardship fee supplement to you.
Director Gu, this money I don’t have to give, because for this mission I can let Commander Matsui forcibly assign to you, the person is I invited, you should know I have this ability, if can’t complete, you don’t want to be taken to Nanjing like Sheng Wenyi, right?
Now I personally sponsor you, enough, right?”
Gu Yansheng smiled faintly, “You threatening me? If so, no need to give me money, anyway the mission can fall on me, for you isn’t it the same?
Just don’t know if your money runs out first, or I get taken to Nanjing first.
I read the newspapers these days, say Mayor Fu you got double-killed in business stock market, almost bankrupt, anxious, right?”
“Otherwise why give you ten thousand?”
Fu Xiao’an’s face darkened, brows tightly furrowed: “No nonsense, since you know the situation, you should know the meaning of me giving you this money, I want speed, three days, at most one week, solve this problem, Green Gang’s chaos must completely stop, I mean completely.”
Gu Yansheng looked at Fu Xiao’an and smiled: “Thirty thousand.”
Fu Xiao’an’s face changed dramatically, angrily shouted: “Are you too greedy! Once drug matter solved, you can originally take benefits, you think I just came out yesterday, don’t know the tricks inside?”
“Gave you the chance, if you can solve, you go solve, no need to find me.”
Fu Xiao’an was really angered, chest heaving, mainly now money is short, everywhere needs money.
“Fifteen thousand!” He said this with furrowed brows.
“Thirty.”
“Twenty! Enough.”
“Thirty.”
“Twenty-two!” Fu Xiao’an almost gritted his teeth to shout this number, eyes like they could eat people.
Gu Yansheng calm and composed, unmoved smile, “This thirty thousand not for myself, it’s for going to their door to apologize and compensate.
Thirty thousand US dollars is a lot, but compared to the losses Mayor you face, shouldn’t be a big number, right?
At worst take a bit from some funding in name of compensation, justifiable, thirty thousand, one cent less I can’t convince them.”
“As you wish!”
Fu Xiao’an took a deep breath, fiercely suppressing the anger in his heart, this matter only Gu Yansheng can quickly solve.
“I want fast!” Fu Xiao’an emphasized again.
“Then I need to see the money first.”
“I still owe you?” At this life-and-death moment, Fu Xiao’an wished to slap the money on Gu Yansheng’s face, afraid he wouldn’t put effort, how could he owe account?
But seeing Gu Yansheng’s eyes, naked mockery, very wanted to say something, but considering his own indeed poor credibility… could only hold back the fire and say.
“Meeting ends, within two hours you’ll see the money, okay? Great Director Gu.”
“Okay, trust once more.”
Since agreement reached, could go back to report.
Gu Yansheng took the mission, Japanese left.
Fu Xiao’an indeed didn’t dare owe account, one and a half hours, brought 30 thousand US dollars, put on Gu Yansheng’s coffee table.
And admonished, must be fast.
Gu Yansheng told him to leave, good look at this money.
Thirty thousand, really a lot.
No wonder extortion is so harmful, taking advantage of someone’s peril, money comes really fast.
Already torn face with Fu Xiao’an long ago, Gu Yansheng really couldn’t find reason to be polite to him.
Seeing the money, Gu Yansheng picked up the phone and called Zhang Xiaolin.
“Mr. Zhang, really sorry for arresting your people, now city government reconsidered, feels your people may not be guilty, so I tell you first, specifics I’ll personally come apologize, we talk face to face.”
Zhang Xiaolin understood at once, “Then I’ll wait for Director Gu to come.”
“Certainly.” Gu Yansheng hung up the phone.
Not much to say on phone, rest talk in person.
As for this process, no rush, must put on a show, negotiate a few days, can’t settle right after taking money, or it looks like two people colluded early? Director Gu not that kind of person.
Honestly, Fu Xiao’an should thank Military Statistics Bureau, if not for Military Statistics Bureau appearing, bringing new trick of counterfeit banknotes master plate, Gu Yansheng might have dragged him to death.
Now, having money not earning is idiot, let Fu Xiao’an breathe easy, hang himself later.
Ring ring, ring ring.
“Hello.”
“Director Gu, gate guard duty room, Liu San from Agent Headquarters came, please come down.”
“Okay, got it.”
Gu Yansheng went downstairs, saw Liu San, still same as always, servile in front of others.
Liu San smiled and greeted, “Director Gu, please come over.”
Gu Yansheng got in the car, Liu San said: “The radio dispatched to you arrived, from Hong Kong, now the person is in the concession, she also brought the master plate along, do you want to see now?”
Came already, then see.
“Male or female? How many people?”
“Female, one person, I picked up, very safe.”
Gu Yansheng followed Liu San to the concession, destination a hotel.
Upstairs, Liu San knocked, the person inside opened the door, surprisingly a pretty young woman, looked quite quiet.
Radio operator being woman is common, but Boss Dai sending pretty woman to him, some ulterior motives.
“Hello, my name is Shen Shuyun.”
“Gu Yansheng.”
After entering, Gu Yansheng looked around the room, asked: “Know my identity?”
“Know, Director Dai explained before coming, said you are city government big shot, Judicial Department deputy division chief.”
Big mouth, this point not as tight as Underground Party.
Underground Party previously suffered losses in Shanghai, now logic is, for all transport, transportation station not allowed to ask identity of ‘passing guests’, and guests before reaching destination also won’t know who to contact, all by code.
Not like Military Statistics Bureau style, theoretically if Shen Shuyun had accident midway, could drag Gu Yansheng out.
Of course, maybe Boss Dai very sure this woman capable, certainly no problem.
Retracting thoughts, Gu Yansheng asked: “What did Director Dai say?”
Shen Shuyun slightly bowed: “First, know your identity important, told me to serve you carefully, everything follow your orders.
Second is to bring this suitcase to Shanghai, inside has what you need, also he said, if you need find someone to handle machinery, Bank of China’s Manager Liu can solve, he is ours.”
“Boss Dai really thoughtful, then open and see, I haven’t seen what master plate looks like.”
“Yes.”
Shen Shuyun took out big suitcase from under bed, under layers of clothes wrapping, found six master plates, one set one yuan, one set five yuan, one set ten yuan, each set front and back.
“Looks quite exquisite.” Gu Yansheng looked against the light, then handed to Liu San.
Liu San also looked, “Since this is Japanese yen template, can directly print Japanese yen? That worth more than military scrip.”
“If could print Japanese yen, wouldn’t come to us.”
Such simple logic Gu Yansheng said once and stopped, printing plate definitely has flaws, invisible to naked eye on template normal.
“Since Boss Dai already thought of person, you find your team leader, have him find someone to contact that manager, get factory up ASAP, we now racing time with Japanese.
Today Nanjing’s Matsui came, they urgently need to restore Shanghai’s economy, as long as we print this, can give them heavy blow.”
