Chapter 116: Location
Gu Yansheng went home in the evening and pondered how to approach this matter.
Getting the individual’s name shouldn’t be difficult; as long as he finds an opportunity to chat casually with Ling Xianwen, he can obtain it inadvertently, as Ling Xianwen currently has no guard up against him.
However, asking about the accommodation location would be trickier; if it later involves assassination, and the Japanese investigate those in the know, it’s best not to get involved.
In Hongkou, the upscale places where people can stay are none other than the three major hotels; by finding an opportunity to stroll around, observing if there are defenses at the hotel entrances and whether personnel entry and exit inspections are strict, he should be able to judge directly.
If that doesn’t work, there are still hotel staff who can be kidnapped; though the method is a bit crude, it’s still better than getting himself involved in this matter.
Having drafted a preliminary plan, Gu Yansheng then washed up and went to bed.
Plans can’t keep up with changes; the next day, Gu Yansheng received a call from the secretariat in the office.
“Director Gu, please come to the meeting room.”
“Okay.”
Gu Yansheng entered the meeting room, and surprisingly, all the directors were already there.
Ling Xianwen smiled and said, “We were just waiting for you. Today, I called everyone here temporarily because an important figure has arrived in Shanghai. Those who have read the newspaper should know who I’m talking about.”
“Is the secretary-general referring to Chongqing’s Vice Chairman Wang? Has he come to Shanghai?” someone immediately asked in surprise.
“No, it’s his envoy.” Ling Xianwen smiled faintly: “He just issued a statement from Hanoi; even by plane, he couldn’t arrive in Shanghai that quickly. Coming from Vietnam, wouldn’t he go through Hong Kong? Flying straight over— if that guy in Chongqing found out, he’d shoot down his airplane.”
“Hahahaha.”
“So what is it today?”
Ling Xianwen said, “The talks are pretty much done; when the contract is signed, Vice Chairman Wang becomes chairman, and we all become his subordinates, with Shanghai as his territory.
Lately, Shanghai’s economy hasn’t been doing well. Mr. Hase’s intention is to test Vice Chairman Wang and his people; everyone meets, talks it over, chats about the situation in Shanghai, chats about Shanghai’s future development—familiarity comes with the first and second meetings.”
This made sense; everyone nodded, smiling and chatting idly with each other.
“But there’s one thing I want to remind everyone of first.” Ling Xianwen tapped the table. “Shanghai hasn’t been very peaceful lately. Although this person is just an envoy, his status is not simple either. The information must be kept confidential, limited to our high-level circle; not even the secretaries around us can be told.”
“Got it.”
“When do we go?”
“Vice Chairman Wang’s envoy, Secretary-General Ling—what level is the person who came from Chongqing?”
“You’ll know when you get there. Let’s go now; drive yourselves, no drivers.”
“No drivers? It’s been so long since I drove myself, I forgot how.”
“Then walk there.”
“No, Director Gu, give me a ride; your car looks great.”
“Having Director Gu be your driver? You sure have high standards.”
“Don’t mess around, Director Gu, that’s not what I meant.”
“Being your driver once isn’t impossible.” Gu Yansheng’s Buick was indeed quite valuable, and crucially, it looked good.
Following Ling Xianwen’s car, they went straight to Broadway Mansion in Hongkou. Though called a mansion, it was actually a hotel, 21 stories tall, overlooking the Huangpu River and Suzhou River, a landmark building in Hongkou and a great location.
“It’s new enough.” A director got out and inspected the exterior of the mansion.
Ling Xianwen beside him said, “It’s only been a few years since it was built, of course it’s new. For hosting someone of this level, there aren’t many suitable hotels in Hongkou. Let’s go.”
The group took the elevator upstairs to the seventh floor. When the elevator doors opened, four gendarmes were standing at the entrance. Seeing it was Ling Xianwen leading, they said nothing, clearly having been notified.
Gu Yansheng followed Ling Xianwen down the corridor to the innermost room, where another four gendarmes stood at the door.
With such tight defenses, that document won’t be easy to steal.
Ling Xianwen knocked on the door. It opened, and they entered the room. Hase Jinagawa was already inside, and a tea party was underway with several Japanese present, some talking, some taking notes.
Opposite them were two Chinese people, who should be the envoys.
“Mr. Kagesa, Mr. Gao, Mr. Mei, hello.” Ling Xianwen greeted with a smile, then introduced: “These are our colleagues from the city government.”
“Everyone, sit.” The Japanese man seated in the center spoke: “Some of you are meeting me for the first time. Let me introduce myself: I am the Japanese person in charge of negotiations with Mr. Wang, Kagesa Sadaki, Army Colonel.”
Everyone nodded in greeting.
Kagesa Sadaki said, “The main purpose of inviting everyone today is also for both sides to get acquainted. Major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, etc., are under our control. In the future, once the agreement negotiations with Mr. Wang’s side succeed, these cities will also be handed over to them.
And you all are the persons in charge of Shanghai’s major departments, talents needed for Mr. Wang’s upcoming new government. Whether you can enter Mr. Wang’s employment scope depends entirely on your own abilities.
This is Mr. Wang’s envoy, Director of Asian Affairs of the Chongqing Government, Mr. Gao Zhongwu, as well as Mr. Mei Siping, person in charge of the Hong Kong station of the Chongqing Government Propaganda Department.”
Wang Ni’s level is evident here; the people who came all have significant backgrounds.
All being respectable officials, they immediately exchanged pleasantries and niceties.
“Alright, you all chat then; we’ll just be listeners.” Kagesa Sadaki made a gesture inviting them to proceed.
Gao Zhongwu smiled faintly: “Calling everyone here amid your busy schedules has indeed caused you trouble. Mainly, Shanghai has been out of the Chongqing Government’s control for quite some time, and with the ever-changing situation, we don’t understand Shanghai as well as before.
I’ve heard that Shanghai’s economy hasn’t been doing well lately, so to ensure the new government can be established smoothly, we’ve invited you high-level Shanghai officials to explain the situation, so I can bring the information back to report to Mr. Wang. Please speak freely.
I’ll start by sharing Mr. Wang’s concept.
Currently, China is in turbulent times, with endless wars and mostly defeats—to put it bluntly, we haven’t won any.
Once war breaks out, lives are ruined, and thousands upon thousands of common people die just like that.
Does it hurt to die? Of course it does, but if we had any way, if we could win, we’d keep fighting even to the death. I say this even in front of Mr. Kagesa: if we could win, peace talks would be impossible.
The fact is, who would want peace talks if they could win? It’s precisely because we can’t win. Mr. Kagesa, please don’t mind me saying this.”
Kagesa Sadaki smiled and raised his hand: “Just the truth; please continue.”
Gao Zhongwu nodded, sighed, and said: “After fighting so long, why can’t we win? Homes are destroyed, territory lost, property gone, sons and daughters in the family all gone. If we keep fighting, it will really lead to national ruin and extinction.
Mr. Wang hopes to leave a spark for China; peaceful coexistence with Japan is the true path to survival for our China.
The Peace Movement is absolutely not cowardly surrender, but preserving the lives of 400 million compatriots with political wisdom!
We can learn Japan’s advanced industrial technology; Japan can utilize our vast land resources for greater development. United together, Greater East Asia can stand tall in the world!
This is absolutely beneficial to both sides; what do you all think?”
What was there to think? None of those present needed his brainwashing, of course they agreed.
Next, they got to know each other, chatted about Shanghai topics, chatted about expectations for Mr. Wang coming to Shanghai—this meeting was pretty much done.
Some still wanted to perform a bit, to leave a good impression on Gao Zhongwu, lest when the Wang Government is established, there be no place for them in Shanghai.
“As expected of the Director of Asian Affairs; the height of his stance is indeed higher than ours.”
After coming out, some directors still flattered and sighed.
“Flatter him to his face next time; he can’t hear it out here.” Someone joked.
Back to the city government office.
Gu Yansheng returned to the Judicial Department and recalled what he had seen today.
Four gendarmes at the elevator entrance, four at the door—slipping into the room won’t be easy.
But he had noticed earlier that a window in the room’s hall was slightly open. Observing it, if it’s not closed at night, perhaps it could be utilized.
The 21-story building, people on the seventh floor—if rappelling from the eighth floor, he wondered if Military Statistics Bureau people could pull off the operation.
Based on memory, he sketched a layout of the hotel; after work, Gu Yansheng called Wu Sibao.
It was easy for Liu San to sneak out to find him, but calling to find Liu San wouldn’t be easy—Liu San’s level was too low, needing an excuse.
Using a public telephone to call Liu San’s home at night, the guy might not even be there, because Wu Sibao loved carousing and always took his cronies out, with Liu San being one of them.
“Captain Wu, let’s have dinner together tonight.”
“What’s the good news?”
“Song He Lou tonight; we’ll talk over food. I’m heading out now—bring more people; it’s too unsafe to eat with you all.”
“Tch, look at you being such a scaredy-cat; who would dare come looking for trouble?”
“Also, bring your sister-in-law and Director Li too.”
“Okay.”
An hour later, Song He Lou.
A table of wine and food was set; Ye Jiqing smiled at Gu Yansheng—this God of Wealth coming to her meant there was definitely good news.
After some pleasantries, Gu Yansheng didn’t beat around the bush: “Have you all seen the newspapers these past couple of days?”
“We have; are you talking about the Chongqing Vice Chairman Wang matter?” Director Li asked.
The newspapers these past two days were all about the Wang fellow: yesterday about Wang issuing a statement from Hanoi, and today’s newspaper had Shanghai patriots hurling curses at Wang, calling him a traitorous arch-villain.
Gu Yansheng nodded and smiled mysteriously: “What do you think the chances are of this matter succeeding?”
“Establishing a new regime to oppose Chongqing?” Director Li thought for a moment and said: “One hundred percent. Since he’s come out and spoken, he has to do it even if he doesn’t want to—otherwise, what? Could he go back?”
Gu Yansheng tapped the table: “The financial path is right here. Today, inspiration struck, and I thought of something. I’ve been wanting to buy a house lately, so I’ve paid attention to housing prices. You’ll find the most expensive houses are in the concession, but what government personnel love most is definitely the core area near the Japanese barracks.”
Everyone understood the reason and nodded.
“That’s for sure, safety.” Wu Sibao said.
Gu Yansheng hummed and continued: “So, where do you think Wang would choose as the capital if he establishes the regime?”
