Chapter 118: Newspaper
As soon as Liu San left, Gu Yansheng remembered one more thing. Now that he knew the visitor was Gao Zhongwu, he should have the Military Statistics Bureau in Chongqing send over Gao Zhongwu’s files. With physical characteristics, it would be easy to identify the goal.
If there were photographs, that would be even better.
Photographs would definitely not arrive in time, but Gao Zhongwu was the Director of Asian Affairs of the National Government. Although they had not seen this person, it was very possible that someone in Shanghai had seen him. There might even be group photos or the like.
If Chongqing could provide relevant clues, that would be very good.
He had forgotten to remind him just now. He did not know if Liu San had thought of this. The Japanese were digging a pit now. Whether it was really Gao Zhongwu or not, they could not tell. Everything still needed to be handled with caution.
Communication now was really not smooth. After a few minutes, he could not catch up.
But it did not matter. There was still a small horn in the office.
Gu Yansheng called the Personnel Section Chief.
“Recently, the department has recruited quite a few people. Are there any good-quality women among them? Young ones.”
The Personnel Section Chief nodded with a smile, “There are,” and then mentioned two names Gu Yansheng had never heard of.
“That’s it?”
“Anyone else? Uh… I know of no others that the Division Chief is referring to.”
Gu Yansheng was puzzled. Was not Shen Shuyun supposed to show a little to make it easier for him to transfer people? Why did it feel like this Personnel Section Chief knew nothing.
Shen Shuyun could not have rebelled, so the only one who rebelled was this Personnel Section Chief.
He looked at the Personnel Section Chief with a half-smile: “I seem to have seen other newcomers in the department, but not these names. How is it that newcomers come to the department and you, as the Section Chief, do not know? Very busy, right?”
The Personnel Section Chief acted as if suddenly realizing, and smiled, “No, no, I know who the Division Chief is referring to. Shen Shuyun. There is indeed such a woman who was recruited, but she has no work experience, her personality is average, and she is not very likable among colleagues. I thought she did not meet the Division Chief’s description of good quality, and was afraid of delaying your matters, so I did not mention her.”
“Heh, you can even make decisions for me.” Gu Yansheng smiled.
“No, no.” The Personnel Section Chief immediately bowed slightly, “Division Chief, her personality is really not good. She gets along poorly with colleagues, is clumsy, and always makes mistakes. I was afraid of delaying your affairs.”
“Call her in.” It had only been three days without a beating and she was climbing the roof to lift the tiles. Gu Yansheng had no time to deal with him for now.
After a while, Shen Shuyun walked in.
“Division Chief.”
Gu Yansheng waved his hand, telling the Personnel Section Chief to get lost.
“There is something. Take leave and go back to send a telegram. Ask Director Dai for detailed files on Director of Asian Affairs Gao Zhongwu and Propaganda Department Mei Siping, including physical characteristics. If clues to photographs can be provided, they must be.”
“Okay, then I will go now.”
“Hey, wait. When I just asked him for people, why did he hide you?” Gu Yansheng was curious and briefly explained what had happened.
Shen Shuyun smiled helplessly: “When I first entered the office and was assigned to the Personnel Section, his nephew was there that day. He probably took a liking to me. He came to plead for his nephew, saying I was alone and helpless in Shanghai, wanting to introduce us, invite me to eat and watch movies. I did not agree. Now he gives me a bad look. When he called me just now, he even warned me not to tell you, or he would transfer me to the prison.”
“Oh~” Gu Yansheng smiled knowingly, “Okay, I understand. If there is such a thing in the future, reject it directly. If he troubles you, tell me, and I will deal with him.”
Shen Shuyun nodded with a smile, “Then I will go first.”
“Go ahead.”
In the evening, Liu San came specially to Gu Yansheng’s residence to report.
Coming and going was indeed much more convenient now.
Liu San said softly: “The Team Leader has already taken people to infiltrate Hongkou for observation and captured a Kaifu Hotel waiter for questioning. He confirmed that a group of people had indeed checked into Kaifu Hotel in the past two days, and there were Japanese plainclothes providing loose outside and tight inside protection.
Two people, who usually do not go out. When they go out, it is for a long time, and they do not go out again after returning. The Team Leader judges that these two are the real envoys here for negotiation. They go out for negotiation and do not show their faces again after returning.”
“Is the waiter reliable?”
“Reliable. The Police Station has our inside line. This person’s entire family is in Shanghai, and he said he is Chinese and willing to help us as an inside agent, but with a condition: he hopes that after our action, we can send his whole family to Hong Kong or Chongqing. He is afraid of Japanese investigation, that he would panic and not withstand interrogation. The Team Leader agreed.”
Gu Yansheng nodded: “With an inside agent, it is more convenient. Today I had Shen Shuyun send a telegram to Chongqing for Gao Zhongwu’s files. Do not rush to act. Wait until this person is confirmed to be Gao Zhongwu before acting. The Japanese set a trap for us. Since there is already this step, it is hard to say that what we see is certainly real.”
“You think carefully.” Liu San thought for a moment and said: “I will pass this on. Additionally, the Team Leader has scouted three hotels separately, and opportunities can be found at each.
Near the two decoy locations, buildings can be found. Before action, temporarily infiltrate a high point, and a sniper rifle can shoot from afar toward the hotel entrance. No matter which hotel’s people are real, purely in terms of striking, opportunities can be found. As long as a little accident is created at the entrance, time for striking can be won.
As for the real action location, Kaifu Hotel, the Team Leader’s idea is that it is unknown how many days they will negotiate. It is already the second day now, and tomorrow is the third.
To avoid long nights bringing many dreams and them finishing talks and leaving, at the latest tomorrow we must check into the hotel, then on the day after tomorrow when they go out for negotiation, crawl into the room through the ventilation duct to hide, wait for them to return from talks, and strike at the right moment.”
“Can the ventilation duct be crawled through, confirmed?”
“Can be crawled. The waiter explained that maintenance workers had crawled up that vent before, but only one person can pass, and it must be a slim and small build. We have one in the team. Tomorrow have him crawl in alone. Waiting in the room for them to return is also considering this reason. The lock-picker cannot follow in. If the documents are put into the safe, we have no chance. It must be when the documents are still outside that we can get them.”
Gu Yansheng was not as professional as others on specific action details, so he did not ask further, “How to handle the people? Kill on site or what?”
“Cannot kill all. Chongqing has instructions. The documents definitely need someone to bring back to Wang Ni. If all die, even if we get their secret agreement, it has no meaning. Others will not admit it. So depending on the situation, not necessarily kill.”
Gu Yansheng nodded, understanding. It was both national law and needed for propaganda.
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
“Hello.” Gu Yansheng picked up the phone.
“Director Gu, this is the gate guard. A female staff member from your Judicial Department is looking for you, saying she has an appointment with you.”
“Yes, let her come up.”
Liu San gave him an inquiring look.
Gu Yansheng reassured him: “It’s fine. Shen Shuyun is here. It should be news from Chongqing.”
Not long after, Shen Shuyun knocked on the door.
Upon entering, she said: “Reply from Chongqing. Hong Kong Dagong Newspaper on September 26 last year has an interview with Gao Zhongwu, with photos of Gao Zhongwu and Mei Siping.”
“Last year?” Liu San frowned, “Where to find such an old newspaper? And I remember the Shanghai edition of Dagong Newspaper stopped publication after the Battle of Songhu began. The Hong Kong edition was not distributed in Shanghai, right? Can this be found?”
Shen Shuyun said: “Newspapers will always flow in. Headquarters side must have asked around. This is the most certain way.”
“Where to find this…” Liu San muttered.
“I know a place that might have it.”
Gu Yansheng thought of the law firm. They had the habit of keeping newspapers. It seemed that at key moments, this habit of the law firm was very good.
“Tomorrow I will go find the newspaper. You at 10 or 11 tomorrow noon, depending on your available time, wait for me at the coffee shop across from Danwen Law Firm. Shuyun, come with me. Meet at the law firm entrance at 9 tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.”
Early the next morning, Gu Yansheng went to visit Danwen Law Firm.
“Mr. Gu.” The British beauty Susan at the front desk looked surprised, “How come you are here today?”
“To see you.” Gu Yansheng smiled, took out pastries bought on the way, and put them on her desk, “For you to slack off.”
“Haha, thank you. But you are definitely not here for me, or you would not have brought a pretty miss with you.” Susan blinked: “Looking for Mr. Wolf or Mr. Gu Bai?”
“Where is Mr. Wolf? In?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Gu Yansheng walked into Mr. Wolf’s office to greet him.
“Looks like the law firm has a lot of business recently. You do not even lift your head when I come in.”
“Gu?” Mr. Wolf looked up upon hearing the voice, surprise in his eyes, but soon his face stiffened: “I hope you were fired by the City Government, but I estimate not.”
Gu Yansheng smiled and sat down on his own, “Looks like business is really busy.”
“Of course a lot. Eight out of ten cases are related to your City Government.”
Mr. Wolf took out a cigar and pointed to the file folders on the desk: “All foreign merchants suing your City Government for breaching agreements. You are here today perfectly. As Deputy Division Chief of Judicial Department, do you not have an explanation? So many foreign merchants’ profits damaged, why has your court not advanced compensation?”
“Because no money.” Gu Yansheng said righteously: “The City Government is almost out of money even for meals. Even if you win, it cannot compensate. This is called I am poor so I am right.”
Mr. Wolf looked at Gu Yansheng with eyes full of understanding, just short of writing “you are truly shameless” inside.
Gu Yansheng smiled helplessly: “I support you suing. Sue as you should. Anyway, it is not me paying. But on this matter, you really need to wait. The Commander of the Japanese Gendarmerie Headquarters has been called back for debriefing. Might even commit seppuku. At this critical juncture, the Japanese themselves have no backbone, no funds to support the SH City Government compensating you.
But this matter will definitely ease one day, because the Japanese cannot give up interests in Shanghai. Then do they not still need to maintain good relations with all concession parties?
So then, compensation that should be given still will be. Just a matter of time, not too long.
How about it? This inside information is good, right? When the City Government has money, I will tip you off first and let you jump the queue. All cases you, Mr. Wolf, represent, I will have them prioritize for you.”
“Hahaha, you said it.” Mr. Wolf pointed with his cigar-holding rough hand.
Gu Yansheng nodded, “I said it.”
“Let me treat you to coffee.” Mr. Wolf said and nimbly went out to operate the coffee machine.
“Coffee later. I came to ask for your help. Borrow your archive room. For a case, I need to check that year’s newspapers. Okay? You will not not let me see just because I am not working for the law firm now, right?”
Mr. Wolf got excited, “Can, but I am very curious. What case, needing you to handle personally?”
Gu Yansheng smiled: “Secret. You brew first. I go check files, come back for coffee later.”
Gu Yansheng brought Shen Shuyun into the archive room.
The law firm’s archive room was not like government institutions. No one managed it. Insiders could look freely.
Newspapers were piled in heaps in the corner, like junk. Gu Yansheng found Dagong Newspaper, but it was the Shanghai edition. Searching further, he finally found the Hong Kong edition in a small suitcase.
“Not bad, did not waste effort.”
The paper quantity of Dagong Newspaper Hong Kong edition was obviously much less than the Shanghai edition. By thickness, probably just dozens of sheets.
But that was because it started publication later. Gu Yansheng checked the dates. The first issue of Hong Kong Dagong Newspaper was August 13, 1938. The front page news that day introduced the newspaper’s history.
Stopped publication in Shanghai on December 14, 1937, and started in Hong Kong on August 13, 1938.
From the dates, it was a newspaper with style.
Flipping one by one, soon the September 26 issue was found.
“Found it.” Gu Yansheng showed Shen Shuyun the photos of the people in the newspaper. Not bad, quite clear. The faces were absolutely recognizable.
Indeed not the two he had seen.
Gu Yansheng thought and said: “You continue looking. Find a case from last April, North Jiangsu Tycoon Gu Zhuxuan accused of colluding with the Military Statistics Bureau. The newspaper should have reports, but I do not want after the sentencing. Look backward. See if the news has any events related to this. Find it. That will be the reason we came here today outwardly.”
Gu Yansheng thought of the reason first.
“Okay.”
“You look first. I will go see if the person has arrived.”
Gu Yansheng folded the newspaper, put it in his pocket, walked out of the law firm, and saw Liu San already sitting in the coffee shop waiting.
Gu Yansheng gave him the newspaper, “See if you have seen them?”
“No.” Liu San confirmed at a glance it was not the Gao Zhongwu he saw, “The Japanese are really insidious, fooling everyone.”
“Normal. Others use suspects without doubting people, but they do not have that condition. Those not of our race must have differing hearts. Must confirm it is these two before acting.”
Liu San nodded and put it away: “Then I will go first.”
In the afternoon, Gu Yansheng did not get a phone call, thinking they were still acting.
Who knew in the evening, Liu San called.
Going out to meet Liu San, Chen Mo was also with him.
Both had somewhat depressed expressions.
Chen Mo gave Gu Yansheng a helpless smile, “Good thing you found this newspaper, otherwise we would really be trapped this time.”
“What happened?”
“Fake!”
