Chapter 134: Gift
“Mr. Wang has far-sighted vision, advocating the Peace Movement, which is not cowardice or seeking temporary peace, but truly retreating to advance, turning the tide when it is already in decline!
What we seek is not the shame of ceding territory for peace, but the benevolence of stopping war and resting troops.
Benevolence to the common people, benevolence to the world.
Fohai’s heartfelt words, I hope all of you will take note!”
“Sino-Japanese cooperation, East Asia reborn!”
Minister Zhou slightly bowed, and warm applause immediately rang out.
Especially the last sentence was said in Japanese, immediately elevating the level of the speech, and several Japanese high-level officials nodded in satisfaction and followed by clapping.
After stepping down from the stage, he said a few words to the Japanese, then came over together.
He took a Parker pen from the pocket of his suit and handed it over, saying amiably to Gu Yansheng: “I came in a hurry and didn’t prepare any special gift for Mr. Gu. This is the pen Mr. Wang gave me, and today I pass it on to Mr. Gu to congratulate him on the joy of moving.
Don’t take out second-hand goods. Gu Yansheng waved his hand with a smile and refused: “How can that be? A gentleman does not take what others love. Since it was given by Mr. Wang, it must be Minister Zhou’s cherished possession. How can I accept it?
Besides, this is just an ordinary gathering here. Because of Minister Zhou’s arrival, it gives this ordinary gathering an extraordinary meaning. Even General Miura and Colonel Kageza Your Excellency are here—how many people want to invite them but can’t. It’s very prestigious already.”
“Hahahaha.” The Japanese liked this statement.
Minister Zhou smiled and said: “I don’t agree with that. How can one visit empty-handed? A treasured sword to a hero, a fine pen to a scholar. Since I’ve come, I naturally must give a gift. Otherwise, if Mr. Wang finds out, and he hears that my first meeting with Shanghai colleagues was so stingy, wouldn’t he say I don’t understand etiquette?”
“Still no, I really can’t take what others love. Besides, I’m not really a scholar. Minister Zhou is the Minister of Propaganda; you are the real scholar.”
“It’s necessary. Shanghai has not been peaceful recently. I’m just using Mr. Gu’s gathering to meet with all walks of life in Shanghai. On one hand, it saves me a lot of trouble. On the other hand, it’s because some people in Shanghai misunderstand Mr. Wang’s peace policy, leading to some chaos in Shanghai.
To a certain extent, this has increased the workload for Director Gu’s Judicial Department. More pens are used up, and compensation has to be paid, right? General Miura, Your Excellency Kageza, don’t you think so?”
“Hahahaha, Mr. Gu, just accept it.” Miura spoke up.
This harmonious scene of Sino-Japanese family unity is exactly what everyone hopes for.
After Gu Yansheng refused three times, he accepted it.
That’s good. Minister Zhou said to the remaining Shanghai officials beside Gu Yansheng: “Preparing the new government is a hard job with a lot of content, but for the future of the Chinese nation, we can only and must persist without regard to the hardship. Chiang Kai-shek is stubborn, the situation is difficult, and Shanghai has a lot of work that needs everyone’s cooperation. In the coming days, I hope everyone will help a lot.”
“Certainly, certainly.” Polite words are said first.
“I’ll go chat with the business circles for a bit; excuse me.”
As soon as he left, Kageza didn’t leave and said: “Since Su Xiwen fled, the position of Vice Mayor has been vacant. Tomorrow, the new Vice Mayor will take office, and he will also represent Minister Zhou to complete the work they need to do in Shanghai.”
“Your Excellency Kageza, who is this person?” Fu Xiao’an was very sensitive to this person’s arrival.
There’s nothing to hide, so Kageza said straightforwardly: “Luo Junqiang, previously Secretary of the Attendant Room in Chongqing, instructor at Whampoa Military Academy, Secretary-General of the Wuhan Headquarters, Secretary-General of the Nanchang Headquarters, and also Secretary-General of the Military Affairs Office. He should be a very experienced person.”
Everyone nodded slightly, assessing in their hearts the pattern change this person’s arrival would bring.
Fu Xiao’an continued to ask: “What specific tasks does he have that need Shanghai’s help to complete?”
Before Kageza could speak, there was suddenly a commotion at the door. Several Japanese Gendarmes drove in, whispering Japanese into the ears of Miura and Kageza.
The smiles on Miura and Kageza’s faces faded, and their brows furrowed.
They finished speaking quickly, and Kageza nodded slightly to everyone: “There is military business to handle; excuse me.”
The several Japanese left in a hurry.
“What happened?” A Director muttered to himself.
“Battle, probably.” Someone replied, “What else could make them leave in such a hurry? Probably fighting somewhere.”
Everyone nodded; this possibility was indeed quite high.
“Ignore them; it’s better that they’ve left. Everyone can relax more, drink and play casually.”
“That’s true.”
The influence of the Japanese leaving soon faded.
Fu Xiao’an hadn’t gotten an answer earlier and pondered before asking: “Did you hear? Attendant Room Secretary—this is Minister Zhou’s confidant.”
A Deputy Director of the Attendant Room and a Secretary, both coming to Shanghai together—this was an obvious relationship.
A Director sighed, “The new government hasn’t even been established yet, and they’re already planting people in the City Government. Now they even want to send a Vice Mayor. What are we old brothers supposed to think?”
Su Xiwen’s flight definitely made some people happy, and with the position vacant, many Directors were thinking of advancing further.
Now parachuting someone in completely blocked the path.
“Mayor, after this Luo Junqiang arrives, which departments will he oversee?” A Director subtly reminded Fu Xiao’an about the division of work.
Fu Xiao’an was silent, squinting his eyes while drinking, not knowing what he was thinking.
Ling Xianwen said softly to Gu Yansheng with a smile: “Fu Xiao’an treats SH City as his own turf. This time he’s afraid he’ll meet an opponent. We’re indifferent—being a Secretary-General or a Division Chief is fine—but this Minister Zhou probably won’t be so easy to talk to. Otherwise, why would the Nanjing Government even be established? Isn’t that the reason?”
“Makes sense; looks like there’ll be a good show.”
Gu Yansheng didn’t care about this but was concerned about where the battle was earlier.
After agreeing a few words, he asked: “Secretary-General, you understand Japanese. Did you hear where the battle was?”
“Southern Anhui.” Ling Xianwen said casually: “The voice was too low, and the speech was fast; I didn’t hear the specifics, but the location is definitely Southern Anhui. That’s New Fourth Army territory; they must have clashed. From their reaction, the situation might not be good.”
The Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters’ sphere of influence was only the nearby areas. Gu Yansheng guessed it might be his own troops, and it really was the New Fourth Army.
But if the Japanese were at a disadvantage, then it was nothing.
The banquet continued until eight or nine o’clock, then dispersed. They drank and ate some snacks, but no dinner was provided, so everyone could go back and make food.
The gathering completely broke up. Gu Yansheng gave each of the helpers who came a ten-dollar bonus, and the remaining uneaten food was divided among the guards and servants—whatever couldn’t be eaten could be taken away in pockets.
The group diligently cleaned up the room a bit, happily carrying large and small packages as they left, thanking profusely.
Finally quiet. Gu Yansheng went upstairs to take a bath, came down to find Zhou Ma and A Xiang had cleaned the room again, mopped the floor, and put the sofa back in its original position—emphasizing cleanliness and comfort.
“Mr., what to do with these gifts?” Zhou Ma asked. Now the gifts were piled in an empty room, a whole heap.
“Move them to the study; I’ll handle them later.”
“Okay.”
Gu Yansheng picked up the gift register recorded by Liu Xiaolou and them. Corresponding numbers were on it— a number after the name, and a paper note with the same number clipped to the gift, so everything matched up.
After they finished moving, he let them rest. Gu Yansheng went upstairs to start unwrapping gifts.
A whole room full of gifts; he casually picked up a large one to look at.
He pulled open the outer wrapping paper with a knife. Inside it was tightly sealed, stuffed full of cotton for shockproofing—a blue-and-white porcelain vase.
Who sent such a big one? Gu Yansheng checked the number tag against the register; it was actually from Li Shiqun.
Quite good at pretending to be cultured. He doesn’t understand this stuff either; how much is it worth?
Can’t tell; whatever, it can serve as a decoration. Gu Yansheng’s study was still empty; this was perfect for the cabinet— the countertop was missing some decorative items.
He checked inside for no mechanisms or hidden compartments, carefully picked it up, and placed it in the corner.
Next, the second one: unwrapped to reveal two bottles of sake—this must be from the Japanese. Sure enough, from Hase Jinagawa.
Tossed on the shelf to gather dust.
Third one: a box wrapped in red satin containing ten large yellow croakers—this was substantial.
Gu Yansheng checked the name; surprisingly, it was from the Personnel Section Chief in his department. Quite wealthy.
This was probably because he was afraid Gu would deal with him over the Shen Shuyun matter?
Fine, ten large yellow croakers could extend a life.
Fourth gift: another porcelain item, a blue bowl. Gu Yansheng didn’t know the value; checked the name—another subordinate Section Chief.
Next: Patek Philippe pocket watch, from Ding Mocun.
A shop deed in the French Concession, from Zhang Xiaolin—this was good, substantial.
Ivory carving of Guanyin, jade snuff bottle, women’s silk robe?
Oh, men have them too; this was from a businessman.
Gu Yansheng quickly unwrapped them: all sorts of strange things—German Zeiss camera, Rolex gold watch, Louis XIII brandy, Dong Qichang calligraphy and painting.
So many antiques and calligraphy.
Forced into this, he even had to learn how to appreciate these things; otherwise, he wouldn’t know their specific prices.
Sigh, sending such gifts—if Director Gu doesn’t even know the names of the porcelain, then when going to Director Gu for favors later, Director Gu can only forget.
Unwrapped for two hours; finally done. Total value unknown—tens of thousands or over a hundred thousand silver dollars, at least.
Moving house and holding a banquet recouped decades of servant wages.
Remembering there was also Sha Shun’s, Gu Yansheng went to the bedroom and picked up the suitcase A Xiang had brought up earlier.
Opened it: inside were all pound sterling, plus a deed.
A shop in the International Settlement.
Sha Shun and Zhang Xiaolin had coordinated well: one each, one from each concession—directly giving deeds. Could collect rent or sell; very substantial items, no fault to find.
He roughly checked the pounds: about over seventy thousand; converted to US dollars, around two hundred eighty thousand. He mentally calculated; the amount seemed about right.
Now he had quite a bit of money on hand; later he could have Lu Bowen buy a few more factories.
