Chapter 135: Parachute Drop
The next day, Fu Xiao’an convened the City Government Meeting.
As Gu Yansheng entered, he immediately saw that the seat to the right of Fu Xiao’an was already occupied by a newcomer, a man in his thirties with a smiling face, wearing glasses.
Fu Xiao’an chaired the meeting, “Vice Mayor Luo Junqiang, everyone already knew yesterday that Vice Mayor Luo would take office. I’ll simply introduce him again. According to confirmation with the Gendarmerie Headquarters, Vice Mayor Luo will also serve as Director of the Economic Department, and oversee taxation and finance. Everyone, please welcome him.”
A welcome was in order, but with such a big piece of meat being carved away, Fu Xiao’an certainly had no reason to be happy.
After speaking plainly, he let Luo Junqiang speak for himself.
Luo Junqiang adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, “New arrival, haven’t gotten to know everyone yet. Future work will need everyone’s full cooperation.
Before taking office, Minister Zhou told me that I won’t stay long at the SH City Government, so everyone doesn’t need to have any resistant feelings. I’ll withdraw once I complete my mission.”
The crowd remained silent; who knew if what he said was true or false.
Seeing no reaction from the crowd, Luo Junqiang smiled faintly and continued, “For the preparation of the new government, there are a few things that need to be handled quickly. I hope this can become the focus of our City Government’s work next.
First point: Promoting the Municipal Bank in SH. This relates to the establishment of the new regime’s Central Bank in the future.
I know the Japanese side is now promoting new military scrip, which is also the responsibility of the Economic Department, but it will definitely transition later to new official currency, that is, the new regime’s exclusive currency.
This hasn’t been finalized specifically yet, but the stable operation of the Municipal Bank is especially important for promoting the new currency after the new regime is established. This is to form a credit endorsement effect.
Second point: Founding the China Daily.
A government must have its own official newspaper. For Mr. Wang’s Peace Movement, there are always different voices in the market slandering it. Our counterarguments are very difficult because there is no official newspaper to provide clarification and refutation. Therefore, establishing a newspaper to voice our own position is urgent.
Third point: Army.
The army’s establishment is of course not within our City Government’s scope, but preparing military supplies will require efforts from all sectors in Shanghai.
Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang—these are all famous lands of fish and rice. If all these rich businessmen squeeze out a little, it should resolve the army’s immediate supply crisis.
For the first phase, we plan for our own army numbers not to be too large. Prepare all supplies according to the needs of 500,000 troops.
Specifically, things like cotton yarn, military grain, medicine—these all require contributions from all sectors of society. Weapons are not needed; the Japanese side will provide procurement channels.
For now, these are the three main points. Minister Zhou will also advance the remaining matters on schedule.
Also, let me tell everyone some promotion news.”
Luo Junqiang chuckled, “The establishment of the new regime will definitely require forming many departments. Whether in Shanghai or Nanjing, the personnel ratios in existing government departments cannot be used directly.
So Minister Zhou is also discussing personnel selections for the new government’s core layer with the Japanese side.
It will just be selecting from those present here and some government personnel from Japanese-controlled areas, so Minister Zhou will certainly see your efforts. I also hope to see you all in Nanjing.”
His words positioned himself as the superior.
The people at the meeting were not keen to echo such words.
Ling Xianwen spoke up and asked, “Vice Mayor Luo, I just heard you say that preparing military supplies, for this demand of 500,000 people, how much does Shanghai need to solve?”
“Solve as much as we can, because Shanghai is relatively wealthy with greater capacity. For cotton yarn, Shanghai is the main production area. If Shanghai can’t solve it, other cities will have even more difficulty, right?”
“Understood. What about specific prices? For example, how much per pack of cotton yarn? Mayor Fu has great ability in business. If the price is right, I think if Mayor Fu steps in, he can help you solve this problem.”
Luo Junqiang chuckled, somewhat bashfully saying, “Secretary-General Ling might have misunderstood. I didn’t mean buying, but rather all sectors of society supporting the new government’s establishment by voluntarily donating.”
“Oh~” Ling Xianwen paused, smiled, leaned back, and said no more.
The directors too, smiled and lowered their heads, pretending not to understand anything.
Fu Xiao’an asked expressionlessly, “Vice Mayor Luo, is there anything else to arrange?”
Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Luo Junqiang adjusted his glasses: “Everyone doesn’t need to have emotions. The new government is still in the preparation stage and originally lacks sufficient funds. Places where we can save money, we naturally have to save a bit. For the new China, let businessmen from all sectors be charitable. When the government has money later, it can fully repay—IOUs are fine.
For some businessmen unwilling to donate, that’s resisting the government. Such businessmen should be dealt with; if not, so be it, right?”
The crowd looked at Fu Xiao’an: Don’t play dead. Someone’s asking you to donate. Not donating is resisting the government. Say something.
Fu Xiao’an remained composed, directly ignoring it.
Luo Junqiang looked at Police Chief Lu Ying and smiled, “Director Lu, this matter will also need your police station’s cooperation. After the meeting adjourns later, come to my office to discuss specifics.”
Lu Ying’s mouth twitched, and he nodded: “Good.”
“Meeting adjourned.” Fu Xiao’an couldn’t wait even a minute and left directly.
After the meeting, Gu Yansheng went to the Office of Ling Xianwen to chat.
Ling Xianwen couldn’t help laughing out loud: “A vicious dog has arrived. The city’s biggest cotton yarn businessman is Fu Xiao’an himself. What to do? What do you think Fu Xiao’an should do?”
Gu Yansheng sneered, sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, and said freely: “A bit too stingy, right? Not pulling out a single hair, not giving a single cent, purely wanting it for free, and for 500,000 people’s share. Can this really be pulled off?”
Ling Xianwen also shook his head: “Cotton yarn for 500,000 people—enough to suffocate this group. If Shanghai Bund were so easy to mix in, would it be their turn to eat?
Look at his manner of speaking, as if it’s only right, very arrogant.”
“Attendant Room people, of course arrogant.” Gu Yansheng said, “Those are Old Jiang’s close aides. Put it a hundred years ago, that’s the eunuch den. I hear this group, when they go out, outrank officials by three grades—it’s a habit.”
Ling Xianwen sneered in comment, “Let’s see for now, see how they make their move. Anyway, he can’t command our side. Cotton yarn for 500,000 people—several sets of clothes per year, right? That’s equivalent to the amount for 2 million people to wear.
People who have this much stock aren’t pushovers. Could turn out to be another Sheng Wenyi.
And calling Lu Ying over—does he really think he can command Lu Ying?”
Gu Yansheng hummed: “Lu Ying is someone whose stance is unsteady. Though relying on Fu Xiao’an now, if he reads the situation later and switches to Minister Zhou, it’s not impossible.”
