Chapter 151: Wharf
This is the truth; whenever more taxation can be collected, anything not recorded on the ledgers also goes into the pockets of those collecting taxes.
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and said, “The Japanese are only giving us three months. Coming up with ideas for these factories might not be feasible time-wise. Like this: you’re in charge of taxation, so you’re definitely an expert in internal affairs.
If you have no objections, let’s divide the work. I’ll handle finding people outside. I’ll go to the concession to pull some connections and see if I can persuade people to come here and set up a factory or something.
You help me sort it out: in West Shanghai, which factories are ownerless, the ones that can be used after minor repairs. Tally them up, and we’ll divide the work and cooperate.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
Wang Rusong looked delighted. Everyone in the city government knows Director Gu has strong connections in the concession. If just the Green Gang is willing to support and place some industry here, that 100,000 silver dollars in taxation will be solved.
After finishing, Wang Rusong offered an idea: “Brother Gu, aren’t you also the Director of the Anti-Narcotics Bureau? I think you should talk to those opium peddlers and have them all come to West Shanghai to open some kind of shop or the like. This 100,000 silver dollars is just over 30,000 a month. Thirty people, each contributing 1,000, and it’s solved.”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “Alright, I’ll think of a way. You first make the telephone call and get the rice. Ask for more.”
“I’ll call right now.” Wang Rusong went to make the telephone call.
“It’s in your hands. I’m leaving first.”
Gu Yansheng went out. Actually, this matter isn’t complicated: two things. First, complete the guaranteed minimum. Second, develop our own business.
First arrive at a place and pay respects at the wharf to see whose territory it is.
Find a telephone and call Gu Zhuxuan. “Hello, it’s Gu Yansheng. Let me ask something: do you know whose territory this land in West Shanghai is?”
There was a hum on the telephone, “How could I not know? It’s Huang Jinrong’s. What’s this, is Director Gu interested in West Shanghai?”
This really is a gentleman’s revenge is never too late. He had previously promised Gu Zhuxuan that if there was a chance, he would help him deal with Huang Jinrong. It’s just that Gu Yansheng said it would be when he had time; if no time, there’s no way, and no need to go looking for trouble for nothing.
But now enemies meet on a narrow road. Since they’ve crossed paths, there’s something to say.
Used well, Gu Zhuxuan would be a capable helper.
“I’m indeed interested in West Shanghai now. Got time to chat?”
“Where?”
They agreed to meet at a nearby tea house.
Fifteen minutes later, he arrived.
“You came really fast.”
Gu Yansheng stood to greet him, “Sorry to trouble you to come over.”
“Director Gu invites me, of course I have to come, and it’s related to Huang Jinrong.” Gu Zhuxuan smiled: “Why is Director Gu suddenly interested in West Shanghai? Just say it straight: to what extent do you want to go? Whatever help you need from me, it’s all fine.”
“Sit down and talk.”
Gu Yansheng invited him to sit and drink tea, and said straightforwardly: “I have business involving West Shanghai. First tell me how much you know about here, I mean regarding smuggling aspects; related industries are fine too.”
“Just this little thing.” Gu Zhuxuan said calmly: “Don’t talk about West Shanghai; all the gangs in all of Shanghai are the same. Nothing new, just regional differences make the money-making paths a little different.
The smuggling industry in West Shanghai is divided into three types, according to three different routes.
First route: from West Shanghai to the concession. Goods have price differences on both sides. Everyone in all of Shanghai knows this; they shuttle back and forth between the two sides.
Second route: from West Shanghai downward, using the Huangpu River plus land transport straight to Jinshanwei. From Jinshanwei out to sea, that’s to Ningbo and Zhoushan. Those are Nationalist controlled areas; what they lack goes without saying.
Third route: the wharves on the Suzhou River. West Shanghai has two wharves on the Suzhou River: one is Caojiadu Wharf, one is Sangudang Wharf. Caojiadu is the biggest, and the nearby area is the most prosperous.
Casinos, opium dens, ballrooms, food, drink, entertainment—as long as Shanghai has it, it’s there.
Lots of ships coming and going; any business can be brought up.
But this wharf has its rules.
By territory, it’s West Shanghai’s, but actual control is in the hands of the Public Works Bureau. The Public Works Bureau sent police station people there, responsible for inspecting the goods transport situation there, whether there’s smuggling.
Of course, it’s mainly to get a bigger share. Those British people are useless.
But through this wharf, a lot of West Shanghai’s goods can be smuggled out. The Suzhou River connects everywhere; as long as you can get a Japanese company’s cargo document, you can go wherever you want.”
“Do the Japanese know about this?” Gu Yansheng asked curiously.
Gu Zhuxuan smiled, “That depends on which Japanese. The lower-level Japanese know, doesn’t mean the upper-level ones do. The patrolling Japanese know, doesn’t mean the ones in Gendarmerie Headquarters know.
Wusongkou even divides into navy and army. With so many goods going out, they all know?
Any wharf definitely has Japanese spies, or maybe 76’s spies. But don’t forget, whose territory is West Shanghai?
Huang Jinrong.
76 is in West Shanghai, just ten or so minutes by car from Caojiadu Wharf. Why is West Shanghai still famously a hotbed of rampant smuggling?”
“Wu Sibao.” Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow.
“Well done, Director Gu gets it.” Gu Zhuxuan laughed loudly: “Wu Sibao is Green Gang. Though a generation below Huang Jinrong, Wu Sibao’s master Ji Yunqing has a very close relationship with Huang Jinrong.
Moreover, West Shanghai is close to the concession. Doesn’t the French Concession’s Chief Constable Liao Shan also protect people here?”
Gu Yansheng took a sip of tea, “Interesting.”
Shanghai’s underground network of relationships twists and turns; everywhere you twist, you get acquaintances.
Gu Zhuxuan smiled: “According to the market trend I know, the smuggling business in West Shanghai: Public Works Bureau takes 20%, the wharf people are fobbed off with a few hundred bucks for food and drink, 76 takes 30%, leaving him 50% profit, still double the normal non-smuggling price.”
Gu Yansheng understood the situation.
He thought and said: “I’m planning to open a smuggling line here in West Shanghai. Interested in joining?”
“Very interested. From where to where?”
“Wherever makes money. You say there are three routes, so we’ll open three routes.”
Gu Zhuxuan slapped the table, “I’ll get people right away. First call a hundred brothers to scout this whole area.”
Gu Yansheng nodded, remembering something: “I recall you run a rickshaw company. Open one here?”
A rickshaw company can make quite a bit of money, and crucially provides employment.
“Alright, I’ll go back and find people to plan this. It’s Huang Jinrong’s territory; I can’t show my face at first. Later I’ll send a underling; you command him, Director Gu, and he’ll coordinate in the middle.”
“Fine.”
Having Gu Zhuxuan as a helper is not bad.
After chatting with him, Gu Yansheng went to the French Concession, found a hotel, and opened a room. When he went out, the door was left ajar.
Then he went downstairs and used the public telephone to call Shen Linshen, asking him to come over and go upstairs to find him.
After strolling around and coming back, Shen Linshen had arrived.
“Why meet here today?”
“Got something for you.” Gu Yansheng explained the Japanese arrangement for them to work in various areas.
“I’m planning to open a smuggling line in West Shanghai to solve the gun problem. Also, what factories do you think we can open?”
Shen Linshen thought and said, “Underground arsenal?”
