Chapter 161: Photograph
Chen Mo is an assassination expert, no need for Gu Yansheng to say more, he gets it with just a hint.
“What does this person look like? Can you help me create an opportunity to identify him, or get a photograph? Otherwise, I’ll have to get his photo from Chongqing. He actually has contact with the Shanghai District, but the Shanghai District was destroyed last time, and basically all the materials are gone.”
Creating an opportunity to identify him is impossible, what if Chen Mo can’t control himself and strikes directly during the meeting, where would Gu Yansheng go to cry, who knows what order Boss Dai gave.
Gu Yansheng thought about it and said, “It’s hard to arrange a time to identify him, but perhaps there’s a way for a photo. Wait two days for me, I’ll create an opportunity to take a photograph.”
“Good, then I’ll wait for your photo before saying more.”
After saying a few words, Chen Mo left.
Gu Yansheng strolled alone for a bit, he still needed to think carefully about this matter. As a Military Statistics Bureau person, killing He Xingjian was without hesitation.
But he still had to consider his own identity. If the Military Statistics Bureau fails, they can just withdraw from Shanghai, but he can’t. This matter either isn’t done, or if done, it must be a sure kill, and moreover, Chen Mo cannot be exposed.
Returned to the tea house and called Director Li.
“Hello, Director Li, it’s Gu Yansheng. What’s Commander He’s home telephone number? Thanks.”
Gu Yansheng called He Xingjian.
“Hello, Commander He, it’s Gu Yansheng. Are you up yet? Haha, then I disturbed you. About the military supplies, didn’t Minister Zhou arrange for me to handle it for you? I’ll take you around Shanghai. Good, then meet at Agent Headquarters.”
Gu Yansheng went to Agent Headquarters, waited a bit, He Xingjian arrived. From his demeanor, he looked much more comfortable after a night. He arrived together with his guards, six people.
As soon as He Xingjian arrived, he thanked him, “Director Gu, thanks for your trouble. Amid your busy schedule, you still care about matters in my troops. Unlike me, I’ve been lazy, been lazy.”
“Haha, it’s only natural. I can’t let your troops go hungry, Brother. Since you’ve already come to Shanghai, you’re one of us. We can’t let our own people starve when others might.”
“Hahaha, indeed Shanghai is much better. You don’t know, when we were running in the wild, we ate when we had a meal but not the next.” He Xingjian began to reminisce about the past.
Gu Yansheng smiled and listened to him finish, then asked, “It’s too tough outside. How many people in your troops now?”
“Over twelve thousand.”
“That’s thirteen thousand. Issue military supplies for thirteen thousand people.” Gu Yansheng was very straightforward.
Hearing this, He Xingjian’s face broke into a smile, “Thanks, brother.”
“No need to be polite. Come on, let’s go to the city government’s grain warehouse to check the grain. We’ll talk on the way. Director Li, we’ll head out first.” Gu Yansheng greeted Director Li, then took He Xingjian into his own car.
He Xingjian, this country bumpkin, saw Gu Yansheng’s car and was envious, “Nice car, really pretty.”
Gu Yansheng smiled and casually wrote a blank check, “If you like it, I’ll get you one sometime later if there’s a chance.”
“Really?” He Xingjian’s eyes lit up, but he also knew there’s no free lunch, “What do you need me to do, brother?”
You really dare to ask. Gu Yansheng laughed, “These days, who doesn’t have some business on hand? Later, if there’s a chance to get rich, I’ll bring you along, right?”
He Xingjian raised his brow knowingly, quite warmly saying, “Brother Gu, I’ll rely on you from now on.”
“No need to be polite.” Gu Yansheng had an extremely relaxed expression, “But there’s one thing, I also need your help, Brother.”
He Xingjian, new to the area and cautious, “What is it?”
Gu Yansheng leaned his head closer and said, “I’ve never served in the army, always just a civil official. Never even touched a gun. Your army must have experts. Take me shooting, teach me some combat techniques and such, so I can defend myself.
Best if those machine guns, cannons, let me have a thrill with them.”
“Hey.” He Xingjian immediately relaxed, thinking it wasn’t something difficult, and generously said, “Just this? Leave it to me. The main camp is just outside the city, we’ll go later.”
The car arrived at the warehouse. Gu Yansheng had the warehouse guard open the door. The warehouse was full of grain, full of cotton yarn, and additionally some smuggled supplies like medicine, coffee machines, high-end cigarettes and alcohol that the Inspection Department had seized.
He Xingjian, who had been in the wild for over a year, living outdoors, had eyes gleaming with greed.
“Good stuff…”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “How much do you want? Thirteen thousand people, how much consumed in a month?”
“250 tons.”
“Alright, then 250 tons. How about issuing every seven days? 60 tons of grain per week. Have your quartermaster come pick it up. For meat and vegetables, have him get familiar with the market, then give a number, and come to me for the money.”
Gu Yansheng leaned closer and said, “Right now, nominally the new government isn’t established yet, so don’t report too much on this part, otherwise the Japanese will have opinions. Once we truly call the shots ourselves, it’ll be easy to handle.”
“Understood.” He Xingjian smiled and patted Gu Yansheng’s shoulder, “We’ll do as you say, brother.”
“Good, then load the cars directly. Later when we go out together, take it straight away. Call your quartermaster to come over. Meanwhile, come to my office for a cup of coffee. I’ll show you around the city government. Since you’re here, if you don’t bring something back, your soldiers will think Commander He came to the city and returned empty-handed.”
“Hahahaha.”
Gu Yansheng found the warehouse manager and had him get several trucks to load the grain, then took He Xingjian upstairs.
The city government office was still very luxurious. He Xingjian was here for the first time and looked around curiously.
Arriving at the office, Liu Xiaolou’s eyes lit up when he saw Gu Yansheng, “Director!”
“Xiao Lou, come with me later, out of the city to see the world.”
Liu Xiaolou was very happy, “Yes!”
“Can’t take you for nothing. Find a camera, later you’ll be responsible for taking photos for me.”
“Yes.”
“Go get it now, and first take one of us.”
“Yes.”
Once Liu Xiaolou left, Gu Yansheng said to He Xingjian somewhat embarrassedly, “Later when firing the cannon, let me fire a couple extra rounds. I’ll develop them and hang at home for collection. If I miss, it won’t look good. Don’t laugh.”
“Hahahaha.” He Xingjian laughed heartily, “Don’t say two rounds, two hundred are fine. Fire as many as you want, even empty the inventory, it’s okay. Anyway, I’ll report it back to you this finance official for reimbursement.”
“Please.”
Gu Yansheng invited He Xingjian inside and specially brewed coffee for him, and had a cup himself.
Speaking of, the coffee bought from the concession didn’t taste as good as the beans in his own office.
He Xingjian was still looking at Gu Yansheng’s office. You could tell a person’s status from their office. Gu Yansheng’s office had a great location, with a bright view from the window.
“Commander He, what’s there to see? Come, drink coffee.” Gu Yansheng handed him a cup, sat on the sofa himself and said, “If you like it, how about I find you an office in the city government too?”
“No need for that.” He Xingjian took the coffee and sipped it. This man fresh from the battlefield now sat with legs crossed drinking coffee, leaning back on the sofa, very comfortable.
“The Japanese mean that before the new government is established, I’m temporarily under Agent Headquarters, opening a military hall responsible for intelligence related to battles.
Can’t stay in the barracks every day, right?
I know my place. If I stayed outside every day, the Japanese wouldn’t trust me now.
Moreover, I’ve helped the Military Statistics Bureau before, have some intelligence in hand, not sure if useful. The Japanese want me to hand over everything in detail to Director Li, see if he can use it.”
Gu Yansheng nodded.
Liu Xiaolou came in soon.
Gu Yansheng immediately smiled and stood up, “Come, come, first take a photo of us. Commander He, together.
