Chapter 18: Druggist
Gu Yansheng flipped through the confessions on the table. The last person was also the one Lu Bowen and the others were supposed to contact on this trip, Pharmacy owner Zheng Liangcai.
He owned two pharmacies, one in the Concession, one in Zhabei.
Gu Yansheng read the transcript of number 67 interrogating him. Zheng Liangcai never admitted throughout that he was there to contact, only saying he was there to drink tea.
But number 67 targeting him certainly had a reason.
According to the confession order, first they asked him why he appeared in the Tea House, and why he threw down the Tea Cup, whether he wanted to remind someone of something.
Zheng Liangcai’s answer was a bit beyond imagination.
“What remind someone? Who? I wanted to go to prison. I wanted to smash someone to squat in Prison for a few days. Can’t I?”
Number 67’s people pressed him for the reason.
He said, “I’m hiding from debts. I owe a buttload of debt, so I’m hiding in prison.”
“Pretty good at talking. Fine, owe a buttload of debt. Whose debt?”
“None of your damn business.”
“Fine, still not admitting it. If I ask you why you hid a gun at home, would you say you took the gun up the mountain to gather medicine and conveniently shot a pheasant or wild rabbit for a tooth sacrifice?”
“I said I owe debts. That was for self-defense.”
“Self-defense. You think we don’t know about those few boxes of medicine you stole, huh?
Zheng Liangcai, Zheng boss, you really think not admitting it means you’re fine, right?
Concealing Firearms, stealing Controlled Drugs, just these two counts, and you’ll never get out in this lifetime!
Now I’m talking nicely to you here because we respect the constables of the French Concession. Wait until tomorrow when the Documents are done and you’re transferred to us. Even if you want to talk then, it won’t be this treatment now. I guarantee it will be worse than death.
Think clearly! Say now that you’re confessing to merit, later if your companion next door speaks first, you have no value! Speak! Who is the contact?!”
The Police Station people still knew to record and leave traces. After all, the person was interrogated here by them, and this process was recorded quite clearly.
With the gun there, no matter how Zheng Liangcai argued, it was easy for number 67’s people to send him in.
According to Concession Law, Zheng Liangcai committed a crime in the city under Japanese control. With witnesses and Evidence, the Evidence was conclusive, and extradition was very reasonable.
The only reason he could stay alive now was that number 67 wanted to play a long game to catch a big fish.
“Mr. Gu, the last one, brought here.”
“Good, thanks.”
After being busy One day, Gu Yansheng finally saw this Old Underground Operative.
Forty-two years old, round face, messy hair, a dark blue long gown stained with some dust and mud, bruised and swollen face.
According to the constable, with them there, this batch of arrested people indeed didn’t suffer much torture. Of course, some punches, kicks, and slaps were inevitable.
The other constables strictly managed the others, not letting number 67’s people lay hands, but for Zheng Liangcai, with conclusive Evidence, he would be handed over sooner or later. If not afraid of him dying here, they would have stopped caring long ago.
Now, high-altitude throwing object, no one hurt, detained already, pay a fine and he can go.
According to the constable, hurry and send this Buddha away. The Japanese love to arrest, love to kill, keep far away, out of sight out of mind.
“Mr. Zheng, right? I’m a Lawyer from Danwen Law Firm. My surname is Gu. The Police Station has investigated your matter clearly. No one was hit, but this kind of mad behavior is very dangerous. Considering you were momentarily desperate, pay a 500 Silver Dollar fine and you can go.
Sign here. Also, sign this Contract to keep Confidentiality on everything during this period. You can take a look.
I won’t explain the specific Reason to Mr. Zheng. I don’t care who you are, but since you can walk out of the Police Station Entrance intact, you shouldn’t care what Document you sign, right?”
Gu Yansheng handled official business officially, didn’t even lift his butt. After speaking, Wen Yan had already very professionally laid out the Contract for Zheng Liangcai, and handed over the pen.
Zheng Liangcai seemed obviously surprised, very happy. “I can go? You’re finally willing to let me go?”
But as soon as he spoke, his face changed immediately, pointing at Gu Yansheng with hatred and cursing: “I get it. You’ve colluded, don’t dare kill me in the French Concession Prison, so you plan to send me out, let those dog things grab me directly, then it’s none of your business, right?
I won’t fall for it. Don’t even think about it. I won’t go! I want to go to prison! I’m not going anywhere! Either beat me to death in prison.”
Gu Yansheng was stunned for a moment, then slightly frowned. Tsk, almost forgot, Zheng Liangcai’s own confession was that he wanted to come in to hide from debts. Now it wasn’t easy to get out.
When number 67’s people asked why he stole and hoarded medicine, his explanation was that it was originally his medicine, just forcibly taken by someone. He just got it back, that’s all.
The grudges involved a dispute between two pharmacies.
Roughly, his Pharmacy was charged Protection Fee, medicine stolen, procurement from outside halfway robbed, leading to heavy debts, borrowed a large sum couldn’t repay, unwillingly went to the rival’s Wharf Warehouse to steal, planning to sell after the fuss died down to pay debts.
Logically, the entire confession held up. It should be that when Zheng Liangcai was caught at the Tea House that day, he already thought his home would be searched, the gun definitely found, so he prepared the whole story in advance.
But a story is just a story. Wanting to shake off the Japanese side’s surveillance with this, even a child wouldn’t be that naive.
With the information this Underground Party could see now with his eyes, he could confirm the Japanese side had targeted him. Suddenly releasing him now was indeed likely a trap.
Better to pretend to hide from debts and stay in the French Concession than fall into Japanese hands.
Tsk, Gu Yansheng couldn’t explain easily now.
Knock knock knock.
“Brother Gu, not done yet? So much Hard work.”
Liao Shan pushed the door and came in with a beaming smile: “Look what time it is, already 7 o’clock. Song He Lou called me twice urging, asking if we’re coming to Eat, done yet?”
“Almost, the last one. See, a bit troublesome.”
Gu Yansheng stood up, stretched lazily, smiled helplessly: “Did your people go too hard? Beat him not lightly. This Mr. Zheng deeply fears you’ve colluded with his creditor to send him out to kill him. He thinks his creditor is waiting at the Entrance. Won’t sign, insists on staying in prison. My words aren’t believed anymore.”
“Hahaha, this does have some Reason. Maybe there really is a creditor waiting at the Entrance, right?” Liao Shan looked at Zheng Liangcai, called loudly: “Come in.”
Several constables immediately came in from the Entrance.
Liao Shan smiled sinisterly: “Mr. Zheng won’t sign, so we can’t Eat. Not good to make so many people accompany you. You few, help Mr. Zheng.”
“Yes.”
Immediately three constables pressed his hand and body, ignoring Zheng Liangcai’s loud shouts, forcibly used his hand to write the name “Zheng Liangcai”, slap, done and even pressed the handprint.
“Good, Mr. Zheng has signed.” The subordinate stood at attention and reported.
“Very good, Brother Gu, now we can Eat, right?” Liao Shan winked.
Gu Yansheng chuckled: “Director Liao really has ways. My eyes hurt just now, saw nothing. Wen Yan, did you see?”
Wen Yan blankly: “Huh? What?”
Liao Shan laughed loudly: “No need, what’s the Relationship? Mr. Zheng won’t have Opinion.”
After speaking, looked at Zheng Liangcai, smiled narrowly: “Mr. Zheng, arresting you wasn’t my wish. I was also forced by circumstances.
No matter if you’re from Chongqing or Yan’an, you don’t admit it, no problem. Arrest you once, release you once, we’re even, okay?
Live and let live. Today I send you out, consider it forming a good karma with you. If you’re caught by some creditor another day, that’s your own business.
Wang Defa, bring all his confiscated things, not a single dollar less.
Liu Da Naodai, take off your clothes, give him your Police Uniform to wear, Hat too, pull it low.
Later you few take him and go together, walk openly. When to let him go, you assess yourselves.
The remaining fourteen more, pick a few more from prison to make 20. Right after you go out, release them all immediately. Go prepare now, prepare and then Execute. After execution, go to Song He Lou find me. Reserved a table for you too.”
“Thank you, Director Liao.”
“Brilliant move, Director Liao.” Gu Yansheng had to flatter. This feint to the east strike west, muddy waters fish in troubled times, played to perfection.
Liao Shan was very modest. “I’m afraid they’ll cause trouble in my jurisdiction again. Then how can I Eat? Let’s go, Eat.”
Packed things and left. Having attendants was different. Documents all collected by Wen Yan.
As for Zheng Liangcai’s words over there still denying, everyone pretended not to hear. Anyway, whether Agent or not, released and it’s not their business.
Directly went downstairs and left.
“Brother Gu, let me tell you, Song He Lou’s squirrel gui fish, that’s one of a kind. And that eight-treasure duck, made by a master from Suzhou, whose Ancestors were imperial chefs in the palace.”
“Sounds mouthwatering. Thanks so much for Director Liao’s hospitality.”
“Hey, what hospitality, home-cooked meal. Later ride my car, on the way I’ll introduce that duck’s recipe to you, family secret. Took me a long time begging that master to tell me.”
“Hehe, good. But I drove here. Where’s my car?”
At the Entrance, Gu Yansheng looked at the empty space in front slightly puzzled.
Where was his car, so wide and so long, such a luxurious car?
