Chapter 181: Visit
Went to the City Government, and Gu Yansheng happened to go to the office to check.
Found Wen Yan, told him about the Wusongkou matter, asked him to keep a low profile recently, and also notify the merchants who had paid money to lay low for a few days and not haul everything to the port.
“Yes, I understand.”
Wen Yan looked serious after hearing it, “I’ve long felt that if they keep doing this, something will happen. They’re being too reckless. Originally, everyone could get a little soup.
The two new Directors are using the excuse of collecting taxes for the Japanese, letting ships pass after payment. If he does this, then it’s none of our business. We won’t get even a drop of soup. I think No. 76 is making a move this time, with some personal grudge mixed in.”
Gu Yansheng was stunned. Don’t say it, this really was an angle no one had thought of. Li Shiqun took the opportunity to reclaim the revenue rights at Wusongkou.
“You just keep an eye on No. 76’s people. When No. 76 collects, you follow and collect. When they stop, you stop too.”
“Alright, don’t worry.” Wen Yan took out the safe key and seal from last time from the drawer, “I put every week’s revenue in there. If I don’t take it out soon, there’s no more room. Mr., please help me clear some out.”
Gu Yansheng took the key and smiled, “This much?”
“It’s that the safe is small.”
Wen Yan smiled embarrassedly, “Last time when raising funds, the businessmen gave some random jewelry and such, taking up space.
Following your instructions, I took three pieces. If I take more, my wife can’t wear them all, and I don’t dare wear them too flashy. Please don’t give me any more. Wearing them out invites envy.
Just give me the key back later. I’ll continue putting things in there next time.”
Gu Yansheng nodded, put the key in his pocket, and lectured him a bit, “Be cautious in your work during this time. Don’t make mistakes that others can use against you. If the power structure changes later and I’m transferred out of Shanghai, I need you to help me hold steady this Judicial Department position.”
Wen Yan had a self-deprecating suspicious expression, “Can I do it?”
Gu Yansheng chuckled lightly: “If I say you can, then you can.”
Wen Yan bowed solemnly, “Thank you, Mr., for your guidance.”
“It’s your own performance that’s good. You’re just lacking an opportunity.” Gu Yansheng patted his shoulder, “I’m off.”
Wen Yan bowed again to see him off.
Gu Yansheng went to the office to have a cup of coffee before leaving, and Liu Xiaolou immediately came to drag him into something.
“Hey, Director, your timing back is perfect. Someone downstairs is looking for you.”
“Who?” Gu Yansheng asked, puzzled.
“Chen Dekui, the quartermaster of the Loyal and Righteous National Salvation Army. You met him once last time when he came to collect grain. When we went to their camp last time, didn’t he bring two wild chickens for us to roast and eat?”
“Oh!” Gu Yansheng nodded, having a slight impression of the man.
Finding him at this time, either to talk about the funeral, or to deliver money.
He took a sip of coffee and said, “Let him come up.”
“Yes.”
Ten minutes later, Chen Dekui came in with a smiling face.
“Hello, Director Gu. Sorry to bother you.”
“Director Chen.” Gu Yansheng went out and shook his hand, “Why come find me today? Not enough grain?”
“Enough, more than enough. Thanks to Director Gu for helping coordinate. You delivered the grain very promptly, not only promptly but without any deductions—actually more than requested. I dare say, this is the best superior I’ve seen since joining the army. Over in Chongqing, whenever they give grain, they delay and deduct the amount. Thank you so much.”
Chen Dekui laid on the flattery hard.
Gu Yansheng smiled faintly: “This is all as it should be. Once in Shanghai, you’re one of us. I can’t let my own people go hungry. Director Chen doesn’t need to come specially thank me for this.”
“Actually, it’s some personal matter.” Chen Dekui explained: “Commander He met with a sudden misfortune. Our brothers in the army want to give him a proper send-off, hold a grand funeral, but the Japanese won’t allow it, no matter what we say.
Our Chief of Staff wanted to go talk to the Gendarmerie Headquarters people, but before even seeing the Commander, a Deputy Chief of Staff brushed us off.
Why has the Japanese attitude turned like this?
The brothers feel upset about this. The man’s dead, and they won’t even let us hold a funeral? Isn’t that too heartless?
So we were thinking, could we trouble Director Gu to help talk to the Gendarmerie Headquarters? We know you have great ability in Shanghai. Please, for the sake of your friendship with Commander He, help us out.”
If it was to deliver money, Gu Yansheng could chat with him a bit, but asking for help like this
If you think it’s heartless, then go rebel. Who’s stopping you.
Can’t go back to Chongqing? Then go fight guerrillas. If not, go up the mountain and be a bandit.
Gu Yansheng tsked and sighed, “Brother Jian’s talent was envied by heaven. It’s not that I’m not helping. I’ve already helped with this. I’ve already reached out to all the relationships I can on the Japanese side.
The Japanese side’s attitude is clear: they want to cover up this matter.”
“Cover up what?” Chen Dekui asked blankly.
These soldiers really don’t understand the situation at all.
Gu Yansheng carefully explained the ins and outs to him, “A general who defected was assassinated just days later. If you publicize this widely, will anyone defect to the Japanese in the future? Won’t they worry about being assassinated too after defecting? Do you think the Japanese can allow that?”
Chen Dekui suddenly understood, “Oh, that’s it. No wonder they wouldn’t agree no matter what we said. But won’t Chongqing report on this too?”
“Chongqing’s reports are for Chongqing to see, not for people in the Japanese Occupied Area. What’s the essence of propaganda? Brainwashing. Fool as many as you can. Control propaganda, make people in the Japanese Occupied Area think Japan is strong, and the situation will be stable.
Do you want Japanese newspapers to report more on how capable Military Statistics Bureau agents are, assassinating the Japanese newly appointed Lieutenant General under heavy protection?
Impossible.”
Chen Dekui got it, nodded, and said dispiritedly: “Then it’s impossible.”
“Just hold a small one, bury him quickly.”
“That’s all we can do.”
After the matter was discussed, Gu Yansheng had tea and saw the guest out.
Chen Dekui clenched his buttocks, leaned closer to Gu Yansheng, and said smilingly: “Director Gu, one more thing. People in the military asked me to inquire: after Commander He’s passing, how do the Japanese plan to arrange us?”
“I don’t know about that. Probably promote a few, disband a few.” Gu Yansheng put down his cup, “You people will be the New Government’s Peaceful National Salvation Army from now on. Specific personnel changes and appointments definitely have to wait for the decision from Hanoi.”
“You mean Vice Chairman Wang and those people?”
“Right.”
“Do you think there will be big changes?”
“Generally speaking, very likely. Previously you served under Commander He, and many are Military Statistics Bureau background. Now that Commander He is gone, and the higher-ups don’t know you people well, don’t you think they’ll disband and shuffle you before using you?”
Chen Dekui nodded, thought for a moment, took out a box from his carry bag, placed it on the coffee table, opened it and pushed it over, smiling: “Director Gu, I have no ambitions, don’t want promotion, just want to guard my own plot of land. These years I’ve saved a bit of family fortune—not from corruption, but from doing some small business myself. Hope you can help, let me keep doing the work I’m familiar with.”
Gu Yansheng glanced at the items in the box: six shiny yellow croakers.
Is the quartermaster under Boss Dai this poor? Only giving this much.
Gu Yansheng took a sip of tea, looked at the yellow croakers, and said nothing.
Chen Dekui read his expression, gritted his teeth and smiled: “I know your work is hard. There’s another identical gift after the matter.”
Twelve, that would be about right. Gu Yansheng set down his tea cup and smiled: “Director Chen really seems suited to be a quartermaster. I’ll suggest to Minister Zhou that during your tenure, cooperation with the SH City Government has been very pleasant and your work very diligent.”
Chen Dekui was overjoyed, “Then I’ll trouble Director Gu.”
“Go back and wait for news. I’ll notify you when there’s word.”
“Yes, yes.” Chen Dekui stood up, full of thanks. Now that relations were closer, he asked one more thing, “Director Gu, one more question: is there really no way with the funeral?”
Gu Yansheng patted the box, “If you ask, then no way. But if you prepare everything properly and suddenly hold the funeral, what then? Can the Japanese send troops midway to rob the body?”
Chen Dekui suddenly understood solemnly, “I get it. Thank you, Director Gu, for the guidance.”
