Chapter 187: Take Delivery Of Goods
On the other side.
Gu Yansheng entertained Wang Rusong at the tea house, “Director Wang. Have you considered it?”
“So soon?” To be honest, Wang Rusong hadn’t fully decided. 500,000 silver dollars was an immense sum; it would require all his life savings and still wouldn’t be enough. He truly needed to find people to help him gather that amount.
Gu Yansheng wasn’t prepared to give him extra time to consider. If he was indecisive, who knew how long Wang Rusong would take? He decided to push him further.
“Director Wang, it’s not that I’m in a hurry, but the matter is on the verge of launching. If you want to participate, you can. If not, it’s fine. Frankly, we’re not short on funds anymore. I originally wanted to help you get rich together, but if fate doesn’t allow it, then so be it.”
“Don’t say that.” Hearing this, Wang Rusong became even more anxious.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t participate. Director Gu, I will definitely participate. You must reserve a spot for me. It’s just that the funds aren’t readily available, and the amount is a bit large. I really need to gather them.”
Wang Rusong made a tough decision. Gu Yansheng’s abilities were evident, and with the addition of the 76th, if he missed this opportunity, he feared he’d slap himself in the middle of the night.
“How much is short?”
“About a hundred thousand,” Wang Rusong added. “How about this, give me one more day, and I guarantee I’ll have this hundred thousand ready. 500,000 silver dollars, not a cent less, for you.”
“Hahahaha,” Gu Yansheng laughed. “I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. Director Wang is indeed a decisive person. In this day and age, it’s people with decisiveness who should get rich.”
After Wang Rusong made up his mind, he felt much more at ease and smiled, “Alas, my family fortune is shallow. I’ll have to rely on you more in the future, Brother Gu.”
“No need to be polite,” Gu Yansheng said, not holding back. “First, bring over about 300,000.”
“You want it now?”
“Yes, we want it now.”
Gu Yansheng picked up a nearby suitcase and opened it, showing him his strength. Suitcases full of US dollars made Wang Rusong’s eyes blur.
Gu Yansheng patted the suitcase. “Please don’t think I don’t trust you. It’s just that everyone here operates this way. No credit, no debt. We speak with real gold and silver. Once the money arrives, I’ll tell you how to make money.”
“It should be spoken with real gold and silver!” Seeing so many US dollars, Wang Rusong slapped his thigh. “Then I’ll go get it right now. Wait for me.”
An hour and a half later, Wang Rusong’s money was already on the table.
Gu Yansheng then kept his promise and told him the whole story.
With a weighty Director like Wang Rusong joining, future smuggling channels would undoubtedly become smoother. It wasn’t that Wang Rusong wanted to smuggle, but once he boarded this ship, it would be much harder to disembark.
Wang Rusong, being in charge of finances, immediately understood that this involved selling high and buying low using inside information, which was sure to be profitable. His mind was instantly settled.
Gu Yansheng said, “Didn’t you say you have several Yong’an factories in Yangpu? Can you still get the tax officials to cooperate? Have them investigate the taxes of those factories.”
“Yes, of course. I’ve only come to West Shanghai, I haven’t left Shanghai. Who in Yangpu dares not listen to me? Don’t worry, it’s a trivial matter.”
“Yangpu isn’t our tax district now. If the two directors in Zhabei suppress it, can your people handle it?”
Wang Rusong gave Gu Yansheng a look that said, “What are you talking about?” “Don’t worry, if this matter can’t be handled, then my position as director is for nothing! Auditing accounts, checking for tax evasion, isn’t that perfectly normal? How big do you want to make this?”
“It doesn’t need to be that big. A normal tax audit is sufficient. It should have the feel of a surprise audit, targeting only Yong’an’s factories, not any others.”
“Understood. Should I handle it now?”
“Yes, handle it now,” Gu Yansheng nodded and added, “Be polite when auditing taxes, and absolutely do not bully anyone. We are all shareholders of Yong’an now, so those factories are partly ours, and the employees are our employees too.”
Wang Rusong listened and chuckled, “You’re right. Just watch me. May I borrow a phone?”
Wang Rusong picked up the phone and made a call, giving a few instructions to his subordinate.
An hour later, unexpected visitors indeed arrived at Yong’an’s factories in Yangpu. No one else was investigated, only Yong’an. The news spread like wildfire during the stock market’s midday closing.
As soon as the market opened in the afternoon, they started selling heavily.
Gu Yansheng sent someone to deliver money to Wu Sibao.
He also called Guo Linshuang to inform him that he was about to make his move and that Guo should not get involved.
He had already let Guo make a profit. If Guo tried to snatch his chips again, it would be extremely tactless.
At the stock exchange, rumors were rampant.
“I knew yesterday’s rally was suspicious. It must be that Yong’an’s accounts had problems, which led to the tax audit. The main players got the news beforehand, so they pumped and dumped. Look, it’s all selling off now.”
“We’ve all been deceived.”
“I heard that someone saw people from the 76th a few days ago, seemingly arguing with Yong’an’s helmsman. They were arguing fiercely, almost coming to blows.”
“How do you know that?”
“It was right outside the Yong’an Department Store. My neighbor works in security at Yong’an Department Store.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“How was I supposed to know that the 76th was targeting Yong’an?”
“I also heard some news. I heard that Yong’an is struggling to survive in Shanghai and is being pressured too much by the Japanese, so they’re preparing to flee to the United States.”
“Is that true?”
“Hey, you still don’t believe it? Look at the stock price now, doesn’t it look real?”
While rumors swirled and people debated whether to sell Yong’an stock, a few old stockholders who had already sold watched Wu Sibao happily, joking around.
“Brother, you’re amazing. When you say it goes up, it falls. It’s always right. Thankfully, I got out this morning, otherwise I would have lost a few more yuan. Thank you, brother.”
Wu Sibao’s face darkened. His intention was long-term holding. Who talked to him about short-term fluctuations? As a market maker, he played the long game.
A while later, Gu Yansheng’s money arrived, and the work began.
According to the plan, they would take delivery in batches until most of the money was spent.
The next day, the finance section of the newspaper published news about Yong’an being investigated for taxes.
A reporter interviewed Guo Linshuang.
Guo Linshuang replied, “The company is about to undergo significant personnel changes. We cannot rule out the possibility of him selling some shares. Specific matters are still under discussion. Other details are commercial secrets and cannot be disclosed at this time.”
If the boss of a company was optimistic about its development, would he sell his own shares?
As soon as the stock market opened, major investors dumped their shares, and stockholders followed suit.
Within Yong’an Department Store’s stock, several funds were acting as market makers, primarily British and American individuals from the concessions. They immediately made calls, wanting to get specific information from Guo Linshuang.
But Guo Linshuang couldn’t provide it, only stating that details couldn’t be revealed yet.
Then it’s over. The market makers would also sell off some to cash out, and it was best to hedge for now.
Wu Sibao was so delighted he couldn’t close his mouth. The whole world was selling, and he was buying, with the stock price dropping even lower the more he bought.
In the manual trading at the stock exchange, there were no major secrets; at most, there was a time lag. Everyone was selling, yet someone was buying in large quantities.
This unusual move immediately alerted the major investors. Could someone be spreading false news?
They carefully investigated who was buying and discovered it was that “stock market oracle”? Oh, then never mind.
Sell harder!
Wu Sibao ate for three consecutive days until he was finally full.
The major investors sold some, but then stopped. After all, Yong’an Company was a large department store, and it also had assets like banks and factories. If the stock price was too low, before the news became clear, they had no reason to sell; they’d rather wait and see.
Evening.
Wu Sibao, Ye Jiqing, and Wang Rusong gathered at Gu Yansheng’s tea house.
“The mission was completed successfully. We are about to embark on a grand plan of market making,” Wu Sibao declared enthusiastically.
Wang Rusong, unaware of Wu Sibao’s recent success, was impressed upon hearing that Wu was skilled in stock trading.
“How many shares did you buy, and at what average price?” Gu Yansheng asked.
“Sixteen thousand nine hundred shares, at an average price of about 67 yuan,” Wu Sibao reported.
“Oh, that’s good,” Gu Yansheng said with admiration. “Cheaper than I expected.”
“Right? Pretty good, huh?” With Gu Yansheng’s praise, Wu Sibao stood straighter.
“Captain Wu is indeed formidable,” Wang Rusong flattered.
Wu Sibao, unaccustomed to having admirers, treated Wang Rusong with exceptional kindness and began sharing his experience.
While they were talking, Ye Jiqing told Gu Yansheng about the major investors’ opinions of Wu Sibao, which led to their low average purchase price. “They investigated the buyer as Sibao, and they sold even more fiercely than before.”
“Hahahaha,” Gu Yansheng laughed heartily upon hearing this.
Ye Jiqing also burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.
Wu Sibao turned his head, his face stern. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re laughing at. So what? Did I save money for our plan? Without me, could this have succeeded?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Gu Yansheng nodded, still laughing. “Hahahaha.”
Wang Rusong felt a bit confused. What were they laughing about?
Wu Sibao said indignantly, “I’m telling you, this nickname ends today. From now on, I am the stock god of the Shanghai Bund!”
Gu Yansheng suppressed his smile and said calmly, “Alright, alright, stock god. Let’s distribute the profits.”
When it came to serious matters, everyone became more focused.
Gu Yansheng took charge directly. “Sibao bought 16,900 shares these past few days, and we ourselves acquired 31,250 shares, making a total of over 48,000 shares. Keeping track of scattered amounts is troublesome. Sibao, buy a bit more tomorrow to reach a total of 50,000 shares. We’ll consider it 50,000 shares for today. For the remaining shortfall, I’ll calculate it at 67 yuan for you. If it’s not enough, Sibao, you can deduct some from the total funds, okay?”
“No problem,” Wu Sibao nodded.
“Okay, so that’s 31,250 shares bought at 91 yuan and 88 cents, totaling 2.87 million plus 1,250 yuan. And 18,750 shares bought at 67 yuan, totaling 1.25 million plus 6,250.”
The total investment in stocks was over 4.12 million yuan, rounded to 4.13 million.
That’s the total sum.
Next is the investment. Director Wang contributed 500,000 silver dollars.”
Wang Rusong nodded. This was indeed a big business, with over four million invested just in procurement.
“You two contributed 500,000 US dollars, which is about 2 million in silver dollars. Do you want to add more? We’ll need money for subsequent rallies and takeovers, though we don’t know the exact amount. I’m planning to estimate it at over 1.8 million. For this calculation, let’s consider a total investment of 6 million.”
“We’ll add more, definitely add more,” Ye Jiqing had already decided when she arrived. “We’ll add another 200,000 US dollars.”
Wang Rusong envied them. How long had these people from the 76th been around to be so wealthy?
“Alright,” Gu Yansheng nodded. “That brings the total to 2.8 million silver dollars, plus Director Wang’s 3.3 million. I’ll cover the remaining 2.7 million.”
“There are also experts,” Wang Rusong couldn’t help but ask. “Director Gu, do you have this much money?”
“Where would I get so much money?” Gu Yansheng chuckled. “Even if I swallowed the Judicial Department whole, do you think I could scrape together that much?”
Wang Rusong nodded, he knew for a fact that the Judicial Department didn’t have that much money.
“Then yours is…? Ling Xianwen?”
“Don’t inquire. I have others who have also invested, and more than one,” Gu Yansheng pointed upwards.
His vague statement led to many speculations. Wang Rusong guessed Ling Xianwen, or perhaps even the consulate.
Ye Jiqing guessed that people from Hanoi likely also had a stake, such as Minister Zhou. She knew Gu Yansheng was aiming for a higher position.
Indeed, Gu Yansheng said, “There’s something I need to mention in advance. For the business to be long-lasting, we must give some people money. We need to set aside two-tenths of the equity. Their investment is their investment, but if we were to divide profits solely based on investment, their high status would be displeased. Two individuals hold particularly high positions.”
Ye Jiqing understood and nodded, “It’s only right.”
Wu Sibao was unhappy about someone taking a slice of his pie, but no matter how reluctant he was, it couldn’t be helped. “Fine.”
Wang Rusong had even less say. “I have no problem with that either.”
Ye Jiqing thought for a moment and added, “Mr. Gu has worked so hard to plan this, I think we should show our appreciation. You take an extra half-tenth, Sibao, do you have any objections?”
“Am I that stingy?” Compared to others taking a significant portion, Wu Sibao wasn’t as bothered by Gu Yansheng taking a little. “You take an extra half-tenth.”
Gu Yansheng smiled without speaking, looking at Wang Rusong. Wang Rusong also nodded and smiled, “It’s indeed appropriate.”
“Then I won’t be polite,” Gu Yansheng smiled. “Let’s proceed with the distribution. From now on, after deducting two and a half tenths of the profit, the remainder will be calculated as ten tenths. Director Wang’s 500,000, by rights, is less than one-tenth, but I think we should count it as one-tenth. You can contribute more effort elsewhere.”
Wang Rusong was pleased. “Then thank you very much.”
Gu Yansheng looked at the other two. “You two will take four and a half tenths, and I will distribute the remaining four and a half tenths on my end.”
“Agreed,” Ye Jiqing finalized.
Gu Yansheng let out a breath and smiled. “Since we’ve come to an agreement, let’s prepare for the rally. We’ll start releasing positive news tomorrow.”
“Make money!” Ye Jiqing exclaimed happily.
“Haha, let’s start market making and operating the market,” Wu Sibao also shouted.
“You can’t operate the market,” Gu Yansheng interrupted. “For the specific operations, we still need to find a professional broker and combine it with the shares in Guo Linshuang’s hands to operate together.”
“Right, Sibao, you can’t operate the market,” Ye Jiqing was also worried.
“Why can’t I?” Wu Sibao’s voice rose. “Didn’t I spend money precisely to do market making and operate the market?”
Did that even need to be asked?
Gu Yansheng sneered. “Sibao, you can’t afford to lose this money. You can play with some stocks, but you can’t be in charge of the specific operations. You just need to cooperate.”
“No, I…”
Gu Yansheng raised a hand to interrupt him and said to Ye Jiqing, “Leave the persuasion to you. I still have a few people to talk to and get money from.”
Ye Jiqing blinked, indicating she understood and would absolutely persuade Wu Sibao.
Wu Sibao grumbled, “I have inside information, and I’m doing market making. Will I still lose?”
“You might earn less,” Gu Yansheng nodded.
Ye Jiqing also nodded. “That’s right, Sibao. After all, there’s still capital from the concessions within Yong’an, and they’re ruthless. You need to take it slow and adapt.”
Wu Sibao was furious, but he couldn’t scold either of them.
Gu Yansheng said, “I’ll find the brokers. Your task is to supervise the brokers well, perfectly execute our strategy, and making money is the priority.”
“Got it,” Wu Sibao replied, still unhappy.
Gu Yansheng and Ye Jiqing exchanged a look, their lips curving upwards.
Ring, ring, ring.
Gu Yansheng walked over and picked up the phone. “Hello.”
Hase Jinagawa’s voice came from the phone. “Mr. Gu, are you free? Could you come over for a bit?”
“Alright.”
Gu Yansheng hung up the phone and saw them out. “I have to go to Hongkou, so I won’t be entertaining you any further.”
The group understood and left.
Gu Yansheng drove towards the consulate.
Hase Jinagawa said upon meeting him, “Just received news. Mr. Wang was the victim of an assassination attempt in Hanoi. Someone broke into his residence.”
“He’s dead?” Gu Yansheng’s eyes widened in surprise.
Hase Jinagawa shook his head. “He’s unharmed, but his secretary is dead.”
Gu Yansheng’s expression turned serious. He thought for a moment and said, “This doesn’t seem to be the first time.”
The newspapers had actually reported on the Military Statistics Bureau’s assassination attempts in Hanoi, but they had never succeeded.
This time, someone was killed.
Hase Jinagawa nodded. “It’s the third time, but breaking into the residence is a first. This time, he must be genuinely frightened and has requested to come to Shanghai from Kageza.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “So, you want me to prepare for his arrival in Shanghai? Do I need to arrange accommodation and such?”
“No need. Kageza will arrange their food, clothing, housing, and transportation himself,” Hase Jinagawa shook his head.
“I want you to be prepared. Once they arrive in Shanghai, it won’t be just one or two people, but the entire Wang Faction will come. Shanghai will be very lively.”
“Whether you can become Minister will depend on their perception of you. It’s hard to say if Minister Zhou alone can push you through, especially since you’re not part of the Wang Faction, and others don’t know you. Why would they choose you as minister, right? Your challenge is quite significant.”
Gu Yansheng then understood and smiled faintly. “Mr. Hase, do you think I’m afraid of challenges?”
Hase Jinagawa smiled. “We shall see.”
