Chapter 190: Personnel
City Government.
Although the Greater East Asia Ministry said at the time that each region managed its own affairs and could freely allocate any needed personnel.
But in reality, everyone was quite tacit, and basically no one interfered in other bureaus’ affairs, especially personnel appointments.
When Gu Yansheng first went to West Shanghai, Lu Ying had greeted Ma Quan at the West Shanghai Police Station, asking Ma Quan to cooperate well with him.
So Gu Yansheng had no reason to touch Lu Ying’s people, unless Ma Quan insisted on being blind.
The same applied to Gu Yansheng’s Judicial Department; no one would touch his turf—courts, prisons, all the same. Gu Yansheng had never heard his subordinates report that someone insisted on removing them from their positions.
“Xiao Lou, brew coffee.” Gu Yansheng walked into the office.
“Yes.” Liu Xiaolou cheerfully followed into the office, fiddling with the machine while asking, “Division Chief, why are you here today?”
Gu Yansheng sat in his seat, leaned back, looked at her, and said: “I’m here to promote you. From now on, you’re the Head of the Secretariat Section.”
“Ah?” Happiness came too suddenly; Liu Xiaolou’s hand almost shook. Smiling, she asked: “Division Chief, are you serious?”
Gu Yansheng wasn’t joking. Pondering, he said: “Next, the situation will change. I might be transferred to Nanjing. You need to watch over the Judicial Department for me.”
Liu Xiaolou somewhat understood. “Division Chief, are you getting promoted?”
When one person attains the Way, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
“It’s not certain yet, and don’t spread it outside. But I need to do some preparations. If there are unstable factors in the department, I have to handle them now.”
Gu Yansheng had hardly touched the structure within the Judicial Department. Wen Yan’s was a newly opened section, unrelated to others’ interests.
But now with personnel changes, inevitably some would be unhappy with their positions being moved. For such people, Gu Yansheng had to strike them down now.
Promotion was certainly exciting, but Liu Xiaolou still probed: “Division Chief, don’t promote me. If you’re transferred, can you take me with you? I still want to be your secretary.”
“Shanghai is so comfortable—a big city, bright lights and red wine. The Judicial Department itself doesn’t have much work. I just saw the office staff chatting and laughing. Don’t you like shopping? Nanjing isn’t like Shanghai; it doesn’t have so many fun things.”
Liu Xiaolou smiled and pouted: “Division Chief, you make it sound like I only care about playing. I’ve done my job well, haven’t I?”
That was true. Xiao Lou was originally a secretary serving at the division chief level—deputy section chief level, with education bonus, young female bonus, foreign language bonus, plus some ability. Being a secretary was more than enough.
Gu Yansheng sipped coffee. “Really want to go? Being section chief here, your days would be comfortable too. Think it over.”
“Really.” Liu Xiaolou stood straight and serious: “Without you, Division Chief, everything is a castle in the air.”
Gu Yansheng smiled. “Good, I get your point. But even if we go, you’ll still be this section chief. There’s still some time. Screen the personnel in the Secretariat Section and keep people you can use.”
Liu Xiaolou nodded. “I understand.”
“Pick up the phone and call Wen Yan over.”
“Yes.”
Liu Xiaolou picked up the phone on the desk and called Wen Yan. After hanging up, she nodded. “Division Chief, I’ll go out first.”
“Mm.”
Wen Yan knocked and came in shortly.
For Wen Yan, Gu Yansheng had told him last time that if he was transferred, he would arrange for Wen Yan to take over the Judicial Department.
So his promotion wasn’t urgent now, but there were a few things to instruct.
Gu Yansheng said: “Wen Yan, before I came, the Judicial Department wasn’t a core department. Or rather, only after I brought your Inspection Department did the Judicial Department truly have its own military force.
So the Inspection Department is the top priority. Whether you’re section chief or promoted later, you must keep the Inspection Department firmly in your hands.
No matter how chaotic or complex Shanghai’s matters are, what do all these forces want?
Money.”
Gu Yansheng pointed into the air. “Japanese want money, British want money, businessmen want money, local thugs want money. What do you think that bunch at 76 did it for by siding with the Japanese? Addicted to catching spies and bandits, or fancy being executioners?
It’s all the same; everyone is after money.
If the Inspection Department loosens up a bit, Shanghai’s business will improve a bit.
Your Inspection Department must control the customs line and contribute to Shanghai’s prosperity.”
Wen Yan nodded. “Rest assured, the people in the Inspection Department are all recruited by me; I know them inside out. I already have ideas for future personnel arrangements.”
And most importantly, everyone has taken money—this Wen Yan didn’t mention.
Gu Yansheng acknowledged. “Like prison management and general affairs—these two section chiefs, no need to move them unless necessary. As long as they get things done without major issues, let them skim some food fees, some material fees, release some prisoners privately—don’t bother.
First, these two departments can’t withstand investigation. If investigated, personnel changes might be too big, giving others a handle to attack you and exploit weaknesses.
Second, if some fool comes who neither skims nor grabs, that might not be good.
For a place like prison, if truly no skimming, prisoners eating so well—if Japanese find out, they’ll slash your funding with one stroke.
And who releases prisoners? Letting others spend money to find them is better than you stepping in yourself.
If problems arise, someone will take the heat for you.”
Wen Yan nodded. “Understood, I’ll remember.”
“Go.”
“Yes.” Wen Yan walked a few steps, turned back. “Division Chief, that key…”
“No time to check yet. Later.”
“Okay.”
Once Wen Yan left, Gu Yansheng called each section chief for talks. He wasn’t planning to move the prison management, general affairs, and legal section chiefs—just routine inquiries of their thoughts.
The prison management and general affairs section chiefs were usable, with their black history in his hands. People working for Japanese—usable is fine. Gu Yansheng didn’t expect them to build Greater Shanghai; just muddle through.
As for the Legal Section, mainly responsible for drafting laws. In theory, it should send staff to subordinate units in other departments like customs, police stations—these law enforcement departments—as legal basis review sections.
But now law enforcement ignores that, so it has no power.
Gu Yansheng had no need to make trouble for police stations or customs. Leave it for now; others later.
Next, skim over auxiliary sections. For the Head of the Secretariat Section, Gu Yansheng told him about Liu Xiaolou. For his own arrangement, Gu Yansheng said he would promote him to Nanjing, one level up.
For the Personnel Section Chief, Gu Yansheng had something else.
Before calling him, call Shen Shuyun first.
Shen Shuyun was the telegrapher assigned to him by Boss Dai.
If he went to Nanjing, he needed a reason to take Shen Shuyun.
Taking an ordinary clerk would be abrupt.
Gu Yansheng called Shen Shuyun.
“Work going smoothly?”
“Not bad.” Shen Shuyun smiled.
As an agent sent by Boss Dai, being a pure clerk just to occasionally receive a telegram was underutilizing her.
Gu Yansheng looked at her: “Later I might be transferred to Nanjing. To take you, I need a reason. These days, endure a bit—be my woman.”
Such blunt words made Shen Shuyun’s face redden, but she immediately stood at attention and nodded. “No problem. I’ll fulfill a woman’s duties.”
“Duties?” Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow. “Come, try.”
Shen Shuyun didn’t hesitate, walked to Gu Yansheng’s side, fingers against his temples, voice gentle: “Relax and lean back. Tired from work? Close your eyes; I’ll massage you.”
Gu Yansheng obediently leaned back, closed his eyes to enjoy the massage, sniffed—caught a bit of perfume: “In the Personnel Section, found any problems?”
“Yes.” Shen Shuyun kept massaging. “Mainly running for office and selling positions.
Department positions like section chief are hard to move, but court staff promotions below, prison personnel promotions—some people come to stuff money to section chiefs.
Also new hires in the department. I heard Personnel Section people say not just Judicial Department—City Government departments’ personnel sections are all openly pricing selling offices and positions.”
“Not new.” Gu Yansheng wasn’t surprised. “First promote you to Deputy Personnel Section Chief. With level, then I’ll transfer you.”
“Okay.” Level meant nothing to Shen Shuyun; only the tasks mattered. “Need me to handle Personnel Section people and matters?”
“Not for now.” Gu Yansheng patted her hand back. “Done.”
Shen Shuyun obediently stepped back. Gu Yansheng stood from the chair, looked at her: “Hug. Get used to contact.”
Shen Shuyun smiled slightly, slowly approached, finally leaning into Gu Yansheng’s arms.
Gu Yansheng held her, cheek to cheek, patted her back, hand stroking her back, relaxing his mood to quicken his heartbeat.
Shen Shuyun was an agent; that position would hear heartbeats.
After about a minute, he let go. “Okay, go do your work. I’ll call when needed.”
Shen Shuyun smiled: “What did it feel like?”
“What do you hope it felt like?”
“…” Shen Shuyun smiled without answering. “Going now.”
“Okay.”
Gu Yansheng picked up the phone and called the Personnel Section Chief.
“Division Chief, you wanted me?” The Personnel Section Chief smiled entering, bowed and nodded.
Gu Yansheng looked at him favorably. Last housewarming, he contributed ten yellow croakers—very sincere, the only one delivering yellow croakers directly.
Thus, Gu Yansheng hadn’t touched him.
“Two things I called you for. First, promote Liu Xiaolou to Head of the Secretariat Section. Second, promote Shen Shuyun to Deputy Personnel Section Chief.”
The Personnel Section Chief froze; his just-unfolded smile turned strained, stiffly: “Then congrats to Section Chief Liu.”
Liu Xiaolou was Gu Yansheng’s main secretary; promoting to section chief was normal.
“What about the original section chief?”
“Don’t worry about that; I have arrangements.”
“Yes, I’ll notify immediately. But Division Chief, reconsider Shen Shuyun? She just came, not familiar with department matters. And Personnel Section deputy is full; no need for more.”
Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow, teasing: “Deputy full? Then shall I make room for her as section chief?”
“Section…” The Personnel Section Chief paled, immediately stood at attention, head down: “Subordinate will handle it!”
“Out!”
“Yes!”
All as stupid as dogs—stupid and greedy. Gu Yansheng watched him leave; if not for Japanese government needing such fools, he’d have removed him long ago.
These section chiefs were recruited by Su Xiwen that batch in Pudong postwar Reform Government. In terms of relationships, even if they had any then, gone now—Su Xiwen himself fled.
Original Director of the Judicial Department gone too; what relationships did these have?
Gu Yansheng didn’t want to investigate before; no need now. To remove them, anytime.
Can’t figure their place. Delivering money but not enough—ten yellow croakers to secure glory and wealth forever?
Thought about department personnel; should all be arranged. Then realized one not yet.
The Central Statistics Bureau one taken from Ding Mocun then—that hardworking Inspection Department Chief, now placed by him in Economic Department collecting black materials, Yan Dongqing.
