Chapter 197: Madam
“How should I put it?” Fu Xiao’an sneered, shaking his head. “It’s hard to say whether it’s good or not.”
“Why is it hard to say?” Minister Zhou asked with a puzzled smile, very confused.
Fu Xiao’an chuckled and pointed at Gu Yansheng. “Just put it this way: in the regional statistics that just ended, if we’re talking about the results of this assessment, the worst is Director Gu’s region, ranking dead last among everyone.
But if you ask me to bet, which region’s economic growth will be the best in half a year, I’d definitely bet on Director Gu to win.”
At such an extreme statement, Minister Zhou looked at Gu Yansheng with great interest. “What did you do to rank last?”
Gu Yansheng smiled. “Don’t listen to Mayor Fu bragging for me. I haven’t said anything. If I can’t do it, it’d be too embarrassing to boast now.”
Minister Zhou smiled and looked at Fu Xiao’an. “Onlookers see more clearly, Mayor Fu. Tell me, why can he leap from last place to first?”
Fu Xiao’an didn’t mind hyping Gu Yansheng up. He started from the practices of other directors, pointed out the drawbacks, then talked about Gu Yansheng’s approach—of course, he himself used the same approach. With the comparison, some things became very clear.
“I didn’t expect you to be an expert in the economy?” Minister Zhou sized up Gu Yansheng.
Gu Yansheng modestly shook his head. “How would I understand the economy? Others just gave me face and were willing to gamble with me, opening factories in West Shanghai, that’s all.”
“Isn’t that enough?” Minister Zhou raised his eyebrow seriously. “The economy is made up of people. If everyone could find so many factories like you, why worry about economic development?
Hey, where’s Luo Junqiang? How’s his Pudong?
By the way, he didn’t come today?”
“He didn’t come, I think.” Gu Yansheng said, “The Japanese did some confidentiality work. I was only called over by Mr. Hase and then learned that you and Mr. Wang’s group arrived today. The Japanese probably didn’t notify him.”
In the Japanese’s eyes, Luo Junqiang is just a sidekick with no achievements. It’s really hard to remember him coming.
“So how did he do in Pudong this time?” Minister Zhou was still very concerned about his number one general, smiling expectantly.
“Pretty good.”
Gu Yansheng told the truth, mentioning the industries Luo Junqiang opened in West Shanghai, with very good business, extremely prosperous.
But when Minister Zhou heard that what Luo Junqiang opened were either brothels or casinos, his smile quickly faded.
Gu Yansheng does industry, while Luo Junqiang opens brothels there.
With Luo Junqiang as his incarnation in Shanghai, if word got out and was known by the people who came today, or by the Japanese, that his number one general in Pudong became a pimp, it would really lose all face.
“His 30% mission can definitely be completed, even 50% is possible, but just”
Gu Yansheng leaned in and quietly told Fu Xiao’an’s guess about the Japanese doing a tax audit ahead of time.
Minister Zhou’s smile disappeared.
Gu Yansheng added, “At the time, I actually suggested he adjust the data, but he didn’t adopt it and hasn’t submitted yet. Now I guess he’s waiting for your idea before deciding how to submit.”
“Idiot.” Minister Zhou cursed under his breath.
Isn’t this just shoving the responsibility onto him, leaving him no way out?
Does he really think the Japanese are fools who can’t figure it out?
Submitting fakes—if the Japanese expose it later, where does he put his face?
Better to just fake it and submit directly. At least he hasn’t come yet then.
Too afraid to take responsibility, too lacking in courage.
Even submitting the real ones would be fine, at least it’s upright.
Gu Yansheng reminded, “If the Japanese want to use this to pressure the negotiations, Minister, you can actually counter from the high-pressure state of other regions. Those regions’ economies are unsustainable.
As long as you firmly grasp this point and puncture the illusion of prosperity in other regions’ economies, I think this matter won’t have a negative impact on the negotiations.
You could even turn passive into active.”
Minister Zhou nodded slightly. “I understand.”
“Minister, what step have the negotiations reached now? Is there anything you need me to help with?” Gu Yansheng asked directly.
Minister Zhou didn’t hide it. He stood up, patted Gu Yansheng’s shoulder, signaling them to walk together—after all, there was still a third wheel here.
The two walked to a side door. This was the entrance and exit, outside was a small garden for tea.
Right at the door, Minister Zhou said, “Most of the negotiation content has been completed. Negotiations with Kageza went fairly smoothly. Now that Mr. Wang is here, we’ll further confirm the new government’s organizational structure and personnel appointments next.
Whether we can push you to this minister position will depend on these days.”
Gu Yansheng asked curiously, “Is there difficulty in this matter? Does Mr. Wang know?”
Minister Zhou nodded. “Last time I returned to Hanoi from Shanghai, I talked to him about you once. My evaluation of you is high, and Mr. Wang thinks using the worthy is of course fine.
But Madame Wang feels you’re not an old retainer who followed Chairman Wang out, but an old bureaucrat from Shanghai, so it’s hard to say what your intentions are.”
Minister Zhou glanced at Madame Wang, Chen Biqun, in the crowd. Chen Biqun’s gaze was quite sharp, as if she noticed, or perhaps had been observing all along. She immediately met his eyes. Minister Zhou met her eyes and even smiled and waved.
Gu Yansheng also glanced over, smiled and nodded in greeting. When did he become an old bureaucrat in others’ mouths? Quite the way to talk.
Minister Zhou continued in a low voice, “
Li Shengwu is closer to them and an old acquaintance, so everyone knows his intentions clearly. Thus, for the Minister of Justice and Administration position, Madame Wang favors Li Shengwu more.
Moreover, you lack political experience. From division chief of a city’s judicial department to minister of justice over the whole country, she has doubts about whether you can do well as a minister.
Mr. Wang usually makes decisions while quite considering her views.”
Minister Zhou smiled meaningfully. “Madame Wang is a heroine among women, an Alliance member. Her father is a Nanyang tycoon. When Mr. Wang rose early on, it was thanks to Madame Wang’s family support.”
Gu Yansheng nodded slightly. He had someone look up Chen Biqun’s background. This woman was indeed not simple. In the early revolutionary days, she donated money and goods generously, very bold, with a heroic temperament.
When Wang went to assassinate the Regent, this woman accompanied him north.
That was a path very likely not to return from. She lacked no courage.
Later in revolutionary activities, she raised military expenses and followed Wang against Chiang, a main force in the battles.
The founding expenses of the Whampoa Military Academy came from her fundraising in the United States, about 300,000 silver dollars.
People with money and ability always have pursuits.
Madame Wang’s pursuit is very simple: she wants to be First Lady.
This is a tabloid from Chongqing, published after Wang went to Hanoi.
It said Madame Wang was unwilling to rank below Madame Song, feeling her abilities were great, so she defected with Wang.
There were also rumors that if she weren’t a woman, she could be president too.
Minister Zhou reassured, “But you don’t need to worry. I’ll fight for your matter on principle. For the great cause of peaceful nation building, I won’t allow some people to hold positions without doing work. The nation’s core positions should be held by capable people, not nepotism. This is a must.”
At this time, a woman walked over, twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed like a Miss.
“Daddy, what are you hiding here chatting about?” she asked, while sizing up Gu Yansheng with curious eyes.
“Of course public business.”
After responding, Minister Zhou smiled at Gu Yansheng. “Yansheng, let me introduce you. My daughter, Zhou Shuhai.”
