Chapter 201: Arguing
“On the contrary, I heard that the Japanese side now has new actions and wants to promote a new version of military scrip.”
“Again? Shanghai’s economy has been wrecked by military scrip several times already. It’s proven that military scrip doesn’t work. Aren’t they afraid of the economy collapsing again?”
Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow. “When did this happen?”
“Just these past few days.” Luo Junqiang glanced at Gu Yansheng, then looked back at Minister Zhou. “This is information from several staff members of the Greater East Asia Ministry. They mentioned it when they came to my place to drink and have fun.”
Last time the Military Department promoted military scrip, those big Japanese enterprises took the opportunity to raise prices, using rice and other supplies to create inflation, and bought back a large amount of military scrip from citizens at ultra-low prices.
Then, while the Economic Department still had foreign currency inventory, they used a large amount of military scrip to exchange for foreign currency at the yet-to-be-adjusted market price, emptying out the Military Department’s reserve funds, causing the military scrip’s credit to completely collapse.
At that time, Kobayashi Nobuo, the section chief of the Economic Affairs Section of the Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters who was held accountable for this, went back to headquarters for a debriefing and was to face a military court, so he simply revealed everything.
The General Staff Office investigation has now yielded results, ordering the Japanese enterprises involved in the exchange at that time to spit out this money and compensate for the Military Department’s losses.
Because according to Kobayashi Nobuo’s account, the Japanese enterprises took military scrip from the Economic Affairs Section on IOUs at that time and did not, as agreed, provide foreign currency when the Economic Department faced a run to resist the run crisis.
Instead, these Japanese enterprises fueled the fire, accelerating the collapse of military scrip.
However, these Japanese enterprises definitely won’t admit it and are unwilling to take such a big blame. The Military Department lost 80 million, and if this hat is pinned on them plus some additional losses, they’ll have to compensate at least 100 million.
Later, after mediation by the Greater East Asia Ministry, the final plan was that these few Japanese enterprises each invested real gold and silver to establish a bank to lend to the Military Department for operation.
They call it a loan, but it’s actually compensation.
The total capital is 50 million, called Hua Xing Commercial Bank. The banknotes it issues are called Huaxing Yuan.
“Hiss.” Minister Zhou listened with furrowed brows the whole time. This matter felt a bit off. Thinking as he asked, “Yansheng, this happening at this timing—don’t you think something’s wrong?”
“It is wrong.” Gu Yansheng nodded affirmatively. “Logically speaking, with the new government about to be established and negotiations going smoothly, it would be a matter of course for the new government’s Central Bank to open, and the currency issuance rights should go to the Central Bank.
Minister, your negotiations with them should have already mentioned the Central Bank’s preparations, and the Japanese know about it too?”
Minister Zhou nodded.
Gu Yansheng continued, “But now the Military Department wants to issue military scrip privately again, which conflicts with the Central Bank’s functions. This action really makes no sense.
Unless this bank’s existence is just for compensating the Military Department and they have no intention of issuing military scrip on a large scale like the previous two times, then there’s no problem—they can just play around internally among the Japanese.
Otherwise, it can only mean that in the short term, the Japanese Military Department is not prepared to give the Central Bank currency issuance rights. Otherwise, if Shanghai’s market is seized by Japan’s military scrip, what would the Central Bank even operate?
As long as military scrip isn’t forced, in my estimation, citizens won’t actively exchange for it. There’s precedent for this—once bitten, twice shy. They’ve already suffered losses twice; even fools have learned their lesson.
Minister Zhou nodded, let out a long breath, frowned and sighed, “Yeah, there’s quite a problem here.”
Gu Yansheng was talking about the issue of currency issuance rights, but what he thought of was the negotiation issue. If it were just about the Central Bank, it could be set aside for now.
But the Japanese Military Department insisted on issuing military scrip at this timing. Doesn’t that mean the Japanese Military Department doesn’t want or doesn’t think the negotiations will conclude quickly?
Thinking one step further, is the Military Department even negotiating in good faith?
Or are they stringing them along, forcing the Chongqing Government to get anxious?
If you really connect the dots, it’s terrifying. Many things that seemed about to reach the finish line now become murky again.
Minister Zhou thought for a moment and said, “Junqiang, keep an eye on the Economic Department and this bank recently. See what moves they make.”
“Got it.” Luo Junqiang responded.
“Yansheng, you have wide connections. Inquire about this matter too, see if you can find out anything.”
Asking Luo Junqiang was just for reassurance. Minister Zhou knew that to inquire about things in Shanghai, Gu Yansheng was still the one, and the information would come much faster.
“Got it.” The bank was in Shanghai; checking things out wouldn’t be difficult.
“Come, drink up.” Minister Zhou raised his wine glass. “These are all trifling matters. Drink today while we have wine; think about issues tomorrow. We’re already here, so we should relax. Who knows how busy it’ll get later?”
“You’re right.”
Gu Yansheng raised his wine glass. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
“You few, stop dancing. Come over and drink with the Minister.”
Afterwards.
Gu Yansheng sent Minister Zhou back.
Hase Jinagawa had already informed them of the living arrangements for several Wang Faction leaders. Since they all had large families, the mansion area around Gu Yansheng’s house was conveniently allocated for them to live in.
As for those with slightly lower rank, there were slightly smaller villas as arrangements.
So Gu Yansheng was indeed on the way.
After dropping off Minister Zhou, Gu Yansheng politely declined Minister Zhou’s invitation to come in for tea. His steps were already unsteady; better hurry home and sleep.
Minister Zhou got out of the car in a good mood, glanced at the guards at the villa entrance, and entered. There were also internal guards inside the villa. Since they had just arrived, they were obviously arranged by the Japanese.
The environment was pretty good; just the location was a bit off.
As soon as Minister Zhou reached the door, he heard Yang Shuhui scolding their daughter inside the house.
“What’s going on?” The scene Minister Zhou saw was his stubborn daughter standing there, looking unhappy, with several skirts scattered on the living room coffee table and floor, and an even more displeased Yang Shuhui.
Both were troublesome; headache.
“What’s going on?”
Yang Shuhui grabbed a skirt from the living room and held it up for Minister Zhou to see. “Look at this brat! She already knows how to seduce wild men! So young and already hooking up with men, and on the first day in Shanghai, she went out privately with a man. Truly, like mother, like daughter. If others find out, they’ll think our Zhou family lacks discipline and that she’s shaming the Zhou family’s reputation!”
“Who I go out with is none of your business? If you’re talking about seducing, who knows someone has a wife and still insists on sticking close? Give me back my skirt!”
With that, Zhou Shuhai reached out to grab it.
“What did you say? You still dare to talk back!” Yang Shuhui’s face changed drastically. She turned her head and asked, “This country bumpkin has no manners at all. Are you going to do something about it?”
“Shuhai, watch how you speak. Be nicer to your mom. Even though she’s not your biological mom, I’m your dad, and she’s my wife. You should call her Mom too.”
“I’m not calling her that.” Zhou Shuhai retorted, then reached out to grab the skirt again. “Give me back my skirt.”
“Enough, stop grabbing.” Minister Zhou stepped forward to separate them and said to Yang Shuhui, “It’s just two skirts. What’s the big deal? Is this worth you two fighting?”
“Is this just about skirts?” Yang Shuhui glared at Minister Zhou and said to Zhou Shuhai, “It’s this bastard seducing wild men and ruining our family reputation. If the Zhou family doesn’t care about reputation, the Yang family does!
Give back the skirt? Which woman goes out on the first day, meets a man, and goes shopping with him—and buys skirts, no less? Who are you dressing up provocatively for?”
“Anyway, not for you to see. It didn’t cost you any money, so why are you so anxious?”
“Enough! The more you scold, the uglier it gets. What bastard? Am I a wild man too?”
Minister Zhou shouted, “And you, watch your attitude!
Both your names have the character ‘Shu.’ Do you know how to write ‘Shu’? Virtuous, good, and kind!
Acting like two shrews brawling. If it were just at home, fine, curse however you want. But do you know this house inside and out is full of Japanese people? Giving the Japanese a laugh, huh?
And you too—she bought skirts, so what? I know about her buying skirts; they were a gift from Gu Yansheng. I let her go. You’ve grown up in Shanghai; it’s not new to you.
She’s a country girl who just arrived and is interested in Shanghai’s flashy world. Isn’t that normal? Wanting to go out and see is reasonable.”
“If she stays long and gets to know men, that’s reasonable. But on the first day in Shanghai, she finds a man to go shopping with—and buys skirts. You think that’s reasonable?” Yang Shuhui shot back.
“Well, they ran into each other. Gu Yansheng is a division chief, not an ordinary person. Once the new government is established, he’ll be promoted to minister. You think Shuhai is at a loss hooking up with him? Girls want to stick to him, but they don’t even get the chance!”
“Oh, you want to play matchmaker now? Have you forgotten what you told me back then? You hate feudal arranged marriages and want free love. Now you’re playing matchmaker?”
“Who’s playing matchmaker? This is just the beginning of development. Gu Yansheng is a good man, a young talent with a bright future. He’s definitely one of the best.”
Minister Zhou glared at her and asked Zhou Shuhai, “You went out with Gu Yansheng. How did he treat you? What do you think of him?”
“Nothing special. Give me back my clothes.” Zhou Shuhai snatched the clothes and ran upstairs.
“What attitude.” Yang Shuhui scolded, “Country bumpkins have no manners at all.”
Minister Zhou shook his head and sighed. Truly, family matters are hard to judge even for a fair official.
At least they were separated now.
Continue consoling the next one.
He turned, gripped Yang Shuhui’s shoulders, and comforted her, “Alright, watch your attitude toward her too. If she really gets together with Gu Yansheng, with your attitude, how will you face him later?”
“Would he take a liking to a country girl like her?” Yang Shuhui sneered.
“You never know.” Minister Zhou believed the pursuit of power would change a man’s aspirations and choices.
Especially since Gu Yansheng’s attitude toward Zhou Shuhai was pretty good now.
Just as he was thinking, Yang Shuhui suddenly sniffed, stared at Minister Zhou with a frown, and said, “Rouge scent? Where have you been?”
Minister Zhou’s eyes widened. Damn, it’s coming at me.
