Chapter 220: Preference
“Ah?”
Shen Linshen was so shocked that he unconsciously leaned forward, “We’re sending people to dress as Kuomintang members to attend the Wang Puppet Regime’s Party Congress?!”
Shen Linshen felt like his brain had been stirred up; this relationship was a bit complicated.
“Right, you didn’t hear wrong.” Gu Yansheng pointed at himself, “Recruitment is handled here. As long as the organization needs it, I can find a way to get this person recruited.
Becoming a minister is impossible, but the grassroots levels of government still need staff for operations. For those who’ve attended meetings, would they qualify for positions like section chief or division chief at that time?
When the Wang regime government integrates and opens for business, it will definitely need a bunch of staff to maintain operations. Who to find? Of course, the Kuomintang.”
Shen Linshen’s expression turned serious upon hearing this; if put this way, this opportunity was too big.
If it could really be done, it would simply infiltrate the Wang Puppet Regime full of holes!
But upon a slight thought, he felt there was a problem.
“You’re recruiting people; won’t this operation bring risks to you?”
“What risk? I’m not the one specifically recruiting people; I just handle dispatching personnel.
Don’t get it wrong; at most, I recruit the dispatched people, but I don’t handle the dispatched people recruiting others.
Who goes where, I report that information to the organization.
If the organization wants to plant people, they can have local people arrange a Kuomintang party member identity and resume. In these war-torn times, with chaos everywhere, is it hard to claim to be Kuomintang?”
“But if they verify it”
“Who can go verify? They don’t have the energy to verify. Say they joined the party in Shanxi; can he go find Yan Laoxi to verify?
Send a telegram to Yan Xishan, asking him, ‘Help me check the records; did this person join the party under you?’
See if Yan Laoxi lets him verify or not.
They can’t verify it.
Next, the organization’s person goes to find the person I dispatched, locates him, and lets him know, overtly or covertly, that you are a Kuomintang person.
Alright, the rest depends on fate.
Even if exposed.
What does it have to do with me?
The person wasn’t recruited by me; I don’t even know them. Isn’t that right?”
Gu Yansheng spread his hands, looking quite innocent.
Shen Linshen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn’t think of any rebuttal.
Truly impressive; it actually could work.
This way, some comrades hiding in the Japanese Occupied Area could transform and even get an official position in the new government?
“Impressive, I’m truly impressed.” Shen Linshen chuckled, “You’re really full of ideas. Our people representing the Kuomintang to attend the traitors’ Party Congress, and you can even come up with this method. Hahaha… I bet when I report it, the organization will laugh themselves to death over this operation.”
Laughing is good; it lifts the mood. Gu Yansheng also smiled and stood up, “I have things to do; I’m leaving. Hurry and arrange this matter. I expect the list will be out in the next few days to dispatch people. I’ll contact you then.”
Shen Linshen nodded immediately, “Good, I’ll send a telegram right away.”
Another thing that can’t be said in a telegram; looks like I must meet with the organization to discuss it clearly.
In the evening, Gu Yansheng drove to find Chen Gongbo.
Chen Gongbo had his own house in Shanghai, a large villa, right in the International Settlement.
Gu Yansheng’s vehicle arrived, seeing that No. 76’s people had already begun guarding, making the car stop at the door. He rolled down the window and met them.
“Hello, Director Gu.”
“Mm, I’m here to see Mr. Chen.”
Chen Gongbo’s status wasn’t low; he was a Kuomintang heavyweight. Gu Yansheng gave him face and had the guard go in to announce at the door.
Not long after, a short-haired woman came out, in her twenties, not yet thirty, dressed appropriately and elegantly.
Unlike most women who like to leave bangs on their foreheads, her hair was all combed back, making this hairstyle look capable.
She said warmly, “Hello, Director Gu. Mr. Chen is working; please follow me.”
Heavyweights are heavyweights; he didn’t even come out personally to welcome. It seems my status evaluation is quite ordinary in others’ eyes.
And this was even after Minister Zhou had called to notify.
Gu Yansheng smiled and nodded, following with his steps, asking, “And you are?”
The woman smiled, “I’m Mr. Chen’s secretary, surnamed Mo, Mo Guokang.”
Guokang; calling this name doesn’t suit being a traitor. “So it’s Miss Mo; pleased to meet you.”
Mo Guokang smiled and gestured ahead, “Director Gu, please.”
Into the inner room; with Chen Gongbo’s power, the house was naturally nice. Up to the second floor, straight to the study room.
Mo Guokang entered and reported, “Mr. Chen, Director Gu is here.”
Gu Yansheng saw Chen Gongbo frowning intently, seriously writing the document in hand, with a cigarette between his fingers.
Over forty, not yet fifty, with a rather large face.
“Wait a moment.” Upon hearing, Chen Gongbo said just that, took a drag of the cigarette, then continued head down working.
Mo Guokang explained apologetically, “Director Gu, sorry, sir is like this; when busy with work, he can’t stop, and he likes to finish one thing before the next. He’s drafting the outline for the sixth congress documents.”
Gu Yansheng nodded with a smile, “You do your thing; I’ll wait.”
“Please sit; I’ll brew tea for you.” Mo Guokang pointed to the stool, then went to the nearby tea station to prepare.
Gu Yansheng glanced around Chen Gongbo’s study room; the shelves had many books—Japanese, English, and even more Chinese. A casual glance showed books spanning a long period, and the most eye-catching were a few Red Party books.
In Chongqing and even today’s Shanghai, these books are banned, but whether banned or not depends on the person; power always troubles the lower levels.
“Director Gu.” Mo Guokang presented a cup of tea.
“Thank you.” Gu Yansheng sipped tea while waiting. He originally thought Chen Gongbo might be putting on a show, but observing how he quickly wrote on the paper, he was indeed working, not some intimidation tactic.
This was rare; Gu Yansheng watched the gorilla.
Among the Wang Faction people who came to Shanghai, Gu Yansheng had seen quite a few, and Chen Gongbo was truly the most serious about work.
After a few minutes, Chen Gongbo finally exhaled, looked up at Gu Yansheng with a smile, stood, and extended his hand, “Sorry to keep Director Gu waiting; I’m not one for procrastination. When things come, I want to handle them immediately, and with the Party Congress truly urgent, I’m even more pressed.”
Gu Yansheng shook hands and smiled, “I admire Mr. Chen’s work style. One thing citizens dislike most about government is procrastination. If everyone followed your example of finishing today’s work today and leading by example, the new government up and down would be transformed, giving the government a fresh image.”
“Haha.” Chen Gongbo smiled, “Director Gu is indeed a Peking University top graduate; your compliments are seamless. Oh, this is my secretary Mo Guokang; she’s also from Peking University Law School.”
“Is that so?” Gu Yansheng looked at Mo Guokang and gave a smile, “So you’re my senior; then I need to get to know you again.”
Mo Guokang smiled, “Peking University has many talents, but few as brilliant as you, junior brother. In the future, senior sister will have to rely on you for support.”
Gu Yansheng chuckled lightly, “With Dean Chen here, how could it be my turn to support? That would be upside down.”
“Haha.” Everyone laughed.
Chen Gongbo came out, walked to the sofa by the coffee table, and invited Gu Yansheng to sit.
“Since Mr. Wang wants us to handle the sixth congress, I’ve hurried to draft the overall process framework. This work isn’t difficult, just a bit tedious.
The key is finding people, and quickly. Do you have any personal ideas?”
“I’ll cooperate with the action; you decide the specifics. I’ve truly never handled such matters.”
Gu Yansheng didn’t want to get involved, and seeing Chen Gongbo working hard, it didn’t seem like he really needed any plans from him. Perfect, he could be hands-off.
Sure enough, Chen Gongbo said nonchalantly, “The new government hasn’t been established yet, and there are many rumors in the streets. In this situation, finding Kuomintang is easy; finding heavyweights is more difficult.
In summary, I see two difficulties: first, every province needs representatives, but some areas are Nationalist controlled areas. Based on reality, finding and contacting personnel locally is troublesome and life-risking.
So, a convenient method is, in the Japanese Occupied Area, find people originating from Nationalist controlled areas to represent at the meeting.
Second, personnel identities.
Since it’s a national Party Congress, we must find some with seniority; well-known names that people are familiar with.
Active Kuomintang heavyweights are definitely hard to find. If we must, we’d look to those from the Northern Expedition period or old generals at odds with Chongqing.
Some unwilling to re-emerge, some worried about reputation, some missing; for these, we analyze case by case, and based on searched personnel lists, draft specific plans.
Total attendees, we’ll cap at 500, floor at 300; that should be about right for this congress.”
Gu Yansheng nodded as he listened; Chen Gongbo directly broke down the mission and gave detailed methods—indeed capable.
“Do you think it’s feasible?”
“I agree with Mr. Chen’s method. What do you need me to do?”
Chen Gongbo wasn’t polite, “First, prepare personnel dispatched from Shanghai; each province needs thirty people. Don’t think it’s many; dispersed to cities and counties, in this tight time, they might not even suffice.
But considering provinces they truly need to go to aren’t that many, draw people from unnecessary places, merge to other provinces, and search together; should be enough.”
“That’s four or five hundred people?” Gu Yansheng frowned slightly in thought and said, “The city government definitely can’t spare that many. I’ll think of a way for this; give me time to consider. Anything else?”
“Also, the whereabouts of heavyweights. Kuomintang elders at least have some fame; war chaos made them missing. We in Shanghai might not know, but local governments or social notables should have contacts. So, find their whereabouts, persuade them to attend.”
Gu Yansheng hummed, “I can look for these people’s whereabouts, but persuasion—I can’t be everywhere. Shanghai ones maybe negotiable; elsewhere, I’m powerless. This Kuomintang junior has no ties with elders.”
“No problem. Among those who came with Mr. Wang, aren’t there still many idle in Shanghai? Idling away, have them step up then, break one by one.”
“That’s a good method.” Gu Yansheng praised, “Maybe send one per province: one to lead the team, two, when encountering such people, they handle talking, giving the underlings backbone.”
Chen Gongbo raised his hand and laughed, “We’re on the same wavelength.”
“Hahahaha.” Gu Yansheng laughed, “Then let’s do it this way first. Does Mr. Chen have anything else for me?”
“Actually yes.” Chen Gongbo asked, “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Perfect, let’s go eat together.” Chen Gongbo stood and smiled, “Nothing tonight, right?”
“Nothing, just the two things you mentioned earlier.”
Chen Gongbo pointed at his watch, “Past time; off work. Handle early tomorrow morning. You can’t find people tonight anyway, right? Balance work and rest, take care of your health. Let’s go eat.”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “What cuisine do you like? I’ll see which restaurant suits your taste.”
Chen Gongbo said directly, “I like Japanese Cuisine.”
“Japanese Cuisine?” Gu Yansheng’s mouth twitched. What quirk; liking Japanese Cuisine.
One hour later.
Chen Gongbo refused Gu Yansheng’s recommendation and familiarly took him to Hongkou.
“There’s a Japanese Cuisine place I haven’t eaten at in a long time. Now in Shanghai, perfect to taste it.”
“What Japanese Cuisine has Mr. Chen missing so much?”
Chen Gongbo gave a nostalgic look, “Super delicious; you’ll know when you eat it later.”
At the brothel door in Hongkou.
Chen Gongbo put his arms around two Japanese women, spouting vulgar jokes in broken Japanese to the mama-san, laughing so happily and unrestrainedly, completely different from when discussing work with Gu Yansheng earlier.
Gu Yansheng watched dumbfounded.
Japanese Cuisine, oh, this kind of Japanese Cuisine.
