Chapter 240: Opening
They arrested him, then released him, arranged for agents to pretend to be from the Military Statistics Bureau to carry out an assassination, and then made a dramatic entrance to save the damsel. It’s a good method, and if Li Shiqun had done this at a normal time, it would have been effective.
But would Boss Dai be so ruthless as to sell off the entire Shanghai District to him? It’s estimated that even Li Shiqun, upon hearing this, would have widened his eyes and muttered, “I wouldn’t even dare to dream of such a thing.”
Wang Tianmu quickly defected and confessed the various strongholds of the Shanghai District within the concessions, and the mass arrests began.
As a prelude to the Pseudo Sixth Congress, the fall of the Shanghai District perfectly met the needs of the Wang Faction personnel and the Japanese. The situation was incredibly favorable.
However, Chen Mo was silenced by Wang Tianmu’s subsequent actions. He only found out from a Japanese newspaper that Wang Tianmu had not only sold out the Shanghai District but also the entire Military Statistics Bureau Tianjin Station.
The Tianjin Station was founded by Wang Tianmu. Even after the war, the address of the Tianjin Station had long since changed, and the personnel had been replaced several times. However, Wang Tianmu’s seniority within the Military Statistics Bureau was too high; finding two old high-ranking officials would reveal some trace.
The entire Tianjin Station was sold to gain the trust of the Japanese. Boss Dai was truly ruthless.
Chen Mo went to find Gu Yansheng and opened with a single sentence: “If the war is won one day, do you think Boss Dai will let us live?”
“No,” Gu Yansheng said very directly. “People like us have no connections in the Military Statistics Bureau or in Chongqing. What happens after the war depends entirely on Boss Dai’s word. If he’s happy, we’re meritorious officials; if he’s not, we’re traitors.
Furthermore, we now know Boss Dai’s dark secrets. If this matter gets out after the war, won’t Boss Dai’s reputation be ruined?”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “If I were him, I absolutely wouldn’t need two such people alive. The war is over, and it’s such a waste of grain for them to be alive, right?”
“He’s absolutely insane!”
Chen Mo was truly deeply stimulated by the act of selling the Tianjin Station. He dared to curse Boss Dai in front of Gu Yansheng, knowing that Gu Yansheng had his own private radio.
Now that Gu Yansheng could transmit messages to the organization, the possibility of Chen Mo’s loyalty to the Military Statistics Bureau was gone.
Gu Yansheng poured him a cup of tea to comfort him. “Don’t think too much about it. Although Boss Dai won’t let us live after the war, as long as the war isn’t over, Boss Dai definitely won’t kill us.”
Chen Mo didn’t drink the tea, his expression unusually distressed. Only in front of Gu Yansheng could he show a little of it. In Shanghai, he was the only one who could express his disappointment with the Military Statistics Bureau.
In the past, Boss Dai might have been the spiritual pillar for the Military Statistics Bureau’s operational personnel. Now, he realized that this pillar could fall and crush people without any hesitation.
Chen Mo tilted his head back, downed the tea in one gulp, and stood up, saying, “I’m leaving.”
Gu Yansheng nodded and smiled, “Smile a little. You’re here to see Director Gu, so you can’t be without a smile.”
Chen Mo gave a light laugh, “Don’t worry, after drinking this cup of tea, it’s all in the past.”
As arrests were being made at No. 76, the opening of the Pseudo Sixth Congress also entered high gear.
The number of Kuomintang representatives arriving in Shanghai was also increasing. Gu Yansheng didn’t know which of them were sent by the organization and which were actually from the Kuomintang.
Minister Zhou assigned reception duties for all the high-ranking officials of the Wang Faction. Each person was responsible for one day according to their shift. This way, whoever’s turn it was when someone came to Shanghai could decide for themselves whether to recruit them as subordinates.
The Wang Faction’s personnel in Shanghai were all isolated individuals. Rather than trusting people from the original Nanjing Reform Government, it was better to recruit those from other regions to use in Nanjing.
Gu Yansheng generously let them have these recruitment opportunities.
After all, they were all comrades in the same party. He wouldn’t compete with them for the task of recruiting subordinates of the Red Party.
In any case, as a local Shanghai faction, he had no shortage of people and it was perfectly reasonable not to want to recruit them.
Soon it was the end of August, and the meeting officially convened.
Considering that the regime needed to distinguish itself from the Japanese and couldn’t hold a large meeting in Hongkou, and other locations carried the risk of attacks by escaped personnel from the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District, the meeting location was chosen at the Agent Headquarters to ensure absolute safety.
Early in the morning, Gu Yansheng went to the Agent Headquarters.
A long queue formed at the entrance. Team members from No. 76 were verifying the identities of attendees and conducting body searches. Prohibited items were not allowed inside.
Gu Yansheng didn’t need that. Who would dare to search him? He had the driver drive him directly inside; the license plate served as the pass.
“Hey, Yansheng, you’re here,” Ding Mocun greeted him.
Ding Mocun, as the host, was now standing here with a smiling face, acting as a doorman.
“Director Ding personally greeting these representatives, that’s too much of a show of respect!” Gu Yansheng got out of the car and playfully remarked as he approached.
Ding Mocun laughed heartily. “They’ve come to my place, so I naturally have to greet them well. Today’s event cannot have any mistakes, otherwise, it would be a great loss of face.”
Gu Yansheng sneered, “The Shanghai District has been wiped out, and the representatives’ identities have been verified. What kind of mistakes could there be? Why are you the only one here? Where is Li Shiqun?”
Ding Mocun snorted coldly. “That sycophant is busy flattering someone. Minister Zhou is upstairs, and he’s with him. Why would he bother with these petty tasks?”
“Then I won’t do it either. I’m leaving,” Gu Yansheng said, waving goodbye.
Ding Mocun looked at Gu Yansheng with a blank expression, helplessly saying, “Can’t you stay and chat with me for a while?”
“There are so many people accompanying you, you don’t lack me. Why are you standing here? You might as well go upstairs and have some coffee; it’s hot enough to kill people this morning.”
“Mr. Wang hasn’t arrived yet. We have to wait, right?”
“No wonder, I thought you were like a door god.”
Gu Yansheng understood. So, he would chat with Ding Mocun for a while.
He asked in a low voice, “Did the people arrested from the Shanghai District confess anything about smuggling routes or anything like that?”
“Of course,” Ding Mocun whispered. “It’s mainly from Du Yuesheng’s line. During the interrogation, it turned out that not only the Green Gang was involved, but also people from our own ranks, and even Japanese officials responsible for port inspections.”
“What happened to the Japanese?”
“The Gendarmerie took them away.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “The Military Statistics Bureau’s operations have suffered a major blow. It seems they won’t recover their vitality anytime soon. Do you think the scarce supplies in Chongqing will increase in price?”
Ding Mocun immediately understood, his eyes flashing with the desire to make money. “The prices will definitely rise. Should we put in more effort and run a few more trips? Sell some things over there?”
Gu Yansheng smiled. “If the Military Statistics Bureau can’t do it, the CC can. Isn’t it all the same? Who sells it doesn’t matter. The key is that you have to keep a close eye on it and don’t let Li Shiqun catch any leverage.”
Ding Mocun sneered, “Do you think he sells little? Where did Huang Jinrong’s goods go? No one is clean-handed. Even if Li Shiqun knew, he wouldn’t dare to say anything.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “Just look at the confessions. We’ll smuggle what they smuggled. They know the demand in Chongqing better than we do. By the way, how are these arrested people being handled? Are they going to be shot or something?”
Ding Mocun shook his head. “We are in a time when we need people. We won’t kill those who are willing to defect and help. Minister Zhou’s intention is not to kill Wang Tianmu, who defected. He has confessed so thoroughly, and the person can still be useful. An old secret agent is a rare commodity.”
Chongqing will definitely rebuild the Shanghai District. Li Shiqun and I are both from the Central Statistics Bureau, and this Wang Tianmu is from the Military Statistics Bureau and is familiar with it. Therefore, Minister Zhou wants to keep him and let him use the original Shanghai District personnel.
Now it’s just a matter of assigning his position, which hasn’t been decided yet. If it’s too low, his seniority doesn’t fit; if it’s too high, there doesn’t seem to be any suitable position for him, and we need to observe him for a while longer.
Gu Yansheng nodded. With such a large betrayal, it’s hard not to believe it’s real.
After chatting with Ding Mocun for a while longer, Mr. Wang’s car arrived. Ding Mocun no longer needed to put on a friendly facade. A group of representatives, whose origins were unknown, didn’t matter to anyone. They all went upstairs to chat.
“Minister Zhou.”
“Mr. Wang.”
Everyone exchanged greetings and sat down to chat.
After so much planning, it was finally time to officially take the stage. The group was in high spirits, passionately discussing matters and occasionally bursting into laughter.
When the time was nearly right, the important figures should make their final appearance.
Mr. Wang stood up and said, “Then let’s go. Don’t keep them waiting too long.”
The group went downstairs to the Grand Hall. After the waiting time, there were few people left on the internal roads of No. 76. Anyone who arrived late wouldn’t bother coming.
The entire process was arranged by the people downstairs. Some female staff from the Shanghai City Government were called to serve as hostesses.
Chu Minyi was in charge inside. He had been a dean and professor at a medical college, so arranging seats for people was something he was competent at.
The hostesses contacted him, and then the hall fell silent as the high-ranking officials entered.
The Grand Hall, hastily remodeled at the Agent Headquarters, was newly decorated, with the Blue Sky and White Sun flag and a portrait of President Sun hanging.
“Mr. Wang!”
“Mr. Wang!”
Enthusiastic cheers erupted in the hall.
Wang Ni waved his arms and smiled, greeting the crowd.
Minister Zhou and Gu Yansheng followed behind, maintaining a gentle smile.
The entire hall erupted in warm applause.
The hostesses waved and invited them to take their seats in the front row.
Minister Zhou, however, needed to go on stage; he was the host of today’s conference, holding the opening and introduction in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Sixth Congress.
As a former Minister of Propaganda, Minister Zhou’s eloquence was unquestionable, and he controlled the entire venue without any problems.
After a brief introduction, he invited Mr. Wang to the stage to give a speech.
“Comrades, today we gather in a time of crisis, which is truly a heroic deed to save the nation and the people!
Since the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the flames of war have ravaged for over two years. The land is broken, and the common people are suffering. Some cry out for a fight to the end, but with China’s weakness and Japan’s strength, it is no different from a stone hitting an egg!
We have deeply considered that to preserve the nation’s vitality, there is only the path of peace and anti-communism!
We must endure temporary humiliation and act for the greater good of saving the country, which is true patriotism!
The late Prime Minister’s dying words, ‘Peacefully strive to save China,’ are most timely today!”
Enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
Gu Yansheng clapped enthusiastically, then slightly turned his head to look at the hall behind him. Everyone was clapping more vigorously than the last. How many Red Party members were there, pretending to be great actors.
If he were to arrest the most enthusiastic clappers now, not many, say ten, at least one Red Party member would be caught.
The platitudes repeated over and over were all about peace, anti-communism, and building a Greater East Asia together with Japan.
Mr. Wang’s current status was still just a party member within the Kuomintang, not the President.
When Minister Zhou, the Secretary-General of the conference, returned to the stage, the main business began.
The conference directly announced the establishment of the Central Party Department.
A committee was formed, and then the election and vote counting began.
It’s democracy, after all, requiring everyone to elect.
Of course, how the representatives voted was their business, and how the votes were counted was our business.
In any case, no matter who you voted for, the result would not change.
Standing committee members were elected, and after that, the representatives had no further role.
Other personnel would be decided by the standing committee’s vote, and they would wait to hear the appointments.
After a series of procedures, the appointments were announced.
Wang Ni was undoubtedly elected Chairman.
Then, he personally announced.
“After the standing committee’s deliberation, it has been decided to appoint
Chu Minyi as Secretary-General of the Party Department and concurrently Minister of the Navy.
Gu Yansheng, member of the Executive Committee, as Minister of Judicial Administration.
Ding Mocun, member of the Special Agents Committee, as Minister of Social Affairs and Director of Agent Headquarters.
Li Shiqun, member of the Special Agents Committee, as Deputy Minister of Police Administration and Deputy Director of Agent Headquarters.
Mei Siping as Minister of Organization.
Gao Zhongwu as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
The reading of a list caused several people’s expressions to change.
Gu Yansheng heard the anomalies in the list and discreetly scanned the individuals whose faces had changed.
Gao Zhongwu was clearly one of them. When his name was announced, his applause faltered, and he couldn’t manage a smile.
Someone who was in charge of negotiations throughout and ran errands was only given a deputy position. What his standing was in Mr. Wang’s eyes was very clear.
It wasn’t just Gu Yansheng who saw it that way; even those who defected with him from Chongqing looked at Gao Zhongwu differently. The Director of Asian Affairs from Chongqing was only given a deputy ministerial position, while Li Shengwu, an outsider, was given the ministerial post. It was simply ridiculous.
Another person whose face changed was Li Shiqun.
Gu Yansheng was also paying attention to him. At that time, Minister Zhou had a private meeting in the No. 76 room and clearly stated that he would be the Minister of Police Administration.
Of course, the wording wasn’t that definitive, only saying that they were confirming the candidate for Minister of Police Administration and hoped everyone would work hard.
This meant that as long as Li Shiqun performed well, the position of Minister of Police Administration would be his. However, now, with the great achievement of cracking the Shanghai District, Li Shiqun only received a deputy position.
It was quite interesting.
The Minister of Police Administration had jurisdiction over all police in the Japanese-occupied areas. If this were announced, even Lu Ying, the Police Chief of Shanghai, would have to listen to Li Shiqun.
But as a deputy minister, he had no authority at all, and couldn’t even manage Lu Ying.
This was because the Minister of Police Administration was concurrently held by Minister Zhou himself.
“Congratulations, Minister Gu.”
After the meeting dispersed, Ding Mocun came to tease and offer congratulations.
Gu Yansheng returned the gesture, “Same to you, Minister Ding.”
“Hahahahaha,” Ding Mocun suddenly burst into laughter, so wildly that others who heard it didn’t know what he was laughing about.
Ding Mocun calmed down a bit, chuckling as he said, “Do you know what the happiest thing for me today is?”
Gu Yansheng gave him a look. “Li Shiqun?”
“Yes,” Ding Mocun said without hiding it. “Hahahaha, Li Shiqun has been a deputy for so long, and he’s dreamed of people calling him Minister, but in the end, he’s still just a deputy, hahaha.
Deputy Minister Li, hahahaha!”
“If you laugh any more, be careful Li Shiqun doesn’t poison your bowl.”
“Let him poison it, hahahaha~”
“Bet on it, hahahaha~”
