Chapter 245: Negotiation
On the airplane.
Gu Yansheng was reading the newspaper.
The person dispatched by the Japanese side is called Suzuki Takuo, Itagaki’s subordinate, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. According to him himself, for negotiation matters, Itagaki sent him to serve as the military attaché at the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong.
Commercial airplane, besides their large group, there were other people on the airplane, so no business was discussed.
Gu Yansheng read the newspaper to pass the time, Suzuki Takuo watched Gu Yansheng to pass the time, who made them sit next to each other.
“Mr. Gu seems to have been reading the US newspaper all along, are you interested in the United States?”
“Financial news, Germany blitzes Poland, Poland’s army is retreating steadily, Britain and France’s entry into the war has caused unrest in funds, fearing the European War will fully erupt, even leading to a second world war. For this, the US stock market’s Dow Jones Index has fallen from 150 points at the beginning of the year to 130 points now.”
Gu Yansheng put down the newspaper, looked at him and asked, “Mr. Suzuki, do you think a week from now, compared to today’s Dow Jones Index of 130 points, the US stock market will fall or rise.”
Suzuki Takuo was stunned by the sudden question, hesitated and guessed: “Fall? The European War probably won’t end that quickly.”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “I think it will rise.” After saying that, he continued reading the newspaper.
Suzuki Takuo couldn’t figure it out, “You just said the war would cause unrest in funds, so why do you still think it will rise?”
Gu Yansheng flipped the newspaper over and continued reading: “Has the United States entered the war?”
“No.”
“Is America’s industry valuable?”
“Valuable.”
“Since it hasn’t entered the war, and America’s industry is valuable, the European War has been going on for several days now, the Dow Jones Index has fallen for several days, the panic emotions have been released, so do you think it should rise or fall?”
Suzuki Takuo didn’t understand the stock market, but felt Gu Yansheng’s analysis logic was very sound, “Mr. Gu, what you said makes a lot of sense. I didn’t expect Mr. Gu to have such deep research on stocks, admirable.”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “The stock market represents the barometer of the economy, behind stock prices is capital’s attitude toward the situation, if they feel danger, they withdraw capital, stock prices fall.
If they feel there’s money to be made they will purchase, stock prices rise, they vote with money.
If you look at Poland’s stock market at the end of August, you will definitely find it was falling, because German capital had already withdrawn funds from it in advance.
Just like if Japan and China suddenly go to war, Japan’s conglomerates will get the news in advance and withdraw funds from the stock market, only at that time, the other side didn’t know.”
Suzuki Takuo nodded thoughtfully, “So, according to Mr. Gu, if US stocks rise next week, that proves the United States won’t enter the war.”
“Exactly.” Gu Yansheng nodded affirmatively.
Although this is the fact, if you judge whether there will be war based on this, sooner or later you’ll suffer big losses.
“Judging the situation from the stock market, Mr. Gu’s perspective is very interesting.”
Suzuki Takuo didn’t ask anymore, he wasn’t interested in stocks, he waved, “Waiter, a glass of wine.”
“Okay.”
But Gao Zhongwu from the seat behind suddenly interjected: “Mr. Gu, what do you think of Shanghai’s stock market?”
Gu Yansheng turned his head and glanced at him, Gao Zhongwu had been half-dead since they first met, clearly emotionally down from the setback, unexpectedly now interested in the stock market, proactively speaking up.
“Is Mr. Gao interested in the stock market?”
“Occasionally follow it.” Gao Zhongwu smiled slightly: “I studied economics before, so I’ve done some stock trading, just now hearing Mr. Gu’s views was very enlightening, so I want to discuss it.”
Promotion hopeless, wants to do stock trading, that’s actually a good idea.
Gu Yansheng nodded and said straightforwardly: “Capital never stops, the sudden European situation will cause funds to withdraw from Europe, after withdrawing from Europe, they will seek new places to make money, Shanghai is a very good place, so I think it will rise.”
“But aren’t China and Japan also at war? Considering hedging factors, will funds come?”
“Precisely because of the Sino-Japanese War, funds will come to hedge.
The European War and the Sino-Japanese War are different, one just started, one has been going on for several years.
Companies listed in the concession, first are foreign capital, they do business in China and Asia, revenue is very healthy, second, prices have fully reflected the war’s pessimistic expectation, current prices are very cheap.
So when foreign capital seeks hedging for funds, in the process of entering global stock markets, where do you want them to go?
Can’t go to Europe, for America if investing go to the United States, regardless of whether they invest in the United States or not, won’t some funds flow to Asia?
Isn’t that Japan and China?
If the war situation between China and Japan stabilizes, or peace talks happen, that would be huge positive news, business would be even better, wouldn’t stock prices rebound sharply?”
Gao Zhongwu nodded thoughtfully, “Mr. Gu’s words are eye-opening.”
Suzuki Takuo heard “Japan” and got interested again, “Does Mr. Gu think Japan’s stock market will also rise?”
“Very possible.”
“Then can’t funds just not buy? There are many international restrictions on Japan now.”
“Capital doesn’t necessarily listen to the country, any conglomerate with a large sum of money has a lot of employees to support, eating drinking shitting pissing all cost money, if you don’t let them make money, isn’t that losing money? Some money is borrowed from banks, all with interest.”
Gao Zhongwu took over and answered Suzuki Takuo’s question, then discussed stock issues with Gu Yansheng.
Gu Yansheng hadn’t expected to get familiar with Gao Zhongwu in this way.
Then just chat casually.
Chatting along, the two had already promised to buy stocks to play when they get back, and treat Gu Yansheng to a meal if they make money.
Wait for the airplane to land.
Hong Kong station, the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong’s military attaché arranged personnel to pick up at the airport.
Arranged to check in at the Peninsula Hotel.
Suzuki Takuo saw them to the door, still needed to handle the handover, this new military attaché arrived, the old military attaché would hand over work and leave.
Suzuki Takuo said, “Mr. Gao, Mr. Mei, you rest first today, tomorrow I’ll send someone with the car, next finding people, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Okay, Mr. Suzuki rest assured, I know many people in Hong Kong, definitely can quickly find suitable people as intermediaries.” Mei Siping had previously been in charge of propaganda, contacted all kinds of people in Hong Kong.
“Good, I’ll go first, still have official business to handle, Mr. Gu, you rest first, see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Hong Kong, Gu Yansheng was not unfamiliar.
When the organization arranged for them to go to Shanghai, they transferred through Hong Kong, and he as lawyer had said at the time he had toured Hong Kong, to have no loopholes, he really had toured once.
Assign rooms to the subordinates.
Gu Yansheng and others of course one room each, but these bodyguard subordinates couldn’t, one room each too expensive, and if something to instruct, harder to react, three or four people squeeze in one room.
Regarding the accommodation environment, the subordinates had no opinion, after all the hotel environment was very good, doing bodyguard or agent work, this accommodation already very nice.
Just excited to come to Hong Kong, many were here for the first time.
In the room looking east touching west, while looking at the scenery outside the window, while chatting.
“The place is really nice.”
“The living place arranged by the Japanese is pretty good.”
“Is that arranged for you? That’s arranged for Mr.”
“Yes, we’re riding coattails, hehe, but why are the Japanese so stingy, not even covering meals.”
“Maybe the hotel has complimentary?”
“That might be.”
“Actually no, want to eat costs money.” Gu Yansheng walked into the room and said: “Put luggage away, go out to eat.”
“Yes.”
On eating, Gu Yansheng wasn’t stingy with money, bodyguards are his own people, even if living not good must let them eat well, not short that money.
Anyway Wang Faction funding buys the bill.
“Section Chief Yan, have you been to Hong Kong before?”
“No.”
“Rent a car, tomorrow you take two people to tour around, get familiar.”
“Okay, Division Chief.”
Took subordinates for a good meal then sleep.
Next day sent Yan Dongqing off, Gu Yansheng took his family bodyguards to the bank to open accounts.
Bringing many subordinates has a benefit, help carry luggage, several suitcases handed to subordinates, the accompanying people don’t know these are his money boxes, otherwise one person carrying several suitcases too strange.
Bank chose Citibank and HSBC Bank, opened one account at each himself, then let subordinates open one safe deposit box at each of the two banks, all situations can be handled.
Deposited three hundred thousand US dollars, returned to the hotel.
Evening, Gao Zhongwu who had been busy all day returned first.
“Contacted?” Gu Yansheng asked.
Gao Zhongwu sighed deeply, shook his head, “Previously Asia Division’s station in Hong Kong was a bookstore, I went to see today, the bookstore is no longer operating, now a restaurant, asked the boss, moved away not long after I left.
Several secret points I also checked, without exception, all changed places.”
Changing places normal, “Then their social identities? Inquired?” Gu Yansheng asked.
“Gone too, one by one either quit jobs or quietly left.” Gao Zhongwu undid his suit lining, loosened his neck, “I’m thinking, they might have been recalled by Chongqing for accountability, my leaving might have brought trouble to these innocent people.”
Actually knows to reflect, what he said makes reason, but can’t find people, that’s very troublesome, mission must continue.
“Drink some water rest, eaten? If not eaten go eat, wait for Minister Mei to return then discuss together, from Minister Mei’s look yesterday, he should be quite confident.”
Could only do that, Gao Zhongwu went to eat first.
Gu Yansheng waited a bit, Mei Siping came back soon after.
“Minister Gu.”
“How? Don’t tell me you found no one, Gao Zhongwu is back, all he knew moved away, now it depends on you.”
“All moved?” Mei Siping quite surprised, raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m a bit better than him, people I found, just unwilling to help.”
“Why? Afraid of responsibility?”
“Pretty much, I found several people, either say no qualification to contact Chongqing, or say won’t help contact on this matter, if news of contact with us gets back, afraid of trouble, and they don’t think Chongqing will do peace talks, told me to give up.
Some even wanted to kill me, you say this group has too small vision, vision so narrow, completely don’t know to consider the big picture.
I was so good to them before, really ungrateful wolves.”
You’re complaining, Gu Yansheng frowned: “Gao Zhongwu no good, you no good, then what do you plan next?”
“Look some more.” Mei Siping also sullen-faced, this matter much less smooth than expected, “I still have some people to contact, tomorrow I’ll go find again.”
A while later, Gao Zhongwu ate and returned, the two big eyes staring small eyes, Mei Siping big eyes, Gao Zhongwu small eyes.
Gu Yansheng looked at these two phoenix chicks in surprise, by position, these two’s positions in Chongqing not low, after so many years, unexpectedly not even one friend willing to help.
Is this Chongqing personnel’s will against traitors too firm, or these two have too poor people skills.
This search was a whole week.
Afternoon, Gao Zhongwu finally brought good news.
“Found!” Gao Zhongwu knocked open Gu Yansheng’s door, quite happily said: “I remembered a professor from University of Hong Kong I contacted before, he introduced me to someone, Song Ziwen’s younger brother Song Ziliang from the Song family, he runs a shipping company in Hong Kong, through him can contact Song Ziwen and Madame Jiang, this has hope!”
Gu Yansheng perked up, “Contacted?”
“Just made appointment, through this professor, evening appointment at the downstairs restaurant for dinner, one and a half hours from now.”
“Finally good news, otherwise Japanese would think we’re not sincerely helping find people.” Gu Yansheng also smiled, people contacted, at least mission can be accounted for, whether talks succeed or not not important to him, but need this person.
“You call the Japanese, let him come too, whether show face or not doesn’t matter, mainly let Japanese see, we’re really doing things.”
“Okay, I’ll call.” Gao Zhongwu called, told Japanese to come quickly, then said to Gu Yansheng: “Minister Gu come together in the evening, with Song Ziliang’s status already closest to the center in Hong Kong, if this can’t be talked down, I really don’t know who to find.”
“Okay, then meet together.”
Two hours later, Song Ziliang arrived.
Mutual introductions of identities, seated in the private room.
Simple pleasantries, or rather Wang Faction side smiling pleasantries, then stuck to Song Ziliang’s cold butt.
Song Ziliang said: “I won’t eat the meal, eating depends on sincerity, I came today only for Professor Wang’s face, nothing to do with Chongqing.
You want peace talks, I remember not the first time, I don’t participate in politics, but if you want words passed I can help pass.
Premise is two words, sincerity.
You are Japan’s military attaché in Hong Kong, that means Japanese Imperial General Headquarters’ highest person in charge in Hong Kong?”
Suzuki Takuo nodded, “Can say so.”
Song Ziliang smiled slightly, “Since so, that means you have decision-making power, I want to see some sincerity, then help you pass words, you shouldn’t object?”
“What sincerity? Mr. Song just say, as long as I can do it.”
“Piece of cake, you definitely can, these few people, pick any one casually, kill now, then I’ll talk with you.”
Gao Zhongwu and Mei Siping who were fake smiling, now couldn’t laugh.
Suzuki Takuo frowned slightly: “Mr. Song too unreasonable, this request I can’t fulfill, they help me, no reason to kill them.”
“Then still no sincerity, just don’t want talks?” Song Ziliang unceremoniously pulled a face, finger knocking the table: “That bastard surnamed Wang in Shanghai opening what new government, by reason, what you Japanese want he didn’t give you?
You Japan should be satisfied.
Now want peace talks again? How, found this group not useful?
Not useful just kill!
I didn’t even ask you to kill that Wang Dog, just kill one subordinate, you unwilling, how do you make me believe you want peace talks, not playing some conspiracy with me?”
“Mr. Song” Suzuki Takuo wanted to explain.
But Song Ziliang wouldn’t listen, slapped the table interrupting, cold-faced: “No need to waste words with me, before sincerity, not one word you say will I believe, don’t waste my time, my time very precious.
Now give you thirty seconds, you decide kill or not, not kill then get lost.”
After saying, Song Ziliang raised his wrist to check the watch.
