Chapter 249: Revenge
“Director Li.” Gu Yansheng knocked on Li Shiqun’s door.
“Back already?” Li Shiqun smiled and walked out from behind the office desk. “I heard you went to Hong Kong for peace talks with Chongqing? How’s the progress?”
“Your information is quite up-to-date.” Besides the group that was sent out, not many people in Shanghai knew about this matter. Gu Yansheng joked, “Could it be that you at No. 76 have already planted informants on Old Jiang’s bed?”
“Hahaha, I’d like to, but Old Jiang won’t allow it. Sit.” Li Shiqun sat on the sofa. “The Japanese came to me not long ago and asked if there’s any way to contact the upper levels in Chongqing through the captured Chongqing elements. I can’t help with that.
Contacting Chongqing is no problem. At least both the Central Statistics Bureau and Military Statistics Bureau have radios that can receive the original cipher telegrams from their Shanghai Station. But the Central Statistics Bureau and Military Statistics Bureau are still a distance away from Old Jiang’s level.
Once the message is sent, many people within those organizations will definitely know. If the Japanese hear that the news has spread, Old Jiang might refuse to talk for the sake of reputation, so this move is useless.”
“I see.” Gu Yansheng nodded and pondered, “You’ve thought it through carefully. This telegram cannot be sent.”
“How about you?”
“Not going well.” Gu Yansheng recounted the encounter with the second-generation heir of the Song family.
“Song Ziliang.” Li Shiqun shook his head. “I’m not familiar with this person. I’ve heard some of his romantic exploits. Back when I was in Shanghai, he was also in Shanghai, but our levels were too different. We never had contact. From what you said, does that mean Chongqing doesn’t want peace talks anymore?”
“Do you hope for peace talks or not?” Gu Yansheng asked with a playful smile.
Li Shiqun also laughed, slapped his thigh, and leaned back on the sofa. “I have a blood feud with Chongqing. How could peace talks benefit me?”
“The conditions the Japanese are proposing now are for Wang and Jiang to form a united government together. As long as this premise holds, our future won’t be that pessimistic.”
Li Shiqun nodded slightly as he listened, his eyes flashing as he said, “Whatever they do. Let’s not talk about this. Wu Sibao was thrilled when you came back. He asked me several times when you’d return.”
“Why is he looking for me?”
“To invest money. Aren’t you preparing for a big deal? He’s been busy running around and has scraped together a sum of money.”
Gu Yansheng chuckled lightly. “Alright, I’ll go see him later. By the way, when I came earlier, I heard someone was going to bomb No. 76, tunneling from the house behind me?”
Li Shiqun hummed in acknowledgment, his smile fading. “Speaking of which, this matter is somewhat related to you. Iwai Eiichi, the vice consul at the consulate—you know him?”
Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow ambiguously. “Somewhat. We’ve met a few times. What’s up?”
Li Shiqun sneered mockingly. “You know that Iwai Eiichi’s Iwai Residence handles the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ intelligence in Shanghai.”
“Mm.”
“Wang Tianmu’s Shanghai District was destroyed by me. The Military Statistics Bureau wants revenge and plans to bomb No. 76. Logically and motivationally, there’s no issue. But after I caught this person, he claimed to be Iwai Eiichi’s man. When I contacted them, Iwai Eiichi actually came personally to take him away and admitted outright that he was indeed his man.”
“Ah?” Gu Yansheng pondered briefly and said in surprise, “You don’t suspect Iwai Eiichi wants to kill you, do you? Impossible. No motive.”
Li Shiqun looked at Gu Yansheng. “I checked this person’s registration records. He came to Shanghai at the beginning of the year. According to him, he’s an informant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs embedded in the Military Statistics Bureau. So why, when I captured so many from the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District at this time and got the complete personnel list, is his name missing?
There’s only one explanation: he’s directly from Chongqing, with no connection to the Shanghai District.
But according to the confessions of so many from the Shanghai District, the Military Statistics Bureau definitely has other informants in Shanghai who have no lateral contact with the Shanghai District. However, those responsible for explosives and assassination should only be the Iron Blood Assassination Group.
I asked him if he was from the Iron Blood Assassination Group, and he said no, just an intelligence collector.
So tell me, why would an intelligence officer come to carry out this kind of explosives and assassination?
Even if Chongqing ordered him to do it, Iwai Eiichi is in Shanghai, right? Why didn’t he contact him?
If he had contacted him, and Iwai Eiichi knew he had accepted a Military Statistics Bureau mission to bomb No. 76, why didn’t he notify us?
That tunnel had been dug for over a month. From your place to mine is just a few steps, plenty of chances to speak up, but he said nothing. Do you think this makes sense?”
“There’s some issue with the behavioral logic.” Gu Yansheng frowned, thought for a moment, and said, “Either he didn’t report it, or Iwai”
No need to say more. Thinking from this angle, from Li Shiqun’s standpoint, Gu Yansheng really started to feel that Iwai wanted the bombing to succeed.
“But does Iwai have a grudge against you?”
“With so many people at No. 76, who knows if we’ve offended him. It’s not impossible.” Li Shiqun smiled mockingly.
“I calculated the time he started digging the tunnel. That period coincided exactly with when Ding Mocun sent people for a large-scale assault on the concession, and I was striking the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District in the concession. Could it be that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks our actions in the concession caused them too much trouble, so they want to take the opportunity to eliminate me?”
“No way?” After sighing, Gu Yansheng immediately said seriously, “This matter has nothing to do with me. Him digging the tunnel from the house behind me wasn’t my arrangement. Don’t overthink it.”
“I know it has nothing to do with you.”
Li Shiqun understood Gu Yansheng well. His eyes were all on money, single-mindedly focused on making money. With Gu Yansheng’s status, he had no need to get involved in such things.
“Once we cross the river, they demolish the bridge. When the rabbit dies, the hound is cooked. For people like us who do the dirty work, it’s not impossible for the Japanese to discard us after using us. Now that the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District is finished, if I died at this time, Sha Shun would be delighted, the concession would be delighted, and maybe the Japanese could even lure a wave of concession merchants, vigorously develop the economy, increase taxation. Don’t you think?”
Li Shiqun even smiled self-mockingly.
“So this person has been taken to the consulate? If there’s a chance later, I’ll help you ask about it.” Gu Yansheng knew Li Shiqun brought this up because he wanted an answer.
“What’s this person’s name?”
“Yuan Xueyi.”
“Good. I’ll help you ask later.”
After chatting a few words, Gu Yansheng got up to find Wu Sibao. Just as he stepped out the door, the telephone in Li Shiqun’s office rang.
Immediately followed by Li Shiqun’s roar: “Who? Who died?”
From the emotion in his words, it was one of Li Shiqun’s men who died, so Gu Yansheng didn’t bother listening and went to find Wu Sibao.
“Sibao.” Gu Yansheng had just reached the door to knock when he saw Wu Sibao on the telephone.
Wu Sibao’s face was shocked and angry, mirroring Li Shiqun’s expression. “Who died? I’ll come right away.”
Slam. Wu Sibao smashed down the phone and hurried out, ignoring even Gu Yansheng.
“Wait for me. I’ll go to the director first. Something happened at home.”
“Wait, what happened?” Gu Yansheng pulled him, very curious.
Wu Sibao frowned deeply. “My father-in-law was killed by the Military Statistics Bureau.”
“Ah? Then go quickly.”
Gu Yansheng watched Wu Sibao leave with concern and went to chat with Ding Mocun about this amusement.
“Director Ding.”
“Oh, you’re finally back.” Ding Mocun was in a great mood seeing Gu Yansheng and eagerly closed the door to whisper, laughing, “News just came from Hankou. The ship arrived. The money from this shipment of medicine is steadily ours.”
“Good. There’s a profit of three US dollars, right?” Gu Yansheng was also in a good mood upon hearing this.
Ding Mocun scoffed disdainfully. “What three? Four and a half. Plus the batch of goods they brought to Shanghai for selling, this deal will net us at least five US dollars.”
Five and he’s this happy. Look at you, never seen the world. Gu Yansheng smiled and nodded, then said seriously, “I just came from Wu Sibao’s side. He said his father-in-law was killed.”
“Ji Yunqing was killed?” Ding Mocun was surprised. “When did this happen?”
“Just now. Not clear on the details.”
While talking, there was noise outside.
Ding Mocun and Gu Yansheng exchanged a glance, opened the door to look. In the courtyard downstairs, action team members were assembling. Li Shiqun was commanding with a grim face, Wu Sibao shouting for revenge. The team members hurriedly got into cars and drove out of No. 76.
“He’s really dead.” After murmuring, Ding Mocun instructed Tang Huimin, who was watching the excitement beside him. “Old Tang, Ji Yunqing is dead. Check what happened.”
“Good. I’ll check now.”
“Come in, let’s talk.” Ding Mocun turned back into the room, frowning slightly in thought. “It should be that Li Shiqun has been too active lately. This is the Military Statistics Bureau’s revenge against them. Or maybe the new district chief of the Shanghai District has arrived and wants to make a name for himself.”
“I remember Ji Yunqing is Wu Sibao’s master in the Green Gang, right?” Gu Yansheng recalled that when looking for a lost car before, Wen Yan, who checked the records, had mentioned it.
“Yes.” Ding Mocun nodded. “Ji Yunqing is Wu Sibao’s master and also his father-in-law. Wu Sibao’s wife She Aizhen is Ji Yunqing’s adopted daughter.”
“What’s the relationship between Ji Yunqing and Li Shiqun?” Gu Yansheng thought Li Shiqun seemed quite upset too. Wu Sibao’s father-in-law—why would he care? Very strange.
“The dock where Li Shiqun pays respects in the Green Gang is also Ji Yunqing’s.
Li Shiqun being able to come to Shanghai and have so many Green Gang disciples at his disposal relies on Ji Yunqing’s help. Ji Yunqing’s generational rank in the Green Gang is no lower than the three tycoons; it’s just that his force isn’t as big as theirs.
Huang Jinrong relies on the French Concession, Zhang Xiaolin relies on the Japanese, Du Yuesheng fled to Chongqing, and even his remaining subordinates can be said to rely on the Military Statistics Bureau.
So what does Ji Yunqing rely on?
When Li Shiqun came, he relies on No. 76. Li Shiqun also needs his Green Gang forces to gain a foothold in Shanghai. Isn’t this a perfect match? Otherwise, why do you think Wu Sibao and he are so close? Same school, same master.”
Then Gu Yansheng understood. “Li Shiqun struck too hard against the Military Statistics Bureau. They want revenge against him, but Li Shiqun is very careful himself, and they can’t find an opportunity. So, in anger, the Military Statistics Bureau targeted Ji Yunqing?”
“Very possible.” Ding Mocun pursed his lips and nodded in agreement. “I think a capable person has definitely come to the Shanghai District.”
“Why do you say that?” Gu Yansheng sat down.
Ding Mocun analyzed. “Look, killing Ji Yunqing has huge benefits. Ji Yunqing is the pillar for Li Shiqun and Wu Sibao in the Green Gang. With Ji Yunqing, the Green Gang disciples can be mobilized by him.
The Military Statistics Bureau operates in the shadows and isn’t afraid of No. 76 people in daily life; they can just hide when there’s trouble, right?
But Green Gang disciples are all over Shanghai. How do they hide?
Nowhere to hide. Even rickshaw pullers could be Green Gang informants. They can’t evade it at all.
Now that Ji Yunqing is dead, will his former subordinates fight internally for power next? Once they do, Li Shiqun loses his leverage in the Green Gang.
Brilliant move. The Military Statistics Bureau killing Ji Yunqing was absolutely the right target.”
Ding Mocun couldn’t help but sigh.
“From what you say, it really is.” Gu Yansheng thought and asked, “Has someone really come to the Shanghai District? Wasn’t it said they caught someone called something like Haililang? Do we know the new district chief’s name? What kind of ghost name is that? How does someone have that name?”
“Wan Lilang.” Ding Mocun chuckled lightly. “A deputy captain of the Military Statistics Bureau’s action team. Actually, the trap we set was to capture the action team captain. Who knew this Wan Lilang jumped in.
But these people are all from the old Shanghai District who haven’t been caught yet. They wouldn’t know if the new Shanghai District chief has arrived.
Whatever. If he came, he’d just do these things. Doesn’t matter if he did or not.”
“What do you mean doesn’t matter if he did or not?” Gu Yansheng took it very seriously. “If he has come, then we have to guard against their assassinations again. Someone in Ji Yunqing’s position surely had plenty of bodyguards, and he still got killed. If it was really the new district chief’s doing, then I need to stay far away from you all.”
“Is it that serious?” Ding Mocun smiled. Gu Yansheng really was timid.
“I value my life. I’m leaving. Not staying with you lot. I need to go make some money.”
Gu Yansheng got up, patted his butt, and left.
“Make what money? Count me in.” Ding Mocun immediately perked up.
Gu Yansheng sneered disdainfully. “It’s not that I won’t bring you. With your meager funds still floating on the river, it’s not enough.”
Ding Mocun was deeply stung. Earning tens of thousands of US dollars on one deal, and still being despised. He couldn’t help scoffing, “Does only Li Shiqun have money?”
“Yeah.” Gu Yansheng admitted frankly, leaned in, and whispered, poking at Ding Mocun’s sore spot. “His wife handles finance. Once No. 76’s funds pass through your hands, the profits become your own money.”
“Misusing public funds, not afraid of trouble.” Ding Mocun was even more unhappy hearing this. He was the director; that money should have been his to begin with.
“As long as the investments are steady, what trouble could there be? Don’t earn it for nothing.”
Daily sowing discord complete, Gu Yansheng left.
Having learned about the recent activities at No. 76, Gu Yansheng first returned to the tea house and arranged to have dinner with Lu Bowen to learn about the cotton yarn matter.
“Preparations going smoothly?”
“Smoothly. Fu Xiao’an released news of a cotton yarn bumper harvest, and the cotton yarn futures price fell smoothly. We’ve bought almost all we need to. The 200,000 US dollars with leverage, average price around 70.
In our Shanghai, plus Suzhou, Nanjing, and other places, we’ve already spread gossip that someone is communicating with merchants to raise prices together.
So after a brief drop, prices have risen quickly in the last half month. One pack of cotton yarn has gone from 70 to 120 silver dollars. Our 200,000 US dollars on the books has already doubled, and a bigger market trend could trigger at any time.
Fu Xiao’an is handling the specifics.
My status is a bit lower than his, so I can only learn through your secretary. He won’t tell me directly. You’ll have to ask him for the details.”
