Chapter 265: Claim Compensation
“What to do, what to do now?
The Japanese are now playing dead, all those businessmen are coming to me asking for cotton yarn, where am I supposed to get cotton yarn for them? What does it have to do with me?”
Tea House, Fu Xiao’an pounded hard on the table in front of Gu Yansheng, so anxious that he had developed heat sores on his lips.
Originally thought the Japanese would either return the cotton yarn or give money, it was just a matter of dragging it out for a few days, the Japanese made money and would definitely step in to resolve it in the end.
Impossible to let so many pro-Japanese businessmen suffer losses.
But now hearing about the Concession matter, the Japanese lost down to their underwear, how could this be tolerated?
Those cotton yarn businessmen are also well-informed, wailing and blocking the City Government gate, even bringing a large group of reporters.
They figured that he Fu Xiao’an was easier to deal with than the Japanese tough nut, gave up on cracking the loss-making Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and demanded that he Fu Xiao’an take responsibility.
This damn.
They read people accurately.
As a businessman, the most important thing is business reputation, without business reputation how to do business in the future?
Now is exactly the time when the Cotton Yarn War has concluded, reporters are interested in the inside story, a group of foreign reporters are eagerly wanting to interview him.
Can’t even enter the City Government, can’t solve it at all.
No cotton yarn, for money, why should he Fu Xiao’an compensate?
Vent your anger on the Japanese, why bang my rosewood table? Gu Yansheng glanced at Fu Xiao’an, secretly amused in his heart, this old scoundrel must have opened plenty of short positions, this wave got blown up together by the Concession people.
However, the result of this wave of Cotton Yarn War was indeed unexpected.
The Concession capital’s hard confrontation caused Gu Yansheng’s two calculations to fall through.
One was to use the futures plummet to bring down the stock market, letting Shanghai’s entire economy return to collapse.
One was to use the futures plummet to zero out Gao Zhongwu’s wealth, under loss of money and power, the Military Statistics Bureau steps in with profit inducement, defect to Wang Ni.
Now hearing Chen Mo say, Gao Zhongwu surprisingly has talent, chasing the rise and killing the fall, actually made decent earnings.
Ding ling ling, ding ling ling.
“Have some tea, things can always be resolved.” Gu Yansheng comforted, picked up the phone, “Who is this.”
“Mr. Gu, it’s me, Lu Bowen.” Lu Bowen’s voice came through the telephone.
“Boss Lu, what’s up?”
“I just got a call from the factory, saying British people sent lawyers to the door, demanding we fulfill the agreement and hand over the cotton yarn, otherwise they’ll sue us in court for tenfold compensation.”
“He really came for compensation?” Gu Yansheng was surprised to hear it, sneered, “Made so much money, not letting go even mosquito meat, a bit greedy.”
“Mosquito meat?” Lu Bowen was astonished, “How is this mosquito meat, our several factories are supposed to deliver thirteen thousand bales of cotton yarn on time, now can’t produce even one bale, per the agreement, we have to compensate him nine hundred ten thousand silver dollars.”
“When does he demand delivery.”
“Today for delivery, otherwise he’ll sue tomorrow.”
“Alright, I got it, come see me in half an hour, that’s it for now.”
Gu Yansheng put down the phone, said to Fu Xiao’an: “Debt collectors are here, Sha Shun wants tenfold compensation.”
Fu Xiao’an flared up upon hearing, “He made so much already? Still eyeing that bit of money? Really doesn’t want to mix on the Shanghai Bund anymore, huh?”
“They withdrew from Chinese Territory long ago.”
Gu Yansheng’s one sentence shut Fu Xiao’an down.
“This scoundrel, I should have known he’d buy cotton yarn at 90, no good fart in his belly!”
“He bought your cotton yarn at 90?” Gu Yansheng was about to pick up the phone to dial Sha Shun, paused upon hearing.
“Yeah, isn’t it the same for you?” Fu Xiao’an threw a puzzled look.
Gu Yansheng just asked casually, now this is awkward?
Then let it be awkward.
Silently said: “Mine is 100.”
“Damn it! My cotton yarn poisoned or what? Deducting ten bucks on price! Huh?” Fu Xiao’an glared at Gu Yansheng, on the verge of explosion.
Don’t look at me, go look at Sha Shun, who told you to have a grudge with Sha Shun.
Gu Yansheng picked up the phone, call connected.
“Hello, Mr. Sassoon.” Gu Yansheng smiled broadly.
“Haha, Mr. Gu, how come you have time to call me?” Sha Shun was even happier.
Gu Yansheng smiled faintly: “I congratulate you on getting rich, slaughtering the Japanese to tears at the Exchange, made quite a bit, right?”
“Hahahaha, Mr. Gu very well-informed, but didn’t make much, my business is bad now, not much cash, just participated a bit.”
“Why be so modest, I’m not here to mooch, ask you, I heard West Shanghai factory owners say you’re preparing to sue them?”
Sha Shun straightforward, “Yes, correct, set the tenfold penalty back then exactly for this day, someone knew Japanese had no goods, might reach to factories in Japanese Occupied Area, so bet high price on compensation after Japanese nature hard to change, that’s all.”
“You won the bet, but aren’t you putting me in an unrighteous position? The factories I helped talk to, now you want tenfold from them? Not appropriate, right?”
“Don’t worry.
Of course I wouldn’t do this to friends.
Rest assured, for factories you introduced, I won’t really claim compensation, but for all other Shanghai factories besides those you introduced, I will pursue tenfold compensation.
To put it straight, so many cotton mills in Shanghai, majority in Fu Xiao’an’s hands, I’m targeting him.
He made quite a bit this time, we gave, he knows in his heart, he can afford to compensate.
Friendly enough, right?”
If said that way, Gu Yansheng wouldn’t mind continuing as this friend.
But with Fu Xiao’an present, some words not good to say.
Gu Yansheng looked at Fu Xiao’an and said, “So that’s how it is, actually you could have told me in advance.”
“Couldn’t say.
Although I stepped in for the cotton yarn matter to get your help, the actual investor isn’t me, but the Rothschild family and the Morgan family behind HSBC.
They provided funds and proposed acquisition, I handled communication, at the time no one’s goal was compensation, we just acquired the cotton yarn to make Japanese unable to deliver in futures market.
Because at that time, no one could be sure what plan Japanese would take, Japanese might choose not to deliver, directly close short positions at a loss and exit.
That way Japanese wouldn’t come buy cotton yarn, wouldn’t Morgan and Rothschild lose money on high-price citywide cotton yarn acquisition?
In business terms, for them it’s a bet business, business always needs harvest.
I worked hard to exclude you, ensure this doesn’t affect your profit, then shouldn’t I also guarantee their profit?
So you understand my position, I really couldn’t say.”
Gu Yansheng understanding, “Got it, then what about the goods here next?”
“Still fulfill per contract, goods short this period, make up later.”
“You still want cotton yarn? Now what use is cotton yarn to you?”
“Hehe, big use, did you forget, SH City now has no cotton yarn, accurately, Japanese enterprises’ military cotton yarn for this year all sold out by themselves, and the sold cotton yarn all scrapped in a big fire in the Concession.
But Military Department cotton yarn they still must deliver, no goods, what can they do?
Only buy, it’s a necessity!”
Gu Yansheng admired, these businessmen are truly sharp, chain trap calculated the Japanese to death.
“Good, that’s it for now.”
Gu Yansheng hung up, looked at Fu Xiao’an.
Fu Xiao’an frowned and asked: “What did Sha Shun say?”
“He said the one making demands isn’t him, but Morgan family behind HSBC and Rothschild family, so will definitely sue, tenfold compensation will definitely be demanded, he can’t change it.”
“Isn’t it still him!” Fu Xiao’an full of anger, “Their whole family are big HSBC clients, Rothschild family’s son-in-law is his uncle! Fooling who?”
“His uncle?” Gu Yansheng gossiping, “He has relation to Rothschild family?”
“Of course.” Fu Xiao’an pulled a long face: “Early years he served in British Air Force, later leg crippled came to Shanghai to break through, all those connections he personally said to show off.
You think why he mixes well in British upper circles? Really think just relying on that bombed lame leg?
That’s because his uncle Philip Sassoon, during World War I, his uncle was British Army Marshal Haig’s private secretary, later became Vice Minister of British Air Force.
That’s why he went to serve in Air Force.
And his uncle’s wife is Rothschild family’s daughter.
Marriage alliance, got it?
Otherwise why he represents United Kingdom, why eats the weapons business rice bowl?
Now he pretends others forgot, starts acting not acquainted, really thinks Shanghai people forgetful, fooling who?
These foreigners, not one good!”
There’s such connection, Gu Yansheng gossiping enthusiastically, but matter still needs resolving.
“Now he wants tenfold compensation, what do you plan to do?”
“No money, but life one, dare come to Chinese Territory take it!” Fu Xiao’an eyes bulged, “Now debts so many not worried, all coming to me for cotton yarn, where do I get cotton yarn? I pedal machines smoke out, still needs time.”
Gu Yansheng chuckled, this matter has a loophole.
Fu Xiao’an actually has industry in Concession, but even with toes can tell, contract signers are his subordinate factory managers etc.
Then if British sue in Concession, at most confiscate assets under that factory manager’s name, won’t reach Fu Xiao’an.
And if sue in Chinese Territory, unless Gu Yansheng nods, who dares take Fu Xiao’an’s case.
Half an hour later.
Lu Bowen came worriedly to find Gu Yansheng.
Gu Yansheng saw his expression and criticized, “Why panic? Just a bit of cotton yarn?”
“Nine hundred ten thousand! My brother, they have contract in hand, one sue and we’re done.” Lu Bowen thinking of this amount how not panic, all Japanese’s fault.
“Who’s done? You or me?” Gu Yansheng laughed: “Interpretation right of law is with me, what use is contract?”
Lu Bowen expression blank, staring at Gu Yansheng with adoring eyes, damn, your rogue look is handsome.
How he didn’t think of this?
“What if they sue in Concession?”
“He can sentence Japanese Emperor to death, useful?”
“Hiss” Lu Bowen realized, “So this contract totally useless?”
“Nonsense, otherwise could I let you sign such obvious shady tenfold contract?” Gu Yansheng faint smile: “Rest assured, even ten thousandfold fine.
I talked with Sha Shun, won’t pursue you.”
“Sha Shun so agreeable?” Lu Bowen completely relieved, “Your face is big, nine hundred ten thousand, they say don’t want just don’t.”
“He wants too, but needs to be able to get it, they not stupid, now offended Japanese, offended Fu Xiao’an, offended 76, only me left, no need risk not getting money to fight me.
Actually I wish they’d fight a bit.”
Gu Yansheng raised head giving Lu Bowen a smile, “I have cotton yarn here, more than enough for your thirteen thousand bales.”
“Where’d you get cotton yarn?” Lu Bowen more shocked than before, now all Shanghai, even Suzhou Nanjing, should have no cotton yarn.
“I have plenty cotton yarn.” Gu Yansheng inventoried for him, “Early this year Wang Faction came to Shanghai forced requisition, thirty thousand bales cotton yarn prepared for army, still sitting in City Government warehouse.”
“Not used up?” Lu Bowen greatly surprised.
“Use for who?
Back then Traitor Zhou thought new government soon open, result to now new government can’t even start, cotton yarn collected for army clothes, isn’t it just gathering dust?”
“Seen it? Probably molding?”
“Moldy or not, still cotton yarn.”
Gu Yansheng really not afraid British strongly demand, he really has, “I have non-moldy ones, remember prison? I still have several thousand workers in prison working for me.”
Gu Yansheng although not gone to prison for a while, but after a year these prison people precipitated, cotton yarn quality should be decent.
This generate revenue matter, Judicial Department’s two section chiefs and below prison wardens should watch tightly.
Actually even if quality bit off no matter, anyway still called cotton yarn.
And because many workers, output large.
“Sell it.” Lu Bowen eyes lit up, “Now all Shanghai lacks cotton yarn, bunch of out-of-town businessmen waiting howling, just lack rice to put in pot.
This year’s cotton yarn messed by Concession, Shanghai Suzhou Nanjing should all short, absolutely can sell high price.”
“You reminded me.”
Gu Yansheng picked up the phone to call Sha Shun.
“Hello, want you help with something.”
“Happy to, say directly.”
“I want to trade with you for some cotton yarn.”
“You still have cotton yarn?” Sha Shun also surprised.
“Yes, several tens of thousands bales, but condition maybe not great, produced early year, maybe some molding issues, can you swap for good ones?”
“Moldy cotton yarn how swap? Made into clothes worn has smell, easy get sick, hey, when Japanese collecting cotton yarn didn’t collect this inventory? How’d you dodge.”
“Piled in forgotten corner, not talk this, you have urgent goods target clients right? Disperse these cotton yarn mixed with good condition ones, probably no one notice?”
Sha Shun instantly got Gu Yansheng’s idea, hehe laughed, “Not impossible, you get someone transport to West Shanghai, I send people pick up, no service fee for you, but reimburse transport money.”
“No problem.”
Easily settled, Gu Yansheng put down phone, looked at Lu Bowen with smile: “Got it?”
Lu Bowen sneered, “How not get it? Not sell then only present to Imperial Army, right?”
“Who let Imperial Army urgently need, moldy cotton yarn if made into bandages, that’d be interesting.”
Let Sha Shun sell, anyway Sha Shun doesn’t care offending Japanese, Gu Yansheng can’t touch it.
“I’ll call warehouse, you find trucks to pick up.”
“Alright.”
Gu Yansheng phoned instructions few words, chatted with Lu Bowen a bit.
Ma Shiqi hurriedly came upstairs.
“Minister, I just got news, 76’s people, at Concession Public Works Bureau’s entrance, riddled the Public Works Bureau’s British Director Kaiseke with random gunfire, shot dead.”
