Chapter 270: Division Of Power
Kageza slammed the table, which was no different from slapping Mr. Liang directly.
One slap made Mr. Liang’s face stiff.
Mr. Liang wanted to say something to ease the tension, but he couldn’t get it out, making the scene somewhat awkward.
Mr. Liang glanced at Wang Kemin, wanting him to jump in too.
Wang Kemin pretended not to see.
His situation was fundamentally different from Mr. Liang’s; Mr. Liang’s territory was in Nanjing.
Once the Wang Government was established, Mr. Liang would have to roll out of his office building, but Wang Kemin would not.
That was it.
Kagesa Sadaki scanned the room, creating intimidation, “I’ve already said, this is just Chongqing’s slander against Mr. Wang, trying to affect the smooth convening of the conference, thereby delaying the establishment of the new government. Don’t be influenced by this matter anymore; it has no meaning.
Mr. Liang, do I make myself clear?”
“I’m just making a suggestion.” Mr. Liang swallowed his saliva, chuckling as he shrank his head back.
The Japanese were not affected by this incident at all and continued to support Mr. Wang without hesitation; this slap also made the others present see the situation clearly.
With the Japanese setting the tone, there wouldn’t be any more issues in the big picture; what remained was the struggle for positions in the new government.
So, let the struggle begin; every department, this was all about profit.
The intense verbal struggle began.
The new government adopted a five-yuan structure: Legislative Yuan, Judicial Yuan, Supervisory Yuan, Examination Yuan, Executive Yuan.
Wang Ni took the President of the Executive Yuan, as was only right.
The remaining four yuans could not be evenly divided among the three factions.
Everyone wanted to take two yuans to increase their right to speak.
Originally, Wang Ni’s side planned to take one more, giving the Legislative Yuan to Chen Gongbo; this was prepared long ago. Wang Kemin would take two, and Mr. Liang’s side would get one.
Mr. Liang’s side was arguing fiercely.
Jiangnan was a heavy tax area; handing over so much territory to merge—even if he agreed, the chief officials in charge of his former subordinates in various provinces would not agree.
Wang Kemin was no pushover either; a man with one foot in the coffin was even more ferocious in struggle for positions than young people.
He opened his mouth demanding the Supervisory Yuan and Judicial Yuan.
It was as if the Wang Faction personnel could only take the Executive Yuan, and the other yuans all had to go to them.
But Old Jiang had one good point: he was an internal strife expert.
And the Wang Faction, as Old Jiang’s former opponent, was battle-hardened with plenty of experience, more than enough to deal with ordinary people.
Minister Zhou took the lead, directly agreeing to Wang Kemin’s plan for two yuans, in exchange for mayoral authority over several cities in North China.
A move of retreat to advance, striking straight at Wang Kemin’s core.
That was, Wang Kemin could not stay in Nanjing to work like a hostage.
Once Wang Kemin stayed in Nanjing, his North China without a leader would eventually be completely swallowed up.
And the mayoral authority over several cities, Wang Kemin was unwilling to give either; letting others interfere in his North China affairs would gradually reduce his influence.
Finally.
Wang Kemin’s side compromised a bit; he himself took no dean position, letting a trusted subordinate take the weakest Examination Yuan dean position.
Establishing the North China Political Affairs Committee, with Wang Kemin as Chairman, balancing the rank.
Mr. Liang had to be in Nanjing; that was his base, so he fought with all his might and struggled for a Supervisory Yuan dean position.
The Supervisory Yuan had the power to supervise all officials, making it slightly stronger than the other yuans.
The remaining Legislative Yuan and Judicial Yuan went one to each.
Chen Gongbo took the Legislative Yuan.
Mr. Liang’s trusted subordinate, Wen Zongyao, took the Judicial Yuan.
This guy would be Gu Yansheng’s nominal superior in the future.
This way, all factions finally had their territories.
For the Wang Faction personnel, it could be called a great victory.
It looked like Mr. Liang got two powerful departments, his prestige undiminished.
But he was in Nanjing; that was the biggest problem.
Dealing with Mr. Liang was only a matter of time.
And Wang Kemin’s side established a political affairs committee, which still looked like Wang Kemin’s dictatorship.
But as long as it was a committee, people had different minds; given time, under sugar-coated cannonballs, they could be divided one by one, and taking away the power in Wang Kemin’s hands was only a matter of time.
The big framework was set.
Next, the positions of ministers in each department; during the opening of the sixth conference, some Wang Faction main figures’ departments had already been determined.
So some positions were already set and could only be compromised with minor adjustments, not major changes. There were piles of vice minister positions in the marginal departments that hadn’t been determined, for everyone to struggle for.
The meeting lasted three days, struggle for three days, arguing until faces were red and necks thick, compromising repeatedly, and finally all positions had owners.
The Qingdao conference concluded successfully.
“Too exhausting.”
At the victory banquet, Minister Zhou came to talk to Gu Yansheng, sneering and shaking his head, “These days of arguing have made my ears deaf.”
Gu Yansheng deeply agreed; only by building a new regime from scratch did he realize how complex the situation inside was.
Mouths full of ideologies, hearts full of damn business.
In plain words, it was one sentence: balance the interests of all sides.
Always balancing, and balancing again.
“But fortunately, it’s over.”
Minister Zhou let out a long sigh of relief, perking up: “Tomorrow, release the three-party news; after sending it out, we can arrange personnel to go to Nanjing to liaise with each department.
I estimate I’ll have to run between Shanghai and Nanjing, spending more time in Nanjing. In case Mr. Liang causes trouble, others might not be able to handle it. For Shanghai, you watch it first.”
Gu Yansheng still had negotiation matters; Minister Zhou wanted to keep him by his side, but the situation didn’t allow it.
Anyway, the three-party agreement was reached, so no big problem.
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye on Shanghai.”
“Mm, drink up.”
Music was playing in the venue, a festive atmosphere; who among those present wasn’t a minister, vice minister, or various committee member? Naturally, they were happy.
The unhappy ones had no qualification to enter here anyway; their opinions weren’t important.
The next day, all three factions issued statements supporting Mr. Wang’s rule, expressing infinite expectations for the upcoming new government, and refuting the content broadcast by Chongqing radio.
This was complete slander, Old Jiang’s fear of Peaceful Nation Building—all utter nonsense!
Qingdao’s local radio broadcast outward, and Japanese newspapers and media followed up, refuting that all this was Chongqing’s insidious sabotage against East Asia’s common prosperity; such tactics were utterly shameless.
Everyone bid farewell; those going to Nanjing for positions could go back to pack their luggage.
Gu Yansheng returned to Shanghai with the Wang Faction personnel.
News arrived before the people; by the time they reached Shanghai, the news of the successful conclusion of the three-party talks had spread. For local governments, what this meant was already very clear.
Fu Xiao’an, that shrewd one, specially brought city government members to the airport to welcome them.
Previously, the welcome was ceremonial, for Chongqing’s Vice President Wang’s inspection; now, it was welcoming their own superior leader.
After some pleasantries, Kageza spoke.
“Go to the city government for a meeting.”
In the city government meeting room, Kageza first announced Japan’s decision to support the smooth handover of the new government.
SH City Special Government, as the largest metropolis, required the city government to set an example.
Fu Xiao’an immediately expressed full cooperation.
Each department head also stated they would accept the leadership of the Nanjing new government.
Next, each found their son; future ministers of each department went to talk to the current directors of their departments to understand the situation.
Although Gu Yansheng didn’t need this step, he still needed to arrange personnel for his own section.
Arriving at the Judicial Department.
As soon as Gu Yansheng entered, he saw a bunch of section chiefs lined up waiting.
As soon as he arrived, everyone shouted in unison: “Welcome back, Director.”
The voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded warm and friendly.
Gu Yansheng smiled, “Welcoming me back to promote you all?”
“Hahahaha.”
Wen Yan stepped forward with a chuckle: “We heard the broadcast; today we saw you and others going to the meeting room, so we figured you’d come over. Everyone spontaneously decided to wait a bit.”
“Good, go to the meeting room.” This saved Gu Yansheng from calling people.
Gu Yansheng strode ahead, others following behind, entering the meeting room; Gu Yansheng gestured with his hand.
“All sit. Good news—you all know it already. But the bad news you don’t know is…”
Everyone’s faces gradually turned serious, bodies straightening.
Gu Yansheng smiled, “There is no bad news for now.”
“Hahahaha.” Everyone relaxed.
“Just a joke; indeed all good news.” Gu Yansheng said lightly: “I’ve already discussed with Mr. Wang and them; Shanghai, as the largest metropolis, has busy judicial work and will face great pressure in the future.
So elevating the Judicial Department to a Judicial Bureau, on par with other departments, is very necessary.
That means, everyone’s positions will indeed move.”
Everyone suddenly beamed with joy.
Before Director Gu came, the Judicial Department was a marginal department; whatever the Japanese said it was, it was basically a wipe-ass department.
After Director Gu came, the Judicial Department truly became equal to other bureau-level departments, and under Director Gu’s leadership, its prestige grew greater.
The section chiefs felt this most deeply.
Previously, even saying equal to other bureaus, the dominant section chiefs from other bureaus might not pay them any mind.
Now going out, compared to other departments’ directors, it was just a difference in title; who dared to underestimate their power?
And today, the title of section chief was truly saying goodbye to the stage; from now on, call me director.
“I’m not modest; bringing the Judicial Department to a Judicial Bureau definitely has my merit, but I can’t serve as this bureau director. Wen Yan, Section Chief Wen.”
Wen Yan shot up, receiving everyone’s envious gazes.
“Director.”
“From today, Wen Yan acts as Director of the Judicial Department and handles the affairs of changing the department to a bureau. Wen Yan, any problems?”
“Thank you for your cultivation, Director; your subordinate will do his utmost and not fail your expectations!”
Gu Yansheng nodded, scanning around, “Does anyone else have any objections?”
Whoever Gu Yansheng looked at, that person’s gaze was open and upright, chest out, indicating absolutely no dissenting thoughts.
Even the veteran section chiefs dared not have any competing thoughts; fighting with Gu Yansheng was like the old man hanging himself—thinking his life was too long.
“Hey, where’s Xiao Lou?”
Gu Yansheng didn’t see Liu Xiaolou; he had seen him just earlier.
“Coming, coming.” Speak of the devil, Xiao Lou arrived.
Liu Xiaolou came in holding coffee and placed it in front of Gu Yansheng.
Gu Yansheng took a sip of coffee, “Then, raise hands to vote.”
Swish swish swish, one raised faster than the next.
“Good, unanimous. Other matters, Director Wen will tell you later. Meeting adjourned. Wen Yan, come to my office.”
Gu Yansheng drank his coffee and returned to the office, sitting in his own seat.
“Earlier I said meeting adjourned without announcing personnel appointments; I saw their expressions still a bit regretful. This matter, you handle yourself.”
Wen Yan knew the director was leaving him the chance to win hearts, thanking directly, “Thank you, Director.”
“Mm.” Gu Yansheng nodded: “Wen Yan, you’ve always followed me; as long as I’m in the Judicial Department, you’ve been there. If talking lawyer experience, you have more than me; I trust your ability to handle affairs.
But I still have to remind you.
Matters eased become rounded; as department head in Shanghai, you’ll encounter too many and too complex things, with all kinds of people.
At the Ministry of Justice, with me there, you don’t need to worry.
But on the Japanese side, even after the Wang Government is established, they’ll probably still reach in.
Remember, don’t confront strongly, don’t stand on anyone’s opposing side; in any situation, ease matters to round them.
Leave others a way out; we labeled ones won’t invite deadly disaster.”
Wen Yan nodded seriously, “Rest assured; I have a wife and child, I’ll think twice on everything. I’ve got it.”
“Good.”
Gu Yansheng just pointed it out twice; as long as he didn’t get assassinated by Military Statistics Bureau for merit.
Mixing days, Wen Yan should be an expert at that.
“For wharf matters, definitely find trustworthy people to do it; don’t be greedy. If the wind isn’t right, pull back when needed; if something comes up, call me.”
“Yes, Director. Recently I’ve saved a bit more.” Wen Yan smiled and pulled out a key to hand over.
Gu Yansheng took it and nodded, “Good, then you go handle bureau affairs first. Move personnel and welfare as needed; when free, write a detailed report and hand it to me. I’ll try my best to fight for funding.”
“Yes, good.”
“Call Xiao Lou in.”
Wen Yan went out, Liu Xiaolou came in.
“Director.”
Gu Yansheng looked at Xiao Lou’s smiling face, sipping coffee as he asked, “Are things here handled?”
Liu Xiaolou, “Have arranged personnel.”
Gu Yansheng nodded, not asking more, “Then handover what needs handing over. Next time I go to Nanjing, I’ll take you; bring you early, can still find you a good house. Late, good houses all struggled for by them.”
“Assigning houses?” Liu Xiaolou’s eyes widened, voice pitching up—what’s unexpected joy? This was it.
“Mm, some villas; I’ll try to get you one.”
“Villa???” Liu Xiaolou was dazed; was this something he could get?
Villas sounded impressive; though not as expensive as Shanghai houses, the appearance, location, and living experience were indeed not bad.
Gu Yansheng had just these few long-term own people by his side; giving better treatment was completely affordable.
“Just troublesome to clean; three stories, housekeeping takes forever. I won’t reimburse nanny fees; at most subsidize a bit more on top.”
“What’s that? I’ll clean myself!” Liu Xiaolou puffed his chest upon hearing, “I’ve loved cleaning since childhood; Director, I clean this office daily, not tiring at all.”
Gu Yansheng chuckled, “Good, when going to Nanjing, I’ll call you. Finish section affairs and go pack. Oh, right, recommend a future bureau director secretary to Wen Yan; give him candidates, let him choose.
Make it clear it’s routine recommendation; if he doesn’t like, change. Don’t mind our opinion, or he’ll overthink.”
“Good, I’ll arrange right away.”
Gu Yansheng finished his coffee and headed home.
In the evening, Ding Mocun called.
“Telegram from Hong Kong; news on that Song Ziliang from Chongqing.”
