Chapter 276: Dispatch
Liu Xiaolou set the files aside and handed over the promotion report.
Gu Yansheng glanced at it; the content had no issues. Anyway, this thing was just for fishing; it didn’t need to be submitted at all.
He set it aside and casually opened a file to read.
“This afternoon at work, first call the Director of the Criminal Affairs Division over for a talk. Don’t notify him in advance; just tell him when it’s time.”
“Okay.”
“Later, someone named Wang Desheng will come; bring him to my office.”
“Yes.”
Gu Yansheng read the files while waiting. In just half an hour, Wang Desheng arrived.
“Wang Desheng, I notified you so late last night, yet you arrived so quickly?” Gu Yansheng smiled as he looked at him.
Now Wang Desheng stood before him, bowing slightly, extremely humble. Of course, the smile at the corner of his mouth couldn’t be hidden at all.
Wang Desheng first kowtowed in greeting. “Trouble Mr. Gu still remembering this subordinate. Upon receiving Mr. Gu’s notification, how could this subordinate dare delay? Of course, he set off immediately.”
“Set off in the middle of the night? Came by train? How many trains are there from Shanghai to Nanjing at night?”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the night. Passenger trains are few, and at night they’re usually slow trains that take ten hours. Afraid Mr. Gu would wait too long, I found a way to hitch a ride on the Japanese military transport train, so I arrived fairly early.”
He expressed both loyalty and ability. Gu Yansheng thought more highly of him and smiled faintly. “No need to be in such a hurry; arriving in the evening would be the same.”
Wang Desheng bowed with a smile. “It should be so, it should be so. There’s no reason to make Mr. Gu wait.”
“Good. You’ve been waiting anxiously these days, haven’t you?”
For Wang Desheng’s transfer matter, the time spent in between wasn’t short at all, mainly because the Wang Faction negotiations took a long time—from Wang Ni’s obscene telegram from Hanoi responding to Konoe’s statement until now, over a year front and back.
The new government was established but not really, and during that time, problems cropped up now and then. Others inevitably felt a bit uneasy.
Not to mention him as a police officer—even the Wang Faction’s own higher-ups were uneasy about whether it could be established.
Wang Desheng had spent a large sum of money. If it wasn’t established, his money would be down the drain, and there was definitely no refund.
It was hard not to be anxious.
However, after paying the money, Wang Desheng had never come to inquire.
How could Wang Desheng dare say he was anxious? He smiled and said, “The establishment of the new government is a major event. My matter is nothing. Knowing you’re busy, I didn’t dare disturb you, afraid you’d find me an eyesore. During holidays, I only dared send some things to your residence, not daring to disturb much. Just don’t blame me.”
“Good, you didn’t serve as Section Chief of the Legal Section in vain; you have enough patience. You’re forty this year, right?”
“Exactly forty.”
“Indeed, you can work a few more years.”
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and said, “You told me at the time that once the new government is established, you want to seek a position in Nanjing. That’s not difficult. I can just say something to Minister Zhou at the Police Administration Department.
You’re a Section Chief in Shanghai; arranging a Division Chief position for you in the hall, or a minor official position in a sub-bureau below, your seniority is sufficient.
But regarding your position arrangement, I want to make some other arrangement. I came this time to ask your own opinion.”
Wang Desheng, an old Jianghu hand, listened for the undertone. Hearing that the Nanjing position was gone, he wasn’t disappointed at all; instead, he became even more eager.
“I don’t know where Mr. Gu wants me to go?”
“Suzhou, Inspector Chief of the police station. Can you accept this position?”
Wang Desheng’s expression turned serious; he stood straight with feet together, leather shoes clicking. “Thank you, Mr. Gu, for your cultivation. This subordinate will certainly handle official duties with utmost effort and obey all of Mr. Gu’s commands!”
These words showed great perceptiveness.
“Good.” Gu Yansheng nodded. Since Wang Desheng had shown his attitude, it was time to get to the main matter. “With the new government just established, some people come from outside, some are locals. Where there are people, there is Jianghu, but the nation is not Jianghu after all.
In the past, each managed their own turf like a back garden, but now that’s not allowed; it must change.
Intricate personal relationships affect national interests in all aspects.
I’ll soon inspect judicial departments in various places. Sending you to Suzhou—do you know what you should do?”
Wang Desheng kowtowed. “Upon arriving in Suzhou, this subordinate needs to quickly familiarize himself with internal police station matters, both to ensure security for Mr. Gu’s travels and to provide usable clues as much as possible for Mr. Gu’s future affairs.
This subordinate also has some official friends in Suzhou and knows a few people on the streets. He will mobilize their forces to work for Mr. Gu.”
Since the words were all out, Gu Yansheng didn’t keep him.
“Good, then I wish you all the best. Oh right, after leaving this door, go to the Police Administration Department once. The necessary process still needs to be followed. Wait a moment.”
Gu Yansheng took a pen from his pocket, grabbed a sheet of paper from the desk, and wrote casually, “Wang Desheng may be appointed as Inspector Chief of the Suzhou Police Station.”
He signed it Gu Yansheng and handed it to Wang Desheng.
“That should do it. If there are issues, let them go talk to Minister Zhou. Take up the post as soon as possible; time is quite tight now.”
“Yes, this subordinate will not delay.”
Wang Desheng respectfully accepted the appointment letter with both hands, his demeanor even more deferential.
This one sheet of paper could decide a person’s glory and wealth.
“Then this subordinate takes his leave first. Wish you good health and a fulfilling life.”
Gu Yansheng nodded slightly. “Mm, go ahead.”
Wang Desheng walked backward with head lowered until the door, then turned and exited.
Seeing this, Gu Yansheng smiled. The man was actually quite good; his boldness was certainly no issue. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have skipped sending money to Lu Ying for a position but boldly sent gold bars to him when he was still Director of the Judicial Department.
Just how his character was would need more observation later.
Among current Shanghai, Nanjing, and Suzhou, Suzhou was still the most important.
For Shanghai’s situation, Gu Yansheng didn’t need him.
For Nanjing’s situation, Gu Yansheng’s own Judicial Administration Department needed cleaning up. After cleaning, whether the police station had his own people or not wasn’t too important.
But Suzhou was weak in strength; it was grain territory and needed his own people to provide security for Lu Bowen’s major grain business.
According to Yan’an’s strategy, develop northward.
Yancheng, as the hometown of Jiangbei Gang’s Gu Zhuxuan, once the gang forces developed, there would be local snakes.
If Suzhou with Wang Desheng was added, then from Nanjing to Suzhou to Yancheng, this line would all connect.
In the future, for our party’s troops on this line, no matter what difficulties they encountered, if Gu Yansheng wanted to help, with these people, he could make it work.
Not long after, Liu Xiaolou came back after seeing off the guest and reported, “Sir, just now Section Chief Wang left some tea, this year’s new Longjing. Knowing you’re from Hangzhou, he found some way to get it, wanting to save it for you to drink.
I asked why he didn’t give it himself just now; he said because the quantity is small, he didn’t have the nerve to mention it and asked me to pass it on.”
Liu Xiaolou placed a small jar on the table; it looked like just two or three taels.
Gu Yansheng picked it up and looked; the quantity was indeed small. But with Wang Desheng’s ability, getting tea was already good. Japanese also loved tea, and that place’s Longjing output was limited, basically all snapped up.
He smelled it and smiled. “Keep it; use it for guests later. Xiaolou, you’re familiar with the villas; pick one out for him.”
“Okay, what grade?”
“Mid-grade is fine; his level is just right for this. Higher wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Yes.”
For the villa matter, Gu Yansheng had long promised Wang Desheng; it was exchanged for his Shanghai house and had nothing to do with the tea.
But back then, Nanjing property speculation was about doing business with No. 76, building relations, and incidentally fleecing the Wang Faction of some money.
Now it turned into giving villas to people—an unexpected gain.
Smashing people with villas felt too good; the recipient could boast about it with face.
Actually, buying one back then cost just over a thousand, so the cost to please a subordinate wasn’t high.
Of course, now wanting to buy, it wasn’t easy; all were claimed territories, price without market.
In the afternoon, Gu Yansheng began summoning several Directors.
“Minister, Director Shao Jingming of the Criminal Affairs Division is already outside.” Liu Xiaolou came in to report.
“Let him in.”
Soon, thirty-five-year-old Shao Jingming walked in, smiling on his face. “Minister, you wanted to see me?”
“Sit.” Gu Yansheng gestured toward the sofa and walked out from behind the desk. “Xiaolou, brew a cup of coffee for Director Shao.”
Gu Yansheng also sat on the sofa, placing the report promoting Shao Jingming to Vice Minister on the coffee table, and leaned back.
“I looked at your profile; you studied in Japan?”
“Yes, graduated from the Law Department of Tokyo Imperial University, then came to Nanjing as a prosecutor.”
While nodding, Shao Jingming subtly glanced over and saw the title’s application to add a Vice Minister position. Time was short to see the content; between the header and clarifying, he chose to look again.
This glance left him a bit dazed, inwardly shocked.
It was written with his name!
“Then your Japanese should be good; you can communicate with Japanese, with great room for promotion.”
“Ah, yes.” Shao Jingming came back to himself and smiled. “Japanese is indeed decent; no problem for usual communication. Previously, when Vice Minister Xue attended Japanese meetings, I served as translator.”
“Mm, now with the new government established, department matters are complex. I’m planning to add a new Vice Minister position, but I’m not familiar enough with department personnel.
Moreover, looking at the two Vice Ministers’ performance, they’re quite resistant to adding a new one.
What do you think of this?”
“Heh, how can I think?”
Shao Jingming smiled, weighed his words to explain the reasons. After the reasons, he turned and expounded eloquently, the central idea being that adding one was completely necessary.
“Minister, the Judicial Administration Department’s jurisdiction has now expanded, whereas the former Judicial Administration Department only handled Nanjing and its surroundings.
To put it bluntly, it might not even cover Shanghai; you surely know that in Shanghai.
But now it’s different; times have changed, work is heavy. For orderly progress, I think adding a Vice Minister is necessary.”
Alliances were just that fragile.
Gu Yansheng nodded. “This Vice Minister still needs to be selected from you Directors. I want you to recommend; who do you think is most suitable? Give reasons.”
“This, I think…” Shao Jingming expounded eloquently.
Gu Yansheng heard it; after saying a pile of good things, Shao Jingming gave each an unacceptable flaw.
Central idea: everyone has good ability, anyone can be selected, I’m very open-minded.
But they each have issues; you must be cautious.
“You’ve been in the department long and know everyone well. Good, I’ll consider your opinion and handle it prudently.
How is it? Any difficulties at home? How about Nanjing?”
Gu Yansheng stopped official talk, chatted about Nanjing, about life; the atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant, then sent him off.
Next, Director of the Civil Affairs Division, Lin Weiyong.
This one was forty-two, from the Beiyang Government Judicial Training Institute, no overseas study, but had been a court clerk in the concession court.
“Minister.”
“Sit.”
Gu Yansheng chatted idly for a bit, then found a pretext to have him fetch a Civil Affairs Division file from the desk. His and Shao Jingming’s two promotion files were on the desk.
The promotion reports were placed a bit away from the file to fetch, but anyone not a fool could glance and see.
Lin Weiyong looked, then returned without a change in expression, pretending not to have seen.
“Minister, your file.” Lin Weiyong handed over the Civil Affairs Division file.
Gu Yansheng took it and looked, asking casually.
“Criminal Affairs Division and Civil Affairs Division are important departments of the Judicial Administration Department. For the new Vice Minister selection, I’m mainly considering you and Director Shao. I called you to discuss; how do you think I should recommend upward?”
Asked so bluntly—one step up was Vice Minister, on par with Hu Rengtai and Xue Dianzeng, even holding personnel power, higher authority than them.
Lin Weiyong paused slightly, then eagerly expounded his views, thinking what the Minister thought, considering what the Minister considered, from the new government’s perspective, full consideration—for the Judicial Administration Department’s long-term development, recommending himself was the most suitable.
Gu Yansheng couldn’t help closing the file with a smile. “I asked Shao Jingming this, and he hemmed and hawed a bit; you spoke right out.”
Lin Weiyong said seriously, “This subordinate recommends himself because he believes he has the ability to share some work for you, Minister. This subordinate can guarantee all work obeys command, under the Minister’s leadership.”
Next, General Affairs Office’s Wu Qilun.
Gu Yansheng said, “For the new Vice Minister selection, the two Directors of Criminal Affairs and Civil Affairs have deeper seniority. But since Dean Wen Zongyao placed them there before stepping down, he naturally had his considerations.
These two departments are important; without them, something might go wrong, which is absolutely not allowed just as the new government is established. We must prioritize stability.
But logically for selection, if promoting, it should be their turn, only natural. Otherwise, I don’t know if Dean Wen would have ideas.
For a moment, I can’t decide; I’ve been mulling over you all’s names again and again.
Director Wu, who do you think I should select for promotion?”
That afternoon when the Minister began calling people for talks, these department heads outside started looking eagerly. Directors went in first, as expected.
But fear was that the talk went well and the front ones blocked the path, leaving later ones no chance to even meet.
For a moment, Wu Qilun really considered whether to stick to the morning alliance.
But the torment of waiting made him understand.
People still needed to pursue progress.
Opportunity was just this once; if he didn’t fight, others would.
“Minister.” Director Wu had something to say!
“Speak.” Gu Yansheng nodded.
Time passed bit by bit; one by one, the chiefs had face-to-face talks.
Whether the talked-to had ideas themselves didn’t matter; Gu Yansheng would make those without ideas have them.
Each department chief left quite satisfied, feeling they had a chance.
Finally, Liu Xiaolou came in to announce the end.
“Minister, all talks done.”
“Sigh, quite tiring; I drank three cups of coffee.”
Gu Yansheng stood with a smile. “One by one like peacocks spreading tails. I didn’t know they could talk so much this morning.”
Liu Xiaolou couldn’t help laughing; just as she had guessed.
“Minister, then who did you select for Vice Minister?” She was curious.
“If it were you selecting, how would you?” Gu Yansheng threw the question back.
“How would I know.” Liu Xiaolou smiled lightly, thought, and said, “Probably select between the two main Directors for better control of the Judicial Administration Department.
These two Directors could become Directors, so they must have deep trust from the original Nanjing people. This would shift strengths.”
Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling.
“What you say isn’t wrong, hello.”
Gu Yansheng picked up the telephone and heard Shen Shuyun’s voice.
“I want to come see you.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing, just miss you.”
“Then be careful on the road; call some people to follow. I’ll have someone pick you up at the station later.”
Gu Yansheng hung up. Shen Shuyun coming to find him definitely meant something; otherwise, she wouldn’t call long-distance to say she was coming.
With the new government established, what could Chongqing want him to handle?
“Alright, if nothing else, get off work. All this talk has made me hungry.”
For such a small interlude, Gu Yansheng showed no change in expression. Picking up his overcoat, he seamlessly smiled at Liu Xiaolou. “When you stroll around Nanjing, if you find anything good to eat, remember to bring some back for me.”
“Okay.” Liu Xiaolou smiled and bowed to see him off, but suddenly remembered something. “Oh, Minister, how to arrange that Li Shiyu?”
“Find him a department house to settle in. Work not urgent; let him stay in the Secretariat first.” Gu Yansheng strode off.
In the evening, at the Yihe Road residence, Gu Yansheng was reading the newspaper when the guard came to report.
“Sir, Director Lin Weiyong is here, saying he wants to report work.”
“Let him in.”
Whether a person knew propriety was shown at times like this.
What was said to be yours might not be yours.
“Yes.”
The guard went out; Lin Weiyong drove his sedan into the yard, smilingly asking the guard for help, moving two suitcases from the trunk into the living room.
“Minister, sorry to disturb you.” Lin Weiyong bowed with a smile in greeting.
“What’s this, moving stuff to my place?”
Lin Weiyong stepped forward proactively. “Minister, folks from my hometown brought some local wild game; quite a lot. Thought to send some over for you to help get rid of.”
“So polite? Sit and talk.” Gu Yansheng smiled and beckoned.
Lin Weiyong bowed once. “Then I’ll disturb.”
Lin Weiyong sat; Gu Yansheng casually mentioned some department matters, and Lin Weiyong began baring his heart.
Now the content to talk about was plenty, all about heartfelt sincerity, posture fully in place.
But after talking a bit, interrupted—a subordinate came to report, expression a bit odd.
“Sir, General Affairs Office Director Wu Qilun says he’s here to report work.”
Gu Yansheng showed no unusual expression.
Lin Weiyong narrowed his eyes slightly, smile stiffening a bit.
The guard also found it strange. A while back, before the new government, many from the Judicial Administration Department came bearing gifts—what Division Chiefs, Deputy Division Chiefs, Deputy Directors, quite a few came to deliver money, even from other departments.
But tonight’s visitors seemed like they hadn’t come before.
Why were they all piling up to report work today?
Gu Yansheng unhurriedly chatted a few more sentences with Lin Weiyong; Lin Weiyong proactively offered farewell.
“Then we’ll talk later.” Gu Yansheng saw him off.
Lin Weiyong smiled and kowtowed, went out to the car, eyes scraping a glance at Wu Qilun waiting far at the door.
He instructed the driver, “Go, turn at the intersection and stop.”
He wanted to see just how many colleagues who talked of shared enemies would visit that night.
