Chapter 282: Assets
“A gang leader in Suzhou, let’s go, go up and talk.”
Gu Yansheng patted Fu Xiao’an on the back warmly and took him upstairs.
Sitting down, he asked: “After the new government was established, has there been any change in the city government?”
“What change could there be? Ordinary staff go to work to earn a pittance. No matter who is in charge, there’s really no feeling about it. If you say Mr. Wang takes power, will Shanghai no longer be under Japanese control?”
No one is a fool. Forced requisition of grain started before the establishment and hasn’t stopped until now. Why?
Isn’t that the reason?”
Gu Yansheng could only sneer and nod in agreement. “That’s true, but when it comes to outward speech and behavior toward them, we still need to be careful. Disaster comes from the mouth.”
“After working under the Japanese for so long, anyone who doesn’t understand this principle deserves to die.” Fu Xiao’an scoffed disdainfully: “If you talk about changes, there are some. After the handover, the regional economy division was canceled.”
“Now it’s still each department managing its own affairs as before?”
“Right, but if you ask for the reason, I don’t think it’s simply a handover issue. It’s more like the Greater East Asia Ministry knows that continuing the forced grain requisition will inevitably disrupt the economy. When the time comes, the data handed over from each region will look bad, so they simply dumped this mess on the new government. If there’s a problem, the new government solves it themselves, and they can hide behind the scenes.”
This analysis does make sense. Although the Greater East Asia Ministry forced them to implement quota assignments at the time, the actual purpose could be said to be more about boosting the economy to collect more taxes.
Until the decision for rice and grain forced requisition suddenly came down, the Japanese policy changed.
The Greater East Asia Ministry represents the Cabinet’s will. It can be said that the Cabinet decided to seize profits in the short term rather than developing Shanghai as originally planned.
This kind of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs approach—guessing the reason, it’s probably related to the defeat of the Japanese Army in Mongolia. The domestic economy is close to collapse, and the Military Department policy has done a 180-degree turn.
“I heard you’re planning to transfer grain from outside into Shanghai?” Gu Yansheng asked.
“Where can I get grain from anymore, brother?” Fu Xiao’an sighed: “Shanghai is the Paris of the East, gathering foreigners from so many countries. This is a matter of face. Now they don’t even care about face. Do you think there will still be any in their pockets?”
“This serious? Last year’s grain outside was already all gone, worse than in Shanghai?”
“It’s not that there’s no grain, but even if there is, it can’t be transferred in. The Japanese forced requisition has been going on for over half a year now. Ordinary families with stockpiles have been cleaned out. Ordinary businessmen’s quotas were sold out long ago. Grain prices on the market are skyrocketing, but as long as you have money, you can buy grain. Tell me, whose hands is the remaining grain in?
Brother, where can I get grain from?”
Gu Yansheng nodded, understanding. Hoarding and speculating, making a fortune from national calamity—it’s still some traitors.
No wonder running dogs are even more hated than the Japanese.
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and smiled, “Good thing.”
“Good thing?” Fu Xiao’an raised an eyebrow, surprised: “How is this good? All of Shanghai’s notoriety right now is on me.”
Gu Yansheng laughed heartily, “Having grain isn’t a good thing?
If you didn’t have grain, I really couldn’t conjure it up, but if you do have grain…
I’m preparing to reform the national judicial system recently. Local factions have controlled local power for a long time. With the new government established, to achieve smooth policy implementation, a batch of heads must be chopped off, and some human blood must be seen.
Why not start with these businessmen? Collusion between officials and merchants, getting rich unjustly—I’ll uproot them and use the rice and grain in their warehouses to appease the common people.”
“Such a big move?” Fu Xiao’an inhaled sharply, his expression serious as he leaned in: “The people who have grain in hand now all have quite a few connections behind them, brother. I have to advise you: local factions are not without power.”
“What, do they dare resist?”
Gu Yansheng actually liked it if they resisted—the more chaos, the better.
“No need to advise me. This is the mission, no choice.” Gu Yansheng said firmly, “This matter must be resolved.”
Fu Xiao’an nodded, “Then I understand. So what you said about borrowing money is?”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “I am a man of law, and I believe someone will see reason. I don’t want to make things too ugly. If someone is willing to atone for their crimes and spit out the money earned from eating human-blood steamed buns, then I can represent the Ministry of Justice and promise them a lenient sentence.
If not willing, then give them a fair trial.”
“How to spit it out?” Fu Xiao’an caught the key point.
Gu Yansheng was straightforward, “I’ll acquire their assets at 10% of value.”
Fu Xiao’an’s eyes widened as he inhaled coldly. Gu Yansheng was a smiling tiger—his moves were blacker than coal in a coal mine, heart black as coal.
“For premium assets, I’m willing to go up to 30%.”
Gu Yansheng still smiled, “No choice, people and horses need feeding. Investigating so many cases, doing each one would be too troublesome. I also need to replenish case funding. Right?”
“Yes.” Fu Xiao’an nodded repeatedly. He’d seen it now—what real extortion was. Compared to Gu Yansheng, he was still kind.
“Mayor Fu, now we’re just waiting for your money. I did have some on hand, but with the new government opening, the funds I borrowed were all turned over to the Finance Department. I’m really tight on cash. Jiangsu has so much territory, plus Anhui—lots of spending at the start. Give me some time to maneuver later, and I’ll pay you back.”
“Borrowing money is no problem, but count me in. With so many cities, surely there’s room for my share too?” Fu Xiao’an was tempted, threw away face, and went straight for benefits.
Gu Yansheng played hard to get, thought for a moment: “I can leave you a portion, but the funding amount can’t be too large. It’s not that I’m not giving you a chance, but this shortfall is only upfront. Later, once the assets are resold, our money won’t be short. This business isn’t just mine—you eat more, they eat less.”
“Of course I understand.” Fu Xiao’an persuaded: “But even acting fast takes time, right? So many cities, one by one—you finish just one Suzhou, and the news spreads to North China. The rest run off with their assets. What then?
Shouldn’t we do it simultaneously, acquire at the same time, eat as much as possible in a short time?”
Oh dear, Gu Yansheng was originally planning to make just one or two million in death money, but Fu Xiao’an seemed to think it was too little.
“Then how much do you want to invest?”
“Thirty million.”
Gu Yansheng looked impressed, “You have that much cash?”
Fu Xiao’an smiled modestly, “Made a bit earlier—you know. I’ll raise a bit more from others, and it’ll be about right.”
Still hiding—Fu Xiao’an had scammed fifteen million from Boss Dai.
Thirty million wouldn’t even empty his cash, not to mention assets.
“A bit much, right? If you take so much, it’s hard for me to explain to others.” Gu Yansheng had to advise.
Fu Xiao’an tsked seriously: “Not much at all, even not enough. Don’t forget, Jiangsu and Anhui are major grain-producing provinces. Thirty million—not even enough to buy assets, let alone just the grain in their hands. Grain prices now change daily. Ship to Shanghai and sell—huge profits.”
Fu Xiao’an now feared Gu Yansheng wouldn’t agree and said boldly: “Here’s the deal—as long as you let me in on this, your one thousand I’ll count as seven hundred.”
Words said to this point—the heat was about right.
High heat to thicken the sauce.
“No, one thousand is one thousand. I want 20% profit on the grain you collect.” Gu Yansheng showed his greedy nature.
Fu Xiao’an thought briefly and decided, “Deal.”
“Prepare the money. The action on Suzhou side starts immediately.”
“Good!”
Gu Yansheng watched Fu Xiao’an leave from the windowsill.
Hardship fee secured—now figure out how to make the creditor disappear.
Gu Yansheng called Chen Mo to come over and ask for professional opinion.
After Chen Mo arrived, he said, “I’ve tracked Fu Xiao’an. His daily routine is mostly regular: city government, home, and the concession.
City government and residence aside—can’t get close, especially residence. You have a house there too, right next to Japanese Army barracks—you know.
Some time ago, Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District tried to kill Fu Xiao’an, sniped him once at the city government entrance—failed.
Home—no chance even at city government—so only concession left.
If Fu Xiao’an goes to concession for business, he definitely stays at the International Hotel.
Because his guards are in plainclothes, and Fu Xiao’an’s status is special—to ensure nothing happens to him, concession people know they are Japanese soldiers but won’t stop these guards from entering, as long as not in uniform.
Our Iron Blood Assassination Group considered killing Fu Xiao’an then. I studied the International Hotel. Its background is controlled by four Chinese-funded banks.
Central South Bank, Continental Bank, Salt Industry Bank, and Jincheng Bank.
They invested to build this mansion as headquarters for the four banks in the concession. Later for some reason, it became a grand hotel.
But because they wanted it as bank headquarters, security is especially emphasized. Penetrating from outside is basically impossible.
Underground is the vault—no chance of digging a tunnel, even bombing won’t get in.
It’s also Shanghai’s tallest building—can’t jump to its rooftop from next door.
So to assassinate Fu Xiao’an at International Hotel, either enter through front door to his floor, or long-range sniper—wait for the moment he exits to car, one shot kill.
But his guards are a big problem then. Fu Xiao’an is very afraid of death. During travel gaps, his men surround him tightly. Car right at door—straight in. Hard to strike.
And he won’t stay long at International Hotel anyway.
He comes to concession for business—either contact foreign embassies or Public Works Bureau Municipal Council. Those meetings sudden, we can’t control schedule—they go straight inside, our people can’t enter.
If meeting concession merchants, chat, eat—gone after.
Even if we want to kill, by the time we know the meal’s done, no time to set up.”
Understood—next time need arises, staying at International Hotel might be safer than Sassoon House.
Chen Mo smiled helplessly and added: “You don’t know—at the time to kill Fu Xiao’an, I even sent someone to work as attendant at International Hotel, just for a chance to get close. But Fu Xiao’an too cautious. Japanese Gendarme impervious, no opportunity leaked—couldn’t get close at all, had to withdraw.”
“Cautious is normal. At his age, to this position—how many things experienced? If not cautious, this indestructible man would’ve been smashed long ago.”
Gu Yansheng picked up coffee for a sip, “Li Shiqun investigated him too. No. 76 surveillance way easier than yours—still no flaw in Fu Xiao’an.”
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, “I remember you told me Li Shiqun wants to frame Fu Xiao’an as Military Statistics Bureau or Underground Party. Do we have a chance to borrow Li Shiqun’s hand to kill him?”
Gu Yansheng nodded and smiled faintly: “I’ve considered this, but it’s not that simple. Li Shiqun suspected him before, but didn’t Fu Xiao’an report a major general? Now even if Li Shiqun wants to act, no reason—Japanese won’t believe.”
“True.” Chen Mo frowned and murmured, “Indeed troublesome. Currently, the way I can think of is if you get Fu Xiao’an’s whereabouts, tell me in advance when he’ll appear at International Hotel. I’ll preposition snipers at nearby building high points in advance, try sniping the moment he enters or exits the car.”
Other ways to find flaws—I think no chance. Ultimately, we still have to get to the strike step.
Fu Xiao’an’s bodyguards have been with him a long time, very familiar with him and who he’ll contact. Strangers appear, their vigilance is strong—can’t get close at all.
Japanese Gendarme like this, his own bodyguards too—all old hands with him ten-plus, even twenty years. Fu Xiao’an not short on money, generous to these men—can’t buy them off.”
Gu Yansheng had it figured. Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai District plus Iron Blood Assassination Group—surely tried everything. No difficulty, or Boss Dai wouldn’t come to him.
Thought and said, “Conventional methods all tried—don’t try again, all risks. Now, change thinking. First, make these Japanese Gendarme disappear, disintegrate Fu Xiao’an’s protection from inside.”
“Disappear?” Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, puzzled: “What do you mean disappear? Quit, withdraw?”
“Exactly.” Gu Yansheng nodded, “This is possible. Fu Xiao’an was spotted by China Dispatch Army commander then, brought out of retirement to head Shanghai—so for safety, guards assigned.
Bluntly, both afraid this figurehead really dies, and worried the money-making hand gone.
But now situation totally different. China Dispatch Army withdrawn, commander transferred back home. New commander is China Expeditionary Army Commander-in-Chief. Fu Xiao’an’s face in Nanjing actually far less than before.
Without Wang Puppet Regime, power shuffle—Fu Xiao’an as mayor might even be removed, replaced by new commander’s man.
But Wang Puppet Government established now, appointment power in Wang Puppet hands. Fu Xiao’an doing by the book—Japanese lost interest in changing people.
Leaving their appointed Fu Xiao’an better than all leaders Wang Puppet appointed.
Fu Xiao’an like this, I actually too—I’m Ministry of Foreign Affairs man after all. This is a game of strategy between Wang and Japanese.
But no matter how Japanese see current Fu Xiao’an, one thing they absolutely cannot accept: biting the hand that feeds.
So, we can try.
Cause some incident leading Japanese distrust, then poke at Japanese Gendarme as bodyguards—see if Nanjing Japanese withdraw Fu Xiao’an’s bodyguards.
What Li Shiqun thought of then was this approach—only he wanted to kill Fu Xiao’an dead, while I now just want Gendarme withdrawn.”
Chen Mo didn’t get it then, “But didn’t Fu Xiao’an just strengthen trust? A major general—Japanese won’t suspect him Military Statistics Bureau, right?”
Gu Yansheng chuckled, “Military Statistics Bureau no—then Central Statistics Bureau. Central Statistics Bureau no—then Communist Party. If not, still Wang Puppet.”
“Wang Puppet?”
“Heh, why do Japanese protect him? Because he relies on Japanese, or relies on Wang Puppet?”
“Relies on Japanese.”
“Right.” Gu Yansheng nodded, “But if I recall right, what Boss Dai told me: news of Military Statistics Bureau assassinating Wang Ni, Fu Xiao’an reported to Wang Ni himself, not Japanese.”
