Chapter 284: Pressure
The effect was even better than expected.
Gu Yansheng was just probing, but unexpectedly, the Japanese were even pettier than anticipated.
Chen Mo sent a message that the Japanese Gendarme by Fu Xiao’an’s side had withdrawn, and No. 76’s Action Team had taken over.
This is really interesting. There’s a saying that’s very reasonable: you just light the fire and start the group, and teammates will naturally join.
Now that Li Shiqun has joined the teammate ranks, Gu Yansheng himself is no longer in a hurry to act. For things that others can handle instead, there’s no need to take the risk personally.
Beep beep, the sound of a car horn came from downstairs.
Soon, a subordinate came up to report, “Minister, Mayor Fu has arrived.”
What does he want with me at this time?
Gu Yansheng was a bit stunned, but still had the person invited up first.
“Mayor Fu, why are you here? Why do you look so haggard?”
“Haggard?” Fu Xiao’an shook his head and sighed, glancing at Gu Yansheng’s Tea House, and sighed, “I don’t have your good fortune, staying in this feng shui building of yours, so leisurely and carefree. I’m buried in a pile of troubles now, old brother.”
“What’s the matter?” Gu Yansheng asked strangely, “It couldn’t be about the Newspaper, right?”
Fu Xiao’an stiffened his neck, “Look, what do they mean by good news doesn’t go beyond the door, bad news spreads a thousand miles—when a person’s unlucky, even drinking cold water clogs the teeth.”
“It’s not that exaggerated.” Gu Yansheng smiled easily, “What’s the matter? Come on, come on, let’s go upstairs and talk.”
Fu Xiao’an went upstairs and sat down, frowning, “Did you see the Newspaper? What are your thoughts?”
“What thoughts?” Gu Yansheng was baffled, “You’re not talking about those Newspapers speculating that there’s something wrong with your identity, are you?”
Fu Xiao’an nodded.
“Hey, you’re worried about this nonsense.” Gu Yansheng sneered, “I read the Newspaper. It’s all just speculation, damaging the mayor’s image. I say, those literati’s mouths should be sewn shut, so they don’t blabber on day after day.”
Fu Xiao’an raised an eyebrow, “You don’t believe it?”
Gu Yansheng scoffed, “Do you think a lawyer like me can’t see through this little trick?”
Fu Xiao’an lightly patted his thigh and sighed, “The one who understands me is still you, Brother Gu.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The Japanese withdrew my guards.”
“This serious?” Gu Yansheng frowned, his expression also turning serious, “The Japanese believed the Newspaper? Why? Did he ask you? What did you say?”
Fu Xiao’an shook his head gently, “Didn’t ask.”
“They withdrew without asking?”
“Yes.”
Gu Yansheng frowned deeply, racking his brains, deep in thought, “What do the Japanese mean by this?”
Fu Xiao’an paused, his expression also troubled: “I don’t know.”
Gu Yansheng eyed Fu Xiao’an suspiciously, “You didn’t even explain? Don’t tell me you’re really involved with the Military Statistics Bureau?”
Fu Xiao’an huffed with anger and laughed, “How am I supposed to explain? The Military Statistics Bureau people came to me, spouting patriotism, reminding me of the old ties when the National Government was in Shanghai back then, asking me to help assassinate President Wang.
What could I say? That I won’t do it?
Those guys had already shown their faces. Did I even have a chance of survival?
I stalled them, told them to go prepare, and once they left, I reported their whereabouts to President Wang.
I explained the whole thing in detail, from start to finish.
That’s all there was to it. What more could I say?
Now they’re biting me, saying why would the Military Statistics Bureau come to me and not others? President Wang spends most of his time in Nanjing—why didn’t the Military Statistics Bureau find someone in Nanjing to assassinate him? It’s closer and easier.
How would I know why? Who the Military Statistics Bureau approaches isn’t something I can control.
I explained everything to President Wang at the time. For the rest, what more do you want me to explain?
Isn’t this just the more you explain, the darker it gets?”
“Okay, okay, don’t get angry.” Gu Yansheng looked up to soothe the emotional Fu Xiao’an, “Have a cup of coffee first—no, better tea. You’re so hot-tempered, Ma Shiqi.”
“Yes.”
“Brew some tea for Mayor Fu, something to clear the heat.”
“Got it.”
Gu Yansheng patted the back of Fu Xiao’an’s hand reassuringly and leaned back, “So what are you going to do now?”
“I stand upright and act rightly, unafraid of slander, but the damage has already been done. I don’t want my image to suffer such slander.
Brother, you have to help me with this. Come with me to explain the situation to Minister Zhou. You’re close with Minister Zhou. As long as we get through to him, I’ll personally go to Nanjing to talk to Mr. Wang.
I believe that as long as these two are willing to vouch for me, no rumors will affect me in the slightest.”
“I can say I’ll help you talk.” As a cooperator, Gu Yansheng didn’t hesitate at all, “But is the matter really this serious? Has it reached this point?
You’re asking these two to vouch for you. Do you think the Japanese will deal with you?
It shouldn’t be that bad, right?”
Fu Xiao’an sneered coldly, “Brother, I’ve been drifting in the Jianghu for so long, let me give you a saying: all the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit; all the coming and going is for profit.
Shanghai is just a stage play—who dances on it depends on whether your name can get people to pay for tickets.
The Japanese need Chinese to govern Chinese. Before Mr. Wang came, I called the shots in Shanghai.
But now that Mr. Wang is here, my value to the Japanese has greatly diminished.
Shanghai isn’t indispensable without me.
If nothing happens, fine, but if something does go wrong, believe me, the first to turn on me will be the Japanese.
No need to guess—I’ll tell you, from the moment the Japanese withdrew the gendarmes by my side, I guarantee my movements are being monitored.
If you don’t believe me, go look out the window. You might spot the ones surveilling me.”
Old and cunning indeed. With a suspicious look, Gu Yansheng walked to the window, opened a corner, looked around front and back downstairs—sure enough, there was a car.
“See?” Fu Xiao’an asked with a sneer.
Gu Yansheng said, “My place is just one wall from the Concession. It’s normal to have a car parked downstairs.”
Fu Xiao’an shook his head and pointed at Gu Yansheng, “Brother, you’re still too favorable toward the Japanese. Forget it, I won’t try to convince you. You’ll understand someday.
Maybe one day if something happens to me, just think back on what I said today.”
“Alright, I’ll remember.” Gu Yansheng sat down and said, “But I don’t quite get this. Such a secretive matter—even I didn’t know, so how did the Newspaper find out?”
“Either it’s Revenge from the Military Statistics Bureau, or…” Fu Xiao’an paused, “or someone from No. 76 wants to frame me. No other Channel besides that.”
“No. 76?”
“Someone wants to use me as a achievement to hand up. You think Li Shiqun is any good?”
A sensible person. Looks like No. 76 doesn’t need Gu Yansheng to remind them. Letting Fu Xiao’an cause some trouble for Li Shiqun is fine too.
“Come on, I’ll go with you to Minister Zhou’s place, right now.”
One hour later, at Zhou Mansion, the three held a tea chat.
Fu Xiao’an explained the matter to Minister Zhou, Gu Yansheng helped speak up, then saw Fu Xiao’an off, letting him go to Nanjing to talk to Mr. Wang. The matter ended.
The important part comes after the protagonist leaves.
Minister Zhou was curious too, “Do you think there’s something wrong with Fu Xiao’an’s identity?”
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and replied, “There should be some issue, but whether it’s big or small is uncertain.
According to him, the Military Statistics Bureau approached him without his prior knowledge, and then he reported it to Mr. Wang.
He knew nothing beforehand about the Military Statistics Bureau’s arrival.
But from what I know, Li Shiqun once said that Fu Xiao’an likely has ties to Chongqing, at least he’s helped Chongqing rescue people before.”
Gu Yansheng recounted the matter of Fu Xiao’an rescuing people.
“If there’s one, there could be two. And for such a big matter as assassinating Mr. Wang, did the Military Statistics Bureau really just casually tell Fu Xiao’an? Believing a stranger so casually doesn’t make sense.”
Gu Yansheng stopped there.
Minister Zhou nodded thoughtfully.
“With Fu Xiao’an’s slick personality, reporting to Mr. Wang would directly lead to Revenge from the Military Statistics Bureau. He couldn’t have not thought of that.
A Military Statistics Bureau Major General—that’s a huge risk to take.”
Gu Yansheng nodded in agreement, “The Major General had already left by then. If I were Fu Xiao’an and didn’t want to do it, I could just send people to arrest them—that would actually be better.
I think if this is true, Fu Xiao’an really is a cooperator with Chongqing. Maybe his story to Chongqing is that he did it, but the operatives were busted by No. 76, so it’s not on him. He wants to have it both ways.”
Minister Zhou sneered, “Where are there so many having it both ways? Now it’s neither way sweet. Why did you speak up for him today?”
Gu Yansheng smiled, “The Judicial Administration Department wants to rectify the Judicial System in Jiangsu and Anhui. Fu Xiao’an knows a lot of people, maybe he can help out a bit.
Also, Shanghai is short on Grain. Fu Xiao’an came to me, saying out-of-town merchants are colluding with officials, no rice on the Market, but their Warehouses are full.
If it’s uncovered during the rectification, he hopes I can help, sell him a batch at low price to Stabilize Prices.”
So there’s a benefit. Minister Zhou smiled knowingly. He wouldn’t care or ask how much Gu Yansheng makes in the process. People have to Make money; the emperor doesn’t short the hungry soldier—as long as it’s not hidden from him and messed up.
“Minister, so what about this matter?”
“Mr. Wang vouching is enough to protect him. As long as the Japanese have no solid Evidence against him, tell him when he returns to step up, talk to those in the Concession, help with our Reserve Bank affairs, negotiate more with various countries.”
“Good, understood.”
Gu Yansheng stood to take Farewell.
Back at the Tea House, Gu Yansheng arranged Suzhou matters.
Let Fu Xiao’an’s matter develop on its own. With Wang Ni vouching, Li Shiqun can’t take down Fu Xiao’an so quickly.
Gu Yansheng doesn’t want Fu Xiao’an to have an accident yet. The Suzhou Make money matters will draw plenty of merchant resentment—let Fu Xiao’an share some of the fire.
Of course, things won’t go without resistance, but for any irrelevant resistance, Gu Yansheng has no patience.
He knows some original Loyal and Righteous National Salvation Army people.
He also knows original Pacification Army Commander, now total Commander of Suzhewan three provinces Pacification Army, Ren Yuandao.
If anyone doesn’t know better, for civil officials, No. 76 goes to the door; for military generals, send the Army to suppress.
All interest groups in Suzhou, no matter who is involved, won’t pass without paying up this time.
While he’s acting, the Japanese side also started.
The Japanese Army’s 11th Army Group launched a fierce attack on Li Zongren’s Fifth War Zone, with fighting breaking out in the Yuxiang and Ebei regions.
The Japanese were really enraged by Chongqing this time, vowing to slap Old Jiang’s face hard.
According to media reports, the troop concentration this time by the Japanese Army is the largest total force since the Wuhan Campaign.
While attacking on the main front, the Nanjing Expeditionary Army Headquarters issued Orders to the Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters and the Wang Faction government, requiring cooperation to Pressure Britain and France, and must cut off aid to the National Government in the Vietnam area.
“Strategically, form a besieging posture against the anti-Japanese forces, cut off their Grain and supplies! Completely crush their will to resist.”
Minister Zhou came to drink tea with Gu Yansheng and relayed Kagesa Sadaki’s meaning.
Kagesa Sadaki is now practically the emperor above the emperor. With the Wang regime government established, Kagesa Sadaki successfully promoted to Major General, his current position is Military Advisor to the Wang Government.
Minister Zhou took a sip of tea and said, “The main battlefield doesn’t need us. The Japanese want us to deal with Britain, America, France—mainly Britain and France. Chongqing’s Supply channels in Myanmar and Vietnam are mainly in their hands.
The Japanese Ability in military matters is indeed strong; they saw through Chongqing’s vital point at a glance.
Old Jiang loves subsidies the most. Without subsidies, he’d really have nothing.
What do you think we should do to achieve this?”
“Let Fu Xiao’an handle it.” Gu Yansheng didn’t think for a second, “This matter is similar in nature to the Reserve Bank affair—both need Britain and France to step aside. Everything that can be talked out with words, I’ve already negotiated.
Britain and France don’t want to cut support to Chongqing on this.
Even money won’t work, let alone blockading the Border, which is even worse—it’s a major shift in attitude.
Since the Japanese are pressing hard, someone has to play the villain.
Fu Xiao’an wants to make merit, show his stance—let him do it.
At most add No. 76 to cooperate.”
If Fu Xiao’an succeeds, they complete the Mission. If not, they still have room to ease, can play good cop. Minister Zhou thought and nodded—good idea.
The Order was passed to Fu Xiao’an, and Fu Xiao’an began to act.
First persuade the Concession, then threaten and act against the Concession.
But no matter what, persuasion definitely won’t work, and action won’t help either.
The British Consul and French Consul in the Concession are just mouthpieces. No matter how much Reason you lecture or they listen, it’s useless.
That’s a Border matter, not the Concession’s. If the homeland doesn’t agree, saying one more word could bring disaster on themselves.
Even if Fu Xiao’an killed their whole family, they’d be helpless.
Fu Xiao’an’s actions ultimately ended in failure.
The Japanese pressed Minister Zhou for progress. Minister Zhou had no choice but to say they were still trying and reported Fu Xiao’an’s efforts upward.
The Japanese were greatly disappointed in Fu Xiao’an.
Proxy failed, have to do it themselves.
Deploy the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact Britain and France diplomatic departments, directly apply hard Pressure.
Gu Yansheng didn’t know the process, but there was an effect.
The French Consul General, Pierre Richard, personally came to visit.
These days, this old Frenchman had been driven half-mad by No. 76’s bunch of rule-breaking lunatics.
The chaos in the French Concession damages the French government’s interests.
“Gu, there’s news from home—call it good news.” Richard still preferred communicating with Gu Yansheng; at least he’s civilized.
“What does your homeland say?” Gu Yansheng invited him to sit and have Coffee.
Richard said, “A compromise solution. The Japanese goal is to persuade the Chinese government to surrender and complete Peace Talks. So instead of strife between us, better for us to act as your middlemen, help you complete these Peace Talks with Chongqing.”
This statement was unexpected. Gu Yansheng asked oddly, “How to help?”
“We’ll explain to President Jiang in Chongqing, let you continue the Peace Talks. On conditions, our embassies and consulates in Chongqing will Pressure for you.
You get No. 76’s people to stop entering the French Concession.”
