Chapter 288: Deal Struck
“This plan is not small.” Shen Linshen thought carefully about it. North China might really need gang members to open up the situation.
Wang Kemin has deep roots in North China. How deep the water is is hard to say, so gang personnel need to mix with all walks of life to help gather information and scout the way.
“Send people over, and the local gangs will definitely react. Wang Kemin might find out. What reason are you prepared to use?”
“The entire Wang Government system hopes to open up the situation in North China. Minister Zhou has mentioned intervening in North China many times to me too. The reason is absolutely sufficient. Even if Wang Kemin knows, it doesn’t matter.”
“Then there’s no problem, but the success or failure of this matter mainly depends on Chen Mo’s ability. I heard that the Japanese public order campaign in North China has arrested quite a few North China underground party members. The situation there is not simple.”
To issue this mission, it must be issued to Chen Mo in the name of the organization. How to operate it is entirely up to Chen Mo to handle. It tests Chen Mo’s personal ability.
“He has his advantages. He comes from the Iron Blood Assassination Group, pays attention to details, and has Military Statistics Bureau intelligence to assist. I believe in his ability. It’s worth a try.”
Gu Yansheng had confidence in Chen Mo’s ability.
It wasn’t just him who had confidence in Chen Mo. Boss Dai did too. Chen Mo was someone personally selected by Boss Dai.
The Military Statistics Bureau had several incidents, but Chen Mo remained as steady as Mount Tai. That was a demonstration of ability.
“Alright, I agree with your opinion. I think we can let Chen Mo give it a try.” Shen Linshen agreed with Gu Yansheng’s statement. The only issue was whether Chen Mo could control the Green Gang.
But even if he couldn’t control it, there just wouldn’t be any follow-up matters. No loss.
“Send a telegram to the organization, submit the mission plan, and let them approve and refine it.”
“Good, I’ll handle it right away.”
Next, Gu Yansheng told him about transporting supplies, including hijacking the Japanese grain transport ships. This required cooperation from the New Fourth Army and needed to be reported for the organization to decide.
If the organization felt robbing the Japanese was too difficult, then just robbing Fu Xiao’an would do.
After bidding farewell to Shen Linshen, Gu Yansheng went to Minister Zhou to watch a show and drink tea. It’s better to share joy with others. Chat about women, chat about the war, chat about troop deployments.
Unfortunately, Minister Zhou’s mind wasn’t on chatting. He was entirely thinking about women.
Cultured people sleeping with women can’t be too direct; that’s no fun. Minister Zhou liked women with talents, getting excited watching others sing.
Afterward, Minister Zhou went to sleep with a woman, and Gu Yansheng made an excuse of having something to do and left first.
The Reserve Bank’s progress had been much smoother recently. France had surrendered, its territory taken by Germany. The provisional government had no authority at all. The Germans said what went, and with good relations between Germany and Japan, advancing the Reserve Bank matter was effortless.
Britain wasn’t holding strong either, softening its diplomatic stance and preparing to grudgingly accept the Reserve Bank.
Minister Zhou had been riding high lately, in a very good mood.
Return to the tea house.
Ma Shiqi reported, “Minister, Nanjing called earlier. Imai Takeo was looking for you. I said you were out and offered to pass on a message. He said he’s coming to Shanghai soon and for you to prepare to go to Hong Kong.”
“Negotiations again?” Gu Yansheng frowned slightly.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t negotiate; it was just the timing was off. He really didn’t want to leave Shanghai right now.
However, in the jianghu, one has no control over their own body. Japanese matters still needed handling.
“Alright, got it. While I’m not in Shanghai, proceed as usual. One telegram per day. Keep a close eye.”
Reported to Minister Zhou.
The next day, Gu Yansheng met up with Imai Takeo and flew to Hong Kong.
Chongqing was under considerable pressure now. The border blockade had made domestic anti-Japanese sentiment particularly pessimistic. The number of Chongqing officials defecting to the Wang Puppet Regime had increased visibly in recent days.
For this negotiation meeting, Chongqing’s officials arrived first.
Upon seeing them, Imai Takeo mocked, “Mr. Zhang arrived quite early today. Previously, I always had to wait for you all to show up. Looks like we’re not far from becoming friends.”
Zhang Yousan’s face remained calm. “I’ve always regarded you, Mr. Imai, as a friend. I never expected you to think we’re not yet. It hurts to hear.”
Imai Takeo’s mouth twitched. “Let’s get to it. Since you called us over, you must have some psychological expectation already. Otherwise, today’s meeting is a waste of time.”
“What expectation?” Zhang Yousan pretended not to know.
Imai Takeo sneered, “No need for that. North China garrison troops, recognize Manchukuo, and form a united government. Mr. Zhang, this time back, President Jiang must have new instructions, right?”
“Yes.” Zhang Yousan nodded. “President Jiang instructs that the conditions remain unchanged. If you can accept, we’ll organize a meeting between both sides.”
Imai Takeo’s face darkened instantly. He slammed the table, stood up, and shouted, “Are you toying with me? Do you think it’s still like before? How can you even say that?”
Zhang Yousan shook his head. “First, I’m not toying with you. I’m representing President Jiang with great sincerity to negotiate, but this is his bottom line— that’s the fact. Second, peace talks aren’t as easy as you think.
Mr. Imai, up to now, there are people in the military strictly refusing peace talks. Do you know what that means?
It means if the President forcibly pushes peace talks, he may face the consequence of military split.
This doesn’t even account for how much trauma negotiating with your army would bring to the people, or how much pressure the President must bear.
Just Nanjing alone—you killed hundreds of thousands. Think about it yourself: if we stop and make peace now, what will those people think?
Can this memory be erased?
If we’re willing to do this, isn’t that sincerity?”
Imai Takeo reined in his anger a bit but still kept a taut face. “The people can be fooled. More propaganda, peace brings better lives, and they’ll naturally forget the unpleasantness.
As for the military, talk of split might not be entirely accurate, right? Everyone knows President Jiang’s domestic governance ability is top-notch.”
Zhang Yousan sneered. “So many people have run to the Wang Government. Why do I feel like you’re mocking the President?
Change the angle.
Right now, Hitler’s iron hooves have trampled across Europe. Here in Asia, once Japan withdraws from the Chinese battlefield, all these resource islands in Asia will fall into Japanese hands.
Development is the hard truth.
Otherwise, if we keep fighting like this, forget about Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity. By the time they’re done, Britain and America free up their hands—can you Japanese still hold these islands?
Mr. Imai, think more about the future. Getting hung up on these things is pointless. We join hands to develop Asia, counter Europe and America— that’s the truth.”
“This doesn’t meet our expectations.” Imai Takeo shook his head.
Zhang Yousan sighed deeply and said sincerely, “This really is the final condition. Agree, and we’ll sign the peace agreement. Otherwise, we keep fighting. I’ll leave now. My words represent the President.”
Zhang Yousan’s negotiation skills were high. He turned the tables, leaving Imai Takeo frowning in difficulty.
“I’ll relay your opinion upward. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Of course.” Zhang Yousan stood with a smile. “Then I’ll wait for your good news.”
Imai Takeo’s negotiations today fell short of expectations. He thought and asked, “You just said some in your military oppose. Who?”
Zhang Yousan figured with so many defections, secrecy couldn’t hold. No harm in saying.
“One group is the Communist Party, the other is Northwest Army leader Feng Yuxiang.”
“It’s him.” Imai Takeo understood.
This Feng Yuxiang was no simple man. He was deputy chairman with high military seniority. If he opposed, Old Jiang had to weigh it carefully.
“If peace talks succeed, how does your President Jiang plan to handle these people?”
“The Communist Party is to be exterminated anyway. As for Feng Yuxiang.” Zhang Yousan paused. “Meets with an accident, dies unexpectedly.”
Imai Takeo’s brows raised. He climbed the pole. “That’s a good phrasing. It shows your President Jiang’s sincerity in negotiations. Promise me one condition: if peace talks succeed, this Feng Yuxiang must be killed by you before signing. That’s sincerity.”
“I can report it, but can’t guarantee.”
“Good. With that sincerity, I can speak for you at headquarters.”
How had things veered toward actual peace talk success?
Gu Yansheng originally thought Old Jiang was playing some tactic, but this situation didn’t seem tactical.
He’d told Boss Dai about the Japanese wanting to withdraw southward.
Chongqing playing hardball was understandable. After all, the Japanese were the ones in a hurry now. Chongqing at worst starved some common people; officials wouldn’t go hungry. Holding out a few more months was no issue.
But the conditions seemed harsh—Japanese wouldn’t agree. Yet Imai Takeo’s attitude suggested it wasn’t impossible.
Huh?
Gu Yansheng was somewhat surprised.
The Japanese were this desperate now?
Outside the door, Gu Yansheng asked Imai Takeo, “Mr. Imai, headquarters won’t agree to these conditions, right? How do I explain to Mr. Wang?”
Imai Takeo smiled. “Mr. Gu, don’t be so tense. Chongqing’s hardline attitude exceeds my expectations, but headquarters has contingency plans for their reaction.
I can tell you clearly: we will definitely support Mr. Wang, no matter what conditions Japan and the Chongqing Government reach. The united government clause won’t change.
You saw it in previous negotiations: Chongqing is just uncomfortable with Mr. Wang’s existence, but we’ve discussed it—it’s internal affairs, their own words.
So this is absolutely negotiable. Negotiations are just mutual tugging. We yield a step, they yield a step.”
Gu Yansheng nodded. “That’s good. I hope Japan understands Old Jiang isn’t that simple-minded. Without forming a united government, the Empire of Japan’s hard-won victories would all be lost.”
“We understand that perfectly. Rest assured. I’ll go to the consulate to send a telegram first. Mr. Gu, wait patiently.”
“Good.”
The next day, talks continued.
Brief tugging.
Imai Takeo presented the final conditions. “I consulted headquarters. Chief of Staff Itagaki instructs that the Sino-Japanese war is a mistaken war that shouldn’t have started. Now, he’s willing to work for peace.
Agree to abandon North China garrison conditions, but premise: after both sides sign the contract, Chongqing must immediately issue a declaration abandoning the anti-Japanese unite-with-Communists policy. Meanwhile, our side will issue a withdraw-troops-and-make-peace declaration.
Recognition of Manchukuo can be postponed, but forming the united government must proceed.”
Zhang Yousan had a plan ready. “Thank Chief of Staff Itagaki, but forming a united government is off the table. I’ll give a compromise: Japan dissolves the Wang Puppet Government, all personnel disband. As for specifics later, leave to three-party talks for resolution.”
After some discussion, the plan was nearly settled. Everyone knew the conditions were close.
“Then set a time.” Imai Takeo didn’t want more entanglement. Itagaki even abandoned garrisoning; the demand was to complete peace talks quickly, free hands to head south for resources.
“Tentatively late July, location Changsha. If Traitor Wang doesn’t want to come, he doesn’t have to. Chief of Staff Itagaki come first for peace talks.”
Both sides had no objections. Rest was reporting back for approval.
Imai Takeo added, “For safety, then, you must send someone of weight to Hankou to welcome our negotiation personnel.”
“What do you mean ‘of weight’?” Zhang Yousan asked with a smile.
“Zhang Qun, Kong Xiangxi, or He Yingqin. Any of them.”
Imai Takeo named all big shots.
“I can consult.”
“Good. If no issues, then July 20, we meet again to confirm final itinerary.”
Negotiations ended. Both sides returned to report.
Gu Yansheng returned to Shanghai, first going to report to Minister Zhou.
“Old Jiang really going for peace talks?” This was completely beyond Minister Zhou’s expectations. Brows furrowed, he thought but couldn’t figure it. “He opens such conditions, and Japanese accept? At this time, not raising conditions—what’s he thinking?”
Gu Yansheng understood Minister Zhou’s anger. If peace talks really happened, their siding with Japan would look especially stupid.
“I’ve been thinking about this all the way. I guess time dragged too long. Itagaki’s anxious. Cabinet change—maybe superiors have opinions on him.” Gu Yansheng gave him a step.
“Previous prime minister might’ve promised him rewards upon negotiation success. But now prime minister changed. If Konoe doesn’t recognize those, Itagaki panics too. Away from the center too long, changeover sweeps away his contacts—who speaks for him?”
Minister Zhou thought and nodded. If Itagaki, it was quite possible.
“What you say is probably the truth.”
He exhaled deeply, calmed, and said, “What do you think?”
Gu Yansheng didn’t hesitate. “By timeline, July 20 they meet to set three-party talks time. To kill negotiation personnel, do it after that meeting adjourns.
But killing then draws attention. Everyone at the venue would be suspected by Japanese.
I have a better plan now. Since they meet for three-party talks with Hankou welcome reception, create chaos during the reception meeting—like gunmen shooting or an explosion.
Even if no one hurt, the commotion alone—with their status— they’ll choose to evade temporarily. Trustworthiness drops, half the deal’s off.
This way, long time span, many in the know—can’t pin on us.”
“Do as you say.” It sounded like a good plan. Minister Zhou thought and said, “But ultimately, still need Mr. Wang’s view.
That guy of his”
Minister Zhou clearly meant to analyze Traitor Wang’s personality but stopped, shook his head. “I’m afraid he’ll agree. From Chongqing negotiators’ tone now, their hostility toward us is deep. Blame Japanese not hardline enough—talks a mess.”
United government wasn’t unacceptable, but not in this pinched posture.
If going to Chongqing, Old Jiang would look down on them through his nostrils daily.
“I’ll go to Nanjing, tell him in person.”
“Good, I’ll wait for your news.”
Gu Yansheng returned to the tea house, met Gu Shuping.
Told him Hong Kong talks content. “Go to the fisherman, tell the organization this news. Also ask organization if I should act to sabotage peace talks.”
“Yes.”
Gu Yansheng was still pondering: leak this news via newspapers. Then Feng Yuxiang should choose a side. Unite all uniteable forces—also a gain.
Next day, Gu Shuping brought back news.
“Organization replies: specialists handling. We stand by. Rewards us, thanks your efforts.”
Gu Yansheng smiled. If so, he just needed to deal with Minister Zhou.
During wait, ears shut to outside matters, mind solely on money-making methods.
Minister Zhou returned and came to discuss. Three-party peace talks, Traitor Wang stirring.
If peace talks really happened, forming united government—his peaceful nation building, with more propaganda, could claim as his achievement.
Then use power to bury truth—he’d be the meritorious official ending the war, name in history.
Gu Yansheng guessed Traitor Wang’s mind—seemed spot on.
Of course, Minister Zhou sneered at it.
His mind simpler: in Wang Puppet Regime, he was second-in-command.
United government formed, Traitor Wang second-in-command—he’d be lucky at twentieth.
Before defection, propaganda minister. Circle back after defection—maybe still propaganda minister.
Wouldn’t that make the traitor stint for nothing?
Traitor Zhou craved power more.
As his confidant, Gu Yansheng assured him: this wouldn’t happen.
On the eighteenth, a news item appeared in concession newspapers and radio broadcasts.
Chongqing’s President Jiang decides to cede Northeast, allow North China garrison, in exchange for peace talks with Japanese.
News out—didn’t know what Old Jiang thought, but Shanghai exploded.
Restaurants buzzed with fierce comments, nonstop cursing!
How tough was the Battle of Songhu?
Those not on battlefield logically wouldn’t know, but concession people were one wall from Battle of Songhu—they witnessed with own eyes National Army soldiers fighting bitterly!
Famous Sihang Warehouse—soldiers besieged inside. Concession folk to send supplies risked their safe happy lives, risked death against Japanese snipers, tossing supplies to warehouse warriors.
Who feared death?
Who demanded anyone must go deliver that death?
But everyone who should go, went!
No farewells! Sliced fingers with knives, pressed handprints on petition— that counted as giving life for country!
Even a common man can give his all. He, as National Government President, dares lead surrender talks with Japanese?
Does this honor Songhu Battlefield’s many fallen souls? Honor Nanjing City’s many unwilling nationals?
“Midnight dreams—can Old Jiang still sleep?”
“Trading with ghosts, damn it!”
“So much Northeast land and people—say gone, gone?
Hand to Japanese as slaves—doing this, Ningbo folk should dig up Old Jiang’s ancestral graves!
Let him know: dare sell Northeast, Ningbo people can grind his whole family to dust, see how he faces ancestors below!
Son of a bitch!”
