Chapter 85: Military Scrip
In the evening, Hongkou, Expatriate Club, rifles gendarmes guarding the entrance.
Gu Yansheng got out of the car, handed over the invitation, the Japanese returned it with a bow, quite sensible.
Entering the door was the resplendent Grand Hall, with a second floor above, balconies hanging Japanese military flags and national flags all around.
Inside, sofas lined the four sides, with some people already sitting chatting and drinking, while in the middle some officers in military uniforms were chatting with women in kimonos.
Incomprehensible Japanese language music playing, the atmosphere quite harmonious.
Arriving here, Gu Yansheng really felt a bit like a traitor.
Not an ordinary traitor, no qualification to enter here.
“Hey, Yansheng.” Ling Xianwen sitting on the sofa saw him and waved from afar in greeting.
“The Secretary-General is here too.” Gu Yansheng smiled and walked over.
“Of course I have to be here, it’s called a banquet, but isn’t it still discussing Shanghai matters? Otherwise why call us? To watch Japanese geisha dance?” Ling Xianwen chuckled softly.
“As for you, impressive, even invited to enter here, looks like in Mr. Hase’s eyes, you’re truly one of their own.”
Gu Yansheng sneered, “Originally I thought so, but hearing the Secretary-General say it’s discussing Shanghai matters, I feel I’ve been dragged in as cannon fodder.”
“Hahahaha, others want to be this cannon fodder but have no chance, ask how many in all of Shanghai want to enter this door, can they?”
“What secret talk are you having, pretending we don’t exist?”
Gu Yansheng turned to look, it was Vice Mayor Su Xiwen speaking, he quickly apologized, “Mayor, Vice Mayor, I arrived late.”
Ling Xianwen patted Gu Yansheng’s back, then sat down on his own, laughing: “Anyway no one’s waiting for you, sit yourself.”
Well, among these people Gu Yansheng had the smallest official position, there were also two Directors, one Finance, one Taxation, other Directors not present, looks like today’s meeting was mostly related to economy.
“Director Gu is now thriving, today with one word from him, he pulled up the entire stock market, simply the God of Wealth, hahahaha.”
“Did you make money then?”
“Small profit small profit, didn’t lose some before? All in all busy for nothing, Director Gu, next time notify me before you speak, so I can prepare and buy more.”
The speaker was the Director of Finance, Gu Yansheng just casually agreed.
Eyes occasionally observing the surroundings, the people here were basically in distinct circles, Japanese officers with Japanese officers, Japanese businessmen with Japanese businessmen, while his circle was Shanghai Officials, and near the door there was another small circle.
Gu Yansheng asked: “Who are those over there?”
Ling Xianwen with legs crossed glanced over: “Oh~ some pro-Japanese businessmen, see that white-haired old man? The one in long gown? Green Gang’s Zhang Xiaolin, you can go get acquainted, in Shanghai all walks of life gather, if you need to handle something inconvenient to show your face, this man has great ability.”
Gu Yansheng looked, this was Green Gang’s one of the three big shots Zhang Xiaolin, people coming here basically wore suits, only Zhang Xiaolin quite unique, wearing long gown, and full white hair only him.
“Looks not young?”
“Must be 60 or so.”
Quite long-lived
Chatting and recognizing people, the whole venue’s voices quieted down, Hase Jinagawa arrived, accompanied by a middle-aged to elderly man in Japanese Army uniform, person Gu Yansheng didn’t recognize, but the rank on the collar tabs he did.
Japanese Army Lieutenant General.
Ling Xianwen coughed once, everyone stood up.
“General, Consul Hase.”
Hase Jinagawa first used Japanese to introduce these people to the Lieutenant General, then said: “Some not meeting for first time, our Gendarmerie Headquarters’ Iwasa Taro Commander.”
“Greetings, Officer.”
To the crowd’s greetings, Iwasa Taro just indifferently nodded slightly, “All sit.”
He sat down, scanned the crowd eye to eye, then said: “I’m a soldier, like to speak directly, everyone here are City Government high officials, calling everyone here today is for one matter needing everyone’s help to resolve.
Before that, first I want to commend Director Gu Yansheng, in handling the foreign merchants smuggling incident, he not only completed the mission, but excellently showed our Japanese spirit, warning all citizens in Shanghai, even foreign merchants must maintain sufficient restraint in our occupied SH city.”
Gu Yansheng stood up, slightly bowed: “Thank you for Commander Iwasa’s praise, this is my duty, pursuing perfection is only natural.”
“Well said, pursuing perfection.” Iwasa Taro gestured with hand for Gu Yansheng to sit: “The matter I want to say next, also hope everyone excellently completes duty, pursues perfection.
War Guidance Section issued order to our Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters, requiring economic substitution in Shanghai region, to achieve purpose of cutting off Chongqing Government influence.
For this Staff Department after discussion decided to implement Military Coupon System in Shanghai, in my controlled areas, citizens may not use silver dollars or legal tender etc. non-military scrip currencies.
All trading must use military scrip, all salary payments by enterprises in jurisdiction areas, taxation payments, also must use military scrip for settlement.
As for initial military scrip sources, government will establish new department, Economic Department, to provide exchange needs for all city citizens, residents can use existing legal tender, foreign currency, silver dollars, gold and silver in hand to exchange proportionally into military scrip.
And those not exchanging using privately, once discovered, depending on severity light then confiscate heavy then imprison, specific criminal law can be drafted by Director Gu’s Judicial Department.”
From the words must use military scrip, the venue’s atmosphere became quietly eerie.
Though this quiet seemed different from the previous not quiet, but Gu Yansheng believed everyone knew, this matter blown up, all involved.
Speaking of who has power in Shanghai it’s them few, speaking of who has money in Shanghai isn’t it still them few?
Just say Fu Xiao’an, so many enterprises in SH urban area, so much income, if military scrip system, later wouldn’t it all be working for free for Japanese?
What is essence of currency, general equivalent!
Why US Dollar called beautiful gold, not because US Dollar can exchange for gold?
Military scrip, this thing Japanese print as much as they want, can exchange for gold?
“Everyone, any problems?” Iwasa Taro eyes scanned.
Long silence, hard to be first to speak with problem, pressure very great.
Still Fu Xiao’an had confidence, frowned: “Your Excellency General, when does Headquarters plan to implement this matter.”
“Of course as soon as possible, no more than half a month, thoroughly implement in all of Shanghai, then expand from center, continue advance to areas outside Shanghai, like Jiangsu etc., simultaneously this plan also implement in other areas, achieve full occupied area full military scrip circulation system.”
“I think, isn’t it a bit rushed?”
Fu Xiao’an paused then said: “Your Excellency General you see, SH city’s economy just recovered not long ago, not mentioning Chinese first, just foreign merchants.
Foreign merchants come here do business, definitely think of making money, can exchange into US Dollars pounds sterling or equivalent supplies to take back their countries to use.
But if earn military scrip, for those not planning long-term life in Shanghai no meaning, if they stop, wouldn’t the blow to Shanghai economy be very serious, cause foreign merchants to flee one after another, ruin the good situation just opened in Shanghai?
Everyone, I’m considering out of duty.”
After speaking, Fu Xiao’an also looked at everyone, obviously eyes just one meaning, urging everyone to agree.
Whoever’s butt sits where speaks for whom, heads already up top, no reason for them to back down, immediately yes yes yes agreeing, pulling reasons.
Iwasa Taro didn’t stop, waited till crowd almost done speaking then said: “For everyone’s concerns, Staff Department also gave corresponding suggestions, as long as trading conducted in SH urban area, whether domestic or foreign enterprises, must use military scrip system.
But simultaneously, Economic Department will provide corresponding exchange rates for exchange, foreign enterprises completely can exchange out profits again, no need to worry at all.”
Isn’t this same as not saying? No need to worry, might as well directly say abolish legal tender change to US Dollars?
“Mr. Hase, for this matter do you think reconsider?” Ling Xianwen also couldn’t sit still, this matter implemented simply fatal, “Problems inside quite many, some foreign merchants withdraw I dare say definite.”
“Yes, Mr. Hase, I think this matter.”
One by one regardless of whether consulate people, now all speaking to Hase Jinagawa, mainly Hase Jinagawa’s work is to take anger, so temper relatively good.
“Enough! What kind of appearance!” Iwasa Taro suddenly slapped the table, glaring angrily: “As City Government officials, shirking, this is order! Not discussing with you!
If anyone feels can’t do, can leave now, anyone want to go?”
Group of people faces ugly, almost all frowning, slightly lowering heads not speaking.
They now knew why this matter announced by Iwasa Taro, afraid Hase Jinagawa temper too good, so let Iwasa Taro be the bad guy.
“I gave everyone time, since none preparing to leave, no need discuss this matter further!” Iwasa Taro very forceful, “This matter not without benefits for everyone.
City Government officials encountering assassination, you all know yourselves.
Once military scrip system implemented, these agents lurking into Shanghai can’t use legal tender, silver dollars anymore, and they have no military scrip in hand, you think in SH urban area, can they still act easily? No money isn’t it hard to move?
From today, everyone’s salary will double, all issued in military scrip amount, this is welfare for everyone’s hard work, please everyone cherish well.
Who still has problems?
If none, we move to next topic.”
More? Everyone’s hearts ice cold.
