Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

"War debts?"

Chu Yunfei did not immediately refute, but a playful smile appeared on his lips.

He slowly rose to his feet, his military boots making a dull thud on the wooden floor.

I walked to the window.

Outside the window, the command post compound was bustling with activity.

American jeeps came and went, kicking up clouds of dust.

“Wei Mou, if we issue bonds, that would be a very bad idea.”

With his back to Sun Weimou, Chu Yunfei spoke in a steady and powerful voice: "That put us in a position we shouldn't have, and it also makes the Nationalist government seem incompetent, only knowing how to reach out to their compatriots."

“We can change the name to ‘Restoration and Construction Stock’ or ‘Patriotic Industrial Crowdfunding’.”

Sun Weimou paused his pen above the notebook, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before falling into deep thought.

Chu Yunfei strode to the huge map of Southeast Asia and pointed heavily at the location of Qiongzhou Island.

"The overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, and their compatriots across the ocean, have money in their hands and passion in their hearts."

"In the past, no matter who was the finance minister, they all followed the path of draining the pond to catch all the fish."

His finger traced the coastline: "Qiongzhou Island is a treasure trove. Rubber, tin ore, tropical crops, and even the future deep-water port trade—these are all tangible gold."

Chu Yunfei turned to Sun Weimou and held up one finger: "Tell them that whoever contributes effort and money now will receive priority development rights for the next ten or even twenty years and tax exemption for several years once the task force takes over Qiongzhou Island."

"Turn business into patriotism."

"Transform patriotism into tangible benefits and translate it into comprehensive national strength."

Chu Yunfei's tone became low and seductive: "This is the long-term solution."

Sun Weimou's pen flew across the paper, the scratching sound of the pen tip gliding across the paper particularly clear in the quiet office.

He looked up, the astonishment in his eyes now completely transformed into a fanatical gleam.

"Your Excellency's insight is truly remarkable!"

Sun Weimou closed his notebook, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "This is no longer just a simple donation, but an opportunity for them to make a fortune!"

"The funds that can be leveraged are probably in the hundreds of millions!"

"now it's right."

Chu Yunfei nodded in satisfaction, walked back to the table and sat down: "This money will bypass the Ministry of Revenue, which is like a sieve, and go directly into the special account of the North China 'Restoration Construction Bank'."

"Funds are earmarked for specific purposes."

"This is the source of our confidence to attack Qiongzhou Island. Go ahead and do it, make a big splash."

"Yes!"

Sun Weimou did not leave immediately. He stood there, a look of hesitation on his face.

Chu Yunfei put down his teacup, his gaze sharp: "Is there anything else?"

Sun Weimou took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind: "Your Excellency, since we've brought up capital operations, there's something I must report to you."

He lowered his voice, his tone grave: "In the past week, a huge amount of capital has been trying to infiltrate industrial and mining enterprises and railway projects under construction in Shanxi."

Chu Yunfei narrowed his eyes slightly: "Which deity?"

"Yangzi Company".

Sun Weimou uttered these four words, observing Chu Yunfei's expression: "Kong Lingkan is behind him."

"They used the guise of 'central government support for North China's development' to try to acquire shares in high-quality coal mines at low prices, and also wanted to interfere with the procurement rights of materials for the Changlong Highway."

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

“Kong Lingkan’s men have spread the word.” Sun Weimou gritted his teeth. “They say he’s Minister Kong’s son and a close relative of the Chairman. Since he’s doing business in North China, we have to give him some face. Otherwise, there might be ‘procedural difficulties’ with the subsequent official funding.”

"Boin noodles?"

Chu Yunfei let out a very soft, cold laugh, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop to freezing point instantly.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table in a slow, subdued rhythm.

This group of bureaucratic capitalists are feasting while the front lines are in dire need.

When it comes to doing business...

No one is better at business than the Kong family.

PS: As more and more files are declassified, the previous theory of the four major families has been heavily questioned.

After 1949, the term "bureaucratic capitalism of the four major families" became a classic assertion.

The main basis is the pamphlet "The Four Major Families of China" published by the CCP in the liberated areas (1948).

The charges against Kong Xiangxi included "embezzling US aid" and "manipulating foreign exchange."

However, the evidence at the time consisted mostly of rumors and propaganda from the opposing side, lacking support from original financial records.

Declassified documents reveal that 85% of the Kong family's assets were commercial investments, rather than state-owned enterprises they directly controlled (such as the China Construction Bank controlled by T.V. Soong).
The path to wealth transfer is to increase value through international trade and overseas investment before the large-scale devaluation of the fiat currency, rather than simply through "embezzlement and bribery".

To put it another way, the Kong family's wealth accumulation during the war was a product of the political and business dualism.

That is, systemic corruption.

It is not the corruption and bribery that are currently widely recognized.

The symbiotic relationship between power and capital: officials create monopoly advantages for family businesses through policy favoritism, rather than directly embezzling public funds.

This kind of 'systemic corruption' is more harmful than individual embezzlement.

Similarly, during the War of Resistance against Japan, resources were extremely scarce, and cooperation between the government and merchants was often a necessary price to pay during the war.

Britain, the United States, France, and Germany all have almost identical precedents.

Kong Lingkan is not the foolish bastard portrayed in movies and TV dramas.

On the contrary, he is very smart.

The characters in film and television dramas are purely stereotypical portrayals.

The Confucius family's attempt to seize control of North China was not a suicide ploy.

This must have been at Chang Ruiyuan's behest.

Originally, he intended to use the Kong family to curb the development of the CC Clique and the Whampoa Military Academy.

Now, he wants to use the Confucian family to counter the expansion of the North China faction.

Thinking of this, Chu Yunfei then asked, "Wei Mou, what was your reply?"

“I turned them away on the grounds of ‘wartime military control system, all resources are public’,” Sun Weimou said with a wry smile. “But these people are very difficult to deal with. If there is no higher-level counterattack, I am worried that the mountain city will really hold us by the throat.”

"You did the right thing."

Chu Yunfei suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the table, and exuded a chilling killing intent: "The eldest son of the Kong family wants to make a fortune in North China?"

"He's come to the wrong place!"

"We must not only refuse them, but also chop off their claws completely."

Chu Yunfei grabbed the pen on the table and wrote several large characters heavily on the paper, the force penetrating the paper: "Not only must we defend, we must also counterattack."

He raised his head, his eyes flashing with cold light: "In my name, submit a formal proposal to the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan immediately."

Sun Weimou immediately opened the notebook again.

"The core of the proposal is only one thing: to promote the legislation of the 'Prohibition of Civil Servants from Engaging in Business'!"

Chu Yunfei spoke slowly and deliberately, each word like a knife: "All public officials in the military and political system are strictly prohibited from participating in any form of commercial operations, reselling of supplies, or receiving dividends from official shares during wartime."

"Those who violate this rule will be considered to be profiting from the national crisis, and will be dealt with according to military law, with their family property confiscated!"

"In addition, we should vigorously promote the complete nationalization of bureaucratic capital, even if a portion of the profits and taxes are allocated to local development, it would be better than it falling into the hands of individuals."

"hiss……"

Sun Weimou gasped, his fingers turning white from gripping the pen too tightly.

This is hardly a proposal.

This is clearly digging up the ancestral graves of the entire bureaucratic capitalist group!

"Your Excellency, this... the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan will absolutely not pass it." Sun Weimou's Adam's apple bobbed. "This would offend too many people, and even you, it's impossible to persuade everyone from top to bottom."

"Whether they approve it or not is their business; whether we bring it up or not is our business!" Chu Yunfei sneered, "What I want is to break through this barrier at this critical juncture!"

“We didn’t have this strength before, but now we do. Anyone who dares to continue profiting from the national crisis is going against us.”

"in addition."

Chu Yunfei walked around the desk and stood in front of Sun Weimou: "Within the jurisdiction of our North China Joint Command, this rule is an ironclad law from today onwards!"

"Even if the King of Heaven himself came, anyone who dared to engage in collusion between officials and businessmen would be severely punished."

"If Kong Lingkan dares to reach out."

Chu Yunfei's voice was chilling, "Don't worry about his father, and don't worry about who his uncle is."

"As long as the evidence is conclusive, detain the person and confiscate the supplies!"

Cao Potian was beaming with excitement, his eyes shining.

Sun Weimou felt a surge of heat rush to his head.

Following such a fearless and powerful leader is worthwhile, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire.

When their gazes fell upon Cao Potian standing to the side.

"Your Excellency! I'll take care of it right away!"

Chu Yunfei sat down again and rubbed his throbbing temples.

On the table, the telegram about the corruption case in Henan still lay there quietly.

Two more days have passed in the blink of an eye.

During a break from official business, Chu Yunfei, as usual, inquired about the progress of the matter.

"Pengcheng" (meaning "a bright future").

"exist."

Zhao Pengcheng, who had been waiting outside the door, pushed it open and entered.

"Has the telegram been sent to Cao Potian?"

"Sent, highest level of encryption."

Zhao Pengcheng reported in a low voice: "In addition, as you instructed, the space for the North China Daily and the Xinhua Daily has been reserved."

"title?"

"It's ready."

Zhao Pengcheng paused for a moment, then read aloud, “The parasites of the nation, though far away, shall be punished: execute a batch to deter the whole country!”

Chu Yunfei nodded, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"The case in Henan was just the beginning."

"Since the eldest son of the Kong family wants to walk into the line of fire, then I'll use these guys in Henan who resell military rations as a sacrifice to let him know that there are some red lines in North China that cannot be crossed."

He pointed to the telegram: "A secret telegram to Cao Potian, instructing them not to wait for a reply from Shancheng."

"Once public opinion takes hold, act immediately!"

"Soldiers suspected of reselling military rations must be publicly tried and executed by firing squad!"

"Yes!"

……

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

A suffocating sense of oppression filled the air.

Chang Ruiyuan sat on the sofa, holding in his hand the "request for instructions" telegram from the North China Inspectorate and the draft proposal on "Prohibiting Civil Servants from Engaging in Business".

His face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water, and the veins on the back of his hands were bulging.

"Outrageous! This is utter nonsense!"

With a "thud," the folder was slammed onto the floor, scattering papers all over the place.

"What is he trying to do?!"

Chang Ruiyuan suddenly stood up, his cane thumping loudly on the floor, his voice sharp with anger: "Is he trying to tear a hole in the sky?!"

Zhu Peiji, the chief of staff, didn't dare to breathe. He bent down and picked up the documents one by one, carefully advising, "Chairman, please calm down."

"Perhaps Chief Advisor Chu is... someone who hates evil. After all, things have gotten out of hand in Henan, and Young Master Kong's influence has indeed gone a bit too far..."

"You're here to take his side too?"

Chang Ruiyuan turned around abruptly, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's.

He paced back and forth in the room in anger: "Didn't I know that the Kong family's son was useless?"

"Am I unaware that there are corrupt officials in Henan?"

"Does Chu Yunfei think he's the only one who's honest and upright?"

He pointed to the documents on the ground, his fingers trembling: "He's trying to condemn everyone with one blow, pushing all bureaucrats to the opposite side! This is putting me, the chairman, in a difficult position!"

Chang Ruiyuan was well aware that once this proposal was made public, it would be a "bomb".

Not supported?
That would be condoning corruption and losing the trust of the people.

support?

Then you'll have to cut into your core supporters.

Chu Yunfei's move.

Too ruthless, too vicious, and too accurate.

Chang Ruiyuan took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.

"You go."

Chang Ruiyuan pointed at Zhu Peiji, his tone hardening again: "Call Dai Yunong and have his people also get involved in the investigation in Henan."

"We cannot rely solely on the one-sided account of the North China Inspectorate."

"As for this proposal..."

Chang Ruiyuan narrowed his eyes, a shrewd calculation in them: "Just say it needs to be submitted to the Central Committee plenary session for 'careful' discussion."

"Also, call Chu Yunfei back."

"It is said that in principle, we agree to severely punish the corruption case in Henan, but the specific handling of those involved must be handled by the Central Military Court, and no 'public trial' shall be conducted without authorization."

Chang Ruiyuan snorted coldly: "Trying to use this to rectify officialdom and make me look incompetent? Not so easy!"

however.

Chang Ruiyuan's plan was ultimately a step too late.

At the very moment his reply was sent, the article, which was sharp-tongued and pointed directly at the corruption scandal in Henan, had already spread throughout the streets and alleys in major newspapers in North China and even the whole country, along with the fresh scent of ink.

A media storm has fully formed, and even foreign journalists are aware of the shocking corruption case in Henan that has gripped the nation.

Wu Jingzhong, as the head of the investigation section of the inspection department, even patted his chest in front of reporters to express his confidence.

They have already gathered a great deal of evidence, and this is only the tip of the iceberg of the corrupt bureaucracy.

The investigation is ongoing.

In just about a week, public opinion has surged again.

The bureaucrats, led by Shancheng, knew they were no match for public opinion and were also worried about "airing their dirty laundry in public."

Finally, they relented, issuing a telegram.

The matter was handed over to the North China Inspectorate for handling.

The next day.

On the execution ground in a certain place in Henan.

The crowds were huge, and the atmosphere was electric.

With a sharp gunshot, a major general who once held sway over the local area fell headlong into a pool of blood amidst the roars of thousands of angry people.

The wooden sign hanging around his neck bore the bold, bright red characters: "Selling military rations, a traitor to the nation." (End of Chapter)