Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 122 Rescue
When the car returned to the municipal government building, the entrance was already blocked by reporters who had come to interview them.

Following the Hongkou explosion, all high-ranking officials of the municipal government have gone missing and cannot be found. Some reporters are already discussing whether these officials were all killed in yesterday's high-level meeting.

I felt quite disappointed to see them return.

However, they also needed to cover the explosion, so they immediately blocked the convoy.

This time, the municipal government received substantial policy benefits, giving it confidence. Therefore, Fu Xiao'an, looking energetic, got out of the car and welcomed the reporters into the municipal government's publicity hall, where he would answer questions about Shanghai's future economic strategies.

This also served as an announcement of his recovery and return from injury, clarifying the widespread rumors of his bankruptcy.

Ling Xianwen, who had been working so hard for so long, felt a little jealous and pulled Gu Yansheng aside, saying, "He pretends to be sick when there's something wrong, and then shows off when there's nothing wrong. He gets all the good things."

Gu Yansheng smiled and comforted him, "He's really been badly hurt this time. He's lost all his savings, even his funeral money. I also have a bunch of foreign companies suing his companies for breach of contract. He really can't come up with any money. Secretary-General, don't be fooled by his success; he's in pain inside."

Ling Xianwen laughed upon hearing this, after all, for a businessman, the loss of his wealth is the most heartbreaking thing.

"Then let's push it forward as soon as possible. Shanghai's economy needs to recover, and the opinions of businessmen, big and small, are very important. We can't just ignore it because the mayor is involved in the case. Wouldn't that be bending the law for personal gain?"

“That makes sense. I will definitely urge my subordinates to expedite the process.”

"I'm leaving." Ling Xianwen patted Gu Yansheng on the back and walked away with a smile.

Gu Yansheng went upstairs, and as soon as he entered the office, Liu Xiaolou immediately widened her eyes and asked, "Director, are you alright? Was there a big explosion in Hongkou?"

Was the view from Zhabei clear last night?

"I understand. The flames were shooting into the sky, and the thick smoke was billowing, illuminating the entire sky. It was a spectacular sight."

“Spectacular? You’d better watch out and get arrested by the Japanese and taken to the military police station. They’ve killed hundreds of their residents.”

Liu Xiaolou was so frightened that he immediately shrank back and gave an embarrassed laugh.

Gu Yansheng chuckled, thought for a moment, and said, "In the name of the Narcotics Control Bureau, summon all the big and small businesses on the list to the municipal government for a meeting. Forget it, don't choose the municipal government, there are too many reporters at the gate. Find a hotel in the concession and say that I'm treating them to lunch."

Liu San is temporarily unable to return from Hongkou, so his contact with Chen Mo has been cut off, making it somewhat difficult for him to find out what happened last night.

However, there's always a way to overcome difficulties. The Japanese found a reason for him to contact them, which was very thoughtful.

Liu Xiaolou responded, and Gu Yansheng remembered something, "Don't call him Sassoon anymore, the municipal government and he haven't gotten along lately."

"understood."

Now that the money was in place, Gu Yansheng held a meeting with his subordinates in the morning to assign the next tasks.

At noon, Gu Yansheng went to the foreign concession.

International Hotel.

When he arrived, everyone was already waiting.

"Director Gu."

"Hello, Mr. Gu."

"sit."

Gu Yansheng went in with a smile, glanced around, and saw that Chen Mo had also arrived, which was good.

He convened a meeting, and no force dared to send its subordinates to fool him; all those who came were the people in charge.

Zhang Xiaolin will definitely come himself.

"Director Gu, has something gone wrong with the Narcotics Control Bureau's affairs that you've summoned us all here?"

"I guess so." Gu Yansheng gestured for him to sit down, and then sat down on the sofa himself.

"The Japanese held a meeting with us, saying that everyone needs to pay a little more money, maybe 10% or 20%. Don't rush, let me finish."

You paid more money, but there are also benefits. Before, if you sold in Shanghai, you could probably sell nationwide, but with the start of the war, your distribution channels have definitely been affected.

According to the Japanese, Shanghai will now have the final say on drugs nationwide.

You are responsible for purchasing and shipping the goods, we are responsible for collecting taxes, the Japanese provide protection, and we sell drugs to all occupied areas.

You've paid a bit more money, but your income has also increased. It's a low-profit, high-volume business model, but it's definitely not like Sheng Wenyi's. I won't be picky about you buying from me, nor will I set prices for you. The more you sell, the more we collect; we're all in this together, sharing both prosperity and adversity.

Zhang Xiaolin understood; he was also a leader among these people.

"Director Gu means that the Japanese want us to expand our reach and unify the national drug market, is that what they mean?"

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "The Japanese hope that you will expand your territory and unify the global market. As long as you can do it, they will not mind."

"Hahahaha." Zhang Xiaolin laughed, thought for a moment and said, "The Green Gang has done this before. They did it before the Battle of Shanghai. But as you know, Director Gu, once they're out there, people might not give them face."

In Shanghai, we have a firm foothold and a strong voice. Outside of Shanghai, there are various factions like the Gelaohui in Sichuan and Chongqing, the Hongmen in Guangdong and Fujian, the Axe Gang in Anhui, and the Anqinghui in North China. Their influence is complex, and they also need to make a living.

"We used to be considered outsiders, but they had powerful backers. As the old saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Considering the manpower and resources, we might not be able to make any money." Zhang Xiaolin's words were met with nods of agreement from the other gang members.

If even the Green Gang had a hard time, then it would be even more difficult for them. First of all, it would cost a lot of money to develop channels, and then they would have to pay money in Shanghai, which would mean they wouldn't make any money.

It's quite nice to just stay in Shanghai and protect your own little corner of the world.

"I've thought about this for you."

Gu Yansheng said, "Let's not consider the Nationalist-controlled areas for now. We'll take things one step at a time. We'll eliminate all the Japanese-occupied areas first. No matter what gangs there are in Guangdong or Fujian, as long as it's a Japanese-occupied area, you can go in and seize the territory. If they try to stop you, send a telegram back, and I'll have the Shanghai Military Police Headquarters contact their headquarters there and they'll handle it for you."

"But what if it can't be resolved? Can Shanghai really control Guangdong?" Some members of small gangs were skeptical.

Gu Yansheng laughed: "Isn't that perfect? ​​If the Japanese can't solve it themselves, then they have no reason to charge you more money. You can stay in Shanghai and keep playing music and dancing."

"Ow~"

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and laughed, cooperating with Director Gu to complete the task.

If the Japanese contribute their labor, they can make money. So, once the money is paid, that's that. If the Japanese don't contribute, then if things fall apart, it's their own fault. Who can they blame for not contributing? They won't be the ones to suffer the trouble.

"Understood, understood, Director Gu, I'll listen to you."

"Director Gu is so thoughtful. He knew as soon as he heard that this matter couldn't be done, so he gave us a way out. We can avoid conflict with the Japanese and still complete the mission."

Gu Yansheng wouldn't listen to flattery.

This matter must be urged to proceed. In the eyes of the Shanghai Military Police Command, this is a good thing to make more money, and in their view, this matter is not something that cannot be exploited.

Everything has two sides. Not only is the fighting among so many drug dealers chaotic, but the Shanghai Military Police Command is also taking away other people's jobs, which will likely cause significant conflicts with local forces elsewhere.

You can fish in troubled waters; if the Japanese want to make money, they'll definitely have to pay a price.

The more chaotic the Japanese-occupied areas, the better.

If the Shanghai Gendarmerie Command really put in a lot of effort to crack down on drug dealers in other areas, the officials' pressure could lead to popular uprisings, and these drug dealers could even turn into anti-Japanese guerrillas.

"Director Gu, is it possible for our small gang to not participate? The main problem is that we really don't have enough manpower."

"Yes, yes, Director Gu, our little gang only has a few shops in Shanghai, it's really difficult for us to go out."

“I’ve thought about this for you all.” Gu Yansheng treated everyone equally. “The Japanese are asking for more money. If I don’t charge more, I won’t be able to complete the mission. If you don’t participate, and I charge you more, you’ll also be unhappy.”

So, I'll step in and organize your small gangs into one or two teams, and then everyone here will divide up territory according to their power level.

For example, Guangdong will be for Mr. Zhang, Fujian will be for Mr. Li. I'll divide the work among you city by city. Those with more manpower will get more, and those with less will get less.

"You little gangs can't take on the big ones, but surely you can band together? That way, when you make money fighting your way up the world, it's only fair that I collect taxes from you."

That way, they wouldn't really lose out, and the small gangs wouldn't have the right to disagree. Director Gu had already considered things very carefully for them.

Otherwise, if they forcibly requisition them, what can these small gangs do?
"We'll do as Director Gu says."

"Okay, let's eat."

After dinner, Gu Yansheng organized a conversation with several members of his small gangs, which gave him time to single out Chen Mo.

"How's the operation going?"

Chen Mo nodded, a relaxed smile on his face: "I got the stuff."

"What about the losses?"

"I'm alright, just a little injured."

Chen Mo glanced inside, then turned to the side and, taking advantage of a blind spot, lifted the hem of his shirt. There was a slight bulge inside, and some blood was seeping through the cotton fabric.

"When I jumped into the river to escape, I ran into a Japanese patrol boat. It was too dark for them to find anyone, so they just fired randomly at the water. I got hit by a bullet."

Gu Yansheng frowned: "Is it serious?"

"It's nothing." Chen Mo smiled. "It's just a scratch, I won't die. We went down into the river first, and when we saw the patrol boat from afar, we huddled in the water and pressed ourselves against the wall, practicing breath-holding. We were just unlucky enough to get grazed. Rifle bullets have no power in water. I can't afford to leave any wounds exposed, so I can only make do like this."

Do you have sulfonamides?

"Yes, don't worry, I still have some of these in stock."

"It's better with sulfonamides," Gu Yansheng nodded. "There's another matter. The Japanese and the intelligence headquarters are currently cleaning up Hongkou. Is there anything that might lead to your identities being exposed? Think about it carefully. The Japanese have only given the intelligence headquarters three days. These people will definitely try every possible means."

"There is indeed something," Chen Mo said after thinking for a moment. "I'm not worried about anything else, but it's that waiter, the one who has seen us before."

The Japanese have sealed off Hongkou District, and he's probably still there. Logically, the Japanese shouldn't be checking hotels anymore, but what if they do? Could he give himself away if he misbehaves?

An ordinary person who has not received any training, when faced with such a big event, even if the explosion itself has nothing to do with him, will still feel guilty and nervous.

(End of this chapter)