Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 128 Quarrel
The three men arrived at the military police headquarters.

I met with Nobuo Kobayashi.

Fu Xiao'an took the initiative, explaining Wan Molin's identity and his position in the Green Gang, before getting to the main topic.

"Mr. Kobayashi, at this critical moment of Shanghai's economic recovery, the Special Agent Headquarters is disrupting the overall peace by arresting Wan Molin. How much turmoil will this cause? If everyone acts like him, arresting whomever they want and even storming into the concessions to make arrests, what will become of Shanghai's economy?"
Next, you will introduce a new military currency. Do you think that under these circumstances, the foreign companies that just exchanged the old military currency for Japanese yen and US dollars will still be willing to exchange their foreign currency for military currency?
Will the Municipal Council and the Public Works Bureau unite them to boycott military scrip in protest?
Even if they don't resist, how do we deal with these troublemaking Green Gang members? Are we going to have the military police take over and declare martial law again, starting another crackdown period?

Kobayashi Nobuo listened to Fu Xiao'an's words expressionlessly, then pushed up his glasses: "I understand what you mean. Please sit down and wait for me."

After finishing his sentence, Nobuo Kobayashi went to the office of the military police commander.

"Your Excellency, Wan Molin must be released immediately," Kobayashi Nobuo relayed Fu Xiao'an's words.

Jiro Miura frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "What you said does make sense. Shanghai's economy is something we need to consider, but arresting anti-Japanese elements is also part of our work. Kagesa insists, so I can't just stop him from making the arrests, can I?"

"Your Excellency, this is not a matter of how to explain, but of time. We cannot afford to waste a single minute. Shanghai's economy must recover immediately; this is the Empire's demand of us!"

“You should talk to him yourself. He’s at the military police station.” Jiro Miura picked up the phone and said a few words. A little while later, Yoshiaki Kagesa came upstairs.

Nobuo Kobayashi still demanded the release of the prisoners, giving numerous reasons.

But Kagesa disagreed.

The two argued, and Kobayashi was somewhat angry, as the stupidity and shortsightedness of soldiers could be seen in Kagesa.

Kagesa got annoyed, especially by Kobayashi's disrespectful attitude, which always seemed to exude the superiority complex of a scholar.

"Kobayashi-kun, I know the economy is important, but the Hongkou bombing incident needs an explanation. Besides, if we just release them like this, it won't be easy for us to explain to the outside world. You do your job, and I'll do mine. You'd better not interfere in espionage matters! You've overstepped your authority! Be mindful of your position!"

"Who cares about your little bit of power? It's your current work that's affecting the overall situation in Shanghai!"

Nobuo Kobayashi shouted, "Does Shanghai's interest lie in a few spies? Does it lie in massacring the streets? If killing spies were effective, you could just kill everyone in Shanghai, and then not a single spy would be spared! Your job would be over!"

But is it useful?
What we need is the economy, money, and a continuous stream of military spending!
Why should the General Headquarters allocate tens of millions more to bail out Shanghai's economy? Isn't it because Lieutenant General Iwasa's reckless actions have disrupted Shanghai's economy?
What you're doing now, how is it any different from what Lieutenant General Iwasa is doing?

"Kobayashi, watch your tone. Are you accusing me?" Kagesa glared at him.

Nobuo Kobayashi snorted coldly, "I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just telling you what's right and what's wrong."

Do you know why the General Staff implemented military currency? Why did they allow all businesses to exchange it freely? What's the difference between it and the Japanese yen? Do you know? You don't.

Let me tell you, people have inertia, and people get used to things.

The circulation of military scrip in Shanghai was bound to be met with opposition from users at first, which was normal, because they felt that military scrip had no credibility and therefore did not want to use it. The chaos in Shanghai some time ago and the experience of Lieutenant General Iwasa a few days ago also proved this point.

However, as long as the use continues, it is only a matter of time before military scrip spreads from Shanghai, Nanjing, and Guangzhou to all occupied areas and even to the Nationalist-controlled areas. Moreover, the speed of spread will become faster and faster as more users become involved.

Once this step is achieved, do you know what it's called?

This is called economic colonialism!

The right to issue military currency is in our hands. We can print as much as we want. If we maintain fair exchange for a period of time, the situation will return to what I just mentioned, and people will get used to it.

When they get used to it, that's when we'll stop exchanging military currency. At that point, all businesses and individuals will be using military currency, and what about us buying things? We just need to print military currency and have tens of millions of Chinese people work for us. We won't need to expend any extra effort to reap all their profits.

All we need to do is one thing: Indian military currency!

With the money earned by Chinese laborers working for us, we can buy all of China's mineral resources, weapons, industry, and agriculture!
Everything, everything, belongs to us!
If we use these things to fight Chongqing and Yan'an, how will they compare to us then?

We don't even need to fight them; they will collapse on their own, and their people will turn against them because all they have are military bills!
Is this the kind of achievement you could accomplish by catching just a few spies in Shanghai?
Is it meaningful to arrest more or fewer spies?

"You're being too idealistic," Yingzuo said, leaning back on the sofa.

“Ideal? This is a fact!” Nobuo Kobayashi pushed up his glasses: “When I went to England, the British Museum had a quote written by the chairman of the East India Company: ‘Expand territories with commercial banners, govern the country with account books.’”

In 1600, Elizabeth I granted the East India Company a royal charter. With this charter, the East India Company forced the Indian emperor to sign a treaty, gaining control of tax revenue from their three major cities.

With this power alone, the East India Company earned £140 million from taxes for Britain in nine years—£140 million from hundreds of years ago!
With this £1.4 million, the East India Company exported a large amount of goods from India to Britain without spending a single penny, plundering at zero cost.

This is called economic colonialism.

You've already tried war, and you can't win it in a short time. Otherwise, why would you negotiate with the vice chairman of Chongqing?
And this vice-chairman will later become the Indian emperor in the story!
The right to print money is the same as the taxation right in the story!
This is the highest-level strategy!
Colonialism! Enslavement! A never-ending money-making machine!

"Who told you that?" Yingzu asked curiously. Kobayashi's words did help him clarify some of his strategic thinking. There were some things that even he didn't know very clearly.

Nobuo Kobayashi pushed up his glasses and smiled: "I guessed it. It's not hard. If you spent the time you would spend catching spies on studying, you might be able to do it too."

Hearing such sarcastic remarks, Yingzu smiled with a hint of amusement, "One can be confident, but not arrogant, and especially should not adopt bad habits such as subservience. At least don't use them on me. What can you do if I say I won't release them?"

Nobuo Kobayashi's expression turned slightly cold: "I've made myself clear enough. If you insist on going your own way, affecting the overall situation and ruining the Empire's plans, I will definitely report you to headquarters."

"Go ahead and sue," Kagesa said, unconcerned.

"madness!"

Nobuo Kobayashi rebuked him without any politeness, and before Kagesa could suddenly stand up and rage, he said to Jiro Miura, "Commander, don't forget what happened to Iwasa!"

“Kagesa-kun, release him.” Miura Jiro said, “My primary task in coming to Shanghai is to stabilize the city’s economy. You really don’t want me to follow in Iwasa’s footsteps.”

“But this person could implicate a whole bunch of Kuomintang secret police.” Kageyama Tadaaki frowned.

Jiro Miura nodded: "I believe your judgment, but espionage operations must be based on the premise of not disrupting the overall situation. I think Kobayashi-kun is right about one thing: compared with the overall economic situation in Shanghai and the long-term interests of the empire, what does it matter if a few agents cause some sabotage?"

Kagesa Yoshiaki could deny Kobayashi, but he couldn't deny Miura. He glanced at Kobayashi with particular displeasure: "Fine, as you wish."

Ten minutes later, in the economics department office.

Kobayashi casually informed the group of the result. "His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has already called the Special Agent Headquarters and ordered their immediate release."

"Oh?" The group exchanged glances, quite surprised. They hadn't expected Kobayashi to be able to persuade Kagesa Yoshiaki, which greatly enhanced their impression of Kobayashi's abilities.

He showered her with compliments.

Kobayashi smiled faintly and said, "As long as it is beneficial to the economic work, I will definitely help. Now that the obstacles have been cleared, I hope you will promote the economic recovery of Shanghai as soon as possible and with all your might. Tomorrow, the ship carrying military scrip will arrive in Shanghai, and then the new work can begin."

The mayor should focus on external publicity and communication, the secretary-general should coordinate with all departments to prevent any internal government disruptions, and the judicial department should urge legislative and enforcement agencies to fully guarantee the progress of the military bill work.

"Yes."

Things went much more smoothly than expected. When Gu Yansheng came out, he observed Fu Xiao'an's expression, and he seemed unusually happy.

“Mayor Fu, you’re so happy about releasing Wan Molin. If the Special Agent Headquarters finds out, they might suspect you’re a Kuomintang agent.”

"Me? Military Intelligence Bureau?" Fu Xiao'an was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly: "Let him suspect me if he wants. I'm an upright man, and my happiness comes from a work perspective. Once the problem is solved, there will be fewer conflicts. Director Gu is the director of the Judicial Department, so why are you unhappy?"

"Happy." Gu Yansheng nodded and smiled slightly.

Fu Xiao'an got into the car and left on his own, while Ling Xianwen was curious about what Gu Yansheng had just said.

What did you mean by that?

"It doesn't mean anything," Gu Yansheng smiled. "It just seems that our mayor doesn't act without self-interest, and he seems quite enthusiastic about this matter today."

Ling Xianwen pondered for a moment and said, "He's the mayor, so it's not surprising that he's enthusiastic about economic matters. Besides, with so many stocks and companies stuck in his hands, he's anxious if the economy doesn't pick up."

"Makes sense."

We can't just head home; we have to go to the intelligence headquarters.

Gu Yansheng drove to the Special Agent Headquarters.

Now that he knew the way well, he went straight to Li Shiqun as soon as he entered.

"Director Gu, what brings you here today?" Li Shiqun greeted him with a smile.

"Come and ask for our people back."

Gu Yansheng didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the sofa. He accused, "Your Special Agent Headquarters has turned Shanghai upside down. When I came back from the Military Police Headquarters, I was given a good scolding by Lieutenant Colonel Kobayashi, who was in charge of the economy. I said, 'Can't your Special Agent Headquarters consider the impact of your actions? It's also making things difficult for the municipal government.'"

“Director Gu, do you think we have it easy?” Li Shiqun pointed to his eye sockets. “Look at this, I haven’t slept all night, and in the end the Military Police Headquarters is not satisfied, Yingzuo is not satisfied, and you are not satisfied either.”

Gu Yansheng scoffed, "Complaining to me is useless. You brought this on yourselves. Don't you even know what time it is? Enough said. Can you send people to Nanjing? Yingzuo can't keep holding you back, can he? If this drags on any longer, all the good houses in Nanjing will be bought up."

Li Shiqun chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Letting them go is not an easy thing. If one door closes, another opens. If we can't arrest this one, we'll find another. As for the people going to Nanjing, fine, we'll give them to you as soon as possible."

Li Shiqun picked up the phone and made a call. Not long after, Wu Sibao came in.

"Director Gu is here too."

Li Shiqun said, "Sibao, bring back the people you sent to Nanjing and give them to Director Gu."

Wu Sibao was delighted to hear this. "Brother, it should have been done a long time ago. Nothing can interfere with our making money, otherwise your wife will keep nagging you."

Li Shiqun's face hardened: "Can't you give me some face?"

Wu Sibao chuckled, "Director Gu isn't an outsider."

As they were talking, Ding Mochun walked in. "Director Gu, when are you going to come to the Special Agent Headquarters to see me? Every time you come, you go to Deputy Director Li's office. What's wrong? Do you think my tea is bad?"

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "I can tell you don't care about me. What I like to drink is coffee."

Ding Mocun glared at him. "I'll buy a coffee machine tomorrow, no, I'll buy it today. If you don't come to my place next time you come, I'll bring you coffee every day. Let's see if you'll feel embarrassed not to come. Come on, let's go sit down."

"Director Ding, this isn't right. I still have things to discuss with Director Gu. Isn't it a bit much for you to just snatch someone from me like this?" Li Shiqun said with a forced smile.

Ding Mocun snorted coldly and laughed, "I also have something to discuss with Director Gu, official business, no less. What, is it official business for you too?"

"Tch, what official business could you possibly have?"

"You can't control it."

"Alright, alright, alright." Gu Yansheng stood up to stop the standoff between the two and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you so angry? You haven't slept all night and have nowhere to vent, so don't take it out on me. I'm not a steamed bun, why are you fighting over me? What's going on?"

"Ask him!" Ding Mochun glared at Li Shiqun and shouted, "I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone as shameless as him. Two people did the work, but he's trying to pin the blame on me. Does he have any respect for me at all?!"

Li Shiqun's expression was cold and stern, and he said bluntly, "The failure of this operation is entirely your fault! We were both trying to capture someone, but my men captured Wan Molin while your men returned empty-handed. If your men hadn't come back empty-handed, we could all hold our heads high in front of Ying Zuo. Why would we be being scolded? What's wrong with me saying this to Ying Zuo?"

"You guys were arresting people on the street, while my men stormed into the bank! Do you think that takes the same amount of time? What's so strange about being discovered and cornered? On the contrary, you couldn't even get Wan Molin straight, and you let the duck that was almost in your hand fly away. You're a bunch of useless people from top to bottom!"

Ding Mocun, with a sour face, shouted and cursed loudly.

Wu Sibao wasn't happy about this. "Hey, Director Ding, how dare you talk like that?"

"Look at the men you trained, they dare to boss me around. You've really trained them well."

Li Shiqun raised an eyebrow and sneered without showing any weakness: "Our action team is bold and capable of fighting and killing. Without this courage, how could we bring people back from the hail of bullets in the concession? Unlike Director Ding's men, who are a bunch of cowards, not even a dog was brought back."

“Li Shiqun!” Ding Mocun pointed at him, glaring angrily.

"What's wrong?" Li Shiqun shouted back, not giving an inch.

(End of this chapter)