Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 132 Refugees
It's a really stupid method, and it's not very effective.

"Director Lu, I'll have to trouble you to investigate this matter for me," Gu Yansheng said with a smile.

If there's food to eat, don't be picky.

The fact that exhaustive search exists means it has its merits. Try all possibilities, and if nothing comes up, then give up.

Lu Ying hesitated for a moment and said, "I will definitely help Director Gu. It's just that the mayor called me recently to ask me to send more people to ensure the smooth implementation of the new military currency. There may be a shortage of manpower, so the efficiency will be a little slower."

Gu Yansheng believed that Lu Ying wasn't making excuses for such a small matter; there was genuinely a shortage of manpower.

"How about this, I'll have the investigation department send twenty people to go and look for it together, okay?"

"Of course, you can have them come find me. But Director Gu, I'm a little curious, who is it that you're so concerned about? Is it a relative of yours?"

"correct."

A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative, and a driver is even closer than a close neighbor.

After hanging up, I picked up the phone and called Wenyan again.

"Come to my office."

Wenyan arrived quickly: "Sir, you were looking for me?"

"Wenyan." Gu Yansheng handed over the note and explained the situation.

Wenyan, who also has children, deeply empathized with him. "I will definitely help him find his wife and children!"

Gu Yansheng nodded. He had this in mind when he sought out Wen Yan. Things should always be handled by the right person to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

After we've finished discussing business, let's chat about some casual things.

Gu Yansheng leaned back and said with a smile, "You've been the head of the inspection department for a while now, how's it going?"

Wen Yan paused, pursed his lips, and smiled sheepishly, "The work is alright, not difficult, but it's not easy to manage. Businessmen from various countries always want to invite me to dinner. Even my son, who attends a foreign school in the concession, is able to beat foreign children and get first place."

"You just invited me to dinner?" Gu Yansheng chuckled playfully.

Wen Yan was even more embarrassed. "Actually, it's more than that, but with customs and intelligence teams watching, I didn't dare to go too far."

"Is it just observation, or is there some concrete action?"

“They take action; sometimes they check the goods we’ve already inspected again.”

"Mind your own business. What kind of position dares to inspect the goods we've already checked?"

Gu Yansheng had only asked casually, thinking that the staring was just Wen Yan feeling guilty and being watched, but he didn't expect the staring to be so concrete.

If you say that, Gu Yansheng will be unhappy.

This won't do. The checks are too strict. How will smuggled goods get into Shanghai?
This policy was created by Gu Yansheng to climb the social ladder, and now it's time to clean up the mess.

"What's going on? Tell me in detail."

Seeing that Mr. Gu was not very happy, Wen Yan carefully said, "The Special Agent Headquarters has a section chief named Yan stationed at the customs. He is very serious about his work and checks very carefully. Sometimes, if the goods from the Special Agent Headquarters have been given instructions, he will let them pass. But if he is there, he will check other people's goods."

"What's the reason? Extorting businessmen?"

"No, that's the type who's serious about their work."

Gu Yansheng picked up the phone and called Ding Mocun.

Once the call connected, Gu Yansheng said, "Hello, Director Ding, is the Wusongkou Customs Inspection Department staff yours or Li Shiqun's?"

"Yes, I think so. What's wrong?"

"Whose man is that section chief surnamed Yan?"

"mine."

"It really is yours. Well, my subordinate told me that your Section Chief Yan isn't entirely satisfied with the goods they've inspected and wants to check them again. Since we're bored, why don't we invite this Section Chief Yan to my house for a check as well?"

"Is that so? I didn't know." Ding Mochun immediately explained, "This person is usually quite serious about his work, maybe a bit stubborn. I'll talk to him about it later, brother. I'm really sorry, I really didn't know."

"Why become a traitor with such a stubborn mind?" Gu Yansheng listened quietly to Ding Mocun's words, and only spoke after he finished, "Give a serious person a serious place. Don't waste his life in an unsuitable position. With the way he does things, he'll be resented sooner or later."

As they were talking, Gu Yansheng remembered something: this person couldn't be left with Ding Mocun, lest they stop inspecting the goods and start inspecting the people instead.

"Hey, Director Ding, why don't you give this talent to me? I really need his dedication in some places. Transfer the relationship and he can be considered part of the Judicial Department."

"Alright, brother, if you want it, then it's yours." It's just one person, so it doesn't matter who's the section chief, Ding Mocun agreed readily.

"Then have him come and report to me."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Yansheng said to Wen Yan, "Keep your distance from the Japanese, but just ignore the people from the Special Agent Headquarters. Shanghai's economy needs to develop. What's the point of you constantly seizing their goods?"

"When dealing with cooperative businessmen, you need to expedite the process and minimize checks. If the people at the Special Agent Headquarters still have objections, have their director call me."

"Yes, I understand." Having a powerful backer makes all the difference; Wenyan felt much more at ease. However, there was one thing he didn't understand, so he asked with a smile, "Sir, where should we put him?"

"Don't worry about that, it won't go to your customs inspection department anyway."

Gu Yansheng pondered where this person had gone.

The person arrived in the afternoon.

"Director Gu, I'm here to report for duty. This is my personnel file."

He was in his early thirties, and showed no signs of disappointment or other emotions; he appeared quite calm.

Gu Yansheng glanced at the file: Yan Dongqing, formerly a member of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong), at the level of squad leader.

The Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS), tsk, if this person had been a member of the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (JBI) before, Gu Yansheng could have suppressed him and then allowed him to make contact, and maybe he could have become a communist.

Such a conscientious person would be a master if he were to join the Communist Party.

But the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) doesn't even know if someone has blood on their hands, and the organization might even look down on them.

"What did Director Ding tell you?"

"Director Ding said that Director Gu heard that I was a very conscientious worker, so he transferred me here. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help Director Gu?"

"From now on, call me Director in private. You're one of my people now."

Gu Yansheng placed the file on the table and said with a smile, "The municipal government is currently promoting military scrip. The Economic Department had some major problems before, which I'm sure you've heard about."

"Ah."

"Our judicial department also has the responsibility of supervising various departments, such as the legal affairs section of the police station and the inspection department of the customs. The Economic Division has never sent anyone in; I am the only one holding the title of advisor. The Japanese now value the economy, so I transferred you here to supervise the flow of funds in the Economic Division to see if there are any problems and if anyone is engaging in dishonest practices. This is a very important job."

Yan Dongqing nodded to indicate that he understood.

Gu Yansheng got up and walked outside the table, and continued, "The flow of funds in the Economic Department must be huge every day, involving many people. The work is a bit complicated, but I can't send you more people. The whole thing can only be carried out in secret, with the Legal Affairs Section stationed there to perform the actual duties of investigation."

Yan Dongqing nodded. "Understood."

"Okay." Gu Yansheng picked up the phone and called the head of the personnel department, asking him to come over.

During a break, he told Yan Dongqing, "Don't be too aggressive in your work. If there are problems with the Economic Department, it could implicate many high-ranking officials in the municipal government. If there are problems, the evidence must be thoroughly investigated, and you should report back to me after you've finished investigating." "Yes."

The head of the personnel department has arrived.

Gu Yansheng said to Yan Dongqing, "There are many positions in the Special Agent Headquarters. I am just a section chief here. You will first serve as the deputy section chief of the Legal Affairs Section. Don't feel wronged. Once the Judicial Department is upgraded, all personnel may be promoted two levels. At that time, you will be equivalent to a deputy section chief."

Yan Dongqing smiled and said, "You can arrange this for me, I don't mind."

"it is good."

I've spoken to the head of the personnel department. Give him two names to recruit people and let him go out and expand his territory, find incriminating evidence.

There are no useless people, only people who are not in the right place.

The head of the personnel department even asked with a smile, "Director, is our judicial department going to become the judicial bureau? Does that mean we have to move out?"

"Go away, what are you asking about?"

"I'm back because I really need to talk to you."

Gu Yansheng stopped him and said, "I'm moving to a new house in a few days and I'm going to hold a banquet. Can you help me draft a guest list? It should include people from the municipal government who are high-ranking, as well as some of the bigger businessmen in Shanghai. Once you have the list, send it to me."

"Okay, I'll do it right away."

This is a big deal. The head of the personnel department said with a smile, "Director, I wonder if any of the section chiefs in our department have the opportunity to come and have a meal at your place."

"come together."

"Okay, thank you, Director. Tell them they'll be thrilled. I'll get right on it."

"Go."

Ding-ling-ling. Ding-ling-ling.

"Hello," Gu Yansheng answered the phone.

"Listen to the radio, Chongqing Radio." Ling Xianwen's voice came through the phone, and he hung up after saying just one short sentence.

Gu Yansheng went outside and turned on the radio, where a woman's high-pitched voice came through.

"Fellow countrymen, 400 million sons and daughters of China! This is Chongqing Central Broadcasting Station. Today, we will tear off the mask of the traitor Wang Zhaoming and expose the ironclad evidence of this traitor's betrayal to the world!"
Just a few days ago, the traitorous Wang Jingwei clique openly signed the "Wang-Japan Secret Agreement" with the Japanese invaders, handing over the land of China!
They ceded Northeast China, sold off Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, and allowed the Japanese army to permanently occupy North China!
Send Hainan Island, surrender the Yangtze River, and the railways and ports all fall into enemy hands!

It further reduced China to a slave of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, a loss of sovereignty and national humiliation even greater than the Twenty-One Demands, and even greater than the Qing Dynasty under Empress Dowager Cixi!

The passionate young man who once attempted to assassinate the regent has now become a traitorous leader who kneels before the Japanese chieftain. From a revolutionary to a national disgrace, Wang Jingwei's actions have exemplified the ultimate shamelessness!
The Nationalist Government solemnly declares that Wang Jingwei, the traitor, has been expelled from the Party.

The door opened, and Ling Xianwen walked in, sitting on the sofa with Gu Yansheng as they listened to Chongqing's accusations against Wang Jingwei.

The lengthy, ten-thousand-word article was filled with indignation. After listening to it once, it was broadcast again.

Ling Xianwen turned off the radio, sighed, and frowned, saying, "It's finally been exposed. These are troubled times."

The release of the agreement's contents was like a bolt from the blue. If Wang Jingwei's telegram in Hanoi was merely a response to the Japanese Prime Minister's statement, conveying an ambiguous sentiment...

The release of this agreement was a blatant act of surrendering national sovereignty and humiliating the country, confirming that the traitor Wang Jingwei was indeed ceding territory!

This is even more outrageous than what Empress Dowager Cixi did!
The newspapers reported on the matter extensively the next day, even suppressing the news of the Japanese issuing new military currency.

In an instant, the indignant people of the foreign concessions began writing articles to denounce and condemn the injustices, while students began to strike and take to the streets in protest.

If the insults are too harsh, the first to suffer will be the intelligence headquarters.

This intelligence leak led to repercussions from headquarters, with the Japanese intelligence department in Shanghai being the first to target the Special Agents Headquarters.

Li Shiqun had no choice but to rush into the concession again to arrest people.

They arrested students, newspaper editors, and writers in the foreign concessions who wrote scathing criticisms.

At the same time, the Iron-Blooded Assassination Squad reappeared, engaging in fierce battles with the Special Agent Headquarters in the concession. Moreover, traitorous businessmen and puppet government officials in Shanghai all became assassination targets, exchanging blood for blood and lives for lives.

These people all share a common characteristic: they are traitors, traitors with the same status as Wang Jingwei.

However, Chen Mo came specifically to tell him that the operation was carried out by the Shanghai District of the Military Intelligence Bureau, but under the name of the Iron-Blooded Assassination Corps. Boss Dai's requirement for the Shanghai District was that they should not be afraid of death and must give a deterrent to the traitors. No matter how many people died, they should be replaced.

The municipal government officials suffered a major setback. They didn't gain a single penny from Wang's rebellion, and as a result, three more officials died in just two days.

Death is death, fear is fear, but the gift still needs to be given.

Municipal government officials are concerned about what kind of gift would be appropriate to give to Director Gu for his housewarming banquet.

Lately, I've been getting more calls to the Justice Department, all from people asking about Director Gu's hobbies and trying to pull strings to get an invitation.

The head of the personnel department handed over a list. He was very sensible; he included all the wealthy and powerful people, but he didn't dare to make a decision about who the Japanese would be called.

Gu Yansheng sought advice from Ling Xianwen on this matter, as Ling knew many Japanese people and could draft the list.

"Now Lieutenant Colonel Kobayashi is in charge of the economy, which is closely related to our city government. If he wants to invite Mr. Hase, he definitely will."

Given the current situation, these businessmen coming here will inevitably want to know what methods the Japanese army has to punish Chongqing. Mr. Kagesa, could you send a picture of that Lieutenant Colonel Haruki behind the Special Agent Headquarters as well?

Also, to Commander Jiro Miura at the Military Police Headquarters, send him a note. He might not actually come, but the thought is what counts.

That's how it's done. All the major figures from Shanghai have been invited, and it's already a bit crowded.

Gu Yansheng figured that there wasn't enough room inside, so the open space outside had to be utilized. He decided to let the businessmen go outside; after all, they wouldn't dare to object.

The staff in the personnel department were tasked with sending out invitations one by one and bringing back replies to each one.

Everyone said they would definitely participate.

In this situation, these businessmen are really panicking. They are afraid of not making money and also afraid of the Kuomintang's intelligence agencies coming to their door. These banquets are good opportunities to build relationships and find out about policy trends.

office.

Wenyan walked in.

"Sir, the police and I went through all the files in the household registration department and found the girl. She has a birthmark behind her ear and looks very similar."

This is a truly wonderful surprise.

Gu Yansheng quickly asked, "Where did you find it?"

"The church was built by the French priest, Jacques-Jacques, in the refugee area of ​​Nanshi. A Swiss nurse found her there and adopted her. She was registered with the French Concession's household registration department. Now, the priest has gone to Hankou to build a refugee area, but the nurse stayed behind to maintain the church's operation. The girl was also left behind and helps out at the church as a nurse, delivering water and medicine."

"Good, good, good." Gu Yansheng stood up happily: "You managed to find this, well done! How could the French Concession's household registration department let you check this?"

“We didn’t check, it was just good luck.” Wen Yan smiled. “We used a clumsy method to search all the children aged seven to twelve who had registered in Shanghai after the war, and compared them one by one to see if they were there. But when a policeman went home and talked about this with his father, his father, an old policeman, remembered something.”

After the war, the Japanese demanded that the police re-register information for everyone in Shanghai and establish a household registration system. However, there were some areas they did not go to: refugee camps and infectious disease hospitals. Many people died in these two places, and the police were too afraid to go in.

If there were children inside, it's very possible they were missed at the time. And if this person later went to the concession and lived there, there would be no relevant information about them in the Shanghai city area.

So I looked up everyone who ran the refugee camp in Shanghai back then, and then I found this French priest. I went to his church and found this Swiss nurse. I asked her about it, and she told me that she had indeed adopted such a girl back then, and that she had seen her in person.

(End of this chapter)