Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 134 Gift
"Mr. Wang's visionary approach and advocacy of the peace movement were not out of cowardice or a desire for peace, but rather a strategic retreat to turn the tide and save the day!"
What we seek is not the shame of ceding territory for peace, but the benevolence of ending war and truce.

He is benevolent to the people and benevolent to the world.

These are the heartfelt words of the Buddha, I hope you will all consider them!

Sino-Japanese cooperation leads to a new era in East Asia!

Minister Zhou bowed slightly, and enthusiastic applause immediately followed.

The last sentence, in particular, was spoken in Japanese, which immediately elevated the speech to a higher level, and several high-ranking Japanese officials applauded with satisfaction.

After stepping down from the stage, he exchanged a few words with the Japanese and then walked over together.

He took a Parker pen from his suit pocket and handed it to Gu Yansheng, saying in a warm manner, "I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any special gift for you, sir. This pen was given to me by Mr. Wang. Today, I'm giving it to you as a congratulatory gift for your housewarming."

"Don't bring out secondhand items." Gu Yansheng waved his hand and smiled in refusal: "How can I do that? A gentleman does not take what others cherish. Since it was given to me by Mr. Wang, it must be something that Mr. Zhou loves. How can I accept it?"

Besides, this is just an ordinary gathering, but your presence, Mr. Zhou, has given it an extraordinary meaning. With General Miura and Colonel Kagesa also here, many people would love to invite you but couldn't. It's quite an honor.”

"Hahahaha." This is a phrase that Japanese people like to use.

Minister Zhou smiled and said, "I don't agree with that statement. How can one come empty-handed? A fine sword is given to a hero, and a fine pen is given to a calligrapher. Since I've come, I should naturally give a gift. Otherwise, if Mr. Wang finds out that I'm so stingy on my first meeting with my Shanghai colleagues, wouldn't he say that I don't know etiquette?"

"No, please. I really can't take away what others like. Besides, I'm not really a calligrapher. Minister Zhou is the Minister of Propaganda, and you are the real calligrapher."

"Yes, Shanghai has been quite turbulent lately. It's a good opportunity to meet with people from all walks of life in Shanghai through Mr. Gu's gathering. On the one hand, it saves me a lot of trouble. On the other hand, it's because some people in Shanghai misunderstand Mr. Wang's peace policy that some chaos has occurred in Shanghai."

This, to some extent, increases the workload for Mr. Gu's legal department. With more paperwork going on, surely compensation will have to be paid, right? General Miura, Lord Kagesa, don't you agree?

"Hahaha, Mr. Gu, please accept it." Miura said.

This harmonious scene of China and Japan being like one family is exactly what everyone has been hoping for.

Since Gu Yansheng has declined three times, let's accept it.

"That's good," Minister Zhou said to the remaining Shanghai officials beside Gu Yansheng. "Preparing for the new government is a difficult task with a lot of work involved, but for the future of the Chinese nation, we can only, and must, persevere without complaint. Chiang Kai-shek is stubborn and the situation is difficult. Shanghai needs everyone's cooperation in many tasks. I hope you will all help us in the days to come."

"Definitely, definitely." They said those polite words first.

"I'm going to have a few words with some people in the business community. Excuse me."

As soon as he left, Yingzuo stayed and said, "Since Su Xiwen fled, the position of deputy mayor has been vacant. Tomorrow, the new deputy mayor will take office, and he will also represent Minister Zhou to complete the work they need to do in Shanghai."

"Lord Yingzuo, who is this person?" Fu Xiao'an was very sensitive to this person's arrival.

There was no point in hiding it, so Yingzuo simply said, "Luo Junqiang used to be a secretary in the Chongqing Attendant Office, an instructor at the Whampoa Military Academy, the secretary-general of the Wuhan Headquarters, the secretary-general of the Nanchang Headquarters, and also the secretary-general of the Military Office. He should be a very experienced person."

Everyone nodded slightly, inwardly assessing the change in the situation brought about by this person's arrival.

Fu Xiao'an continued to inquire, "What specific tasks does he need Shanghai's help to complete?"

Before Kagesa could speak, a commotion suddenly broke out at the door. Several Japanese military police drove in and began whispering about Japan into Miura and Kagesa's ears.

Miura and Kagesa's smiles faded, and their brows furrowed.

After finishing speaking quickly, Kagesa bowed slightly to everyone and said, "I still have military affairs to attend to, please excuse me."

The Japanese people left in a hurry.

"What happened?" the bureau chief muttered to himself.

"It's war," someone replied. "What else could be causing such a rush to leave? There's probably a war going on somewhere."

Everyone nodded; this possibility was indeed quite high.

"Never mind them, it's better that they're gone. Everyone can relax more, drink and have fun as they please."

"makes sense."

The impact of the Japanese leaving soon faded away.

Having received no answer, Fu Xiao'an pondered for a moment before asking, "Did you hear that just now? The secretary in the adjutant's office—that's Minister Zhou's confidant."

A deputy director of the entourage and a secretary came to Shanghai together; their relationship was obvious.

One bureau chief lamented, "The new government hasn't even been established yet, and they're already putting people in the municipal government. They even want to send a vice mayor. What are we old comrades supposed to think about this?"

Su Xiwen's escape will surely be met with cheers from some, as the position is now vacant, and many bureau chiefs are hoping to advance further.

Now that someone has been parachuted in, the road is completely blocked.

"Mayor, which departments do you think Luo Junqiang will be in charge of after he arrives?" A bureau chief subtly reminded Fu Xiao'an about the division of labor.

Fu Xiao'an remained silent, squinting as he drank, lost in thought.

Ling Xianwen whispered to Gu Yansheng with a smile, "Fu Xiao'an treats SH City as his own backyard. This time he's probably going to meet his match. We don't care if we're just secretaries-general or department heads, but Minister Zhou probably won't be so easy to talk to. Otherwise, what's the point of establishing the Nanjing government? Isn't that the logic?"

"That makes sense. Looks like there's going to be some fun." Gu Yansheng wasn't concerned about that; he was more interested in where the battle had taken place.

After agreeing with a few words, he asked, "Secretary-General, you understand Japanese, did you hear where the fighting was just now?"

“Southern Anhui,” Ling Xianwen said casually. “The voice was too soft and the pace was too fast. I didn’t hear the specifics, but the location must be in southern Anhui. The New Fourth Army is there, and they must have started fighting. Judging from their reaction, the situation might not be good.”

The Shanghai Gendarmerie Command's sphere of influence was limited to a few plots of land nearby. Gu Yansheng guessed that it might be his own troops, and it turned out to be the New Fourth Army.

However, if the Japanese suffer a loss, then everything is fine.

The banquet lasted until about eight or nine o'clock, and then it was almost over. We drank and ate some snacks, but since they didn't provide a meal, we could all go back and cook.

After the event was completely over, Gu Yansheng gave each of the servants who had helped a bonus of ten yuan. The remaining food was divided among the guards and servants, and those who couldn't finish it could take it with them.

The group of people diligently tidied up the house, then happily left with their bags and packages, thanking them profusely.

Finally, it was quiet. Gu Yansheng went upstairs to take a shower. When he came down, Zhou Ma and A Xiang had already cleaned the house again, mopped the floor, and put the sofa back in its original place, aiming for a clean and comfortable environment.

"Sir, what should we do with these gifts?" Zhou Ma asked. The gifts were piled up in the empty room, a huge pile.

"Move it to the study; I'll take care of it later."

"it is good."

Gu Yansheng picked up the gift register that Liu Xiaolou and the others had registered. Each gift had a corresponding number, which was a number after the name. There was also a slip of paper with the same number attached to the gift, so that everything matched up.

After they finished moving, Gu Yansheng let them rest and went upstairs to start unpacking the gifts.

The room was full of gifts; let's pick out a big one at random.

Use a knife to tear open the outer packaging paper; inside, it was sealed tightly and stuffed with cotton for shock absorption—a blue and white porcelain vase.

Who sent it? It's so big! Gu Yansheng looked at the number plate and checked it against the registration book. It turned out to be a gift from Li Shiqun.

He's good at pretending to be cultured, but he doesn't even know anything about this stuff. How much is it worth?

If you don't understand it, forget it. It's fine as a decoration. Gu Yansheng moved in and the study was still empty. It just so happens that the cabinets and the tabletops are lacking in decorative items.

After checking that there were no hidden mechanisms or secret passages inside, I carefully picked it up and placed it in a corner.

The second item was two bottles of sake, which must have been a gift from the Japanese. Sure enough, the name on the bottle indicated it was from Hasegawa.

It's been left to gather dust on the shelf.

The third item was a box containing ten large yellow croakers wrapped in red satin; this was quite substantial.

Gu Yansheng glanced at the name and realized it belonged to the head of the personnel department. He must be quite wealthy.

Is it because they're afraid he'll target him because of Shen Shuyun's matter?

Okay, ten large yellow croakers can save my life.

The fourth gift was another piece of porcelain, a celadon bowl. Gu Yansheng didn't know the price, but after looking at the name, he realized it was a gift from his section chief.

Next up, a Patek Philippe pocket watch, belonging to Ding Mocun.

The deed to a shop in the French Concession, owned by Zhang Xiaolin, is good and practical.

Ivory Guanyin statue, jade snuff bottle, women's silk nightgown?
Oh, there are men's too; these were gifts from merchants.

Gu Yansheng quickly disassembled the items, finding quite a few strange and unusual things: a German Zeiss camera, a Rolex gold watch, Louis XIII brandy, and calligraphy and paintings by Dong Qichang.
Lots of antiques and calligraphy.

They were forced to learn how to appreciate this kind of thing, otherwise they wouldn't even know the exact price.

Sigh, giving a gift like this, the porcelain doesn't even have the name of the piece. If I need to ask Director Gu for a favor in the future, he'll just have to forget it.

After two hours of demolition, it was finally finished. I don't know the total price, but it must be tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Moving house and holding a banquet recouped decades' worth of servant fees.

Remembering that there was also a Sassoon suitcase, Gu Yansheng went to the bedroom and picked up the box that Ah Xiang had brought up in advance.

Upon opening it, I found it was full of pounds sterling, along with a land title deed.

A shop in the International Settlement.

Sassoon and Zhang Xiaolin had already agreed on a deal: each would receive a piece of land in the concession, with a land deed provided directly. They could collect rent or sell it; it was a very practical arrangement, and there was nothing to complain about.

I glanced at the pounds; it's around 70,000 pounds, which is about 280,000 US dollars. I did the mental calculation, and the amount should be about right.

Now that we have a lot of money, we can let Lu Bowen buy a few more factories.

(End of this chapter)