Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 135 Airborne
The following day, Fu Xiao'an convened a municipal government meeting.

As Gu Yansheng entered, he saw a newcomer sitting at the head of the table below Fu Xiao'an. The newcomer was in his thirties, had a smiling face, and wore glasses.

Fu Xiao'an presided over the meeting. "Vice Mayor Luo Junqiang, as everyone already knew yesterday, I will briefly introduce him again. According to my confirmation with the Military Police Command, Vice Mayor Luo will concurrently serve as the Director of the Economic Department, and will be in charge of taxation and finance. Please welcome him."

While it's welcome, Fu Xiao'an certainly isn't happy about having such a large piece of meat taken away.

After saying this in a calm tone, he let Luo Junqiang speak for himself.

Luo Junqiang adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, "I'm new here and haven't gotten to know everyone yet. I'll need everyone's cooperation in the future."

Before I took office, Minister Zhou told me that I wouldn't be staying at the Shanghai Municipal Government for long, so there was no need for anyone to be resistant; I would leave once I completed my mission.

No one spoke; who knows if what you said was true or false?

Seeing that no one reacted, Luo Junqiang smiled and continued, "In order to prepare for the new government, there are a few things that need to be dealt with as soon as possible. I hope that these will become the focus of our municipal government's work going forward."

First, the establishment of the SH municipal bank is related to the future establishment of the central bank of the new regime.

I know that Japan is currently promoting a new military currency, which is also the responsibility of the Economic Division. However, it will definitely transition to a new government-issued currency, which will be the exclusive currency of the new regime.

The specifics are not yet finalized, but the stable operation of municipal banks is particularly important for the implementation of the new currency under the new regime, as it will serve as a credit endorsement.

Secondly, the founding of the China Daily.

A government must have its own official newspaper. Mr. Wang’s peace movement has always been subject to different voices that slander it. It is difficult for us to resist because there is no official newspaper to clarify and refute it. Therefore, it is urgent to establish newspapers to make our voices heard.

Thirdly, the military.

The establishment of the army was certainly not within the scope of our municipal government's work, but the preparation of military supplies required the efforts of all sectors of Shanghai.

Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang are all famous lands of fish and rice. If so many wealthy merchants contribute a little, it should be enough to alleviate the army's urgent need for supplies.

In the first phase, we will prepare a small number of troops, and all necessary supplies will be prepared according to the needs of 50 troops.

Specifically, items like cotton yarn, military rations, and medicine require contributions from all sectors of society, but weapons are not needed; Japan will provide procurement channels.

These are the three main points for now, and Minister Zhou will continue to work on the remaining matters on schedule.

I also have some news to share: a promotion.

Luo Junqiang chuckled: "The establishment of a new regime will definitely require the formation of many departments. Whether it is Shanghai or Nanjing, the personnel ratios of the existing government departments cannot be directly used."

Therefore, Minister Zhou is also discussing with the Japanese side the selection of the core members of the new government.

It's simply a matter of choosing from among those present here, as well as government officials from the Japanese-controlled areas. Therefore, Minister Zhou will certainly see your efforts, and I hope to see you all in Nanjing.”

These words make it sound like he's a high-ranking official.

Those in the meeting were not keen to agree with such remarks. Ling Xianwen asked, "Vice Mayor Luo, I just heard you mention the preparation of military supplies for 50 people. How much of that needs to be provided by Shanghai?"

"We should try to solve as many problems as possible, because Shanghai is relatively wealthy and has greater capabilities. For example, Shanghai is the main production area for cotton yarn. If Shanghai can't solve its problems, other cities will have an even greater difficulty, right?"

"Understood. As for the specific price, for example, how much is a pack of cotton yarn? Mayor Fu has great business acumen. If the price is right, I think Mayor Fu can help you solve this problem."

Luo Junqiang chuckled and said somewhat shyly, "Secretary-General Ling may have misunderstood. I didn't mean to buy, but rather that it was donations made voluntarily by all sectors of society to support the establishment of the new government."

"Oh~" Ling Xianwen paused, smiled, leaned back, and remained silent.

The bureau chiefs also smiled and bowed their heads, pretending they didn't understand anything.

Fu Xiao'an asked expressionlessly, "Does Vice Mayor Luo have any other matters to arrange?"

Seeing everyone's reaction, Luo Junqiang adjusted his glasses and said, "There's no need for anyone to be emotional. The new government is still in the preparation stage, and funds are already insufficient. We should save money wherever possible. For the sake of the new China, we should encourage businessmen from all walks of life to do good deeds. When the government has money in the future, it can repay the debts. We can even write IOUs."

If some businessmen are unwilling to donate, that's considered resistance against the government. Such businessmen should be dealt with; they're better off without, aren't they?

Everyone looked at Fu Xiao'an, saying, "Stop pretending to be dead! Someone is asking you to donate. If you don't, it's considered resisting the government. Say something!"

Fu Xiao'an remained calm and unperturbed, completely ignoring the situation.

Luo Junqiang looked at Police Chief Lu Ying and said with a smile, "Chief Lu, this matter still requires the cooperation of your police station. After the meeting, let's go to my office to discuss the details."

Lu Ying's lips twitched, and she nodded: "Okay."

"Meeting adjourned." Fu Xiao'an couldn't wait even a minute longer and left immediately.

After the meeting, Gu Yansheng went to Ling Xianwen's office for a chat.

Ling Xianwen couldn't help but laugh out loud: "A vicious dog has arrived. Fu Xiao'an is the biggest cotton yarn merchant in the city. What are we going to do? What do you think we should do about Fu Xiao'an?"

Gu Yansheng chuckled and sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, saying casually, "Isn't that a bit stingy? Not giving a single penny, just asking for it, and you want the weight of 50 people? Do you really think this can be done?"

Ling Xianwen also shook his head: "50 people's worth of cotton yarn, that would suffocate these people. If it were that easy to make a living in Shanghai, would they even have a chance to eat?"
Look at the way he talks, so self-righteous and arrogant.

“Of course the people in the Attendant’s Office are arrogant,” Gu Yansheng said. “They were Chiang Kai-shek’s close advisors. A hundred years ago, that would have been a den of eunuchs. I’ve heard that when these people go out, they meet officials who are three ranks higher than them. They’re used to it.”

Ling Xianwen scoffed and commented, "Let's see how they make their moves. Anyway, they can't be ordered around here. 50 people's worth of cotton yarn, that's enough for several sets of clothes a year, right? That's equivalent to the amount needed for 200 million people."

Anyone who has so much stock is bound to be a troublemaker; he might just be another Sheng Wenyi.

They even called Lu Ying over? Do they really think Lu Ying is someone they can boss around?

Gu Yansheng hummed in agreement: "Lu Ying's stance is uncertain. Although she is currently relying on Fu Xiao'an, it is not impossible that she will eventually side with Minister Zhou, depending on the circumstances."

(End of this chapter)