Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 139 Story
"How many? A forced conscription plan of 50 people?"

He Yun stood up in shock.

"Are you telling the truth? The Japanese really intend to forcibly conscript 50 people for military supplies?"

"More or less," Gu Yansheng said thoughtfully, "but it wasn't a Japanese person, but a vicious dog kept by a Japanese person."

Without saying a word, He Yun picked up a piece of paper and a pen and started calculating on the paper.

After doing some calculations, he shook his head: "Impossible, absolutely impossible."

She looked up and said, "I don't know how much inventory Shanghai has, but I know exactly how many factories there are in Shanghai. Just by comparing the scale of the factories with the daily consumption of Shanghai's population, the surplus is definitely not enough to support the consumption of another 50 people."

With 50 people, assuming one kilogram of rice per day, the total annual consumption would be 18 tons.

I estimate that Shanghai could not even produce 100,000 tons, considering how long Shanghai has only been back to production.
There is absolutely no way there could be that much grain stored up.

If the food supply is taken away, Shanghai will run out of food. If it's all taken away, many people in Shanghai will starve to death.

Even if you only smoke half, it might not be enough.

"So much is missing?" Gu Yansheng listened thoughtfully.

The shortage of stock is not unexpected, but it also makes it impossible to complete Hase's plan.

He Yun nodded decisively: "It can't be wrong, math doesn't lie."

Since there isn't enough grain, the cotton yarn reserves might also be insufficient.

However, Gu Yansheng manipulated Lu Bowen to buy up goods, buying as much as possible, taking advantage of the merchants' winter stockpiling to sell at high prices, and thus they acquired seven or eight thousand packages.

These people want 20,000 packs of clothes for 500,000 people.

The same logic applies, but it should be even more difficult.

That evening, Gu Yansheng went to Luo Junqiang's dinner party and found a restaurant by the river.

We booked a private room, exchanged a few polite words, and got down to business.

The first to speak was the head of the Industry and Commerce Section of the Finance Bureau, who had been brought to dinner by the Finance Bureau Director.

The head of the Industry and Commerce Section looked at Luo Junqiang and said, "After receiving the order, I went back and checked the data. Because of the strict control period last year, the production data is not so accurate. So I consulted the production data of 1936 as a basis and reported to the leaders."

Luo Junqiang nodded: "Speak."

"Yes." The head of the Industry and Commerce Department bowed respectfully and said, "First of all, it's cotton yarn."

Shanghai is a major cotton yarn producing province, accounting for 60% of the country's cotton yarn production.

At that time, the annual cotton yarn production was 26 standard pieces.

"What is the concept of standard parts?" Luo Junqiang asked.

The section chief bowed and said, "Each piece weighs 181 kilograms, which is enough to make about 100 sets of military uniforms."

Luo Junqiang understood then, "Okay, you can continue."

The section chief said, "So, to meet the needs of 500,000 people, we need 5000 pieces of cotton yarn. If we count four sets, that's 20,000 pieces. If we add bedding, that's 30,000 to 35,000 pieces of cotton yarn."

In 1936, Shanghai's annual production capacity was 260,000 pieces. Now, after the war, some production capacity has certainly been lost. But if we had only wanted 20,000 pieces initially, that would have been 10% of the original output, and I think that shouldn't have been a problem.

After the section chief finished speaking, he smiled at everyone, then turned back to Luo Junqiang, his smile widening: "I wonder if Vice Mayor Luo agrees?"

Gu Yansheng was having a drink when he heard this. He looked at the section chief strangely, then at the finance bureau chief. "Some losses after the war," he said. "Some losses" was quite an interesting way of putting it.

The Finance Bureau Chief was originally Fu Xiao'an's man, but Fu Xiao'an quietly dug a huge pit for him.

"Well said and well-founded." Luo Junqiang pointed and praised the Finance Bureau Chief: "Your logic as the head of the Industry and Commerce Section is clear, and you present the facts and evidence. I think this kind of talent is the kind of role model that Nanjing needs in the future."

The Finance Bureau Chief smiled slightly: "Mayor Luo, he is my right-hand man, I can't give him to you."

“I didn’t ask you for people.” Luo Junqiang smiled. “I just think what he said makes a lot of sense. Ten percent is about what I estimated. For the businessmen in Shanghai, it will definitely hurt them to give it up. But to be honest, it’s only ten percent. If we really don’t give it to them, Director Gu and Director Lu, we’ll have to trouble you two to make them see the facts.”

Lu Ying was drinking her wine, and seemed to have just come back to her senses after being lost in thought. "Ah? Oh, of course, Vice Mayor Luo, don't worry, I've already made arrangements with the police. They will definitely send officers to assist with the case tomorrow. You can do whatever you want."

"Okay." Luo Junqiang smiled and looked at Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng didn't even need him to speak, he readily nodded: "I'll find the legal basis, I guarantee there's a law to follow."

"Very good!" Luo Junqiang smiled brightly. "If there are no problems, I hope to hear the first good news from you all tomorrow so I can celebrate your success in advance. Cheers!"

"cheers."

After the banquet ended, Luo Junqiang said, "We've had so much fun today, I'll treat everyone to some fun. The ballroom in the concession is nice, let's all go together, it's on me."

“I won’t go; my wife is very strict with me,” Lu Ying immediately refused.

The Finance Bureau Chief was the second to refuse: "Mayor Luo, I need to go back and double-check the list. It's related to the next steps, and we can't afford any mistakes."

Gu Yansheng said, "Mayor Luo, you still need to consider this matter. Recently, the Shanghai Iron-Blooded Assassination Group has been carrying out many assassinations. With so many people around, it's not safe. You know quite a few people in Chongqing, don't you?"

Luo Junqiang was half-sobered up by the fright. "What you said makes sense. Maybe next time."

"Alright, goodbye Mayor Luo."

After seeing the person off, Gu Yansheng stared at Lu Ying and smiled: "Director Lu, he asked me to come over this morning. Was that your suggestion?"

Unable to avoid it, Lu Ying smiled helplessly: "Director Gu, we're in this together, so please help me out. I'll be there for you next time, okay?"

"You're quite direct." Since the other person was so frank, Gu Yansheng didn't know what to say.

Leave.

Luo Junqiang lost interest and went back to the hotel to see Minister Zhou.

"minister."

"How are you feeling? Have a seat."

Luo Junqiang sat down on the sofa and took a sip of tea: "Things have started to get done. So far, they seem to be quite cooperative. They're not entirely willing, but they're also considering our situation and haven't been overly reluctant."

Minister Zhou nodded: "The situation in Shanghai is quite complicated. You need to keep a close eye on the military supplies. We need military supplies not just this time, but every year. This is related to whether we can take control of the army."

Only with food can there be an army. The most important things for a country are military power and financial power, and these should not fall into the hands of Chen Bijun.

Mr. Wang is an ambitious man, but his wife is all ambition and no substance. We can't say this to outsiders, but I'm telling you this because you're one of my people. You need to be careful around her.

"Yes, I understand." "There's one more thing." Minister Zhou thought for a moment and said, "When the new government is established in Nanjing, I plan to place you in Shanghai first. Shanghai is a prosperous place, and it can't function without our own people."

However, if it's just you, your foundation is too shallow, making you vulnerable to obstacles set up by local factions, which could lead to your policies not being implemented.

Among the local bureaucrats in Shanghai, do you think there are any commendable talents in your opinion?

I'll take him to Nanjing, so he can break away from his homeland. You'll inherit his influence in Shanghai, and he won't dare to say anything in Nanjing. In effect, you can both get what you need.

Luo Junqiang thought about it carefully and said, "To be honest, I don't think much of those who are deeply rooted in Shanghai. They are too deeply entrenched. Even if I wanted to dig them out, it wouldn't be easy. It's better to open up new opportunities for myself."

But if we're talking about talent, there is indeed one.

I chatted with Police Chief Lu Ying today, and Lu Ying told me that Gu Yansheng, the head of the Judicial Department, is very capable.

I told Lu Ying that I should ask him to cooperate with me in collecting supplies. He had the police force under his command, so he should do his job without hesitation.

But he told me that a hard ban was not the solution. First, it would easily incite resentment from all sectors of Shanghai, and second, it would be neither legitimate nor respectable.

Then he recommended Gu Yansheng to me, saying that Director Gu was very capable.

Minister Zhou certainly remembered Gu Yansheng. Just by looking at the banquet, one could tell that Gu Yansheng was definitely one of the most influential figures in Shanghai. But what made him so powerful was something he didn't know.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Tell me about it."

Luo Junqiang recounted: "According to Lu Ying, Gu Yansheng's breakthrough battle was his first battle after taking office."

At the time, the Japanese asked him to find a way to solve the problem of foreign merchant ships being uncontrolled. He came up with a solution by introducing new regulations, which led to all foreign companies in the concession uniting against him, and even uniting all the merchants in Shanghai city to work together to bring him down!
They'll hoard and speculate on goods, completely cutting off all food sources in SH City and forcing him to admit defeat.

During those days, prices in Shanghai skyrocketed, and citizens genuinely couldn't buy food. All the stock on the market was unsold, and everything was sold out. Can you imagine how much pressure he was under? How could a newly appointed department head solve that?

Anyone else would be terrified, wouldn't they?
Moreover, Mayor Fu Xiao'an was on the same side as those businessmen in this group.

There are still people in the city government working against him.

"Besieged on all sides."

Minister Zhou listened with interest, "So how was this matter resolved?"

Luo Junqiang smiled and said, "I'm not trying to keep you in suspense, but you would never guess that he only used one piece of paper, a forged piece of paper."

"What paper?"

"A secret telegram from the Japanese General Headquarters to the Shanghai Military Police Command stated that the Japanese army intended to forcibly requisition cotton yarn and grain in Shanghai. This single piece of paper was dropped at the stock exchange in the concession, causing the stock market to crash that very day. Who was still hoarding goods in Shanghai? All the goods were dumped in a panic."

As Luo Junqiang spoke, he noticed that Minister Zhou's expression seemed a little off.

"Minister, what's wrong?"

Minister Zhou pondered for a moment, "What did you just say? That it scared the stock market so much that it crashed that day?"

"Yes, how could a businessman not be afraid?"

Minister Zhou chuckled, "This Lu Ying is no ordinary person. Use your mouth to tell me this: Japan's forced requisition of cotton yarn and grain caused the Shanghai stock market to collapse. We are also forcibly requisitioning now. Don't you think Lu Ying has another purpose in telling you this story?"

Luo Junqiang's smile faded slightly. "Minister, you're right. I was slow to react. Is Lu Ying telling me that Shanghai's economy might collapse? What should we do then?"

"Continue," Minister Zhou said calmly. "It won't collapse. Shanghai's economy is still doing just fine, isn't it? It's just fluctuations, and there are already precedents to learn from. How far can it collapse? Don't forget our purpose. If we don't achieve our purpose, what does Shanghai's economy have to do with you and me?"

"Yes, the chicken came first, then the egg."

After recounting the little incident, Minister Zhou smiled and said, "Continue with the story. What happened next? Since we have a precedent to learn from, let's learn from history and study it more."

"And then?" Luo Junqiang continued his train of thought: "Didn't they crash the Shanghai stock market with a fake telegram? But that wasn't the most amazing thing."

The most ingenious part is that, according to rumors, before taking action, Director Gu bought a bunch of short futures contracts. With just one piece of paper, he not only brought down the businessmen but also made a huge profit off them.

That wasn't all. He then teamed up with Fu Xiao'an to drive up the stock market and make another fortune.

These Shanghai businessmen were like dogs in his hands, kept on his leash.

"There are so many talented people in the world." Minister Zhou thought for a moment, then smiled. "Look at how young he is, yet he understands the stock market. He can make a big difference with just a piece of paper. He's really skilled."
The candidate for Minister of Justice has already been chosen, and that's Guangdong's territory. That stingy Chen Gongbo won't let you insert yourself; even a vice-ministerial position won't be easy to get."

The next day, the group gathered in front of the city government building.

The police, the Judicial Department's Inspection Division, the Finance Bureau's Industry and Commerce Division, and the Tax Bureau's Tax Inspection Division have now formed a joint enforcement team and are awaiting orders.

Luo Junqiang, Gu Yansheng, and Lu Ying reunite.

Luo Junqiang asked, "Do you two have any suggestions on how to proceed specifically?"

Lu Ying smiled and said, "Mayor Luo, you can make the arrangements, and I will cooperate."

Where is Director Gu?

"I?"

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "I think this matter needs to be handled quickly. If it's slow, what if some businesses transfer their assets? Ultimately, we need to receive the goods, not shut down their factories."

So I think it's best to be straightforward. My judicial office will come and seal off the door, the police will stand guard to prevent them from causing trouble, and the tax bureau can issue some random evidence of their tax evasion and post it on the door. The seal will be lifted only when they pay the fine, forcing them to pay.

“Okay.” Luo Junqiang’s eyes lit up. “This is a good idea, quick and efficient. Director Gu, let’s do it your way.”

"Okay, Wenyan, you lead the team and seal off each business one by one according to the list. Be quick."

"Yes."

Gu Yansheng said in a low voice, "First, shut down all the Japanese-owned enterprises, without exception, shut them all down, and take two months' worth of production capacity from each one."

Wenyan raised his eyes, his pupils wide with shock, but what the master said was definitely true.

"Yes, I guarantee it will be completed."

"Director Lu, send more men to assist, and make sure they are armed," Gu Yansheng called out.

Lu Ying waved her hand, signaling her subordinates to follow Wen Yan, before walking up to Gu Yansheng and smiling, "Director Gu, why are you being so proactive?"

Gu Yansheng chuckled: "When friends come from afar, of course I have to entertain them. Shanghai is our territory. The longer this drags on, the more chaotic things will become. Wouldn't it be better to cut the Gordian knot quickly?"

Since Hasegawa has made a request, Gu Yansheng has no reason not to comply.

Lu Ying frowned slightly and thought for a moment, then relaxed her brows. She was right, the sooner the better, even if it was chaotic, a little chaos was better than constant chaos.

Wenyan led the team, and the first seal from the judicial office was slapped on the gate of the Mitsui Textile Factory. The reason: tax evasion.

(End of this chapter)