Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 149 Western Shanghai
"The Japanese are treating us like poison," Ling Xianwen sighed.

"Gentlemen, I have to say something about this. We still need to help each other out. We absolutely cannot undermine each other, or none of us will have a good time," the Finance Bureau Director said.

They're all shrewd people, and the first thing they think of is not to undermine each other. Otherwise, if everyone tries to outdo each other in being bad, can the Japanese fire them all?
Nobody believed it, but if they really started undermining them like that, some people would stay, and some would definitely not. The Japanese would definitely make an example of them, and those people would surely die.

Wang Rusong nodded in agreement, "We also understand the situation in Shanghai. Every place has its own strengths, and we need to cooperate with each other to make things easier in the future. But why did they pick western Shanghai? Damn it, even a dog would be skinned alive there. That's where the most local thugs and bullies are fighting, drunken brawls, and disorderly conduct."

Fu Xiao'an disagreed with this statement, saying, "The foundation of western Shanghai is actually quite good. At least it has factories. I remember that western Shanghai's tax revenue is only about 4 million silver dollars now. If we really set up factories, a 30% increase can be achieved easily."

“Mayor, you make it sound so easy.” Wang Rusong scoffed, “Given Shanghai’s current situation, it’s good enough that people aren’t moving out. Who would want to come to Shanghai to do industry? I wouldn’t come even if you invited me.”

Even if they did come, they wouldn't be able to build a factory in three months, let alone an industrial facility. They wouldn't even have enough time to buy machinery.

The estimated annual trade volume in western Shanghai is 1600 million silver dollars, with tax revenue of 400 million. An additional 120 million in tax revenue would translate to an extra 480 million in turnover for western Shanghai. Where would they get that extra revenue?

The finance bureau chief suddenly laughed, winked, and said, "Actually, it's simple. Don't calculate it like that. If you calculate 4 million, that's 330,000 per month. 30% is 100,000. You just need to add 100,000 yourself, and the task will be completed, right?"

Wang Rusong's eyes widened. "You think I'm paying to work? Paying over ten thousand US dollars a month to work?"

"Hahahahahaha."

"I'm off, I'm off anyway. I don't dare eat anything here. I'll go pick a place tomorrow. Pudong is such a crappy place, it's only a two-hour round trip. I don't have time to come to the municipal government for work. Guys, call me if you need anything."

Upon hearing this, everyone cast sympathetic glances their way. At least they were still in the city center; going to Pudong was indeed quite remote.

Then Luo Junqiang also left with a dark face; he was also from Pudong.

Then those from Wusongkou also left, ready to enjoy the sea breeze.

"Let's go too."

Wang Rusong pulled Gu Yansheng away.

As he stepped out the door, he sighed, "Brother Gu, we're unlucky, we've been assigned to the western part of Shanghai. But we're out of options now. I know you're capable, so tell me, do you think this is a good opportunity?"

"We should go and take a look first. Apart from the Special Agent Headquarters, I know nothing else about the situation in western Shanghai."

The western part of Shanghai is a vast area, already considered a suburb of Shanghai city. The western part of Shanghai is just west of the concession. The location of the secret service headquarters is a few hundred meters away from the westernmost edge of the concession.

As for whether western Shanghai is a good place for economic development, Gu Yansheng didn't know.

But what Wang Rusong just said about smuggling, chaos, and Jiang bandits—it all sounds like a good thing.

There are many places that can be utilized.

"Could you please bring the tax documents tomorrow? We're in such a lousy place, we don't even have an office building. Let's meet at the Huxi Police Station first, and we can talk about the rest tomorrow."

The next day, Gu Yansheng went to the Special Agent Headquarters to find Li Shiqun.

"Director Li, are you busy?"

"Director Gu."

Li Shiqun came out to greet him with a smile, thinking that Gu Yansheng had come to ask about the houses, and said directly: "They've already started buying in Nanjing, quite a lot. Yesterday's telegram said they've bought 129 units, all good houses in good locations."

Gu Yansheng waved his hand and plopped down on the sofa: "I don't have time to care about this right now. A Japanese lieutenant general has come to Shanghai. Did you know that?"

"I know, what happened?" The intelligence headquarters had informants at the airport, so Li Shiqun knew about this big commotion immediately.

Gu Yansheng recounted the events of yesterday's meeting.

Li Shiqun was stunned for a moment, then pondered and said, "The Japanese are really clever. They have a really good idea. They want you all to work your hardest to find ways to make money. If it's 30% for 3 months, and they add some more later, they can collect tens of millions of dollars more in taxes every year, right?"

"But I feel that you've been assigned to this area in western Shanghai, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you."

"How to say?"

“I know the western part of Shanghai best.” Li Shiqun made coffee for Gu Yansheng: “The chaos in the western part of Shanghai is due to unclear property rights.”

When the concessions were first established, the land in western Shanghai was clearly Chinese territory. However, the Shanghai Municipal Council and the Shanghai Municipal Council later became ambitious and bribed officials to sign a supplementary agreement. As a result, buildings were constructed further and further out, and much of western Shanghai became concession assets.

However, as the situation changed, the officials of the current dynasty refused to acknowledge it, saying that the initial agreement did not include this land, but the money for the concession had been paid and the houses had been built, and it was impossible for them to just give it back.

The two groups couldn't reach an agreement, and the land became a disputed area. Everyone wanted to take control, but it escalated to the point where no one was allowed to. If you take control, what about the damage to my house and factory? If I take control, you feel that it's legally yours. So the police station and the police station are making trouble here, and the Japanese haven't been able to completely take control of it to this day.

As a result, all sorts of people from different walks of life mingled here.

So I think if you just want to complete the task, it's simple: return the actual operating rights of all the factories to the concession, provided they help you with 30% of the taxes. I think it's easy; they'll definitely agree.

"What kind of idea did you come up with?" Gu Yansheng scoffed irritably. "If we cede territory, what will become of me if the Japanese find out?"

Li Shiqun laughed, "Isn't that what the Japanese themselves said? They don't care what you do with them, they only care about the money."

"Alright, then I'll sell your secret service headquarters to the concession and get 100,000 silver dollars to tide me over for three months."

"Ha ha ha ha."

After laughing, Li Shiqun stopped laughing. "Seriously speaking, it's not difficult at all. Chaos has its advantages. Western Shanghai is full of opium, black markets, foreign companies, casinos, brothels, and so on. Except for the foreign companies, which are hard to deal with, getting them to give you face and collect 100,000 silver dollars in taxes in three months isn't difficult. With the first three months as a transition, you have six months to bring in a few factories. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Gu Yansheng nodded. "That's a serious idea. But what about six months from now? We'll add 30% for the first three months, 50% for the first six months, and then the Japanese will add another 20% after six months. What will we do then?"

"We can't be that ruthless, can we?" Li Shiqun frowned and thought for a moment. "If we really did that, even a god couldn't accomplish it. The Japanese can't possibly be thinking of doubling Shanghai's tax revenue in a year, can they?"

Gu Yansheng scoffed, "Fine, I'm leaving. I just wanted to let you know we're going to be neighbors. Are there any houses around here that we can use as offices? We don't even have a place to stay."

“What’s the rush? We haven’t even finished our coffee yet.” Li Shiqun thought for a moment and said, “The house is easy to find. There are plenty of houses in western Shanghai. If you want to be close to the concession and safe, there’s a place at Lane 749, Yuyuan Road. It’s not far from my house.”

There was a Japanese military police squad and an Italian military camp nearby. That area was considered the concession, filled with garden villas. One end of the alleyway led here, and the other end was the concession.

And if you want to relax in the evening, it's very close to the Paramount Ballroom.

Safety is a serious issue that needs to be considered; we can't ignore it.

However, being too close to Li Shiqun is not a good thing.

"Can you fit a few people in?"

"That depends on how many people you have. A few is fine, a dozen or so can work together, but more than that is inconvenient. How big can a small villa be? If you have a lot of people, you can either rent two more, or find a bigger place like mine and renovate it yourself. It can fit hundreds or even thousands of people."

"Let me think about it some more. Okay, I really have to go. There are people waiting for me at the police station." Gu Yansheng finished his coffee and prepared to leave.

Li Shiqun sighed and stood up to ask, "Which district was Fu Xiao'an assigned to?"

"The concession? What's wrong?" Gu Yansheng felt that this question was a bit unusual.

Li Shiqun narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Didn't I think Fu Xiao'an was a bit abnormal last time? You think he's a bit abnormal too."

"hold head high?"

"I did some research, and I actually found something."

Gu Yansheng's eyes widened in surprise. "Is Fu Xiao'an really a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

Li Shiqun frowned and shook his head: "It's hard to say right now. It's not easy to investigate Fu Xiao'an. Didn't you tell me last time that you thought it was a bit abnormal for Fu Xiao'an to help Wan Molin plead at the Military Police Headquarters? So I had someone investigate how Fu Xiao'an's business was doing during that period, and I found some abnormalities."

My people found out that Fu Xiao'an was actually preparing to sell some of his properties at that time. He had even contacted a buyer, an American in the concession. But when it came down to it, Fu Xiao'an refused to sell, even if it meant breaking the contract, and lost 10,000 silver dollars as a deposit.

This shows that he really had financial problems at the time, but now, does it look like he had problems?
Where did the money come from?

Moreover, the breach of contract occurred on the very day Wan Molin was released.

Gu Yansheng pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "This doesn't prove anything. It only means that Fu Xiao'an may have found some money and weathered the crisis. Isn't his son at the bank? Did he help him get a loan?"

"You've hit the nail on the head," Li Shiqun said with a mysterious smile. "Do you know who the real controller is behind Zhonghui Bank, where his son works?"

"Who?"

"Du Yuesheng".

"Oh~" Gu Yansheng nodded in sudden realization, "That really is possible."

That is, when Wan Molin was arrested, Du Yuesheng may have sent a telegram to Fu Xiao'an, asking Fu Xiao'an to intervene and rescue him, on the condition that he would provide him with a loan.

And so Fu Xiao'an became very enthusiastic.

I understand now, Fu Xiao'an is definitely not a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

This resolved a question that had been lingering in Gu Yansheng's mind.

"You managed to find out about this? You arrested people from Zhonghui Bank?"

"I didn't arrest him. I arrested several of Du Yuesheng's men back then, and this was one of the things they confessed to."

Li Shiqun pondered, "It's certain that Fu Xiao'an has connections with Chongqing now. The Zhonghui Bank is located in the French Concession, so this matter can't be investigated further. Even if we did investigate and find the ledgers, it wouldn't make much difference."

This wasn't the first time Zhonghui Bank had lent money to Fu Xiao'an; he could easily find a pretext for doing it again.

"Alright, don't make trouble for yourself." Gu Yansheng chuckled. "Fu Xiao'an has such a good relationship with the Nanjing Command. If you investigate his accounts and accidentally implicate the Japanese, will you report it or not?"

“Yes.” Li Shiqun was a sensible man. This matter couldn’t be investigated. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, “I just asked around. I didn’t intend to investigate him. I just wanted to tell you to be careful of him in the future. What if you anger him while doing business and he hires the Iron-Blooded Assassination Group to kill you? Where would you go to seek justice then?”

"Will it?" Gu Yansheng frowned.

Li Shiqun chuckled: "Even you have moments of fear."

"Tch, you'd better watch yourself. If you investigate him, you'll die even faster. I'm leaving."

Sometimes opponents also need protection. Placing Fu Xiao'an here can attract Li Shiqun's curiosity.

The police station is just on one street, not far away; the driver can get there in no time.

(End of this chapter)