Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 158 Newcomers
Gu Yansheng watched as the street below became lively. First came the 76 agents who rushed over after hearing the gunshots, then came the police officers, and then Japanese ronin who appeared out of nowhere.

Thick smoke billowed out, but the people who came were completely helpless as they watched the burning granary, and could only stand on the street and watch.

Burn it if you want. Shanghai is so big, it's a granary, why do you have to choose my territory to burn it?

It's really polluting the environment.

Gu Yansheng closed the windows to prevent dust from blowing in. It was just a grain warehouse burning down; it wasn't a big deal. A little while later, Police Chief Ma Quan came to report what had happened.

"Has the criminal been caught yet?"

"Not yet, an emergency search is underway."

"Then hurry up and go find them! What are you doing here? Can I help you catch them?"

"Yes, yes, yes! We're already looking for them. I was worried they might sneak in and accidentally hurt you, so I brought people here specifically to protect you."

Alright, he's quite nice-talking, so Gu Yansheng won't scold him anymore.

Chen Mo is in charge of the Iron-Blooded Assassination Squad, so his personal qualities are definitely not a problem. The incident happened suddenly, and this was the first attack on the granary. No one was prepared, so Gu Yansheng was not worried about him.

He opened the window and looked out again. Only a handful of people from No. 76 had come; even Wu Sibao hadn't shown up. Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and then drove to the Special Agent Headquarters.

Where is your Director Li?

"out."

Where is Director Ding?

"We went out together."

Where is Captain Wu?

"They went out too."

"Where is everyone?!"

Gu Yansheng didn't see any of these people on the street just now, and besides, it's just a matter of a warehouse, why would so many people need to be involved?

"Where did you go?"

"Oh, Director Gu is here." Ye Jiqing walked over from the corridor with a smile.

"Sister-in-law, you're here. I thought the Special Agent Headquarters was on holiday. Why was there no one here? I heard gunshots at the police station and came to ask what happened."

"They've gone to the military police headquarters. Come to my place for a cup of tea." Ye Jiqing led Gu Yansheng to the finance department office and made him a cup of coffee.

"So, is there any progress on the matter in southern Anhui?" Gu Yansheng asked directly.

“It’s not that matter,” Ye Jiqing smiled. “It’s bigger than what happened in southern Anhui.”

"what's up?"

"Director Dai's Loyal and Patriotic Army has defected to us."

"The one who's loyal to Chongqing?"

"That's right. He Xingjian, the deputy commander of the Loyal and Patriotic Army and a Kuomintang major general, has brought more than 10,000 of his troops to join us. They are currently at the Military Police Headquarters."

Gu Yansheng was quite surprised. "More than 10,000 men, and they're all major generals. Why? Could it be that they were also reported for corruption, like Director Ding? No, that's not right. Weren't they originally Director Dai's men? The Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?"

Ye Jiqing smiled slightly: "It's not embezzlement, but what you said is pretty much right, internal strife!"

Do you know the history of the Loyal and Patriotic Army?

During the Battle of Shanghai, Dai Yunong was quite ambitious and wanted to control the army. So he personally formed the Loyal and Patriotic Army in Shanghai, relying on Du Yuesheng's Green Gang and some students from other places.

He Xingjian was the leader of this Green Gang at the time.

After the Battle of Shanghai, the people from Nanjing withdrew to Chongqing, but the Loyal and Patriotic Army was left behind by Director Dai, and they continued to roam and ambush along the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Beijing-Shanghai line.

Let me tell you, this reveals Dai Yunong's selfish motives. If the army is recalled, will his troops be placed under the command of the Third War Zone?

They're fighting a guerrilla war outside because they don't want to relinquish command.

Ye Jiqing confided in the God of Wealth, revealing his secrets.

Gu Yansheng nodded in agreement.

Ye Jiqing continued, "But this sowed the seeds of disaster. The main force of this group was originally street thugs from Shanghai. When they were called upon to defend their country, they were full of patriotism. They agreed and were truly willing to risk their lives to fight the Japanese."

But now, as time goes on and the war gets worse and worse, with no hope of a comeback, and with people enduring years of hardship and sleeping in the open, aren't these Green Gang members getting impatient? Are they starting to complain?
After all, he was a hoodlum who was used to having a good time in Shanghai, so how could he endure the hardships of trekking in the wild?

If they were truly assigned to the Third War Zone, and given a fixed defense zone with regular food supplies, that would be fine; they'd have a county town to defend.

But now I'm out and about every day, and supplies can't be replenished on time. I'm often hungry, so this resentment is starting to surface.

More importantly, Dai Yunong also sent his trusted confidants from Chongqing to command the Loyal and Patriotic Army, clearly a power grab!

Ye Jiqing tapped the table, raised an eyebrow, gave a meaningful look, and smiled, "Do you think He Xingjian can still tolerate this?"

Gu Yansheng nodded in agreement, "That's going too far. No one could stand it. But no, the people in southern Anhui can still stand it. They can even stay in the snow in the dead of winter."

Ye Jiqing chuckled, “That’s different. The Eighth Route Army members still have their beliefs and discipline, but what do the Green Gang members talk about? They talk about quick revenge. You can make them fight to the death, but they can’t let them suffer for a long time.”

"You've explained it very well, sister-in-law. Your judgment is much better than that of Director Dai," Gu Yansheng praised.

“It’s not that I have good judgment, it’s that this Director Dai is too eager for military power. Let me tell you, he’s going to have a hard time with President Chiang after the Loyal and Patriotic Army’s defection.” Ye Jiqing raised a finger and said with certainty, “A major general has defected to the enemy. This is the first time since the start of the War of Resistance.”

Gu Yansheng chuckled, "Director Ding will definitely be very happy about this."

Ding Mocun was hoping that Boss Dai would suffer misfortune.

Ye Jiqing laughed and said, "That's right. Director Ding has had quite a few disagreements with Shiqun these past few days, but he's actually been smiling at Shiqun these days because of this matter."

"Oh my, it was Director Li who did the work." Gu Yansheng's eyes lit up and he praised, "I am deeply impressed. It seems that Director Li's rise to prominence is just around the corner."

"No way, how could he have done such a thing? He's not a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau. The clues came from people in Hanoi, and it was arranged by Yingzuo."

"Oh~"

And who knew how Li Shiqun got so many clues about the Loyal and Patriotic Army?

"When will he be back? How's my house in Nanjing?"

"217 units, almost done. Liu San sent a telegram saying that they've bought almost all of them. They can't buy any more. They've bought too many houses in Nanjing, and the people there have already sensed it and started to stop them from buying more."

"Who is it? How dare they! What business is it of theirs if we buy a house? Are they Japanese?"

"I don't know, they're probably officials too. Anyway, I've bought almost everything, so I'll let Liu San and the others come back. I'll leave some scraps for others to drink; that little bit of money isn't much anyway."

Ye Jiqing laughed as he spoke, "Mr. Gu, your method is still the best. We made a lot of money in futures this time. Do you think we can sell now?" "Sell, as long as we make a profit, it's good to secure our gains. Now that the Japanese Asia Development Board has arrived, they might come up with some policies."

“I’ll listen to you. I told you we shouldn’t listen to Si Bao.” Ye Jiqing immediately picked up the phone and made a call. “Tell Si Bao to sell all his stocks immediately and tell him that Mr. Gu said so.”

"He didn't go to the military police headquarters?"

"He doesn't go anywhere. Now he stays at the stock exchange all day and doesn't come out. No matter how late he goes to bed at night, he goes to the stock exchange as soon as the market opens every day. That's a no-brainer."

Gu Yansheng chuckled. How come Captain Wu of the Special Agent Headquarters is now involved in stock trading every day?

Knock knock knock, a female spy came in.

"Director Ye, Director Gu, there are police officers at the entrance looking for you. They said they received a call from Hongkou District and want you to have dinner together at the hotel where Minister Zhou is staying."

"okay, I get it."

Having just seen Minister Zhou yesterday, and now he's looking for him again today, Gu Yansheng stood up to say goodbye, "Then I'll be going."

"it is good."

Gu Yansheng drove to the hotel where Minister Zhou was staying in Hongkou, and the attendant at the door led him directly to a private room.

Upon entering, there were quite a few people: Li Shiqun, Ding Mocun, and a stranger, who, if I'm not mistaken, was He Xingjian.

"minister."

"Hey, Yansheng, come here, we've been waiting for you."

Minister Zhou waved and said with a smile, "You know the other two. Let me introduce you. This is General He Xingjian, the deputy commander of the Loyal and Patriotic Army. He heard about Mr. Wang's words on peace and national salvation and took the initiative to break away from Chiang Kai-shek's faction and join us. He has now been appointed as the lieutenant general commander of the Peace and National Salvation Army."

Minister Zhou also introduced Gu Yansheng's identity to He Xingjian.

In terms of status, to be honest, Gu Yansheng's status is not as substantial as that of a general.

Even Ding Mocun, a major general, is not as high-ranking as this lieutenant general.

However, Minister Zhou was so enthusiastic. After all, he came from a shady background, and having reached this position, he must have some sense of judgment.

Very polite.

A few pleasantries and a perfunctory exchange are enough.

"Everyone, sit down, let's eat and talk."

Minister Zhou was also very happy today. He took a sip of wine and said, "With Xingjian here, I have completed most of the things I came to Shanghai for. I can finally go back and report the progress to Mr. Wang."

Ladies and gentlemen, in this chaotic world, we strive to build a peaceful nation. If we want peace, we need the force to maintain it.

The reason I've brought you all together today is because you are my top choices for the future of the nation's armed forces.

The secret service headquarters of Directors Ding and Li is responsible for intelligence affairs and organizational development throughout the country. Starting from Shanghai, they aim to establish bases across the country, not just in our territory, but also in Chongqing and Yan'an, and even expand overseas, such as to the embassies and consulates of various countries that will be sent abroad in the future.

Director Gu's Department of Justice was responsible for drafting and constructing the national judicial system, taking over and merging courts and prisons in various regions, and truly bringing the national judiciary under the control of the central government in Nanjing.

Commander He, your Peace and National Salvation Army will be the main force of our country in the future. You can choose from German, Japanese, and American weapons.

Director Gu knows that I have already raised a large amount of supplies for our army. Now that you have come to Shanghai, all military supplies before the founding of the People's Republic of China will be provided temporarily by our Vice Minister of Finance, Director Gu.

"Yansheng, thank you for your trouble. Once I return to Hanoi, I will discuss the details with Mr. Wang and send someone to take over this matter."

Gu Yansheng smiled and nodded, "Okay, Commander He, please let me know if you need anything."

"Then I'll leave it to Director Gu, no, Vice Minister Gu of the Ministry of Finance."

"Hahahahahaha."

After everyone joked and laughed, Minister Zhou said to Ding and Li, "In the past, it was only Shanghai, so the Japanese might have arranged for you two to work together at the Special Agent Headquarters. But in the future, when you are in charge of the whole country, a mere Special Agent Headquarters will certainly not be enough to demonstrate your abilities."

Therefore, I will have to arrange some new positions for you two. I hope you will not refuse; those who are capable should be given more responsibilities.

What could Ding and Li say? They raised their glasses and drank.

Minister Zhou offered a toast, then looked around at the group and said, "

I will set up a special committee, and you will be the members of this committee. I will personally serve as the director. We only have a few people, so there is no need to add new people. It will be the same if people from Hanoi come. At most, we will add a secretary to be responsible for liaison.

It's not that I don't want to bring people from Hanoi; people's hearts are complicated. On the other hand, you have been entrenched in the officialdom around Shanghai, far from Chongqing, so your minds are more pure.

Military power, financial power, legal power, police power, constitutional power—only through sincere cooperation can a nation become strong. Do you agree?

After Minister Zhou finished speaking, he raised his glass, his meaning conveyed in the wine.

They've already made promises of official positions and vows, but the real figures haven't even arrived yet, and they're already choosing sides.

The group exchanged glances and smiled slightly: "We are willing to serve Minister Zhou."

"Serve the country."

The banquet was a pleasant affair, and the conversation flowed freely.

The banquet is over.

Everyone had drunk quite a bit, and in this joyous occasion, Ding Mocun made a suggestion.

"Since it's still early, why don't we throw a welcome dance party for Commander He? I didn't dare to drink to my heart's content while Minister Zhou was here."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Li Shiqun wasn't going to spoil the fun. "Then I'll suggest a place: the Cinque de la Cerroir, owned by Liao Shan in the French Concession. Although it can't compare to the Paramount, it's still one of the top three in Shanghai, and most importantly, it's safe."

"Safety, safety is the most important thing."

Gu Yansheng doesn't usually attend these kinds of dance hall gatherings, but if he leaves today, it would be too unsociable. Minister Zhou has already said that we should cooperate sincerely, so he should at least give him face on the first occasion.

He Xingjian had no objection at all; he would go along with whatever the host suggested.

"I'm just a country bumpkin, but today I can finally go to the city and enjoy life."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Li Shiqun made a phone call back and asked Wu Sibao to bring men to provide protection so that everyone could go to the Cinque de la Cité in the French Concession to have some fun.

We booked a private room on the second floor.

Ding Mocun first teased Gu Yansheng, "Brother Gu, when did you get a ministerial position from Minister Zhou? You kept it a secret for too long."

(End of this chapter)