Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 163 Secret Meeting
"Furthermore, it concerns the Loyal and Patriotic Army. The Military Intelligence Bureau has issued a kill order against He Xingjian. He Xingjian made Dai Yunong lose so much face, this man is definitely going to die."

After his death, the Loyal and Patriotic Army will be leaderless.

Yesterday I went to his army base and deliberately made an opportunity to get to know several staff officers and some senior officers. I chatted with them and gave them the impression that I was very capable.

After He Xingjian's death, it is very likely that these people will fight amongst themselves and try to get the position of commander.

The Japanese might want to appoint someone, but Zhou might not agree. If Zhou rejects the Japanese's offer, then I will likely be the first person these people will try to persuade to come to my aid.

Do you think it's possible for us to take control of this power?
My idea is that if the organization can win over one of these high-ranking officials before He Xingjian dies, then after He Xingjian's death, I can manipulate the situation and find an opportunity to subtly and gradually elevate that person to a higher position, thus gaining control over these more than 10,000 people.

If it's too difficult to handle, then perhaps we could try to divide this faction, intensify their internal strife, and make them kill each other.

As a second-best option, could we win over a few mid- to lower-ranking officers?
Even if we only control two or three thousand of the more than ten thousand troops, we can anticipate any future events.

If that doesn't work, we can find some New Fourth Army soldiers to become local farmers, join their ranks, and start from scratch. I can easily spend a year or two slowly building it up.”

Shen Linshen was inspired by Gu Yansheng's idea, but he thought that if he was willing to spend the time, it was indeed possible to do it.

It would be easy for the New Fourth Army to plant two people in, since it was an army composed of members of the Green Gang and didn't have such a strict vetting mechanism.

But deciding which plan to implement is very complicated and ultimately requires a decision from the organization.

"I'll report your thoughts tonight."

"it is good."

Gu Yansheng was driving back to western Shanghai when he suddenly heard gunshots as soon as he entered the western Shanghai area.

Ahead, two groups were fighting fiercely, so without thinking, they ran away.

After circling around, I returned to the police station and found a group of police officers rushing around inside.

"What's wrong? Why are you all rushing out like that?" Gu Yansheng found Ma Quan in the office.

Ma Quan came out, bending over, and explained, "Oh my, Director Gu, you don't know, an hour ago the people from No. 76 and the Military Intelligence Bureau started fighting in the concession, a fierce battle, and not just in one place. The Military Intelligence Bureau people are like madmen, and they're killing people in Shanghai."

It has now spread to the city center.

"Killing officials, merchants, burning granaries—my god, they'll do anything! We received a notice for joint defense, and we have to check everywhere. Look, everyone's getting ready to go out and do their work."

After a moment's thought, Gu Yansheng made a preliminary judgment that it was Chen Mo's doing. The people in number 76 were now keeping an eye on He Xingjian, while the reactions in other places were slowing down.

Chen Mo's move was intended to muddy the waters and force Li Shiqun to divide his forces and return.

That's a good idea. Even if Li Shiqun knows this is a diversionary tactic, he still has to come back.

But then I thought about it again, and that didn't seem right either; Chen Mo didn't have that many people under his command.

The disturbances throughout Shanghai sound like an operation by the Shanghai station of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Forget it, whatever.

"What did you just say you were going out to do?" Gu Yansheng's expression darkened, and he frowned.

Seeing the sudden change in Gu Yansheng's expression, Ma Quan was confused and replied blankly, "Go out... to assist in defense? Director Gu, is something wrong?"

"You already know that the Military Intelligence Bureau is assassinating officials. Now you're sending people out, but who will protect me? Do you think I'm too low-ranking and that I'm not on the Military Intelligence Bureau's kill list?"

"Right, right, right, look at my brain." Ma Quan slapped his forehead and immediately picked up the phone to call the action section: "Leave twenty men on standby, no! Leave thirty men to strengthen the police station's defenses and protect Director Gu's safety to the death! If anything goes wrong, you can go feed the pigs!"

*Click*, the phone hung up.

"Director Gu, do you feel safer now?" Ma Quan bowed and smiled.

That's more like it, but Gu Yansheng didn't give him a good look. Who told you to be so slow to react? The boss won't be happy.

He sat on the sofa, flicked the newspaper, and said, "Just ask someone to buy a cup of coffee and wait for news."

Chaos has begun again in Shanghai.

Gunfights escalated, with shootouts evolving from assassinations and spreading to every street in Shanghai.

Judging from the number of people involved, Gu Yansheng could tell that it was definitely not just Chen Mo's men who were on the move.

It's highly likely that Boss Dai also issued a kill order to the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai branch, which is currently stirring up trouble throughout Shanghai. He Xingjian is under tight security, and even if the Shanghai branch can't kill He Xingjian, they should at least instill fear in all the other traitors in Shanghai, to appease Boss Dai.

The people in number 76 retaliated quickly.

The people from No. 76 probably obtained some information about the Shanghai area from He Xingjian, and through careful analysis, they found some of the Shanghai area's stations. The arrests and resistance escalated the struggle once again.

Gu Yansheng could see the No. 76 convoy speeding past the police station entrance from time to time.

However, Liu San has already returned. As long as we can see Liu San, we can know that there is no problem with Chen Mo.

Gu Yansheng waited for several days but didn't receive a call from Shen Linshen. Instead, he received a call from He Yun.

He Yun came to find Gu Yansheng and said as soon as they met, "The telegram I received last night asked you to go to the Cangzhou Hotel in the International Settlement. It's the first table on the right after you enter the coffee shop across the street. The door number is under the chair. It specifically asked you to go alone."

Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow. "Someone from the organization has come?"

As for the current situation in Shanghai, although it is chaotic, with the help of Shen Linshen and He Yun's groups, Gu Yansheng does not need anyone else to get involved.

The organization arranged for someone to contact him again, which was really unnecessary.

"It should be. The telegram didn't mention money, and I can't figure out what the organization is planning," He Yun shook her head.

"Okay, I understand. Is there a specific time?"

"Anytime is fine, as long as it's today, whenever it's convenient for you."

"okay, I get it."

After He Yun left, Gu Yansheng drove to the foreign concession.

Although there was fighting and killing in the concessions, it was kept in check between the Kuomintang's Military Intelligence Bureau and the 76th Division, and the impact on ordinary people was not that great, after all, it was still British and American territory.

Upon arriving at the coffee shop opposite the Cangzhou Hotel, Gu Yansheng went inside, ordered a coffee, and observed the situation. Although the table chosen by the organization had four seats, any special agent would only choose the innermost seat.

Because that position offers the best view.

Gu Yansheng chose to sit next to this chair and drink coffee. He casually reached under the chair and found a piece of paper stuck to the bottom.

After calmly finishing his coffee, Gu Yansheng also saw the contents of the paper: 308.

The people who were going to meet didn't know in advance which room they would be staying in, so this arrangement was made on the spot, and that must be the reason.

Or there's another possibility: Gu Yansheng looked up at the room above the Cangzhou Hotel, and this person might be by the window, observing who would come.

Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow, went into the hotel, booked a room, returned to his own room, waited a while, went out, and turned towards 308.

Knock gently on the door.

The door opens.

When Gu Yansheng saw the person who had arrived, his previously calm expression turned somewhat surprised.

Shen Linshen?
Shen Linshen thought there was no need for him to be so cautious, unless there were other people in the room.

Shen Linshen turned his head slightly, and Gu Yansheng immediately went inside.

Upon entering the room and looking at the other person, Gu Yansheng was even more astonished.

It felt very unexpected.

Mr. Wu!
He actually came to Shanghai!
Gu Yansheng was no longer surprised that Shen Linshen was here.

She still couldn't believe it and laughed, "Why is it you who's here?"

Mr. Wu smiled and extended his hand, "Comrade Yansheng, you've worked hard, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Gu Yansheng extended his hand and shook it. "I'm also very happy to see you, but Shanghai is not very safe right now. It's extremely dangerous, and your status is not suitable for you to be here."

"In terms of danger, I'm just here once. How can I compare to you comrades who have been working underground for a long time? Besides, I came here because it's a very important matter. Don't worry about me. I've fought in Shanghai for many years and I know Shanghai very well."

(End of this chapter)