Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 181 Visit
Having arrived at the municipal government, Gu Yansheng decided to visit the relevant departments.

I talked to Wenyan about the situation at Wusongkou and told him to tone it down recently. I also notified the merchants who had received money to stop for a few days and not to bring everything to the port.

"Yes, I understand."

Wen Yan listened with a serious expression, "I've always felt that what they're doing will cause trouble. It's too reckless. Originally, everyone could have some soup and broth."

The two new bureau chiefs, under the guise of collecting taxes for the Japanese, let ships pass in exchange for money. If they do it this way, then we're out of the picture; we won't get a single drop. I think the 76th Division's actions this time are partly driven by personal grudges.

Gu Yansheng was taken aback. You know what, this was a completely unexpected angle. Li Shiqun took the opportunity to regain control of the money collection at Wusongkou.

"Just keep an eye on the people from Unit 76. Whenever Unit 76 stops, you start taking over too. If they stop, you stop too."

“Okay, don’t worry.” Wenyan took out the safe key and seal from the drawer. “I put all the weekly profits in there. I’m running out of space. Sir, could you please help me clean it out?”

Gu Yansheng took the keys and chuckled, "So many?"

"It's because the safe is small."

Wen Yan smiled sheepishly, "When we raised funds last time, the businessmen gave us some random jewelry and other things that took up space."

As you instructed, I took three items. My wife can't carry any more, and she doesn't dare wear anything too flashy. Please don't give me any more, or people will be jealous if I wear them out.

Just give me the key later, and I'll put it in there again next time.

Gu Yansheng nodded, put the key in his pocket, and gave a few words of advice: "Be careful in your actions during this period. Don't make any mistakes that others can use against you. If the power structure changes and I am transferred out of Shanghai, I will need you to help me secure this position in the judicial department."

Wen Yan looked at him with a self-deprecating and doubtful expression, "Am I capable?"

Gu Yansheng chuckled: "If I say you can do it, then you can."

Wen Yan bowed solemnly, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

"You performed well; you just needed an opportunity." Gu Yansheng patted his shoulder. "Let's go."

Wenyan bowed again to see them off.

Gu Yansheng went to his office for a cup of coffee before leaving, and Liu Xiaolou immediately came to conscript men.

"Hey, Director, you've come back just in time. Someone downstairs is looking for you."

"Who is it?" Gu Yansheng asked curiously.

"Chen Dekui, the quartermaster of the Loyal and Patriotic Army, met you once when he came to collect food last time. When we went to their camp last time, didn't he bring us two pheasants to roast and eat?"

"Oh!" Gu Yansheng nodded, having a vague impression of this person.

If someone contacts him at this time, it's either to discuss the funeral or to bring money.

He took a sip of coffee and said, "Let him come up."

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, Chen Dekui walked in with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Director Gu, sorry to bother you."

"Director Chen." Gu Yansheng walked out and shook hands with him. "Why did you come to see me today? Is there not enough food?"

"That's enough, that's more than enough. Thank you so much, Director Gu, for helping to coordinate. You were very generous with the grain, not only generous but also without any shortfall, giving more than you should have. I dare say, this is the best superior I've ever met since I joined the army. Back in Chongqing, whenever grain was given, they would drag their feet and cut back on the amount. Thank you so much."

Chen Dekui flattered him vigorously.

Gu Yansheng said with a faint smile, "This is all the proper thing to do. Once you come to Shanghai, you're one of us. I can't let my people go hungry. Director Chen doesn't need to come and thank me specifically for these things."

"Actually, it was some personal matters," Chen Dekui recounted. "When Commander He suddenly passed away, the brothers in our army wanted to send him off on his final journey and hold a grand funeral for him, but the Japanese wouldn't allow it and wouldn't let us do it no matter what."

Our chief of staff wanted to talk to the people at the military police headquarters, but he didn't even get to see the commander; a deputy chief of staff dismissed us.

Why have the Japanese people's attitudes changed like this?
The brothers are quite upset about this. Someone's dead, and they won't even let us have a funeral? Isn't that too heartless? So we were thinking, could we trouble Director Gu to speak to the Military Police Headquarters on our behalf? We know you have a lot of influence in Shanghai, and we beg you to help us out, considering your relationship with Commander He.”

If it were someone bringing money, Gu Yansheng might keep him company for a bit, but asking for help was a different story.
If you think it's heartless, then go ahead and rebel and leave. Who's stopping you?

If you don't dare go back to Chongqing, then go fight as a guerrilla, or if that doesn't work, become a bandit in the mountains.

Gu Yansheng clicked his tongue and sighed, "Brother Xingjian, the heavens are jealous of talent. It's not that I don't want to help, I've already done my best to help. I've already used all the connections I could with the Japanese."

The Japanese side's attitude was very clear: they wanted to cover this up.

"What are you trying to cover up?" Chen Dekui asked, bewildered.

These soldiers really don't understand the situation at all.

Gu Yansheng carefully explained the intricacies of the situation to him, "The generals who defected were assassinated within a few days. If this matter is publicized, will anyone else defect to Japan in the future? Shouldn't they consider whether their defection will also result in assassination? Do you think the Japanese will allow that?"

Chen Dekui suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. No wonder they wouldn't agree no matter what we said. But this matter will be reported in Chongqing, right?"

"The Chongqing reports are for Chongqing residents, not for people in the Japanese-occupied areas. What is the essence of propaganda? It's brainwashing. We try to fool as many people as possible. By controlling the propaganda, we can make people in the Japanese-occupied areas believe that Japan is powerful, and only then will the situation be stable."

Do you want Japanese newspapers to report more about the Kuomintang secret agents' prowess in assassinating a newly appointed Japanese lieutenant general under heavy protection?

"That's impossible."

Chen Dekui understood, nodded, and said with a sigh, "That's impossible."

"Hold a simple ceremony and get the burial done as soon as possible."

"It can only be the."

After finishing his business, Gu Yansheng drank tea and saw his guest off.

Chen Dekui tightened his buttocks, moved closer to Gu Yansheng, and said with a smile, "Director Gu, there's another matter. Someone in the military wants me to inquire about what the Japanese plan to do with us after Commander He's passing."

"I don't know about that. I guess we'll promote a few and break up a few." Gu Yansheng put down his cup. "You people will be the peace and national salvation army of the new government. The specific personnel changes and appointments will definitely have to wait for the people in Hanoi to decide."

"You mean Vice Chairman Wang and his group?"

"Correct."

Do you think there will be major changes?

“Generally speaking, it’s very likely. You used to serve under Commander He, and many of you came from the Military Intelligence Bureau. Now that Commander He has passed away, and the higher-ups don’t know you well, do you think they will break you up and reorganize you before they use you?”

Chen Dekui nodded, thought for a moment, took out a box from his bag, placed it on the coffee table, opened it, moved it over, and said with a smile, "Director Gu, I'm not an ambitious person, and I don't want to get promoted. I just want to stay in my little corner of the world. Over the years, I've accumulated some savings, not from embezzlement, but from my own small business. I hope you can help me out and let me do some familiar work."

Gu Yansheng glanced at the contents of the box: six large, bright yellow croakers.

Are the quartermasters under Boss Dai really that poor? They only spend so little.

Gu Yansheng took a sip of tea and looked at the large yellow croaker without saying a word.

Chen Dekui, observing the situation, gritted his teeth and smiled, "Knowing that you've worked hard, I'll offer you another gift just like this afterward."

"Twelve is about right," Gu Yansheng said, putting down his teacup and smiling. "Director Chen seems to be quite suited to be a quartermaster. I will suggest to Minister Zhou that you have had a very pleasant cooperation with the SH Municipal Government during your tenure and have worked very diligently."

Chen Dekui was overjoyed, "Then I'll leave it to Director Gu."

"Go back and wait for news. I'll let you know when I have some."

"Okay, okay." Chen Dekui stood up, thanking him profusely. Now that they were closer, he felt he had to ask, "Director Gu, if I may ask, is there really no way to arrange the funeral?"

Gu Yansheng patted the box. "If you want to ask, then there's nothing I can do. But if you've prepared everything and then suddenly have a funeral, what? Can the Japanese send troops to snatch the body halfway through?"

Chen Dekui suddenly understood, "I understand now, thank you for your guidance, Director Gu."

(End of this chapter)