Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 194 Learning
"Why am I sure I have enough?"

Gu Yansheng smiled faintly and said, "Yes, I have brought in several factories, but purchasing machines takes time, recruiting workers takes time, production takes time, and sales also take time."

Is three months really enough?

I did the work, and anyone with eyes can see that I did the work. Even the Japanese, who know that I paid insufficient taxes, wouldn't say that I was just occupying a position without doing any work.

Therefore, I really don't have enough data for these three months.

Luo Junqiang took a deep breath, wanting to say something, but he really had nothing to say.

I thought Gu Yansheng was in the same situation as him, so we should either both pay or neither of us should pay to avoid the risk, since there are too many of us to punish.

But now, he's the only one who's going to get beaten up.

Gu Yansheng now clearly has the ability to have as much as he wants, or not have enough if he doesn't want it.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Gu Yansheng sighed and patted his shoulder to comfort him, "Director Luo, this is indeed a bit difficult for you. Brothels and casinos settle accounts in cash. Let alone three months, I'm afraid the taxes you've collected in the last two months will be enough to cover your expenses, right?"

Making them disappear is indeed difficult.

"It's not a big problem, though. We can just tell Minister Zhou the truth. You only found out later, what can you do? We can't exactly falsify the accounts before the Japanese check them, right?"

Gu Yansheng smiled and left.

Luo Junqiang frowned as he watched Gu Yansheng's retreating figure. Why did he feel like there was something hidden in his words?
Back in western Shanghai, Gu Yansheng had a few days of free time, which he used to learn about antiques.

Previously, Gu Yansheng had asked Ma Shiqi to help find information on renowned antique collectors, and the information had already been gathered long ago, but Gu Yansheng simply couldn't spare the time.

As for tax investigation, that's an internal affair, something Wang Rusong is good at. He'll do it the same way he always has, and Gu Yansheng doesn't care.

Take Ma Shiqi with you, and have Ma Shiqi bring the calligraphy and paintings. Drive to the foreign concession to find Pang Yuanji, a contemporary master of antiques.

Pang Yuanji was from Nanxun and came from a prominent family. His family was known as one of the "Four Elephants of Nanxun".

According to the information found by Ma Shiqi, the wealthy families in Nanxun are known as the Four Elephants, Eight Oxen, and Seventy-Two Golden Dogs.

The so-called "Four Symbols" refers to a family fortune exceeding ten million taels of silver.

Eight oxen, five million; golden dog, one million.

The Pang family's ten million taels of silver would be worth about 1500 million silver dollars today.

He's richer than Gu Yansheng, Li Shiqun, and Ding Mocun combined.

Whether Ding Mocun is included or not makes little difference.

It's clear that if you trace the Pang family back a few generations, every single one of them was a major corrupt official.

However, Pang Yuanji did not defect to the Japanese and lived as a recluse in Shanghai after the war.

From this perspective, being old and not dying does not necessarily make one a thief.

Pang Yuanji was 75 years old, which is considered very old by today's standards.

Of course, there is another possibility for not surrendering to Japan: they were afraid that the Japanese would confiscate their money.

The car drove into the villa area of ​​the concession.

Gu Yansheng sent his men to knock on the door.

His arrival was definitely an unexpected surprise to Pang Yuanji.

However, Pang Yuanji still came out to greet him.

Leaning on his cane, he chuckled and said, "A rare guest indeed! Director Gu, what brings you to this old man?"

"Excuse me, I'm here to learn some knowledge about antiques," Gu Yansheng said truthfully.

That's great. He can walk on his own and is in such good health. He could probably live for another ten years or so. He'd be even better at teaching.

Since there are many experts, then of course everyone should teach. Gu Yansheng doesn't need to find any disciples or anything like that; he just wants the best.

Pang Yuanji's smile faded slightly. "Director Gu, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. My family is no longer as prosperous as it once was, and I'm really powerless to help with the donation."

How many times have we been taken advantage of?

Given the Pang family's prominent background, it's not surprising that their assets attracted attention; presumably, the Japanese or members of the puppet government were among those who came to visit.

Gu Yansheng wasn't in a hurry to explain, and smiled, "Won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Pang Yuanji thought for a moment, then stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

"I've heard that you, Mr. Pang, are the foremost collector in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region?"

"That was all in the past."

Pang Yuanji led Gu Yansheng inside. As someone who loved ink painting, his home was adorned with many paintings, which were very eye-catching and drew people to stop and admire them.

In the living room of the room, there was a girl painting.

"Jing'er, greet him. This is Director Gu from the municipal government."

The girl who was drawing looked up and said calmly, "Hello, Director Gu."

"Hello," Gu Yansheng replied, continuing to look at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall.

Pang Yuanji showed Gu Yansheng the paintings for a while, and then said to Gu Yansheng, "If Director Gu takes a fancy to any of them, feel free to take them. But I must tell you the truth: these paintings and calligraphy are copies that my granddaughter and I made in our spare time. They are not the originals."

"And what about the genuine article?" Gu Yansheng asked with a smile.

"Didn't you take it all?" Jing'er, who was painting, interjected, saying sarcastically, "There are so many officials in Shanghai, and their lackeys, high-ranking Japanese officials, and presidents and vice-managers of trading companies. If each of them took one, how could they possibly have any assets left by now?"
"Director Gu, are you newly appointed? You're a bit late."

Jing'er laughed it off and continued drawing with her head down.

"Jing'er, don't be rude."

Pang Yuanji reprimanded her and then apologized to Gu Yansheng, "I'm so sorry, Director Gu. She's just a young girl and doesn't know any better. Please don't take offense."

He insisted on waiting for his beloved granddaughter to finish speaking before he could be 'not rude'. It seems that the grandfather and granddaughter had worked together quite a bit. Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "What Miss Jing'er said is not wrong. I haven't been a section chief for very long."

"Tch." Jing'er scoffed.

Pang Yuanji grunted and said, "Director Gu, things aren't actually as exaggerated as Jing'er described. Most of the calligraphy and paintings weren't taken by people from Shanghai. Rather, when the Japanese entered Hangzhou, they bombed my house every day, which caused a fire. The calligraphy and paintings are flammable, and most of my life's work was destroyed in the fire."

They desperately salvaged some of the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the outer hall, and sold them one by one in order to settle their family in Shanghai.

If Director Gu had come earlier, perhaps he could have left behind a couple of pieces, but now, there's truly nothing of value in the house. I'm ashamed, so ashamed."

It seems that even seeking refuge in the foreign concessions wasn't so easy.

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "Really nothing?"

“It’s really gone.” Pang Yuanji sighed. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to support the government, it’s just that it’s really gone.”

"Then I'll add one for you, and you'll have one starting today."

"Add one more item?" Pang Yuanji asked in astonishment.

The girl who was painting was also a little confused, and looked up at Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng waved to Ma Shiqi, who then took three long scrolls off the car.

Gu Yansheng casually picked out a painting and handed it over, saying, "Mr. Pang, since ancient times, one has to pay a gift to become an apprentice. Given my status, it's not quite appropriate to call me an apprentice; it's more accurate to call it learning. This is the tuition fee."

"Tuition fee?" Pang Yuanji was greatly surprised. Before he could even process what was happening, his hand had already involuntarily taken the painting. After all, Gu Yansheng had already handed it over, so he couldn't let Gu Yansheng keep holding it up.

He immediately regretted taking it. "Director Gu, what's the tuition fee?"

"Didn't I say when I came in? I'm here to learn about antiques, calligraphy and paintings, jade ornaments, porcelain from various dynasties, and even interesting stories about the antique trade. Mr. Pang, you can teach me anything you know. I don't have much of a background, so it would be a bit troublesome to teach you. Therefore, I'm offering a tuition fee."

Gu Yansheng pointed to the scroll, "If one isn't enough, I can add more."

Gu Yansheng's frank and open manner completely baffled the grandfather and grandson.

When will the city government and the Japanese come? Are they here to deliver something?
"Learn knowledge?"

"Yes, you'll learn systematically from beginning to end. Just treat me like someone who knows nothing at all, and I'll teach you from the start. I'll come and learn whenever I have time, and I'll learn as much as I can."

"They've really come here to learn!" Jing'er, who had put down her pen and ink, looked on with curiosity.

Pang Yuanji was also greatly surprised; the words spoken at the door were not just an excuse.

He could teach, but he was afraid to take the risk.

He handed the scroll back to Gu Yansheng, saying, "So that's how it is, Director Gu. But I'm getting old and can't teach anymore. You'd better find someone more capable."

Gu Yansheng chuckled, "Although you are over seventy, you still walk briskly and are in very good health. Please don't refuse, Mr. Pang. I am here sincerely, and I hope you will treat me with the same sincerity."

This is a difficult matter to refuse. Pang Yuanji has to consider whether Gu Yansheng will be angry and retaliate if he refuses.

The main problem was that Pang Yuanji still didn't believe that Gu Yansheng had only come to learn.

Like most of them, he heard the rumors circulating that his house hadn't actually been bombed, that his belongings had been transported to Shanghai and hidden, and that the house was burned down by him to cover his tracks and prevent others from stealing his wealth.

Such a malicious and malicious comment is clearly intended to cause chaos and unrest in his family.

I wonder who spread this?
Although the rumors are true.

After thinking for a moment, he came up with a reason: "Director Gu, it is really difficult to do. Because teaching this kind of knowledge requires physical evidence. You have to learn and appreciate at the same time. Right now, I don't have any original works here. Without original works, there is no comparison. You will learn more efficiently."

“I can sell the original, and there are so many antique shops in Shanghai. Even if I can’t afford to buy, I can still learn as I go. I believe that with your connections, Mr. Pang, I shouldn’t be kicked out by the shopkeepers if I just browse without buying and offer a few comments.”

This time there's really no reason.

Alright, then I'll see how much time and patience you have left!
He refused to believe that Gu Yansheng wouldn't reveal his true intentions!
"Alright, Director Gu, I must warn you beforehand that learning this kind of knowledge is not easy. Take painting, for example. It is different in every dynasty. Every person has different experiences and feelings, so the paintings they create give people different feelings. Even one person can have several styles. It is really difficult to learn."

“If it were so easy to learn, everyone could do it, and I probably wouldn’t have bothered learning it.” Gu Yansheng smiled and raised his hand, saying, “Take a look at the painting.”

Gu Yansheng didn't care what Pang Yuanji thought; as long as he could learn something, that was enough.

"Then take a look, Director Gu. We can look and learn, but when you go back later, you should take it with you. I won't charge you tuition. Besides, hehe, I can't keep it here anyway. If someone sees it, they'll take it away again."

The scroll was spread out on the table, and Pang Yuanji's eyes lit up. "Oh? Qiu Ying's Peach Blossom Spring?"

"Who would dare take something I gave away?" Gu Yansheng stood by the table, looking at the painting, and said calmly, "If someone comes to your door, you can say it's a gift from me. If someone still wants to take it after you say so, just let them take it and tell me their name later."

Pang Yuanji glanced at Gu Yansheng; it seemed he needed to get to know this Director Gu better.

Jing'er also came over to watch together.

Gu Yansheng was serious about his studies. He believed that having more skills was never a bad thing. The higher his official position, the more high-ranking Japanese officials he would likely come into contact with. The higher the rank, the more time and money he would have to enjoy this type of culture.

If we can exchange a few words, wouldn't that create an opportunity for conversation?
For example, if someone likes antiques, through Pang Yuanji, he can get in touch with the antique circle in Shanghai. The antique circle has people from all over the country, so his network will expand.
It's also beneficial for doing business.

After studying for a few days, Tsuda called them to a meeting to report on tax matters.

Gu Yansheng and Wang Rusong went together.

Wang Rusong was a little nervous. "Brother Gu, our tax revenue figures are terrible. Is this acceptable? Will the Japanese have any objections?"

Their tax revenue figures are not just below 30% growth; they're worse than the figures from three months ago.

If this is handed over, it's no wonder the Japanese are furious. Wang Rusong felt a headache coming on.

Gu Yansheng remained calm and composed. "What's wrong with that? Director Wang, don't worry. I'll explain things to the Japanese. I'll take responsibility for all the problems."

When they arrived at the city hall, Shizue Tsuda was quite early today.

"Director Wang, Section Chief Gu, please hand over your ledgers."

"Yes."

Wang Rusong handed over the account book.

Tsuda Shizue flipped through the documents and asked, "How much has your data increased?"

“This,” Wang Rusong bent down to look at Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng said, "Mr. Tsuda, so far, there has been no increase in tax revenue data for western Shanghai."

(End of this chapter)