Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 203 Review

76 Jessfield Road.

Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun received them with great respect.

It's much easier here.

Compared to the complex situation in the municipal government, this is a purely operational department. As long as the position of the head remains unchanged, the power will not change.

Moreover, since everyone was from the same Nationalist government and were all defectors, they felt a strong sense of kinship.

Moreover, Minister Zhou had already done his homework in advance, promising official positions and making promises.

Therefore, the whole process was harmonious and joyful, expressing unconditional support for Mr. Wang's new government.

After chatting and taking a tour, Li Shiqun enthusiastically introduced Wang Zhou to No. 76's performance and the current situation in Shanghai.

"The situation is indeed dire. The sphere of influence of the Special Agent Headquarters cannot be limited to Shanghai; it must be expanded to all Japanese-occupied areas, and even the whole country."

"We are already preparing to begin this work."

"Ah, very good."

"Director Ding, come here for a moment."

Gu Yansheng took a moment to call Ding Mocun.

"What's wrong?" Ding Mocun was listening to his superior's instructions.

A vice president like that was someone he had wanted to meet but couldn't before, so there was a certain respect in that respect.

Gu Yansheng pulled him aside, "Don't go on the pilgrimage yet, we have serious business to attend to."

"What serious matter is more important than this?" Ding Mocun glanced at the crowd ahead and heard Li Shiqun chattering away, stealing the spotlight from him.

Gu Yansheng didn't care about any of that. He pulled him away from his gaze and said, "What Minister Zhou instructed, do you want to continue listening to that side or do this side? If you lose your ministerial position later, don't blame me for not warning you."

Ding Mocun immediately asked seriously, "What is it?"

"These past few days, the Japanese have been preparing to launch a bank called Huaxing Commercial in Shanghai."

Gu Yansheng explained the matter in great detail, saying, "This is unusual. You need to find out exactly what the Japanese mean, and you need to do it quickly."

Ding Mocun frowned. "I haven't heard of this. Are there any other leads? There are only a few people from Xingya Academy. I can't just kidnap them, can I?"

"I can't easily find out information from other Japanese chambers of commerce. Even if I send people infiltrate them as lookouts, it won't be quick to find out the inside story."

Gu Yansheng clicked his tongue. "Since the news has already leaked out, it proves that someone has started to take action. Listen to this name, Huaxing Juan. Does it sound like money issued by a Japanese bank?"
Previously, the Japanese would simply call their pay "military scrip," but now they've clearly learned their lesson.

Ding Mocun suddenly realized: "You mean the person who organized this is Chinese."

“That’s for sure.” Gu Yansheng nodded firmly. “Moreover, not only are the people in charge of organizing it Chinese, but all those who should be showing up are Chinese. The Japanese want to hide the negative public reaction to military currency.”

“That makes sense.” Ding Mocun nodded, deep in thought. “Then the direction of the investigation should be the higher-ups who handled this matter. Okay, I’ll send people to investigate right away.”

As long as they don't directly confront the Japanese, they can always find information for No. 76.

At worst, we can just tie them up.

"It's up to you. You have to be quick." Gu Yansheng raised his head towards the receding crowd. "This is not only the first thing Minister Zhou assigned, but more importantly, if this is done well, and there's any inside story, I'll report it to the 76th Bureau. You'll be the one who gets the most credit."

"I'll arrange it right now! I'll investigate right now!" Encouraged enough, Ding Mocun immediately made arrangements, calling his subordinates over and giving instructions in front of Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng gave a word of advice: "Be sure to conceal your intentions. This matter will involve the Japanese. Don't let the Japanese find out until things are clear."

"Yes, sir." The subordinate accepted the order and went to carry it out.

"Who is this person?" Gu Yansheng asked casually.

"I used to work for the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS), Tang Huimin."

Ding Mocun patted Gu Yansheng's arm, "Don't worry, he's very capable and, most importantly, loyal. He's definitely not one of Li Shiqun's men."

Gu Yansheng chuckled, "It doesn't matter whose people are handling this, but if Li Shiqun finds out, your credit will most likely be gone."

In terms of ability in Shanghai, Ding Mocun is indeed no match for Li Shiqun.

Ding Mocun chuckled, "As long as the money doesn't fly away, that's fine. The news from over there is that a ship loaded with good stuff in Wuhan set sail yesterday."

"Really?" Gu Yansheng's eyes lit up. "That's great! What good stuff do you have?" "We have everything. It's all put together on the spot. Give us a little of everything. Whatever you have, we'll give you. It's all valuable anyway."

"Haha, okay, let's go, let's hear something else."

"Then let's do this for now."

When the two arrived, everyone else had already finished their tour. The main intelligence headquarters wasn't very big, and the remaining prison wasn't much to see either.

Minister Zhou glanced at Gu Yansheng and smiled, "Mr. Wang, let's go to the China Daily that Director Gu helped prepare."

“Great.” Wang Ni glanced at Gu Yansheng. “I didn’t expect that Director Gu would help prepare for the China Daily. He must have worked really hard.”

"I don't deserve it, it's what I should do."

"Then let's go to the China Daily."

The Chung Hwa Daily is very close by, just a few minutes away.

It was a three-story building. There wasn't much to see; the main thing was to chat with the newspaper editors and offer my condolences.

It's just a newspaper; the fact that they even came shows how much importance they attach to it. If it weren't for their heavy propaganda responsibilities—and the fact that the China Daily is going to be the official mouthpiece in the future—they wouldn't even need to come here.

After visiting both venues, another afternoon had passed.

"Anything else planned?" Wang Ni asked.

Minister Zhou looked at Gu Yansheng and said with a smile, "Xingya Institute is now arranging for the municipal government to manage the area by district. The western part of Shanghai is your territory, Director Gu. Why don't you invite us to see your achievements over this period? If you can't show us anything, you should have said so earlier. We're going to have dinner now."

Minister Zhou discussed the Xingya Institute's plan with Wang Ni and praised Gu Yansheng's achievements highly.

"Really? Director Gu is that good at developing the economy?"

The preparation of the China Daily was indeed not difficult, but Gu Yansheng's ability to develop the economy was something Wang had not expected.

This is an opportunity to shine, and Gu Yansheng should seize it.

He said modestly, "I just know a few people, and my friends are willing to help. If Mr. Wang has time, I'll take you to see them."

“We need to take a look at this. Industry is something the country needs to develop vigorously; it’s very important.” Wang Ni said earnestly.

Then let's see.

Gu Yansheng asked his secretary, Ma Shiqi, to accompany him. Ma Shiqi could contact the factory in advance to avoid any unexpected problems.

There are indeed quite a few factories in western Shanghai now, and for the sake of convenient transportation, they are mostly located near the Suzhou River.

So as you walk along, the industrial atmosphere is very strong.

The riverbank is an industrial area, and across the river are restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and the like.

Gu Yansheng didn't need to handle any of this. As long as there was business to be done in the industrial zone, people would naturally come and open these kinds of businesses.

The scenery is indeed beautiful.

Alongside brothels, opium dens, and casinos, the area along the Suzhou Creek had a strong commercial atmosphere and was bustling with people.

Gu Yansheng showed them around the textile factory, and then the flour mill.

"The wheat harvest is almost here. I've already discussed it with the manufacturers, and when the new grain comes to market, it can be given priority to the new government," Gu Yansheng reported.

Wang Ni nodded repeatedly. With so many machines running and the aroma of wheat from the wheat mill, he was in a very good mood.

“We must vigorously develop industry, which is not only for people’s livelihood, but also for the country’s tax revenue.” Wang Ni said with great emotion: “It is hard to see such a prosperous scene of busy machines in Chongqing.”

Why do I advocate for peaceful nation-building? Only through peace can we develop industry, and only then can we have a chance to surpass and defeat Japan.

I had a meal.

Wang Ni and Minister Zhou returned home.

We went to Wang Ni's house together.

Next, we should discuss the situation in Shanghai.

(End of this chapter)