Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 242 Blitz
It's better to offend a petty person than an old one. People like Fu Xiao'an, who are wealthy and old, are known for holding grudges.

A petty person holding a grudge is called harboring resentment, while an old person holding a grudge is called dying with unresolved grievances. Relatively speaking, the resentment of dying with unresolved grievances is greater.

Gu Yansheng approved of Fu Xiao'an's vengeful and vengeful behavior.

If traitors don't come to make money off the British and Americans, who else will?
Let Lu Bowen handle the task of buying call options at the bottom.

"Fu Xiao'an will release negative news in the next few days, so you should secretly buy at the bottom."

"Doesn't He Yun have a dedicated stockbroker?" Lu Bowen asked, puzzled.

"A broker's mouth is prone to leaks, and He Yun is now a director of a listed company. If the news of her buying at the bottom gets out, those British and Americans will inevitably have ulterior motives. How can we then establish a counterparty?"
Quietly and silently, buy as much as you can, buy more during the first wave of decline, and leave the rest to her broker.

"Don't you like stock trading? This is your chance to relax."

To be honest, Lu Bowen was really happy, running around and busy all day long. It had been quite a while since he had traded stocks.

"Understood. How much do you want to buy?"

"Buy a smaller amount, $200,000 should be enough, leverage it."

"Quite a few." Lu Bowen rubbed his hands together, eager to try his luck. Gu Yansheng didn't often engage in speculation; he definitely wouldn't make a move unless he could make several times the profit.

This time, the expected returns are likely to be over a million dollars!
Gu Yansheng was indeed planning something big. This year, they kept it a secret from the Japanese businessmen and waited until they had bought the cotton before raising prices, which is why their profits were high.

If the Japanese learn their lesson next year, it's very likely that they won't be able to succeed.

So this opportunity may only come once, and this time, we'll make the most of it.

To control the risks in this matter, we need to consult with Mr. Wu, a well-known stock commentator.

Gu Yansheng went to the Special Agent Headquarters to find Wu Sibao.

He knocked on the door. "Captain Wu."

"Director Gu, oh no, Minister Gu." Wu Sibao bowed obsequiously and strode out to greet him, "Welcome Minister Gu of the Ministry of Justice and Administration to guide my work."

"Get lost, who are you trying to fool with that loser act?" Gu Yansheng rolled his eyes as he entered the room, sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and asked, "How's your stock trading going lately?"

"Don't even mention it." Wu Sibao rolled his eyes at Gu Yansheng, who was even louder, and said unhappily, "Hey, can't the Shanghai district just be quiet for once? I can't even have peace and quiet when I'm trading stocks. If I don't go and make arrests, Director Li keeps scolding me. If I do go and make arrests, I don't have time to look at the stock market."

Do you know how much money I miss out on if I don't keep an eye on things for a day? The big players pull off surprise attacks, and I can't sell at the peak; by the time I find out, the price has already fallen. It's so frustrating!

"Ha ha ha ha."

Wow, that's impressive! Gu Yansheng's eyes lit up. The retail investors have even learned to buy low and sell high to fleece the big players. This stock wasn't a waste of money; they've made progress.

"What's so funny? I'm annoyed." Wu Sibao shook his leg, smacked his lips, and sighed. "What do you suggest we do about this?"

"Did you make any money?"

"If I can't even keep an eye on things, how am I supposed to make money!" Wu Sibao glared and retorted, "It's definitely not because my skills are bad."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Wu Sibao couldn't stand the laughter and said disdainfully, "What's so funny? Get to the point."

"If you don't want me to laugh, then I won't say anything," Gu Yansheng said, putting on airs.

Wu Sibao, with a helpless fawning tone, said, "Then finish speaking before you laugh."

Gu Yansheng's smile faded slightly as he got down to business. "Big deal. I'm going to make a killing in the stock market. I won't say much, but I should make three to five times the profit. I haven't forgotten you when there's good news."

Wu Sibao immediately perked up, leaning forward with his eyes shining. Gu Yansheng's reputation was beyond question; if he said he could do it, it was guaranteed to make money. So he didn't bother asking about the process.

"How much money is needed, and how is it done?"

"Go and call your sister-in-law first, so I don't have to tell you twice."

"Okay, okay." Wu Sibao got up and made a phone call.

While waiting, Gu Yansheng asked, "Was that woman caught later?"

"No, it's not that easy to catch her. And let me tell you, you'll never catch her." Wu Sibao sat down and joked, "These people in the Shanghai district got arrested, but this woman just disappeared without a trace, like she vanished into thin air. Where do you think she went?"

"Really a lover?"

"Nonsense, how could someone disappear without a trace if they weren't a lover? She's just a nobody, what safe house could she possibly have that's more hidden than a district chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"You didn't hide it, did you?" Gu Yansheng guessed, pointing at his face.

"It's definitely hidden, but it's definitely not me who hid it. If I were to hide it, my sister-in-law would find out, and I'd be in deep trouble. I don't dare mess with her; women can be fierce when they get angry. Tsk tsk."

Wu Sibao leaned closer and whispered, "He wouldn't dare let me hide. What if I talk in my sleep at night and my wife hears me? She might just blurt it out while we're playing mahjong."

"Hehe, that's true." Gu Yansheng patted the armrest of the sofa and muttered to himself, "Your Director Li is quite well hidden. Even the Military Intelligence Bureau has such a high level of covert agents."

"I didn't know either," Wu Sibao said with a pout.

"Minister Gu." Ye Jiqing walked in from outside.

"Sit down and talk."

Gu Yansheng waved and explained the situation.

"The funding requirement should be around ten thousand US dollars, which should be manageable."

Regarding physical commodities, you shouldn't get involved in Shanghai's local cotton yarn. Fu Xiao'an has put in a lot of effort to contact big clients and steal his business. He'll be unhappy about that. He's an expert in futures trading, and we'll have to follow his lead.

In other places, like Nanjing, Jiangsu, Anhui, and anywhere other than Shanghai, the cotton yarn produced by those factories can have its subordinate departments control the price.

If you want to buy, then buy; if you don't want to buy, then restrict them from selling at low prices.

We'll establish a unified floor price, raise it across the board, make a profit on the spot market, and then make another profit on the futures market—a win-win situation.

The explanation was clear and easy to understand. Ye Jiqing never questioned the God of Wealth's teachings, but he was just a little short of money.

“It’s a good idea, but we’ve already invested all our money in Wing On Department Store, and we don’t have that much money to spare right now.”

Gu Yansheng asked curiously, "You haven't made any money these past few months?"

"Even making money isn't that much, like tens of thousands of US dollars." Ye Jiqing smiled bitterly. Money isn't that easy to earn.

"That shouldn't be the case," Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and asked, "Even if Yong'an Department Store didn't get any money, didn't you have business in western Shanghai? And you arrested a large number of Kuomintang agents. Didn't you make any money out of all those people in the Shanghai area?"

"You think too highly of the Shanghai region. Dai Li is so stingy that he gives us his money every month, as if he's afraid that if he dies, the money will fall into our hands. Even if we happen to receive his monthly payment, how much money is that?"

Moreover, with so many people involved in this operation, let's not even talk about anything else; hasn't the money we handed over already passed through several hands by the time it reached us?" Ye Jiqing raised his head.

Even if they know their subordinates are making money, they can only turn a blind eye.

People risk their lives for this, so someone has to get something out of it.

Gu Yansheng thought about it and realized that the arrest in Shanghai was planned, and Boss Dai had likely withheld money from them.

"What about western Shanghai?"

“There aren’t that many in western Shanghai. You only get about 20,000 to 30,000 silver dollars a month. That’s less than 10,000 US dollars. You need over 100,000.”

"Then let everyone participate as much as they can."

Involving them was to guard against any unexpected trouble from the British. One has to be careful when scheming against them, and the people from No. 76 can provide both money and manpower.

Gu Yansheng's own anti-smuggling team was fine for playing around in downtown Shanghai, but in places like the concessions, it wasn't as comfortable as using the 76th Division.

“5 should be no problem,” Ye Jiqing said after thinking for a moment.

“50,000 it is.” Gu Yansheng nodded.

“That won’t do. Just take 10, and I’ll handle the remaining 5.” Wu Sibao volunteered. How could he miss such a chance to make big money? He would regret it for the rest of his life if he did.

Ye Jiqing glanced at him. "Where can you get $5?"

Wu Sibao smiled faintly and straightened his suit. "I'll borrow it, I'll rob it. There are so many rich people in Shanghai, I don't believe I can't borrow $5."

Kidnapping, huh? Ye Jiqing thought for a moment and nodded silently. "Then be careful and try not to leave any evidence." Wu Sibao smiled. "Don't worry, it's my old profession."

"Then hurry up." Gu Yansheng didn't say much. Kidnapping is a double-edged sword. It can bring in money quickly, but it can also offend people quickly, especially wealthy people who are not easy to deal with.

For minor offenses, seek opportunities for revenge; for major offenses, join the resistance against Japan.

the next day.

Gu Yansheng was drinking tea and reading the newspaper at the teahouse.

The effects of his suggestions are already visible in Nanjing newspapers. Some officials within the reformed government have come forward to support the Wang Jingwei government and are making sarcastic remarks about the current achievements of the Nanjing government.

They accused the Nanjing government chairman of neglecting economic development, resulting in Nanjing's prosperity being incomparable to that of Shanghai.

Using housing prices to illustrate the extent of Nanjing's economic downturn, one can see that twenty silver dollars, which was just the salary of an ordinary office worker in the Shanghai concessions, could buy a small house in Nanjing.

"Why are people still unwilling to develop their careers in Nanjing even though housing prices are so low? Isn't it because the government isn't developing the economy, and people are unemployed and unable to survive?"

"Some people hold positions without contributing anything, showing no ambition. Everyone in Nanjing is cursing them, but they're oblivious, even smug, thinking they're doing a great job—utterly foolish!"

Some people have defected; the atmosphere within the Nanjing Reformed Government these past few days must be quite interesting.

Gu Yansheng glanced at the news in Nanjing and then looked at the foreign newspapers in the foreign concessions.

A news item published in a British newspaper caught his attention.

Germany invaded Poland.

Nazi Germany's army, allied with its vassal state Slovakia, invaded Poland.

British and French authorities gave Nazi Germany a 48-hour deadline to withdraw from Polish territory.

"The time has indeed come."

Hitler's offensive has thrown Europe into chaos.

Shanghai was actually quite peaceful. There was not much of a stir about Germany's invasion of Poland. The newspapers in the concessions, as the mouthpiece of Britain, had many rebuttals to Germany, but ordinary people just talked about it as amusement after dinner and didn't really see anything significant.

"Will it affect the stock market?" Gu Yansheng pondered this question for a moment, deciding that it was worth observing further.

However, a newspaper article published two days later finally amplified the discussions in Shanghai teahouses.

Because Germany ignored the warnings from Britain and France, Britain and France formally declared war on Germany two days later!

The war between powerful nations immediately sparked the curiosity of the citizens, leading to much discussion.

Gu Yansheng, however, observed another news item published in an American newspaper.

The Kwantung Army Headquarters had mobilized 10,000 men from the 2nd Division, 10,000 men from the 4th Division, and 8,000 men from the 7th Division, which were originally intended to reinforce the Nomonhan area, but now all of them have stopped.

Meanwhile, the Japanese army ceased its offensive in the Mongolian theater and showed signs of withdrawal. This provocative war initiated against the Soviet army ended in failure, with the Japanese army suffering heavy losses!

Two days later.

Ding-ling-ling. Ding-ling-ling.

"Hello," Gu Yansheng answered the phone.

"Hello, you're at the teahouse, right? I'm coming to find you." Minister Zhou's voice came through the phone.

When did you get back?

"Just arrived, I'll talk to you later."

Logically speaking, Minister Zhou shouldn't be back so quickly, because Gu Yansheng hadn't received any news that Liang Hongzhi had backed down.

They waited and guessed.

Minister Zhou has arrived.

"minister."

When Minister Zhou and Ding Mocun arrived, Gu Yansheng greeted them.

"Hmm." Minister Zhou sat down and took a big gulp of tea. "Something happened in Japan. Itagaki stepped down, and negotiations with us have to be suspended."

"Temporarily suspended? Itagaki?" Gu Yansheng sat down with a puzzled look. "Why? What happened?"

"The Japanese Army Minister," Minister Zhou said in a deep voice, "The Japanese suffered a defeat at the hands of the Soviet army in Mongolia. The Emperor was furious, and this Army Minister was dismissed. Last night, Itagaki arrived in Nanjing to serve as the Chief of the General Staff of the Expeditionary Army."

Gu Yansheng understood and nodded. "What does that have to do with our negotiations?"

Minister Zhou frowned and said, "Last night, Itagaki came to Nanjing, and I picked him up while I was in Nanjing and asked him about his mission in Nanjing."
Itagaki stated frankly that the world situation had changed, and the Japanese military would make new strategic adjustments. His purpose in going to Nanjing was solely to force the Chongqing government to negotiate peace, so our role was essentially nonexistent.

"Isn't this going back on your word?" Gu Yansheng protested.

"This isn't the first time the Japanese have done this," Minister Zhou said, shaking his head.

Ding Mocun said, "Yansheng, Liang Hongzhi was also at the banquet that night. Do you know how Liang Hongzhi looked when he heard the news?"

During this time, I almost beat Liang Hongzhi to death, and he was really under immense pressure. But who the hell could have imagined that the Japanese, having suffered a defeat, would end up saving him?

We no longer have a reason to stay in Nanjing.

"I was so angry when I left, I had to put up with that guy's spinelessness."

"Let's not talk about Liang Hongzhi now, he's not important." Minister Zhou waved his hand and looked at Gu Yansheng, "What's your opinion?"

Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and said, "The Japanese and the Soviet army went to war in Mongolia, which actually fits their northward strategy. Now that they have found that they can't win, they have to retreat. Then there are only two options left."

One option is to do everything in our power to continue swallowing up the entire land of China.

One option was to head south and conquer various small islands in East Asia.

"Is it possible to attack East Asia?" Minister Zhou interjected.

“Very likely.” Gu Yansheng nodded. “According to what you just said, Itagaki was talking about a strategic change, forcing the Chongqing government to make peace.”

I think that trying to swallow China with all one's might was not an option for the Japanese. The Japanese did want to negotiate with Chongqing and then move south into East Asia.

One very important objective in fighting the Soviet army was to obtain resources.

"Now that the Soviet army can't take the lead, withdrawal is fine, they can withdraw at will, but Japan's resource problem hasn't been solved yet, so only East Asia is left."

Minister Zhou frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "So the Japanese genuinely want a pause, rather than using this incident to play the game of bargaining?"

"This won't cause any delays," Gu Yansheng reminded him. "Can't we achieve both objectives?"

Minister Zhou understood Gu Yansheng's meaning and thought for a moment before saying, "It's still a bit different. If Itagaki's purpose in going to Nanjing was indeed to negotiate with Chongqing, then we shouldn't negotiate now; there's no point in saying anything."

The priority is how to handle the situation between him and Chongqing.

In other words, what about ourselves?

Minister Zhou tapped the table. "If Chongqing goes to peace talks, how should we position ourselves?"

Gu Yansheng and Minister Zhou exchanged glances. Gu Yansheng looked at Ding Mocun, then turned his gaze away and paused before saying, "First of all, I don't think Chongqing will hold talks. I'm not saying it won't start, but I don't think it will have any results."

Secondly, even if negotiations do take place, Chongqing might want to agree, but we might not.
Director Ding, do you think there are many ways to make someone feel insincere?

Ding Mochun thought for a moment, raised an eyebrow, and laughed, "Are you testing me? There are many, too many. Even couples who are deeply in love can turn against each other on their wedding day, let alone two people with ulterior motives?"

Gu Yansheng smiled after hearing this, "Minister, you see, Director Ding has many ideas."

Minister Zhou smiled, pondered quietly for a while, and said, "Whether they want to negotiate or not is up to them, but negotiations are definitely not going to succeed. For our own sake, we must do whatever it takes. Don't you agree?"

"correct."

"exactly."

The three looked at each other and smiled, reaching an agreement.

(End of this chapter)