Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 268 Defection

Wang Mansion.

Wang Ni and Chen Bijun entertained them.

In the past, when Gu Yansheng came, he had to stand aside and listen to Minister Zhou and Wang Ni chat. Now that he sat down, no one thought it was wrong. In fact, it was Chen Bijun who greeted him and had tea brought up.

"How was your trip to Nanjing?" Wang Ni asked.

"You can tell by how quickly we got back; it must have all gone smoothly."

Minister Zhou smiled and recounted what had happened in Nanjing.

The key point is Liang Hongzhi's attitude.

When he mentioned comparing himself to Su Dongpo, everyone laughed heartily.

Hearing that Liang Hongzhi was planning an assassination, the atmosphere became less than friendly.

Wang Ni's expression changed slightly as he angrily rebuked, "This kind of person should not be given any power in the future. He's simply insane! He's arrogant and crazy, and he can't think straight at all!"

Chen Bijun nodded in deep agreement, "Fortunately, we gave Ren Yuandao money back then and brought him to our side, otherwise this time the outcome would have been truly unpredictable."

If Liang Hongzhi had been prepared for a fight to the death from the beginning, and had been more decisive, admitting defeat the moment we arrived in Shanghai and inviting us over for negotiations, or even just for sightseeing, we definitely would have gone to Nanjing.

At that time, Ren Yuandao did not exist. It was very possible that Ren Yuandao would carry out an assassination at Liang Hongzhi's behest.

He could have easily shifted the blame for the assassination to the Military Intelligence Bureau.

This person is terrifying!

“He doesn’t understand that,” Minister Zhou scoffed. “If he could realize Mr. Wang’s importance to Japan, he wouldn’t have done this.”

It is precisely because he felt that Mr. Wang was as important as him in the eyes of the Japanese, or even less important, that he has dragged it out until now.

The real reason he was anxious was because of what happened to Mr. Wang. I suspect that Wang Kemin had backed down, which made him feel uneasy.

That's the main reason.

Wang Ni nodded and said, "We must get rid of this person. You all remember this and think of a way to eliminate this dangerous factor."

No one objected; Liang Hongzhi's future is now essentially set.

Wang Ni continued, "Ren Yuandao's money was well spent. Since he has decided to join us, it's reasonable to keep him in the position of commander."

As for signing the contract with the Japanese, since it's almost done, let's sign it. Do you have any further objections?

"Gone."

The matter has dragged on for so long, and Chongqing is hesitant to continue negotiations. In addition, this isn't the first time the Japanese have wavered. Delay could lead to unforeseen changes, so let's sign it first and settle this matter once and for all.

Minister Zhou, "After so many consultations, there shouldn't be any problems."

Wang responded, "Then let Chen Gongbo handle it. He is the future Speaker of the Legislative Yuan. His identity and rank are appropriate to review the terms of the agreement."

Minister Zhou was about to leave when Chen Bijun invited him to have a meal together, saying that he must be tired from traveling back and forth and that a meal was the right thing to do.

Gu Yansheng ate a meal there and, instead of returning to the teahouse, went directly to find Chen Mo.

The signing process has entered its final stage. The contents of the agreement have been finalized. To obtain the content, Gao Zhongwu, this pawn, still needs to be pushed a little.

Since Gao Zhongwu didn't go bankrupt from stock trading but instead made money, the possibility of him achieving his goal through bribery was greatly reduced.

It's not that it's impossible, it's just the difference between providing help in times of need and adding to someone's already good fortune.

There was no coffee at Chen Mo's house.

Gu Yansheng asked while sipping his tea, "Has Gao Zhongwu made any moves these past few days?"

"He's still trading stocks." Although he's finished trading cotton yarn, he can still trade other things. As long as the stock market is open, he can always play if he wants.

Once you enter the stock market, it's like falling into a deep sea; there's no getting out, especially for someone who made money right from the start. Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and asked, "How many guards does he have around him?"

"Three of them, all from No. 76."

Before the Wang Jingwei regime was established, there were no dedicated bodyguards or military personnel to act as protectors; only the people from the 76th Division could be used at will.

"Hmm, is there any way to create an opportunity for one-on-one contact, like a conversation, or you could pass a note or something?"

"It shouldn't be difficult. Of the three people in the 76th Division, one is the driver who basically never gets out of the car, and the other two are bodyguards who follow him around. They may not be very dedicated to their work, but they are just the kind of bodyguards who are just going through the motions. After a long time, since nothing has happened, they are not very vigilant."

Otherwise, I wouldn't have made him go to the stock exchange every day. That place is a mixed bag; if I really wanted to, killing him would be a piece of cake.

"Then you can try to pass on a message to him, saying that Boss Dai is relaying President Chiang's order that he knows he is not being treated well by the traitor Wang, and that he is also a participant in the negotiations. As long as he is willing to carry the secret agreement of the Japan-Wang peace talks and realize his mistake, the Party and the State will not hold him accountable for his past actions."

If they continue to sink deeper into this mess, the Iron-Blooded Assassination Squad will surely come knocking, and their entire families will be doomed.

He has a wife and children, right?

If bribery fails, then resort to coercion.

"some."

"Okay, let's do it this way and see how he reacts."

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

The next day, at the stock exchange.

Gao Zhongwu arrived at the stock exchange right on time to check on the stock market.

What else can a middle-aged man do if he has no future in his job but doesn't invest in stocks?
You have to have either money or power, right?

He now regrets coming to Shanghai. Following Mr. Wang has brought him no benefits whatsoever; instead, he has earned the reputation of a traitor.

Those days when I was refuted in Japan were arguably the darkest time of my life.

But after investing in stocks, I realized that there is still hope in life.

It turns out that diplomacy wasn't his forte; stock trading was.

He now studies the stock market much more diligently than his job. He carries a notebook and records the various prices of stocks, reviewing these records every day when he gets home.

By analyzing price trends to deduce the intentions of major players, one can significantly increase the success rate.

Like a bunch of ordinary people, he craned his neck to look at the prices on the blackboard. He was still reluctant to open a VIP room upstairs. You needed to verify your funds to have your own room there, and more importantly, you had to pay a fee every month. This was an expense he couldn't accept while he was still saving up his capital.

This will affect compound interest.

Just bear with it.

Two agents from the 76th Division were following behind him; they would take good care of his safety.

Behind them, two people from Unit 76 were also staring at the prices on the blackboard.

They didn't usually trade stocks, but Gao Zhongwu brought them to the stock market every day, where they would stay for the entire day.

What you hear in your ears is no longer assassinations by the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, but rather things like building positions, reducing positions, major players washing out weak hands, and buying low and selling high. You can't help but pay attention to these things.

Especially since they saw Gao Zhongwu make a fortune in stocks, it was hard for them not to be envious.

Gao Zhongwu was very generous. When everyone had lunch together, he would discuss stock-related topics with them and encourage them to buy some to supplement their household income.

Then I'll buy some.
Then I'll buy some.

The market is booming.

Suddenly, several gunshots rang out outside the exchange.

Immediately following was the screaming of passersby.

Not to mention the 76th Division's operatives, even ordinary stock market investors were drawn by the gunshots and rushed to the door to check.

"Mr. Gao, don't go out." The man from Unit 76 gave the order, and one of them reached into his suit jacket, touched the gun at his waist, and carefully walked towards the door to check.

Another person stepped forward and stood in front of Gao Zhongwu, keeping an eye on the commotion at the entrance of the exchange.

Just then, Gao Zhongwu felt himself being bumped. There were many people around, and Gao Zhongwu habitually turned his head to look, but didn't pay much attention.

The team members who went to the door quickly returned to report, "They weren't coming for us."

The group didn't take it seriously and continued studying the stock market.

The market closes in the evening.

Gao Zhongwu went home.

He casually took off his suit jacket and put it on the hanger.

My wife grumbled, "You shouldn't be going to the stock exchange to trade stocks every day. You're not doing anything productive."

"What do you know? What else am I supposed to do if I don't trade stocks? I need to be busy too. Do you expect me, a vice minister, to go and conduct diplomatic negotiations with Chongqing?"

His wife knew that Mr. Wang disliked him, so she suggested, "Why don't you buy some things and go see Minister Zhou, and ask him to put in a good word for you?"

Gao Zhongwu said disdainfully, "You haven't even grasped the situation yet. The negotiations are almost over. Who am I to you? Why would anyone bother arguing with Mr. Wang for my sake?"

And even if I fought for it, what good would it do? The ministerial position is already taken. Even if that guy surnamed Wang gives me special treatment, can he really pull down the current minister and give me the position?
Don't be delusional, it's impossible.

Instead of spending money on gifts, I'd rather invest in stocks.

My wife can't say anything either; there's really nothing I can do now.

Gao Zhongwu sat down and ate his food while studying the stock market in his notebook.

"I'll wash your clothes for you."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. His wife could read, and after glancing at it, her expression changed drastically as she ran over to hand it to him. "Military... Military Intelligence Bureau."

Gao Zhongwu immediately perked up and seriously picked up the paper to read it.

"Found in your pocket?"

"Yes, how did he end up in your pocket? Didn't you know?"

Gao Zhongwu immediately recalled the moment he was hit, and his face turned pale.

This could be a letter, or it could be a knife; it could be a blow, or it could be a warning. It could slip a letter into his pocket, or it could take his life at any moment! "What should we do?" His wife was a little panicked.

"What's the panic? It's just changing where you trade stocks."

Gao Zhongwu had long since figured it out; with a monthly salary of only a few dozen yuan, what was the point of being a traitor?

"What time is it, and you're still thinking about stock trading?"

"We have to think about investing in stocks! Do we have a choice? It's come to this, how can we disagree? What will we eat if we don't invest in stocks? Do you really think Chiang Kai-shek is some kind of saint? Oh, that if we take the stuff back, he'll let us go? Keep us on high-ranking positions and generous salaries?"

Look, what he wants is the secret agreement between Japan and Wang Jingwei, not us as people.

Do you understand now? Once we give you the item, we become worthless.

They asked us to negotiate with that guy surnamed Wang, and once the negotiations were over, they kicked us aside.

They're all the same, even in the upper echelons.

"Will Chiang Kai-shek kill us?" my wife worried about.

That possibility wasn't out of the question. Gao Zhongwu frowned, beginning to ponder how to ensure he wouldn't be killed.

The next morning.

At noon, Chen Mo came to find Gu Yansheng.

"He agreed. In the letter, I told him that if he agreed, he should wear a blue hat and then leave what he needed to say in the restroom of the restaurant where we were having lunch."

He did exactly as instructed; that's the letter.

Gu Yansheng took it and looked at it. The beginning was all nonsense, such as feeling guilty and ashamed of failing the leader, and then being willing to repent and provide a secret agreement, requesting an evacuation route, and being willing to persuade Tao Xisheng to evacuate together.

"Is this Tao Xisheng the Minister of Propaganda?" Chen Mo asked.

Gu Yansheng nodded, "Yes."

According to the letter, Tao Xisheng had a good relationship with him and had been working in propaganda. He had complained to him that his work was too tiring, as he was publishing content about being a traitor, and that the work was meaningless.

Tao Xisheng genuinely believed in the ideal of saving the country through peace, but the emergence of the advisory system was far removed from his vision of peace and national salvation.

"Tell Chongqing to arrange a route and send them all away together."

For Gu Yansheng, sending one more person wouldn't make a difference.

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements."

Chen Mo went back and sent a telegram.

Chongqing responded immediately, offering a solution: they would arrange the departing ships, and Chen Mo only needed to confirm with the other party where the handover could take place; Du Yuesheng's people would handle everything else.

Gang members are far more professional than assassination squads when it comes to sending people onto ships without anyone noticing.

The operation commenced a day later.

Still at the exchange, this time in the restroom, he handed over the action plan to Gao Zhongwu.

Arrangements were made for Gao Zhongwu to return home.

The next day, Gu Yansheng was greeted by an uninvited guest, Gao Zhongwu.

"Vice Minister Gao, is there something you need?" Gu Yansheng had no idea why Gao Zhongwu would come to see him at this time.

Gao Zhongwu sighed and said with a troubled smile, "I'm ashamed to say, Minister Gu, I came here this time to ask you for a favor."

"What favor do you need? Just say it. No need to be so polite," Gu Yansheng said magnanimously.

Gao Zhongwu said apologetically, "It's like this, prices in Shanghai are indeed high, and I'm currently short on cash. I don't know who I can borrow from to tide me over. I'm very sorry, but I wonder if it would be convenient for you, Minister Gu?"

Hmm, that's a difficult question to answer.

Damn it, you wanted to make a quick buck before running away. You're ruthless; you have the potential to be a capitalist.

"How much do you want?" Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and decided to give it. Of course, it was Minister Zhou's money, which was originally from the national treasury.

It's normal for businesses to not be able to collect loans.

"One hundred thousand silver dollars," Gao Zhongwu said without any politeness.

"So much?" Gu Yansheng was surprised, but didn't ask any further questions. "Vice Minister Gao, the money is no problem, we just need to write an IOU and keep a record of the transaction. Is that alright?"

"No problem, thank you Minister Gu."

"It's okay, it's normal to borrow money to tide you over."

Gao Zhongwu quickly wrote down the IOU.

Gu Yansheng had someone fetch cash for him.

Then they changed the 100,000 silver dollars to 500,000 silver dollars and deposited it into the account.

Money shouldn't be lent out for nothing; it's reasonable to take on some debt.

The next day, Gao Zhongwu took Tao Xisheng to the mall to buy some things and take a bath and massage.

Under the pretext of getting a massage, I was picked up through the back door and taken straight to the pier.

Someone handed them two identification cards for residents of the concession and legitimate ship tickets, and they boarded an American cruise ship.

It was only fifteen minutes after we boarded the ship that it was time to depart.

A call to action sounded, and the ship sailed away from Shanghai, heading for Hong Kong.

When the team members from 76 discovered that the person was missing, it was already an hour later. Their first thought was to ask for statements themselves in order to find the person.

It was three hours later when the news was reported to Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun.

The day lilies are cold.

First, we need to suspect whether the person has been kidnapped by the Kuomintang.

By the time Li Shiqun had searched around, a whole day had passed.

In just one day, everyone will be in Hong Kong.

Number 76 reluctantly reported the news to Minister Zhou.

Minister Zhou immediately reprimanded Li Shiqun.

The 76th Division sent people to protect him, which was both protection and surveillance. Now that he's gone, he's lost his family too. Do we even need to ask where he went?
"What are you doing?! Investigate! How did they get out? And also, keep a close eye on the others, understand the principle of prevention is better than cure?"

Number 76 continued searching for people.

Minister Zhou was in a terrible mood.

We can't find the people now, but daily affairs still need to be carried out. Whether they simply ran away or were taken away by the Kuomintang's intelligence agencies is a huge difference.

If he were taken away by the Military Intelligence Bureau, the contents of the secret agreement would be exposed, which would deal a huge blow to the credibility of the Wang Jingwei faction.

The schedule for the Qingdao talks has been set. It's not easy to get the three parties to sit down and talk, let alone the unexpected trouble that might arise from changing the time.

We can only continue to move forward.

Fortunately, after waiting for a few days, nothing unusual happened. It seemed that Gao Zhongwu and Tao Xisheng had run away, rather than being taken away by the Military Intelligence Bureau.

This relieved the Wang faction.

Defection is better than betrayal.

Life goes on, and the next step is to focus all efforts on preparing for the upcoming important meeting, the Qingdao talks.

This will be the first meeting to decide the seats of various factions in the new government, and it will also be the most important one, because it is the first time, and probably the last.

The overall situation can be determined in one go.

The Qingdao talks are scheduled to open on January 23.

On January 21, Gu Yansheng, Minister Zhou, and others traveled to Qingdao.

Distance produces beauty.

Upon arriving in Qingdao, the city's current mayor, with deep respect for Wang Ni, presented him with a most precious seafood set meal.

It was definitely delicious and high-end, but that was nothing special to Wang Ni.

What people talk about most is that Wang Ni finally got to enjoy the treatment that a vice president should enjoy here—treatment that he didn't get with Wang Kemin and Liang Hongzhi.

That's licking.

This person truly held the Wang Jingwei regime in extremely high esteem, always bowing and scraping when speaking.

This attention made Wang Ni feel very comfortable, and it was also very appreciated by the people from Wang's faction who attended the meeting.

Fine meals were served, and upscale hotels were arranged. If there were no news the next day, the whole world would be wonderful.

The following day, Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao and United Broadcasting published the news.

The two-hour broadcast covered the entirety of the secret agreement between Japan and Wang.

Unlike previous leaks of the secret agreement between Japan and Wang Jingwei, this broadcast elaborated on the meaning of the advisory system, stating bluntly that the Wang Jingwei regime was a Japanese-controlled government that attempted to turn China into a colony and plunge China into eternal damnation.

Tao Xisheng vehemently denounced it!
Gao Zhongwu vehemently denounced it!
Wang Jingwei's signing of this secret agreement will surely bring him eternal infamy!

The atmosphere in Qingdao was peaceful until the radio broadcast shattered that tranquility.

The news can come out anytime.

It just so happens to be the day before the Qingdao conference begins.

Needless to say, this must have been Gao Zhongwu and Tao Xisheng's suggestion, to make Wang Jingwei lose face before the Qingdao Conference even began.

The timing was indeed excellent.

(End of this chapter)