Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 275 The Bottom of the Cauldron
"Yes, Minister, there's definitely no time to make it."

Some people chimed in, while others smiled and shook their heads.

Gu Yansheng calmly asked, "Isn't a month enough?"

"It's definitely too late!" Director Liao said with great certainty.

Gu Yansheng paused and then asked, "How long have you been the director of the Legal Affairs Department?"

Asking this question made Director Liao uncomfortable, but he still forced a smile and answered, "It's been a year and a half, Minister. You can rest assured. If I said it wasn't enough time, then it definitely wasn't enough."

Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow. "You just said you couldn't finish reading the legal provisions in a month. You haven't read any legal provisions in the past year and a half?"

Director Liao paused abruptly, then quickly tried to explain, “Minister, that’s not what I meant. Of course I’ve read the law, but just because I’ve read it doesn’t mean the Legislative Yuan and the Judicial Yuan have. We still have to discuss it with them, don’t we?”
Even if they read quickly, the subsequent discussions will take time, so a month is not enough.

Moreover, a month is not enough time to implement it.

While it's possible to distribute documents quickly, it takes time for our new documents to be communicated and for subordinates to understand them.

The document is sent to the province, where it needs to be studied before being passed on to the cities and counties below. Otherwise, wouldn't it cause chaos in how people judge cases? There also needs to be a transition period between the old and new laws, right?

Gu Yansheng remained noncommittal. "If we follow your logic, how long would it take you?"

Director Liao thought for a moment and said, "It will take at least three to six months to discuss the legal provisions, and it will take at least three months to issue them. If we give some time for the handover of the legal provisions, seven or eight months would be the fastest we can go."

"Do you think it's appropriate for a new government to take seven or eight months to enact its own new laws?"

Director Liao chuckled awkwardly, "There's nothing we can do about it. The workload is just that big, and it takes just that long. With the old laws in place for the transition, we can actually keep it in place for now."

"The workload is too heavy, and we don't have enough manpower?"

"correct."

Gu Yansheng nodded. "I understand that there are difficulties in the work, but the new government must have a new look, otherwise I will not be able to explain to my superiors."

I won't pressure you, just hurry up.

"Okay." Director Liao nodded with a smile, and after nodding, he glanced at the crowd opposite him with a smile, which could be described as a great victory.

"Vice Minister Hu." Gu Yansheng looked at Hu Rengtai, the executive vice minister.

Hu Rengtai was quite old, over 60, and looked very indifferent. He relied on his seniority and didn't care about Gu Yansheng. He nodded and that was enough, without even calling him "Minister".

Gu Yansheng didn't care and said to himself, "Whether it's North China or Central China, the most important thing now is to ensure that Nanjing's will is carried out."

However, due to the impact of the war and some human factors, in some local courts, we don't even have the power to appoint personnel, which is very inappropriate.

Our Ministry of Justice must control the power of all grassroots courts, starting with personnel.

"Vice Minister Hu, you're in charge of the executive branch. I'd like to trouble you to make a trip to North China to reorganize local personnel authority and bring it under unified command in Nanjing."

"Me, go to North China?" Hu Rengtai perked up. "Minister Gu, isn't that inappropriate? I'm an old man, how can I withstand such a long and arduous journey? This trip will kill me."

Moreover, Wang Kemin in North China has always disliked us. If we send people over, he will allow us to reorganize.

That's a bit of a fantasy, isn't it? Haha.

"I know that Vice Minister Hu is highly experienced, which is why I asked you to handle this matter. If it were easy, why would I need to involve someone as important as you?"

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "It is said that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. You are the most senior person in our Ministry of Justice, a pillar of strength. I believe you are more than capable of dealing with those people in North China."

Moreover, it's appropriate for you to go out given your status. If a section chief or director were sent, Wang Kemin would have even more reason to control people.

For the sake of the new government's judicial work, we hope that you will make this trip, despite the difficulties.

I originally planned to get the legal provisions sorted out within a month and then implement them, to unify the legal provisions, and proceed step by step. But, Director Liao told me it would take seven or eight months, and we absolutely cannot wait that long.

"Director Liao, is that right?"

Director Liao met Gu Yansheng's gaze and gave an awkward smile.

Gu Yansheng withdrew his gaze and continued looking at Hu Rengtai, "I can only ask you for help, sir."

The flattery was quite pleasant to hear, and although Hu Rengtai was secretly pleased, he wasn't so easily fooled. He sighed and said, "I understand the situation, but my body is really getting old."

In addition, the new government had just been established, and there was a handover process going on at all levels. There were also so many things to do in the ministry, so I didn't think I could escape.

Minister, you'd better find someone more capable.

"Your body can't take it?"

"As I get older, I do feel very tired."

Gu Yansheng sighed and nodded, then looked at Xue Dianzeng, the Deputy Minister of State, "Deputy Minister Xue..."

"Hey." Xue Dianzeng interrupted Gu Yansheng before he could finish speaking, "Minister Gu, I can't go to North China."

Firstly, I am not really familiar with Wang Kemin from North China.

Secondly, the trip to North China will definitely take a long time. With so many meetings held since the new government was established, if I go, you will have to attend them all yourself. Wouldn't that be a waste of your time?
I think it's actually not appropriate for Vice Minister Hu and me to go to North China; you are the most suitable candidate.

As a minister, your word carries great weight. Secondly, you've dealt with Wang Kemin from North China before. If you go, you'll have more face than someone like us who's less powerful. Wang Kemin will have to give you some respect, right? It'll be twice as effective with half the effort.

This will definitely be beneficial for promoting the legal system under the new government, don't you think?

"Yes." A chorus of agreement immediately rose from below, praising Gu Yansheng and insisting that Gu Yansheng was the only one who could go.

Xue Dian added, “Minister, you can rest assured about the work here after you arrive. They are all experienced veterans, and there won’t be any problems. I will report to you immediately on any work-related matters that require your approval, whether by plane or telegram, and ask for your instructions.”

Gu Yansheng smiled and looked at Xue Dianzeng, "I would like to go to North China, or even further, to Inner Mongolia, and have some mutton hot pot or something."

I simply couldn't get away; I had other things Mr. Wang had asked me to do, so I couldn't enjoy this meal.

However, Vice Minister Xue, I didn't come to see you about the North China issue.

"I still hope Vice Minister Hu will handle the affairs in North China. As for you, I need you to travel to Jiangsu and Anhui to inspect the local courts, prisons, and other places, and to hear what's going on below."

The job was good, and it was even the job of an imperial envoy, with a government-funded trip, but Xue Dianzeng couldn't go.

Xue Dian nodded with an understanding expression: "Minister, I'm afraid this matter will have to be postponed. There are so many things to do right now, and I really can't get away. It's not that I'm complaining."

He glanced at his watch and counted the time. "At 11 o'clock, I have to go to a government meeting to represent the Ministry of Justice. I don't know when it will end. But the Judicial Yuan has another meeting at 2 pm, and the Legislative Yuan has another meeting at 4 pm. I have to organize the meeting minutes tonight and meet with the departments below tomorrow to convey the spirit of the meetings."

I simply couldn't get away.

"So busy?"

"Very busy."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Gu Yansheng nodded and said thoughtfully, "The inspection and consolidation of power are imperative, but you are all so busy, and Vice Minister Hu's health is not very good, which are objective reasons. I have indeed not considered things thoroughly."

"In that case, I will apply to my superiors to add a deputy minister position to share your workload. As for the candidate, we will first consider among all of you present here."

A single sentence that shattered the heavens!

Suddenly, everyone snapped to attention!

Surprised expressions appeared on some people's faces, and some even unconsciously straightened their backs and leaned forward slightly.

The two vice ministers were the most anxious.

Xue Dianzeng was stunned for a moment and said in astonishment, "Isn't it unnecessary to add another vice minister? The two vice ministers have clear division of labor and are well-organized in their work in the Ministry of Justice. That's more than enough."

"Is that enough?" Gu Yansheng raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say that there wasn't enough time, that it was completely too late?"

Xue Dianzeng, "this"

Hu Rengtai interjected, "Since the establishment of the Ministry of Justice and Administration, there have been two positions for deputy ministers. The new government has just been established, and the Ministry of Justice and Administration is in a transition period. We can't just increase the number of positions as we see fit, can we?"
Adding another deputy minister would be detrimental to the work; Minister Gu, it's completely unnecessary.

"I think it's sufficient if it's necessary."

Gu Yansheng glanced at him indifferently.

"As for always having two, you don't need to worry about that. I'll ask for one, and I'll definitely get one. If one isn't enough, then I'll ask for two."

Vice Minister Hu is in poor health, and the new government has so much work to do. I will try my best to find someone to help you so that you can enjoy your retirement.

Don't worry about jobs; the new government has plenty of people willing to serve.

When it was time to close the net, Gu Yansheng didn't care about their feelings.

Hu Rengtai's face tightened. "Minister Gu, adding a new deputy minister will cause chaos in our work. If it leads to disruptions in the judicial system, the responsibility will be enormous." "I can take that responsibility. There's no need for Deputy Minister Hu to consider this for me."

Gu Yansheng glanced at everyone and said in a clear voice, "This matter is decided. The new vice minister's main job is to handle the foreign affairs I just mentioned."

Therefore, the scope of the supervisor will be personnel and external affairs.

This will also reduce the pressure on the two deputy ministers.

The archives will send the files of all the department heads to my office later. I will decide on the candidates to recommend to higher authorities as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, I will also have routine talks with everyone during this period.

Are there any other questions?

"The meeting is adjourned. Archives, let's get to work!"

"Yes!" the head of the archives replied without thinking.

Gu Yansheng left swiftly and decisively, but the conference room remained quiet; no one moved an inch.

This meeting is going on in a completely different way than I expected!

The two vice ministers looked displeased, their faces grim, with Hu Rengtai's expression being particularly somber.

Take the fire out of the cauldron!

If the power over personnel and the power over external affairs are taken away, then one of them will be in charge of the internal affairs and the other will be in charge of holding meetings, right?
That was absolutely brilliant.

They seem all smiles and easy to talk to on the surface, but they can unleash a deadly attack in the blink of an eye.

"Deputy Minister Xue, this matter must not be pushed forward!" Hu Rengtai could not tolerate it.

Xue Dianzeng said, "But if he wants to appoint a new vice minister, he really has the ability to do it. He has such close ties with the Wang Jingwei faction, how can we stop him?"

"I refuse to believe that there's nowhere to seek justice anymore. Has the Ministry of Justice become his personal fiefdom? The division of labor was determined long ago, so why should he be able to make decisions on his own?"

Hu Rengtai glanced at some people who were not good at hiding their true intentions and glared at them, saying, "Who wants to be the vice minister? Let's decide now. Even if he wants to decline, we'll still choose from among you."
"If no one is willing to help, even if you ask him to add more, add one, add two, or even add ten, what difference will it make?"

"That's right."

A director chimed in, “The most important thing is that we unite to prevent him from controlling the Ministry of Justice. No matter who becomes the new deputy minister, as long as they are among our people, it doesn’t matter who it is, right?”

If he wants to split the business, let him. And if he does, he can still refuse to proceed with the registration process.

"Makes sense."

United in hatred against the enemy!

office.

Gu Yansheng picked up a coffee cup and asked Liu Xiaolou to brew a new one.

Liu Xiaolou looked at Gu Yansheng with admiration, "Minister, your move was amazing! You broke their alliance in one step."

She had initially thought it would be tricky to reclaim the power of the Ministry of Justice, but now, with the minister's mere flick of the wrist, these people were about to start fighting amongst themselves.

Having worked in the government for so long, she knows that the most untrustworthy thing is any alliance made in the face of promotion; it's utter nonsense.

"The premise for forming an alliance is that no one's existing interests are harmed. It is normal for some people to suffer losses while others are about to gain something."

Gu Yansheng smiled and said, "Draft a document with the heading 'To Mr. Wang,' and write in the content that I am going to recommend so-and-so to be the new vice minister."

Write down the name of each director, and give it to me when you're done.

"Why is that?" Liu Xiaolou couldn't figure it out.

Gu Yansheng smiled faintly, "It will be useful later. Go and write it. Remember, don't let anyone else see it."

"Okay, I'll go now."

"Ah."

Gu Yansheng took a sip of coffee and called Ma Shiqi to come over.

These two secretaries are actually divided into routine and administrative secretaries according to their needs. Liu Xiaolou is the routine secretary, responsible for internal affairs, while Ma Shiqi is the administrative secretary, responsible for external affairs.

"Minister, you wanted to see me?" Ma Shiqi arrived quickly.

Ma Shiqi's current position is secretary, and he works in the secretariat.

In terms of rank, he is not as high as Liu Xiaolou. Liu Xiaolou was properly transferred from his position as a section chief in Shanghai. In fact, with the reform of the judicial department in Shanghai, Liu Xiaolou's position as section chief should have been equivalent to that of a division chief.

Ma Shiqi was just a deputy section chief. Even if he were promoted one rank, he would only become a deputy division chief, which is not considered an official position in the ministry.

Of course, it mainly depends on who you're with.

"Shiqi, I remember Gu Zhuxuan is from Jiangsu, right?"

“That’s right.” Ma Shiqi nodded. “He’s from Yancheng.”

"Yancheng," Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and asked, "Does the Jiangbei Gang have any influence in Jiangsu?"

"As far as I know, there are such groups, but they are not large in scale at present. Before Boss Gu went to prison, the Jiangbei Gang had a lot of influence in Jiangsu. But once he went to prison, the gang scattered. Apart from those of us who value loyalty and are relatively close in status, others had the opportunity to change sides and also wanted to find a way out, so they scattered a bit."

However, I can usually help with small things. Even if Jiangbei can't help, I can ask someone to help. Just let me know if you need anything.

Gu Yansheng remained noncommittal. "Last year, the Green Gang smuggled narcotics into Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and they fought quite fiercely with the local gangs. Did that have any impact on the Jiangbei Gang?"

Ma Shiqi laughed, "Where can you still do this kind of business?"
After Boss Gu went to prison, all the profitable businesses in the Jiangbei gang were snatched away by others. If you want to talk about moving goods at the dock or pulling rickshaws, the Jiangbei gang is a master at it.

When it comes to this kind of business, even if Boss Gu had never been to prison, without the approval of the Japanese, who could do this big business?

Even the Green Gang couldn't rob them.

"That's good. I do have something I'd like Jiangbei to help with." Gu Yansheng said directly, "You should also understand that Nanjing will definitely want to take back power, but the people below may not necessarily agree."

The flags may change on the city walls, but it's unacceptable to disown the new nation.

I feel that dealing with them through appeasement is too slow; I want to fight corruption.

The Jiangbei Gang members come from all over the country. I need any leads from any city in Jiangsu province.

You can tell Gu Zhuxuan that it doesn't matter how he handles this matter, as long as it's successful, the Jiangbei Gang should become the leading gang in Jiangsu.

Ma Shiqi was a smart man and understood immediately. This was a good opportunity for retaliation. If the Jiangbei Gang used this incident to report officials who disliked them, they could achieve their goals.

If the ones you don't like go down, then the ones you do like will come up.
Ma Shiqi immediately nodded, "Okay, I'll call Boss Gu in a bit. But Minister, could we also use this anti-corruption measure against the current people in the ministry?"
I suspect they have quite a few weaknesses exposed.

Ma Shiqi has his backside here, so he still has to think about Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng said with a faint smile, "We don't need to do that. I'll have the people from 76 take care of it later. Building a new government requires the efforts of all departments. We can't do it all ourselves, or we'll offend people, and we'll offend everyone, right?"

There are many ways to deal with these people in the meeting room. Let them act however they want. Whether to eliminate them or not depends on whether it's necessary.

Ma Shiqi curled his lip. Well, these people would be better off being reported by the Jiangbei Gang; at least they would have a chance to live.

Once you enter Unit 76, aren't you heading straight to the gates of hell?
"Then I'll make the call right away."

"Don't make the call. Go back and tell them yourself. I suspect that the phone calls in Nanjing are being tapped."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

"Ring ring, ring ring," Gu Yansheng waved to Ma Shiqi and answered the phone.

"Hey."

It's the home phone.

"Sir, a policeman named Wang Desheng has arrived. He's from Shanghai and says you sent him."

"Yes, he's at home now, right? Have him come over."

It arrived quite quickly.

Gu Yansheng left Minister Zhou's place last night and asked someone to call Wang Desheng, who had given him money in Shanghai, to come up. The call was made yesterday, and he has already arrived at this time.

After having a cup of coffee, Liu Xiaolou came in first.

"Minister, the resume materials sent by the archives are all here, as well as this report I wrote according to your requirements. Please take a look."

(End of this chapter)