Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 281 Contact
Nanjing, Headquarters of the Expeditionary Army.

Gu Yansheng was dragged in by Imai Takeo to serve as a witness to Chongqing's extremely hostile attitude.

With spittle flying and brimming with anger, Takeo Imai rushed to the highest levels of command to recount the negotiations in Hong Kong.

They hadn't even started negotiating, but were suddenly called back to continue. They went happily, but came back furious.

Imai Takeo could no longer tolerate the tricks and schemes used by Chongqing!

"How could Chongqing's attitude change so quickly?"

Since the Japanese high command wasn't present and didn't directly confront Song Ziliang's arrogance, they were relatively well-treated. However, judging from Imai Takeo's words, they still felt quite displeased.

But I just don't understand how things turned out this way.

"Could it be that the establishment of the Wang Jingwei regime was truly an unacceptable outcome for Chongqing?" the Japanese began to speculate.

"Was their attitude really that bad? Could it be that there was some misunderstanding about the language?" Itagaki Seishiro couldn't accept this result and looked at Gu Yansheng, "Mr. Gu, what do you think is the reason for Chongqing's attitude?"

Because I need to meet, otherwise there would be no negotiation. Gu Yansheng frowned and thought deeply: "For a politician, the establishment of a Wang government, no matter how painful, does it mean that there will be no negotiation at all? I think such a statement is too one-sided."

I think it's more likely that this is just an excuse, a way to lower the price.

They certainly hoped to use the Japanese army to kill Mr. Wang, but if the Japanese army didn't kill him, and they were sincere in their willingness to negotiate, they would definitely still talk.

Therefore, I believe that unless Chongqing truly does not want to discuss this matter...

Otherwise, they felt that the Japanese army was very proactive and wanted to negotiate, which is why they acted tough.

I think it's necessary to put pressure on Chongqing in terms of military action, perhaps by proposing a joint effort to eliminate the Communists, so that Chongqing would think that the Japanese army's primary target is the Communists.

It is necessary to make them realize that the initiative lies with the Japanese army.

Several Japanese men exchanged glances, beginning to suspect that the military's intelligence about its southward advance had been obtained, which was why Chongqing was acting with such impunity.

"Convene a military meeting and proceed as planned!"

Since the Japanese were holding a military meeting, Gu Yansheng knew he couldn't attend, so he simply took his leave.

It was inevitable that the Japanese would go to war with Chongqing. They could take this opportunity to express their intention to annihilate Chongqing, while showing that their hearts were in Nanjing. That would suffice.

He wasn't going to stay in Nanjing anymore. He took a trip around the ministry, and the two special envoys from Central and North China were already on their way and ready to get to work. That would give him and Minister Zhou a proper explanation.

As for the outcome, Gu Yansheng didn't care. In places like the Japanese-occupied territories, it was impossible to expect political integrity, so it didn't matter who went there.

After a short rest, we returned to Shanghai.

Upon arrival, Gu Yansheng first reported the progress of the negotiations to Minister Zhou.

Minister Zhou was overjoyed to hear that the negotiations had broken down.

"It's so clear!"

Minister Zhou smiled excitedly: "The Japanese are going south. What a great opportunity for peace talks! If they make a few concessions, the chances of the peace talks succeeding will be very high."

Regardless of whether the Japanese regret it later, at least Chongqing has gained a chance to breathe. With major cities like Guangdong and Shanghai back in their hands, the tax revenue alone will be much more than what they used to earn each month.
Delaying for a month earns you a month's profit; delaying for a year earns you a year's profit.

If the Japanese really do move south, let them move south. Who knows what kind of trouble they might cause if they face the British and Americans? If the Japanese army really clashes with the British and American forces, won't many more people die?

With the ebb and flow of power, the course of this war may change drastically over the course of a few years.

Chiang Kai-shek must have lost his mind to refuse all of this.

When he's happy like this, Gu Yansheng can just hold it.

"That's right. I also find it strange. I've been thinking about it, is it because as long as we keep fighting the Japanese, Chiang Kai-shek can get aid? Is it related to this?"

Minister Zhou raised an eyebrow and nodded, "What you said is very possible. Chiang Kai-shek suffered such a great loss on the Battle of Shanghai precisely because he trusted the so-called mediation of the United States too much. He has no memory of what he learned."

Never mind that, let's go see a play while we're having such a good time.

?

It's really addictive!

After returning from the opera, Gu Yansheng went to a teahouse in western Shanghai for tea.

I've been busy in Nanjing for so long, in meetings every day, my butt is practically raw from sitting so much.

Now that he's back in Shanghai, the meetings are off, and the matters concerning the Reserve Bank can be put on hold. With some free time, Gu Yansheng made himself a cup of coffee and pondered the things Boss Dai had instructed him to do.

Li Shiqun had already demonstrated the difficulty of dealing with Fu Xiao'an. He had tried to take action against Fu Xiao'an several times, but so far, he hadn't made a move.

Given Fu Xiao'an's ability to control No. 76, the fact that he hasn't found an opportunity for so long shows just how difficult it must have been.

The biggest challenge in close-quarters assassination lies with the guards surrounding Fu Xiao'an, who are Japanese military police from the Nanjing faction.

If Gu Yansheng is to provide Boss Dai with a method for assassination, he must ensure that it is a fatal blow and that the Military Intelligence Bureau does not suffer too many losses.

If the losses are too great, it's a matter of ability, and the gains don't outweigh the losses.

Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and decided to take the payment first, since he couldn't work for nothing.

He picked up the phone and called Fu Xiao'an.

"Mayor Fu, it's me."

"Brother Gu, I heard you've returned to Shanghai?"

"Haha, is there anything in Shanghai that you don't know? I've only just arrived, and you already know?"

“When you came here a few days ago, you went to the foreign concession again. I’m not deaf. Tell me, what are your orders, Minister?”

"Haha, how could I dare to ask you for a favor? I'm asking for your help. I want to borrow some money from you, about ten million silver dollars."

"So much? Don't you have money? What's wrong?" Fu Xiao'an asked curiously. Gu Yansheng had made a fortune in the stock market; it was impossible for him to be broke.

"I'd like to start a business in Jiangsu. So, will you lend me the money or not?"

"I'd definitely lend you the money if I could. I'll give you face if you ask. But I need to calculate the amount. You know my family is very wealthy, and it's very inconvenient to have too little cash. What kind of business do you have?"

Upon hearing Gu Yansheng mention business, Fu Xiao'an wanted to inquire further. Putting aside everything else, Gu Yansheng was never the one who suffered losses when doing business with others.

Gu Yansheng laughed and said, "It's not convenient to talk about it over the phone. I'll come find you later if I have the money."

"Yes, give me some time to put together the money." Fu Xiao'an hesitated for a second, which was disrespectful to the money that Gu Yansheng had previously made from him.

As long as business is good, partnering with Gu Yansheng is the most reassuring option.

"Okay, I'll go when I have time."

A hasty sale is no sale at all. Gu Yansheng wasn't in a hurry and decided to let him wait a couple of days.

This time, it's time to make that old devil bleed a little.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs.

"Minister." Secretary Ma Shiqi came up and handed over the documents. "These are the department's affairs that Secretary Liu sent over. I have marked the parts that require your approval."

The people from Mitsui are still experimenting with quinine at the infectious disease hospital. I went to check it out, and the results were pretty good. The patients have shown signs of improvement. I asked a professional doctor, who wasn't Japanese, and based on the course of the disease, they estimated that our batch of medicine would be about 70-80% as effective as the original.

The factory in Yunnan asked if we needed a second batch of goods.

"Not in a hurry."

"Yes.

The quinine we had stored in the Kuomintang-controlled area sold out immediately after it went on sale. The drug was in high demand, and all the pharmaceutical companies we had previously worked with had bought it.

"There are medicines in the foreign concessions in Shanghai. I've already had my subordinate, who's posing as a merchant, contact Wu Kaixian, the head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong). The price has been agreed upon, and the first payment has been deposited into the account you provided. The goods are currently being loaded and are expected to be shipped out this evening."

What is Wu Kaixian doing now?

The Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) had virtually no presence; Gu Yansheng almost forgot that this CBIS official was in charge of party affairs in the southeast region.

It must be said that this is also a kind of success.

“These days he seems to be trying to integrate into high society. His cover identity is a businessman, so he has a lot of contact with people in the business world. In addition, he has a love for literature and occasionally participates in literary gatherings, such as those organized by the school.”

Why does this sound so familiar? Unite all forces that can be united, develop merchants, mobilize student groups, all that's missing is a worker.
"Where does he live?" "In the French Concession."

Gu Yansheng asked casually. Ding Mocun would definitely take good care of Wu Kaixian. As long as Wu Kaixian didn't get into trouble or get targeted by Li Shiqun, Gu Yansheng didn't care what else Wu Kaixian did.

All you need to do is pay for the CC faction.

Ma Shiqi continued his report, "In addition, the Jiangbei Gang has already started operations in Nantong and Suzhou. The first step is to develop its members, because its original forces have dispersed once and its territory has been taken away, so it will take some time."

There's one more thing; Boss Gu would like to invite you to dinner.

Evening, at Fuyuan Restaurant.

"Minister Gu, this is my nephew, Gu Shuping. He also helps me with some things in Suzhou."

This time, Ma Shiqi told me, "Minister Gu, you should clean up the officialdom in Jiangsu." So I called him and asked him to cooperate.

He told me that since there was such a requirement, it would be better to communicate in person, in case anything was not done properly and it ruined Mr. Gu's plans.

I thought that made sense, so I called him over to report on the situation in Suzhou to Minister Gu.

"So that's how it is." Gu Yansheng looked Gu Shuping up and down; he looked to be about forty years old.

Now that we know each other, the next topic is simple.

Gu Shuping described the living environment and ecology of Suzhou and several nearby cities, including the underworld and legitimate society, Japanese, British, Americans, Koreans, and of course, the guerrillas around Taihu Lake.

Gu Yansheng listened mostly and asked questions occasionally, but mostly he ate food and drank with Gu Zhuxuan.

After a drinking session, everyone became familiar with each other.

With the right opportunity, the things I got involved with naturally followed.

The next day, Gu Shuping came to the teahouse to find Gu Yansheng, ostensibly to continue discussing matters in Suzhou.

"Comrade Shuping, it's a pleasure to have you here." Gu Yansheng smiled and shook hands with him.

"Comrade Yansheng, I am also very happy to be here with you, and especially happy that you are actually a member of our Party." Gu Shuping grasped Gu Yansheng's hand tightly. "Actually, I should call you Commander. The higher-ups have clearly instructed that I am under your command and must obey you unconditionally."

"Don't call me that." The way he addressed him almost scared Gu Yansheng to death. He quickly grabbed Gu Shuping's hand. "This is Shanghai. I want to live for another two years."

Gu Shuping smiled broadly, "That's not quite appropriate. How about this, I'll call you Mr. Gu or Minister Gu, and you can call me Lao Qi or Xiao Qi, that's fine too."

"You're the seventh child in your family?"

"His nickname in the martial arts world is Master Gu, the Seventh Master."

"Seventh Master, hello." Gu Yansheng smiled and gestured, "Sit down and let's talk. How about some coffee?"

"it is good."

Gu Yansheng made him a cup of coffee. Judging from their conversation, this person had a lively personality.

What did you do in Suzhou before?

"I am in charge of organizing transportation work in the Suzhou area. You know my identity and I have the convenience of the Northern Jiangsu gang, so it is relatively easy for me to arrange transportation of supplies and personnel."

The primary targets were the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army forces near Suzhou, such as the guerrillas around Taihu Lake.

Gu Yansheng nodded. "So, do you communicate with your superiors through the radio? Do you have your own telegraph operator?"

"I have a radio station, I can send messages myself."

They are professionals.

"Why join our party? Given your family connections, it seems easier to approach Gu Zhutong than to approach our party."

Gu Shuping shook his head, a rather disdainful smile on his lips. "If you stay in Shanghai long enough, you'll know what kind of Kuomintang it is. If you want to become an official, of course it's easier to find Gu Zhutong. With a war zone commander protecting you, it's easy to become a colonel. You don't even need to go to the battlefield; you can just eat in the logistics department."

But that won't save China.

Only our Party can save China.

These are people who are truly willing to give up wealth and honor and dedicate themselves to the revolution for the rise of China!

Gu Yansheng nodded solemnly in admiration and agreement, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"

Gu Shuping shook his head. "No need. I know what I should know according to organizational discipline, and I can't ask what I shouldn't know unless you tell me. If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me and I'll take care of it."

"What are your superiors saying to you now?"

"Follow your instructions, do the necessary communication work, and do not use your own radio unless absolutely necessary, starting today."

"Okay, then I'll just tell you."

Gu Yansheng pointed downstairs, "Ma Shiqi is not one of our people. Your main job is to be in charge of communication. Because of my identity, it is inconvenient for me to travel, so you are the one to handle these matters."

"clear."

"All the guards around me were temporarily put together at the time. In your daily life, you need to pay attention to them and be aware of whether there are Japanese spies or other situations."

"Understood. Do you need me to select some people to act as guards? I have my own group of men, either from my party or trusted confidants in gangs."

“That’s not impossible.” Gu Yansheng paused and said, “It just takes time. You’ve just arrived, so I have no reason to trust you immediately and replace all the guards with your people. After all, the original guards were your uncle’s people or Zhang Xiaolin’s people from the Green Gang.”

"You can bring a few of your own men with you at first to make things easier; that's no problem. As time goes on, you can gradually replace them."

Gu Shuping nodded, "Understood, I'll arrange it."

Gu Yansheng hummed in agreement. "There's something I need you to do. I have a batch of quinine. Ma Shiqi has already helped transport it to the Kuomintang-controlled area, but I can't let him handle it when it's transported to our own troops' area. Do you have any way to safely transport it there?"

"Quinine?" Gu Shuping's eyes widened. "This is good stuff! The weather is getting warmer, and the incidence of malaria is very high throughout Jiangsu. We urgently need this medicine!"

"Can it be shipped?"

"Yes! Give me the goods, and I guarantee they'll be delivered to the New Fourth Army."

"Okay." Gu Yansheng explained the situation to him, and Ma Shiqi wasn't surprised that he wanted Ma Shiqi to be more involved in the medicine matter.

Ma Shiqi is actually very busy, with a lot of official business to attend to.

"Will there be any trouble if your Jiangbei gang expands in the Suzhou area?"

"Yes, there are. They are mainly members of the Green Gang. In the past, the area was mostly populated by local gangs, but the Green Gang had a very long reach and their territory was already quite large."

Later, in order to sell opium, they beat the local gangs half to death and even joined forces with the Japanese army to wipe them out. Now the local gangs' power has been greatly reduced, which angered some of them to the National Revolutionary Army and others to the guerrillas, who then thought of taking revenge on them.

Now that we're expanding, we're going up against Zhang Xiaolin's Green Gang. The only good thing is that if we don't sell opium, it's alright; their main target is opium.

What a coincidence! This whole thing is related to Gu Yansheng.

Let's not talk about that.

"Zhang Xiaolin, you guys expand your operations first, and give Zhang Xiaolin some space. Anyway, you don't touch opium, and I'll let the Jiangbei Gang make more money in other places."

"OK, I see."

A horn suddenly sounded outside.

A moment later, his subordinates rushed up to report.

"Minister, Mayor Fu is here to visit."

"You're really in a hurry." Gu Yansheng chuckled and said to Gu Shuping, "Then you go first, call me if anything happens."

"Ok."

Gu Yansheng went down to greet them, and Gu Shuping and Fu Xiao'an met face to face.

"Mayor Fu, why did you come in person?"

"I can't sleep if I don't come. You only said half of what you meant, were you doing that on purpose?" Fu Xiao'an glanced at Gu Shuping. "Unfamiliar face, who is he?"

Fu Xiao'an really wanted to know who would come to Gu Yansheng's side.

(End of this chapter)