Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 123 Seeking Cooperation
Zuo Mingquan put down the microphone and rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Zhang Zixian, who was standing to the side, asked curiously, "Fourth Uncle, what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong?" Zuo Mingquan said domineeringly, "This time I'm going to settle my scores and get revenge."

"Notify Ling Jiang to gather all team members, and make sure everyone is fully loaded with ammunition. Today, I'm going to raze Zhang Xiaolin's Great World to the ground."

After the action team leader Liu Chang was killed by Chen Yang, the deputy leader Ling Jiang took over his position.

Zhang Zixian hesitated and said, "Fourth Uncle, shouldn't you reconsider? I've been to the Great World before."

"As far as I know, they have more than a thousand employees there, with at least a hundred of them just for guarding the premises."

"We only have three action teams with a few dozen people."

"If a real firefight breaks out, we won't have the upper hand either."

"He dares?" Zuo Mingquan said in a deep voice, "I'm on official business now. If he dares to make a move, I'll be looking forward to killing him on the spot."

"Commander Chen said that if we can't get this back, the reputation of our Jinling Special Service Committee will be ruined."

"We can forget about establishing ourselves in Shanghai in the future."

"Fourth Uncle, we're not thugs, why would we care about this?" Zhang Zixian said, somewhat puzzled.

Zuo Mingquan glared at him: "What do you know? What's the difference between us and thugs?"

"So what if you have a gun on your waist? If you get bullied by a local gang, what will people think?"

“Your fourth uncle can be easygoing about small things, but if things really escalate to this point, can I back down?”

"If I back down, Commander Chen will shoot me dead."

"Also, there's still no resolution to the matter of arresting his older brother last time. If this is handled well, perhaps Commander Chen will be pleased and the matter will be over."

"But if we mess it up, hmph..."

Zhang Zixian asked curiously, "What will happen then?"

Zuo Mingquan sneered, "Let's settle both the old and new scores together. If we're lucky, we can pack our things and get ready to go back to Jinling."

"If we're unlucky, we can find a place with good feng shui right here, at least we'll have each other's company."

"Gulp." Zhang Zixian subconsciously swallowed, unsure whether Zuo Mingquan was telling the truth or not.

"Alright, hurry up and make the arrangements," Zuo Mingquan patted Zhang Zixian on the shoulder, "You don't need to worry about anything, your fourth uncle will take care of it."

"Yes."

Shanghai, City God Temple, Dexing Hall...

The threshold of the "Songhexuan" VIP room at Dexingguan is like an invisible boundary, isolating the bustling and noisy atmosphere of the City God Temple from the outside world.

Dexing Restaurant is an old establishment with a long history, and its decor is rather heavy.

The walls are paneled with dark teak wood, polished to a glossy finish.

High up on the wall hang several exquisitely framed landscape paintings, their ink colors appearing somewhat dim under the soft light.

A Western-style crystal chandelier with a brass frame hangs from the dome, its layers of glass pendants refracting light and illuminating the hall.

The ceiling fan blades spun slowly overhead, stirring up a complex aroma that blended aged wood, expensive perfume, and the lingering scent of food.

In the center of the hall was a large round table covered with a snow-white linen tablecloth.

The heavy mahogany base is carved with the image of the three gods of fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

On the dining table, a complete set of Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain tableware, gleaming silver knives and forks, and crystal-clear stemmed glasses shimmered under the lights.

In the center of the vase, a few late-blooming white chrysanthemums are arranged, their petals slightly curled at the edges, revealing a hint of barely perceptible decay.

These old restaurants usually have their own regular customers.

Dexing Pavilion was no exception. At this moment, several middle-aged people dressed in fine clothes were sitting in the VIP room.

Most of the people in this group were around fifty years old and had arrogant expressions.

The expensive ornaments they wore could easily buy ten Dexing Restaurant stores.

"Boss Shen, why did you suddenly invite us here at this time of year? Is something wrong?" The speaker was Yu Bingwen, a Chaoshan native and a member of the Eight-legged Essay Party.

This man was a well-known opium merchant in Shanghai. Since Sanxin Company monopolized the opium business, members of the "Big Eight" group have become much more low-key.

This time-honored restaurant, Dexingguan, is where they usually gather.

However, they don't get together often, and it's quite rare for them to suddenly gather together like today.

Shen Xingshan gently placed the bracelet he had been playing with on the table and said, "Everyone, someone gave me a very generous gift a few days ago."

“I was going to agree to their request, but I felt I should let you know about it.”

"A big gift?" Yang Zaitian asked doubtfully, "What kind of gift could possibly catch your eye, Boss Shen?"

Shen Xingshan slowly said, "It's the approval document from the General Administration of Customs' supervisory commissioner."

"What do you mean?" Yang Zaitian and Yu Bingwen exchanged a glance, both of them puzzled.

Ji Yunqing was the first to react: "Someone wants to make a move against Zhang Xiaolin?"

Shen Xingshan nodded. They used to be in the opium business, but it was later taken over by the small-time gang led by Boss Du.

After Shen Xingshan and Huang Jinlong became in-laws, he simply handed over the opium business to Sanxin Company.

When war broke out last year, Golden Dragon, unwilling to be used by the Japanese, went into hiding and feigned madness. Meanwhile, Boss Du went to Hong Kong Island and is unlikely to return anytime soon.

Zhang Xiaolin is now in charge of the Shanghai market. This supervisor sent an approval document to Shen Xingshan, with a very clear purpose: to cooperate with him in fighting corruption.

"Such a good thing, of course I have no objection," Yu Bingwen said with a smile, revealing his large gold teeth.
Ji Yunqing pondered, "Is this person reliable?"

"I'm afraid that if I fail to catch the tiger, I'll end up being harmed instead."

Shen Xingshan hesitated and said, "I can't say for sure, but he must be quite capable to be able to challenge Zhang Xiaolin."

"I'm here today to ask for everyone's opinion."

Ji Yunqing, as a leader of the Green Gang, had been operating in Shanghai for decades.

His understanding of Zhang Xiaolin was deeper than that of anyone else present.

This guy is ruthless; if you anger him, he won't show you any mercy.

After pondering for a long time, Ji Yunqing slowly said, "Boss Shen, I want to know what we can get?"

Shen Xingshan said, "He promised to return the opium business to us, and the rest is his!"

Ji Yunqing sneered, "So, he wants Zhang Xiaolin's territory and business? What a big appetite."

"However, he can really swallow it, so I don't mind giving him a hand."

There's a saying that's very true: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Shen Xingshan said gently, "Since everyone has no objections, I'll go first."

"Mr. Shen, take care." Everyone quickly stood up to see him off.

Shen Xingshan picked up his walking stick and briefcase and walked away.
Shanghai, Jinling Hotel, second floor, "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains"...
"A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" is the best private room on the second floor of the Jinling Hotel.

Shen Xingshan, leaning on his walking stick, went up to the second floor along the carved spiral staircase.

"Boss Shen," a strange voice rang out as soon as they stepped out of the stairwell. It was the voice of a foreigner speaking broken Chinese.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingshan looked up and saw two Frenchmen in Western-style clothing walking towards him from a short distance away.

"Mr. Pisson, Mr. Bocuse, what brings you two here?" Shen Xingshan was quite surprised after recognizing the newcomers.

These two men were directors of the French Concession Municipal Council; one was Bocuse, who was in charge of the tax department, and the other was Pisson, who was in charge of the finance department.

"I've come to meet a friend." Pi Shaona looked Shen Xingshan up and down and said, "Our goals should be the same as Boss Shen's."

"Mr. Shen, we have finished discussing our business. Please feel free to proceed."

Shen Xingshan cupped his hands in greeting to the two men, his curiosity about Commissioner Chen, whom he had yet to meet, growing ever stronger.

After walking a few steps along the soft Persian carpet and turning a corner, I saw a handsome young man standing at the door of the private room not far away.

It is basic etiquette for the host to welcome guests, and Chen Yang is no exception.

Upon seeing Shen Xingshan's appearance, Chen Yang's smile widened.

If he's willing to come, the cooperation is already halfway done; the rest is simply a matter of how the profits are distributed.

"Mr. Shen, it's an honor to meet you."

"Commissioner Chen is truly a promising young man." Shen Xingshan placed his walking stick in his left hand and stepped forward to warmly shake hands with Chen Yang.

"Mr. Shen, you're too kind. Please come in."

The waiters who had been waiting on both sides pushed open the heavy doors of the private room.

Chen Yang bowed slightly, making an inviting gesture, and Shen Xingshan, without being polite, slowly stepped inside.

The door to the private room slowly closed, and in an instant, all outside sounds were shut out as the door was shut.

"What kind of wine does Mr. Shen like to drink, aged wine or red wine?" A variety of wines and spirits had already been prepared on the food cart in the private room.

Whether it's whisky, a favorite among foreigners, baijiu, huangjiu, or champagne and red wine, popular among the upper class, it has it all.
Shen Xingshan waved his hand and said, "Commissioner Chen, there's no need to trouble yourself. Why did you ask me to come here today?"

Chen Yang sat down opposite Shen Xingshan and said, "Since the founding of the Republic of China, the government has issued several 'anti-smoking orders,' Mr. Shen should know about that, right?"

Shen Xingshan smiled calmly and said, "I am a law-abiding businessman, and I never do anything illegal."

Chen Yang laughed and said, "Mr. Shen is a man of the world. I would also like to ask, do you know how much opium the French sell to China every year?"

Shen Xingshan was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and said, "How would I know about something like this?"

Chen Yang slowly said, "At least 50,000 boxes."

"Based on their commission rates, they would make a whopping five million silver dollars just from opium alone."

"So much money is flowing into the pockets of the French people for nothing, which is something the new government does not want to see."

“Banning opium is a top priority. I have also received instructions from Nanjing to rectify official corruption and prohibit the spread of opium.”

"So I think we can cooperate."

Shen Xingshan smiled slightly, instantly grasping the key point in Chen Yang's words.

The key point is that five million silver dollars ended up in the pockets of the French.

(End of this chapter)