The lion not only opened its mouth wide, but also opened its bloody mouth!
Such a huge amount of supplies will probably confuse the Japanese, how can China afford it?
Meng Shaoyuan not only spoke, but he was also very determined.
This is actually a business.
In business, bargaining is normal.
Therefore, he added 50% to the original psychological transaction price for bargaining.
Isn’t there a saying like this in my own time? “Suzhou people do business at half price!”
Today I feel like a Suzhou native.
The Japanese have to ask for instructions and report.
After all, no one can bear such a responsibility for such a large expenditure.
It's probably a mess there right now.
"Someone is coming!"
Even the waiter was kicked away by Kawamoto Kojiro before. Now the whole restaurant has become empty. Meng Shaoyuan called for a long time but no one came.
Damn it, do you have to cook your own meals?
Meng Shaoyuan was extremely dissatisfied...
…
Japan, Tokyo, Takamatsu Palace Prince Nobuhito's Palace.
"Kikuko, Honda-kun has news."
"What? Really?" Kikuko, who was sitting there crying sadly, was surprised and happy when she heard the news.
"Yes." For some reason, Prince Nobuhito of Takamatsu Palace didn't look so good-looking: "I just received a telegram and it was confirmed that Honda-kun fell into the hands of the Chinese."
Kikuko was startled and tears flowed down again.
Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito still loves his wife very much: "Don't be sad, Honda-kun is still alive, and the Chinese people already know his identity and promised to let him go by paying a ransom."
Hope suddenly rose, and Kikuko couldn't wait to say: "Then what are you waiting for, sir? Give the Chinese people whatever ransom they want, all of it."
"It's not that simple." Prince Xuanren of Takamatsu Palace seemed a little embarrassed: "They are too greedy. Do you know what kind of demands they made? Just for morphine, they want a thousand..."
"Then give it to them, give it to them."
Kikuko had no idea how much a thousand sticks of morphine were: "It's just a little medicine."
"Medicine? It's not just a matter of medicine." Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito explained patiently: "I can fulfill their request, but it is helping the Chinese people. The empire's jihad is ongoing. If this news leaks out, The blow to the dignity and trust of the royal family will be huge."
Kikuko's tears couldn't be controlled at all, and she shed a lot of tears: "Sir, Honda Jun has lived in my house since he was a child. He has always been my most beloved brother. His mother passed away very early in her life. In her last days, she held my hand and asked me to take good care of Honda-kun. If something happens to Honda's army, I really don't know how I should survive..."
"Let me think again, let me think again."
Prince Nobuhito of Takamatsu Palace was distraught.
Although the demands made by the Chinese were shameless, as the richest man in Japan, he could still handle it. What he was worried about was what would happen next.
This is a holy war carried out by the empire, which is related to the fate of the empire. The royal family, headed by His Majesty the Emperor, has expressed its full support for the war.
Moreover, he also joined the military command department as a staff officer.
If word got out that members of the royal family were funding the Chinese...
Prince Xuanren of Takamatsu Palace couldn’t even imagine it...
…
Meng Shaoyuan was really hungry.
He found some bread, dry and unpalatable.
In this day and age, it would be great if there was takeout.
Kawamoto Kojiro still didn't show up.
Not urgent.
With such a huge number, how could they themselves be in charge?
Always give them time.
It's really boring to stay alone in a restaurant and just wait.
He stood up and walked out of the restaurant.
Outside, the sun is shining brightly.
Standing here, who would have thought that the most tragic war in human history is going on outside the concession?
Several patrolmen were eating across from the restaurant. When they saw Meng Shaoyuan coming out, they immediately smiled and nodded to him.
This was all arranged by Mr. Police Commissioner to protect him.
Meng Shaoyuan suddenly felt that it was not an exaggeration to say that he could control the situation in the Shanghai Bund Public Settlement, right?
Not far from the edge, there is a wonton stall. The person who oversees the stall is a woman in her thirties, with a seven or eight-year-old child. There is a shoe shine box at her feet.
Business doesn't look very good.
"Here's a bowl of wontons." Meng Shaoyuan walked over.
"Okay, boss, wait a moment."
As soon as she saw the business, the woman immediately got busy.
"Boss, do you want your shoes shined?"
the child asked timidly.
Meng Shaoyuan hesitated: "Okay."
The child suddenly became excited.
"You, mother and son?" Meng Shaoyuan asked curiously.
"Yes, boss, my son." The woman spoke with an Anhui accent.
"Where's your man?"
"There's a war going on."
fight?
Meng Shaoyuan was startled: "Which army are you from?"
"Boss, your wontons." The woman put a bowl of wontons in front of Meng Shaoyuan: "From the 44th Division, second lieutenant platoon leader. During the battle in Shanghai, my man's troops came here. My mother-in-law has always been worried about her son's safety and whether he can eat well. I couldn't sleep well, so I wanted to go to Shanghai to look for it, but I never thought that my luggage would be stolen as soon as I arrived in Shanghai. I took my son with me, but there was really no way to survive. Later, someone told me to look for people in the Liuhe Guild Hall. Just help me buy a stall like this."
People from other places who come to Shanghai to explore the world often have their own guild halls, such as the "Ningbo Guild Hall" in Ningbo and the "Liuhe Guild Hall" in Anhui, which were once very famous.
Once fellow villagers are in trouble, as long as they are found, they will help more or less.
Especially this "Liuhe Guild Hall" is very united. In the past several battles between Huizhou merchants and foreigners, they went all out. Only in recent years has it gradually begun to decline.
44th Division?
It was the main force of the Central Army. The troops that entered the battlefield in the early stage of the Songhu Battle fought bravely to kill the enemy and made great achievements. The division commander Chen Yong was even remembered for his great achievements.
However, the casualties were also heavy.
For someone like this woman's husband, the second lieutenant platoon leader, who charges in the front and retreats in the back, I'm afraid the odds are against him.
…
"My lord, have you made a decision?"
Kikuko really had no choice but to wait any longer: "I am willing to give up all my dowry, as long as I can save Honda Jun, no matter what price you ask me to pay."
Prince Nobuhito of Takamatsu Palace loves his wife very much, and he also knows his wife's temper very well. Once she decides on something, no one can dissuade her.
If something really happened to Tokugawa Honda this time, I'm afraid his wife would go on a hunger strike and commit suicide.
She could do such a thing.
Can't care less.
Rescue people first, and let’s talk about the rest later.
But with so many medicines, it is definitely not something that can be done in a day or two.
Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito made his own decision: "Kikuko, please rest assured, I will definitely rescue Honda-kun. I will send a telegram to Shanghai to agree to the Chinese people's request, and try to delay as much time as possible so that I can be rescued." Time to collect supplies and transport them to Shanghai.”
"Thank you, my lord."
Kikuko's tears flowed out again: "I know this decision is not easy for you, and you are my benefactor. But I am worried about Honda-kun's health..."
"Don't worry, I will ask Shanghai to give the Chinese a batch of medicines specifically for Honda-kun."
…
The wontons taste average, a bit salty.
Meng Shaoyuan was also really hungry. No matter how it tasted, he ate it clean and put down the bowl: "You just came to Shanghai to do business. I'm afraid you are not familiar with it. Shanghainese tastes are light, so your stuffing is a little salty."
"Thank you sir for the advice, thank you sir for the advice."
The woman thanked her profusely.
The leather shoes were also polished. Just as Meng Shaoyuan was about to pay, he saw four gang members wandering over. As soon as they came over, they kicked a stool away and said, "Damn it, I won't let you drive on Yuyuan Road." , you came here? Tell you, if I don’t give you money, you won’t be able to do business anywhere in Shanghai!”
Another gangster who collects protection money!
The woman begged repeatedly: "Master, my place has just opened..."
"Collect the money." Meng Shaoyuan stood up, took out a large bill, and put it on the table.
The gangsters' eyes turned green when they saw the money, and just as they were about to come over and grab it, Meng Shaoyuan suddenly smiled, leaned over and whispered a few words.
The gangster's expression changed drastically when he heard this, and he quickly lowered his head: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Meng Shaoyuan smiled: "From now on, no one can touch this stall. Also, as soon as the mother and son came, their luggage was stolen. Help me find out who did it. Damn, dare to steal the family members of the anti-war heroes." , cut off one of his hands for me."
"Okay, sir, we will definitely do it." The gangster leader said respectfully.
The woman and her child were stunned.
Who is this young man?
…
Night falls.
At night, the Shanghai Public Concession is still bustling with lights, feasting and drunkenness.
The restaurant door opened.
Kojiro Kawamoto walked in.
Came alone.
"Mr. Meng, I've been waiting for a long time." As soon as he came in, Kawamoto Kojiro bowed.
"It's okay. I can wait as long as I want to make money."
Meng Shaoyuan smiled.
"How is Honda-kun doing now?"
"There is no optimism, our doctors will make sure he survives."
"Here are some medicines. Please take them back, but I must tell you that these are specially for Tokugawa Honda."
"Don't worry, I can still guarantee this."
Meng Shaoyuan also did not want Tokugawa Honda to die.
That's a lot of money.
Kawamoto Kojiro hesitated for a moment: "Can we discuss more about the ransom you want?"
"No!" Meng Shaoyuan refused.
First flatly refuse to show your determination, and then make some concessions reluctantly.
This is the secret of doing business.
Kojiro Kawamoto sighed: "Okay, but it will take time for us to collect so many medicines, so during this period we hope that Tokugawa Honda can get proper care from you..."
Meng Shaoyuan suddenly wanted to slap himself.
Are you very stupid and want to be less?
