"This is Ms. Lucy Hartwich, the principal of Shanghai Jewish Youth Association School."
"Hello Ms. Hartwich."
"Hello, Mr. Meng."
Jewish?
Since the outbreak of the war, Shanghai has become the largest safe haven for Jews.
After the "Kristallnacht" on November 9, 1938, anti-Semitic frenzy broke out in Japan, and a large number of Jewish refugees from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia fled to Shanghai.
In 1937 alone, more than 6,000 Jews arrived in Shanghai. From 1938 to 1940, Shanghai received more than 20,000 Jewish refugees from Europe.
The Chinese government also resisted pressure and issued visas to these Jewish refugees.
Refugees do not need a visa to enter Shanghai, but they do need a visa to prove their destination when leaving their country of residence.
It must be admitted that the Italians have also done good things. Although Germany and Italy are allies, the Italian "Lloyd Triestino" company took a large number of Jewish refugees to escape from the communist-controlled areas and arrived in Shanghai.
China is one of the countries with the closest relationship and the longest history with the Jews.
The history of Jews coming to China can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. The Jews who settled in Kaifeng during the Zhenzong period of the Northern Song Dynasty shocked the world because of their successful sinicization.
There are many wealthy Jewish business families in Shanghai. Their business scope covers all walks of life, and they are even involved in the arms industry. Their business is not limited to Shanghai, but also has their industries in coastal and riverside cities.
The success of the Jews in Shanghai laid a solid foundation for the reception of Jewish refugees during World War II.
While countries around the world were turning away Jewish refugees, Shanghai, known as the "Paris of the East," opened its arms to them.
After 1937, the Shanghai concession became an isolated island. The Chinese government was unable to effectively manage it, and the Japanese were unwilling to rashly attack and intervene in the concession affairs.
There is no need to go through any formalities or pay any deposit to enter the Shanghai Concession, which is undoubtedly very attractive to Jewish refugees.
Jewish refugees from Europe began to flow into Shanghai in large numbers.
However, after 1939, Germany annexed more and more land in Europe, and the number of Jewish refugees pouring into Shanghai also doubled.
The Japanese army then announced that European Jews entering Shanghai must apply for a permit in advance and pay a $400 deposit. Close relatives must live in Shanghai permanently, and the close relatives must marry a Shanghainese.
Although the Japanese army established various strict restrictions, Jews still entered Shanghai through various means.
Jewish businessmen who entered Shanghai in the early years also donated huge amounts of money, and various resettlement committees came into being.
Shanghai citizens also freed up a large number of houses to accommodate Jewish refugees. When Japanese planes accidentally bombed Jewish residential areas, Shanghai citizens bravely rushed into the flames to rescue many Jewish refugees.
It is worth mentioning that after the Jews settled down in Shanghai, they immediately joined the anti-Japanese war.
They disseminated the Allied war situation by printing posters and actively rescued Allied pilots in distress.
Dr. Jacob Rosenthal, a Jewish doctor from Austria, also joined the Fourth Route Army.
The person who brought Lucy here this time was Meng Shaoyuan's long-term business partner, Joey Freemont, chairman and general manager of Angus International Bank.
and, Mr. Hawes of the Knights of Shantang.
Previously, it was Mr. Hawes who personally awarded Meng Shaoyuan the title of "Golden Shantang Knight".
Meng Shaoyuan became a "knight" of the Shantang Knights from then on.
Of course Meng Shaoyuan knew about the Shanghai Jews and was quite interested in them.
Jews are smart and know how to do business.
Regardless of their current situation, they will be everywhere in the world in the future, and their influence will be almost everywhere.
The best example of this is Joey Freemont, who is also Jewish.
The problem was that Meng Shaoyuan was too busy to focus on the Jews.
Now, they actually came to find me?
"Sir, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me."
said Lady Lucy Hartwich politely.
"Ah, since it was recommended by Mr. Fremont and Mr. Hawes, I will definitely meet you no matter how busy you are." Meng Shaoyuan was slightly polite:
"I don't think Ms. Hartwich came to me for no reason?"
"Yes, sir." Lucy said, "I'm here to ask for your help."
"Asking for my help?" Meng Shaoyuan was startled: "How can I help you? Do you want me to teach? I don't know how to do this."
A smile appeared on Lucy's face, and then she became worried again:
“The whole world is rejecting us, only Shanghai is willing to accept us, and all of us Jews are full of gratitude to Shanghai and China.
Originally, we could still make a living in Shanghai, but starting a few months ago, the living conditions of the Jews in Shanghai have become increasingly difficult. "
Well, Meng Shaoyuan knew this.
On September 27, 1940, the diplomatic representatives of Germany, Italy and Japan signed the "Germany, Italy and Japan Tripartite Alliance Treaty" in Berlin, establishing a military group with the Berlin, Rome and Tokyo axis as the core.
The Axis Powers were officially established.
With the establishment of the Axis Powers, and at the request of the German government, Japan also began to take action against Jewish refugees in Shanghai.
As a result, the living environment of Shanghai's Jews began to deteriorate rapidly.
Jews were constantly being arrested or missing mysteriously.
Kidnappings also occurred frequently.
Those kidnappers, no matter whether you are rich or poor, will kidnap anyone they see, eager to extort the last dollar from your pocket.
It is rumored that these kidnappers have the tacit approval of Japan, and many of them are actually members of No. 76 or the intelligence headquarters.
Meng Shaoyuan also had a lot of information in this area, but he did not want to interfere in these matters.
After all, I am too busy with what I am doing.
"Meng." Joey said helpfully: "Just yesterday, the respected Professor Weinberg, a teacher at the Shanghai Jewish Youth Association School, disappeared."
Meng Shaoyuan asked: "Were you kidnapped?"
"If that's the case, we will definitely raise funds as soon as possible." Lucy said hurriedly: "But, there is no news at all.
Sir, Mr. Weinberg and I started this school together and he loves those kids and he appreciates the land, and I'm really worried about him.
I had no choice but to find Mr. Hawes, and Mr. Hawes took me to see Mr. Fremont. They agreed that you are the only one who can help us in Shanghai. "
You're too kind, where can I find a missing person? Besides, if I found it for you, it won’t do any good, right?
What I need to do most now is how to deal with that Hideki Ishida.
Therefore, Meng Shaoyuan decided to refuse!
