Many people gathered at the Beizhan warehouse owned by Yonghua Industrial today. They range from powerful general managers like Gu Yongcheng to second-in-commands of gangster gangs like Shi Changxing, to mid-level and senior leaders of various companies, to representatives of factories, hotels, casinos, rickshaw pullers, principals, teachers of various schools, and even Representatives of teachers and students from Datong University, as well as ruthless gangsters who usually kill people with their blades licking blood, all stood together densely.
They formed a circle, and in the center of the circle was a high platform made of standard wooden containers. They looked up at the man standing above them.
It is now November, the heavy snow that fell the day before has not yet melted, and the cold wind is biting. Wang Yan was wearing big leather shoes and a big windbreaker. The windbreaker was swinging in the wind. He held the top hat in one hand and let the delicate hairstyle be blown away by the wind. Otherwise, the top hat would have been blown away.
He held a microphone in his other hand, which was directly connected to several large speakers at the back. When he spoke, the words were propagated through the circuit and then emitted from the speakers. The entrained current sound changed his original magnetic sound. The voice sounded very characteristic of the times to his own ears. Because there is contrast, we can have feelings.
He spoke, and he was the one standing over those people. He turned around following the words, and what he saw were people's raised heads and pairs of eyes.
However, although he stands at their head, he is not their enemy; he is one among them. Maybe it doesn't look like this to others, but there is always someone who knows...
"All the workers and friends present, leaders, teachers and students, I have called you here today because of what happened the day before yesterday. Everyone in Shanghai knows that Mr. Wang is the most greedy for money, lust, life and death. How can I Do you have the guts to tolerate people from the Communist Party and the Red Party? The Japanese and Chairman Wang were very dissatisfied with me. Fortunately, they knew my difficulties and didn't care. They just scolded me.
But this time it was a reprimand, will it happen next time? I know that among the people present there must be people from the Communist Party, people from the Red Party, even people from Japan, and people from Chairman Wang. Today, Wang reiterated it again. Like other worker brothers, I am just trying to survive. I don’t dare to make things difficult for the Japanese because I’m afraid of death. I don’t dare to make things difficult for people from both parties, because I’m afraid of death.
But there was nothing wrong with Wang’s life, nor did he block anyone’s way, nor did he bully his fellow workers. In his early years, Wang had not yet put on the long gown underneath, and when he was a gangster on the street, he had never bullied anyone who had nothing to do with him. Even when you were running a casino business to collect accounts, others forced you to sell your wife and children, and your family was ruined. The most outrageous thing Wang did was give you a severe beating, waived interest, and introduced you to a job.
Anyone present can inquire about this. There is an older person in our factory who was beaten back by me. After so many years, I have paid off my debts, bought a new house, my wife is virtuous and my son is filial, I am so happy.
Now Mr. Wang has become what people call a capitalist, but Mr. Wang has not exploited his fellow workers. In today's China, you can ask anyone who has treated the brothers to such an extent. Mr. Wang will give you his head. At this point, even according to the purpose pursued by the Red Party, Wang will not be defeated.
…………
Wang said this not to target anyone. Many of you have learned literacy in the night school in the factory. You have also read two books. You understand some principles and have your own ideas. This is normal. Wang has no right to criticize anyone. You point fingers. But no matter what you do, please don't cause trouble for me. You can come or leave as you please, but just don't involve Wang.
Now it seems that Wang's men are relatively safe and can use Wang's name to facilitate their operations. But what about the future? It's convenient for you, it's convenient for him, and in the end, Wang's brand will fall, it will be inconvenient for everyone, and everyone will end badly.
There is no peaceful place right now, and it is not easy to live in peace. Wang is fearless and incompetent, and just wants to live a comfortable life. I respect you, and you must respect me. I hope everyone will take this as a warning and not let this kind of thing happen again. When everyone goes back, work hard and don't think about useless things. The weather is colder, so I won’t be too verbose. Today at noon, all the canteens have extra meals, so you can have a warm meal. As for you, take advantage of lunch to go back and convey Wang’s message to everyone around you.
Okay, let's all disperse. "
As Wang Yan finished speaking, the quiet crowd immediately began to buzz, discussing with acquaintances what the big boss had said before.
In fact, they won't listen much. Those who are honest will naturally become honest, and those who are dishonest will naturally remain dishonest. It is even more impossible for people from both parties to stop adding people to Wang Yan's men just because of his nonsense.
Of course, Wang Yan had no other meaning when he said these words, he just had to say them. He wanted to show the fear he should have and let his workers, the Japanese, and people from both parties see how worried he was. For this reason, he even organized such a large speech to draw clear boundaries for the workers.
Anyway, he did what he was supposed to do and gave what was supposed to be given. Whether others listened or not had nothing to do with him. Minami Yoko received 50,000 US dollars, and Iwai Eiichi took two antiques from the Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty that he sent. He behaved like this again, perfectly avoiding danger.
"Brother Yan, will this work?" Shi Changxing doubted the usefulness of this big fight.
"Of course it won't work, but why don't I say it? First, to reassure them, and second, to show my attitude. This is necessary." Wang Yan shook his head and smiled, wandering forward towards the office. "How's your business going?"
"Don't worry, Brother Yan. I sent you off early yesterday morning. I also said hello to the other side. Except for the blind bandits and bandits along the way, there will basically be no problems."
"Then you have to be extremely careful and pay attention to the situation over there at all times. You can't be careless about this kind of thing. If you are careless, your life and mine will be at stake. Manager Gu, you should also keep an eye on it. He has no brains like yours." live."
Gu Yongcheng on the side nodded: "Brother Yan, I promise there will be no problems."
Several people entered the office, and Wang Yan just explained a few words about the situation when the phone on the table rang. He answered the call twice with a smile, and then hung up the phone after saying a few words.
Raising his wrist and looking at his watch, Wang Yan stood up and said, "Okay, that's all. You two don't have to worry about it. Just pay attention to what I told you. Ah Si, let's go."
Shi Changxing nodded in agreement and asked, "Dinner will be served in a little while. A big pot of fragrant braised pork. How about eating some before we go?"
He was right, it did smell good. In the canteen of the North Railway Station Warehouse, pigs are butchered and cooked all morning. The aroma of the big pot of meat has already filled the area nearby, and you can make two bowls of rice with just one breath. At the same time, instant noodles, beverage factories, designated rickshaw canteens, canteens of various primary schools, and even the canteen of Datong University all have the same recipes.
Of course, not all of them are free, some provide free meals, and some provide food at low prices. In the end, it is equivalent to Wang Yan inviting tens of thousands of people to eat meat together for free today. After all, in these days, no matter how good his welfare package is, it cannot satisfy so many people. When it falls on people's heads, it's basically a small bowl per person. It's not that he can't afford so much money, but it's just that he can't handle so many pigs.
Wang Yan waved his hand and said: "Forget it, Minglou invited me to dinner. Also at the table was Liang Zhongchun, the director of the Operations Division of No. 76. I will go meet him and see the director of the Economic Department and the deputy director of the Special Task Force. What exactly does the director want to do?"
After that, he simply took Qi Si out and got in the car, heading to a local restaurant in the public concession.
When he brought Qi Si over, Minglou, Mingcheng, and Liang Zhongchun, who was on crutches, were already waiting. Because of Wang Yan's usual eating habits, there was no such thing as waiting for him to come over to order food, and he directly ordered him to just serve the food.
While waiting for the food, a few people sat down to drink tea.
Wang Yan looked at Liang Zhongchun, who was humble yet humble, and said with a smile: "If I remember correctly, Director Liang has been working with Director Li before the new government was established, so he should be considered Director Li's person. I didn’t expect that Director Ming would have an appointment with me today, it’s really weird.”
Liang Zhongchun laughed along: "Mr. Wang is joking, Director Li is the deputy director of the Special Task Committee, and Director Ming is also the deputy director. I am Director Li's subordinate, and I am also Director Ming's subordinate. From ancient times to the present, it is the most important thing to get close to the superior. Things to do.”
Liang Zhongchun was originally a member of the Central Government. In an operation two years ago, he was shot in the leg. Others wanted to replace him but
They didn't hit the right place, so Liang Zhongchun was captured alive. The reason why he is lame is because the shot in his leg hit his knee.
In order to survive, he chose to betray and sell out, causing the Zhongtong Shanghai Station to suffer some losses. Not small, but not big either. If not, he wouldn't be able to live freely here, and he would have been assassinated by Zhongtong's people. Of course, the greater possibility is that he is actually secretly contacting the Central Government and selling some information to save his life.
Although he helped Minglou in the play, he covered up the death of Mingcheng's adoptive mother "Aunt Gui", codenamed "Lone Wolf", and accidentally let Mingtai go, and finally died because of it. But it is impossible to say how decent he is. People are complicated, and he is a somewhat smart person. At first, maybe it was to save his life, but as time went by, he realized that the Japanese were already strong on the outside and weak on the inside, and it would be difficult for them to last long.
Therefore, he had the same idea as Zhou Fuhai, to make good friends so that if the Japanese were to die one day, they would have a way out. He is almost the same type of person as Zhou Fuhai, they both sit on the fence.
As for what he told Mingcheng, he didn't expect him to live, he just hoped to leave a way for his wife and children to survive. He also made a lot of money, which was enough for his wife and children to live a good life anonymously. These words may come from the bottom of my heart, or they may be just a further gesture of goodwill. After all, those in his line of work know best about the impermanence of life. No one knows when or where a bullet will kill him. People are so complicated, no one knows what is true or false.
"Director Liang is right. There is no one who belongs to whom, there are only superiors and subordinates. In this regard, Director Liang has done a good job." Minglou took the tea handed over by Mingcheng and put it in Wang Yan's cup In front of him, he asked, "I heard that you spoke in the warehouse of the North Station this morning because of the incident involving agents from both parties before?"
Wang Yan sighed: "What else can happen?"
"I heard that everything has been settled, so why go into such a big fight?"
"It's settled, but the attitude should not be bad. Moreover, this time thousands of military police were dispatched to surround the warehouse, and the workers under them were panicked. It is always necessary to calm people's hearts. Otherwise, production will be affected, and the compensation will not be the same. Me." Wang Yan didn't dwell on this, and instead said, "Director Ming, let's not talk about the past. Let's talk about today's things. If you don't explain clearly, you won't be happy even if you eat. Today you Bring Director Liang with you to see me. You might as well tell me what you are doing."
Minglou clapped his hands and said: "Okay, Mr. Wang is quick to talk, so I will tell you straight. It's not a big deal, just because you control the transportation line from Shanghai to Chongqing and Yan'an, and Director Liang wants to take it. Your free ride, of course. Although my family still has some wealth, I have never seen a contented person in my life, and I am no exception. After all, who would dislike having more money?"
Seeing Wang Yan looking at him, Liang Zhongchun nodded with a smile on his face: "Sir Ming is right, no one would mind having too much money. You also know my details, but I can't really sacrifice my life for the Japanese. What's the benefit of working for them? Maybe you don't know that the Japanese asked me to participate in the business of selling cigarettes in Shanghai, but I didn't do it. Although I did betray the Central Committee, it was just to survive, right? The solution is, if I don’t surrender, I will die. My bones are so weak that I can’t hold on. But then again, how many of them can hold on?
Why do you think they sell cigarettes? Raise military expenditures for the Kwantung Army. In this situation, I don't think they can last long. Besides, selling cigarettes and destroying people's lives, what am I allowed to do? If you can't wash off the blood on your hands, how can you cause trouble for yourself again?
So, doesn’t this mean we have to consider the alternative? Throughout Shanghai, Mr. Wang is like this, and I hope you can help. From now on, I will do whatever I need to do. "
Wang Yan raised his eyebrows: "Really? But I heard that you were very involved in sending laborers from Shanghai to Japan to work hard..."
Liang Zhongchun's smile faltered. He couldn't help but smile, and racked his brains to argue: "You also know that I work for the Japanese, and they asked me to do it. How dare I not do it? If I talk about this kind of thing again, even if If I don’t do it, then someone else will do it. It’s all just to have enough food, and there’s really nothing I can do about it.”
"You don't sell cigarettes because the Qinghong Gang is more powerful, and you don't have a say in participating. It's not intolerable.
Cause other people's families to be destroyed. What do you think will happen to the workers you sent to Japan? So put away your cleverness and don't fool me like a fool. "
Wang Yan snorted coldly, glanced at Ming Lou, and then said, "But Director Ming has spoken, so I'll let you take a ride. I only knew him for a short time, but we also formed a friendship. Besides, Wang Yan and I have The Chairman, Minister Chen, Minister Zhou and even Director Li all have business dealings. Director Ming is both the Director of the Economic Department and the Deputy Director of the Special Task Committee. I cannot favor one over the other.
In the past, it was because Director Ming didn't speak and his attitude was unclear. But things are different now. Since we are doing business together, we will be friends who help each other from now on. Just ask someone to contact Gu Yongcheng later, and he will make clear arrangements. "
"Thank you, Mr. Wang, and thank you, Chief Ming." Liang Zhongchun thanked him quickly, without the prestige of the director of Operation No. 76, and no different from the third grandson.
It's not just this year, after all, the law of the jungle is the same, and it will be no different decades later. Being a noble person in front of others, and pretending to be a grandson in others, both have unspeakable bitter tears. Many people want to pretend to be grandchildren and feel the bitter tears, but they can't find the door.
"Thank you for what? It's all the benefits Mr. Wang gave you, and you will earn them in the future." Minglou laughed and seemed very happy, "Come on, Mr. Wang, the wine hasn't been served yet, so Minglou will have tea instead." Liquor, I wish us success in our cooperation and a fortune."
Wang Yan picked up the tea cup with a smile, raised it slightly to signal, and took a sip of tea with them...
The food was served very quickly. Even if the boss didn't know Minglou or Liang Zhongchun, he still knew Wang Yan. In fact, Wang Yan was very energetic not only in the French Concession, but also in the public concession. Most of the police officers here are gangsters, and Wang Yan does business with the British and Americans, so he can talk to them and get things done.
There was nothing serious to talk about when the few of them were eating. Basically, Minglou, Mingcheng, and Liang Zhongchun were all talking about Wang Yan, and their beautiful words were very nice. After all, this is a required course for traveling in the world, and the three of them are quite proficient in it...
Wang Yan knew that Minglou brought Liang Zhongchun here probably because of the previous incident. Otherwise, even if he wanted to fight for power with Li Shiqun, Liang Zhongchun, the operations director, was very valuable to win over, but there was no need to bring people to him. This was a big deal. After all, his business is there, and whoever follows him will make money, even if he wants to lose money.
From the look on Minglou and Mingcheng's face, he must be doing well, otherwise he wouldn't be able to really laugh and talk to him like this.
As for agreeing to do business with Liang Zhongchun, he wanted to invest in it, and Liang Zhongchun was going to die. Even if the story did not happen according to the original plot, Liang Zhongchun would still die, so at least half of Liang Zhongchun's net worth was his. This is a business without capital, and it should be done. The Japanese were beaten away and had more places to spend money, so they had to save more.
Except for a few of the other people who do business with him, the rest are probably going to be miserable...
But that’s all for the future, the immediate things still need to be done. The day before yesterday, Liang Zhongchun was pretending to be a grandson with him, and today it was he who was pretending to be a grandson with Eiichi Iwai. Of course, these are two kinds of grandsons. After all, he has a lot of autonomy among the Japanese, and the Japanese cannot completely control him.
Although he was the one who invited Iwai Eiichi to dinner, it was Iwai Eiichi who invited him. Of course, he still ate at a Japanese restaurant approved by Iwai Eiichi.
But today was different from the past. More people came. What even surprised Wang Yan was that Minglou, Zhou Fuhai and other Chinese who had defected to the Japanese also participated. In addition to them, there were also Yingzuo Zhenzhao and several generals of the army and navy, as well as several chief officials of the consulate.
Another difference is that today is not just about eating and drinking. Instead, there are ghost-like geishas singing, dancing, and buzzing.
So many Japanese high-level officials, including men and women, held a welcome meeting instead of a military meeting...
