Of course, Zhou Wen would not just come to his door rashly with the property deeds. He would sell or replace these properties through the relationship between Mandel and Su Jixian, and then find a suitable place to buy new properties. It would be difficult for others to check in the future. It's on him. After all, although Shi Yousan has lost political power now, he is still considered a warlord, so he still needs to be careful.
So, why must Zhou Wen seek development in Shanghai?
First of all, of course, it is to make money. The industry in Shanxi has basically been established. However, due to Shanxi's remote location, there is not much room for greater development. The future of the mercenary group will still require a lot of financial support, especially in the later stage to purchase high-precision equipment such as aircraft and tanks, as well as a large amount of supporting equipment and special ammunition.
Moreover, after the all-out war of resistance began, China's ports were basically occupied by the Japanese army. Even if they had money to buy equipment from abroad, they could not transport it in. This required that all kinds of materials and equipment be stocked before the war. That would cost a lot of money. It will be an astronomical figure, and the funds accumulated now are far from enough.
So in today's China, is there any place where it is easier to make money than Shanghai and where the economy is more developed than Shanghai. Therefore, Zhou Wen wants to seek development opportunities in Shanghai, and he already has preliminary plans.
The first market Zhou Wen targeted was the logistics industry. He knew in his previous life that economic development and logistics were inseparable, and Shanghai's logistics market was very large, covering the three major categories of ocean transportation, river transportation, and land transportation.
Ocean transportation was not something Zhou Wen considered. He only focused on river transportation and land transportation, two big cakes.
And in the process of chatting with Su Jixian and Wan Shu, Zhou Wen probably learned that no powerful large company currently monopolizes these two markets in Shanghai. Su Jixian's Hongtong Shipping is already relatively large, with only ten cargo ships with a capacity of 500 tons. Long-distance transportation only runs along the Yangtze River between Nanjing and Shanghai, and it is also subject to many restrictions and obstacles. Mainly The business is still located in Shanghai, along the Huangpu River, Suzhou River, Yunzao Bang and other rivers.
The main obstacles restricting the development of water transportation are the large and small water bandits along the Yangtze River, various local tax cards, checkpoints, etc., as well as the gangs and bully forces at various local docks.
Chinese society during this period was very complex. Most of the so-called water bandits were actually local fishermen who were bold or were forced to make a living. They colluded with local gangs and other forces, and gathered together when the opportunity arose. He got up, grabbed a handful and ran away. After returning, he continued to be an honest fisherman, waiting for the next opportunity.
Of course, there are also some professional and experienced bandits who have set up water forts to show off their banners. However, these people are often shady and evil, stealing wealth and sex, and killing people at will. This type of unruly water bandits are often the focus of the government's crackdowns. object.
Zhou Wen's idea first requires cooperation from the government, collusion between government and businessmen... bah bah! Cooperation between government and business is the way to make money, and Zhou Wen wants more than just cooperation between government and business. He is also considering having officials, soldiers, and businessmen cooperate together, which would be even safer.
In this regard, Zhou Wen is very confident and it will not be too difficult to find a suitable partner.
The official party that cooperates is, of course, the Central Party Headquarters. Now, except for the Propaganda Department, the Central Party Headquarters still has some rights. The other departments are just decorations. They are all yamen with extremely clean water. Don’t they want to gain some rights? Don't want to make some money to spend?
Moreover, now is the time when the Central Party Headquarters is trying its best to win over itself. During the Songhu War of Resistance, the mercenary group under the banner of the Central Party Headquarters became famous in one battle. Didn’t it greatly enhance the prestige of the Central Party Headquarters? Didn’t the big bosses in the Central Party Committee feel their importance?
Therefore, there is still a high degree of confidence in persuading the Central Party Committee to participate.
As for the cooperation partners in the military, one relies on Chief Qian's brother Qian's connections, and the other is the other relationships he has established in the military, especially Chief Gu, who is also a money-loving boss, so he might as well be taken into consideration.
Of course, you have to deal with the water bandits in the local area on your own. If you can discuss it carefully, you might as well give them some face. You can still pay the tolls that should be paid, but the amount depends on the situation.
If you don't give face and want to speak loudly, or even just want to be silent, I will let you know what is a real bandit and what is a shady person. Even if you take the brothers and sweep them one by one, it won't be too much trouble. You can also practice your skills and make a little fortune by destroying houses.
You must know that Zhou Wen no longer takes a few gangsters and bullies seriously. Even if you are hiding in a water village deep in a big lake, I will buy a gunboat to bombard you.
As for the gang forces, Zhou Wen still has to rely on Shanghai's Youth Gang. You must know that the Qing Gang during this period was not only influential in Shanghai. Their various branches and distribution had even spread to many provinces, and they were also inextricably linked and colluded with gangs in other regions.
Therefore, Su Jixian was the first person to win over. Only those from the Qinggang knew the intricate relationships here, and professional matters were left to professionals.
As for why he had to get involved in the Yangtze River shipping business, Zhou Wen was not just thinking about money, but because of the appalling human tragedy that would happen a few years later, the massacre of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Nanjing by that race that was no longer human. Zhou Wen felt that as a Chinese with the soul of future generations, he should and must make some preparations and arrangements.
In fact, another project that Zhou Wen wants to start is a truly profitable industry. That is the mercenary group's old business, setting up a security company in Shanghai to provide security services to wealthy people from various countries, and even help them when appropriate. In wars, as long as they are not fighting Chinese people, other people can fight and kill as they please.
Of course, if he is a scum and lawless person among the Chinese, he might as well kill him, and it would be even better if he can still get a chance to grab him.
In fact, robbing money has become the main source of funds for the mercenary group. The original accumulation back then was obtained by robbing bandits. Later, large sums of funds were obtained by robbing Shi Shouxin and Yongjin Bank.
The establishment of the security company is to allow the brothers to maintain their fighting strength. Otherwise, the peaceful life for several consecutive years will gradually make the brothers of the mercenary group lose their fighting spirit and bravery. This is not what Zhou Wen wants to see.
Another one is to rob, rob water bandits, rob Japanese, rob gangsters, rob rich foreigners...wrong, rob the rich bad guys among foreigners, hehe! This is Zhou Wen's ultimate goal.
What is the origin of the mercenary group? Even if you are a bandit, and now you are an officer and a soldier, you must not forget your roots, right?
If you open a security company, you can openly have armed personnel. If you open a shipping company, you can expose all kinds of monsters and monsters, making it easier for the mercenary group to take action secretly. You can also launder the money obtained through various means. Don't be too fancy when you think about it. .
