Chapter 642: Feelings Grow Over Time

Everyone in the Shanghai Bund knew what the establishment of the Green Union Bank represented. The major shareholders published in the newspapers were all famous hoodlums in the Shanghai Bund. From then on, there were only two Green Gangs in the Shanghai Bund: one that defected to the Japanese, and the other was the Green Union. Wang Yan's status, which was already not low, rose sharply. His prestige in the Shanghai Bund was not much worse than Du Yong's peak.

Wang Yan's goal was naturally to marginalize those people and directly grasp their power, but on the surface, he certainly couldn't directly intervene in other people's internal affairs. This was the bottom line; easily provoking it would cause trouble.

Of course, it wasn't that Wang Yan was afraid of those people; he was afraid of the Japanese. Just as he reported to Chongqing, he could re-lead the worker group. Countless actual battles in the past proved that the Red Party was very capable of mobilizing workers and farmers. From Wuhan to Hunan, Jiangxi, and then Shanghai, etc., the Red Party showed strong vitality, and the worker-peasant army mobilized also showed combat effectiveness.

It didn't matter that Wang Yan himself could arm a regiment. Although it could be considered the peak of private armed forces in the Shanghai Bund, and merchants and hoodlums were terrified, the Japanese didn't take it seriously at all and could destroy it in a day. And Wang Yan had never organized so many people to do anything; at most, it looked like he had a thousand or eight hundred people under him.

But if Wang Yan completely unified these Green Gang members who hadn't defected to the Japanese, it would be different. Especially since he didn't dare to offend the two parties, even if he discovered the two parties' people, he wouldn't take action, watching the two parties erode the Green Gang's power, and there was a Red Party that started with armed uprisings. That situation would be different.

Because the Green Gang was too important. After so many years, the Green Gang's tentacles were all over every industry, and the infiltration into Shanghai and surrounding areas was very serious. Basically, it could be said that it had reached the point where it could not be separated. The beggars on the street, newspaper sellers, rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers, businessmen, workers, and all walks of life were filled with the Green Gang's tentacles. To a certain extent, they were the bridge between the ruling class and the ruled class.

If Wang Yan really reached that degree, he would only die if he didn't defect to the Japanese, and another one would be replaced. If the Kuomintang ruled, it would be fine. After all, Chiang Kai-shek was once a disciple of the Green Gang and was of the same generation as Wang Yan. At the same time, there were many people in high positions who were inextricably linked to the Green Gang. Plus the Kuomintang's own conduct, if Wang Yan really became the actual head of the Green Gang, it would be a good thing.

"Assess the situation"; these four words look simple, but in reality, very few can do it, because one must also fight against the greedy desires in one's heart...

After setting the matters of the Green Union Bank, Wang Yan was a hands-off manager. The temporary headquarters of the bank was set in a three-story Western-style building on Avenue Joffre. At the same time, he was negotiating with the Municipal Council to buy a building on the Bund as the headquarters, and then buy an adjacent building to tear it down, and build a "Golden Building" on that land. This was a face-saving job. For a bunch of people who had faces and were out there hustling, it naturally couldn't be bad.

Recruitment had also begun. Except for some positions recommended by those big brothers, the rest were basically social recruitment. The personnel composition was very complex, including personnel from the two parties, as well as those sent by the Japanese.

Wang Yan didn't pay attention. He just designated the accountant. For internal personnel, except for the positions of a few managers, he didn't pay attention anymore. This was not the modern society later; playing power struggles inside the bank was useless. As long as he cleaned up the people outside, then whoever's people were in the bank were his people.

As for the latent Japanese spies and Kuomintang members, he didn't intend to use this bank to do anything. At most, he would operate his business turnover funds through this bank; he wouldn't do anything else.

The main purpose was still to bind those hoodlum bosses through the bank and dig them out step by step. How could 8 million be enough? There would always be various things in the future, asking them to add more money. At the same time, business turnover also had to go through the Green Union Bank, so he could control the business lines of those people and slowly swallow them all.

This was half a month after the Green Union announced its establishment. Tian Biao looked at Wang Yan, who was eating and drinking leisurely, with complex eyes. Calculating carefully, he had known Wang Yan for nearly four months. It was in these less than four months that he watched Wang Yan become a police captain and a tycoon, and then powerfully integrated the Green Gang. Although internal contradictions were layered, Wang Yan, as the leader, undoubtedly achieved a three-level jump in status.

It was hard to say about the Japanese-occupied areas, but in the Public and French Concessions, Wang Yan's words were more useful than foreigners'. It was also thanks to this rise that Wang Yan's relationship with the British and Americans in the Public Concession went a step further. I heard that he also negotiated several big businesses. He truly became the Chinese with the highest status in the concessions. Whether it was power, influence, or financial resources, no one could compare.

And all this was promoted by them.

He said: "Captain Wang, shouldn't you thank us?"

"This is the chain reaction of you killing Zhang Xiaolin. After Zhang Xiaolin died, it would inevitably cause turmoil in the Green Gang, and I, am the person in the right position. What I should thank is my experience over the past many years. It is the experience of the past that has achieved the me of today, not your Military Statistics Bureau. Moreover, Zhang Xiaolin is dead, and you haven't gained nothing. Wang Tianfeng got his wish and was promoted to colonel, and you also crossed the chasm between lieutenant and field officer, becoming a major. What else do you want Wang to thank you for?"

In fact, colonel or major was nothing great, especially the Kuomintang's. It was mainly because the Kuomintang's military rank was very chaotic and could not match the position. It was still fine now, and it could be understood. By the time the War of Resistance ended and the army was reorganized, that would be called chaotic. Even the highest commander of the army was a lieutenant general, and his subordinates were also lieutenant generals. General officers were not worth money, let alone field officers.

"Oh? The commendation order was only issued yesterday, and you already know?"

"Don't look at me like that. How to promote was decided the second day after Zhang Xiaolin died. After so long, it would be a ghost if I didn't know. As for the channel, I have been doing business for so many years; how could I not have some connections? Don't worry, it wasn't your Military Statistics Bureau people who told me. Your commendation order has to go through the process. Although it is all secretly filed, someone has to handle it. You have fought all the way from a second-class soldier to today, haven't you seen the conduct of those people inside your party and country?"

"Besides, the Central Statistics Bureau is your old rival. They also have an intelligence station in Shanghai, and there are also superiors in the rear who want to make big money. You have been fighting for so many years; can they not know about any wind and grass? There are too many places where news leaks. Do you know what a secret is? What you are not qualified to know is a secret to you. It may not be so to others. Coincidentally, I know many things that you think are secrets, and you run to see me time and time again precisely because of this. Relax, don't be so nervous."

Although he was shown a face of superiority, Tian Biao had to admit that what Wang Yan said was the truth. He might not understand other departments, but he had cognition of the interior of the Military Statistics Bureau. And according to what he knew, Wang Yan even had dealings with Mao Qiwu, and that Mao Qiwu was the secretary of Dai Yunong...

Before he could continue speaking, Wang Yan's eyes looked out the window and said: "You should go. If you want to find me in the future, change to someone else. It's best for you to leave Shanghai to avoid it."

Tian Biao frowned, looked out in the direction of Wang Yan's gaze in confusion, and saw a woman in a cheongsam, with her hair coiled, covered in jewelry, getting out of the back row and standing there straightening her clothes.

It was Wang Manchun. Tian Biao couldn't help but sigh. In the past, when he came to find Wang Yan at dinner time, he had confirmed that there was no Japanese surveillance around. In fact, Wang Yan never hid his whereabouts, and Japanese surveillance was useless. And Wang Yan saw many people every day. Although he might also be investigated, his cover identity was enough, so he came openly. But unfortunately, he didn't expect to run into Wang Manchun.

This was a ruthless woman, even more ruthless than the Japanese. Previously, their Military Statistics Bureau suffered losses, and this Wang Manchun participated in the whole process, and even personally led the team to arrest many people.

He certainly didn't expect Wang Yan to help him hide, because at the beginning, Wang Yan had already said that he wouldn't destroy their actions, nor would he help them, so he really should go.

Immediately, he stood up and bowed to Wang Yan: "See you again!"

After speaking, he turned and left, without any hesitation. At the door, he met Wang Manchun, their eyes met, he nodded politely, brushed past Wang Manchun, and left the restaurant.

Wang Manchun stood at the entrance of the restaurant, frowning at the back of Tian Biao who was going away.

Wang Yan had a good reputation for many years, so at the beginning, after finding that they couldn't listen to Wang Yan at close range, they didn't continue to make a fuss about Wang Yan. And they listened in Wang Yan's house, actually just for the secret intelligence of the French, and didn't have much suspicion about Wang Yan personally. Because he had a very clear trajectory of getting rich and had never disappeared. And he was also a person with culture and knowledge, and would not be easily bewitched or induced. The only suspicions were also because the Japanese suspected everything.

She knew the person she met just now; he was a small boss of a trading company and had met Wang Yan several times before, but she had never met him face to face. As a result, after a brief contact, she felt that the person had a problem. This was her professional habit as a spy.

However, she didn't think much more, just made a gesture to her subordinates in the car, signaling them to follow and see. Then she twisted her big hips, brought a fragrant wind, entered the restaurant, and went straight to Wang Yan, who was always sitting in the corner by the window.

She had asked before, what if the taste was excellent, but the restaurant didn't have such a position? Wang Yan only said two words at the time: "Don't go." The answer was concise and clear, fully expressing his emphasis on his own safety.

Sitting opposite Wang Yan, she let the waiter clean up the bowl and chopsticks in front of her and changed to new ones. After the waiter left, she held the chopsticks in the air, seemingly facing a table full of delicacies and not knowing what to eat first. Her eyes looked back and forth at the delicacies on the table and asked casually: "Who was that person just now?"

"Captain of the Action Team of the Shanghai Intelligence Station of the Military Statistics Bureau, Tian Biao, just promoted to major. I am afraid he won't appear in Shanghai in the future. He is quite an interesting person." Wang Yan shook his head regretfully.

Wang Manchun paused in the action of picking up food, then continued to pick up food and put it in her mouth, chewing lightly, and looked up at Wang Yan: "Why didn't you say so before?"

"I have said that I won't cooperate with them, nor will I obstruct them. If it weren't for you running into him, I wouldn't have to find trouble for myself, right?" Wang Yan sighed and opened his mouth to say: "If I want to talk about it, I met him by accident. Before, Lin Hongyuan sold me to the Special High Police. I remember it was at the Fude Restaurant on Avenue Joffre. I told Lin Hongyuan... at that time, the Tian Biao just now happened to be connecting with their people. I discovered he had a gun callus on his hand and knew he had a problem. You know, I certainly wouldn't point it out. It might be that after he went back, he reported this to his superior. Later, they killed Lin Hongyuan and built a relationship with me."

"Before, wasn't there a joint operation between the Loyal and Righteous National Salvation Army and the Red Party Mobile Corps Commander team? They also broke out of prison. Before that, he asked me for the Japanese military deployment around Shanghai. But I didn't tell them. Later, he told me that it was the intelligence provided by the Red Party. I didn't expect them to run to break out of prison."

"Later he came to me again, and there was nothing else, just to maintain the relationship. You know that I also have business in the black market, and I also have dealings with the upper echelons of the Military Statistics Bureau. There is no way; all kinds of monsters and ghosts have to be taken care of. This is unavoidable. He told me that he couldn't get promoted. In his words, there was no lack of complaints. Seeing others relying on backers and relationships, rising step by step, while he, who had fought all the way from a small soldier and had many merits, couldn't get promoted, it was normal to have some complaints."

"It just so happened that at that time, I unintentionally ruined the Japanese's good deeds, caught the captain under me, and tied up the old man he worshipped. Zhang Xiaolin invited me to dinner to fish people out. I remembered that Zhang Xiaolin had been assassinated before, so I mentioned it to them. I said that as long as Zhang Xiaolin was sanctioned, their promotion and fortune would definitely be no problem, and then..."

"Then Zhang Xiaolin died, and you became the biggest winner. He came to you to claim credit?"

"Smart." Wang Yan raised his eyebrows: "Exactly. As a result, before I could say a few words, didn't you come? Manchun, we have known each other for a long time. As the saying goes, feelings grow over time, and I feel that our feelings are quite deep. I have told you the truth about this matter, and you can't sell me out when you turn around. If the Japanese know the inside story, although I really didn't do anything, once the Japanese suspect, I won't have a good life."

"Don't worry, don't I know you? Your courage is not as big as mine, a woman, but you are lustful. You have a conscience, and you can tell me some truth..." Wang Manchun rolled her eyes and hummed: "Things have already happened. Even if I tell the Japanese, besides making them suspect you, what's the use? Just now I sent two people to follow that Tian Biao. Anyway, he is an action team captain of the Military Statistics Bureau. It is estimated that he has already been lost. Don't worry, this matter will be treated as if it never happened. I don't know anything."

"Hey, that's right. It's not in vain that I have been working so hard for these few months. Tonight, look at my performance."

"Annoying..." Wang Manchun coquettishly said: "Is there any intelligence about the French recently?"

"Calm and peaceful..."

After the two ate and flirted, they returned to the garden villa on Julu Road to have fun. Tian Biao also took a big detour to shake off the spies sent by Wang Manchun and returned to the teahouse located on Avenue Joffre.

Still in that private room, Wang Tianfeng sat there drinking tea, listening to the report of Tian Biao sitting opposite.

Tian Biao hadn't been with Wang Tianfeng for a short time. He knew very well the ruthlessness of this superior, ruthless to Japanese spies, and no different to his own people, so he spoke very uneasily. After all, he had been targeted by Wang Manchun, and he couldn't move freely in the Shanghai Bund in the future. Wang Yan was incomparably important. After all, this was a person who had dealings with their top boss. Changing to someone else to contact, no one knew what the situation would be.

It was just that what he didn't expect was that Wang Tianfeng was very calm. Regardless of whether he said that the upper level leaked the news, or that Wang Yan might also have dealings with the Central Statistics Bureau, or that he was exposed, Wang Tianfeng was very calm.

After Tian Biao finished speaking, in his petrified look, Wang Tianfeng personally poured him a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him: "Don't be so nervous. Can I eat you? This exposure is not your mistake, just that Wang Manchun accidentally destroyed the rules of looking for Wang Yan in the past. Men want women, women want men, and Wang Manchun works for the Japanese. We want to get intelligence from Wang Yan, and she is the same. It's normal. As for the news leak from the upper level, with Wang Yan's relationship network, it's not difficult for him to inquire about these things. What kind of conduct those people have, you should be used to it."

"However, Wang Yan is right. You have been targeted by Wang Manchun, and you really shouldn't continue to be active in Shanghai. You have been with me for so many years, working hard and complaining, and have made many merits. This time you were promoted to major. I must find a way to plan a future for you. What do you think? Are you going back to Chongqing, or continuing to fight in other places?"

Tian Biao stood up and saluted: "I listen to your arrangement."

"Sit down." Wang Tianfeng waved his hand, pondered for a moment, sighed and said: "I will find a way to let you go back to Chongqing. After working for so many years, go back to the rear to be stable, get married and have children. It's just right, you still have some friendship with Wang Yan. Go back to Chongqing and contact Wang Yan, and ask him to get you some goods. You won't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of your life."

Wang Tianfeng is paranoid and crazy, but there is always some human touch. After all these years, what else can't be seen clearly? He has no one above him, so he is doing dirty and hard work, and there is no reward. Not to mention that he is a colonel today, even if he becomes a major general tomorrow, it is the same. Tian Biao can't stay in Shanghai anyway. There are so many people enjoying themselves behind him, and it doesn't matter if he sends Tian Biao back.

As for himself, he is alive, just preparing to die.

Tian Biao widened his eyes. He couldn't believe that these words could come out of Wang Tianfeng's mouth. However, after the surprise, he still stood up and saluted: "Thank you, sir, for considering your subordinate."

Wang Tianfeng waved his hand, was silent for a while, and said: "You go and pack up. I will report your situation to the superior. Other things are not for you to manage. Leave tonight."

"Yes!"

Seeing Tian Biao leave, Wang Tianfeng drank the tea, left the teahouse, and went to the headquarters of the Shanghai Station of the Military Statistics Bureau. Besides reporting Tian Biao's situation, he also had his own things to arrange... ===== CHAPTER 643 =====