Chapter 652: The Storm Approaches

Just as Wang Yan said, it was not a simple matter for Mao Qiwu to meet him face-to-face. Wang Yan's own profile was too high; even if others didn't know what Mao Qiwu looked like, as the dignified leader of the new generation of the Green Gang, could just anyone sit down and talk with him? If seen by others, they would inevitably investigate, and once they did, Mao Qiwu would have nowhere to hide.

Moreover, Mao Qiwu held a very high position as the spokesperson for Dai Yunong. His secret infiltration into Shanghai this time was essentially equivalent to that of an Imperial Inspector. If he were to die in Shanghai or be captured, the consequences could be imagined. That was why Wang Yan said that the Military Statistics Bureau's Shanghai intelligence station would not have a good ending, from top to bottom.

This meeting was arranged by Wang Tianfeng, and it could not be called particularly clever. After all, Wang Yan basically never had any time to himself, and the arranged meeting place could not violate Wang Yan's established daily habits. Wang Yan's profile was too high, and his life trajectory was traceable; it was almost the same every day, with no novelty. Although the Japanese were no longer paying as much attention or monitoring him as closely, they would still know of any abnormal situation at the first opportunity, and Wang Manchun would come to find him that very evening to ask about the situation.

In the course of a day, the most relaxed time for Wang Yan was in the morning. Because the breakfast shop he often frequented, called "Hao Zailai," was not very high-end, the breakfast he approved of was naturally very tasty, had a high flow of people, and served both takeout and dine-in customers. Since the weather hadn't turned cold yet, many tables were set up outside the shop, arranged in a scattered and tight manner.

Wang Yan was a gang leader, but not a true thug. Given his status and position, he should not be throwing his weight around with the masses. Even if he really had to persecute an innocent person, in the eyes of that innocent person, he would certainly still be a great philanthropist. Moreover, he was not that kind of person to begin with; he had always stood on the side of the masses. He had experienced much, and no matter what his status was, this point had never changed. Whether he was an emperor, a thug, a businessman, or even something else with a certain professional capability and holding power that ordinary people could not obtain, what he did always benefited the majority.

Therefore, when walking outside in his daily life, Wang Yan didn't have so many airs, like demanding that no one be within a certain distance while he ate.

The next morning, Qi Si drove Wang Yan and Yu Manli to this Hao Zailai breakfast shop. As for the good taste, there were quite a few people here. Seeing Wang Yan arrive, many people greeted him with smiles. His reputation was quite good; after all, he never bullied people like them.

Wang Yan smiled all the way in, greeted the boss, and then took Yu Manli to the table in the very back. There were already people there, so he politely said, "Gentlemen, Wang Mou is accustomed to this seat. I have already spoken to the boss just now; your breakfast is on me. Please do Wang Mou a favor and change to another table."

"You are too polite, we will leave right away." One of them said, signaling for people to carry their things and disperse to other adjacent tables, and even moved the table a little further away to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

Qi Si did not follow him in, but instead took a few baskets of steamed buns and sent them to a little beggar not far away. As long as there wasn't too much interaction, it was fine, because this was Wang Yan accumulating merit. Afterward, he sat outside to eat and watch the car. As for protecting Wang Yan, he really didn't need to. Occasionally, when Wang Yan was in the mood, he would spar with him, beating him until he couldn't find north, and he couldn't even touch the hem of Wang Yan's clothes...

Just as Wang Yan and Yu Manli sat down, the shop assistant ran over diligently to wipe the table, and then, regardless of what it was, as long as the shop had it and it was ready, he placed everything on the table. In the blink of an eye, the table was full.

"Xu Ziyan still has such a good appetite..."

The voice came from outside the window, separated by a wall that was not very thick. Wang Yan was not the least bit surprised; when they arrived just now, the two of them had already confirmed with their eyes that this person was none other than the Chief Secretary of the Military Statistics Bureau, the Mao Qiwu they were meeting this time. And to ensure safety and ensure that the conversation would not be leaked, the tables around them were all occupied by seven or eight people, all from the Military Statistics Bureau.

Mao Qiwu wore a black long gown, had a square face, big eyes, and a crew cut. He wore ugly glasses and had a thick fake mustache attached, burying his head in eating small wontons, wanting nothing more than to not stand out. His actual appearance was also very good, worthy of being called handsome.

Being an official, since ancient times, has always required regular facial features. It didn't have to be handsome, but it certainly couldn't be ugly; after all, ugliness affected the senses, and even with an official position, it was almost impossible to climb to a high post. It was like the legend of Zhong Kui, who originally did very well in the imperial examinations and even went to the palace for an audience, but because he looked strange, he was not given the proper position and committed suicide out of humiliation.

Therefore, at this time, among the vast group of non-ugly officials, it was very common for there to be a portion of resolute and handsome ones. This was not even mentioning family background or ancestral inheritance. Being fat and greasy was a matter for later; after all, the life of an official was too comfortable...

And sitting opposite Mao Qiwu was the Action Section Chief of the Shanghai Station, Wang Tianfeng. In front of Mao Qiwu, he was like a little lamb, and the imposing manner he displayed in the drama was nowhere to be seen. He just ate his food in large mouthfuls, not even looking at Wang Yan once.

Wang Yan replied with a smile, "Brother Mao is still as spirited as ever."

They had met last year when Dai Yunong sent him to cooperate in an operation, but he had refused and did not participate, instead sending a sum of money to save his life. And his cooperation with Dai Yunong had been going on for more than two years, back when it was still the Nanjing government.

"Alright, time is urgent, let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point." Mao Qiwu smiled, continued eating the things on the table, and said with his head lowered, "The matter of the Youth League is clear. I understand the conflict between you and Du Yong, and Director Dai is also paying attention to this matter. Regardless of anything else, Du Yong has contributed to the country and is an old senior who has been famous for a long time. Now, forced by the situation, he has to temporarily take refuge in Hong Kong. You, this up-and-coming star, have acted a bit improperly."

Dai Yunong was the Deputy Director of the Investigation and Statistics Bureau of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government, and there was someone else as the Director. However, he was only the Deputy Director mainly because his seniority was not enough, so he took a deputy position, but in reality, he held absolute power over the Military Statistics Bureau.

Wang Yan said, "He is older than me, but we are of the same generation. Did he go through Director Dai's connections to send Brother Mao here to be a lobbyist?"

"Yes, and no. I know that the establishment of the Youth League was something Feng Nairong and those people begged you for. However, these people are all meritorious patriots, and your coercion has been a bit too much."

"Brother Mao, these words are unfair. The Youth League has been established for nearly four months. In this process, apart from asking them to add four million US dollars, I haven't done anything at all, and I haven't even asked about the bank's affairs. It was Du Yong who overreacted, running to Hong Kong to take refuge, yet still unwilling to let go, fearing that I would dig up the foundation of his Green Gang, and has been working against me all along. When he was assassinated before, I don't believe he didn't know it was done by the Japanese. Yet he chose to make an issue of it and demanded an explanation from me. Such behavior of his is by no means that of a patriot, but merely that of a petty person scrambling for power and profit. Is he also in Shanghai?"

"How could he dare to come back? The Japanese want his life, and you are also causing him trouble. The Shanghai Bund has no place for him."

"He knows this point, so he is not yet senile. Why is he so unwilling to give up and insists on going against me? That's fine, but he even dragged Director Dai into it. Brother Mao, you've worked hard to make this trip, why bother?"

"Xu Ziyan, there is no point in saying these things between us. What you are planning, you know, I know, and Director Dai knows. I know you have always kept to yourself, but the current situation is as precarious as a pile of eggs. If the country is destroyed and the race is extinguished, even if you keep your life and preserve your power and wealth, you will still be a stray dog. In your current position, not doing anything is a mistake, and it is blocking the way. Moreover, Du Yong is already fifty, and he contributed greatly during the Battle of Songhu. You can't just leave him without a future, can you?"

Mao Qiwu shook his head: "He did go to Director Dai, but he didn't suggest that I come here to mediate. Instead, he proposed using the Green Gang to form a People's Action Committee, merging it into the Shanghai Unification Committee, establishing an affiliated department to unite the vast number of anti-Japanese patriots and coordinate the anti-Japanese work behind enemy lines. Director Dai would serve as the Director of the Committee, leading this People's Action Committee, while Du Yong and some others newly sent to execute tasks would serve as committee members, managing the specific affairs of the committee."

Only now were the words made clear. Du Yong, this old guy, couldn't play against Wang Yan, so he turned to the Military Statistics Bureau. Perhaps there were other parties involved, and together they facilitated such a thing. Of course, he must have paid a lot. Dai Yunong was also greedy for money and lustful, and this matter could be considered a political achievement, allowing him to show his face to the Bald Head. After all, this was fully exerting subjective initiative and actively exploring a new path to save the country and the people.

This was a serious matter for the country and the nation, and it had great righteousness. Du Yong found the key to it very well. Wang Yan feared the Nationalist Party and feared assassination by the Military Statistics Bureau. Moreover, his style of doing things had always been not to block others from resisting Japan and not to add trouble to others. In this way, he would inevitably be unable to continue coercing Feng Nairong and others, step by step devouring Du Yong's foundation.

The move was not very clever, but it was very effective, making Wang Yan unable to advance an inch and forcing him to swallow this bitter pill. At least, that was how it looked.

Wang Yan continued to eat with a smile, even picking up a steamed bun for Yu Manli, who didn't quite dare to eat. But he just didn't speak, indicating his unhappiness. No matter who this happened to, they wouldn't be happy. Dai Yunong was bullying people too much.

Mao Qiwu, of course, also knew that it was a bit bullying. He added some vinegar to his small dish and continued to speak: "The establishment of the Youth League was because they could not resist the Japanese, could not resist those Green Gang members who had defected to the Japanese, and you could do it. Looking at the current situation in Shanghai, only you can do it. So Director Dai's meaning is that you will continue to serve as the Chairman of this Youth League, and you will have the final say in all bank affairs; they are just waiting for dividends. As for the rest, let it be, and stop targeting Feng Nairong and the others. If you really annex them and become the sole power, then you will have two choices: either defect to the Japanese or die."

"I know you don't rely on anyone and don't help anyone. Don't worry, they absolutely won't cause you trouble, and they absolutely won't use you as a shield. If they get into trouble, that is their own behavior and has nothing to do with you. That is to say, from now on, the Youth League is the Youth League, and the Youth League Bank is the Youth League Bank. Of course, you and I both know that it is not easy to really get out of it, and there will certainly be some trouble. We can't let you suffer a loss either. This time, the four million they added, two million of which is yours, you can take it directly."

"The shares in the bank will still be distributed according to the current share, and you will still hold those twenty percent of the shares. In this way, the total value of the bank is 12.5 million, and your shares are 2.5 million. These 2.5 million, including the 150,000 you invested before, are all yours. No matter what, they recognize this money. With so much capital in the Youth League Bank, Director Dai will also help with the construction of branches in the Nationalist-controlled areas. You will have plenty to earn in the future. Xu Ziyan, what do you think?"

While speaking, Mao Qiwu had already turned his head and looked at Wang Yan with a smile.

Wang Yan also looked at him with a smile, then turned his head to look at Wang Tianfeng, who was also looking at him, and then scanned the situation at the other tables. Although those people didn't look over at him, he had already felt the lock of murderous intent. This was treating him as a "traitor" to be weeded out.

Yu Manli was still sharp enough to notice that something was wrong. She carefully raised her head to look at the situation, met Wang Tianfeng's sweeping gaze, and quickly lowered her head to eat. She understood that if Wang Yan didn't agree, he would die here today.

The main reason for this situation was actually Wang Yan's established persona of not relying on anyone, but it was because he hadn't blocked the way before, and instead had spent large sums of money to pave the way. But now, with Du Yong's proposal, he had become someone blocking the way, which was a bit of an eyesore.

Indeed, he could not leave the Youth League because the Youth League needed him to deal with the Japanese. But now that it had reached this point, if he didn't agree, that meant he wasn't cooperating. But Dai Yunong's will had already been passed down, and the People's Action Committee had to be established. So even though there might be some impact and many people might die, he had to be killed to avoid more trouble later.

After all, Wang Yan's own power was formidable. This time, Dai Yunong was standing up for Du Yong, which was a deadly offense. If he were allowed to leave alive and directly flip the table to defect to the Japanese, then everything would be over. Of two evils, choose the lesser. How could Wang Yan not die?

Of course, if he had really leaned toward one side, he might not have lived until now. It was all unavoidable.

Dealing with a complex situation, not sure how to respond, then simply fire a shot first to see the reaction. Now, he was being pointed at by the potential first shot.

Dai Yunong was truly like a dog. Previously, he had received a lot of money from Wang Yan, and everyone had been getting along very well. Now that Wang Yan was blocking the way a little, and with Du Yong paying some unknown price to come up with a suggestion that sounded very high-sounding just by its name, this guy's face changed immediately. Relying on his status as Director, the Bald Head's favor, and the power of his subordinates, he didn't spend a penny, but just took the money that Wang Yan had already obtained and gave it back to him, and then wanted him to stand in front and take the blame. If he didn't agree, he would be killed directly.

Dai Yunong was bullying people too much...

Wang Yan sighed: "Brother Mao, this is a bit too much!"

"No choice, forced by the situation, with military orders on me, I am also forced to do this. Don't blame me." Mao Qiwu also shook his head with a sigh, then asked in a heavier tone: "Xu Ziyan, what do you think?"

"Brother Mao, aren't you afraid that I will pretend to agree and then defect to the Japanese?"

"I believe you, and Director Dai believes you. We all know that you don't want to be a dog for the Japanese, you don't want to harm your compatriots, and you have a Chinese heart that holds your home and nation."

He didn't want to be a dog for the Japanese, but Dai Yunong didn't treat him as a human either...

Wang Yan sneered, shook his head, let out a long breath, and said: "The two million in the bank is mine. Have them scrape together another two million for me; this is my life-saving money against the Japanese. If their actions are exposed and the Japanese investigate, I won't hide it. You know, Brother Mao, I have no secrets, and I can't keep secrets. You are in Chongqing, with mountains high and roads far, but I am right here on the Shanghai Bund. Your gun is pointed at my head today, but the Japanese gun has always been pointed at it."

"So when the time comes, I will tell them everything that happened today. If you don't act secretly and leak the news, then I will tell them tonight. So Brother Mao, it is better to leave Shanghai as soon as possible. Delay will lead to changes."

"Alright, it's settled. Xu Ziyan, we shall meet again."

Mao Qiwu didn't argue anymore. It was just asking for some money, and he didn't have to pay it himself; he could even tell that group of people to ask for three million. He also knew that today they were bullying Wang Yan. If they pushed further and bargained, then it would really be forcing Wang Yan to defect to the Japanese. Even if they killed Wang Yan now, they wouldn't have an easy time. By then, let alone the People's Action Committee, it would be a question of whether he, Mao Qiwu, could walk out of the Shanghai Bund.

Wang Yan gave a hum, didn't speak, and continued to eat.

Wang Tianfeng waved his hand to call the waiter, settled the bill for the table, and then the two of them left first. The remaining few people also settled their bills and left one after another within ten minutes, merging into the crowd and disappearing without a trace.

Only then did Yu Manli carefully look around, let out a long breath, and then looked at Wang Yan with an apologetic face: "I'm sorry, I didn't know they actually wanted to kill you."

"What do you have to be sorry for? Even without you, Wang Tianfeng would have found a way to notify me. I would still have to come to see Mao Qiwu, and it would still be the same situation as just now. Isn't this world just like this? No one is indispensable; anyone can die, at any time."

Seeing that Wang Yan was still smiling, Yu Manli recalled the previous situation and asked curiously: "Aren't you the most afraid of death? Or did you already think of today's situation yesterday?"

"I only told you yesterday that one should have a calm spirit when encountering major events. Have you forgotten it after just one night? You have to understand that what can be solved will eventually be solved, and what cannot be solved will eventually not be solved."

Wang Yan shook his head and sighed helplessly: "I am not a god, and the human heart is so complex and unpredictable. How could I know the future and calculate everything? I am indeed greedy for life and afraid of death, but I have a choice. You sat close, and you heard clearly what Mao Qiwu said. He only asked me if I agreed. If I agreed, I would make money; if I didn't agree, I would die. So what is there to hesitate about? Of course, I agreed. At most, I asked for more money. Anyway, this money isn't paid by Mao Qiwu, let alone Dai Yunong. What does it matter?"

"Although I was indeed bullied, I am just a small Chinese police detective, a gang leader with some brothers under me, and a businessman with some money. I just throw my weight around in this small area of the Shanghai Bund. In front of the dignified Military Statistics Bureau Director Dai Yunong, what am I? If he is in a good mood and gives a few smiles, I have to accompany him. If he is in a bad mood and wants to plot against my power and take my life, I have to endure it. Otherwise, what else can I do? I have lived until now; my brain is one aspect, and some skills are another, but more importantly, I can bend and stretch."

"So when the crisis really comes, will you defect to the Japanese without hesitation?"

"Of course, as the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood. But I have said it many times, I will absolutely not make things difficult for the two parties. Look, this time it was just blocking the way a little, and it almost cost me my life. If I directly went against them, what would be my end? Those who know the times are heroes..."

"You really see things clearly and live clearly."

"How can I really see clearly?" Wang Yan waved his hand: "Alright, hurry up and eat. Seeing you usually like a little chili pepper, but in front of Mao Qiwu, you didn't even dare to raise your head, and Wang Tianfeng scared you like a quail with just one look, and you didn't even dare to chew the food in your mouth. Too poor."

"Then what can I do? They even want to kill you. I am their subordinate, and they also control my promotion. How could I not be afraid? My life is really bitter. You say I am a weak woman with no one to rely on, yet I joined the Military Statistics Bureau. If I could really be a Chinese teacher in a primary school safely and steadily, how good would that be."

"Just stop dreaming. I find it hard to be free myself, and you, a small soldier working in the front, still want to go to heaven? Unless..."

"Unless the Japanese are really driven away and the war is completely over?"

"Over? How could it be that easy? There is still the Red Party. What? Look down on them? That's hard to say. There is a poem you should have heard. Standing alone in the cold autumn, the Xiang River flowing north, at the head of Orange Island..."

"Looking at the red mountains, the layers of forests dyed... sighing at the vastness, asking the vast earth, who is the master of ups and downs?" Wang Yan just started, and Yu Manli continued to recite the rest of the poem: "Just like the students, young and flourishing... Do you remember, hitting the water in the middle of the river, the waves stopping the flying boat!"

"That's right, it's exactly this one. Pointing at the country, encouraging words, treating the princes of that year like dung. Asking the vast earth, who is the master of ups and downs? What a great spirit..."

Yu Manli felt the poem and pondered why Wang Yan thought the Red Party would be the opponent of the Nationalist Party.

Wang Yan ignored her and turned his head to look out the window.

Qi Si sat at a table with two workers to eat, not acting like an outsider, chatting and laughing with them. In the distance, the little beggar had changed to a few other people waiting for Wang Yan's leftover breakfast. Pedestrians on the street were in a hurry, the tram had already started working, and the cars were also honking their horns, releasing exhaust.

The murderous intent of this Hao Zailai breakfast shop, which tasted good, disappeared into the fireworks of this world; it was just hidden...