Chapter 653

After breakfast, the Shanghai Bund became lively, or rather, the International Settlement and the French Concession became lively. This place had been developing steadily for decades and was the center of the Shanghai Bund, much stronger and more vibrant than the Japanese-occupied areas on the periphery. After all, the Japanese were not good people; whether it was Chongqing or Yan'an radio, they were talking about the heavy blood debts every day.

Moreover, Shanghai was not far from Nanjing, and that massacre had only happened half a year ago. Therefore, the people living in the Japanese-occupied areas had no liveliness or vitality to speak of; they were all afraid.

However, now that Japan had controlled Shanghai for a period of time, with the re-customization of various rules and the support of various puppet governments, the Japanese-occupied areas had gradually stabilized. Instead, the puppet government had to a certain extent replaced people's hatred for the Japanese, and the Japanese began to pretend to be good people...

A black Ford car drove slowly through the congested streets in the morning. Qi Si was very patient and didn't honk the horn, just rubbing along slowly, because there was nothing urgent, so it was naturally slow.

He looked back at the back seat, his gaze falling on the boss, who was looking out the window with a faint smile on his face, his thoughts unreadable. He asked uncertainly: "Brother Yan, just now at Hao Zailai, were those people trying to make a move on you?"

Wang Yan smiled and continued to look out the window: "How did you see it?"

"When we arrived, the look in their eyes when they looked at us was wrong. Later, I paid attention, and a few of them were carrying guns. Later, when the one with glasses who was eating outside the window looked up at you, I felt something was wrong. But seeing that you didn't speak, I didn't make any move."

"Kid, you've made some progress. Not making a move is the correct thing. If they really wanted to make a move, whether they were my opponents is a question, let alone the fact that this is our territory. As long as there is a quarter of an hour, they wouldn't be able to fly even with wings. But killing them is easy; what about afterward? That would be endless trouble."

Qi Si thought for a while and asked again: "Are they people from the Military Statistics Bureau?"

"The one with glasses you mentioned is Dai Yunong's secretary, Mao Qiwu. If we killed him, that would be causing huge trouble. We wouldn't be able to avoid being traitors even if we wanted to."

"Mao Qiwu? Wasn't he brought here by that old guy Du Yong?"

"Who else could it be if not him?" Wang Yan shook his head and smiled: "Alright, stop asking blindly, focus on driving your car. Knowing these things is useless for you."

"Then we have to hold a grudge. If there is a chance in the future, we should give that Dai Yunong a hard one. This is what you taught me."

Wang Yan laughed loudly and didn't speak again.

This grudge was not so easy to hold, and even harder to avenge. Killing was the simplest way, but unfortunately, it couldn't be done in the short term...

All the way to the police station, after understanding the situation daily, Wang Yan first went to the office of his direct superior, Mitchell. After building some rapport, he went to find Aige.

This foreign devil from Falanxi was still the same, listening to music and drinking, leisurely and chic.

"Oh, Wang, my friend, it's been several days since we last met. How are you?" Seeing Wang Yan enter, he stood up to pour wine for Wang Yan, and the two sat on the sofa and started talking.

"Not bad."

"Wang, you Chinese are really hypocritical. Good is good, bad is bad; you have to say 'not bad.' But I think you should be very good now. You established the Youth League and controlled such a large force. Now you have become a real big shot in Shanghai. I heard that during this time, the bank's development has also been very good, opening in several cities, even in Hong Kong, and you even sent people to the United States, wanting to develop banking exchange business there?"

"You also know that the war is fierce now, and many rich people want to go abroad to take refuge. Now the safest place in the world is probably only the United States. But those people don't have channels to the United States and are very rich. I help them go to the United States and can handle their property in China, letting them travel light. Isn't this a business that makes big money? But currently, this business has just started, and not a single deal has been done."

Wang Yan took a sip of wine, shook his head, and sighed: "Actually, my 'not bad' is not good, but bad, Aige. In my current position, if I don't look for trouble, trouble will come to find me. Wanting to be as leisurely as before is impossible."

"You Chinese have a good saying: 'If you are not envied, you are mediocre.' If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Life is like this; if you want to get something, you have to bear the corresponding trouble."

"You seem to be a philosopher now."

"No choice, Wang, you know I am very leisurely every day, so I often think about the true meaning of life." Aige looked dejected. Seeing Wang Yan looking at him like a joke, he also laughed loudly and turned to say: "Wang, I have good news to tell you."

"Let me hear it."

"Two days ago, I had dinner with the Chief, and he said that Mitchell is looking for someone to find a way to transfer back to Falanxi to work. He is not young anymore, and he might plan to go back to retire. Do you think this is good news?"

"You mean, the Chief revealed to you that they want to let me take the position of Chief Inspector?"

"Of course, Wang, if it's not you, who else could it be? Your power now is greater than that Huang before. He could be Chief Inspector, why can't you? If a stranger really comes to be your superior, will you listen to his orders? The other two detectives also have Green Gang backgrounds. If you don't listen to orders, they will naturally follow your choice. So this position belongs to you."

Looking at Aige's confident look, Wang Yan frowned and asked: "I am the person involved, why don't I know? And before coming to find you, I went to see Mitchell first. He wouldn't hide it from me. After all, going home to retire also requires a pension, doesn't it?"

Aige waved his hand: "The Chief said Mitchell is still working on it, just simply expressing his idea of transferring back to him. Who knows how long it will take? Maybe two or three months, maybe a year or half a year. But the matter of Mitchell going back is settled, so you will be Chief Inspector sooner or later, so I said it first to make you happy, and you can also be prepared in advance."

"Since Mitchell didn't tell me, it means it's not settled yet. For things that are not settled, no one can say for sure. Things that are happy too early often end in tragedy. Aige, you are still some distance from a philosopher; you need to work hard. However, the true meaning of life does not need to be thought about. I can tell you the answer: it is freedom. I recommend you study Chinese I-Ching, which is probably equivalent to the theology of your Western world. It can calculate good and bad luck, predict future events, and is broad and profound, and more interesting. Life does not need to be thought about, because that only brings you pain."

Aige frowned: "I have a winery and a manor in Falanxi. I have a wife who loves me, cute children, and my parents are in good health, well taken care of by my brother who stayed in Paris. I do whatever I want. Wang, are you saying I am not free?"

"You need to think about it on a deeper level. The simplest point: the Catholicism you believe in, is it what you want to believe in? Think about it again, are you really free? Money and power do give you freedom to a certain extent, but that is fake, because outside of freedom, there is another layer of shackles. You seem leisurely, but is it really so? Are you really free? Think about it carefully, Aige."

Wang Yan patted Aige, who was already confused, drank the foreign wine in his glass, and left Aige's office with a loud laugh. There was nothing else; he just felt uncomfortable with the leisurely look of this foreign devil Aige, and his playful heart arose, letting this foreign devil feel uncomfortable too.

As for his promotion to Chief Inspector, he actually knew it. After all, his status was different now, and his seniority in the police station was enough. Promoting him to Chief Inspector to appease him was also appropriate. Mitchell should have also understood this matter and realized that he had become the one blocking the way, so he might really have the idea of going back, which he took the initiative to mention.

But unfortunately, what happened this morning made the matter that was progressing smoothly have a change. How it will develop next is really hard to say...

Daily simple rapport with the foreign devils, Wang Yan set off to the place he arranged for the Datong teachers and students and workers to do research.

The research on drinks and instant noodles had actually already produced finished products, and even plastic bags had been made. Now it was mainly the problem of production machines. He was used to refinement and process. If this were an ancient dynasty, then nothing would be said, but now it was the industrial age, and basic technology was enough to support doing better, so he still had to strive for excellence, which was why it had dragged on for so long.

A busy morning passed. Wang Yan asked Qi Si to make an appointment with Liu Yitong to eat at a newly opened Shandong restaurant. The craftsmanship was quite good. And it was more in line with his northern appetite. Although he was used to everything now, he still liked dishes with a lot of oil and salt.

The more he came into contact with Wang Yan, the more Liu Yitong felt that Wang Yan was unfathomable. In the past, he always looked for Wang Yan to talk about the recent situation. Wang Yan taking the initiative to make an appointment with him was the first time. Even Qi Si, who had always been trusted by Wang Yan, didn't sit at the table this time, but sat alone on the side, domineeringly not letting others sit at adjacent tables. He didn't know Wang Yan's purpose in looking for him, so he could only chat with Wang Yan while waiting for the dishes to be served.

After the dishes were served, Wang Yan personally poured a glass of wine for Liu Yitong. His face was no longer the smiling one just now, and he became serious like a dog's face: "Old Liu, can I trust you?"

Liu Yitong knew that something must have happened. If not, Wang Yan wouldn't ask such nonsense. Because before this, he had already intervened in many affairs of the Youth League Bank, as well as the secret infiltration and control of other Green Gang branches of the Youth League. This was done at Wang Yan's instruction. If he didn't trust him, how could he let him do things? As a result, now he still had to ask if he could trust him. Something must have happened that made Wang Yan lose his sense of security. To make a person like Wang Yan like this, it must be a big deal.

He pretended to be a fool: "Of course you can trust me, Old Wang. Otherwise, what were the things I did before? Why so serious all of a sudden? Did something happen?"

Wang Yan stared at Liu Yitong for a while, raised his glass to drink with him, and then sighed and said: "Mao Qiwu came to find me, just this morning."

"What?" Liu Yitong's eyes widened, watching Wang Yan eat in large mouthfuls. He calmed down, leaned closer, and asked in a low voice: "Was it brought by Du Yong?"

"Who else could it be if not him? This old guy, he really pinched my seventh inch. I had people put guns to his head, and now he has returned the favor. This is much more ruthless than directly pointing a gun at the head. I guess this old guy has already received the news and is laughing happily in Hong Kong now."

"What did Mao Qiwu say?"

"What else could he say? Of course, it's to take my power."

Wang Yan hummed: "Du Yong, that old guy, contacted many Nationalist Party people and found Dai Yunong, saying he wanted to use the Green Gang to establish a People's Action Committee as an affiliated department of the Shanghai Unification Committee to unite patriotic people to resist Japanese aggression. It sounds good, but it's just Du Yong unwilling to let go. He found such an excuse and incited Dai Yunong to pressure me. From now on, the Youth League is the Youth League, and the bank is the bank. I only manage the bank's affairs and not the Youth League's. But the name of the Youth League leader must be retained to bear the pressure of the Japanese for them and take the blame for their crimes. Of course, he didn't let me hand over power for nothing; he gave me four million. This money was paid by that group of people in the Youth League, and when it comes down to it, you won't be left out either."

Liu Yitong's face was full of disbelief: "You agreed?"

"Otherwise? Dai Yunong has such great prestige. If I didn't agree, I'm afraid you would have already received the news that I was shot and weeded out by the Military Statistics Bureau..."

Looking at Wang Yan's expressionless face, Liu Yitong didn't know what to say for a while, and even felt a bit sad. He knew clearly that Wang Yan had sent a lot of money to Dai Yunong in the past few years, and the relationship had always been good. Moreover, Wang Yan's own strength was also very powerful, and his connections were not bad. No matter how you looked at it, Wang Yan's value was stronger than Du Yong, who ran to Hong Kong to take refuge, but he had such an encounter today.

After a moment of silence, he asked very consciously: "Then you mean..."

"This is why I asked if I could trust you." Wang Yan raised his glass to invite wine again. After drinking one, he said while eating: "I can't intervene in the Youth League affairs in the future, but you are in that group of people. Although we seemed to be on the same path before, I know you didn't offend them, so there is still room..."

"Old Wang, if you have anything to say, just say it. You know what kind of person I, Old Liu, am. Dai Yunong doing this, I don't trust him either. He didn't put us in his eyes at all. That bullshit People's Action Committee, even if it is set up, is just a mere formality to protect Du Yong's foundation. Being on the same side as them has no benefit. The things you entrusted to me, I will definitely handle well for you."

Liu Yitong was a sensible person. Wang Yan nodded with satisfaction and then continued: "Since Dai Yunong and Du Yong bully Wang Mou like this, Wang Mou certainly cannot let them go so smoothly. I don't have the ability to do other things, and I can't do them. But the Green Gang, the two of us brothers can still do some tricks. What I want you to do is not a difficult thing. Like before, secretly bribe and infiltrate, and hollow out those who are in charge. Although there is a stumbling block like Dai Yunong, we still have to do what we should do."

"But this time, our actions must be more careful and cautious. You are responsible for seizing power in the Youth League and involving their energy. I am responsible for the infiltration. Don't worry, this People's Action Committee can't do anything big, just a group of rabble, so the trouble on the Japanese side will be much smaller."

"Although I am the one taking the blame, in the end, the initiative is still in my hands. After all, I am not dead yet. If I directly flip the table and defect to the Japanese, unify the Green Gang there, and specifically go against the Military Statistics Bureau, they can't bear such a big loss. I don't believe Dai Yunong still dares to pressure me like that, and I don't believe Du Yong has such a big face to let Dai Yunong do so many things for him. Even if there is trouble, I will definitely protect you."

"In this way, we will work in two ways. In a few years, we should be able to completely hollow them out and kick those old guys out. Du Yong is far away in Hong Kong and can't grasp the situation at all. What can he use to fight us?"

"Of course, there is no shortage of benefits for you. You can rest assured about this. The Youth League Bank is still in my hands. Later, I will give you more shares, and you will have everything. What do you think, Old Liu?"

Wang Yan also had to respond. In any case, he was a big tycoon on the Shanghai Bund with a face and a name. To be bullied by Dai Yunong so casually, without leaving any face, directly coercing and luring him to take his power, and threatening to kill him if he didn't agree. This matter might be a secret now, but it would spread and be known sooner or later. How could he mix in the future? Bending and stretching was one aspect. If the situation was different, he should be cowardly if he should be. But face and substance were things that could never really be lost.

As for Mao Qiwu, he could be understood. After all, he was Dai Yunong's subordinate and had to do it. The two had no private feud. Wang Yan even believed that when Mao Qiwu returned to Chongqing, he would secretly contact him to express his apologies and send some gifts. When you are in this position, how can there be any fools? Obviously, his value was great, and there was no other hatred. The past exchanges had always been very pleasant, and Mao Qiwu would not want to fall out with Wang Yan.

The reason Wang Yan looked for Liu Yitong was because Liu Yitong was still in that group of people, and tossing and turning could attract firepower. Wang Yan was best at hollowing out others secretly, and he didn't need others to intervene. Giving Liu Yitong a chance before was because he was suspected of being a Red Party member, and secondly, this person himself showed that he was a good player. But now the situation was different, Liu Yitong's means were still not enough, and he, Wang Mou, had to go out himself.

Just as he said, how much favor did Du Yong have to let Dai Yunong protect him so much? Now that the People's Action Committee was about to be established, when he started to make trouble secretly, who could control him? Even if it was discovered when the cards were opened later, or if there was suspicion of offending Dai Yunong, so what?

Sometimes, Dai Yunong could kill him, and sometimes, he couldn't. Now he was indeed blocking the way, but later it might not be. The Shanghai Bund was the most important city in China now, and it would still have a high status in the future. He had already become the most powerful Chinese in the concession. If there were no other accidents, he would have more weight in the future, so heavy that Dai Yunong would not dare to move lightly, and would still have to suffer grievances.

As for the grievances this time, let's keep them in mind first...

Liu Yitong looked at Wang Yan's sharp eyes and nodded without hesitation: "Just do as you say. When that committee is established later, I will start acting. Even if they know that we have some connection, it doesn't matter. After all, there are those who have secretly defected to the Japanese there. Everyone wants to stir up the water. Don't worry, there is no problem."

He had to agree and cooperate, because Wang Yan's words had already been spoken. If he refused, the one who should die today would be him.

Wang Yan nodded with a smile and started Teacher Wang's small classroom: "No need to be so anxious. The ancestors taught us what is called vertical and horizontal alliances. I know very well what kind of people Feng Nairong and that group are. In my view..."