Chapter 349: Jianfeng Is Also Starting to Get Better

"What Jin-Hai-Tong, just some stinking bumpkins from the sticks."

"I don't care where he's from; in this little patch of land in Shanghai, I call the shots. If he's a dragon, he has to coil; if he's a tiger, he has to lie down."

"Daring to challenge me means death."

Kong Lingkan leaned back, his arrogance leaking out.

"Exactly. Whether Jianfeng wants to investigate corruption or protect the Gold Yuan Coupons, as long as he doesn't mess with us, he can toss and turn all he wants."

"As for that Secretary Hong, just finish him off."

"Your Green Gang has plenty of hitmen. As long as he dares to step outside, just find a car and run him over. That should do it."

"It'll be a traffic accident; the Generalissimo and Jianfeng won't be able to find any fault with that."

"Besides, family doesn't fight family."

"Jianfeng might not necessarily make a move against his big brother."

Another man in a floral shirt, with shoulder-length hair and sunglasses, said.

His name was Wang Lie.

His father, Wang Chunzhe, was a famous wealthy merchant in Zhejiang and Shanghai, secretly serving as the "white glove" for Executive Yuan President Sun Ke, and was a figure at the height of his power.

"Make a move?"

"He can push others around, but me? Ha, not a chance."

Kong Lingkan took a puff of his cigar, his expression one of extreme disdain.

Du Weiping looked at him and said nothing more.

Kong Lingkan was notoriously overbearing in Shanghai; he didn't even respect his own uncle, Song Ziwen, and his brothers. Back when he was fighting over bristles and opium, he would beat the Song family's procurement agents to death if he caught them.

Not only that, but behind his back, he called Jianfeng "the Soviet kid" and didn't take him seriously at all.

Of course, there was a reason for his madness.

The Kong and Song families were at odds. Nowadays, people like Kong Xiangxi and Song Ziwen were gradually being marginalized in the political arena. Lady Jiang had no heirs, and the Song family lacked descendants.

Seeing the Jiang brothers, Jianfeng and Weiguo, rising in power so quickly, Lady Jiang had no choice but to turn her gaze toward the Kong family for the sake of the family's long-term grand plan.

As the eldest son of the Kong family, Kong Lingkan was deeply favored and valued by Lady Jiang, naturally becoming the vanguard against Jianfeng.

The Empress and the Crown Prince were locked in a power struggle.

Who would win and who would lose was truly hard to say.

Du Weiping decided to wait and see.

Thinking of this, he raised his glass and said, "Then we shall proceed according to the wishes of Brother Lingkan and Brother Wang Lie: first eliminate Hong Zhiyou, then observe Jianfeng's next move."

"The hitman will be provided by your Green Gang," Kong Lingkan said.

"Fine."

Du Weiping bit the bullet and agreed.

The next day.

Huanghe Road, Shanghai.

Hong Zhiyou accompanied Jianfeng in a car, passing through the streets.

Along the way.

The streets were filled with long queues of people holding bags, their eyes glowing with hunger.

Yet, department stores, grain markets, and shops were all closed; the few storefronts that were open displayed "out of stock" signs.

The once-prosperous Shanghai Bund seemed shrouded in a layer of lifeless gloom.

"Zhiyou, is Jin-Hai like this as well?" Jianfeng looked through the car window and sighed slightly.

"In Jin-Hai, flour and rice are expensive, but Station Chief Wu has always taken a heavy-handed, high-pressure approach against corrupt officials and hoarding merchants, so he has managed to protect the common people's rice bowls."

"The rich buy fine rice and flour, while the poor buy coarse or broken rice. In the end, the Gold Yuan Coupons in the hands of the common people can still be spent to get a meal."

"I didn't expect that in Shanghai, money is already useless for buying food, and supplies are this scarce."

"The situation is far worse than in Jin-Hai."

While analyzing, Hong Zhiyou did not forget to sing the praises of Wu Jingzhong.

"It is not a lack of supplies."

"According to the Generalissimo's original plan, when the Gold Yuan Coupons were first issued, Shanghai was the pilot site, and the supply allocation was sufficient to stabilize the lives of the people."

"Unfortunately, people like Chen Cheng and Wang Yaowu have been ineffective in their offensives."

"The loss of the Beining Line in the Northeast, and the tight fronts in Jinzhou, Changchun, and Shenyang, have made it impossible to safeguard the Gold Yuan Coupons in terms of public opinion and confidence."

"Certain people have seized the opportunity to recklessly talk down the National Government, incite panic among the people, and hoard supplies to profit from the national crisis."

"They did the same thing before the Japanese invaders attacked."

"Shanghai is the economic lifeline of the National Government."

"If Shanghai collapses, the people's livelihood collapses."

"The Generalissimo is extremely angry and pained by this. Zhiyou, saving the country from this crisis and sharing the burden for our leader depends on you and me."

Jianfeng said with a resolute gaze.

"Don't worry, Comrade Jianfeng, your subordinate will certainly go all out, sparing no effort." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly recited the slogans.

"Good. With this ambition, why worry that the ills of Shanghai cannot be eradicated?" Jianfeng nodded with satisfaction.

He liked talented people who got things done.

Serving as the director of the Shanghai Economic Management Committee this time was one of the few projects with real power he had participated in since returning to the country to enter politics.

In fact, he had handpicked many people for this trip, including Wu Jingzhong, but most had refused.

Clearly, none of them believed he could fight a pack of tigers with his bare fists.

Only Hong Zhiyou followed him through life and death.

A national crisis reveals a loyal minister.

Troubled times reveal loyalty and righteousness.

Arriving at the Central Bank building.

Bank President Zhang Xun and Long Tao, captain of the Garrison Command Inspection Brigade, were already waiting at the entrance.

"Greetings, Director."

"Long Tao is here to await your arrival on the orders of Bureau Chief Mao."

The two greeted Jianfeng.

"Where is Bureau Chief Xuan?" Jianfeng asked.

"Bureau Chief Xuan fell ill last night. He... he said he is bedridden with a serious illness and truly cannot come." Long Tao's voice grew a bit weaker.

Jianfeng's face tightened as he walked toward the third-floor office:

"Captain Long, Bureau Chief Mao has briefed you, hasn't he?"

"Yes. From today on, the Inspection Brigade will be renamed the Economic Inspection Brigade, under your full command." Long Tao answered sternly.

"Good. Notify the heads and members of all major chambers of commerce in Shanghai immediately to hold a meeting in the conference hall at eight o'clock tonight."

"Also, tell Xuan Tiewu that he doesn't need to come; he can rest at home and recover."

Jianfeng waved his hand and ordered coldly.

"Understood," Long Tao said.

Once they were alone, Jianfeng raised his hand and told Hong Zhiyou, "Sit."

Hong Zhiyou skillfully brewed tea, sliced fruit, and tidied up before respectfully sitting in the subordinate position.

This was the future big boss of Taiwan.

In the future, when making money and doing business, he would be indispensable, so naturally, he had to be treated with sincerity.

"You saw it too."

"Xuan Tiewu, the Shanghai-Wusong Garrison Commander who also serves as the Police Bureau Chief—before I arrived, the Generalissimo ordered him to investigate economic issues, and he submitted resignation reports every day."

"The Generalissimo wouldn't let him resign, and now he's started faking illness with me."

"This kind of lazy, negligent official is even more detestable than the corrupt ones."

Jianfeng cursed in annoyance.

"Director, how many people do we have at our disposal right now?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"None. Just you," Jianfeng said.

"Just... just me?"

Hong Zhiyou was stunned.

"That's right. The biggest help was supposed to be Xuan Tiewu, but now that he's quit, only the Inspection Brigade is left."

"The Inspection Brigade was transferred over by Mao Renfeng."

"You know as well that Mao Renfeng is very close to Lady Jiang now. The 'Tigers of Shanghai' are nothing but the Kong and Song families; how could his men possibly help me wholeheartedly?"

"My plan is to bring in the garrison troops."

"Shanghai has many gangs and various forces intertwined; without garrison troops, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to enforce this with strength."

Jianfeng thought for a moment and said.

His policy was simple: cut the Gordian knot.

Once the army arrives, arrest those who should be arrested and execute those who should be executed; he didn't believe he couldn't suppress the crooked winds and evil spirits of Shanghai.

"The 37th Army, 52nd Army, and 75th Army are under the command of the Quzhou Pacification Office; Director Tang may not necessarily agree," Hong Zhiyou said with concern.

"In my name, immediately telegraph Tang Enbo to quickly dispatch a brigade of soldiers to enter Shanghu to assist with economic inspections."

Jiang Jianfeng ordered.

"Understood." Hong Zhiyou immediately went to the liaison room on the fifth floor to notify the secretariat to send the telegram.

Very soon, the Quzhou Pacification Office replied.

"Director, Tang Enbo has gone to Zhedong for an inspection," Hong Zhiyou said, holding the telegram.

"Then telegraph Tang Enbo again, tell him to return, and reply immediately."

Jiang Jianfeng added.

Watching the leader's confident demeanor, Hong Zhiyou felt inexplicably anxious.

Who was Tang Enbo?

He was a naturally insulated holy body.

Back in the day during the Battle of Taierzhuang, Li Zongren sent seven telegrams to Tang Enbo and got no response.

Even the Generalissimo's orders required at least two attempts before this fellow would respond.

For Jiang Jianfeng, who had never held any real power, trying to order Tang Enbo to mobilize troops was likely harder than ascending to heaven.

"I will go work on Long Tao; he is a local of Shanghu and has served here for many years. If he can assist us, clearing out warehouses and the like will be much more convenient."

"Additionally, I think we need to prepare two courses of action."

Hong Zhiyou suggested.

"Two courses of action?" Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"First is to beat the tigers, second is to wage an economic war to force the Kong family to reveal themselves," Hong Zhiyou said.

"However, the economic war is a secondary move. Everything will follow the Director's instructions; let's land one blow first and see—what if it has miraculous effects?"

He knew Jiang Jianfeng was very confident, so he did not spell everything out.

"Hmm, this blow should either not be struck at all, or if it is, it must be painful. I don't believe they won't spit out the common people's rations." Jiang Jianfeng nodded in appreciation.

He was confident and bold but never arrogant; otherwise, he wouldn't have worked with such enthusiasm in the Soviet coal mines back then.

In terms of economics and dealing with merchants, since Hong Zhiyou could handle all sides, he naturally had his own expertise.

Jiang Jianfeng was not afraid of Hong Zhiyou offering opinions; he was only afraid of him having none.

Looking at it now, choosing him was undoubtedly a wise decision.

Green Gang Headquarters.

Du Weiping hurried into the main hall.

"Father, Jiang Jianfeng has arrived," he said anxiously.

"I know," Du Yuesheng said steadily, sliding his teacup.

"I heard the Generalissimo is very dissatisfied with Xuan Tiewu and intends to exert great effort in Shanghu. The supplies I have stockpiled in the Puxi warehouse might be in trouble," Du Weiping said.

"What are you panicking about?"

"You only need to remember one thing: if you are in trouble, Kong Lingkan won't have it easy either."

"If we are to die, we die together; no one gets off easy."

"Jiang Jianfeng wants to clean up Shanghu? It's not that simple. In my view, this Crown Prince is just like the special commissioners of the past—all thunder and no rain, just going through the motions in the end."

Du Yuesheng took a sip of tea and said indifferently.

"Hong Zhiyou has also come along," Du Weiping said.

"Him?"

Du Yuesheng narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

"Jiang Jianfeng has really improved; he actually found Hong Zhiyou to be his advisor."

"This is not good."

He set down his teacup and stood up.

"Father, is Hong Zhiyou really that terrifying?" Du Weiping was puzzled and, more than that, unconvinced.

"Of course."

"Jiang Jianfeng has never held real power; he just circles around the party and youth departments. Even when he finally managed the Three People's Principles Youth League, he didn't achieve anything."

"People like him only know how to rely on the brute force and coercion of political means. Such blunt, sweeping tactics might work on ordinary people, but it is very hard to cut into the roots of the Kong and Song families."

"But Hong Zhiyou is different; he is a businessman."

"Whether it is our underworld ways or the ways of the Kong and Song families, he understands them clearly."

"I have dealt with him before."

"Although he is young, his vision is superb and his mind is sharp; he has always looked ten steps ahead for every one step he takes."

"Since he dared to come, he must have certainty."

"Last time he came to Shanghu, even Mao Sen and I working together couldn't do anything to him, and we could only watch him leave. Mao Sen even made a special trip to Jinhai to apologize."

"Lin Tai went to Jinhai, and Mao Renfeng sent Mao Wanli to act personally, but in the end, Hong Zhiyou firmly protected the livelihoods of Lin Tai and Wu Jingzhong. To this day, Mao Renfeng doesn't dare touch Jinhai at all."

"Such methods are already beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"With him assisting Jiang Jianfeng, the situation is hard to predict."

Du Yuesheng paced with his hands behind his back, frowning.

"Father."

"You are overestimating him."

"This time his opponent is Kong Lingkan, the Grand Duke himself."

"And I have already promised Kong Lingkan to send someone to assassinate Hong Zhiyou."

Du Weiping sneered.

Since the death of Dai Li, he clearly felt his father had become depressed and was acting timidly.

"Foolish."

"To kill the chicken to warn the monkey, it is not your turn to do the killing."

"If Hong Zhiyou dies, that is a slap in the face to the Jiang family father and son."

"Old Jiang may have lost battles, but he hasn't lost the country yet. If he truly gets angry, ten Green Gangs wouldn't be enough to be wiped out."

Du Yuesheng was furious.

"I have already promised," Du Weiping said.

Just as they were speaking.

A subordinate reported: "Boss, Hong Zhiyou is here."

"How many people?" Du Yuesheng still felt a chill whenever he thought of that gleaming axe of Zhou Yan.

"Just him alone," the subordinate said.

"He has guts. Tell him to come in," Du Yuesheng said.

Soon, Hong Zhiyou walked in quickly, empty-handed: "Brother Du, long time no see, I have missed you dearly."

Brother?

Do you have any manners?

Du Weiping, standing to the side, looked at the pretty boy before him, his face turning black enough to curse.

"Brother Hong, you are as dashing as ever."

"I heard you disbanded the Cao Gang and opened a liquor license in cooperation with Miss Kong Er's Jialing Company."

Du Yuesheng laughed loudly, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

"Brother, you are very well-informed," Hong Zhiyou stared at him with eyes like torches, not offering his hand first.

"Can't help it, I have many subordinates, and there are many messy voices."

"Miss Kong Er is no ordinary person. To go to Jinhai personally to issue a challenge and have you fight to a draw—that method is indeed remarkable."

Du Yuesheng said this for Weiping to hear, to let him know how formidable Hong Zhiyou was.

"As for making friends, I am the best at that."

"Brother, don't you agree?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"In a place like Shanghu, there are more ghosts than people. People and ghosts walk different paths; Brother might not be able to handle it," Du Yuesheng's smile turned cold as he warned.

"If we aren't friends, then we are enemies."

"There is a saying in my hometown: people fear ghosts three parts, but ghosts fear people seven parts. If you can't win with a seventy percent advantage, you might as well pack your bags and go home to hold your children," Hong Zhiyou said humorously.

"Brother is very confident. Please, take a seat." Only then did Du Yuesheng slowly extend his hand from his sleeve.

Hong Zhiyou smiled slightly, raised his elbow, then exerted force downward, gripping his hand firmly and shaking it a few times, fully displaying the demeanor of a man of status.

After taking a seat.

Du Yuesheng pointed at Du Weiping and said with a forced smile: "This is my son. Kong Lingkan just gave him strict orders to kill you."

"Hmm, that was expected," Hong Zhiyou said while drinking tea, as if listening to someone else's business.

"Are you not afraid of death?" Du Weiping's voice came through his teeth, icy cold.

There are some people who are born radiant.

From the moment Hong Zhiyou entered, Du Weiping felt he was being suppressed everywhere by that damn aura of his.

It was different from Kong Lingkan.

That was the oppression brought by power and status.

Hong Zhiyou, on the other hand, possessed a temperament in every gesture that made one feel inferior by comparison.

Du Weiping's pride would not allow him to bow his head to a Jinmen native of bumpkin origins.

Therefore, he disliked Hong Zhiyou very much.

"Afraid.

"I am afraid.

"You are afraid, and Kong Lingkan will be afraid too."

Hong Zhiyou did not have much interest in this question; he turned his head to look at him and said:

"How much stock have you hoarded in the warehouse?"

"I..." Du Weiping was just about to refuse to answer.

Du Yuesheng spoke up: "About 150, 00 US dollars."

"If you hand it over to me now, there is still time; I can purchase it at the standard market price, and when the time comes, your son can go in and sit for a few days, and this matter can be considered resolved.

"Coming here empty-handed today, this is precisely the gift I have brought."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Du Yuesheng fell silent.

150, 00 US dollars worth of goods—flipping it would mean a sky-high price.

Calculated at the previous market price, it would be a loss of at least half.

This bloodletting was truly painful.

"Stop putting on airs here; see if you can survive past tonight first," Du Weiping slammed the table and pointed at Hong Zhiyou, roaring.

"You don't want it?

"Very well, then let the bullets fly for a while."

Hong Zhiyou turned to leave.

"Someone, come!" Du Weiping roared.

Swish, swish.

Over a dozen disciples holding knives and axes rushed in.

Hong Zhiyou stopped, saying nothing.

"Presumptuous!

"Secretary Hong, please."

Du Yuesheng glared fiercely at his son and personally stepped forward to see Hong Zhiyou out of the main hall.

"Secretary Hong.

"You are right, let the bullets fly for a while longer; this matter is of great importance, allow me to think it over again," Du Yuesheng said sincerely.

"Good.

"However, this gift will be discounted when the time comes."

Hong Zhiyou shook hands with him again, got into the car, and left.

"Junior brother, if you hadn't come out, I was about to kill my way in," Cuiping, who was waiting in the passenger seat, said with a sigh of relief.

"Thanks.

"Let's go, I'll take you back to the hotel," Hong Zhiyou said.

"No, didn't you say you were going to see Mrs. Ma? I haven't seen her in a long time either, and I really miss her," Cuiping said happily.

"It is precisely because I am going to see her that it is not very appropriate for you to follow.

"Some other day."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Not... appropriate?" Cuiping was stunned for a moment.

Immediately, she understood, and spat out: "Truly shameless, having an affair; Ruirui and Wanqiu are really getting the short end of the stick!"

Hong Zhiyou drove and dropped her back at the hotel.

Cuiping could not go to the office building of the Management Committee.

For one, Jiang Jianfeng did not trust Yu Zecheng's identity.

Secondly, Hong Zhiyou was also afraid that Cuiping would lose her head and end up slapping Jiang Jianfeng on the skull, resulting in mutual destruction.

That was something Cuiping was capable of doing.

After settling Cuiping, he returned to the car quickly and hurried off to his date at Zhou Gendi's home.

Zhou Gendi still lived in the old house in the alley.

After acting for so long, she could be considered to have entered the trade; after all, as a supporting actress, she was just scraping by above the poverty line—great wealth and status were impossible.

It had been a long time.

Zhou Gendi was still charming and moving, especially with her graceful and hot figure, which had become even more voluptuous with the passage of time.

She must have just bathed; she was glowing, as delicate and beautiful as a lotus.

"Sister-in-law," Hong Zhiyou blinked and called out mischievously.

"You're hateful, you did that on purpose," Zhou Gendi threw herself into his arms and gave him a few light punches; the bitter tears of longing flowed down instantly.

"Call me 'Ah Di' and you are mine.

"Call me 'Sister-in-law' and you belong to someone else.

"Wild flowers are far more fragrant than home flowers; stolen ones are always sweeter than those planted.

"Ah Di, did you miss me?"

Hong Zhiyou kissed her lightly while whispering flirtatiously.

"You are just bad.

"How could I not miss you? Day and night, every minute and every second, there wasn't a moment I didn't miss you," Zhou Gendi said coquettishly.

"Your grasp of lines is very solid.

"Where did you miss me?"

"I missed you everywhere."

……

(End of chapter)