20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 850 Behind the scenes
Xiaoxiguan, Juxianglou.

The restaurant was packed with distinguished guests, with funeral parlors downstairs and government officials and business tycoons upstairs. The sounds of people toasting and drinking filled the air.

As the saying goes: "One kick, one cover, friends and family wait for the food; you take a bite, I take a bite, and we still have to take the rest."

After the Jiang family's funeral, the dead cannot be brought back to life, and life must go on.

The person has passed away and is now at peace. Those who remain should take this opportunity to strengthen their bonds and forget their grief.

In the past, whenever such occasions occurred, Jiang Lianheng would first accompany the various officials from the provincial government, ensuring they were well entertained before he could feel at ease.

Today was different. He booked a private room on the second floor and invited prominent merchants and wealthy families from Fengtian.

The dishes on the table were very simple, following the old rule of "seven dishes for a funeral banquet and eight dishes for a wedding banquet". Only seven simple dishes were laid out, but no one complained. After all, everyone was not there for the banquet, but to take this opportunity to discuss other important matters.

The news that Qin Huaimeng was leading seventeen businesses and shops to be transferred to Japanese expatriates was no longer a secret.

This is a matter of great importance, and both the Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Joint Chamber of Commerce attach great importance to it.

In short, everyone is quite dissatisfied with this, but the reasons behind their dissatisfaction are not all the same.

Some people are truly patriotic and can't stand the Japanese acting so arrogantly in Fengtian. Mentioning Qin Huaimeng makes them grit their teeth in hatred, and they immediately start cursing:
"Traitor! There's nothing more to say, this is fucking traitorous behavior!"

Of course, many more people were acting out of self-interest, their words not particularly harsh, their attitudes calm but their brows furrowed, sighing with worry:
"We absolutely cannot open this door! Foreigners are dumping their goods here on a massive scale, causing domestic products to decline and our national industry and commerce to struggle. Business is already difficult enough. If we let the Japanese into the South Market, the situation will only get worse. If this continues, our business will eventually be squeezed out of business, and then none of you here will be spared!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

By this time, everyone had clearly realized that this matter would ultimately affect everyone's vital interests.

The most embarrassed person at the gathering was Feng Chong, because his branch in Xuejie happened to be on the list of seventeen shops.

The Feng family's business, which has been operating for over thirty years, is no longer just a tailor shop; it now encompasses a full range of related industries, including silk, dyeing, and clothing.

Back in the day, Feng Baoquan made long gowns for people.

Nowadays, Feng Chong makes suits for people.

These days, people who can wear suits are often either rich or noble. Feng Chong's craftsmanship is superb, so he has made many friends among officials and celebrities. Also, because he is related to Jiang Lianheng, his family business has been booming in the past ten years, and now it is showing signs of becoming a capitalist.

However, no amount of money is as valuable as a gun.

After the Japanese entered the city, he had no choice but to obediently submit to the coercion and enticement of the puppet regime.

Listening to the impassioned speeches at the table, Feng Chong sat there trembling with fear, not daring to utter a single word, let alone express his opinion.

Fortunately, out of respect for Jiang Lianheng, the crowd didn't really make things difficult for him.

After all, everyone has seen what the maintenance committee has done, and no one is willing to stand on the sidelines and speak without feeling the pain.

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng had no choice but to take the initiative and ask him, "Manager Feng, how's the branch you opened on Snow Street doing? Have you already signed the transfer contract?"

"No, no!" Feng Chong hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Master, Second Master already talked to me a few days ago. I'm trying my best to stall and negotiate the price with them. Without your permission, how could I dare to sign a contract?"

"So what do you think?"

"Boss, of course I don't want to transfer the contract!"

Feng Chong turned to look at everyone and continued, "As you all know, my branch on Xue Street just opened the year before last, only broke even last year, and is finally making a profit this year. How could I possibly be willing to transfer that shop? Am I just going to work hard here for three years to benefit them? It's not worth it!"

The bystander nodded and said, "There's nothing we can do. Your shop has been targeted by the local officials; how can things possibly turn out well?"

"It's tough!" The others chimed in, "Shopkeeper Shao on Bagua Street, the old man only has one shop. The local militia brought people over to cause trouble, trying to take over his business. The old man disagreed, and what happened? He got a beating, and his son was arrested, accused of being a traitor. To get his son released, they have to mortgage the shop to them!"

"Alas! When petty people get their way, there's nowhere to seek justice in this world!"

Everyone shook their heads and sighed.

Taking the opportunity, Feng Chong turned to Jiang Lianheng and said with some difficulty, "Master, you heard it all. This is not something I can control. I can only delay as long as I can. I can't guarantee anything. If the maintenance committee really takes a hard line, I... I can't withstand it either!"

Jiang Lianheng understood the underlying meaning and immediately stated, "Don't worry, everyone, your premiums weren't paid in vain! Recently, my family has been busy preparing for the funeral, and I may have neglected you all due to your situation. Now that the funeral is over, I will not shirk the responsibilities that Zongheng Insurance Company should fulfill. If you encounter any similar issues again, just come to me!"

"Oh! Mr. Jiang, we've been waiting for you to say that!"

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this, and several merchants who had been adamant immediately perked up, saying, "It's not that we're intentionally refusing, but for this kind of matter, it really requires Boss Jiang to take the lead to have enough prestige and confidence!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Qin Huaimeng wants to transfer the shops to Japanese expatriates. We must all unite to resist and absolutely cannot give in! Otherwise, if he transfers seventeen shops today and twenty tomorrow, it will be like adding fuel to the fire. It's not a long-term solution!"

"This time it's all set. With Boss Jiang's statement, the Chamber of Commerce will have to follow suit. As long as we all work together, we can definitely stop this from happening!"

"Don't even mention the Chamber of Commerce, you son of a bitch. When the Kwantung Army entered the city, it was the Chamber of Commerce president who helped prepare the provisions. Doesn't his absence today prove anything?"

"I think so too. The joint chamber of commerce is too loose and can't handle anything. We should establish a business guild and form a mutual protection alliance among local merchants and gentry in Fengtian!"

"Joint mutual protection?"

"Yes, just like the Chinese business community in Vladivostok. No matter who you are, if you bully Chinese businessmen, everyone will unite to fight back. Those with manpower will contribute manpower, those with money will contribute money, and those with connections will contribute connections. If we don't do this, how can we stop the infiltration of Japanese capital and how can we revitalize national industry? If national industry declines, what is the point of talking about saving the nation and surviving?"

The person who said this was Mr. Ren, the owner of Yongxing Match Factory. Because of his status as an industrialist, he was quite well-known in the Fengtian business community.

He pulled out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and with a flourish, casually revealed a Swiss-made solid gold watch. He declared righteously, "If a Chinese person doesn't use domestic products, then he's a traitor! The market in Fengtian is only so big. When it comes to life and death, we absolutely cannot back down!" Everyone dismissed the first part of his statement as nonsense; but the second part resonated deeply with them, instantly instilling a sense of crisis in them.

"That's a good idea!" Feng Chong muttered to himself, "But... who will be in charge of the Fengtian Merchant Guild?"

That's what he asked, and in fact, everyone, including himself, had already turned their attention to Jiang Lianheng.

If we're talking about who's the richest person in Fengtian, even excluding Lao Zhang, Jiang Lianheng is definitely not the richest man; but if we're talking about who's the most ruthless in Fengtian, Jiang Lianheng would be second to none.

Taking into account factors such as connections, reputation, disciples, and brothers, if Fengtian were to establish a merchant guild and form a local merchant-gentry mutual protection system, then the position of the person in charge would undoubtedly belong to Jiang Lianheng.

Boss Ren slammed his hand on the table and immediately declared his position: "Is there even a question? I don't recognize anyone except Boss Jiang!"

Feng Chong nodded and said, "Then I'll vote for the boss too."

Seeing this, the others, fearing they were too late to speak up, quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, after all, only Boss Jiang is capable of this great task."

Jiang Lianheng looked around and couldn't help but curse inwardly: I haven't even said anything yet, and you bunch of bastards have already lifted me up?

Everyone knows that taking the lead in doing this kind of thing is tantamount to openly challenging the Japanese. Although it may earn you a good reputation among the people, it doesn't bring any real benefits.

The problem is, who told you to be the boss?
As the leader, one must be able to shoulder the responsibility.

Moreover, Jiang Lianheng originally wanted to delay Qin Huaimeng's plan. Since everyone was willing to cooperate with the Jiang family, the Jiang family had an obligation to ensure everyone's personal safety.

Should one be cautious about one's life when undertaking great tasks, yet risk one's life for petty gains?
That could only be the act of a thug, not the behavior of a gang leader.

Jiang Lianheng thought it over and over, and could only smile wryly twice, saying, "Boss Ren's suggestion is indeed good, but there is already a United Chamber of Commerce in Fengtian. If I start a new one, I'm afraid the current chairman will harbor resentment and think that I'm trying to sideline him!"

"Let him hold a grudge!" Boss Ren said. "Talent should be put to good use, and the capable should be in charge. He's just occupying a position without doing anything, and he doesn't even think about protecting the interests of our local merchants and gentry. Even if we sideline him, so what? If he dares to utter a word, Yongxing Match Factory will withdraw from the United Chamber of Commerce tomorrow!"

Feng Chong and the others hurriedly said, "That's right, this is a mutual guarantee between merchants and gentry, which has no conflict with the United Chamber of Commerce. Why should he disagree? Even if the government wants to intervene, with the influence of everyone here, we can maneuver in the provincial assembly and establish a merchant group. It's urgent!"

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng had no way to retreat, so he had to temporarily use delaying tactics. He chuckled and said, "Since everyone thinks so highly of me, I can't refuse anymore. But the mutual guarantee between merchants and gentry is a big deal. We must not rush into it or publicize it. I think we need to hold a few more meetings to discuss how to implement it properly."

Since no one expected to get things done tonight, they all nodded and put the issue aside for later detailed discussion.

…………

On the other side, the Marshal's Mansion was brightly lit.

The rebellion of Guo Jun against Fengtian has been quelled. Fortunately, the Japanese came to the rescue, turning the tide and saving the collapsing empire. Only then did the Fengtian-Zhang group escape disaster.

Such a life-saving grace deserves a proper banquet to show our hospitality.

Old Zhang hosted a banquet at his home, and all the high-ranking Japanese officials stationed in Fengtian attended the meeting.

Among them, the three most important high-ranking Japanese officials were Yoshida Shigeru, the Imperial Consul General in Fengtian; Shirakawa Yoshinori, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army; and Yasuhiro Ban'ichirō, the President of the South Japan Railway Company. These three represented the political, military, and business circles of the Greater Japan Empire, respectively, and came to find Marshal Zhang to fulfill the promise he had made earlier.

However, halfway through the banquet, the meeting had not made any substantial progress.

Old Zhang was only interested in drinking. Whenever the secret agreement signed by both parties was mentioned, he would sit there with his eyes glazed over, rambling on and on, either pretending to be confused or just laughing it off.

Shirakawa Yoshizawa, thoroughly annoyed, couldn't help but remind him, "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, you should understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch. The Empire sent troops to help you quell the Guo rebellion, so you have to pay a corresponding reward, right?"

Old Zhang narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Brother Shirakawa, would I, Old Zhang, let you make a wasted trip? Don't worry, I have five million in savings at the Korea Bank. I'll send someone to transfer it to your private account tomorrow. In the friendship between China and Japan, our personal relationship can't be ambiguous either!"

Shirakawa Yoshinori frowned, but said, "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, if I remember correctly, you still haven't paid off your loan to Yokohama Specie Bank! Besides, what we want isn't money, but what you did before—"

"Then what do you want?" Old Zhang immediately interrupted, turning around and pointing behind him, "Take whatever you like from this house!"

The president of the South China Railway Corporation said sternly, "What we want is the right to build the railway, not these pieces of junk in your house!"

"What right to build roads?"

"The secret agreement clearly states the conditions for the Empire's military intervention: the five routes of Manchuria and Mongolia!"

"Is it written in the secret agreement?" Old Zhang turned to look at Yang Zhuge.

Yang Zhuge understood immediately and hurriedly said, "General, there are too many contents in the secret agreement. I can't quite remember them. I'm afraid I'll have to find the original document to verify them."

"Damn it, you can't even handle this simple thing? Are you even capable of doing your job?"

"My lord, please calm down. I will be more careful next time."

The two of them were acting in a terrible back-and-forth, which was an insult to Japan's intelligence.

Having worked in diplomacy for many years and knowing Zhang's style well, Yoshida Shigeru immediately questioned, "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, if I may be so blunt, are you planning to break the agreement?"

Old Zhang feigned grievance and quickly protested, "Brother Yoshida, what makes you say that? I just wanted to go back and verify it again, how did that become a breach of contract? Besides, I'm right here, do you think I'd run away? A treaty needs time to be fulfilled, what's the rush?"

Yoshida Shigeru said, "The construction of the five routes in Manchuria and Mongolia will indeed take time, but surely the commercial rental rights and mixed residence rights enjoyed by the imperial residents in Fengtian will not be delayed?"

Old Zhang smiled, raised his hand to touch his bald head twice, and then agreed: "Don't worry, everyone. As long as the situation is verified, the municipal government will never forcibly stop it, provided that both the buyer and seller are willing. If the merchants and citizens of Fengtian do not want to transfer the property, you cannot force them to buy or sell, can you?"

(End of this chapter)