Agents of the Republic of China

Today's Shanghai, on the surface, is still as prosperous as before, but the crowds are constantly changing like a revolving lantern.During the period of the puppet government, almost all the majestic figures in Shanghai disappeared. Among them, Li Shiqun, Zhang Xiaolin, Wu Sibao and others had already died and turned into dust, Yuan Jianfeng was imprisoned, and even Lin Xiaotang lost his former reputation. Like a hasty passer-by, like many meteors that once appeared in the Shanghai hegemony, leaving only some traces of sliding across the sky.

In stark contrast to this, the arrest of traitors carried out by the national government in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beiping occupied the front pages of major newspapers every day. .

On the night of the full moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival, Dai Li, who had been stationed in Shanghai openly, sent an invitation to Zhou Fohai, Ding Mocun, and Mei Siping, the leaders of the puppet government, inviting them to a banquet to enjoy the moon.More than 100 action teams of the military command sent beautifully printed invitations to their respective residences. These former bigwigs were frightened, but under the coercion of the military command agents, they had to reluctantly attend. The location, only to find that it was full of heavily armed military police, so they had to catch them without a fight.That night, more than 100 senior officials of the puppet government were all present.On the second night, more than 100 people were arrested, and all of them were put in the prison of the former puppet government spy headquarters.Later, due to the increasing number of people, another detention center had to be built in Nanshi, which solved the problem of overcrowding.

In Beiping, the military command followed Shanghai's method, and in the name of Li Zongren's Beiping Battalion Headquarters, sent more than 50 traitors at the special level, junior level, and independent pseudo-posts in Peiping to "respect for the Philippines and welcome you to come" An invitation to invite them to a banquet.The arrest was carried out at the banquet, and a large number of traitors including Qi Yuyuan, Huang Nanpeng, Du Xijun and others were arrested.

The operation to arrest the traitors went smoothly, but the operation to receive the assets was chaotic.After Japan announced its unconditional surrender, the Ministry of Finance of the Nationalist Government was ordered to take over the financial assets in the occupied area.However, the reception of other enemy and counterfeit industries, including housing and real estate, factory warehouses, vehicles and ships, etc., did not have a unified department in charge at the beginning.Various agencies and departments of the national government, including the military, can't wait to establish offices and receiving agencies in Shanghai. The main target of these people.There were even fires and big fights in order to compete for property.Some members of gangs also took the opportunity to join in and plundered under various banners, which also caused the sharp deterioration of the public security situation in Shanghai.

The situation did not change until October, when Song Ziwen, then the Chief Executive of the Nationalist Government, came to Shanghai for inspection and decided to set up an Office of the Executive Yuan in Shanghai to be responsible for receiving enemy and counterfeit assets.

Immediately afterwards, in order to restore Shanghai's financial order as soon as possible, the national government announced that it would announce the candidate for the new mayor of Shanghai as soon as possible.Upon receiving this news, Dai Li immediately found Lin Xiaotang immediately.Prior to this, because of Zhuang Chongxian, a series of Lin Xiaotang's businesses in Shanghai were seized, and only a small number were retained because of his close relationship with Du Yuesheng and Wan Molin, including Hero Nightclub and hot spring hotels.

Due to the news that the mayor of Shanghai was about to be announced, Du Yuesheng hurried back to Shanghai from Hong Kong.Due to supporting the national government during the Anti-Japanese War, Du Yuesheng believed that he had made great achievements in his hard work. After so many years of working in gangs and business circles, Du Yuesheng also eagerly hoped to have a qualitative leap in his identity. His idea was to actively participate in the election of Shanghai mayor At worst, he would also get the post of deputy mayor.

Therefore, he found his close friend Dai Li, hoping to fight for the mayor of Shanghai through him.Dai Li thought it over and over again, and felt that the problem was not serious, so he began to actively operate.This time I came to Lin Xiaotang because I wanted Lin Xiaotang to help Du Yuesheng achieve his goal through Wang Sheng and others who were close to him.Of course, this is also good for Lin Xiaotang himself.Once Du Yuesheng is elected, Lin Xiaotang's property can be lifted.At the same time, Du Yuesheng can also use his influence to intercede for Lin Xiaotang, at least he doesn't have to hide anymore.

But at this time, Lin Xiaotang had already received Jiang Jingguo's warning through Wang Sheng, asking him not to get involved in this troubled water.Lin Xiaotang made his own claim and conspired with Xiao Shanling to station troops in Japan. Although it was a good thing that benefited the country and the people, it made Jiang Jingguo feel a lot of pressure.Lin Xiaotang, who bears the distinctive brand of "Prince Lineage", did not report before such a big event, which made Jiang Jingguo feel resentful.He also knew the reason why Lin Xiaotang made a fortune in Shanghai, during which he received great help from Du Yuesheng and Wan Molin, but at this time, it was the time when Jiang Jingguo's team was about to flex their muscles, especially his good friend Xuan Tiewu Appointed as Shanghai Police Chief and Police Commander, while Du Yuesheng and others control Shanghai's economic lifeline, it has become the biggest obstacle for Chiang Ching-kuo to stabilize Shanghai's economic and financial order. A warning was issued, and he was strictly ordered not to intervene in this matter.

Even without Jiang Jingguo's order, Lin Xiaotang didn't intend to get involved in this matter.He is very aware of the current situation. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Shanghai Concession ceased to exist, and the Nationalist Government took control of the entire Shanghai. Gang figures such as Du Yuesheng have lost the soil on which they depended for survival. It is conceivable that their days will become more and more difficult in the future .However, at this time, Du Yuesheng forgot the "chamber" theory he once said, and hastily joined the action of seeking political status. This is probably something that those in power absolutely do not want to see.

Lin Xiaotang concluded that the high level of the national government would not let a gang figure be the mayor of Shanghai no matter what.

But Dai Li seems to be deliberately avoiding these things.Lin Xiaotang didn't want to explore the reasons. Du Yuesheng and Wan Molin had shown kindness to Lin Xiaotang. It was not convenient for Lin Xiaotang to say these words to Du Yuesheng, but he could have a frank and honest talk with Wan Molin.

But Lin Xiaotang didn't find a chance to have a deep talk with Wan Molin.The reason is that Wan Molin was arrested.The reason for his arrest was that Wan Molin was hoarding and manipulating the price of rice.

This surprised Lin Xiaotang. During the Anti-Japanese War, the three tycoons in Shanghai either left, lived in seclusion, or defected to the enemy. On the contrary, Wan Molin, who had been indifferent before, showed his glory and stayed alone in Shanghai to support the industry of Du Yuesheng and Huang Jinrong. , Dealing with the enemy, this is well known.Who knew that after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Wan Molin would be thrown into the prison of the national government, which surprised many people.

Lin Xiaotang did not act rashly, he keenly felt that Wan Molin's arrest seemed to indicate some problem.Reminiscent of Dai Li's hidden worries, Lin Xiaotang vaguely sensed that this seemed to be a plan aimed at weakening the military order.

First there were rumors that the army would be abolished, then Zheng Jiemin and Tang Zong were transferred, then Xuan Tiewu came to Shanghai, and now Wan Molin was arrested and imprisoned for no reason.All of this seems to be a well-arranged layout, and the ultimate target of the operation is Dai Li and his Military Control Bureau.

As we all know, Shanghai is the financial and economic center of the country, and whoever controls Shanghai can control the country's economic lifeline, which is equivalent to obtaining endless financial resources.In Shanghai before, the elite area was the concession, but now, the national government has successfully entered Shanghai and fully controlled the area of ​​the former concession, which has also attracted the coveted attention of various powerful parties to Shanghai.Therefore, Chiang Kai-shek will no longer allow the leased area to maintain the previous independent state. He wants to fully control Shanghai, which means that Du Yuesheng and others will no longer have the previous privileges.

But Du Yuesheng is unwilling to admit this. In the former concession, he was the underground emperor, but now, he wants to become the supreme ruler of Shanghai in a legitimate way. This is also an ideal that has been hidden in his heart for many years.

At this time, Du Yuesheng's train was on its way to Shanghai. The train had just passed Suzhou Station, which was only a stone's throw away from Shanghai.

Du Yuesheng and his confidant Yang Guanbei were chatting in the carriage. For the mayor of Shanghai this time, Du Yuesheng was determined to win, and because of his great popularity in Shanghai and his contribution in the War of Resistance, Du Yuesheng felt that this position was not his. none other than.In particular, Dai Li promised to go all out to support, which added to Du Yuesheng's confidence.

"Counting the current outstanding figures in Shanghai Bund, only Boss Huang and Lin Xiaotang can stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Du. But Boss Huang has been a hermit for many years and has long been out of the world. Originally, Lin Xiaotang was the most promising candidate to win the mayor of Shanghai, but he Such an incident in Japan has angered the chairman, and I am afraid that the holy family will no longer be there, so this time, Mr. Du is sure!" Yang Guanbei explained the current situation slowly.

"Knife-cut tofu has two sides" is an important principle of Du Yuesheng's life.For the mayor of Shanghai this time, Du Yuesheng promised countless benefits to the top officials of the national government. He firmly believes that these benefits will make each of them crazy. , This time things will definitely be able to meet what they need and everyone will be happy.

But the rash intrusion of the eldest son Du Weiping interrupted the conversation between Du Yuesheng and Yang Guanbei, which made Du Yuesheng very unhappy. "At such an old age, can't you be more calm?"

Du Weiping's complexion was not very good, and he hurriedly handed over a newspaper, "Father, it's not good, Brother Wan was arrested by the Shanghai Police Station!"

Du Yuesheng raised his eyebrows, "When did it happen?"

"Last night! They said they manipulated the price of rice and hoarded it!"

"It's a bunch of nonsense!" Du Yuesheng read the new article in the newspaper at a glance, and jumped up. "If it wasn't for the depreciation of the French currency and the shortage of supplies, how could the price of rice rise to what it is now. Mu Lin is only the chairman of the Rice Industry Association. Should he be the scapegoat for this kind of thing? It's ridiculous!"