A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 245 A deadly attack

Chen Guangliang invited Wu Kaisheng to his office and handed him Gu Zhuxuan's envelope and bullet.

"Lawyer Wu, I'd like you to draft a power of attorney. I'm not sure if it's legal. Could you please check it for me?"

Wu Kaisheng looked at the envelope and bullet, and said in a daze: "Okay, Mr. Chen, you say it!"

He has always had a close relationship with Chen Guangliang and is equivalent to Chen Guangliang's legal advisor.

Chen Guangliang said, "Back then, Gu Zhuxuan asked me for advice on land speculation, and I gave him some advice. I did receive a 10,000 yuan commission from him, but he refused to pay the balance. Later, he became greedy and started building houses. This time, Zhabei was bombed."

Wu Kaisheng frowned and said, "He's completely a hooligan. Not to mention that the land price has increased several times during this period, even building a house was his own choice."

He stood up for Chen Guangliang.

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who's right or wrong now. Gu Zhuxuan is trying to extort 20 yuan from me. I have plenty of that money, but I'm unwilling to give it to someone who's threatening me. I want you to publish a news item in the newspaper: From today on, if I'm assassinated, if anyone kills the mastermind on my behalf, after my lawyer confirms the situation, I'll reward that person with 25 yuan from my estate. If anyone kills a participant, I'll reward them with 10 yuan; if anyone kills one of the mastermind's heirs, I'll reward them with 5 yuan. Do you think this is illegal?"

Wu Kaisheng knew that Chen Guangliang also didn't want to get entangled with Gu Zhuxuan, so he came up with this plan.

To put it bluntly, it is deterrence.

After thinking for a while, he said, "I don't think it's illegal, so you can try it. But you have to explain the reason. It's because Gu Zhuxuan sent you a bullet that you resorted to this desperate measure."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Well, with so much money, there are always some people who want to get something for nothing. This reward will be valid for a long time!"

It not only intimidates Gu Zhuxuan, but also intimidates others.

"Okay, I'll prepare it right away and publish it in the Oriental Daily News tomorrow."

"Well, trouble!"

The next day, a piece of news commissioned by Chen Guangliang to lawyer Wu Kaisheng shocked the entire Shanghai.

The news was published by Wu Kaisheng on behalf of Chen Guangliang. The content first talked about the feud with a Jiangbei Green Gang tycoon, then talked about receiving a bullet and threats from a certain Gu, and finally issued a reward order.

As soon as this news came out, it immediately caused an uproar.

The first people to stand up for Chen Guangliang were the entrepreneurs who avoided losses this time. They protested to the Nanjing government and the Concession Municipal Council in the name of the Chamber of Commerce.

Including the SH City Chamber of Commerce, the SH City Banking Association, the Shanghai Local Maintenance Association, and the Shanghai Cotton Yarn Association. As many as dozens of groups called the Nanjing government, asking it to protect the personal safety of merchants.

It was so grand that even Chen Guangliang did not expect it.

His original intention was to issue this bounty order not only to deter Gu Zhuxuan, but also to deter Huang Jinrong, Zhang Xiaolin and the like. If he was accidentally assassinated one day, he would fight back.

Unexpectedly, he underestimated his recent influence, which led to such a big fuss.

Even Gu Zhuxuan's reputation in the whole of Shanghai was ruined!

Citizens cursed Gu Zhuxuan:
"This Gu Damazi! Mr. Chen donated so much money and supplies during the Jianghuai floods and the January 28 Incident, helping so many refugees. And now he's trying to blackmail him!"

"Yes, Gu Zhuxuan is a traitor!"

"Down with the traitor Gu Zhuxuan"

Soon, there was even a parade that arrived at No. 13 Yingchunfang, shouting slogans loudly.

This time, I'm afraid everyone has realized how influential Chen Guangliang is.

Gu Mansion.

Gu Zhuxuan was so scared that he didn't dare to go out, because the SH City Government and the International Settlement had called to question him - why did he do this, and said that if they had evidence, they would definitely bring him to justice.

"How to do how to do?"

The old housekeeper said at this time: "I have already told the master not to provoke them. They are very powerful."

Gu Zhuxuan immediately said, "Hurry up and think of a solution. What's the point of talking about this now?"

The old butler was a wise man after all, and he whispered, "The only solution now is to put the blame on Wang Xinggao, saying that he acted on his own initiative and it had nothing to do with the master."

Gu Zhuxuan slapped his thigh and said, "You're right. I knew that this guy and Huang Jinrong were flirting and had the intention of jumping off the mountain gate. Humph, you can do this right away, but you don't have to clear my name."

"Okay, I'll report it right away."

Wang Xinggao never dreamed that the "fourth dad" he mentioned had decided to betray him.

However, Gu Zhuxuan was already frightened at this time. He never dreamed that Chen Guangliang had such a great influence in Shanghai, even greater than Du Yuesheng in some places.

If Du Yuesheng committed something, the major chambers of commerce in Shanghai would never call the Nanjing government, and it would be good enough if they did not kick him when he was down.

But this is the reality. Chen Guangliang reduced the losses of Shanghai's industry, commerce, and cultural circles by 50 to 60 million yuan this time. Although he himself did not admit it, everyone knows it now. Especially since Zhang Yuanji and Wang Yunwu supported Chen Guangliang at the first moment, everyone understands it even more clearly.

On this day, Du Yuesheng invited Chen Guangliang to dinner and specifically told him that he had important matters to discuss.

Given Chen Guangliang's past performance, Du Yuesheng knew that Chen Guangliang would not accept any social engagements unless it was a very important matter.

Although Chen Guangliang had politely declined him several times, he would still come to entertain him whenever there was something important going on, such as the opening of the Du Gong Temple.

On this side, Chen Guangliang swaggered into the Du Mansion.

As soon as he entered the room, he found that Huang Jinrong and Zhang Xiaolin were also there, but he did not panic.

"Did the three bosses also throw a Hongmen Feast for me today?"

Du Yuesheng laughed and said, "How dare Shanghai hold a Hongmen Feast for you now? Gu Zhuxuan sent a bullet and Shanghai almost went up in chaos."

Although he had some concerns about Chen Guangliang's current influence in Shanghai, he also knew that he could not be a match for Chen Guangliang.

Of course, Du Yuesheng also has advantages. At least no one dares to send bullets to his house.

Obviously, Chen Guangliang's methods are still too few!
"Those three bosses must have come to me to discuss business. Talking business is good; it doesn't hurt relationships, and you can make money. Boss Huang, don't you agree?"

Huang Jinrong now looked up to Chen Guangliang and said with a smile, "Making money is important. Fighting and killing are outdated!"

The four of them then sat down at the table and started drinking and chatting happily.

Du Yuesheng sighed during this time: "Guangliang, once you issue this bounty order, there will naturally be good things and bad things."

Chen Guangliang said sincerely: "Mr. Du, please give me some advice."

Du Yuesheng nodded and said, "The advantage is, of course, that Gu Simazi won't dare to target you again. After all, his family is much larger than yours, and you offered a much higher price. The disadvantage is that there might be someone trying to mess with you and take advantage of the situation. And if you do this, it will also make the officials in the concession and the Chinese area feel uncomfortable and worried about the safety of their jurisdiction."

Chen Guangliang said, "Yes, but I have no other options. There is no such thing as guarding against thieves for a thousand days."

Huang Jinrong and Zhang Xiaolin's faces darkened. They wondered if this "thief" might have his own agenda.

Only Du Yuesheng said: "I heard that Wang Xinggao has been arrested by the Concession Police Station. We have a way to make Wang Xinggao point out the culprit behind this!"

I have to admire them. Snakes have their ways, rats have their ways. These people are really capable. They want Wang Xinggao to admit that Gu Zhuxuan is the mastermind. If Gu Zhuxuan doesn't die, he will be skinned alive.

The three tycoons can also take the opportunity to attack their competitor Gu Zhuxuan and do Chen Guangliang a favor.

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "Okay, if Wang Xinggao admits to being the culprit, I will hire a lawyer to appeal and will definitely find the culprit."

Huang Jinrong said with a smile: "Boss Chen, since we are helping you like this, shouldn't you also give us some benefits?"

Du Yuesheng could only smile helplessly, indicating that he did not think so, but he also said that it was Huang Jinrong who was doing the hard work this time.

It is obvious that Wang Xinggao might really have been bribed by Huang Jinrong.

Chen Guangliang was naturally unwilling to be ripped off, so he said, "Boss Huang, I heard that Tianchan Grand Stage and your Jinrong Grand World are in fierce competition. If you help me, you're also helping yourself. You can eliminate a competitor, and I'm actually just venting my anger."

Du Yuesheng immediately said, "That makes sense. Let's settle this!"

Huang Jinrong did not refuse Du Yuesheng's advice and said, "No wonder Boss Chen is so successful in business. He is so smart!"

Chen Guangliang also replied: "Don't worry, Boss Huang, Mr. Du will repay this favor for me later."

We really can't offend Huang Jinrong.

Although Du Yuesheng didn't know what medicine Chen Guangliang was selling, he said readily, "Okay."

Afterwards, the four of them started to eat and got along quite well.

When Chen Guangliang was about to leave, Du Yuesheng wanted to see him out.

"Mr. Du, you might want to pay attention to government bonds recently. They're so cheap, it's hard to find such good investments in Shanghai."

Du Yuesheng was stunned, then said happily: "Okay"

Only then did he understand that compared to Huang Jinrong, he, Du Yuesheng, could at least enter the formal business, so Chen Guangliang could not deal with Huang Jinrong, but could deal with him directly.

After the last cotton yarn futures incident, Du Yuesheng naturally knew how capable Chen Guangliang was!

Soon, Wang Xinggao changed his confession in prison, saying to people around him: "My fourth father sent me to deliver the letter in order to extort 20 yuan from Chen Guangliang."

This news was immediately amplified by the media, causing an uproar in public opinion.

Chen Guangliang also responded quickly and hired a lawyer to sue Gu Zhuxuan for extortion in the Chinese area and the concession.

For a time, it was only a matter of time before Gu Zhuxuan went to jail, because the impact of public opinion this time was too great, and Gu Zhuxuan almost offended the entire Jiangsu and Zhejiang consortium and the Shanghai business community.

Even if Gu Zhuxuan had a fellow clansman, it would be of no avail, because the Nanjing government still needed the support of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang financial groups and the Shanghai business community.

"Damn it, they teamed up to bully me!" Gu Zhuxuan yelled in his mansion.

The leaders of the Northern Jiangsu Gang who were under his command all arrived, all of them with furious expressions on their faces.

"Fourth Father, it was Huang Jinrong who bribed Wang Xinggao. This traitor should be cut into pieces!"

"Mr. Gu, I told you that Wang Xinggao and Huang Jinrong were flirting with each other, but you just didn't believe me!"

"Go kill Wang Xinggao"

For a time, the Subei gang became more united.

Gu Zhuxuan immediately raised his hand, signaling for silence. He had regained some of his composure by this point. He knew that since the three tycoons were already involved in this incident, it was clear that four people were now against him.

"For now, I'll hire someone to sue them. Don't act rashly on other matters. I've called everyone here today because I hope our Northern Jiangsu Gang will always stay united and not give them the chance to defeat us one by one. Do you understand?"

He had already made his final plan, which was to stay in there for a while, but during this time, matters outside would naturally have to be taken care of by these disciples.

"Don't worry, Fourth Father. We are all from northern Jiangsu and will definitely unite."

"Don't even think about destroying us, the three tycoons. If they dare to mess around, we won't be easily provoked."

Gu Zhuxuan was worried at this time. His reputation was severely trampled by Chen Guangliang this time. He was afraid that there would be no more "Four Tycoons" in the future.

He now regrets provoking Chen Guangliang, very much. This man is more difficult to offend than the three tycoons.

From the beginning to the end, no one dared to say a word about causing trouble for Chen Guangliang. The reason was simple - everyone was afraid of the bounty order, which was a bounty order for the execution of three generations of the clan.

Although it was removed from the newspaper afterwards, the word "permanently valid" is still remembered by many people.

In May, the Japanese army began to withdraw from Shanghai in batches.

Starting from May 5, the first batch of main Japanese troops retreated to the area east of the line connecting Shizilin-Yangxing-Dachang-Zhenru.

The second batch withdrew from Jiading, Nanxiang, Liuhe and other places by noon on May 5.

The third batch withdrew from Luodian by noon on May 5.

The fourth batch completely retreated from the line of Lion Grove - Yangxing - Dachang - Zhenru.

On May 5, the Chinese capital's security forces took over Zhabei.
On this day, Chen Guangliang was invited to visit the Commercial Press in Zhabei and join the board of directors of the reconstruction committee.

This is also a matter of honor, and it does not require him to spend any effort. It is just a title.

Looking at the dilapidated building of the Commercial Press, Zhang Yuanji suddenly laughed, and then Wang Yunwu and others also suddenly laughed, seeming not to be sad, but happy.

Then Zhang Yuanji, who was in his 60s, laughed and said, "The Japanese knew that the Commercial Press was the stronghold of Chinese culture. They must have thought that bombing a few streets in Zhabei would not take long to restore, but only by bombing an institution like the Commercial Press, severing the roots of Chinese culture, would China never be able to revive. But who knew that God would bless Chinese culture, and we were able to preserve over 30 books in our collection, including many ancient and rare books. Therefore, the current difficulties are not worth mentioning!"

It can be seen that everyone is truly happy after surviving the disaster.

Chen Guangliang said later, "How about we mobilize donations to rebuild the buildings here as soon as possible?"

Wang Yunwu replied, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Chen. However, we can solve the funding problem. After all, the financial situation of the Commercial Press is still good. Especially for some textbooks and other materials, we can immediately offer cash."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said nothing more.

Now, the Commercial Press only has conflicts with some of its laid-off employees, but Chen Guangliang, Yu Qiaqing and others have organized mediation and are hoping to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Seeing this, Chen Guangliang also felt that this time he had done the right thing and that Chinese culture really needed to be preserved.

He will remind you next time.

However, by 1937, Shanghai already had an air force and its resistance had increased, so many factories had time to relocate, and it is expected that the Commercial Press also had time to relocate.

So, I'm not that worried.

Moreover, this time Zhang Yuanji and Wang Yunwu should have learned their lesson and kept some valuable books separately in safes in the concession or other areas.

(End of this chapter)