Spy Wars: Red Shopkeeper

Chapter 47 Banquet
Judicial Department, conference room.

Gu Yansheng was explaining the contents of the report to Liu Xiaolou, who was writing furiously.

There was a knock on the door and Ling Xianwen walked in.

"I went to your office but couldn't find anyone there. I heard you're still working hard here. You're so diligent on your first day. Does it seem like I, the Secretary General, am leaving get off work a little early?"

"Haha." Gu Yansheng laughed and stood up and took two steps forward. "We had a meeting to summarize. Is it time to leave?"

They made a dinner appointment.

"It's time. Others have already gone."

Ling Xianwen came over and glanced at what Liu Xiaolou had written. He only read the title, and his sight was blocked by Liu Xiaolou's slightly stiff movement of closing the folder.

Liu Xiaolou remembered Gu Yansheng's words, that he should cover it up, but the covering was so crude that he felt embarrassed and buried his head even deeper.

"Alright, you've only been here for a day and you're already managing your subordinates well."

Ling Xianwen didn't mean to blame him, and his eyes were full of admiration. "After all, you are a lawyer, so you are rigorous."

Gu Yansheng sighed and smiled helplessly, "I just held a meeting to review the situation. As a judicial department, there are so many shortcomings. So, I reprimanded them and told them to change themselves. If they don't change their ways, how can we establish a strict rule of law in Greater Shanghai?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. The judicial department was indeed a bit marginal in the past. They need to change their ways. Let them continue to change. Let's go."

"Okay, Xiaolou, go back and sort it out and give it to me before noon tomorrow."

"Oh, okay." Liu Xiaolou breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Yansheng and Ling Xianwen went downstairs, and Ling Xianwen also introduced the participants in the evening meeting.

There are only two protagonists, one is the director of the Social Affairs Bureau and the other is the director of the Construction Bureau, who are also the backbone of the consulate faction.

The rest are directors and section chiefs from various departments.

Unlike Gu Yansheng, whose department is just a division and he can be considered the chief officer, they are just directors or section chiefs of a bureau-level unit, and they lack the power to make decisions on major issues.

But playing the role of a spy and helping out a little on a daily basis is enough.

Gu Yansheng was quite interested in the chief of the inspection department of the police station and planned to get to know him in the evening. There were also police officers in the Judicial Department, but they were bailiffs and prison guards. It would definitely not be as convenient to expect them to arrest people as it was for the police.

When I went out, I happened to meet Wu Sibao who came over.

"Wu Sibao? You're back?" Gu Yansheng paused.

"Deputy Director Gu, I haven't seen you for a few days. I think you look very different."

This weird guy wants to get angry but doesn't dare to, with a sour face, tsk tsk.

At that time, Gu Yansheng really wanted to make friends with Wu Sibao. His character was not important. The key was that some things required people like him to do the dirty work.

It is said that it is difficult for some people to accomplish things, but it is easy for them to ruin you.

It’s just that plans cannot keep up with changes. If he doesn’t become an official, he will be given 5000 yuan, and if he becomes a deputy director, he will still be given 5000 yuan. Isn’t it a waste of time to become an official?

Although he was not going to continue giving money, Wu Sibao still needed it.

"Who is this?"

Ling Xianwen couldn't stand such low-class people. He could tell at first glance that they were gangsters.

"He's the leader of those people who blackmailed me. He came to apologize." Gu Yansheng explained in a low voice.

"Oh~" Ling Xianwen understood, and said nothing more with a smile on his lips.

"Sibao, meet the Secretary General."

"Hello, Secretary General." Upon hearing that it was the Secretary General, Wu Sibao didn't dare to do anything wrong.

"Let me chat for a few minutes."

"Okay, I'll wait for you in the car."

As soon as Ling Xianwen left, Gu Yansheng looked at Wu Sibao and said, "What's going on?"

"What's wrong?" Wu Sibao got angry when he heard this. "Didn't I come to apologize to you, Deputy Director Gu?"

"Hi." Gu Yansheng shook his head: "I knew you would misunderstand me because of this.

When the court's verdict was over, the French consul asked us to have a drink together. The British lawyer, the owner of the car, was also there. He was quick-witted and told Mr. Hase about the incident.

Mr. Hase got angry when he heard this. The man was his lawyer and had just helped him win the case, but now he was sued in front of the French consul. Do you think Mr. Hase would save his face in this matter?

That's why I asked you to pay compensation and apologize. I didn't say that at all.

If I wanted to file a complaint, would I have waited so late? Should I have gone to file a complaint the same day I knew you took it? Why would I have bothered to treat you to a meal?

This seemed to make sense, but Wu Sibao was skeptical, and his resentment was only half gone. "It was the British lawyer who filed the lawsuit, not you?"

"Of course it wasn't me." Gu Yansheng said seriously, "Go ask the guard at No. 67, your apartment. Did I go directly to your house with the money during the two days you were gone? Otherwise, how would I know you weren't in Shanghai?"

"Is this happening?"

"Nonsense, go ask yourself."

There was no need for Wu Sibao to ask. Since this matter could be said, it must be true.

That's really not Gu Yansheng's fault, otherwise people would definitely not be allowed to bring money to his door. We can only blame the British lawyer for being too talkative.

"Brother Gu, I blamed you wrongly because of this matter. I was wrong. What about the money?" Wu Sibao continued to test.

“I definitely can’t give you the money now.

Don't be impatient, listen to me."

This guy has a dog-like face. When he heard that he had no money, his face drooped. Gu Yansheng stopped him from talking.

"It's not that I care about the money, but Mr. Hase has said that I can't give you the money. Not only can I not give you the money, but you also have to give me money as compensation.

I will report how much compensation you pay. This concerns Mr. Hase's face. One copy is for me and the other is for the British lawyer.

You should at least finish the job, and I think it's appropriate for you to take out $2000 to settle the matter."

"2000 US dollars?" Wu Sibao's eyes almost popped out. "I haven't even received 5000 yet, and I'm still paying 2000?"

"If you don't pay me, I won't be able to report to Mr. Hase. If I can't report to him, how are we going to interact with each other in the future? If I force him to interact with me, I'll tell him that I don't care about his reputation."

Gu Yansheng frowned and said, "If you don't trust me and are unwilling, just ignore what I said and I won't ask you for the 2000. As for Mr. Hase's anger, you can handle it yourself.

If you're willing, I promise to compensate you for the 5000 you didn't get later, and I'll double it. Think about it yourself. The Secretary-General and I have a meeting to attend, so I have to go."

Gu Yansheng took two steps.

Wu Sibao, who had been standing there with a frown on his face, saw the man about to leave, but he hurried after him, "Hey, wait, let me tell you a little more. It's not that I don't believe you, but I'm broke. You said I'd give you 2000 yuan, and what do you mean by doubling the change?"

Gu Yansheng took a long breath and sighed, "Look at where we are. What department have I taken over? Will I be short of money in the future?"

Gu Yansheng gave him another two seconds to buffer, but seeing that he didn't say anything and was still thinking, he was too lazy to wait any longer.

"If you've made up your mind, hurry up. Now that you're back in Shanghai, don't keep Mr. Hase waiting too long, or he'll be filled with resentment. I really have to leave now."

Gu Yansheng patted him on the shoulder and walked away, scolding him as he left.

"That's an ugly face."

Wu Sibao was left standing there feeling somewhat conflicted.

boarding.

"Done? Did that guy cause you any trouble?" Ling Xianwen asked with concern.

"It's okay. If he can't handle it, then I'm useless as the deputy director." Gu Yansheng smiled easily.

"That's good." Ling Xianwen asked the driver to drive and then talked about some people and things in the government.

In the evening, there was a banquet.

We are all colleagues who share the same interests, so we can talk openly about the topic.

Today's banquet was nominally to welcome Gu Yansheng back and to celebrate his joining the consulate family, but in reality, it was a forum to complain about other factions.

As they talked a little, everyone became familiar with each other, especially Gu Yansheng, who was not a dull person and could talk about any topic, so everyone got along very well.

Things are easier to get done over the wine table, so it’s time for Gu Yansheng to get down to business.

Lu Bowen’s issue should be resolved.

Gu Yansheng looked at Ling Xianwen.

“Secretary-General, Mayor Fu asked me to work on how to prevent the encroachment of power in the concessions. I already have a rough plan.

Then in this plan, I need to build two or three new buildings, probably two courts, and possibly some corresponding supporting measures.

I'd like to seek your opinion on this matter. I'd like to see if the city government has sufficient funds, if the project application can be processed more quickly, and what the extent of the supporting measures should be."

Ling Xianwen put down his wine glass and listened attentively.

If this problem that is giving everyone a headache can really be solved, I'm afraid the Japanese would be willing to pay for, let alone building two courts, even twenty.

He and the director of the Construction Bureau looked at each other, and both of their lips pursed up. When they mentioned something that was definitely feasible, the meaning was self-evident.

The director of the Construction Bureau immediately spoke up, "Building a court is a good idea, Secretary-General. I think it should be built. Shanghai is so big, and we only have two courts. That's outrageous. We need to build one, and preferably a large one. We need to build it grandly and majestically, solving a century-old problem all at once."

"I don't think this is a big deal," Ling Xianwen stated, glancing around at everyone. "This is a major issue the government needs to address urgently. It shouldn't be difficult to get it passed by the council. When the time comes, everyone who can contribute will contribute. We'll strive to have the court established as soon as possible to restore the judicial system."

As soon as Ling Xianwen spoke, the tone of the matter was set, and a group of people immediately agreed and promised to contribute more when the time comes.

There will be no dividends if you don’t work hard.

Two courts and corresponding supporting facilities, these two projects really made a lot of money.

The banquet is over.

Gu Yansheng and the director of the Construction Bureau were almost in the same boat and came out of the restaurant.

The director of the Construction Bureau was so drunk that his face flushed red. He put his arm around Gu Yansheng's shoulders and whispered, "Don't worry, brother. I will definitely not leave out your share when the time comes."

Gu Yansheng smiled slightly. "Brother, I won't accept the money. However, I have a relative who is not related by blood. He wants to help the government. I wonder if your bureau needs a few people to help you monitor the construction site or something like that?"

"Of course he does." The director of the Construction Bureau understood immediately. "Tell him to come to the bureau tomorrow and see me. I'll take care of the rest, okay? I'll make sure he has a job and food to eat. Besides his salary, he'll also get dividends."

"Thank you very much."

"You're welcome, hahahaha."

"There's one more thing. This one doesn't involve any personal matters. You can just follow your needs. Let me tell you what I'm saying, okay?"

"Well, go ahead." The director of the Construction Bureau was not drunk at all. He stood still when talking about business, looking quite serious.

Gu Yansheng said, "The two existing prisons in Shanghai hold thousands of people who were arbitrarily arrested by the Japanese. These people are wasting food in prison. I plan to release them.

But it’s good that these people have homes after being released, as they have homes to return to.

People without homes are likely to cause social risks. If something goes wrong, the Japanese will hold them accountable, and it will be embarrassing for me.

So if there are people like this who are willing to work, see if there are any construction sites or other places where you can temporarily let them work, so that they can have something to eat and save some money to continue making a living. If they want to leave after a month or two, let them leave on their own.

Let's do it as a good deed and give them a chance to live.

If the Japanese have any objections, I will resolve them.

As for you, brother, you guarantee them a meal, give them money for cigarettes, and the rest of the work is done if they want to, or they can leave if they don't. I'm thinking, hiring these people can save a little bit of money compared to ordinary workers, right? "

"You are very careful with your money, brother." The director of the Construction Bureau's eyes lit up.

This group of people are simply like workhorses who just want to eat and not ask for wages.

"No problem, I'll leave it to you, brother. As long as there aren't too many people, a few hundred or so, I'll definitely arrange it for you."

"That's enough. A few hundred people are definitely enough."

Apart from those who have families and want to go home, it is hard to say how many of the remaining people are willing to serve as cheap labor.

"I'll deal with it when I get back, and try to finish it within a few days."

"Okay, then I'll wait for your letter, brother."

(End of this chapter)