1928: The Rise of Giants

January 1932, the twenty-first year of the Republic of China (5).

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nanjing National Government, represented by Gu Weijun, went to sign the "Shanghai Armistice Agreement" with the Japanese invaders in a heroic and high-spirited manner, as if we were the victorious party.

In fact, due to the relaxation of vigilance at the last minute, the Japanese invaders did not withdraw their troops after occupying many areas of Shanghai on March 3, and the people of the Republic of China there were still living in dire straits.

However, this was the first time that both sides won a direct confrontation, and in the end the Japanese invaders admitted defeat and took the initiative to propose a ceasefire, which was regarded as a major breakthrough by all sectors of society.

Especially when compared with the fall of the North, the principal's reputation instantly surpassed top warlords such as Zhang Hanqing and Wang Moumou, and he became the most powerful and prestigious leader of the Republic of China.

The Jinling National Government was jubilant from top to bottom, but Ye Luo could not be happy.

According to the Chinese war report, a total of 10254 Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded in the Battle of Shanghai on January 620, including 1622 Japanese army soldiers killed and 149 wounded, and 700 Japanese navy soldiers killed and wounded.

十九路军、宪兵团和税警总团合计总伤亡14104人（阵亡4274人、受伤9830人）。其中十九路军伤亡8792人；宪兵团伤亡4312人、税警总团伤亡1000人。

整场战役，金陵国民政府和叶氏投资旗下的兵工厂先后补充枪弹1800余万发、手枪弹65.4万余发、各种炮弹12.34万余颗、手榴弹36.7万余枚、步枪6000支、机关枪330挺、各种火炮127门。

Including the human cost of support during the period and various military supplies, Ye's total investment expenditure exceeded 6500 million yuan (excluding donations from the Business Reorganization Committee), which almost consumed all of the group's profits for more than half a year.

According to incomplete statistics, civilian losses were caused by indiscriminate bombing by Japanese aircraft and artillery, resulting in more than 6080 deaths, more than 2000 injuries, 10400 missing, and a total loss of property worth 16 billion oceans.

Shortly after the war began, the Japanese army dispatched planes to deliberately bomb the Commercial Press, Oriental Library and other cultural departments, causing the Commercial Press, the country's oldest publishing organization, to be completely burned down. If Ye's investment had not transferred a large number of precious books in advance, this wave of losses in the cultural world would have been horrific.

The people in the Japanese-occupied areas suffered the most. From March to May, hundreds of innocent people were killed, hundreds of companies were looted by the Japanese invaders, and nearly a hundred women were raped.

Even though the Songhu Police Department sent officers to negotiate many times, the Japanese invaders continued to do as they pleased, harming the people to vent their anger.

From these things, we can see their wolfish ambitions.

Unfortunately, Ye Luo approached the principal many times, hoping to allow Ye’s convoy to enter the Japanese-occupied areas to transport refugees, but the principal refused every time.

He is now obsessed with peace and only wants to gain greater international benefits.

Three days later, the agreement was signed, stipulating that Shanghai (mainly the concession area) was a "demilitarized zone" and that the Nanjing Nationalist Government was not allowed to station troops in the areas around Anting, Kunshan and Suzhou City, while Japan could station "a number" of troops.

The Nanjing Nationalist Government relied solely on diplomatic means and reliance on major powers to resolve disputes, and adhered to the policy of "resistance and negotiation at the same time", resulting in the Japanese invaders not receiving the punishment they deserved.

If major powers such as Britain and the United States fail to curb Japan's aggressive ambitions in a timely manner, they will end up suffering the consequences in the future.

However, the war finally came to an end, and all sectors of society were still in a state of excitement. Newspapers, magazines, and radio stations were constantly reviewing the original events of the Battle of Shanghai, praising the bravery and fearlessness of the National Army.

The Tax Police Corps, which played an important role in this, also attracted much attention. When they learned that this iron-blooded corps was funded by Ye Luo, countless warlords began to have ulterior motives.

In mid-May, after the business situation in the concession was rectified, major companies under Ye Investment resumed operations, and Ye Clothing also produced many new cheongsams.

Surprisingly, Sassoon & Co. issued a statement that its overseas bank would engage in overseas financial cooperation with YB Bank, which was invested by Ye.

The representative of the Sassoon family in charge of this project was Rosemary Sassoon, who appeared in the public eye for the first time as the heir of the Sassoon family.

One day in mid-May, Ye Luo received a secret telegram from the Party General Office of the Nanjing National Government, asking him to go to Nanjing immediately to discuss important matters.

Ye Luo then took Shi Jianqiao and others and rushed to Jinling in a mighty manner.

That afternoon, at the Party General Office.

"A'Luo, we have been waiting for you for so long." The principal sat in the boss chair and looked at him with a smile.

Also in the office were the brothers Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu, Song Ziwen, Kong Xiangxi, as well as Dai Li, Huang Jie, Wen Yingxing, Chen Mingshu and others.

The office, which was originally small, was now packed with high-ranking Kuomintang officials. Even Foreign Minister Wang Zhengting could only move to the outside and lean against the wall to listen to them speak.

"Party Chairman, everyone, long time no see." Ye Luo was wearing a neat suit. He was the only person present who was not an official and was no more than 30 years old.

Everyone greeted him, especially Chen Mingshu, Jiang Guangnai and others, who excitedly went over to shake hands and express their gratitude.

The 19th Route Army was able to live up to expectations and defeat the Japanese invaders this time, thanks to the continuous funding from Ye's investment. Otherwise, even if they won in the end, it would definitely be a miserable victory. The current number of casualties is much lower than they expected.

"A Luo, please sit down first. You are our God of Wealth now, and you should be treated well." The principal stood up and forced Ye Luo to sit on the chair.

Everyone laughed in unison, but no one objected.

Ye Luo was not happy.

Every time the principal does this, it's like a weasel paying a New Year's visit to a chicken, with no good intentions.

And when he saw Wen Yingxing present, he roughly knew what he was going to say.

"Party Chairman, what are you so anxious about? Hasn't the armistice agreement been signed? Do I still need to come forward to negotiate with the Japanese?"

Ye Luo asked casually.

Of course, there will be officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of this matter, he was just bringing up the topic.

The principal smiled and shook his head, and asked Deng Wenyi outside to bring a stack of documents over: "Take a look at these first."

Ye Luo took the documents and checked them one by one.

The document is divided into two parts. One part is a statistical record of Ye's investment expenses in the Battle of Shanghai, and the other part is a military report from the General Tax Police Corps.

"After I came back, Mr. Wang ran back to his city of Jiang in disgrace within a few days. Now the power of the Nationalist government is back in our hands. You suffered a lot in Shanghai before."

The principal laughed.

"I heard that you have a feud with Yu Qiaqing and others?"

"It's not a conflict, it's just that our business philosophies are different." Ye Luo said calmly.

"I have received a secret report that Yu Qiaqing and others left Shanghai by boat overnight, probably to find Wang Ni. If such a treacherous businessman continues to exist in the south for a long time, he will be a parasite to the country. In a few days, I will send someone from Nanjing to help you seal up all his property and shops."

The principal's smile turned cold, and he said faintly,

"You are the president of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. You are fully responsible for this matter."

"I understand." Ye Luo raised his eyebrows. Is this the beginning of rewarding people based on merit?
Isn't this just giving him a lucrative job like confiscating property as a reward?
Ye Luo was not in a hurry and waited for the principal to continue.

"In addition, I intend to let Wu Tiecheng go to the central part to take up the post. How about entrusting the vacant mayor position to Boyan?" The principal squinted at him.

Ye Luo shook his head calmly and said, "I don't understand politics, Party Chairman, you guys make the decision."

Bai Xiongqi is a capable person, but he is also obsessed with power. Ye Luo can't stop him anyway, so he can only wait for something to happen in the future to save his life.

The principal asked him about this matter in public, which was equivalent to making the final decision.

"Okay, let's discuss it and make a decision." The principal nodded. "You can get your extra expenses reimbursed from Ziwen, and we won't take advantage of you. In addition, the issues we mentioned before, such as opening a business in the south, will be decided by you in the future."

"The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will fully cooperate," Song Ziwen and Kong Xiangxi added.

This is equivalent to a comprehensive green light.

In other words, from now on, Ye Luo will be the only one who has the final say in the business world in the south!
The principal's move is quite generous.

Although part of the reason was to repay Ye Luo for his dedicated assistance during his resignation, it was more because he would take away some of Ye Luo's things soon.

This is a compensatory reward.

"Let's reorganize the Tax Police Corps into the National Army." (End of this chapter)