Agents of the Republic of China

In the golden autumn of September, the flames of war in Europe have already been ignited. Germany brazenly attacked Poland and joined forces with the Soviet Union to carve up this ancient Eastern European country. Britain and France declared war on Germany hastily, but the coalition forces hid behind the Maginot Line and began a strange "sit-in" war".

At this time in Shanghai, although it is still unbearably hot, there is already a hint of coolness sooner or later.Recently, the military command has suddenly become active in Shanghai, and has launched frequent operations to eradicate a large number of traitors and speculators who have defected to the Japanese and puppets. The Japanese and No. 76 also reacted strongly, and began a large-scale suppression and counterattack , Shanghai fell into a new round of bloody storm.

All the fuse stems from the establishment of the Central Reserve Bank of the puppet government.After the establishment of the Wang puppet government, in order to survive and cultivate its own economic lifeline, after obtaining the approval of the Japanese, it established the puppet Central Reserve Bank, with the Minister of Finance Zhou Fohai serving as the president, and issued central reserve certificates in order to replace legal currency and military bills. , Huaxing coupons and Union Bank coupons.It is planned to use this bank as the center to establish a brand-new financial system in the enemy-occupied areas. For this purpose, the Shanghai Branch of the Central Reserve Bank was specially established in Shanghai, trying to use Shanghai, the economic center of the country, as a base to fully implement the Central Reserve Bank.

However, this move was unanimously opposed by the Bank of Shanghai and the money industry associations, who resolutely refused to do business with the Shanghai Branch of the Central Reserve Bank, and all large and small enterprises and merchants in the city also refused to use the Central Reserve Bank.For this reason, the Wang puppet government ordered the four major banks affiliated to Chongqing, the Central Bank, China Bank, Communications Bank, and Farmers Bank, which were firmly in Shanghai, to withdraw from the public concession.A few days later, the Bank of China, the Bank of Communications and the Farmer's Bank withdrew to the French Concession, while the Central Bank refused to withdraw.

Chongqing knows that the four banks are struggling to support in Shanghai and are closely related to the country's entire financial plan. Once they withdraw from Shanghai, not only will the legal currency and foreign exchange markets undergo drastic changes, but they will also immediately destroy the financial and economic stability in the rear. The economic initiative of several provinces will also be seized by the Japanese and puppets.Therefore, Chongqing ordered the Silian Headquarters, the highest financial and economic control institution during the war, to require the four banks to "stand firm and not make any concessions." The means of intimidation and assassination are trying to prevent the economic expansion of the Japanese and puppets and the issuance of China Reserve Notes.

After Shanghai Chen Gongtu received the order, he immediately arranged manpower to carry out the task.In the past few days, Li Mingda, director of the Wang Puppet Investigation Department, Lou Tong and Fu Rongbing, members of the puppet central reserve bank board of directors, were stabbed to death one after another. Even the Shanghai branch was attacked by grenades.Under such circumstances, No. 76 launched a frenzied revenge. The staff dormitory of the Farmers Bank was attacked, nine people were killed, and only three survived.

But the four major banks resisted the pressure and insisted on opening their doors as usual.

The Wang puppet government saw that it was not working, so it intensified.In just one day, the central bank’s French Concession branch on Albert Road was bombed, killing seven people and injuring 20 others; the public concession’s Baike Road branch was also bombed, killing three people, injuring 26 people, and six others were seriously injured; The Jing'an Temple Road branch in the public concession of the Bank was bombed, killing six people and injuring more than [-] others.The central bank was unable to operate due to the bombing of two offices, so it had to suspend.The Nanjing Road branch of the Bank of Communications in the public concession was bombed, and the number of casualties is unknown.

Chongqing sought support from the United Kingdom, the United States and France through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking them to pay immediate attention and try to rescue the detained employees, but the three countries expressed that they were powerless and could only offer moral solidarity.

The four major banks are in a dilemma. Although they are in the concession, the statements of Britain, the United States and France have completely pushed them to the edge of the cliff. The Chongqing government only cares about fighting No. 76 and never pays attention to their living conditions. Everyone of the four major banks Feeling in danger, employees resigned one after another, unwilling to go to work again and suffer from unwarranted disasters.Entrusted by the four major banks, Du Yuesheng and Wan Molin began to mediate among them, but with little success.Under such circumstances, Gu Shuyu, the deputy manager of the Farmer's Bank, found Lin Xiaotang through his apartment.

Before that, Lin Xiaotang had also been paying attention to this "bank bloody battle" that shocked the whole country.With the outbreak of the European war, in order to take care of their own interests, the three countries of Britain, the United States and France adopted an appeasement policy of ignoring Nazi Germany and allowing it to develop, in an attempt to lead the German war machine to the newly rising Soviet Union, but the Soviet Union signed the agreement. The original "Non-Aggression Treaty" gave Anglo-American law a heavy slap in the face.Japan in Asia is an ally of the Germans, and their expansion was earlier than that of the Germans, while the Anglo-American law in Asia followed the policy of appeasement, and adopted a lenient attitude towards Japan’s aggressiveness. This bloody bank battle is the best proof.

Facts have proved that the four major banks can no longer count on the assistance and mediation from Chongqing and the United Kingdom, the United States and France. Gu Shuyu is obviously aware of this, so he took great pains to find Lin Xiaotang.

After Lin Xiaotang listened to Gu Shuyu's request, he didn't express his opinion. He smoked a cigarette on his own. This bloody bank battle had little effect on him. Longsheng's funds have always been transferred through British-funded banks. At present, There is no big problem. Next, the Nanyang Development Bank of the Dong family will also enter Shanghai. Lin Xiaotang will hand over most of the funds to Dong Jiacheng for management. This is also decided after discussing with Yugong and Dong Zhennan.

"Excuse me!" Lin Xiaotang stubbed out his cigarette butt, and said to Gu Shuyu who was sitting across from him, "It's unrealistic for your bank to insist on operating in the concession. You'd better think about retreating!"

Gu Shuyu smiled wryly. Why didn’t he understand this truth? The situation is stronger than others, and the Japanese’s claws have already penetrated into the concession. This place is no longer the safe zone it used to be. Before receiving further instructions, he did not have the guts to retreat early.

Lin Xiaotang saw his embarrassment, "I also understand Mr. Gu's difficulties. In this way, within my ability, I can only guarantee that Mr. Gu's Agricultural Bank can minimize losses during this period. However, I hope Mr. Gu can keep secrets strictly and never reveal them to the outside world. You also know that if you offend No. 76, the troubles will not be small. This time, I just took advantage of Yu Gong and his old man's face, and I hope Mr. Gu can understand!"

Gu Shuyu was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly, "That's natural, that's natural!"

Lin Xiaotang went on to say, "In addition, I have a small request."

Gu Shuyu hurriedly stated, "This time, Mr. Lin is willing to help you out of righteousness. I am very grateful to you. All the expenses will be borne by us. After the incident, I will also prepare a generous gift. If you have any requests from Mr. Lin, please Just mention it!"

Lin Xiaotang chuckled, "Mr. Gu is polite. I'm a businessman, and I'm talking about business. Soon, the Dong family's Nanyang Development Bank will also enter the country, and I will also take a share in it. At that time, I would also like to ask your bank to help. Mr. Gu should understand the strength of the Dong family, and there will be many opportunities for us to cooperate by then."

Gu Shuyu was stunned. He was originally prepared to respond to Lin Xiaotang's lion, but he didn't expect such excellent news to come.No one in the Dong family knows that it is the leading wealthy family in Southeast Asia, with businesses all over Asia.If it is an ordinary bank opening, according to the usual practice, the peers must first deposit a sum of money to show their support, but Nanyang Development Bank is the property of the Dong family. Lin Xiaotang's words are to invite the peasant bank to join the business system of the Dong family. And the Farmer's Bank will benefit a lot from this, which is a good thing that can't be found even with a lantern.

Gu Shuyu was so grateful, he thanked him a thousand times before leaving.

……

Shang Zhensheng hesitated to speak.

Lin Xiaotang turned his head and saw his expression, "Brother Suzhang, I know what you think, you don't want me to get involved in this muddy water, do you?"

Shang Zhensheng nodded.

"It is true that we are in troubled waters, but there are also opportunities. Agricultural Bank of China is an old brand in China, and it can be said that it is deeply rooted in the industry. Banks are the most reputable. We have done them a big favor this time, and there will be more capital transactions in the future. One channel. And as long as we keep it secret, there is no problem with No. 76. Anyway, we still have Chen Gongtu as a shield in front of us. I keep him in Shanghai to protect us from the wind and rain. Why not do it? Woolen cloth?"

Shang Zhensheng suddenly realized.

"Could it be that the Yugong you mentioned is Zeng Yijiang?" Shang Zhensheng asked tentatively.

Lin Xiaotang laughed, "Since I mentioned this name in front of you, I intend to tell you some things. In the future, our business will grow bigger and bigger, and things will become more and more. It's not the way to keep things secret like this." , I will tell you all the ins and outs of this later."

Shang Zhensheng chuckled, with a long-lost sly smile on his face, "Is that why you trust me so much?"

Lin Xiaotang waved his hand, "Our brothers have also been together for half a year, and we have known each other a lot. Besides, you have already shown your heart by agreeing to let your sister-in-law and children move to Nanyang, so I have nothing to worry about." of."

Shang Zhensheng's heart felt hot.

"Also, I've already thought about it. I will leave Shanghai during this period of time. I can just put on a posture and not participate in the battle between No. 76 and Chongqing. I will entrust all the affairs here to you, brother. Jiangbei Rescue ** I want to go there in person. Those 800 people are all elite soldiers. I won’t just watch them being trapped by the Japanese. After pulling them over, I will start to occupy a piece of land. After all, I will hold a gun in my hand. You're at ease in your heart, aren't you?"

Shang Zhensheng nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I will take good care of our home." Immediately, a trace of worry flashed in Shang Zhensheng's eyes, "If we do something here, Dai Li will definitely find out that we did it, what should we do then? response?"

A stern look flashed in Lin Xiaotang's eyes, "Let him guess. He still has a place for us at the moment, so he won't do anything to us. After we take down Qingdao Station and Beiping Station, we will integrate all the intelligence resources behind the enemy lines into one Together, it's not up to Boss Dai to decide whether to turn his face or not at that time!"