"Other methods?" Li Zhiqun suddenly became interested. He had considered this as well, but he was unsure of the specific direction.
Yu Xinhong nodded in agreement: "Minister, I had already planned this before. Our police department is in dire need of funds. However, the business models in Shanghai have already been established. Traditional industries are too slow to make money and have too little profit. It's like trying to quench a thirst with water from afar. If we want to make a lot of money in a short period of time, we have to do something extraordinary."
At this point, Yu Xinhong coughed lightly, perked up, and laid out his previous plans: "Currently, the most profitable business in Shanghai is smuggling controlled goods. Actually, we have an advantage in this area. We can think of a way to achieve this, if we can get General Yingzuo's support..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Zhiqun waved his hand in disappointment and said, "Xin Hong, you know that in Shanghai, this kind of business is monopolized by the Fujiwara Company. They are domineering and will not allow others to get involved. Not to mention us, even those Japanese businessmen obediently become their suppliers. We can't get the goods at all, and even if we have a way to smuggle them in, we dare not make a move. Once the Fujiwara Company finds out, it will definitely be a disaster. It's too risky."
Li Zhiqun rejected Yu Xinhong's suggestion outright. Not to mention him, even his superior, Kagesa Hiroki, would not provoke the behemoth that was the Fujiwara Company. He didn't want to be invited to the Fujiwara Company by the Japanese military police again.
Upon hearing Li Zhiqun's apprehension, Yu Xinhong quickly explained, "Minister, you misunderstand. Of course, we cannot sell goods locally. As you know, the profits from transporting these controlled materials to the Nationalist-controlled areas are astonishing."
My plan is to try and get through General Yingzuo to the Third Fleet so we can use their dedicated docks. That way, we can bypass customs and, if we do it discreetly, transport supplies into Shanghai undetected. Then, using the name of our Special Operations Headquarters, we can transport them to Hangzhou, and from there into Jiangxi, we can do business with the Nationalist-controlled areas. This is a lucrative business; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's extremely profitable.”
The so-called Third Fleet was the Japanese China Area Fleet formed by Japan after the January 28 Incident in 1932 to attack Shanghai. In the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, when the Japanese army launched a full-scale invasion of China, it was the only Japanese naval force deployed in China. It was stationed in the Yangtze River basin and coastal areas of China. Although it did not have many warships, it had several elite marine corps. Its headquarters was also located in Shanghai, where it had its own exclusive military pier.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhiqun remained silent for a moment, carefully considering the feasibility of the matter in his mind. Smuggling controlled goods was naturally very profitable, enough to solve all financial crises. With this source of wealth, people like Zhou Fushan would naturally not be a threat, the Ministry of Police and the 76th Special Agent Headquarters could achieve greater development, and his position in the Nanjing government could be more secure.
However, while the wish was admirable, the risks involved were too high. First, he needed the support of Kagesa Hiroki; otherwise, it would all be wishful thinking. Second, he had to avoid the eyes and ears of the Fujiwara Company; otherwise, given the Fujiwara Company's style, the consequences would be severe. After much deliberation, he still dared not make the decision to get involved.
After a long pause, he shook his head and said, "Smuggling controlled goods is certainly very profitable, but the operation is extremely difficult!"
Seeing Li Zhiqun's hesitant attitude, Yu Xinhong was secretly anxious. He was now in charge of Li Zhiqun's finances, but even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. With no money in hand, he often had to rob Peter to pay Paul, and life was not easy.
Upon returning to Shanghai, Li Zhiqun once again assigned him to manage the mess in western Shanghai. Caught between Li Zhiqun and the Green Gang, he was suffering greatly, each day feeling like an eternity, and his life was in danger. That's why he painstakingly sought new ways to escape his current predicament.
So he continued to persuade, "Minister, this time the Ministry of Police's funding shortfall was partially resolved by General Kagesa, but what about the next step? The Japanese army's funding is also tight, and he can't always ask for our help. The problem will have to be solved sooner or later."
Besides, there are quite a few high-ranking Japanese military officers involved in smuggling supplies and making a lot of profits. General Kagesa might not be unwilling to do so. He had also taken benefits from the Fujiwara Company before, but it was nothing compared to what he could get by participating himself. There's no harm in you giving it a try.
If you can agree, then you'll have a shared interest in the future, and General Kagesa will trust you even more. This is also a way to get closer to and maintain the relationship.
Furthermore, there are many goods that the Japanese need in the Nationalist-controlled areas, such as strategic materials like tung oil and pig bristles. If we open up channels to exchange for these materials, it would be a great achievement, and General Kagesa would certainly be willing to do so.
As for the Fujiwara Company, we don't have any major conflicts of interest. We just use Shanghai as a port to import goods. All the smuggled goods are secretly sent to Hangzhou and are not sold in the Shanghai or Central China areas. We transport them to the Nationalist-controlled areas ourselves, which does not affect the interests of the Fujiwara Company. Even if they find out, with the support of General Kagesa, no matter how domineering Fujiwara Tomohito is, he will not give them any face.
Minister, extraordinary measures are needed for extraordinary circumstances. Without developing new sources of funding, the Ministry of Police will find it difficult to continue its work. Your position as Minister of Police will be merely nominal. Are you really going to abandon Nanjing and return to Shanghai to become a local warlord?
Yu Xinhong's words shocked Li Zhiqun. The logic in his words was very clear: he was an outcast in the Nanjing government, not trusted by Wang Tianhai, and ostracized by Zhou Fushan's faction. If he did not think about change, open up a path to wealth, and form his own system, he would probably have to retreat to Shanghai in the end, where he would have little chance of development.
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