Moreover, the Wuhan government is currently making tense preparations for the upcoming major battle, and the area has become a dangerous place. If he goes back at this time, his own safety will certainly be at risk.
However, the section chief and Deputy Section Chief Huang were his direct superior and faction leader, respectively, and his real backers. Their orders could not be disobeyed, so he had to rush back to the Wuhan headquarters. Ning Zhiheng wanted to persuade the two section chiefs to abandon their previous plans. Such a task could not be completed by telegram; one or more detailed discussions were necessary to explain the advantages and disadvantages. In short, he would never give up Shanghai and was determined to protect his assets there.
In the office of Fujiwara Company in Shanghai, Ning Zhiheng was processing documents when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!"
Yi Hua'an pushed open the door and entered, announcing, "Chairman, Major Ishikawa has arrived."
"Please come in quickly!"
Takeshi Ishikawa walked in laughing, looking energetic and refreshed, with a gust of wind in his steps.
Seeing his beaming face, Ning Zhiheng put down the documents in his hand and couldn't help but tease him, "Wu Zhi, you seem to be riding high right now, is something good happening?"
Takeshi Ishikawa laughed and said, "I just met with Lieutenant Colonel Kanno of the 16th Regiment of the garrison. He has agreed to open a passage for our goods. From now on, our goods can be sent to Jiangxi and directly enter the Chinese-controlled area. It was really not easy. It took so long and I don't know how much money we spent. There were no less than thirty gold bars alone. We have finally opened up this transport line."
Hearing his words, Ning Zhiheng was overjoyed. During this period, the Hong Kong branch had been taking advantage of Hong Kong's port to go all out to buy up goods in the market, frantically purchasing all kinds of controlled goods, from various high-quality Western medicines that were in urgent need of the market to various electrical materials, steel, metal parts, gasoline, engine oil, etc. As long as it was not military equipment, they bought it all. In short, they were running at full capacity to convert the funds sent from Shanghai into goods in the shortest possible time and send all the goods they could collect to Shanghai.
The volume of transportation was increasing, and the number of cargo ships arriving at the port was becoming more and more frequent. Every time goods arrived at the port, Zuo Rou would use the various trading companies under the intelligence station to quickly take over and distribute the goods in the French Concession and the International Settlement. The funds would then be sent to Hong Kong to buy more goods. The funds and industries of the entire intelligence station grew like a snowball, and the scale of development was so fast that even Ning Zhiheng, the instigator, did not expect it. The power of capital was even more powerful and unparalleled during this special period.
The next step is to maximize profits. Although the profit margin for local bulk cargo in Shanghai is also high, it is far less than that for cargo shipped to the mainland for sale. For this reason, Ning Zhiheng has repeatedly urged Ishikawa Takeshi to complete this task as soon as possible.
Ishikawa Takeshi's most important task now is to cultivate good relations with the military police headquarters, customs, and officers stationed at various checkpoints. He has spent a lot of money, and in just a few months, he has gathered a large number of followers. The most direct effect is that Fujiwara Company's goods can now be exempted from inspection at Wusongkou Customs and can be unloaded with priority. In short, they have a green light all the way. With money paving the way, no problem is a problem.
As for external transportation routes, Ning Zhiheng chose the route to Jiangxi. Jiangxi was not the main direction of the Japanese army's attack and was still in the hands of the Chinese army. It was the closest Kuomintang-controlled area to Shanghai.
Under his instructions, Takeshi Ishikawa waved US dollars and gold bars, kicking away all obstacles. Lieutenant Colonel Kanno, the officer stationed at the last checkpoint on the way to Jiangxi, had finally taken it down, and the first transportation route from Shanghai to the southwest was finally opened.
"Takeshi, well done! I knew you could do it!" Ning Zhiheng was overjoyed. He quickly went to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle of fine champagne, and held two stemmed glasses in his hands, gesturing to Takeshi Ishikawa.
Ishikawa Takeshi, flattered by Ning Zhiheng's praise, strode over to Ning, took the wine glass, and had Ning personally fill it for him. He couldn't help but laugh, "Tomohito, do you know how ridiculous Lieutenant Colonel Kanno's expression was when I placed twenty gold bars in front of him? A fisherman's son, he probably had never seen so much gold in his entire life! Hahahaha!"
Even now, when Takeshi Ishikawa recalls that scene, he is still extremely proud!
The guy who was arrogant and conceited about his military achievements just moments ago suddenly dropped his pretense in front of a pile of gold bars and bowed respectfully to me. How many hypocritical guys like this have I seen these days? Which one can resist the power of money?
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