Late at night, in a villa in the French Concession of Shanghai, Luo Zidong, the leader of the Green Gang, was sitting opposite two well-dressed men.
One of the elderly men in the long robe was over sixty years old. He had a square face, several deep wrinkles on his forehead, and a full head of silver hair. He was vigorous and had a certain demeanor. This man was none other than Li Yunqing, a veteran leader of the Green Gang!
Seated beside him was a tall, thin, middle-aged man in a suit with a composed demeanor. He was none other than Li Zhiqun, the de facto head of the powerful No. 76 Special Agent Headquarters in Shanghai.
Luo Zidong took a deep breath and spoke first, saying helplessly to Li Yunqing, "Uncle Yun, we agreed today that it would be just the two of us catching up. Why did you invite Brother Zhiqun over as well? I'm truly flattered!"
Since his master Lu Tianqiao died two years ago, Luo Zidong has taken over Lu Tianqiao's position and become the new leader of the Green Gang. However, his connections and experience are far inferior to his master's. After Lu Tianqiao's death, half of his power was lost.
Therefore, Luo Zidong's life has not been easy for the past two years. Fortunately, he is very capable. After two years of management, his strength has gradually stabilized and he has slowly recovered. Now he is one of the top leaders in the Green Gang.
The man opposite him, Li Yunqing, was an elder of the Tong generation, already over sixty years old. In his early years, he had a falling out with the big boss Yue Sheng and was driven out of the French Concession by Yue Sheng. After that, he had been living in seclusion. But who would have thought that when the Japanese arrived, he would sell himself to the Japanese through the help of his apprentice Li Zhiqun. His power expanded extremely rapidly. Most of his disciples were in the No. 76 Special Agent Headquarters. His son-in-law, Wu Shicai, was the captain of the No. 76 Action Team. He himself also obtained the title of deputy minister in the puppet government and transformed into an official of the puppet government. Now he has become the most powerful leader of the Shanghai Green Gang.
Today's gathering was arranged by Li Yunqing, who specially contacted Luo Zidong. The two leaders of the Green Gang secretly came here for a meeting.
Li Yunqing chuckled and said loudly, "Zidong, actually, Zhiqun wanted to talk to you today. I'm just acting as a middleman. We're all from the Green Gang, so we can talk things out!"
Li Zhiqun also chimed in, "That's right! Zidong, I've called you many times, but you always make excuses and refuse to meet me. I had no choice but to risk entering the French Concession to ask my master to come forward and talk to you face to face."
Luo Zidong shook his head helplessly and explained with difficulty, "Brother Zhiqun, don't you know the situation in the French Concession? I'm also trying to avoid suspicion."
"Avoid suspicion? Zidong, what era are we living in? Do you think it's still two years ago? The new Nationalist government has been established now. We are all working for the Chinese people's own government, working for Chairman Wang. We are all officials of the new government now. You need to understand this!"
Li Zhiqun frowned. He was now a very popular figure in the puppet government. This was because he held real power over the intelligence forces in the puppet government and usually considered himself a follower of Wang Tianhai of the puppet government. Therefore, he was very dissatisfied with Luo Zidong's words.
"Zidong, Shanghai now belongs to the Chinese people. Japan is just helping us maintain it. Before long, the new Nanjing government will be established, and the Chongqing government will be driven to the southwestern border. How long can it hold out? Now is the perfect time for us to build our careers. I won't beat around the bush anymore. I'm meeting you today to work together on something. After it's done, I'll reserve a position for you in the new government. What do you think?"
Li Zhiqun's tone was very impolite. To be honest, he was currently at the height of his power and really looked down on the Green Gang forces under Luo Zidong's control. If it weren't for needing Luo Zidong's help this time, he really wouldn't want to risk entering the French Concession.
It's important to understand that Shanghai is currently experiencing the most intense struggle between the headquarters of Agent 76 and the Shanghai Station agents. The Shanghai Station agents, like desperate gamblers, are recklessly assassinating officials of the puppet government over the past few months, regardless of cost or casualties. In response, the headquarters of Agent 76 has launched an extremely brutal espionage war in Shanghai, resulting in heavy losses on both sides. At this time, Li Zhiqun's decision to enter the French Concession and meet with Luo Zidong at the Shanghai Station's hideout was indeed a great risk. If the Shanghai Station agents were to learn of this, they would undoubtedly assassinate Li Yunqing and Li Zhiqun at all costs.
Luo Zidong, however, did not want to participate in the life-or-death struggle between the two sides. He still vividly remembered the tragic death of his master, Lu Tianqiao. Chinese agents might not be able to deal with the Japanese, but they were more than capable of dealing with him. He did not want to follow in his master's footsteps.
Luo Zidong said with difficulty, "Brother Zhiqun, I am not like you, with a bright future and lofty ambitions. I am just trying to make a living in my own territory. There are so many Green Gang members in this French Concession! Why do you have to put me on the fire?"
Li Zhiqun gave a cold laugh and said calmly, "Don't try to absolve yourself of all responsibility. Two years ago, didn't you and Uncle Tian already cooperate with the Japanese? Wasn't Uncle Tian's death caused by these Chongqing agents? Uncle Tian treated you like a son. Don't you want to avenge him?"
"this…"
Luo Zidong was speechless for a moment. He did have deep feelings for Lu Tianqiao, but it wasn't worth sacrificing himself for revenge.
Li Zhiqun continued, "Let me be frank with you, by the end of next year at the latest, the Japanese will enter the International Settlement. Last month, the Germans already occupied Poland. Once the war breaks out in Europe, the British and Americans will be too busy to care about the Far East. Next will be the French Concession. At that time, not to mention your territory, even your life will be in doubt!"
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