Chapter 387 Taking office (please recommend and vote monthly)
Author: His Majesty’s Dried Fish
Chapter 387 Taking office (please recommend and vote monthly)
Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye it was the turn of spring and summer.
The Akagi Shigeru incident has not yet come to a conclusion, but the political situation in Shanghai has undergone major changes due to Wang Jingwei's successful "return of the capital" to Nanjing.
The first is the real boss behind No. 76, the Mei Agency. Since Yingzuo Zhenzhao was promoted to the top military adviser of the puppet government, the main focus of his work naturally shifted from Shanghai to Nanjing.
Secondly, the Manchurian Railway Shanghai Office was closed down. You know without asking that it must have been affected by the Akagi Shigeyuki incident.
And although in the middle of the month, the Ministry of Police was successfully established, and Li Shiqun also took the position of deputy minister as he wished, but in fact, his deputy minister is just a fictitious title, and in fact he has basically no real power at all.
The scope is still limited to the scope of special agents.
Furthermore, because of Wang Jingwei's favor from Gu Minzhang, the president of the Hangzhou Ship Merchants Association who had spent huge sums of money to donate a fighter jet to the puppet government while he was still in the capital, he was granted the position of vice president of the Shanghai Maintenance Association.
Although it is only a deputy position, anyone familiar with officialdom knows that the so-called principal position is just a facade, and the deputy position is the one who truly holds the power.
And this naturally aroused the envy and jealousy of Li Shiqun, who was also appointed as a deputy but had no real power at all. He was so blocked that he couldn't eat for several days!
And on the first day that Gu Minzhang took office, Li Qiang received a dinner invitation inviting him to a dinner that night.
Li Qiang didn't seem surprised by this. He didn't even go back to the Ming Mansion to change his outfit. He went directly to the Shanghai Hotel where the dinner was held after get off work.
After entering, Li Qiang was led by the waiter to a very luxurious VIP private room.
Although it was still early, the private room was already very lively. People gathered in twos and threes, holding wine glasses and talking to each other, with professional fake smiles on their faces.
Thanks to Haitang's continuous cocktail parties and salons during this period, Li Qiang could basically recognize two-thirds of the guests present, and the lowest official position of these people was at the division level. In other words, he was undoubtedly the
He has the lowest official position among all the people. No wonder he has been standing there for so long and no one has taken the initiative to talk to him.
But even so, Li Qiang didn't take it seriously at all. Instead, he felt relaxed and at ease. After all, he knew in his heart that this banquet was not just for socializing.
It was not long before a man with high cheekbones and gray hair slowly walked onto the stage in a suit and leather shoes. He cleared his throat and said to everyone: "Colleagues and superiors, first of all, please allow me to express my welcome to you all on behalf of the Shanghai Maintenance Council.
A heartfelt welcome and sincere thanks!”
Even just by hearing the voice, Li Qiang could recognize that the speaker was none other than Zhang Xiaolin, one of the three giants of the Shanghai Youth Gang and the current chairman of the maintenance committee!
Looking at Zhang Xiaolin talking arrogantly on the stage, Li Qiang couldn't help but think to himself: A traitor! If you don't know when you are about to die, let's see how long you can keep jumping!
Just as he was thinking about this, as Zhang Xiaolin finished his opening remarks, a burst of warm applause broke out in the private room.
Zhang Xiaolin seemed to enjoy the feeling of being bathed in applause. After enjoying the applause for a full minute, he pressed his hands and continued: "Now let us applaud today's protagonist, Vice President Gu who has just arrived.
Come up here and say hello to everyone!"
Before he finished speaking, a burst of warmer applause erupted in the private room again. Immediately, Gu Minzhang, who was also wearing a suit and leather shoes, walked to the stage amidst the applause of the crowd and said loudly to everyone: "My colleagues, sirs,
Mr. Gu has just arrived. I didn’t expect that everyone would be so enthusiastic and even held this reception dinner specially for me. Mr. Gu is really flattered! Don’t worry, although Mr. Gu has taken office as a new official, he will definitely not make any trouble.
Liwei. In a word, your interests mean that I look after someone else’s interests. I’m not here to get a share of the pie, but to seek greater benefits for you!”
"Well said!" Before he finished speaking, someone in the audience couldn't help shouting, followed by another burst of warm applause.
Gu Minzhang is indeed a big capitalist with profound qualifications. In just a few words, he has won over many people's hearts. Even Zhang Xiaolin on the side couldn't help but sigh to himself.
After a seductive speech, some people in the audience began to dream of a beautiful picture of the future.
However, just after Gu Minzhang announced that the banquet had officially begun, everyone's eyes turned to Gu Minzhang who was walking down the stage. Everyone wanted to know who he would talk to first.
So, Gu Minzhang walked directly to Li Qiang in full view of everyone, and greeted with a smile: "Niece Aqiang, long time no see. How far have you and Haitang progressed? When are you going to treat me to a wedding?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone present started to whisper.
"Who is that person?"
"It looks familiar, who is it..."
"I recognize him. He seems to be the chief of the inspection section of some government office."
"Really or not? How can a small section chief get involved with Vice Chairman Gu? You can't be mistaken, right?"
"Ah! I remembered it! He seems to be Mr. Ming's cousin!"
"Which Mr. Ming is this?"
"Who else could it be? It's the popular man next to Mr. Zhou, Mr. Ming, who has just been promoted to deputy director of the Economic Department!"
Hearing this, the two guys suddenly nodded, "Oh, so that's it, no wonder..."
However, Li Qiang didn't care about the whispers of others, but replied with a generous smile: "It's almost time. Uncle Gu, you must come then!"
"Of course!" After saying that, Gu Minzhang waved his hand and called cordially, "Xiaomeng, come!"
Before he finished speaking, a girl in a fiery red evening dress walked over, took Gu Minzhang's arm affectionately, and called out in a voice as clear and sweet as an oriole, "Father.
"
"Come to Xiaomeng, let me introduce you to you. This is Ming Qiang, Section Chief Ming, of the Supervision Section."
"Hello, Section Chief Ming, my name is Gu Xiaomeng. Please take care of me in the future." After saying that, Gu Xiaomeng took the initiative and gave a deep salute to Li Qiang.
At this time, Li Qiang was a little confused and asked: "Uncle Gu, what are you..."
"Xiaomeng has just returned from studying in the United States and is not very familiar with everything here, so I want her to adapt to you, and then send her to Nanjing to learn radio and decoding technology. Oh, by the way, before I came here
We have already proposed to Chairman Wang that the Supervision Section be placed under the Maintenance Committee, so that with the support of the Maintenance Committee, you will not have so much resistance in your future work."
Hearing this, Li Qiang suddenly nodded, and then accepted Gu Minzhang's arrangement amidst the envious and jealous eyes of everyone.
At nine o'clock in the evening, the song ended and the banquet dispersed, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves.
As soon as Li Qiang returned to Ming Mansion, Axiang handed him a note mysteriously.
When I opened it, there was only one name written on it. It turned out to be Chen Mingchu, the former head of the personnel section of the Shanghai Station of the Military Reunion, who had just become a convert and surrendered to the enemy and treason!
"What do you mean? Do you want to kill him?" Li Qiang swallowed the note and asked in a deliberately lowered voice.
Axiang nodded quickly and said in a low voice: "According to reliable information, this person is leading agents No. 76 to search for former members of the Shanghai Station who are hiding in the surrounding areas of Shanghai and have not yet evacuated. That's why Wang Jingwei had to postpone the formation of the East China Bandit Suppression.
Headquarters to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
"I see, okay, I understand." Having said this, Li Qiang paused for a moment, then glanced at the room in Minglou and asked, "Isn't the eldest brother back today?"
"No, I called in the evening to say there was an emergency meeting that night, and I won't be back."
Hearing this, Li Qiang couldn't help but smile bitterly. After working for a long time, there was no one at home except Axiang!
So he couldn't help but said to Axiang: "Axiang, since there is no one at home, why are you so mysterious?"
Axiang replied with an aggrieved look: "Brother Aqiang, didn't you tell me that you should be vigilant at all times and not let up even a little bit?"
"Uh, okay!" Li Qiang shrugged awkwardly, "I'm going back to my room first, you should go to bed early!"
After saying that, he ran back to his room as if running away.
After a night of silence, Li Qiang arrived at Luo Mansion early the next morning.
"Hey! Chief Ming, it's so early!"
Li Qiang smiled and nodded, then walked straight in.
"Chen Mingchu? I've heard of this guy. He's very addicted to dancing, and he was punished for it. But even so, he still refuses to change his ways. He almost ruined things because of his dancing several times."
"Do you have a photo?"
"Yes, but you have to wait two days."
"Okay, in addition, try to figure out his itinerary." Li Qiang nodded and said.
"Why go to all the trouble? As long as we figure out when he will come back for repairs and hold a grand ball then, even if he is not invited, he will try his best to sneak into the venue."
As soon as these words came out, Li Qiang couldn't help but his eyes lit up, "Well, this is a good idea! However, the dance cannot be hosted by us, lest it arouses suspicion from interested people, and a dance at the chamber of commerce level may not be suitable for Chen Mingchu who is in the limelight.
It's attractive enough. Well, let me figure it out for the dance, and I'll leave the rest to you."
"good!"
"By the way, there's one more thing. Let's get married!"
"You...you, what, what?" Haitang obviously didn't expect that Li Qiang would propose marriage so suddenly. Her pretty face immediately turned red and she stuttered a little, "You, you, are you serious?"
?”
"Of course I am serious!" Li Qiang said matter-of-factly, "I thought about it all night last night. Since we have been friends and boyfriend for so long, it should be time to talk about marriage. Of course, if
If you can't accept it for a while, it's okay to get engaged first. I just don't know if my eldest brother agrees..."
Li Qiang's worries are not unreasonable. After all, Minglou is not only his nominal eldest brother, but also his immediate boss. Without his nod, I'm afraid it really wouldn't be possible to do such a big thing.
However, before he finished speaking, Haitang said almost subconsciously: "He dares!"
"Ah? What did you say?"
Haitang quickly changed his words: "I... I mean, he should agree! As you just said, if this kind of thing continues like this, it will definitely arouse unnecessary suspicion, so...
…”
Haitang's voice became softer and softer, and in the end she couldn't even hear it.
When Li Qiang saw that she did not express any objection, he finally said with confidence: "If that's the case, then I will tell my elder brother when I get back?"
At this time, Haitang's ears were already red, and it took a while before she nodded softly and said "Yeah."
After coming out of Luo Mansion, Li Qiang found a public phone booth and made a call, then stopped a rickshaw and headed straight for the French Concession.
About twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a bungalow on Petain Road.
"Boss, we're here!" the coachman said while diligently helping Li Qiang get out of the car.
After paying the fare, Li Qiang walked to the gate and pressed the doorbell.
After a short time, a familiar figure walked out from inside.
"Long time no see, Miss Zhao!"
"Yes, long time no see, Mr. Aqiang."
"Is Uncle Gu here?"
"Here, he was still talking about you just now! Come in quickly!" With that, Miss Zhao enthusiastically let Li Qiang in.
When the two of them passed by the front yard, Li Qiang noticed the car parked in the yard, and then asked casually, "What, Uncle Gu has a guest?"
"Yes, Mr. Duan's daughter heard that we came to Shanghai, so she made a special trip to visit us."
"Lao Duan's daughter? Then why don't you bother me if I come to visit you so rashly?"
"Of course not, Miss Yu is a very easy-going person!"
While talking, the two of them had already arrived at the door of the bungalow. Miss Zhao first took the initiative to open the door for Li Qiang and then made a "please" gesture.
Li Qiang nodded slightly before stepping in.
"Mr. Gu, who do you think is coming?"
As soon as he said this, Gu Minzhang immediately turned his head and looked over. As soon as he saw Li Qiang, he immediately greeted him warmly: "Hey! Aqiang's wise nephew! It really means that Cao Cao and Cao Cao are here. I just told Miss Yu about you.
Here! Come on, come and sit!"
Coming closer, Li Qiang first smiled apologetically at Yu Mei, who was sitting on Gu Minzhang's left hand side, and then said: "Uncle Gu, I don't know that you have guests, so my nephew came to visit rashly. It's really rude. Why?"
Please forgive me, both of you."
Before he finished speaking, Gu Minzhang waved his hand, "Hey! Nephew, if you say that, you are too foreign. We are all a family, there is nothing rude or not. Come, let me introduce to you, this person
They are Mr. Duan’s daughter, Yu Mei, and Miss Yu.”
