SFS Chapter 165: Su Zhengyang's Clever Move at the Shanghai Gang Conference
Chapter 165: Su Zhengyang's Clever Move at the Shanghai Gang Conference
After returning to the Su's manor, Duan Jinshu looked at the luxurious furnishings in the manor and teased Su Zhengyang: "Wang Jiahai is really generous. Such a luxurious manor, worth at least three to five million yuan, is given to you just like that."
Su Zhengyang smiled and said, "As long as you have the corresponding status, wealth will come to you. This is an eternal truth. The reason why Wang Jiahai is willing to give it to me is because I, Su Zhengyang, have the last laugh. He wants to make friends with me. Otherwise, I am afraid he would have cut off all ties with me to protect himself."
"You are so young, but you have seen through all this. Now that the overall situation in Shanghai has been decided, you should come back to Beilong City with me this time. There are still seven days until your wedding with Qiyue. As the groom, you must go back in advance to prepare. Qiyue is eager to see her ideal husband as soon as possible."
Su Zhengyang nodded and said to Duan Jinshu, "Give me two more days to deal with the follow-up work in Shanghai, and then we will go back to Beilong City together."
Duan Jinshu's eyes showed a thoughtful look, and he looked at Su Zhengyang meaningfully and said, "Okay, then wait for two days. I want to see what tricks you can come up with."
That night, Su Zhengyang personally called the Axe Gang leader Wang Jiahai.
He hoped that the other party would use his name to send out invitations to heroes in Shanghai, inviting the leaders of major gangs to attend the banquet he would hold at the Triumph Hotel the day after tomorrow night.
Although Wang Jiahai was doubtful, he agreed for Su Zhengyang's sake and began to arrange a series of matters in a hurry.
Duan Jinshu, who was sitting not far from Su Zhengyang, asked in confusion: "As a member of the Northern Frontier government, it is difficult for you to have any relationship with these local gangs in Shanghai. If you hold a banquet to invite those celebrities and prominent families, I can still understand it, but why invite these gang leaders from all walks of life?"
Su Zhengyang lit a cigarette and smiled, "Uncle Duan, you said that the profits made by the Japanese in Shanghai every year are astronomical. What do they rely on?"
Duan Jinshu thought for a moment and replied, "Those legitimate businesses such as department stores are very profitable, but the bulk of Fusang's income in Shanghai is basically from underground businesses that are not visible to the public, such as selling opium, opening opium dens, casinos, nightclubs, cinemas, etc."
Su Zhengyang spoke again: "If Fusang's business, which secretly generates astronomical profits, does not have the support and protection of local gangs, can he continue? As far as I know, there are hundreds of gangs of all sizes in Shanghai. Small gangs are like the Brotherhood and the Four Seas Gang, with dozens of gang members at the bottom. Large gangs such as the Axe Gang, the Code Gang, and the Drivers' Association have more than 10,000 members, which is enough to have a huge impact on the three religions and nine buildings in Shanghai. They seem to be the lowest class who cannot be on the stage, but in fact they are closely related to all businesses in Shanghai."
"There are many gangs like the Xiaodaohui that are servile to the Fusang or fawning on other foreigners. The reason why the Fusang's opium casino business has flourished in Shanghai is because of them. If I control these gangs and cut off the Fusang's opium sales and the opening of casinos, can they continue to make a lot of wealth from this prosperous land?"
Duan Jinshu suddenly realized and looked at Su Zhengyang with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"You are trying to completely strangle Fuso's financial resources in Shanghai. No wonder the Fuso people hate you to the core."
In fact, there were only two major concessions in Shanghai originally, the French Concession and the International Settlement. Since the Western powers themselves were mired in the quagmire of war, Fuso quickly rose and its influence in East Asia increased rapidly. The Western powers reached an agreement with Fuso to allocate part of the International Settlement, where the Hongkou District is located, to Fuso as the Fuso Concession.
Since the establishment of the Fuso Concession, a large number of Fuso expatriates and chambers of commerce have poured into Shanghai. On the surface, they are doing normal business, but in fact they are secretly cooperating with local gangs, causing opium dens, gambling houses and other gray entertainment venues to flourish throughout Shanghai, bringing huge profits to the Fuso side every year.
Fuso uses the money earned from China to vigorously develop its own industry and military level. Perhaps in the near future, it will launch a full-scale invasion of China. Fuso's wolfish ambitions have been fully confirmed in the world where Su Zhengyang came from.
Therefore, in Su Zhengyang's view, allowing Fuso to continue to develop gray industries in Shanghai, harm the people of Shanghai, and make a lot of wealth is an extremely stupid behavior.
The next day, invitation letters written in the name of Su Zhengyang appeared on the desks of gang leaders of all sizes in Shanghai.
This move was beyond the expectations of all the prominent families and celebrities in Shanghai.
Of course, with the skill and courage Su Zhengyang had shown in Shanghai, as well as his current status, none of the so-called gang leaders dared to disrespect him, and they all responded solemnly, saying that they would be there on time.
The Hongkou Dojo in the Fuso Concession became the temporary office and residence of the new consul Takeno Fangtian before the new consulate was built.
A Fuso intelligence officer walked into the room where Takeno Fangtian was and said respectfully, "Mr. Consul, there is the latest news from Su Zhengyang. He will invite the leaders of the major gangs in Shanghai to hold a dinner in the No. 1 Banquet Hall of the Triumph Hotel tomorrow night."
Takeno Fangtian frowned and thought for a moment, then responded, "What on earth is this Su Zhengyang up to? He doesn't try to build relationships with those celebrities, but instead gets involved with these gang members. Tomorrow night, you and your men will pay close attention to everything that happens at the banquet. If there is anything unusual, report it to me immediately."
"Hai!"
On the night of the banquet, the owner of the Triumph Hotel, Shanghai celebrity, and head of the Hu family, Hu Jingbin, started preparing six hours in advance. In order to make Su Zhengyang's dinner a beautiful one, the Triumph Hotel was completely cleared out, and no new business would be accepted that day except for this banquet.
Su Zhengyang arrived at the hotel three hours ago and had a cup of tea and rest in a private room next to the banquet hall.
Zhang Luanyu, on behalf of Su Zhengyang, welcomed the arriving guests at the hotel gate, which was considered to be giving them enough face.
The 3,000-man Guard Regiment of the Skeleton Division has set up a cordon nearby to ensure Su Zhengyang's safety.
A black car stopped in front of the hotel, and the Axe Gang leader Wang Jiahai, wearing a light gray Tang suit, got out of the car.
"So it's Gang Leader Wang who's here. You're so welcome. I'm here on the Governor's orders to welcome the distinguished guests who are attending the dinner."
Wang Jiahai also smiled and greeted Zhang Luanyu enthusiastically. The two stood side by side in front of the hotel gate, talking and laughing.
As time went by, many gang leaders arrived at the scene one after another. Among them were some top leaders from old gangs, including the Hong Gang, Ma Gang, Qing Gang, and Tianhong Gang. This shows Su Zhengyang's influence in Shanghai today.