Chapter Eighteen: Huangpu

  This is outrageous! The so-called casual and easy family-style engagement meeting turned out to be so complicated, it's got me and Yunyan both dizzy and frustrated; what's even more outrageous is that we didn't even get a chance to have a proper meeting with the relatives, I just barely touched Yunyan's cheek and then it was over? And even Yunyan was swept away by my sisters-in-law?

  I had no choice but to come find Big Brother: "Big Brother, you're in charge of the money, how much does the government give to the Ordnance Department each year?"

  "It's probably around 20 million yuan."

  "But in my estimation, the annual cost of military equipment and weapons is at least 400-500 million, right?"

  "Yes, apart from those manufactured by the various arsenals of the Board of Ordnance, all other weapons were imported."

  "Oh, can you give some more funding then? Invest in my factory?"

  "That's out of the question, this matter must be approved by Chairman Chiang."

  "Uh... can I first get the payment for the 120 mortars I produced?"

  "No problem. Younger brother, what are your thoughts on the future of your Xiangshan munitions factory?"

  "I'm preparing to move the next batch of equipment to Shangrao to open a second factory."

  "Why? Isn't Xiangshan Factory located in a convenient place?"

  "Mr. Bai and I both believe that a full-scale anti-war will inevitably break out within two years, and it will be difficult to keep Xiangshan safe within one year after the war starts!"

  "Is this what Bǎi Lǐ brother said? Is it really that serious?"

  "Yes."

  "Then the economy will have to make very big adjustments?!"

  "Trust me, it's true!" I muttered with a sly smile, using an advertising slogan from later times.

  Since there's no hope, I'd better slip away quietly.

  The Bund is still as beautiful, the murky waters of the Huangpu River flowing beneath those familiar foreign buildings, the Jiangnan Shipyard's majestic factory buildings are just as grand and solemn as they were eighty years ago when the World Expo was held. The largest shipyard in modern China! The largest warship built by China itself, the Pinghai cruiser, is undergoing sea trials. Yet Chinese warships need permission from the powers to enter or leave the Huangpu River, I feel deeply humiliated and my hands involuntarily grip the railing tightly; Chen Shaokuan and Chen Jiliang exchange a glance, sighing softly.

  Pinghai slowly passed by the concession area and accelerated towards the Yangtze River mouth. Chen Shaokuan pulled me into the captain's room and asked in a low voice, "What's going on with Germany stopping the submarine supply ship project? Did you tell them?"

  "The replenishment ship hasn't started working yet, I cancelled it; I also took the liberty of purchasing some submarine spare parts and torpedoes that Germany will deliver in a few months."

  "Do you have an urgent need for the boat fare?"

  "Haha! Nothing escapes Director Chen! Germany is starting to confiscate Jewish-owned enterprises, I'm taking advantage of the chaos to purchase some special supplies. I'll transfer the navy's money to you."

  "I heard that younger brother organized several groups of scholars to explore mineral resources in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Fujian? Are you doing the same thing too? Don't hesitate to ask for help from the navy when needed!"

  "Hehe, don't be polite, little brother!"

  "This is some military intelligence, take a look and see if there's anything you need."

  "Let's go out and take a look! The Yangtze River has arrived!"

  "Please."

  The ship had already sailed into the vast Yangtze River, and the Pinghai was sailing smoothly. I looked at the empty space on the deck and asked, "Haven't the high-altitude guns been installed yet?"

  "Yes, now the Sino-Japanese relationship is tense, although the Kobe Shipyard is controlled by pro-China naval faction, it also faces pressure from various sides and cannot deliver on time."

  I remember the Pinghai warship was finally equipped with German howitzers, so I said: "Minister Chen, why not order some more German howitzers! We can use up that remaining foreign exchange! It'll be useful next year!"

  "Next year's will be better." Chen Shaokuan repeated softly.

  "Hyōma Shipyard was originally going to install 76 high cannon and 25 rapid-fire high cannon, doesn't Germany have these two calibers?" Chen Jiliang asked.

  "If there's no other way, we can only use German high-explosive shells! What about 75 and 20 caliber? Or 57? 37?"

  "I think equipping the 37mm high-speed gun is also possible, both the army and air force are being equipped on a large scale. The Pinghai is after all just a small cruiser, relying on its agility and mobility, installing a few heavy high-caliber guns won't have much effect, it's better to free up tonnage to equip more 37mm high-speed guns to increase close-range anti-aircraft capabilities."

  "Minister, I think it's possible," said Chen Jiliang.

  Pinghai ran a round trip at the mouth of the Yangtze River, reaching a speed of 22 knots. Under the gaze of the powers, the warship slowly returned to the Huangpu River and docked at the Jiangnan Shipyard wharf for further cleaning work. Chen Jiliang went to inspect the naval facilities in Shanghai, while Chen Shaokuan was invited by several elderly gentlemen, but I declined.

  In the evening, I and Xiao Ma, Xiao Li looked out at the Huangpu River from the high-rise building of the Public Concession Building. The main force of the Japanese Navy's First Expeditionary Fleet was anchored there, and the most striking one was the 10,000-ton armored cruiser "Izumo". I said: "These Japanese warships on the Huangpu River are the key to whether we can recover the concession. As long as a few large warships are blown up, the Japanese army in the concession will not be able to hold out for long. I plan to use specially made torpedoes. I think the Japanese warships should be anchored near the Suzhou River on the Huangpu River, and I have roughly told Xiao Ma the location. As long as the torpedoes are deployed, we don't have to worry about not sinking them. Xiao Li! You are a local, it's convenient for you to hide, you are responsible for covering up the underwater team; you arranged for people to open a small grocery store in Pudong near the river in advance, and gradually integrated into the local residents, this trick was done very well! Next summer, you will use the excuse of building a house to secretly transport the specially made torpedoes I made to the Huangpu River. Before the war breaks out, hide the torpedoes in the Huangpu River in advance, and then listen to my orders. At that time, the underwater team will dive into the Huangpu River and push the special torpedoes from under the water to stick them to the bottom of the Japanese warships, and detonate them at a fixed time.

  Ma and Little Li replied together.

  "I told them seriously: 'You must know that this is a very dangerous task, you may be discovered and killed by the enemy before you even dive in, during the pushing process, if the torpedo hits something, you will definitely perish together. Even if you manage to stick the torpedo on the enemy ship, it may still explode. But despite such danger, you must still complete this task, because this is the key to quickly eliminating the concession!!"

  Xiao Ma and Xiao Li exclaimed in unison: "We are willing to struggle for our motherland and sacrifice for our nation!"

  "The funds have been given to you, it's still early before the war breaks out and it won't be easy to get noticed; the chosen location is by the Huangpu River, not too far from the mouth of the Suzhou River; pay attention to hiding well, I will give you the specially made torpedoes in time, you find an opportunity next year to lay them in the Huangpu River near the Suzhou River, I'm leaving now, take good care of yourselves."

  "Take care of yourself and your brother, see you when we win!"

  "Little horse sends Little Li back, be careful."

  Not long after they left, the attendant arranged by my elder brother led in two people who had been agreed upon beforehand. I took one look and was shocked: "Boss Dai?"

  "Hello, Mr. Song. I'm from the Military Commission's Special Affairs Bureau, and I heard you wanted to meet with someone in charge of military intelligence in Shanghai, so I took the liberty of coming here. I didn't expect that you would know me."

  "Director Dai has arrived in person, I'm truly honored! Please take a seat! And who is this? Shen Zui?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was in trouble! Even if I had met Shen Zui before, there's no way I could have known his name!

  As expected, Dai Li and Shen Zui's faces changed in an instant before returning to normal. "I don't know where I entered Director Song's eyes?"

  "Sorry!" I hastily made up an excuse: "I saw Shen near Second Sister's place! I asked around to find out!"

  "Song Gongzi is indeed impressive! Even we who specialize in gathering intelligence have to admit defeat!"

  "Hehe, just a hobby."

  "Hehe, young master, is there anything I can help you with?"

  "Does Dai have much power in Shanghai?"

  "The chairman entrusted with the task of eliminating bandits has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. After the Shanghai faction leader went to Jiangxi and other bandit areas, there were few deployments, now only dozens of people."

  "Mr. Bai and his team have an idea, within one to one and a half years, they need 50 to 100 reliable people who are familiar with the terrain of Shanghai's concession area, have some military knowledge, and can remain calm on the battlefield. Can Director Dai help with this?"

  "There's nothing wrong with people, it's just..."

  "I'll provide the funding and equipment."

  "That's good, as long as there is sufficient funding, it's no problem even if it's 300 or 500."

  "Be careful to keep it confidential, don't let Rì himself and Hàn Jiān find out!"

  "No problem!"

  "This is a 50,000 yuan cash voucher. I will send Xiao Ma to deliver the relevant equipment to you, Shanghai team. He's the same person that Brother Shen has met before."

  "We can't use so many."

  "Don't be polite, I know your place is poor and bitter, so I'll give extra to help support the brothers!"

  "Then I'll thank you on behalf of my brothers!"

  "There's no need for such politeness, Rain Nong, just call me Zi An directly!"

  "How can that be? Although I'm a bit older than you, I'm still the student of the principal and the teacher's wife. This generation must not make any mistakes!"

  "After the push, I said: "Director Dai, although the Chairman attaches great importance to the work of eliminating bandits now, after all, the old nests of various bandits in the south have been broken, and the main force has gone deep into the southwest to pursue and kill the remaining bandits; while Japan is stepping up its pressure step by step, and the focus of your work in the future may still need to shift to the Japanese aspect!"

  "I've thought about that too, but the budget is limited. The bandit suppression and Guangdong-Guangxi aspects have already taken up most of the funds and personnel. Even a place as important as Shanghai is struggling to make ends meet, there's no way to expand the work on rì!"

  "Actually I can provide some funds, but it's inevitable? Hehe!"

  Dai Li and I exchanged bitter smiles.

  "Alright, I'll find a few projects like this one where we provide funding and equipment, and the brothers from the Special Operations Division can take care of it, how's that?"

  Dai Li understood this was a great help, "Thank you Mr. Song, Yunong is eternally grateful!"

  "It's all for serving the country, no need to thank!!"

  I sent off Dai Kui and Shen Zui, gazing at the Huangpu River with a happy smile: Hehe, before Jun Tong makes his big move, it's better to place a bet first!

  "Zi'an, why are you so happy?"

  "Just thinking about being able to introduce her to everyone in the future and say 'This is my fiancée' makes me so happy!"

  Yunyan: "I hate it! Jing jiejie is here!"

  "Just pretend I don't exist!"