Chapter 45: Secret War (Part 2)

  Tan Xiao had no information about Song Ziwen's bottom line, nor did he have any budget experience with railway plans. He only referred to one thing: the proportion of corruption in Kong Xiangxi's purchase of military supplies! He reported this price! And, as soon as he made his move, he forced Song Ziwen into a corner where he couldn't defend himself. Go ahead, there's no money to be made, don't do it?... For Song Ziwen, he never thought that the country's major projects would not be done by him! If it were someone else, he could choose not to do it, and then make some moves during the project implementation, so that his opponent couldn't do it either. Then, he could take over with better conditions. But now, his opponent was Tan Xiao, this warlord who dared to beat him up! And now the project is being carried out on Tan Xiao's turf, he can't even make small moves!

  "The Ministry of Finance just needs to allocate funds on time, I'll take care of the rest!" Tan Xiao sneered.

  Chiang Kai-shek was relieved: This way, even if the project didn't fall into the hands of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang financial group, they would have nothing to say! The corruption that came with road repairs could be eliminated... But then he worried again: Did Tan Xiao really understand how to supervise railway construction?!

  Yang Yongtai was still guessing whether Tan Xiao really wanted to take over the railway process or was playing "sand crab", betting that the other party would follow.

  Tan Xiao has his own logic: I won't do it, will others not do it either? Even if there is a certain funding gap, we can still find ways to solve it with the Germans. After all, once these railways are built, the first beneficiaries will be the Germans!

  It seems that it can't be decided today. Seeing Song Ziwen's hesitant appearance, Chiang Kai-shek decided to discuss again tomorrow and have dinner first! Of course, he will continue to probe Tan Xiang's bottom line, after all, building a railway is not a trivial matter!

  After Song Ziwen left, Kong Xiangxi was anxious and suspicious: Tan Xiao must have arranged a mole among them! Otherwise, how did he know the bottom price and the kickback with the Germans?

  Song Ai-ling fell into deep thought, while the shopkeeper was wondering whether Tan Xiao really wanted to take over the railway construction project or just bluffing them. Now Tan Xiao seemed to be getting more and more difficult to deal with!

  "No matter whether we take over the railway project or let others take it, one thing is certain: it will be controlled by a coalition of military and political figures. That's enough; the Central Club gang won't just sit back and watch. Now hurry up and spread this news to the Central Party Department! We need to give Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu some time to prepare." Song Meiling said.

  The Central Club refers to the "CC Clique" that was formed in Shanghai in 1927, with the English initials CC being commonly used to refer to this political faction. Later, Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu took control of the Central Party Department and became the leaders of this faction, with their surname also starting with C, making the term even more deeply ingrained in people's minds.

  Due to the multiple aspects involved in this railway plan, such as land acquisition and local finance, implementing military control or semi-military control has almost become a foregone conclusion. However, if the CC faction wants to make small moves, it's not difficult, for example, by going through grassroots organizations, buying up large tracts of land, and then negotiating prices with the government; all of which can give Tan Xiao a headache.

  In fact, Soong Ai-ling was going to do just that. But she wanted to bring the CC clique along for the ride: she had the money, and the CC clique had the local officials; once they collaborated, they would use various methods to buy up land in areas where the railway would pass through, then sell it at a huge profit when the time was right - the profits would be even greater than the railway project itself! More importantly, the railway planning map was now in her hands!

  Having the engineering rights in hand, it's best to speculate on land. If the project doesn't seem profitable, just speculate on land instead. This way, not only can a large sum of money be made, but also the construction cost of the railway can be greatly increased, making Tan Xiao unable to complete it or suffer a huge loss. In this case, will Tan Xiao still have the capital and guts to challenge Song Kong in national projects in the future?

  When this group was racking their brains to figure out Tan Xiao's joke, Tan Xiao was actually listening to Dai Li's espionage course - - - - people who travel through time are not all-powerful, and the type of military affairs that Tan Xiao understood the least was espionage.

  The trainees include Wen Xiangting and her subordinates, some of whom were brought back from Nanyang, while others are from their hometown; there is also a group of new recruits being trained by the Military Intelligence Department of the Wild One Army, as well as some disciples recommended by four masters.

  There were sixty-eight people who participated in the training, but one morning, Dai Li eliminated half of them: all those without assets at home and single without relatives were automatically eliminated! Although some were adopted by Wen Xiangting's family and were reluctantly approved to participate in the training after explaining the situation to the Military Affairs Bureau, they had already been clearly told that they could only become action group personnel and not undercover agents. Even so, there were only about half of the current manpower.

  In this era, the training work of spies was obviously much more difficult than in later generations. Just the routine training of driving transportation vehicles, using cameras, and developing photos would already consume a lot of time and energy for both teachers and students. As for those technical activities related to telegraphy and cryptography, it is estimated that it would take a considerable amount of time to teach them.

  To save time, Dai Li proposed that they could first let them start their activities in Southeast Asia, and then he would send someone over to further train them under the name of opening a Chinese language school. Tan Xiao thought this plan was feasible, so he decided to start the "half-work-study" spy training class; as for how much they could learn in a month in Lingling, it didn't matter, even if it was just a short-term, indigestible knowledge that was forcibly stuffed into them, it would still be better than starting from scratch.

  Tan Xiao came, and Wen Xiangting lost interest in studying, constantly glancing over with her eyes. Tan Xiao was fully focused on Dai Sha's explanation, unaware of this. However, during the break, Wen Xiangting didn't care about Tan Xiao wanting to discuss things with Dai Sha, and directly came over to pull Tan Xiao to study the Dong'an Chicken franchise; Dai Sha could only retreat in defeat.

  Under helpless laughter, he had to desperately recall the characteristics of several major fast-food chains in later generations and constantly gave suggestions to Wen Xiangting. He didn't expect that this unintentional move would make a "DooooN" fast food restaurant appear in this time and space, becoming the leader of the global fast food industry! "Dong'an Chicken Nuggets" also became a world-renowned delicacy, even becoming a standard dish for various UN agencies!

  For women, Tan Xiao is not a silly bird. Although he still unfortunately belongs to the rank-and-file cadres, he is still sensitive to Wen Xiangting's deliberate closeness, light touch and fiery eyes. So after the class break, Tan Xiao, who was taken advantage of by Wen Xiangting, finally fled in disarray...

  He had just come out and met Chen Quzhen, the supplementary teacher, looking for him; Chen Quzhen was looking for Tan Xiao because of a local eating problem!

  Originally, due to the arrival of hundreds of thousands of troops, the price of rice and non-staple food in the whole Hunan province actually more than doubled!

  "Impossible?" Tan Xiao listened to Chen Quzhen's introduction and felt incredulous: Hunan is originally China's rice bowl, with countless agricultural products, how could the price be raised by a whole level just because of the supply of tens of thousands of troops?! According to Chen Quzhen's report, due to Tan Xiao's thorough preparation beforehand, he had pre-ordered large quantities of grain and non-staple food before prices rose, so the troops that received the entire army were not affected much by this price increase. However, his massive purchase of grain caused many farmers' stored grain to be less than usual, and later when grain prices rose, everyone took it out to sell, which made many grain-producing households themselves lack stored grain. Now is the time when early rice is not yet ripe, and leftover grain will soon run out. As a supplementary division, this basically half-military, half-civilian force feels this most deeply. Many peasant-turned-soldiers who came to participate in training as reserve personnel are all talking about the problem of stored grain. Chen Quzhen from western Hunan has always been more concerned with people's livelihoods, seeing this situation is worried and anxious, so he found Tan Xiao to reflect on this issue.

  "Your Honor, if things continue like this, my three sons and I will have harvested thousands of millions of stones of rice, but we'll still starve to death in this year of abundance!" Chen Quzhen was very worried: "Now the peasants' leftover grain can only last about a month, and it's even more severe in the cities. The price of rice has risen not just one fold, but three or four times! Now factories and mines everywhere are demanding wage increases, I'm afraid that if we don't control it well, there will be another big strike!"

  How could things have turned out so badly? Tan Xiao really couldn't believe it.

  It is currently in the golden age of the Republic, with the scale of civil war shrinking day by day, and agriculture, industry and commerce are all developing rapidly; even to the point where the Japanese, who have been eyeing China covetously, can no longer bear it. Many people in the Japanese military believe that if they do not take action against China soon, they will miss their chance in a few years' time. At this time, China is at its best period of high income and low consumption, with major natural disasters having passed for more than a year. How can there be such a big food crisis? If it is not resolved properly, one can imagine that after another month, farmers will have to cut down the unripe rice that is being irrigated to alleviate their hunger, which will lead to barren land next year and bring about a real disaster!

  There can only be one possibility for this situation: artificial hype, a rich and powerful person is hyping it up!

  Fortunately, it was discovered early and there is still room for recovery! Tan Xiao secretly broke out in a cold sweat. He also couldn't help but look up to this fierce-looking Huang Yanzi Xiangxi Wang. Similarly, Wu Sheng, the old father-in-law who was responsible for reserve forces at the grassroots level, neglected such a major crisis due to his comfortable life and lack of concern for the people's livelihood. After Tan Xiao inquired about the situation in detail, he immediately organized the materials and went to see Chiang Kai-shek overnight...

  The current layout in Shanghai has already started to take action, and today it has absorbed 4,100 large rice warehouses and 2,400 small wheat warehouses... It is estimated that it will take another week to complete the bottom warehouse construction, and next week, the grain price can be fully raised in Shanghai... A thin middle-aged man was reporting respectfully in Song Ziwen's office, sitting on a large chair was the owner of Kongjia Old Shop, Song Meiling. This food evil speculation plan was planned by her, with many participating funds, including the two families of Kong and Song; The Shanghai Three Xin Company led by "Shanghai Emperor" Du Yuesheng; The Daxing Company cooperating with the Blue Shirt Society's Special Service Department Dai Li; And Tianjin Police Chief Zhang Xueliang's brother Zhang Xueming brought Tianjin Gang and a huge sum of money controlled by the Japanese North China Special Service Agency under the name of Tianjin Gang. The funds raised by various allies reached 300 million yuan, which is the total amount of the National Government's public financial revenue for two years! Their goal is to raise the average price of grain in China fivefold!

  "This time, I'll see how Tan Xiao dies!" Kong Xiangxi stood beside his wife and listened to the report from his subordinate, that benevolent-looking merchant began to reveal a sinister smile.

  Their plan was to take advantage of this hype, not only to make a fortune but also to launch a massive attack on the government's "wasting military resources" and "ignoring people's livelihoods". They wanted to expose Tan Xiao's actions in nationwide media for requisitioning civilian food reserves, leading to famine in Hunan and subsequently nationwide famine. They also wanted to force Chiang Kai-shek to use Tan Xiao as a scapegoat! Of course, the officials of the Political Science Department would also be thoroughly purged, which was a matter for the CC faction.

  "Tomorrow, I will represent the Jiang-Zhe financial group to withdraw from this railway plan bidding!" Song Ziwen smiled complacently: "I'd like to see how Tan Xiao digs the road ditch, haha..."

  Dai Li was on his way to report to Chiang Kai-shek about today's espionage work when he met Tan Xiao. When he learned that the grain was going to be artificially triggered into a great disaster, he was also shocked. He hurriedly replied to the Xinghua Special Service Agency to investigate related news and said that he would go see Chiang Kai-shek again and asked Tan Xiao to wait for him.

  Chiang Kai-shek and Yang Yongtai immediately understood who was behind the matter after listening to Tan Xiao's report. Tan Xiao had pushed Song Kong too hard! This was Chiang Kai-shek's first reaction. Having just cut off the military procurement funds of two families, yesterday they wanted to seize the railway, now Song Kong counterattacked, and as soon as he made his move, it was a fatal blow! However, this move was equally fatal to the entire country!

  Yang Yongtai had expected Song Kong to counterattack Tan Xiao, but he only thought of the competition on the railway and did not expect the two families to make a big fuss, even triggering a nationwide grain price fluctuation! Too ruthless! This woman!! Yang Yongtai was very clear about the means of that aristocratic lady who even made Chiang Kai-shek fear her.

  Chiang Kai-shek was in a difficult situation. In Shanghai, the power of Song and Kong was too great, and the situation in Hunan would eventually lead to even greater turmoil in Shanghai! The situation in Hunan was still under control, after all, there was still a month's time, he could order the troops to rush to transport grain to eliminate this disaster that had not yet occurred. However, once the news of price increases spread to Shanghai, it would quickly be magnified countless times on the futures market! The social panic caused by the sharp rise in grain prices was something that even the government could not easily suppress, unless Song and Kong voluntarily gave up, otherwise, anything that happened in the concession area would be beyond his control.

  But will Song Kong give up? Having come this far, can he give up?!

  Song Kong knew he had to deal with Tan Xiao, and soon the whole country would be flooded with news of this powerful warlord's forced military grain requisitions, causing widespread famine in Hunan; and he would have no choice but to painfully sacrifice his beloved Tan Xiao by pushing him to the forefront to take the blame for the government.

  Offending Song Kong is indeed easy to die unjustly! But now, is there still a way to save it? Chiang Kai-shek couldn't think of one, and he didn't dare discuss it with Tan Xiao, as it involved too much!

  Chiang Kai-shek wasn't unwilling to take charge, but he was unable to do so! Tan Xiao left Chiang's study in great disappointment, and only came to understand after seeing Dai Li hurry over.

  In the year 1933, a scandalous event occurred in the National Government that could be recorded in history books: the government openly participated in the opium trade! The Nanjing government collaborated with Du Yuesheng, also known as the "Shanghai Emperor", to monopolize the Shanghai opium market. They sold all the opium collected nationwide through the Sanxin Company in Shanghai. The tax revenue and dividends from this alone were enough to cover the government's annual financial income! At that time, Finance Minister Soong Tse-ven led the Jiangsu-Zhejiang financial group in cooperation with Du Yuesheng, earning far more profits than expected; later, Soong Tse-ven wanted to dominate Shanghai's opium market alone and designed a bigger opium storm with the Kong family. They used administrative power and financial control to manipulate the opium market, making it turbulent. Meanwhile, Tan Xiang, who was confused at that time, also made enough money in the last wave of fluctuations to train 20,000 soldiers! To earn huge profits from this event, Soong Tse-ven even personally took charge of the "Shanghai Opium Control Bureau" and competed with Du Yuesheng for territory. However, Du Yuesheng was not a pushover either; he actually got through to Chiang Kai-shek and reopened the morphine factory in Shanghai's Nanshi District. He utilized the special environment of the concession area and his various underworld powers to defeat Soong Tse-ven's "Opium Police Force". This established his emperor-like status in Shanghai! The person who represented Chiang Kai-shek in negotiations with Du Yuesheng at that time was Yang Yongtai!

  So today, neither of them had anything to say. For the Shanghai concession, they had no way to take action; Moreover, they were very clear that in this food crisis, Song Kong's allied camp must have Du Yuesheng who had already shaken hands with both sides! Now, whoever wants to go to Shanghai beach to fight with them is fighting against the entire Shanghai underworld! Fighting against the entire Jiangsu and Zhejiang financial group!! If Chiang Kai-shek takes a hard line, it means completely falling out with the Jiangsu and Zhejiang financial group. He didn't have that courage!

  Dai Li told Tan Xiao everything about the inside story, because he also didn't want Tan Xiao to fall down like this. Tan Xiao was the hope of their group for China's future victory over Japan!

  "I have a way out - abandon the vehicle and save the commander!" said Dai Li. If he hadn't thought of a solution, he wouldn't have looked for Tan Xiao to tell him all this.

  "Who to abandon? How to abandon? Can you abandon?" Tan Xiao asked. Now, he truly felt the horror of offending Song Kong! These wealthy and powerful families with deep political backgrounds would not whip you with a leather belt, but they would stare at you every moment, find your weak point, and then take your life in one move!

  "The government is currently collecting grain, and it's counted in packages. One package is 200 kilograms!" Dai Lisheng looked at Tan Xiao and said: "We can only use the fast to beat the slow. Tomorrow, we will openly hold a press conference and say that we have found the cause of the sudden surge in rice prices in Hunan this time. It's because the people collecting grain are corrupt and changed the task from 'shi' (a unit of weight) to 'bao' (package), which is twice as much!"

  "But I didn't collect any grain this time! I bought it all..." Tan Xiao said, he really couldn't understand.

  "Are you willing to spend money to settle this or be thrown into the cold palace?" Dai Li continued: "We must release the news before the rice price rises in Shanghai, and announce that we will severely punish those who are responsible, and return all the extra grain to the farmers for free. In addition, we need to crack down on grain hoarders in various parts of Hunan with all our might! This way, this grain storm can't be stirred up! Song Kong can only retreat!"

  Dai Li was able to become the number one man in Military Bureau in the following years, which is not a coincidence! This move of his was like sealing and closing, directly dissolving Song Ke's offensive before it even started!

  "Then who should I sacrifice? ... And how much money does it take to stick in?" Tan Xiao knew this was the best trick he could think of for now. However, he really didn't want to sacrifice others to save himself.

  "Wu Sheng, your future son-in-law!" Dai Li replied: "Now the whole of southern Hunan knows that he is in charge of logistics transactions for the entire First Route Army, and only he can bear this responsibility!"

  Tan Xiaodan stood frozen on the spot! Wu Sheng! Sacrifice Wu Sheng! That old Tan family's second-in-command, his father-in-law who had been silently supporting him from behind all along! Tan Xiao seemed to see the resentful eyes of Little Jiuniang in front of him!

  Tan Xiao had always had a plan in his heart, after Wu Deqiang finished military school, when she was no longer the traditional little girl who only lived for him, he wanted to cancel their engagement... But if Wu Sheng made such a great sacrifice for himself, could he still do that? If he still did that, would he still be human?!

  "It won't be fatal, as long as he spits out the 'embezzled' food. The worst that can happen is to have his house searched and be put in jail..." Dai Li said: "It's just symbolic, you'll be out soon after going in, and you'll live a life like an immortal inside... As for having your house searched, you can move some things away first, and even if the house is sealed, it can still be bought back at auction... Don't worry, nothing will happen."

  "You're helping me like this... aren't you afraid of offending them?" Tan Xiao's mind went blank, and he could only make small talk.

  "No big deal, the expenses for the special affairs agency are all provided by them, but they don't dare not to give. Even if they find out it's my plan, they can't do anything to me." Dai Li said: "Moreover, they will worry that I am completely on your side and will try harder to please me. It's you who should be careful, Song Kong has already made his move and won't easily take it back... Ah, this time it's estimated to cost 3 million, I'll go see the principal now and see if we can get the money... Haha, in the end it's still up to those two families to pay, anyway they should make a lot of money this time too... Ah, I need to report this plan to the principal, just pretend you don't know, I have the principal's approval and will come find you tonight, don't sleep so early!" Dai Li said and went to Chiang Kai-shek's study.

  Dai Li is a man who attaches great importance to loyalty, on the condition that he truly regards you as his brother. Now, he regards Tan Xiao as his brother.

  Many anti-Japanese warriors did not die on the battlefield, but fell under the secret attacks of their own people.

  In this silent war among "our own kind", Tan Xiao was severely shot this time. But it didn't take his life, just that.

  Author: Returned home at dusk to post the manuscript...... only to find that my house had been burglarized, no mood to write...... fortunately, I had saved the draft in the starting point's draft box...... so angry...... by the way, I chatted with the editor this afternoon and asked for collection...... everyone please take a look at this book, it's not bad, thanks for collecting!