1928: The rise of giant merchants

May 5, 1932.

The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nanjing National Government, represented by Gu Weijun, went to sign the "Songhu Armistice Agreement" with the Japanese invaders in a heroic and high-spirited manner, as if we were the victors.

In fact, due to the relaxation of vigilance at the last minute, the Japanese invaders did not withdraw their troops after occupying many areas of Shanghai on March 2, and the people of the Republic of China there were still living in dire straits.

However, this was the first time that both sides won and lost in a head-on confrontation, and the Japanese invaders finally admitted their defeat and took the initiative to propose a ceasefire, which was regarded as a major breakthrough by all sectors of society.

Especially in comparison with the fall of the north, the principal's reputation instantly surpassed Zhang Hanqing, Wang Moumou and other top warlords, and he became the most powerful and prestigious leader of the Republic of China.

The Nanjing National Government was jubilant from top to bottom, but Ye Luo was not happy.

According to the Chinese war report, a total of 10,254 Japanese soldiers were killed and wounded in the 128 Songhu Anti-Japanese War. Among them, the Japanese Army had 620 killed and 1,622 wounded; the Navy had 149 killed and 700 wounded.

The total casualties of the 19th Route Army, the Military Police Corps and the Tax Police Corps were 14,104 (4,274 killed and 9,830 wounded). Among them, the 19th Route Army suffered 8,792 casualties; the Military Police Corps suffered 4,312 casualties, and the Tax Police Corps suffered 1,000 casualties.

Throughout the battle, the Jinling National Government and the arsenal under Ye's Investment successively replenished more than 18 million rounds of bullets, more than 654,000 rounds of pistol bullets, more than 123,400 various artillery shells, more than 367,000 grenades, 6,000 rifles, 330 machine guns, and 127 various artillery.

Including the human cost of support during the period and various military supplies, Ye's Investment's total expenditure exceeded 65 million oceans (excluding donations from the Commercial Reorganization Committee), almost all of the group's profits for more than half a year.

According to incomplete statistics, the civilian losses were caused by the bombardment of Japanese aircraft and artillery, with more than 6,080 people killed, more than 2,000 injured, and 10,400 missing, with a total loss of 1.6 billion oceans of property.

Shortly after the war began, the Japanese army dispatched aircraft to purposefully bomb the Commercial Press, Oriental Library and other cultural departments, causing the Commercial Press, the oldest publishing institution in the country, to be completely burned down. If it were not for Ye's investment to transfer a large number of precious books in advance, this wave of cultural losses would be horrible.

The worst were the people in the Japanese-occupied areas. From March to May, hundreds of innocent people had been killed, hundreds of companies were looted by the Japanese invaders, and nearly a hundred women were raped.

Even though the Songhu Police Department sent police officers to negotiate many times, the Japanese invaders still went their own way and harmed the people to vent their anger.

From these things, we can see their wolfish ambitions.

Unfortunately, Ye Luo repeatedly approached the principal, hoping to allow the Ye's convoy to enter the Japanese-occupied areas to transport refugees, but the principal refused.

He is now focused on making peace and only wants to seek greater international interests.

Three days later, the agreement was signed, stipulating that Shanghai (mainly the concession area) is a "demilitarized zone", and the Jinling National Government is not allowed to station troops in the areas around Anting, Kunshan, and Suzhou City, while Japan can station "a number" of troops.

The Jinling National Government blindly relied on diplomatic means and relied on major powers to resolve disputes, and insisted on the policy of "resistance and negotiation at the same time", resulting in the Japanese invaders not receiving the due punishment.

And the major powers such as Britain and the United States did not curb Japan's aggressive ambitions in time, and they will also burn themselves and reap what they have sown in the future.

However, the war finally stopped, and all sectors of society were still in an excited state at this time. Newspapers, magazines, and radio stations were constantly reviewing the original appearance of the Songhu Battle, praising the bravery and fearlessness of the national army.

The Tax Police Corps, which played an important role in it, was also paid attention to by many parties. When it was learned that this iron-blooded corps was funded by Ye Luo, countless warlords began to think about it.

In mid-May, after rectifying the business situation in the concession, the major companies under Ye's investment resumed business, and Ye's clothing also produced many new cheongsams.

Surprisingly, Sassoon \u0026 Co. issued a statement that its overseas bank would cooperate with YB Bank invested by Ye for overseas financial cooperation.

The representative of the Sassoon family in charge of this project was Rosemary Sassoon, who appeared in the public eye for the first time as the heir of the Sassoon family.

One day in mid-May, Ye Luo received a secret telegram from the General Office of the Party of the Nanjing National Government, asking him to rush to Nanjing immediately to discuss important matters.

Ye Luo took Shi Jianqiao and others and rushed to Nanjing.

That afternoon, the General Office of the Party.

"A Luo, we have been waiting for you so hard." The principal sat in the boss chair and looked at him with a smile.

There were also Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu brothers, Song Ziwen, Kong Xiangxi, as well as Dai Li, Huang Jie, Wen Yingxing, Chen Mingshu and others in the office.

The office, which was not big to begin with, was now crowded with high-ranking officials of the Kuomintang. Even the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Zhengting, could only move out and lean against the wall to listen to their speeches.

"Party Chairman, everyone, long time no see." Ye Luo, wearing a neat suit, was the only person present who was not an official and was no more than 30 years old.

Everyone greeted him one after another, especially Chen Mingshu, Jiang Guangnai and others, who excitedly went over to shake hands and thank him.

This time, the 19th Route Army was able to live up to expectations and defeat the Japanese invaders, thanks to the continuous various types of funding from Ye's investment. Otherwise, even if they won in the end, it would definitely be a miserable victory.

The current number of casualties is much lower than their expectations.

"A Luo, please sit down first. You are our God of Wealth now, so you have to pay tribute properly." The principal stood up and pressed Ye Luo on the chair.

Everyone laughed in unison, but no one objected.

Ye Luo was not happy.

Every time the principal does this, it's like a weasel giving New Year's greetings to a rooster, and he has no good intentions.

And seeing Wen Yingxing present, he probably knew what he was going to say.

"Senate, why are you so anxious? Hasn't the armistice agreement been signed? Do you still need me to come forward to negotiate with the Japanese?"

Ye Luo asked casually.

Of course an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be responsible for this matter, and he just started the conversation.

The principal smiled and shook his head, and asked Deng Wenyi outside to bring a stack of documents: "You take a look at these first."

Ye Luo took the documents and looked at them one by one.

The document is divided into two parts, one is the statistics of Ye's investment in the Songhu Battle, and the other is the military report of the Tax Police Corps.

"After I came back, Mr. Wang ran back to his Jiangcheng in despair within a few days. Now the power of the National Government has returned to our hands. You suffered in Shanghai before."

The principal smiled and said,

"I heard that you had a quarrel with Yu Qiaqing and the others?"

"It's not about celebrating a festival, it's just that the business concepts don't match." Ye Luo said calmly.

"I have received a secret report that Yu Qiaqing and others left Shanghai by boat overnight, probably to find Wang Ni. If such profiteers remain in the south for a long time, they will really be a worm to the country. In a few days, I will send someone from Jinling He will assist you in seizing all his properties and stores.”

The principal smiled coldly and said quietly,

"You are the president of the Shanghai Bund General Chamber of Commerce, and you are solely responsible for this matter."

"I understand." Ye Luo raised his eyebrows. Is this the beginning of rewards based on merit?

Isn't this just giving him a lucrative job like ransacking a house as a reward?

Ye Luo was not in a hurry and waited for the principal to continue.

"In addition, I intend to let Wu Tiecheng serve in the central government. How about entrusting the vacant mayor position to Boyan?" The principal looked at him with squinted eyes.

Ye Luo shook his head calmly and said: "I don't understand politics. You can decide the party seat."

Bai Xiongqi is capable, but he is also a fan of officials. Ye Luo can't hold him back anyway, so he can only wait for future events to keep him alive.

The principal asked him about this in public, which meant that he had already made up his mind.

"Okay, let's discuss it before making a decision." The principal nodded, "The extra expenses you spent before can be reimbursed by Ziwen, and we won't take advantage of you. In addition, the issues such as opening a business in the south mentioned earlier, It’s all up to you to decide from now on.”

"The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will fully cooperate." Song Ziwen and Kong Xiangxi added.

This is equivalent to a complete green light.

In other words, Ye Luo will really have the final say in the business world in the south from now on!

The principal is a bit generous.

Although part of the reason was to repay Ye Luo for his dedicated assistance when he was out of the field, it was mostly because he was going to take away some of Ye Luo's things soon.

This is a compensatory reward.

"Let the Tax Police Corps be reorganized into the National Army." (End of Chapter)