Traveling through the Republic of China to become a special agent, the system is very easy for me

Just as everyone was talking, Yuan Ye heard Fu Quan'an and Zhang Shicheng walk into the mayor's office.

As the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Reform Government, Zhang Shicheng had been in Nanjing all the time and had no contact with Fu Quan'an. However, this time he came to Shanghai as the deputy head of the investigation team. The municipal government was the subject of the investigation and Fu Quan'an was one of the parties involved, so naturally he could not be treated poorly.

Although Fu Quan'an also knew that the investigation team was still mainly composed of Japanese, but as the Chinese deputy team leader, Zhang Shicheng's investigation opinions could not be ignored. He also hoped to have a good relationship with him and say something good about him so that the investigation conclusion would be more favorable to him. Since it was related to his own vital interests, Fu Quan'an would naturally not miss any opportunity.

In addition, Fu Quan'an wanted Zhang Shicheng to help him with another thing. In order to strike back at the Shancheng government, he planned to negotiate with the concession authorities and demand the abolition of the judicial agreement signed between the concession authorities and the Shancheng government.

Taking back the Shancheng government's jurisdiction in the concessions and taking over the Shancheng government's Second Branch of the Jiangsu High Court in the International Settlement and the Third Branch of the Jiangsu High Court in the French Concession, this matter involved the responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice of the Reform Government.

I do not have the power to interfere in other people's affairs. I can only assist in doing some work. Naturally, the Ministry of Justice of the Reform Government needs to actively intervene.

Fu Quan'an believed that the Reform Government had been established for almost two years, and the Ministry of Justice should have paid attention to this matter long ago and worked to take back the Shancheng Government's jurisdiction over the concession.

I don’t know whether it’s because they are not aware of it or they are afraid of offending the Shancheng government, but this work has never been carried out.

But Fu Quan'an could not wait any longer. He thought this was an opportunity to strike at the Shancheng government and he did not want to miss it. This matter had many benefits. Not only could he avenge Shancheng's assassination attempt on him, but he could also show his loyalty to the Japanese. It was like killing two birds with one stone.

Therefore, they had to work together with the Ministry of Justice to do this, and naturally they needed the support of Zhang Shicheng, because the former Minister of Justice had just died of illness and the new Minister of Justice had not yet been appointed. The reason for the temporary absence of an appointment was that several forces were vying for this position and were at a stalemate, making it difficult for the Japanese to make a choice.

Zhang Shicheng is also one of the competing candidates. Since the new minister has not yet been appointed, he, as the deputy minister, is now actually in charge of the work of the Ministry of Justice.

Therefore, Fu Quan'an believed that as long as Zhang Shicheng could be persuaded and his support could be obtained, it would be easy to regain the judicial jurisdiction over the concession.

He was confident that Zhang Shicheng would support him, because he knew that Zhang Shicheng also wanted to remove the word "deputy" and become the head of the Ministry of Justice.

Taking back the judicial jurisdiction of the concession was a good opportunity for him. If successful, Zhang Shicheng would have made a great contribution, which would greatly earn him points with the Japanese and would naturally give him a great chance of becoming a full minister.

As soon as Zhang Shicheng sat down, Fu Quan'an personally made him some tea and said apologetically:

"Minister Zhang has been in Shanghai for two days. I should have come to see you in person to show my hospitality, but I was unwell and didn't come to see you. I am really ashamed."

After he finished speaking, he took out a package from the drawer of his desk. Inside was twenty yellow gold bars, and placed it in front of Zhang Shicheng.

Then he said:

"Minister Zhang, this is a small gift from me as a token of my apology. I hope you will accept it."

Zhang Shicheng naturally knew what Fu Quan'an meant. He wanted him to say good things about him in the investigation report.

When he saw Fu Quan'an invite Iwai Yuichi to his office alone, he thought it must be for this matter, and Iwai Yuichi must have received benefits from Fu Quan'an.

He also knew that Fu Quanan's case could be big or small. If it was big, his position as mayor would be in jeopardy. If it was small, at most he would be let off after a warning. It all depended on the Japanese's intentions. As long as Fu Quanan could deal with the Japanese, it would be useless for him to oppose it. It would be better for him to get some benefits and do a favor.

When Zhang Shicheng thought about this, he accepted it without much hesitation. For people in officialdom, this was just a common thing.

He smiled and said:

"Mayor Fu, you are too polite. I will obey your orders. Just say whatever you want to say."

Seeing that he accepted it readily, Fu Quan'an felt relieved and said with a smile:

"Minister Zhang, I'll be frank. The investigation team is coming to Shanghai this time. I hope Minister Zhang will be gracious enough to help me with my case."

Zhang Shicheng laughed and said:

"Mayor Fu thinks too highly of me. You have such a good relationship with the Japanese, how could there be any problem? In fact, my opinion is not very important.

Even so, Mayor Fu, don't worry, I will still speak well of you."

"Thank you very much, Minister Zhang."

Fu Quan'an also laughed and thought to himself that the two deputy team leaders of the investigation team had been dealt with. It was unexpectedly smooth. It seemed that it would not be difficult to take down the team leader Sakata Eio. It should not be a problem to keep his position as mayor.

Yuan Ye heard the conversation between the two. He was not surprised that Zhang Shicheng was dealt with by Fu Quan'an. He was more curious about what they were going to say next.

He felt that it was actually meaningless for Fu Quanan to deal with Zhang Shicheng, as the decision-making power was in the hands of the Japanese. Zhang Shicheng's opinion was useless. Fu Quanan must have something important to say to Zhang Shicheng, because Yuan Ye had already vaguely guessed what Fu Quanan was going to say.

I only heard Fu Quan'an say:

“Minister Zhang, I heard that the position of Minister of Justice has been vacant for some time. I wonder if a candidate has been decided.

I think Minister Zhang is young and promising, a top student who studied abroad, a graduate of a legitimate legal school, a doctor of law, and a deputy minister, so you should be the right person to take the position."

Zhang Shicheng sighed and said:

"Things here are more complicated and the competition is more intense. It's not as simple as Mayor Fu said. You just said that you are young and promising. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It depends on how you look at it."

Fu Quan'an was surprised:

"Is this a bad thing? To be honest, I'm almost seventy years old. I really envy you young people in your thirties and forties."

Zhang Shicheng smiled bitterly:

"Because I'm young, some people think I'm inexperienced and lack full-time experience. This has become my shortcoming. I had great hopes, but I didn't expect it to be shelved."

"Oh, so that's it."

Fu Quan'an said regretfully.

“However, from my observation, there are only a handful of senior judicial professionals like you in the Restoration Government, so you are definitely still a strong competitor.

It's just that the Japanese above are undecided. I have a way to make you get the favor of the Japanese above, and you will definitely have a chance to become a regular employee."

"Oh, really?"

Zhang Shicheng opened his eyes wide and asked curiously.