The banquet of the Ministry of Finance and the Bureau of Commerce was arranged on Yihe Road in the former Gongguan District. There was a club originally set up by the British, which was relatively well preserved.

When Lin Xiaotang and Ma Qixiang arrived, there was already a lot of traffic in front of the club, and the cars and carriages of guests from all walks of life actually blocked the originally narrow road.

With no other choice, Lin Xiaotang and Ma Qixiang had to get out of the car and rush to the club on foot.

Lin Xiaotang and the two struggled to overcome many obstacles and were walking forward when Ma Qixiang suddenly exclaimed, "Brother!"

Lin Xiaotang turned around and saw that a middle-aged man was supporting an old man about sixty years old squatting on the roadside. The old man seemed to have a sprained foot and a look of pain on his face, but he was obviously well-dressed.

, it seems that he is also a distinguished guest attending the dinner and cocktail party.

The middle-aged man obviously did not expect to meet Ma Qixiang here, "Xiangzi, why are you here?"

Ma Qixiang smiled and said, "It seems that we are all going to the place in front."

The middle-aged man's face was full of anxiety, "Let's talk later. Today's banquet was too chaotic. Mr. Zhuang accidentally twisted his foot and was blocked here. He is in a dilemma!"

Lin Xiaotang took advantage of the afterglow of the sunset that had not completely disappeared to look at the old man's ankle, which was already swollen. Lin Xiaotang looked back and saw that his car was parked at the same spot and could not move at all.

"Wait a minute, I have medicine in the car!" Lin Xiaotang immediately shouted to Guo Zhui in the car.

Lin Xiaotang benefited from the all-encompassing knowledge of ghosts, and he also dabbled in a lot of medicine for injuries, including some of the unique prescriptions that ghosts came from later generations, such as bruises. Lin Xiaotang learned from them.

Ghost's concept of so-called "sealing needles" has been studied by some plasters and potions. Although the effect may not be as obvious as the sealing needles, it should still be more than enough to treat such mild sprains.

Lin Xiaotang forgot the medicine that Guo Zhui handed over, squatted down, took off the old man's shoes, and looked carefully. The problem was not big. Lin Xiaotang helped the old man and gently kneaded the injured part of his ankle. After a while, the old man felt pain.

Reduced a lot.

After the massage, Lin Xiaotang applied some medicine on the injured area. After the medicine penetrated, he gently applied the plaster to the affected area and took a deep breath, "Okay, let's get up and take a few steps to see!"

The old man stood up slowly with the help of the middle-aged man and Lin Xiaotang. He took a tentative step, but found that the injured area was so cool that he could not feel the pain at all. He tried to take two steps, and there was no problem at all.

.

The middle-aged man and the old man thanked each other again and again, and then everyone walked towards the club together.

The middle-aged man supported the old man and walked in front. Ma Qixiang secretly pulled Lin Xiaotang's sleeve and pointed at the middle-aged man's back, "Do you know who he is?"

Lin Xiaotang shook his head.

Ma Qixiang chuckled, "Don't you always say that you want to meet the other members of the Thirteen Taibao? He is the boss of the Thirteen Taibao - the leader Zongfei!"

The dinner venue was lively and chaotic. The leading figures of the Nanjing puppet government, led by Mayor Zhou Xuechang, respectfully led the pseudo-Finance Minister Zhou Fohai and the pseudo-Industry Minister Mei Siping to the rostrum to deliver speeches.

Lin Xiaotang squinted and listened for a while. It was undeniable that although Zhou Fohai and Mei Siping were hardcore traitors under Wang Jingwei, their demeanor and conversation were commendable, but the content of their speech made Lin Xiaotang feel nervous.

It turns out that after the current war situation fell into a stalemate, the Japanese planned to adjust the political and economic policies of the occupied areas. They returned most of the Chinese factories previously controlled to the puppet government and handed over the material control rights in the occupied areas.

To manage the puppet government, the puppet government, which has been struggling so far, is overjoyed. In order to show its loyalty, the puppet government will set up a department called the "National Commercial Control Federation" (Note 1) in Shanghai after Wang Jingwei takes office.

The five control committees for cotton, rice grain, flour and wheat, oil grain, and daily necessities have set up branches in Nanjing, Wuhan and other places to fully implement the wartime economic system in the occupied areas and implement material control, that is, purchasing, rationing, and controlling materials.

Material exchange, operations, procurement of military supplies, etc., to serve Japan's war of aggression.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaotang couldn't help but sneer. What this means is that the Japanese will tie the puppet government and the people in the occupied areas to their aggression chariot. Such a policy is tantamount to an economic invasion. As you can imagine

Once the "National Commercial Control Federation" begins to operate, all kinds of materials in the occupied areas will flow to the Japanese army through this department and become an aid to its military operations. Also, based on Lin Xiaotang's understanding of the Wang Puppet Government

, the traitorous officials and speculators from top to bottom of this government will spare no effort to increase the search for the people in the occupied areas. By then, these economic policies will become their best tools to make money. The financial market, securities market, and circulation fields will

Facing an immeasurable disaster.

After Zhou Fohai and Mei Siping finished speaking, except for the members of the puppet government whose faces were flushed with excitement and who clapped their hands with gleaming eyes, only a few people from the business community responded, and everyone's face showed deep worry.

The old man who just twisted his leg turned to look at Lin Xiaotang, "What, are you worried?"

Lin Xiaotang sighed, "It is the national enterprises and the common people who will suffer!"

The old man nodded with deep sympathy, and then made a silent expression, "Just understand in your heart, don't care too much."

Only then did Lin Xiaotang realize that he hadn't asked the old man his name yet, which seemed a bit impolite, so he said apologetically: "I'm sorry, I haven't asked you how to address me sir?"

Zong Fei took a step forward and said, "This is Mr. Zhuang Chongxian, deputy director of the Nanjing Military Intelligence Department and director of the Shanghai Military Intelligence Department."

Lin Xiaotang was stunned and secretly cursed himself for being confused. When he was with Ma Qixiang and Fatty Shen, he had heard about Zong Fei and knew that he was the right-hand man of Zhuang Chongxian, the boss of the Military Intelligence Department. I heard that Zhuang Chongxian was an old minister who started his career with Wang Jingwei.

, followed him all over the country. He was a student studying in Japan. He also participated in the Revolution of 1911 and always helped Wang deal with some things that were not on the table. Only later because he criticized Wang Jingwei for joining the Japanese, he gradually lost his favor. In addition, Li Shiqun, Ding Mocun

With the rapid rise of others, Zhuang Chongxian was gradually marginalized, and the Military Intelligence Department became a famous cold yamen of the Nanjing puppet government.

Zong Fei followed Zhuang Chongxian purely out of gratitude. In his early years, Zhuang Chongxian had accidentally saved Zong Fei's life when he was in Guangzhou. Zong Fei was so grateful that he followed Zhuang Chongxian and became a "drop of grace" in the world.

, the beautiful saying of "everyone repays you with a spring of water".

After the three people met again, they exchanged a few words. Zhuang Chongxian suddenly and sincerely apologized to Lin Xiaotang, which surprised Lin Xiaotang.

However, Zhuang Chongxian looked calm and said apologetically: "Boss Lin, don't be surprised, this is what it should be. I have heard about what happened in Shanghai before. In the final analysis, the conflict between Boss Lin and No. 76 is still

Because one of my incompetent subordinates Yuan Jianfeng rose, I have severely reprimanded him. I hope that Boss Lin will bypass him this time for my sake. After all, he is the nephew of an old friend of mine. He will not look at the face of the monk before looking at the face of the Buddha.

, Boss Lin, please don’t mind.”

Lin Xiaotang suddenly realized something and hurriedly said a few polite words and explained to Zhuang Chongxian that Yuan Jianfeng was his classmate and he only did such a thing out of confusion. The matter had been resolved satisfactorily and he had no intention of settling the scores again. Instead, he asked Zhuang Chongxian to do so.

Look at your own shortcomings and take care of Yuan Jianfeng if you have the chance.

Lin Xiaotang's words were not without purpose. He knew Yuan Jianfeng's character very well. But he had heard about the battle between the Military Intelligence Department and No. 76, and he was currently isolated and helpless in Nanjing. Perhaps Zhuang Chongxian had some military intelligence behind him.

The prerequisite for Si Bian to become the partner of his cooperation was the existence of a common enemy like No. 76. As for Yuan Jianfeng, a small person, Lin Xiaotang didn't take it to heart at all. The reason why he said those words was just to give Zhuang Chongxian a chance.

Just to save face.

Zhuang Chongxian was very satisfied with Lin Xiaotang's attitude, and then he indirectly mentioned the suggestion of having an in-depth talk with Lin Xiaotang. Lin Xiaotang was convinced and immediately agreed, saying that he would visit him personally. This made Zhuang Chongxian feel more and more that Lin Xiaotang was a teachable child.

After a few people chatted for a while, Zhuang Chongxian and Zong Fei went to entertain senior government officials. Lin Xiaotang then discovered that Ma Qixiang was missing. After wandering around the venue for a while, he discovered that Mr. Xiang was hiding in a corner with someone unknown.

What are they talking about.

Ma Qixiang quickly pulled Lin Xiaotang over and introduced him to the man chatting with him, "Brother, this is my boss, Lin Xiaotang. You can call him Youzhong or Xiaoqi."

The man in front of him was a few years older than Ma Qixiang. The two looked very similar, but this man was less handsome than Ma Qixiang, but more calm.

After the introduction, Lin Xiaotang learned that this was Ma Qixiang's cousin Ma Qiwen, who was a senior official in the Ministry of Finance, and was also recognized as the next head of the family.

Ma Qiwen rolled his eyes at Ma Qixiang, but Ma Qixiang didn't take it seriously and just quietly stuck out his tongue. It could be seen that he was still a little afraid of this cousin.

"You are such an old man, but you still don't have any stability. Is this your attitude towards your boss? What do outsiders think when they see this? Also, about your marriage to Miss Qiao's family. The Qiao family is a wealthy family in Nanyang.

If our Ma family wants to marry into the Qiao family, it's a high climb. People will look down on you. You have to know how to work hard. Since you learned business from Boss Lin, you have to act like a subordinate. Don't act like you don't care every day, you know?

"

Ma Qiwen's lesson to Ma Qixiang made Lin Xiaotang laugh. At the same time, he couldn't help but think highly of Ma Qiwen. A few insignificant gossips not only knocked down Ma Qixiang, but also elevated Lin Xiaotang. This person is indeed not simple!

Ma Qiwen pulled the two of them inside again, looked around and saw that no one was paying attention, and then lowered his voice and said: "Brother Youzhong, you also heard the speeches of Minister Zhou and Minister Mei just now, what do you think?"

Lin Xiaotang blinked and decided to keep a low profile, "The situation is like this, and there is nothing the government can do!"

Ma Qiwen chuckled and said, "Brother Youzhong, please don't tell secrets. You and Xiaoxiang have a life-long friendship. I am his brother. The relationship between us is that even if we don't tell, outsiders will put us in the same boat."

. Your company is under the banner of participating in the construction of a new Nanjing. In fact, you and I know very well that the current situation is not construction at all. Let me tell the truth, do you want a share of this plate? "

Seeing Ma Qiwen's aggressive eyes, Lin Xiaotang's heart moved, "What does Brother Wen mean?"

Ma Qiwen looked around again, "It's very simple, everyone gets what they need!"

Then, Ma Qiwen presented his ideas and plans. What he meant was that by taking advantage of the wartime economic policy of the puppet government, on the one hand, Lin Xiaotang's Longsheng Company came forward to acquire a number of factories in occupied areas, produce and collect

Various military supplies needed by the Japanese army; on the other hand, Ma Qiwen used his relationship with the puppet government to openly purchase these supplies through the official government to earn the price difference. As for the banking and securities industries, let's see clearly where the situation is heading next.

Take advantage of the opportunity.

Lin Xiaotang had not yet answered. The lights in the venue suddenly dimmed, and then the voice of the conference master of ceremonies sounded, "Everyone, tonight we are fortunate to have Miss Duan Yuran, a famous singer from Nanjing, come to cheer for the dinner. Please give everyone a warm applause and welcome.

Miss Duan shows off her singing voice!"

A strong light shines on the simple stage of the venue. A young woman wearing a dark green cheongsam stands in the center of the stage. She wears a snow-white mink fur shawl around her neck and has a delicate face carved in pink and jade.

The guests immediately cheered.
Chapter completed!