Quartermasters can also fight the devils

Chapter 113 Just Be Prepared

Three days later, Zhang Wenwu called Smith and told him that he had another batch of high-quality goods ready for trading, which made Smith very happy. He told Zhang Wenwu that he needed to go to the British bank in Shanghai to withdraw money today so that he could trade at the consulate tomorrow.

The next morning, Zhang Wenwu and Hu San drove to the place where goods were made and stored in the suburbs, loaded all the last inventory of Xu Lao and his team onto the truck, and drove towards the city. However, when passing by Hongqiao Airport, they were stopped by the soldiers of the Shanghai Security Corps at the checkpoint.

Hu San got off the car and talked to a soldier on guard. Then he walked quickly to the side of the car Zhang Wenwu was riding in and reported to Zhang Wenwu, "Captain Zhang, the security guards in charge of the checkpoint ahead have been replaced. They don't recognize any of us. They have to check all the goods before letting them pass."

Zhang Wenwu asked curiously, "Changed? Didn't you pay the toll?"

"I gave it to you, Commander Zhang, but the officer in charge over there confiscated it and insisted on checking the goods on the truck. What do you think we should do?" Hu San was also puzzled. How come the person in charge at the checkpoint was changed today and he still didn't accept his red envelope? It was too strange.

Zhang Wenwu thought about it and decided that they definitely couldn't let them check the truck. If this matter was exposed, there would be an article in the newspaper saying "Kuomintang troops reselling cultural relics", and he would be in trouble. He was also curious, why is the security team so honest now? They don't even accept red envelopes.

Zhang Wenwu got out of the car and walked slowly towards the checkpoint with Hu San. As the distance got closer, Zhang Wenwu looked at the face of the officer leading the team opposite him and felt that he was so familiar that he couldn't help but wonder.

When he walked in front of the officer, Zhang Wenwu finally saw clearly who the officer was. He said that he looked familiar, because he was his classmate.

"Xu Guoxiang, long time no see." Zhang Wenwu knew who this officer was and couldn't help but greet him happily.

When Xu Guoxiang heard someone calling him, he was stunned. He didn't pay attention to who the man in a suit was who got out of the car. He didn't care who it was. Instead, he was chatting with another second lieutenant officer next to him, waiting for the man to come over.

Xu Guoxiang took a closer look and found that he knew the young man in the suit. This was Zhang Wenwu, who was always ranked first in the class of the same class as him.

"Zhang Wenwu? Haha, I didn't expect it to be you. What's wrong with you?" Xu Guoxiang pointed at Zhang Wenwu's suit and asked in confusion. He knew that although Zhang Wenwu was the "first" every year, he had a background. When he graduated, he joined the 18th Army. But today, why was he wearing a suit? Did he leave the army? Did he start a business? But this was also true. Zhang Wenwu was more suitable for doing business. He had a background, so why did he have to suffer in the army? It would be great if he could just do business outside and not worry about food and drink.

Zhang Wenwu pulled Xu Guoxiang to the side of the road, handed him a cigarette and asked, "Xiangzi, why did you end up in the Security Corps? I remember you were assigned to the Second Division, which was also an elite unit of the Central Army. What happened? Did you offend Commander Zheng and be assigned to the Security Corps?" Zhang Wenwu did not answer Xu Guoxiang's question, but instead asked about Xu Guoxiang's recent situation.

Xu Guoxiang took a puff of his cigarette and said unhappily: "Wenwu, you are going to pass through my defense zone checkpoint, why are you asking about my situation? Tell me, can you not work in the army anymore? Where are you going to make a fortune?" Xu Guoxiang did not answer Zhang Wenwu's questions, but continued to question Zhang Wenwu.

Zhang Wenwu came closer and whispered, "Xiangzi, brother, I am now the deputy director of the Quartermaster Department of the 102nd Division of the th Army. I have the rank of captain, and you are only a lieutenant. You should stand at attention and salute me. However, since we are old classmates, there is no need to salute. Haha."

"Then what are you doing? What are those big and small trucks carrying?" When Xu Guoxiang heard that Zhang Wenwu was still in the army, he asked him what he was doing now. Why did it look like he was transporting goods for business?

"I am also performing military duties. You know, I work in the Quartermaster Department. Our division is stationed in Zhenjiang City, and the superiors have arranged for me to come to Shanghai to deliver some things." After saying this, Zhang Wenwu handed his officer certificate to Xu Guoxiang.

When Xu Guoxiang looked at the ID, he found that Zhang Wenwu had really become a captain. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, it's good to have someone behind you.

"Okay, since it's you, Zhang Wenwu, who's here, there's no need to check. Remember to treat me to a meal when you make money." Xu Guoxiang returned the ID to Zhang Wenwu and asked Zhang Wenwu to treat him to a meal. He also understood that Zhang Wenwu was probably handling business for the military officers, so he didn't need to check the vehicle for this kind of thing, as it would be bad to offend anyone.

"Xiangzi, you haven't told me how you got into the security corps. If you're willing, I can get you to the 102nd Division. I can't say much more, but it shouldn't be a problem for me to arrange a position of company commander for you. What do you think?" Zhang Wenwu put the ID in his pocket and started poaching people.

After hearing what Zhang Wenwu said, Xu Guoxiang was also moved. After all, they were classmates who had been together for several years. They were still very helpful at the critical moment. So he pulled Zhang Wenwu further into the wild field beside the road, and then whispered: "Wenwu, thank you for your kindness. Brother, I am still in the Second Division."

When Zhang Wenwu heard Xu Guoxiang say that he was still serving in the Second Division, he looked at Xu Guoxiang with amusement and said, "Xiangzi, it's okay. It's not shameful. It's not a matter of being a soldier and getting paid. It's really okay." He thought that Xu Guoxiang must be too proud and didn't want to tell him the truth.

As soon as Xu Guoxiang heard this, he knew that Zhang Wenwu had misunderstood the matter, so he lowered his voice and said, "Wenwu, I didn't lie to you. I really am still serving in the Second Division. The uniform I'm wearing is fake. Yesterday, two regiments of our division changed into the uniforms of the Security Corps and replaced the Security Corps soldiers who were here before. This must be kept secret. In addition, I am now a company deputy and I am doing well."

Zhang Wenwu listened to Xu Guoxiang's explanation and finally understood that the Military Commission had made a move. Zhang Wenwu knew that after the January 1 Incident, China and Japan signed the "Shanghai Armistice Agreement", which stipulated that China could not station troops in Shanghai, and the Security Corps would maintain order instead. At that time, the Peking Police Brigade was changed to the 6st Security Corps and transferred from Peking to Shanghai, and the 2th Military Police Regiment originally stationed in Shanghai was changed to the nd Security Corps.

This agreement stipulates that the Chinese government's army starts from the Suzhou River bank just south of Anting Town, goes north along the west bank of Xiaobang, the nearest to the east of Anting Town, to Wangxian Bridge, and then goes north through Xiaobang to four kilometers east of Shatou as the end point, and then goes northwest to Hupukou on the Yangtze River, including Hupukou. In the form of an international agreement, it is stipulated that the Chinese government has no right to station troops in the area east of this line. Once this line is drawn, the Chinese army was "reasonably and legally" driven out of the urban area of ​​Shanghai and even the entire Shanghai area, and can only be stationed in Suzhou and Kunshan. What's even more ridiculous is that if the Chinese government intends to re-station troops east of this line, it must reach an agreement through consultation with Japan, the United States, Britain, France, Italy and other countries, which is simply incomprehensible.

After Zhang Wenwu said goodbye to Xu Guoxiang, he was thinking while sitting in the car: It seems that the government is also beginning to prepare for a possible war with Japan. Although it is a bit too late, it is better than nothing. At least this news can make Zhang Wenwu happy.

In the British Consulate in Shanghai, Smith looked at the records in the notebook excitedly and said to Zhang Wenwu: "Captain Zhang, how did you manage to collect more than 80 valuable items in such a short time? It's incredible. You must be a messenger sent by God."

Zhang Wenwu took a puff of his cigarette and said slowly, "Major Smith, have you forgotten that I was very lucky? And the gang happened to have these goods, so I took them all. As we Chinese say, there is no coincidence in the world. Everything is so suitable, or we can say that it is God who made us rich at this time."

Smith closed the notebook, looked at Zhang Wenwu seriously and said, "Yes, Captain Zhang, you are right. It must be God's guidance and arrangement. I agree with you."

Zhang Wenwu knew that Smith was a devout Christian. After greeting him for a while, he asked, "Major Smith, there may not be any high-quality goods in the near future. You know, this stuff is hard to get. We were able to obtain so many goods this time entirely because of God's guidance." After Zhang Wenwu finished speaking, he took a sip of coffee and continued, "Major Smith, when can I trade the batch of munitions and canned food I need? If it is convenient, can you also transport the anti-inflammatory drugs I bought to Zhenjiang?"

"Oh, Captain Zhang, the batch of arms and canned food you need can be traded at any time. As for the medicines you bought, I will arrange for them to be transported to Zhenjiang. We are friends, and there won't be any problem with such a small matter." Smith took a sip of liquor and said happily.

Zhang Wenwu immediately agreed with Smith to conduct the arms transaction the next day, and said that he would bring the cash for the transaction.

Three days later, Zhang Wenwu was at the train station in Shanghai, watching the civilians carrying military supplies. Smith stood beside him and said happily, "Captain Zhang, are you in such a hurry to return to Zhenjiang? I think we'll have news about the artillery that Lieutenant Colonel Rick collected for you in a few days. You can stay in Shanghai for a few more days."

Smith was indeed happy. The business of cultural relics and antiques was going very smoothly. Zhang Wenwu also bought all the unused materials in his warehouse. He made a lot of money. These weapons did not cost a penny. The money earned was basically pure profit. He and Lieutenant Colonel Rick could also make a small fortune. Although the artillery that Lieutenant Colonel Rick collected for Zhang Wenwu did not make much money, it was enough for the two of them to earn some money for drinking.

Zhang Wenwu looked at Smith, who was smiling, and said with a smile: "Major Smith, this batch of arms is very important. I need to escort it back personally. I will come to Shanghai to trade artillery in a few days."