A Republic-era tycoon started as a secretary at Tianjin Railway Station

Chapter 21 Wu Jingzhong's Unexpected Concern

As is well known, the most popular gold bars during the Republic of China era were large and small yellow croakers.

The large yellow croaker weighs ten taels, and the small yellow croaker weighs one tael.

Since it was calculated according to the old scale, one liang (两) is actually 312.5 grams. A single large yellow croaker weighs more than 3 kilograms, which is quite a lot.

Both of these gold bars were minted in late 1946 by the Central Mint on the Bund in Shanghai.

At the time, the government had a batch of large gold bars that had been brought back from the United States. It ordered the mint to cut them into standard gold bars and distribute them to the people to exchange for the gold savings they had previously purchased.

Because this batch of gold bars is of extremely high purity, uniform in size, and clearly numbered, it is a genuine official product.

Therefore, when it was launched at the end of the year, the price was uncontrollable, and it was even steeper than the candlestick chart drawn by Trump.

After all, there are four major families here who can draw their own candlestick charts!

Ironically, these gold bars, originally created by the government to stabilize the economy, ended up being used by ordinary people to resist the government's currency.

Of course, while there are no large or small gold bars available right now, the mint still produces other types of gold bars.

At this moment, Wu Jingzhong was in the stationmaster's office, looking at the box full of gold bars and US dollars, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face!

As it turns out, he not only liked those outdated things, but also had a great fondness for these vulgar yellow and white items.

"How much money is there in total?"

Although Wu Jingzhong questioned Hong Zhong, his eyes never left the box.

"There's about $30,000 here! They still have over $10,000 left, but they don't have enough money and are raising it!"

"So many?"

Although he could tell from looking at the large box that the amount of money was considerable.

But after hearing Hong Zhong's words, he couldn't help but gasp.

Wu Jingzhong closed the box and looked up at Hong Zhong: "You scratched them so badly, are you sure they'll be alright?"

"Don't worry, it's absolutely safe! I've checked the assets of each of them."

They might feel the pinch from the money, but they would never risk it!

In addition, I also searched Han Tieshan's house and found a lot of gold and US dollars, which I put inside as well!

Although Wu Jingzhong ordered the raid on Han Tieshan's home, he still asked:

"If you take all this money, won't it attract... attention?"

"Stationmaster, rest assured, this Han Tieshan is a corrupt official. Corrupt officials should abide by the rules and live a simple life. How could he have embezzled so much property?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhong realized that what he said made sense and felt much more at ease.

"You just said that there are still more than 10,000 US dollars left in debt. When the money is recovered, you take 5,000 and share it with the people below."

You've all worked so hard during this time!

Upon hearing this, Hong Zhong immediately said, "Station Chief, how can this be?"

"There's no such thing as making a horse run and feed it at the same time. Of course, this money isn't free either..."

"Understood, I'll tell them to keep their mouths shut!"

Seeing that Hong Zhong had arranged everything perfectly, Wu Jingzhong was very satisfied.

How come I never noticed before that this kid is so capable?

Of course, while satisfied, Wu Jingzhong couldn't help but ask one more question:

"So, what are your plans for this next?"

"That depends on what kind of result you're looking for, station manager."

"A smooth and stable path is naturally the best!"

"I understand. Is this alright?"

I plan to formally interrogate Han Tieshan to solidify his charges. Afterward, I'll select a few more military police officers, and then we should be able to report to the Ministry of National Defense!

At this moment, Hong Zhong was acting like a cunning strategist, giving Wu Jingzhong terrible advice.

"Yes, I trust you with this matter!"

"Yes! Thank you, stationmaster!"

Hong Zhong immediately stood up for the right path.

"You did a good job this time. What are your plans for the future?"

"I'll follow your instructions, station manager!"

"Don't be so formal, I'm just having a casual chat with you!"

Seeing that Hong Zhong was still speaking in Mandarin, Wu Jingzhong hinted that he should relax and give him some real advice!

"Station Master... After this incident, I've realized I'm not cut out to be an official. On the contrary, I have some talent for business. How about you support me in starting a business? I guarantee I'll earn much more than this!"

Upon hearing Hong Zhong's answer, Wu Jingzhong frowned slightly.

As a privileged unit like the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, entering this unit certainly grants privileges, but at the same time, the personal freedom of ordinary low-level agents is also strictly restricted!

Especially during the War of Resistance against Japan, when they were still low-level agents of the Kuomintang, they couldn't even get married, let alone quit!

Of course, that only applies to the lower levels; those at the top who have privileges are not subject to this jurisdiction.

Now, Hong Zhong is actually planning to leave the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics on his own initiative.

Normally, I would never have let Hong Zhong go!

As his personal secretary, he had access to a large amount of core classified information. Releasing such a person would be detrimental to both himself and the Bureau of Secrecy!

But it must be said that Hong Zhong's timing was quite appropriate!

At this time, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is facing downsizing. Although 25 positions have been submitted for this year, given the current situation of the Bureau, this downsizing is likely just the beginning.

In addition, Hong Zhong did indeed demonstrate his ability to make money.

This one time alone, he made so much money for himself, enough to buy another winery!

If what he said is true, wouldn't I be making a fortune?

"Support your business? How?"

Wu Jingzhong did not choose to agree or disagree, but instead asked...

"Stationmaster, what's the most sought-after commodity in Tianjin right now? It's American goods, of course!"

I know you have connections with the US military. Americans are people too. I believe that as long as you act as a go-between, this business can be done!

Upon hearing Hong Zhong's words, Wu Jingzhong fell silent.

He had to admit that Hong Zhong was right.

Because Hong Zhong was merely proposing the idea, while the government had already done so at the higher levels.

The most famous of these were the Yangzi Company of the Kong family and the import and export company of the Song family, among others.

Even their Director Zheng, not long ago, ostensibly arranged for a ship from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to transport his mother-in-law's coffin back from Nanjing, but in reality, the coffin contained a large amount of opium.

If even the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is making money off the dead, how can his subordinates possibly be any better?

But Hong Zhong had a big appetite; this guy actually planned to cooperate with the Americans, which made Wu Jingzhong hesitate, since it involved the Americans.

Thinking of this, Wu Jingzhong suddenly changed his expression to a smile:

I will consider what you have said.

"By the way, Secretary Hong, speaking of which, you're not getting any younger, aren't you at the age where you should be getting married?"

Normally, Hong Zhong would probably just take Wu Jingzhong's words as a casual expression of concern.

But at this moment, the words he had just spoken, coupled with Wu Jingzhong's mysterious smile, made Hong Zhong's hair stand on end.

What exactly did Wu Jingzhong mean by this statement?