Chaos

There are three types of goods transported in Shanghai's transport ports, passenger, white goods, and black goods, each with its own wharf.The passenger terminal is farther away, and the white goods and black goods are together.Baihuo is a homonym of "baihuo", because some goods that cannot be circulated openly are called "black goods", and all things that do not belong to this category are collectively called "white goods".The so-called black goods that cannot be seen refer to special goods such as arms and opium that are not accessible to ordinary merchants and can only be transported by the underworld.

Black goods and white goods are not only different in the type of transported items, but also strictly defined in terms of transport time.White goods are not affected by time, but black goods can only be transported from 0:6 to [-]:[-] every night.The black cargo wharf is locked during the day and is guarded by special ship stewards.During the day, report to the General Administration of Customs the category and quantity of black goods that night, and at night take the signed form to the ship steward to open the dock to welcome the goods.Even these six hours a day are not for everyone, but according to the status of the underworld, ten days for the Li family, eleven days for the Feng family, and eight days for Li Shu.

After all, black goods are not ordinary goods recognized by the above.Just talking about arms, the transportation approval process takes several days, coupled with strict supervision, the risks are extremely high, and the tariffs are frighteningly high, which ordinary businessmen cannot afford.Even if you dare to take risks for money, if you intend to cooperate with foreigners, you still have to depend on your social status and whether you can talk to the Maritime Affairs Bureau. Every condition is prohibitively stringent.In anyone's eyes, it is almost impossible for Li Shu to be able to sit in this position after leaving Li's house.But if he had to say that he had nothing to do with the Li family, it would be unreasonable. After all, his status as the former heir of the Li family was so ostentatious that it could not be ignored on any occasion.

Let’s talk about the Li family and the Feng family. In terms of their own timber and cloth business, they are not small, but they are not so big that they can cover the sky with their hands. Sea freight, which has been monopolized by import and export trade for decades, was the first to start the opium business at the end of the Qing Dynasty.After the domestic turmoil, foreign arms dealers chose to cooperate with local businessmen in order to eliminate resistance. They still made a fortune in the open business, but secretly opened up the market through them. The Li and Feng families gradually became well-known in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. and the two major families of the Chamber of Commerce.

In the office of Fengyuan Casino, Li Shu was looking through the casino's current account for the month, and the rumbling thunder outside did not affect her at all.The secretary knocked on the door and came in, handing her an envelope.

"The telegram from above."

"Telegram?" Li Shu was a little puzzled. On weekdays, her only contact with the arms dealer was the monthly order and details of the cargo ship received. She would not send a telegram if there was no urgent matter.

Li Shu opened the telegram, frowned slowly as he read it, thought twice, and called the manager's office of "Ye Shanghai". After a while, a man with a mustache and about 60 years old knocked on the door and walked out. Entered Li Shu's office.

Master Qin, Qin Ji, was met by Li Shu when he was selling tea in Guangxi. At that time, he was just a housekeeper of a wealthy family. Seeing that Li Shu was young but calm and capable, he admired her very much, so he resigned from his position as a housekeeper to work with her.Li Shu was still suspicious at first, but after a long time, he also understood Master Qin's feeling of being underappreciated, and admired his ability to speak and do things. With Master Qin's help, Li Shu accomplished many things more than expected.After returning to Shanghai, Li Shu handed over almost all the affairs of the tea house to him, and let him manage "Ye Shanghai" after the tea house was sold.Master Qin was nearly 20 years older than Li Shu, and he was cautious and experienced. Li Shu would often discuss with him when he was undecided.

"Madam Li, what's the rush?"

"Look at this," Li Shu handed the telegram to Mr. Qin, "It says that the arrival of this batch of arms will be delayed by at least one day."

Master Qin raised his glasses, carefully read the contents of the telegram, and said, "I've been delayed for a day, won't I bump into the Li family?"

Li Shu looked dignified, nodded slightly, and said: "This batch of munitions is going to be sent to the front line, and it will delay the opportunity of the battle. I'm afraid it will be difficult to do business in the future."

Master Qin folded the telegram while thinking, and said: "It's already the ninth day of the lunar new year, and there are three days left. It's getting dark now, you might as well go to the Maritime Affairs Bureau tomorrow, and find Qiu Fengshao. Ask him to help?"

Qiu Fengshao is the deputy director of the General Department of Maritime Affairs. He is in charge of customs cargo inspection. Every shipment of illegal cargo that can pass through the wharf must have his signature, and the dispatch of cargo ships must be under his supervision. He is the highest official in the General Administration of Customs. Chinese officials.

"What I'm worried about now is that the Li family won't agree..." Li Shu was thinking, leaning his elbows on the edge of the table and clasping his fingers together, "Qiu Fengshao can only agree to delay the approval of the goods by one day, but can the Li family push the goods to be unloaded by one day?" , I really have no idea."

"I'm going to Li's house now to find Li Gong."

Master Qin drove to Li's house and waited for him in Li Gong's study.

"I've been waiting for a long time, Master Qin!" Li Gong walked into the study with a cane, and said with a smile.

"No hurry, no hurry!" Master Qin smiled like a Buddha and came to help Li Gong. After Li Gong sat down, he sat opposite Li Gong.

"You came to see me, what's the matter?"

"To tell you the truth, there is indeed something." Master Qin had a dimple on his face, and he didn't go down while talking with Li Gong. "Mr. Gong is a person who doesn't like to go around the bush, so I'll just get straight to the point. This month, The rain is heavy, the sea is not smooth, the boats have to depend on the weather when going out to sea, with so much rain and such strong wind, the boats are often delayed.”

Li Gong narrowed his eyes and nodded with a half-smile, as if he had already guessed what Master Qin wanted to say.

"Mrs. Li received a telegram today that this month's shipment may be delayed by a day. It's okay to delay this day, but the unloading is a few days later, but unfortunately, the last few days were loaded on the ship. Big weapons! You know that big weapons can’t stay on the pier for a long time, maybe something big will happen! So I want to ask you to help us out for a day, so as to avoid risks..."

Li Gong smiled and listened to Master Qin finished speaking, tapped on the crutches, and did not speak for a long while.Master Qin didn't urge him, but waited patiently.

"You are here on behalf of Li Shu, she has something to ask me, why don't you come by yourself?"

"Madam Li has something to do and can't leave, I'll do it for you."

Li Gong nodded, stood up slowly leaning on crutches, and said, "Then you can give her a message for me. You have to come in person to deal with her."

Master Qin also stood up with a smile, leaned forward a little and said, "Mr. Ting Gong means that there is no need to discuss?"

Li Gong nodded slightly.

Master Qin still smiled and said, "Okay, I will definitely bring it for you!"