210: Open up secret channels

Night fell, and the banquet at the Du Mansion was nearing its end.

The group moved to the study, and the heavy topic regarding the Kamikaze Special Agents was temporarily concluded.

However, the tension in the air didn't truly dissipate.

Tang Jifeng handed over a cigarette with a smile. "Boss Du, your lack of hesitation in the face of national righteousness is truly admirable!"

After exchanging a look with Lu Fan, he spoke up, "I'm emboldened to ask one more favor. I hope Boss Du can help us out!"

"Oh? Why don't you tell me about it?"

Du Yuesheng's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and the usual gentle smile on his face retracted a bit.

Lu Fan took over the conversation. "Boss Du, we've prepared some supplies, but they're stuck at Hong Kong Island and can't be transported over."

"What kind of supplies are you talking about, Brother Lu? Given the current situation, both water and land routes are under very strict inspection."

Du Yuesheng's tone was calm, but his caution and calculation were evident.

Transporting ordinary goods was already a huge risk; if it were wartime military supplies, it would be like walking on the edge of a blade.

The scene fell into a momentary standstill.

Winter Meng gently set down her round fan and was the first to break the silence.

She advised in a clear voice, "Yuesheng, with the country in crisis and soldiers shedding blood on the front lines, you should help if you can!"

Her words were steady yet firm as she looked at Du Yuesheng with clear eyes.

Looking at his confidante, a flash of complex emotion crossed Du Yuesheng's eyes, eventually turning into a soft sigh.

"Alright..." Du Yuesheng's heart finally softened for his lady.

He nodded slightly and said, "Since these are supplies to support the front-line resistance, I, Du, will certainly do my best with my channels.

As for the fees, we'll waive them entirely, considering it my contribution to the resistance."

Du Yuesheng went along with the suggestion and generously waived the costs.

Upon hearing this, both Lu Fan and Tang Jifeng felt a sense of relief.

Lu Fan cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Du is truly principled. I thank you on behalf of the front-line soldiers!"

"There's no need to be so polite, Mr. Lu. With the country in this state, we should all give our best."

"It's just a small favor!" Du Yuesheng waved it off, though a hint of imperceptible fatigue flickered in his expression.

He pondered for a moment and admitted, "To be honest, Miss Winter and I have been planning to head south to Hong Kong Island recently."

Lu Fan's heart stirred, but he asked noncommittally, "Mr. Du, why leave Shanghai at this time?"

"Firstly, my health has been poor lately. The famous doctors in Shanghai haven't been able to do much, so I want to go to Hong Kong Island to see some Western doctors."

Du Yuesheng spoke tactfully, but with the help of his multifunctional glasses, how could Lu Fan not know who was actually ill?

According to the analysis from the glasses, Ms. Winter Meng had chronic internal injuries that had damaged her reproductive system.

This trip was likely to seek treatment for that; if the two of them could have a child, everything else would fall into place.

Lu Fan understood but didn't say it out loud. He just gave Winter Meng a meaningful "I understand" look.

Realizing her secret had been seen through, Winter Meng immediately lowered her head in embarrassment.

Noticing this, Du Yuesheng gave a light cough and changed the subject. "Secondly... you're aware of the current situation, Mr. Lu.

Truth be told, the japanese have approached me several times. Although I, Du, am no hero..."

"I still understand national integrity. I can never be a Traitor.

However... if I refuse, it might bring disaster to my family and brothers, which I don't want to see. Avoiding it for a while is best for everyone."

Hearing this, a hint of gloom flashed in Winter Meng's eyes as she added softly, "In Shanghai right now, people's hearts are in turmoil.

That Boss of Hooligans is always using the guise of brotherhood to buzz in Yuesheng's ear, trying to persuade him to join the japanese.

Big Brother Huang was also targeted by the japanese with honey traps and schemes to sow discord.

He has officially broken up with Sister Agui, and it's caused quite a stir in the city."

Her tone was flat, but her words were full of massive bombshells.

Lu Fan listened silently, memorizing these names and developments.

Du Yuesheng sighed, essentially confirming Winter Meng's words.

This also indirectly admitted their third reason for heading south: to avoid being recruited by the japanese.

There was another unspoken reason: the Green Gang was in turbulent times, and the war had dealt a massive blow to his business.

The trip to Hong Kong Island was also about expanding financial sources and seeking a new livelihood.

Lu Fan thought for a moment and felt this was an opportunity.

He looked at Winter Meng and said sincerely, "Mr. Du, Miss Meng, I'm deeply grateful for your generous help.

Since you are both going to Hong Kong Island, I might have a way to make money. I wonder if Miss Meng would be interested?"

Winter Meng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Please go on, Mr. Lu."

"I have some connections overseas that allow me to steadily obtain high-quality raw diamonds."

Lu Fan took out a 5-carat lab-grown diamond and said slowly, "I'd like to ask Miss Meng to be my general agent in Hong Kong Island.

You would be responsible for selling diamonds to the Eagle Sauce and Europe markets. The price I give you will be one-third of the market rate."

"One-third?" Winter Meng was shocked; the price was unbelievably low. "Mr. Lu, this..."

"Miss Meng, let me finish first," Lu Fan smiled. "This isn't purely about business.

Currently, the japanese are selling large quantities of such diamonds in Eagle Sauce to buy strategic materials; their financial groups have deep influence there.

By flooding the market with low-priced, high-quality diamonds, we can open an economic front to strike at the interests of the devils' related financial groups;"

"Secondly, the profits are quite substantial. We'll split them fifty-fifty, as a reward for both of you."

The refusal Winter Meng had intended to voice died in her throat.

She was a clever and patriotic woman. Hearing that this could indirectly strike at the japanese...

...and earn considerable profits to secure their future, she couldn't help but be tempted.

She looked toward Du Yuesheng.

Du Yuesheng had been listening quietly, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Being the man he was, he immediately understood Lu Fan's deeper meaning: this was both a generous "hush money" and compensation for using his channels.

More importantly, it was a bond of interests that would tie him to the secret power behind Lu Fan through Winter Meng.

In that moment, he re-evaluated the power and scale of Lu Fan's operations.

He quickly reached a conclusion: Lu Fan was far from an ordinary man.

This business had extremely low risk, huge profits, and was politically correct.

He nodded slightly, giving Winter Meng an affirming look.

Having received his approval, Winter Meng no longer hesitated.

She stood up and gave Lu Fan a solemn, formal curtsy. "In that case, since Mr. Lu trusts me, it would be impolite for Winter to refuse.

I accept this task and will do my utmost to live up to your trust."

Lu Fan smiled slightly and took a blue velvet bag from his pocket, placing it gently on the coffee table.

"These are samples. I wish us a successful cooperation, and I wish Mr. Du and Miss Meng a safe journey and a speedy recovery!"

"From your lips to God's ears!"

Du Yuesheng and Winter Meng exchanged a look and smiled in unison.

With the business concluded, Lu Fan and Tang Jifeng stood up. "Then we shall take our leave!"