At the beginning of 1942, the Japanese were taking an uncomfortably close interest in Father's business. They demanded that the business should be joined with a Japanese company. Father could continue to run the company, but the Japanese would take half the money that the company made. I Father refused this"offer', he could go to prison fter many sleepless nights, Father took a brave step. He"disappeared'. One cold day, he took a letter to the post office and never returned home. Ye Ye continued the pretence. He went to the local police and reported that his son was missing. It was a game but it worked. Without Father, Joseph Yen& Company did not do well. No new business came in. Employees were sent home. The Japanese soon lost interest. Father had managed to move some of his his appearance, and under a false name he made his way south to Shanghai. He bought a house and soon afterwards he sent for Niang and Franklin, who travelled there with a couple of employees.