kingnovel Chapter 690 Visitors from Southeast Asia in Shanghai
Chapter 690 Visitors from Southeast Asia in Shanghai
In early autumn in Shanghai, the wind from the Huangpu River carries a hint of saltiness, blowing past the massive Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque buildings along the Bund.
The pair of bronze lions at the entrance of HSBC still loom over the street, but there are no longer any traces of Japanese soldiers leaning against them.
A strange atmosphere was permeating the streets.
The slogans celebrating the victory had not yet completely faded, but the ribbons welcoming the National Army were already covered in dust.
Newsboys hawked newspapers from different factions in their high-pitched voices, and trams clanged past, their carriages plastered with all sorts of commercial advertisements and political propaganda posters.
The arrogant Nationalist army officers, dressed in white eagle-style uniforms, mingled shoulder to shoulder with the old-fashioned merchants in long gowns and mandarin jackets, looking cautious.
Occasionally, a jeep would whiz by, carrying a white soldier with a heavily made-up woman in his arms, drawing complicated glances from passersby.
The Japanese surrendered some time ago, and the once arrogant Imperial Army and the haughty Japanese civilians have long since disappeared, like the remains left on the beach after the tide has receded, which are being quickly covered and cleared by the new wave.
On August 16, the Songhu Garrison Command was reorganized in Chongqing.
Soon after, the 74th Army, known as the "Imperial Guard," marched into Shanghai and formally accepted the surrender of the local Japanese garrison. The mountains of rifles, grenade launchers, and even boxes upon boxes of supplies piled up in the warehouses became a testament to the victory.
Soon, the Shanghai Garrison Command moved back to its old location on North Sichuan Road.
Qian Dajun, a veteran of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the new mayor of Shanghai and commander of the Songhu Garrison, wielding military and political power over this oriental metropolis.
For Shanghai, the White Party has returned.
Moreover, this time, the situation is very different from that before the war.
The International Settlement, the Gallic Settlement... With the victory of the Allied powers in World War II, the Gallic, the White Eagle, and John successively announced the return of the Shanghai concessions, and the defeated Japanese could not possibly retain their Hongkou Concession.
The banner of the White Party was finally planted throughout Shanghai in all its glory.
So, what was the first priority for the White Party upon their triumphant return?
Naturally, it's about "five things going well"—gold bars, a house, a car, money, and a woman.
The most respectable and profitable of these was "taking over enemy property".
As for what constitutes "enemy property"?
Hey, isn't that just the White Party officials' golden word? Whatever they want, they can just put a seal on it and legitimately take it for themselves?
The businesses of traitors are considered enemy property. The businesses of economic traitors who have done business with the Japanese are considered enemy property. Even some fat sheep that they don't like can be cleverly included in the category of "enemy property".
For a time, in Shanghai's factories, warehouses, and residences, officials were constantly moving about, staging a series of tragicomedies of "yesterday's masters are today's prisoners, and the officials who took over have become the new masters."
That day, Qian Dajun had just dismissed a group of local gentry who had pleaded for the industry in his office at the municipal government. He rubbed his throbbing temples when his secretary tiptoed in to report:
"Mayor, a Mr. Zhang from Southeast Asia requests an audience, saying he wants to discuss business."
Qian Dajun's eyebrows twitched slightly.
From Southeast Asia?
Still surnamed Zhang?
Is that person from the same clan?
His mind raced. Zhang Chi, the powerful figure in the south, was currently riding high, wielding considerable influence and commanding respect even from the US and Russia. He couldn't afford to neglect his men.
"Please come to the small reception room," he instructed, straightening his woolen military uniform.
In the small reception room, a middle-aged man, around forty years old and with a sharp, capable face, stood up, smiled, and handed over his business card.
"Mayor Qian, I have long admired your name. My surname is Zhang, Zhang Zhenhuan. I do some small business in Southeast Asia, mainly in Singapore and Penang."
Qian Dajun took the business card; it was in gold-embossed traditional Chinese characters and read "General Manager of Xingzhou Global United Trading Company".
He put on a formulaic smile: "Manager Zhang, you've come all this way, thank you for your hard work. Please have a seat."
He sized up the man; he was composed and had sharp eyes, clearly no ordinary businessman, and was undoubtedly a representative from Southeast Asia.
After the waiter served fragrant tea, Zhang Zhenhuan didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:
"Mayor Qian is very busy, so I will speak frankly. My purpose in coming here is twofold: first, to contribute my modest efforts to the reconstruction of Shanghai; and second, to resolve a troubling matter for the mayor."
"Oh? I'd like to hear the details." Qian Dajun picked up his teacup, remaining calm and composed.
“Shanghai is prosperous, but the war has just ended, and there are probably still a large number of people in the surrounding countryside and even the city who are displaced and destitute.”
If these people were to gather in Shanghai, it could cause trouble and put enormous pressure on the municipal government's security and relief efforts.
Zhang Zhenhuan slowly said, “Our Southeast Asia is vast and sparsely populated, and we are in dire need of labor to cultivate plantations and build factories. We are willing to send ships to bring these compatriots who are willing to go to Southeast Asia to make a living, to give them a job, and to share the burden of the mayor.”
Qian Dajun's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to ponder: "Well... overseas Chinese affairs and immigration are of great importance and need to be handled with caution."
Zhang Zhenhuan smiled slightly, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice:
"Of course, we can't let the mayor and his colleagues work for nothing. We've agreed that for every voluntary immigrant we take away, fifty Nanyang dollars will be deposited into your account at Sin Chew Bank as a reward for the introduction of labor and the handling of procedures."
As for this money, Mayor, we will not interfere with how you allocate or manage it.
Fifty Nanyang dollars, Qian Dajun's eyelids twitched.
Nowadays, the legal tender is worthless, and the exchange rate of Nanyang Yuan to legal tender on the black market is ridiculously high. Its value is almost on par with that of the Dali.
This one head costs fifty Nanyang dollars. If it were transported to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people... that would be an astonishing fortune.
Moreover, storing this money in Sin Chew Bank is safe and discreet, far better than keeping constantly depreciating fiat currency in China with trepidation.
"I heard you have a promising young son-in-law?" Zhang Zhenhuan casually suggested. "If he intends to do some business in Southeast Asia, we will definitely give him our full support. It's also more secure and reassuring to have a close relative manage the Sin Chew Bank account."
These words struck a chord with Qian Dajun.
He had long heard that the Sin Chew Daily Stock Exchange was booming and the stock market was soaring, and he was struggling to find a reliable way to transfer his assets abroad for investment.
This is like a pillow for someone who's sleepy.
As for population loss?
The area surrounding Shanghai has no shortage of people. If those starving people were to remain in the city, and if the starving population were to spread and cause a popular uprising, it would be a stain on his political record.
Once they're gone, out of sight, out of mind, and you can even get real money in return—why not?
Moreover, he recently collaborated with the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station on a "takeover" operation, raking in a fortune. However, things seemed to be getting tense, and he heard that Boss Dai intended to clean up the atmosphere. He was worried about where to put this windfall, and Nanyang's move perfectly helped him achieve the transfer and appreciation of his assets.
"Manager Zhang's consideration is truly thoughtful." Qian Dajun's face showed a much more sincere smile. "It's a good thing that benefits the country and the people, and also solves my urgent problem. How could I not agree? I will send someone to contact you regarding the details."
"Mayor Qian is a man of great wisdom and integrity." Zhang Zhenhuan raised his glass in a gesture of respect.
"In addition, our cargo ships from Southeast Asia travel between Shanghai and Southeast Asia. When they arrive, they can be fully loaded with Southeast Asian specialties, such as rubber products, spices, canned tropical fruits, and even some light industrial products, which can be sold in Shanghai. On the return trip, it would be a waste to leave the ship empty, so it is perfect to carry immigrants and make the most of everything."
The two men smiled at each other, their teacups clinked lightly, and a deal involving people, money, and power was settled amidst the fragrant aroma of tea.
For Zhang Chi, who was far away in Yangon, this deal was equally worthwhile.
Rather than letting these parasites from the White Party transfer the wealth they've plundered to the White Eagle and Switzerland, enriching outsiders, it would be better to find ways to bring it to Southeast Asia.
These funds, injected into the markets and development of Southeast Asia, will accelerate its industrialization process.
In the future, a portion of this wealth may well give back to the homeland he so longs for, in another form.
The mission of the people he sent to the Republic of China was this: to use the chains of money to entangle those high-ranking White Party officials, corrupting them while also drawing nourishment for Southeast Asia and preserving more of the nation's vitality for the future.