The Wind Rises in 1898: Becoming a Warlord Starting in Southeast Asia

Chapter 75 Commercial Rights and Civil Policy

After putting down the ceramic pot, Wang Muning did not leave. Instead, she pulled up a small stool and sat down at the table in a generous manner, her bright eyes gazing at everyone.

Seeing this, Chen Feng chuckled and immediately stood up to return the greeting to Wu Tingchen with a cupped-hand salute: "Brother Wu, I have long heard of your great name!"

You wrote the "Petition of Overseas Chinese" with your beautiful prose, used your pen to reduce the exorbitant taxes for merchants in Chinatown, and with a heart full of righteousness, you opened Chinese evening classes to cultivate talents and promote the overseas Chinese community. You are truly a rare literary talent among the Chinese community in Luzon, and even more so, a pragmatic doer. I have long admired you!

The two sat down again, and Wang Muning took the wine pot first, tiptoeing to fill the four people's bowls with wine one by one.

Chen Feng glared at her helplessly, then raised his wine bowl and said loudly, "Gentlemen, let's drink to our brotherhood! I'll start by toasting everyone!"

Wu Tingchen also solemnly picked up his wine bowl, but did not rush to drink it. He stared intently at Chen Feng: "Just now I heard the general say that Chinese people should occupy 50% of the seats in the parliament. May I ask the general, is this just a passionate outburst or a well-thought-out plan?"

Such a thunderous demand will surely offend the entire Luzon indigenous elite, with endless consequences! Brother Liu, being related to Aquinas by marriage, might escape unscathed, but General, you will likely face certain death!

"I have my own complete plan. The key to success is secrecy; once it's revealed, it won't work." Chen Feng smiled faintly, flicked his wrist, and downed the strong liquor in his bowl in one gulp.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hengfu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was impossible to reach an agreement on a 50% quota in the first place. Since there are other plans, it means that there is still hope for the formation of an independent government with Chinese participation, and his efforts over the years will not be in vain.

Upon hearing this, Wu Tingchen did not delve further into the matter, but instead asked, "What the general said in his book is that Portugal, with its small territory, relied on the power of navigation, using trade as its weapon and military force as its shield, and eventually became a maritime power."

"With the current nationwide reform movement, and our Luzon Chinese community also seeking a long-term foothold, are there any lessons we can learn from each other?"

Chen Feng put down his wine bowl and tapped the table lightly with his fingers: "Domestic reforms have their own considerations for those in charge, and I cannot offer empty words."

But how similar is the situation of the Chinese in Luzon to that of Portugal back then? They were able to establish a nation through commerce and protect their businesses with power. Why can't we, the Chinese, use our business influence to shape politics, our public voice to unite the people, and our military force to ensure stability in Luzon?

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

Wu Tingchen's eyes blazed with intense light as he exclaimed excitedly, "General, your words have awakened me from my dream! I have studied the Portugal chapter of 'The Rise of Great Powers' dozens of times, only grasping the surface of maritime trade, but not understanding the principle of using power to protect commerce. Today I realize that this is the essence of the rise of a great power! With commerce as the foundation, power as the shield, and the people as the core, the rise of the Chinese in Luzon hinges on this!"

Liu Hengfu was deeply moved and slammed his fist on the table: "What a fine example of using commerce as a foundation and power as a shield! After fighting for so many years, I've finally realized that bloodshed and bloodshed alone cannot bring peace and stability to the Chinese people!"

Zheng Mingsong also laughed loudly, his tone full of self-satisfaction: "Brother Chen, I knew your book was extraordinary! I've already telegraphed the Portugal chapter back home, and although I haven't received any feedback yet, judging from Brother Wu's expression, I know its value! You should write the second chapter as soon as possible, so that more Chinese can see the way forward!"

Upon hearing that there was a sequel, Wu Tingchen's eyes lit up instantly.

Chen Feng, in high spirits after drinking, didn't waste any time. He got up and went straight back to his bedroom, took out a stack of manuscript papers, and slammed them on the table: "The Spanish chapter is just finished. All three of you have been in Luzon for many years, and Brother Zheng even studied in Madrid. You are very familiar with the situation in Spain. If there are any errors or omissions, please feel free to correct them!"

"Then I'll be the first to see it!" Wu Tingchen snatched the manuscript first, pulled up the hem of his scholar's robe, and wiped the spilled wine on the table clean, afraid of soiling the manuscript.

He would sometimes frown in deep thought, and sometimes nod in admiration, muttering to himself, "The ills of Spanish colonization and the calamities of the expansion of royal power seem to subtly mirror the current situation in Luzon... General, your insight into worldly affairs is truly remarkable!"

Wang Muning had always been curious about what the so-called "Rise of Great Powers" was all about, so he simply picked up the wine pot and, under the pretext of refilling Wu Tingchen's wine, stood on tiptoe to secretly examine it, his big eyes full of curiosity.

Zheng Mingsong, unable to contain his curiosity, repeatedly craned his neck to look, only to be interrupted by Chen Feng with a smile: "Brother Zheng, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" Zheng Mingsong's eyes were still fixed on the manuscript paper, and he gave a perfunctory answer.

Chen Feng picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and raised his voice, saying, "The Chinese population in Luzon is still too small. I intend to attract Chinese immigrants on a large scale. When the Zheng family's merchant ships return, could they carry no cargo and instead transport immigrants at full capacity?"

"Not selling products?"

Zheng Mingsong withdrew his gaze and began to ponder carefully.

The Zheng family's merchant ships could have profited handsomely during the war by using the trade routes opened by the US military to transport goods.

But then he thought that a growing Chinese population would benefit the entire overseas Chinese community, so he immediately made a decision: "The US military has also opened up trade routes for my Zheng family's merchant ships. Before the war ends, we will only deliver one-way goods, so we won't lose money. I can agree to this! But it's hard to say after the war. The Zheng family has been around for hundreds of years and has many branches. The main family also needs to take into account the interests of other branches."

"Let's do it this way for now! We'll discuss what to do next after the war is over!" Chen Feng nodded.

At this moment, Wu Tingchen suddenly slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "A divine theory! Truly a divine theory! The general has used only two books to fully explain the rise and fall of Portugal and Spain, and to reveal the true meaning of success and failure! I have studied Spanish history books for more than a year, yet I do not understand as thoroughly as the general has in less than a month since arriving in Luzon!"

"Let me see! Let me see!"

Zheng Mingsong had been waiting impatiently for a long time, so he snatched the manuscript and began to read it carefully.

Wu Tingchen rose, straightened his scholar's robe, and bowed deeply to Chen Feng, his tone extremely earnest: "General Chen, your manuscript is the first work by a Chinese person to analyze the successes and failures of the great powers from multiple perspectives, including politics, economics, thought, religion, art, military affairs, and diplomacy! Could we take the manuscript with us to publish it in Luzon and simultaneously send it back to China, so that Chinese people all over the world can enjoy this feast?"

"Why not? Writing is meant to be read by others."

Chen Feng chuckled, "Just make sure to indicate that the Chinese Free Army is sponsoring and distributing this publication when it's printed. Let all the forces in Luzon see that we Chinese are not only capable of fighting, but also of long-term planning!"

Without looking up, Zheng Mingsong casually asked, "Actually, I'd rather see the British chapter as soon as possible! Britain is still the British Empire, who wouldn't want to know its rise to power?"

Chen Feng replied with a smile, "After I return from Malolos, I will begin writing the Netherlands chapter, followed by the England chapter. Brother Zheng, please stay tuned."

"Okay! I'll be waiting!"

Zheng Mingsong carefully put the manuscript paper away.

Chen Feng raised his wine bowl again and called out loudly, "Gentlemen, on this fine day, with such a beautiful scene, and with close friends gathered together, let's drink another cup!"

"Let's drink together!"

Four wine bowls collided heavily, wine splashed, and hearts brimmed with heroic spirit.

Setting down his wine glass, Chen Feng turned to Wu Tingchen and asked with a smile, "Brother Wu, what do you think of my Free Army?"

"A fierce and powerful army! With strict discipline and formidable combat strength, they are truly the shield of the Chinese people!" Wu Tingchen replied without hesitation, his tone full of admiration.

Chen Feng narrowed his eyes slightly and asked again, "In that case, Brother Wu, are you willing to join us in fighting for the freedom and dignity of the Chinese people in Luzon?"

After Wu Tingchen stood up, he solemnly straightened his scholar's robe, bowed deeply to Chen Feng, and said in an unwavering tone, each word ringing out: "It is my wish, I dare not ask!"