Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 279: Hongmen splits up, Zheng Yi reveals his true feelings

The essence of finance, after all, is actually saving money, withdrawing money, borrowing money and lending money.

JP Morgan, the uncrowned king of the previous generation of the United States, believed that the greatest wealth in human society is not asset mortgages, but people's credit and character.

In other words, the financial industry is truly based on trust.

Since Morgan Bank was split into JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, the former has only been engaged in stable deposit and loan business, which is one of the cornerstones of American society. High-risk investments such as stocks and futures are not allowed to be touched.

The latter is completely the opposite. It only does investment business and is a true investment bank with high returns and risks. It also looks for investment opportunities all over the world.

However, it has to be admitted that Morgan Stanley's performance in the post-Morgan era was mediocre, especially during the financial crisis in the 30s. It was not that the U.S. government and Wall Street financial practitioners did not give Henry Morgan opportunities, but he himself did not seize them. He actually proved with his actions that his investment ability was far inferior to his father's.

It's such a waste of the golden brand name of Morgan.

After Zheng Yi decided to intervene, the market value of Morgan Stanley and even Citibank suddenly soared like a rocket. They urgently issued additional shares to raise funds. In fact, they didn't even have time to complete the formalities for the cocktail party held the night before. In fact, Zheng Yi only contacted Morgan from beginning to end and had no contact with anyone from Citibank at all. However, the next morning, the New York Stock Exchange was already crowded with people.

I have to say that the news from these Wall Street financial guys is really accurate.

Except for Morgan Stanley, almost every company related to SAARC saw a significant increase in its share price. Long queues formed in front of Morgan Stanley's bank early in the morning. People waved banknotes and bought up all the wealth management products in Morgan Stanley.

Strictly speaking, this is because the financial supervision of this era is still too loose and there are too many loopholes. Zheng Yi's act of merging Nanyang Bank into Morgan Stanley actually means that he is both a referee and a judge.

After all, SAARC is the lender of this Marshall Plan.

Now that Zheng Yi is doing this, it seems like he is raising money for himself.

It seems like they are not satisfied with a 20 billion loan and want more venture capital. It's simply a mouth that can swallow the sky.

If you were in Europe or somewhere else, if you opened your mouth so wide, people would probably think you were crazy.

Hey, but this is America. It was the 40s, when World War II had just ended and money was being flooded with money at low interest rates. All capital was going crazy and boiling. Yet, everyone just liked Zheng Yi's unstoppable energy.

America, at least since the twentieth century, has been crazy.

Capital never sleeps!
The two banks were originally just American banks, but now they have completely become SAARC banks and even control the issuance of SAARC currency.

Moreover, although on the surface Zheng Yi could completely distance himself from the matter in terms of procedures, he himself did not hold many shares in Nanyang Bank and OCBC Bank. The banking business in Nanyang was mainly done by Tan Kah Kee and his family. But in fact, any discerning person could see Zheng Yi's dominant position in it.

Although it is a BUG, ​​the American people just believe it. After all, Americans are a culture that believes in heroes and personal worship very much. The two words "Zheng Yi" are, to some extent, equivalent to legends in this era.

Although he is not in the banking industry, the 10 billion subsidy issue is no secret on Wall Street. Everyone also believes that the South China Morning Post merged with the New York Stock Exchange is worth the 10 billion subsidy. Mr. Zheng is not satisfied with just collecting the money and wants to have a seat at the table. Naturally, everyone does not mind paying out money to support Mr. Zheng.

After all, the story about Zheng Yi is well-known in the American capital circle and is extremely legendary. It took him only a short time to develop from a colonial native to the richest man in the world. The SAARC in his hands is now the world's largest business organization. He is a hero of World War II, a scientist, politician and entrepreneur, and is especially famous for his unique vision.

The most important thing is that everyone knows that Zheng Yi has the ability to turn stone into gold. He can dig out oil fields in the desert with just a finger. So far, two large oil wells have been successfully dug.

Honestly, where is this skill best used? It really comes down to investment banking.

Even if we don't consider Zheng Yi's genius in other business fields, this one move alone is enough to make everyone feel at ease handing over their money to Zheng Yi.

Although Zheng Yi clearly stated that he would not be the chairman of the two banks, everyone could guess that there would definitely be projects led by Zheng Yi in these two banks.

Of course, for Zheng Yi, this actually means that his talent gap is even bigger.

Zheng Yi has no other worries now except the lack of people.

The next day at noon, Zheng Yi asked Ma Kui to drive to Chinatown without eating.

The Chinese in New York received a call more than an hour ago and knew that Zheng Yi was coming. They had been waiting for a long time. The sound of gongs and drums, firecrackers, red flags waving, and huge crowds of people were there.

Almost as soon as Zheng Yi got off the car, the entire Chinatown erupted in warm cheers. Thanks to Zheng Yi, the situation of Chinese people in the United States is much better than in history, and everyone is grateful to Zheng Yi.

Moreover, any smart person can see that Zheng Yi wants to build a career in the United States. Although no one is familiar with Zheng Yi, or even knows him, they are all compatriots after all, and are always more reliable than outsiders.

After Zheng Yi got out of the car, an old man with a long beard, who looked energetic and healthy, took the initiative to step forward and performed the Hongmen etiquette, saying, "Hongmen Zhigongtang, Situ Meitang, greets the leader Zheng Yi."

Zheng Yi didn't return the greeting, but said, "From what you said, does that mean you want me to be the Grand Marshal of the Hongmen?"

Situ Meitang said, "Of course. The American Hongmen is also a branch of the Hongmen Xiangtang. As the saying goes, all Hongmen in the world are one family. Mr. Zheng, as the Grand Marshal of the Hongmen, how can we, the American branch, not recognize you?"

Zheng Yi remained silent upon hearing this. Looking at the old man before him, he suddenly asked, "Well, since Mr. Situ also believes that the Zhi Gong Tang is part of the Hong Men and recognizes me as the leader, then I will no longer be polite and accept the position. However, I wonder, since the Zhi Gong Tang recognizes me as its leader, will the Hong Men's Min Zhi Party also obey me? Mr. Situ, are you welcoming me today as the Zhi Gong Tang or as the Min Zhi Party?"

"Ah this..."

For a moment, Situ Meitang was also stunned by the question. He had thought that he would have a disagreement with Zheng Yi. After all, although you can't write two "Hong" characters with one stroke, his side is the American Hongmen after all, and in fact, it has never had much to do with the Nanyang Hongmen.

He had actually thought that Zheng Yi would ask this question, but he really didn't expect that Zheng Yi would not even exchange greetings. As soon as he got off the car, he simply brought up the matter. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed to call him, a veteran of the Hongmen.

Seeing this, Zheng Yi simply clasped his fists and said, "Master Situ, I have great respect for you personally, and I also have great respect for the American Hongmen. It is rare that you think highly of me and are willing to accept me as the leader. I am deeply grateful."

"But today, if you don't recognize me as your leader, then that's fine. We are all Chinese compatriots, and my coming here to gather with you is fate and obligation. If there is no subordinate relationship between us, and we are just friends, I have ordered some good wine directly from the factory, and I would like to drink with you today."

"But if you want to follow me as your leader, I like to be clear and concise in what I do. I can't just accept you without knowing whether I can manage you or not."

"Mr. Situ, and everyone else, it's not that I'm unkind, it's just that I haven't figured this matter out clearly. I really don't know how to approach you. If I've offended you, please forgive me."

As he spoke, Zheng Yi bowed to the people gathered around him. The high-ranking members of the Hongmen Society in the United States who came to greet him all had a thoughtful look on their faces, and they couldn't help but look at Situ Meitang.

In the United States, almost all Chinese people belong to the Hongmen, which is a basic organization. If Zheng Yi can use it, Zheng Yi can directly use the Hongmen shell to use all Chinese people at will. This is indeed a very convenient thing.

However, the biggest problem facing the Hongmen in this era, especially the Hongmen in the United States, is the lack of distinction between the party and the hall.

Because the American Hongmen played such an important role in China's modern revolution, this is actually both a good thing and a bad thing.

The development of the Hongmen in the United States is essentially no different from that of the Hongmen in Southeast Asia. The early Chinese workers who came to the United States to build railways were basically deceived pigs. Especially after the Chinese Cultural Revolution, they were even worse off than the blacks. Everyone united and helped each other in order to avoid being bullied.

They are not much different from the secret societies in Nanyang in the past. Most of them are independent according to their affiliation with various chambers of commerce and would not have been so united.

You have to know that at the beginning of the 20th century, there was an internal strife among the Hongmen. People from the Anliangtang and the Xieshengtang fought in broad daylight, all the way from San Francisco to New York. They used machine guns and explosives, and even the American police couldn't handle it. It was really a fight that made people's brains turn into dog brains.

The reason why the American Hongmen, which was so fragmented and even had deep hatred for each other, could unite like it is now is actually because of two things: revolution and the War of Resistance.

In the past, Mr. Sun joined the Hongmen in the United States and became a Red Stick. All parties in the Hongmen were inspired by him and stopped fighting. They began to donate money to the revolution and donated a lot of money and lives. In order to protect Mr. Sun, Situ Meitang personally served as Mr. Sun's bodyguard and chef, and lived and ate with him for five months. Only then did the Hongmen put aside their differences and temporarily ceased fighting, and all regarded Mr. Sun as the leader.

Later, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, in order to concentrate forces and jointly resist foreign humiliation, the more powerful leader of the Anliang Hall, Situ Meitang, took the initiative to admit his mistakes to the Xiesheng Hall. These two most powerful halls with countless blood feuds held a peace conference. This is how the Hongmen Zhigongtang organization came into being. The New York Hongmen was able to unite and actually contribute money and manpower to the anti-Japanese cause.

In fact, they were united for only a short period of time and broke up again not long after.

To put it bluntly, the entire Hongmen in the United States appears to be very united, but in fact it is a mess inside, and even has deep hatred. It is only supported by the national justice and family and country feelings. It is just because the country is in crisis and the Hongmen has played an important role in the modern revolution that they are embarrassed to make trouble at this time.

Just barely maintaining it was already a struggle. As for the internal organizational structure? It was nonexistent, more of a makeshift team than anything else, and heavily influenced by the underworld. It was nowhere near as effective as the Nanyang secret societies that Zheng Yi had already tamed.

Such a loose structure, coupled with the problem of not distinguishing between secret societies and factions in this special period, is clearly fatal in Zheng Yi's view.

If this matter cannot be explained clearly, he would rather not use these Chinese Americans to help him. He would rather use white people and Jews than Chinese people to do things.

Bad teammates are more terrifying than anything else.

The so-called lack of distinction between party and hall, to put it simply, means that the Hongmen wants to stay in the United States to make money, and also wants to return to China to participate in politics. It wants to retain the so-called rules of the underworld, and also wants to transform itself into a modern political party.

Long before the Anti-Japanese War, the Hongmen moved its San Francisco headquarters to Hong Kong Island and established the Zhi Gong Party, hoping to learn the modern party system.

However, the Hongmen was too full of underworld habits, and the Zhigongtangs in various places were used to being lax and unwilling to accept constraints, and still did things according to the rules of the underworld. In the end, there was really no way out, and it became a mess. That is, the Zhigongtang and the Zhigong Party existed at the same time, and members could switch back and forth between the two identities.

That is to say, when I am needed, I am a member of the Zhi Gong Party, and when I am not needed, I may become the Zhi Gong Tang. The party and the Tang are on the same level, and no one can control who. In fact, this has already laid the hidden danger of not distinguishing between the party and the Tang.

After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Democratic Alliance was formed. Situ Meitang again proposed to turn the Hongmen into a political party, return to China to participate in politics, and again brought up the matter of the Hongmen Zhigong Party.

As a result, he was fooled by a man who had no hair on his head. He held a Hongmen reunion in Shanghai, skipped Situ Meitang, and directly defined Hongmen as the Hongmen Minzhi Party and announced the incorporation of the Hongmen Zhigong Party.

Situ Meitang was so angry that he returned to the United States.

But in short, after such a series of tossing and turning, the American Hongmen is actually all confused, including the Cuban Hongmen, Mexican Hongmen, Canadian Hongmen, Peruvian Hongmen, Australian Hongmen, Jamaican Hongmen and other Hongmen believers, all of whom are now in a state of confusion:
Is this a church or a party? Do we participate in politics? Most importantly, what is my name and who do I listen to?
They were already a group of scattered people with hatred towards each other, and now this has been added to the mix.

Some people want to set up a political party, some want to continue to run the incense hall, some want to follow Shanghai, and some still follow Situ Meitang's lead.

Everyone is just barely getting along within the big framework of the Hongmen, and no one knows what the future holds. There's even a lack of a guiding principle internally, and there's a sense of just "muddling through".

After all, everyone contributed so much during the Xinhai Revolution and the Anti-Japanese War. If we really had to say "disband" and disband the entire Hongmen and let everyone live like before, no one would be willing to do that.

Wouldn’t that be patriotism in vain?

This really cost both money and life.

Zheng Yi wanted to recruit the American Hongmen, but he could never recruit an American Hongmen like this.

Taking advantage of this opportunity today, let's have a clear discussion and make a conclusion about whether it is a party or an association, and let Zheng Yi be the leader. Zheng Yi must know whether his subordinates are a modern political party or a traditional underworld gang.

Seeing this, Situ Meitang knew that such ambiguity might not work, so he clasped his hands and said, "Since that's the case, I'd like to ask Mr. Zheng, in your mind, what is the Hongmen, and what is the country?"

"As far as I know, since the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Nationalist government has invited you to return to China at least three times to preside over Hongmen affairs, including the recent Hongmen reunion meeting in Shanghai. If you are willing to attend, Mr. Zheng, given your status, no matter what your stance, at least in the country, who would dare to disregard your opinions?"

"If you were willing to contribute to the country, perhaps we could have sat down and discussed the issue of a multi-party democratic government as early as last year, and our motherland would not have to endure the suffering of this civil war."

"I'd like to ask Mr. Zheng, over the past two years, you've been to Israel, Japan, and Tunisia. You've liberated Southeast Asia and are now trying to liberate the Middle East. Even Japan is trying to restore its normal national status. Now you've come to the United States, yet you haven't returned to China. Mr. Zheng, do you still consider yourself Chinese?"

Zheng Yi thought for a moment after hearing this, then nodded. "Mr. Situ and I do have different paths. The amount of munitions and supplies I donated during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was probably several times more than all of you combined. However, I must admit that I have absolutely no interest in domestic politics and have indeed been avoiding them."

"Why? If you were willing to return to China, perhaps you could settle the conflict and bring peace to the people of the world. With your talents, if you could be used by the country, why worry about China not being independent and prosperous?"

What the old man said was actually close to a question. Zheng Yi nodded, but he was not annoyed.

He also knew that this was a problem he would have to face sooner or later, and it was also a question that many people wanted to ask, but no one dared to ask.

He said that these American Hongmen were vague, but in fact he himself was also vague. After all, he had always relied the most on overseas Chinese. The word "overseas" could not fully describe their embarrassment. They were indeed completely out of domestic control, but the reason why Chinese people stick together is essentially because of cultural identity and national identity.

While relying on overseas Chinese as his base, he also became an American citizen. Now, his speeches and everything he does are all moving more and more towards the so-called "world citizen".

He was almost alienated into transnational capital itself and becoming the spokesperson for transnational capital around the world, and in fact he did so.

He and Situ Meitang are completely at two extremes. As a Chinese American, Situ Meitang is a bit too involved in domestic politics. He even announced in a high-profile manner that he would support our party at this time of the year.

Zheng Yi was the complete opposite. As an overseas Chinese, he rarely interfered in domestic affairs after the end of the Anti-Japanese War, and it was even clear that he was deliberately hiding.

So many people, including Situ Meitang, couldn't understand it: Why are you hiding?

You say he's not involved in politics, unwilling to participate? But now he's clearly involved in the US election.

Britain, France, Israel, they are involved in politics all over the world, but they just don’t get involved in domestic affairs, right?
Instead of going to so much trouble and traveling around the world trying to build a strong SAARC, why not just return home?
Are you reluctant to give up your Nanyang heritage? Isn't it possible to simply merge the Indochina Peninsula with your domestic territory?
So Situ Meitang couldn't help but ask him: What is a country? What does a country mean to him?
Zheng Yi thought for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, but all I can say right now is... the timing isn't right. Why don't I go back and fight for a coalition government instead of a civil war? That's simple, because I've never believed in so-called democratic coalition governments."

"The United States prospered during the reign of Ronald Reagan, Britain during the reign of Archduke Cromwell, Germany during the reign of Bismarck, France during the reign of Frederick, and Japan during the reign of Emperor Meiji. These countries all shared a common characteristic during their rise: centralization of power and brutal oppression and exploitation within their borders.

Tell me, which of them became prosperous and strong because of democracy, rather than becoming democratic because of prosperity and strength? You've put the cart before the horse. The idea that democracy brings happiness and prosperity has always been a beautiful illusion. All developing countries that want to become prosperous and strong can only follow Japan's old path. Do you know how miserable and difficult the lives of ordinary Japanese people were during the Meiji Emperor's time?

"So-called development and prosperity require industrialization, and the true foundation of industrialization must be built at the expense of the well-being of one, or even two, generations to come. Don't think the West didn't go through this process; they simply suffered earlier. Can these things be worked out simply by sitting down and discussing them?"

"As the saying goes, there is no construction without destruction. Regardless of who wins or loses, the victor will be the one who completes the centralization of power. On the contrary, if we don't fight at this time and really sit down to talk, the contradictions will not be resolved but suppressed, and centralization will not be achieved. Perhaps the next few decades will be muddled and there will be no real development."

"Why don't I try my best to prevent civil war? Because in my eyes, this civil war is a good thing. Who can represent China's future? After a war, everything will be clear."

Finally, Zheng Yi spoke loudly to the crowd, "I consider myself quite patriotic. Although I have become an American citizen, I have not lost my Chinese nationality. Both countries recognize dual citizenship. However, I am here to make it clear today that I will never interfere in domestic affairs, especially politics."

"My position is extremely awkward. My motherland is the path I came from, but now, the path I am on is indeed a path that only the world's most powerful superpower can support me. Moreover... my party and I ultimately have different positions."

"As for annexing Indochina to the motherland? That's even more impossible. Neither the Americans nor the Soviets would agree. A superpower without sufficient strength is inherently fragile and dangerous. If Indochina were to be annexed, the cohesion necessary for survival would be lost."

"To be frank, I'm too powerful now, and my motherland is too weak. I can't go back to my country. If I go back, my country will be gone. I can only rely on the United States and become an American. There's no other way. I have no choice."

Of course, there was one more thing Zheng Yi didn't say.

He and his SAARC must indeed rely on a superpower to exist, but if the motherland can become a superpower, all difficulties will naturally be solved.

Anyway, as a time traveler, he knows better than anyone else that there will be such a day for the motherland, and this day will come earlier than anyone in this era thinks.

Zheng Yi is not yet forty this year. If he could live a few more years, he might not even see that day.

Today, taking the opportunity of Situ Meitang questioning him, Zheng Yi actually took the opportunity to reveal his intentions and used this opportunity to set the strategic goals and guidelines for the Hongmen and the overseas Chinese who followed him.

"In short, I will not return to China, nor do I want to participate in politics. I even scoff at so-called modern political parties. That's my answer. Mr. Situ, what's your answer?"

Situ Meitang said, "I see. I understand Mr. Zheng's intentions. I'll also make a statement. From today on, the Zhi Gong Tang and the Zhi Gong Party will officially split. Those who are willing to follow me, to become a modern political party, and to return to fight for the motherland, please come back with me. From now on, we will abandon the name of the Hongmen."

"Those who are unwilling to return to China are the Zhi Gong Tang. From now on, we will have no further ties with the Zhi Gong Tang. After I leave, the entire Hongmen will obey your orders, Mr. Zheng, and only act according to the rules of the underworld. We will not get involved in domestic politics. From today on, the Hongmen will officially split up! What do you think, Mr. Zheng?"

Zheng Yi: "Okay, splitting up is good. We can still be friends after splitting up. If we can't separate, it will only cause trouble. Hahaha, let's go, Mr. Situ, let's have a good drink. After all, I'm Chinese, and I have a lot to do in the United States this time. I really need your help."

(End of this chapter)