Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"If the group collectively demands repayment from your Singapore County Government, can your government come up with such a huge sum of money to repay it?"

Upon hearing this, Li Guangdong felt a chill run down his spine. Chen Dong's move had indeed struck Singapore's Achilles' heel. Singapore had always touted itself as a champion of the rule of law, especially when it came to Singapore for trade and foreign exchange settlement.

If the Singaporean government were suddenly exposed to have such a huge historical debt, and knowingly refused to pay it despite the long delay, it would be a devastating blow to Singapore's financial reputation.

Li Guangxiong then realized why his brother Li Guangliang was so afraid of completely offending the Hongmen gang. It was mainly because Li Guangxiong had forgotten that Singapore still owed so many debts.

"Mr. Chen, this," Li Guangdong hesitated for a long time before speaking again, his voice much hoarser than before, "These accounts are from over fifty years ago. The borrower at the time was the British colonial government, and the Singapore government, legally..."

"Minister Li, you'd better think this through before you speak," Chen Dong interrupted Li Guangxiong in a cold tone. "Your Singapore is known for its strong sense of the rule of law. I didn't just study economics at Harvard; I know the law better than anyone."

"After Singapore became autonomous, it inherited all the financial rights of the former colonial government, as well as its debts. You don't deny these debts, you just never intend to pay them back."

At this point, Chen Dong sneered, "Besides the IOUs, I also have several extension agreements and interest adjustment documents signed between your Singapore County Government Finance Department and my grandfather. If you need them, I can have my legal team in America publish them all in the New York Times!"

"Cough cough cough!" Li Guangdong coughed repeatedly in fright when he heard that Chen Dong was going to publish these documents. "Mr. Chen, let's all calm down first."

"Our county government doesn't mean we don't want to repay the money, but we will repay it in a planned way, first repaying the urgent needs and the smaller amounts," Li Guangxiong began to make up lies in order to appease Chen Dong. Mi Lian, who was sitting next to him, almost burst out laughing when he heard what he said.

"Furthermore, by making these documents public, you may have vented your anger, but you've also completely destroyed Singapore's financial reputation. If Singapore goes bankrupt, it won't be good for you or for the hundreds of other creditors!"

"I don't care!" Chen Dong said nonchalantly. He leaned back on the sofa, spread his hands, and wore a mocking expression like an American capitalist. "The loss of 140 million US dollars is just like my wife buying two extra containers of cosmetics."

"Compared to your Singaporean government's continued refusal to pay, a lose-lose situation is better than a win-win for Singaporean government. Since you're not planning to pay anyway, I'm not planning to ask you for it either. Let's just go ahead and have a showdown!"

"Zai Dong, don't be in such a hurry," Milian finally spoke up. He knew that Chen Dong wasn't just saying these things out of anger, but that he really meant to have his Americana legal team release these documents. For a big capitalist like Chen Dong, whether or not he could get the more than 140 million US dollars back was another matter, but he couldn't let his anger get the better of him.

"Minister Li, these historical debts are never just about money. These IOUs are history, but also about credit. If Singapore wants to continue financial cooperation with China, it must first acknowledge these debts. Otherwise, there's no point in discussing anything else."

"Mr. Chen, President Mi, I personally acknowledge the existence of these historical debts. It is precisely because of the complexity and sensitivity of these debts that I have suggested to the Singapore Cabinet many times that we should sit down with the relevant parties as soon as possible and reach an agreement to resolve them," Li Guangdong said slowly, each word carefully crafted before he spoke.

"Since Mr. Chen has put it this way today, I will personally state that I will urge the Singapore County Finance Agency to include these historical loans in the framework of our financial cooperation and handle them together."

"It's not about denying or delaying, but about making it a starting point for rebuilding trust, Mr. Chen. What do you think?"

"I have serious doubts about the credibility of your Singapore County government," Chen Dong said, shaking his head. "Use the loans your Singapore County government owes me and other creditors as the starting point for rebuilding your credit!"

"Minister Li, in your understanding, am I, Chen Zaidong, a person with Down syndrome?"

Chen Zaisheng burst out laughing. Mi Lian didn't understand what Chen Dong meant and looked at Chen Zaisheng with a puzzled expression. He really didn't understand what Chen Dong meant by "Tang Shi'er" and couldn't get the joke in Chen Dong's words.

Li Guangdong understood, but he couldn't laugh. "Then what do you mean, Mr. Chen?"

"Singapore must first pay off all historical debts owed from previous years before there is any possibility of cooperation between the two parties. The Hongmen Headquarters will not agree to any attempt to set aside historical debts or use them as bargaining chips," Chen Dong said, tapping his finger heavily on the coffee table.

"Mr. Chen," Li Guangdong's voice was pleading, "these historical debts are enormous. It's not that our Po County government doesn't want to repay them, but we simply can't afford to repay them all at once. Could you perhaps..."

"Can you do what?"

Chen Dong interrupted him rudely, "Are you planning to ask for a few more years, or perhaps, can you pay back a portion first?"

"You've been saying these things to my grandfather and the others since I was in elementary school. How many years has it been? Have you done it again?"

"I'm telling you, it's impossible!"

Chen Dong's "Impossible!" was like a thunderclap in the small private room of the guesthouse. His undeniable domineering aura crushed Li Guangdong's last bit of bargaining power.

Li Guangdong's face became somewhat dejected. He still remembered his elder brother Li Guangliang saying something after drinking: "The mess left by the British will cost people their lives sooner or later."

He didn't understand then, but now, faced with Chen Dong's aggressive approach, he does.

"Mr. Chen, I understand your concerns," Li Guangxiong said, forcing himself to sit up. He placed his hands back on the table, his fingers interlaced until his knuckles were white. "I'll put it this way: on behalf of the Singapore Financial Services Authority, I can first acknowledge the entire principal and interest of your grandfather Sheng Yu's loan. As of today, the outstanding debt is locked at US$144.84 million, with no further interest accrued and no further adjustment clauses imposed."

Chen Dong raised an eyebrow, remained silent, and looked at Li Guangdong, waiting to see what he would say next.

Seeing that Chen Dong remained silent, Li Guangdong continued, "However, the repayment method must be tied to the bilateral clearing cooperation. Singapore Bank will set up a special debt repayment account and allocate 30% of the service fees, port usage fees, and new trade settlement revenue generated from the bilateral clearing business between Singapore and Tuocheng each year to repay historical debts."

"The remaining 70% will continue to be rolled into the Singapore County Foreign Exchange Stabilization Fund to ensure that the value of the Singapore dollar does not collapse. Mr. Chen, Governor Mi, this is the greatest sincerity I can offer within my authority."