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Chapter 1744 The Eldest Son of the Empire (Third update, please subscribe)

The white Gulfstream plane slowly lowered its altitude and passed through the clouds, and the outline of Mindanao gradually became clear. Yu Xiangdong leaned against the window, looking out the porthole and overlooking this vibrant city.

Zamboanga, the capital of Mindanao, appeared before his eyes.

The city outline built along the coast is like a huge puzzle, with tall buildings lined up one after another, and glass curtain walls shining brightly in the sun. Although the skyscrapers here are not as big as those in Chang'an, most of them are built along the coast, with blue sky, sea, tall buildings, and mountains in the background.

On the streets, the traffic is endless, and densely packed vehicles are shuttling on the viaducts and main roads, like flowing blood vessels, injecting endless vitality into the city. In the port in the distance, huge cargo ships are loading and unloading containers, and cranes are operating busily.

“This is Zamboanga… the eldest son of the empire!”

Yu Xiangdong murmured softly, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.

He didn't even call this place "the eldest son of Nanyang". In fact, Yu Xiangdong, like many people, prefers to use the word "empire" to describe everything here.

Although it does not have the name of an "empire", it has the reality of an empire.

This mentality exists in the hearts of many high-level bureaucrats. To some extent, it is influenced by the exiles. They still have the dream of "imperial revival" in their hearts, and their emotions are extended to Chang'an or SEA.

Therefore, the word "empire" is also circulated in limited circles.

It's nothing but pride.

Just like now, even when looking at the "eldest son of the empire", Yu Xiangdong's heart is filled with pride.

“Back then, we started from here and created everything we have today!”

Yu Xiangdong's heart was beating fast.

Twenty-five years ago, when they arrived in Zamboanga, it was a city destroyed by war, and this was the first city they helped build.

From Zamboanga to Changan!
These are not just a few words, but carry special emotions.

This sentiment permeates the hearts of all senior executives.

The eldest son of Nanyang!

The eldest son of the empire!

This extremely intimate word shows the special relationship between this place and SEA. To a certain extent, Chang'an even regards this land as an "extension of the country."

Because of this, it has almost followed SEA step by step and achieved economic development and take-off. In the past 25 years, the city has leapt from an ordinary coastal town into a modern urban area.

It is not only the world's largest offshore financial center, but also has a variety of modern manufacturing industries. Millions of people live and work here!
“This is what we created…”

At this time, a young flight attendant came over, squatted beside him, and said softly:
"Manager, the plane is about to land, please fasten your seat belts..."

The flight attendant's voice brought Yu Xiangdong back from his thoughts. "Fasten your seat belt," Yu Xiangdong said softly.

"My son has grown up and is no longer under the control of his mother!"

At this time, the plane slowly landed on the runway. Yu Xiangdong took a deep breath. He knew that today's meeting was extremely important.

"Director Yu's plane is here,"

Zhao Chenggang looked at the plane with a serious expression.
"Wang Jie, do you think Chang'an will support us?"

Cheng Wangjie, the new chairman of the Autonomous Committee, shook his head and said:
"Let's take a look at Executive Director Yu first!"

After the plane landed, the two of them immediately went over and expressed their welcome as Yu Xiangdong just stepped out of the plane.

"Xiangdong, long time no see!"

"Cheng Gang, I've told you a long time ago that you should come to Chang'an often and sit with us all."

They were friends and both were from the search team. However, Zhao Chenggang stayed in Mindanao. He was also the first chairman of the autonomous committee.

After a brief greeting, they got in the car. After getting in the car, Zhao Chenggang said:
"Xiangdong, let me tell you the story in brief. Last week, the Liberal Party's Osmena sent people from Manila. They extended an invitation, hoping to form a coalition government with us. You know, in the past four years, the social contradictions in the Philippines have been even worse than when the Masco administration took office four years ago, with conflicts everywhere, political chaos, high crime rates, and declining morals. Businessmen evaded taxes and officials embezzled public funds. Most people were spending more than they earned.

Social discontent is growing. In Manila and across the Philippines, people are eager for change, and our success is obvious to all. Many Filipinos are eager for us to come to Manila and bring them change. "

When talking about this, Zhao Chenggang's tone was filled with pride.

After 150 years of development, not only has Zamboanga grown into a large city with a population of over 500 million, but Mindanao, with a population of 3500 million, has a GDP that not only has long surpassed that of the Philippines, which has a population of million, but is even nearly twice that of the Philippines.

Last year, Mindanao's GDP exceeded US$180 billion, while the Philippines' was just over US$90 billion.

However, Mindanao's economy is rather special. Its high GDP is inseparable from its status as an international financial offshore center. A considerable part of its GDP comes from "hot money from various countries", that is, funds transferred here from all over the world. These funds will stay here and will produce certain numerical "results" here.

This also leads to his high per capita GDP, even reaching 3600 US dollars!

Although the actual per capita income is only US$1000, it is still several times that of the Philippines - the actual income of Filipinos is only a few dozen dollars!

There are even many Filipinos struggling to make ends meet.

With the gap between the rich and the poor so obvious, the Filipinos, who are desperate for change, put forward their idea - let Mindanao govern the Philippines.

Osmena Jr., Masco's opponent, took the initiative to extend an invitation, hoping to run for a joint election and then form a coalition government.

And Yu Xiangdong came here just for this matter.

"To the east, this is an opportunity for us to truly enter Manila and take control of Manila. Perhaps, in the next four years, we will be inferior to others, but with this opportunity, we can run for election alone four years later, and I am fully confident that I will win the general election four years later. By then, we can take control of the entire Philippines..."

There was a hint of excitement in Zhao Chenggang's tone - "annexing" the Philippines, such a small-scale victory over a big one, had never happened before.

"Um,"

Yu Xiangdong nodded and asked without denying:
"and then?"

"Then we can take over Manila and become the masters of the Philippines. Then, we can use the resources of the entire Philippines to further develop the economy..."

Zhao Chenggang talked about his plans, or ideas one by one. In fact, all of them were for one purpose - to annex the Philippines!

Seeing Zhao Chenggang's expectant expression, Yu Xiangdong couldn't help but pour cold water on him. "And then?"

It was the same question as before, which made Zhao Chenggang stunned.

Before he could react, Yu Xiangdong said:
“What’s going to happen next?
You have to consider the lives of 3500 million Filipinos. Not just consider, but change, make these 3500 million people richer.

So the question is, can your current population and economy support the entire Philippines?"

Faced with such a question, Zhao Chenggang was silent for a while, and then said:

“I know it’s definitely a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity for us to really take control of the entire Philippines.”

"Cheng Gang, then I'm curious to ask, why do we want to annex the Philippines?"

Yu Xiangdong asked in return:

"Is it the Philippines that you are annexing? That's 3500 million mouths to feed! You have to solve their livelihoods, solve their futures, and find ways to make them richer. Is this something you can afford?"

After asking again, Yu Xiangdong said.

“And how selfless are we to help the Filipinos so that they can become prosperous, or in other words, live the same life as us?”

"This this……"

Zhao Chenggang thought for a moment and said:
“We are in Siam…”

"That's for safety, and the history of the Siamese does have some connection with us. At the same time, you know, until now, Siam is still the poorest,"

With a long sigh of helplessness, Yu Xiangdong said:
"3500 million mouths will drag you down, and, even more terrible, the population! How many people are there? Although the population of Mindanao has been growing rapidly in the past few years, how many Tang people are there? Only 350 million.

If you annex the Philippines, not only will Mindanao be dragged down by them, but tens of millions of people will also swallow you up. By then, who will eat whom?"

Why has SEA never had any interest in expansion? To put it bluntly, it is because it is very clear that expansion will only add burden to itself.

Adding tens of millions of mouths to feed is not an easy task.

Not to mention, Mindanao can’t do it, even SEA can’t do it!

"We have considered this. Mindanao is autonomous. No matter what happens, we can protect ourselves from being affected..."

Although he said so, he knew very well that this was just a beautiful idea, so how could he not be affected?

If they go to the Philippines, they must consider developing the local economy, which will naturally have a certain impact on themselves.

"In fact, what is your biggest advantage? It is that you don't have many burdens. If that's the case, why bother to seek any burdens for yourself?

What does the turmoil, chaos and poverty of the Philippines have to do with us?
In fact, for us, the best option is to keep the Philippines poor.”

When saying this, Yu Xiangdong suddenly felt that he should teach someone a lesson.

After all, they need to understand something. Or they need to understand the truest side of the world.

Yu Xiangdong thought of the little knowledge he had learned from you, and asked:
"Cheng Gang, what do you think is the most valuable thing for Fuguo?"

most valuable?
A doubt arose in Zhao Chenggang's mind.

"Is it the economy? Is it the system? Is it the law?"

Looking at the confused Zhao Chenggang, Yu Xiangdong shook his head and said:
"No, none of them! The most valuable ones are actually the poor countries!"

"Poor country?"

Zhao Chenggang's eyes widened and he said:
"This, this...how could this happen?"

"Because only poor countries can be exploited!"

Pointing at the city outside the car window, Yu Xiangdong asked:
"How many foreign workers has Mindanao introduced each year in recent years? 50? 100 million? How much do these foreign workers earn? Do you buy them various insurances? Do they enjoy various benefits?"

Faced with Yu Xiangdong's question, Zhao Chenggang was stunned for a moment. At this time, Yu Xiangdong said:

“If one day the Philippines becomes as rich as Mindanao, who will be the cheap laborers and who will you exploit?

Our prosperity is based on this kind of exploitation, of course, not the exploitation of the colonial era, but the exploitation of modern trade. Rich countries use unequal exchange to exploit the resources of poor countries, including minerals and, of course, human resources.

If they all become rich, who are we going to exploit? Therefore, our mission has never been to help other countries become rich, but to ensure that they remain poor. Only in this way can we obtain cheap minerals and human resources through so-called international trade and exchange. Those poor countries are the largest and most valuable resources for the rich countries! "

"This this……"

Zhao Chenggang's eyes widened suddenly. Although it was a bit counterintuitive, but... this statement really made him shudder.

Let other countries remain poor!
Although it seems a little unbelievable, it seems to be the case.

Looking at Zhao Chenggang who was thinking, Yu Xiangdong continued:
"And what is the most special thing about Mindanao? You are a poor country. This is not your advantage. You do not need to participate in the politics of the Philippines. You just need to make use of their various resources to develop yourself. As for their poverty or turmoil, what does it have to do with you? Although the Philippines is poor, it can provide millions of cheap laborers like you. You don't make good use of such a cow that could have been used for milking. Instead, you want to turn yourself into a cow and milk yourself for the development of the Philippines. Tell me, how depressed you are!"

Zhao Chenggang understood instantly, and he said tentatively:

“So what we need is a poor Philippines?”

"No..." Shaking his head, Yu Xiangdong said:
“What we need is not just one Philippines, but many poor countries, in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. What we need is for these poor countries to remain poor.

Then they use their blood to nourish us. This is the kind of provider we need. Only with such continuous supply can we become richer and stronger.

So, keeping them poor is what we need to consider, not getting them out of poverty.

However, one thing we have to admit is that their politicians are very competent and worthy of encouragement when it comes to maintaining poverty!
In that case, why should we wade into that muddy water?"

Looking at Zhao Chenggang who seemed to be in deep thought, Yu Xiangdong looked out the window.

"Don't think this is cruel, but this is the truest side of the world. We only need to consider ourselves..."

(End of this chapter)