money player

After a moment's thought, Sin Yiu-man listed the locals he knew. To be precise, he only knew Wu Huo-shi and Chen Qing-fen. Others, such as Jiang Li-zhi, he had only met them but had never formally greeted them, so he didn't consider them acquaintances.

It can be said that he had almost no connection with the local Taiwanese families and only had a nominal reputation in Taiwan. He did not show any power against the local Taiwanese families. However, the loan from the Bank of Taiwan made businessmen from other provinces in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai realize his connections in the financial system. Why would the local Taiwanese families go to such lengths to befriend him?
Although it is not difficult to deduce that he is related to Jin Hai, and although Jin Hai has already seized most of the low-end green tea market in North Africa, the close connection between the green tea family and overseas countries is only in Japan, and at most in Southeast Asia. News from North Africa probably did not reach Taiwan so quickly, so there was no way to know that he had made a name for himself in the tea industry, let alone make connections with him. It is unlikely that the woman came from the tea family.

If it's not a tea family, then the scope is much broader, and it's hard for him to guess which one it is. Moreover, if it's just a business collaboration, there seems to be no need to resort to this kind of extortion. But what benefits does he have that go beyond business? What could possibly drive a young lady to such a desperate measure?
He put aside business and shifted his focus to politics. Assuming the woman's family coveted his political resources, what political resources did he have in Taiwan?

Chen Changtong's line is the easiest to find out about. His relationship with the Americans may have been exaggerated through rumors. It is possible that his deal with Kong Lingwei, which extended to Soong Mei-ling, was known to others. Furthermore, Cen Peipei met Soong Manyi in a semi-public setting. By making connections, it is also possible to link him with Soong Tzu-wen.

So, his political resources seem quite impressive when you look at it this way, but upon closer inspection, they seem a bit illusory. Which family would be the one whose political resources, which are both real and illusory, need to be taken into account? And why would he be indiscriminate, taking anything that comes his way?

Desperate attempts to find solutions to political problems only demonstrate an extreme lack of resources.

After the Nationalist government arrived on the island, it did suppress the people of the province, but it didn't go all out. Instead, it used suppression as a means of winning them over. Those in charge must have left room for maneuver. Families that have stood for decades or even centuries must know how to smooth things over.

The woman's family may be targeted, with no room for maneuver. Why is that?

The first thing that came to his mind was the February 28 Incident. The woman's family stood on the opposite side of the Nationalist government during the incident, or was implicated by the opposing side, and the family suffered a great impact.

In Taiwan today, if a family is blacklisted by the Nationalist government, its development is basically over. Even if there is no continuous suppression, business partners will gradually distance themselves. This is a desperate situation, and it seems reasonable for younger family members to seek desperate solutions after hearing their elders talk about it.

Which family?

His first guess was the Sikong family of Lukang, one of the five major families in Taiwan. The Sikong family's leader, Sikong Zhenfu, was arrested during the February 28 Incident. The Sikong family had the closest ties with the mainland during the Japanese occupation. Sikong Zhenfu's wife was the granddaughter of Old Yan, who proposed the concept of "survival of the fittest".

Although Old Yan has been dead for over thirty years, he still has a lot of influence and may have left his children various connections. They may not be able to handle big matters, but it shouldn't be difficult for them to gather information.

He decided against guessing the second one. He didn't know much about the provincial families below the top five, so guessing would just be guesswork. Anyway, the woman would definitely reveal her family name, so a little guessing was fine for fun, but there was no need to rack his brains over it.

"Little sister, let's make a bet," Xie Zhanran said to Xie Tingyun in the car.

"What are you gambling?"

"How long will it take before the gentleman and this woman have sex?"

How do you know that sex will definitely happen?

"Having been by your side for so long, can't you see your husband's peculiar taste in women? This woman's looks are your husband's type. She's practically offering herself up. Do you think he'll let her go?"

"Sir, you are lustful, but you don't accept all women."

"You just say you want to gamble or not?"

"How to bet?"

"I bet within half a month, if you lose, I'll give you $100; if you lose, I'll give you $50."

"bet."

Xian Yaowen said apologetically to the woman, "I'm sorry, it was my presumption. How about I take you to the hospital for a check-up?"

“Okay,” the woman said readily.

"Do you need me to help you?"

The woman shook her head. "I can stand up by myself."

As she spoke, the woman pressed her right hand on the ground and struggled to stand up. She didn't dare to put too much pressure on her left foot, lightly tapping the ground with her toes twice before daring to put her heel on the ground. As soon as she put her foot firmly on the ground, she frowned, as if she had really twisted her ankle.

That's true. If there's no prior rehearsal, it's perfectly normal for injuries to occur if the car and people suddenly fall over.

"Miss, wait a moment." After saying this to the woman, Xian Yaowen turned to the passenger seat and called out, "Huiran, come and help me up."

A moment later, Xie Tingyun came over to help the woman into the car, and Xian Yaowen picked up the bicycle and went to the back of the car, using a rope to hang the bicycle up.

Back in the carriage, sitting next to the woman, Xie Zhanran stepped on the gas.

"Do your feet hurt?"

The woman said with a hint of shyness, "A little."

"Among the hospitals in Taipei, National Taiwan University Hospital has the highest level of orthopedics. I take the young lady there."

"it is good."

"What is your home phone number, Miss? I'll call you when I get to the hospital."

"My home is not in Taipei."

"So, can we notify our relatives and friends?"

"It's too late, I don't want to bother you. I'll call a car to go back later."

"Alright."

Having said that, Sin Yiu-man said nothing more, nor did he ask for the woman's name; he would find out when they got to the hospital registration desk.

They traveled in silence and soon arrived at the hospital.

The registration desk was at the hospital entrance. As soon as he stepped onto the hospital floor tiles, Xian Yaowen said to the woman, "Miss, do you have your household registration book and household registration seal with you?"

“I have my ID card with me.” With that, the woman took out her ID card from her pocket and handed it directly to Xian Yaowen.

"convenient?"

The 1951 Taiwan ID card design was the same as the ID card design that the Nationalist government had replaced in mainland China in 1946-1947. It contained a lot of information, including name, gender, date of birth, place of origin, place of residence, family members, photo, fingerprints, occupation, and military service rank. One could get a basic understanding of a person's general situation through the ID card.

“There’s nothing inconvenient about it. My name is Sikong Mingqiu.”

Sin Yiu-man took the ID card. "Miss Sikong, I'm so sorry. I was worried that it would be too presumptuous, so I didn't dare to introduce myself. I'm Sin Yiu-man, and I'm from Hong Kong."

"Mr. Xian," Sikong Mingqiu nodded in greeting.

"Miss Sikong, please wait a moment while I go and register you."

"it is good."

When Xian Yaowen arrived at the registration window and handed over his ID card, he glanced at the information on it. His name was briefly mentioned in the name column. It was indeed Si Kongmingqiu. His hometown was Lukang, but his registered residence was in Taipei. He was a vocational college student and a junior majoring in economics at the College of Law of National Taiwan University.

The family section has no spouse field, indicating that the person is unmarried. The father's name is Sikong Yuefu, the eldest son of the "Fu" generation in the Sikong family, and the elder brother of Sikong Zhenfu. They are not siblings; the former was born to his first wife, and the latter to a concubine.

The most prominent member of the Sikong family is Sikong Zhenfu, who is presumably the head of the family or in the process of becoming the head. Sikong Yuefu, on the other hand, has a weaker presence and receives little information from outsiders.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to fill in multiple mothers' names in the family section, nor is it necessary to fill in siblings. Otherwise, one could glean information about whether Sikong Yuefu had a son or whether Sikong Mingqiu was born to his principal wife.

If Sikong Mingqiu was born to a neglected concubine, and if Sikong Yuefu was resentful that the position of sect leader was given to Sikong Zhenfu but was forced to accept it due to his own lack of ability, then it is not difficult to explain Sikong Mingqiu's "ambition".

In a flash, Sin Yiu-man pondered the matter thoroughly. He guessed the first point correctly, and from there he could proceed smoothly, peeling back the layers of the matter bit by bit to reveal its true nature.

As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. No matter how powerful a mainlander is, it's difficult for them to suppress a native Taiwanese in the short term. It's impossible to develop your career in Taiwan without getting along well with the native Taiwanese.

The main businesses of the Sikong family in Lukang are sugar and salt, both cash cow industries. Their secondary business is finance, with shares in several banks. However, given the current lack of development space for private banks in Taiwan, they are likely operating in an underground money exchange-like manner.

In addition, there are trading companies that export sugar and import fertilizers. Since they started earlier than the KMT government came to Taiwan, they are estimated to still have room to survive under foreign exchange controls. If they control smuggling channels, they have made a fortune in the past two years.

All five families are old-fashioned families. When they have money, they inevitably do one thing: buy houses and land. Businesses may fail, but houses and land won't grow legs and run away. With these two things, even if the family falls into decline, life won't be too difficult.

The Sikong family owns land in various parts of Changhua. The total amount is unclear, but it is estimated to be around a thousand hectares. They own many street-front shops in Lukang and Taipei. They further expanded their real estate holdings when they acquired Nissan. In the five or six years prior, land prices and rents in Taipei were rising, and the Sikong family earned a considerable income from rent alone.

Looking back over the past few decades, the Nationalist government has always lacked decisiveness in its actions. Looking at the beginning of Taiwan's land reform, it has consistently adopted the middle way and pursued a balance-based approach. As a result, the appearance is that all parties have to suffer some losses, and no one has been pleased.

Whether this is good or bad is not a matter of comment, but it is enough to basically predict the strategy of the subsequent land reform. A conciliatory approach will be taken towards the large landowners in the province. Combined with the general policy of "using agriculture to cultivate industry and using industry to develop the economy", it is highly likely that the large landowners will be pushed towards becoming industrialists - handing over their land in exchange for entry permits to certain industries.

Therefore, it can be reasonably inferred that as long as the Sikong family doesn't court disaster, they still have a bright future ahead of them.

As for the current suppression, which seems like a disadvantage, it can actually be turned into an advantage. The land reform is lacking "exemplary power". If the Sikong family, the "big villain", were to openly and voluntarily hand over their land and cooperate with the National Government in carrying out land reform propaganda, even if the National Government felt as uncomfortable as if it had swallowed a fly, it would still have to give the benefits without hesitation.

So many eyes are watching. If they dare not give the full benefits, they can just wait for the August 22nd or September 11th attacks.

After handing over his ID card, Xian Yaowen glanced back at Sikong Mingqiu, having decided to go with the flow and fall into Sikong Mingqiu's trap. Since the traitor was so eager to help him, it would seem too inhumane of him not to follow and hang a Xian character sign above the Sikong family's gate.

Do you have a certificate of poverty?

“No,” Sin Yiu-man replied, turning around.

"Registration fee is 50 cents."

"Ok."

After registering and receiving the medical record, Xian Yaowen accompanied Sikong Mingqiu to the small outpatient clinic in the emergency department.

The doctor's visit was brief and need not be elaborated upon. He was too lazy to apply medicine to the wound on Si Kongmingqiu's palm, but he did examine her ankle quite carefully. However, he diagnosed it as a minor sprain and told her to be careful for the next two days. He did not mention any medication or follow-up examination.

Sin Yiu-man wanted to complain, "Damn it, you're really putting in a lot of effort. Why don't you make it swollen up a bit so I can visit you legitimately? It's just a minor sprain, and it would look so cheap of me to go out of my way to see you."

After accompanying Sikong Mingqiu out of the outpatient clinic and into the corridor outside, he said, "Miss Sikong, it might be inconvenient to call a taxi now. Let me take you home."

"convenient?"

"Today's events all started because of me, and it is my duty to get you home safely."

Sikong Mingqiu smiled and said, "Mr. Xian, my fall is not your responsibility. It was because I was distracted and didn't notice the car in advance. When I did notice it, I panicked and didn't react properly, which is why I fell."

"No matter what, I should still take responsibility. Please give me a chance to make up for my mistake, Miss Sikong."

"Then I'll trouble Mr. Xian to take me back."

Once back in the car, the two were no longer silent as before.

"Miss Sikong is studying at National Taiwan University?"

"Studied economics at law school."

"That's great. I thought about going to university when I was in high school, but unfortunately my family couldn't afford the tuition. After graduating, I entered the workforce and wanted to save some money to go to university, but the political situation was turbulent, and I missed the opportunity."

Sin Yiu-man wasn't lying; he did indeed have the idea of ​​going to university.

"Isn't Mr. Sin from Hong Kong?"

"No, I arrived in Hong Kong in 49."

"And then do business in Hong Kong?"

"Yes, God has been kind to me, giving me an opportunity, and I just happened to be lucky enough to seize it. Now I've achieved some small success," Xian Yaowen said with a faint smile.

Sikong Mingqiu smiled slyly, “Mr. Xian is too modest. I have an alumnus who works at the Bank of Taiwan and has heard of you. Five million US dollars is no small achievement; it surpasses the wealthiest men in Taiwan, the Southern Marquis and the Northern King.”

"Miss Sikong only knows about the $500 million, but she doesn't know that this money was borrowed and raised through fundraising. Not only will she have to pay interest and returns, but if the investment fails, the investors will not let me off easily."

"But Miss Sikong, the surname Sikong is quite rare, and you come from Lukang. It's not hard to guess that you are the eldest daughter of the Sikong family of Lukang, one of the five major families in Taiwan, far beyond the reach of any so-called 'Southern Marquis' or 'Northern King'."

"Since Mr. Xian can guess that I am from the Sikong family, he should also be aware of our family's situation. I don't even know how many more days I can remain the young lady. Perhaps tomorrow I will have to find a way to support my family."

As she spoke, a look of sorrow clouded Sikong Mingqiu's face.

Sin Yiu-man thought to himself that this was the right way to do things. People from prominent families should have the composure and shrewdness of those families. His performance earlier was a bit lacking, so he would pay attention next time.

“Miss Sikong, I do not know much about your family’s affairs and dare not speak presumptuously. However, I can see the whole picture from a small part. Miss Sikong, you are very intelligent. I suppose your parents must also be very talented. You will not have difficulty overcoming this small obstacle.”

"I hope that Mr. Xian's auspicious words will bring good fortune to the Sikong family."

“Definitely.” Xian Yaowen changed the subject. “Miss Sikong likes riding bicycles?”

“I really like it. Whenever I have a little free time, I ride my bike around town and enjoy the scenery. Mr. Xian, do you like bicycles?”

“Unlike Ms. Sikong, I pursue the experience of speed more. I prefer motorcycles to bicycles and I often ride them when I have time. However, I ride to remote places to get away from the hustle and bustle.”

Sikong Mingqiu's eyes lit up. "I also really like motorized bicycles, but my family won't let me buy one, so I've never experienced what it's like to ride a motorized bicycle."

“If Miss Sikong is interested, we can ride together another day. I have a Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon scooter in Taipei. It’s easy to handle. If you can ride a bicycle, you’ll have no problem riding it.”

“I’ve seen this bike at the shops on Xinyi Road, and I’ve wanted to ride it for a long time.” Si Kongmingqiu’s eyes gleamed even brighter. “Mr. Xian, are you really willing to lend it to me?”

He chuckled and said, "Scooters are fine, but other vehicles won't work. I even wash my car myself."

“Me too. I fix my own bicycle when it breaks. I don’t want anyone else to touch it.” Si Kongmingqiu’s eyes gleamed, and his emotions became more and more genuine.

Sin Yiu-man and she smiled at each other, delighted by the spiritual connection between cycling enthusiasts.

He knows a lot of things, but there aren't many things he truly likes from the bottom of his heart, things that are pure and untainted by self-interest. Motorcycles happen to be one of them, and his fondness for Sun Shuying is also partly due to their shared love of motorcycles.

Of course, this is only a secondary factor, a nice-to-have addition.

However, this flower falling on Sikong Mingqiu might affect his mood and decisions regarding his performance; at least for now, he is looking forward to their next meeting.

The two chatted about the motorcycle for a while before arriving at Sikong Mingqiu's residence in Dadaocheng.

As they parted, Sikong Mingqiu said, "Mr. Xian, it's too late today. I'll invite you in another day."

“There will be opportunities in the future.” Xian Yaowen looked at the Fujian-style official house in front of him and nodded slightly. “Miss Sikong, we’ll take our leave now. See you next time.”

"See you next time."

Sikong Mingqiu walked into the courtyard and watched the car start and drive away through the gate, his gaze becoming complicated.

Inside the car, Xian Yaowen kept his eyes on the rearview mirror until he could no longer see Sikong Mingqiu. Although the lights were dim, he still saw all of Sikong Mingqiu's actions.

"Tingyun, go see Zhou Zhiying and Zhang Banchao tomorrow and have them go to Lugang to investigate the Sikong family, especially Sikong Zhenfu."

"Understood." (End of Chapter)