Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 109: A Change in Leadership Style

In fact, Zheng Yi was not very willing to activate his golden finger and go to the Middle East to look for oil at this time.

The prerequisites for using his golden finger are too high. If he could wait a few years and develop himself, especially after World War II, when nation-states became independent and imperialist ideas receded, it would be a waste of time.

If he used the golden finger to find an oil field at that time, even if the shares of the oil field itself would still be difficult to hold for a long time, the benefits he could get would definitely be much greater than now.

The most direct reason for this trip to the Middle East is actually lack of money.

Why am I short of money?

Isn't it just that we lack money to fight?

Li Xiaoshi said anxiously, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to fight them. They are local tyrants and their defense is on a key road. If we force a fight, not only will we suffer heavy casualties, but even if the road is opened, they are still going to support Glass State."

"Kedah is a necessary transit point for support to Perlis. If we still need to conduct military training and settlement in Perlis in the future, what will we do if someone robs our logistical supplies? Even if we can get through Kedah, what will happen to Perak?"

"If the nine sultans really join forces, I mean, why don't we take a long-term view? At least with the Sultan of Kedah, we must have a good relationship with him.

Ayi, Penang also belongs to Kedah. We are surrounded by them and are hostile to them. Our strategic situation is very difficult."

Penang in Malaya became a relatively independent state after World War II, but before World War II, it was indeed subordinate to Kedah.

Theoretically speaking, as long as you leave the city in Penang, you will immediately enter the territory of the Sultan of Kedah, and their city is surrounded by the Sultan of Kedah.

Lee Hsiao-shih: "Penang has been developing very rapidly recently. My point is that we can give some of the fruits of Penang's development to the Sultan of Kedah in exchange for easing relations with him and getting him to acquiesce to our expansion. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to succeed."

Zheng Yi: "I do agree that Penang should also involve the Malays in Kedah when developing. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. After all, this is right on our doorstep. Having a hostile indigenous group on our doorstep that we can't kill off is quite a troublesome matter."

"But this must be done after we defeat them. I don't mind giving them money, but this is charity out of kindness, not a toll given in response to their threats."

"Also, another very important point is that this money is given to the Malay people of Kedah, not to some damn Sultan. I am not religious, so the Sultan has nothing to do with me."

Li Xiaoshi: "But..."

Zheng Yi interrupted rudely, "Okay, no more buts, Sister Wen."

"exist."

Qian Qiwen, who came to the airport to pick him up, quickly stepped forward and responded.

"Immediately telegraph Ho Shai-lai, telling him to fight with all his might. I will provide him with aid within three days, but there's no rush to achieve results, and certainly no rush to support Captain Lai in Perlis through Kedah. Just take it slow and steady, and wear them down."

"Oh, I know he has new recruits. Tell them not to be afraid of death. If anyone dies on the battlefield, they will receive a pension of three hundred dollars, and their wives and children will receive at least five Malaysian ringgits a month for living expenses."

"If there are colleagues with wives and children in China, we can remit the money to them via foreign exchange, or we can unconditionally bring their families to Nanyang to take care of them."

"Also, inform Captain Lai and tell him to hold out for a few more days. Reinforcements will arrive within three days."

Reinforcements? Qian Qiwen was stunned.

Didn’t you just ask me to call He Shili and ask him not to fight too hastily?
Why are there reinforcements again?
In addition, within three days, there will be aid to He Shili. What does this mean? Where will the aid come from?
What on earth was Zheng Yi doing when he went out for more than two months?
However, somehow, Qian Qiwen sensed an almost unquestionable and arbitrary aura from Zheng Yi at this moment.

Zheng Yi would never have spoken in such a domineering and arbitrary way in the past.

What happened in the end?

Fortunately, Qian Qiwen has always been very clear about her role. She can now attend the Penang Municipal Council and be among the senior executives, which is completely different from Li Xiaoshi and others who are also senior executives.

At home, his identity is Zheng Yi's concubine, so of course he can occasionally show his temper. In fact, Zheng Yi is quite tolerant of private matters.

But in official business, she never questioned Zheng Yi's authority. She had to do everything Zheng Yi instructed her to do honestly and without reservation. Even if she didn't understand it, she had to do it first and then understand it.

This was the basis for her to gain a foothold in the Penang Municipal Council.

To put it bluntly, she, Hu Wenhao, and Lin Shaoliang all belong to Zheng Yi's inner court, and in essence, they are not much different from the eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Xiaoshi instinctively frowned under Zheng Yi's autocratic aura, feeling a little uncomfortable.

After all, Zheng Yi has always called him "big brother", and the relationship between him and Zheng Yi is indeed a bit complicated. At least for now, both he and Zheng Yi are a little bit unable to adapt to the reversal of their identities.

He said a little angrily, "I'm just making a suggestion. If you're sure, then go ahead."

After saying that, he ignored Zheng Yi and turned away.

"Hey~"

Zheng Yi also sighed slightly, but the slight unhappiness only flashed in his heart for a moment, and he soon didn't take it seriously.

In any case, he gained a lot from this trip to the Middle East.

The reason why he didn't tell anyone in advance was to use this matter to establish his own authority. He believed that the fundamental basis of authority was that he, as a leader, should bring tangible benefits to others and the people of Penang.

However, the mystery and shock should still be maintained appropriately.

Even if he is the chairman and general manager of a large company in Penang, it is necessary for him to maintain a certain distance and sense of authority between himself and other shareholders and middle and senior management.

"Notify the presidents of all the major chambers of commerce in the city to hold a meeting at noon three days from now. By the way, everyone should have hot pot together. You go and prepare the hot pot. I want the traditional Beijing hot pot with good sesame sauce."

Qian Qiwen: "Three days? A meeting in three days? And... and hot pot? Northern hot pot?"

Zheng Yi turned his head and asked, "Is there any problem?"

"No...no, I'll go make arrangements and preparations right away."

(End of this chapter)