Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 34 Crazy
There was silence for about three seconds.

Suddenly, a stranger beside Zhang Yucai said, "Brother Zheng, these people at our table are all presidents of the Chamber of Commerce. They represent the entire village gang supporting us."

"Let's take a step back and say, we all have businesses and are bosses. You're just an employee, and you're eating at this table. You should also follow some rules, right?"

Another person followed suit, saying, "Little brother, you're quite brave. After all, you're a junior. You can sit at the table and eat, but since you're holding a glass of wine, shouldn't you toast everyone here?"

Another person said: "My dear nephew, you are a great talent among the Chinese in Southeast Asia. As the saying goes, every generation has its own talented people. We are Chinese, and the Chinese value inheritance. Supporting the younger generation is what we old guys should do."

"Huh? That's a good saying. As the saying goes, those who plant trees will enjoy the shade. We are all old now, and it is time to cultivate the next generation of our Nanyang Chinese.

Back then, didn’t all of us follow our predecessors and come step by step? “Inheritance, these two words are well used.”

"Yes, the Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead. Now Nanyang is the world of their young people. Little brother, I am very optimistic about you.

Master Zhang, we really should give young people more opportunities. This young man is a talent.

For a while, everyone started talking at the dinner table.

However, his words and actions had already classified Zheng Yi as a junior, which made Zheng Yi so angry that he laughed.

This is actually the reason why Li Xiaoshi is unwilling to have too much contact with these people. In terms of seniority, Li Xiaoshi is indeed a junior. Most of these people are in their fifties or sixties, and there is one who has gray hair and looks to be in his seventies.

It is obvious that they are all of the same generation as Li Jiqian. Li Xiaoshi is only in his early thirties, so this junior is destined to be the leader.

Zheng Yi is even younger than Li Xiaoshi, a young man in his twenties.

They're talking back and forth like Zheng Yi can only accomplish things because of their support.

Of course, it may also be a hint that without their support, he and Li Xiaoshi would not be able to accomplish anything.

However, even Zheng Yi himself didn't know where he got the confidence and arrogance from. He suddenly smiled and said, "Excuse me, everyone. I really can't offer you this drink. I, Zheng Yi, can accomplish things, firstly, thanks to the support of my eldest brother Li Xiaoshi, and secondly, because I am indeed capable and understand the technology."

"The reason I came here today is actually to give you a chance. If you're willing to help, we can all work together and it will be lively and exciting. When many hands add fuel, the fire burns brighter, and things will get more and more prosperous."

"If you're interested, I'd be happy to share with you the results of our technological advancements. Currently, I'm only making a rubber-washing machine, and later on, I'll be working on rubber vulcanization and varnishing."

"From now on, we will no longer export raw rubber from Nanyang. Instead, we will directly export tires, rubber bands, shoe soles, raincoats, and other finished rubber products. Workers who have lost their jobs on the plantations can find jobs in the deep processing links."

"But you guys, these don't use machines, they use manpower. If you still want to sell raw rubber, who will buy it? Even if they do, I guarantee that within two years the price of raw rubber will drop to less than 50% of its current price, or even more."

"I am not afraid to tell you that my elder brother and I have great ambitions to do more than just rubber, tin, starch, sugar and coffee. We want to do all of them.

Furthermore, we need to do deep processing in all industries. I guarantee that it will become increasingly difficult to sell simple agricultural products and unprocessed mining products in the future."

"My dear uncles, there will only be two kinds of Chinese businessmen in Nanyang in the future: those who cooperate with us and those who don't. Listen carefully today! It's not you who are feeding me, it's me who is feeding you."

"If you don't use our machines, I guarantee that all the mines and rubber plantations you run will go bankrupt within five years." After saying that, Zheng Yi took another big sip of wine, put the decanter heavily on the table, and then picked up the chopsticks, took a plate of his favorite dish from the table, and began to eat it in big mouthfuls.

For a moment, Zheng Yi really stunned them.

Seeing Zheng Yi taking the lead in picking up his chopsticks and wolfing down the food, for a full half minute, no one dared to speak, and some even broke out in cold sweats.

In recent years, the world has been in an economic crisis, and the demand for raw materials has been declining. The output of rubber and tin ore has been increasing, while the selling price has been falling.

In fact, their profits are already very thin. Many people only look glamorous, but have not made any money for several years in a row. They are just holding on.

As for prostitution, gambling and drugs, the government is also cracking down on them. The Colonial Office actually does a better job than the rest of China in some matters. Prostitution and brothels have been banned in the Malay Peninsula since the 1920s.

A few years ago, when Li Xiaoshi's classmate Wang Ying came to Singapore, progressive Chinese led by Tan Kah Kee jointly petitioned to ban all opium dens in Malaya, and they could only be opened secretly.

The steamroller of the times has begun to roll over them, and Zheng Yi is now sitting in the cab of the steamroller, stepping on the accelerator and accelerating hard.

For a moment, everyone looked at each other in confusion. Zheng Yi's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting their chests and hearts. They all lowered their heads, and their eyes dimmed.

When the sea is turbulent, some people may respond positively, take the initiative to fight against the raging waves, and become the trendsetters who strive to be the first.

However, the vast majority of people will probably just bury their heads in the sand, acting like ostriches who refuse to admit what they don’t know unless they see it.

When they were young, they could all be considered heroes of their generation, but after a long period of peace, how many of them can still regain the courage and determination to fight bare-chested and cut off their own arms?
The world trend is unstoppable, and only the wise and brave stand at the forefront. Can these people still be called wise and brave?

Mediocre people will definitely have path dependence.

Suddenly, someone at the table slammed their hands on the table and shouted at Zheng Yi, "Kid! Who do you think you are? Just because you know a few Western techniques, you can act lawless and think you're so great?
Look carefully where we are, this is Xuehuatang! It's not your turn to act wildly here! ! "

"That's right, at such a young age, you're actually giving us instructions, huh?
Hehehe, let me tell you, these people sitting here have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. All of us have come out of the bloody storm. Who do you think you are to speak so arrogantly here?

"Kid, don't think that just because you're with Li Xiaoshi, no one will dare to touch you. In Kuala Lumpur, he can't cover the sky with one hand!"

"Hahahaha, young man, being too arrogant won't last long."

One by one, they were talking back and forth, showing off their seniority and making sarcastic remarks.

Zheng Yi, however, did not argue with them at all, and did not even look up at them. He stretched out his chopsticks and ate with relish.

Just treat everything these people say as bullshit.

He really didn't believe that these people dared to do anything to him.

Didn’t Li Xiaoshi also say that someone would protect him today?

Where's the fucking person?
(End of this chapter)