Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 76 Nine Out of Ten
Half a month later, Penang.

In a small pub where people chat.

"Hey, have you heard? The Colonial Office intends to restore the Kapitan system and make Mr. Zheng the Kapitan of Penang to be the tax farmer."

"Of course I've heard about it. It's all over the market right now, but who knows if it's true? Tax included! It's incredible! I don't think there's even been an official newspaper report on it yet."

"I think it's definitely fake. It's a different era now. How could the British allow us Chinese to farm taxes? If Penang really does adopt the farm tax system, who knows what it will become in a few years."

"You know nothing! I have a relative who works at the Chinese Advisory Council, and he told me this is probably true. Mr. Zheng has hooked up with a big shot in London, and the Colonial Office is offering him the entire Penang as a gift."

"You're just bragging. What kind of big shot would give the entire state of Penang as a gift? I don't think it's possible."

"But seriously, if this is really true, don't you think... this is a good thing for the UK? If our taxes are collected by Mr. Zheng, can Mr. Zheng collect less?"

"Less? Dream on! I tell you, the so-called Kapitans are all lackeys of the British, and they extort more money from the land than the British themselves.

After scraping off the British's share, I have to scrape out my own. Otherwise, why would I go through so much trouble to become the Kapitan?"

"I've also heard from my elders that when we Chinese had Kapitan, we were indeed exploited more harshly than we are now."

"You're talking about the Xu family and the Lu family. They both grow opium. How can they be the same as Mr. Zheng? Mr. Zheng is not a lackey of the British colonists."

"Yes, I believe in Mr. Zheng too. Mr. Zheng is so talented. He is like a star from heaven, able to turn stone into gold and build any machine. If he really becomes the Kapitan of Penang, then we can just follow Mr. Zheng and build machines."

"Hahaha, that's great! Ever since Mr. Zheng came here, the whole city of Penang has electricity. If Mr. Zheng really becomes Kapitan, everyone in Penang will have access to tap water."

"Look at you, you look so cowardly, and you still want to drink tap water. Do you have a mouth that can drink tap water?"

"I'm not tall, so I have to rely on my own height. I'll never be able to drink tap water in my lifetime. But what if Master Zheng invites me to drink? Ah? Hahahaha."

………………

While the group of people downstairs were chatting with each other, Zheng Yi himself was upstairs. He asked the waiter to warm up a pot of wine, four side dishes, and two plates of dumplings and started to eat.

"Try it. You must have not eaten all day following me. This tavern is quite interesting. The dumplings are good. There aren't many restaurants in Nanyang that can make these northern dumplings. Theirs is quite delicious."

As he spoke, Zheng Yi pushed a plate of steaming dumplings that had just been served in front of Wang Qiaoyun.

Wang Qiaoyun was not very interested in dumplings. Ever since she came in, she had been secretly eavesdropping on the rough guys chatting downstairs.

In the past few days, when people in Penang were drinking and chatting, nine out of ten people would talk about Zheng Yi's possible appointment as a tax contractor. It has become the hottest topic after dinner.

As someone close to Zheng Yi, Wang Qiaoyun stayed with him all day long, but she found it particularly interesting to secretly listen to these people chatting, especially when they talked about Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi: "Hurry up and eat your dumplings. Man is made of iron and rice is made of steel. We will be busy after eating."

"Why do you, a Fujianese, love eating dumplings?"

"Who knows? I'll get used to it. I've been in Nanyang for so long, but I still can't get used to curry."

"Brother, is this tax-franchising thing true or not? It's been going viral." Zheng Yi said with a smile, "Why, you've become gossipy too, like those peddlers."

Wang Qiaoyun: "I'm a woman, of course women gossip. Besides, this is a truly earth-shattering event for all of us in Nanyang. Brother, how can you remain so calm? Is this true or not?"

Hearing this, Zheng Yi smiled and poured some white wine into a small wine cup for Wang Qiaoyun. He said, "I don't know if this is true or not. I'm not running this myself. If it works, then it's true. If it doesn't, then it's false."

Wang Qiaoyun: "Then you have to know roughly who did it for you. This has been spread all over the city. As the protagonist, you have to know what stage it has reached now. Whether it can succeed or not, people are so worried."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "I'm not even anxious, but you're the one who's anxious first?"

Wang Qiaoyun: "Are you trying to say that the emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuch is?"

"I don't."

"You are what you are, you are what you are."

"No, no, really not."

"Hmph, if there is, then there is. I admit that I am a eunuch, okay? Then tell me whether this is true or not."

Zheng Yi still didn't give a direct answer, but said, "If, I mean if this is true, then I will definitely be even busier in the future. If I'm busy, won't you have to be busy with me too?"

Wang Qiaoyun: "What are you afraid of being busy? It depends on what the matter is. You are responsible for the tax. From now on, all matters concerning Penang will be decided by you. Isn't this a local lord?"
You said you are so capable. With Penang as your base, I believe it won’t be long before you can radiate throughout Southeast Asia.”

Wang Qiaoyun propped up her chin as she spoke, "If Penang could develop like Shanghai under your leadership, then those of us who follow you would also be able to bring honor to our family. With such a big undertaking, I'd be happy even if I died of exhaustion."

Zheng Yi ate dumplings in big mouthfuls while Yizhi jokingly said, "If anyone is going to die of exhaustion, it's me. You're happy with me dying of exhaustion, right? Honestly, how long has it been since you last sang opera? Don't you miss the stage? If I really become Kapitan, you won't be able to sing opera anymore."

"Singing opera?"

Wang Qiaoyun thought for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "It seems so. I haven't performed on stage for half a year. You actually fooled me, saying it was just for a short time and I was sending you off temporarily. What happened? I've been following you for half a year, and you still haven't learned how to fly a plane, right?"

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Is flying a plane really that difficult?"

"Bullshit~, now that you say that, then this matter is really almost certain?"

Zheng Yi: "Haha, just eat your dumplings quickly and stop overthinking."

"Fuck, it seems like it's pretty close."

Zheng Yi: "Whether it succeeds or not, my biggest problem right now is that I don't have anyone available. If this is true, honestly, do you think I still have the time to manage Penang's government?"

Wang Qiaoyun thought about it, and actually nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, this is a problem. How about you add to my burden?"

Unexpectedly, Zheng Yi surprisingly did not object this time. Instead, he said, "Indeed, you have to take on the responsibility of being the vice president."

"Huh? I've earned the title now? It seems like your claim isn't a sure thing at all, it's a done deal."

(End of this chapter)