Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 98 Food is the most important thing for the people

Faced with He Shili's statement, Zheng Yi neither admitted nor denied it, and acted noncommittal.

After a while, a servant came with some prepared dumplings and steamed buns and placed them on the table.

"Everyone, have you had breakfast yet? If not, let's eat something together."

But Zheng Yi acted as if nothing had happened. He invited everyone to have breakfast at his home. He picked up a steamed dumpling very elegantly, stirred it in the vinegar prepared by the servant, and then swallowed it in one gulp.

"Ah~, it's so hot."

He didn't look solemn at all, but rather had the air of an English gentleman.

He Shili also smiled and said, "We haven't eaten yet. Thank you very much for your hospitality, Mr. Zheng. Hmm? These dumplings are very good, much better than those in Hong Kong Island. Mr. Zheng, did you hire a chef from Shanghai?"

Zheng Yi: "No, this is not Shanghai Xiaolongbao, but Kaifeng Xiaolongbao. I taught the cook how to make it. It's very different from Shanghai Xiaolongbao. I think they each have their own merits. If you haven't tried it, you might want to give it a try."

Li Xiaowei smiled and said, "I've heard for a long time that my brother-in-law is not only a great scientist, but also very proficient in cooking. He knows everything from Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, Huaiyang, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Anhui and Beijing.
Today, I've finally experienced it. It's my first time eating this kind of steamed buns made with the Central Plains method. They're indeed very different from the xiaolongbao we usually eat in the south."

Zheng Yi laughed and said, "I don't have any culinary skills. Although I can cook dishes from all eight major cuisines, I can only make some home-style dishes. I can't delve into them. On the other hand, your sister can stir soup with her bare hands and cook some amazing dishes. I can't compare to her."

Qian Qiwen said, "I heard that Cai Jing of the Northern Song Dynasty loved eating this kind of dumplings the most. It would take more than fifty cooks to make a meal of them. Could it be that they were making these soup dumplings?"

Zheng Yi: "Probably not. The buns that Cai Jing ate should be Huangxian buns. They are still popular now, but I won't make them. If I have the chance in the future, I can try them."

He Shili: "Mr. Zheng, you have a deep understanding of food. Looking at your demeanor, someone who didn't know you would think your ancestors were from the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty."

Lai Renkang: “…………”

Seeing this group of people not studying how to fight, but instead studying how to make buns, Lai Renkang couldn't help but feel sad and angry for a moment.

Turning around to look at Hu Wenhu, he saw that Hu Wenhu's face did not look very good. He did not discuss the issue of buns with them, but started eating them as well.

I couldn't help but secretly complain in my heart, but I didn't dare show it on my face.

Now that things have come to this, how could Lai Renkang not understand Zheng Yi's meaning? Unless he agrees to Zheng Yi's request for large-scale reclamation and cooperates with it,

Otherwise, even if Zheng Yi helps them this time, you can only provide some guns, bullets and other things at your best.

Faced with the Malays who already have heavy artillery and the Indians who may collude with the Malays at any time, this little thing is better than nothing.

But Lai Renkang is not a fool. Once he agrees to Zheng Yi's request and really engages in land reclamation in Perlis, and also grows rice on a large scale that the British do not want them, the Chinese, to grow, he is clearly playing tricks on the British bottom line.

Given the relationship between the British and Zheng Yi, as well as Penang’s own armed capabilities, the British are unlikely to directly break off relations with Zheng Yi.

Even though they knew that Zheng Yi was behind them, it was likely that they would drink with Zheng Yi while arranging their troops to fight these Hakka people without mercy. Would you, Zheng Yi, really fight to the death for these Hakka people?
I'm afraid that's not possible.

Once the British got really angry and really involved the Kuala Lumpur police force and even the Far East Navy, Zheng Yi would find that he had gotten out of hand.

Most likely, they would just laugh, take drastic measures to cut their losses in time, and then continue to be on good terms with the officials of the Colonial Office, as if the incident in Perlis had never happened, right?
For politicians, all living beings are like chess pieces, and no piece cannot be discarded. Once they agree to Zheng Yi's request, they, the Hakka people, will become the pawns on the chessboard of this game between Britain and China, and will be the first to cross the river with no way to retreat!
But do they really have a choice now?

Turning his head, Lai Renkang once again looked at Hu Wenhu, who looked unhappy.

"President Hu, almost all of us Hakka people in Southeast Asia follow your lead. Look, this military settlement issue..."

Hu Wenhu ignored him and continued eating his buns.

"Brother Lai, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Try this bun. People are made of iron and food is made of steel. Even if you encounter a big problem, you can't delay eating."

As he spoke, he continued to talk to himself: "No matter what time it is, no matter who you are, whether you have money, guns, or power, you can't live without food. Without food, even the most capable people will starve to death."

"I heard that the British once used a trick in Bengal. By hoarding food during a famine, they starved at least three million people to death. Some say ten million died. At the same time, they wiped out the wealth accumulated by Bengal over decades."

"When people are hungry, money is no different from waste paper. A fortune of ten thousand can only be exchanged for a stone of corn. This is not uncommon in history."

"In fact, in Perlis, besides rice, animal husbandry is also possible. And in Siam, Burma, and Borneo, large-scale agricultural reclamation can actually be carried out. But Mr. Zheng, growing grain is not as profitable as growing palm oil, coffee, rubber, etc."

"How can this problem be solved?"

Zheng Yi knew that Hu Wenhu was asking for a price, so he smiled and said, "That's easy to say. The price of grain and by-products is nothing more than subsidies and unified purchase and sale.

Regarding unified purchase and sale, it depends on whether you, Mr. Hu, and the Hakka people, can be united. If you are united, of course, it also depends on the attitude of the Chaozhou people, led by Mr. Yi Guangyan. You two can discuss it."

"As for this subsidy... how about using it from Penang's tax revenue? I propose that Penang set a minimum purchase price for the grain from our Chinese farmers to ensure that the profits from growing rice for us Chinese will definitely exceed those from growing rubber. What do you think?"

Hu Wenhu nodded upon hearing this and said, "In that case, let's decide this matter during the meeting first.

Brother Lai, what I mean is, if Penang can ensure the sale of rice and leave us enough profit, then this matter is indeed feasible, what do you think? Food is the most important thing for the people.

Lai Renkang: "I... personally have no objection, but I'm just a representative after all. I need to go back and discuss this with everyone."

Hu Wenhu said: "Okay! You go back now and discuss it with them. I will go find the Teochew people like Yi Guangyan and Chen Jingchuan now. While they are still in Penang, I will talk to them about the subsidy."

"Mr. Zheng, and Brother He and Brother Li, we Chinese really need to establish an armed force. I support you in this matter, and I ask you to come up with a plan that can convince all of us and be passed at the meeting. I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave."

After saying that, he pulled up Lai Renkang, who was still a little confused, and left.

(End of this chapter)