Chu Yaozong slowly refilled their teacups. "In less than two years since the liberation of the mainland, at least thirty banks, banks, and money shops in Hong Kong, all China person, have closed down. If we Guangdong banks were to fight with Shanghai people banks, the only tactics would be to raise deposit interest rates and then engage in mutual bank runs. In the end, the Britain would be the ones to benefit, driving all those who wanted to deposit money to Britain- owned banks. During this time, Foreign Devil Britain have allowed the banking industry to be in turmoil, perhaps hoping to see us China person fight amongst ourselves. Every time a Guangdong bank or a Shanghai people bank closes down, ordinary people will be disappointed with our China person banks and end up depositing their hard-earned money in banks owned by Foreign Devil."
"What else can we do but fight? Are we just supposed to let these Shanghai people break the rules and make moves without any retaliation? Let's not talk about banks, let's talk about the Gold and Silver Exchange (referring to the Hong Kong Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society). The rules of Gold and Silver Exchange state that if you're not a member of the Gold and Silver Exchange, you must entrust an employee to participate in the Gold and Silver Exchange. But these Shanghai are engaging in wash trading, pocketing the profits that rightfully belong to the exchange. The rules of the Gold and Silver Exchange weren't set by the Britain, they were set by us China person. All the employees are from Guangdong. What these Shanghai are doing is blatant robbery from the people of Guangdong. If we Guangdong people don't unite, we'll be driven out of business by these Shanghai people sooner or later." Du Zhaojian's tone had become quite heated.
Chu Yaozong looked at Tang Shiu-kin: "What do you mean?"
"I took the initiative and used the name of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce charity fundraising dinner to bring together the bosses of large and small chambers of commerce in Chiu Chow, Five Counties, Dongguan and other parts of Guangzhou to talk about this matter. But without the three of you presidents' permission, I can't do it on my own. If we don't unite, we'll be in big trouble." Du Zhaojian took a deep breath and touched his bald head to calm himself down.
Chu Yaozong leaned back in his seat and slowly closed his eyes. "From the Shanghai people speculating in gold overseas to now stirring up trouble in the banking industry, their momentum is indeed terrifying. However, most businessmen with some wealth haven't been crippled by Shanghai people. Those who have been forced to close down are simply those with poor foresight, greedy appetites, and small businesses trying to swallow giants. Previously, the three major chambers of commerce competed amongst themselves. The Britain courted one isolated chamber and suppressed the two allied ones. On the surface, our three chambers were constantly exchanging blows, but in reality, we all knew that the apparent discord was beneficial to everyone." To ensure stable development. But if the three of us unite and fight against Shanghai people, we'll only give them an opportunity. Think about it, what if the Britain supported these Shanghai people who came from out of town, suppressing us, the local bullies from Guangdong who joined forces? You have to understand, the Shanghai people don't lack money; what they lack is the opportunity to be supported by the Britain. If they really get that opportunity, that's when they'll truly show their fangs and become ready to devour anyone. That's why the three of us haven't spoken up yet. We can't give this opportunity to the Shanghai people. If we don't give it to them, they can only keep using their meager funds to keep causing trouble, and they'll never amount to anything."
"If we don't unite to fight the Shanghai people, we can't do business steadily. But if we fight, we're afraid the Britain will give the Shanghai people an opportunity. Are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"
Chu Yaozong opened his eyes, turned to look at Du Zhaojian, whose composure was far inferior to his own, and smiled slightly, "Endure. The Britain are also dissatisfied with these Shanghai people don't follow their rules, but if the Britain can endure it, what can't we, all China person, endure? I've endured for two years since Shanghai merchants entered Hong Kong. How difficult is it to endure for another two years and wait for an opportunity? Zhaojian, the Japan seized your bus company back then, didn't you endure it for nearly four years? What happened to the Japan four years later, and what happened to you? It's only been two years now, the time isn't right yet, there's still plenty of time."
Chapter 85 The Widow Complex of the Song Family Men
After tasting the red wine that Angie Perlis ordered, Song Tianyao escorted her back to her room. It was already past 8 p. m., and he did not stay at the Dulles Hotel that night. Instead, he returned to his newly settled home on Tai Wo Street in Wan Chai. There was an unwritten rule in his hometown that the first night after moving must be spent in the new house, otherwise one would be homeless and unable to return home for the rest of one's life.
Song Tianyao didn't believe in this folk custom, but he didn't want to upset his parents. Besides, he didn't need to find a fishing boat or anything to cross the sea from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon tonight. He could just go out and flag down a rickshaw that was returning home late. Five cents would be enough to make the driver happy to take him downstairs to Tai Wo Street.
After getting off the rickshaw, they walked up the somewhat narrow stairs to the second floor. Before Song Tianyao could knock on the door, they could already hear conversations coming from inside.
He tapped the door twice with his fingers, and it was quickly opened from the inside. The person who opened the door was neither his mother nor his sister, but the guy named Scribe Hui who had helped him move that afternoon.
"Secretary Song?" The Scribe Hui stepped back to make room for Song Tianyao to enter.
After entering the room, Song Tianyao glanced at the living room. The living room, with the lights on, had a round table still set up, and his Dad, mother, sister, and Chen Tai were all sitting around it. Lou Fengyun, who had been lying on a stretcher with her hair down just two days ago, playing the Lou Fengyun, now had her long hair loosely tied up with a glass hairpin. She was wearing a blue floral-patterned fitted jacket with narrow sleeves and loose-fitting women's Tang trousers, and her bare feet were not wearing socks. She was wearing a pair of gold-painted high-heeled wooden clogs and was sitting next to his sister, Song Wenwen. Two wooden canes were leaning against her seat.
When Song Tianyao walked in, everyone at the table turned to look at Song Tianyao.
"Your Dad said the business suddenly had something to do and called you away, but who knew you'd be gone until now. The Chu Family are also from Chiu Chow people, they should know the customs of Chiu Chow people when they move, right? It's so late before he let you come back. I'm most afraid you won't come home at night. Hurry up and sit down, the food I left for you has been reheated four times, I'll bring it to you." Zhao Meizhen complained to her son as she got up from the table and walked towards the kitchen.
Song Tianyao glanced at Chen Tai, who was sitting next to his Dad, next to what seemed to be the seat of the Scribe Hui. There was only one empty seat left between Scribe Hui and Lou Fengyun. Without hesitation, Song Tianyao took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, then sat down. While rolling up his shirt sleeves, he turned to Lou Fengyun, who seemed unsure how to greet him, and smiled. "I've seen many people attend their friends' housewarming parties, but I've only ever seen someone seriously injured and insisting on coming on crutches. Sister Yun, eat well. It must have been very difficult for you to get here on crutches, so remember to eat your fill."