King He Xian of Macau is respectfully called Brother Xian by everyone in Macau, young and old.
He Xian glanced briefly at the group of people who had entered, then continued to listen attentively to the villagers' pleas surrounding him.
"Brother Xian, Brother Xian..." An elderly man in his fifties or sixties with gray hair squeezed in front of He Xian and said somewhat urgently, "Brother Xian, you've already done a good deed by helping to build a primary school to teach children, so we shouldn't trouble you anymore. But now, besides you, we can't rely on anyone else. There were originally three water storage tanks in the shantytown, but the government sent people to fill in two of them, leaving only one. The water storage is completely insufficient. Now, if anyone wants to use water, they have to walk seven miles to fetch it. Young people can manage, but we old bones are really useless and can't walk that far. We went to ask the water company to help us install a water pipe, but they told us that the pipe would be too long and too expensive. Since everyone here is poor, they can't collect Sheung Shui fees. Even if the Governor of Macau asked, there's no reason for them not to make money. They told us to go home and wait. Maybe in a few years, if someone wants to open a factory here and needs water, then a water pipe might be installed. We don't have the money to pay for the water, but our water storage tank was filled in for land development, and the government won't pay for a water pipe for us... Brother Xian, could you please put in a good word for us with the government?"
After the old man finished speaking, everyone else in the room nodded in agreement. Green Island had no fresh water supply, and the people in the shantytown had to fetch water from outside and put it into a water storage tank. Now there was only one water storage tank left, which could not guarantee the most basic drinking water problem, let alone other domestic water use.
After listening attentively, He Xian nodded, pondered for a moment, took out a pen from his pocket, then a small notebook, tore off a page, wrote a line on it, and handed it to a bodyguard standing beside him. "Take this to the person in charge of the Macau Water Supply Company now and tell him that I need to see two water pipes connected here within a week, otherwise his position will be replaced."
The bodyguard, clutching a small piece of paper, squeezed through the crowd. As he passed Song Tianyao glanced at the paper. It contained only a few words, the handwriting sharp and elegant, the strokes like falling stones and hooks of bent gold, forming a sentence with silver hooks and iron strokes:
"The two water pipes in Green Island are under your management; please remember the number. He Xian, Macau."
On the streets of Macau, from the elderly with white hair to young children, whether Portuguese or Chinese, everyone respectfully calls King He Xian of Macau "Brother Xian." Although the seemingly humble phrase on the paper, "Please remember my junior brother, He Xian of Macau," carries more of a domineering air than any arrogant or domineering words.
Chapter 281 Cautiously
Song Tianyao admired He Xian. He was a young man who had only entered Macau in December 1941 and was just over thirty years old. In ten years, he surpassed many of Macau's old-established tycoons, rapidly growing his power and even being called the King of Macau and the Shadow Governor of Macau by his contemporaries.
From 1941 to 1951, Macau was in turmoil. To earn this title in such a chaotic place, "philanthropist," "entrepreneur," and "representative of the Chinese community" seem insufficient to describe He Xian. Looking back at the history of Macau's development during this decade, it is precisely He Xian's story of seizing opportunities and risking his life to achieve his success amidst the chaos.
"I'll get water for you all. If the water pipes aren't connected within a week, then please go and smash my 'Macau Chinese Representative He Xian's Office' signboard." After instructing his bodyguards to deliver the message, He Xian spoke to the many poor people with eager eyes.
Everyone inside was quite excited; some even had tears in their eyes, their lips trembling but unable to speak, only repeatedly calling out, "Brother Xian... Brother Xian..."
"That's settled then. When I get back, I'll arrange a time for all the business owners in the chamber of commerce who are passionate about charity to sit down and discuss whether we can hold a charity fundraiser. With the weather getting warmer, let's build more public toilets here, and buy more disinfectant and lime powder to donate, to prevent too many mosquito bites and the spread of infectious diseases. Although I'm a director of Kiang Wu Hospital, I don't want to see China person staying in the hospital." He Xian put his pen back in his pocket, stood up, and said to everyone, "I have friends in Hong Kong to entertain, so I can't stay any longer. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me."
He stood up, and the many poor people from Green Island who had just been crowding around him immediately made way for him. No matter how much they still wanted to say to He Xian, they all shut their mouths. A big shot had already helped them build a primary school, and had just promised to install two water pipes. He would also help them raise funds when he returned. What more could they ask for?
May you live a long and healthy life, Brother Xian!
"May you have great Brother Xian."
Watching He Xian walk out, the people inside dared not keep He Xian any longer. They had nothing to offer to express their gratitude, so they could only offer He Xian flattering words. He Xian bowed to the crowd in a very chivalrous and carefree manner, and left the tin-roofed house surrounded by several bodyguards.
Once outside, He Xian, with a friendly smile on his face, looked at Lei Yingdong and Song Tianyao, who had already stepped out, and said cheerfully:
"Guan Tai, why are you copying those people who wait to curry favor with me? I'm celebrating my wife's birthday, and you come all this way hoping to build a connection with me? And you even brought Mr. Song with you?"
"Mr. He, I don't deserve to be addressed as Mr. He." Upon hearing He Xian call him Mr. Song, Song Tianyao immediately waved his hands repeatedly and said humbly, "Just call me A-Yao. I'm very grateful for Mr. He's help with things in Hong Kong. I should have visited Mr. He a long time ago, but I've been asking Lei Danzi to bring me here several times since the Spring Festival, and only now have I had the opportunity to ask him to bring me to see Mr. He."
"I'm older than you, just call me Brother Xian. Calling me Mr. He makes me sound like an old man." He Xian reached out and patted Song Tianyao on the shoulder. "I heard about what happened in Hong Kong. Well done, A-Yao."
Lei Yingdong, also smiling, chimed in, "I'm always on the ship and haven't had time to visit you, Brother Xian. I can only take this opportunity of your wife's birthday celebration to ask for a drink."
Lei Yingdong's business of smuggling contraband was able to grow so large and gain the trust of South China Company. Besides the fact that his goods were of high quality and reasonably priced, the most important reason was that He Xian had spoken up for Lei Yingdong on behalf of South China Company.