He Xian, expressionless, held his coffee and said, "The three of us brothers have been friends for many years. We don't need to exchange pleasantries; we see each other several times a day. But this time is different. This time, you have the Portugal behind you, and I have the China person. Brother Qi just mentioned that he contacted the mainland for you last night. The South China Bureau on the mainland is very agitated right now. There are three opinions. First, a division of the People's Liberation Army has already been stationed in Shiqi, ready to advance to the Gongbei Border Gate and start fighting at any time. Anyway, the Chinese have already fought those United States, Britain, and China person on the North Korea battlefield, so adding Portugal won't make a difference! Second, a cold treatment: completely close the border from now on, never open the Border Gate again, and no more supplies will pass through Macau. Portugal is fierce, isn't it? Fine, from now on, all of Macau's grain, vegetables, and daily necessities will be imported from Europe by the Governor of Macau. Let the people of Macau taste what Europe grain tastes like. Macau has nearly 200,000 people now. You know how much grain they need every day. After the Border Gate is completely closed, we'll wait for those 200,000 people to go to the Governor's Palace to have a Western meal with Mr. Nobre de Carvalho."
"Mr. Nobre de Carvalho has already reprimanded the military leaders for their recklessness," Pedro Lobo said with a wry smile. "Qi Ge did indeed help contact China last night, but the China side replied that since China has not yet established diplomatic relations with Portugal, it is not advisable to have direct contact with the Macau authorities. If they want to talk, the Macau government will send two representatives of the Macau Chinese community to negotiate with them. Right now, only you and Qi Ge are the most suitable people in Macau Street. The China people in charge of the negotiations are already near the Gongbei Border Gate, just waiting for you and Qi Ge to give their approval."
"How can I nod in agreement? How can I talk to people about this? You have to tell me Mr. Nobre de Carvalho's opinion, right?" He Xian put down his coffee cup and looked at Pedro Lobo.
Pedro Lobo looked troubled and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mr. Nobre de Carvalho means that since both sides have suffered casualties, we should remain calm and restrained to prevent the situation from escalating and reopen the Border Gates."
"Smash!" He Xian threw the coffee cup he had just put down onto the ground and smashed it. His eyes were wide open. "That Black Devils fired first! Nobre de Carvalho isn't even going to apologize? How am I supposed to negotiate? If he thinks he can negotiate, let him negotiate himself!"
"Brother Xian..." Pedro Lobo knew that Governor of Macau Nobre de Carvalho's words were clearly intended to make both sides act as if nothing had happened, to quickly reopen the Border Gate and restore things to normal. However, he was now representing the Governor of Macau to convey the other party's opinion to He Xian and Mao Wanqi, which didn't mean he had the right to say that Governor of Macau Nobre de Carvalho's words were outrageous. He could only smile awkwardly and say, "Brother Xian, in Macau Street, everyone knows you have the most influence. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party are both vying to win you over. With just a word from you..."
He Xian abruptly interrupted Pedro Lobo, his face darkening. "I, He Xian, do indeed have some influence in Macau thanks to the support of various friends, and I am deeply grateful to all my friends, including Governor of Macau Mr. Nobre de Carvalho. However, He Xian I have, I cannot allow China person to side with the Portugal! The Black Devils fired the first shot, and the fault lies with Macau. Now, Mr. Nobre de Carvalho thinks he can just dismiss it all with a few words? Impossible! If that's your attitude, please tell Mr. Nobre de Carvalho that I, He Xian, cannot lose face for the China person just because he flatters me and He Xian me face! Tell him to find someone else, to Xunzheng, to arrange transportation, I need to go back to discuss business..."
"Brother Xian, Brother Xian, Brother Xian..." Pedro Lobo stopped He Xian, who was about to leave. He and He Xian had known each other for many years, and their business dealings and personal relationship were inseparable. Pedro Lobo knew that He Xian's anger was not directed at him, but at the Governor of Macau, so he wasn't angry. He smiled apologetically and said, "How about this? You and Brother Qi go and meet with the China representative in Gongbei who is in charge of the negotiations. I know we won't reach an agreement, but it doesn't matter. As long as you Brother Xian go to Gongbei for me, even if it's just to have a smoke and a cup of tea with them and come back, I can report back to Mr. Brother Xian Nobre de Carvalho. Besides, we don't know what conditions the China side has put forward. So even if you don't go to negotiate, just bringing back their demands will be helpful. The sooner the Border Gates are opened, the Brother Xian your businesses can return to normal."
This time, it wasn't He Xian who spoke; Mao Wanqi replied almost without hesitation, "If the Governor of Macau doesn't give an explanation, Border Gate so be it. I can quit business and go back to Mainland China to retire."
The closure of the Border Gate actually had the biggest impact on Mao Wanqi's business. Mao Wanqi transported grains, oils, and daily necessities from mainland China to Macau for sale, and the closure of the Border Gate meant that he lost his supply channels.
"Brother Xian, Brother Qi, I'm not the Governor of Macau. Complaining to me is useless; I'm just a messenger." Pedro Lobo could only give a frustrated bitter smile, "I also have China blood, and I know that the Black Devils made the first move this time, but we still have to talk, right? I'll just be blunt: apart from the two of you, no matter who Macau sends to Gongbei, they won't meet with us. To put it another way, Brother Xian, even if all three branches of the Chamber of Commerce go to Gongbei without your intervention, they still won't meet with us."
The three flags of the Macau Chamber of Commerce that Pedro Lobo mentioned refer to are Vice President Ma Wanqi, Vice President Cai Deqi, and Director Cai Leqi. Because all three of their names contain the character "Qi," and He Xian has the nickname "Macau Wong Tai Sin," the four of them are enthusiastic about charity and have a good reputation in the Chinese community. Therefore, they are often put together by the people of Macau Street and called the Three Banners of the Great Immortal."
"Alright, I have no problem meeting them, but don't expect me to speak well of the Portugal." He Xian knew he had to go, but he couldn't let Governor of Macau Nobre de Carvalho think he He Xian be summoned and dismissed at will; he had to maintain the proper attitude.
Pedro Lobo bowed repeatedly to He Xian, saying, "I am already extremely grateful that you agreed. You can say whatever you want."
"When are we going?" He Xian slowly exhaled and asked Pedro Lobo.
"When? The sooner the better, of course. Grain prices are already terrifyingly high. If we delay, countless poor people will starve to death, and Western newspapers will again report on the brutality of Portugal rule in the colonies," Pedro Lobo said. "I'll arrange for police and soldiers to escort you and Qi Ge out of the Border Gate immediately."
Having persuaded He Xian to negotiate with the China side, Pedro Lobo breathed a sigh of relief. Before he could even finish exhaling, the villa's butler entered and said to Pedro Lobo, "Sir, the Macau Chamber of Commerce called, saying that one of their staff members was shot and killed while distributing rice to the poor in Green Island District on behalf of Mr. Song of Hong Kong Oxfam. One staff member was killed, but Mr. Song's bodyguard has apprehended the shooter. The Chamber of Commerce is now asking Mr. He how he intends to handle this matter."