Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1311 I am also a Tangren (Second update, please subscribe)

As night falls, neon lights dot the streets of this bustling city like stars. The endless flow of cars and the surging crowds of people always make people linger and of course make people think about it.

Under the dazzling neon lights, Masco, who just took office as Speaker of the Philippine Senate a few months ago, is strolling in this bustling city.

There are tall buildings on both sides, and the windows are full of lights, each light is there to show off the prosperity of this place, flickering the sparks of desire and dreams. The hustle and bustle of traffic and the aroma of snack stalls in the distance make people slow down their pace involuntarily.

This melody of prosperity and bustle is something that people envy and desire.

Once upon a time, Musk thought that one day Manila would look like this. At least after the war, when the Philippines officially became independent and he served as secretary to President Roxas, he thought that Manila would be the next New York or the next Paris.

At that time, Chang'an was as unfamiliar to the world as Nanyang. As for Zamboanga, it was just a small place on the island of Mindanao, a local autonomous authority that "split" from the Philippines relying on "wartime autonomy".

However, with the assistance of the United States, the reconstruction of Manila proceeded quite quickly. Most of the damaged buildings were demolished, and skyscrapers rose from the ruins. At that time, Manila was the most modern city in Asia.

But now?
Although the streets of Manila are equally clean and beautiful, and although Manila also has tall buildings and is also full of lights and nights.

But now, sixteen years later, the once small place has developed into an international city that is far more prosperous than Manila.

“Zamboanga is your capital city!”

Musk remembers that an American once asked him this question when he was visiting the United States.

Faced with the Americans' inquiries, Musk's inner emotions were complicated.

After all, Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and as for Zamboanga... it is the capital of the autonomous region.

However, now for many Americans, they know Zamboanga better, and in their eyes, Zamboanga is the Philippines.

Well, at least Americans still think this is Philippine territory!

I don't know how long I walked, but I came to a residential area from the bustling city center. I stopped and Musk's eyes were attracted by a house on the roadside. Through the window, the curtains behind the window swayed gently in the night breeze. The adults and children of that family were sitting in the living room, gathered in front of the TV, watching TV.

What's on TV?
It should be the recently popular TV series "All in One Family".

Although this TV series is in Chinese, it is also very popular in Manila - in fact, Filipinos watch Nanyang TV programs. The story does not have a particularly ups and downs plot, it is basically a story about the daily life of ordinary people, but the stories around these two families truly reflect the life in Nanyang - the economy is booming, and everyone strives to pursue a better life.

The kind of feeling that makes people feel hopeful and ready for a better life is something that people envy and desire.

Countless Filipinos also long to live like them. Even if it is to live like the old man of Medan!

In fact, the economy of Mindanao is far from as prosperous as it seems. As a politician, Musk is well aware that Mindanao's economic output far exceeds that of the Philippines - as an offshore financial center, a large amount of capital flows in here every day.

In Mindanao, the main component of GDP is income from finance, trade and other aspects, most of which has nothing to do with ordinary people.

But this does not mean that the quality of life of the elderly in Medan is poor. In fact, thanks to the development of the financial industry and with sufficient financial support, the industry and commerce here have been fully developed, and people's income has been increasing. Last year, the per capita annual income here reached US$390, and there will definitely be no problem in breaking through US$400 this year.

In terms of per capita income, Mindanao has even become second only to Southeast Asia in Asia!
This is certainly enviable, but it is far from comparable to Nanyang. After all, there are less than 300 million people here.

I couldn't help but stop by the roadside and look at the people through the window.

At this moment, a voice sounded in my ear, and the voice was a little stern:

"Sir, how can I help you?"

Turning around, what came into view were two military police officers, two female police officers, with M1 carbines slung around their waists.

This is the characteristic of Mindanao - this is a region with universal military service. Like Surabaya in Indonesia, both men and women must perform military service, but it is limited to Chinese.

They say it is for the sake of regional security, but in fact, all of them are well aware that the use of force is the fundamental prerequisite for them to maintain their "de facto independence".

Masco quickly said in Mandarin with a Cantonese accent:
"Excuse me, officer. I was just thinking about something and my mind wandered a little."

"Tang people?"

The female police officer was puzzled but still asked him to show his ID card.

"Here's my passport."

Masco quickly took out his passport - although Mindanao is Philippine territory, Filipinos need a pass to come here. As the Speaker of the Senate, he holds an official passport and of course does not need a pass.

After checking the other party's ID and confirming that it was him, the female police officer reminded:

"Sir, this is a residential area. If a stranger stays for a long time, it will cause misunderstanding. If you have nothing to do, please leave here as soon as possible."

Although the police officer's words were polite, there was an unquestionable tone in his voice, which was an order for him to leave.

"Okay, sorry to bother the officers."

After being reminded, Musk left the residential area. As he left, he took another look at the two female police officers.

People here are always wary of non-Tang people. What is the source of their vigilance?
Because they were outsiders, they knew very well that just like their universal conscription, which was limited to the Tang people only, its purpose was to protect themselves.

This is the other side of Mindanao!
“Are many Filipinos still eager to be like them, like those people, and get pink ID cards?”

Going to Mindanao and getting a pink ID card is the dream of many Filipinos! This is because in Mindanao, ID cards come in three colors: yellow, pink, and light green; the three colors represent different classes, distinguishing between Chinese, indigenous Catholics, and indigenous Muslims.

But in fact, this is a kind of inequality. This inequality is also reflected in the economy. The people with the highest income here are definitely the Tang people!
"Tang people..."

Musk muttered this word with a frown on his face. He also has Tang ancestry. His mother is half Tang ancestry. That is why he speaks fluent Cantonese.

But on the other hand, as a politician, Masco is well aware that the Philippines is becoming more and more "Tangized".

"Tang people, maybe one day, Filipinos will become Tang people just like those pink ID cards..."

Can a pink ID card turn me into a Tang person?

Musk didn't know, but he had been to the apartments where those people lived. There, those Filipinos who came here from Luzon and other places to make a living lived like Chinese people. They spoke "Mandarin", watched Mandarin TV programs, ate Chinese food, and even used chopsticks to eat.

But can they become Tang people?

Turn the pink ID card into a yellow ID card?

Standing on the streets of Manila, Musk had no answer in his heart, and no one knew what the answer to this question was.

Musk didn't even know why the question came up.

"I am also a Tang person..."

In fact, Masco's purpose of coming here is very simple. He hopes to get the support of Mindanao. After all, he has Chinese ancestry and he plans to run for president in the future.

If we can gain the support of Mindanao, then we will achieve twice the result with half the effort!

"In the future, it is not impossible to join the Datong Party..."

Thinking this in his mind, Masco nodded slightly and resolutely made a decision in his heart - in order to gain the support of Mindanao, he could take his mother's surname and thus highlight his Tang identity.

In fact, this is instinct. The reason why Musk decided to flaunt his Chinese ancestry is entirely because Southeast Asia is developed enough, and even Mindanao has left the Philippines far behind in all aspects such as economy.

After making this decision in his mind, Musk hesitated again.

After all, the Philippines has not yet been sinicized. If he changes his surname to his mother's and flaunts his Chinese ancestry, will he be resisted by some Filipinos?
When thinking about this problem, Musk couldn't help but feel a little worried. After all, as a politician, interests have always been paramount.

A few minutes later, Musk returned to the hotel. As soon as he entered the room, he saw his wife trying on shoes in front of the mirror.
Imelda, who was born as a beauty pageant champion and is known as the "Rose of Tacloban", loves shoes the most, and of course, all kinds of jewelry. The latter cannot be purchased now, but now she has just achieved the freedom to buy shoes.

"Honey, do you think my shoes are beautiful?"

Imelda emphasized:
"It only cost a few dozen dollars, much cheaper than in Manila, and it's the latest model..."

Imelda, who was showing off her new shoes to her husband, saw a sad look on Masco's face and asked:
"What's wrong? Are you worried?"

"It's the same thing. You know, since the Datong Party entered Manila five years ago, Mindanao's influence on Philippine politics has been deepening..."

Although it was a political matter, Musk was happy to listen to his wife's opinions. In fact, in many cases, Imelda was half his political adviser.

"…So, now, this question bothers me a lot. Should I show my goodwill to Zhao Chenggang and the others in this way?"

"Change your name?"

Imelda asked back:
"Is it necessary now? Speaking of bloodline, I also have Chinese bloodline. I can speak Mandarin. But there is absolutely no need to show goodwill like this now. You are the Speaker, and there are many ways to show goodwill, such as requiring schools to offer Chinese courses."

“Open Chinese language courses?”

Masco was stunned by his wife's words and asked in confusion:
"Why?"

Imelda rolled her eyes and said:

"Because it is completely meaningless for Filipinos to learn English, and they can't go to the United States to work, so why should schools offer English courses? But they can get a labor permit and go to Mindanao or Southeast Asia to work as laborers. They can earn money by learning Chinese. Instead of letting them go to various training classes, it is better to open classes directly in schools. In this way, your proposal can not only win the praise of the people and win their support, but also show goodwill to Zhao Chenggang and the people of Mindanao. Isn't this better than changing your name?"

Masco's eyes lit up after hearing his wife's analysis, and he praised her repeatedly:
"Haha, dear, you are really my female Zhuge Liang. This idea is simply great. By the way, when the time is right, you can also add Chinese as an official language. In this way, I will definitely be able to win their support!"

With the support of Mindanao, what do we have?
Money!

Mindanao is rich!

Excited, Masco looked at Imelda and said:

"We should go back to Manila tomorrow without delay. We can't let others take advantage of such a good idea."

After taking a look at the new shoes on his wife's feet, Musk, fearing that his wife would be unhappy, added:
"When we get back to Manila, I'll buy you a new piece of jewelry. Next time, when we come to Zamboanga, we'll spend some good money."

Imelda felt a little regretful when she saw the candy thrown by her husband, but she also knew what was more important now, so she nodded and said:

"Okay, let's go back to Manila first..."

(End of this chapter)