20demayo Chapter 83 The Shi Family Gamble
Chapter 83 The Shi Family Gamble
So they're from the Shi family!
Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat.
The Shi family!
The third largest Chinese family in Luzon, a true behemoth in the region!
Holding the lifeline of inter-island transportation in Luzon, 12 ocean-going sailing ships and 8 steamships roam the seas, and warehouses in various places are densely connected to form a network. The Shi Ji Wharf in the heart of Manila's Chinatown is also in their hands. The family has more than 500 guards, each of whom is elite and good at fighting!
More importantly, according to Marilyn's intelligence network's precise investigation, the Shi family has been secretly smuggling weapons for the Independent Army for years, and their operations are extremely large!
But who could have predicted that the plenipotentiary representative sent by the Shi family would be such a charming and bright young girl?
A hint of surprise flashed across Chen Feng's eyes, followed by a more scrutinizing look.
"Miss Shi, you're too kind!"
Chen Feng snapped out of his thoughts, cupped his hands in return, and said, "I have long heard of the Shi family's reputation. Seeing Miss Shi's demeanor today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved."
As he spoke, he stepped aside to welcome the two into the reception area of the room.
As soon as the three of them sat down, Qian Biao brought over three cups of hot tea and gently placed them on the table.
Chen Feng picked up his teacup, his gaze falling on Shi Lingxi's bright eyes, and asked directly, "Miss Shi, what brings you here today?"
Shi Lingxi did not offer tea, but said directly, "I am fully aware of the terms General Chen and General Luna discussed today. The Shi family fully supports your standing up for the Chinese."
Her voice was clear and crisp, causing Zheng Mingsong, who was standing next to her, to sit up straight instinctively.
A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Feng's eyes, quickly turning into amusement: "Miss Shi's information network is quite impressive; it seems you have a deep connection with General Luna!"
Shi Lingxi looked up to meet his gaze and said without any hesitation, "My Shi family has always cooperated with General Luna, helping him smuggle arms supplies. This is not a secret among the major Chinese families in Luzon, so there's no need to hide it from people."
The three major Chinese families in Luzon were divided: the Zheng family had secretly supported Liu Hengfu, the Shi family sided with Luna, and the Wang family closely followed the Spanish colonial government. Aguinaldo was truly unpopular, with no family supporting him.
Chen Feng smiled inwardly, about to speak, when Shi Lingxi's crisp voice rang out first: "General Chen, I know that the mission of your Chinese Freedom Army is to fight for the freedom of Chinese people, a goal the Shi family agrees with. But if I may be frank, can following the American military truly allow Chinese people to stand tall and gain genuine freedom?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Mingsong also looked intently at Chen Feng.
"So, Miss Shi, you're also here as a lobbyist for the independence army?"
Chen Feng responded indifferently, his tone instantly losing all interest in conversation, and he sneered inwardly.
The current situation is clear: it is far better for the Chinese Free Army to join the US military than to wade into the muddy waters with the disorganized and infighting Independence Army!
As for the catastrophe of two future world wars and the earth-shattering reshuffling of the international order, there is no need to say these things, and even if we did, these people who are confined by the times would never believe them!
In this day and age, no one can imagine just how powerful the United States' military strength is!
Shi Lingxi suddenly smiled, her smile bright and captivating, and shook her head, saying, "General Chen, you misunderstand. As I just said, the Shi family fully supports all your requests. But the American and Spanish forces are essentially the same kind of people, and the American forces are even more terrifying in strength and more ambitious! Once they completely take control of Luzon, all the patriots who sacrificed their lives for independence will have died in vain!"
"So, what does Miss Shi mean?" Chen Feng had no time to beat around the bush.
Shi Lingxi's smile faded, and her tone became serious: "My idea is simple: dealing with Aguinaldo is easier than fighting the American army. Let's unite, integrate the Chinese forces with the fighting strength of the independence army, and establish a genuine united government. Let the Americans see the determination of the various ethnic groups in Luzon to unite. If they still want to emulate Spain's colonial rule, then we'll fight them!"
She paused, a resolute glint in her eyes: "We will wage a protracted war, a war of attrition, until they suffer heavy casualties, until they realize that occupying Luzon is a losing proposition. Then, we will naturally win true independence."
Zheng Mingsong frowned as he listened, a deep worry flashing in his eyes.
The plan sounds exciting, but the cost behind it is too high, so high that it could bankrupt the Zheng family.
"So, Miss Shi, you're planning a long-term, high-stakes gamble," Chen Feng chuckled lightly, his tone indifferent and noncommittal.
childish!
So childish!
Without a true leader to unite the heroes, and without the foundation of unity among all ethnic groups, this so-called protracted war is nothing but a mirage and a path to self-destruction!
Just by looking at Zheng Mingsong's furrowed brows, you can tell that the Zheng family will definitely be the first to jump back into the fire pit!
Their current support for the Chinese Free Army is based on the premise that their interests are not harmed. These wealthy and powerful families, which have been passed down for hundreds of years, have always been shrewd to the core. They will never gamble unless they have an absolute chance of winning. They will only sit on the sidelines and wait and see, seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages!
Shi Lingxi smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, her smile still bright: "General Chen, I don't believe you really think that those 20 spots can be negotiated."
From initially wanting 50% of the spots to now conceding to 20, this is just your negotiation strategy, aimed at securing the greatest benefit for the Chinese community, and I admire that.
But the reality is that Aquinado is only willing to offer five seats, which is already the limit. We Chinese might as well accept this and agree to form a coalition government first.
She changed the subject, her tone becoming firm: "Our concessions are not about compromise, but about maintaining a firm grip on real power."
The two key positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Finance in the coalition government must be held by Chinese. My Shi family can be the first to stand up and support you for the position of Minister of Defense.
General Chen, as long as you are willing to take the lead in integrating the Chinese forces, the Shi family's fleet, warehouses, guards, and even their arms smuggling channels can all be placed under your unified command.
Zheng Mingsong was shocked and couldn't help but say, "Lingxi, this is no small matter. What about Old Master Shi...?"
Shi Lingxi interrupted, "Grandpa has already agreed. He said that if the Chinese in Luzon want to stop being bullied, someone has to be willing to take a gamble. General Chen, are you willing?"
An overwhelming temptation!
It's a real sugar-coated bullet, but it hides the most tempting future!
The Shi family's vast resources, core power in defense finances, and unprecedented unity among the entire Chinese community in Luzon... With just a nod, one can ascend to the heavens in a single step!
But Chen Feng was as clear-headed as a mirror.
Even though this woman was intelligent and decisive, she underestimated Aquinas's ambition and was completely unaware of America's terrifying power!
She had no idea how incredible the US military's industrial base was, how many elite troops its ocean-going fleet could project across the Pacific, or the devastating power its war machine could unleash once it was set in motion...
Chen Feng pretended to be deep in thought, and after a moment, he slowly said, "Let's wait for Aquinado's reply. His attitude is the prerequisite for whether we can cooperate."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Shi Lingxi's eyes, but she didn't dwell on it. She nodded and said, "Alright! Then we'll wait for news. But General Chen, I hope you can think this through: siding with the Americans might guarantee temporary stability, but it will only make us vassals forever. However, by joining forces with the Shi family, we at least have a chance to fight for a real future for the Chinese people."
"I understand," Chen Feng replied calmly, without saying anything more.