The nineteenth act of $30 million

  That night, through Chen Fengqi's introduction, Roger finally met the de facto ruler of Guangdong Nanlu at the dinner table - Deng Benyin, the commander-in-chief of the Eight Allied Forces!

  "Little brother is Roger, right? I've heard Old Chen mention you before. This time, in the negotiations with the Americans, you can be said to have won surprisingly! Come on, come on, let's have a drink first."

  Roger didn't hold back, and the wine was gone in one gulp. As for this warlord, his first impression wasn't bad. He had previously looked up Deng Benying's information in modern times and knew that although he was a typical warlord of the Republic of China era, who did all sorts of evil things, he also had the experience of fleeing after defeat, hiding out, and then re-emerging to organize guerrilla troops to fight against Japan for eight years.

  Deng Benyin is not a good person, but he is also not an evil rascal who has committed ten unpardonable crimes.

  "I'm grateful that Commander Deng thinks highly of me, a junior. I've just returned from studying in the US and it's my great fortune to be able to contribute to the people of Qiongya and assist Commander Deng."

  "Ah, modesty isn't your strong suit, is it? Heroes have always emerged in their youth. I heard you're planning to set up a pharmaceutical factory? That's a great deed that benefits both the country and its people! If there's anything difficult, just say so, and I, Deng, will take care of it."

  "Thanks for Director Deng's instructions. After all, the factory is set up in Qiongya territory, and it will definitely be a trouble for Director Deng in the future."

  "Alright, alright." Deng Benyin paused for a moment before finally bringing up the loan issue that had been on his mind. "That... Luo brother, I heard that American is planning to lend me 300 million US dollars?"

  Roger nodded: "Indeed, but for now it's just Consul Tan Ni's idea, he still needs to communicate with the US banking group before drawing a final conclusion. However, judging from his tone, this matter is almost certain, and it should only be a matter of time."

  Rojer didn't dare to say that it was actually his suggestion, if the news of him being the mastermind behind the loan got out, then during the large-scale protests on the island later on, he would be forever labeled as a "traitor" and a "national traitor".

  "That's great, that's just great! With this money, our Deng family can finally live a little better!" Deng Ben Yin burst out laughing.

  "Actually... Commander Deng, let me say something that might not be pleasant to hear." Although history clearly recorded that Deng Ben Yin ultimately didn't dare accept the money, to be on the safe side, Luo Ze still decided to give him a preventive warning.

  "Go ahead and say what you want to say, we don't stand on ceremony here." Deng Ben Yin was in a good mood and didn't mind Roger's words at all.

  "So I said, actually... this sum of money, I suggest it's better if you don't take it."

  Deng Benyin furrowed his brow: "What? Can't Luo, who has drunk foreign ink, also be like those poor and corrupt Confucians? This so-called loan, as long as we repay it with the mortgaged mines, won't they still belong to us in the end? Don't be stubborn! Money can make money. If you just hold on to your own land and save every penny, when will you ever get rich?! Humph! Those guys are all about righteousness and morality, talking about national justice, but they don't know how poor the government has become! Without loans, where would we get the money for military salaries? Without military salaries, how can we protect our borders and keep the people safe?"

  Roger shook his head: "I'm not saying that loans are bad, in fact I strongly support loans, but this one is different. This is a loan secured by the mineral resources of Hainan Island. As for those empty words about justice and whatnot, brother, I won't mention them. I just ask Deng Zhiyuan: do these mineral resources currently have an owner or not?"

  Deng Ben Yin furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment before saying: "I think most of them should have owners, and even if they don't, I reckon those rabbits down there would have taken them over. They're no good at fighting, but when it comes to this kind of thing, one is more capable than the other."

  Roger nodded: "That's right, the mineral resources on Qiongya Island are numerous, but they have all been divided up by those local tyrants and government personnel in cahoots with each other. Not a single mine has been left out, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate."

  "This doesn't need to be investigated, I already know it's like this. As for family matters, I still understand some things." Deng Benyin sighed, he had already understood Roger's meaning, "Still, Brother Luo's brain is good, seeing through it clearly, this child is not going to work out."

  "It's not that I'm particularly clever, it's just that onlookers see more clearly than those in the midst of things. Given time, Deng will come to realize what's going on himself."

  It seems that the two have reached a tacit understanding, and Chen Feng, who was still unclear about what was going on, spoke up: "I'm telling you, Commander Deng, how did we go from discussing this loan to not wanting it anymore? That's 300 million US dollars! Let those poor students protest and demonstrate all they want, what does it have to do with us?"

  "It's none of their business." Deng Benyin explained, "This island is poor and the only things that can make money are those worthless grains and fish, as well as this mine. If we mortgage the mine, aren't we taking away the livelihood of the local tyrants who occupy the mine? We're not afraid of one or two families, but if the whole island rises up against us, we'll be in trouble."

  What's more, those local tyrants don't have anyone above them? I'm afraid that the battalion commanders and regimental commanders under our hands are not clean, they all receive benefits from others. In the past, they were considered masters, and the local tyrants were their sons. But once this mine belongs to the Americans, their benefits will be gone, and they can't even be masters anymore, but have to become sons of the Americans. Do you think they would be willing?

  The local tyrant is rebelling, and the soldiers under his command are also unwilling. I'm afraid my position as commander-in-chief will soon come to an end... The Eight Allied Armies, haha, sounds good, but who else besides those on this island would listen to us? If this island falls into chaos, our foundation will be gone!

  "So, these 300 million are hot stuff."

  After finishing speaking, Deng Ben Yin didn't have the mood to eat anymore. Lu Jie and Chen Feng Qi saw this situation and also didn't linger for long before bidding farewell and leaving.

  ……

  When Roger returned to the inn, Zhang Wu had already been waiting there. As soon as they met, he reported his investigation results.

  "Mr. Luo, I've asked around and there are a few shops in the area that are up for sale, but only one pharmacy. I've roughly inquired about the price, which seems reasonable. Would you like to take a look tomorrow?"

  "In that case, let's go take a look tomorrow!"

  The next morning, Zhang Wu took Roger to the pharmacy he mentioned. As soon as Roger saw the shopkeeper, he burst out laughing.

  "I said to Xu Zhanggui, long time no see! How was that braised pork shoulder last time?"

  It turned out that this pharmacy was actually opened by Xu Zhanggui, who had eaten "three whites" before, and now it can't hold on anymore and is going to change hands.