Lost and Spy

The family political tradition in the Philippines is very strong.

And they are all distinctly regional.

Their leader is called "Great Governor".

In the era of Spanish and American colonial rule, in order to better control the Philippines, these local leaders were used to serve as local administrators, gradually forming a family political tradition.

In Sumaraga, there is also such a family:
The Aratero family!

The family has existed since Spanish colonial times.

Whether it was the Spaniards before or the Americans later, the Aratero family has always maintained a good relationship with them and has won deep trust.

The successive chief executives of Sumalaga were also served by this family.

When the Japanese army attacked the Philippines, the Alatero family also spared no effort to give the US military all-out support.

But what they didn't expect was that the Americans were defeated.

After the fall of the Philippines, the Japanese army went on to occupy Sumalaga.

The fate of the Aratero family changed drastically overnight.

Because of their actions during the war, they were severely persecuted by the Japanese army.

The two grandsons of his family's generation were even ordered to relocate to Manila to facilitate Japanese surveillance and control.

However, because of the profound background and historical heritage of the Aratero family, the Japanese did not dare to kill them all.

However, the Japanese then supported an Elada family that had been suppressed by the Alatello family for hundreds of years, and prepared to replace it.

This kind of family can grow, in addition to its own heritage, a big reason is the support from the colonists.

Once this kind of support was lost, in just over a year, the Aratero family quickly declined.

Okay.

Meng Shaoyuan thought in his heart.

Don't look at the bleak fate of the Aratero family now, but as long as they can persevere until the Americans come again, they will soon become stronger again.

As for the Elada family?
After the Japanese fail, their fate will probably be the same as that of the Japanese.

It is not uncommon for Makoto Takasago to have a brooch of the Aratero family in his hand.

Those Japanese don't know how many benefits they have made in this family.

After dismissing the old man and the interpreter, Meng Shaoyuan thought for a while, dialed Kohei Mizushima, and "inadvertently" mentioned the Alatero family.

Kohei Mizushima was all about pleasing Meng Shaoyuan, and when he heard that "Shibu Taniguchi" was interested in this family, he volunteered to take him to have a look.

When Kohei Mizushima arrived, he said, "I have sent someone there just now. Today, we will have dinner at Aratero's house."

"Okay." Meng Shaoyuan smiled and said, "I'm going to trouble Mizushima-kun again."

……

In the large courtyard of the Alatello family, one can see the splendor the family once had, as well as the current dilapidation.

The big house where the family once lived together has been split in two.

The one living next door is the Japanese army.

The Aratero family were already waiting there.

Everyone is respectful, for fear of offending the Japanese.

The "Governor" of this family is called Kidi, who looks to be 70 to [-] years old.

With the support of his eldest son, Fausto, he trembled and seemed to be unable to stand.

"Taniguchi-kun, please."

Kohei Mizushima walked in as if no one was there, completely ignoring the members of the Aratero family.

A table of banquets is ready.

It is completely incomparable with what you eat in Napu.

It seems that even if such a table is prepared, it is enough for the Alatello family.

"Taniguchi-kun, please."

Kohei Mizushima raised his wine glass, toasted Meng Shaoyuan, put down the glass and said, "If you are interested, you can ask now."

They ate and drank there, and the Aratero family stood opposite, like a group of prisoners waiting for trial.

Meng Shaoyuan was also interested in the history of these families and asked some questions about their family history.

Kitty also answered honestly.

This kind of family politics in the Philippines is rooted in the pre-colonial Barangay social model.

Balangai is a kind of "boat". Malays immigrated to the Philippines on this boat and established a community or tribe based on family blood ties. It feels a bit like the meaning of Tulou in southern Fujian, called Balangai .

The scale of Barangay is generally 2000 to [-] households, with a population of no more than [-]. Some large ones, such as Cebu and Manila, have more than [-] residents. The leader is called Dadu, who is similar to a chief. People who are related by blood assume and inherit.

This gradually formed local forces.

The rapid growth of the Philippine family's power is still based on the support of the colonists.

Meng Shaoyuan had a general understanding, and suddenly asked: "There is a Japanese named Makoto Takasago, do you know him?"

Kohei Mizushima was taken aback.

Makoto Takasago?
"know."

This time it was Kitty's eldest son Foster who answered: "Master Takasago has been here and visited."

"and then?"

"No more." Foster shook his head: "Afterwards he left and never came again."

"Did he take any souvenirs?" Meng Shaoyuan did not give up, and continued to ask: "For example, some kind of brooch with your family logo?"

"No." Foster thought for a while, and said with certainty: "I don't have any in my memory."

Meng Shaoyuan said "Oh".

Kohei Mizushima finally couldn't bear it any longer, and asked in a low voice, "Taniguchi-san, do you think Makoto Takasago has hooked up with them?"

"No, I'm just curious." Meng Shaoyuan replied lightly: "I went to see Makoto Gao Sha today, and he categorically denied any connection with the gold theft."

Kohei Mizushima was a little contemptuous.

If you ask a thief if he stole your wallet, will he admit it?
These aristocrats with royal backgrounds live so comfortably, they have never experienced the storms outside.

"Of course he won't admit it." Kohei Mizushima pulled himself together: "But I can be sure that he is the biggest suspect."

Meng Shaoyuan gave a "hmm" and said, "I also met that man named Bim today, do you know him well?"

"Like other Filipinos, it's nothing more than a dog beside Makoto Takasago." Kohei Mizushima said contemptuously, "I was concerned about Makoto Takasago's special mission, so I tolerated him everywhere.

When the tunnel is completed, Mizushima-kun, I don't want to hide from you, I will be the first to take out Bim. "

That time, Beam was caught by mistake, and Makoto Gao Sha made a big fuss with the gendarmerie and picked him up openly.

This incident damaged Kohei Mizushima's face, and he has been holding grudges to this day.

"Yes, definitely will." Meng Shaoyuan seemed to be a little absent-minded: "I was thinking that many things, no matter how deeply they are concealed, there will definitely be clues to reveal them. Are you right, Mizushima-kun?"