Lost and Spy

Mediator?
Durkom is not an idiot, and of course he knows what this so-called mediator means.

Once I agree to his request, I am afraid that I will never be able to escape the control of the Americans from now on.

He will become the puppet of the Americans.

And this is what Durkom has been trying to avoid.

"Mayor Durkom, what's the difference?" As if he saw the worry in Durkom's heart, Afrin said with a smile: "Before, they were Americans, then they were Japanese, and now, The Americans are back.

How much can we do?It’s just a matter of listening to the Americans or listening to the Japanese.There are too many officials under your command who have done things for the Japanese. Once a full investigation is launched, do you think you can protect them?By then, I'm afraid the entire Manila will be paralyzed.

I know that you have been living in the United States before and have never tasted the suffering after the fall of the Philippines.You also want to do something for the Philippines.But what I can guarantee you is that once you completely anger the Americans, your political future will be ruined and your ambitions will cease to exist! "

This is what Durkom values ​​most.

He is the mayor, but both Varnado and Dulkom see the current situation more clearly than he does.

Maybe it's not that he doesn't understand, but he just doesn't want to face it.

But in the face of reality, how much is the so-called integrity worth?
He let out a long sigh: "How much do you want to take out?"

Varnado once told him that what Colonel Charles liked most was money and beautiful women.

He couldn't get beautiful women, but he could still spare some money.

Afrin smiled.

Durcombe then added: "I don't have much money, it's too much, I can't afford it."

"Look what you said, Mayor Durkom, how could I ask you to pay?" Afrin said with a smile on his face: "The security of the entire Manila is the responsibility of Colonel Charles and the US military, and the current Manila There are still huge hidden dangers, and it is very likely that Japanese fish that have slipped through the net are still lurking in Manila.

In order to thoroughly identify real Manilans and Japanese, and in order to avoid all hidden dangers, the US military is responsible for handing over the 'work permit'. "

"What? This is impossible!" Durkom suddenly changed his color.

The so-called "work permit" is actually a certificate of identity.

After the war, Manila was in dire straits.

In particular, the Philippine reconstruction plan started in Manila.

This requires a lot of labor.

At the same time, the biggest dilemma currently encountered by the Philippine Provisional Constitutional Government and the Manila City Government is severe financial constraints.

And Durkom came up with the "labor certification" program like a genius.

All Filipinos in Manila must register at a prescribed location and receive a "labor certificate" with a period of one month.

A "labor certificate" requires a certain fee. Of course, given the current poverty situation of Manilans, this fee can be owed temporarily.

From then on, no matter what occupation Manilans want to engage in, they must have this "labor certificate".

Otherwise, you can't even hope to find any job in Manila.

Once anyone is found to be hiring unlicensed workers without a "labor certificate" without a "labor certificate", they have violated the law and will be subject to huge fines or even arrest.

Those with a "labor certificate" must pay the fees owed before the certificate expires.

And, all income must be taxed.

According to this plan, nearly half of each person’s salary falls into the pockets of the city government.

What about the people?
Although people complained, they were not intense.

Because, in postwar Manila, it was too difficult to find a job.

Manila's reconstruction plan requires a lot of labor.

European and American companies responsible for reconstruction plans adopt a daily settlement method.

Therefore, although the income after deducting taxes is meager, it can at least guarantee that one will not starve to death.

The city government can rely on this to have a wallet that cannot be empty, easing financial pressure.

This is Manila’s notorious “labor tax.”

The "labor tax" lasted for five full years, and was finally abandoned at the end of 1950 due to strong public protests.

The future President Marcos was also the politician who most firmly opposed the "labor tax". Therefore, he won a lot of popularity among the people and laid a solid foundation for his future successful campaign for President of the Philippines.

At present, the "labor tax" plan is a win-win plan that both the government and the private sector are willing to accept.

But now, Colonel Charles has set his sights on this piece of fat?
"Don't worry, Mayor Durkom." Afrin said unhurriedly: "For security reasons, the US military took over the 'labor certificate', and the US military will definitely return a portion of the fees incurred. To the Manila City Government.”

This is indeed the way Meng Shaoyuan came up with to make money.

Of course, he didn't invent this, but it was really done by Americans.

After Manila took the lead in implementing the "labor tax", the finances of the city government and even the Philippine Provisional Government were relieved to a certain extent.

These are all seen in the eyes of Americans.

This is also something Americans don’t want to see.

The Philippines, which was rebuilt after the war, contains a lot of wealth.

Once the Philippine government has a certain degree of financial autonomy, their dependence on the United States will also be reduced accordingly.

So, the Americans are behind it.

They instigated a Manila official to accuse Arndt, who was in charge of "labor taxation," of engaging in massive corruption and bribery by issuing "labor certificates."

Then, Americans decisively joined the investigation.

Arndt was subsequently imprisoned on multiple charges.

The right to issue "labor certificates" has naturally been transferred to the hands of Americans.

This situation lasted for several years.

Otherwise, how can we say that Americans are bad?
The bad thing about them is that a few years later, they found that Filipinos were increasingly resistant to "labor certificates" and were likely to trigger a nationwide wave of protests, so they immediately "returned" the right to "labor tax" to the Philippine government.

But the stupid Philippine government happily took over.

Then, massive protests broke out in the Philippines, led by Ferdinand Emmanuel Edlarin Marcos.

Had it not been for the subsequent outbreak of war in Korea, then-Philippine President Elpidio Quirino would have been directly overthrown by this wave of protests.Meng Shaoyuan knew very well what would happen in the future.

And he was convinced that neither Dulkom nor Osmina, nor any Filipino, could resist the United States.

The United States is even happy to see itself seizing "labor taxes."

As long as this right is not in the hands of Filipinos.

Therefore, Meng Shao was confident.

Afrin continued there: "Mayor Durkom, what are you worried about there? What I can be sure of is that Colonel Charles will not treat you badly. And you think about it from another side, if the US military opposes This kind of 'labor certificate', you have to stop tomorrow, what good will it do to you?"

Durkom looked sad, angry and desperate.

Does a dignified mayor even have such little power?
Afrin stopped the car, lit a cigarette and said slowly: "Mayor Durkom, continue to be an enemy of Colonel Charles, or become his friend. This is your choice, but I suggest you become his friends.

Here, if you have the full support of the Americans, or more bluntly, Colonel Charles, you will not have any difficulties in the future.He will tell everyone that you, Mayor Durcombe, are a good and trustworthy official. "

Durcombe let out a long sigh: "Take it. Whatever Colonel Charles needs, take it."

He gave up.

In other words, he was desperate. He finally understood how insignificant he was here!

……

While Mayor Durkom gave in, Meng Shaoyuan was having a headache.

The reporter Krista was sitting opposite him.

During this time, he had been avoiding this reporter.

But he completely underestimated the determination of a reporter.

Krista blocked him in the office anyway.

"Colonel, you seem to have been avoiding me?" Krista asked straight to the point as soon as she came up.

"No way, no way." Meng Shaoyuan said with a hypocritical smile: "It's just that I'm too busy during this period and I really can't take the time."

"Well, I hope you can take the time to be interviewed by me today."

If you don't accept it, will you let me go?

Krista didn't care whether people wanted it or not: "Colonel, you successfully solved the vicious case in Manila Port and avoided the fate of more innocent people. Congratulations."

"It's all thanks to everyone." Meng Shaoyuan's answer was as perfunctory as possible.

Krista then asked: "I would also like to congratulate you on becoming Manila's top military and security commander. Do you have any suggestions for the future construction of Manila?"

"Me? No." Meng Shaoyuan said casually: "In short, I will fully cooperate with the Manila City Government and the Philippine Government to restore Manila to its heyday as soon as possible."

He had little experience dealing with reporters.

He didn't know that with his casual answer, he fell right into Krista's trap.

Krista then asked: "You just said you would fully cooperate with Manila and the Philippine government, but I noticed that the entire reconstruction of Manila is completely in the hands of American companies, and Manilans have no say.

And this is not just a problem in Manila, but also involves the future reconstruction plan of the entire Philippines.Do you think it is normal that Filipinos do not have any say in the reconstruction of their country and that no Philippine company participates in it? "

You little girl, why don't you dig a hole here and wait for me, young master?

I've always been the only one, young master, to dig holes for others to jump into, but now I almost fell into your trap!

"I think I can answer this question." Meng Shaoyuan looked serious: "The U.S. government needs to assist the Philippine government to restore order in this country as soon as possible. Therefore, they mobilized a large number of U.S. companies and traveled thousands of miles across the ocean. to here.

The right to speak?Miss reporter, I made a mistake. All reconstruction projects must be approved by the Manila City Government and the Philippine government. Otherwise, construction will not start at all. Why do you think the Philippines has no say?
The American companies I see are all law-abiding and all their documents are complete. You can confirm this.If you say this means not having the right to speak, then I don’t know what the real right to speak is. "

When Master Meng said this, he felt blushing.

Yes, all redevelopment plans have been approved by the Manila City Government and the Philippine Government.

The question is, do they dare not approve it?
They are nothing more than a bunch of puppets.

“As for your statement that no Filipino company is involved in the reconstruction?”

Meng Shaoyuan's tone was somewhat sarcastic: "Miss reporter, don't you think this question is ridiculous? Do you think the Philippines still has its own company now?
Of course, there is also a different option, which is to temporarily stop the reconstruction of Manila, and then wait until the war in the Philippines is over, then let Filipinos raise funds, start their own companies, and then join the reconstruction work, but you Do you think this is realistic? "

Krista didn't know how to answer for a moment.

"The United States will lead the reconstruction of the Philippines." Meng Shaoyuan said seriously: "This is not for self-interest, but for the future of the Philippines. Believe me, Miss Reporter, only we can help the Philippines rebuild!"

……

Krista's exclusive interview passed the news review smoothly.

In the United States, Charles Meng once again attracted the attention of politicians and plutocrats.

Especially regarding the reconstruction of the Philippines, this made the plutocrats rejoice and firmly believed that placing Charles in Manila was a completely correct decision!
And the politicians.

They also know the importance of the postwar Philippines to the United States.

Once I start to show off on the Philippines issue, then this Colonel Charles is obviously the best collaborator!
Well, there are some unfavorable rumors going on about Colonel Charles.

For example, some people say that he was making money in Manila and his life was degenerate.

But this is just a personal matter, so what does it matter?

He bled for America, and now it's completely normal for him to enjoy some.

There was also an informant in Washington. This person was originally a member of the military command. He spent money and was sent as a fat messenger to be stationed in Washington.

He suspected that this man named Charles Meng was probably a former military leader who had been confirmed dead.

Later, the informer mysteriously disappeared.

His body was found days later.

According to on-site analysis, this person was drunk in a bar. When he came out, he was robbed. He resisted fiercely, but unfortunately, he was killed.

The case is hereby concluded.

You said, okay, why do you have to report?
Do you really think that everyone believes that the former military leader is really dead? (End of chapter)