Australian Storm 1876

   Chapter 663

   Witnessing the scenes of the old and new governors leaving unhappy, a heavy cloud floated in Sheng Yeyun's heart, but he could only watch and could not do anything.

  When the new governor took office, he requested that the total tax package for the next year be increased by 30%.

As a traditional tax packager in Batavia, Sir Sheng Yeyun neither agreed nor rejected the demanding requirements of the Dutch. He needed more time to transfer his property, and he was even ready to change a place and start over. .

The Dutch ruled the East Indies for nearly 300 years. During this period, they did not develop decent industry, built complete roads, railways and dock facilities, did not develop education and culture, did not spread religious beliefs and Dutch, and the entire Java island is still in the primary agricultural products. The role of the producer is to provide the sovereign state with large amounts of palm oil, spices, coffee, cocoa and tobacco.

  How can such an agricultural-based economic structure be able to withstand a 30% increase in taxes?

  Originally, after the end of the First East Indies War, in order to make up for the loss of Borneo and ensure that the benefits of returning to the Dutch mainland will not decrease, the Government of the Netherlands East Indies has raised 15% of the tax.

The government’s overall tax increase by 15% will increase to 20% to 30% in the colonies below. The so-called goose plucking, every corrupt official in this chain of interests will take the opportunity to fill his own pockets. The common people.

This is a huge burden for the entire island of Java and Sumatra. The heavy taxes make the people miserable. News of people starving to death comes from everywhere. As a result, there are endless resistances and uprisings, all of which are cruel. Suppress it.

  The new governor lion opened his mouth, and suddenly wanted to raise taxes by 30%. Even if a devoted Dutch running dog like Sir Sheng Yeyun was overwhelmed.

The former governor was ready to leave with a lot of gains, and the administrative officer Mr. Baker stepped aside. Dutch white colonial officials were vying to flatter the new governor. The political-business relationship that Sheng Yeyun had worked so hard to establish seemed to collapse overnight. NS.

  Faced with this situation, Sheng Yeyun couldn't help but retreat.

"Dear Sir Sheng, it seems that you are not interested in today's grand banquet. Can you talk to me?" Wilders walked over in a spring breeze. He has received the promise from the Governor, and will soon meet Wen Baker. Kick away, let him sit on the throne of administrative officer.

Sheng Yeyun showed a humble and pleasing smile on his face and replied politely; "Dear Mr. Wilders, please forgive me. The local Chinese in Batavia are not good at this kind of open western social occasions. I obviously It’s one of them, I hope it doesn’t affect your happy mood."

"Sir Sheng is too polite. Before I came, I often heard your name from colonial officials who returned to report for work. As a devout Protestant, Sir Sheng, in this colony far away from the mainland, to communicate with the locals. The people have made outstanding contributions to the relationship between the government and the Government House. I personally admire this and hope that the cooperation will be further deepened."

   "Sheng Mo He De He Neng, as long as Mr. Wilders orders it, he will do his best to provide advice."

   "Excellent, everything is for local interests, isn't it?"

   "I very much agree with you, Mr. Professor."

  Sheng Yeyun dealt with Mr. Wilders carefully, without any emotion in his cautious and polite words, and couldn't find any faults.

  Under the fence, a smart person like Sheng Yeyun can put himself in the right position.

   is not a Protestant. If you can speak Dutch fluently, you will be regarded as the same kind by these white Dutch colonists. The difference in skin color is a huge obstacle, and you can only be a second-class citizen.

  The end of the cocktail party is late at night

After Sir Sheng Yeyun returned to the family mansion, he immediately summoned his confidants and arranged for them to go to Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and other places to purchase local properties on a large scale, and transfer the floating wealth as soon as possible.

There is not much time for him. It is now at the end of the year. I must take advantage of the last two months to sell the fields, mines, and tea factories in my hand. Although I will suffer some losses if I am eager to make a move, I can’t take care of it. A lot.

  No matter who takes over as the tax packager, chaos can be foreseen.

  Sheng Yeyun is a very decisive person. When he knows that he is powerless to change all of this, he chooses to withdraw and retreat. The title of Kapidan can't hold him back.

  As long as you have money in your hands, you can get anywhere in the world.

   Dismissed his subordinates to perform their duties, Sheng Yeyun sat quietly in the hall, the bright candlelight outlined his silhouette clearly, revealing an inexplicable meaning.

  Thinking for a long while

  Sheng Yeyun slowly exhaled a turbid breath and said softly;

"No, no, I think the Governor's Mansion intends to harvest a wave of Chinese wealth. Even if it is to preserve a little bit of past love and face, I should also inform other big Chinese families to let them know how powerful they are. I only hope that in this turbulent period. , Can save a little more vitality."

  Although he said so, Sheng Yeyun is not going to notify other Chinese families immediately. Well, this has to wait until the end of the year. At the very least, he should give up most of his family wealth and talk about other things when he can retreat.

  Presumably, just revealing the news that the new governor intends to increase taxes by 30% is enough to plunge Batavia into chaos and panic.

  Ordinary aboriginal farmers have nothing to scratch, and the bulk of the tax increase will fall on the Chinese merchants who sell tea, salt and rice. This is almost certain.

  If the Governor’s Mansion increases the tax by 30%, I am afraid that it will not increase the tax by 60% or even double it. This alone is enough to make people desperate.

  Small-door small households earn a little hard money from doing business, how can such huge profits come from?

  This is tantamount to driving people to death. Anyone who has some ability can only live in another country to find another way to live, otherwise they have to sit on the ground and wait for death.

If there is an ocean kingdom in the South Seas, it is really impossible to take a boat to Borneo or go to Australia. This is the real paradise for the Chinese. A kingdom headed by the Chinese themselves does not need to be embarrassed by these white colonists. .

  Guangzhou Mansion

On this day, there was a surging crowd on the Huangpu River Wharf, the gongs and drums were noisy, and the crowd was filled with inexplicable celebration. The long red carpet was spread out from the wharf for a long time. The well-groomed Qing soldiers were guarded by guns and waited quietly. With the arrival of the VIPs of Ocean Kingdom.

  Under a row of color sheds on the dock

Prince Gong took a group of officials from the Guangdong and Guangxi Governor’s Office and the Chief Secretary to sit separately. On the side of the canopy, there were many foreigners from Britain, France and the United States, all dressed in costumes. There were also some foreign reporters fiddling with their cameras. Witness this glorious moment.

  In welcoming a large number of senior officials, the only missing person is Mr. Gu Yanchuan, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Although Mr. Gu has recovered from his illness at the moment, he is not suitable to come to the dock to meet him in person because of his advanced age and weak body.

  At this moment, Prince Gong Yiduan was sitting in the upper position, with a pair of round gold-rimmed sunglasses on his face, and the other court officials were divided into two sides to sit down, and the stars were arched over the moon to set off the dignity of the Manchu prince.

   Although the prince Gong Yi is mediocre, but he can’t stand him. He has a good son. The current Emperor Guangxu is his own son. Who can compare?

  Prince Gong Yi said with a stinky face; "Hmph, Lafayette doesn't know what he is committing. It's unreasonable for a civilian from outside the region to also wait for the festival in person?"

  The court officials sitting next to him looked at each other. The words were so heavy that no one would dare to take it!

  (End of this chapter)