New Ming Empire mixed in America

"If we don't blame you for our losses, why should we bear it ourselves?"

A fat businessman, estimated to weigh at least two hundred pounds, roared loudly at the staff in front of the Spanish Governor's Palace.

He used to be out of breath for a long time just to say a few words, but I don't know how he can roar loudly for a long time and still have energy left.

"Those damn bankers are hiding, someone must be responsible for our losses!"

The supporters of the fat businessman all looked excited. After the earthquake, the first places to be cleared were the banks.

But while the businessmen were eagerly waiting for the bank to be liquidated so they could continue doing business, the bankers collectively declared bankruptcy and went into hiding.

It’s okay for banks to fail, but what happens to their deposits?

Who should they turn to for reimbursement of their losses?

They had insured their goods at first. Now that the bank has collapsed, their compensation has become a joke.

"We can understand your feelings, but your losses should go to the bank, not to the Governor's Mansion."

"Mr. Governor is very sympathetic to your matter, but these issues have nothing to do with us. The Royal Bank of Spain has been driven out of Manila by your team long ago. Now you want to ask us for an explanation, but we have no way..."

Facing the noisy businessmen of all sizes, the staff of the Governor's Mansion patiently explained.

In fact, what he said was correct. These businessmen teamed up with bankers in their own countries to squeeze Spanish businesses in the country.

The Royal Bank had to announce its withdrawal from Manila because of their alliance, and now these people are coming back here to demand compensation?

This is simply impossible!

Listening to the noise outside, Governor Birmingham asked his secretary: "Have the warehouses in the port area been cleared out?"

The secretary quickly found the report on the port area from a pile of documents, glanced at it and reported: "It has been cleared out, and their cargo has not suffered much loss."

Governor Birmingham snorted coldly and said: "Since the goods have not been lost much, why haven't they restored the market? What are they doing blocking the temporary governor's mansion now?"

The secretary gave him an embarrassed look and said: "These people want to wait until our supplies are almost exhausted and then raise the price of goods to make a lot of money, and their success rate in doing so is very high."

Governor Birmingham extinguished his cigar irritably, stood up and glanced out the window.

He also knew the purpose of these businessmen, which was simply to make a fortune by taking advantage of this natural disaster.

How can those businessmen who have really suffered huge losses be in the mood to block the Provisional Governor's Mansion at this time?

Those people have either already jumped into the sea or have already found a place to jump into the sea.

The guys who appeared here just wanted to get a promise from him.

This promise is that he will ensure that these people will make a smooth fortune, but how can he agree to such a thing?

If he really does this, his position as governor will almost come to an end.

The profits of the colony of Luzon are not good to begin with, and the domestic attitude of indifference to this place is already in a free-range attitude.

But he can't, all his wealth is here.

If the Luzon colony's economy collapsed, he would have no choice but to flee back to his homeland and become a manor owner.

After sighing for a while, he asked his secretary again: "Have the arrangements for the kid McGee been made when he comes back?"

The secretary nodded and said: "The Navy has already taken care of it. As long as Mr. McGee comes back, he can serve as the deputy of the Colonial Admiralty. After a few years of experience, he can take over the Navy."

Governor Birmingham was in a slightly better mood. The leader of the colonial navy had made enough capital and wanted to return home. He could only push his son to the position of leader of the navy.

If the guy who has always been at odds with him comes to power, his position as colonial governor will be unstable.

How good it is now that he has driven that annoying guy out of Manila and onto the sea.

By the time that annoying guy comes back from the Qing Dynasty, his son will probably have succeeded in ascending to the throne.

When the time comes to use McGee to gradually take back the naval rights in the hands of the other party, he will have the final say in the colony.

As long as they search hard in the next few years, excluding the share handed over to the royal family, the Birmingham family's assets can be increased by half.

When his term is up, he will leave this mess to the next governor, who will return to Spain full of wealth.

Historically, his plan has been very successful, but now it's hard to say.

"My Lord Governor, I have to remind you about the disaster relief situation of the indigenous people."

The secretary handed a brand new report to Governor Birmingham and continued: "The expenditure for disaster relief is not enough. Your cousin also deducted more than half of the disaster relief budget yesterday, so..."

Governor Birmingham crumpled the report without even reading it. After relighting his cigar, he said: "Disaster relief? What disaster relief?"

"I have made it very clear that only more than a thousand people were killed here in Manila. And haven't we already compensated these people?"

After finishing speaking, he stared at the secretary and asked: "How much is the budget for disaster relief?"

The secretary was a little frightened by what he saw, and stammered: "It's still...less than one-third..."

Governor Birmingham lowered his head and thought for a while, then said: "Spend four-fifths of it to purchase building materials, and if you want to place an order... I think Birmingham Construction Company is very good..."

Although the company has not yet been established, he believes that as long as the money is available, the company will appear in less than two hours.

"Half of the remaining one-fifth will be sent to each member of Congress. After all, the losses at their homes are not small. It stands to reason that it is very reasonable to receive some compensation."

"The rest of the money was exchanged for food, and the poor indigenous people were hired to help clean up the city. They have suffered a lot because of this natural disaster, and we still have to generously help them tide over the difficulties."

After he finished speaking, there was silence in the office. The recording pen in the secretary's hand kept shaking, and the large ink stained the recording paper black.

"What? Didn't I make it clear enough?"

Governor Birmingham's voice rang in the secretary's ears, causing him to shudder and come to his senses, and the rustling sound of recording reappeared.

He knew that the document he recorded would cost many lives, but he had to record it for the sake of his job.

What's more, those who died were all local indigenous people, and most of them were Orientals with pigtails.

It doesn't matter if those cockroach-like guys die a little more. After a while, more Easterners will come here on merchant ships to settle.

It won't be long before Manila will return to what it was a few months ago. The rich are still rich, it's just that the number of Orientals and natives looking for work in the city has changed.

But who cares?

The most important thing is to finish recording this document quickly and then go down to help deal with the problems of those European businessmen.

Birmingham sighed. There was nothing he could do about the money that was taken away by his cousin. After all, the money had to be used for the restoration of the church.

And you can't just eat the meat yourself, others also have to share a bite, especially the bishops of the church.

Governor Birmingham prayed devoutly for God's blessing and hoped that this disaster would pass quickly.

If it continues for one more day, business in Manila will be shut down for one more day, and the losses will be too huge.

What he didn't notice was the pair of eyes in the ruins looking at the Provisional Governor's Mansion, eyes full of anger and despair.