Mediator?

Durkom is not an idiot, 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.

But this is what Durcombe has been trying to avoid.

"Mayor Durkom, what's the difference?" As if he saw Durkom's worries, 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 to listen to the Americans or listen to the Japanese. You have too many officials under your command who have done things for the Japanese. Once a comprehensive investigation is launched, you think you can protect them

? By then, I’m afraid the whole of 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 assure you is that once you completely anger the Americans, your politics will

Your future is ruined, and your ambitions will no longer exist!"

This is what Durkom values ​​most.

He is the mayor, but both Varnado and Durcombe 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, we should hand over the ‘worker certificate’ to the US military.”

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

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

After the war, Manila was in dire straits.

In particular, the Philippine reconstruction plan first 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.

Durcombe was a genius and came up with the "Labor Certification" program.

All Filipinos in Manila must go to the prescribed location to register 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 for the time being.

From then on, no matter what occupation Manila residents 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 permission, 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 complain, they are not intense.

Because, in post-war 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 "labor taxation". Therefore, he won great 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 actually 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 did not 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 interim government have been 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.

Subsequently, Arndt was 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, under the leadership of Ferdinand Emmanuel Edlarin Marcos, large-scale protests broke out in the Philippines.

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 tax revenue."

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

Therefore, Meng Shao had nothing to fear.

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 objects

You have to stop this kind of 'labor certificate' tomorrow, so 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 there are Americans, or to put it more bluntly, with the full support of Colonel Charles, you will not have any difficulties in the future. He will tell everyone that you, Mayor Durcomb, are a

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!

…
To be continued...