Section 572: The Disappearing Checkpoint
Indigenous people in Southeast Asia have always thought that they had a good relationship with the colonial authorities, especially those indigenous nobles. Although there have been several large-scale uprisings against the rule of the colonial authorities in history, they were completely lost.
In fact, in the hearts of these natives, they also have resistance, but after many suppression, the resistance of these people has long been wiped out. In their opinion, it is good to be colonized and ruled by them. At least it can keep themselves alive, and they can bully the Chinese from time to time. For them, bullying the Chinese is the happiest thing for them. Usually, not many people work hard, and they never find problems with themselves. Many people feel that the Chinese money is like falling from the sky. Why don’t they see how the Chinese work hard? When you are resting and playing, how many times the Chinese have worked harder than you?
In their grandfather's generation, they had opposed colonial rule and were very fiercely opposed. In their generation, everyone felt that this was a matter of course and could not see any hope of opposition, so they directly cooperated with the colonial government.
Especially when they launched a riot against the Chinese, the relationship between the two sides was like brothers. They robbed Chinese shops together, harmed Chinese families, and finally divided the spoils. For them, such a life was so happy. Even if the Dutch governor gave up these indigenous people, he would feel a little distressed. After all, they had been in business for so many years, and they were not made of wood.
Zhenghe West Road, Jakarta
80% of the people living on this street are all Chinese, and the remaining 20% are local indigenous residents. In the past, there were some colonialists on this street, but later they moved away, so the street gradually developed into a gathering place for Chinese people. For these Chinese, living in this place is like living in China, because the various transactions in Chinese are similar to those in domestic streets. Walking on this road is almost like walking in China, so they all like to come here. Chinese are rich in the local area. It is precisely because of this that this street has become the most prosperous commercial street in Jakarta. However, some Chinese leaders are worried that the more they develop, the more they will lose when the disaster comes.
So when planning the entire commercial street, some Chinese leaders deliberately moved other industries from here because they had experienced too many things. When they were just a child, they experienced the last turmoil. At that time, their families were also very rich, but in the end, nothing was left and all were snatched away by these indigenous people. If the indigenous people only robbed things, they would still kill people. Which of the older generation of Chinese leaders has no childhood shadow? Their parents and brothers and sisters were basically killed by the indigenous people, so if they had a chance to retaliate against these indigenous people, they would definitely contribute money and work hard, and even take their own lives. If they could be beaten up and be afraid, their children would still be able to live well in the future.
"Let's come and see. The temporary checkpoint at the intersection of our street has been withdrawn. It turns out that every time I go out there, I have to pay money. Now everyone has left. In other words, we don't need to pay money to them when we go out every day. Did these Dutch colonialists not wake up last night? Yesterday I saw them treat us fiercely, but today they all left." Someone started arguing on the street early in the morning. Because Chinese are ethnic minorities in the local area.
So the Chinese are relatively united and they know each other. The person who is talking is a young student. He is like a loudspeaker on the whole street. He tells people on the street every day about news from all over the place. Everyone knows a lot of news from him, just like today. If he hadn't known what he said, the checkpoint would have been removed. It turned out that there was a checkpoint on both sides of the street. It was a money for entering and leaving. Ordinary people would have to pay two, while Chinese people would have to pay.
"Don't talk nonsense, these two checkpoints are government money trees, how could they be willing to withdraw? Last time I had a meal with a Dutch officer, I heard that these two checkpoints collected more money than the other dozen checkpoints. More than half of their salary was reported to them by these two checkpoints. If these two checkpoints were cut off, where would they go to get the money? Will the heavens give them money? That is absolutely impossible." An uncle next to him who had just opened the door said that he was in a fur business and needed to pass the pass every time, so his relationship with the army in Henan was pretty good. As long as he said that, the news should be reliable.
"The fur guy is right, this is the real situation. My guests also said that in addition to bringing them rich benefits, these two checkpoints can also suppress us Chinese. You are not unaware that these Dutch people regard us as their biggest troubles. In their eyes, although our number is relatively small, what we do makes them look at. Although the indigenous people are relatively large, they are all brainless and will obey their rule. There are hundreds of soldiers behind these two checkpoints. If there is any movement on our side, we will immediately suppress us, even for the sake of a stable environment.
Chapter completed!