The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 754 Shanghai Capital Also Wants to Open Banks in Southeast Asia

"Good heavens..." Shen Xizhou couldn't help but blurt out in his hometown dialect, "What kind of car is this?"

A young newspaper boy waiting for the bus nearby, noticing the old man's lack of knowledge, proudly raised his chin:

"Sir, you just arrived, right? This is the flagship model just released by Nanhua Power Group—the 'Vermilion Bird-1000'!"

That's a place only important people can afford to sit in; I heard it even has air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a radio.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just over ten seconds; it's like flying.

Suzaku-1000.

Shen Xizhou stared intently at the departing car, its sexy tail fin seeming to bewitch every man's soul.

What man wouldn't want a car like this?

This is not merely a means of transportation; it is an extension of power, the crown jewel of industrial civilization.

A bitter feeling welled up in his heart.

Is Shanghai bustling? Yes, it is.

Are the buildings on the Bund tall? Yes.

But those were all built by foreigners. The cars were made by foreigners, and even the rules in the banks were set by foreigners.

During the so-called golden decade of the Republic of China, everyone was busy being compradors, busy making money, and busy indulging in a life of debauchery in dance halls.

But the result?

They can't even make a single screw properly.

And here, in this United States of Southeast Asia, which has only been established for a little over two years, it is already able to produce such exquisite industrial products.

This gap cannot be bridged by a few buildings or hundreds of millions of yuan.

This is a fundamental difference.

"Far ahead..." This phrase suddenly popped into Shen Xizhou's mind. Although he didn't know that this phrase would become a meme decades later, at this moment, he genuinely felt that Nanyang had already taken the lead.

He sighed, composed himself, and continued walking along Jianguo Road.

This road truly deserves the title of "Eastern Wall Street".

High-rise buildings line both sides of the road.

Sin Chew Bank, Nan Hua Bank, Nanyang Agricultural Bank, United Overseas Bank... one after another, the golden signs gleamed in the sunlight.

Behind every signboard lies a massive flow of capital.

As you walk to No. 18 Jianguo Road, a wave of noise hits you, even more bustling than a vegetable market.

That's the Yangon Stock Exchange trading hall.

On the huge, fast-flipping display screen, red and green numbers are jumping around.

Inside, countless traders in vests were shouting and waving, and phones were ringing incessantly.

"Buy rubber futures (3-month futures)!"

"West Borneo Tin Industry, all stock!"

"Nanhua Power's stock hit the daily limit!"

This is where the wealth of Southeast Asia is traded.

Futures contracts for rubber, oil, palm oil, and tin, as well as stocks of emerging industrial companies.

Shen Xizhou looked at the frenzied crowd and smelled a familiar scent—the scent of burning money, the scent of greed and hope intertwined.

He raised his head and looked into the distance.

At No. 100 Jianguo Road, a magnificent building is rising from the ground.

The steel frame soars into the sky, and it appears to be at least 40 stories high.

At the top, a huge steel broadcasting tower is being hoisted into place.

That will be the new headquarters of the Central Bank of Nanyang and a symbol of Nanyang's financial hegemony.

"They're really rich," Shen Xizhou remarked.

He turned his gaze away and stopped at No. 26 Jianguo Road.

This is a typical colonial-style building, with huge Roman columns supporting the portico, giving it a solemn and dignified appearance.

A black plaque with gold lettering hangs at the entrance—Central Bank of the United States of Nanyang.

This is his destination for today.

It is also the last hope of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang conglomerates.

……

Half an hour later, in the central bank governor's office.

The air conditioning was on full blast, keeping out the heat from outside.

Shen Xizhou sat on the leather sofa, holding a cup of freshly brewed black tea. Sitting opposite him was Chen Zhenchuan, who had just returned from negotiations with the United States.

This "third driving force" of the Southeast Asian economy looks even younger and more capable than he appears in the newspapers.

He wasn't wearing a suit, but rather a white short-sleeved uniform typical of Southeast Asia, which made him appear approachable and pragmatic.

"Mr. Shen, I've long admired your name." Chen Zhenchuan put down the documents in his hand and said with a smile, "How are the senior members of the Shanghai Bankers' Association doing?"

"Thanks to President Chen, my health is still alright, but my mental illness is hard to cure." Shen Xizhou gave a wry smile, put down his teacup, and got straight to the point, "President Chen is well aware of the current situation in the country."

Legal tender... is no longer money, it's just worthless paper.

Those of us in the banking industry feel terrible watching ordinary people's hard-earned money vanish overnight.

Moreover, we also need to find a way to survive.

He spoke very frankly.

We're all smart people; there's no point in playing games.

"We are here on behalf of several industrial groups and money shops in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang area, hoping to withdraw our funds and seek development in Southeast Asia."

Chen Zhenchuan nodded, his fingers lightly tapping the table:

"Nanyang welcomes all legal capital."

The President once said, "Whoever comes to build up Southeast Asia, we will open our doors."

“We want to establish a commercial bank.” Shen Xizhou leaned forward, his tone becoming serious. “It will mainly serve trade settlement between the two places, and… provide asset transfer services for those compatriots who want to run away… oh no, want to emigrate to Southeast Asia.”

“Sure,” Chen Zhenchuan readily agreed, but then changed the subject, “However, Mr. Shen, Southeast Asia has its own rules.”

This is not Shanghai, nor is it the former foreign concessions.

We don't do those "get something for nothing" tricks here.

Shen Xizhou's heart skipped a beat: "Please enlighten me, President Chen."

Chen Zhenchuan held up one finger:

"First, capital."

We do not recognize legal tender or gold yuan.

The registered capital must be paid-up gold, silver, or hard currency such as the White Eagle, the John Pound, etc.

The minimum threshold, converted to ten million Nanyang dollars, is…

Ten million Nanyang dollars.

Shen Xizhou's eyelid twitched.

At the current black market exchange rate, this is equivalent to two million dollars.

This is no small sum; it's only because the Jiangzhe conglomerates have deep pockets that they've managed to scare away most people.

"This...no problem." Shen Xizhou gritted his teeth. "We can raise the money."

"Second," Chen Zhenchuan held up his second finger, "the reserve requirement system."

For every deposit you accept, 20% must be held as reserves and deposited into the central bank's account without interest.

This is to prevent a run on the bank and to control risks.

This is non-negotiable.

Shen Xizhou nodded.

This is an internationally accepted practice. Although 20% is a bit high, seeking stability is the right thing to do in times of turmoil.

“Third,” Chen Zhenchuan’s eyes sharpened, “and also the most important point.”

Participation in land speculation and hoarding is strictly prohibited.

At least 60% of your loans must be used for industry, trade, and infrastructure development.

If we find out that you've used depositors' money to speculate on land, or engaged in that kind of thing on the Shanghai Bund…

He smiled, but it was a cold smile.