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

Chapter 429: Central Bank Governor, the Position is Vacant

Chen Zhen couldn't help but smile when he heard the rumors: "General Zhang is really straightforward."

Changing the subject, Zhang Chi's tone became more serious:

"Of course, in order to ensure the smooth transport of this gold, I can also show some sincerity.

I approve of John Enterprise's investments and assets in Singapore, as long as they abide by the new government laws, pay taxes, register, and do not play tricks.

The only public facilities I am determined to nationalize are military ports, ports, power plants, and water plants.

On the one hand, many of these facilities were built with the hard work of the people of Singapore, and they deserve a share of this asset.

On the other hand, these facilities are not only vital to national defense but also closely linked to the lives of the people in Singapore, and we absolutely cannot allow others to control them.”

"It's natural."

Chen Zhenchuan nodded again and felt relieved.

From his perspective as a member of the Lion City Parliament appointed by John, Zhang Chi was willing to compromise a little with John instead of being tough all the time, and he, who was caught in the middle, felt a lot more relaxed.

After all, although he himself was willing to join the People's Security Army and fight against the John people for the sake of complete citizenship, his relatives and friends inevitably had close ties with the John people.

It would be better to say that, apart from the new immigrants brought in by Zhang Chi from the Republic of China and those veterans from the Yuan Dynasty, all the local Chinese tyrants in Southeast Asia are more or less connected to the Johns, even the Zhang family in Southeast Asia is no exception.

Zhang Chi took a sip of tea and suddenly said:

"I also hope that OCBC Bank will not only resume its business but also participate in the reconstruction and development of the entire Nanyang region."

At this point, Zhang Chi looked at Chen Zhenchuan seriously, and said with a sincere tone as if he had visited someone three times:

"Mr. Chen, I plan to establish a central bank, issue a new currency, and implement a unified monetary policy. You are the youngest managing director of a bank in Nanyang, and you possess both expertise and prestige. I am now offering the position of central bank governor to you. What are your thoughts?"

Chen Zhenchuan was stunned, and felt Zhang Chi's eagerness to recruit talents. The feeling of being respected and needed made him feel warm in his heart.

Especially when this person was still the "uncrowned king of Nanyang" who held a high position, he even felt that a man would die for his confidant, and wanted to agree immediately and show his strength.

But after hesitating for a moment, he smiled bitterly:

"Mr. Zhang, you're really straightforward. I'm certainly willing to work for a rebuilt Singapore and a new government. It's just that my shareholders and family members may not all be willing to make such a quick decision."

Zhang Chi smiled and shook his head:

"They can take their time to think about it. Time will tell what kind of person I am. They will soon know what kind of person I am.

But I'm eager to find you. In my opinion, you are the best person to be the president of the Nanhua Provisional Central Bank.

As for them, I won't force them. In the future, we will also establish our own Nanhua Commercial Bank. By then, we will have both cooperation and competition in the banking industry. Everything will be determined by the market."

It is clear how important a healthy monetary policy and a central bank that can maintain a proper balance between opening the floodgates and maintaining a trickle of liquidity are to market prosperity and the rapid development of industry and commerce.

And Chen Zhenchuan, the man who, in another world, was in charge of OCBC Bank for 30 years and made great contributions to the development and growth of countless Singaporean enterprises, is the professional bureaucrat chosen by Zhang Chi to be in charge of monetary policy.

Chen Zhenchuan laughed heartily: "Isn't this just a face-to-face confrontation?"

"That's right," Zhang Chi nodded, "but this is healthy competition. Nanyang is so big, the market is vast, it can accommodate you, me, and many capable people. I think we'll need at least four or five large commercial banks with assets over 100 million in the future. Competition brings vitality."

Chen Zhenchuan nodded. Zhang Chi's views on the future of the banking industry naturally suited his taste.

Without sufficient banks and sufficient financial investment, industry cannot develop and expand rapidly.

"That's reasonable. I will convey your position to all the industrialists in Singapore."

After discussing gold and the reopening of OCBC Bank, Chen Zhenchuan also expressed his willingness to surrender. Zhang Chi was quite satisfied with the progress of this exchange.

After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative and said, "By the way, I'd also like to invite Mr. Li Yukun from the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Chen's son-in-law, to serve as Deputy Minister of Finance. He has experience, connections, and most importantly, he's willing to contribute to the Lion City, isn't he?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Chen Zhenchuan's eyes, and then he seemed to understand something.

He knew that Zhang Chi was sending a clear signal.

Zhang Chi himself does not exclude traditional local industrialists in Singapore, and is even willing to absorb them into the center of power to make rules and share the cake together.

"Hahahaha, Mr. Zhang is indeed very magnanimous."

Chen Zhenchuan relaxed and even asked tentatively with a hint of sarcasm:

"They say it's wise to promote the best regardless of kinship. Your Zhang family is no small clan in Southeast Asia. Rubber tycoon Zhang Zhichao is one of the people my father admires most, and your cousin Zhang Xuewen is a renowned Malaysian businessman. Why don't you keep all these good positions for your family members?"

Zhang Chi laughed out loud upon hearing this:

"If it were hundreds of years ago, I, Zhang Chi, might have done the same. But this is the 20th century, a new era full of ups and downs! Nanyang is rich in resources and has huge development potential. The pie is big enough.

We are all people who have left our homeland. If we want to survive in this turbulent era, we cannot just care about the interests of one family or one surname.

If I only cared about feeding myself, the fruits would be divided up by others sooner or later. And if I only left the good seats for Zhang, I would seem too petty.

We still need to unite as one, everyone is like a dragon, and everyone has food to eat!"

Just as Zhang Chi said, he will never enjoy the glory of building a new world alone!

Chen Zhenchuan looked at Zhang Chi who was speaking with great power, and seemed to be infected by his aura. He remained silent for a long time.

He suddenly realized that this young man, who was two years younger than him, had a temperament that was not that of an ordinary politician or soldier. It was a combination of vision, ambition and courage.

Perhaps this was how Zhuge Liang felt when he first met Liu Bei?

"Mr. Zhang...if that day ever comes, I hope you'll always remember what I said today."

"Of course." Zhang Chi slowly stood up and extended his hand. "Nanyang's future doesn't depend on me alone, nor on you alone. It depends on us, generation after generation, working together, isn't it?"

Chen Zhenchuan stood up and firmly grasped the hand covered with calluses and scars: "Then let me join this struggle as well."