RPAGF Chapter 80 Doctor General
Chapter 80 Doctor General
Seeing Chen Feng's remorseful expression, Connor's last trace of doubt vanished, and he quickly lowered his voice to remind him, "Don't keep bringing up San Antonio. I only learned about the gold in the last couple of days."
"What a pity."
Chen Feng sighed dramatically, then abruptly changed the subject, asking, "Do you know Aoki Nobuaki?"
"I've heard of it."
Connor frowned slightly and said dismissively, "The head of Japanese intelligence has a very deep network of connections in Qing China. He's been hanging around here a lot lately. He even came to see me a few days ago, but I couldn't be bothered with him."
Chen Feng said with a half-smile, "It's quite a coincidence, this guy was also staying at the hotel those days. In my opinion, that batch of gold might have been swallowed up by the Japanese."
A fierce glint flashed in Connor's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "I will investigate this thoroughly."
As they spoke, the two had already reached the entrance of the Charles Hotel.
Connor pointed to the hotel entrance: "Many of the people who came to attend the Declaration of Independence press conference are staying here."
Chen Feng understood his implication; staying in a US military camp would be too conspicuous, so he said no more and went straight into the lobby.
"General Chen, we've been waiting for you!"
A loud yet refined voice suddenly rang out.
Immediately afterwards, a robust man in his thirties came into view.
He was dressed in a sharp suit, but beneath his black hair was a typical Western face with a high nose and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of refined scholarliness.
The man strode forward, extended his right hand, and with a perfectly measured smile, said in fluent Mandarin, almost like his native tongue, "General Chen, I've long admired your name! I am Antonio Luna."
Luna?
Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat, and his grip on the other person's hand froze slightly.
The second-in-command of the Independent Army, the Chief of Staff, a ruthless figure rumored to possess both a doctoral degree and an iron-fisted approach.
The Filipino general whom the Western Army feared most, the pillar of the independence army, was actually waiting for him in the hotel lobby.
Why are you still putting on this enthusiastic act?
Chen Feng was full of doubts, but his face remained calm: "General Luna, I have long admired your name."
"General Chen, Mr. Connor, I've prepared some chives. Let's eat and chat!" Luna stepped aside to make way, gestured for them to enter, and led the way into the restaurant.
Chen Feng then realized that the entire restaurant had been cleared out, leaving only a long table in the center, which was filled with colorful and fragrant Chinese dishes: glistening roasted meats, steaming soups, vibrant green vegetables, and even a plate of braised pork hock, a common dish in northern China.
The three took their seats in turn. Luna gestured to the waiter to bring over a jar of wine and said with a smile, "I've heard that General Chen is from northern China. This chef is a Chinese man specially brought in from Manila. Although he's from Guangdong, he's also learned a few northern dishes. I wonder if he suits your taste?"
"General Luna is very familiar with the Qing Dynasty?" Chen Feng picked up his chopsticks, took a small piece of roast goose, and answered casually, but he was becoming more and more puzzled.
Didn't they say that half of the independence army wanted to kill him?
The person in front of me is a powerful figure. Not only did he greet me with a smile, but he also specially prepared a banquet to suit my taste. What is he up to?
Luna personally filled the white porcelain wine glasses in front of the three people with wine and said in a long voice, "I have long admired the Qing Dynasty. After I received my doctorate in pharmacy from the Central University of Madrid, I wanted to go and see it for myself. However, I have been working for the independence and autonomy of the Philippines all these years and have never been able to find the time."
Before the two could reply, he abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming solemn: "Fortunately, the Spanish are about to be driven out, and nearly ten million people in the Philippines are finally about to enjoy freedom. All of this is inseparable from the bloody battles fought by the Tagalog, Ilocos, Pampanga, and Visayas, the strong support of our Chinese compatriots, and the aid of the United States of America. Gentlemen, this toast is to the Chinese and to America! Please drink it to the brim!"
Chen Feng and Connor exchanged a glance, both noticing the confusion in each other's eyes.
What exactly is Dr. Luna trying to say after going through all this trouble?
But the two of them still raised their glasses together and drank them down in one gulp.
Luna put down his wine glass, gestured for the two to pick up some food, and slowly said, "My long-held wish has been for all peoples to live freely on Philippine soil, no longer oppressed by any colonizers. General Chen, I have heard of the Free Army's principles; our ideals are aligned. That's why I've specially prepared this banquet today, hoping to have a proper discussion with you beforehand."
This person has quite a few tricks up their sleeve!
No wonder he's a top student with a doctorate.
Chen Feng, on high alert, put down his chopsticks and asked directly, "General Luna, please speak frankly. What do you want to discuss?"
A glint of light appeared in Connor's eyes. He held his wine glass and gently swirled it, waiting for the two to reveal their true intentions.
His purpose in coming here was to balance the interests of all parties and reap the benefits.
Luna raised his glass again, but didn't drink. He just looked at Chen Feng and said, "General Chen, General Liu Hengfu has already told me about your demands. There's an old Chinese saying: 'Ask the sky, then bargain.' You and I both know that getting 50% of the parliamentary seats is absolutely impossible."
"So, Commander-in-Chief Aguinaldo isn't even willing to give a single seat in parliament to a Chinese person? Is that realistic?" Chen Feng scoffed, his tone laced with undisguised sarcasm.
Luna drank a glass of wine, his expression remaining calm, as if he hadn't noticed the sarcasm: "Of course, that's unrealistic. That's why I've already advised the Commander-in-Chief that if you and General Liu Hengfu are willing to sign the Declaration of Independence, we can give the Chinese three seats in Parliament."
"But your draft constitution doesn't specify any seats for Chinese people at all. If you really renege on your promise after the parliament is established, who can I complain to?" Chen Feng bluntly exposed his scheme.
Luna poured himself another glass of wine, his movements unhurried, and said slowly, "I, Luna, keep my word. As long as General Chen hands over command of the Chinese Free Army, I will immediately announce to the entire Philippines, in the name of the provisional government, that the Chinese will forever have three seats in the legislature."
This is a scheme so well that the whole of Luzon can hear it!
Chen Feng sneered inwardly.
Do you want me to hand over command?
That's a really wild idea!
Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. Without an army, wouldn't my fellow Chinese compatriots and I become fish on a chopping board, at your mercy?
Let alone three spots, it's hard to say whether I'll even be able to save my life!
Without a second thought, he slammed his fist on the table and refused: "Three slots are not enough! This is completely inconsistent with the contributions made by the Chinese to the cause of independence! Moreover, the Free Army is the lifeblood of our Chinese compatriots, and I will never hand over command now."
Luna's expression finally changed completely. His brows furrowed, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and returned to calm.
He raised his glass, took a swig, and said in a deep voice, "In the entire Philippines, Chinese people only make up 1.5% of the total population. The total number of seats in the legislature will not exceed 90. Three seats are not a small number."
"Not a small amount?"
Chen Feng retorted, his tone suddenly turning cold, "General Luna, shouldn't the parliamentary seats be allocated according to the contributions of each ethnic group? Those Igorlots and Bonasinan people in the mountains, apart from making up the numbers during the attack on Malolos, have hardly fought any direct battles with the Spanish colonial army, and have even secretly colluded with the colonists! What right do they have to occupy parliamentary seats? Because they outnumber us? Or because they're capable of stabbing us in the back?"
He specifically mentioned the Igorodians, who are the main targets for the next round of annihilation. He laid the groundwork today so that it would be justifiable to deal with them later!
Luna tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table and said in a deep voice, "The parliament that is about to be established will be a parliament of equality for all races. The Igorots and Bonasinan make up 10% of the total population and should have their own representatives to fight for equal rights for their people."