African Nationhood

Chapter 24 Important Official
  Shi Jintang did not answer the other party's question, but went straight to Governor Freire's desk, picked up a cigar from the table, put it in his mouth and lit it.

Then he leaned back on the tall soft leather sofa, puffing out white smoke comfortably.

Governor Freire looked at Shi Jintang who was smoking a cigar wantonly. Instead of being angry, he began to review what he had done wrong just now.

A rich man deserves his respect, let alone a rich man with a gold mine.

After recalling it carefully, I immediately remembered that this honorable white man had made a request when he entered the door.

He stroked his forehead and said casually: "Sorry, I was too excited just now and didn't pay attention to what you said. Henry, did you just ask me to help you vent your anger?"

Shi Jintang took a puff of the cigar vigorously. When the hot smoke filled his entire mouth, he puffed out the smoke with satisfaction.

"That's right, my men were prospecting for gold in Southwest Africa. After discovering the gold mines, they hurried back.

He came outside your Governor's Palace, but no matter what he said, the bastard guarding the door wouldn't let him in.

Because the merchant ship transporting immigrants arrived in Cape Town, I came here and met my men.

After my inquiries, I can confirm that the problem is with your people, so my request today is very simple, help me vent my anger! "

He said the word "venting his anger" with a special emphasis, and Governor Freire must have understood the meaning.

Governor Freer laughed, this is simple, "Come here, call Thomas Spann from the Security Department."

When he heard Thomas Spann's name, Shi Jintang immediately understood.

This guy is actually not dead. He can still continue to be an official after being repaired by him. He must have a profound background.

No matter how deep your background is, it can't stop you from insisting on seeking death. Let's see where you go this time!
  "The name Thomas Spann seems familiar. Where have I heard it?"

Governor Freire naturally understood the meaning of Shi Jintang's words, but now he was more concerned about the news about the gold mines in the jurisdiction of this "honorary white man".

Alas, you have to have a begging attitude when asking for help. He steeled himself and started to cooperate with Shi Jintang.

"Oh, that Thomas is a high-quality employee of the colonial government and has served the colonial government for many years.

After he resigned from your company last time, he came to see me. I felt that his experience was very rich, so I arranged for him to work in the security department below. "

"Well, this guy in my place is embezzling money, lending us money, and killing people. How can such an employee be regarded as a high-quality employee? Sir Freire, you have a very loose view of political performance."

Governor Freire could only laugh at Shi Jintang's ridicule. Not long after, a white clerk pushed the door open and came in.

"Sir, that Thomas Spann took a sick leave and has left now."

Upon hearing this, Governor Freire immediately understood the whole story and was willing to let his compatriots go. However, Shi Jintang was still around, so he had to do the whole show.

"Oh, call in sick, when, what illness?"

"I'm not sure about this. He must have been suffering from an acute illness. It was said that when he left, there was no color on his face and his whole body was shaking..."

"Oh, is it so serious? You can go down first."

When Shi Jintang heard Governor Freire's appearance, he puffed out smoke from his mouth and said first, "Sir, please get busy first, I have to go to the dock to meet the merchants who transport immigrants.

After all, it has been so long since I immigrated to Hong Kong. I don’t know what the situation is like. My gold mine is in urgent need of manpower. Hey, there are so many things to do. It’s really overwhelming! "

Governor Freire didn't expect this Huang-piqing man to be so direct. He had just shown a little procrastination, and he took the lead in putting on a posture of "If you don't vent your anger on me, I will kick you away" to force himself.

While Governor Freire secretly cursed Shi Jintang as a bastard in his heart, he shouted to the outside: "Come here!"

The white clerk who had gone out just now arrived quickly, "Sir, what are your orders?"

"Go tell John Biden that if I don't see Thomas Spann within half an hour, he, the police chief, will just take the blame and resign."

It was the first time that the white clerk heard Sir Frere speak so angrily. He nodded in agreement and left quickly.

Shi Jintang laughed, "The cigars you have here are very exciting to smoke. I think it's not too late to finish smoking this one before leaving."

Governor Freire watched Shi Jintang sit down again in a relaxed manner, and he also smiled and leaned aside, "When will the cigarettes you brought before be available again? The retail outlets below have long been sold out, and they are now out of stock. state.

Since you haven't come back from Rand Basin, I didn't rush you. Now that you're back today, let's talk about it. " Governor Freire did not tell the truth. He had already arranged for his men to make imitation cigarettes. However, he did not have a cigarette rolling machine and the rolling efficiency was not high.

As for the high-end Lucky Strike, he couldn't figure out the spices added to the tobacco, so he asked his subordinates to try to prepare other spices.

All counterfeit cigarettes are packaged in white paper and have been sold in Cape Town for almost a month. Locals call them white shell cigarettes.

The lighter is a bit technically difficult. Although the people he arranged can imitate it, the yield rate is very low.

Qu Sangqian had been here for a long time and had discovered these imitations a long time ago. He just told Shi Jintang about his discovery at the hotel.

Shi Jintang originally only wanted to talk about the gold mine today, but when Governor Freire brought it up on his own initiative, his expression suddenly changed and he slapped the armrest of the sofa heavily with his hand.

"Huh, you didn't mention it, but I forgot that someone here in Cape Town is blatantly infringing on my patent rights!

I hope you, Sir, will take up your responsibilities as a colonial governor, protect the legal rights of patent holders, and crack down on infringers! "

Governor Freire didn't expect that this "honorary white man" would slap him in the face with his casual words.

Also, when did you, the yellow-skinned monkey, apply for patent protection from the colonial government?

Besides, there was no patent examination agency in the colonies.

It's just that at this critical moment, if you offend this Huang Piqing countryman, there will be no need to talk about the gold mine.

"Manager Shi, you are right. It's just that the colonial government has not set up a patent review agency at present, and you also know that the battle between the colonial government and the Zulus is still ongoing, so the fight against counterfeit cigarettes cannot be dealt with for the time being."

Shi Jintang chuckled, "Since there is no Patent Examination Bureau, we might as well establish one first. As a victim of patent infringement, I am willing to serve as the first official of the Patent Examination Bureau. What do you think, Sir?"

"Ah, this, this is a good thing. I have always wanted to promote this matter within the colonial jurisdiction, but I have never been able to find an opportunity. Since you are willing to promote this matter, then so be it."

Governor Freire smiled on his face, but secretly cursed this yellow-skinned monkey in his heart for being so cunning. He used tricks to get the official to be fooled.

"Thank you Sir, how much does my position as Director of the Patent Office pay, and how many people do I have?"

After all, Governor Freire had been an official for many years and asked for help from Shi Jintang, so he replied cheerfully: "The salary is similar to that of the police chief. The salary is 100 pounds per month, and there are 4 clerks, each of whom is 20 pounds per month."

Colonial government officials in this era were really happy. A director's monthly salary was only 100 pounds, and there was no need for KPI assessment.

Even the monthly salary of clerks is many times higher than that of local workers.

The reason why Governor Freire gave Shi Jintang such favorable conditions, including his treatment of Thomas Spann, was to show his goodwill to Shi Jintang.

These things are small things, the gold mine is the big thing.

Shi Jintang reciprocated the favor and took out the oil paper bag from his inner pocket and handed it to Governor Freire.

"This is gold sand found in streams near gold mines."

Governor Freire opened it and looked at it with a smile on his face, "Yes, the grade of this gold mine should be very high. I wonder how Manager Shi plans to mine it?"

"What I mean is to establish a joint mining company as the main body of gold mining. My Nanhua Company will hold 100% of the dry shares, and the rest will be used to attract investment. The total share capital will be million pounds."

Hearing Shi Jintang's arrangement, Governor Freire frowned, "Is this United Mining Company's plate too big?"

Shi Jintang blew out a puff of white smoke and chuckled: "Of the 40% of shares occupied by Nanhua Company, half is given to the Cape Colony government.

What to do with this half of the dry stock is your business, Sir Frere. "

After hearing what Shi Jintang said, Governor Freire immediately smiled and said, "I will definitely handle this matter well. Just wait for my good news."

Shi Jintang stuffed the cigar into his mouth, stretched out his hand and said vaguely: "Happy cooperation!"

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(End of this chapter)