The Philippines has a strong tradition of family politics.
And they all have distinct regional characteristics.
Their leader is called "Grand Governor".
During the Spanish and American colonial rule, in order to better control the Philippines, these local chiefs were used to serve as local chief executives, gradually forming a family political tradition.
In Sumalaga, there is also such a family:
The Alatro family!
The family has been around since Spanish colonial times.
Whether it was the Spaniards before or the Americans later, the Aratero family always maintained good relations with them and gained deep trust.
The successive chief executives of Sumalaga were also appointed by this family.
When the Japanese army invaded the Philippines, the Aratero family spared no effort to provide full support to the US military.
But what they didn't expect was that the Americans actually lost.
After the fall of the Philippines, the Japanese army then occupied Sumalaga.
The fate of the Alatro family changed dramatically overnight.
Because of their actions during the war, they were severely persecuted by the Japanese army.
Two grandsons of this generation of his family were even ordered to move to Manila to facilitate Japanese surveillance and control.
However, because of the profound background and historical heritage of the Alatro family, the Japanese did not dare to kill them all.
However, the Japanese then supported the Elada family, which had been suppressed by the Alatro family for hundreds of years, and prepared to replace their status.
[In view of the general environment,
This kind of family can grow. In addition to its own heritage, a big reason is the support from the colonists.
Once this support was lost, the Aratero family declined rapidly in just over a year.
Okay.
Meng Shaoyuan thought in his heart.
Regardless of the miserable fate of the Aratero family now, as long as they can persevere and survive until the Americans come again, they will soon become stronger again.
As for the Elada family?
After the Japanese fail, their fate will probably be the same as that of the Japanese.
It is not unusual for Takasago Makoto to have an Alatro family brooch in his hand.
Those Japanese people don't know how much benefit they have gained from this family.
After sending away the old man and the translator, Meng Shaoyuan thought for a while, then dialed Mizushima Yukihei's phone number, and "accidentally" mentioned the Aratero family.
Mizushima Yukihei was originally bent on pleasing Meng Shaoyuan. When he heard that "Shibu Taniguchi" was interested in this family, he volunteered to take him to see it.
As soon as Mizushima Yukihei arrived, he said, "I have just sent someone there. Today, we will have dinner at Alatro's house."
"Okay." Meng Shaoyuan smiled and said, "I have to trouble Mizushima-kun again."
…
In the large courtyard of the Aratero family, you can see the glory that this family once had, and you can also see the current ruin.
The large house where the family once lived together has been split in two.
The people living next door were Japanese soldiers.
The Alatro family was already waiting there.
Everyone was respectful, for fear of offending the Japanese.
The "chief governor" of this family, named Kiddy, looks to be sixty or seventy years old.
With the support of his eldest son Fausto, he was trembling and seemed to be unable to stand.
"Taniguchi-kun, please."
Mizushima Yukihira walked in as if there was no one else around, completely ignoring the Aratero family.
A banquet table has been prepared.
It is completely incomparable to what I eat in Napu.
It seems that even preparing such a table of food is enough
The Aratero family suffered.
"Taniguchi-kun, please."
Mizushima Yukihei raised his glass, toasted Meng Shaoyuan, put down the glass and said, "If you are interested in anything, you can ask now."
They were eating food and drinking there, while the Aratero family stood opposite, like a group of prisoners awaiting trial.
Meng Shaoyuan was also interested in the history of these families and asked some questions about their family history.
Kiddy also answered honestly.
This kind of family politics in the Philippines is rooted in the barangay social model of the pre-colonial era.
Barangay is a kind of "boat". Malays immigrated to the Philippines on this kind of boat and established a community or tribe based on family blood ties. It feels a bit like the earth building in southern Fujian, called barangay. .
The size of a barangay is generally between 30 and 100 households, with a population of no more than 1,000. Some large ones, such as Cebu and Manila, have more than 2,000 residents. The leader is called Dadu, who is similar to a chief. He is led by the founder of the group and the Those who are related by blood shall be responsible and inherit.
This gradually formed local forces.
The rapid growth of Filipino family power was still based on the support of the colonists.
Meng Shaoyuan got a general understanding and suddenly asked: "There is a Japanese named Takasago Makoto, do you know him?"
Mizushima Yukihei was startled.
Makoto Takasago?
"know."
This time, it was Kitty's eldest son Fausto who answered: "Takasago-sama has been here before and visited."
"Then what?"
"No more." Fausto shook his head: "Then he left and never came again."
"Did he take any souvenirs?" Meng Shaoyuan refused to give up and continued to ask: "For example, some kind of brooch with your family's logo?"
"No." Foss thought for a while and said firmly: "There is no such thing in my memory."
Meng Shaoyuan said "Oh".
Mizushima Yukihei finally couldn't bear it anymore and asked in a low voice: "Taniguchi-kun, do you think Takasago Makoto has something to do with them?"
"No, I'm just curious." Meng Shaoyuan replied calmly: "I went to see Takasago Makoto today, and he denied having anything to do with the gold theft."
Mizushima Yukihei was a little disdainful.
If you ask a thief if he stole your wallet, will he admit it?
These nobles with royal backgrounds live so comfortably and have never experienced the storms outside.
"Of course he won't admit it." Mizushima Yukihei cheered up: "But what I can confirm is that he is the biggest suspect."
Meng Shaoyuan said "hmm" and then said: "I also met the man named Bim today. Do you know him well?"
"Like other Filipinos, he is nothing more than a dog beside Makoto Takasago." Mizushima Yukihei said disdainfully: "I was concerned about Makoto Takasago's special mission, so I tolerated him in everything.
When the tunnel is built, Mizushima-kun, I don't want to hide it from you, I will be the first to operate on Bhim. "
That time, Beam was arrested by mistake, and Takasago Makoto made a fuss with the military police and picked him up in public.
This incident caused Mizushima Yukihira to lose face, and he still holds a grudge to this day.
"Yes, it will definitely happen." Meng Shaoyuan looked a little absent-minded: "I'm thinking that no matter how deeply you hide many things, there will definitely be traces of them exposed. Are you right, Mizushima-kun?"
