Chapter 18: Old Brock's Proposal

'Okay, Mr. Zhou Ming, I believe this is a misunderstanding. If you really haven't done anything illegal, then you can leave here at any time, and we won't stop you.' The black policeman said to Zhou Ming, and he even made a sideways gesture of invitation.

The black policeman's words were like a bombshell that stunned everyone, including Zhou Ming. No one, including Zhou Ming, expected him to give such an answer. Zhou Ming had thought that he would have to once again outwit the American police, and he might even have to go to the detention centre. But he didn't expect that the other party would let him go as soon as they heard his name. What was going on? Did he have such a high reputation?

Zhou Ming looked at him suspiciously and said, 'Officer, can I ask, are you really sure you want to let me go? Do you believe what I say? Do you know me?'

The black police officer smiled and replied, 'Of course. I once saw Mr. Zhou Ming go to the parliament building to register for the election, and I have also seen the campaign propaganda, so I believe you.'

'I see. Thank you very much.'

Zhou Ming thanked the black police officer and then turned back to tell Chen Shuyu and the others to pack up and leave. In fact, Zhou Ming did not believe this statement by the black policeman, but Zhou Ming did not intend to ask too many questions. After all, this issue was not that important. All Zhou Ming and the others needed to do was get rid of the harassment from these women and leave the Vida community. They might not be able to see these policemen again in the future.

The women who had just been arrogant and domineering in front of Zhou Ming, now stood obediently, dumbfounded, as they watched Zhou Ming and the others leave calmly.

The eldest sister Binhai, who had been shouting the loudest, asked in a small voice, 'Well... Officer, aren't they all criminals? Why did you let them go?'

The black policeman didn't rush to answer but instead asked in return, "Are you a judge or a prosecutor?'

The eldest sister Binhai smiled apologetically and said, "Officer, you're joking. How could I be a judge or a prosecutor? I'm just an ordinary citizen...'

Before the woman from Binhai could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the black policeman: 'Since you know you are not a judge or a prosecutor, what the hell are you talking about? I now suspect you of maliciously reporting a crime and abusing the power of the police!'

Hearing him say this, the woman from Binhai panicked: "Officer, I have not abused any power, so whatever you want to do is fine.'

The black policeman looked at her with disdain and scolded her, "Weak yellow-skinned bastard!'

Zhou Ming had been paying attention to the situation here, and seeing the complete contrast between the behaviour of those women and that of the others towards him, he could only helplessly shake his head, get into the car, and leave with his classmates from the finance class.

'Have a safe trip, Mr Zhou Ming!'

As the bus carrying Zhou Ming passed by the police car, the four policemen waved to them in greeting. It wasn't until Zhou Ming's car had gone far away that the black policeman whispered, 'Sergeant, are we sure about this? Could he be the Chinese Zhou Ming you were telling us about?'

The white policeman shook his head and replied, 'You ask me, I'm not sure. All those yellow-skinned Chinese look the same to me. But look at this one today, he's different from the other Chinese. He's very imposing, acting very confident, unlike those Chinese women behind him who are timid and weak and humble. You can see that he's bringing so many people with him, he must be here campaigning for the election.'

The black policeman nodded as if he understood, and the white policeman continued, 'Anyway, whether he is Zhou Ming or not, we are doing the right thing today. We just want to teach these Chinese women a lesson. Why call the police for such trivial matters? You go do it.'

Upon being ordered by the white policeman, the black policeman grinned and showed his big white teeth, 'Thank you very much, sir. These Chinese people love to pay up!'

The two black police officers then turned and walked towards the older women, laughing. Meanwhile, on the bus, Zhou Ming also had a feeling about what was going to happen. He said to his classmates, 'I think these police officers probably just happened to know about me or something about me. Besides, they were also able to tell that we really hadn't done anything illegal, so they let us go on the principle of not causing trouble.'

After saying this, Zhou Ming sighed and added, 'It's just that those sisters are in trouble. I heard that American police officers are not easy to talk to, especially since they just admitted defeat in front of me, they might want to regain face by picking on them.'

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, Li Yang immediately said, 'Teacher, why do we care if they die? What kind of people are they? They don't know right from wrong, they just need to be taught a lesson!'

'Yes, I agree with Li Yang. They are all so hateful. I don't understand, we are both Chinese, how can they be shameless to that extent?' Ye Ning echoed Li Yang, except that she said it with tears in her eyes, 'It's just that you, teacher, are really pitiful. Ever since you came to the United States, you have been targeted. In the past, it was the Americans, and now even our own Chinese are targeting you. Why is this happening?'

Zhou Ming took Ye Ning's hand and said, 'Thank you very much Ye Ning and the other students for your concern for me, but I think this is the situation we have to face. It's just like the journey of the monk Xuanzang to the West, who had to overcome 81 difficulties. As long as we have confidence, we can overcome it. So do you have confidence?'

All the students in the finance class shouted in unison that they did, except Ye Ning, who blushed and lowered her head after being held by Zhou Ming's hand.

'So now, we've encountered a situation in the Vinda community, so let's temporarily put this matter on hold for now. It's not a good idea to come here every day and cause trouble. I think we should still focus on getting our insurance company up and running. And Huang Yi, you must communicate well with Lawyer Allen regarding the property documents in the Vinda community. We can't let anyone catch us off guard,' Zhou Ming said.

...

An informal meeting of senior senators was being held in the state capitol building in South Brighton. The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anthony and attended by almost all the senior senators.

'Today we are going to discuss an issue raised by Senator Brook, which is aimed at all Chinese in the state. Let's listen to Senator Brook's ideas, and if it is feasible, we will find a way to discuss it in a formal meeting.'

Anthony said, 'Let's give the floor to Senator Brook. This is a tradition of the Massachusetts State Legislature, and in fact not only the Massachusetts State Legislature, but basically all legislatures around the world have this tradition. Before any topic is actually proposed, there is always an informal meeting where some senior senators will first exchange ideas with each other. Everyone has a general idea or an agreement before the topic is actually brought up for discussion.

This is called politics. In fact, not only legislatures, but also any official circles have this culture. In China, don't there also exist the tradition of the Standing Committee's bill, where several secretaries first meet to discuss it? The concentration and exclusion of power is the same everywhere.

Old Brook opened his folder and said into the microphone, 'Everyone, this is what I think: The Chinese are, after all, a country hostile to the United States, and this nation is also unable to integrate with us. They are ignorant and barbaric, and even when they cook, they make so much smoke everywhere, brown and yellow, that it could choke an elephant to death. Therefore, a special bill must be given to target them.'

After saying this, Old Brook paused for a moment and then said, 'So my suggestion is that we increase taxes and fees on Chinese shops and Chinese residences by 200%, and more than double other fees on them, including those for medical insurance and sanitation.'

As Old Brook's words came out, there was an instant of surprise on the scene, and everyone stared at Old Brook with wide eyes. Some even exclaimed, 'Brook, are you crazy? How can we do this? This is suspected of racial discrimination. Moreover, the Chinese are very close-knit. If we suddenly increase taxes and fees by so much, not to mention whether we can enforce it, even if we can, I think they will definitely protest, and it may even attract the displeasure of the Chinese government. This is not a good proposal!'

Facing the doubts of other veteran senators, Lao Brook was unruffled. He waited until the others had finished speaking before saying, 'We are all Massachusetts senators. I think you must have read the United States Code before? I don't know if you remember what Title 8, Chapter 7 is, which excluded the Chinese. Although it was repealed for political reasons, the bill itself is very valuable for reference.'

'Half a century ago, all Chinese were not allowed to become US citizens and enjoy any form of US power. This is the only US law that targets a specific nationality and ethnic group. Why? I think the reason is very simple: the Chinese are the enemy of the United States!'

Old Brook continued, 'Now this legal boundary has been broken, and the Chinese can become American citizens, but they have to be approved by us, and it is not too much to ask for them to pay more taxes. As for the worry that they will demonstrate or that they will be protested against by the Chinese government, I don't think these are important at all, because those Chinese people definitely will not do that!'

Old Brook's words were so forceful that all the senators didn't know how to respond for a moment. Then one senator stood up and said, 'Congressman Brook, you make a lot of sense, but I'd like to ask, why should I believe in and support you? As far as I know, Congressman Brook, you have a big conflict with a Chinese person, and you even sent your own son to prison. Now that you want to pass this bill, you're not taking out your anger on other Chinese people, are you?'

As the senator spoke, there was a burst of laughter in the meeting room, and everyone laughed at old Brook.

Old Brook was very angry about this, but he forced himself to hold back his anger. He looked at the senator and said, 'I'm sorry, I didn't say that everyone should believe in and support me. I'm just here to propose my bill. If it is supported, I think I can consider supporting any other proposal, even if it costs me something.'

Old Brook's words made everyone's eyes light up, but no one immediately agreed. Someone asked him, 'Representative Brook, we are all elected by the voters to represent the interests of our respective voters. What you said about supporting other proposals seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it?'

Old Brook hated it, and he knew very well that these people were all old foxes who ate people without spitting out their bones. He could only slam his hand on the table and say, 'You guys, agree or I will oppose all proposals. You just watch what happens!'

After saying this, Brook sat back in his chair and said nothing. At this point, the presiding officer, Anthony, stood up and said, 'Everyone, listen to me. I think that Representative Brook's proposal is worth considering. Or we can first refrain from implementing it statewide and only conduct a trial in a specific location to see how it works before considering it. What do you think?'

In the face of Anthony's words, Brook first agreed, saying, 'No problem, I agree.'

Hearing that Brook had given in first, one by one the other senators also expressed their agreement. Anthony finally said, "Thank you very much, so the motion is passed."