Chapter 2: Can't Let Down
If there is anything that can make Rock satisfied with this era, it is probably Rock's body.
The reason why Rock joined the Huayong Battalion was that he was forced into a desperate situation. Rock's father was a well-known boxer in Zhili, but unfortunately he offended the imperial court and was killed by the imperial court. This also cut off Rock's way to serve the imperial court. The year before last, Rock's mother passed away. This was Rock's last direct relative in the world. After burying his mother, Rock angrily joined the Huayong Battalion. Although this choice was not a good one, for the former "Rock", it was better than guarding a landlord's house.
In the past, Rock would rather bear the stigma of "traitor" and work for the British, and perhaps he even had the idea of avenging his father, but this has nothing to do with Rock now. Rock now just wants to survive in this troubled world, and if he wants to go a step further, it is to live a better life as much as possible.
As a father who is a boxer, Rock's basic physical condition is very good. He is 1.80 meters tall and weighs about 85 kilograms. His weight may be a little over the standard, but he is not fat. Instead, he is extremely strong. When he was in the Huayong Battalion, the ordinary three or five soldiers of the Huayong Battalion were no match for Rock, so Rock was able to serve as a corporal.
Compared with Rock's previous body, this body obviously makes Rock more satisfied. Rock used to weigh 85 kilograms, but his waist was three feet long. With this comparison, Rock immediately became full of expectations for his future life. At least if Melody met the previous Rock, Melody probably wouldn't "tremble" so much.
The doctor in charge of Rock's treatment is called Jonathan Jackson, a typical Englishman, old-fashioned, conservative, and sometimes tells jokes, but when you laugh he will look at you with a mocking look, as if he is laughing at your low sense of humor, but if you don't react the consequences will be more serious.
In short, Jonathan Jackson tells jokes not to make others happy, nor to show his humor, but just to show his superiority, whether it is IQ or English pronunciation. In short, because Jonathan Jackson is British, Jonathan Jackson has a mysterious self-confidence.
However, this confidence began to disappear after Rock began to examine his body.
"God, it's incredible, your recovery is better than I expected - no, it's much better, it's hard to explain - I need to do some more tests -" Jonathan Jackson found it hard to accept. Rock had been in a coma since he was sent here a week ago. As the best doctor in Cape Town, Jonathan Jackson had privately sentenced Rock to death. However, Rock now appeared in front of Jonathan Jackson alive and well, which subverted Jonathan Jackson's understanding of medicine.
"It's incredible, doctor. I think this is the power of God—" Rock couldn't explain it all, and he didn't want to stay in the hospital as a guinea pig, so Rock immediately applied for discharge: "—So, I hope to return to work as soon as possible. This is God's will. You know, our current situation is not good. The failure on the front line has caused the law and order situation in Cape Town to deteriorate sharply. My colleagues told me that during the week I was in the hospital, six patrolmen have been killed in the attack. Before we are able to launch a new offensive, the law and order situation in Cape Town will further deteriorate, so I must return to work as soon as possible."
In the Second Boer War, in order to defeat the Boers, the British deployed nearly 450,000 troops and spent nearly 300 million pounds. They successively sent colonial armies to fight in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and other countries. This is also the reason why the British established the Chinese Battalion. It was precisely because the British were trapped in the Second Boer War and had no troops to deploy that they had to establish the Chinese Battalion and join the war against the Qing Dynasty.
The war has just begun. Although the British offensive has been damaged, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is at its peak, will never stop its conquest of the Boers, so the war will expand further.
Unfortunately, Jonathan Jackson didn't know all this. As a doctor, Jonathan Jackson knew that the security situation in Cape Town had deteriorated sharply recently. In addition to those patrolmen who died in the line of duty, those patrolmen who were attacked and injured were now receiving treatment from Jonathan Jackson, so Jonathan Jackson could not find any reason to object.
But Rock's situation was too special, and Jonathan Jackson was unwilling to give up, so he wanted to fight for it again: "Don't worry, I will call Mr. August Russell at the police station. Just enjoy your vacation, the hospital will try its best to get you paid leave."
August Russell is the chief of the Cape Town Police Department. According to past practice, Chinese patrol officers do not receive paid leave, including during the time Rock was in the hospital. The Cape Town Police Department will pay for Rock's treatment, but forget about paid leave, although Rock's salary is not high, only one pound and four shillings a month.
Yes, it's only one pound, that's right.
However, for the same policeman, if he is Indian, he can get one pound plus ten shillings per month, and if he is British, he can get close to ten pounds per month, so the salary varies from person to person.
"No, I don't need paid vacation. It is my duty to protect the city order and maintain street safety. I have been drifting on the sea for nearly two months before coming here, not to enjoy a paid vacation." Rock was passionate. It was most appropriate to use "duty" as an excuse to leave the hospital at this time. No upright person would refuse such a lofty belief. Even Melody's eyes began to warm up after hearing Rock's words.
"Okay, Luo, I can't stop you, but I still hope that you can come to the hospital to cooperate with me in some examinations when the time is right. I promise that it will not delay your work. I will apply to the police station."
Jonathan Jackson finally agreed to Rock 's request. Then Jonathan Jackson issued a discharge certificate for Rock, confirming that Rock's physical condition was sufficient to resume work. This certificate was of great significance to Rock. At least it allowed Rock to temporarily escape the crisis of feeding fish.
After returning to the ward and changing into the patrolman's uniform and high leather helmet, Rock once again said goodbye to Jonathan Jackson and Melody who were "reluctant to leave" and strode out of the hospital gate with his head held high.
Cape Town in the 19th century, here I come.
Rock did not have any lofty ambitions, but he secretly reminded himself that he must not let this life down.
