Chapter 79 Arrival
The so-called "new guests" were actually the upcoming Chinese workers, or "new immigrants", new immigrants brought in by using muskets. According to Zhu Xianhai's original idea, at most four or five thousand new immigrants would be brought in, but in the simulator, more than 20,000 people came!
This number not only exceeded Zhu Xianhai's expectations, but was also far beyond what Nanhua could accept - not enough houses, and especially not enough food.
In the last simulation, the arrival of a large number of new immigrants brought a series of problems to Nanhua, ranging from public security to food problems. Even the fundamental reason why Zhu Xianhai had no energy to advance into the fertile land on the north and south banks of the Negro River was that the immigration issue distracted too much of his energy.
But with the lessons learned from the simulator, we will definitely not make the same mistake again.
Almost immediately after finishing the life simulator, Zhu Xianhai mobilized all his forces to build a new residential area - a new camp near Nanhua Village.
The buildings in the camp were made of wooden boards, just like those in Nanhua. Simple wooden beams, frames, and a thin layer of wooden boards formed the simplest houses, which were only used to shelter from wind and rain. Even the beds were not necessarily much more spacious than those on the ship. Anyway, they had gotten used to it. For people who were used to the narrow space on the ship, they at least had a place to walk on the ground.
"My lord, isn't this place too narrow?"
Once again, Fang Zhanbo asked.
"It's enough to have a place to stay, just a temporary place to settle down."
Zhu Xianhai smiled.
"Our mission is to provide shelter and food for 30,000 people!"
"30,000 people!"
Qian Deshan said in surprise.
“Will there be so many people?”
"Yeah, how could they exchange so many people ? Besides, how did they transport so many people here?"
Faced with their surprise, Zhu Xianhai just smiled.
"Who knows? Just be prepared for the worst!"
In fact, even Zhu Xianhai himself was very curious. He wondered how Li Fugui and others could get so many people with such a small thing.
…
On February 7, 1861, after a 70-day voyage, the clipper "Annlis" finally entered Hangzhou Bay.
The moon hanging in the night shone on the top of the mizzen mast, making it sparkle silver, and the top of the foremast sail was also white. Almost at the same time, the voices of the onlookers shouted.
"Land—look, it's land!"
The next moment, there was a sound of running footsteps on the deck.
Li Fugui, who was resting in the cabin, heard people stumbling out of the forecastle, so he hurried out of the cabin. Although he had a wooden prosthesis installed because he had lost one leg, he still couldn't walk fast. When he came to the deck, it was already full of people. In addition to the foreign captain and sailors, Liu Kunpeng and others were also standing at the bow.
All the personnel gathered there. To the northwest of the "Anlis", everyone saw a flat coast. Looking at the coast in the distance, almost everyone's face changed, as if they were excited, but also seemed to be relieved.
In fact, they had already arrived at Hangzhou Bay two days ago, and then took shelter on an unnamed island.
This way, they need to avoid the merchant ship route and sail along a new route to avoid other ships, especially warships of various countries. The crew on the ship already know their destination - Jiaxing, a city occupied by Chinese rebels. If the merchant ship successfully reaches Jiaxing, then everyone can get three times the salary.
"Here we are!"
Looking at the yellow sea water under the bow, Captain Luke said with some excitement.
This yellow sea water is mud and sand washed in from the Qiantang River. If they want, it will soon reach Hangzhou.
Thinking of the land right before their eyes, Li Fugui and his companions felt as if they were in a dream.
Finally home.
As long as you take one step, it is the land of your ancestors.
But what will be waiting for him on this land?
It is the years of war and death!
It's poverty and hunger!
"We, we are home..."
Li Fugui spoke before Liu Kunpeng finished speaking.
"Liu Xiucai, this is a nice home, but it is our ancestral home. Our current home is in Nanhua!"
"Brother Li is right, Brother Li is right..."
Liu Kunpeng said repeatedly.
Then he heard the captain's voice issuing orders. Under the captain's orders, the Pacific was sailing slowly along a route not far from the coast.
"Hey guys,"
Captain Luke said as he held onto the railing and looked at the sailors.
“Have any of you ever been to China?”
"Who has been to China? Marco Polo? Sir!"
Luke said to the sailors' laughter.
"I've been to Hong Kong before, but it was under British rule. Now, I'm more curious about this place..."
Luke said curiously.
What do Chinese cities look like?
Of course, unlike the curious captain and sailors, what Li Fugui and his men cared about, or the only thing they cared about, was when the ship would dock, and then how he should communicate with the Taiping Army and how to sell the goods on the ship.
"Brother Li,"
Liu Kunpeng whispered at the side,
"We should try to raise the price as high as possible. After all, the boss said that we want people!"
people!
This is the purpose of their voyage. The reason why they took so long to get here is to change people!
After all, for Nanhai, the most important thing is people, not silver. Even their ship is loaded with tens of thousands of silver pesos.
"I know,"
Li Fugui nodded, and then looked at Mir beside him. He was a black slave. Of course, now he was the boss of the American Company. And Liu Kunpeng? He was the interpreter of Mir.
It is definitely easier to deal with the government and the Taiping Army as a foreigner than as a Chinese.
Whether it was the Taiping Army or the government, they all praised the foreigners highly!
"When we meet them, we will tell them directly why we are here. We don't want tea, raw silk, or cash, but people!"
Liu Kunpeng's voice was not loud, and even when he was speaking, he would look towards the land from time to time, as if he was looking forward to what was about to happen. Of course, the same was true for others. Everyone on the boat now focused their attention on the coast and the sea. Those who survived on the sea knew that danger often occurred when they were about to reach their destination.
"Look, what is that..."
