Chapter 83: Moving into a New House
After dividing the rewards from the expeditionary headquarters, Anton had a net worth of more than 200 pounds.
This money included the part that the commandos sold the captured war horses to the Cape Colony government. All the money was legitimate and Anton could spend it however he wanted. Anton's family had already boarded the ship from the Far East and would soon arrive in Cape Town, so Anton urgently needed to buy a house to settle his family down.
This problem was easy to solve. After Henry moved into Rock's house, he never returned to his own home, so Anton only spent 150 pounds to buy Henry's house, which was cheaper than the auction price, so it was considered a half-sale and half-gift.
Of course, this is because Rock came forward. Anton doesn’t have that much face in front of Henry.
For Chinese people, settling down is a big deal. Since Rock had Henry and Phyllis at home, he didn't have to worry about it. But Anton couldn't save any money. After buying the house, almost all the Chinese police officers who were not on duty came to Anton's house to help. Everyone worked together, and soon the whole house looked brand new.
In fact, this house is quite nice, with a white marble base and a foundation of wood more than one foot thick. The walls are decorated with wallpaper, and the floor is made of teak, which is known as the "king of all trees". It is not artificially planted but pure natural, and it takes fifty or sixty years to mature.
"This house is not bad. You and your sister-in-law can live downstairs, and the children can live in the attic. In a few days, buy some paint to paint the exterior walls, and take care of the lawns in front of and behind the house. I guarantee that your sister-in-law will be satisfied." Rock was also very satisfied. This house might not be outstanding in Cape Town, but it was a world of difference compared to Anton's home in Qing Dynasty.
Anton had already started a family in Qing Dynasty. He had his own wife and children, as well as his own house. Of course, the quality of the house could not be very good. It was just two rooms with adobe walls and thatched roofs. Compared with the current house, it was not suitable for human habitation.
"Satisfied, satisfied. If I'm still not satisfied, I'll be struck by lightning." Anton was filled with emotion. Although Rock had promised Anton a bright future, Anton never dreamed that this day would come so soon.
"Go buy a few sets of bedding, some clothes for your sister-in-law and her children, and some jewelry for your sister-in-law. You are a sheriff now, and you have to act like a sheriff." Rock thought carefully. Jewelry and other things might not be used now, but they would definitely be used in the future. When Anton's wife and children arrive in Cape Town, Rock will invite Anton's family to his house for dinner, and then they will come in handy.
"Buy, buy everything. My wife has never worn new clothes since she married me, and after the children were born, they didn't even have enough to eat--" Anton's eyes were red. Compared with the past, his current life is simply heaven.
"It will be better in the future. Let's settle down first. I'll think of a way in a few days. If possible, we can buy a farm or . Then we can farm when we want to, and graze when we don't want to. We can also make wine after harvesting grapes. Even a god wouldn't change this kind of life." Rock began to make promises again -
It's no longer just empty talk. What Rock said before is gradually becoming a reality. A few months ago, Rock and Anton were still "temporary workers". Now Rock and Anton have become Cape Town citizens and have settled down in the city. Who can predict what the future will hold?
"Uncle An, there's nothing to say about your house. The boss has a way." Luo Yi also came to help. There is no such thing as rotation for him now. Although Rock is back, Luo Yi is still the sheriff in charge of the security of the dock. Rock is now an inspector and has left his front-line job.
"If it weren't for you doing those stupid things, you could have settled down in Cape Town, and maybe we could have been neighbors. Isn't that a loss?" Anton rubbed salt into Luo Yi's wound. This was the consequence of not listening.
"Oh, it's all my fault that I was blinded by greed. The boss bought me a piece of land on Mill Street. I planned to build a house myself and be your neighbor." Luo Yi was not very sad, but rather a little happy.
Compared to Government Street, Mill Street is relatively remote, and coupled with the famous "haunted house", the housing and land prices are very cheap. Henry was the first to act and bought a large piece of vacant land near Rock's house early on, intending to build a house more luxurious than Rock's.
With the arrival of Henry and Rock, the potential of Mill Street is visible to the naked eye. No one else has noticed this yet, so during this time back in Cape Town, Rock bought a lot of vacant land near his home and planned to build houses for the Chinese police officers. Maybe in the future Mill Street will become the home of the Cape Town Police. In that case, apart from anything else, public security will definitely be a problem. If anyone dares to cause trouble on Mill Street, wow, every household will be a policeman, and men, women, young and old will all be able to use guns. That scene -
So sour!
"Haha, it's a blessing in disguise for you." Anton meant it sincerely.
In fact, Anton was not jealous, because Rock had promised Anton a piece of vacant land opposite Rock's house. Anton was also planning to build a house and then buy this one. Perfect!
"How can I be considered blessed? Reed is the truly blessed guy." Luo Yi also has someone he is jealous of.
Li De is Rock's little follower, so Rock naturally would not treat him unfairly. Not only did Rock buy land for Li De, he also helped find workers. Construction has already started, which is faster than Henry's.
Henry's house still needs to be designed. Li De's requirements are not that high, as long as it can be lived in, so Rock asked Zack to find a few Boers to start construction. The foreman is Christian. Rock believes that Christian can guarantee the quality.
Christian is Rock's informant. As a native Boer, Christian has a wide range of acquaintances in Cape Town, so it is very easy for him to find a few construction workers. The wages are very cheap, only five pence per person per day, which can buy three eggs in Cape Town.
This was the living condition of the Boers during the British colonial period. Although the Boers were also white, their situation in the Cape was not much better than that of the blacks. No wonder the Boers rebelled, and no one would be willing to accept this.
"Reed has Reed's blessings, and you have yours. Hold on to your thighs and you won't suffer any loss." Anton's words made Luo Yi and other Chinese policemen nod their heads repeatedly. It was indeed true. If it weren't for Rock, and if they still bought houses and land, I'm afraid everyone would still be receiving a monthly salary of 1.2 pounds, not much more than what those construction workers earned.
"Haha, Anton, you're moving into a new house, and I don't have anything good to give you, just a little token of my appreciation, like buying some clothes for your child." Rock did not forget to give a gift, and the red envelope he packed was not small.
"Boss..." Anton wanted to refuse.
"Take it, take it. We brothers have now settled down in Cape Town, so don't be polite. If you don't take it, can you take it when we move into a new house in the future?" Rock was using words to put Anton in a difficult position. There was no reason to take back the money that had been given away.
