The vineyard that Rock bought was owned by a previous owner who fled to the Transvaal Republic to join the Boer Alliance. His family was imprisoned in a refugee camp and the vineyard was confiscated. Rock bought this 150-acre vineyard for less than 100 pounds.
Rock was not worried that the previous owner of the vineyard would come back. The British were ruthless and would shoot any Cape Boers who fled to the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State to join the Boer Alliance. Therefore, it was impossible for the previous owner of the vineyard to return to Oak Town. As for his family, they had all died in the refugee camp. The 20% mortality rate was no joke.
Because no one was taking care of the vineyard, the grapes in the vineyard had not yet been picked, so Rock needed a lot of workers, serious, responsible and hard-working workers. There were many such people in the refugee camp, and Rock could have as many as he wanted.
"Only mothers with children will be chosen as workers. When mothers are working, they should leave their children in the refugee camp. This way, you don't have to worry about the workers not working hard. You don't even need guards. The guerrillas' families are not given meat, so use meat as salary. Children are in need of nutrition. I believe many people will be willing to work for you." Ada gave Rock advice. Women are the most vicious people.
"You are so awesome. Suddenly I am a little afraid of you." Rock said insincerely. It was impossible for him to be afraid of you. You were really awesome.
As expected, women are the ones who understand women best. Rock probably couldn't think of such a solution. For a mother, a child is indeed the best reason. I'm afraid the mothers in the refugee camps would fight over that pound of flesh every week.
"If you're too embarrassed to come forward, I'll do it for you." Ada didn't care. For a woman, especially a widow, to survive in Cape Town, she had to have some means.
"Okay—" Rock didn't realize what he had agreed to.
…
In the refugee camp, rows of low tents were being dismantled and all the women and children were driven out. They held their simple luggage and gathered together in the open space in the refugee camp, looking at the nimble Zulus with frightened and shocked eyes. Many of them had tears in their eyes. Some children cried out but were covered by their mothers. They didn't know what was waiting for them.
"You are lucky. Mrs. Capet from Cape Town has sent you new tents, as well as some clothes and bedding. You have the opportunity to live in the new tents, otherwise you may not survive this winter--" Jeffrey's voice was very loud, and many people involuntarily cast their eyes towards a two-story wooden building next to the concentration camp.
This two-story wooden building, like the sentry tower outside the barbed wire surrounding the concentration camp, is the tallest building in the concentration camp. The second floor of the wooden building was the former sheriff's office, but now the owner there is an inspector, who is now standing on the balcony on the second floor, wearing a black uniform and with a grim expression.
Next to the inspector stood a woman in a white dress. She was wearing a veil, so her face could not be seen clearly, but one could tell that she was tall and elegant. This was probably the "Mrs. Capet" that Jeffrey mentioned.
Although the new tents were a cause for celebration, the Boers in the concentration camp did not express any reaction. The hatred between them and the British was irreconcilable and could not be resolved by such a small benefit. The British were the culprits for putting them in the concentration camps. Although they had never heard of the name "Mrs. Capet" before, they could tell from her clothes that "Mrs. Capet" was definitely British.
"Mrs. Capet still needs a few people to work for her, to pick grapes from the vineyards outside. It would be even better if they can make wine. The payment is one pound of meat per week. If anyone is willing to work for Mrs. Capet, you can sign up with me." Jeffrey had a blank expression. In the past, refugees were also forced to work, but without any compensation. This opportunity is rare.
Twenty tents were not enough to accommodate everyone, but the chance of saving a pound of flesh was worth it, so someone was soon tempted.
"Officer, can I join? I will work hard and I can make wine. My family used to have a vineyard." A mother with two children snuggling up to her finally couldn't bear it anymore. Both children were pale and thin, and were obviously malnourished.
"Okay..." Jeffrey's words were just out of his mouth when he was immediately drowned out by the crowd.
"Please let me work for Mrs. Capet. I will work hard and I can make wine. My family used to have a vineyard."
"I can do it, too. I can do anything."
"Write down my name. My name is Julia. I used to be a doctor. Although I can't make wine, I can learn--"
It really is - the crowd is very excited.
Rock and Ada both underestimated the temptation of a pound of meat. Although the refugee camp stipulated that as long as the family members did not join the guerrillas, they could get a pound of meat every week, it was obvious that this rule was not strictly enforced. As for where the meat went -
I guess you can find it in the Cape Town market.
"Quiet, quiet, as long as there are mothers with children, this job is prepared by Mrs. Cape for the children, come one by one--" Jeffrey tried to maintain order, and the surrounding police quickly came to help. Some people had already been knocked down by the crowd.
Bang, bang, bang!
Rock fired a warning shot, and only then did he realize that he seemed to have underestimated the power of these Boer women.
Yes, it is understandable if you think about it. Before the British came to the Cape, the Boers controlled everything in the Cape, so there were too many talents in all aspects. For example, Julia just now, she was a rare doctor in that era, but she was locked up in a refugee camp and had to do the same work as other refugees. She might even be forced to sell herself for a piece of candy or chocolate. This kind of thing is not uncommon. If people like doctors who originally had a high social status fell into poverty, then their lives would be more difficult than other civilians.
"Everyone, I mean, let every one of them, line up and register with Officer Jeffrey in an orderly manner. Write down clearly what you can do, what education you have received, and why you were put in the refugee camp." Rock instructed Anton. There were many talented people in the refugee camp. The British before did not have the patience to screen them one by one, but Rock now had plenty of time.
"Yes, Inspector." Anton hurried away with a baton. He also had a pistol with him, but it was obviously useless against these refugees.
Rock suddenly felt a little chilly. During the Japanese colonial period, many Koreans were hired as police officers, so they were later derogatorily referred to as "Korean sticks."
Now that the British are colonizing the Cape and employing Chinese as police officers, will the Chinese become the “Chinese Sticks” of the Cape in the future?
No, no, no, this must not happen.