ATPnovel Chapter 91 Chinese Laborers' Quarters
Chapter 91 Chinese Laborers' Quarters
Chapter 91 Chinese Laborers' Quarters
On the Elizabeth merchant ship.
"I never expected to earn some extra money before setting sail."
A white sailor leaned against the mast, smiling as he looked at the scenery along the riverbank, and said, "The Royal Navy is indeed the Royal Navy; they pay readily and the work is easy."
"Speaking of which, that naval lieutenant commander's business is quite large."
Another sailor, looking at the dozen or so merchant ships of various shapes and sizes behind the Elizabeth, said, "With so many ships going to pick them up, there must be at least several thousand people."
The sailor who spoke earlier chimed in, "I wonder if they're being sold to North America or South America? My uncle in South America wrote that a Chinese person can be sold for 500 pesos there, which is equivalent to a year's salary for us."
"Stop talking, lower the sails! There's a boat blocking the river ahead!"
The captain's voice rang out, and the dozen or so sailors on board began to move quickly.
Some dropped anchor from their ships to begin braking. Others climbed the masts, lowered the sails, and hoisted a red and yellow Y-shaped flag to inform the ships behind them that their vessels were braking urgently to avoid a collision.
Soon, the fleet of twelve ships came to a stop on the river.
A small boat, having traveled downstream, stopped in front of the Elizabeth. A Han Chinese man inside asked in fluent English, "Gentlemen, are you employed by Lieutenant Colonel Harvey?"
"Yes, sir."
The captain of the Elizabeth leaned out and asked, "Where is the cargo we were assigned to transport?"
The Han man pointed behind him and said, "It's on the shore just ahead."
The captain picked up his monoculars and looked in the direction the person had pointed. He saw a dense crowd sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Dozens of people in the crowd carried heavy metal barrels painted green, and every now and then they would press the leather pressure bags in their hands to spray liquid onto people.
"Sir, what are you doing?"
"Spray disinfectant to eliminate germs," the Han man said. "By the way, you should also spray it on your ship later, in case anyone gets sick and dies along the way."
The captain's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "You actually have something this good? And it really works?"
For sailors who spend years at sea, the biggest fear is someone on board getting sick, especially with infectious diseases. If spraying this disinfectant can prevent illness, it would be an extremely lucrative business.
The man didn't answer him again, but continued downstream to deliver the information to the boat behind him.
Meanwhile, in Jiujiang Town.
Rong Hong looked at the people outside the town and asked doubtfully, "Did we bring this thing with us?"
Hongwu calmly replied, "It's on the Breaking Waves ship. You didn't notice, did you?"
"Really?" Rong Hong scratched his forehead. "Could it be that I really didn't notice?"
Hongwu whistled, looked at Tang He, and ordered, "Arrange five of our own men, one doctor, and four guards on each ship. I don't trust those white people."
Tang He nodded and said, "I've got it. I'll give the order later."
"Also, we need to prepare some food and fresh water, as they may not have enough on their ship."
Yung Wing interjected, "Has the venue been arranged after the person was sent to Hong Kong?"
Tang He said, "We plan to settle them at the Chinese laborers' quarters first, since that's the only place with enough space to shelter them from the wind and rain."
The Chinese Laborers' Quarters were located in the area of Tak Kee Street, Peel Street and Shui Chi Lane on Hong Kong Island. By 1855, Hong Kong was already a center of the indentured labor trade. Before ships set sail, numerous huts were built in this area to house the laborers temporarily.
Historical records show that countless Chinese laborers tied their braids together, forming a chain, and led it to their homes.
"A piglet farm?"
Hong Rengan recalled the place and shook his head: "That place was crowded and damp, and there were so many women and children among our people. I was afraid we would be bullied there."
Hongwu smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Hong, please rest assured. Now that arrangements have been made, we are confident."
"What makes you so confident?"
"I can't say for sure, but our colleagues on Hong Kong Island are already doing this."
, 7
Just as Hongwu was making arrangements, Li Wenmao and Chen Xianliang arrived together.
"Brother Hong, are the arrangements complete? The banquet over there is ready and waiting for you."
Li Wenmao strode in and said, "Let me tell you, the chef worked in Guangzhou restaurants for many years, and I've heard his abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, roast goose, and char siu are really authentic!"
"It'll be here soon."
Hongwu turned to look at the two marshals and cupped his hands in greeting. "Judging from your appearance, have the evacuation arrangements been completed?"
Li Wenmao said, "The brothers have already made almost all the preparations, and they can leave when the time comes. What we are doing now is simply arranging for those villagers to hide far away so that they will not be massacred by the Qing army later."
Rong Hong, who was standing to the side, sighed and asked, "Will this really work? How far and how long can we hide from them?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xianliang said, "It doesn't need to be far or for long, just hold on for this period of time. Besides, some of my brothers and I will stay in the nearby mountains to shelter the villagers."
Hong Ren frowned and said, "Marshal Chen, do you really want to stay? Guangdong is a vital source of revenue for the Qing government. With the few troops you have, can you really withstand wave after wave of encirclement and suppression?"
"If I can't hold on, I'll just die." Chen Xianliang smiled and said nonchalantly, "To be born here and die here is not a bad choice."
"Actually, you might not necessarily die."
Hongwu suddenly spoke up: "If we take advantage of the mountainous terrain and set up numerous strongholds to store food, we can maneuver around the Qing army inside and hold out for seven or eight years."
Chen Xianliang's eyes lit up, and he said, "Brother Hong, what you said is exactly what I was thinking."
"I'll retreat to the mountains as soon as the Qing army arrives, and I'll harass the city as soon as they leave. I'll keep bothering that old dog Shen until he's exhausted!"
Hong Rengan shook his head and said, "Mr. Hongwu, you yourself said that this can only last for seven or eight years. What about after seven or eight years?"
Li Wenmao grinned: "Seven or eight years from now, that family should have already taken over Guangxi and marched back to Guangzhou."
"With guns and cannons in hand, and Brother Hong having previously promised to provide me with food and manpower, I will certainly not let Xianliang fall into such a predicament."
"Second brother, I'll wait for you to come back here."
The two marshals of the Red Turban Army smiled at each other.
Outside Jiujiang Town, the Qing army camp.
Inside the central command tent, Shen Dihui sat behind his desk with a gloomy expression, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface, making a rhythmic tapping sound.
The generals standing in the tent were silent, none of them daring to speak first.
Yesterday's crushing defeat, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of men, cast a pall of gloom over the entire camp.
Those soldiers who managed to escape are still talking nonsense in the camp, spouting tales of sorcery and ghostly weapons, causing great unrest among the troops. It took more than a dozen heads to barely suppress this evil spirit.
"Report!"
A scout strode in and knelt on one knee: "My lord, a large number of merchant ships have been spotted on the river outside Jiujiang Town, loading civilians."
Shen Dihui paused, his finger pausing. "A lot? How much?"
"There were about a dozen ships, with British, American, and Portuguese flags, but the most common was the British flag."
An uproar erupted inside the tent.
A lieutenant general couldn't help but ask, "Sir, are those Red Turban rebels moving the people?"
Shen Dihui breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That makes sense now."
"Sir, what makes sense?" someone asked.
"I was wondering why the British would risk their lives to help the Red Turban rebels, since they didn't have much money or food."
Shen Dihui's face was grim as he said, "Now that I think about it, the Red Turban rebels used the common people as bargaining chips to get those foreign guns!"
The tent fell silent for a moment.
Shen Dihui walked back to the desk, picked up a brush, laid out paper, dipped the brush tip in ink, and wrote with his wrist suspended.
"I will immediately write a letter and present it to Lord Ye."
"The British are smuggling arms in Guangdong, funding rebels, and killing and wounding government officials and soldiers. This matter must be reported to the Governor-General's Office, and Lord Ye should negotiate with the British envoy."
He paused, his pen scribbling heavily on the paper: "I want to see what those red-haired devils have to say in front of the Governor."
The letter was quickly written, and Shen Dihui stamped it with his official seal and handed it to a trusted aide: "Send it to Guangzhou by express courier."
"yes!"
The confidant took the letter and quickly left the tent.
Shen Dihui stared in the direction of Jiujiang Town, his eyes filled with malice.
The British are despicable in their actions and their hearts are wicked!
Meanwhile, in Central, Hong Kong Island.
A carriage stopped on a quiet street. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey got out of the carriage, straightened his collar, and looked up at the two-story Western-style building hidden among the green trees in front of him.
This is one of the best locations in Victoria City, and those who live here are all members of Hong Kong's upper class.
Harvey took a deep breath and stepped onto the path.
He wasn't wearing his naval uniform today, but rather a dark double-breasted dress, making him look like an ordinary businessman. However, his upright posture and steady gait still revealed a military bearing that was hard to completely conceal.
A servant came to greet them at the door, and Harvey followed him inside.
His henchmen delivered the visit card yesterday, and he only came over after the owner of the place agreed to meet him.
The servant led him into the living room to wait.
The living room is not large, but it is tastefully furnished.
Several meticulously framed copperplate engravings of British landscapes hung on the wall, along with an early survey map of Hong Kong Island. On a small mahogany table by the window sat an exquisite silver tea set.
A moment later, footsteps came from the stairs.
Harvey got up and saw a man in his fifties walk down.
He was of medium height, with neatly combed brown hair, a thin face, gold-rimmed glasses, a dark morning suit, and a pencil in his hand.
Charles St. George Clifton was the Chief Surveyor of the Hong Kong Surveyors' Office, responsible for urban construction and land management throughout Victoria City.
"Lieutenant Colonel Harvey?"
Cleveland laughed and extended his hand to shake Harvey's. "You're a rare guest. There are so many balls in Hong Kong every year, but I've only seen you a handful of times."
Harvey smiled slightly and said, "I was really tied up with duties before. Now that I have much more time, remember to invite me to the ball or something next time."
Hong Kong is so small, the fact that he was transferred to the shore-based logistics department couldn't be kept secret.
After the two chatted about the scenery and recent developments, Harvey got straight to the point: "Mr. Cleveland, I apologize for visiting today, but I have a business matter I'd like to discuss with you."
Cleveland picked up his teacup, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Business?"
Harvey nodded, took a folded document from his pocket, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it over.
Cleveland put down his teacup, picked up the document, and unfolded it. After reading only a few lines, his expression changed.
It was a written application, located not far from the dock, and the purchase price offered was reasonable.
"Mr. Harvey, you come to me for such a trivial matter? You could have just sent it to the government office directly."
17
"So many people are vying for this land, how can we not inform you beforehand, Mr. Clifty?" Harvey said. "Also, I need some housing to accommodate the people who will be arriving in Hong Kong soon."
"Who are they? How many are there?"
"There are approximately seven thousand Chinese people."
Cleveland frowned slightly. "Seven thousand people? Mr. Harvey, you've suddenly started doing such a big business all of a sudden?"
Harvey said slowly, "I've already chosen a location for the houses; they're in the Chinese laborers' quarters near the docks."
That place was originally intended to house Chinese laborers. I need your order to have the people there vacate the houses for a few days.
Clifton was silent for a moment, then nodded: "The Chinese laborers' quarters are indeed under the jurisdiction of the General Surveying Office. If it's only for a few days, I think they'll give me that favor."
A servant brought him paper and pen. He picked up the pen and wrote a few lines on the paper, then stamped it with the official seal of the General Surveying Office.
"Mr. Harvey, is there nothing else?" Cleveland raised an eyebrow and handed the paper to Harvey.
Harvey put away the papers and said, "My servant will bring a gift later as a token of my gratitude."
Cleveland gave a genuine smile: "Then I'll be looking forward to your gift."
Shuichi Lane, the settlement of Chinese laborers.
He Gui, in his fifties, is the neighborhood head of this street located at the intersection of Sheung Wan and Central, and also the manager of the pigsty. At this moment, he is sitting in his accounting room, turning the abacus beads and checking the accounts for this month.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a young man walked in.
"Are you He Gui?" he asked.
He Gui frowned, displeased with his tone, and said, "Who let you, you good-for-nothing, in?"
The young man ignored him and took out a letter from his pocket, placing it on the table.
He Gui originally didn't want to see it, but his intuition from years of wandering the underworld made him lower his head, and his expression changed instantly.
He didn't recognize the English writing on it, but he recognized the official seal of the Surveying and Mapping Office.
"this----"
He Gui raised his head and said with a forced smile, "Young brother, I was blind to your greatness. May I ask what's written on this?"
The young man said coldly, "Make room in all the houses in the Chinese laborers' quarters. New people are coming to stay for a few days."
99
"So that's what it is." He Gui breathed a sigh of relief. "How many people? I'll arrange it right now."
"Seven thousand."
He Gui gasped in shock.
How many?
Seven thousand people?
The entire Shuichi Lane was full of houses, which could only accommodate three thousand people.
How can seven thousand people be housed?
"Young man, there are definitely not enough houses for seven thousand people," he said cautiously. "We can only accommodate a maximum of three thousand people here. Any more than that, and we'll have to build sheds."
The young man looked at him, still with that calm expression: "Then let's go with three thousand."
3"
"That's not enough. I will contact the Chinese laborers' quarters on Des Kip Street and Peel Street."
, 7