C487 viral transmission (1/2)
The southern gate of the Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou. This was the outbreak of the Opium Wars, as well as the Qing Dynasty's oldest foreign trade port since the founding of the country.
However, at this time, the thirteenth row of the Second Opium War had long since disappeared into the river of history. A huge fire had completely burnt down the thirteenth row of the encampment, and even though it had partially recovered, it was no longer as glorious as it was in the past.
After the Second Opium War's opening of the Great Qing coastal cities, the sudden emergence of Shanghai had already replaced his position as the boss and became the first port of call in East Asia.
At this time in Guangzhou, compared to a few decades ago, the trade volume was less than a third. Looking at the number of sails on the dock and the sea, and recalling the scene when they were young, they could only sigh.
”What a sin. There's no way to live this life anymore …” ”If I get even hungrier, I'll go down to the Southern Ocean …”
The whining on the dock had been going on for a long time. Business was light, business was slow, even the common people who worked hard could not eat their fill, plus a year ago, the Manchuria generals had to make a circle in some special area and brought out tens of thousands of refugees. These poor people who did not have any food to eat rushed into the city, making the already difficult life even worse.
At first, people were scolding Xiao Letian, but this b * stard was still living a good life.
However, as time passed, news from the north spread and everyone was dumbfounded. The territory of the Shanghai Special Zone was being replaced. An acre for two acres was good water being poured over it. The red-crowned merchant, Hu Xueyan, was really bold.
Then looking at Tanggu's special area, it was even more shocking. The God of Fortune, Xiao Letian, bought it with cash and gave it to the commoners as a temple. From the material to the spiritual, it was enough to satisfy the commoners.
It was only now that everyone understood that it was not the Industrial Zones that was bad, but the people from the special administrative region that were bad. Sigh … People all said that the Chinese were taking care of the Chinese, which was similar to Guangzhou. When they met this group of Manchu lords, they would immediately fight over them.
They should have complained, but they also couldn't understand how hungry they were. Their fierce long hair was suppressed by the imperial government, and these civilians who had lost their lands didn't dare to cause any trouble. The entire city's generals were waiting for them to make trouble, and if they don't come back by then, their brains would be borrowed.
What? What's the use of borrowing your head? Isn't that obvious? A powder of lime is a good spoils of war. A pile of heads can be sent to the imperial government for a reward and silver.
”Ai …” ”These years, you are really killing the poor …”
Just when the dock was in a state of gloom, a low cry suddenly came from the distance. Many of the laborers who were hungry and basking in the sunlight actually jumped up and looked towards the sea.
”Look!” Is that the Chen family's ship? Why did he hang a flag with the word 'Xiao' on it? Could it be that the main house had changed? Everyone, stop sleeping, I'm here to buy and sell the Singapore's Chen Family's cargo ship, maybe I can get a jug of wine to drink tonight … ”
The crowd rushed forward with a boom, waiting for the job given by the Chen family's cargo ship. With this big ship's cargo, the hard laborers present would probably all have jobs to do.
Countless ships at the mouth of the Pearl River watched as that freighter with the strange 'Xiao' insignia on its head drove into the river. Many ship bosses who were familiar with the ship shouted from afar.
”Chen Family...” What's up with hanging the word 'Xiao'? ” Before the bronze faced captain could reply, the people on the dock were surprised to find that there was more than one ship with the word 'Xiao' on it.
”Look! All the boats behind us have a 'Xiao' character!” ”What's going on …” In everyone's eyes, there were more than ten ocean-going cargo ships behind the Chen Family's merchant ships. At the top of the mast, there were all kinds of large and small banners.
”Hahaha …” Let me tell you, this Xiao Tainqi is the flag of the Ryukyu Prime Minister Xiao Letian who shook Europa, and the one on my ship is personally bestowed by the Prime Minister … Master has already led troops into the Singapore, we have to return and defend against the Ryukyu … ”
”Prime Minister Xiao is still alive and well. He's back with his troops …”
Since ancient times, Guangzhou had been the place where Chinese merchants gathered. This was one of the most well-informed cities in China, and the rumors about Xiao Letian had already spread like wildfire through people's ears.
”Good heavens! The Prime Minister Xiao is still alive? Weren't they all saying that he was dead …? ”Some said that he had been stabbed by a bayonet and died. Others said that he had been killed by pirates on his way back …”
”Yes, is there anyone who says that the French ships that are hunting him all over the world have blown him up on the sea? At that time, I even cried for a while, and was able to run to Europa to vent my anger for us! ”
The bronze skinned captain arrogantly stood on the deck with his hands on his hips and shouted, ”It's all bullshit, it's all nonsense!” The Prime Minister returned to the Singapore unscathed, and even the British dressed up as a team to welcome them … The reason we hung up our Xiao character recognition flag s was to inform everyone that the Prime Minister has returned to his country, and the end of the life of the French is near … ”