Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 502 Longing
He wiped the sweat off his face with his hand, pulled the towel off his shoulders, wiped it casually on his face and head, put it back again, and then warned his brother behind him: "Demao, you are still young, don't be stubborn. If you encounter a cargo box that is too heavy and you can't carry it, just let him know. Lieutenant Yang, who is in charge of the handling work, is a good person to talk to. If you feel that the cargo is too heavy to carry or you are really tired, just report to Lieutenant Yang and he will solve it."

"Hey, okay, bro, I know."

A young man about 1.75 meters tall, slightly shorter than Zhao Derong, answered with his mouth, but his hands did not slow down. He lifted a cargo box with both hands and put it on his shoulders, with a smile on his face: "Brother, we have been in Han for four or five months. We eat white rice every day, and we have mutton, pork, and beef every two days. When we rest, we can go fishing in the nearby river. If we can't eat all the fish we catch, we can sell them to the local people in Han and get a few cents in change. It's only been a few months. Brother, you see, I have gained a lot of meat and I am stronger. These cargo boxes are not heavy at all. I can carry them with one hand."

"You have become stronger." Zhao Derong glanced at his brother's body, his eyes full of happiness and longing for future life: "Although you have to do forced labor during the two-year probation period, the government not only provides meals every day and meat every two days, but also allows you to eat enough for every meal, and eat fine rice, steamed buns, and beef and mutton that you would never dare to think about before.

This South American Han Kingdom is really the legendary gold mine. Inspector Zhou really didn’t lie to us.”

"Inspector Zhou is an old man with bad intentions. He not only took away our four mu of dry land, but also took away the last three taels of silver we had. You worked hard as a laborer in Jinan for three years to save up these three taels of silver, and now they were all taken away by Inspector Zhou."

Zhao Demao moved the cargo box to the warehouse on the side. Seeing that the morning's work had been completed, he sat on an open space in the warehouse and muttered to himself: "In my hometown, three taels of silver can buy 300 kilograms of grain, 100 to kilograms of pork, kilograms of eggs, and also buy an acre of low-quality dry land.

I later asked Lord Sun, who was in charge of immigration affairs, and if we could sneak to Qingdao and find the immigration affairs office set up by the Han Kingdom in the Qi and Lu regions, we would not have to pay any money at all. We could board the transport ship to South America. We were deceived by Inspector Zhou, and we did not need to pay any fees such as ship fares and inspection fees to immigrate to South America. "

“Without Inspector Zhou’s vigorous publicity, we wouldn’t have dared to go to South America. Although we spent all our money and sold our land, it was all worth it.”

Although Zhao Derong felt sorry for the money he spent and the acres of land he sold, he was more grateful to Inspector Zhou in his heart.

The few acres of dry land in his hometown could not support him and his younger brother. His parents and one sister were killed by the rebels because of the war. The remaining two people survived to adulthood by luck. They relied on working as coolies in the city. After working hard for a whole year, they earned two or three taels of silver, which was only enough for one person to support his family. If he wanted to start a family and support his wife and children, it was impossible. Moreover, the situation in the Far East was getting more and more chaotic, and the coolie work with an income of two or three taels of silver a year was becoming more and more difficult. Otherwise, if he really couldn't make a living, he couldn't make up his mind to take his only brother, spend the little money he had left, and go to South America thousands of miles away to seek a way out.

Fortunately, Inspector Zhou did not lie to him about one thing. The South American Han Kingdom was indeed a gold mine, with fertile fields, pastures, cattle, sheep, pigs and horses everywhere.

As long as they are willing to work hard, they can not only have enough food to eat, but also eat beef and mutton. After a two-year probation period, they can also obtain 10 to 15 mu of arable land per person.

Zhao Derong has seen a piece of farmland being reclaimed in the western suburbs of Xianghe City. The soil is fertile, and the fluffy black mud seems to be able to squeeze out oil when squeezed in the hands.

A government official in charge of immigration and naturalization education once encouraged him privately: he and his brother are young, tall and strong, and at the end of the two-year assessment period, they will most likely receive high assessment scores. If they receive high or excellent scores, they will not only be able to receive 15 mu of arable land each, but also have part of their loans waived.

During the two-year probation period, he was forced to undergo naturalization education and labor, and had no income. However, the Han government provided accommodation and meals. The food expenses for one year alone exceeded what Zhao Derong earned as a coolie in his hometown for two years.

Even if he was a laborer, he could earn 20 Han Yuan a year in the South American Han Kingdom. According to the current exchange rate, 20 Han Yuan was about 11 taels of silver, which was four times the income of working in the hometown city. In addition, the prices of grain, beef, pork, eggs, etc. in the Han Kingdom were only one-third or one-fourth of those in his hometown. Just by doing hard labor, he could live a life that only the landlords in his hometown could live. In the past, Zhao Derong could never have dreamed that one day he would be able to lead such a good life with his brother.

"If my father, mother, and sister had not encountered the rebels, the whole family would have been reunited in the South American Han Kingdom and lived together in the good life we ​​have today."

Thinking of his relatives who died tragically, Zhao Derong felt sad. His younger brother noticed the sad look on his brother's face, and memories of his miserable life in the past came back to him, so he calmed down.

"Dong Dong Dong" a gong sounded, which was the signal for rest and dinner.

The brothers Zhao Derong and Zhao Demao were startled by the sound of gongs and their memories were interrupted.

"Let's go. The past is in the past. From now on, South American Han Kingdom will be our new home. Everything will be fine in the future."

Brother Zhao Derong patted his younger brother on the shoulder, and the two walked out together.

"Everyone, be quiet and line up. I have some good news to share with you before we eat."

An officer of the logistics department who was in charge of the transportation of the railway station shouted loudly: "The Imperial Army has won a great victory on the front line. Nearly 7 enemy troops have been wiped out, and the Imperial Army has suffered less than 4000 casualties. The casualties of the militia and civilian laborers accompanying the army are 3000. The enemy has all withdrawn to Brazil. The Imperial Army is pursuing the enemy with all its strength. The entire territory of Paraguay has been recovered!"

"Long live, long live, long live!" The new immigrants standing below were infected and incited by the emotions of the Han officers and shouted loudly.

"Your Majesty has issued an oral order. The whole country celebrates the great victory in Paraguay. All officers, soldiers, militiamen, and civilians who participated in the war will be rewarded. With the grace of Your Majesty, the Xianghe City Immigration Working Team will exempt six months of probation for those who have been engaged in Paraguayan war transportation for more than two months. For those who have been engaged in Paraguayan war transportation for more than one month but less than two months, the probation will be exempted by three months. In addition, during the war, all those who have performed outstandingly in work related to the Paraguayan war will be uniformly commended and rewarded after the war!"

"Brother, brother, we have both worked for two months, so we can be exempted from the six-month probation period! In one year, we can get official citizenship of the Han Kingdom!" The younger brother Zhao Demao excitedly pulled his brother's arm, with a smile on his face.

"Yes, we only participated in the transportation work in the rear, and we received such a great reward from His Majesty. Brother, we must all remember His Majesty's kindness and never forget it."

"Yeah, brother, I want to be a soldier! Carry a gun and fight for His Majesty!"

My younger brother Zhao Demao said excitedly with his face flushed.

"Being a soldier involves certain dangers. Have you considered this seriously?"

On the one hand, there are various favors bestowed by the Han emperor and the government since entering South America, and on the other hand, there is the worry about the safety of his only brother.

Zhao Derong's heart was filled with hesitation and contradiction.

"Brother, I have thought about it carefully. We have no education and no skills. If we want to get married and continue the family line, the only way is to join the army. Being a soldier will definitely be dangerous, but we are in our hometown and on the ocean to the South American mainland. There are risks everywhere. If we were worried about danger, we would not sell our land and spend all our money to go to South America to make a living! Brother, I'm not afraid, and you don't have to worry!"

Every Chinese immigrant who dares to embark on a journey to make a living overseas, even if they are forced to do so, still has a trace of adventurous and hardworking genes in their bones. His brother's words awakened Zhao Derong. Putting aside the last trace of worry, Zhao Derong's eyes became firm again: "Okay, brother, I agree that you can join the army, but there is a condition. You must wait for a year. I will sign up for the army first. During this year, you will receive naturalization education in South America. After a year, you can join the army again."

"Brother, I"

"Stop talking and listen to me. There are only two of us at home. I'm the one who makes the decisions on family matters. You listen to me!"

The eldest brother is like a father. His parents and sister died tragically, and his brother raised him alone. Zhao Demao did not want to go against his brother's wishes, so he nodded and agreed.

"Boom boom boom" the sound of gongs and drums sounded again.

"I'll let you all in on another piece of news. The Empire is gradually deepening its control and occupation of the grassroots in Paraguay. It is expected that in the next few days, a number of militiamen and civilians will be recruited to go to Paraguay to participate in tasks such as logistics transportation and baggage protection. If you want to participate, please come to me tonight to sign up!"

"I, I want to sign up!"

"I want to go too! I didn't get the chance last time, so I can't miss it this time."

Stimulated by the news of victory in the war and post-war rewards, the new immigrants in the open space were excited and raised their hands to sign up actively.

"Don't worry, everyone has a chance. It's already lunch time, so don't delay your meal."

The logistics officer picked up the gong, struck it, and continued to shout at the top of his voice: "Today's food is good. The superior officer has specially approved that in order to celebrate the great victory in Paraguay, everyone's lunch will be given one beef, one mutton, and one fish. There is no limit on the amount of meat and vegetables, but don't eat too much, or you will delay your work in the afternoon."

"Thank you sir"

There was a loud voice from the crowd.

"If you want to thank someone, then thank His Majesty. Today's good day is all thanks to your Majesty leading us to this day."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Long live Your Majesty!".

There were waves of cheers from the crowd.

(End of this chapter)