Nanyang Storm 1864

"Seventh brother, it's your Mojia Town Cavalry Company's turn this month, right? How about it? Do you want to do some work?" Uncle Wang San asked with a smile.

Mo Xingli picked up his beer mug, took a big sip, shook his head and replied, "Forget it, I'm too old to join in the fun, you guys go ahead."

"It would be a pity not to go. This time we heard that a large group of Arabs are migrating here. It is said that they were driven here during a tribal conflict. There are as many as three to four thousand of them. It's a big job." Uncle Wang San persuaded with a look of regret.

Mo Xingli waved his hand, meaning that the Mojia Town Cavalry would not participate, but would only patrol the border according to the rules.

There are many pastures on the northern border of the Congo River Governor's Office. The Chinese militia has fast horses and light guns, and their combat effectiveness is quite strong. The largest number of cavalry is also concentrated in this area.

Continuing south from Huangshi Prefecture, you will enter the farming area, where lush tropical forests stretch endlessly and rivers and mountains crisscross. This is the main production area for crops such as rice and rapeseed.

The entire nomadic area

It is concentrated in the area extending eastward from Dahaiwan City to Daxing City, and further eastward along the Northern Railway to Moonlight Lake City, totaling about 60 square kilometers.

The climate here is semi-arid desert hilly. Going further south, you will enter the tropical forest climate zone.

For ranchers

Forests, valleys, and pastures were valuable resources, and being able to graze cattle on French territory, even for a few months, was a huge advantage.

Seeing that Mo Laoqi was not interested, several other ranchers started discussing the matter of "extorting money from the poor".

Anyway, there are enough people. Dozens of ranchers can get together to form hundreds of cavalrymen, so the Mo Ranch is not short of them.

Mo Xingli's ranch business is now on track. His cereal and milk powder are selling very well in South Africa, providing a steady income every year, so there is no need to take risks.

He himself didn't want to go, nor did he want his children to go.

Although the Chinese cowboys were well-equipped and had rich combat experience, they had an absolute advantage in their battles with the Arab nomads with a record of six wins, three draws and one loss.

This kind of "auction" thing is unpredictable and the risk is quite high.

He turned and looked out the window

At the dock outside the window, there is a huge livestock transport ship. This ship can transport 2 cattle and more than sheep, with an astonishing loading capacity.

The single voyage from Grand Bay City to Port Elizabeth in South Africa takes only 4 days, which is not a long journey.

Through the afterglow of the sunset

You can see cowboys driving cattle and boarding the ship along the narrow gangway. The cattle are mooing and the cowboys are shouting and cracking their whips.

In just three or four hours, more than 4,000 cattle can be loaded onto the ship.

Next comes the loading of the sheep, which are usually placed on the upper and middle decks of the live cattle transport ship. They are also loaded through a winding and narrow gangway, and with the cooperation of the sheepdogs, the speed is quite fast.

The British Expeditionary Force in South Africa, with a strength of more than 40 men, plus more than 20 local British expatriates and more than Boer women and children accommodated in concentrated camps, all relied on the large quantities of cattle, sheep and food exported from the Congo River.

Those British soldiers were very picky and had to eat authentic Norfolk lamb. They didn't like frozen meat and had to have fresh live lamb roasted to taste like home.

They don't eat the sheep's internal organs, heads, or hooves. They only eat the ribs and leg meat. Even if a sheep weighing over 30 pounds is slaughtered, only about pounds of meat will remain.

How much does this army of more than 40 consume every month, including food and waste?
South Africa today

The entire production order has been completely destroyed. The British army burned and killed people everywhere on the Boer pastures in South Africa, and killed livestock directly when they saw them, just to cut off the food supply of the Boer guerrillas.

The new commander-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force, Lord Kitchener, used a strangulation strategy and set up Boer concentration camps in an attempt to cut off the guerrillas' logistical support.

A large number of Boers were imprisoned in concentration camps, leaving thousands of pastures unattended and completely abandoned.

This has resulted in a huge food gap that needs to be filled urgently.

The Boer guerrillas' combat strategy was to focus on attacking the railway lines, logistics warehouses and supply points used by the British to transport logistical supplies.

Once the enemy is defeated, everything will be burned except for the supplies, weapons and ammunition that can be taken away.

All livestock, including cattle and sheep, were killed without exception. Even if they could not be taken away, they would not be left to the British.

Recently
Under the command of their leaders Botha and De Wet, the Boer guerrillas advanced thousands of miles deep into the British Cape Colony, mainly attacking its weak logistical base.

The Boer guerrillas launched more than ten attacks on the British troops stationed in Transvaal and Orange, and were successful every time. They captured a large amount of arms, supplies and artillery, and burned a large amount of food and livestock.

As long as the livestock were locked in the cowshed and the hay pile next to it was set on fire, the livestock that had been transported there with great effort would be choked to death by the thick smoke, even if they were not burned to death. This caused huge losses to the British army.

It is said that the Boer guerrillas led by General De Wet even reached the vicinity of Port Elizabeth and attacked several important logistics camps in succession.

The raging fire that burned the materials burned for several days and nights, burning half the sky red.

The more intense the fighting at the front, the more the logistics cannot stop.

The Congo River Governor's Office is the nearest material supply base, and large ships transporting food and livestock are constantly coming and going, continuously delivering them to South Africa.

Anyway, the British are rich, and the major banks in the Great Chu Empire are lending money as much as they can, and they are not afraid at all that the British will default on their debts.

The huge demand continued to drive the economic development of the entire Congo River colony.

These few years

The local ranches, plantations, factories, and industries and commerce are visibly prospering. Ranches are expanding their populations, plantations are expanding their planting areas, and factories are working overtime day and night to produce, and the market is becoming increasingly prosperous.

The overall economic level has been raised to a higher level, which is a visible benefit brought by the South African War.

Mo Xingli was just a small rancher. He couldn't understand the British global strategy, and that was not his concern.

He just hopes

The longer this war in South Africa drags on, the better. It will probably be difficult to find such a good customer as the British in the future.

As long as the cattle and sheep driven here are loaded onto the boat, the rancher will be done.

For subsequent transactions, the designated trading houses will pay for the goods and deposit the money directly into the bank accounts opened by these farmers in Greater Bay City, which can be checked within seven days.

The trading company was responsible for transportation and handover with the British Expeditionary Force's logistics department, settlement of payments, transfers and other matters.

There are only five of these large trading companies with deep backgrounds that hold foreign trade licenses issued by the Congo River Governor's Office, and only one of them has the right to trade in live cattle, sheep, horses, and mules.

Large companies have many rigid rules and regulations, which can indeed reassure the majority of farmers and ranchers and plantation owners. Strength and reputation are the guarantee.

This avoided the drawbacks of multiple external forces, maintained relatively fair prices for goods exported from the Congo River Colony, and benefited more Chinese people. After selling the cattle and sheep, Mo Xingli, his children, grandchildren, and a group of hired workers rushed back to Mojia Town overnight.

When I got home, it was already around 1 a.m.

There were a few guys waiting at the town entrance. When they saw the horse team hurried back in the night, they couldn't help but whistle excitedly, and the sound could be heard far away in the quiet night.

"Everyone go back and have some rest. You still have things to do tomorrow."

"I see, Dad. You've been busy all the time, so you should get some rest early."

"Well, let's go."

Mo Xingli turned over and dismounted at the door. A servant came up and took the horse, then took it away and carefully served it.

At night, the sweaty horse must be walked for a while to dry out, then covered with a thick blanket to keep it warm and led into the stable to prevent it from catching a cold.

It is best to feed some black bean concentrate with eggs to help the horse recover its strength as quickly as possible and enhance its resistance.

Mo Xingli walked in holding a horsewhip. His wives and concubines and servants were already waiting for him at the door. After bowing and greeting him, they escorted the master into the house.

The old wine had been warmed up in the house, more than ten kinds of dishes were placed on the table, and lamb was being roasted on an iron skewer charcoal stove, which showed that everything had been prepared in advance.

After washing his face and hands, Mo Xingli walked to the seat at the banquet. Only after sitting down did he feel sore all over. He waved to his children and grandchildren to sit down.

The Eight Immortals Table was full of people, all of whom were the children and grandchildren who had followed Mo Xingli to the port to sell cattle. Now they had all grown up and were strong and powerful.

For the grandchildren who were in their teens and could not sit at the table, a small table was set up nearby. There was meat, vegetables, and pancakes, but none of them were well-behaved and did not pick up their chopsticks.

Only when Mo Xingli picked up his chopsticks could these men, both young and old, start eating.

The rules say women can only serve on the side and are not allowed to sit at the table.

Mo Xingli felt proud when he saw the lively scene of his family surrounded by children and grandchildren.

He picked up the bowl and took a leisurely sip of wine, then said to his sons, "Eat now. You are all very hungry. Eat well and have a good sleep. Then you will have the energy to work tomorrow."

"Got it, Dad. Let us toast you a glass of wine and wish you good health and prosperity for the ranch."

"Well, okay..." Mo Xingli picked up the wine glass and took another sip.

Most of the strong men at the Eight Immortals Table drank the whole drink in one gulp, then picked up their chopsticks and started to eat with hearty mouthfuls, enjoying the meal to their heart's content.

After such a long journey, I was only able to eat the dry biscuits and cold water I brought with me while the ship was being loaded at the dock. I was already starving.

The women brought out the grilled lamb skewers and lamb chops, which were steaming hot. This was the favorite of the men on the ranch. Everyone started to roll them up in pancakes and eat them with big mouthfuls, their mouths full of oil.

He drank wine and ate meat with big mouthfuls, and was really having a great time.

"Dad, let me toast you again. You are old, so let us brothers handle these tasks from now on." The speaker was Mo Yuanshan, the third son of the Mo family. He graduated from the Cebu Administrative College of the Great Chu Empire and was the son who understood management the best.

In the management of the ranch today, Mo Lao San is one of his most capable assistants.

Mo Lao San did not go with the cattle to the port this time. He was mainly responsible for the overall management of the ranch, such as how much land to plant this year, how many cattle and sheep to raise, arranging spring plowing and autumn harvest, logistical matters, etc.

Now he still holds the title of deputy mayor and has considerable weight in front of his father, so he sits next to Mo Xingli's assistant.

Most of the adult children of the Mo family got married at the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Then he built a separate house and moved out to live on his own. Every year, depending on his job, he would receive salary, food and dividends from the ranch and live his own life.

The children on these ranches mature very early. They can ride horses freely at the age of four or five, and graze cattle at the age of seven or eight.

Even if they learned to read and write, it was done while they were grazing in the wild. They would set up a small blackboard and sit around to study. As long as they could recognize the words, it was enough.

Only children with learning talent can continue their studies.

Mo Xingli took a few bites of food, put down his chopsticks, and then sighed and said, "I can't help but accept my age. My back and waist are sore after a day. I remember when your father was young, he could drive cattle south for four or five months and still be full of energy."

"Dad, it's time for you to enjoy your life. Your children and grandchildren are all grown up now and can help you share your worries. Come, have a piece of freshly grilled lamb chops."

"Well, I don't have to worry about you guys taking care of me." Mo Xingli took a few bites of the lamb chops and said casually;
"Today at the port, I happened to run into your Third Master Wang and Uncle Lei. They urged Dad to take his men north to raid for money. Dad refused. Those Arabs are not easy to deal with, so there's no need to take the risk."

When the old man mentioned this, the sons who were eating happily immediately put down their chopsticks and looked at each other.

There was an eagerness to try in each of their eyes.

Young people!

People in their twenties are the age when they are brave and aggressive. Even those in their twenties and twenties cannot escape this habit and like to do exciting and adventurous things.

When they heard that their father had refused, they couldn't help but show disappointment on their faces.

Mo Yuanshan was very calm. He nodded in agreement and said;
"Dad is right. Go back and tell your brothers. This time we're on duty at the northern border. No one is allowed to cross the border without permission to plunder."

Dad has already said you are not allowed to go. Anyone who dares to violate the rules will be punished according to the family rules!
I'm going to make a statement here

Anyone who violates this rule, no matter who they are, will have their silver ration reduced by 30% at the end of the year as a punishment.

Let me be frank with you, if there are people who knowingly break the law, don't blame me, Mo Lao San, for enforcing the law impartially. No one's pleading for mercy will be of any use.

The country has its own laws, and the family has its own rules. Did you hear what Dad said?"

"Third brother, is it so strict...Is it not possible for me to go and take a look?" Someone below was reluctant and weakly resisted.

Mo Yuanshan sneered and said, "Fourteenth Brother, you dare to go against your father's will. You won't be on duty this year. Go with your second brother and the others to roam the nomadic world, so you don't get into any trouble."

"Third brother, is this true?" Mo Shisi became anxious and quickly looked at Mo Xingli, pleading in his eyes, and said, "Dad, it's not easy for me to get my turn, just let me go."

Mo Xingli snorted coldly, picked up the wine bowl and took a sip, then refused, saying, "Listen to your third brother. If you don't change your reckless personality, don't go there anymore."

"Ah... Dad, I will definitely change." Mo Shisi didn't dare to be stubborn anymore. He lowered his head and took a big bite of the pancake in his hand.

The old man is extremely important. He has the final say on the ranch and no one dares to disobey him.

In traditional Chinese family-run ranches, parents and elders are both ranchers and patriarchs. Disobeying them is considered disobedient and unfilial, a reputation no one can bear. (End of this chapter)