The Australian Revolution of 1828

After leaving the matchmaking hall, Lao Wei led his newly chosen wife from Xunyang to the payment counter and handed over the 50 silver dollars matchmaking fee that he had prepared in advance.

After finishing their business, the two arrived at the port one after the other, searching everywhere for Old Chen, who was on duty.

Old Chen, dressed in a striking black police uniform, could easily spot seven or eight patrol officers at a glance in the port area, constantly mediating the numerous minor conflicts that occurred there.

Based on his familiarity with Old Chen's physique, Old Wei determined the location and rushed over.

The woman following closely behind Lao Wei also followed.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that Old Chen was dealing with a dispute. The cause of the dispute was quite simple: the two men had bumped into each other, which led to the conflict.

After about three minutes, the conflict was resolved, and Old Chen finally had a moment to himself. He said, "Don't let my official uniform fool you; this job isn't easy."

"We have to deal with countless minor disputes like that every day."

After working for a long time, it's inevitable to feel frustrated and need to vent. However, venting can easily lead to minor conflicts, which require patrol officers to mediate as quickly as possible to prevent escalation.

Speaking of such conflicts, gold mines are not uncommon. Old Wei has seen them before, so he's not surprised. He said, "Old Chen, you're really suited for this job. You handle it with ease."

"With my personality, being straightforward only makes things worse."

Everyone has their own opinions about work, and Old Chen didn't want to talk about it much, so he changed the subject and said, "Old Wei, is this the wife you just took a liking to?"

"Don't forget me when you get married."

Old Wei, being all alone, had no intention of holding a banquet. He said, "Forget about the banquet. Tonight, we'll just have a cup of nuptial wine together, and that will be enough to settle the marriage."

"Unlike you, Old Chen, who has a family, a business, a wife and children, and is at the peak of your success."

At this point, Old Chen's mind started working, and he said, "Old Wei, you came to Hanyang all alone, without any relatives or friends."

"And I am the same; apart from these properties I've acquired, I have no relatives or friends."

"If you agree, how about we become sworn brothers? That way we can help each other out in the future, okay?"

The two shared a common sense and got along well.

Old Wei hadn't expected such a gain. One of the men, dressed in official robes, wasn't going to be at a disadvantage and readily agreed, saying, "Brother Chen, I'm willing."

Having obtained Lao Wei's consent, Lao Chen didn't hesitate and decisively instructed, "Take your sister-in-law and wait over there for a while. I'll go ask the station for leave."

"Today is a day of double celebration, both for your marriage and for us to become good brothers."

After taking leave, Lao Wei took Lao Chen and the other man to the residence in Hanyang City.

Because war could break out in Hanyang at any time, the Xia state did not build residences in the port area.

As for the towering three-story concrete bungalows, they served only as temporary residences for immigrants and temporary housing for port workers.

If you really want to buy a house, you should buy it within Hanyang city. It has the protection of city walls and a safe living environment, which is much better than the port.

Old Chen bought a house in Hanyang City. It was about 300 square meters in size, with five living rooms, a warehouse for storing grain and other supplies, a kitchen, and a courtyard in the middle of the house.

This layout was established on the day Hanyang was founded; the house types are similar, and they are all brick and tile houses.

This one house cost Old Chen 170 silver dollars at the time.

To say I'm worried about the money isn't so bad, since I have a family now. But to say I'm not worried at all is a bit of a shame, since it's all money I've saved up little by little.

They took a passenger ship from the port area and traveled across the Swan River to the outskirts of Hanyang City. The three then walked to their residence inside the city.

The dock outside the city wasn't far from the city center; it took about 20 minutes to walk there before we entered the city.

Old Chen led the two straight to his house and called out, "Xiulian, I'm back. Quickly prepare some good food; I'm going to hold a simple wedding for my brother."

The lady of the house peeked out from inside the courtyard, saw the strange man and woman Old Chen had brought back, and quickly replied, "Yes, sir!"

Back when he was working at the gold mine, Old Chen had an indigenous wife and was earning two jobs. Just over three months later, Old Chen had taken another wife, which truly surprised Old Wei.

Pointing to the busy woman in the kitchen, he gave her a thumbs up and said, "Brother Chen, you're really something!"

"At the time, I thought it was just bragging. You said you'd marry a Chinese woman, and you actually did it."

Old Chen was quite proud of himself, saying, "Otherwise, I wouldn't lie to you, would I?"

"Back then, I worked day and night in the mine, and only I know the hardships I endured. Now I've transferred to the police station, isn't it all for a better life?"

"It feels a bit unreal that this dream suddenly came true."

"In a place like Hanyang, there is still a chance for us poor people to rise up."

Old Wei, deeply moved, chimed in, "That's exactly right!"

"With the development of Hanyang over the years, we immigrants who have worked hard are gradually ushering in better days. When our children grow up, it will be their time to enjoy life."

Old Chen wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Each generation is always better than the last!"

"If we're talking about such a good thing, we have to thank His Majesty for bringing us, who should have starved to death, to Hanyang."

"We had enough to eat and even meat, which was better than what the landlords in the Qing Dynasty could do."

"Life is truly wonderful!"

Thinking back to the Qing Dynasty, the two had many stories, all expressing their contempt for the Qing Dynasty and their deep admiration and gratitude for the current Emperor Han Qingyun.

Old Wei nodded repeatedly in agreement, saying, "That's exactly right!"

"As long as we are willing to work hard, we can eat well, dress well, and even have our own house in Hanyang."

"Moreover, I have found the wife I like, the only problem is that we haven't had any children yet."

"Life will be really comfortable when my wife gives birth to a big, healthy son next year."

While they were chatting, Madam Chen had prepared the meal. With the help of her indigenous concubine, she brought several dishes to the table one after another before saying, "Husband, the food is ready. Please join the guests for a meal."

"I'll take this little girl to eat over there!"

The wife that Lao Wei had just chosen was about 25 years old, quite voluptuous, with a prominent bust and buttocks. In terms of appearance and figure, she was quite in line with the aesthetic standards of people in Hanyang.

He seemed a little reserved because he couldn't understand Mandarin. Fortunately, he could understand Chen's meaning through gestures and the things around him.

After being instructed by Lao Wei, they followed Chen to another room for a meal.

The two men ate and chatted, talking about Hanyang and the good life there.

During his five years in Hanyang, Lao Chen experienced the entire process from hunger to basic needs being met, and then from basic needs being met to being able to eat his fill and have meat. It can be said that he remembers it all vividly.