As if being electrocuted, everyone in the audience turned their attention to the door, where already stood a tall visitor. He was dressed like a fashionable young man from Europe. He wore a t-shirt over a brocade vest and luxurious sash. Pleated velvet coat in dark gray. [Read the latest chapter] He did not wear a stiff ruffle collar, and the dark coat outline was set off by glittering golden ribbons, which extended from the neck to both sides, past the ruffles of his shirt, and ended at the top of his stockings. A small piece of white silk gloves was exposed from the side of the pocket. His right hand held a feather hat nonchalantly, and his left hand with a shining ring rested on the hilt of a sword inlaid with gold and jade. The guests whispered about the newcomer's identity, resume, clothing and various related legends. Even the medal decorated with ribbons on his chest was even said to be the Peking University rewarded by Queen Luo Jia Wenggu. The Gemstone Medal of 2016 was actually just an ordinary cross awarded by the Jesuits.
As if being electrocuted, everyone in the audience turned their attention to the door, where already stood a tall visitor. He was dressed like a fashionable young man from Europe. He wore a t-shirt over a brocade vest and luxurious sash. Pleated velvet coat in dark gray. He did not wear a stiff collar, and the dark outline of his coat was set off by glittering golden ribbons, which extended from the neck to both sides, past the ruffles of his shirt, and ended at the top of his stockings. A small piece of white silk gloves was exposed from the side of the pocket. His right hand held a feather hat nonchalantly, and his left hand with a shining ring rested on the hilt of a sword inlaid with gold and jade. The guests whispered about the newcomer's identity, resume, clothing and various related legends. Even the medal decorated with ribbons on his chest was even said to be the Peking University rewarded by Queen Luo Jia Wenggu. Gem Medal of the Year. In fact, it was just an ordinary cross issued by the Society of Jesus.
Weiss Lando squinted his eyes and walked into the hall. Hundreds of thick blubber candles bloomed like flowers, plus the light reflected from the white-grey walls. It was dizzying for a moment. Manila, like most cities of this era, was completely dominated by darkness at night. Even if he stayed in the best hotel in the area, the light provided in the room was only a dim coconut oil lamp that flickered on and off. The torch cages on the fortress and the torches on both sides of the main road can only be regarded as a few stars in the night.
Only at this moment, this brightly lit living room made him feel as if he had returned to Lingao, to the civilized world, and even to the stage of the metropolis. The show is about to begin, the lights are on, and the curtain is about to be drawn. Count Vincenzo Lando di Vananova is about to make his official debut.
"The count had the air of a conqueror. He stood in front of the door in military uniform, looking down at the guests like Emperor Trajan standing on the pillar of merit. And when he entered the mayor's living room, it was as if Just like Hernan Cortez stepping into the palace of Montezuma II. The pretty boy is insulated from the Count. But he must be a lover who can make people obsessed. The body is as strong as a steel frame. The entire outline has no When he stood in the hall and nodded slightly, even the proudest bull in the bullring would feel ashamed. Looking at the profile of his head, it reminded people of the portrait of Augustus on ancient Roman coins. Every line is so clear and distinct. His forehead is round, his chin is very charming, and his Adam's apple is huge, which especially enhances my impression of his bravery and strength. The count walked to the middle of the hall. He saluted the mayor and said very He kissed his wife with grace. The gentle gesture of his lips when giving the kiss, and the smiling eyes, added a graceful grace to the heroism of the count, thus making him a great person in the eyes of men. A legendary hero, a perfect gentleman in a woman’s heart.”
This colonial upper-class lady wrote down the first appearance of Count Vananova in her diary in beautiful calligraphy, and then hid the diary in a secret compartment of a dresser drawer until she became a member of the imperial army that captured Manila. Trophy - when a member of the Special Search Team of the Planning Institute carefully opened the drawer, hoping to find something valuable in it.
Just as all eyes blinded by emotion tend to distort the truth, former mercenary Weiss Lando had no regard for how a loving lady would describe her gentlemanly demeanor in her diary. When he ungently broke away from the overly passionate kiss of Lady Isabella, the mayor's wife, he was almost suffocated by the strong smell of her greasy sweat mixed with the incense on her clothes. But he had just escaped from a warm embrace and found himself surrounded by a large group of enthusiastic people and curious eyes.
"Sir, Mr. Count," Port Tax Officer Don Basilio squeezed through the crowd to say hello, "It's really a lively event. You like the bullfighting show here. Those brave knights are all wonderful. You What do you think?"
The count glanced disdainfully at Don Basilio, the first colonial official he met in Manila. The flattering smile on his sinister and cunning face always reminded him of Rossini's opera. That abominable eponymous character.
"Mr. Basilio is absolutely right," he said in a half-joking tone: "The weather in your place is unusual. As for bullfighting, unfortunately all my experience as a soldier has been in Learned from fighting against Christian enemies. If the Archbishop had the insight to discover that the cattle here have pagan or heretical beliefs, I think it might be better to ask the knights for their experience in fighting wild bulls. It’s not too late.”
There was a burst of chuckles among the guests. The port tax collector had never been a popular guy, and everyone was happy to see him get in trouble in front of the new distinguished guests.
"Hey, sir, don't pay attention to him, Your Highness," the hostess said to Weiss, "Mr. Basilio is very smart, especially when dealing with Chinese guys. But it is precisely because he deals with Chinese guys all day long, He no longer knows how to speak like a well-educated person." Lady Isabella took the count's arm in her envious eyes and complained naggingly: "Find twelve soldiers to ride in the field. Running around on horseback, stabbing a poor buffalo with a spear, and watching it slowly bleed to death. It looks so terrible. I can't stand it." She took out her handkerchief and covered her eyes. To express condolences for the unfortunate cow.
"The local buffaloes are not suitable for bullfighting," said a dashing gentleman. "What a pity there are no Castilian bulls here!"
"In terms of size and agility, the buffaloes here are no worse than any kind of cattle in the peninsula!" Another gentleman immediately retorted.
Just when a small argument broke out between the two over which bull was the best bullfight, Lady Isabella had already left the argument holding her guest's hand. She persuaded her guest to take the first place, but The count refused and chose a seat with his back to the window. The shutters were all open, and the night breeze blew into the stuffy hall through the windows where frangipani and catalpas hung. Weiss sighed deeply in his heart. In this sweaty heat, dressing up and looking aristocratic was really a chore. The temperature at night was nearly 30 degrees Celsius, and I was actually wearing a full woolen suit! But as far as the eye could see, the guests at the dinner were all risking their lives to keep their style. The men were all wearing stiff woolen dresses and starched ruffles. Female guests hide themselves under hats filled with peacock feathers, or hide their faces behind scarves of various colors.
"Would you like some oxtail stew, dear Count?" The person who greeted Weiss was the mayor himself. He looked completely opposite to his wife. He had white hair and a lean body. It seemed that the hot weather in Manila had dried him out. , "This is the good cow that was defeated this afternoon."
"Thank you, Your Excellency. But I must venture to tell you that although I have received your kind hospitality, I must leave here before the city gate closes. Otherwise, when the big clock strikes twenty-two, I will not be able to return to my residence. "My request for a special pass has never been approved. As far as I know, His Majesty's decree does not allow unauthorized foreigners to stay overnight in Manila."
"Both the special pass and the residence permit need to be issued by the Governor in person. Of course, leaving the city will never be a problem," the mayor said, looking a little embarrassed. "As long as you have a warrant from the Commander of the Santiago Fortress, you can enter and leave the city at any time." The Commander of the Fortress He was an old colonel with a gray beard. He just nodded to Weiss in response, then buried his head in the plate and chewed with concentration. His gray beard was soaked in the plate, causing the soup to splash everywhere.
"If you don't mind, we can arrange a place for you here. My wife and I can do our best to serve you as long as His Highness the Earl is willing to show your respect."
"Sir, I'm so grateful for your kindness," Weiss motioned to the Tagalog servant to take away the pot of stewed oxtail that had never been touched once, and he picked up a glass of sherry: "But bothering you will make me I am uneasy. I have found a place to live in Parian and my luggage is stored there."
"Oh my God, you actually live with dirty and rough pagan Chinamen. They are all evil idol worshipers, smugglers, thieves, gamblers and sodomites! They are the best at stealing chickens and hiding criminals. I'm afraid you will never see them again. I can’t see your luggage.” A gentleman who had probably had his anus fucked by a Chinese man shouted exaggeratedly. (To be continued...)
ps: (Note: Parian was the then Chinese settlement in Jiannei, now Chinatown.
