South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African Plateau. The edge areas on the south, east and west are coastal lowlands, and the north is surrounded by mountains. The north is desert, mostly shrub grassland or arid desert.
Gao Xi didn't know where Africa was. He just knew that starting from Jinling, he followed the Song Navy's ships all the way south and experienced transit stations such as Liuqiu, Champa, Longmen, and Ceylon. He lost a whole year. After a while, I lost at least 20 kilograms of meat before arriving in what everyone calls Africa.
Going south, he first passed Liuqiu, which was already the Liuqiu mansion of the Song Dynasty. The wind blew the rice waves and the population was prosperous. The population was more than 300,000, and the newly cultivated farmland area was more than 3 million acres. Every four or five days, there was one Sulfur is transported to eastern Zhejiang by ship. Not only is it self-sufficient, it is already feeding back to Fujian and eastern Zhejiang.
When we arrived at Longmen, a harbor fort was being built, a castle was being built, and the streets were orderly. It was almost the same as Jinling City, but there were only navy officers and soldiers and their families. It was a natural military port. According to the naval general on the ship, the Sanfoqi Kingdom across the Longmen Strait was dissatisfied with the Song Navy's occupation of Longmen, but it was just dissatisfaction and there was no further explanation.
By the time we reached Ceylon and Bombay in the Indian Ocean, they were already dominated by the navy of the Song Dynasty, and some traces of the war between the two places could still be seen. Apparently, the Song Dynasty Navy had just occupied it, and the war didn't seem to be very fierce.
Thinking about it, considering that the Song Dynasty Navy has strong ships and powerful guns, many people and ships, ferocious firearms, and brave and skilled soldiers, who can be their opponent?
However, there was no need for war in the Kingdom of Zufar in the Arabian Peninsula and the Kingdom of Bagara in Africa. The kings and tribal leaders of the two places readily agreed to the Song Army's request to lease places. As long as they pay for benefits, these poor and backward small countries seem to be able to agree to anything.
I think it won't be long before these two places will come under the control of the Song Navy and become qualified coastal supply stations for the Maritime Silk Road.
After passing the Bayaluo Kingdom, they sailed down the river for a day and arrived in South Africa, their destination.
Where South Africa was, he didn't want to know. He just knew that when he came, there were already immigrants and soldiers from the Song Dynasty here. Although it was relatively hot at first, the climate later became more suitable, warm as spring, and it even snowed in the mountains in winter. He was even glad that he was not sent to Bo Ni. Although it was close to the mainland of the Song Dynasty and the food was harvested three times a year, it was stuffy and hot. He, a fat man who was most afraid of heat, couldn't stand it.
Ever since he arrived in Africa, ever since he landed, he has never been idle. He only works every day, which seems to be endless. His figure has become much slimmer, and he no longer seems to be so afraid of the heat.
As for the things to grow, in addition to the wheat, rice, beans and radish and cabbage brought from the Song Dynasty, there were also local wheat plants. The climate on the coastal plain of South Africa is humid, warm, and rainy, so wheat and rice should have little adaptability. Among them, rice has two to three crops a year, and the prospects are worth looking forward to.
On the hillside to the north, there were bursts of shrill cries. Song soldiers were hunting a pig-like animal with short limbs and long thorns on its back. This animal is very popular among Song soldiers and immigrants because it eats wild fruits and has delicious meat.
As for the fruits grown, there are a variety of fruits. Apples, pears, peaches, and apricots are mainly grown in the southwest of South Africa. The northeast is a plain, rich in citrus and vegetables. The coast is hot and rainy, so sugar cane and citrus are grown.
When I immigrated to South Africa, the planting "experts" also planted food, fruits and vegetables based on experience. As for how much they would survive, no one dared to guarantee. However, even South Africa's native plant cultivation and hunting were enough to provide food supplies for soldiers and immigrants.
Not to mention, in addition to the Song Dynasty navy transporting food supplies southward, they could also buy food from nearby countries such as Dashi and Egypt.
On the endless grassland, beside an unknown river running from east to west, there were piles of wood. Rows and rows on top of them were filled with the corpses of young naval officers of the Song Dynasty. As the sound of "salute" sounded, all the soldiers of the Song Dynasty The soldiers of the Song Dynasty saluted together, and the raging fire burned into the sky.
All the prisoners and immigrants working on the plains stood up straight, many of them had solemn faces, and some of them couldn't help but learn to salute in the direction of the fire and observe silence.
Gao Xi also raised his hand and gave a gentle salute.
These burned corpses of Song Dynasty soldiers were sacrificed in an accident when the warship passed the Cape of Storms. It is said that only six of the ten ships passed, and the other four were sunk. The bodies of most of the victims could not be found, and the naval generals of the Song Dynasty had to order a temporary halt to the voyage.
"Everyone, let's work!"
After a moment of silence, Bai Jiarong and Wu Hongwen among the colonists shouted.
As a highly respected representative among the immigrants, Bai Jiarong was appointed as the village head of the "23rd" Zhutun Village, taking charge of the village affairs of the "23rd" Village.
As for the prisoners in these "re-education through labor farms", they fell under the overall planning and arrangement of officer Wu Hongwen. Building houses, cultivating wasteland, digging wells and canals are all within his scope of responsibilities.
Thirty thousand prisoners, 20,000 immigrants, and an army of 50,000 colonists gradually arrived in Africa, thus beginning life in the New World.
"Brother Gao, how long are we going to stay here?"
Cao Chun asked in a low voice while working.
As a subordinate who had committed numerous crimes and was about to be beheaded, he was eventually sentenced to life and assigned to serve his sentence. No one knew how he would spend the rest of his life.
"I don't know, it depends on the court's grace."
Gao Xi didn't even raise his head, and replied softly while working.
From being beheaded to being exiled to Africa, the dust finally settled and he felt relieved.
Isn't it just work? It's not work anywhere, not to mention the climate here is good.
"How long will it take to finish planting in such a big place? I'm exhausted every day, so I might as well just die!"
Cao Chun complained angrily.
"If you want to die, die on your own. Don't drag me into it."
Gao Xi's face was straight and serious.
"I still have my wife and children. If I work hard, I might be released from prison early, or I can go back and see my family in the meantime. I have to live for them."
"Brother Gao, it's good that you still have family. My brother ran away with someone else a long time ago. I still have a brother, but I don't know what happened to him now."
Cao Chun sighed with emotion as he recalled the past.
"Brother, you are still young. It is better to die than to live. This is not bad now. Although I am a little tired from working every day, I feel at ease and can sleep well. This place is good, with mountains and water, and a good climate. Just think It’s time to move, farther away.”
The two got along well, and Gao Xi wholeheartedly persuaded Cao Chun.
"Brother, this is all we can do now. I can't escape, so I have to accept my fate!"
Cao Chun sighed and continued to work.
Now, in a foreign country and an unfamiliar place, does he still have any choice?
"You don't have to sigh. I've heard that the imperial court will continue to immigrate here. The tens of thousands of us are just leading the way, and more immigrants will come later. It won't take three to five years, when the people There are many restaurants and teahouses, and they are not the same as in the Song Dynasty. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about in the Song Dynasty. You may be able to find a girl, start a family and start a business, and live the rest of your life well. "
Gao Xi laughed as he spoke.
"Is that true?"
Cao Chun also became excited.
"Brother Gao, are you saying that the imperial court will continue to immigrate here?"
"Didn't you read the newspaper? It said that the imperial court will continue to immigrate, and it will continue."
"The emperor is ambitious and wise. How can he end up with nothing but an end to his efforts? I heard those officers say that the court may have to move millions or even tens of millions of people out, and officials will be assigned to govern them. Think about it, when the time comes Will it be more lively?"
Although Gao Xi was dismissed from his post and investigated by the Anti-Corruption Department and sent to Africa, Gao Xi still respected the current emperor of the Song Dynasty from the bottom of his heart.
Although people's hearts are selfish, it is rare for an emperor to punish corruption and love his people like a son in this way. After all, many big tigers have been defeated.
For example, there are many officials among the prisoners exiled in Africa.
"But we are prisoners, how can we be the same as ordinary people?"
Cao Chun was already a little moved, but he still refused to accept it.
"Prisoner? Are you being imprisoned or locked up now? If you behave well, you may be pardoned soon. After all, we didn't kill anyone and set fire, so it's not a heinous crime. Besides, I think it's good to live on the farm, which is different from the outside. It’s no different.”
Gao Xi looked at the officers supervising the work in the distance. After getting tired, he drank water and took a rest, but no one cared about them.
There is one day off in seven days. You can cook your own meals and eat and drink as much as you can. If this were in the Song Dynasty, how could there be such a good life?
"Brother Gao, you are right, I listen to you! However, I still want to go out early."
Cao Chun nodded, finally accepting the reality in front of him.
"Dad, this is too much work, how long will it last?"
In a field, Bai Shaogang was plowing the ground while complaining.
"You're out to make money, and you're still afraid of being tired? I asked you to go to school, but you couldn't even pass the naval academy. Who's to blame?"
Bai Hongwen smiled and continued the work at hand.
"Dad, please stop making fun of me, I'm not the type to go to school!"
Bai Shaogang felt guilty and was still quibbling.
He just didn't like going to school. Thinking about it now, he really regrets it. Whether it is the Jinling Martial Arts School, the Jinling Normal School, or the Song Dynasty Naval Academy, if you can get into one, you don’t have to come to Africa, which is thousands of miles away.
"So, you have to endure hardship. Our Bai family has no power. If we don't go out and make a living, we can only sit on those acres of dry land without enough food and clothing. Do you still want to live like that? ?”
"Dad, how much can our family earn in a year if we work hard like this?"
Bai Shaogang couldn't help but ask.
"In total, after eating and drinking, there are probably one or two hundred strings."
Bai Hongwen glanced at his son. This kid, why are you asking about this? Does he want to go back again?
"Only one or two hundred strings! So little? When will you earn it?"
Sure enough, the son complained angrily.
"You still think it's too little? If we were a family of six in Song Dynasty, it would be pretty good if we could eat half full and not owe any debts!"
Bai Hongwen pointed to the sloping river bank in the distance, where there were several small boats docked. The local natives, all naked and dark, were carrying baskets of large and small fish ashore in exchange for rice, salt, etc. in the hands of Song Jun. .
"Did you see that the boat is full of fish? When the time comes, you can eat meat several times a month. Sometimes you stay in Fujian, don't even think about it!"
"Those people don't wear clothes and they're not ashamed? They don't wear clothes and they're not cold?"
Seeing that the indigenous woman only covered the vital parts of her lower body with tree bark, Bai's wife blushed and quickly turned her head away.
She was naked in broad daylight without any shame or impatience. After all, his son is right next to him.
"That's the local custom. Besides, they don't know how to weave clothes, so what can they wear?"
Bai Hongwen shook his head. Sometimes, he would take two rooms and exchange them with the local pigs for some of the prey they brought, such as antelopes, bison and the like.
The climate here is now suitable and warm as spring. As for his hometown, the Song Dynasty, it was probably a cold spring.
"Dad, what if I want to go back? I'm nineteen, I can't even have a wife?"
Bai Shaogang muttered.
It is difficult for young people of his age to endure loneliness after all.
"If you want to go back, you have to work for five years first. You have to earn enough to pay for your return voyage! You will only be 24 in five years. It's not too late to go back and get married."
Although men in the Song Dynasty could get married at the age of 15, this was a matter for wealthy families. It was not uncommon for poor families to get married at the age of 24 or 5. It was not too late for my son to get married at that time.
"Five years? How long will it take?"
Bai Shaogang was stunned by his father's words.
"Gang'er, you don't have to worry. I heard that the government will continue to recruit immigrants, asking for millions. Maybe next year, there will be more good-looking women here. Then you can just pick one!"
Bai's wife persuaded her son from the side.
"real?"
Bai Shaogang was startled, and then there was a smile in his eyes.
"Mom, can I still lie to you? You have to work hard and earn some wealth first. Otherwise, those women won't like you."
She looked into the distance and suddenly shouted.
"Gang'er, his dad, look, another batch of immigrants has arrived!"
The Bai family and his son looked into the distance together, and sure enough, on the hillside in the distance, many people came into view, including soldiers of the Song Dynasty holding guns and knives, and ordinary people dressed as Song Dynasty people with their families.
As bags of food were unloaded from the ship, the immigrants began to transport the food, enjoying themselves.
A group of Song Dynasty officers and soldiers rode up to meet them, and the two sides quickly merged together. The Song Dynasty cavalry on horseback raised their swords and guns, cheering and cheering, and everyone was excited.
"What are they yelling about?"
When he got closer, Bai Hongwen grabbed a fellow villager who went to greet him and asked.
"Ah Huang, what are those people shouting?"
"Uncle Bai, this is a great event. The Song Dynasty official army has defeated the Tatar army in the northwest and has occupied the entire Hexi area!"
Ah Huang's face glowed red and he jumped away.
"My Da Song!"
Bai Hongwen looked at the cheering crowd by the river, his eyes were wet, and he murmured.
"General Hu, the second batch of 30,000 immigrants has arrived!"
The sergeant came on horseback and reported to Hu Xian on the high slope.
Hu Xian nodded. As a graduate of the first naval department of Jinling Military Academy, he was less than 25 years old, but he was already the person in charge of the African reclamation, responsible for protecting the entire African Song people's reclamation land.
"Has the house been arranged? Is there any problem with food?"
"Go back to General, the house is ready and the food is fine!"
South Africa is so big, with so much land, such a long coastline, wheat, rice, fish and animals, it should not be a problem to provide food for tens of thousands of people in a short period of time.
"General, about a hundred miles northwest, the locals all wear gold jewelry. The general asked someone and he said that gold is produced in the local mountains, and there is a lot of it. But the locals don't know much about metallurgy, nor are they good at mining equipment. So the amount collected is very small.”
"General, our craftsmen discovered iron ore about 200 miles to the west, covering the entire mountain! The craftsmen said it should be enough for us to mine for more than several decades."
"Let's go and take a look first!"
Hu Xian was refreshed and rode down the hillside.
Geography books say that South Africa is rich in gold, coal and iron, and it is indeed true. I heard that five to six hundred miles to the west are full of volcanoes and there are many sulfur mines. Perhaps within a year and a half, South Africa will become another firearms manufacturing base of the Song Dynasty.
The New World is indeed full of hope!
