Even excluding Canada, there are at least hundreds of thousands of Chinese in the United States now, and a considerable part of them belong to Hongmen.
It's just that there are too many halls in Hongmen. Except for Zhigongtang, Anliangtang, etc., many hall organizations have been disorganized, and they have gradually forgotten the original intention of Hongmen to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty.
But the more people wander away, the more they want to have a sense of belonging. The current Chinese Exclusion Act in the United States makes it difficult for Chinese people to go to school.
It is almost impossible to go to a regular school. The United States has always implemented a segregation policy, which means that Chinese people can only go to specialized Chinese public schools.
Even so, Chinese public schools have always suffered from low education quality, low enrollment rates, insufficient investment in education funds, and unreasonable curriculum arrangements.
Even after California passed the most stringent Chinese exclusion law among states in the United States, San Francisco's Chinese public schools were closed for more than ten years and were reopened in 1885. However, less than 20% of Chinese children were able to enter Chinese public schools.
The U.S. government later changed the name of the Chinese public school to
"Far East Public School", many Chinese parents believe that the name contains prejudice and discrimination. In addition to Chinese public schools, missionary schools have always been very enthusiastic about recruiting students.
What is different from China is that these missionary schools are truly missionary, while Chinese people have never been enthusiastic about sects.
Even if you study in a missionary school in the United States, the missionary school has little effect in attracting Chinese people to join the church. Overall, church schools still play an educational role, and at least the English education meets the standards.
In addition to Chinese public schools and missionary schools, Chinatown also has its own private schools. Chinese people attach great importance to tradition. Even if their children attend public schools or missionary schools, they still have to study Chinese traditional culture in private schools after school.
At present, New York's Chinatown is not as big as San Francisco, but the number of people is not small. After more than fifty years of immigration, Chinese people abroad still like to call themselves
"Tang people", the settlement is also called
"Chinatown". It first appeared in American newspaper reports probably in 1853
"Chinatown" () words. Ten years ago, in 1883, the Chinese Wang Qingfu founded the Chinese newspaper "Meihua News".
At that time, when the Chinese Exclusion Act had just been passed, Wang Qingfu took the lead in proposing
The legal concept of "Chinese Americans" is used to safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese people in the United States. Anyway, they couldn't count on the Qing embassy.
According to the United States' own investigation, Wang Qingfu was the first Chinese to study in the United States and obtain a degree, long before the Qing government sent him to study abroad.
Wang Qingfu can also be called
The “Chinese version of Martin Luther King” published many articles and speeches promoting racial equality.
After his death, other journalists took up the torch and continued the long struggle against Chinese exclusion. In later generations, Chinatown in New York was quite prosperous. It was located right next to the New York City Government Building, and it could also become a historically protected district in Manhattan, where land is at a premium.
However, Chinatown at this time can only be described as a gathering area. Li Yu and Situ Meitang came to Chinatown. Situ Meitang was a capable person.
Many people know him as the person who "brushes his face". He took Li Yu to a newspaper office first, and when he entered the door, he said, "Xiao Huang, who do you think this is?" Huang Boyao raised his head and said, "Elder Situ is here. Isn't the person next to you...Mr. Li Yu?! Situ Meitang smiled and said: "He has good eyesight." Huang Boyao was the reporter who followed Mr. Zhongshan for a long time. He was only twenty years old at the moment. He immediately came over and said: "Sorry for not being far away! Mr. Li Yu, we I have been paying attention to your movements. I am a newspaper correspondent and I have been collecting information about you these days. Although the big guys in Chinatown don’t understand your article, they feel excited when they hear your story. Many people still pester I want me to tell them what you are studying, but I don’t know! Look!” Huang Boyao took out a stack of printed articles by Li Yu.
"I've been watching it for many days, but I can't understand it at all. I don't know how to explain it to them." Li Yu said with a smile: "It's really not easy to understand this. It's basically the most cutting-edge mathematical science content." Huang Boyao spread his hands: "But It’s really hard for me! I gave up anyway, so I can only tell them about the importance. By the way, you should have been in the United States for a while, right?” Li Yu smiled and said, “Sorry, I’m late.” Huang Boyao Said: "It's not too late, it's not too late. If you come, you are our great hero! We have been looked down upon by Americans for too long. We are the first to meet someone like you who can be respected by Americans." Li Yu sighed in his heart. Hearing a sigh of relief, even if they are so discriminated against by the Chinese Exclusion Act, these Chinese people still have strong self-esteem in their hearts.
No one wants to be looked down upon. But dignity is the hardest to earn. The Chinese nation has had the arrogance of a great nation since ancient times, even though it was called the sick man of East Asia at the beginning of the 20th century.
From now on, we have to compete for superiority in everything. You can also see from the Internet that even if there are trolls everywhere, many of their targets are to compare China with the United States in high technology, with Japan and Germany in cars, and with Northern Europe in welfare. Compare finance with Switzerland, and compare environment with New Zealand.
Anyway, we are just comparing parts of a certain country. It seems that only the best of everything will do. Excluding some professional trolls, there is still a hint of arrogance.
Situ Meitang asked Li Yu to sit down: "You're welcome here, sit wherever you like. From now on, mentioning Li Yu's name in Chinatown will be just as useful as mine." Huang Boyao pulled a chair over and said, "Mr. Li Yu, sit down quickly. !" Li Yu said: "Thank you." Situ Meitang said to Huang Boyao: "The purpose of Mr. Li Yu coming here this time is to find some educated people to help in the factory."
"Help?" Huang Boyao asked,
"What kind of factory can recruit Chinese people?" Li Yu said, "I am planning to set up a small factory by myself, and either as helpers or as regular workers." Huang Boyao was as surprised as Situ Meitang before.
"Can you set up a factory in the United States?" Li Yu took out the documents: "I have already opened a company." Huang Boyao knew that this was not an easy task. At present, Chinese people are either engaged in manual labor, or in the catering industry, or Be self-sufficient within Chinatown.
Registering a company with the US government and opening a factory is simply a fantasy. Huang Boyao had never even seen the company license and asked, "Is this true?" Li Yu laughed and said, "Chinese people don't lie to Chinese people."
"That's awesome!" Huang Boyao asked,
"What kind of factory do you want to build, sir?"
"It's somewhat technical and involves electrical and automotive aspects," Li Yu said.
"They are all new gadgets. Not many people know about them." Huang Boyao was a little discouraged after hearing this.
"It doesn't matter," Li Yu said,
"Anyway, it takes a while to set up the factory. You can learn it first." Situ Meitang said: "You are in charge of training and entering the factory. You really do too much." Li Yu said: "Not only that, the treatment I give It will not be lower than that of Americans. Those who are well trained and can join the factory will receive a daily wage of US$5 per day, which is the highest wage standard for white workers in the United States today." This is a super generous treatment. When Chinese workers were building large railways, due to their special type of work, It's very hard work, and it's a high-paying position. The daily salary is only US$1, which is an income that makes Chinese workers very satisfied.
After the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, Chinese people could no longer participate in the construction of railways, and their incomes plummeted. It was difficult to earn even $5 a month.
As for the high salary of US$5 per day, basically only the top factories in the United States can provide it. From then on, Ford's factory salary was US$5.
The wages of ordinary workers or waiters can never be so high, at most one or two dollars a day or even less than one dollar.
Situ Meitang was a little uneasy: "With such a high income, I'm afraid I can't find anyone who can deserve it." Li Yu said, "Why can't you deserve it? Don't worry, there are many smart people in China. As long as you can After passing the training, you will be qualified to get this money." Situ Meitang smiled and said: "The treatment is really good! If it weren't for my poor skills, I would have personally received training and entered your factory." Huang Boyao said: "In that case, don't say The salary is high, even if we don’t pay any money, since it is a factory run by us Chinese, we must bring out the best people in Chinatown and make a name for ourselves no matter what.”
"This is why I came to you. I hope to place an advertisement in a newspaper in the Chinese circle and select qualified candidates." Li Yu said.
"Put it on me," Huang Boyao said, patting his chest.
"I know several Chinese newspapers in the United States, and their reports about you have always been on the front page. I believe they will be able to recruit a group of educated people." Situ Meitang thought for a while and said, "When the time comes I'm afraid you'll be overwhelmed. I'll help you handle the auditions to avoid competition among other halls." Li Yu clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Mr. Situ." Situ Meitang waved his hand: "I'm not a big man yet. Mr. Huang Sande is the boss. Let's not talk about this for now. Now that we are in Chinatown, I think everyone wants to see you." Situ Meitang walked out and shouted loudly: "Stop working! Come here quickly, we have a powerful Chinese here!" Many people gathered over after hearing Situ Meitang's voice.
"Brother Situ, who is here?" Situ Meitang said: "Next to me is Mr. Li Yu, a scientific master who is famous all over the United States and Europe. Have you seen it in the newspaper? Those who don't know how to read must have heard of it. .”
"Oh! I've heard of it! I've heard of it! I'm super educated!"
"He is Li Yu. I also want to be a scientist!" Before long, half of the people in Chinatown came running over.
Situ Meitang continued to shout: "Don't crowd! Maintain order!" and then said to Li Yu,
"Please tell me a few words." Li Yu glanced over and saw that some Chinese people had cut their braids and some had not. He said loudly: "Dear fellow villagers, meeting old friends in a foreign country is a great blessing in life. I deeply appreciate it. I know that life in a foreign country is very difficult for you. It is true that the situation of all Chinese people is so difficult now. But I believe that the blood of the descendants of Yan and Huang that flows in everyone has always hidden the quality of perseverance. No matter how hard it is, we can persevere. , and if you persist, you will win." Several young people asked: "Mr. Li Yu, can we become people like you?" Li Yu said with a smile: "Why not? Or, you don't need to be I'm good at being myself." They asked again: "When will China be as powerful as the United States? Then we won't need to live overseas." Li Yu was stunned and suddenly mentioned the United States, the strongest country, and wanted to surpass it. It cannot be achieved in a short time. It takes a long time and requires continuous struggle of several generations.
But at this moment, Li Yu could only say to them: "One day I will, at least, I will stand up first." The young man's eyes immediately brightened,
"Mr. Li Yu knows the truth, we believe you!" Li Yu's words are always more reliable than Kang Youwei's.
After that, Situ Meitang invited Li Yu to have a Chinese meal. It must be said that even in the late Qing Dynasty, Chinese food was the best in the world.
Even though the United States does not have abundant Chinese food ingredients, in terms of taste, American food cannot be compared with Chinese food. Moreover, the most famous KFC in the United States has not yet been born.
Huang Boyao also wrote the press release: "Front page! Chinese scientific giant Li Yu will open the best factory in the United States and recruit the best Chinese to work! $5 a day! $5 a day! $5 a day!"
"If you want to enter a factory, you need to be well-educated, know basic Western knowledge, and be willing to live in New York or Detroit! In addition, you can accept returning to China in the future!" If they can make money and return to China, there will definitely be many Chinese who are willing.
Job advertisements offering such high benefits quickly spread among the Chinese community. Not only in the eastern United States, many Chinese in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle on the west coast are also eager to try.
Even Canada’s Kang Youwei knew about it.
"Humph!" Kang Youwei put down the newspaper and snorted coldly,
"Five dollars a day? Does he know what industry is? Meat buns will hit the dog!" Ye En, a senior royalist figure next to him and a wealthy overseas Chinese businessman in the United States, said: "Master Kang, some factory workers in the United States are paid like this, so it can't be said. Meat buns will hit the dog." Kang Youwei said dissatisfied: "What's the use of running a factory? Can it save the emperor! I don't understand, where did he get so much money?" Ye En said: "That's unknown, but Based on my many years of business experience in the United States and Canada, if you can find sales, it is indeed very profitable to set up a factory." Kang Youwei patted the table and said, "Then he should contribute his money to our royalist cause!"
"To protect the emperor..." Ye En paused and said,
"I heard that he has already contacted Situ Meitang, the former boss of Anliangtang, and the newspaper was published on his recommendation." Kang Youwei was immediately furious: "Anliangtang? Hongmen! I just said that Li Yu had to cut his braids. The problem is, it turns out that he also rebelled against the emperor! What qualifications does he have to be the emperor's master! I am the real emperor's master!"
"Master Kang, calm down," Ye En said quickly,
"But his purpose is to recruit Chinese people. This is a good thing after all. It can help the Chinese people..."
"Help! What's the use of helping them! Cough, cough, cough..." Kang Youwei beat his chest,
"Help me to help the emperor and the Qing Dynasty! Running a factory is a small matter, but protecting the emperor is a big matter! I think this guy will vote for the revolutionary party even if he makes money. What's even more annoying is that he actually published a newspaper to slander me, so that It is unbearable for everyone to stop donating and obstructing my cause of royal protection!" Kang Youwei was really overly suspicious of Li Yu. Li Yu didn't want to get involved in politics at all, he just wanted to do things in his own way.
But Kang Youwei felt that what made him most angry was that Li Yu blocked his way to make money. As the saying goes, cutting off someone's financial path is like killing one's parents. Kang Youwei now hates Li Yu so much that his teeth itch.
"No!" Kang Youwei said,
"We can't let him be so carefree and happy! Come here!" A disciple came in and said respectfully: "Master Kang." Kang Youwei said to him: "Go and contact Su Ya! Didn't he have a feud with Situ Meitang? This must not be done. Let Li Yu and Situ Meitang run the factory smoothly!" Mai Shirong said.
"Su Ya" is the boss of another Tangkou Xieshengtang. The fortune of Hip Sing Tong is much dirtier than that of Situ Mei Tong's On Leung Tong, relying on smuggling and human trafficking.
At the beginning of the 20th century, two clans started a protracted clan struggle in New York. Otherwise, wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes.
Ye En still wanted to stop him, raised his hand and said, "Master Kang, I'm afraid it's not very benevolent to do this."
"Benevolence and righteousness?" Kang Youwei scolded him angrily,
"Why are you so pedantic? When he fabricated facts and insulted me in the newspaper, how could he be benevolent and righteous? Only when I succeed in protecting the emperor can I be benevolent and righteous!"
