The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 240: Empty the cage and change the bird
"Hey, why does the government still want to immigrate to Dehua (today's Tangier City, Morocco)?... Wasn't this land just leased from Moroccans?"

Qi Yue's chief engineer Hu Yuanzhong and a group of crew members had just arrived at the dock and were preparing to sail the ship out of the port. They saw a 1,500-ton motor-driven sailboat "unloading" and a long queue of immigrants, carrying The small baggage that I carried with me slowly walked towards the warehouse area under the guidance of several local managers. I couldn't help but be surprised.

"Old Hu, don't you understand?" Tao Hongqiang, the second officer of the Qiyue, said with a smile: "Although the land for dozens of kilometers around Dehua Port is only leased for 99 years, do you think that after the expiration, our Qi State will return the land?" You have to give it back! Hey, with such an important location, it is natural to occupy it permanently in order to consolidate and establish our Qi country's dominant position in the Mediterranean region. Since we want to occupy it permanently, we must not immigrate here to establish it. Our Qi State’s own fundamentals. Let me tell you, Istanbul is the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and its location is extremely sensitive. Otherwise, due to its strategic value along with the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, our Qi State may also have a foothold there. ”

"There are many Moroccans in Dehua Port and surrounding areas. Could it be..."

"Yes, these people will definitely be cleared out slowly in the future, and then they will be replaced by local immigrants from Qi and immigrants from the East." Tao Hongqiang touched his chin and said matter-of-factly: "Although Moroccans are more submissive, their race After all, He Wenming is completely different from our Qi people. Not to mention, their religious beliefs will definitely be a potential hidden danger in the future if they stay here. Tell me, their True God religion is so fanatical, if they are targeted in the future. It’s really hard to deal with targeting us.”

"What's so hard to deal with?" Hu Yuanzhong was very disapproving. "With the full-moon scimitars or camel cavalry in their hands, they still dare to challenge our Qi State?"

"Don't underestimate these believers who have been brainwashed by the True God Religion." Tao Hongqiang said: "If they fight for their lives with you, it will really be a headache. Haven't you heard? Jinzhou Island (today's Sumatra Island ), the Kingdom of Aceh rebelled again. Their mob assassinated the King of Aceh, and continued to launch attacks on our businessmen and immigrants in Qi. The army has mobilized more than 6,000 troops to quell the rebellion, but so far it has not done so. After completely stabilizing the situation, they all hid in the mountains and started guerrilla warfare with the army officers and soldiers. It is said that those rioters were the most die-hard True God believers in Aceh and had no fear of life and death, which really caused the army officers and soldiers to suffer a lot. "

"How could I not have heard about what happened in Jinzhou?" Hu Yuanzhong looked gloomy, "Four months ago, a distant cousin of mine was attacked in Aceh and died of serious injuries, leaving behind a poor orphan and widowed mother. The three of them are also embarrassing. According to me, the methods of our Daqi army are not cruel enough. They should kill all the rioting religious people to avoid future troubles. After decades, they have surrendered. Rebel again, rebel again, surrender again, there is no end.”

"Yes, they all should be killed. They are so damn evil. Is it more important for you to believe in Lao Shizi's True God Religion than to have enough food and clothing?" Tao Hongqiang patted Hu Yuanzhong on the shoulder to express comfort, "Everyone Isn't it good to be obedient? It's not like they have to eat. Although it's a bit harder to open up wasteland and mine, at the very least, our Qi country won't let them all starve to death. Believe in that religion.”

A Moroccan dockworker untied the cable of the "Qi Yue" and then waved his arms and threw it onto the ship. Then he showed a flattering smile and watched the sailors on the ship busy preparing for the ship to set sail. Leng Buding met the fierce eyes of Tao Hongqiang on the side of the ship, and couldn't help but shrink in his heart.

As the melodious bells stopped, Yassin Bunu raised his head, looked at the dome of the real temple devoutly, and murmured softly.

As the music slowly sounded, the chief priest slowly walked to the shrine, holding on to the railing with the prophet printed on it, and closing his steps devoutly. The image of the arrogant and wise prophet looms in front of the niche, blooming with radiant glory as the music rises.

More and more foreigners are visiting this city, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, Dutch..., but more of them are people from Qi.

During this solemn and pious prayer, a strange moment seemed to appear in the sky. The stars are shining with the divine wishes connecting heaven and earth, as if all the magic power is gathered by them, waiting for the arrival of the gods in the shrine.

They sailed into the port of Tangier with ship after ship of cargo. Some stayed here briefly, and after obtaining corresponding supplies of water, they sailed out of the strait and headed straight towards the European continent. Some unloaded the cargo at the port. , and then transported to the hinterland through horse-drawn carriages and camel teams.

The entire temple was illuminated by this light, and even the most devout believers could not hide their inner shock. From time to time, some people cried softly or fell to the ground in worship.

Hundreds of believers held prayer beads and knelt down almost simultaneously and spontaneously, showing a tenacious and reverent look. The golden sunset is projected on the pilasters. In the collision of darkness and light, it seems that a powerful energy is flowing. This is the god blessing every pious person.

Immediately, Yasin Bunu stood up along with many parishioners, patted the dust on his robes, turned and walked towards the market on the right side of the square.

In the few years after the people of Qi took over the city of Tangier, the entire city has been undergoing constant renovation and expansion. It has smooth sewer network, smooth streets, magnificent governor's palace, graceful and elegant oriental residences, and numerous High-rise buildings.

This routine ceremony is carried out every day, and it is also the most glorious and profound solemn ceremony in the entire city. The omniscient god is watching the kneeling believers and the world, waiting for the birth of a new destiny.

Some come and some leave.

But unexpectedly, the people of Qi didn't seem to value the few copper coins in the people's pockets. Many random taxes were abolished one after another, and the poll tax was completely abolished, which immediately caused the burden on thousands of residents in Tangier City. It was reduced by more than half, which made everyone feel a little better about Qi Guoxin.

As a foreign colonial ruler from the Qi State, I think they will be even more unscrupulous when they exploit Tangier and their people.

Moroccan officials left, the Moroccan troops stationed there also left, and the great elder of the True God Sect who presided over prayers and worship also left.

Why, was it because you were too slow just now, or was your attitude not humble enough, which made Master Qi angry? ——
The True God Temple, located in the center of Dehua City, was approaching the time of sacred daily prayers again. The sun had not yet set, but the magnificent building had already taken on a deep black color, and the huge shrine in the center exuded an unprecedented mysterious atmosphere.

What surprised the people even more was that when the people of Qi frequently requisitioned people to build urban infrastructure, they actually provided two meals, and they were thick pancakes.

"May the true God bless me, bless my brothers, and bless all my family members!"

The people who succeeded them were naturally from Qi. Their governor came, their officials and scribes also came, and their troops also stationed in the city and took on the responsibility of protecting it.

In just a few years, the city of Tangier seems to have completely changed, becoming very strange to all Moroccans.

In fact, as an ordinary citizen, Yassin Bunu felt that it didn't matter who ruled him. Anyway, the upper-class nobles would ruthlessly squeeze and exploit them, the common people, with endless taxes and never-ending hard labor.

Since the city of Tangier was leased to the Qi people, the entire market has become much more prosperous than before, with all kinds of novelty gadgets emerging one after another, and there are more people than before.

If it weren't for the slightly dilapidated temple and many ancient Moroccan buildings in the center of the city, many people would think they were in an oriental city.

Oh, speaking of the true temple, may the true god forgive the people of Qi.

Decades ago, when the English took over the city from the Portuguese, they wreaked havoc on the true temple in the name of pagans, desecrating the great true God and making the believers angry. It was only when the great Sultan Ismail, with the secret help of the Qi people, expelled the English and regained Tangier that the true temple was restored and carefully maintained, allowing countless believers to gain psychological comfort from the true God.

However, after the people of Qi settled in the city, they spent a lot of effort to improve and build a large number of buildings, but they simply neglected the daily maintenance of the real temple. As a result, the temple became increasingly dilapidated under the erosion of time, and many halls and outer walls even There were also signs of damage and collapse. It is said that the elders of the Zhen Temple made several applications for funds to the people of Qi to renovate the Zhen Temple, but they were rejected by the other party on the grounds of insufficient financial funds.

People in Qi have no money?
That's a big joke!

In this world, when it comes to which country is the richest, Qi is ranked second, while no country dares to be ranked first.

Look at the tall and majestic buildings in Tangier, the neat and unique residences, the increasingly well-equipped ports and terminals, and the magnificent hotels where wealthy, arrogant and extravagant businessmen from all over the country gather. , how could they have no money?

To put it bluntly, the people of Qi do not want the True God Sect to have too much influence in this city.

Yes, the people of Qi want a secular city of Tangier and a colony that is completely submissive to the rule of the people of Qi.

It is said that in Egypt, the Qi people also seem to be weakening the influence of the True God Religion to varying degrees in order to promote local secular management.

But the problem is that the True God Religion has been popular in countries and regions on the southern coast of the Mediterranean for more than a thousand years, and has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. How can its influence be weakened even if it wants to be weakened?
Furthermore, if there is no True God Religion in the hearts of the people, then what should they believe in?

Could it be that like you people in Qi, you can believe in all kinds of gods in the sky?

"Oh, true God!" Yassin Bunu thought of this and couldn't help but pray to the true God secretly.

A luxurious carriage passed by him quickly. From the transparent window, you could see that the Qi businessman was hugging a charming Moroccan woman. He did not care about the restraints of etiquette and teased wantonly. hate.

"Is Hakim feeling better?" Yassin Bunnu bought half a bag of coarse flour at the market. When he returned to his small and dilapidated home, he came to the front room immediately to visit his sick younger brother.

"It's not good. I keep having a fever and can't eat any food." The mother held her sleeping baby son with a sad look on her face.

"The true God will bless him." Yassin Bunu stretched out his hand to touch his young brother's hot forehead and sighed, "I have made the most sincere prayer to the true God, and he will bless Hakim." "

"Can the true God hear our prayers?" The mother's tears kept falling, her face pressed tightly against her youngest son's forehead, and she sobbed lowly.

"Yaxin..." His father opened his mouth, seeming hesitant, "I heard that there is a miracle medicine in the Qi people's medical clinic. After taking it, patients with fever will fully recover in a short time. East Street Mr. Bazaar also suffered from Hakim’s fever a few months ago, but he bought medicine from the people of Qi and miraculously recovered.”

"..." When Yasin Bunu heard this, a look of embarrassment suddenly appeared on his face.

Can a family like ours afford to go to the doctor?

"Yasin, brother Yasin!..." A shout suddenly came from outside the door.

"What's the matter, brother Izzy?" Yassin Bunu came outside the house and saw his neighbor and best friend Izzy Abboud.

"How's Hakeem doing?"

"The situation is not good..." Yasin Bunu's expression darkened, "Unless he can be sent to a Qi people's hospital, there is still a chance of survival."

"Oh, don't be sad, my brother Yassin, everything will be fine." Izzy Abboud patted his brother's shoulder and consoled him.

"May the true God bless him. ...You came to me, is there something wrong?"

"Brother Yassin..." Izzy Abboud showed an excited look on his face, "A businessman from Qi is recruiting overseas development personnel. As long as you sign up, you will receive five silver coins as settlement allowance. After arriving overseas, each Three silver coins will be given out every month, including food and accommodation, and two sets of clothes after one year. Brother Yasin, let’s sign up together... With the money, we can treat Hakim.”

"Going to develop overseas?" Yasin Bunu couldn't help but feel moved after hearing this, "As long as you sign up, will you be given five silver coins?"

"Yes. The people of Qi will not lie to us. It seems that the previous batches of people who went overseas to colonize have been paid sufficient settling-in allowances."

"But..." Yassin Bunu hesitated, "But it seems that those who went overseas to colonize before have not come back. Did they all die outside?"

"No." Izzy Abboud shook his head and said: "The people of Qi said that those who colonized settled overseas and did not come back because of the long distance. They also said that as long as they colonized overseas for five years, they were willing to stay. A large area of ​​land, as well as draft horses and cattle, will be distributed free of charge.”

"..." Yassin Bunu was still hesitant.

Are the people of Qi really so generous?
From time to time in the room behind him, his mother's suppressed and sad sobs could be heard, as well as his father's melancholy sighs, all of which stimulated his tormented heart.

"Okay, Brother Izzy, let's go and take a look. If the conditions given by the Qi people are really what you said, I will sign up with you to colonize Qi's overseas territories." Yassin Bunushen Taking a breath, I made up my mind.

(End of this chapter)