The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 400 Weiyuan Island

As Qi State continued to recruit immigrants and encourage childbirth, the population in several surrounding overseas territories, not to mention the mainland of Hanzhou, was growing extremely fast.

By the first year of the Yonglong reign (1730), the population of places such as Kaihua Island (now Java Island) and Jinzhou Island (now Sumatra Island) had exceeded one million, while that of Xuanhua Island (now Timor Island) and Jingping Island (now Sulawesi Island) had reached more than , which meant that the Han people began to occupy an absolute population advantage in the South Pacific islands. Given time, it would not be long before the Han people would completely digest and absorb the remaining indigenous population.

However, the population growth rate of Weiyuan Island, which is closest to Hanzhou mainland, lags far behind other areas. The last census data showed that the population of Weiyuan Island was only over 1.3 million (excluding indigenous people), and most of them were located in the coastal areas.

You should know that the development time of Weiyuan Island is second only to Xuanhua Island. As early as during the Second Han-Dutch War, the State of Qi began to establish several immigrant settlements on the island, which has been more than 90 years ago.

The population distribution in the entire territory is extremely unbalanced and relatively sparse. Only in a coastal area close to the Hanzhou mainland is the population slightly denser, with a population of about 500,000 people. More than ten towns and cities have been established, including Weiyuan (now Port Moresby), Yanjin (now Daru City in southern Papua New Guinea), Yixing (now Alotau City in Papua New Guinea), Pingjiang (now Merauke City in Papua, Indonesia), Xinshao (now Kerema, Papua New Guinea), and Weinan (now the small town of Lealea), and there is also a coastal railway of more than 400 kilometers.

As for other areas of Weiyuan Island, there are a number of settlements scattered around, mostly located along the coast or in river valleys. The State of Qi did not penetrate too deeply into the vast inland plateau area, and apart from various expeditions and survey teams that had entered, there were not many immigrant settlements.

Indeed, it is not difficult to understand that the distribution of immigrant settlements must be strongly influenced by those environmental conditions that are conducive to health and subsistence agriculture. The most concentrated areas of population are generally those with good drainage, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil.

More importantly, immigration points located in coastal areas have easier access to convenient sea transportation conditions.

Many people are surprised when they first come to Weiyuan Island, which is a beautiful but desolate island that is difficult to develop.

For many Hanzhou natives, the vast forest areas and numerous rivers with abundant water, some of which are so huge, remind them of the environment they live in: all places are roughly uniform and rather monotonous, the area is dry and rainy, the plains are wide, and there are no trees (referring to the inland desert areas). This comparison may give them the most unforgettable impression.

Even for people who are familiar with other parts of Southeast Asia, it will be a new feeling: Weiyuan Island is too desolate, without so many towns and villages, and large tracts of intensively cultivated rice fields.

People who are used to seeing clusters of broken islands in the Pacific and Caribbean Seas will be even more impressed by the vast area of ​​this island.

Anyone who has explored Africa and America will be amazed at the variety of terrain there - in a short distance, there are high mountains, wide valleys, rugged plateaus, volcanoes, swamps, and islands.

It can be said that Weiyuan Island is one of the most rugged and difficult places in the world. The combination of climate and terrain makes it impossible for pioneers to go deep into it.

"No wonder the Weiyuan Governorate has not yet exercised actual control over the vast inland areas. It is too difficult to allow them to remain in their current state."

On June 1737, 6, a team of more than 18 people led horses along a rugged mountain road, winding towards the inland mountains. They set out from Jinhua (now Lae, Papua New Guinea) three days ago, first took a train to Banqiao Town (now Gusap Town), then requisitioned more than pack horses, followed a simple dirt road, entered the vast mountainous area, and headed for Yangshan (now Goroka City).

According to Qi State's transportation standards, the road they took could not be considered a real highway.

This road was formed by clearing away trees along the way, blasting away some rocks that blocked the way, filling in a few deep ditches, and then trampling on by countless people and horses to form a barely passable path. It twists and turns, like a giant dragon entwined between the rolling mountains, and every bend brings endless challenges.

The rugged rocks and loose soil make the mountain path dangerous, making the travelers feel nervous at every step. From time to time, rocks fall from the high cliffs, making a dull roar, as if the mountain god is whispering a warning. The mist lingers in the mountains, making this road even more mysterious and unpredictable.

When walking on such a road, travelers often have to give up riding and instead hold the horse's reins with one hand and a thick wooden stick with the other, taking slow and careful steps.

Occasionally, clear streams flow down from the mountains, intersecting with the mountain roads, and the gurgling streams seem to be telling ancient stories. Beside the mountain roads, wild flowers sway in the wind, exuding a faint fragrance, bringing a rare comfort to this difficult journey. But even this short-lived beauty cannot make people forget the ruggedness and difficulty of the road.

When the sun hides behind the mountain, the afterglow fills the earth, and the mountain road becomes more dangerous. The shadows of the travelers are very long, as if they are stretched on this ancient mountain range along with their hopes and fears.

Liang Fengwei, an inspector at the Public Opinion Research Office's Jinhua Prefecture branch, took out a kettle, took a big gulp, then reached out to wipe his mouth, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"Inspector Liang, how about we take a break here?" Qiu Linhui, the director of the Operations Department, also stopped and suggested in a low voice.

"...Not so good. We just rested two hours ago." Liang Fengwei glanced at the dozen or so soldiers on duty. They were all standing firm, not out of breath, and looked normal. They seemed not to be troubled by the rugged mountain road at all. Liang Fengwei couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.

Damn, when I was serving in the army, I was fighting the natives on Jinzhou Island. I chased the enemy all over the mountains for days and nights without rest.

Alas, I have been living in comfort for too long and my legs are no longer able to move. I become breathless after walking a little further.

I've had enough of this crappy place!

If this mission goes smoothly and the serious criminal is captured, I might use this achievement to lobby the higher-ups and let them leave Weiyuan earlier and take up a post in a more comfortable place.

"How far is it to Yangshan?" Liang Fengwei forced himself to stay awake and continued walking forward, leaning on a wooden stick.

"It's about thirty kilometers away. We'll probably arrive tomorrow evening." The guide took out a map from his arms, gestured with his hand twice, and then responded respectfully.

"More than 30 kilometers! Hey, we have to walk for five days." Liang Fengwei put his hands on his waist, looked at the vast mountains in the distance, and sighed: "How do you think the residents of Yangshanbao get out of the mountains on weekdays? In the territory of Qi, there is probably no more remote immigrant settlement than this!"

"Inspector Liang, every half a month, the residents of Yangshanbao drive a team of packhorses out to Banqiao Town to sell the pigs and sheep they brought, and then buy a large number of daily necessities to bring back to Yangshanbao." Officer Du Wuping of the Banqiao Town Police Station explained with a smile: "As for whether it is the most remote immigrant settlement in our Qi State, I am not sure, but in the entire Weiyuan Governor's District, it should be the base that goes deepest into the hinterland."

"That is to say, you can only learn about the recent situation in Yangshan Fort every half a month?" Liang Fengwei asked in surprise: "If they were all wiped out by the natives in the mountains, wouldn't you know the news only after 20 days?"

"Uh..." Wu Ping was stunned for a moment, and then he reacted after a while, then smiled and shook his head and said, "Inspector Liang, how could the natives in the mountains destroy Yangshan Fort? You know, although Yangshan Fort has a small population of only more than 360 people, and there are only more than 80 adult males, it is not something that those primitive and backward natives can bite. Besides, those natives usually fight and kill each other, and their hatred is very deep, so it is impossible for them to unite and besiege Yangshan Fort."

Wu Ping is the third generation of Japanese immigrants. He has served in the army and participated in the Gulf War (also known as the Oman War) and the Persian War. He has seen blood and killed people. How could he take the extremely backward natives on the island seriously?

After completing his four-year service, he returned to his hometown, Jinhua Prefecture, and was placed in Banqiao Town by the local government as a police patrol chief. After several years of hard work and his own courage and insight, he was gradually promoted to the position of police chief, and was considered a prominent figure in the local area.

Three days ago, spies from the Public Opinion Survey Office's Jinhua branch arrived at Banqiao Town by train and showed the local mayor a document of cooperation issued by the Jinhua Prefecture's prosecutor, requesting the recruitment of several elite policemen to accompany them to Yangshanbao and providing corresponding packhorses and guides.

Not to mention that these spies from the Public Opinion Survey Office did not have official documents issued by Jinhua Prefecture, just based on their impressive identities, the local authorities in Banqiao Town would do their utmost to cooperate and agree to everything they could.

These guys are not good people. They can invite people to their small dark room and have a "cordial and friendly" conversation on the pretext of endangering the security of the empire.

Although the distance from Banqiao Town to Yangshanbao is only more than 120 kilometers, it is all rugged mountain roads and is very difficult to walk on. If you go fast, it will take at least four days.

Wu Ping had been to Yangshanbao five years ago to handle a murder case. He stayed there for more than a month and had a preliminary understanding of the situation. Weiyuan Island is located in the tropics, with high temperatures and high humidity, especially during the rainy season, which makes people feel wet and sticky. The environment and climate are not very friendly.

However, the climate of the inland plateau is completely opposite to that of the coastal lowlands. It is dry and cool, and the temperature is not that high. It is very comfortable and is definitely the best place to live.

What is even more rare is that unlike coastal areas, the inland plateaus are not as barren as the coastal areas due to the erosion of rivers and heavy rains. If they are not vigorously improved, the crop yield will be very low. In the inland highlands, due to the lack of rainfall, a large amount of humus plants will be deposited, making the soil in some areas extremely fertile, especially near some volcanoes, where agricultural conditions are better.

Yangshanbao is located in a valley plain with a cool climate and fertile soil. Fifteen years ago, the government settled and developed the area, and in less than three years, it basically achieved self-sufficiency in food.

A few years ago, agricultural technicians transplanted coffee to the area, where it grew well and provided a profitable livelihood for local residents.

The only bad thing is that the road traffic is too bad, which greatly restricts the movement of people and materials. It takes several days to get in and out.

However, it is precisely because of the difficult roads and lack of information that some high-quality people are able to hide in them and avoid being hunted down by the government.

I don't know what kind of criminal this is who is working with the spies from the Public Opinion Investigation Office to catch the suspect at Yangshan Fort.
"Master, Mr. Li said he is leaving Yangshan."

In the Yangshanbao Comprehensive School, several teenagers around 11 or 12 years old knocked on the door of a house next to the classroom and chattered.

"Dean Yu, please try to persuade Ms. Li to stay. All of our students like her classes very much. If she suddenly leaves here, there will be no one to take our national history and geography classes!"

"Master Jiao Yu, go and persuade her. If she is not satisfied with her living conditions, we will go back and talk to our parents and ask them to bring her more things every day. If she lacks anything, we can help her get it together."

"..."

"Okay, okay, stop making so much noise." Zhang Sanxing waved his hands, looked at the young men in front of him, and said with a wry smile: "If Ms. Li insists on leaving, how can I persuade her to stay in the school? Alas, everyone has their own aspirations. Ms. Li is so young and a woman. It is understandable that she does not want to stay in this remote place and wants to go to the bustling coastal areas to live a more colorful life. Let's not embarrass her."

"But, Dean, our school has changed more than 20 teachers in the past seven or eight years, and few of them can stay. If this continues, our academic performance will always be much worse than that of coastal areas."

"Yes, for so many years, no student in our Yangshanbao has been able to enter the senior high school. Just like my father said, there is no way to make a difference in life. Either stay in this remote and secluded Yangshanbao and dig for food in the soil, or go to the coastal areas to find a job that can barely support the family."

"Isn't it good to farm in Yangshanbao?" Zhang Sanxing smiled slightly. "The mountains and rivers here are picturesque, and the climate is much better than that of the coastal areas. Living here may not be a bad choice."

"But we all want to see the outside world. If possible, it would be great to visit our homeland!"

"What's so good about the local area? There's nothing to look forward to except that there are more people and the houses are more magnificent."

"Master, you are originally from Hanzhou, so you are not interested in anything there. However, from what we have read in books and newspapers, Hanzhou is the richest, most beautiful, and most developed place in our Qi State. If I could just take a look at it, I would be willing to die!"

"Little kids, why are you talking about life and death!" Zhang Sanxing patted the children's foreheads vigorously and said unhappily, "If you want to visit the mainland, then let your parents save more money for you. When you grow up, you can buy a boat ticket to Hanzhou. Okay, it's getting late, go home quickly. Remember to finish the homework left in class, and then review today's content."

"Oh, I see, Master."

Watching the group of teenagers leave reluctantly, Zhang Sanxing felt an inexplicable warmth.

Although these days are boring and tedious, they are peaceful and quiet.

Even if I stay in this remote town for the rest of my life, it would be a good destination for me.

After a quick dinner, Zhang Sanxing rinsed his mouth before the sunset, left the house, and headed towards the residence of the female teacher who had announced that she was about to leave Yangshan Fort.

For these children, let's make one last effort.

The setting sun shines obliquely, and the afterglow fills the entire Yangshan Fort. The golden light and the outline of the green mountains interweave to create a quiet and peaceful picture. Next to the stone mill under an old rosewood tree, several children are playing, with innocent smiles on their faces, and their laughter floats in the air, contrasting with the occasional barking of dogs and crowing of chickens in the distance.

The village paths were dyed a warm yellow by the afterglow of the setting sun, and the rows of eaves swayed in the breeze, as if whispering of time. Smoke rose in curls, blending into the night that was about to fall.

Under the eaves in the distance, a young man was playing a melodious flute. The melody was so strange that it drifted in the wind and blended with the chirping of returning birds, forming a natural pastoral movement. The smoke from every household gradually rose and merged into the thickening curtain. The whole village seemed to be covered by a mysterious veil, adding a bit of tranquility and mystery.

Suddenly, a group of people dressed in police uniforms and officials appeared from the corner of the town and headed straight towards the school.

They were in a hurry and moved quickly, jogging all the way, and in a moment they rushed into the courtyard of the school.

When they saw Zhang Sanxing, they paused for a moment, but after glancing at him, they did not stop and ran directly towards the row of houses behind him.

Zhang Sanxing stood there for a moment, a few beads of sweat oozing out of his forehead. His whole body seemed to be frozen, extremely stiff and unable to move at all.

"Zhang Songpo?"

Just when he was panicking, a call came from the side.

"Um?……"

After hearing the voice, he responded subconsciously and then turned to look.

"Okay, that's him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several people suddenly turned back, knocked him to the ground with lightning speed, then quickly took out ropes and tied him up tightly.

"You've committed a crime, so come with us!" A big hand grabbed Zhang Sanxing's hair roughly and said in a fierce voice.

(End of this chapter)