Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 999

Lingao is a hive.This is what a lot of people say about it.Everyone who comes here for the first time will feel the busy, tense and active air as soon as they board the pier of the port.When they went deep here, especially those industrial and agricultural areas and residential areas along the banks of the Wenlan River, their feelings became more profound.

The streets are full of busy people and vehicles all day long. The front of the "Meteor" is pulling the convertible wagon, which is either full of goods or crowded with people.Despite the promulgated safety regulations, no "ticket hanging" situation, and the increase of police and national army soldiers to maintain order at the station, every train is still surrounded by overloaded people.So much so that people fell from the car every day. Fortunately, the speed of the "Meteor" type was not much faster than walking, and the casualty rate was kept at a level that a planning institute could bear.

At noon on this day, there was a rumble of gunfire from the direction of Bopu Wharf—this was a salute of foreign ships entering the port.This is a rare thing in Lingao: apart from an occasional Portuguese ship, only Chinese merchant ships come here.It is summer now, and even Chinese merchant ships rarely come here.

Van der Laantelon stood on the poop, looking with interest at the Australian sampan being tied to the towline.Magdeburg, with a load of 400 tons, will be towed into the port by this small boat.The Dutch "speedboat" was quite clumsy, and there was no steering wheel mechanism at that time, so it was very difficult to steer in the fjord port.If you don't ride the tide to enter and exit the port, it is impossible to accurately sail into the anchorage solely by the captain's driving skills.

Every time the Magdeburg entered and exited the port, the rowing boats on board had to be lowered to tow the big ship.However, in Australian ports, this work is done by Australian ships, and the cost is included in the pilotage fee.

The small boats used by the Australians to tow ships are covered with chimneys and spew out thick black smoke. They have no oarsmen, but they are very powerful, and they can easily drag heavy ships.The last time the Magdeburg transported spices to Hong Kong, they had seen their power.

The Dutch generally do not sail to the coast of mainland China in summer-the wind direction is not good for them, and they are in danger of encountering typhoons, but this time the Magdeburg's adventurous voyage has an important mission besides trade.

This is the second time for Van der Laantelon to visit Bopu.According to the urgent instructions of the Australian Ministry of Colonization and Trade: The Magdeburg shipped a large amount of woolen cloth, cotton cloth and sheepskin-most of the woolen cloth was produced in Britain.According to the intensity of commercial competition between the Dutch and the British, it is not easy to understand that it is not easy to buy wool from a business opponent-not to mention that the Netherlands itself is also known for weaving high-quality wool.But for the Dutch East India Company, the interests of the company and major shareholders are above all else. Since the price of British woolen cloth is low enough for the East India Company to have enough profits, it will not give up this opportunity.

It goes without saying that the British were no more than commercial competitors, and in name only allies of the Netherlands.In the future, the East India Company will not hesitate to sell and deliver food and weapons to the enemies of the motherland that is at war.For profit has no country.

Half an hour later, the Magdeburg had berthed at berth No. 5.Van der Laantelon admired the Australian ports.All their ports have trestles available, eliminating the need to use small boats to bulk transport goods and personnel.The goods are hoisted and unloaded by the crane, and the personnel directly get on and off the gangway, which saves a lot of time and manpower.In Lingao, Sanya and Hong Kong, the turnover rate of ships is calculated by hours and days, not by "weeks" and "months".

Soon van der Laantelon met his old friend, Mr. Leibtrini who was stationed in Lingao as consul of the Dutch East India Company.The Italians have already completed all the port procedures. Van der Laantelon checked the customs declaration form and various required documents for the last time. After confirming that they are correct, he handed over the documents to the customs officials. The next step is to unload the ship, inspect the goods and pay taxes. You don't have to worry about things yourself.Customs and port affairs for Australians will be handled properly.

"Mr. Trini, long time no see, you look good."

Trini was once worried about being sent to Lingao as a consul, although this position was higher than his previous position in Batavia, and his salary income also increased by a few guilders.And the company also allowed him to distribute several kinds of company products in Lingao.Including certain spices popular among the Chinese: ambergris, myrrh, sandalwood, etc., from which a good deal can be obtained.

But Trini knew very well that the job was given to him because he was a painter and cartographer, and let him be a spy in Lingao.And because he is an Italian, a Catholic with extremely dubious beliefs, who is keen on science and mysticism, even if he is killed by the Australians, the Dutch will not feel sorry but can also clear themselves.

However, these days in Lingao have made Trini regard his work in Lingao as the third thing that no one can touch, after family and life.

"A day in Lingao is better than a year in this world." Trini wrote in a letter to his friends.

"It's very hygienic, with lots of variety. The food supply is good," Trini said, "but there's very little meat."

A mocking smile appeared on the corner of Van der Laantelon's mouth: "I thought you would complain about not having enough olive oil?"

According to the standard of how much meat is eaten by Europeans, the food level of Italians was still very poor even in the first half of the 20th century.Most Italian commoners are content with simple slices of bread with a few drops of olive oil and a little cheese.

Of course Trini understood the sarcasm in the words of the clog—he had experienced too much of this kind of thing.Although the food level of the Dutch is also known for its simplicity and roughness.But anyway the Dutch eat much more meat than the Italians.

"Olive oil, the Australians are also very interested - maybe soon they will consider importing from Europe. Of course, the premise is that the company can invent a way to preserve the oil for a long time..."

"It is said that they are very fond of grease?"

"Yes, they buy copra in large quantities for this purpose," Trini said.

The two left the customs while talking, and the empty bell tower above the customs caught the attention of Van der Laantelon.Since the last time it came to the present, the bell tower has always been empty.He was very surprised: why the Australians have not equipped this clock tower with a set of loud copper bells.Let it be so vacant.He learned from Trini's letters that the Australians wanted to equip these vacant clock towers with an unprecedented timer, but it has been delayed.

"Mr. Trini, your last picture album has already caused a sensation in Batavia, and there are still people who want to collect your picture album at a high price—I never imagined that after you came here, you would be so inspired to engage in artistic creation. "

Trini brings a copy of his picture book back to Batavia by boat every month—as long as there are still boats sailing.A picture album is not only an artistic creation, but also a report of information. Nothing can express information more accurately than intuitive images.

"Thank you for your concern. There are many new things and new things here. It is beyond my past thinking and experience. This greatly stimulated my inspiration." Trini smiled and took out a wooden cigarette case, "including Australians enjoyment."

Van der Laantelon took a cigar—he was no stranger to cigars, some Spaniards used to smoke tobacco in this way—he personally preferred a pipe.But he wasn't opposed to a change of taste.

"My friends in Australia hope that I can help them buy some works of famous Italian painters: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo..." He announced the names of more than a dozen prominent Renaissance painters in one breath, Some were already well-known painters at that time, and some were not well-known, "there are also the violins of Stekrivari and Guarneri."

It is unimaginable for Trini's friends and family in Italy to search for these works of art-they do not have such financial resources, and only the East India Company, which is extremely wealthy, has this ability.

"Their vision is really high. Others don't say it, I think Da Vinci's works are very difficult. Most of his paintings are in the hands of the French king. The rest depends on whether your Italian compatriots are willing to give up." Vander Laan Thrun said, "This time I brought two Guarneri and some instruments you named, and the musicians you mentioned in your letter. I think the Australians may be Chinese, but they prefer Western art."

"It's hard to say. I can only understand a little bit of their artistic taste. They also like some strange line drawings, which are exaggerated, stylized, and narrative..."

After a discussion about Australian art, the two came to the edge of Customs Square.

"My lord, this time I would like to invite you to take a seat here." The Italian pointed to a wooden shed diagonally across from Bopu Customs.Below the shed is a masonry platform raised above the ground.

The table was already crowded with people, as if they were all eagerly waiting for something.

"What are they waiting for..."

"Woo... besides, besides, besides..."

"Is this a new form of transportation for the Australians?" Now that the ass is sitting in a moving carriage, van der Lantroon already knows what they are waiting for.

"Yes, my lord, the Australians call this a train, and it runs on two rails at the speed of a fast horse, but you see, my lord, this train has five carriages and can Seat more than 5 people..."

Van der Lantelon thought it was very interesting, but from what he knew about the Italian in the past, he could hear that Trini wanted to say more than that.

(End of this chapter)