Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 888 On the Bank of the Wujiang River (VIII)

On November 1651, 11, preparations for the spring sowing were in full swing.On the vast land outside Yuer Township, a group of shepherds who migrated from the coastal area are grazing a large herd of Wujiang sheep. They rode horses and dogs, and galloped wantonly on the grassland full of wild flowers in the morning glow.

Beside them, a group of Scottish peasants in shabby linen shirts just glanced at them briefly, then sighed softly, and got to work with their heads covered.Although they are very envious of the life of the old residents on the east coast, they also know that this is not the life they can enjoy now. They need to work on this land for another five years before they can apply for citizenship on the east coast. Before, they could only endure.

But really, they have no regrets now about crossing the ocean to make a living on the East Coast, because their life before was so bad.Barren land, greedy businessmen, and brutal lords almost squeezed out their last bit of property. In order to be able to pay taxes, men have to go out to work, while women have to stay at home and do hard work on the farm - even pregnant mothers Also go to work in the field.

Mothers often give birth to weak children due to malnutrition and overwork.So far, the good race has degenerated, and disease, poverty and hunger have enveloped the whole family.Coupled with the turbulent situation, the taxes imposed by the English on them became increasingly heavy, so it became inevitable to go out to make a living—most of them went to the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal, and a small number went to the North American New World (usually single men), and of course some came to the pagan country on the east coast.

Compared with the precarious life of the compatriots who came to the New World of North America (promoted by the East Bank preaching team), the situation of the Scots who came to the East Bank is much better. At least there are no Englishmen who discriminate against and hate them.It's a lot of work, but you get oriental bread (steamed buns made from cheap flour with bran), fish soup, salt meat, vegetables, and sometimes (usually once a month) some wine, which is great. It is much better than our North American compatriots who have been threatened by hunger most of the time.Therefore, they are relatively content, and they don't deliberately cheat when they work, because it is not worth it.

"The piers, city walls, warehouses, forts, offices, and houses are all built by them, and some water canals are also built by them." Liao Xiaoyao, the police commander of the Wujiang area, rode on a steed horse, looking at the hunched bodies, working hard. The working Scottish foreign laborers said in a slightly admiring tone: "They work hard and bear no complaints. They only need very few supplies to satisfy them. If there is some wine and meat, then they can dance happily. The country has now entered In the period of rapid development, there is a large shortage of people on various construction sites, and I can't imagine how much work will be delayed without these foreign workers."

"Our country has only been developed for 20 years. In fact, many things cannot be completed in 20 years. We are too anxious and demanding." Tian Xingqi, who is about to go to the Hejian area to buy slaves On the horse, he raised the beaver fur cap on his head and said: "However, it is nothing to enslave these alien races. In fact, we have been very generous to them. Can they survive in Scotland? They Some people still bring their wives and children with them. I have seen those children, thin and weak, with a look of malnutrition. Now they can enter the Bingtuanbao preparatory class while studying and recuperating their bodies. In the future, they will change the destiny of themselves and their families chance, God has been lenient enough for them, they have no reason to complain."

Liao Xiaoyao nodded, rode his horse and took a few steps forward. Some Scots who were working on the side of the road immediately retreated to the side. Full of anxiety and doubt.They were frightened by a large group of policemen from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in black uniforms who followed Liao Xiaoyao. These fierce and unkind "black-skinned" policemen have always been the demons in their hearts.

"The local National Development Bureau only has 3 to [-] yuan a year. What is this money enough for? But fortunately, with these cheap consumables, the Development Bureau has avoided the bad financial situation caused by paying unnecessary high wages. situation." Liao Xiaoyao looked at these cowering Scottish laborers, and knew in his heart that with the deepening of the construction work, the oppression and plunder of these people by the State Development Bureau and the Wujiang District Administrative Office would go further.

The East Coast Republic of China does not have any laws to protect their rights and interests. They are de facto legally powerless. They are so helpless after signing a semi-slavery labor contract. They can only passively face the foremen. squeeze.Perhaps, only physical damage is the limit of their being squeezed and plundered!Liao Xiaoyao even suspected that if it was not for the consideration of attracting more immigrants to the east bank to make a living, the grandsons of the Development Bureau would definitely squeeze these Scottish laborers like slaves in the river, and they would cruelly provide only those who can Guarantee the food supply of "the minimum living standard of animals", and then let them work day and night until they die of exhaustion or disease.

"Recently, the Spaniards have set up towns in Paraná and San Michele (Rosario), and have begun garrison drills. It is said that they are preparing to wipe out the Krandi rebels in the river area. This time you take people there On the other side of the river, we need to be more careful, and withdraw decisively when necessary. Don’t worry too much about the life and death of those Kelandi people, just pay attention to bringing back our vital strength.” At this time, Liao Xiaoyao had already turned his attention away from the Scots. When he came back, he only heard him exhorting Tian Xing.The two hundred armed patrols and the police from the Ministry of Internal Affairs under Tian Xing's command are almost the majority of the armed forces in the Wujiang area, and no mistakes are allowed.

It has been more than half a year since the Spaniards established settlements in Parana and San Michele. They migrated hundreds of "gentlemen" (peninsula people, mainly from Andalusia) from the Old World, and then settled in these two set up settlements.According to reports from some Spanish merchants who were friendly with the people on the east coast, a fortress of rough logs has now been erected in each of these two places, and a newly formed regiment of mestizos (about [-] More than [-] people) were stationed in San Michele, and their intention seemed to be to control the connection between the middle and lower reaches of the Parana River, so as to ensure the safety of the most prosperous Paraguay in the La Plata region-the Santa Fe River Basin.

As for Buenos Aires, although it is the garrison of General Buenos Aires, it is obviously not the focus of the Spaniards' defense. Gein has suffered repeated wars here, lost all his essence, and is easily attacked by the people on the east coast. Using the superior navy to encircle and attack, the Spaniards did not want to waste their precious troops, and decisively withdrew their defense focus to Santa Fe—and San Michel was the gateway to Santa Fe.

And in Paraná, a not-yet-formed Klandi regiment is also actively training—constrained by the "Valladolid Peace Treaty", the Spaniards can only garrison a maximum of 500 troops east of the Parana River—they The goal is obviously to take root here, and then rely on the logistical assistance given by the city of Santa Fe to gradually infiltrate eastward and wipe out the local anti-government Kelandi armed forces, in order to deal with the possible infiltration of the East Coast people into this area.

In the past two or three years, perhaps it was the behavior of the east bank troops galloping in La Plata during the war that severely hurt the sensitive nerves of the King of Spain.He began to order to increase immigration to La Plata, focusing on operating this area that had been neglected by them before-everyone's attention seemed to be focused on the rich Peru.

The king gave the order, and the people below naturally obeyed it. Therefore, from the second half of 1649, the Spaniards exiled many citizens of the reconquered Catalonia region to the New World-the Catalans had previously announced that Take refuge in King Louis of France - to strengthen the power here.These Catalans who were exiled are currently scattered in a wide area from Asunción to San Michel. They farm and fish, build fortresses, and at the same time develop with the relatively rich Paraguay and Tucumán regions. trading.

Naturally, such a big move by the Spaniards in La Plata cannot be concealed from the people on the east coast, but they don't care. In comparison, it is still very easy to clean them up.It's just that the relationship between the people on the east coast and the Spanish colonial officials is still good because of the Peruvian smuggling trade, so I ignore it for the time being.

However, it is right to be careful in everything. In the chaotic Hejian area, it is not surprising that anything happens.Business between the two parties is business, but it does not mean that there is no friction and small movements, so it is right to be careful, and Tian Xing also agrees with this.The large number of Kelandi tribes in that place are constantly fighting with each other-this is more or less due to the factors of the people on the east coast, because the river slaves they bought in large quantities objectively fueled this kind of war-Tian Xing The two hundred heavily armed policemen brought with them may still be in danger if they encounter the Spaniard's small movements.

"I will pay more attention to this, and I will not trade with those strange and suspicious tribes. God knows whether those tribes have been bought by the damn Spaniards." Tian Xing tightened the reins of the horse in his hand, looking at a The horse team loaded with goods was slowly approaching, so he turned his head and said to Liao Xiaoyao, "Thank you, Commander Liao, for your concern. I'll lead the team to set off as soon as possible, and try to buy more Hejian slaves to support the construction projects in this area. , and also ask the commander's ship to be ready to respond at any time to deal with emergencies."

(End of this chapter)