1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1001 Founding Ceremony ([-])

Adjacent to the warehouse area of ​​Shengli Port No. [-] Wharf, there is a back street that looks inconspicuous and does not even have an official name. It is only more than [-] meters long. On one side is a "commercial street" composed of various small restaurants, teahouses, hotels, rice shops, grocery stores and other shops.The main customers of this kind of shops in back streets and alleys are handymen and sailors on the wharf, and the grade is naturally not as good as those big shops on Landscape Avenue.However, although the sparrow is small and well-equipped, for those foreign sailors who have not yet obtained the native place of Haihan, or who are staying in the port for a short time, the consumption here is low, the location is convenient, and the daily needs can be met. People often come here to spend after work.

At the east end of this back street is a teahouse, which opened as early as the year Shengli Harbor was completed. At first, it was just a tea stall without a roof, and there were a few tables and chairs in the open air to sell the cheapest tea. It is said that there are Many heads have also patronized the business here.With the gradual prosperity of Shengli Port, the tea stall gradually expanded and a shed was built. Later, the facade on the first floor and the ground floor was repaired. It can be regarded as the largest shop on this street.

The owner who opened the tea stall at the time has not personally managed the business here. It is said that he has several plantations under his name and bought a big house in Sanya city. Boss kicked.The young boss who took over is said to have studied in the Haihan Academy for several years, and his thinking has kept up with the development of the times. He not only runs traditional projects in the teahouse, but also adds the product of the new era of reading newspapers.On the 30th and [-]th of every month when Haihan's official newspaper is published, the storyteller in the shop stops the original jokes and reads and explains the latest news to the tea drinkers.

Seventy-eight out of ten of the tea drinkers who consume in this place are from Lower Liba who can't read a basket. I heard that Mr. Shu explained the official news in the newspaper, which is the main channel for them to understand current affairs.Therefore, on the evening of the day when the newspaper is published, the teahouse will be full of seats. Even the most thrifty laborers will spend eight cents to buy a bowl of the cheapest tea and occupy a small bench seat at the entrance of the store. .

It was the newspaper issue day at the end of the month, and the teahouse was already full of dock workers who had just got off work and foreign crew members who came to watch the fun and pass the time. For them, the upcoming Haihan founding ceremony was the most important thing for them. What activities will be arranged, whether the government will relax the naturalization threshold during this period, whether Haihan Kingdom will be able to stabilize as always in the future, and so on.And these questions may be answered in the latest issue of Haihan Times.

The storyteller on the stage was unhurriedly clearing his cigarette pouch, and the newsboy who delivered the newspaper hadn't arrived yet, so he could take a few puffs to refresh himself during this spare time.The font printed on this newspaper is quite small, and the storyteller has to wear reading glasses to read it clearly. It takes at least two or three hours to read the newspaper and explain it. You have to recover your energy before working.The tea guests below were talking about each other, and the topics they talked about were basically inseparable from the upcoming founding ceremony. Now even the back streets and alleys are decorated with lights and festoons everywhere, which is more festive than the New Year. atmosphere.

"Here we come!" "Make way! The newspaper delivery is here!"

The crowd full of people sitting at the entrance of the store parted a narrow path, and a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy walked into the store with difficulty from the middle, walked to the stage where the storyteller was sitting, took out a newspaper from his satchel and handed it to him. : "Today's Times!"

The storyteller put down the pipe he had just smoked, took money from the table and gave it to the newsboy.The newsboy thanked him and turned to leave.Everyone in the store looked at the storyteller eagerly, waiting for him to start reading the newspaper.

Mr. Storyteller spread out the newspaper on the table, put on his glasses and glanced at the contents of the front page, then arranged the teacup, fan, and Xingmu on the table one by one, and straightened his clothes without haste.On the one hand, he did these actions to inform everyone in the store that he was about to start storytelling, and on the other hand, he also took this opportunity to conceive a story in his mind. After all, storytellers are not used to simply narrating lessons from the book, not to mention that he has to bring an explanation when reading newspapers. , There is still a lot of room for personal development.However, the level of education of the storytellers who live in this small teahouse is naturally relatively limited, and those who are truly capable and talented have long been absorbed into the system as propaganda officers.

The storyteller picked up Xingmu with three fingers and slapped it on the table. After a crisp sound, the shop fell silent.Then I heard the storyteller reciting aloud: "Three emperors and five emperors of morality, famous in Xia Dynasty, Shang and Zhou Dynasties; five tyrants of heroes in the Spring and Autumn Period, rise and fall in an instant! A few lines of names and surnames in Qing History, countless barren hills in Beimang; the land of the predecessors and the descendants of the descendants, what is said Fighting between dragons and tigers."

After the storyteller finished reading a nondescript opening poem, he got to the point: "Everyone, in and out of this store, upstairs and downstairs, to put it bluntly, they all rely on the rewards of Haihan's chiefs for their livelihood. Please bear with me if there are any inappropriate explanations in the newspaper. After all, I used to talk about the executive committee, but now I’m talking about state affairs! The little old man has limited knowledge, and everyone listens to it as a pastime. Take it as an official interpretation. If there is anything unclear, it is safer to consult the government.”

After the storyteller shirked his responsibility for a while, he picked up the newspaper and began to read the news: "Today's Times, the headline on the front page is a letter issued by the executive committee to all Haihan citizens. The content is as follows..."

It was quiet inside and outside the store, everyone was listening attentively to the storyteller reading the contents of the newspaper, even the shop assistants stopped what they were doing, and squatted in the corner to listen intently. .At this time, although not everyone can understand the meaning of the official documents read by Mr. Storyteller, everyone knows that they are closely related to their present and future life, and are inseparable.

At this time in Sanya, scenes similar to this small teahouse can be seen everywhere. As soon as this issue of the official newspaper was published, there were publicity lectures and reading activities organized by private or official organizations in teahouses, restaurants, schools, and military camps. in progress.The bulletin boards on several main streets also posted the new newspapers immediately, and there were propagandists next to them to explain the above contents to the onlookers.

For the traversers who ruled Haihan, the publicity conditions available in this era are very limited, and newspapers are probably the media with the highest communication efficiency.Through this kind of printed matter, coupled with various lectures and reading activities in conjunction with it, the public can be informed of the latest official policies in the shortest possible time.In particular, the founding ceremony of Haihan is coming soon, and the recent official event arrangements, as well as some civil affairs, trade, and foreign policy adjustments, also need to let the public know as soon as possible.

The function of the storyteller in the small teahouse is actually similar to that of Haihan's official propagandist, and the identity and background of the storyteller make it easier for ordinary people to accept the content of his preaching.Especially those new immigrants who have not yet been naturalized and have little education. They haven't even figured out which way Haihan's yamen is open. Naturally, they lack trust in Haihan's officialdom.

Although there may be certain errors between folk interpretations and official statements, this is the only effect that Haihan's current propaganda methods can achieve. It is necessary to make up for the lack of official methods through spontaneous publicity in order to achieve the executive committee. The publicity efficiency required by the club.

The headline on the front page of "Haihan Times" mainly talks about three things in the book. All of them will automatically obtain Haihan nationality. However, the current laws and regulations, the labor system, including the naturalization application procedures that the public is very concerned about, will not make major adjustments for the time being.This is basically to seek a smooth transition and avoid social turmoil caused by the adjustment of policies and regulations.

The second thing is that the official will hold simultaneous celebrations in various places under the rule from April 2 to [-], and the main venue is located in Victory Harbor as the public knows.On the morning of April [-]st, the leaders of various departments, including the Executive Committee, and the dignitaries from various countries invited to watch the ceremony will appear at the venue in Victory Harbor to hold a grand founding ceremony and military parade.Of course, ordinary people can also attend the ceremony, but they must go to the venue early in the morning to queue up and go through the security check before entering the viewing area.The viewing area is limited to [-] people, and no one will be allowed in if the quota is full.In the afternoon and evening of the same day, there will be a naval parade and a fireworks display, and the big names of the executive committee will also come to the scene to have fun with the people.

The third thing is to warn the public to obey the arrangements during the celebration, abide by the law and discipline, and not cause trouble. If there is any violation, regardless of nationality, they will be severely punished.This can also be regarded as an advance warning, lest some restless people take the opportunity to make trouble.Although this kind of warning measure may not be able to completely prevent incidents, it can at least deter some thieves and thieves and reduce the work pressure of security personnel during the celebration.

The storyteller probably spent an incense stick of time reading this official document, and then explained the more difficult parts of it one by one.However, this article was originally written in vernacular, and there are not many difficult and obscure points that need to be interpreted slowly, and most people can understand it.All the storyteller needs to do is to explain the literal meaning of individual words and sentences.

After the storyteller finished the headlines, he stopped and took a sip from the teacup. Then the buddy squatting in the corner next to him came to life, and went forward with the kettle to fill his cup with hot water.

Mr. Storyteller opened the second page unhurriedly, cleared his throat, and then began to read the content on it: "The headline on this second page is a congratulatory letter from King Qingdu of Annan Kingdom to Haihan Kingdom. The content is as follows..."

Annan Kingdom is considered to be the country with the closest relationship with Haihan. The Qing capital king Zheng Bing, who is actually in charge of the Annan regime, was able to turn defeat into victory in the civil war between the North and the South and unify Annan after receiving military assistance from Haihan.Today, the two countries not only maintain close political relations and trade exchanges, but there are also important energy producing areas and naval ports in Haihan along the coastline of Annan, and nearly [-]% of Haihan's current citizens are of Annan origin or have Annan Bloodlines, the relationship between the two countries can be said to be that you have me in you and you in me.

Of course, from Haihan’s point of view, he actually regards Annan as his own slave country. The military aid, cultural export, and financial trade carried out by Annan are all for the benefit of Annan’s national interests. It is more consistent with Haihan, playing the dual role of resource provider and sales market, and can also serve as Haihan's military ally when necessary.Although the strength of the Annan army is limited, it is a new type of army reorganized according to the model provided by Haihan. At least there are few opponents in the Indochina Peninsula. If necessary, it should be enough to teach Haihan a lesson for the disobedient small countries used.

The family of the king of the Qing Dynasty, Zheng Bing, has almost monopolized all foreign trade between Annan and Haihan, and they are vested interests in the true sense. Therefore, there is no one who cares more about maintaining the relationship between the two countries than him.For the founding ceremony of Haihan, Zheng Bing also sent his most beloved eldest son, Zheng Zuo, who has been scheduled to be the successor of the next generation, to attend the ceremony on behalf of An Nanguo, and will sign a series of cooperation agreements with Haihan— —Most of them are upgraded versions of the original agreement. After all, the two sides have now upgraded from non-governmental exchanges to state-to-state relations, and some superficial articles that should be done must be done seriously.

Zheng Zuo has a close relationship with Haihan, and he is also very familiar with the various situations under Haihan's rule. Zheng Zuo is also very clear about the official media position of "Haihan Times", so he sent his father to Haihan in advance. The committee's congratulatory letter was sent to the newspaper, and they paid for the second edition's front page, in order to demonstrate the close relationship between Annan and Haihan.

Of course, this very official approach is not unique to Zheng Zuo. In fact, since the second edition of this issue of "Haihan Times", almost all of them are congratulatory letters from various parties.In addition to countries like Annan, Champa, and Portugal that have a close relationship with Haihan, there are also various overseas colonial management committees of Haihan, and various multinational consortiums that have close trade ties with Haihan, relying on Haihan to make a fortune. Some wealthy businessmen also spent money to publish their congratulatory messages in newspapers.

Although the names of these countries and overseas colonies are familiar, ordinary people don’t know where they are, and people keep asking them. It just so happens that Mr. Storyteller is also a half-baked guy. He spent the first half of his life wandering around Hainan Island and never went out , Where can I figure out the position of these overseas colonies and Nanyang countries, at the moment I can only falter and sloppy.The people below asked urgently, so he had no choice but to stop reading the newspaper and ask the buddy to help collect the reward money before continuing.

(End of this chapter)