Alchemy Greater China

"Don't hit, don't hit... ouch, it's against you, fuck, I can't beat you to death!"

"Help, Chen Tebu killed someone, come and see the neighbors... Ouch, you really smoke, mother, this life can't go on, I, I will take the child back to my mother's house!"

……

The neighbors are used to such poignant stories. Whenever the price of Zhongshanhun's clothes goes up, there will be a "domestic violence" at the home of these tailors who gave up the opportunity to go.

Of course, speaking rationally, the story of the soul of Zhongshan is only one of the changes that Long Hao brought to Chinatown. Coolies on the docks of San Francisco...

These coolies used to gather together spontaneously and pay some money to Hongmen to ensure that they would find an organization and not be bullied. Pay the money, and, as long as each person works at the dock for four hours a day, he can get a one-dollar subsidy funded by Huaxia Town!

Which coolie doesn't work more than ten hours a day?This dollar is like picking up for nothing, and the coolies who get the benefits are full of praise for Huaxia Town's kind deed. On the surface, they are still "restrained" by Hongmen, but the "rope" of this restraint It has become lighter and lighter, almost transparent!

Not only some people in Huaxia Town gave subsidies, but also some people set up some kind of "medical insurance company". As long as the coolies who received the subsidy, according to the principle of voluntariness, they only need to spend 3 dollars a month to participate in a "medical insurance company". Insurance' project, the project stipulates: If you get any disease or encounter any accident during the insurance period, you can go to the hospital run by Meihao Chemical Factory to receive free treatment.

Insurance is a form of crowdfunding.It has existed since ancient times.

As early as 5000 years ago, the caravans that crossed the Egyptian desert, in order to prevent the merchants who encountered a storm from losing their goods and go bankrupt, discussed joining together and adopted a mutual aid method of sharing risks.

This method stipulates that if a merchant's goods and camels are lost in an accident, the undamaged merchant will take part of the profit to compensate the victims.If everyone is safe, then take a part of everyone's profit and keep it as the next time to make up for the loss.

This agreement is the prototype of insurance.

The origin of modern insurance business can be traced back to the "widows' annuity system" and "widows' insurance society" established in Britain in 1688, which made the mutual aid contract of insurance corporate and also made commercial insurance a form of vigorous development. Development, from life insurance, marine insurance, property insurance to fire insurance, medical insurance, health insurance and many other aspects...

Although in the 19th century, the development of insurance business was quite common in continental Europe.But for the Chinese living in San Francisco, this is still a new and unknown thing.

Seeing the unknown, the eyes are always full of doubts.

what? What?Pay $3 a month?If you are not sick, is it still refundable?No more refunds?Isn't this money grabbing?What's the difference between this and the money that Hongmen collected before?What?You told me that if you fall ill this month, you don’t need to spend money to see a doctor?Go, fuck your crow's mouth, I'm in great shape, walking like flying with a [-]kg sack on my back.If I fall ill, all seven members of my family will have to drink northwest wind!Save some words for you!Do not pay.I won’t pay even if I’m beaten to death. You said it’s voluntary. If I don’t pay this kind of insurance premium, I can still get the one dollar a day?

Chinese people in this era always shy away from those disasters, so don't look at $3 a month.It’s less than a dime every day, but most people still choose not to pay, as if buying this kind of medical insurance is like making a reservation that they will inevitably get sick in the future.

That's it, until the shelling crisis.The number of people who buy medical insurance is still in the single digits. Finally, a single coolie suffering from lung disease who bought insurance received free medical treatment, which made the wait-and-see people hesitate to buy some more, but in Chinatown with tens of thousands An average subscription of 20+—well, the number of people who have subscribed to medical insurance business—is still too pitiful.

It is said that the average subscription of 20+ can also slowly rise, which is always a good sign, but when Benson's fleet arrived, it immediately suppressed the medical insurance business that had finally improved a bit. The person in charge of insurance in Huaxia Town lamented: I don't know if the Chinese in San Francisco will remember this medical insurance that can bring them certain protection after this crisis is over.

To sum up the above, Chinatown has received a lot of favors from Long Hao, and everyone is also very grateful. No, since a few days ago, Hong Zaigen dispatched his confidantes to oppose Long Hao. After returning home, he received a lot of favor from his family. Accusation: "Master Long is so kind to us. Your brother receives one yuan a day at the dock, and your sister works as an apprentice in a factory there. No one bullies you. You get 35 yuan a month. You can still learn. Isn’t the art of caring for the sick all thanks to Master Long? It’s good for you to go to parades and demonstrations with others, trying to force Master Long to go to that foreigner’s gunboat! Don’t think I’m old, but my Don't be blind, don't be confused, you, if you still recognize me as a mother, stay at home tomorrow and don't go anywhere!"

But the complaints are the complaints. Although what Long Hao did benefited the public, after all, it was still a little far away from the Wanjiasheng Buddha, so some people obeyed their mother's instructions and did not go out to mess around anymore, but some people were determined to follow Hong Zaigen. After making a big fuss and tossing out a lot of wealth and thorns, he continued to participate in the action of overthrowing the city government and forcing Young Master Long away.

When Long Hao's situation was critical, those Chinese who had received many benefits from Huaxia Town wanted to support Long Hao, but found that the leaders of Hongmen were silent, so everyone gave up their thoughts and stayed in a daze. At home, I just prayed in my heart that Master Long could tide over the difficulties, but very few people actually took to the streets to argue for Long Hao.

Hey, this is the psychological status of overseas Chinese in this era. They wait for someone to redeem them, but when the opportunity comes, they are afraid and afraid to reach out and grasp the rope of fate.

Hey, anger is indisputable, mourning is misfortune.Long Hao still has a long way to go to revitalize Huaxia...

When news of the tragedy caused by the parade conflict on June 6 came back, people who died at home cried and cried, and those who survived were fortunate enough to close their doors even more tightly and put the latches on them.Make up your mind to hang up the avoidance card: The conflict between Young Master Long and the Ministry of Beauty is like a fight between great gods, let's not get involved!

Whatever it is, the abolition of the Chinese Exclusion Act, anyway, we can get by now. It is good to abolish that broken law, but even if it is not abolished, our family can make do with it!It's better than dying without knowing why!

It is with this mentality that San Francisco's Chinatown is calm and serene until the sun rises on June 6.It is rare for everyone to get up early, and the streets are deserted... Workers don't have to go out because the factories are closed, and stall operators are afraid of being affected by the parade, so they simply take a day off from work and beat their wives and children at home.

At first glance, Chinatown seems to have been spun out of San Francisco, thinking that by shrinking its head, it can stay out of the fray.Actually, the idea is... funny.

At about eight o'clock in the morning, at the entrance of a spacious compound in the northeast corner of Chinatown.There was a roar like a cannon, a huge sound, which instantly broke the rare silent morning.

There is a sign hanging at the entrance of this compound, on which is written "Consulate of the Qing Dynasty in San Francisco, California, USA" in traditional Chinese characters, written in flamboyant style, quite self-contained.It was made by Mr. Ouyang Ming, Consul General of the Consulate.

At this moment, Ouyang Ming was doing health-preserving punches in the yard. He was startled by the sudden loud noise, thinking it was a shell hitting the door.

"Zhao Ting. Come out quickly, and go out with Brother Wei to see what's going on?"

Ouyang Geng just came back a few days ago, just in time for the shelling crisis, and he was sleeping late on the second floor. After being awakened by the loud noise, when he heard his brother calling, he quickly jumped up and down the stairs like a monkey down.

"What's the matter? Could it be shelling? No way, we are far away from the commercial pier!"

Ouyang Geng stood firm, straightened the shiny braids on the back of his head, stretched his head to look at the sky, his eyes showed surprise: It's not possible!Even if the gunboat bombed the city, it should be bombing the city government. How could it hit Chinatown?

Long Hao spent most of the money to buy this courtyard for the consulate, but now that Long Hao is in trouble, the Ouyang brothers hide inside and close their ears, ignoring them. If Long Hao knows, I don’t know what will happen No chilling.

Ou Yangming patted his long coat, and said calmly: "It shouldn't be shelling, it sounds like the roar of machinery, Zhao Ting, take your self-defense gun, call some people, and follow! This Chaos in the world is just a word. San Francisco was full of blood yesterday. As the Chinese who are on the cusp of the storm, there is no guarantee that some people who are not good-looking will come to provoke trouble! Well, let me go out and see first. If the situation is not good, you don’t come out Now, go through the back door, greet the neighbors and neighbors, and pay attention to protecting your own property..."

As Ou Yangming spoke, he was already walking towards the layman. When it comes to courage and integrity, this Mr. Hui Ting is worthy of praise.

Before reaching the gate of the courtyard, two guards stumbled over and saw Ouyang Ming from afar, as if seeing a savior, and shouted at the top of their voices: "Consul, my lord, no, it's terrible, But, it's really incredible..."

The two young men were out of breath, so Ouyang Ming went up to meet them. After listening for a long time, he didn't understand what was going on.

As they got closer, Ouyang Ming saw that there was no fear but only surprise on the faces of the two servants who reported the news. His hanging heart finally relaxed a little, and he shouted in a deep voice: "What's the matter, take a breath, give me a break." I will speak slowly!"

"Yes Yes!"

The two servants took a long breath and said almost in unison: "Master Consul, there is a big cart outside, and there is a big, big gold brick on it!"

In order to make a big gesture, the boy swung his hands round.

"Bricks? Carts?"

Ouyang Ming kept walking, but the suspicion between his brows deepened.

"Yes, I have never seen such a big gold brick in my life!"

"Yes, the length, width and height are estimated to be one meter. Oh my God, the wheels of that cart are crushed flat!"

Accompanied by the two gatekeepers, Ouyang Ming finally walked to the gate, and when he saw it, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Hey, it's a big car with six rubber wheels under it, and there are people sitting in the 'little pigeon coop' in front!

A big car is eight meters long.Three meters high and a huge torso, it almost blocked the alley!

White steam was emitting from the front of the car, and thick black smoke was also coming out from the rear of the car. Coupled with the deafening rumbling sound, it was a steel monster!

This is not.The neighbors nearby were all alarmed. Adults and children stuck their heads out with their rice bowls in their hands, and looked curiously at this unprecedented cart!

This big car looks like the truck of later generations, and it was built by Long Hao asking Daimler to work overtime before going to Xiajia.

The front of the car was refitted by removing the engine from an experimental car, the 'little pigeon cage' was the driver's cab, and the large compartment at the back was built by Carnegie's steel factory in a day's work.

Compared with the trucks of later generations, this guy is of course a thick and dark type.However, in order to transport this large gold brick, which is said to weigh 20 tons, it is really embarrassing not to use this thing!

There were more than a dozen soldiers of the Expeditionary Army with live ammunition standing in the compartment of the truck. Most of them were white men, and Ou Yangming was familiar with their uniforms. So after being shocked, he opened his mouth and asked, "Is it the Expeditionary Army? How did you drive here?" Are you here? Did you go the wrong way?"

In the deep and dark compartment, a big golden brick was tied up with five flowers.Facing the gate of the consulate, that shining golden light.Hit on the door plaque, it's always dazzling, no wonder the two guards are so surprised!

Fortunately, the back of the big truck was facing the consulate, and the big gold bricks inside could not be seen from other places except from Ou Yangming's angle.Otherwise, those neighbors who watched the excitement would be even more upset, and they would definitely come over to see the big golden brick that they have never seen in their lives!

Gold bricks, money!

Hearing Ouyang Ming's inquiry, a white man with the appearance of an officer turned around from the front cab.After seeing Ouyang Ming, he saluted a standard military salute: "Buzewaqi, the squad leader of the first battalion, second company, third platoon, and fourth squad of the expeditionary army, is ordered by his superiors to escort the gold bricks with a total weight of 20.21 tons to your consulate. Please, Mr. Consul General Check!"

After all, without waiting for Ouyang Ming to agree, the Buzewaqi squad leader waved his hand and shouted: "Listen to the order, everyone has it, unload the big gold bricks, and push them into the yard!"

"Roar!"

As soon as the soldiers in the carriage promised, they jumped down one after another, took out tools such as crowbars, and began to unload the large gold brick weighing 20 tons from the carriage.

Buzewaqi was full of anger, and the neighbors heard the shout just now. After a short period of sluggishness, they all lost their jobs and stretched their necks to look at the rarity.

What? 20 tons of big gold bricks?

Paralyzed, did my ears mishear or something?

Let's go, deaf ears, let's go and have a look!

When the curious neighbors gathered around, Ouyang Geng rushed over with a few skinny helpers carrying a few broken guns. When he saw the expeditionary army unloading the exposed big gold brick At the scene, only a few 'bang' sounds were heard, and the guns fell to the ground, and the jaws of the several helpers also 'clicked', which seemed to be dislocated!

The helpers, that is, the part-time guards of the consulate, all trembled in their hearts: Is this someone coming to pick things up?Fuck me, why would someone bring such a big gold brick to the door to provoke trouble?Damn, if this is a challenge, I welcome you to pick it at my house every day, it doesn't matter if you pick up my broken house!Chi la, gold, chi la, money!

Ouyang Geng put away his gun, walked up to his cousin with full of surprise, and asked in a low voice, "Brother, what is this?"

Ouyang Ming shook his head and said, "I don't know, don't ask me, I'm just full of confusion!"

"Gold bricks! Big gold bricks!! Really big gold bricks!"

"Wow, the consulate got rich? How much is such a heavy gold brick worth? Ten thousand dollars?"

"Ten thousand? Do you know how to count? The soldier said just now, 20 tons, 20 tons equals [-] catties, you can do the math yourself!"

"Wrong, one ton is two thousand catties, and 20 tons is forty thousand catties! You can't be a bookkeeper, you will die."

"Whoa, no matter how heavy it is, such a big golden lump, whose is it? Let's go up and grab his mother's!"

"Shh, are you stupid? Haven't you seen so many soldiers and so many guns? Are you going to grab them? Hmph, let me give you a bullet first..."

At this moment, people from all over the world saw the gold brick that was so big that it was almost unreal. They chatted to each other in surprise, their eyes were green, and they were a little clever. They turned around and called their relatives and friends to come and see it together. Get this big gold brick that claims to weigh [-] jin!

In less than 10 minutes, the big gold brick was unloaded from the truck, loaded on a pulley cart, pushed by the soldiers, and walked towards the compound of the consulate.

Only then did Ou Yangming come back to his senses, and went forward to ask that Buzewaqi: "Excuse me, who ordered you to transport such precious gold bricks to us? We didn't receive any notice in advance. , could it be a mistake?"

That's right, even if the consulate sells a large gold brick of 20 tons, you can't afford it even if you sell it a hundred times.

Brzevac smiled, took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Ou Yangming: "Consul General, the reason is written on it, your Chinese characters look beautiful, but it's really hard to remember, you, please read it yourself! Hey, you guys, don't be idle, clean up those tables and chairs, and make room for the big gold bricks!" (To be continued...)