Australian Storm 1876

  Chapter 723 Madame Curie's Confidence

  A group of several people came out from the restaurant belching, feeling that they were eating up, Madame Curie's lower abdomen was slightly raised, she quietly pressed it with her hand, it felt quite hard, and a red cloud could not help flying up on her face.

   Is there anything more exaggerated?

  Professor Lippman, who was walking on the road, burped a little bit, and then he stretched out his neck quietly and swallowed it again....Wasting food is an act condemned by God.

   "Pierre, have you found the various glassware in Humen? It is Italian style." Professor Lipman looked a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject.

"Yes, Professor Lippmann." Pierre Curie replied enthusiastically without discovering his abnormality; "Actually, I have already inquired about the restaurant staff. The Italians here in Humen opened a few glasses. The factory, there are dozens of leather workshops, making bags, shoes and belts, leather clothing and other products, because the exquisite handwork is very popular in the Ocean Kingdom. The glass canned empty bottles produced by the Italians are one of the important packaging for fish processing factories. First, it is second only to the production and sales volume of tin cans. The Italian-style glass crafts you mentioned are also one of the local specialty products."

  “These Orientals do not seem to oppose Italians doing business and settlement here, but rather a relatively welcoming attitude, which makes me feel more curious about this mysterious country.”

"Professor Lipman, maybe this place is not as friendly as you see. Humen is a famous city of mercenaries. The way to make money is the notorious population and the smuggling of Arabian horses, especially Arab women and European whites. Women, smuggling into the Ocean Kingdom and Australia can sell for a good price. The price of an Italian girl is often 5 to 7 times that of an Arab woman, so Italian girls here are not safe."

   "So what about black slaves?"

"Black slaves are not worth money, and women are not worth money. Therefore, the Humen mercenaries sold the black slaves they caught to the Kingdom of Ethiopia as coolies and became the private property of the chiefs of the major tribes in exchange for ivory and gold. Of course, they would also send them to Ethiopia. Arms and knives, as long as you have money, you can buy almost anything in Humen."

   "Uh... this is really... eye-opening!"

  In the face of this situation, Professor Lippmann can only express his feelings with vague exclamation. He has a good impression of the beautiful coastal city of Humen. Anyway, no one can sell French people, so don't worry about safety.

  As for Italian girls, please ask yourself!

Today’s world has no love for no reason, nor justice everywhere. From Europe to America to Asia, the world is full of powers of the weak and the strong. This is not good for Europeans, let alone the slave trade. Traditional Arabs too.

  Don’t mention the Citigroup. Although the Southern State clearly abolished slaves, the phenomenon of slavery is still very common.

  I really want to elaborate, no one’s **** is clean.

  Wandering in the beautiful streets of Humen, these two days, the Curies have a considerable degree of knowledge of the city, and they have to admire that the city manager is a brilliant and wise man.

I heard that this is the site of a Viscount Humen. This man is the well-known "King of Mercenaries". He has a large vassal of the Viscount on the outskirts of the city, and there is a towering castle standing among the mountains. The scenery is magnificent. It's only five or six kilometers away from the city, and it takes ten minutes to ride a horse.

  The Viscount Humen is very hospitable. Many European scholars and artists are guests. This is a well-known fact in Humen City.

  It is a pity that the Curie and his wife stayed in Humen for a short time and did not have the opportunity to visit the legendary "king of mercenaries", Viscount Humen.

Through their visits, they learned that the Italians who migrated here are mostly craftsmen from the bottom of society, mainly tailors, leathermakers, dyers, bakers, blacksmiths, garment workers, glassmakers and stonemasons, in the highly competitive Italy. The kingdom is very difficult to survive, but one skill can be put to good use here, and the life is quite moist.

  Many Italians set up a family here and have certain assets. Opening glass workshops, leather workshops, tailor shops, bakeries, Italian restaurants, etc. is the first choice for Italians who get rich first.

  In addition, there are many people engaged in the construction industry. Many buildings with strong Italian style have been built in Humen, which are welcomed by the locals, and they are also doing well.

  In various towns in Somalia

The Chinese immigrants firmly control the mainstream of the social economy. Most of the ranches and private plantations throughout the urban and rural areas are owned by the Chinese. A large number of cattle, sheep and agricultural products are produced, not only for the needs of Somalia, but also for export to Suez, Egypt. The canal area provides high-quality agricultural products for the local British garrison.

The marine fishing industry, fishery product processing industry, wharf transportation and transshipment industry, financial industry, commerce and trade, agriculture and brothel wineries are all operated by Chinese people. The same is true for the local cement factories and brick factories, and there are a large number of them. Affluent social groups are the backbone of cities.

  In addition, the well-developed mercenary business in Humen and Xi'an, along with the lucrative smuggling business, is also tightly controlled by the Chinese. They are the real behind-the-scenes people.

  As a result, a pattern in which the region is dominated by Chinese immigrants, supplemented by immigrants from other ethnic groups, promotes each other, enriches the types of urban handicrafts, and makes common progress in economic development.

The arrival of Italian immigrants made up for the shortcomings of Chinese immigrants, so they are very popular in cities such as Xi'an, Humen, Ed and Assab, in addition to Qiliying, Yangwei Fort, Bishuihu Town in the northwest of Humen Pass, etc. , There are also varying numbers of Italian immigrants living here.

Qiliying, Fort Yangwei, Bishuihu Town and other emerging towns were originally built under the auspices of Italy. They were part of the mercenary trade between Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia and Humen. The total area of ​​this area is about 40,000 square kilometers. All have been under the jurisdiction of Somali State.

  Starting from Humen Pass, it extends to the northwestern part of the African continent. This vast piece of land extends for about 390 kilometers along the shore of the Red Sea. The narrowest point is only 67 kilometers, and the widest point is 141 kilometers. The total area is more than 40,000 square kilometers, just like a ribbon extending from Somalia, occupying Eritrea. The 1,200-kilometer-long Red Sea coastline in the region is about 800 kilometers, which is 2/3 of the total area of ​​the entire Eritrea region.

  Therefore, all that is left to the Kingdom of Ethiopia is a coastline of more than 400 kilometers, which almost became an inland kingdom.

  As a traditional African highland indigenous kingdom, Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II did not pay attention to coastal areas, nor did he realize the importance of coastal areas.

  Because European invaders always invade from the sea, the Italian colonists are like this, but it makes him a little confused about the coastal areas. This part of Eritrea is dominated by three African indigenous chiefs and belongs to the tribal territory.

Qiliying, Fort Yangwei, Bishuihu Town and other emerging towns are located outside the Humen Pass, and cannot be protected by the Long Xiong Pass for safety. Not only are they often attacked by wild beasts, but there are also African indigenous tribes warriors infested, and even murder and robbery. Evil.

Although related vicious incidents are very rare, and Humen will respond quickly and forcefully, even uttering cruel remarks that “everyone hurts, ten people will lose their lives”, but many Italian immigrants still flock into the customs and are unwilling to stay outside. Seek peace of mind and reality.

Therefore, the large tracts of land outside the customs are not cultivated. The Italian government has spent a lot of money to repair the farmland water conservancy facilities and roads in a semi-destroyed state. The most populous town of Bishuihu has only more than 7,000 people, mainly planting and animal husbandry. Among them, Italy There are only more than 860 people, and it is necessary to introduce Chinese immigrants to fill it in the next step.

  The colonial army of the Kingdom of Italy has completely withdrawn from Ethiopia. The Italians who remain in Africa can only rely on the protection of the armed forces of Somalia, and there is no other way.

   "Woo..."

  The cruise ship sounded a long air whistle and slowly left Humen Wharf, breaking the light red water and heading towards the Gulf of Aden. The cool sea breeze blowing on the body was extremely comfortable, leaving this beautiful city behind.

  Curie and his wife stood on the side of the ship, watching the seaside city getting farther and farther, one after another fishing boats scattered at the end of the field of vision, the scenery of the blue sea and green mountains was very magnificent, and they couldn't help feeling a lot.

  Bier-Curie said; "Dear Mary, as a knowledgeable scholar, I think you should know that even in Europe, fishing in the ocean is not an easy task.

  So in the cities along the Mediterranean Sea, it is more difficult to eat abundant fish products. The seafood products in Paris are delivered exclusively by express carriages, and the prices are high.

  Unexpectedly, here, the Orientals use superb food storage technology to turn ocean fishing into a big industry, and even drive the rapid development of the entire city, it has to be amazing! "

Mrs. Curie nodded lightly, agreeing with her husband’s statement, and then responded; “Food storage is not a high-end technology. The French invented canned food at the end of the 18th century. A method that can keep food for a long time. The food additives invented later, in addition to keeping food fresh and more palatable, also have the effect of prolonging storage time. Many technologies are readily available, and the key lies in caring people to carry it forward. Orientals are at this point. They are commendable, they seized this opportunity very well."

   “One more thing, don’t forget my dear... that is the rich fishery resources of the Red Sea, which are unmatched in other places.”

"Pierre, I admit that what you said is very reasonable. The Red Sea is essentially nutrient-rich sea water, which is very conducive to the growth and reproduction of fish and forms large-scale fish news. Therefore, it has abundant fishery resources far exceeding other sea areas. Not surprisingly."

  "The time and location, combined with the abundant financial resources of the mercenaries in Humen, are the main reasons for the prosperity of this coastal city. The conditions are indispensable. After all, marine fishing boats are not cheap!"

   "That's very right, so... I am even more looking forward to the next new life."

   "Well, me too." Pierre-Curie nodded heavily, put his arm around Marie's delicate body, full of longing for the scientific career that was about to start, and had a great urge to show his fists.

  Mary is not the same?

Besides

She thinks more of her troubled Polish nation. The once powerful Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has become history. The country has been divided up by the German Empire and the Tsarist Empire three times. It has been more than 100 years since losing the motherland. A large number of knowledgeable and capable Poland. The elites are left out, including Madame Curie and the talented musician Frederic François Chopin.

  This 19th-century Polish composer and pianist did not deliberately highlight the magnificent dazzling skills in his composition, and allowed the music to convey deeper emotions, thus winning huge prestige worldwide.

   "Etude in C minor" (Operation No. 10 of 12 "Revolution") was written by Chopin on his way to Paris in 1831, after learning of the Russian invasion of Warsaw.

From the perspective of artistic achievement, this is an etude for running with the left hand, but from the majestic octave melody of the right hand and the storm-like pouring of the left hand, it is not difficult to see that the composer’s inner emotions at this time are extremely excited and conveyed. The true feelings of grief and anger are deeply moving.

  As a scholar of Polish origin, Mary now thinks of the precedent of the opening of Somalia, leaving plenty of room for immigrants from all over the world, no longer the strict social hierarchical structure of Europe and the traditional power category like a stagnant pool.

  A new place like this seems to be more suitable for Polish immigrants to start a business. Mary knows that there are many very talented Polish descendants who can only struggle at the bottom of European society and see no hope of rising.

  European social class has solidified, and the traditional urban industrial and agricultural sectors are also controlled by a large number of guild organizations. It is difficult for foreign descendants to penetrate into it, let alone get out of it.

  Except for Copernicus in the 15th century, throughout the 19th century, only the famous musician Chopin was born with dazzling musical achievements and won huge international prestige, but that's all.

  Faced with the land of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth divided by Russia, Germany, and Austro-Hungary, Chopin could do nothing. He could only pour fierce grief and anger into his music works, completing one after another shocking works.

   But, who can understand his depressed mood?

  Mary wants to do something for her suffering nation, first of all, she must have a huge reputation and appeal. Her beautiful and deep gaze is looking into the distance, and there is a firm light flashing in her eyes;

  Whether it is for the sake of an ideal or a patriotic identity of Polish descent, she must make world-renowned scientific achievements in order to win high prestige.

  Marie Curie is very confident in herself and believes that she will be able to do this.

  (End of this chapter)