Section 242 The Dutch Heart

Lingao is a beehive. That's what a lot of people have to say about this place. Every first-time visitor to the port will feel the busy, tense and lively air as soon as they board the docks of the port. As they go deeper into this place, especially into the industrial, agricultural and residential areas along the banks of the Wenlan River, the feeling becomes more and more profound.

The streets are filled with busy people and vehicles all day long. The front of the "Meteor" car pulls the convertible, and the wagons are either piled with goods or crowded with people. Despite the enactment of safety regulations prohibiting "ticket hanging" and the increase in the number of police and National Army soldiers maintaining order at the station, every train was surrounded by overloaded people. As a result, people fall out of cars every day, but fortunately, the speed of the "Meteor" type is not much faster than walking, and the casualty rate is maintained at a level that a planning institute can bear.

At noon on that day, the rumbling sound of cannons was heard from the direction of Bopu Pier - this was a salute of foreign ships entering the port. This is a rare occurrence in Lingao: except for the occasional arrival of a Portuguese ship, only Chinese merchant ships come here. It's summer, and even Chinese merchant ships rarely come here.

Fan? Dratron stood on the stern of the boat, looking with interest at the Australian sampan that was being tied to the leash. Magdeburg, with a capacity of 400 tons, will be towed into the harbor by this small boat. The Dutch's "speedboats" were rather clumsy, and there was no steering wheel mechanism at the time, making it difficult to rudder in fjord harbors. Without entering and exiting the harbor by the cháo water, it is impossible to accurately enter the anchorage with the captain's driving skills alone.

Every time the Magdeburg entered or left the port, it lowered its rowing boats to tow the big ship. However, in the Australian port, this work is carried out by the Australian boat, and the cost is included in the water diversion fee.

The dinghy used by the Australians to tow boats had chimneys on them, spewing thick black smoke, and without oarsmen, the liliang was large and could easily tow a large ship with heavy loads. The last time the Magdeburg was transporting spices to Hong Kong, they had already seen their liliang.

The Dutch generally did not sail off the coast of Chinese mainland in the summer - the winds were unfavourable to them and there was a risk of typhoons, but this time the Magdeburg's adventurous voyage carried an important mission in addition to trade.

Fan? This is the second time that Transtron has been to Bopu. In accordance with the urgent instructions of the Australian Department of Colonization and Trade, the Magdeburg was carrying large quantities of wool, cotton and sheepskins, most of which were made in England. Given the intensity of the commercial rivalry between the Dutch and the British, it is not easy to understand how to buy wool from a business rival – not to mention the fact that the Netherlands itself is known for weaving high-quality woollen wool. But in the case of the Dutch East India Company, the interests of the company and the major shareholders were above all else, and since the price of British wool was low enough for the East India Company to have enough profits, it would not give up this opportunity.

Needless to say, the British were merely commercial competitors, and nominally 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 who are fighting in Jiāo. Because profit is not in the motherland.

Half an hour later, the Magdeburg was berthed at berth 5. Fan? Transtron admires the Australian port. Their ports all have trestles available, eliminating the need for dinghys to carry goods and people at its disposal. The goods are lifted off the ship by cranes, and the personnel go directly up and down from the gangway, saving a lot of time and manpower. In Lingao, Sanya and Hong Kong, vessel turnover is measured in hours and days, rather than in "weeks" and "months".

Soon Fan? Drantiron met with an old friend,, who had been posted to Lingao as consul of the Dutch East India Company? Mr. Trini. The Italians have already done all the port formalities, Fan? Drâtre Lung Zuihou checked the customs declaration form and all the required documents at once, and then gave the documents to the customs officer after confirming that they were correct, so that the next unloading, inspection and tax matters did not have to be done by himself. Australians will take care of the customs and port affairs on their behalf.

"Mr. Trini, long time no see, your gas looks good."

Trini was reluctant to be posted as consul in Lingao, although this position was somewhat higher than his previous position in Batavia, and his salary had increased by a few guilders. In addition, the company also allowed him to distribute several of the company's products in Lingao. Including some spices that are very popular among the Chinese: ambergris, no yào, sandalwood, etc., from which you can get a lot of benefits.

However, Trini knew very well that this féi was missing for him because he was a painter and cartographer, and he worked as a spy in Lingao. And because he was an Italian, an extremely dubious Catholic, and a passion for science and mysticism, the Dutch would not be sorry for themselves even if they were beheaded by the Australians.

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

"One day in Lingao is better than me traveling in this shijie for a year." Trini wrote in a letter he wrote to a friend.

"It's hygienic and it's a lot of life. The food supply is also good," Trini said, "but there are very few ròu." ”

Fan? A sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of Derlantron's mouth: "I thought you would complain about not having enough olive oil?" ”

According to the standard of how much Ròu eats in Europe, even in the first half of the 20th century, the level of food in Italians was still very poor. Most Italian civilians were content with a simple slice of bread with a few drops of olive oil and a little bit of nǎi cheese.

Trini certainly understood the ridicule in the wooden shoe's words—he had been through it too much. Although the level of food of the Dutch is also known for its simplicity and coarseness. But the Dutch eat much more ròu than the Italians.

"Olive oil, Australians are also interested in – maybe they will consider importing from Europe in the near future. That is, of course, if the company can invent a way to preserve the oil for a long time......"

"They are said to be very fond of oil?"

"Yes, they buy a lot of dried coconut, and that's exactly what they do." Trini said.

The two of them left the customs as they spoke, and the bell tower above the customs called Fan? Dratron's attention. From the last time I came to the present, this bell tower has always been empty. He was strange: the Weishenme Australians never gave the bell tower a set of bronze bells with a loud sound. Let it sit so empty. He learned from Trini's letter that the Australians had been unable to equip the vacant clock towers with an unprecedented timepiece.

"Mr. Trini, your last album has already caused a sensation in Batavia, and there are still people who want to collect your album at a high price—I can't imagine that you have been so inspired to make art when you have arrived here."

Every month, Trini returned to Batavia by boat with a copy of his album - as long as there were ships sailing. Catalogues are not only artistic creations, but also reporting information, and there is nothing more accurate to express information than intuitive images.

"Xiexie you care. There's a lot of new stuff and new things here. Beyond my past thinking and experiences. It was a big stab at my inspiration. Trini smiled and pulled out a wooden cigarette case, "Including Australian enjoyment, too." ”

Fan? Derrentron took a cigar – he was no stranger to cigars, some of the Spanish smokers used this method to smoke grass – and he personally preferred to use a pipe. But he's not averse to a change of taste.

"My friends in Australia want me to help them buy some of the most famous Italian painters: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo......" he quoted in one breath the names of more than a dozen notable Renaissance painters, some of whom were already famous at the time, others who were more famous, "and the violins of Stékrivari and Guarnelli." ”

It was inconceivable that Trini's friends and family in Italy would have coulded them for them, who did not have the financial resources, only the wealthy East India Company.

"Their vision is so high. Others don't say it, I find it difficult for Leonardo da Vinci to do so, most of his paintings are in the hands of the King of France, and the rest depends on whether your fellow Italians are willing to part with each other. "Fan? "This time I have brought with me two Guarnelli and some of the instruments you have named, as well as the musicians you mentioned in your letter. I think 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, and they also like some strange line drawings, which are exaggerated, stylized, and narrative......"

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

"My lord, this time I would like to invite you to sit down here," the Italian pointed to a wooden shed diagonally opposite the Bopu Customs. Underneath the shed is a masonry platform, rising above the ground.

The platform was already crowded with people, all of whom seemed to be waiting for something in anticipation.

"What are they waiting for......"

"Uh......h Besides, besides, besides, besides......"

"Is this the new jiāo tool for Australians?" Now that the ass is already sitting in a moving compartment, Fan? Transtron already knew that they were waiting for a jiāo tool.

"Yes, my dear lord, the Australians call this a train, and it runs on two tracks like a fast horse, but you see, my lord, this train has 5 carriages and can seat more than 200 people......"

Fan? Derrentron thought it was interesting, but from what he knew about the Italian, he could tell that Trini was trying to say more than that.