Wei Kun, the governor of the three Sudan counties in the East African administrative region, did not know that his father, Vézé, had thought of coming to East Africa in such a short period of time. He also did not know that his father, Vézé, had rejected this impulse in an instant. At this moment, Wei Kun was at the entrance of his golden tent, listening to the earth-shattering chorus of crying.
A group of four to seven years old, and a few boys and girls who looked to be two to three years old, were led by a group of adult men to the reception area next to the golden tent and stood in eight lines. The clothes of the adult men were very bad according to the standards of the Chinese people, but they were not poor according to the standards of Africa. The expressions of the rich African brothers did not look good, and they revealed a look of helplessness.
Wei Kun walked to the stage and stood in front of the microphone and shouted, "Everyone, I am very satisfied that you are willing to bring your children and the children of each tribe according to the rules."
Wei Kun's voice was heard by all the participants through the microphone and the electric speaker. When Wei Kun finished speaking, the interpreter in front of each line held a loudspeaker and shouted at them in a language that the adults in each line could understand. The little ones had never heard such a loud voice. Many of them were shocked and went from crying to not crying. Some of the little ones, who were originally frightened and never cried, became sobbing.
Wei Kun continued, "Now give the children to us!"
As the interpreters shouted, several groups of people walked out from behind the golden tent. A group of black people all wore khaki military uniforms. The messy curly hair on their heads proved that they were of Besa origin. There was another group of Asians. They also wore khaki military uniforms and were short. The other two groups were women in military uniforms. One group was black women, and the other group was Asian women.
The men of the four groups surrounded the black brothers, while the women gathered at the 20 gaps in the ring. The adult men led the children to the gaps. Some of the children were pulled by the adults, while others were tied up and led by the adults. When they reached the gaps, the children saw that they were about to be taken away by others and immediately cried loudly.
At this time, there was naturally a black translator who confirmed the origins of the black brothers and then registered them. The black woman pulled the child back, and the short Asian woman felt the thickness of the black boy and girl's neck, then picked out a suitable steel collar wrapped in cowhide and put it on. At this time, someone had already set up a steel sign that corresponded to the person's name and origin. Tags were attached to the steel collars of the children, and the Negro woman led the children away.
In less than half an hour, more than half of the two thousand virgin boys and girls who were worshiped by the villages were taken away, and the crying immediately quieted down. Qi Rui did not just stand there and watch, nor did he avoid such a scene. He was standing on the platform, and there was a gap in the ring of soldiers that led directly to this platform. After the chiefs of the tribes or villages who had been ordered by the three counties of Sudan to hand over their children, they were brought to this gap and walked up to the platform. Qi Rui warmly shook hands with them, hugged them, and said some encouraging words with the help of the interpreter. Qi Rui would also comfort the men who were more affected by his emotions. Then he let the attendants lead these people into the golden tent.
After the children were screened, the chiefs of the tribes and villages sat down on the comfortable seats in the golden tent. This golden tent was round and looked somewhat like a Mongolian yurt, but it was much larger than a Mongolian yurt. The internal structure was similar to the circular parliament in Europe, with rows of semi-circular tables arranged on a raised platform. The interior decoration was decorated with a large number of brightly colored gold embroidered tapestries, giving the house a luxurious feeling of nouveau riche.
The aesthetic standards of the black brothers had nothing to do with the elegance and light of China. Seeing this complex textile and embroidery that was far beyond their imagination, this group of people were dazzled or full of awe. The comfortable seats did not make this group of people relax, but made them sit on them and twist around, making them more uneasy.
At this time, Wei Kun walked in from the main door surrounded by guards. The interpreters shouted in different languages, "Stand up!" The chiefs stood up one after another, and the guards walked towards those who felt more comfortable sitting and did not want to stand up immediately. Those fellows hurriedly stood up and watched as the secretary of the Party committee of the three Sudan counties walked to the chairman's seat and sat down.
Wei Kun waved his hand and said, "Sit down!" The interpreters hurriedly shouted in different languages, "Sit down!"
Wei Kun knew that it was meaningless to say such polite words to the black brothers, so he spoke unhurriedly and began to express his views into the microphone. "I'm here to gather everyone so that everyone can live a good life. I think you all also want to live a good life, at least to be able to eat your fill, and when you want to eat desserts, you can eat desserts. Is there anyone who doesn't want to live such a life? Is there anyone? "
The interpreters faithfully translated Wei Kun's words, and the black brothers knew that Wei Kun's last question was a threat. No one didn't want to live a good life, and no one was willing to stand up against Wei Kun. The meeting was silent, and everyone expressed their views with silence.
"I have three requirements for you. First, you must let your children go to the school that we run. Second, every year, you must contribute three pairs of virgin boys and girls. Third, you must serve in the military or corvee labor. Any tribe or village that follows this order can enjoy the parliamentary rights that we promised you before. You can share the benefits, and you can participate in the discussions. " Wei Kun's speech was divided into three parts, and in the middle, there were interpreters who interrupted, so the black uncles had space to discuss. After three black uncles discussed in low voices, the one in the middle said, "Can we not send anyone?"
"No!" Wei Kun's voice was cold and firm. Wei Kun believed that it was too difficult for the black uncles, who were almost primitive society, to enter the era of China's Shang or Zhou Dynasty in a few short months. He did not expect the black uncles to immediately reach the level of politics in China in 1890. So in theory, he was facing his voters, but Wei Kun's attitude towards these people was like an emperor to his servants.
"But we really don't have anyone to send." The black uncles expressed their views.
Wei Kun's voice was still cold. "If you don't have anyone to send, then we will send people to capture all your tribes as slaves. Then you will have someone to send."
After these words were translated to the black uncles, the three looked shocked. There were also those who were frightened by such words. Of course, the reactions of the black uncles were different. Some of the black uncles revealed smiles of watching the show. This caused the atmosphere in the golden tent to become complicated.
Seeing that Wei Kun had no intention of backing down, the black uncles shut their mouths. Wei Kun swept his gaze over the black uncles, and did not continue speaking. The black uncles who truly rebelled did not come here at all. The people who came here all offered their children and virgin boys and girls. Although those "children" might not be their biological children, Wei Kun had no intention of pursuing the matter. In his plan, he only needed children who were easy to mold and educate. Even if this group of people received education, they probably would not be able to reach the average level of the Min dynasty officials. But the children who grew up should be able to crush the local black uncles without any pressure.
The discussion at the meeting was about the power and duty of the black uncles. Although these two words did not exist in the language of the black uncles, language was only a tool. Power and duty were just words created by humans. For the black uncles, if they learned that they were sick, they could ask a doctor in the East African administrative region to treat them. If they had no food, they could borrow food from the local government of the East African administrative region. They were very suspicious of this, but in response, they also verbally promised not to attack any official in the East African administrative region.
Power and duty were a kind of exchange. Even people who did not understand these two words understood exchange. It was difficult for humans to survive without exchange. It was like this in Asia, and it was the same in Africa.
The first day passed in such a situation. On the second day, the black uncles did not immediately hold a meeting. Instead, they went to visit the children's camp near the golden tent. They were surprised to see that the children still wore collars, but their heads were shaved. Everyone was dressed in clean, white clothes. The slightly older ones were forced to stand in a line, and the younger ones were led by black women. The same clothes, the same shaved heads, and the same collars. This group of black uncles could not even recognize that the children were brought by them from afar.
Although the children were still crying, the black uncles did not think that the children were being mistreated. Wearing white clothes was the highest treatment in the African tribes. Only chiefs who could trade cloth with the outside world could wear such clothes. All the children were dressed in white, and in the eyes of the black uncles, it was really noble.
After seeing the children, the meeting discussed the organization model of the local councils and the contents of the discussion. In the end, it was decided that every month when the moon was full, a three-day council meeting would be held to discuss local matters. The conflicts between the tribes and villages would be handed over to the local government.
The third day discussed the punishment mechanism and how to deal with people who violated the various rules. This time, the black uncles expressed their own opinions, and the discussion became like a big beehive. Wei Kun was not confused by it. He only told everyone that the discussion was over. As for the punishment, it would be discussed at the next meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Wei Kun said loudly to the black uncles, "You have to remember this clearly. Everything that everyone has passed will become law. For example, the three rules about authority and duty that I mentioned are already laws. "
After saying that, Wei Kun shouted outside, "Bring in the Law Coins!"
The waiters filed in, and each of them brought in a pile of things. When they handed these things to the Black Uncles, almost all of them were surprised by the heavy weight of these things.
It was a page made of bronze, and on the back, there were beautiful patterns and the four Chinese characters of the Temporary Law. A bronze plate that was not too thick was inserted through a groove on the front. The black uncles did not have any words, but this bronze plate was engraved with the three laws that the black uncles had to follow on the first day in Chinese characters.
"In the future, everything that we have discussed and passed will be engraved on this plate. As long as a tribe or village has this plate, they will be protected by these laws. "Wei Kun's voice was not warm, but cold and full of courage.
The black uncles probably did not understand what Wei Kun meant. One of them could not help but ask, "Does this thing have magic?"
"Whether this thing has magic or not, you will know in the future. But I want to tell you that we will give severe punishment to those who break the law. When the heads of those who break the law are placed in front of you, I think you will know what is called the magic of the law. Hmph! "Wei Kun said, and then he laughed, but the laughter came from between his teeth.
When it was time to bid farewell, the whole scene was lively. Every black uncles who attended the meeting received a gift. The seats and silk tapestries in the Golden Tent were packed for them. Afraid that they would not be able to take it away, they also gave each village a frame car with solid tires. Candy, gifts, and leather goods were placed on it. The black uncles pulled the frame car and left the Golden Tent with the gifts.
Wei Kun boarded the truck that came to pick him up and headed to the pier. When they reached the pier, they changed to a steam ship to return to Khartoum. The ship sailed very quickly, and it did not take long for them to reach Khartoum. Here, Mahdi's emissary was already waiting for Wei Kun.
"Governor, we hope to reach peace with you." The emissary went straight to the point.
Wei Kun already had a plan, so he did not react happily to such words. He asked coldly, "I really want to know how many times Mahdi has said such words to us and the British. To us, nothing that the Mahdi said could be trusted. So don't say such useless words, just tell us what Mahdi wants. "
Even though he was ridiculed, Mahdi's emissary did not feel embarrassed at all. He continued, "Sir, we are fighting bravely against the British. We need weapons now. "
Wei Kun sneered, "Haha! If you need weapons, use the severed heads of the British to exchange. We will never be deceived by the same scam again. "
"You want us to send the severed heads to you?" Mahdi's emissary saw that there was a chance, so he immediately took advantage of the situation.
"We will send someone to the border of North Sudan to inspect. You don't have to transport the severed heads to us from thousands of miles away. "Wei Kun replied. After saying that, he thought for a moment and added, "The severed heads that we recognize, in addition to the British, must also have a severed head with a right ear."
"Why?" Mahdi's emissary's face finally showed a surprised expression.
Wei Kun did not explain. He only said, "You will know when we go to inspect the severed heads."
After sending away Mahdi's emissary, Wei Kun finally felt that he could relax. At this time, all the officials in the East African administrative region were replaced. Only 30% of the people who replaced them were from the Min dynasty, and about 70% were the original grassroots members of the Min dynasty. The current office director of the three Sudan counties was Xiao Bailang, the former deputy director of the Port Sudan Salt Company. Because of his strong working ability, he was promoted to the position of office director. After sending away Mahdi's emissary, Xiao Bailang asked in confusion and dissatisfaction, "Secretary, why did you agree with Mahdi, this wolf cub's words?"
When Mahdi attacked the East African administrative region, Port Sudan did not stay out of it. However, it was connected to Port Sudan in a large desert, and the main troublemakers were the Arabs in the port. Xiao Bailang led the black workers in the factory and cooperated with the port garrison to completely defeat the rebels. Then, he defended against the attack of the camel soldiers of Mahdi's army who came from afar.
When the reinforcements arrived at Port Sudan from the sea, Xiao Bailang, who was on a killing spree, led the reinforcements to massacre the Arab families who participated in the judgment.
Of course, Port Sudan felt very good about such a person. However, he had killed too many people and was too ruthless. Although the salt company gave him a reward, they felt that it was a waste of talent to let Xiao Bailang, who was usually a little listless, continue to work in the salt company. After Wei Kun purged the officials of the three East African counties, Xiao Bailang was recommended to Khartoum for promotion.
Wei Kun had never seen Xiao Bailang's previous listless appearance. The Xiao Bailang he saw was fierce and daring. He was even more merciless to the enemy, as cold as winter. Therefore, Wei Kun said in a gentle tone, "It doesn't matter whether Mahdi colludes with the British or not. It also doesn't matter whether they really want to seize Egypt. The important thing is that we make Mahdi think that we want them to seize Egypt. As long as he still has such an illusion, we can make them stop for a while. "
Xiao Bailang nodded first, and then asked with a gloomy face, "But a wolf cub can never be tamed. How long is Secretary Wei going to wait? "
Wei Kun said with a smile, "My wishful thinking is to wait until our main battle in North America is over. Once the main battle in North America is over, our main force can be transferred to Africa to fight. At that time, Mahdi, Egypt, Southern Africa, the British and the local people in all these places will be vulnerable. "
Xiao Bailang also smiled, which was a man-eating tiger's smile. However, Wei Kun put away his smile at this time. Facing the fierce Xiao Bailang, Wei Kun said, "The purpose of buying time is to form the security force of the East African Administrative Region and let this force destroy the enemy in Africa."
Xiao Bailang was not dissatisfied with such a change. He nodded in understanding. If the Central Army really wanted to make trouble in Africa, they could have sent troops here long ago. As long as there were 200,000 troops, conquering Egypt was not a problem at all. The reason why they did not do it was that the central government of the Min dynasty did not want to do so. After the war in North America, Xiao Bailang understood why the Min dynasty had not taken action in Africa. Even the government of the Min dynasty would find it difficult to start the African battlefield when they were fighting in North America.
So Xiao Bailang asked, "Secretary Wei, you got those Japanese as mercenaries. Do you want them to become our troops?"
"No." Wei Kun shook his head. "In our opinion, those Japanese are just our servants."
Hearing this, Xiao Bailang could not help showing a happy expression. "Then … can I be the head of the servants?"
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