Chapter 604 People are in dire straits
February 1881, Orange Free State.
On the streets of Bloemfontein, soldiers of the Nationalist Army began to visit businesses and residential buildings on the streets in small groups.
"Bang bang bang..."
There were loud knocks on the door of Greene's shoe repair shop, and the small wooden door was crumbling, as if it would explode the next moment, but no one paid attention, and uninformed people thought that the shop was not open today.
"Master, can we open the door?" the apprentice of the owner Grian in the shoe repair shop asked cautiously.
"What nonsense, these people are desperate for money. They come here to charge every now and then. What good can they do by visiting? This business is getting harder and harder!" Green cursed angrily in a low voice.
"Master, if you want to pretend that someone is not here, I don't think it's that easy. Judging from the virtues of these mad dogs outside the door, I dare to say that they will not give up easily. As the saying goes, you can't escape the first day of junior high school, but you can't escape the fifteenth day. They are here this morning If I can’t get the money, I will definitely come again in the afternoon. If not today, I will continue tomorrow until I get the money.”
"Well, what can we do? These bastards eat people but not bones. We in Orange are really unlucky for eight lifetimes. We took in these white-eyed wolves in the first place. These stinky beggars really think of themselves as the owners of Orange." If we hadn't taken him in, he would have starved to death long ago. This is also the case in East Africa. Why didn't you kill all these wolf-hearted things? Damn you!" Grien let out all the words in his heart. .
The apprentice panicked and said, "Master, be careful, they are all outside now!"
"What are you afraid of? Don't you know how to tell the truth?"
"Master, you've betrayed me. I'm a victim too! They're not just asking for money. No one in Bloemfontein can escape this disaster. I hate them too!" Apprentice! He quickly expressed his loyalty.
The Transvaal Restoration Army treated everyone equally when it came to being a non-human being, so Gryen's apprentices did not have the slightest fondness for the Transvaal Restoration Army.
"Hmph, these bastards, why don't you see them asking for money from those British guys? Who doesn't know that the British make a lot of money selling diamonds? They bully the weak and fear the strong!" Green said.
At this time, the soldiers outside the door lost their patience and shouted threats into the room: "Grian, we know you are at home. If you don't open the door again, we will break in. We will not compensate for your small wooden door. you!"
In order to keep his store open and prevent additional losses, Green had no choice but to open the door.
"Boss Green, I thought you were dead inside!" Seeing Green opening the door, the soldier of the Republic of China said arrogantly. After several months of dealing with each other, they were all old acquaintances, so they couldn't speak. You're welcome.
"Sirs, what are you doing?"
"Hmph, why did you pretend not to be there when I knocked on the door just now? Are you afraid that we will eat you?"
Isn't it? Green thought so in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it, especially in the face of such bandit soldiers.
"Sirs, this is an injustice to me. I am a small shoe repair shop, and I usually don't have many customers. This year's business is especially bad, so I have decided to close the shop, so now I have less time to open my business!" Lean excused himself.
"Hmph, who cares about your business? We are here to collect the bill today. Just like yesterday, we will leave with seven pennies!"
"Didn't you just collect the fee yesterday? Why do you have to do it again today?"
"Stop talking nonsense, this is what the government wants. We are just executing according to the government's requirements. Yesterday it was a security maintenance fee, and today it is a war protection fee. There is a fundamental difference between the two.
This security maintenance fee is used to ensure that you are not disturbed when doing business in Bloemfontein. Our Nationalist Army can also help you clean up the hooligans and gangsters on the streets. As for the war protection fee, it is used to prevent German The war funds used by the people to invade the Orange Free State southward were used for completely different purposes. "
Protective ass, although I don’t know what East Africa is like, but under the rule of these British lackeys, life is really difficult.
As a hostile force, the British naturally used propaganda to demonize East Africa, and the early effect was very significant. Because of the cooperation of the Transvaal people, a group of subjugated slaves, they naturally added fuel to the British slander of East Africa. This certification There were also, so at first the Orange people had a bad taste in East African senses.
But lies are always exposed, especially after staying with the British and Transvaal people for a long time, the Orange people discovered that much of the propaganda about East Africa was false.
This is also very easy. Some people from Orange also went to the coast of East Africa to do business. When these overseas businessmen came back, they could naturally share what they saw and heard with everyone. At least the coastal area of East Africa left a deep impression on them, that is, safety. Orderly, low prices, suitable for living.
"Sir, please do your best. Is my business really unprofitable? Last month, the busiest month, I made 70% less than in previous years. If nothing happens this month, I may lose all my money!"
"Huh, that just means that you are not running your business well. What does it have to do with us? If you want to complain, blame your parents for not giving you a good brain. If you don't have a good brain in business, you will definitely lose money."
Listening to the rude words of the soldiers of the Republic of China, Green had no choice but to continue to compromise and said: "Hey, sirs, see if you can extend it for a few days. I will make up the money when the time comes!"
"That's not okay. This is a task assigned by the higher-ups. How many days will you be given a break, but who will give us a break?"
Green: "But you just collected the money yesterday, so you shouldn't be short of money recently!"
"Yesterday was yesterday, and today is today. Who doesn't know that the army is a big spender. We take risks for your safety. Those who join the army, we work hard on the front line. It is only natural that you contribute money. This is a different division of labor."
But pull it down! Green complained in his heart, "Who doesn't know that you are just a group of hooligans in military uniforms. You were all street gangsters in the past, or you were refugees from the Transvaal."
"But even if you are burning money, you can't catch us bare-haired sheep! British businessmen are really rich. They are doing big business. If you are short of money, it would be better if you don't work with the British. They are in Oran If they are doing business, your army happens to be their 'protector god'." Green said in a strange tone.
"Hey, what are you talking about? If you say it to me again in the same tone as before, believe it or not, I will kill you with one shot?"
"Sir, don't be angry, I was just joking!" Green quickly apologized with a smile.
"Humph, even if old man Jesus is here, you can't even think of escaping today's disaster. Just what you just said, don't even think about it if you don't have three pence. And can the British master be the same as you? Do you think they don't support the army? ?Have you seen my gun? Lee Enfield, the serious British active-duty troops are equipped with rifles. I really think it is pie in the sky. It is not supported by the British gentlemen. We are just asking you to collect some money. But we provide equipment!”
Green was very angry. Who didn't know that you and the British were colluding with each other, but as a small businessman, Green could only choose to swallow his anger.
There are countless people like Green who have been extorted, but everyone is a small business and dare not express dissatisfaction. However, as time goes by, the resentment in their hearts is growing day by day.
