Chapter 77
After leaving Xinshak City, Purficott’s journey finally got back on track.
After sailing at sea for several more days, another frigate sent by the Imperial Navy's New World Squadron also joined them, and a total of three ships headed towards the north of the New World.
The first destination they arrived at was Sweet Berry Island, a small island with a very vivid name in the local Aboriginal language.
"Is this a volcanic island?" When he saw the obvious caldera-shaped annular depression on the island, Purficott couldn't help but feel his eyes light up.
Caldera is a noun, not an adjective.
The so-called collapse refers to the empty magma chamber of a volcano after multiple consecutive eruptions, and the volcanic cone collapses and collapses due to loss of support. Subsequent eruptions can also explode the upper part of the original volcanic cone. It is destroyed in this way and so on, forming a depression much larger than the original volcano, which is called a caldera.
Most of these volcanoes no longer have the possibility of erupting, but there may still be rich geothermal resources underground. Coupled with the volcanic ash deposits left by previous volcanic eruptions, it can be said to be a very good Feng Shui treasure land. .
Seeing this caldera, Purficott also understood why the locals called this place Sweet Berry Island.
The geothermal resources of the volcanic island make the temperature here higher than other places at the same latitude. It is not impossible for fruits that may originally grow in the tropics to grow on this volcanic island. Coupled with the fertile soil, Producing delicious berries is something that’s easy to understand.
"Send people to the island. I need to conduct a comprehensive survey of this island." Purficott gave instructions to the gathered members of the exploration team, with a hint of expectation on his face: "The geography of this island The location is good. If there are enough geothermal resources, you can consider building a material distribution point here. Resources from the mainland and colonies can be stored here, sorted and inventoried before being transported north. "
After hearing Purficott's instructions, the exploration team members also began to prepare for landing on the island.
What happened in Xinshang City before has also left these exploration team members with lingering fears, and they are now full of awe and fear for the fourteen-year-old girl Purficott.
It’s just that no one among the members of the exploration team knew what Purficott’s site selection request was for. Everyone thought it was preparation for the Arctic scientific expedition plan.
But it’s not like there are smart people who can see that this so-called scientific examination is actually not simple at all.
The reason is that the incident that happened to Purficott in New Shaker City allowed an experienced person like Dr. Jones to see that her trip was not an easy one.
A scientific expedition mission, even if Perficott received the support of the royal family, should not be able to cause such a large-scale massacre in the colony.
What’s even more bizarre is that instead of stopping the empire, it actually provides her with full support. This makes Dr. Jones deeply feel that this journey is not simple, and it also makes him regret joining this team rashly. Exploration team.
But now it is impossible for him to say that he wants to quit. He has already followed the exploration team to the New World, and has seen Perfectcott’s methods and determination. At this time, he wants to quit. , are you really not afraid of being thrown directly off the boat by her?
Although it is unlikely that Purficott would do this, it does not prevent some people from thinking so.
So when she ordered a survey of Sweet Berry Island, everyone in the survey team started moving like clockwork and made preparations. Sweet Berry Island is not an uninhabited desert island. If it were a desert island, the berries on the island would not become a famous product.
Long before the arrival of the colonists, the locals had discovered this island and established villages to settle on the island, but the population was not large.
After the empire began to colonize, pioneer colonists also came here. They built plantations on the island, and while vigorously developing berry cultivation, they also turned the original local indigenous people into slaves.
Today, the island's population is still small, but in order to transport berries, the plantation owners built a dock that can dock large ships.
However, the freighter and the White Jewel are completely different. There is a huge gap in size and appearance.
So when the White Gem docked with two Imperial Navy frigates behind it, the plantation owner was so frightened that he crawled to the dock and greeted him as he got off the ship with a confused look on his face. Perficott and the others.
"The empire is executing an Arctic scientific expedition plan. This island has been selected as an alternative construction site for the forward base. We need to inspect this island." Looking at the groveling man standing there The plantation owner in front of him, Purficott, was too lazy to talk nonsense and simply explained his purpose: "We need you to provide temporary shelter, as well as water and food supplies. It is best to find us a local guide.
< br>If everything goes well, the empire will build a freight transfer station here, and your cooperation will be needed at that time."
The plantation owner was stunned by Purficott's series of words, and he spoke instinctively. Protecting his own interests: "You can't do this! I bought this island from the Governor's Mansion with money! This is private property!"
"Then now it has been expropriated. With the special authority granted to me by the Queen, now I want to expropriate this island and your plantation." Purficott glanced at this fat-minded plantation owner and was really too lazy to talk nonsense. I chose the simplest and crudest solution.
Then she looked at her old housekeeper and said to him: "I leave this to you, Grandpa Afu. I will go to the island with the exploration team to take a look."
After saying that, Purficott walked towards the exploration team members who were transporting instruments, equipment and materials for exploration from the ship, intending to discuss the specific exploration process with the leader of the exploration team.
The plantation owner wanted to say more, and even took the initiative to reach out to pull Purfict's clothes, but was directly stopped by the old housekeeper.
"Sir, I advise you to pay attention to your behavior. This is Baroness Brandleth. She has special powers granted by the Queen herself! If you are rude to her, the imperial law will Teach you how to be polite to a noble!" The old butler said threatening words, which were completely different from his usual gentleness and courtesy.
As an aristocratic butler, Foster is not the kind of accomplice who bullies good people, and he has never been aggressive towards ordinary people.
But as Purficott's housekeeper, when he knew what kind of burden his young lady was carrying, he also abandoned his unnecessary reservations, just to help the young lady he watched grow up.
However, it was obviously impossible for the plantation owner in front of him to understand what kind of person Foster was. Faced with Perfectcott's expropriation, he could only cry without tears: "You can't do this! My plantation!”
(End of this chapter)