Chapter 406 New Life (2)
Of course, there are only a very small number of new immigrants assigned to other places like the doctor. Generally speaking, new immigrants will still be arranged to work in the surrounding areas of Sanya and undergo a period of monitoring and re-education before obtaining naturalized citizenship. If it weren't for the ongoing demand gap for medical personnel at the Lijiazhuang Immigration Base, the Ministry of Civil Affairs would not be so hasty in arranging newcomers to the mainland. At least they would have to undergo training at the health school in Shengli Port for two or three months first.
The work has been assigned long ago, and they do not need to choose it by themselves. What the staff have to do at this time is to check whether the ID number of everyone is consistent with the number of the work order issued to them, and then everyone will go to their respective assignments. Just sign and stamp the work order.
Seeing everyone studying the work order word by word and refusing to sign for a long time, the staff member became a little impatient: "This is not your contract of sale, so you don't need to read it so carefully! This thing is just for you to sign, and then We will stamp it with the official seal, and you will take this document to the designated place to complete the handover procedures. Do you understand? ”
Regardless of whether they understood it or not, the new immigrants did not dare to argue after being scolded by the staff, and quickly signed and stamped the work dispatch form one by one. They had already taken relevant policy introduction courses when they were in the immigration isolation camp. They knew that without a work order issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, they would not be able to get a formal job, and a fixed and stable job would be where they would settle down in the future. the basis of. There are some foreign merchants at the dock who hire odd workers who do not have the status of naturalized citizens, but their treatment is still far behind the workers under Haihan's rule. They are purely labor workers. What's more, the jobs that Ruan Jinggui, the new immigrants who were assigned to units in advance, will not be bad after they join the job, will definitely be much better than those who work as laborers on the dock.
At this point, the new immigrants will start to go their separate ways. Those who are assigned to go overseas will immediately take their luggage to the pier to board the ship. Those assigned to Tiandu Industrial Zone will be taken to the train station to catch the next train. Those who are assigned to government units like the Ruan brothers are undoubtedly the lucky ones among them.
"Look at the work orders in your hands. Anyone assigned to the following units should line up here!" A staff member with a loud voice clapped his hands vigorously, causing everyone present to focus on him: "The letter The Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, everyone assigned to these departments, please follow me!”
Ruan Jinggui looked at the work order in his hand. He was assigned to the Ministry of Commerce, while Ruan Wenwen's job was to the Ministry of Justice, so the two brothers continued to act together. After following the staff out of the Immigration Affairs Bureau, they went straight to the gate of Fort Victory. The inspection here was much stricter. An armed checkpoint was set up outside the gate, and a full platoon of militiamen was deployed up and down the tower. Regardless of whether they have obtained naturalized citizenship or not, ordinary people must go through inspection and registration before entering and exiting here. Only a few staff members with a blue sign hanging around their necks can enter and exit freely - these people are basically included in the list. The Haihan bureaucracy is a naturalized citizen, and its loyalty to the executive committee is not comparable to that of ordinary people.
Ruan Jinggui also noticed that most of these naturalized citizens with blue cards had shaved their hair short and wore short shirts like the pure Haihan people. However, the look and temperament on their faces was indeed a bit like the original ones. difference. Thinking about the development direction that I have chosen now, is the same as these people, then in a year and a half, will I look like them?
When he was distracted, Ruan Wenwen pushed him from behind and whispered: "Brother, it's your turn!"
Ruan Jinggui came to his senses and found that it was his turn to sign the register. He quickly stepped forward and signed his name in the same way. Ruan Jinggui now has a personal understanding of the many rules and strict interrogations of the Han people in this sea. Today, he started signing when he left the isolation camp. He had to sign when receiving personal belongings and temporary identity tags, and when receiving work orders. He entered the victory here. Registration at the fort gate requires a signature, and it feels a bit difficult to move forward without signing. Ruan Jinggui also seems to have begun to understand why the Haihan people spend so much energy building schools so that young children from naturalized families can go to school and become literate - if you want to be famous in areas under the rule of the Haihan people, you will definitely have no future if you are illiterate.
After everyone signed, they entered the gate of Fort Victory under the leadership of the staff. Among this group of new immigrants, only Ruan Jinggui had ever entered the Victory Fort. The others were all older girls who had seen them on the sedan chair for the first time. They all had their eyes widened, wanting to see what happened to this invincible Haihan people's nest. .
But soon these people's faces showed expressions of disappointment that could not be concealed, just like Ruan Jinggui's reaction when he first came here. The buildings in Fort Victory were not as splendid as they imagined. To put it more seriously, they were simply shabby. At first glance, they were all dusty masonry buildings. Although the planning was very neat, they always felt a bit underpriced. Sorry Haihan. This reputation spread overseas.
"Brother, is this the capital of the Haihan people?" Ruan Wenwen also asked in a low voice with some disbelief. Although Ruan Jinggui had vaccinated him before and talked about the scene within the high walls of Victory Fort, in Ruan Jinggui's imagination, there should be at least a few large buildings similar to palaces. However, the building in front of me is no different from the houses outside Fort Victory - at least that's how it looks from the outside. The supreme Hai Han Executive Committee actually worked in such a place, and also formed a powerful Hai Han militia to destroy the Hue small court across the sea. Ruan Wenwen felt that his cognition was unacceptable for a while.
"What do you know? Haihan people don't pay attention to glitz, only practicality. Besides, don't whisper about the cost of these houses. Look, although this house is simple and unpretentious, it is all equipped with glass windows. Have you noticed the light? These windows cost hundreds of taels of silver each! The lights in this room are something you have never heard of or seen before. There is no open flame at all. Just press a switch on the wall and it will light up. Brother Wei can't figure out the reason. ”
"Is there such a magical thing?" Ruan Wenwen immediately became interested when he heard about these novel things.
"But Boss Shi, who is in charge of commercial affairs, once told me in a casual conversation that this kind of lamp uses electricity. Yes, it is lightning from the sky!" Ruan Jinggui's face was full of admiration: "I don't know. How can this Haihan man be so capable that he can draw lightning from the sky and use it as a lamp? ”
"Ruan Wenwen, your unit is here!" The staff greeted loudly, and the team stopped. This two-story building next to the road has the same appearance as other buildings. There is a small courtyard surrounded by a low wall in front of the building. There is a plaque of "Haihan Ministry of Justice" hanging on the door of the courtyard, and there are two policemen in black police uniforms standing by. On duty outside the door.
"Second brother, this Ministry of Justice is the public bureau of the Haihan people. I have inquired about it before, and it is considered a good yamen. If you work hard, you will be able to make a comeback in the future." When Ruan Jinggui said goodbye to his brother, he held on tight. Time told me a few more words.
"Brother, don't worry. I know the pros and cons." Ruan Wenwen nodded and handed his work order to the police at the door. After checking that it was correct, one of the police took him into the yard.
Ruan Jinggui watched Ruan Wenwen's figure disappear from the door before he jumped up and followed the team. Soon the team was taken to the Ministry of Commerce, where Ruan Chinggui was going to work. There were also police on duty at the door. Ruan Chinggui handed over the work order, and then the other party led the way into the small courtyard that looked almost exactly the same as the Ministry of Justice.
However, Ruan Jinggui seemed to be lucky, as he met an acquaintance as soon as he entered the yard. As soon as Schneider walked out of the office, he happened to see him and immediately recognized his identity: "Isn't this Mr. Ruan Jinggui Ruan?"
Ruan Jinggui bowed deeply and said: "Chief Shi, please don't laugh at me. Now I am just an ordinary citizen under the executive committee. I cannot bear the name of this gentleman no matter what."
"We're old acquaintances, so you don't need to be so polite." Schneider smiled and took the work order from the policeman who was leading the way, looked at it, and then said to the policeman: "Okay, I will handle his handover."
The policeman stood at attention and saluted Schneider, then turned around and left.
"Mr. Ruan, I was the one who proposed your appointment at the Ministry of Commerce." Schneider handed him the briefcase in his hand: "I just want to go out for business, so just follow me. By the way, Think of it as a work internship.”
Although Ruan Jinggui was a little uncomfortable with his status as a bag-carrying boy, he had to lower his head when he was under the eaves. Besides, Schneider didn't give him any chance to refuse, and he had already walked towards the door of the yard first. Ruan Jinggui could only sigh silently, then followed behind with his arms around the briefcase.
Schneider turned around after leaving the yard. Seeing his appearance, he didn't forget to teach him the correct posture for carrying a bag: "Mr. Ruan, your posture is wrong. Do you see the handle above? Just use one hand to carry it. That's right. Yes, that’s it!”
Ruan Jinggui didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he followed Schneider's instructions and followed him honestly, carrying his RIMOWA aluminum-magnesium alloy briefcase.
"Let's go to the dock now to deal with a few business matters." As Schneider walked, he explained to Ruan Jinggui what to do next: "I know you can speak Chinese and simple Portuguese, and you can also speak other languages. ”
Ruan Jinggui hesitated for a moment before responding: "I understand a little bit of what the red-haired people in the south say, but I don't speak smoothly."
"Red-haired people?" Schneider paused for a moment, then understood what Ruan Jinggui meant: "Dutch people! Their language is very similar to English... English is the language spoken by the English. Have you seen the English?" ”
Ruan Jinggui showed a slightly confused look on his face: "I'm sorry for my stupidity, but it's difficult for me to distinguish people from Western countries simply by their appearance. Most of these Westerners can speak several different languages. If they don't tell themselves It’s hard for me to tell which country my family belongs to.”
Schneider saw that Ruan Jinggui's eyes were always on his face when he answered this question, and guessed what he was thinking, so he smiled and said: "You don't have to guess which country I am from, I am from Haihan, but my appearance is similar to that of Western countries." The people are somewhat similar.”
"I dare not have such an idea." Ruan Jinggui quickly accused him. This matter of slandering his boss can be big or small. If Schneider holds a grudge because of it, his life in the Ministry of Commerce will not be easy in the future.
"It's okay. In our place, speech is very free." After Schneider said this, he felt a little inappropriate, and quickly added: "Of course, freedom of speech must be based on supporting the executive committee. Basically, no matter what you say or do, it must be consistent with the interests of the executive committee.”
"Of course, I'll keep it in mind." Ruan Jinggui responded quickly. Although I don’t quite understand what Schneider meant, talking nonsense is taboo in every dynasty, and the rule of the Haihan people is no exception. Although Schneider talks about “freedom”, Ruan Jinggui does not He will take what he says completely seriously - if anyone really dares to talk nonsense, I am afraid that the first ones to stand up and suppress him will be these senior officials of the executive committee.
The two of them chatted wordlessly before leaving the gate of Fort Victory. Schneider led the way, and Ruan Jinggui followed closely behind. Walking straight out of the gate is the landscaped avenue leading to the Victory Port Pier. Ruan Ching Kui visited here many times last year when he was here as an envoy and was shocked by the prosperity on both sides of the street. However, he came here again after half a year. , Ruan Jinggui found that the prosperity here was more than before, and the streets were densely packed with shops. Half a year ago, there were a few small vacant lots, but now they have become open shops.
"Yongfeng Cloth Shop is offering a big reward at the end of the month. The best Suzhou satin is available. Buy one and get five feet free. Buy two and get 10% off. Buy three and get one for free!" A waiter stood outside the store and asked People walking on the street loudly advertised the store's promotions.
"Fujian Anxi Tea, don't miss it if you pass by. This is the tea designated by the leaders for official use! The boss is not here today, so the waiter sells it randomly. The store will be closed when it is sold out at a 20% discount. If you want to buy tea, hurry up!" The tea shop also refused to give in and loudly solicited passing merchants.
Most of the shops selling promotions on both sides of the landscape avenue are businessmen from the mainland. Their sales targets are not only the local Haihan people and some naturalized people who got rich first, but also other maritime merchants who came here to trade. .
Since Victory Port has implemented a zero-tariff free trade policy since its opening, as more and more maritime merchants became aware of the existence of Victory Port, the import and export trade business on the southeast coast of the mainland began to gradually shift to the Victory Port area. Some re-export merchants who originally purchased products from Guangzhou and other places and then transported them to various places in Southeast Asia for sale also moved their purchasing locations here in order to avoid taxes and reduce sea voyages.
In addition to the fact that Haihan's own products are almost all in-demand commodities, which are always in short supply in the market, foreign merchants have also played a great role in promoting the prosperity of this port. The twelve Daming merchant shareholders of "Qiong Lianfa" cover almost all walks of life. Almost all products that can be purchased in Fuzhou and Guangzhou can now be purchased from Shengli Port, and distribution, shipment, settlement, etc. All aspects are far more convenient than transactions at other ports in Daming. After various conditions have surpassed the Ming Dynasty's ports in all aspects, it is reasonable for maritime merchants to choose Victory Port as the main trading base.
However, most of the businessmen coming in and out here are still Chinese businessmen, and the only ones from Western countries are Portugal. Since Portugal has always been in a competitive relationship with the other two colonial countries in the South China Sea, they have also specifically requested the Executive Committee not to open trade access permits to the Netherlands and Spain for the time being - although these two have not yet Get direct contact with the executive committee, but the Portuguese think that they must be more cautious. After all, those two families are stronger and more confident than Portugal. When encountering a master like Haihan who only cares about strength and not friendship, No one can guarantee whether they will really kick Portugal to the side when the time comes.
However, as of now, the Executive Committee has no plans to kick Portugal away. After all, the other two countries were direct participants in the Thirty Years War in the West, and the Executive Committee does not want to use them to import arms and weapons to Western countries. Portugal is in this Oil-rich projects are almost the only candidates. At least until the end of the Thirty Years War, the Executive Committee is unlikely to consider ending trade cooperation with Portugal in advance.
Of course, regarding these intricate international relations, Schneider will not explain it to Ruan Chinggui, who is new to the country, for the time being - which probably explains why it is difficult for him to understand why the Executive Committee is trying to intervene in a war tens of thousands of miles away. But Schneider still gave him a rough explanation of the current trade status with the Portuguese. Even the arms exports were not deliberately concealed from him, because this matter was basically semi-public at present, and the Portuguese would have reports every month. The ship arrived at the port, unloaded the silver and other goods requested by Haihan, and then shipped a batch of locally produced arms and weapons. As long as Ruan Jinggui stayed in Victory Port for a while, he would naturally see such a scene.
When he heard Schneider report the approximate transaction volume with the Portuguese every month, Ruan Jinggui couldn't help but feel deeply jealous. The Portuguese have been dealing with the Hue court for several years, but their monthly trade volume is only one-tenth of that between them and the Haihan people!
(End of chapter)