Chapter 473 Misery
As the centers of power in the Russian Empire and Germany, St. Petersburg and Berlin are larger than Vladivostok, have more people, have a longer history, and attract more attention.
Compared with Vladivostok, St. Petersburg and Berlin both have less fireworks and less human touch.
The human touch in Vladivostok varies from person to person.
This winter has been difficult for many people.
Although the war is over, there are still a large number of Russians going to Amur.
The first heavy snowfall after the start of winter caused the interruption of the Lake Baikal section of the Siberian Railway. It took the Siberian Railway Administration half a month to recover.
When George was in charge of the Siberian Railway, he placed the Siberian Railway Bureau in Chita, 400 kilometers away from Lake Baikal.
The Siberian Railway is now in St. Petersburg, 4,500 kilometers away from Lake Baikal.
Although the railway is interrupted, people would rather walk across the frozen Lake Baikal to go to Amur.
The first stop for new immigrants entering Amur is Hamaldaban, a railway station located on the shores of Lake Baikal, opposite the mouth of the Angara River, about 40 kilometers away.
There is a ferry in Hamaldaban. Before the Circum-Baikal Railway was built, trains had to be loaded in Hamaldaban to cross Lake Baikal. This small town was also born because of the railway.
The deputy station chief of Hamal Daban, Rakovich, is a veteran with the rank of captain. After the Russo-Japanese War broke out, Rakovich strongly requested to return to the army, but was rejected because he was too old. This made Rakovich Kovic was dissatisfied.
When the Russo-Japanese War broke out, Rakovich was only 36 years old.
After winter, more and more people arrive in Hamaldaban on foot, gradually increasing from hundreds to 1,500 people every day.
There were only about 60 staff at Hamal Daban Station, including security personnel.
Now the staff of Hamal Daban Station has exceeded 200, and the official residents have exceeded 1,000 for the first time.
Rakovich has been in a bad mood these days. In the past week, Hamaldaban has sent sleds to Lake Baikal every day to help the weak new immigrants.
Those who went to Amur during the war were young and strong men, who were more capable of resisting danger.
Nowadays, the new immigrants going to Amur are all bringing their families, including the elderly and children. They are already weak. In such a cold winter, walking across Lake Baikal is full of dangers.
Sleds will take weak new immigrants to Hamaldaban in advance.
Those who did not wait for the sled will remain on the ice forever in the form of ice sculptures. When the ice melts next year, they will merge with Lake Baikal.
"This is a hell of a world!"
Rakovich is very sad, these things should not have happened.
When Amur was managing the Siberian Railway, even if the railway was interrupted, no one froze to death.
The people who go to Amur are mixed. Some people come from the polar regions, some come from the Baltic Sea, and some even come from big cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Most of the people who went to Amur in the past were Cossacks.
In addition to Cossacks, there are now farmers, businessmen, retired soldiers, students, and even declining nobles.
“Are you all settled?”
Webmaster Nikolai is a veteran who participated in the 10th Russo-Turkish War, a recipient of the Order of St. George, and has 30 years of perfect service experience .
"I selected 10 girls and boys and asked them to stay, while the others took the evening train to Chita - we need more sleds, there are more and more bodies on the ice -"
< br>Rakovich was a little depressed, so he unscrewed the wine bottle at his waist and took a few sips.
Russian people are addicted to alcohol, which has a lot to do with the environment. It is really impossible to live without alcohol in winter.
"Let them stay there, and they can also guide the direction for those who come after -"
Nicholas is not indifferent. In this era, no one has the right to pity anyone.
It is indeed miserable for people who freeze to death on the ice.
The Japanese who starved to death were also miserable.
This summer, floods occurred in Zhili areas of the Qing Empire, killing tens of thousands. This prompted a large number of northerners to go to the Kanto region to survive, and they were even worse this winter.
The United Kingdom, the most developed country in the world, still has countless sweatshops. The British are no less enthusiastic about going on strike than the Russian Empire.
I really don’t care about dead people.
Nikolai and Rakovich left as many resources as possible to the living.
"We don't have much food. We need Chita to send it as soon as possible. Fortunately, we still have enough fuel-"
Rakovich is worried about the food stored in Hamaldaban. Supplies are insufficient to cope with the increasing number of new immigrants.
“Don’t rely on Chita for everything. Lake Baikal is next to us. How can there be no food.”
Nikolai is self-reliant, and this place is known as “endless fish.” Siberia.
There are many fish in Lake Baikal, but in winter due to the ice on the lake, fishing becomes a very difficult job.
This difficulty is relative to the individual.
There is nothing in Hamaldaban now, but there are many people.
Rakovich led dozens of young men to dig holes in the ice without lowering the net. The fish hungry for fresh air began to jump up on their own.
The winter in Siberia is like a big natural refrigerator. The fish will freeze quickly after leaving the water. The boys filled the sled with fish without any effort.
This carload of fish is enough for Hamal Daban to eat for several days.
The same goes for fishing, which is extremely difficult in Japan.
After the Hokkaido fishing grounds were occupied by Amur, Japanese fishermen were unable to enter the Hokkaido fishing grounds to operate. Many fishermen went bankrupt, making this winter particularly difficult.
Oyama Ken, who lives in Hokkaido, makes a living by fishing. His life is not rich, but he can still get by.
Although Dashanjian worked extra hard this summer, his income was still much less than in previous years.
After winter, food prices in Japan soared, and Oyama Ken had to sell his fishing boats in exchange for food needed for the winter.
What is even more cruel is that the rice bought by selling the fishing boat was snatched away before returning home. Dashan Jian was beaten half to death. Fortunately, a fellow villager passed by and Dashan Jian saved his life.
“What will we do next year after selling the boat?” Dashan Jian’s brother Dashan Zhang looked sad. His family had no food left and was unable to support Dashan Jian.
Da Shanjian was so heartbroken that he burst into tears.
Dashanjian also has three children at home.
If you don’t sell the boat, you can only eat the children.
“I heard that people in Sabah are recruiting workers, and I want to try my luck.”
Da Shanzhang no longer cares about the hatred of the country and the family. Whoever can give him a bite of food, he will To whom do you sell your life?
Da Shanzhang has four children in his family, all of whom are not yet adults.
The next day, Dashan Jian and Dashan Zhang came to the labor bureau opened by the local government.
The Labor Bureau is indeed recruiting people, but not fishermen, only male and female workers.
And the work location is not limited to Sabah, you can also go to Korea or Kanto.
You can also go to the Lion City.
But the Lion City only wants girls, and they are young and beautiful girls.
"These bastards! They are all accomplices of evil beasts!"
Da Shanjian gritted his teeth.
The amazing thing is that Dashanjian doesn’t hate the Russians much, and he hates these Labor Bureau staff even more.
Japan's challenge to the Russian Empire was to overestimate its capabilities. The strength gap between the two sides was too large. It was normal to lose the war. This result was not unacceptable.
The staff of the Labor Bureau are all Hokkaido natives. Not only do they not work hard to fight for the interests of the Hokkaido people, but they help the Russians exploit the Hokkaido people.
The conditions for the Labor Bureau to recruit people from Hokkaido are 1 yen per person per day in addition to food and accommodation.
Compared with before the war, the Japanese yen has depreciated significantly. Now 1 yen is only equivalent to one-tenth of its pre-war value, and it is still depreciating rapidly.
It is said that the salary offered by the Russians to the Japanese is 50 kopecks per person per day.
50 kopecks turned into 1 yen after passing through the labor bureau.
It’s clear who is more hateful.
"Is anyone willing to go to Amur? The Amur Textile Factory needs female workers!"
A staff member of the Labor Bureau released the latest job news.
Everyone immediately rushed forward.
"16 years old, as long as girls are over 16 years old and under 25 years old."
The requirements of Amur Textile Factory are very strict, but this does not stop people's enthusiasm.
Age is not a problem. Although Amul requires people to be over 16 years old, Japanese people are naturally petite, so send them over first.
The textile factory is at least a real job.
“The contract must be signed for at least 10 years, and the contract cannot be terminated early. There are no holidays during the contract period, and the salary will be paid by the Labor Bureau. You can go home after 10 years. Those who can accept it can sign up with me.”
The construction of the mountain was hesitant.
10 years is too long.
"Let's go, won't you sign up Tomoko and Hanako?"
Oyama Akira did not hesitate.
“Ten years——”
Da Shanjian’s eyes were red.
“Sending them to Amur will at least allow them to survive.”
Dashan Zhang's eye circles are also red.
There are actually good jobs, but it is not the turn of the fishermen in Hokkaido.
Before winter entered the Siberian Fleet, a group of female workers were recruited in Nagasaki. The main work of these female workers was cleaning and nursing.
Cleaning means washing clothes, washing vegetables, etc. It is not physically strenuous, and the requirements for cleanliness are relatively high.
If you can engage in nursing work, you will have the opportunity to contact the sailors of the Siberian Fleet.
As we all know, the vast majority of fleet sailors are singles. If they have the opportunity to marry a sailor, they can leave Japan.
For most Japanese, Japan is hell now.
The Siberian Fleet originally only recruited 50 people.
After the results were released, more than 2,000 Japanese girls took the initiative to sign up, many of whom have received education.
This is just a place in Nagasaki. It extends to the whole of Japan. I don’t know how many people signed up.
After Peter found out, he increased the number of workers to 200.
Even so, many educated girls fail.
Krzhakov suggested that Peter contact Mikhail and ask Mikhail if he wanted female workers.
“This is the job of the Japanese Prime Minister and has nothing to do with us.”
Peter only does what he should do. No matter how miserable the Japanese are, it has nothing to do with Peter.
It's your own fault.
(End of this chapter)