Chapter 37 Immigrants
Antalaha, Madagascar.

A huge cargo ship was approaching the port, with the American Flag and the flag of the China Merchants Company hanging on its side. A dozen seagulls were circling over the sea, making bursts of "cawing" sounds, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet dock in the afternoon.

The ship docked, the whistle blew.

"We've arrived. Hurry up and pack your belongings, line up, and get ready to get off the boat." Zhang Dabiao stood on the overpass at the bow of the boat, holding a tin horn and shouting loudly.

Most people had no personal belongings of their own. They were all refugees from famine and did not even have complete clothes on their bodies. It was only after they joined the company that Mr. Lei Wanting, the Chinese head of the Meihua Company, saw that everyone was half-naked and was afraid that it would affect the company's image, so he spent money to order uniform work clothes from a factory in Shanghai.

As the ship approached the shore, the crowd began to surge, and the sounds of wind, waves, human voices and whistles intertwined into one, creating an extremely lively atmosphere.

Wang Tianfeng and his sister also lined up and started to get off the boat. When passing by Li Dabiao, he did not forget to greet him loudly. Soon, the dock was crowded with people and shouts came one after another, completely no longer as peaceful as before.

They all wore the same blue uniform, which was a simplified version of the Zhongshan suit that had just become popular in the Republic of China. It was looser, more comfortable, and most importantly, more convenient for work.

Only two ships returned this time, bringing nearly 16 people in total. If these two ships were used to transport black slaves like in the th century, they could at least carry people. However, the mortality rate would be too high. There were also two other ships loaded with food and Chinese medicinal materials, which would arrive in Madagascar in a few days.

The reason why only 10,000 people were transported was because Antalaha did not have enough houses and food prepared for the immigrants and could not accommodate so many people at once.

Lei Wanting also came back with this ship. He has already arranged the affairs of China. All he needs to do next is to hand it over to the white people below. It will be more convenient for them to act in China.

From then on, Lei Wanting mainly stayed in Madagascar, organized the immigrants, carried out production and construction according to Zhang Feng's plan, occasionally went to China for inspection, and returned to the United States to report to Zhang Feng.

After Lei Wanting got off the boat, he immediately arranged for someone to contact Little John, and then organized the immigrants into two long lines. Lei Wanting and Little John rode in front on horseback, and the company's old employees maintained order on both sides, slowly walking towards the camp that had been set up in advance.

The camp was about 10 kilometers away from the pier, and it took nearly three hours to reach our destination.

Wang Tianfeng and his sister Wang Tianmei are still young, so although they have recovered their health in the nearly one month since joining the company, they are now exhausted.

"Sister, just hold on a little longer and you can take a rest." Wang Tianfeng supported Wang Tianmei and encouraged her.

"Okay, brother, I'm fine. Brother, look! Our new home is in front." Wang Tianmei was answering her brother when she suddenly looked up and saw rows of houses in front and exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing this, Wang Tianfeng also looked up. He had been concentrating on getting on with his journey and hadn't even taken the time to appreciate the scenery along the way.

What came into view were rows of houses stretching for dozens of meters. These were simple townhouses built by Little John using trees cut down by the natives of Madagascar. The houses could barely prevent rain from leaking, and there were only wooden beds inside, without even sheets or quilts.

One house can accommodate 20 people, and there are 50 rooms in a row. Many natives were hired and a lot of US dollars were spent. It took half a year to complete.

"Everyone be quiet. We will arrange accommodation for you shortly. Twenty people in a room, separate men and women. Each of you will be given a sign with a string of numbers on it. This is your room and bed number now, and it will be your work number in the future, so don't lose it." After everyone lined up in a large open space in front of the building, Lei Wanting shouted with a loudspeaker.

This condition can only be arranged now. Once the immigrants settle down, we need to develop as quickly as possible, reclaim land, build houses and distribute them. Otherwise, without sex life, how can we reproduce? We cannot always rely on immigrants, and this will also cause chaos.

Wang Tianfeng followed the team and moved slowly. There was a table on each side of the open space, corresponding to the male and female teams respectively. Several old employees of the company gave each person a small iron plate. Someone would be arranged to lead them to their own room for every 20 people. Soon it was his turn.

"What's your name?" a seated staff member asked without raising his head. He was holding a pen and in front of him was a book that looked like an account book. The open page was filled with densely packed numbers, separated by tables. There was a blank space behind each number, but some of them already had words written on them.

"My name is Wang Tianfeng." He had been staring at the form in front of him and didn't reply for a while. Just when the worker was about to get impatient, he reacted and quickly said his name. "Here, this is your work card. Take it well. Don't lose it, and don't lend it to others. You will need it for eating, drinking, defecating and urinating in the future. Okay, stand over there." The sitting worker wrote his name after the string of numbers, and another worker standing next to him immediately handed him a card and reminded him.

Wang Tianfeng walked to the side with the sign, where seven or eight men were already standing, talking in low voices. He first touched the iron plate in his hand, which was very thick, with a string of numbers 193001131420 written on the front.

He recognized this number. During their free time in China and on the ship, the senior employees of the Meihua Company would teach them some simple knowledge which could improve the quality of the employees and make it easier for future management since they were free anyway.

Wang Tianfeng learns faster because he is young and smart. The older and dumber ones still can't even read and write their own names or simple numbers.

However, they no longer have such opportunities in the future. After arriving in Antalaha, Madagascar, they have only endless work and no time to study, except for some children who will be trained according to the situation.

After 20 people gathered, an old employee came over, took them into a room, and assigned beds to everyone.

"Everyone, pick up your number plates. I will explain the meaning of these numbers. For example, mine says 193001011111. The 190301 means that I am the first batch to come to Madagascar in 1930. The 1 means that I live in the 011111th bed in the 1th room of the 11st row of the house. And so on. Now you understand, this is your identity in Madagascar from now on. This is very important. In addition, the person in bed No. 11 among you will be the person in charge of this room. Do you have any questions?"

After the staff member finished explaining, he asked one more question.

"No problem!" All 20 people present responded loudly in unison.

This was also given to them before they came here. They must answer their superiors' questions in a timely and loud manner, and not remain silent or submissive. They must have a new mental outlook here.

“The dormitory leaders will gather at the open space after dinner to arrange tomorrow’s work. You will be responsible for conveying it to everyone from now on.” Seeing that everyone had no problem, the staff member nodded and said something to everyone, then left.

After putting away their luggage, everyone in the study briefly introduced themselves to each other so that they were familiar with each other. Wang Tianfeng also knew the name of the dormitory head, Chen Dawei.

At this time, a whistle sounded outside, and everyone quickly went out to gather. This was a habit they had developed before. Then, under the leadership of the old employees, they went to have dinner in batches.

After dinner, Chen Dawei went to a meeting, and everyone else returned to the dormitory. There was no condition to take a shower every day. After a tiring day, Wang Tianfeng lay down on the wooden bed and fell asleep.

This is how the new immigrants spent their first night in Madagascar.

At ten o'clock in the evening, there was still a red light flashing in a house not far from the immigrant camp. It was all lit by candles. It was impossible for electricity to be available here in the short term.

This house is the residence of the senior executives of the Meihua Company. It is a stone house. Each person has a single room, which is decorated quite luxuriously and is equipped with all necessary daily necessities. Today, more than ten people have been selected from the new immigrants to take care of their daily lives.

In a very large room, this is where the senior executives of the Meihua Company usually hold meetings, but now there are only two people in it.

"Cap, in a week, when the next fleet arrives, I will return to America with all the purchased medicinal herbs. Take advantage of these few days to organize the help you need and write it down. I will bring it back to the master. This is the last thing I can do for you. You will have to rely on yourself here from now on." Little John looked at Lei Wanting and said.

"Okay, then thank you, brother. You must say a few good words for me in front of the boss. The construction here has just begun and everything is new. We urgently need the strong support of the head office." Lei Wanting said gratefully.

He also wanted to achieve something here, but if Zhang Feng was unwilling to invest too many resources, then he would be helpless.

(End of this chapter)