Chapter 142: Entering New York to Conscript Men (Second update, please subscribe)

On May 12, 1862, a few hours after the sun rose, New York was still shrouded in a light sea fog. At this time, the Flying Cloud, which had come from afar, was slowly approaching the shore under the tow of a normal steamship.

"We're in New York!"

Like all the international students, Lu Anxue gathered on the deck early, looking at New York with curiosity.

This was their first time arriving in a truly foreign country - South China, which was actually not much different from China, as there were Chinese people everywhere.

But what is now presented before their eyes is a foreign country in the true sense of the word.

They were bound to attract everyone's attention, and when the Feiyun docked, there was chaos on the dock.

In addition to the Flying Cloud, there were many other immigrant ships coming from Europe. It was the worst period of the Irish Famine. For the starving Irish, America was their only hope of survival.

However, when these pale-faced Irish people arrived at the dock, the new Irish immigrants were greeted warmly by the locals who threw tomatoes, eggs and stones.

"Go back to Ireland, you Irish pigs! America is for Americans..."

Shouts like these echoed at the dock. The international students on the ship were all confused, as this seemed different from what they had imagined.

"It's just a bunch of thugs from the Native American Association!"

Field felt a little embarrassed and explained.

"In the United States, everyone is an American. There is no such thing as a native American. You can rest assured that the vast majority of Americans are warm and friendly..."

Soon, the international students felt the American enthusiasm - as soon as they got off the ship, the government officials at the port stopped them directly just like they did the Irish.

"According to American law, if you want to enter the United States, you must sign the military registration form, just like those people!"

Although they were surprised by the arrival of this ship of Orientals, the customs officials still treated them like the Irish - when issuing them residence permits, they were also forced to sign the military enlistment application form. The Union needed soldiers, and those Irish immigrants became the best choice. So almost in New York, such a scene appeared - a ship of Irish immigrants had just set foot on the port, and they were ordered to sign the immigration documents and the military enlistment application form at the same time, and then they were given military uniforms and weapons and sent directly to the ship on the front line in Tennessee as cannon fodder.

"Sir, when was there such a law?"

Cyrus Field demanded loudly.

"This is what the president just issued..."

Before the official could finish, Cyrus Field spoke loudly.

"I'm Cyrus Field. You must have heard of my name. Don't treat them the same way you treat those Irish people. They are international students in the United States. They don't care about your residence permit at all."

"Mr. Cyrus Field!"

The customs officials had apparently heard of his name.

“This is an order from the president.”

"Believe me, every one of them is qualified to go to the White House to see Lincoln! Sir, if you want to attract the attention of the press, as you wish!"

At the insistence of Cyrus Field, the "local boss", the official looked at the well-dressed oriental gentlemen of different ages and immediately stopped doubting.

Indeed, these gentlemen cannot be treated in the same way as poor Irish people. No matter where you are, people always respect their clothes before they respect the person.

“Welcome to America!”

When these well-dressed Orientals appeared at the dock, they immediately attracted the attention of others, and even the Americans who were throwing stones held back, because they were a group of gentlemen. This also made the Irish who had just disembarked feel relieved, but they still had to sign up for the military, an Irish immigrant who signed up and was happy to be cannon fodder asked his companion.

"Do you know where we are going?"

"I heard it's Tennessee?"

"Do you think they'll give us food right away?"

…

Listening to the Irish people's conversation and looking at those Irish people with pale faces, thin bodies and tattered clothes, Chen Jie and others thought of themselves. A year ago, when they just arrived in Nanhua, they seemed to be in the same state.

And now?

Their expressions were serious as they looked at New York coming into view, the five- or six-story buildings by the harbor, and the steam ships moored at the berths.

The arrival of such a group of oriental gentlemen was bound to cause a sensation in New York. When they stepped out of the port, they attracted the attention of a photographer, who immediately took a picture with his camera. However, even the photographer did not know what his picture meant.

The people in the photos represent the past and future of China to a certain extent.

On that day, almost all newspapers in New York reported the arrival of these Chinese students. Of course, no one knew what their arrival meant, and most of them were just looking for something new to see.

But not everyone was unaware of what this meant. In a hotel in New York, Hamada Hikozo, who was dressed in a dress, was stunned when he saw the newspaper.

"China sent students to the United States!"

Hamada Hikozo is a well-known figure in Japanese history. In 1850, Hamada Hikozo was on his way home from Edo when he encountered a storm. While drifting, he was rescued by an American ship. Unable to return to Japan, which was in isolation, Hamada Hikozo was forced to live in the United States for eight years.

In June 1859, Hamada Hikozo returned to Japan as an interpreter for the American consulate. However, because Japan was at the height of the Ansei Prison at the time, Hamada Hikozo was being targeted by anti-foreign activists and had no choice but to return to the United States. Later, with the recommendation of his friend, then-US Secretary of State Seward, he was received by President Lincoln and became the only Japanese to have met Lincoln.

Although he met Lincoln, it did not help solve his predicament - he could not find a job and could not make a living. Not only him, but also Ichiro Tanabe, who "escaped from Japan" with him, was in the same situation. They were all targeted by anti-foreigner factions and had to flee Japan. However, after going through untold hardships to come to the United States, they had trouble surviving.

"Oh my, it's still China after all! They actually sent overseas students so quickly!"

Ichiro Tanabe stared at the newspaper, his tone full of envy.

"I really don't know what those damn guys in Edo would think if they knew this. They don't know that in today's world, if you want to gain a foothold in the world, you must study in the West! Now, even China is learning Western knowledge!"

"Yes, this is China! China is really an admirable country! It actually sent students to study abroad in the West!"

In astonishment, Hamada Hikozo said to Tanabe Ichiro beside him.

"Tanabe-kun, let's go visit them!"

"Visit them, will they meet us?"

Tanabe's question made Hamada Hikozo laugh.

"Why don't they see me? I've even met President Lincoln! Well, let's go visit them where they live. However, although I learned Nanjing dialect when I was a child, I have almost forgotten it now. Tanabe-kun, what about you?"

"I can write Chinese poetry!"

Ichiro Tanabe laughed.

"Let's go visit them!"

(End of this chapter)