Chapter 972 The Conspiracy of the Ming Emperor (First update, please subscribe)
For many people, the Ming Dynasty in 1881 was indeed a dreamland.
For many ordinary Europeans, perhaps the Ming Dynasty is an ideal country in some sense in their minds. The reason they have this idea is that the life here is exactly what they desire.
In fact, what most people dream of is the simple and affluent life in the Ming Dynasty. Their demands are not high, that's all.
“When European workers and their families lived in basements, in dark, damp rooms where the air never circulated, full of germs, and the walls were covered with dirt, they lay on a few dirty and greasy wooden boards, huddled with their families in damp, rotten straw, and their words yearned for everything in the Ming Empire…”
Carl, holding a pipe in his hand, looked at the scenic community in front of him with a complicated expression.
"There are no dilapidated, stained, and worm-ridden slums here. People live in spacious and bright houses. The clean and tidy living environment makes them healthier..."
After taking a puff of cigarette, Carl's expression became a little solemn. Finally, after this year's New Year, he came to this country praised by many people, a country that has mixed reviews among European countries.
"My friend, I know why you always mention this country."
Walking along the winding path of the community garden, Carl pointed with his pipe in hand at the woman who was drying clothes on the balcony in the distance and spoke with a very emotional tone.
"Men work outside, women take care of the family, they enjoy pension insurance, free medical care, their children receive free compulsory education, their lives, their work, everything they have, is exactly what we desire, and is also the goal that many people strive for. If we put aside everything controlled by the capitalists, this is what our dream country looks like - social justice, social welfare is also valued, isn't this what we desire?"
Carl's eyes became deep as he sighed. Everything here seemed better than he had imagined. Even in his imagination, he had never thought that people could live such a comfortable and affluent life. He took a few puffs of cigarette silently and said to his silent friend.
"This is also what we are fighting for. When we come here, we see that everyone enjoys a comfortable life. However, in Europe, tens of millions of people live in dark, dirty and damp living spaces. Nowhere is the space smaller, the population more dense, the air more unhealthy, the environment more dangerous and the life more miserable. Whether in Britain, France or Germany, it is the same. "The rulers are extravagant and the ruled suffer and starve." This is the life of ordinary people!"
Speaking of the living conditions of European workers, Karl's tone was full of indignation, staring at those bright multi-story apartments, he said.
"Many people say that we are dreaming. If the workers live a good life, all the factories will close down and go bankrupt. But what about here? Everything here reminds us that our dream is real. Thank you..."
Turning to look at his friend, Carl said.
"Thank you for bringing me here. I think everything here has strengthened my faith."
In response to his friend's thanks, Friedrich said.
“Karl, everything we see comes from the power of the country.”
Friedrich said, pointing at the neighborhood.
"A few years ago, when I first came to this country, out of shock and curiosity, I deliberately understood the root of all this. It all came from the strong order of His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. All the social welfare laws of the Ming Empire today are from the emperor's instructions. Of course, as we all know, behind the seemingly perfect appearance of the Ming Dynasty, there are still injustices. For example, in this country, if you don't speak Chinese, it is difficult to find a decent job..."
This is no longer a secret. In fact, in the past few years, news about the Ming Dynasty's "discrimination against European nationals" has frequently appeared in European and American newspapers. The Portuguese and Spanish, if they don't speak Chinese, will have a hard time taking a single step under the rule of the Ming Empire. This can only be said to be the "sorrow of the fallen nation." However, the Ming Dynasty officials have always firmly denied this. The Ming Dynasty even shot several documentaries recording how they rectified slums in Rio, Sao Paulo and other places and built spacious and elegant boulevards.
Thanks to the efforts of the Ming officials, ordinary people were freed from poor living conditions and polluted water. The open-air ditches throughout the narrow alleys also disappeared from those cities. In just four years, the filthy scenes of the cities under Brazilian rule were completely changed. The Ming Dynasty was using this to make Europeans believe that under their rule, the locals lived happier lives.
"That emperor is an imperialist at heart. Any imperialist is a racist. This is their common problem. He may take good care of his own people, or what they call his "compatriots," but to other people, those imperialists are cruel and have no sympathy. However, compared to many imperialists, he is more cunning!"
When mentioning the word "cunning", Karl deliberately emphasized the tone.
"Do you still remember the decision made by the Ming Empire four years ago when it announced the liberation of black slaves after occupying Brazil?"
"You mean their decision to send the slaves back to Africa."
Friedrich certainly knew about this matter, which caused a very strong response in Europe at the time. From Europe to America, all enlightened people praised the Ming Dynasty's decision. In their opinion, this was the most correct decision, not just giving the so-called "freedom."
“Even if slaves with nothing are freed, what good will it do? They will only become poor people with nothing! Give them freedom, send them back to their hometowns, and give them a piece of land to survive on. This is the real freedom!”
Friedrich repeated in a tone of praise the words that the Ming Empire said a few years ago when it decided to liberate the Brazilian slaves and give them freedom.
"Yes - European colonists kidnapped them from Africa and brought them to the New World as slaves. Now the Ming Dynasty sends them back to their homeland - back to Africa as free people! They are even very generous in giving those black slaves a piece of land - every free black slave can get an acre of land after returning to Africa."
While mentioning this matter, Karl said in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Overnight, all the enlightened people in the world praised the righteous act of the Ming Dynasty. Yes, Europeans brought black people to the New World as slaves, but the Ming Dynasty not only liberated the black slaves, but also sent them back to their hometown and gave them a piece of land that belonged to them. This is absolutely admirable and selfless, at least on the surface, it seems to be so."
After a slight pause, Carl continued.
"But how many people know that this was a conspiracy from the beginning!"
(End of this chapter)
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