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Volume Three: The Wind Rises in the South Chapter 107 Kitchener

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    While the captain was explaining, the "Southampton" had already sailed through the bend of the river, and a large Indian settlement appeared in front of Kitchener. As Captain Alexander said, this place was in stark contrast to the white area he just saw.  In contrast, the orderly streets and majestic and sturdy houses have disappeared, replaced by a large number of simple shacks and temporary wooden houses, which are all made of easily available materials such as mud, wood, thatch, etc.  .  Thick smoke rose in the sky above the Black City District. This was the smoke rising from the residents cooking their own dinner. From a distance, the entire Black City District looked like a huge beehive, making an indescribable noise.  "My God, even the most barbaric black tribe in Sudan is more orderly than here!" Kitchener showed a surprised expression. Even though his footprints have spread all over the most barbaric corners of Africa, he has never seen it before.  Such a scene: "They live so densely that they can barely put a foot in. What if a disaster occurs, such as a house burning?" "No, no, maybe in the eyes of outsiders like us, this  There are no gaps in the city, but it is actually orderly. ""Orderly?" "Yes, Indians are a nation that attaches great importance to internal order. Maybe in your opinion, everything is orderly.  Indians are all the same, but in fact the gap between them is much larger than between you and an Irish worker in the East End of London. You know, if you are lucky, a poor Irishman may be in two or three generations.  Making a fortune at home allows his descendants to enter the parliament through marriage; but the Indians are different. Everyone's life is decided the moment he is born. The son of a farmer can only be a farmer, and the son of a judge can only be a farmer.  "Can it be a judge?" "Well, I have heard of this wonderful system, but what does it have to do with the order of the Black City?" "Don't you understand that maybe this city is disorderly in your opinion?  , but in fact every Indian here lives in his own area. Once a fire breaks out, they will act according to their own status. Some people may die, but it will not spread too much!  It has been proven by many water and fire disasters in the past!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Kitchener shook his head: ¡°Anyway, I have enough time to get to know these Indians, but I want to ask you a question.  , how do you know so much about this place!" The smile on the captain's face disappeared immediately: "It's very simple, I have a younger brother who is serving in the Indian army. He told me all this just three months ago.  , he died in Burma!" "I'm sorry, I didn't know¡ª¡ª" Kitchener had a look of astonishment on his face.  "Colonel, you don't have to apologize to me!" The captain interrupted Kitchener's apology: "He was a soldier and died on the battlefield. This is honorable!" Perhaps to cover up something, the captain's face turned to another person.  One side: "Your Majesty, Major, I heard that you are about to become the commander of the expeditionary force. I hope you will not let my brother's blood flow on a foreign land!" "Your Majesty, Captain!" Colonel Kitchener's voice suddenly became high-pitched.  Get up: "The flag of Britain will never retreat!" Colonel Kitchener quickly jumped onto the traffic boat. Behind him, the huge "Southampton" had anchored. Under the dusk, the man who had not long ago  The captain, who had just lost his brother, was standing at the bow of the ship, seemingly seeing off Kitchener.  At his feet, the "holy river" (the Ganges, which means holy river in Sanskrit) flows just as it has for hundreds of thousands of years. This river originates from the southern foothills of the Himalayas.  The gentle, wide channels cut through the northern plains of India, making it one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world, and even now a cornerstone of the British Empire.  On the bank of the river not far away, a dozen Indians were lying naked and standing in the water, letting the cold river water wash over their bodies. From time to time, they would hold a handful of river water and pour it down on their heads, praying piously.  Kneeling down to him, melodious singing sounded in the air. For a moment, Kitchener seemed to feel that time had stopped and he suddenly returned to thousands of years ago.  "Please get in the car, Colonel Kitchener, the Governor is waiting for you in the Government House!" An Indian with a black cloth covering his head and wearing Western clothes said to Kitchener in proficient English.  Kitchener nodded reservedly and stepped onto the carriage.  The Indian servant turned around and shouted loudly to the coachman in the local language, and the carriage started.  On the carriage, Kitchener opened a briefcase he carried with him, took out a stack of detailed maps, a ruler and a pencil, and began to calculate and write.  In the Governor's Palace, an old man with gray hair was sitting at the desk. He was Frederick Temple Hamilton Temple Blackwood, the then Governor-General of India and Earl of Dufferin.  As a diplomat of the older generation, he contributed to the establishment of several autonomous territories such as Canada.He made great contributions and was awarded the title of earl in 1871.  When he heard the rapid footsteps outside the door, he was about to stand up when the heavy door was pushed open. Kitchener walked in, took off his hat and bowed to him: "Governor-General  Your Excellency, I am Colonel Kitchener. I am here under orders from London to direct the war against Burma. Your Excellency, please forgive my rudeness. After staying in Africa for a long time, I have forgotten how to be a gentleman.  "I have received the order from London! Don't worry about it, Colonel Kitchener. Courage is also an important quality for a gentleman." Earl Dufferin gestured for the other party to sit down: "What do you prefer, tea or coffee?"  , or rum, or something else? " "It would be great if there was Monaco coffee!" Kitchener sat on a wheel chair opposite the desk: "I already liked this kind of thing when I was in Egypt."  "A cup of Monaco coffee and a cup of black tea, thank you!" Earl Dufferin nodded to the servant beside him. The servant bowed to the Earl politely and walked out quickly, holding a tray after a moment.  He came in, placed coffee, black tea, sugar and refreshments on the coffee table between the two of them, then pushed them out the door and closed the door. The whole process happened quickly and silently, like a silent movie.  "Colonel, let's talk about things in Myanmar now!" Earl Dufferin poured a little sugar into his teacup and took a sip: "Tell me, what are your plans? Do you need me to help you?"  "What are you doing?" "Your Majesty, I was in Cairo six days ago, and now all my knowledge of the situation in Myanmar comes from these things!" Kitchener opened his briefcase and took out a stack of maps.  There were several newspapers, and finally I took out a book. Judging from the cover, it was a travel diary.  "It's impossible for me to command a war with these, so my current plan is to listen more, watch more, talk less and do less! Your Excellency, I came with my ears today!" At this point, Kitchener pointed at himself  ears.  "I think London finally made the right choice this time!" Earl Dufferin finally showed a happy expression on his face: "Well, I suggest you go to Yangon first to meet Major Duncan and Gillings  Consul, the two of them have been involved in this war from the beginning. I think this is the best choice!" "Thank you for your advice, Your Excellency!" Kitchener nodded: "Then as you personally, for me  "What suggestions do you have?" "Myself?" Dufferin smiled: "Before I tell you my suggestions, what are your views on this war?" "What do you think about this war?"  Judging from the data, I personally am very optimistic!" Kitchener did not hide his views at all. He casually spread out a map, pointed to the part of Myanmar on it and said: "From a geographical point of view, the timing of the conquest of Myanmar is good.  Already mature, we have occupied a very advantageous stronghold at the mouth of the country's main river, which flows through the country's main economic area, and the northwest side of the country borders Bangladesh, which we control.  With the navy, we can easily penetrate into the hinterland of this country along this river and conquer them. " "Well! But the Chinese sent an army, and this army defeated our small expeditionary force. Now according to the intelligence sent back from Myanmar.  , The Chinese army is still growing! Have you ever considered this situation? " "The Chinese intervention will not change anything!" Kitchener replied with a smile: "If victory is a flower, transportation is a flower.  Stems, flowers without stems cannot bloom. The war with the Chinese is mainly a transportation issue. As long as we can control the water transportation on this river, the final victory will definitely be ours. The rugged land transportation has restricted China.  There is no limit to the amount of force people can put into Burma! "I'm glad you didn't propose an all-out war with the Chinese!" Earl Dufferin said with a smile.  "When do you plan to leave for Burma?" "Three days later, before that I plan to check the Indian soldiers in Calcutta and the various military supplies stored in the warehouse. Before launching an expedition, this  "It's the most important thing." Kitchener stood up and shook the Earl's extended hand: "If possible, I hope to take the same boat I came from and give me another measuring boat. I hope to measure it.  "No problem, I'll tell you in Singapore!" Earl Dufferin extended his hand: "Bon voyage!"
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