On May 12, 1862, a few hours after the sun rose, New York was still shrouded in a light layer of sea fog. At this time, the "Flying Cloud", which had come from afar, was slowly being towed by an ordinary steamship.
Moored slowly to the shore.
"Arrived in New York!"
Lu Anxue, like all the international students, gathered on the deck early, looking curiously at New York.
This is the first time they have arrived in a real foreign country - Nanhua. In fact, it is not much different from China. There are Chinese people everywhere.
But what is presented to them now is a foreign country in the true sense.
They were destined to attract everyone's attention. When the "Flying Cloud" docked, there was chaos on the dock.
In addition to the "Flying Cloud", there are many immigrant ships coming from Europe. Now is the most serious period of the Great Famine in Ireland. For the hungry Irish, America is their only hope for survival.
However, when these disheveled Irish people came to the pier, the new Irish immigrants were greeted warmly by the locals throwing tomatoes, eggs and stones.
"Go back to Ireland, you Irish pigs! America is the America of Americans..."
Such shouts echoed on the pier, and the international students on the boat were all at a loss. This seemed to be different from what they imagined.
"They're just a bunch of hooligans from the Native American Association!"
Field felt a bit out of place and explained specifically.
"In America, everyone is an American. There are no native Americans at all. You can rest assured that the vast majority of Americans are warm and friendly..."
Soon, the international students felt the American hospitality - when they got off the ship, the government officials at the port stopped these people as if they were 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 very surprised by the arrival of this boatload of Easterners, the customs officials still treated them like Irish people - when issuing them residence permits, they were forced to sign a military registration form at the same time. The Federation needed soldiers.
Those Irish immigrants became the best choice. So a scene like this almost happened in New York - as soon as a boatload of Irish immigrants set foot on the port, they were ordered to sign the immigration documents and the military registration form at the same time, and then lead the army
After receiving their weapons, they were sent directly to the ships on the Tennessee front line to be used as cannon fodder.
"Sir, when was there such a law!"
Cyrus Field asked loudly.
"This is what the president just promulgated..."
Before the official could finish speaking, Cyrus Field said loudly.
"I am Cyrus Field. You must have heard of my name. Don't treat them the same way you treat the Irish. They are international students coming to the United States and they don't care about your residence permit at all."
"Mr. Cyrus Field!"
Customs officials had apparently heard of his name.
"This is an order from the president."
"Believe me, every one of them deserves to go to the White House to meet Lincoln! If you want to attract the attention of the press, sir, that's your wish!"
At the insistence of Cyrus Field, a "local snake", the official looked at the well-dressed Oriental gentlemen of different ages and immediately no longer had any doubts.
Indeed, these gentlemen cannot be treated the same way as Irish poor people. No matter where they are, people always respect their clothes first and then their people.
"Welcome to America!"
When this group of well-dressed Orientals appeared at the pier, they immediately attracted the attention of others, and even spared the hands of the Americans who threw stones. They were a group of gentlemen. In this way, the Irish who had just disembarked from the ship were relieved.
He breathed a sigh of relief, but they still had to sign up for the military enlistment form, an Irish immigrant who wanted to sign the cannon fodder asked his companion.
"Do you know where we are going?"
"I heard it's Tennessee, right?"
"Do you think they will give us food right away?"
…
Listening to the conversation of the Irish and looking at those Irish people with sallow faces and shabby clothes, Chen Jie and others were thinking of themselves. A year ago, when they first arrived in Nanhua, they seemed to look like this.
And now?
Looking at New York before their eyes, at the five- and six-story high-rise buildings at the port and the steamships moored at the berths, their expressions were serious.
The arrival of such a group of oriental gentlemen was destined to cause a sensation in New York. Even when they stepped out of the port, they caught the attention of a photographer, who immediately took a picture with his camera. However, along with
This photographer doesn’t know what his photo means?
The people in the photos represent China’s past and future 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. Most of them were just trying to make it fresh.
But not everyone didn't know what this meant. In a hotel in New York, Hamada Hikozo, who was wearing a dress, was stunned when he read this newspaper.
"China, China sent students to the United States!"
Hamada Hikozo is a famous figure in Japanese history. In 1850, Hamada Hikozo encountered a storm on his way home from Edo. During the drift, he was rescued by an American ship. Because he was unable to
Returning to the secluded Japan, Hamada Hikozo was forced to live in the United States for eight years.
In June 1859, Hamada Hikozo returned to Japan as a translator at the U.S. Consulate. However, because Japan was at the height of the "Ansei Prison" at that time, Hamada Hikozo himself was being targeted by anti-barbarian patriots, so he had no choice but to return to Japan.
He returned to the United States. Later, on the recommendation of his friend Seward, the then U.S. Secretary of State, he was received by President Lincoln and became the only Japanese who had met Lincoln.
Although he met Lincoln, it did not help solve his dilemma - he could not find a job and was unable to make ends meet. Not only him, but also Ichiro Tanabe, who "escaped from Japan" with him, they were all patriots of the anti-Japanese faction.
He was targeted and had to escape from Japan, but after going through all kinds of hardships to come to the United States, it was difficult to survive.
"Oh, it's still China after all! They actually sent out international 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 stand on the world, you must learn from the West! Now, even China is learning from the West
Western learning!”
"Yes, this is China! China is really an admirable country! It actually sent overseas students to the West!"
In shock, Hamada Hikozo said to Ichiro Tanabe next to 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 visit them where they live. However, although I learned Nanjing dialect when I was a child, I have almost forgotten it now, Tanabe-kun,