When the war started again on the Western Front, Sophia and her family had arrived at the shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanganyika.
Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world, second only to Lake Superior among the five Great Lakes in North America.
Lake Victoria in another time and space was divided between Tanganyika and the East African Protectorate. Southern Africa in this time and space was relatively strong. When the Northern Rhodesian Division attacked Tanganyika, it easily occupied the entire coast of Lake Victoria. In theory,
, Lake Victoria, Lake Niassa, and the North Sea have become the inner lakes of southern Africa.
If Winston fulfills his promise.
The farm purchased by Qinling is located on the south bank of Lake Victoria. Although on the confirmation document from the Military Service Agency, Qinling's farm area is only 500 acres, in fact Qinling's farm is larger.
On Qinling's farm, there is a small lake with an area of about 50 acres. This lake was not included in the farm purchased by Qinling. It was regarded as a special benefit by the Military Service Society and was directly given to Qinling.
After all, he is a legendary shooter who killed 300 German soldiers on the battlefield, and there are only a few in the world.
The person who brought Sophia and her family to the farm was Lieutenant Danny from the Military Service Society. Lieutenant Danny is a retired soldier who lost a hand in the Battle of Ypres. He is also a soldier. Lieutenant Danny is very enthusiastic about Sophia and her family.
.
"There are about 520 acres between the two rivers. The extra twenty acres have to be paid, one rand per acre. I will make up for it later when I have time." Lieutenant Danny was not in a hurry to ask for money.
One rand per acre is a price that only soldiers can enjoy. If the same farm is purchased by other new immigrants, it will cost about five rands per acre.
There are 520 acres of farm, half of which are planted with rubber trees. In addition to rubber trees, cotton, rice, sugar cane, coffee and bananas can also be planted around Lake Victoria. The lake is rich in aquatic products and is the largest freshwater fish producing area in Africa, especially famous for African crucian carp.
"This place was originally part of the estate of a certain German nobleman. That German nobleman probably has no chance of returning to Tanganyika, so you don't have to worry at all - Father Garcia, can you shoot?" Dan
Lieutenant Ni asked Sofia's father Garcia.
"I know a little bit, but I'm not very proficient -" Garcia was startled. At his age, he probably wouldn't be forced to join the army.
"That's good. Register with the rifle association in the town tomorrow and then buy a rifle. It's a bit far from the town. If an accident occurs, the police may not be able to arrive in time. You must at least have a certain ability to defend yourself.
"Lieutenant Danny is still a little worried. The biggest threat to Sophia's family is not humans, but a wide variety of wild animals.
"Is the security here very dangerous? Didn't the Germans surrender?" Garcia's heart immediately became anxious. If safety cannot be guaranteed, then it will be useless no matter how big the farm is.
"Security? No, no, no, it's very safe here. The Germans in Tanganyika surrendered two years ago. They are now building roads. I mean crocodiles or lions. Most of the time they don't attack humans, but who
You know when they will go crazy one day, so you’d better be prepared. It’s best for ladies to receive some weapons training. It’s not required to be proficient, at least know how to use it.” Lieutenant Danny explained in detail that guns are not banned in southern Africa and encouraged the public
Own weapons and consciously cultivate the martial spirit of the people.
"That's good, that's good -" Garcia breathed a sigh of relief, and the carriage stopped in front of a house that looked a little dilapidated.
"This is it. This house belongs to you too, but I don't know if it can still be lived in - damn, those bastards broke all the windows, and these steps need to be repaired before they can be used -" Danny
The lieutenant jumped out of the carriage and cursed when he saw the state of the house.
It is indeed a bit rundown. This is a two-story wooden house with an attic. It seems to occupy a large area. There are six rooms with different functions on the first floor. There is also an underground storage room under the house. The entrance is next to the wooden stairs.
.
Although the damage to the house is a bit serious, the basic structure is still solid. The foundation of the house is made of stone and the wood is relatively strong. Overall, the problem is not big.
"No problem, I'll start repairing it later. I can do all the work myself, I don't need to hire anyone." Garcia was beaming. This house cost nothing and was given to him for free. What else could he be dissatisfied with?
"Well, I can't help you much here, but if you need anything, I can help you deliver it tomorrow - and, Sophia, you'd better take the time to go to the hospital in town to check your health, don't worry
, the doctors are all female, there is nothing to be taboo about. When you get to the hospital, just report Qin Ling's name. The examination is free and does not cost money." Lieutenant Danny and Garcia checked the solidity of the wooden fence together before leaving.
leave.
After seeing off Lieutenant Danny, Garcia picked up the scythe and began to mow the lawn in the yard.
The daily necessities on the carriage have been unloaded and piled on the corridor in front of the door. Little Tony and little Shanny are running upstairs and downstairs, and the crisp laughter fills the whole house. Sophia's mother and sister-in-law have already started
After cleaning, Sophia sat on the only intact chair, stroking her already obvious belly, and looked at the mighty Lake Victoria in silence.
Everything will be fine. When Qin Ling returns from Europe, this family will be complete.
"Old man, stop mowing your damn lawn, hurry up and clear out a room upstairs. You can't let women and children live on the lawn -" Sophia's mother stood on the balcony and cursed with her waist in her waist.
"Old woman, you'd better cook quickly. You can't let your man work hungry!" Garcia waved a sickle in protest.
Then a group of people were stunned on the spot.
While in town, Garcia bought some necessary daily necessities, but it seemed that he did not buy food.
This was not a problem for Garcia, who was experienced in life. Garcia found a fishhook in his box, and then asked little Tony and Shanny to go fishing happily.
Sofia's mother pointed and cursed for a long time, and then she discovered several mango trees, several banana trees, and a patch of sugar cane not far away——
That's right, this is southern Africa, how can you be hungry?
So when Garcia and the two children returned carrying fishing rods and buckets containing fish, they saw women sitting on the steps of the corridor eating fruit.
The pride of returning home with a full load suddenly disappeared a lot.
"Tony, Shanny, come here and eat the fruit, the fruit here is very delicious." Sofia's sister-in-law looked very happy. Her husband died in France last month, and now Tony and Shanny are all her sustenance.
"Old man, you go get some fruit trees tomorrow and come back. I saw some are sold in the town. Let's plant fruit trees around the house. We will never have to worry about food in the future." Sophia's mother was also in a good mood. People always want to
Look forward.
"What kind of fruit trees are there? We can't starve just by relying on this fishing rod. You don't know how many fish there are in this lake. There is almost no need for bait. Just throw the hook out and the fish will bite. Look at these crucian carp I caught. Every time
Each one weighs three pounds. These crucian carp are the most delicious when used in stew. In fact, I caught more, but I put the smaller ones back, and I have to know how to stop them in moderation." Garcia is full of confidence. Southern Africa is indeed
As beautiful and rich as the legend says, Garcia's only regret is that he arrived too late.
After eating the fruit, the women went to the kitchen and started to get busy. Sofia was also ready to help, but was kicked out by the women collectively.
Now Sophia is the baby of the whole family, and no one dares to let Sophia work.
At this time, the level of medical care was still very backward. Pregnancy and childbirth were a dangerous process for women, and countless women died every year.
The child in Sophia's belly was the only connection between Sophia's family and the Qinling Mountains. The reason why Sophia had the opportunity to escape war-torn Europe and come to the paradise of Tanganyika was self-evident.
Back in the corridor, Sofia was holding half a bottle of wine in her hand.
Garcia was overjoyed. He hugged Sophia and kissed her hard. Neither of them dared to speak. Garcia found a small cup, poured wine into it and sipped it slowly, watching the smoke rising from the kitchen and the sunset on the horizon.
Garcia was delighted.
"Tomorrow I will take you to the town and check you out at the hospital. You also need to register somewhere. I don't know how much a rifle costs. We also need a horse and a few hounds."
Garcia has plans for his future life. The development of the farm must be put aside first and his life stabilized.
"Don't worry about money. I still have some here. Qin Ling will always send money back. If you don't have money, you can go to Rand Bank for a loan. Qin Ling is a soldier and can enjoy lower interest rates." Sophia's face shone with a maternal look.
Guanghui, her only task now is to take care of herself.
"That's ok. I want to plant a vineyard. We will also make wine and drink it ourselves in the future. We will also plant a field of potatoes. I remember that you loved mashed potatoes when you were a child -" Garcia looked at Sofia with loving eyes.
"Who likes to eat mashed potatoes, but what can you eat without mashed potatoes at that time? If possible, I still prefer to eat fried potato chips, of course fried potato chips are also okay." Sophia curled her lips, mashed potatoes and so on.
Don't use it to make excuses. It's just like people who have experienced famine years hate eating coarse grains. The smell of cornbread is a taste for people who live a comfortable life, but for people who have experienced famine years, the smell is
The smell of steamed buns makes me sick to my stomach.
"Sofia, old man, dinner is ready -" Sofia's mother's loud voice was very penetrating, and the difference in treatment was obvious enough.