Chapter 994 Southern Africa that everyone yearns for
The smiling woman is called Sophia. Her husband is a Belgian soldier who died during the German invasion of Belgium.
After the 2nd Cavalry Division captured Antwerp, Sophia went to the 2nd Cavalry Division to apply for a job as a female worker. She got acquainted with Qin Ling as soon as she went there, and then she fell in love secretly.
There are many such situations in Antwerp. Don’t think that white women look down on Chinese men now. There is no such thing. After the World War ended in another time and space, about 3,000 Chinese workers did not return to the Far East and stayed in France to settle down.
Their wives are both white French.
After the First World War, about 2 million women in the UK became widows. Men were in hot demand because too many died. You can imagine how popular men were at that time.
Chinese men do not have to feel inferior. Judging from the performance of Belgian men, Chinese men are a hundred times better than them. At the very least, Chinese men do not drink alcohol or beat their wives. They will give their salary to women to support the family. This is enough.
Blasts most white men.
Even among Chinese officers and soldiers, Qin Ling is very outstanding. As one of the best snipers of the 2nd Cavalry Division, Qin Ling's Christmas benefits are very enviable. In addition to two turkeys and four kilograms of beef,
Also included were twelve boxes of cans, two bottles of wine, ten packs of cigarettes, four apples, a bunch of bananas, two fish, a large piece of bacon, as well as a full box of coffee and a pack of sugar.
Coffee and sugar are Sofia's special request. Sofia's parents and siblings are also in Antwerp, and their lives are very stressful. Sofia is going to cook a sumptuous dinner at home for Christmas, and Qin Ling will attend as the male host of this "temporary family".
"Is it enough? If not, I can go and get some more. I have vouchers and exchange tickets, and I can buy them at the military service agency." Qinling is an orphan with no relatives in southern Africa. Ten years ago, Roque started from
The Qing Dynasty searched for these orphans and brought them to southern Africa to raise. Qinling received education in southern Africa. After graduating from high school, his grades failed and he was not admitted to Nyasaland University. He later worked for the Umbrella Company and joined the Southern African Expeditionary Force after the outbreak of the world war.
Vouchers and exchange tickets are benefits specially introduced by the Military Service Society for all British Expeditionary Officers and soldiers. During the World War, the War Department stopped issuing cash and used vouchers or exchange tickets to offset them. In terms of purchasing power, vouchers and exchange tickets are more powerful than
The purchasing power of pounds and rands is even stronger, so officers and soldiers are happy to use vouchers and exchange tickets.
In the Military Service Cooperative, you can use vouchers and exchange tickets to buy almost all supplies. A pound of beef currently costs 1.5 pounds on the black market, but it only costs about 1 pound in the Military Service Cooperative. Some people buy supplies from the Military Service Cooperative and then resell them.
The Military Service Agency is aware of this situation but does not interfere.
This is also one of the benefits of the British Expeditionary Officers.
"That's enough. It's already abundant. I bought some palm oil, bread, and a lot of potatoes at the Military Service Co., Ltd. this morning. We shouldn't be able to finish them all. I want to share some with my brother and sister. They have more people at home.
My brother came to see me yesterday and there is no food at home." Sophia was cautious. Through this period of communication, Sophia already knew Qinling's status in the Second Cavalry Division. Although Qinling's military rank was only sergeant, Qinling received many benefits.
More than second lieutenants.
"Okay, you can figure it out. If it's not enough, I can get some." Qin Ling respected Sophia's family and did not find fault with Sophia just because she was a widow.
"That's great, honey, thank you -" Sophia ignored her greasy hands and rushed over to hug Qin Ling, kissing Qin Ling loudly on the face.
"Qinling, are you there?" Suddenly there was the sound of a car outside the door.
When Qin Ling walked out of the door, it was Qin Ling's immediate superior, Second Lieutenant Gao Shan.
(Thanks to brother Gao Duoduolei for providing the name. Brothers, you don’t know how much headache I have——)
"Second Lieutenant, what's the matter?"
"The Federation of Enterprises has come to offer condolences. Each person has a big gift bag. We have 11 extra bags. I will send you one and add two bottles of wine to you. If it is not enough, go back to Yasuo. You have a week off. Take care of yourself.
Enjoy life." Gao Shan motioned Qin Ling to move in the back seat.
Qin Ling opened the car door and saw a dozen of the same boxes.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. I will return to the team after New Year's Day." Qin Ling beamed. The Enterprise Federation has always been very generous and gives out a large gift package every year.
I returned to the living room and opened the gift package. In addition to four bottles of wine and ten packs of cigarettes, there was also a radio made in southern Africa and the matching batteries.
Qin Ling read the instructions, installed the battery and turned the knob. After a harsh tingling, a sweet female voice came from the radio: Brothers and sisters fighting in Europe, I wish you a Merry Christmas, and your families in southern Africa wish you the best.
We hope you will return victoriously as soon as possible, you are our pride——
Qin Ling's eyes were suddenly filled with tears.
Sofia was leaning at the door of the kitchen, still peeling potatoes in her hand. She stood up to the sound coming from the radio and subconsciously repeated: "Southern Africa - Nyasaland - Victory - Glory -"
Even by the standards of the Qinling Mountains, the Christmas Eve dinner was very sumptuous, with a mouth-watering turkey roasted to a golden brown, soy beef as thin as cicada wings and fragrant, and more than a dozen opened boxes of cans of various flavors.
A hot salted egg, the largest goose egg for the children, the slightly larger duck egg for the women, Qin Ling and his cheap father-in-law Garcia only had one egg each.
It's enough, the war is still going on, and having such a sumptuous dinner is enough to make people remember it for a long time.
Qin Ling got back a lot of wine from the logistics department. Qin Ling also wanted to drink a glass of wine with Garcia on Christmas. Qin Ling simply opened the bottle of precious Oak Town wine and poured it for Garcia without forgetting to introduce it.
"This is wine produced in Oak Town, Cape Town. The production is limited each year. It was still available on the market a few years ago, but now it is sold in limited quantities——"
The scarlet wine liquid poured into the crystal clear goblet was attractive in color, and the women were ready to move. Qin Ling simply handed the bottle to Sophia, but Garcia snatched it back: "There is still a lot of wine, why don't you
Open another bottle——"
"Old man, you are so annoying!" Sophia's mother immediately became furious.
"Dad, look at Qin didn't say anything -" Sophia's sister was also dissatisfied.
Sofia's sister-in-law didn't say anything, but judging from her expression, she also wanted to taste the wine from Oak Town.
Only the children knew nothing, they were all busy eating.
Sofia's brother has two children, Sofia's sister is not married yet, Sofia herself has no children, and her brother is still serving in the army and cannot come back for Christmas.
"They're not all the same." Garcia didn't want to hand over the bottle, but was embarrassed to see the smiling Qin Ling, so he muttered in a low voice.
"Actually, they are almost the same. It's just because the generals all like Oak Town's wine, so it's expensive——" Qin Ling had a headache. If he had known better, he might as well not have taken it out.
"Since the generals like it, it must be good wine. What do these women know? Letting them have sex is a waste of money." Garcia held the bottle and refused to let go.
In fact, it's really not the case. Qin Ling wanted to explain, but he didn't know where to start.
"Dad, please don't do this. This is the wine Qin brought back, and he has the right to distribute it." Sophia firmly supported Qin Ling, and the girl was indeed outgoing.
"I am your father, and this is what Qin Xiaojing gave me -" Garcia still wanted to resist.
"Bring it here, damn old man -" Sofia's mother was very tough and snatched the bottle away from Garcia's arms.
"Crazy!" Garcia was very angry, but did not dare to make any move.
"Don't be angry. If you like it, I will get you another bottle tomorrow." Qin Ling had to promise, otherwise the meal would not be good.
"Hahahaha, great, I knew you were a good guy -" Garcia happily raised his glass to signal Qin Ling.
Dinner finally went on normally. The women carefully tasted the wine produced in Oak Town, and they all thought that the quality of the wine was better than French champagne.
This is completely an illusion. Wine and champagne are two different things. Champagne is sparkling wine, while wine is still wine. The difference is as big as Wong Lo Kat and Coca-Cola.
The two children have a big dispute over the ownership of the last goose egg. The elder brother thinks it should be given to Grandpa and Qin Ling because they are the only two adult men in the family.
My sister thinks it should be given to my grandma and aunt, because they have to work harder to take care of the family.
Sofia's mother became drunk after drinking a glass of wine, and Sofia's sister-in-law secretly wept, worried about her husband who was still fighting in France.
Sophia took advantage of her drunkenness to make a rare request to Qinling, hoping that Qinling could help send her family to southern Africa.
"I won't leave, I will stay with you in Antwerp, and I will go wherever you go, but I am worried about my parents and children -" Sophia was still cautious, this was the first time she had made a request to Qin Ling.
"Sofia, what are you talking about? Dad will never leave you, and dad will always protect you -" Garcia was getting stronger. While beating his chest, he looked at Qin Ling cautiously: "Of course, if possible,
It would be best for your mother and little Tony and Shanny to be sent to southern Africa. I heard that children in southern Africa can receive education and go to college in the future. They should have a better future."
"Old man, what are you talking about? Our family will never be separated when we are together -" Sophia's mother did not drink too much and was still very sober at the critical moment.
Sophia's sister-in-law said nothing and looked at Qin Ling with eyes obviously full of hope.
Sophia's sister didn't say anything either, but her gaze towards the Qinling Mountains was full of expectation. Southern Africa is the legendary paradise and paradise that everyone yearns for.