Chapter 19

Time entered November.

Perhaps due to the growing reputation of "Tartan Port" in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea regions, recently, ships from these areas have requested to dock and trade, and without exception, they all requested to trade for porcelain.

On October 30, the large sailing ship "Windward Islands" from Denmark arrived with a full ship of supplies and 196 immigrants. Denmark had just been defeated and sought peace in the Thirty Years' War, and its economy suffered significant damage. The Norwegians, who were the most heavily exploited, went bankrupt in large numbers, so most of these immigrants came from Norway. The Finance Bureau paid 30 sets of 1631-style full-body armor and 32,000 reals for this transaction.

On November 3, Polish nobles from Livonia also arrived at the port. The Finance Bureau paid 25 sets of 1631-style full-body armor and 75,000 reals for their goods and 172 Ukrainian serfs.

...

"I want to remind everyone that we need to pay attention to our food reserves," Shao Shude said at the regular meeting of the Executive Committee, licking his slightly cracked lips with some concern. "Currently, we have about 3,000 pounds of rice and flour, 45,000 pounds of soybeans, and 20,000 pounds of potatoes. Additionally, we have 9 pigs ready for slaughter, over 500 boxes of canned meat, and about 110,000 pounds of processed fish products such as salted fish, fish sauce, fish paste, and dried fish, along with some vegetables. With our current population, which is 1,345 as of today, we consume several thousand pounds of food daily. Our current food reserves will only last us for about 2 months. I think the Executive Committee should seriously consider implementing a food rationing system."

Shao Shude's words made the committee members frown. The population was increasing too quickly, and food production had not kept up. If this continued, it would indeed be a big problem.

"Food production cannot increase significantly in the short term," Jin Kela said, pursing his lips and speaking slowly. "Last winter, we planted 150 acres of potatoes, which should be ready to harvest soon. The yield per acre should be around 1,000 to 2,000 pounds, which is not a big issue. Potatoes have a high yield and a short growth cycle. Uruguay doesn't usually get above 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, and now, with the Little Ice Age, it was only around 20 degrees Celsius in January. After we harvest this batch of potatoes, we can plant more in the summer. Even if the yield is lower, it's better than nothing. However, implementing a food rationing system is indeed necessary. Who knows how many more immigrants will come. In my opinion, we should just give the immigrants potatoes to eat, and maybe some fish and soybeans. This will provide enough calories and nutrients."

The committee members understood that the current food reserves were indeed a bit dangerous for the rapidly growing population, but the upcoming potato harvest would help them get through this period. However, the low food reserves would remain a dangerous situation for some time.

Ma Qianzu nodded and asked Jin Kela, "Old Jin, isn't the spring plowing about to start? Now that we have more people, do you need to revise your plan?"

"Temporarily, no," Jin Kela shook his head. "We'll stick to the original plan: 3,000 acres of soybeans, and the land is already prepared. We should take advantage of the good weather and start planting as soon as possible."

Spring plowing could not be taken lightly. It was crucial for everyone's food supply. Without food, even if you had more armor and cannons, what good would they be?

On November 11, the spring plowing officially began. The Executive Committee mobilized over 400 people, most of whom were immigrants who had arrived in batches.

Leonid Fyodorovich was digging in the field with a small spade, struggling to dig holes and plant a few soybeans in each. Honestly, this monotonous and boring work was a torture for him, and he was not good at it. Indeed, he was very bad at it, and in just half a day, he had fallen far behind others. The "agricultural technician" had already corrected his basic movements twice that morning, but his progress remained slow.

Thinking about the anxious look on the young girl's face, Leonid felt a bit amused. The idea of making Leonid, who had once galloped across the steppes and cut off the heads of despicable Turks in Kafa, do such clumsy farm work was a joke!

Leonid was not a poor Cossack serf who had to endure the cruel exploitation and oppression of the Poles, even serving in their army to fight the Swedes, Turks, and Russians.

Leonid would never! With a musket, a saber, and a warhorse, Leonid could freely raid Tartar and Turkish villages, taking whatever he wanted.

"Hmph!" Thinking of this, Leonid threw down his spade, feeling resentful and indignant. "The despicable Poles, selling Leonid like a slave and preventing him from reuniting with his dear brother. You will pay for this!"

"Meal time! Meal time! Everyone, stop working and come to eat." The young girl ran from field to field, calling out in a clear voice.

Leonid looked at her, puzzled. Many people called them "Tartars," which Leonid found laughable. After years of fighting the Crimean Tartars, he knew they were not "Tartars." They called themselves "Easterners," which Leonid found somewhat credible.

Although he didn't understand what she was saying, the aroma from the large wooden barrels carried by some Swiss people nearby told him it was lunchtime.

Lunch consisted of seven or eight steamed potatoes, a large spoonful of salted fish and soybeans, and a small bowl of fish soup. The taste was decent. Leonid quickly finished his lunch in less than five minutes, licking his lips afterward. He felt a bit sad, thinking about the last time he had eaten meat.

Damn Poles! Leonid cursed them again in his heart.

"Ha ha!" Li Xiaowei was amused by the messy bearded foreigner's silly actions. This clumsy giant had only done a third of the work others had done in the morning but ate his lunch in just a few minutes. What was even funnier was that he licked his lips after eating, looking like he wanted more.

To be honest, Leonid was a bit embarrassed. This Eastern girl had sat across from him, and in his 21 years of life, except for the past year in a Polish labor camp, he had never felt so embarrassed. Proud Leonid, like his brother, was a skilled warrior! He had stormed the Turkish city of Kafa, raided the Crimean Khan's territory, and plundered Polish lords' estates. When had he ever been so desperate for a full meal?

"I've heard that these serfs are very pitiful and can't even get enough to eat. This uncle is indeed like that," Li Xiaowei sighed, her sympathy overflowing. She pushed her uneaten food toward the Ukrainian "uncle" without caring if he understood. "This is for you. Eat slowly, no rush! After lunch, you need to work hard in the afternoon, no more slacking off. Oh, and don't forget to return the utensils after you finish." She then turned and left, heading to the kitchen to get more food. She couldn't let herself go hungry!

Leonid stared at the food on the elegant stainless steel plate: two flatbreads, a small spoonful of stir-fried vegetables, fried fish, boiled shrimp, canned beef, and a bowl of soybean soup. His heart swelled with emotion. Apart from his dear brother, no one had been so kind to him in a long time.

Leonid lowered his head and slowly started eating the food, bite by bite...

On November 15, the spring planting of 3,000 acres of soybeans was basically completed. The 400-strong labor force began to dig irrigation channels and build water facilities. At the same time, Captain Kuit, an old friend of the穿越者s, finally arrived at "Tartan Port."

Captain Kuit's fleet was quite large this time, including his Orange River and two other rented sailing ships.

With the increased fleet size, the amount of supplies was also substantial. It included over 20 cannons of various types, 200 snaphaunce muskets, 50 British doglock muskets, 500 barrels of gunpowder; 80 heads of cattle, horses, and sheep; various seedlings; and countless other materials such as lead, copper, mercury, graphite, furs, flax, cloth, and canvas.

In addition to these, there were immigrants: 191 Irish immigrants, 208 Bohemian refugees, 110 Swiss Protestants, and 95 German mercenaries and refugees who had wandered to the Netherlands; also, 36 craftsmen and technical talents from various countries who were invited to try their luck in the new continent. In total, 640 people.

Suddenly having 640 more mouths to feed was a headache, but considering the future development, these people were valuable resources, and the Executive Committee welcomed them overall.

After arranging for the new immigrants, Captain Kuit told the穿越者s a shocking piece of news.

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