Chp13: Captain is back

In April, the 1,000 mu of soybeans planted by the time travelers entered the critical grain-filling period. Jin Kela and the team from the Agricultural Bureau practically lived in the fields, working tirelessly. With no rain for more than 20 consecutive days, the Executive Committee mobilized a large workforce for artificial irrigation to ensure a successful yield. This crop represented the collective effort of the time travelers over the past six months, leaving no room for error.

In the early hours of April 21, the cool South Atlantic monsoon finally arrived, bringing much-needed moisture to the fields and lifting everyone's spirits. Along with the rain came an unexpected reunion with an old friend who had been away for half a year. Captain Pieter de Vries sailed his galleon, Orange River, into the port.

Initially, Wang Qinian aboard Yunsheng No. 1 mistook the arrival for an enemy attack. However, when Peng Zhicheng and two squads from the security team rushed to reinforce, they discovered that Captain Pieter de Vries had disembarked at the dock in a small boat.

The news of his return spread quickly, and many off-duty time travelers gathered eagerly at the dock.

"Dear Gao, I'm back!" Captain Pieter de Vries, dressed in a sophisticated outfit, looked well-rested and radiant. It was clear he had changed into fresh clothes before disembarking.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Captain," said Gao Mo, the diplomatic commissar, who had hurried to the scene upon hearing the news.

"I am equally delighted to see you, Gao," replied Pieter de Vries, with a broad smile. "This port has left a deep impression on me—the resilient soldiers, the exquisite porcelain, and that magnificent ship." He turned to glance at Yunsheng No. 1, admiration evident in his expression. "To be honest, you've truly impressed me. It's been only a few months since my last visit, and now you have this solid dock." He stomped on the concrete floor for emphasis when he said "solid."

"You'll find there's more to surprise you in the future," Gao Mo said, smiling warmly. "But why don't you tell us about the gifts you've brought?"

"Haha, of course!" Pieter de Vries laughed heartily. "Captain Pieter de Vries's reputation speaks for itself. I followed our agreement to the letter and brought everything you asked for. Cattle, horses, sheep, seeds, copper, lead, saltpeter, sulfur, graphite, canvas, weapons—everything you need. And as a bonus, I've brought an entire shipload of Swiss Calvinist immigrants, along with skilled German, Dutch, and English craftsmen."

As Captain Pieter de Vries gave his orders, the sailors aboard the Orange River lowered the gangplank, allowing a group of European men and women in tattered clothing to disembark. Most were young or middle-aged, though there were children among them. Some carried modest luggage, while others had nothing at all.

Seventeenth-century Europe was in the grip of widespread famine, visible in the soaring prices of food. Switzerland, nestled in the mountains, suffered especially during the cold Little Ice Age. Shortened agricultural cycles and the relentless expansion of Alpine glaciers reduced arable land, resulting in years of famine. On top of this, Protestant Calvinists faced religious persecution from traditional Catholics, further spurring Swiss emigrants to seek a new beginning in the New World.

This voyage brought a total of 183 immigrants. Aside from 15 skilled craftsmen from various countries, the rest were Swiss. Among them were 109 young and middle-aged men, 59 women and children—primarily Germans, with a few French. Nervously, they stood at the dock, staring at the "Tatars" (the locals) who approached them in groups. Their apprehension was evident.

Bai Siwen, the judicial committee member temporarily authorized by the Executive Committee, addressed the new arrivals. He formally declared that they were now hired workers of the East Coast Company. Each of them would work for the company for at least five years to repay the cost of their passage to America. This arrangement had been explained by Captain Pieter de Vries before their journey, and most found it acceptable. However, lingering concerns about the potential severity of their labor remained.

In addition to the immigrants, the ship carried vital supplies, the result of agreements with the time travelers. These included:

Metals: 20 tons of copper and 10 tons of lead

Weaponry: 50 new Sur matchlock guns, 10 cannons of various types (complete with gunpowder and projectiles)

Essentials: Canvas, tents, saltpeter, sulfur, rigging, graphite, brass, fishing nets, cloth, medicines, and seeds

Livestock: 4 Holstein cows, 4 Simmental cows, 8 Andalusian horses, 12 sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese

The arrival of these supplies promised to significantly elevate the living and production standards of the time travelers. Jin Kela eagerly led the livestock and poultry to the Agricultural Bureau. Meanwhile, Peng Zhicheng and Wang Qinian took charge of the weapons, and Shao Shude carefully inventoried and stored the remaining supplies in the warehouse.

The new immigrants were housed in the simple wooden cabins previously occupied by the time travelers. Many of the time travelers had already moved into newly constructed brick-and-tile houses, freeing up these accommodations. Families were given private rooms, while single individuals shared quarters, with four people to a room.

Among the immigrants were several highly skilled professionals such as five shipbuilders, two gunsmiths, two cannon foundry workers, a blacksmith, a carpenter, a rope maker, a sail maker, a brewer and a pastor (who also doubled as a doctor, chemist, and painter). Their arrival not only bolstered the population but also brought critical expertise that promised to contribute to the settlement's continued development and success.