Just as the captain was explaining, the "Southampton" had already sailed across the river beside the river, and a large area of ​​Indian settlement appeared in front of Kitchener. As Captain Alexander said, it was in sharp contrast to the white area I just saw. The orderly streets and towering and solid houses were gone, replaced by a large number of simple shacks and temporary wooden houses, which were made of easily accessible materials such as soil, wood, and thatch. Thick smoke rose above the Black City, which was the smoke rising from the cooking fires of residents cooking their own supper. From a distance, the entire Black City was like a huge beehive, making an indescribable noise.

"My God, even the most barbaric black tribe in Sultan is orderly than here!" Kitchener showed a surprised expression. Even though his footprints had spread throughout the wildest corners of Africa, he had never seen such a scene: "They lived so densely that they could hardly even have one foot in. What if a disaster occurred, such as the Fire House?"

"No, no, maybe in the eyes of us outsiders, this city has no gaps and is a mess, but it is actually orderly."

"in Apple pie order?"

"Yes, Indians are a nation that attaches great importance to inner order. Perhaps in your opinion, all Indians are the same, but in fact the ravines exist between them are much larger than you and an Irish worker in the East End of London. You should know that if you are lucky, an Irish poor man may make a fortune in two to three generations and let his descendants enter the parliament through marriage; but Indians are different. Everyone's life is determined at the moment he is born. The son of a farmer can only be a farmer, and the son of a judge can only be a judge!"

"Well, I've heard of such a wonderful system, but what does this have to do with the order of Black City?"

"Don't you understand yet? Maybe in your opinion, this city is incomplete, but in fact every Indian here lives in his area. Once it catches fire, they will act according to their own identity. Maybe some people will die, but they will not spread too much! This has been proven by many water and fire disasters in the past!"

"Okay!" Kitchener shook his head: "Anyway, I have enough time to get to know these Indians next, but I want to ask you a question, how do you know so much about this place!"

The smile on the captain's face disappeared immediately: "It's very simple. I have a younger brother who is serving in the Indian army. All of these are what he told me. Just three months ago, he died in Myanmar!"

"I'm sorry, I don't know-" Kitchener showed a look of shock on his face.

"Col. You don't need to apologize to me!" The captain interrupted Kitchener's apology: "He is a soldier and died on the battlefield, which is glorious!" Perhaps to cover up something, the captain's face turned to the other side: "His Excellency Major, I heard that you are about to become the chief of the Expeditionary Force. I hope you will not let my brother's blood flow on foreign land!"

"Hisser Captain!" Colonel Kitchener's voice suddenly became louder: "The British flag will never retreat!"

Colonel Kitchener jumped onto the traffic boat quickly, and behind him, the huge "Southampton" had already anchored. In the twilight, the captain who had just lost his brother not long ago was standing at the bow, as if seeing off Kitchener. At his feet, the "sacred river" (that is, the Ganges, which in Sanskrit means the sacred river) flowed as if it had been hundreds of thousands of years. This river originated from the southern foot of the Himalayas, and its gentle and wide channel passed through northern India.

The plains made it one of the most fertile and densest areas in the world, and even now it is the cornerstone of the British Empire. On the banks of the river not far away, more than a dozen Indians were rushing their bodies, standing in the water, letting the cold river water wash their bodies. From time to time, they held up a handful of river water and drowned from their heads, kneeling down to them devoutly, and melodious singing sounds came from the air. In an instant, Kitchener seemed to feel that time had stopped and he suddenly returned to thousands of years ago.

"Please get in the car, Colonel Kitchener, the Governor is waiting for you in the Governor's Mansion!" An Indian man in black cloth dressed in Western clothing said to Kitchener in skillful English. Kitchener nodded reservedly and walked onto the carriage. The Indian servant turned around and shouted loudly to the coachman in the local language, and the carriage started. On the carriage, Kitchener opened a briefcase he carried with him, took out a stack of detailed maps from it, took out a ruler and pencil, and began to calculate and write.

In the Governor's Mansion, an old man with gray beard was sitting at the desk. He was Frederick Temple Hamilton Temple Blackwood, the then governor of India, Earl Daferin. As an old generation of diplomats, he made great contributions to the establishment of several dominions such as Canada, and was named Earl in 1871. When he heard the rushing footsteps outside the door and was about to stand up, the heavy door was pushed open. Kitchener walked in, took off his hat on his head, and bowed to him: "Governor, I am Colonel Kitchener. This time I came here under the order of London to command the war against Myanmar. Please forgive me for your rudeness. After staying in Africa for a long time, I have forgotten how to be a gentleman."

"I have received London's orders! Colonel Kitchener, you don't have to care. Courage is also an important character of a gentleman." Earl Daffelin made a gesture to the other party to sit down: "What do you prefer? Tea, coffee, rum, or something?"

"It would be great if there was Monaco coffee!" Kitchener sat on a rim chair opposite the desk: "I had already fallen in love with this kind of thing when I was in Egypt."

"A cup of Monaco coffee, a cup of black tea, thank you!" Earl Dafelin nodded to the servant beside him. The servant bowed politely to the count, then walked out quickly. After a moment, he came in with a tray, put coffee, black tea, sugar and refreshments on the coffee table between the two of them, and then pushed out the door and brought the door. The whole process was agile and silent, as if it was a silent movie.

"Col. Let's talk about the affairs in Myanmar now!" Earl Daphelin poured a little sugar into his teacup and took a sip: "Tell me, what are you planning? What do you need me to do for you?"

"Hisser Earl, I was in Cairo six days ago. Now all my knowledge of the situation in Myanmar comes from these things!" Kitchener opened his briefcase, took out a stack of maps and several newspapers from it, and finally took out a book. From the cover, it was a travel note.

"I can't command a war with these, so my plan now is to listen more, read more, say less, do less! Earl, I came with my ears today!" Having said this, Kitchener pointed to his ears.

"I think London finally made the right choice this time!" Earl Daphlin finally showed a look of relief on his face: "Okay, I suggest you go to Yangon first to meet Major Duncan and Consul Jillins. They both participated in this war from the beginning. I think this is the best choice!"

"Thank you for your advice, Earl!" Kitchener nodded: "So, as you, what advice do you have for me?"

"I myself?" Daphlin smiled: "Before I speak out my advice, Colonel, what do you think of this war? Optimistic or pessimistic?"

"From the information we have now, I am very optimistic!" Kitchener did not hide his point of view. He spread out a map and pointed to the part of Myanmar above and said: "Geographically, the time for conquest of Myanmar is ripe. We have occupied a very favorable stronghold at the estuary of the main rivers of this country. This river flows through the main economic area of ​​this country, and the northwest of this country borders Bangladesh, which we control. If we use the advantageous navy, we can easily go deep into the hinterland of this country and conquer them."

"Well! But the Chinese sent out an army, and this army defeated our small expeditionary force. Now, according to the intelligence sent back from Myanmar, the Chinese army is still increasing! Have you considered this situation?"

"The intervention of the Chinese cannot change anything!" Kitchener replied with a smile: "If victory is a gorgeous flower, transportation is the stem of the flower, and flowers without stems cannot bloom. The war with the Chinese is mainly a matter of transportation. As long as we can control the water transportation on this river, the final victory must be ours. The rugged land transportation has limited the limit of the Chinese's investment in Myanmar! The empire could not lose when it was in Myanmar."

"I'm glad you didn't propose to go to a full war with the Chinese! This has caused too much damage to our trade!" Earl Dafelin smiled and stretched out his hand: "When are you planning to set off for Myanmar?"

"Three days later, before this, I plan to check the Indian territory troops in Kolkata and the various military supplies stored in the warehouse. This is the most important thing before an expedition." Kitchener stood up and shook the earl's hand, "If possible, I hope to take the boat when I came, and give me another measurement boat, and I hope to measure the channel of that river!"

"No problem, I will talk about it from Singapore!" Earl Dafelin stretched out his hand: "A good journey!"
Chapter completed!