This year, the South China Army, which occupied the province of Buenos Aires, launched an attack on other provinces. Bad news came one after another. The colonels and officers all surrendered one after another.
Although life is a bit difficult, and although death has left a shadow on almost every family, for ordinary people, life always has to go on.
After all, they are still alive!
Although for them, Argentina has disappeared from the world since then, at best it only exists in their hearts.
However, eventually they will forget all this, after all, people are always forgetful.
San Juan Province is a remote province. Although remote, it was one of the first provinces to surrender. In return, high-ranking officials and generals were able to preserve their power and wealth, as were government officials.
It seems that the war did not have much impact on them.
For those powerful people, the change of dynasty does not seem to have a big impact on them. After all, their wealth has not decreased. It may even lead to a further increase in their wealth due to this social turmoil.
Like all landowners, although Smith is a British expatriate, this does not prevent him from becoming a major of the local militia. Only the largest local landowners can become a major of the militia. This has been a tradition for many years.
As the largest landowner in the town, after the senior officials surrendered, he also rationally chose to surrender!
Surrendering is no big deal. There is absolutely no need for him to sacrifice his life and wealth for Argentina.
To him, it makes no difference whoever is the ruler of this land. What matters most?
Of course it is personal wealth!
As usual, while enjoying breakfast, Smith unfolded the newspaper. It was the provincial "San Juan Daily News", which would be delivered from San Juan City every other week. After just a brief glance, he saw a big news
.
"Oh my god! How could this happen?"
"Dad, what's wrong?"
Mei Fei, who was having breakfast, asked.
“Buenos Aires changed its name!”
"What?"
Mei Fei put down the milk glass and said in surprise.
"Changed the name, to what name?"
"Yingtian!"
Smith sighed.
"Hey, I guess our place will also change its name soon. After all, the South Chinese have conquered this place now."
The change of place names is normal and reasonable. If the British occupied Argentina, perhaps Buenos Aires would become an English place name.
For any conqueror, this is what they must do. Even in Smith's opinion, they did it a little late.
"Change the name? To what name? Will this affect us?"
Mei Fei said with concern.
"It shouldn't have any impact. When the senior officials signed the surrender agreement, it was clearly written that they would ensure the safety of our property. This was the condition of surrender at that time."
If you surrender, life can go on. What will be the result if you resist stubbornly?
The property of those who resist will be confiscated. In order to preserve one's property, surrender is certainly a matter of course.
"The most important wealth in Argentina is land. No matter how the regime changes, it will not change this."
Looking out the window, Smith smiled.
"Our tenant farmers will continue to work for us and continue to create wealth for us on our farms, but of course, we must also proactively adapt to these changes..."
Every smart person will adapt to various changes in society, and they will change their direction with the wind.
Only those who are foolish will resist an irresistible force. In such resistance, what do they lose?
Everything!
Looking at his sixteen-year-old daughter, Smith thought for a while and then said.
"Meifei, I'm going to send you to Bu... Yes, it should be called Yingtian now. You have to remember this place name. From now on, that city will be called Yingtian. When you go there to study, of course you have to study.
The Chinese, after all, are the rulers of this land now."
As a British immigrant, Smith knew very well what kind of choice was most beneficial. He sent his daughter to Yingtian to study, learn Chinese, and finally integrate into Yingtian's social circle. His daughter would even marry a South China military officer.
These are all possible things.
Just last year, Smith even considered finding an Argentine military officer for her daughter as her fiancé. Now that Argentina no longer exists, those military officers must have been eliminated.
Of course, he also has new candidates, those Nanhua officers. This is no big deal. As an immigrant, it is necessary to take the initiative to make friends with local dignitaries and use all means.
Just as Smith speculated, half a month later, with the arrival of an order, the city of San Juan was renamed Jeju, and the provinces of San Juan, Lario, and Cabaka were merged and renamed "Shandong".
Finally, it’s time to change!
At the end of 1870, with the issuance of an imperial edict, the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entreos were renamed Southern Zhili. After the merger of provinces, the Ming Dynasty established the Ming Dynasty from north to south.
In the face of sudden changes, the reactions from various places are both expected and unexpected.
It is very common for the occupiers to change the names of places, but such changes caused a commotion throughout the Ming Dynasty. You can see it everywhere in almost every city. People gather in groups on the sidewalks and even in the middle of the street, crowded.
Make a group and discuss with each other the changes in place names.
At the same time, they were comforting each other. They all knew that this was an inevitable change. However, rumors were still circulating secretly, saying that they were required to "naturalize their surnames". It seems that the list of "naturalized people" also illustrates this rumor.
authenticity.
Groups of people gathered on the streets, trying to confirm these rumors from the official side, but the official response was very simple - it was just a rumor. People were obviously uneasy about such an answer.
Over time, various rumors spread everywhere.
Undercurrent is surging!
When all kinds of rumors were flying and the undercurrent was surging, some people were also connected there. Those manor owners who relied on surrender to preserve their wealth were also paying attention to the changes in the current situation. They once not only had wealth, but also
Have power.
Some of them are high-ranking officials, some are colonels, and some are parliamentarians, but now, they are just landlords, because the conquerors do not need their services. In fact, compared to those who resist to the end, they are undoubtedly lucky, at least they
The wealth was retained, they just handed over the army.
But how can people who have enjoyed the aphrodisiac of power forget the beauty of power?
"This is our chance!"
In the smoking room of the manor, amid the diffuse smoke, more than a dozen well-dressed manor owners gathered together. Forrest looked at them and said.
"Whether it is the merger of other provinces or the change of the province's name, it has brought an unprecedented impact to everyone. Through the rumors spread, everyone is now in panic. This is our last chance!
"
"Opportunity? What can we do if we seize this opportunity? Even if the people launch an uprising, can they withstand the suppression of the army?"
Mendoza's tone was full of doubt.
As one of the largest landowners in Buenos... no, in Southern Zhili, he never thought that this conspiracy would have any effect. After all, the Ming Dynasty's army was extremely powerful, even in Europe.
"Mendoza, my friend, they cannot withstand the attack of the army, and their uprising will be suppressed. However, gentlemen, when the people are rioting, there are many things we can do. We can turn to the government. We must
Let the officials realize that they need us as intermediaries in their future rule. With our support, their rule will be more stable."
Standing up, Forrest looked at his friends sitting and said.
"Just like we ruled the Indians in the past, we also need a middle class to buffer the hostility of the Indians towards us. We must use this opportunity to let those people stand up against Nanhua's rule. Only in this way, they
Only then will they realize our importance! Realize that we are an indispensable party for them to rule this land!"