The two parties exchanged greetings for a while at the dock, and then Wei Bachi accompanied them to review the navy. After the review, the two parties boarded the carriage and headed to the commercial building next to the customs.
In order to prevent the Dutch from bringing the plague, every time the Dutch arrived, they could only stay in the merchant house. No matter how esteemed the governor was as "the prince's diplomat", in the eyes of the Senate, they were all potential carriers of germs.
The store is located at the corner of the pier. It is a beautiful three-story red brick house. It is surrounded by a bamboo fence half a man high and covered with vine roses. The flowers are in full bloom. It looks very beautiful with colorful purples and reds, but in fact it is completely covered with flowers.
They are small thorns that function as barbed wire. The upper floor of the business building is a hotel for merchants, diplomatic envoys and senior sailors to rest - the "dregs of mankind": sailors are not accepted here. They must live on the ship and are not allowed to go ashore.
stay.
Downstairs is a canteen, bar and duty-free shop. There are not only separate toilets but also bathing facilities. There are North Korean security army soldiers with big sticks brought from Jeju. The first priority is to urge the guests staying here to take a shower, otherwise they will
Served with a stick.
In order to ensure the safety of the service personnel working here, they were all vaccinated against cowpox and injected with experimental vaccines against various common infectious diseases at the time.
Naturally, the envoys and his entourage did not need to enjoy such "courtesy". Compared with the Europeans at that time, the Dutch were quite hygienic. Both the British and the French were deeply impressed by the cleanliness and tidiness of the Dutch cities and residences.
impression.
"Please take a rest here first and relieve yourself from the fatigue of the journey." Wei Bachi sent them to the lobby of the store. "If you have any questions, we will discuss it tomorrow." He motioned to the service staff who were waiting for the guests in the lobby.
, "We must entertain several guests well."
"Yes, Chief!"
Zhong Lishi said: "I will accompany them up."
Wei Bachi chuckled: "Why, his father got excited when he saw the little Huygens? Or did he fall in love with the little foreign horse?"
Dr. Zhong also smiled back: "I want to communicate more with little Huygens' father. He is also a scientist. We have many things in common..."
The entourage of Huygens and Boncourt were placed on the second floor. They were led to the third floor of the business building - dedicated to receiving high-end guests or guests who are willing to spend a lot of money to enjoy themselves. Four rooms have been prepared here.
.There is a wooden sign with the guest's name written in German on the door of each bedroom.
The waiter opened the door of the first bedroom: "This is the lady's room." Zhong Lishi said with a smile.
Credia couldn't help but exclaimed: "It's so beautiful!"
Although the three men did not speak, their faces showed admiration.
According to the standards of the 17th century, this room cannot be said to be luxurious, let alone beautiful. If we go by the decoration style of the time, it is very "Dutch": the room is small, the walls are painted white, and the floor is covered with clean
The floor and furniture are simple and practical, without many carved decorations. The only decorations can be called a Chinese painting on the wall and flowers in porcelain vases.
Although there are differences in artistic shapes, the overall aesthetic taste is typical of Dutch Bourgeois.
If there is something that arouses everyone's admiration, it is the large glass windows opening towards the bay. You can see the blue sea and the green mountains and rivers not far away - the scenery is pleasant.
Dr. Zhong’s attention just now was on Huygens’ father, but now he cast his eyes on Franz von Boncourt’s children.
Because Caucasians mature early, it is difficult to estimate the age of boys and girls. Dr. Zhong has met many European and American people because of his work in the past, and he has also made friends with a few Germans, so he has a certain idea. Take a look, Crete
Ya is about sixteen or seventeen years old, and Westley should be two or three years younger than her sister.
Their hair is beautiful blond, and Cretia and Westly are not tall. Cretia is only 1.60 meters at best. Westly is even shorter.
The figures were all well-proportioned and beautiful, but the mature girl didn't have any choppy looks at all - Dr. Zhong couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
"Is this a suite?" Credia opened a small wooden door inside curiously. She immediately covered her mouth and shouted in surprise. "God!"
"What's wrong? Sister." Probably because of his age, Westley was much more outgoing than his father who was introverted and calm, so he rushed over immediately.
Westley also screamed in surprise at the door: "It's... unbelievable!"
He turned his head and looked at Zhong Lishi with eager eyes: "Sir...this, is this the Australian bathroom..."
Dr. Zhong smiled slightly. Modern bathroom equipment is the most shocking equipment in this time and space. No native can resist its powerful charm. For Europeans, this shock is even greater: because the entire bathroom
The materials are all porcelain.
"Can these pipes really pump out hot and cold water on their own?"
"Of course." Zhong Lishi said. "This is actually the same as the principle of a fountain."
"Yes, I understand, but a fountain is just a fountain." Westley's eyes lit up with excitement. "This is amazing!" He said to his smiling sister, "We were so right to come here this time!
"As he spoke, he ran from the bathroom door to Dr. Zhong, "Can I ask you for advice every day? I have always been puzzled by the law of 'nature is afraid of a vacuum'..."
"Of course..." Dr. Zhong was a little caught off guard. He originally wanted to have more academic exchanges with Huygens' father and inquire about the current situation of Christian Huygens. Unexpectedly, this young man also had a great interest in science.
enthusiasm.
He quickly filtered through the European scientists in his mind during this historical period, and it seemed that there was no one named Westley Boncourt.
"Great!" Westley turned to look at his father again, "Is that okay? Father."
"Of course, my son." Although Mr. Boncourt looked very serious, he obviously doted on this boy. "As long as Dr. Zhong doesn't object." He said and bowed slightly to Dr. Zhong: "I hope this will happen."
It didn’t cause you any trouble…”
"No, not at all." Dr. Zhong's mood of being a teacher broke out again, "I am very happy."
Dr. Zhong also reminded them of some precautions - according to regulations, foreign visitors can only move around commercial buildings and civil piers. If they are willing, they can also go to the commercial streets. To enter Kaohsiung city, they must apply
Pass.
The greetings were over and Dr. Zhong was about to leave, when suddenly Mr. Boncourt followed him a few steps closer.
"Dr. Zhong, please stay."
"What's up?"
"I have a small personal request." Mr. Boncourt seemed a little embarrassed. "You know, smallpox has always been a very dangerous plague."
"Yes."
"I have heard in the Netherlands and Batavia that the Chinese have an operation to prevent smallpox, which can prevent a person from being infected with a mild case of smallpox without risking his life, and then he will never get smallpox again for life-"
"That's right. This is called variolation." Zhong Lishi nodded and asked, "Do you want to vaccinate your child against variola?"
"As you can probably tell, none of my children have had smallpox. I hope they can escape the hand of the god of plague... So this time I am willing to risk taking them to Asia. But in Batavia I
I asked the Chinese about the specific vaccination method - I know a little bit about medicine: this method of active infection is not very safe and has a very high mortality rate..." Mr. Boncourt looked very anxious.
Zhong Lishi nodded. Although variolation is a pioneering work in preventive medicine, it is much more dangerous than cowpox.
"At this time, someone told me that the Australians have mastered a special variolation technique that can make the vaccinated 100% safe..."
Dr. Zhong suddenly realized: No wonder this senior official of the East India Company would take the risk of sailing thousands of miles with his son and daughter - from the Netherlands to Batavia, a normal voyage exceeds 160 days - and risking a shipwreck at sea.
When I came to East Asia, in addition to satisfying my son's desire to "see the world" and become a naturalist, I also had this intention.
Indeed, Lingao now vaccinates all the refugees it takes in with cowpox - this is the easiest type of vaccine to obtain, and has basically eliminated smallpox infection. This reputation seems to have gradually spread.
He immediately said cheerfully: "This is not a big problem. I will mention it to Mayor Wei."
There are already professional epidemic prevention personnel in Kaohsiung vaccinating refugees with cowpox, and it is not difficult to add a few more people.
"Thank you so much!" Boncourt was overjoyed when he saw that he did not shirk, and immediately saluted. Dr. Zhong couldn't help but sigh to himself, "The hearts of parents in the world are pitiful."
"This is a little gift from me, as a way of saying thank you." Mr. Boncourt took out a beautiful small box.
"Well...well," Dr. Zhong was curious, but according to the discipline of the Senate, senators were not allowed to receive gifts from the natives in private. He immediately declined politely, "Mr. Boncourt, we cannot receive gifts in private.
. Your gift must be given on a formal occasion..."
Boncourt saw the resolute look on his face when he spoke. He had also heard about the "integrity" of the Australian elders in Batavia, so he no longer insisted.
"Sir," Westley interjected, "where can I ask your advice?"
"Just come to the customs. I'm working on a project at the customs." Zhong Lizhi pointed to the customs building outside the window and said to Mr. Huygens, who was standing aside with a smile, "I think Mr. Huygens might also be interested."