Chapter 27 On the Cruise Ship

"If you don't mind, you can come and have dinner together." Although the man's shabby clothes showed that he was a man with little money, Banning still invited him.

The man heard this and looked between Emma and Constantine nervously. It was Emma who made the decision for him: "Dad, eat."

The tender little hand pulled his father's sleeve towards the dining table.

Driven by the hunger that kept coming like waves in his stomach, the man sat down awkwardly.

Constantine nodded to the waiter.

"Constantine, this gentleman is Schmidt, and this is Banning, both of them are my friends," Constantine said, pointing at the two.

The man sitting at the dining table said, "My name is Lloyd, and this is my daughter Emma."

Lloyd said, looking at the girl tightly in his arms.

"Are you going to immigrate to the United States?" Constantine asked.

Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to travel across the ocean with such a young child.

"Yes, I used to work in a steel mill. My wife Anne died a month ago. The medical expenses have used up all my savings. After inviting a pastor to see Anne off, we are now penniless and have lost our job in the factory."

At this point, Lloyd's face showed a trace of sadness.

While he was talking, the waiter brought another lunch.

The man looked at the food in front of him, swallowed his throat, and said dejectedly; "I have no money to pay the bill."

"It's okay, just enjoy it," Constantine pushed the tray to Lloyd, "What are your plans in the United States?"

Lloyd heard Constantine's words and ate voraciously, obviously starving.

When he heard Constantine's question, he took a spoon to drink a mouthful of borscht and put the bread in his mouth into his throat.

"A few days ago, I met the US ambassador to the UK, who was giving a public speech. I heard from him that American steel companies need a large number of workers, especially experienced workers, with generous salaries, and can get loans to buy ship tickets, as long as they sign a contract for a few years."

These Americans really know how to take advantage of what is ready.

The United States sits back and enjoys the fruits of its labor, getting thousands of skilled workers from Europe without education and training.

Since the end of the Civil War, the United States has raised tariffs on industrial products several times, and domestic factories have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. The entire country has rapidly industrialized and developed economically, and a large number of workers are needed everywhere.

And the United States has set its sights on those workers in Europe.

In order to recruit skilled workers, some European companies have organized groups to recruit in Europe, and even paid travel expenses.

The United States became independent in the 18th century and became the world's number one economic power in the late 19th century, which took only more than 100 years.

The speed of development is jaw-dropping.

Since 1881, another wave of immigration to the United States has arrived, with hundreds of thousands of Europeans crossing the ocean to the United States every year.

It can be said that the Americans were able to achieve a counterattack at the end of the 19th century and surpass Britain to become the world's largest economy. The role of European immigrants cannot be underestimated.

It seems that Lloyd is also a member of the immigrant army.

"Then how could you..."

"I, I lost my only two pounds at the gambling table, so," Lloyd said hesitantly.

Emma, ​​who was held in Lloyd's arms, held a handkerchief in her right hand, raised it high, and wiped the corner of Lloyd's mouth.

"Fortunately, the steel company issued a ticket, otherwise you couldn't get to the United States."

"Yes, I will definitely work hard when I get to the United States. I heard that there are more opportunities in the United States. There are no noble lords who are high above. As long as you work hard, you may get rich."

"Also, as long as you have American citizenship, the United States has a homestead law that grants immigrants land for free. As long as you cultivate a piece of land for a few years, you can get the land you cultivate." Speaking of land, Lloyd was extremely excited and showed a happy face.

Europe is densely populated and the land is narrow, and the land is basically owned by the nobles.

In the 19th century (1800-1900), European countries had just abolished the serfdom system, which means that not long ago, there were still a large number of serfs in Europe.

From the perspective of productivity development or human progress, the first industrial revolution is the most important page in human history, and its pioneering significance cannot be overemphasized.

The industrial revolution directly opened the curtain for human beings to use science and technology to replace manpower for production, and since then, productivity has developed rapidly.

However, for those farmers and workers who personally experienced this important moment of mankind, they may not be so happy.

Because the rapid development of the industrial revolution was accompanied by the blood and tears of farmers and workers.

This can be understood by looking at those child laborers who never see the sun in the coal mines, who go into the mines with dusty faces all day long just for a bite of bread.

They bear the pressure that they should not bear at their age.

Although people in later generations always praise the significance of the Industrial Revolution, the farmers and workers who experienced this historical moment would rather live in the agricultural era because they endured the cruel exploitation of capitalists.

Compared with being busy all the time like a clockwork clock, the peaceful and tranquil rural scenery after the busy farming season is more attractive to them.

The American land has a strong appeal to the poor in Europe.

In any case, this trip to the United States must gain the support of this increasingly powerful country. Both Banning and Constantine had surprisingly consistent thoughts after hearing Lloyd's words.

The cruise ship drifted in the Atlantic Ocean for about 10 days. Finally, the service staff on the ship informed the passengers that they were about to arrive in New York, USA.

On the morning of October 22, the cruise ship sailed to the mouth of the Hudson River in New York. With the help of the morning light, the Statue of Liberty standing tall on the island was clearly reflected in the eyes of the cruise ship passengers.

The goddess was wearing a Greek robe (it seemed that she was still a Greek), holding the torch symbolizing freedom in her right hand, holding the Declaration of Independence in her left hand, and under her feet were shackles and chains that had been broken free, symbolizing the oppression and devastation of tyranny.

The goddess welcomes every immigrant who has thrown himself into the arms of the free United States from the authoritarian Europe. This is the first American scene that Europeans who have come from afar have seen.

The passengers flocked to the side of the ship, waving their hats in their hands at the Statue of Liberty and shouting excitedly.

For the immigrants on the cruise ship, they should really cheer, because there is no more tyrannical monarch to rule them (most European countries at this time are still ruled by monarchs, such as Britain).

The next ones to rule them are American capitalists.

The dock of New York Harbor.

Emma, ​​who was held on Lloyd's shoulders, waved her hands vigorously and said goodbye to Constantine in the distance until she could no longer see him.

"Dad"

"What?"

"Will we see them again?"

"Yes, as long as we live well, there will always be a chance to meet again."

"Here, Dad," Emma took out two gold coins from the pocket of her skirt and handed them to Lloyd.

"Where did this come from?" Lloyd asked in surprise.

"My brother gave it to me," Emma said.

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Just like Lloyd and his daughter, who came to the United States to find their new life, Constantine will also seek his own opportunities.