Young Master Liem
Chapter 19 Travel

A good news came, delivered by postal employees who delivered a letter about Wan Siang's victory in the Simplex bicycle prize draw held by NV Bal Tiga Nitisemito. Whereas Wan Siang only handed one lottery coupon, after buying five packs of cigarettes whose etiquette was pictured three circles in green.

The good news was also conveyed to the Sweet, making the girl also feel happy. Soon Wan Siang had to take his gift in Kudus, invite the Sweet One. He felt maybe his luck this time had something to do with the girl, as a talisman of his wealth at that time invited to buy cigarettes.

Long story short, they both started the journey from Poncol Semarang station, using the Samarang-Joana Stoomtram-maatschappij (SJS) train company, which literally means Semarang-Juwana Steam Tram company. The company not only has a Semarang-Juwana rail line that stretches from the city of Semarang to the east to Juwana, but also a tram network within the city of Semarang and between cities.

They set off on a train towed by the Hartmann factory-built SJS 200/B27 series locomotives from Germany, which could travel a maximum speed of 45 km per hour, one of the fastest locomotives at the time. SJS also has a box-shaped locomotive B12 series that only speeds 15 km per hour specifically for the tram network in the city of Semarang.

The sweet was the first time riding a locomotive train, he felt the experience was amazing. He sat next to Wan Siang who always held his hand. The experience of riding a train is certainly very different, according to which the speed is higher. It feels like a dart. Much different speed than a horse carriage. Steam engines began to outperform the muscular power of humans and animals, bringing a new age in which people traveled further and faster.

The view outside the window is also amazing, the Sweet One can see the trees like running, but it is not the tree that runs. Sometimes changing with the scenery in the form of gardens, rice fields and houses that also seemed to run fast, making the heart of the Sweet Manis amazed. Coincidentally the Sweet sat by the window, so he often turned his face to the window, making Wan Siang jealous of the locomotive window.

“Kok facing window keeps his face?” Wan Siang protest.

“The view is very good Koh, I just got on the train for the first time, it turned out to be very pleasant,” said the Sweet One whose face is still always looking towards the window.

“The window is more handsome than me huh?”

“Where is a handsome window Koh?”

“You're proof keep going.”

“Not the window, but the view is it, great.”

“So the view is better than my face huh?”

Sweet finally realized, if the one who asked was not happy because it was ignored. Wan Siang hoped that he would experience a pleasant journey if he invited the Sweet One, at least there are friends talking on the train. But because it was too amazed by the scenery outside the train, the Sweet So ignored Wan Siang. Of course the young man became pouted.

“Sorry Koh, yes now I pay attention to Engkoh, do not pout so his face,” The Sweet tried to comfort Wan Siang.

After the Sweet Man realized the situation, then he could pay attention to Wan Siang. The man began to smile again and chatted with the girl he had held in his hand.

“If here I cannot possibly be lost, why is my hand held continuously?” ask the Sweet.

“Indeed it is not lost, if now I am the one who wants.”

Indeed, from earlier there were several pairs of eyes that glanced towards Wan Siang and the Sweet One.

“If you see it we will not die,” said Wan Siang with a flat face.

“Fortunate once yes Engkoh this, just buy a cigarette once can get a bike,” said the Sweet.

“Lho, right I have you as a talisman.”

“My pocket is a talisman?”

“So I used to accept you as a guarantee of your father's debt is not to be a mistress, but a talisman of wealth. It is said that Chinese men who have a mistress of Javanese women can be rich. I keep thinking of keeping you in my house, so I can be rich.”

“I've never heard of it Koh, but look, now Engkoh instead fell because his business was closed. Maybe I'm useless as a talisman.”

“You are wrong, you are very useful. Now I'm happier than I used to be. Maybe my new business will make me richer than before. Now there are you who support me. Moreover, according to Ciam Sie, my fortune from the east and west, now I can get a bicycle, although it must be taken in Kudus. This is a sign, if the windfall is one of them in the east.”

“Can be Koh, hopefully Engkoh later can be richer.”

The Sweet finally knew the truth, that Wan Siang had never intended to make her a maid or mistress. But it was only displayed as a talisman. Even if he had been told to massage, it seemed that it was a bit deviated from its original purpose.

Actually there are various types of talismans that are believed by the Chinese to have various properties. For example inviting profits, or rejecting reinforcements, or attracting people to the business place.

There is Hu, a talisman in the form of paper or cloth of a certain size, colored red, yellow, green or white. Each color has its own uses. Hu was made by engraving an inscription or mantra that was then verbally blessed, and made in front of the god's altar. Hu with yellow paper usually for drinking, green color for general purposes, such as anti-maling, body armor, repellent of delicate creatures and so on. Red color as a trade business owner, while black has the same uses as white, which is to help eliminate bad luck in someone.

Other amulets are in the form of a round or octagonal mirror placed on the door or other place in the house or place of business. It is believed that such amulets bring good air and ward off bad influences.

There is also a talisman-shaped statue of the windfall god carrying pieces of gold money, as well as a cat statue whose hands can swing as if calling. The talisman is considered to bring in buyers and profits.

As a Chinese, Wan Siang had faith in amulets, so he also believed in the Sweet as a special wealth talisman. The shape is not paper or cloth or sculpture. Its existence is based more on myths that are spread outside among the community.

The Chinese had long been separated from the natives by the Dutch government, but they always had a way to blend in. One of them is the existence of various types of relationships between them, from trade relations to romance. Cooperation between these two types of community groups can never be avoided, because the basis of society is cooperation. Without cooperation, it is impossible that life can run well and smoothly. Hostility only leads to chaos, it has no benefit.

One of the failed separation efforts made by the Dutch is Pasar “Gang Baru” in Chinatown Semarang. Pasar Gang Baru was once devoted to Chinese citizens, both sellers and buyers, but because of the need, the, the indigenous people who usually sell at Pasar Pedamaran eventually gradually moved to Pasar Gang Baru and traded there. It's about trade. Not to mention about love, of course the story is more diverse.