Molenvliet, Batavia, two centuries ago. The pristine water in the Ciliwung River Canal flowed peacefully amid unpaved roads that had never gone quiet. Billowing dust testified to the busy commercial activities along West and East Molenvliet. The Chinese bosses were busy arranging their waresranging from rice, teakwood, vegetables to condiment made of pounded and fermented shrimp or small fisheither on horse-driven carts or on boats.

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