America 1881: Legend of the West

Secretary of War Agee was confused.

Although in his subconscious he also believed that the United States and Spain must have a war.

But when the war came, the former Northern Army officer was at a loss.

There are only 28,000 active Army troops, at least half of whom are on the border.

One of their number had recently been beaten to a pulp by the New Mexico militia.

There are fully 150,000 Spanish troops stationed in Cuba!
Ajie sat in his office with a melancholy look on his face.

He thought for a moment and hung up the president's phone.

"William, do we really want to go to war with the Spanish?" On the phone, the Secretary of War asked with some hesitation.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then McKinley's emotionless voice came:
"Yes, AJ, we are facing a war!"

"But a few weeks ago, Sherman told me that this war would not happen for the time being!" Ajie said sadly.

"The situation is different. The Maine has sunk, Ajie. Congress will soon pass a bill to start the war." The voice on the other end of the phone was still calm, "This is not up to us."

"But we don't have soldiers yet! New guns and ammunition are still being produced on the production lines of the arsenal! We don't even have a battle plan!"

If he didn't have to hold the microphone in his hand, Aijie would probably want to pull his hair right now.

"Then you can start formulating it now. I will call Army Commander Nelson Miles to set up a command."

The other end of the phone paused and continued.

But this time, it was more like an ultimatum than a communication.

"Don't forget, everyone in our country is a warrior, it's something that runs in our blood, so I don't think it's a problem."

"After the war begins, the navy will first perform their duties. You have one or two months to prepare for war. I think this time is enough."

Immediately, the call was hung up.

Ajie sat down on the chair.

He was a little desperate.

Why can such cold words be said from the mouth of Thirty Six Degrees!
A month or two, to put it lightly.

First, enough soldiers must be recruited.

Then they need to be trained, otherwise, they will die on the battlefield.

And finally their guns, ammunition, clothing, food.

How could it be ready within a month or two?

He regretted his hesitation and listened to that damn Secretary of State.

Ajie was half lying on the chair, thinking about the next solution.

Suddenly, a person appeared in his mind.

His friend, Chen Jianqiu.

Although he is Chinese, in Aijie's impression, he is no different from a wise and enthusiastic American businessman.

Chen always has a way to help him.

He had previously transported and stockpiled wood in the Rocky Mountains to save himself from bankruptcy.

If he hadn't encouraged him to participate in McKinley's political investment, he might still be just a lumber merchant in the West.

Chen Jianqiu is his "lucky star"!
He is the largest arms dealer in the United States. He has a group of Chinese people under him, so he will definitely find a way.

Ajie sat up suddenly:

"Charlotte! Charlotte!"

He called his assistant in.

"Go to Roosevelt's next door and ask where Chen is recently. I want to meet him."

The assistant took the order and left.

He soon returned with news.

Chen Jianqiu "happened" to be in Washington, and had discussed the ammunition order with Roosevelt not long ago.

The next day, Mr. Chen appeared in Aijie's office.

Wearing a suit, he walked slowly into the office of the Secretary of War.

"Chen, you are finally here."

Aijie, who had just signed the recruitment order, handed the document to Charlotte aside and motioned for him to leave the office.

Chen Jianqiu took off his hat, revealing short hair, which made him look more capable.

"Please take a seat."

After the assistant left the office, the minister stood up, walked to the door, closed the office door, turned his head and said to Chen Jianqiu.

Unlike Roosevelt's office, Aijie has a large sofa here.

He sat opposite Chen Jianqiu.

"Are you calling me here so urgently because of the order for Clark rifles from Springfield Arsenal?" Chen Jianqiu smiled, "By the way, can you smoke here?"

Aijie said nothing. He stood up and walked back to his desk. He bent down and took out an iron ashtray from the drawer. He turned around and handed it to Chen Jianqiu.

Chen Jianqiu carelessly took out a cigar, lit it, and handed another one to the minister.

But the minister took the cigar and put it directly on the table.

He stared at Chen Jianqiu intently:
"Mr. Chen, are you willing to fight for the United States?"

Chen Jianqiu looked shocked.

"Mr. Minister, why do you say this? Of course I am willing to fight for the freedom and dignity of this country." He sat up straight and said "righteously".

Aijie breathed a long sigh of relief:

"Then Mr. Chen, I hope you can take your Chinese soldiers to Cuba to defeat the Spaniards there."

After hearing this, Chen Jianqiu frowned.

He took a long drag on his cigar, hesitation on his face.

"Mr. Minister, there are no problems with guns, ammunition and supplies, but I don't have anyone on hand."

After a long time, Chen Jianqiu said.

Minister Aijie waited for a long time and almost couldn't hold back when he heard such words from Boss Chen opposite.

"Mr. Chen, you and I both know that your militiamen had a conflict with the border guards not long ago!" He simply said it directly.

After all, they are all one of his own, and they are also involved. He does not feel embarrassed about the Ministry of War matter.

Chen Jianqiu shook his head:
"Mr. Secretary, you are wrong. Those are not my soldiers. Although they are all Chinese, they are the militia of New Mexico and are under the command of the governor of New Mexico."

"I'm just a businessman in New Mexico."

Ajie almost ran out of breath and fainted again.

Who do these Chinese people listen to? Haven't you figured it out yet?

Chen Jianqiu stood up, took two steps back and forth, and sighed:

"It's not that I don't want to serve the country. You know, many people have doubts about whether the Chinese can fight for this country, but in fact, this is also our home."

He looked up at the ceiling of the Minister of War's office at a 45-degree angle, with a melancholy look on his face:
"I originally focused my heart on the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the ditch!"

"Eight hundred miles apart, the soldiers under my command are being burned, the sound of fifty strings tumbling beyond the Great Wall, and the troops are being ordered in autumn on the battlefield."

Aijie's temples ached when he heard that. He didn't understand what Chen Jianqiu was talking about, so he had to interrupt the latter:
"Mr. Chen, I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are talking about." Chen Jianqiu turned around and looked at the minister:

"What I mean is that my desire to serve my country cannot be satisfied, and I am always suspected by others."

"Don't pay attention to the nonsense of those congressmen. The president and I both believe in you!" Aijet waved his hand quickly, "I will give you a regiment name, the Second Volunteer Cavalry Brigade! You go and gather the troops yourself, and then just follow the orders of the headquarters."

"Where's the number of people?"

"The more the better, but you'll have to figure out your own equipment, ammunition, and supplies." Aijie replied as he walked back to his desk to sign the order.

"Who is the First Cavalry Regiment?" Chen Jianqiu suddenly asked.

"Theodore, he came to me not long ago and said that as soon as the war starts, he will resign from his position as Deputy Minister of the Navy and lead his troops to Cuba." The minister had already picked up the pen.

It did not take him long to sign the appointment.

By the time Chen Jianqiu left the Secretary of War's office, he had become Lieutenant Colonel Chen, the commander of the 2nd Volunteer Cavalry Brigade of the United States.

Chen Jianqiu, who successfully obtained the number from the War Department, immediately returned to Roswell.

More than twelve thousand of his soldiers were gathering there.

Most of these soldiers were Chinese, and there were also some Indians, Mexicans and blacks.

This force is well-equipped.

In addition to the fully loaded bolt-action rifles, at least a third of the troops were equipped with automatic and semi-automatic rifles.

There are about 200 Maxim heavy machine guns.

This firepower was extremely terrifying at a time when each unit only had a dozen heavy machine guns.

In addition, they also brought freshly baked mortars.

The power of money is indeed strong.

The designers at the Roswell Armory not only designed the mortar in three months, but also spent just five months to complete the entire process of optimization, component finalization, and mass production.

By the time this volunteer army was officially formed, more than a hundred mortars and corresponding ammunition were available for use.

The cavalry brigade also has logistics and medical units under its jurisdiction.

Although the name given by the Ministry of War was Cavalry Brigade, Chen Jianqiu had no intention of taking the horses ashore.

Chen Jianqiu knew from the moment they saw their numbers that these gentlemen in the U.S. Army were complete amateurs.

It is very likely that they have never sent anyone to Cuba for an on-site investigation.

The fighting will basically take place along the southern coast of Cuba.

Fighting on horseback in that place was a little stupid.

In addition, Chen Jianqiu also arranged to purchase a large number of single clothes for the 12,000 soldiers under his command.

These singlets all have long sleeves, but are light, airy and cool.

In order to fight this battle, Chen Jianqiu recalled all his experienced generals, including Xu Ajiu who was far away in Hawaii and Fei Niao in Juarez.

They gathered at Roswell's City Hall and began to discuss possible combat strategies after landing.

The information collected by the Border Detective Agency and the Cuban Insurgents was placed on the table.

There was a cup of tea in front of Chen Jianqiu, with hot white steam rising from it.

On the wall behind him hung a map of Cuba with detailed markings on the terrain.

"I think the order given to us by the US military headquarters after the war should be to besiege Santiago." Xu Ajiu looked at the map of Cuba and expressed his judgment seriously.

"I think it should be Guantanamo." Li Sifu on the side expressed his objection. "Santiago is heavily guarded. According to intelligence, the Spanish have built complete fortifications there. It is difficult to attack. They should land in Guantanamo and attack from the east to the west."

"Yeah, do you think that bunch of white people will really let us feel comfortable? They will definitely let us take the lead and feed the bullets!" Xu Ajiu insisted on his opinion.

The two people held different opinions and started arguing.

Chen Jianqiu, who was sitting under the map, smiled as he watched the two people arguing with each other.

"Boss, tell me, which side should we place our primary target on?" Xu Ajiu looked at Chen Jianqiu, hoping that the boss would give an explanation.

"If you ask me, you all think too much."

Chen Jianqiu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then spat the tea leaves in his mouth onto the ground beside him.

"These white men in the U.S. Army haven't fought a serious war since the Civil War, and there are very few experienced ones among them."

"These people are still dreaming of being extremely brave and unstoppable. How could they give the opportunity to achieve success to our mixed-race troops?"

"They will only let us play supporting roles, such as assisting the large forces in landing or something like that."

He looked up at his two generals and put down the teacup in his hand.

"Also, let me remind you that our main goal this time, besides winning this war, is more importantly to obtain Cuba!"

Chen Jianqiu stood up, picked up a pen from the table, and stood beside the map.

He first drew two circles at two locations, San Diego and Guantanamo.

"According to our intelligence, most of the Spanish soldiers in southern Cuba are hiding in these two strongholds."

He drew a route on the map with a pen.

"After the declaration of war, I will seek an order to send supplies and equipment to the Cuban insurgents."

"Under this pretext, we took the lead in entering Cuba, cooperating with the local rebels, and clearing all Spanish strongholds in the south except Guantanamo and Santiago."

Chen Jianqiu threw the pen on the table.

"According to the mobilization speed of other army units, it would be impossible to land in Cuba in two or three months. We must seize the most territory within this time!

"As for the two hard rocks of San Diego and Guantanamo, let the white people grind their teeth first."

People in the meeting room began to discuss this policy.

However, at this moment, a person suddenly broke in.

The man who came had white hair and beard, and his face was flushed red. There were two or three guns hanging on his naked upper body, and two pistols on his waist. He looked very aggressive.

Everyone was startled at first, then they looked carefully and realized who else could the person coming be but Zhang Danian?

"Uncle Da Nian! What are you doing?" Li Sifu stared at the old man in amazement.

"Why don't you let me go?" Zhang Danian stared at Chen Jianqiu, "I don't want to be an officer, I can be an ordinary soldier!"

Chen Jianqiu was all smiles, and just as he was about to speak, Xu Ajiu beside him had already replied:

"Uncle Da Nian, you are almost eighty years old. Cuba is too hot. I am afraid you can't stand it. You should take a rest."

"Bullshit!" the old man suddenly flew into a rage, "When I retreated to the mountains in eastern Guangdong, your hair hadn't even grown out yet!"

Seeing that Zhang Danian began to show off his seniority, Xu Ajiu did not reply, but just muttered a few words in a low voice.

"Back then, Lian Po was still able to lead the army at the age of over 70, and old Huang Zhong was still able to kill the enemy. They all had to wield swords, so why can't I pull the trigger?"

"Do you think my eyesight is blurry and I can't hit accurately, or what? Do you want us to compete?"

Zhang Danian became angrier as he spoke. He took out the gun from his back and was about to pull Xu Ajiu up to fight.

Xu Ajiu was a little troubled.

It is only natural for him to win, but it would be shameful if he lost, which is not worth it.

Just when he was hesitating, Chen Jianqiu saved him.

Boss Chen took off his shirt and put it on the old man.

He whispered to Zhang Danian:
"Uncle Da Nian, I have a more important task for you." (End of this chapter)