Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 356 Beitun
As of June this year, Xinhua Northern Trading Company had established a total of six permanent settlements and thirty-one trading posts in the vast coastal area north of Qiming Island. It maintained supplies through regularly patrolling armed merchant ships, forming a "point-line-area" control system, thereby completely monopolizing the fur trade in the entire northern region and establishing a relatively strict colonization organization.

To protect these occupied territories and their own trade interests, the Northern Trading Company built military fortresses and strongholds in important locations and key strategic points, and deployed armed guards of varying numbers.

These military forces serve both to assert sovereignty on behalf of the Xinhua government and to deter potential acts of violence by local indigenous tribes.

Of course, in its operations, the Northern Trading Company did not simply resort to force and military might; it also used various appeasement methods to win over and divide the local indigenous tribes.

For example, in order to curb the ambitions of the Haida people who were distributed in the Blue Awful Islands (now the Queen Charlotte Islands), the trading company vigorously supported the Tringgit people in the Northern Plains Islands (now the Alexander Islands) and surrounding areas, instructing them to grow some cold-resistant crops, build more comfortable and warm wooden houses, and sell them a small number of iron weapons such as swords and spears, so that they would have a certain ability to defend themselves.

The authorities resolutely and decisively stopped the Haida people's frequent attacks on surrounding tribes and issued them stern warnings.

In an effort to weaken the Haida people, the Northern Trading Company even reduced the scale of trade with them or raised the prices of various daily necessities, attempting to tame these wild and untamed natives.

Faced with the “unfair” treatment of the new Chinese, the Haida people, who were known for their domineering nature, had accumulated too much dissatisfaction and resentment, and constantly provoked and undermined the regional order established by the new Chinese, both openly and secretly.

A month ago, a trading post in the central fjord of the Blue Aquila Islands, known as Zhongwanzhai (now Queenstown Charlotte), was suddenly attacked. Two Chinese immigrants and four hired Tringgits were killed, and all the goods were looted.

Afterwards, the attackers set fire to the trading post, which consisted of three wooden huts, reducing it to ashes.

Although no indigenous tribe has claimed responsibility (only a fool would jump out and invite trouble), a little thought is enough to identify the real perpetrator.

In this area, who else but the Haida people could have done it?
When the news reached Pingyang Fort (now Prince Rupert), Yang Xinmin, the head of the northern region of the Northern Trading Company, was furious and immediately declared that he would give the attackers the most severe retaliation.

Over the years, although the trading company has failed to attract many immigrants from the Immigration and Colonization Department, it has still recruited more than 500 employees from the headquarters on Qiming Island, including many Liao soldiers who had experienced battles and retired marines.

If these people were gathered together, they could still form a formidable "army" to carry out the punitive expedition.

Faced with the heinous act of attacking his trading posts and killing his personnel, Yang Xinmin, as the person in charge of the North District, did not need to wait for specific instructions from headquarters. He directly used the pretext of a state of emergency to mobilize the armed guards of various fortresses and trading posts, ordering them to gather at Pingyang Fortress and stand by as soon as possible.

To bolster the campaign, he also ordered the recruitment of a large number of indigenous armed volunteers to participate in the military operation, promising them compensation after the battle.

When the "Pyeongchang" arrived at Lijin Fort, it was unsurprisingly requisitioned by the local authorities. After loading dozens of armed guards and a large amount of military equipment and supplies, it sailed to Pingyang Fort along with two small galleys.
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However, as the armed guards from various outposts of the Northern Trading Company gradually assembled at Pingyang Fort, Yang Xinmin, the head of the Northern District, suddenly announced the cancellation of the military operation and demanded that the arriving guards return after a few days of rest, awaiting further instructions from the company.

The company guards were immediately annoyed by this constant changing of orders, complaining that the senior management was just making a mess of things and treating them like monkeys.

However, the captains and sailors breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the order.

Keep in mind that it was already the end of September, and October was just around the corner.

At that time, cyclone activity in the North Pacific will become increasingly frequent, with wind speeds often reaching 30-50 knots (storm level), which can trigger towering waves and sudden severe weather.

In open seas, wave heights can reach 4-6 meters, while the narrow channels between islands are more prone to forming chaotic waves and eddies due to shallow water and tidal action.

Near islands and mainland coastlines, the tidal range can reach an astonishing 7 meters or more, and strong tidal currents can cause ships to lose control or run aground instantly.

Worse still, in October, this sea area will experience frequent fog and even more frequent rainfall, resulting in extremely low visibility at sea. This further increases the difficulty of maneuvering and navigating ships, and the slightest carelessness can lead to a tragic loss of life and the destruction of the ship.

If the ship were to capsize, the icy seawater would cause people to die of hypothermia very quickly, without even a chance to be rescued.

Many of the Northern Trading Company's transport ships generally try to avoid this season (winter) when traveling to and from this area, and usually set sail between May and September.

Even the Haida and Tsimzian people, who are extremely familiar with the local sea conditions and climate, would not choose to go out to sea in winter, as this would be tantamount to deliberately seeking death.

It was precisely because of the enormous risks of sea voyages that Yang Xinmin, after careful consideration, had no choice but to cancel the military strike operation against the Haida people.

At most, he should bear the responsibility for the attack on Zhongwanzhai, which was due to negligence.

However, if someone acts impulsively and launches a military strike at sea during winter, resulting in significant losses of ships and personnel, it would be a serious dereliction of duty and would be subject to company investigation and even severe punishment.

"Hmph, when spring and summer come next year... I will make you pay for your blood debt!" Yang Xinmin stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the gloomy sea, and muttered to himself.

On September 27, after leaving the narrow fjord, the Pyeongchang cruise ship sped southward with the help of strong northwest monsoons, leaving a white trail on the sea.
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As the morning sun pierces through the clouds, casting its golden rays upon the earth, the docks of Beitunbao (now Harbour Hardy on Vancouver Island) are already bustling with activity.

This settlement, which was first established in 1635, has grown into a prosperous town with more than 300 people after two years of construction. It has also become an important forward base for the Northern Trading Company's northward expansion.

On the dock, several sloops were slowly approaching the shore, and the sailors were shouting as they unloaded bundles of furs and dried goods.

Newly built warehouses lined the riverbank, and laborers dressed in coarse cloth pushed wheelbarrows back and forth on the compacted dirt road.

On the roof of the warehouse, several flags embroidered with the Northern Trading Company's emblem fluttered in the sea breeze.

On the outskirts of the town, newly reclaimed farmland stretches along gentle hillsides.

Between the neat rows of fields, several farmers were bending over and working in the vegetable plots, where the cabbages and carrots they planted were growing well.

Further away, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of log farmhouses, adding a touch of life to this pioneering scene.

As the sun rose higher, the noise at the dock grew even more intense.

After finishing the autumn harvest, residents set up stalls, selling fresh vegetables and shellfish.

The blacksmith's shop in town echoed with the clanging of hammers as he busily repaired the farmers' broken tools and containers.

Several indigenous children chased after a rat that had slipped out of the warehouse, their laughter ringing out crisply in the morning light.

This young settlement is welcoming the new day with vigorous vitality.

"Mayor, now that the autumn harvest is over, shouldn't we gather all the migrants from the various villages and hamlets together for some training and a drill in battle?" Gan Daquan, the deputy mayor and armed forces minister of Beitunbao, turned his gaze from the distance and solemnly spoke to a young man beside him. A hideous scar on his left cheek was particularly conspicuous in the sunlight, a souvenir from the Battle of Beitun two years ago.

Do you think the Haida people of Green Mist Island (now the Queen Charlotte Islands) will attack again?

Shi Mingcheng, the twenty-four-year-old mayor of Beitunbao, gently stroked the brass button on his cuff, his gaze fixed on the distant sea.

"Yes, we must be on guard," Gan Daquan said. "They might sneak over again and launch another surprise attack on us."

"Now, with the strength of our Beitun Fortress, do we still need to fear those natives?" Shi Mingcheng smiled, looking at him meaningfully. "Back then, you led a dozen or so men and successfully repelled a surprise attack by hundreds of Haida people. What, now that our population is several times larger than before, are we still worried about them breaching our fortress?"

"Are you training the militia now in the hopes that next summer you'll lead them to follow the Northern Trading Company and wipe out the Haida people's stronghold, to avenge the previous attack?"

"..." Gan Daquan remained silent.

Two years ago, he led twenty-six immigrants to hold Beitunbao and resisted a half-day onslaught from hundreds of Haida people.

Although they inflicted heavy casualties on the invading invaders and managed to keep the wooden fortress intact, they also suffered extremely heavy losses themselves.

Five men were killed in battle, and the rest were all wounded. Two of them later died from their injuries.

Gan Daquan himself suffered multiple injuries, none of which were fatal, but it took him more than a month to fully recover.

Later, he learned that the Xinhua government had mobilized its army and navy to swiftly and decisively destroy three Haida tribe camps, killing and wounding more than 200 people and capturing more than 180, which greatly shocked these audacious natives.

Overjoyed, he gathered the dozen or so survivors from Beitunbao for a hearty drink and burned paper money to pay respects at the graves of his fallen comrades.

A few days ago, a transport ship from the Northern Trading Company docked at Beitunbao Wharf, bringing news from Qing'ai Island that once again awakened his deep-seated memories.

Those damned Haida people are up to their old tricks again!

They were indeed wild and untamed; they launched a surprise attack on a trading post of a Northern Trading Company, killing several new Chinese and stealing all the goods.

It is reported that the Northern Trading Company was furious and prepared to launch a retaliatory attack against them.

However, winter is just around the corner, and the weather and sea conditions will become harsh, making it unsuitable for sailing.

Therefore, military strikes against the Haida people will most likely be postponed until the spring or summer of next year.

Last night, Yang Xinmin, the head of the trading company's northern region, sought him out during a brief stop in Beitunbao and asked if he could borrow some militia members to accompany the company's guards in suppressing the Haida people.

Judging from his tone, he was preparing for a large-scale military operation to completely dismantle and eliminate the threat posed by these natives.

Gan Daquan considered it briefly and decided that he could get involved.

At that time, the spring plowing in Beitunbao will be over, and the villages under its jurisdiction will have a ten-day to half-month break. If more than a hundred militiamen can be organized to join the armed guards of the Northern Trading Company to suppress the Haida people on Qing'ai Island, not only can they avenge the loss, but they can also gain some merit.

Of course, the militia members who went with them also got a share of the spoils, which they could obtain to supplement their household income.

More importantly, this move would also earn them a great favor from the Northern Trading Company, deepening the strong friendship between the local government and the enterprise.

The Northern Trading Company was a government-controlled trade monopoly that earned as much as 300,000 to 400,000 silver dollars annually from the fur trade alone.

Not to mention, they also discovered several gold and coal mines in many parts of the north. Although the Ministry of Mining and the Precious Metals Management Department took the lion's share, they still managed to earn a considerable amount in management and transportation fees.

Beitunbao, as the northernmost town on Qiming Island, handled the vast majority of the goods and personnel turnover for the Northern Trading Company. It could be said that the hundreds of people under its jurisdiction depended on the company for their livelihood.

Now that the other party has made a request, should Beitunbao agree to it?

“Old Gan, the Northern Trading Company has been authorized by the government and has a certain degree of autonomy in the affairs of the entire northern region. It can carry out military strikes against any threatening native forces.”

Shi Mingcheng shook his head and said, "But we can't do that! Everything has to be done according to the system and procedures. If you want to lead the militia on a long-distance raid on Qing'ai Island, you won't be able to get through at least Xing'an County (now Campbell River City)."

As the Xinhua government's operational mechanism has been gradually improved, many local powers and responsibilities have become more standardized, and actions are no longer as arbitrary and careless as they were during the previous colonization stage; everything is governed by laws and procedures.

Even though the Northern Trading Company held a license issued by the government, it could not arbitrarily dispatch local government personnel.

“Mayor Shi, Lao Yang from the trading company said that after returning to Shixing, he will do some work with the government through the company’s senior management to persuade the higher-ups to allow Beitunbao to cooperate with the trading company in carrying out military operations.”

"..." Upon hearing this, Shi Mingcheng was stunned, and his expression darkened. "Since you've already made your arrangements in advance, why are you reporting to me?"

"Mayor..." Gan Daquan, seeing this, knew that he had misunderstood, and quickly explained, "These matters are not something we have discussed privately. It was just mentioned casually during a meal, and nothing has been decided yet. I think we should inform the commissioner of the situation in advance, so that we in Beitun will not be caught off guard when the order for transfer comes from above."

"Old Gan, ever since the war between Xinhua and the Western barbarians ended, the central government has formulated a long-term development plan, requiring local governments to devote all their energy to industrial and agricultural production."

Shi Mingcheng's expression softened slightly, and he slowly said, "In the foreseeable future, Xinhua will not be involved in a large-scale war."

"Under these circumstances, our development focus should be on exploration and construction. On the basis of consolidating the existing economic development, we should strive to improve productivity and creativity, increase agricultural production, actively expand industrial categories and production scale, and maximize material output."

As he spoke, he pointed to the busy figures ahead: "These are our responsibilities. As for conquering the natives, let the trading companies handle that."

Gan Daquan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he only nodded heavily.

The two stood silently on the high slope, letting the sea breeze blow.

In the distance, a sailboat is slowly leaving the harbor and heading towards Shixing, leaving a white trail on the azure sea.
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(End of this chapter)