Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 454: Capture of Panama City
On August 8, the State of Chu officially declared war on Colombia. The Colombian government was shocked when it received the declaration of war, but did not show any weakness.

On August 8, Colombia also declared war on the State of Chu, and proclaimed that this was a war to defend justice. Colombia would never tolerate any country imposed humiliation, and would fight to the last soldier.

Even when facing death, he still remains stubborn.

September 30th, 2025

On the sea near Panama City
There is no wave on the blue sea, noisy seagulls are flying in the sky, and the scorching sun is shining directly down, just like any other day.

at this time
A shocking alarm suddenly sounded in Panama City. Many people with hesitant expressions looked towards the sea and indeed found something unusual.

At the distant boundary between sea and sky
Tall steel triangular masts appeared one after another, and then tall chimneys spewing thick black smoke appeared more clearly. Soon, a huge steel hull like a hill emerged, breaking through the sea surface and heading towards Panama City.

Even though it was more than ten kilometers away, one could still feel the strong sense of oppression brought by the huge and cold steel hull.

This discovery instantly threw the peaceful Panama City into chaos.

Many people were running and shouting, fleeing in all directions, shouting loudly in fear as they ran:
"Oh, my God, here come the Orientals."

"We're really screwed now. I told you not to provoke them. They're a bunch of vicious pagans."

"Damn it... run!"

The whole city was like a rabbit's nest that had been blown up. Crowds of people could be seen running everywhere, and horse-drawn carriages were hurriedly driving on the streets. Adults were shouting, children were crying, and the city was in chaos.

The Colombian, American and French soldiers stationed in Panama City were completely stunned.

Fighting back is absolutely impossible.

These soldiers also had sharp eyesight. After about thirty or forty minutes, the general appearance of the Chu State joint fleet that appeared on the sea had emerged and was visible more clearly.

Leading the way were four main ironclad ships as big as hills. Their huge gun barrels, which could fit a person, pointed straight ahead, making people feel cold all over and emitting genuine fear.

Behind these four main ironclad ships were eight much thinner ironclad cruisers, as well as some coal ships and troop transports, which filled the sea.

The thick black smoke spewed out from the tall chimneys and spread in the air, almost covering the sky above the fleet, making people shudder like the shadow of death.

Costa Rica is a very small Central American country with no army of its own. It has long been a vassal of Colombia. Its diplomacy, national defense, security and internal affairs are all dominated by Colombia. It is a vassal regime under the wings of Colombia.

The entire Costa Rica covers an area of ​​approximately 12.61 square kilometers (Note: including the Panama region), with a population of less than 20, mainly distributed around the three major towns of Panama City, Colon and San Jose, accounting for more than % of the country's population.

Panama City, with its long history and profound heritage, has a population of over 120,000. It is the largest city in the country, a regional transportation hub, and a shining pearl in Central America.

Located on the Caribbean coast, the city of Colón has a population of 2.72 and is the second largest city in Costa Rica. It is also an important seaport for the transportation of materials to Europe and North America.

The goods exported to Europe by neighboring South American countries such as Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and the Viceroyalty of Patagonia of Chu State every year are all transported through the Panama-Cologne Isthmus. Ports and transportation industries are the local pillar industries.

As for San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, it is a small agricultural town in a much more remote location with a population slightly smaller than that of Colon. However, it is the birthplace of two powerful families in Colombia. It is a city first built by Spanish colonists and has a history of more than 370 years.

Occupying these three towns means full control of the entire Costa Rica.

The Panama Canal project, which is under full construction, starts in Panama City and ends in Colon. The French Interoceanic Canal Company has mobilized more than 55 people from 4 countries to start excavation work along the entire line.

The official start of this super-large epic project promoted the abnormal prosperity of the Costa Rican economy. Merchants and adventurers flocked in, prices soared, and it became easy to make money.

The US military entered during the construction of the Panama Railroad, that is, at the end of 1855. As a stabilizing force to ensure the stability of the railway and its surrounding areas, the US military stationed 177 officers and soldiers.

The French army arrived when the Interoceanic Canal Company officially started construction. In view of the serious dispute between Chu and Colombia, France transferred more than 650 French troops from the Suriname colony to be stationed there as a show of force.

It was a warning to the State of Chu not to act rashly, and it was also to protect the interests of the Inter-Oceanic Canal Company.

The strongest military force in Panama City is the Colombian garrison, with a total of more than 1100 people. This is already Colombia's largest overseas garrison, but it is unable to resist the invasion of powerful forces from the sea.

More than half an hour later

The expeditionary armored fleet from the State of Chu approached the shore one after another, and then the rumbling sound of cannons rang out, echoing over Panama City. The fleet began to cover the suspicious targets on the shore with artillery fire.

All the houses and tiles covered by the artillery fire exploded in a huge ball of fire and smoke and dust in an instant, bricks and stones splashed, body fragments flew everywhere, and houses collapsed.

Since the Franco-Prussian War
The armies of the world's major powers have generally switched to new types of nitroglycerin explosives, which have stronger destructive capabilities against targets, are more powerful, and are more irresistible.

The expeditionary fleet's fierce artillery fire lasted for an hour and a half. It deliberately avoided the dock pier and bombarded the surrounding dock buildings. All the people hiding in the houses suffered a great disaster.

In the fierce bombardment, body fragments flew into the sky. Even if they were not killed by the explosion, they were killed by the strong vibration at close range.

After eliminating possible obstacles, the expeditionary fleet's troop transport ship slowly approached the dock and began unloading troops.

These fully armed officers and soldiers, who were temporarily carried on large immigration ships, had an amazing transport capacity. One ship could carry three to four thousand officers and soldiers and a large number of artillery, mules, horses, tents and other combat supplies.

When the black masses of Chu State's Colombian expeditionary officers and soldiers poured up along the pier, the entire Panama City was speechless and trembling with fear.

There was no proper fighting afterwards. The officers and soldiers of the Chu expeditionary force marched in formation, sweeping along the streets like iron brushes. When they encountered citizens running around, they fired volleys of gunfire without hesitation, and blood splattered on the spot.

Anyone who dared to peek or wander around in the yard would be shot immediately upon discovery, without asking any questions.

Every household in Panama City locked their doors, and it was as quiet as a dead city.

There was no proper fighting from beginning to end. The local Colombian soldiers had already taken off their uniforms and hid in the city as quickly as rabbits, leaving no trace.

Around 4 p.m.

Just as the Chu State's Colombian expeditionary force completely occupied Panama City, a group of more than 300 French soldiers jumped out and, led by Major Piero, confronted the Chu army on the streets of the west city.

"Retreat immediately and return to your base, otherwise our army will attack and kill anyone who hinders the military operation." Captain Zheng Yuan of the Chu expeditionary force shouted sternly. He spoke English. It was common for Chu officers to know one or two foreign languages.

At this moment, Captain Zheng Yuan led a company of more than a hundred fully armed soldiers and confronted the enemy on the street, with guns pointing at each other, and a dangerous atmosphere of tension was overwhelming.

Major Piro shouted, "I am from the Suriname Infantry Regiment of the French Republic's overseas garrison. I will not accept any threats. Anyone who dares to shoot at the French army will be regarded as a declaration of war against France."

"This is war, Major. No one can stop the Chu army's advance, including you and the soldiers behind you. I order you and your men to retreat immediately and return to the barracks. Otherwise, I will launch a resolute attack and completely destroy your resistance."

"This is outrageous. My unit is stationed in Panama City under orders from the French government. Captain, please consider the serious consequences of your actions. I urge you to report this to the Supreme Commander immediately. I want to meet with him and convey France's strong protest and demands."

"Retreat now and return to the barracks. This is the last severe warning. Those who refuse to comply will be subject to resolute military strikes by our troops. Retreat now..." Zheng Yuan's attitude was extremely tough.

There is no point in arguing with the other side. This part of the French army must retreat and return to the barracks. Anyone who refuses to do so will be killed.

The French officers and soldiers, who had the advantage in numbers, did not show any fear, and many of them even showed a hint of disdain on their faces.

They did not think that the Chu army dared to open fire. This was a strong confidence accumulated from countless years of victories in foreign colonial expansion wars. The British and the French had it too, and they were even more proud of it.

But as Zheng Yuan finished his words, a large number of Chu troops suddenly rushed to both sides of the street, raised their rifles in unison, and pointed the black muzzles directly at the French army.

This made Major Piero pale. There were nearly 200 fully armed officers and soldiers from the Chu State who came later, almost equal to the number of the French army.

The atmosphere of the confrontation was extremely tense, so oppressive that it was almost difficult to breathe.

at this time
A large number of fully armed Chu soldiers came from behind the French army, and their suede boots made a rhythmic "click-click-click" sound as they stepped on the stone road.

Then, at the command of the officers, the Chu army rushing from the rear quickly deployed and raised their guns to point at the French army without hesitation.

As soon as the leading officer gives the order, officers and soldiers from both sides will engage in close-range shooting.

Major Piero's face turned even paler, his initial confidence was gone, he regretted getting involved in this mess, and began to think of backing out.

Damn it! These vicious Chu people.

More than 700 soldiers of the Chu expeditionary force had gathered at the scene, especially a lieutenant colonel who led the team from the rear and asked a question as soon as he arrived.

"what happened?"

"Report to the commander, this group of French officers and soldiers is trying to hinder our army's movement. I order them to retreat to the barracks immediately, otherwise I will launch an indiscriminate attack."

"I will take over command."

"As you command, sir."

The team was led by Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng. After a brief conversation, he understood the reason for the confrontation between the two sides.

Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng said loudly in English with a stern expression: "I don't care what kind of shitty mission you are carrying out. This is a war. Any force that stands in our way will be crushed into powder, without exception.

Now I order you to return to the barracks immediately. You have 30 seconds to make a decision, otherwise you will be killed without mercy."

"This is ridiculous. The great French army has never been afraid of any threats, nor will it obey the orders of others. You are provoking a war with France, Mr. Lieutenant Colonel." Major Piero refused with forced calmness.

"You have 20 seconds." Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng looked at the pocket watch in his hand and replied coldly.

Major Piero's face turned even paler. He forced himself to remain calm and retorted, "Think about the serious consequences that would result. You absolutely cannot bear it."

"You have 10 seconds." Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng was as cold as ice and was not moved at all.

this moment
The immense pressure destroyed Major Piro's will to resist. He raised his hand and said:
"Okay, okay, I will report your unreasonable behavior to the superiors. This will be regarded as a serious provocation to France. Soldiers, listen to my orders.

Put away your weapons, and turn...

Target military camp, march in step..."

As he led his men away, Major Piro still stubbornly said a few polite words. He said angrily:
"In order to prevent the relationship between the two sides from falling into an irreparable dangerous situation, we are temporarily and rationally withdrawing to express the greatest goodwill.

At the same time, we strongly request
He immediately met with the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force and conveyed the French concerns that the Chu army had no right to occupy and control the city, which was illegal and invalid.

Your military actions have seriously infringed upon French interests, and you will bear all the serious consequences."

"Mr. Major, it's useless for you to talk nonsense to me. Our headquarters only knows how to resolutely execute orders. Anyone who hinders military operations will be killed without mercy." Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng did not respond to the other party at all.

When a scholar meets a soldier, he cannot explain his reason clearly.

Major Piero was so angry that he opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He snorted angrily and turned away.

He had said everything he needed to say, but the other party refused to budge. What could he do?

Major Piero was not stupid enough to use only a few hundred men to fight against an army of tens of thousands. He was just showing France's tough stance.

If you can't scare them, then you have no choice but to retreat.

Major Piero could not afford to take the responsibility of causing a conflict between the two countries without orders from his superiors.

It is too dangerous to have a gun go off accidentally on the battlefield. If any soldier fires first, no one can bear the consequences and a war will inevitably break out between the two countries.

Fortunately, the soldiers of both countries were well-trained and did not pull the trigger.

Watching the French troops marching away in neat rows, Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rongcheng felt a layer of white sweat on his back, and his stiff expression relaxed a little.

The gunpoint confrontation just now made him extremely nervous.

If a conflict really breaks out, we will be doomed. Even the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force cannot bear such a heavy responsibility, let alone a mere lieutenant colonel like me.

But how can we give in in this situation?

(End of this chapter)