North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 101 Trespassers, Kill Without Mercy! (5000 words, please subscribe)
"They're openly targeting the Native Americans, but in reality, they're after us!"

A cold smile appeared on Azu's lips: "In China, this is called 'feinting to the east while attacking the west,' or 'openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass!'"

"However, they messed up! They made a complete blunder by trying to cover it up!"

"Spreading false information, confusing the public, and lowering our guard—ha! Such tactics are child's play in China!"

Victoria asked, puzzled, "But they are indeed attacking the Native Americans! Why is that?"

After a moment of contemplation, Azu replied, "Their attacks in all directions are most likely an attempt to determine which Native American tribe is cooperating with us!"

"After all, the Blackfoot tribe possesses firepower that other Native American tribes could never have."

“Our Brigadier General George Phillips should certainly know this, whether it’s the battle reports that Major Daniel Cameron gives him or his friends in San Francisco confirming it to him.”

“Once he finds the Indian group with the strongest firepower, he can determine who is cooperating with us. Then, he can gather all his forces and completely wipe out that Indian group.”

"In this way, they can weaken our power!"

"With the American regular army that Brigadier General George Phillips can mobilize, and his friends in San Francisco, their combined strength is not enough for me to openly turn against them or confront them head-on with my limited forces."

“They’re attacking my Indian allies like this. If I don’t help them, fine! But if I do help them, they can seize the opportunity to exploit our weaknesses and wipe us out as well.”

As Azu fell into deep thought, his right hand unconsciously moved to Victoria's slender yet agile waist.

Victoria didn't dodge Ah Zu's groping hands. She looked at Ah Zu with an ambiguous smile, and her waist involuntarily twisted.

"Boss, what do you suggest we do?"

"Hehe, what should we do?" Azu laughed, "Isn't that simple...?"

As he spoke, Azu summoned Youma, gave her some instructions, and then told her to return to the Blackfoot tribe to inform her people.

During this period of time, spending every day with Chinese and white people, Youma not only became more fluent in English, but also learned a lot of Cantonese.

Now, Youma's clothes, appearance, and every move are almost indistinguishable from those of a normal Chinese person.

As long as she doesn't speak a Native American language, no one would recognize her as a Native American woman.

This season's gold rush camp wasn't far from the Blackfoot tribe's camp. A little over two days later, Youma rode back, accompanied by the long-absent Bloodhawk.

"Bloodhawk, my brother, you look even stronger after this winter!"

Azu gave Blood Eagle a big hug.

Upon seeing Azu again, Blood Eagle was also very excited: "Azu, brother from the far east, all of this is thanks to the food and wine you provided, as well as the guns and ammunition. We have hunted far more bison and other game than in previous years!"

Blood Eagle was overjoyed and patted Azu's shoulder heavily: "Azu, because of you, our people have had the best winter ever. No one has starved or frozen to death!"

"Moreover, in the past few months, our Blackfoot tribe has had many, many babies. In just a few years, these babies will be able to ride horses and hunt."

"Hehe...!" Blood Eagle scratched his head sheepishly, "My wife is pregnant too!"

"What...?" Azu asked in surprise, "So you have a wife? Then why are you with Monica...!"

"White-skinned women are just for fun!" Blood Eagle said indifferently, spreading his hands.

"You scumbag Native American...!"

After cursing, Azu asked, "What were the responses from Elder Bearskin and Chief Giant Stone to the message I had Youma deliver?"

Blood Eagle replied, "Elder Bearskin and Chief Rock, let me tell you that because we Blackfoot tribe are hidden deep in the mountains, we haven't been attacked by the white people yet, but it's only a matter of time."

"The elders and the chief asked me to pass on a message to you: everything will be done as you say!"

Azu smiled slightly: "That's good!"

Over the next few days, the gold panning teams in the deep mountains of Nevada became increasingly efficient, producing more and more gold each day.

Now, in addition to the first mine that was dug out, Azu had a second mine dug out, and a steady stream of ore was excavated from deep underground and transported back to the camp by a small train to be refined into gold.

From the two mine shafts, the sounds of explosions and the clanging of a small train and makeshift tracks echoed intermittently, startling away wild animals that roamed the mountains and attracting many onlookers.

A cavalry company and dozens of mounted militiamen, led by a captain, are heading upstream along the stream where Azu panned for gold last year, deeper and deeper into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

"boom……!"

The team, who had just arrived at the foot of Giant Elephant Mountain, suddenly heard a rumbling explosion coming from the mountain.

This made the already vigilant team even more alert, with many immediately raising their guns and aiming them in the direction from which the sound came.

Cavalry company commander Captain Richie also drew his Colt revolver and looked up warily into the distance.

"It wasn't a gunshot, it sounded more like an explosive explosion... Sergeant Cole!"

"Captain, I'm here!"

The short, stocky Sergeant Cole spurred his Andalusian horse and took a few steps forward to the captain's side.

"Sergeant Cole, take a few men and go scout out what's going on up ahead!"

"Yes Sir!"

Sergeant Cole led his cavalrymen and charged out, searching the direction from which the sound came, and soon disappeared into the dense forest.

"The rest of you dismount and remain in place!"

The team of over a hundred people immediately dismounted and established a cordon.

Sergeant Cole and his men quickly found the makeshift road built by the gold prospecting team at the foot of the mountain.

"Sergeant, is there some Native American tribe up on the mountain?"

Faced with his men's speculations, Sergeant Cole hesitated. If they encountered an Indian tribe, they would be in serious trouble.

"Let's go up and take a look first!"

Several extremely vigilant and tense cavalrymen advanced up the mountain along the winding, makeshift road.

But after walking a short distance, they came into view a tall wooden wall and a tall watchtower behind it!
“Who is that…?”

The people on the watchtower spotted the uninvited guests first, and the sound of gun bolts being pulled back immediately rang out.

Hearing that the voices on the watchtower were speaking in English, Sergeant Cole raised his rifle and breathed a slight sigh of relief: "We are the 1st Company, 6th Independent Cavalry Battalion, sent to scout the Indians. Who are you?"

A cold, stern voice came from the watchtower: "We are the mining team of Huamei Industrial Company, and we are conducting mining operations here. No one is allowed to approach without authorization, or they will be killed on sight!"

“Kill them all? Hmph!” Sergeant Cole sneered. “Has your Huamei Company always been this domineering? I’ll say it again, we are the 1st Company, 6th Independent Cavalry Battalion. We suspect there are Native Americans in the mountains and we must go up to investigate…!”

"I don't care if you're from the Sixth or Seventh Battalion, if you don't leave, kill us on sight!"

Sergeant Cole was furious: "Huamei Company, how dare they...!"

"Bang...!" The response was a crisp gunshot; a bullet struck right in front of his horse's leg, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Hiss...!"

Sergeant Cole's horse reared up in fright and then quickly took a few steps back.

"Fuck! Huamei Company, huh? You just wait...!"

Sergeant Cole had no choice but to turn his horse around and speed away with his men.

A moment later, Captain Richie, having received the report, frowned slightly as he looked at the giant elephant mountain not far away: "Huamei Corporation's mining team? In such a deep place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains?"

Captain Richie asked, puzzled, "This is a place where Indians and bandits roam. How dare they mine in a place like this?"

The militia company commander chimed in, "A few days ago, I heard from those gold prospectors that the Huamei Company's armed merchant fleet, carrying hundreds of fully armed men, had ventured deep into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Perhaps the Huamei Company isn't afraid of Native Americans or bandits at all?"

Upon hearing the name Huamei Company, Captain Richie looked thoughtful.

"Let's go, let's go and meet this Huamei Company, and see just how arrogant and domineering they really are!"

Leading a cavalry force of over a hundred men, they charged menacingly toward Elephant Mountain.

A moment later, the group of over a hundred people was stopped by the towering wooden walls and watchtowers.

Upon receiving the news, Azu arrived at the outer perimeter of the mountain with his men.

Captain Rich, with a few riders, stepped forward and shouted, "I am Captain Rich, the company commander of the 1st Company, 6th Independent Cavalry Battalion. Let your leader come out and speak."

Standing atop the high watchtower, Azu looked down at the cavalrymen twenty or thirty meters away and replied in a steady voice, "I am in charge here. This entire mountain range surrounding us belongs to our Huamei Industrial Company. Our mining team is currently operating here, and no one is allowed to trespass!" In order to monopolize this area with the richest gold deposits, Azu had long ago bought up all the surrounding areas from the state government at an incredibly low price.

Now, everything within a radius of several miles, this vast area of ​​hundreds of thousands of acres of desolate mountains that outsiders would consider worthless, all belong to Huamei Industrial Company.

"This is also part of the Huamei Corporation's property?" Captain Richie was surprised and couldn't help but marvel at the Huamei Corporation's wealth and power once again.

Captain Richie then added, "We are ordered to conduct reconnaissance in this area, and we have the right to enter and reconnoiter regardless of whose property it is."

Ah Zu replied, "I'm sorry, this is private property. Outsiders have no right to enter!"

"Hmph, a mere wooden wall can stop our American cavalry?"

"Captain, you can give it a try!"

As soon as Azu finished speaking, hundreds of dark gun barrels emerged from behind the wooden wall, rocks, and trees on the mountain, all aimed at the cavalry unit.

The cavalrymen also raised their guns almost simultaneously, facing the enemies from all directions.

The situation is extremely tense and could erupt at any moment!
"Gulp...!" The militia company commander looked at the ubiquitous gun barrels around him, swallowed hard, and whispered to Captain Richie, "Captain, we're surrounded. The situation is very unfavorable. Should we retreat first?"

Captain Richie turned to observe the surrounding enemies, knowing that if a fight broke out, he would definitely be the one to suffer.

Even if he were incredibly stubborn, he wouldn't risk his life in this situation!

"Hmph!" Captain Richie grunted. "Huamei Industrial Company, I'll remember you!"

"let's go!"

Captain Richie led over a hundred cavalrymen and rode away dejectedly.

But they didn't go far; they set up a temporary camp at the foot of the mountain, seemingly determined to fight to the death.

In the camp, Captain Richie wrote a report almost immediately and sent a communications soldier to request assistance from his superiors.

Azu stood high on the mountainside, looking down at the cavalry camp at the foot of the mountain, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"It's like a leech, once it's stuck on, it won't leave!"

Standing beside Azu, Youma, Xueying, and Ayan also had worried expressions on their faces.

Ah Yan couldn't help but ask, "Ah Zu, what should we do? Should I take some men to drive them away?"

Azu shook his head: "That will definitely lead to a direct conflict with them!"

Blood Eagle eagerly suggested, "Should I go back to the clan and call some men to wipe them out completely?"

Azu was still shaking his head: "It won't be easy to annihilate this cavalry force. If even one person escapes, wouldn't that directly confirm the relationship between your Blackfoot tribe and me?"

"This won't work, that won't work, so what should we do?"

After a moment of contemplation, Azu whispered some instructions in Blood Eagle's ear.

Just as Azu had predicted, the cavalry camp at the foot of the mountain remained there, showing no intention of leaving!
But on the third night after the cavalry set up camp, Captain Richie, who was fast asleep, suddenly heard gunfire outside the camp!

Startled awake from his dream, Captain Richie jumped up, grabbed the Colt revolver from the bedside table, and rushed out of his tent.

"What happened? Where did the gunshots come from?"

"Reporting, Captain! The mining camp of Huamei Company on the mountain has been attacked!"

"What? Huamei Company was attacked?"

Captain Richie looked up and, sure enough, saw flames raging halfway up the mountain, with gunfire and explosions ringing out continuously; the battle looked extremely intense!
"Captain, those attacking the Huamei Company are either bandits or Native Americans. Should we...!"

"What do you want?" Captain Richie asked without turning his head. "It would be better if all these arrogant bastards were dead!"

"All personnel, prepare for battle!" Captain Richie ordered. "Anyone approaching our camp, open fire immediately!"

"Yes Sir!"

The entire cavalry camp sprang into action, tensely alert to any movement outside.

However, the cavalry camp was not attacked until the fighting on the mountain gradually subsided and it was broad daylight.

Soon after, a number of people from Huamei Company were seen carrying the wounded and the dead down the mountain and passing by the cavalry camp.

One of the more inquisitive cavalrymen couldn't resist joining in: "Hey, brother, what happened last night? Who attacked you guys?"

The miner carrying the body, his face covered in dust and blood, with a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his head, replied irritably, "Who else could it be but those damned Indians!"

As he spoke, the miner pointed with his chin at the corpses: "They were all Blackfoot Indians. They suddenly attacked us last night, and many of our brothers died before we managed to drive these Indians away!"

The cavalrymen looked closely and indeed spotted the Blackfoot tribe's signature diamond-shaped pattern.

"Hey, it really was the Blackfoot Clan who ambushed you!"

The team carrying away the bodies and the wounded quickly disappeared into the dense forest, presumably to find a place to bury the bodies and send the seriously wounded back for treatment.

Captain Richie learned of this information very quickly.

So his second report was quickly sent out as well.

Soon after, the two intelligence reports were delivered to Brigadier General George Phillips, one after the other.

"Huamei Industrial Company? Isn't that that damned Chinese company?"

"Mining deep in the mountains of Nevada? Humph, what audacity!"

"You dare to drive away my cavalry? You're incredibly arrogant!"

"Haha, those damned Chinamen! They were ambushed by the Blackfoot Indians! Both sides suffered heavy casualties!"

"It seems that those who are colluding with that Chinese guy are at least not Blackfoot people!"

After deliberation, Brigadier General George Phillips issued the order.

A few days later, Captain Richie finally received his orders.

There were no reinforcements as expected. His superiors ordered him to continue searching for the Native American tribes and conducting reconnaissance with firepower, and to ignore the mining team from Huamei Company.

So, the cavalry, which had been stationed at the foot of Giant Elephant Mountain for about ten days, finally broke camp and continued on their way.

Three days later, Captain Richie's cavalry finally located the Blackfoot tribe's camp.

This cavalry force of over a hundred men was almost immediately attacked by hundreds of Blackfoot cavalrymen!
“Woooooooooooooo…!”

Hundreds of cavalrymen, riding bare horses without any tack, charged menacingly across the hills towards Captain Richie!
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh...!"

A hail of arrows rained down on Captain Richie and his soldiers like locusts.

“Woooooooooooooo…!”

The Blackfoot warriors who rushed forward brandished their spears and stone axes and engaged in fierce combat with Captain Richie's company.

"Bang bang bang...!"

After firing two volleys, Captain Richie and his troops showed no intention of fighting to the death. They spurred their horses and rode away, quickly escaping the pursuit of the large wave of Blackfoot warriors.

Having completely escaped the pursuit, Captain Richie finally had the opportunity to write another report.

"The Blackfoot tribe still fights using bows, arrows, spears, and stone axes; no evidence of firearms has been found!"

When this battle report arrived, there were dozens of other similar reports on Brigadier General George Phillips's desk.

"No firearms found, no firearms found, no large quantities of firearms found, only a few old-fashioned matchlock guns...!"

George Phillips slammed his fist on the table: "We've scouted almost every Indian tribe, big and small, throughout California, and we haven't found any tribes with large-scale firearms and horse harnesses...!"

"Damn it, what on earth is going on?"

George Phillips, his eyes bloodshot like an enraged bull, roared at his staff, “Who the hell can tell me what’s going on here?”

"Didn't they say that a heavily armed Native American tribe launched a surprise attack on the Northern California Rangers?"

"Can anyone tell me where that damn Native American tribe went? Did they escape into the sea? Or did they disappear into that godforsaken desert of Nevada?"

(End of this chapter)