North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 111 Miss Adele? (5,000 words)

Bishop Evan wiped the sweat from his forehead with a clean white handkerchief: "It's just a promotion to archbishop, Lee, don't make a big deal out of it!"

"If things get too big, the Vatican might just promote me to cardinal!"

“Hahaha!” Azu laughed, “No way! Tell the Vatican that if you leave California, you will no longer have access to penicillin.”

"The Vatican's countless church hospitals around the world are waiting for penicillin to save the lives of countless patients!"

"Every extra life saved could potentially lead to many more devout believers. Those high-ranking figures in the Vatican, clad in red robes, understand this better than anyone else."

"Is that so, Mr. Parker?" Azu looked at his father-in-law with a smile.

Parker Parker, the medical missionary, knew this better than anyone!

Parker Parker's face was grim, but he had no choice but to nod slightly.

Today, he witnessed a deal with his own eyes! A deal he would never have believed in before!
This once again challenged his once unwavering faith.

But this is not over yet!
Azu continued, "Your Excellency, before and after you become archbishop, I would like to ask you for a favor!"

"What is it? As long as it doesn't violate the doctrine, I'll help you!"

Bishop Evan once said this.

But this time, it was clearly more sincere and reliable!
“What I say will certainly not violate any doctrine!” Azu said, “We Chinese people crossed the ocean and went through life and death and countless hardships to reach the other side of the ocean.”

"Many people died at sea, but even those who were lucky enough to reach this new continent still suffered discrimination and a series of injustices!"

"Discrimination and injustice against Chinese people are rampant in San Francisco and throughout California!"

"If we want to get rid of this situation of discrimination and unfair treatment to some extent, I think there is only one way right now!"

Bishop Evan asked curiously, "What method?"

"May all Chinese people who come to this land have the right to vote and to be elected!!!"

"The right to vote? And the right to be elected?!"

Not only Bishop Evan, but also Peter Parker and Vivian gasped in shock.

"Yes, the right to vote and the right to be elected! Only when all Chinese people on this land have the right to vote and be elected can we Chinese people suffer less discrimination and oppression!"

"Otherwise, those politicians will unscrupulously enact laws and policies to exploit and oppress us Chinese, just like the Foreign Miners Tax Act passed by the state's interim legislature some time ago!"

Looking at Bishop Evan, Azu said, "I think this certainly doesn't violate any doctrine, does it? In the eyes of the Lord, we are all equal lambs, without distinction between Chinese and Americans, or between yellow and white skin!"

"On the contrary, it is the discrimination and oppression of us Chinese that truly violates the Lord's teachings, isn't it, Your Excellency!"

Bishop Evan fell into deep thought, and after a moment nodded slightly: "Yes! Any unfairness or injustice is a shameful act that violates my episcopal doctrine!"

Azu continued, "Therefore, I need Your Excellency the Bishop to require all priests and nuns to vigorously promote the concept of equality for all beings during their sermons, to eradicate all discrimination on a spiritual level, and to further promote the right of us Chinese to vote and be elected on this land!"

Parker Parker couldn't help but say, "Azu, if the Chinese also have the right to vote and be elected, then they will almost have full citizenship. It is very difficult to achieve this, whether at the level of government and parliament or at the level of ordinary people."

"It is indeed very difficult, but as long as we work hard and work gradually, we will definitely achieve it sooner or later."

Ah Zu said, "The government and parliamentary level are left to me to promote and handle. As for the general public, the church and our newspapers need to continuously educate them."

“Currently, the population of California is still very small, with only a little over 100,000 people holding civil rights. This is precisely the time when a large population is needed, and the largest group in the world is the Chinese.”

"If the issue of citizenship can be completely resolved, I think it won't be long before California can solve its major problem of underpopulation."

Parker Parker hesitated, “If we use a large number of Chinese people to solve California’s population problem, then in the future, Chinese people will make up the majority of California’s population and will have the right to vote and be elected, then… this will still be America… oh dear!”

Just as Parker Parker was saying this, he was caught off guard and his own daughter secretly pinched his arm hard!
In fact, even without Peter Parker saying it, Bishop Evan was already aware of the problem.

"Li, is this your main objective? To completely control California by relying on the Chinese?"

"Bishop Evan asked."

“No!” Azu shook his head firmly: “I only want to create a beautiful California where all people are equal and all races live in harmony! As for where California is headed in the future, that can only be decided by all the people of California, including the Chinese!”

"Beautiful California, where all people are equal and all races live in harmony... Ah Zu, well said!"

Vivian was the first to applaud!
Peter Parker and Bishop Evan, though still harboring doubts, were already on board and had no choice but to join in, so they clapped softly.
When Azu conspired at the Church of Dolores, it was still on the dark sea, on that dilapidated fishing boat.

Interim Governor Brosnan and Lieutenant Colonel Walton met here again.

"Colonel, why did you specifically request to meet here this time?"

"Sigh!" Faced with Lieutenant Colonel Wharton's question, the interim governor, Brosnan, disguised as a homeless man on the street, sighed: "That damned Chinese guy is putting more and more pressure on us. We have to discuss with you what we can do to weaken that Chinese guy's power as soon as possible!"

After the battle at Elephant Mountain, Walton gained a clearer and more intuitive understanding of Azu's strength.

"Sigh!" Lieutenant Colonel Walton sighed deeply. "Indeed, we must find a way to weaken that Chinaman!"

Seeing the dejected look on his face, Brosnan couldn't help but ask, "Lieutenant Colonel, are you still worried about the conflict at Elephant Mountain?"

“Yes!” Lieutenant Colonel Walton said, “I have passed on the relevant intelligence to you, Colonel. I believe you are aware that that damned Chinaman’s militia is equipped with an advanced rifle that has never been seen before and can fire rapidly!”

"Under the overwhelming firepower of these rifles, the United States Army is virtually powerless to retaliate, and has yet to find a way to break through their defenses...!"

Brosnan said in a deep voice, "Let's not worry about the rifles for now. There are more important things that we need to worry about!"

"What's more important?"

"penicillin!"

"Penicillin? What's that?"

Brosnan said, "And you're supposed to be an intelligence officer? You don't even know about penicillin, this miraculous drug that just came out?"

"I'm an Army intelligence officer, and my focus is mostly on the military field. This drug is not within our scope of concern!"

"This is something you should pay attention to! Because penicillin was invented by that damned Chinese guy!"

Lieutenant Colonel Walton dismissed it, saying, "It's just a drug, what's the big deal?"

"The problem is, this drug is just too miraculous! Not only can it treat many diseases that we consider incurable, treat severe external wound infections, and save many lives, but it can also bring that Chinese guy countless riches and immense prestige!"

Brosnan lamented, "Wealth and prestige, that's power! Before long, this damned Chinaman will swell into a monster that devours everything!"

"That serious?" Hearing the interim governor's words, Lieutenant Colonel Walton also became serious: "Wealth and prestige are indeed a kind of power! But in the end, it still comes down to the barrel of a gun...!"

"With wealth and prestige, will we lack guns?" Brosnan was getting a little anxious: "Besides, that Chinese guy is still bringing in more and more Chinese people."

"Those Chinese are as hardworking as oxen and as obedient as domesticated dogs. Give them guns and a few months of training, and they'll be excellent soldiers!" "Add to that the advanced rifles you mentioned, and at this rate, not only San Francisco, but all of California and the entire West will soon be under the control of the Chinese!"

Now, the gold rush is sweeping the globe. In addition to the Chinese people brought by Azu's own fleet, even more Chinese people are flocking from across the ocean on other ships.

In just a few months this year, the number of Chinese people in California has increased several times over, from three or four thousand last year to at least twenty thousand.

Lieutenant Colonel Walton frowned and asked, "So, Colonel, what methods do you have to weaken that damned Chinaman?"

"I think with so many Chinese people in California now, it's time to stir up a civil unrest!"

“Civil unrest…?” Upon hearing this word, Lieutenant Colonel Walton frowned even more deeply. “Colonel, please tell me directly, what should be done?”

Brosnan lowered his voice and whispered something in Lieutenant Colonel Walton's ear.

As Lieutenant Colonel Walton listened to Brosnan's plan as interim governor, his eyes widened even more!
After Brosnan finished explaining the plan, Lieutenant Colonel Walton couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Colonel, isn't this...isn't this going too far? Won't the situation completely spiral out of control?"

"That's why I needed to reach an agreement with Brigadier General George Phillips. In the end, we still needed to deploy troops to avoid a situation that would completely spiral out of control."

Lieutenant Colonel Walton pressed on, "If we do this, how will that damn Chinaman react?"

"Heh!" Brosnan sneered. "He'll just send out militia to suppress it and try to clarify things through the Standard newspaper he controls... No matter what he does, he'll stand against the overwhelming public opinion and become the public enemy of all white people!"

"Once we actually get to that point, it will be much easier for us to directly weaken his power!"

After a moment's thought, Lieutenant Colonel Walton exclaimed in admiration, "Colonel, your wisdom is truly astounding! To be your enemy is a real tragedy!"

"If I were in that Chinese guy's shoes, I couldn't think of any way to defuse the overwhelming public opinion!"

Lieutenant Colonel Walton concluded, "In the next few days, I will be in contact with that Chinese man about purchasing new rifles. Once this is settled, I will immediately return to present your suggestion to the General."

"I believe the general will agree with you. After all, at the foot of Mount Giant Elephant, the general was so angry that he vomited blood and still hasn't found a way to vent his anger."
-
The next day, early in the morning, Ah Zu appeared in the secret room of the "Rosewood Hotel".

Almost simultaneously, Victoria and Monica, each carrying a stack of intelligence, swayed gracefully into the room.

One has dark gold hair, the other has red hair; one exudes wild charm, the other is full of mature allure.

Within the Eighteenth Bureau, Monica was responsible for collecting publicly available intelligence, while Victoria was responsible for collecting classified intelligence.

They placed two stacks of intelligence next to Azu at the same time, and then each stood on one side behind Azu.

Monica spoke first: "My master, Brigadier General George Phillips, sent a delegation headed by Lieutenant Colonel Walton, which arrived in San Francisco yesterday to discuss the purchase of new rifles with us."

"However, our people discovered that Lieutenant Colonel Walton disappeared from his hotel for a period of time late last night, but he escaped our sight and his whereabouts are unknown."

Azu said, "That Lieutenant Colonel Walton is an intelligence officer under Brigadier General George Phillips. He's an intelligence specialist, very vigilant and cunning, and not so easy to track."

Victoria continued, "Boss, also late last night, the interim governor Brosnan disappeared from our sight for a period of time."

“This is the third time already…!” Victoria continued, “Shortly after Brosnan’s first disappearance, Brigadier General George Phillips launched a fire search of all the Indian tribes in an attempt to find our Indian allies.”

"Shortly after Brosnan's second disappearance, Brigadier General George Phillips launched an attack on our Giant Elephant Mountain mining camp!"

"This is the third time he's disappeared. I have a feeling that this interim governor and the brigadier general are plotting something against us again!"

Victoria added, "Furthermore, our informants at Clarke Wharf discovered that a dilapidated fishing boat docked at Clarke Wharf during all three periods when Brosnan, the interim governor, disappeared. After waiting for an unidentified person to board the boat, it quickly vanished from the wharf."

"Hehe!" Azu smiled faintly: "It seems that our interim governor has become smarter! He knows how to meet with the general's men in a secluded location like a fishing boat."

Azu asked, "Victoria, have you investigated the background of that fishing boat?"

"We've already investigated. The captain of that fishing boat is a middle-aged man with a limp. He's said to be a wounded veteran who has been retired. He's owned that fishing boat for many years, so it doesn't seem like he was a pawn they deliberately planted."

“Wounded veterans?” Azu pondered. “Brucenan and Brigadier General George are both veterans in the military. Countless veterans have served under them! Even if they weren’t deliberately planted as pawns, they must have reconnected now and provided them with secret meeting places.”

"Then what should we do?" Victoria asked. "Should we secretly arrest and interrogate that lame captain?"

"No need. That would only alert them. With that old fox Brosnan and the intelligence officer's caution, even that crippled captain wouldn't know too many secrets!"

“Capturing the captain will only make them more vigilant.”

"Then how can we find out what they are plotting?"

Azu smiled slightly: "Instead of messing with the captain who isn't crucial, it's better to deal with the more crucial person!"

Upon hearing what Azu said, Victoria and Monica's eyes lit up simultaneously: "You mean...!"

“That’s right, Lieutenant Colonel Walton!”
-
That evening, the delegation from the Southwest Command of the United States Army, led by Lieutenant Colonel Walton, intelligence officer, was warmly received by Azu.

In the most luxurious presidential suite on the top floor of the Rosewood Hotel, Lieutenant Colonel Walton and his entourage enjoyed the most extravagant feast of their lives!
It combines the finest French and Chinese cuisine in California, featuring a total of thirty-six world-class delicacies.

Pair it with the finest McLellan vintage whisky and Margaux vintage red wine!

Add to that the pure gold tableware and the impeccable service from the stunningly dressed, all-around beautiful waitresses…!
This meal truly opened the eyes of the five officers in the delegation, letting them experience what true extravagance was!
Azu, along with San Francisco Mayor Vic, State Senator Edgar Allan Poe, San Francisco Police Chief Jason, as well as Parker Parker, Harley, and others, were almost all present to accompany him, showing him great respect.

Not only that, Azu also specially selected four super alcoholics with extremely high alcohol tolerance to make the four officers other than Walton drink.

With such a grand display, before all thirty-six top-quality dishes had even been served, the other four officers were already so drunk they were limp and unconscious.

Under Azu's deliberate care, Lieutenant Colonel Walton, though somewhat drunk, managed to maintain a basic level of sobriety.

"Carry the four officers away to rest, and arrange for the best girls to take good care of them!"

After Azu spoke out, the other four officers were carried out of the presidential suite.

At this point, the others had also completed their tasks and tactfully left the room.

In the vast presidential suite, only Azu, Vic, Edgar Allan Poe, Jason, and Lieutenant Colonel Wharton, his face flushed and intoxicated, remained.

At that moment, a tall and beautiful figure walked out of one of the living rooms in the presidential suite.

"Da da da……!"

This beautiful figure, swaying gracefully in her high heels, slowly approached Lieutenant Colonel Wharton.

"Long time no see, my dear Lieutenant Colonel!"

Lieutenant Colonel Walton looked up and saw a very familiar face!

"Miss Adele...!"

Even though he was seven or eight parts drunk, Lieutenant Colonel Walton was taken aback and suddenly stood up: "Miss Adele, what are you doing here?"

(End of this chapter)