North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 137 This is even more dangerous!
In contrast to the gloomy and desolate atmosphere of the American military camp, the entire Model Village was filled with a joyful and excited atmosphere.

In the large prefabricated house in the center of the village, Zuo Zongtang, Shi Dakai, You Ma, along with a group of village chiefs and militia company commanders, sat around the fire pit.

It was already late autumn, and the chill of the night was dispelled by the firelight in the hearth, making everyone's hearts burn even hotter.

Youma spoke up, "Mr. Zuo, why don't we send our female cavalry unit out to attack? If we were to pursue those retreating white troops, we could certainly kill even more enemies."

Zuo Zongtang rubbed his hands together in front of the blazing flames and said, "According to Zu Nian's plan, now is not the time to completely break ties with the United States."

"If we really break ties with the United States completely, with our current strength, we are no match for the entire United States!"

"Therefore, all we need to do is defeat them and teach them a painful lesson."

“If we pursue them, even if we are in the right, we will definitely anger the United States and give them a reason to start a full-scale war.”

Shi Dakai said, "I thought this American army would be very strong, but after fighting them today, I realized they are all paper tigers."

"With just 3,000 people from our model village, we repelled the white army, which had a numerical advantage. If we had known they were so vulnerable, our 8,000-plus people could have easily surrounded and annihilated them."

Zuo Zongtang said, "What we rely on now is the sharpness of our guns and cannons, not that our militia is stronger than theirs."

"If the enemy also had these guns and cannons, we would still be no match for the regular American army."

Zuo Zongtang calmly analyzed, "Therefore, although we have won today, we must not be arrogant or underestimate our opponents...!"

"Clap clap clap... Well said!"

Suddenly, applause erupted from outside the door.

Accompanied by the sound, a familiar figure pushed open the door and entered.

"Azu... Boss...!"

The one who pushed open the door was none other than Azu himself!

"Azu, what brings you here?"

Overjoyed, Youma rushed over and threw himself into Azu's warm embrace.

With one arm around Youma's slender waist and the other patting her back, Azu said, "How could I not come in the face of such a formidable enemy?"

"Too bad, I thought they could hold out for a few rounds, but... hehe!"

Azu had calculated the combat strength of both sides. According to his original expectations, his model village could fight the American regular army to a standstill.

So he timed it perfectly and arrived that night with an entire regiment of militia.

Who could have predicted that the regular American army would be so easily defeated, unable to even defeat its own model village?

"Boss, haha, you're too late, you missed the big event!"

Shi Dakai hugged Azu and smiled broadly.

Zuo Zongtang also stepped forward and bowed to Azu: "Zunian, did you calculate that we couldn't defeat the American regular army, so you came at this time?"

"Hehe...!" Azu pulled Youma's hand and sat down at the table: "Indeed, my judgment was wrong! Perhaps it was because your command was too effective, and the militia and the villagers of Model Village were too strong in combat...!"

"It's such a pity I missed today's grand event!" Azu said with emotion, stroking Youma's little hand, which he hadn't seen in a long time.

Zuo Zongtang said, "It's not that our command was too good. Brother Shi and I are both new to the battlefield. We were just lucky not to make any major mistakes."

"The fighting capacity of the militia and villagers, well, to be honest, is quite different from that of the regular American army."

"The reason we won so easily was entirely due to the effectiveness of our guns and cannons."

Azu nodded: "Yes! Right now, Huamei Industry relies entirely on its superior firepower. Perhaps one day, the gap in firepower will narrow, or even be eliminated. Will we still be able to win so easily then?"

"Now, the American army should already know about our machine guns and mortars. Next time, when they are prepared, it may not be so easy for them."

After he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, finding it to be very reasonable.

Zuo Zongtang continued, "Zunian, what should we do next? The American military camp is only a dozen miles away. Whether to fight or make peace is a decision you need to make."

“No!” Azu replied, “It is not up to me to decide, but rather to see whether our Brigadier General wants to fight or make peace!”

"If you want to fight, we're ready to fight to the bitter end!"

"If you want to, we can have a good talk with them."

As they were talking, a militiaman came to report.

"Boss, people have come from outside the village, carrying white flags, and they want to negotiate with us."

Azu replied, “Tell them to lay down all their weapons and bring them in.”

"Okay, boss!"

Moments later, the disarmed Chief of Staff Walton, Major Campbell, and two other guards, escorted by a group of militiamen, entered the prefab house.

"Lieutenant Colonel Wharton... Oh? Now you're Colonel Wharton? Congratulations!"

Azu stood up, smiled, and shook hands with Walton.

Walton sat down opposite Azu without saying a word, his face grim.

The two sides, separated by a blazing fire, were on the verge of exploding with tension!

"Mr. Li, you've gone too far this time!"

Chief of Staff Walton said coldly, "This has caused thousands of casualties to our United States Army, which is absolutely unacceptable to the United States!"

Last time at Elephant Mountain, hundreds of people were injured or killed, but they could still use the excuse of Native Americans to cover it up.

The casualties of over a thousand people are simply too great to be contained by anyone.

Azu calmly said, "Colonel Walton, don't forget, it was you who attacked my Model Village first!"

"The surrounding area, spanning tens of miles and millions of acres, is all the private property of our Huamei Industrial."

"It's one thing for the U.S. Army to trespass without permission, but to even dare to attack my Model Village is simply outrageous!"

"Bang!" Azu slapped his thigh hard: "You used the pretext of searching for criminals to launch a major attack on Model Village. If I really have any criminals here, please produce the evidence!"

"If I can't produce any evidence, even if this case goes all the way to Washington, even if it goes to Congress and the Supreme Court, I'm guaranteed to win!"

"Moreover, what right does your U.S. Army have to enforce the law in California? Who gave you the authority and the audacity?"

"This is utterly audacious! How can I face the many villagers who have died or been injured if I don't put you all in a military court?"

"This...!" Chief of Staff Wharton's forehead was covered in sweat: "Mr. Li, the current situation is a fait accompli, and no one can reverse or change it. Let's discuss how to resolve this matter!"

While Azu was negotiating with Colonel Walton, Shi Dakai, who was standing to the side, kept his eyes fixed on the right hand of a corporal opposite him.

The corporal's eyes, however, were shifting, glancing at Azu one moment, then at Shi Dakai the next, and then at Youma the next...!
Azu's voice continued, "Colonel, in your opinion, how should this be resolved?"

"Ahem!" Chief of Staff Walton coughed twice and said, "We need powerful firearms that can fire continuously, as well as long-range indirect fire cannons... Of course, we will still procure them through formal channels!"

"If you give us these advanced guns and cannons, we can still handle today's matter discreetly in exchange for peace between us."

"Heh!" Azu sneered, "You attacked my model village without any reason, yet you suffered a defeat, and now you expect me to bring out guns and cannons to apologize to you?"

“It’s not about apologizing!” Chief of Staff Walton said, “Mr. Lee, you make a lot of money by selling arms, and we get more advanced firearms. In this way, both of us can make a good deal, right?”

"We sell you advanced guns and cannons, and then you use those guns and cannons to attack Huamei Industrial?"

"Clap clap clap!" Azu clapped his hands and said, "You guys really have a good plan!"

Chief of Staff Walton said, embarrassed, "Absolutely not! After these two misunderstandings at Elephant Mountain and Model Village, I think there will be no more conflicts between us!"

Azu took a letter from his pocket and waved it in the air: "Colonel, you should remember this handwritten letter from Brigadier General George Phillips, right?"

"At Mount Elephant, the Brigadier General personally pledged that there would be no hostile actions against us for a year."

"Now, less than a year later, the Brigadier General is leading an even more powerful army to attack us. Is there any integrity left in your promises?"

"This...!" Chief of Staff Walton's forehead was covered in sweat, feeling both ashamed and embarrassed.

"If you want my advanced weaponry, fine, have Brigadier General George Phillips come and talk to me in person!"

"Rest assured, I will ensure his safety and will absolutely not take his life." "As for you, Colonel, I have nothing to discuss with you. Please leave!"

Ah Zu waved goodbye to the guests.

Chief of Staff Walton gave Azu a deep look, then, without saying anything more, got up to leave with his men.

"etc……!"

Shi Dakai, who was beside him, suddenly spoke up: "Who are you? During the negotiations during the day, was it you who suddenly made a move?"

Shi Dakai stared intently at the corporal, one hand gripping the handle of his pistol at his waist, the other already clutching a small knife.

The corporal turned around, smiled slightly at Shi Dakai, and suddenly flicked his hand at Azu...!
"Boss, watch out...!"

Shi Dakai moved swiftly. Seeing that the corporal was about to raise his shoulder again, he pushed Azu away without thinking.

"puff……!"

A black, poisonous needle shot out like lightning, striking the bench where Ah Zu had just been sitting.

"You coward, how dare you!"

Enraged, Shi Dakai flicked his wrist and shot out the small knife he was holding in his left hand.

"Hahaha……!"

Amidst the laughter, the corporal twisted his body in an incredible movement, dodging Shi Dakai's knife.

With a spring of his legs, he crashed through the wall of the prefab house with a loud "bang!" and disappeared in a flash.

Following his movements, Shi Dakai chased after him through the hole in the wall.

“Colonel Walton…!” Having narrowly escaped assassination, Azu, who had just stood up, roared furiously, “Colonel Walton, how do you explain this?”

"I... this...!" Walton was drenched in sweat. "I'm sorry, Mr. Li, I don't know either... The guards were all assigned to me by Brigadier General George... I really don't know...!"

"Hmph...!" Azu pointed at Walton: "Men, detain him! Make that damn brigadier general come and take him away in person!"

Several burly militiamen, without saying a word, roughly pinned Colonel Walton down and tied him up tightly.

Azu then yelled at Major Campbell, "Why aren't you getting out of here? Have your general come and take them away in person, or else...!"

Azu drew his revolver from his waist and pressed it against Colonel Walton's forehead.

"Okay...okay, Mr. Li, we'll go back and report to the general right away!"

Campbell, leading the only guard, fled Model Village at top speed.

"You all get out. I need to have a serious talk with this colonel...!"

After everyone left the prefab house, only Azu and Walton remained in the room.

Only then did Azu, filled with apology, personally step forward to untie Colonel Walton's ropes: "I'm sorry, Colonel Walton, this charade had to be performed, otherwise...!"

"Don't untie the ropes...!" Walton said in a deep voice, "Keep them tied up like this, otherwise the bruises will be different due to inconsistent binding time!"

"No wonder he comes from an intelligence background, he's really professional!"

Ah Zu sighed, then asked, "Who was that guy just now?"

Walton replied, "I don't know either. The only thing I'm sure of is that he's a Freemason!"

"The Freemasons actually have such a master?"

Wharton added, "Never underestimate the Freemasons' resources! It's not surprising that this mysterious organization could cultivate such experts."

"Was this guy sent by Brigadier General George to assassinate me?" Azu asked again.

Walton thought for a moment and nodded, "Very likely! But it's also possible that their identities were exposed, forcing them to fight to the death!"

Ah Zu sighed, "Being targeted by such a master is truly unsettling; you have to be on edge at all times."

"Mr. Li, you've been targeted by Freemason assassins. Be extremely careful, as they may approach you disguised as anyone!"

Walton added, "And your arsenal and penicillin's core secrets, if targeted by a guy like that, it will be very difficult to keep any secrets."

Azu nodded solemnly: "And what about you, Colonel? Wouldn't that be even more dangerous?"

“Indeed!” Walton replied. “So from today onwards, I will temporarily suspend all operations until this dangerous fellow is eliminated. I hope Mr. Li can understand!”

Azu said, "Of course, this is the safest way."

Walton continued, "Regarding today's operation, based on all the intelligence analysis, I feel that the Freemasons may have deliberately wanted to cause a large number of casualties...!"

"Whether it's the heavy casualties on your side, Mr. Li, or the heavy casualties of the U.S. Army, it will push both sides into an irreversible vortex of war!"

"In particular, the heavy casualties of the U.S. Army will surely arouse the anger of the Department of War, Congress, and even the President. With the Freemasons' covert push, the United States is very likely to launch a full-scale war against China American Industries."

Walton said, "Once war breaks out, no matter how advanced Huamei Industrial's weapons are, they will not be able to withstand the massacre by a large number of American troops."

"Therefore, Mr. Li, please be sure to remain calm and absolutely do not give Brigadier General George and the Freemasons a reason to start a full-scale war."

Azu pondered, "Indeed, I had a vague feeling about it too, but after all, the information from all sides was insufficient. Now that you've said it, Colonel, I understand completely."

Azu said in a deep voice, "Now that more than a thousand American soldiers have been killed or wounded, I think that has given the Freemasons enough excuse."

“Yes!” Walton nodded. “I didn’t expect your firepower to be so strong. In less than an hour of fighting, you were able to cause such heavy casualties.”

"If it weren't for that final barrage of artillery fire that shattered our assembling formation, the final assault would have caused even greater casualties."

"Fortunately, the death toll has not exceeded a thousand, so there may still be room for redemption."

Hearing Wharton say this, Azu asked curiously, "Colonel, is there any other way to salvage the situation?"

"Today's inexplicable conflict has aroused strong dissatisfaction among many officers."

Walton said, "When I get back, I will secretly encourage them to file a court-martial against Brigadier General George and bring the whole truth to light."

"In this way, they will not have a pretext to start a war."

“A military court?” Azu thought for a moment. “Perhaps that’s not enough! Colonel, do you remember? I said I have friends in Washington too.”

"Perhaps, through my friends in the East, the truth of this matter can be fully revealed to the public!"

Wharton said urgently, "Mr. Li, you need to hurry!"

"Brigadier General George has already dispatched communications personnel to report these battle reports to the War Department with exaggerated details."

"If Brigadier General George's message is delivered much faster than yours, by the time public opinion and the emotions of lawmakers are manipulated, it will be too late!"

Azu nodded, and without saying a word, picked up a pen and paper, wrote a short message, rolled it up in a metal tube, and left the room.

Soon, a snow-white carrier pigeon, carrying this extremely important message, took flight and flew towards San Francisco.

Back in his room, Azu asked, "Colonel, if I detain you, will that general come to talk to me in person?"

Walton thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I guess he won't come, or rather, he won't dare to come!"

"If it weren't for the assassin incident, the brigadier general might have come in person."

"But since he's already sent assassins, how dare he come to see you?"

Ah Zu nodded in agreement: "Then how should I let you go back?"

"I can sneak away when you're not looking...!"

“No!” Azu shook his head and said, “That would be too obvious, and it would definitely make people suspicious of you…!”

"Gotcha! Gotcha!..."

Just then, deafening cheers erupted outside the room.

Upon hearing this sound, Azu pushed open the door and walked out of the room.

Illuminated by countless torches, Shi Dakai, carrying a man whose fate was unknown in one hand, strode forward with steady steps.

(End of this chapter)