North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 165 Death Returns
After Azu's earnest persuasion, Elder Bearskin, Chief Stone, and others finally nodded in agreement.

Although he did not directly agree to build a school for the Blackfoot tribe, he was able to persuade them to send some of their children to the Model Village Primary School, which already met Azu's expectations.

According to Azu's thinking, even now, the relationship between Native Americans and Chinese is generally harmonious, with no enmity or conflict of interest between them.

However, with the rapid expansion of the population on both sides, and given the limited overall resources, including land, the two sides will inevitably clash sooner or later over the competition for survival resources.

This is an inevitable trend in historical development; it is almost unavoidable and irreconcilable.

Almost all conflicts between individuals, groups, nations, and races can ultimately be traced back to the struggle for limited resources.

The Central Valley and California today are large enough to accommodate less than 100,000 Chinese and over 100,000 Native Americans.

But what if, in the future, the population of both sides expands to hundreds of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions?
Ultimately, it's only a matter of time before conflicts arise!

Therefore, Azu needs to start as soon as possible to eradicate the root cause of the conflict.

Since resources are generally limited, let's start from another direction: break down all barriers between the two races and unite them into one.

Allowing Native American children to attend their schools was the first step in uniting the two races.

Undoubtedly, this is a long and complex process.

Azu isn't entirely sure how well the two races can eventually merge.

All we can say is, we'll take it one step at a time.

In the model village, Azu led his group on a leisurely stroll and indeed saw that among the Chinese were quite a few Native American women.

Moreover, many Native American women were happily pregnant.

Looking at these heavily pregnant Native American women, Yuma said with a hint of envy, "How come they can get pregnant with Chinese children so easily? Why can't we...!"

At this point, Youma looked down at his belly, then turned to look at Victoria beside him.

Victoria did the same, looking at her own belly and then at Youma's belly.

Then, the two women both turned their resentful gazes to Azu.

Ah Zu felt a chill run down his spine under the gazes of the two women.

"Hey...you two, why are you looking at me like that...?"

Feeling guilty, Ah Zu lowered her voice and asked, "You guys don't think there's something wrong with me for not getting pregnant, do you?"

"Otherwise what...?"

Victoria and Yuma exclaimed in unison, "Why haven't any of us sisters gotten pregnant...?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible...!"

Ah Zu denied it outright, but deep down he was starting to have doubts.

Could it be that I really have infertility issues?

"Ahem...!"

Following behind Azu, Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but cough twice and said in a low voice, "Zunian, with your current status and position, the issue of having offspring is of great importance."

"Not only for you, but also for China United Industries and for the whole of California, your issue of having children is a big problem."

"Don't avoid seeking medical help; it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible!"

"Uh……!"

Ah Zu grinned at Zuo Zongtang: "Mr. Zuo, do you also think...!"

Zuo Zongtang nodded: "Whether there's a problem or not, it's always good to see a doctor."

"Hmm...that works too!"

Ah Zu did feel a little guilty after what they said.

Upon returning to San Francisco, Ancestral sought out Dr. Parker.

After explaining his purpose, Parker Parker took the matter very seriously and personally conducted a thorough examination of Azu.

Especially after examining Azu's tadpoles under a microscope, Parker Parker finally provided the answer.

“Azu, judging from the quality and quantity of your tadpoles, there is no problem.”

"The truth is quite the opposite; your tadpoles are quite strong."

Hearing this answer, Azu finally breathed a long sigh of relief, but then immediately asked, "Then why haven't Vivian and the others shown any signs of pregnancy yet?"

Parker Parker thought for a moment and replied, "It should just be a matter of probability!"

"Don't worry, you are both very young, and you will have your own children sooner or later."

Only then was Azu completely relieved.

Back in his office, Ah Zu thought and thought, feeling like he had forgotten something.

His gaze suddenly fell on the gold-embossed invitation in the corner of the table, and only then did Ah Zu realize what he had forgotten.

I took the invitation, opened it, and saw that it was Susan O'Hara's birthday yesterday.

What a pity I missed the chance to meet the beauty!
In March 1851, after a long journey of more than a month, Zou Boqi led more than thirty talented young men to New Haven, Connecticut.

Standing outside the solemn and magnificent gates of Yale University, Zou Boqi and his group felt even more anticipation and longing for their upcoming college life.

Just as a group of students were standing at the school gate, excitedly marveling at the scene, a tall, thin young Chinese man in a sharp suit strode towards them.

Upon approaching, the young Chinese man enthusiastically introduced himself in Cantonese: "I am Yung Wing, from Xiangshan, Guangdong, and also a student at Yale. You must be the juniors who just arrived from California, right?"

"Rong Hong...? A Chinese...? A Yale student...?"

Zou Boqi exclaimed in surprise, "Yale already has Chinese students?"

Yung Wing nodded and smiled, “Yes! I was Yale’s first Chinese student. There were originally two others, Huang Kuan and Huang Sheng, but one went to the University of Edinburgh to study medicine, and the other returned to China early due to acclimatization problems.”

"Before you arrived, I was the first and only Chinese student."

"After you arrive, I will no longer be alone!"

The young Yung Wing was very happy to see this large group of junior students arrive. He enthusiastically helped them carry their luggage, personally led them to the school's academic affairs office to register, and finally personally guided them to their respective student dormitories.

After the more than 30 Chinese students had settled in, Yung Wing wanted to extend his senior's courtesy by treating these junior students who had traveled thousands of miles to a meal.

After a satisfying meal, when Rong Hong went to pay the bill, he discovered that Zou Boqi had already paid.

"Junior Brother Birch, how dare you try to pay my bill?"

Among these newly arrived students, Zou Boqi was the oldest and most academically accomplished, so everything revolved around him.

Even if it were Rong Hong, Zou Boqi was much older than him.

“Senior Yung Wing, don’t worry about such trivial matters! Although we are new here, we are still earning a generous salary at Huamei Industrial. We are financially a little better off than you.”

Upon hearing Zou Boqi mention Huamei Industrial, Rong Hong's interest was immediately piqued.

"Burch, tell me quickly, what kind of company is Huamei Industrial?"

"And that young Chinese governor, whose name is known to almost everyone in the United States, what kind of person is he?"

After pondering for a moment, Zou Boqi replied, "He is an extraordinary person; in him lies the hope for the rejuvenation of China...!"

"It embodies the hope for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation...!"

Yung Wing was shocked by this short sentence: "If what Birch said is true, I really want to see that governor in person!"

“There will be a chance!” Zou Boqi said in a deep voice, “Once we have completed our studies, we will naturally have the opportunity to see him in person.”
-
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, the "Ohara Cotton Trading Company".

It was another Sunday afternoon, and Sean appeared once again in the study on the second floor of the business.

Besides him, the O'Hara siblings and Klaus were also present.

“Master, I’m very sorry, I waited at Huamei High School for a whole month, but that Chinese guy never showed up.”

Sean said in a deep voice, "Perhaps it was Nicholson's previous assassination attempt on him that made him so cautious about his travel arrangements now."

"Whether to continue waiting for the right opportunity or return to the Angel Island Armory, I need your instructions, Master!"

Tony O'Hara pondered for a moment: "Sean, you're right! Because of Nicholson's two failed assassination attempts, that Chinese guy has become extremely cautious and rarely appears in public."

"Continuing to wait is pointless!" "Find a way to get back to the Angel Island arsenal, get the secrets of those advanced weapons, and then destroy their naval gun factory."

Sean nodded: "I understand, Master!"

Tony O'Hara then turned his gaze to his sister: "Susan, for the same reason, that Chinaman didn't show up at your birthday party yesterday either."

Susan O'Hara sighed wistfully, "Does that man really have no interest in me at all?"

For the first time, Susan experienced serious self-doubt regarding her own feminine charm.

"Beep beep beep...!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the small building.

The sudden knocking on the door immediately alerted the four people in the study, who got up almost simultaneously.

Sean and Crown, as if by reflex, reached for the weapons hidden on their bodies.

"Don't panic...!"

Tony walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and peered towards the main entrance on the first floor.

At the main gate, a carriage with the standard "Golden Tiger" paint scheme of Huamei Company was parked, and an employee dressed in Huamei Company's standard uniform was standing outside the gate.

“People from Huamei Company…!” Tony lowered the curtains and said in a deep voice, “Susan, go open the door…!”

"Okay, my dear brother."

Susan O'Hara moved gracefully downstairs and opened the door.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Susan O'Hara?"

The beautiful employee outside the door asked very politely.

Susan smiled slightly: "Yes! I am Susan O'Hara!"

The beautiful employee handed over a beautifully wrapped gift box with both hands: "Miss Susan, the governor had urgent business to attend to yesterday and therefore missed your birthday party."

"The governor expressed his sincere apologies and sent a small gift, firstly to express his regret, and secondly to wish Miss Susan continued youth and beauty!"

"Oh...?" Upon hearing this, Susan O'Hara immediately giggled, "Is this really a birthday present from the Governor?"

“Yes!” The Huamei employee nodded. “This was a birthday gift that the Governor personally selected for Miss Susan a long time ago, but he was busy yesterday and missed the special occasion. We hope Miss Susan can accept the Governor’s apology!”

"Was this really a gift he picked out for me himself?"

Overjoyed, Susan O'Hara accepted the heavy, exquisite gift box with both hands, her face beaming with delight.

"Of course!"

Susan smiled sweetly and said, "Please tell the Governor that I really love his birthday gift! I hope I'll have the opportunity to thank him in person!"

The Huamei employee nodded: "I will pass on Miss Susan's words to the Governor! Goodbye!"

After the Huamei employees left in their carriages, Susan O'Hara happily closed the door and began unpacking the exquisite gift boxes in the first-floor living room.

Upon opening the gift box, Susan was greeted by an exquisitely beautiful diamond necklace!

The diamond necklace, radiating dazzling brilliance, is clearly very valuable.

Overjoyed, Susan immediately put the diamond necklace on her long, slender, white neck.

Then, she stood in front of the huge floor-length mirror, turning around to admire herself, her beauty accentuated by the diamond necklace.

"Tsk tsk...!"

Tony appeared just in time behind Susan: "Women, huh, so they're all so easily bought off!"

Susan chuckled sweetly, seemingly unconcerned, "My dear brother, isn't the birthday present the governor gave me beautiful?"

Tony's gaze fell on the beauty in the mirror, and he said truthfully, "Jewelry of such high value is certainly beautiful!"

"Hehe!" Susan chuckled. "I didn't expect the governor to have such refined taste!"

"Tsk tsk tsk!" Tony scoffed. "You think you can bribe my dear sister with just a necklace?"

"Before, she called him that damn Chinaman, but now she calls him 'Mr. Governor'! Tsk tsk, women's hearts are truly fickle!"

Susan O'Hara turned around, scrutinized Tony O'Hara, and laughed, "My dear brother, are you jealous of the governor again?"

"snort……!"

Although Tony O'Hara was reluctant to admit it, he did feel a pang of sadness and an indescribable unease.

"My dear sister, don't worry about such nonsense!"

Tony said, "It seems that the Chinese guy isn't uninterested in you. Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot."

"If he won't come out, then you should just go and offer yourself up!"

"Deliver yourself to their doorstep?" Susan frowned slightly, her face darkening. "My dear brother, if you're going to make a move on Huamei Company's territory, you and I should both understand that even if I manage to succeed by chance, there's absolutely no chance of me escaping safely."

“My dear brother, although I also hope to get rid of the governor as soon as possible, my own life is more important.”

"I don't want to be buried with the governor!"

Tony shook his head slightly: "If you're offered up, you can play it by ear! If you can't get away safely, you can hold off and wait for the right opportunity."

"My dear sister, how could I bear to let you die with that Chinaman?"

As he spoke, Tony reached out and tightly embraced his sister's slender, smooth waist.

This time, however, Susan O'Hara broke free from Tony's hands, turned around, and headed towards her room: "I'm going to personally thank the governor tomorrow!"

"Therefore, I need to stay in top condition, my dear brother, do you understand?"

Watching Susan O'Hara's graceful figure gradually disappear, Tony, who had failed to succeed tonight, couldn't help but clench his fists.

Tony O'Hara hissed in a voice only he could hear, "You damn bitch, if it weren't for the guy behind you... humph!"

Sean and Klaus emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room.

"Master, the next task...!"

Tony turned around, thought for a moment, and then said, "I just received a message from the organization that the selection of the commander of the Pacific Fleet has been finalized."

"Commodore Andrew Webb of the Africa Squadron is about to be transferred to command of the Pacific Squadron."

“Andrew Webber, although he is also one of our men, is more of a moderate.”

"Klaus, I need you to go to San Diego to assist the incoming General Weber in putting our plan into action."

The short, stocky Klaus remained silent, only nodding sullenly.

Tony continued, "I was watching from afar the coast guard fortress under construction on the Strait of St. Francis."

"In less than three months, the fortress has taken shape. Once equipped with artillery, it will be able to block the narrow strait, which is only three or four kilometers wide."

Tony then stared at Sean and said, "According to previous intelligence, the naval gun factory has probably been completed and put into operation. If the coast guard fortress is equipped with large-caliber cannons produced by Huamei Company...!"

"Even if General Weber takes office, relying solely on the Pacific Fleet will not be able to penetrate the Bay Area and threaten the foundation of the Huamei Company."

"Therefore, Sean, the operation to sabotage the naval gun factory is becoming increasingly important! Even if we can't get the secrets of the weapons for the time being, we must ensure that we can destroy the naval gun factory, delay the time it takes for them to build the fortress, and the time it takes for the coast guard to be formed."

Sean nodded calmly: "I understand, Master!"

"I will find a way back to the Angel Island Armory tonight!"

"Master, await my good news!"

"I believe that in just a few days, you will witness the spectacular mushroom cloud rising over Angel Island!"

"Heh!" Tony O'Hara patted Sean's broad shoulder with satisfaction: "The Hidden Knights of the Solomon Temple have never let the organization down... except for that Nicholson guy!"
-
As night gradually enveloped San Francisco, a limping man, dressed in tattered clothes and reeking of fish, stepped off a dilapidated fishing boat that had just docked at Clarke Pier.

"Hey, deaf man, are you really going to leave my fishing boat?"

The captain of the dilapidated fishing boat shouted at the limping man's back, "Deaf man, once you leave my fishing boat, you'll probably never find a job again and will starve to death...!"

No matter how hard he shouted, the lame man couldn't hear him!

His exceptionally desolate figure walked further and further into the night, soon disappearing into the darkness...!
(End of this chapter)