North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 179 Dying on California Soil!
Time quickly passed to the end of April 1851.

A strange stalemate has broken out between the Pacific Squadron, commanded by Commodore Andrew Webber, and the California Squadron, led by Azu.

The Pacific Fleet was unable to penetrate the bay area or obtain support from the Army, and was therefore unable to land on the California coast.

The only thing that can be done is to continue blocking the California coast and prohibit ships, cargo and personnel associated with Huamei Company from passing through.

Although it did not deal a devastating blow to the Huamei Company's foundation, the blockade, which lasted for more than a month, greatly affected the Huamei Company and even the maritime trade of the entire California.

Thanks to Ah Zu's advance arrangements, all merchant ships that could return to port did so as early as possible.

However, merchant ships and immigrant ships returning from the Far East routes during this period were not so lucky!
In the past month or so, more than 30 merchant ships and immigrant ships returning from the Far East have been intercepted by the Pacific Fleet.

These merchant and immigrant ships, escorted by the Pacific Fleet, had to be diverted to the San Diego naval base.

The number of merchant and immigrant ships detained at the San Diego naval base is increasing.

The total amount of cargo seized from these merchant ships exceeded 20,000 tons.

But the even larger number of them are laborers from China!
In just over a month, nearly 20,000 Chinese laborers were detained at the San Diego naval base.

These 20,000 Chinese laborers were ordered not to disembark under any circumstances.

The San Diego naval base didn't even provide any food for the 20,000 Chinese laborers.

Apart from a small amount of fresh water, the naval port did not provide the laborers and crew members on these ships with any necessities for survival.

Fortunately, the most common cargo on merchant ships was grain.

Although no one will starve to death, if you get sick on the ship, you won't receive effective medical treatment.

The Chinese laborers, who had already been adrift at sea for two or three months and were in very weak condition, were now still stuck in the crowded and cramped cabins, and more and more of them were starting to fall ill.

Sick laborers were left without medical treatment, and more and more people died one after another from the torment of illness.

In just over a month, hundreds of the 20,000 Chinese laborers who had been detained had died from disease.

More people are getting sick, and if they don't receive effective treatment, more and more people will die!
Moreover, every day more and more ships, people and cargo are being detained in the San Diego naval port.

If this situation continues, the consequences will be unimaginable.

On this day, Archbishop Evan, who personally led the church's medical team by land to the San Diego naval base, finally arrived at his destination.

However, they were barred from entering the San Diego naval base.

“I’m sorry, Archbishop Evan, but our Pacific Fleet is now practically at war.”

"Therefore, our naval base is under complete lockdown, and no one is allowed to enter or leave at will."

Chief of Staff Curry, who remained at the naval base, had also only recently taken office.

He stated in an unquestionable tone that he directly rejected Archbishop Even's request to lead a church medical team into the naval base to treat the detained Chinese laborers and sailors.

“We cannot allow you into the naval base without General Andrew Webber’s orders!”

As he spoke, Chief of Staff Curry scanned each member of the church medical team with a scrutinizing gaze: "Archbishop Evan, you must understand that we are at war! What if enemy spies and saboteurs infiltrate your church medical team...!"

“Colonel Curry…!” Archbishop Evan said in a stern voice, “Those Chinese laborers who have traveled across the ocean have done nothing wrong, yet you have detained them without any reason.”

"They are just civilians, traveling legally and legitimately to California. What reason do you have to detain them?"

"It's one thing to detain these laborers, but you don't even care about the most basic humanitarian principles and don't provide the most basic medical care to those sick laborers."

"As far as I know, among those 20,000 laborers, 3,000 to 4,000 are sick. And as many as 400 to 500 have died from illness!"

"If this continues, your Pacific Fleet will cause a serious humanitarian disaster!"

"If this situation continues and a large-scale epidemic develops, it will cause an irreparable international incident. Not only your Pacific Fleet, but the entire United States will be disgraced because of your actions!"

Archbishop Evan continued in an authoritative voice, "Colonel Curry, you need to understand, I'm not begging you, I'm salvaging the reputation of the Pacific Fleet and the entire United States!"

"This...!" Colonel Curry, who had only recently taken office, broke out in a cold sweat.

Archbishop Evan continued, "This incident will eventually come to an end! Regardless of the final outcome, when the reckoning begins... Colonel Curry, are you sure you won't be held responsible?"

"I...!" Colonel Curry couldn't help but take off his military cap and wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Archbishop Evan added, “I assure you that my church’s medical team consists entirely of my Lord’s faithful servants, and there is no possibility of any spies or saboteurs infiltrating them.”

"If you are not at ease, our church medical team will be stationed outside the naval base."

“Send out your sick laborers and crew so we can treat them.”

"Now, Colonel Curry, you shouldn't have any concerns or difficulties, right?"

Colonel Curry hesitated slightly, but finally nodded: "Archbishop Evan, I think this is a reasonable solution!"

“Very good!” Archbishop Evan crossed himself. “In the name of the Lord, it is settled!”

Soon, the church medical team led by Archbishop Evan set up a large tent area on the outskirts of the naval base.

As agreed, Chief of Staff Curry gradually delivered a large number of patients to the medical team.

Meanwhile, Vice President Abraham Lincoln, aboard the HMS Dutchman, had just entered California waters.

Under the protection of a group of elite California security personnel and more than a dozen members of the Presidential Guard, Vice President Lincoln appeared in the bridge of the "Frenchman" passenger ship.

“Captain…!” Vice President Lincoln greeted the captain of the Dutchman.

"Your Excellency, Mr. Vice President...!"

Upon seeing that it was such a prominent figure as Lincoln, the captain quickly stood up and respectfully removed his captain's hat: "Mr. Vice President, what are your orders?"

Lincoln nodded to him: "Captain, I would like you to dock at the San Diego Naval Base for the time being. I need to disembark there!"

"This...!" The captain hesitated slightly. This was a civilian mail ship, and San Diego Naval Base was not a suitable port to stop at on the route.

"Is there a problem?" Lincoln pressed.

"No problem, we'll head to the San Diego naval base immediately!"

After saying that, the captain immediately instructed the helmsman to turn right and gradually approach the San Diego naval port, which is only ten kilometers from the Canada-Mexico border.

"Mr. Vice President...!"

Zhou Hongwen, the captain of this elite California security team, couldn't help but whisper in Lincoln's ear, "The situation of the Pacific Fleet is unclear right now. Wouldn't it be too risky for us to head to the San Diego naval base rashly?"

With a resolute gaze, Vice President Lincoln looked toward the California coast ahead and replied in a deep voice, "The Pacific Squadron, the Pacific Squadron of the United States!"

"It is not the fleet of any organization, much less any individual!"

"I do not believe that our American fleet would be detrimental to the Vice President of the United States!"

Zhou Hongwen's gaze swept across the faces of each of the dozen or so presidential guards, and he continued in a low voice, "Mr. Vice President, in the past twenty days or so, I believe you have also noticed the abnormalities of certain individuals within the presidential guard."

"If we hadn't been guarding them 24/7, they might have found an opportunity to make a move."

"If the Presidential Guard is like this, what kind of actions will the Pacific Fleet, which is controlled by that organization, take...?"

"Mr. Vice President, safety comes first. Your identity cannot be risked in any way...!"

"Therefore, I suggest that you dock at the nearest civilian port and travel directly to San Francisco by land!"

Lincoln's gaze remained resolute. After a moment's thought, he slowly shook his head: "I still firmly believe that the Pacific Squadron is the fleet of the United States!"

"I am the Vice President of the United States and the President's Plenipotentiary Envoy!"

"If, under these circumstances, our own fleet still acts against us, then they are committing open rebellion and treason!!" Lincoln's voice remained calm and powerful: "To resolve this California incident as quickly as possible, I must take control of the Pacific Squadron as soon as possible."

"Therefore, I have no choice but to go to San Diego immediately!"

Having said all that, what more could Zhou Hongwen say?

"Alright, Mr. Vice President, wherever you go, we will protect your safety with our lives!"

"Thank you, Zhou!" Lincoln patted Zhou Hongwen on the shoulder heavily. "You've had a long journey too!"

"Once this incident is resolved, I will personally award you medals!"
-
When the Dutchman sailed to the outskirts of the naval port, armed small boats immediately came to meet it.

After Lincoln personally stepped forward and revealed his identity, the HMS Dutchman, guided by a small boat, finally slowly docked at the naval port.

Upon receiving the news, Chief of Staff Curry was immediately alarmed to hear that the Vice President was coming in person. He promptly led all the mid- to high-ranking officers remaining at the pier, along with the fleet band, to greet him.

As Lincoln, escorted by a group of personnel, walked proudly down the gangway of the HMS Dutchman, a group of mid- to high-ranking officers from the Pacific Fleet stood in neat rows and gave a uniform salute.

At the same time, the fleet band played the American national anthem. In the rush, they greeted the Vice President of the United States with the highest possible honors.

Lincoln strode up to Chief of Staff Curry, who was at the head of the group, and extended his hand to shake it firmly.

"Colonel Fernando Curry, Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy, greets Your Excellency, Mr. Vice President!"

Lincoln nodded to him and went straight to the point, asking, "Colonel, where is General Andrew Webber?"

"General Weber is personally leading the fleet and is carrying out a blockade mission!"

"A blockade mission?" Lincoln raised a thick eyebrow. "Who devised the blockade mission? Who gave you the order to blockade? Who gave you the authority and authorization?"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Curry broke out in a cold sweat: "Report, Mr. Vice President, the cause of this matter is...!"

"Colonel, you don't need to say anything more!" Lincoln interrupted him directly: "I already know the whole story!"

"Colonel, I order you to immediately convene a meeting of all officers!"

"As the Vice President of the United States and the President's plenipotentiary representative, I will personally convey the President's orders!"

"Yes, Sir...!"

"And...!" Lincoln pointed into the distance, at the countless civilian ships anchored in the naval port: "What's going on here? Why are there so many civilian ships in our American naval ports?"

"Report, Mr. Vice President, that...that is...!"

"Colonel, you are a soldier. Don't hesitate when answering questions!"

"Yes, sir! Report: Those are the ocean-going merchant ships we seized, and... and also an immigrant ship from the Far East!"

Upon hearing this, Lincoln's thick eyebrows furrowed: "Colonel, on what American law, or under whose orders, did you seize these merchant and immigrant ships?"

"I...we...we were acting on General Weber's orders...!"

"Hmph!" Lincoln snorted angrily. "Colonel, I order you to send out ships and recall General Andrew Webber immediately!"

"Yes, Sir...!"

Lincoln then saw a group of Chinese laborers being escorted by sailors, walking towards the exit of the naval base.

"What's going on?"

"Report, Mr. Vice President, those are sick Chinese laborers. Outside the base, Archbishop Evan of California is personally leading a church medical team to treat them!"

Hearing this, Lincoln's expression softened slightly, and he waved his hand: "Go, Colonel, carry out the order!"

After saying this, Lincoln, accompanied by a large entourage, headed straight for Andrew Webber's office.

While no one was paying attention, one member of the presidential guard accompanying the entourage was silently missing!
One of the people under close surveillance suddenly disappeared. Immediately, someone stepped forward and whispered to Zhou Hongwen, "Boss, Adams is gone...!"

"What...?" Zhou Hongwen frowned. "Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on that guy at all times? How come he's disappeared?"

"There were too many people just now, and I wasn't paying attention... Should we send someone to look for them?"

Zhou Hongwen shook his head: "What are we looking for! We don't know anyone here, and we're in someone else's naval port. How can we just wander around like this...!"

Zhou Hongwen pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "I reckon that Adams is probably out contacting Freemasons in the Pacific Fleet...!"

"They're the local bullies at this naval base. If they get involved, the consequences will be unimaginable...!"

"Little Li, you're doing this...!"

Zhou Hongwen whispered a few words in Xiao Li's ear.

Little Li understood perfectly, and under the pretext of going to the restroom, he also took the opportunity to disappear without a trace.

Then, he mingled among the Chinese laborers being sent out of the base and slipped out of the San Diego Naval Base.

Then he approached Archbishop Evan.

"Archbishop, I am Li Xingbang, sent to the east by the Guard. There is an emergency that requires your assistance...!"

Leonardo DiCaprio spoke very quickly, giving a report on Vice President Lincoln's current predicament.

"What...?" Archbishop Evan was also taken aback upon hearing this: "You mean, Vice President Lincoln is currently at the San Diego Naval Base? And in extremely dangerous condition, he could be assassinated at any moment?"

"Yes!"

Little Li nodded nervously: "Archbishop, is there any way to mobilize our nearby troops and rescue Vice President Lincoln?"

Archbishop Evan replied, “As far as I know, the nearest garrison is a battalion of the 2nd National Guard Brigade, stationed in Escondido, which is only a dozen miles from here.”

"This infantry battalion is specifically designed to guard against any unusual activity at the San Diego naval base."

"I'll arrange a carriage for you right away... No, I'll go with you...!!!"

As a core member of the Chinese American faction, Archbishop Evan was well aware of the extreme importance of Vice President Lincoln, so he disregarded everything else.

Soon, two horse-drawn carriages sped out of the medical camp, kicking up a trail of dust, and headed straight for the National Guard base more than ten miles away.
-
Meanwhile, Adams, the presidential guard member who had just quietly disappeared, appeared silently in Chief of Staff Curry's office.

Colonel Curry, who was in a hurry to carry out the vice president's orders, was not too surprised by this uninvited guest.

Just now, Adams made a secret gesture to him when no one was looking!

"Are you part of the organization?"

Colonel Curry asked directly.

Adams nodded, pulled a badge from his pocket, and said in a deep voice, "Colonel Curry, as an important member of the organization, you should be very clear about the meaning of this badge."

Colonel Curry stared at the badge for several moments before saying, "Wherever this badge goes, all members of the organization must unconditionally cooperate with your operations...!"

“Very good!” Adams tucked the badge back into his pocket, walked up to Colonel Curry, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Colonel Curry, according to the organization’s orders, we must make sure Lincoln dies on California soil…!”

"What……?!!"

Upon hearing this, Curry was shocked and couldn't help but jump up from his seat!

"What did you say? Say it again...!!!" Colonel Curry asked in utter shock.

"By order of the organization, Lincoln must die on California soil...!"

“What Fuck…!!!”

(End of this chapter)