North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 180 Assassination of Lincoln!

It took Adams of the Presidential Guard a great deal of effort to explain everything to Colonel Curry.

When they boarded the ship in the East with Vice President Lincoln, he did not receive this shocking top-secret mission.

But when they docked in Miami, Florida for supplies, the organization's orders were delivered to him, and he was given this badge.

When he heard the order, Adams of the Presidential Guard was just as surprised as Colonel Curry is now.

Even more shocking!

As a member of the Presidential Guard, his duty is to protect the personal safety of the President and Vice President.

But now, he is about to put the people he is protecting to death!
Adams also went through a process of shock, pain, confusion, hesitation, until he finally made up his mind.

The same applies to Curry's current chief of staff!
Shock, pain, confusion, hesitation...!
"Colonel, I have already told you about the necessity and importance of this operation."

"If you don't follow the organization's orders, you know very well what will happen to you and your family!"

"You should know what's going on with General Andrew Webber's family right now...!"

Colonel Curry downed two glasses of whiskey and then puffed on a cigar to relieve his anxiety and unease.

"But...that's the Vice President of the United States, the President's plenipotentiary representative...if we do this, it's treason...it's treason...I...I...!"

Adams replied ominously, "That's why we must let him die on California soil!"

"Only in this way can we pin the entire blame for the assassination of the Vice President on that Chinaman. Do you understand, Colonel...?"

"Let me think about it, let me think about it, let me think it over carefully...!"

"Beep beep beep...!"

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

A messenger's voice came from outside the door: "Colonel, the meeting convened by the Vice President is about to begin...!"

Colonel Curry hurriedly grabbed his military cap and put it on his head, saying to Adams, "Let me think about it. You wait for me in my office...!"

After saying that, Colonel Curry hurriedly left the office.

At this moment, all the officers who remained at the San Diego naval base appeared in the Great Hall.

Vice President Lincoln, as the president's plenipotentiary envoy, publicly announced the president's order in front of all the officers!
The first order is to temporarily relieve Commodore Andrew Webber of his duties as Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Vice President Abraham Lincoln will temporarily assume direct command of the Pacific Fleet.
The second order was to immediately lift the blockade of the California coast by the Pacific Squadron and all hostile actions. All ships were to return to port immediately pending investigation.

The third order is to launch a full investigation into the entire incident and give the entire nation a public and fair explanation.

……

As the orders were issued, most of the officers in the Pacific Fleet breathed a sigh of relief.

These officers were forced onto the Freemason chariot and had no choice but to do so. Now that the situation is showing signs of being under control, they are all relieved.

Meanwhile, another group of officers had their hearts in their throats.

These people are Freemasons!
They knew all too well that this incident could not withstand any investigation.

If this incident is thoroughly investigated, the fate of these Freemason officers is predictable.

Being dismissed from their posts and discharged from the military is the lightest punishment; more likely, they will be sent to a military court!

Among these people, Colonel Curry was naturally the leader.

Throughout the meeting, Chief of Staff Curry appeared distracted and absent-minded.

After listening to Vice President Lincoln read out the order, he finally made up his mind!

After the meeting ended and he returned to his office, Chief of Staff Curry closed the door and said to Adams, "So, what do we do?"

Upon hearing this, Adams, whose heart had also been in his throat, breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Colonel, right now, the only thing that can stop us is those security personnel from California."

“These twenty-odd people have been staying close to the vice president these past few days, not giving us any chance.”

"But in any case, there are only about twenty of them."

"I will find a way to distract the rest of the presidential guard, and you, Colonel, will need to mobilize the base garrison under the pretext of eliminating spies and saboteurs...!"
-
After nightfall, Vice President Lincoln, exhausted from more than twenty days at sea, went to rest early in the guest room arranged for him at the naval base.

While Vice President Lincoln could rest, the security personnel led by Zhou Hongwen needed to be extra vigilant and on guard against any possible dangers.

Zhou Hongwen, along with a group of people, personally guarded the door to Vice President Lincoln's room.

Below this small building, even more security personnel were stationed around the perimeter.

"Ta-da! Ta ...

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded.

One of the outer security personnel hurriedly walked up to Zhou Hongwen and whispered, "Boss, something's not right...!"

"What's wrong?"

"That Adams guy disappeared and then suddenly reappeared, taking all those guys from the Presidential Guard to the officers' club for drinks...!"

"Drinking...? At this time...?"

"Moreover, it's not just this building; the surrounding navy seems to have all disappeared, leaving only us...!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hongwen stood up abruptly, drew back the curtains, opened the window, and carefully observed the dark surroundings.

"It's so quiet... Something's definitely wrong... There's nobody around except us!"

Zhou Hongwen's mind raced: "Someone cleared out the entire area to make it easier for them to make their move...!"

"No, we can't just sit here and wait to die. Go wake up the Vice President, we need to get out of here immediately...!"

Just then, Zhou Hongwen faintly heard the sound of orderly footsteps in the darkness.

"Quickly...protect the vice president, let's break out...!"

Without time to say anything more, Zhou Hongwen kicked open the door and helped up the bewildered Vice President Lincoln, who had just fallen asleep.

"What happened...?" Lincoln asked calmly in a deep voice.

"Mr. Vice President, they've made their move! We must get out of here immediately...!"

"What……?"

Even at this point, Lincoln still refused to believe that the American fleet would actually kill the Vice President of the United States!
"There's no time to explain, let's go...!"

Several security personnel surrounded Lincoln, who was wearing pajamas, and rushed out without saying a word.

Meanwhile, the personnel responsible for perimeter security had already noticed the movement in the darkness.

"who……?"

"Click, click...!" The sound of a gun being chambered.

From the darkness came a cold, sharp reply: "We are the naval base garrison! We are ordered to search for spies and saboteurs...!"

"This is the Vice President's residence. No one is allowed to approach. Otherwise, they will be killed on sight!"

"Stop talking nonsense! According to reliable intelligence, you people from Huamei Company intend to make advances against the Vice President... Lay down your weapons, or you will be killed on sight!"

"Stop! If you come any closer, we'll open fire!!"

"Bang bang bang...!"

He was met with a barrage of gunfire.

"Ah...retaliate! Protect the Vice President! Don't let them get close...!"

"Bang bang bang...!"

"Bang bang bang...!"

In the darkness, a dense and chaotic barrage of gunfire rang out.

Although the perimeter security personnel were elite, their numbers were too small, and they were quickly suppressed by the aggressive guard team, forced to retreat step by step.

In the darkness, gunfight raged, with people being killed and wounded on both sides.

"Quickly, quickly... rush in! Kill anyone who is there!"

Under the personal command of Chief of Staff Curry, a garrison of two companies, totaling more than two hundred men, quickly broke through the outer security line and stormed into the building where the Vice President was located.

Chief of Staff Curry took the lead, brandishing his Colt revolver, and rushed up to the second-floor guest room he had personally arranged.

"Boom...!"

He kicked open the door, only to be shocked to find it empty.

"Oh no! Those people have kidnapped the Vice President and escaped! Chase them down! Find the Vice President for me!!"

Under his command, the garrison of more than two hundred men was divided into many groups and searched in all directions.

Meanwhile, Zhou Hongwen led his only four team members, protecting Lincoln in the center, as they raced through the night.

"Boss, it's so late at night, and we don't know the way. Where do we go?"

During the day, for safety reasons, Zhou Hongwen personally walked around the entire naval base.

Upon arriving at a new location, the first thing to do is to familiarize oneself with the surrounding environment; this is a basic quality of a security personnel.

But in the darkness, he could only roughly discern directions. "Run east, the base gate is over there. The other directions are all surrounded by high walls; we can't get out!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp whistle and a loud shout came from not far behind him.

"We've found them! They're here...!"

In the blink of an eye, chaotic footsteps echoed from all directions in the darkness.

"Click, click, click...!" The footsteps were so chaotic and heavy.

"Catch them, don't let them get away...!"

"Boss, you protect the vice president and go first. I'll stay here and draw them away...!"

Without waiting for Zhou Hongwen's reply, the three team members turned and rushed into the darkness.

“Bang, bang, bang…!”

"Bang, bang, bang...!"

"You white-skinned pig, come and get your grandpa!"

In the darkness, chaotic gunshots, rude curses, and endless shouts and screams rang out from all directions.

There was no time for grief. Zhou Hongwen and the last team member, supporting Vice President Lincoln on either side, rushed towards the base gate with their heads down.

The naval base is very large. Even though the three team members lured away some of the pursuers, there was still a group of people chasing closely behind.

And the person personally leading this team was none other than Colonel Curry!
"Mr. Vice President, don't run away! Please don't misunderstand! We're here to rescue you...!"

"Those security personnel from Huamei Company are your real enemies. According to reliable intelligence, they want to assassinate you...!"

"People of Huamei Company, if you release the Vice President, I'll spare your lives...!"

Faced with Colonel Curry hot on their heels, neither Lincoln nor Zhou Hongwen uttered a word, but instead focused on rushing toward the gate.

At the gate of the naval base, the lights were on, and ten soldiers from a garrison squad were on guard duty.

Seeing the direction of the lights in the distance, Zhou Hongwen said to the last member of the team in a deep voice, "Chen Qingfeng, you are responsible for protecting the Vice President as he rushes out. I'll hold off the pursuers behind us...!"

"No, boss, you protect the vice president, I'll hold them off...!"

Chen Qingfeng, who was not yet twenty years old, grinned at Zhou Hongwen in the darkness, his white teeth standing out conspicuously in the darkness.

As soon as he finished speaking, the young Chen Qingfeng turned and rushed into the darkness.

"Boom...!"

"Bang bang bang...!"

In the darkness, bursts of gunfire rang out again, along with blinding bursts of fireworks!
"You bunch of white pigs, come and chase after your Grandpa Chen if you dare...!"

Zhou Hongwen didn't turn around or say a word. With tears in his eyes, he grabbed Vice President Lincoln's arm and rushed toward the brightly lit base gate.

"Halt! Who goes there...?"

The intermittent gunfire within the base had already put the guards standing watch at the main gate on high alert.

At that moment, seeing two people rush out of the darkness, ten garrison soldiers immediately raised their guns.

At that moment, Vice President Lincoln's calm and powerful voice rang out: "There is an insurgency in Al-Qaeda with the intention of assassinating the Vice President!"

"What……?
The ten soldiers, including the platoon leader on duty, were all taken aback.

Vice President Lincoln finally appeared under the lights: "I am Vice President Lincoln. Those insurgents tried to assassinate me!"

"I order you to let us out...!"

"Yes, Sir...!"

The platoon leader in charge had seen Vice President Lincoln in person at the daytime assembly of all officers.

At that moment, he quickly stood at attention and saluted Lincoln.

Without saying a word, Zhou Hongwen helped Vice President Lincoln and rushed towards the gate.

"Stop them, don't let them go...!"

At that moment, an exasperated voice came from the darkness: "I am Chief of Staff Curry, from Huamei Corporation. They have kidnapped the Vice President. Stop them...!"

"What......?"

Now, the gate guards, including the platoon leader, were truly confused, not knowing who to listen to.

The fewer people who know about such a top-secret operation as assassinating the vice president, the better.

A mere platoon leader in the garrison was not qualified to know, much less participate in, such top-secret matters.

Taking advantage of their momentary daze, Zhou Hongwen had already helped Lincoln out of the door and rushed into the boundless darkness outside.

Once Lincoln had disappeared into the darkness, Chief of Staff Curry, panting, led dozens of garrison soldiers to the gate.

"Damn it, didn't I tell you to stop them?"

Enraged, Colonel Curry kicked the second lieutenant platoon leader to the ground, then led his men to continue chasing after him out the gate.

Outside the gates of the San Diego Naval Base lies the newly emerging town of San Diego.

Gunfire erupted throughout the base, waking the sleeping town.

Lights gradually came on in the houses, one after another.

With Zhou Hongwen's help, Lincoln, who was over forty years old, had been running in the dark for so long, and was now exhausted.

"Zhou, I can't run anymore...!"

As he spoke, Lincoln broke free from Zhou Hongwen's support, plopped down on the side of the street, leaned against the wall of the wooden house, and gasped for breath.

"Zhou, you run away! I'll stay here and see if American soldiers really dare to assassinate their vice president...!"

Zhou Hongwen stomped his foot angrily: "Mr. Vice President, no, I can't leave you here... If you fall into their hands, you definitely won't survive...!"

Lincoln waved at Zhou Hongwen: "I really can't run anymore! I've sat in an office too much over the years, and my physical strength is not what it used to be."

"Zhou, you'd better run! They're catching up soon."

As they were speaking, sure enough, a flurry of footsteps came from the darkness behind them.

"Mr. Vice President, I'll hold them off, you quickly hide...!"

Zhou Hongwen drew his two pistols from his waist and fired two shots in the direction of the footsteps.

"what……!"

Someone was shot in the darkness and let out a scream.

Zhou Hongwen shielded Lincoln behind him, using the wooden house as cover, and kept firing at the pursuers.

Zhou Hongwen's marksmanship and physical skills are both excellent; otherwise, he wouldn't have become one of the captains of the Imperial Guard.

But facing numerous pursuers closing in from all sides, his pair of Colt revolvers could only slightly slow them down.

"Surround them, don't let them escape...!"

Colonel Curry's panting voice rang out again.

Under his command, dozens of garrison soldiers surrounded the wooden house from all directions.

The enemy was getting closer and closer. Zhou Hongwen had emptied both of his revolvers and was reloading.

"boom……!"

"what……!"

A gunshot rang out, and Zhou Hongwen was shot in the shoulder. He immediately lost his grip on the Colt revolver in his left hand and it fell to the ground.

"boom……!"

Another shot rang out, and Zhou Hongwen was shot in the chest again, his Colt revolver falling to the ground in his right hand.

"Zhou...you're injured?"

Lincoln grabbed the Colt revolver from the ground, quickly and skillfully loaded it with bullets, and then fired two shots at the closing pursuers.

"what……!"

The soldier who charged the fastest was knocked to the ground by Lincoln.

"Mr. Vice President, you... hehe!"

Zhou Hongwen was seriously injured. He covered his wounds and leaned against the wooden wall, blood seeping from his mouth and nose.

But when Zhou Hongwen saw Lincoln pick up the gun, he actually laughed.

“Zhou, you may not know this, but I’m not only a lawyer who’s very good at public speaking, but I’m also a stonemason who can shoot a gun…!”

While coughing up blood, Zhou Hongwen laughed and said, "Mr. Vice President, it would be my greatest honor to die alongside you!"

Lincoln fired with his right hand, while his left hand tightly gripped Zhou Hongwen's blood-stained right hand: "Zhou, it would be an honor for me to die here with you!"

(End of this chapter)