North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 181 The Tiger's Fangs

Let's rewind to a day earlier, in San Francisco, on the other side of California.

After more than fifty days of recuperation, Ah Zu finally stood up from his wheelchair and appeared in everyone's sight as a normal person.

Moreover, this was the first time during this period that Ah Zu had appeared at the state government, specifically at the governor's office in the "Nian Yue Lou" building.

At this time, almost all the core members of the entire Huamei Group gathered together for the first important meeting after Azu's complete "recovery".

"BOSS...!"

San Francisco Mayor and Coast Guard Commander Vic Moore reported first: "In the past two months, our Coast Guard has launched three more ships, including two frigates and one patrol vessel."

"In total, our coast guard now has four frigates and four patrol vessels. And all of them are new propeller-driven armored ships."

"Our naval guns are being installed on ships one after another. To date, we have equipped our ships with forty naval guns. Among them, twenty are 100mm naval guns, mainly for patrol ships; and twenty are 155mm naval guns, mainly for frigates."

"As for the 203mm naval gun, due to tonnage issues, there are currently no ships capable of equipping such a large-caliber naval gun. Only after our 3,000-ton class cruisers are launched can we equip them with this large-caliber heavy gun."

Old Martinez interjected, "All the 203mm naval guns produced in the last two months have been deployed to the fortress's gun emplacements. Now our fortress has a full thirty-five cannons."

"BOSS, the fortress's gun emplacements are completely saturated! No fleet can break through the San Francisco Strait under such a powerful blockade of gun emplacements."

"Don't even mention the mere Pacific Fleet; even if the British invincible Armada came, our fortress and battery complex would make them tuck their tails between their legs and run away!"

"Very good!" Azu nodded with a smile: "Then when will our 3,000-ton cruiser be able to be launched?"

Vic replied, "A 3,000-ton armored cruiser. We have never built a ship of this size before. We lack experience in building such ships, and the construction period is long."

"The two armored cruisers currently under construction have been on the slipway for more than half a year, and it is estimated that they will not be basically completed until at least the end of this year."

"So, our cruiser takes a year and a half to build?" Azu asked.

"Yes!"

At this time, Azu really wanted to copy the modular shipbuilding system from later generations.

However, modular construction is based on the premise that welding technology is quite mature and construction errors can be controlled with exceptional precision.

In those days, modern electric welding and gas welding had not yet been invented. Shipbuilding still relied on riveting techniques.

To achieve modular and rapid construction, welding technology must be developed from scratch.

Electric welding requires a revolution in electrical technology. In an era when the steam revolution has not yet been fully completed, is it necessary to bring forward the electrical revolution?
Starting an electrical revolution was not difficult for Azu.

There were no insurmountable technical hurdles in developing a revolutionary generator based on the compound impulse steam turbine.

Power transmission and transformation technology, electric lights, as well as electric motors, wireless telegraphs, telephones, trams...!
Azu quickly pulled his wandering thoughts back.

Taking too big a step can easily strain your hip.

There is no need to allow the technology of this era to develop too quickly.

Vic continued, "All eight of our ships are equipped with a few cannons and are undergoing intensive training."

"Boss, if necessary, we can concentrate all our limited naval guns on the two escort ships and fight the Pacific Fleet that is still blockading us!"

"I think it's time to let those sons of bitches of the American Navy taste the power of our cannons!"

Faced with Vic, who was eager to try his hand at the task, Azu did not answer directly. Instead, he turned to Victoria and asked, "What is the current situation with our detained merchant ships, immigrant vessels, and Chinese laborers?"

Victoria replied, "Now, the number of ships seized by the Pacific Fleet has reached nearly forty, all of which are ocean-going vessels returning from long voyages."

"More than 20,000 tons of goods were seized, and nearly 20,000 Chinese laborers were detained."

"The condition of the ships and cargo is okay, but the main problem is the 20,000 detained workers, many of whom are sick or dead."

"BOSS, under your arrangement, Archbishop Evan has led the church's medical team to San Diego to treat the laborers."

"But the conditions in the cabins were too harsh for long periods of time. Inevitably, the number of sick and dead workers would increase over time."

"Boss, we need to resolve this issue as soon as possible!"

Azu nodded: "Indeed, it's time to resolve this completely!"

Turning his head, he continued, "How's the first task we gave Miss Hongzhong going?"

Victoria replied, "According to the news from Philadelphia, Miss Red has successfully persuaded the Freemason Round Table, the plan is underway, and Master Powell is personally in charge of the entire plan."

Azu nodded again: "Our Miss Hongzhong did a great job!"

"While the first task is being performed, the second task must also be carried out simultaneously!"

"Once the first task is truly accomplished, it will be time to implement the second task."

Victoria replied, "With Miss Red's cooperation, the second task is also progressing smoothly."

“Very good!” Azu then changed the subject and asked, “Where is Vice President Lincoln now?”

Victoria replied, "Based on the time he left Washington, he should have already reached California waters and should arrive in San Francisco within the next day or two!"

“No!” Azu pondered, “Given Vice President Lincoln’s assertive personality, he probably won’t come directly to San Francisco. More likely, he’ll head to the San Diego Naval Base first, or go straight to General Andrew Webber’s fleet to take control of the Pacific Squadron as quickly as possible…!”

At this point, Azu felt a chill run down his spine: "Oh no, Vice President Lincoln is in danger...!"

"Shi Dakai...!"

"exist!"

Shi Dakai, dressed in military uniform, immediately stood up straight.

Without hesitation, Azu ordered, "You immediately lead the 2nd National Guard Brigade to the San Diego Naval Base at top speed!"

"Remember, your purpose here is to protect Vice President Lincoln!"

"If Vice President Lincoln falls into the hands of the Freemasons, I authorize you to launch a direct attack on the San Diego Naval Base! Rescue the Vice President at all costs!"

"Yes, sir!!" Shi Dakai gave a perfectly standard military salute.

Azu thought for a moment and then gave the order: "Vic...!"

“Yes, sir!!” Coast Guard Commander Viktor quickly stood up at attention.

“Getting to San Diego by land is too slow!” Azu said without hesitation. “All eight of our frigates and patrol ships will be deployed to transport the officers and soldiers of the Second Brigade to San Diego!”

"Don't get entangled with the blockade fleet. Use our superior gun range and speed to force them back."

"If there are any fearless ones... sink them!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Azu continued, "Old Ma, it's time to let the blockade fleet that's been stubbornly clinging to the entrance of the bay area witness the true power of our fortified battery complex...!"

"Hehe...!" Old Martinez stood up, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Boss, just tell me how far you want to fight? Do you want to sink them all, or how many ships do you want to destroy?"

Azu shook his head: "Just break up their formation and force them back, and open up a safe route for the attacking coast guard!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Azu took out his pocket watch and checked the time: "It's 9:20 a.m.... You have four hours to prepare!"

"Four hours from now, I want to see all the officers and soldiers of the Second Brigade board the ship...!"

"I want to see all eight of the Coast Guard's ships leave port...!"

"At the same time, I want to hear the fortress's battery complex, all the cannons roaring...!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Shi Dakai, Vic, and old Martinez stood in a row and gave Azu a standard military salute at the same time.

After the three people left, Azu's expression gradually calmed down.

"Grandpa, why are you so nervous?"

Vivian couldn't help but ask.

Azu shook his head slightly and said, "In our plan, Vice President Lincoln is the key and the core of everything!"

"His safety is of utmost importance! There can be absolutely no mishaps."

Azu said in a deep voice, "It was my oversight before. I didn't anticipate the possibility that Vice President Lincoln would go directly to the naval base."

"Even if we deploy the Second Brigade and the Coast Guard now, it will take at least a day to get to San Diego." "I wonder if all of this will be in time!"

Edgar Allan Poe, as the Chief of Staff of the National Guard, interjected: "Boss, didn't we deploy an infantry battalion from the 2nd Brigade in Escondido, the town closest to San Diego?"

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

Azu replied, "If we really encounter danger, then it depends on whether the people we placed around Lincoln are smart enough and resourceful enough to seek help from our army...!"

"No, I still can't rest easy!" Azu stood up. "I want to go to San Diego with the Coast Guard fleet...!"

……

Four hours later, the 2nd National Guard Brigade, which was missing one artillery battalion, one infantry battalion, and one cavalry battalion, boarded the eight ships of the Coast Guard with all three remaining infantry battalions, totaling more than 1,800 men, under the personal leadership of Brigade Commander Shi Dakai.

The missing infantry battalion of the 2nd Brigade had already been deployed to Escondido in advance.

The reason for not bringing the artillery battalion is that with the support of the coast guard's naval guns, there is no need to bring mortars with limited power and range.

As for the cavalry battalion, it has only been formed for a short time and is still in the Central Valley, undergoing training together with the Independent Cavalry Regiment.

Once Azu and the officers and soldiers of the Second Brigade had boarded the ships, the four frigates and four patrol ships immediately set sail in an orderly fashion.

"Beep beep beep...!"

"Boom boom boom...!"

This is the first time that eight coast guard warships have been deployed together.

Their first collective deployment was to break through the blockade of the Pacific Fleet.

This filled all the coast guard officers and soldiers, from top to bottom, with an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

"Boom boom boom...!"

Just as the coast guard ships set sail, on the southern shore of the San Francisco Strait, at the coast guard fortress battery complex!
Twenty-five 203mm breech-loading rifled heavy guns and five 155mm cannons turned their muzzles and opened fire simultaneously on the blockade fleet's anchorage, 12,000 yards away!
"Boom boom boom boom...!"

With the 203mm heavy guns having a range of 20,000 yards and the 155mm heavy guns having a range of 14,000 yards, the four escort ships and several shallow-draft gunboats that were blocking the fleet were all within range.

Only the 100mm cannon is a bit shorter, with a range of 8,000 yards, which is too short to reach.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...!"

Thirty heavy artillery shells, whistling sharply, hurtled towards the distant blockade fleet.

The lookout on the high mast of the blockade fleet immediately reported the movement of the coast guard fortress to the duty officer below at the loudest possible volume.

"Report, sir! The coast guard fortress is firing on us...!"

"Are you kidding me...!" The officer on duty quickly grabbed his binoculars and looked in the direction of the coast guard fortress: "We're at least 10,000 yards away. There's no cannon in the world that can shoot that far...!"

"What the fuck...!"

Upon seeing the clusters of fire erupting from the fortress's gun emplacements, the duty officer immediately sounded the fleet alarm without hesitation!

"Waaaaah...!"

A piercing fleet alarm suddenly sounded over the anchorage where the blockade fleet was located.

At the same time, the first wave of thirty shells had already landed on the head of the blockade fleet!
"Boom, boom, boom...!"

At such a distance, the hit rate of thirty shells is quite impressive.

Two shells, with remarkable accuracy, struck the "Savanna" paddle steamer amidships and at the starboard waterline.

“BOOM, BOOM…!”

The 1,200-ton paddle steam frigate USS Savannah was the most powerful warship in the entire Pacific Fleet.

Powered by a hybrid steam and wind power system and clad in iron armor, the Savannah was even more formidable than the flagship, the Portsmouth.

For well-known reasons, all the shore guns deliberately avoided the flagship HMS Portsmouth, instead concentrating all their firepower on the unfortunate HMS Savannah.

Two 203mm high-explosive shells from the heavy gun instantly and severely damaged the frigate "Savanna," leaving all the facilities on the deck riddled with holes.

The bullet holes near the waterline were even more deadly, as seawater rushed in with a "whoosh".

"What happened...?"

The incident happened so suddenly that even Brigadier General Andrew Webber was completely baffled by the situation.

"Report, General... The Coast Guard fortress has suddenly opened fire on us!"

"What...? Such a long distance...! How is this possible...?" Commodore Andrew Webber could hardly believe his ears!

"General, the 'Savanna' has been hit and damaged...!"

"What the fuck...!"

General Andrew Webber, who had just arrived at the command post, quickly raised his binoculars and looked toward the USS Savannah, a thousand yards away.

Sure enough, through the telescope, the superstructure of the mighty Savannah was now riddled with holes.

There is also a conspicuous, huge bullet hole at the waterline on the starboard side!

In such a short time, the 1,200-ton frigate "Savannah" has begun to slowly list.

"Damn it... son of a bitch... how could that Chinese artillery hit so far...!"

"Their cannons can clearly reach this far, so why hasn't that damned Chinese guy fired at us in the past month or so...?"

"Why now of all times...?"

Before Brigadier General Andrew Webber could finish speaking, the lookout on the high mast shouted again.

"General, the coast guard fortress has been spotted. Fire again...!"

"Boom boom boom boom...!"

Without hesitation, General Andrew Webber issued the order as quickly as possible.

All that could be heard was his furious roar: "Attention, all ships! Weigh anchor immediately and move out to sea at top speed to avoid the shelling...!"

As they were talking, the second round of shelling came down again!
All the artillery fire was still focused on the unfortunate "Savannah".

"Boom, boom, boom...!"

In this round of shelling, the Savannah was hit by four more high-explosive shells!
"boom……!"

The hull of the frigate "Savanna" shook violently four times in succession.

In the blink of an eye, the frigate "Savanna" was not only badly damaged, but also engulfed in flames on its deck.

On the starboard side, two more huge bullet holes were pierced through.

More seawater rushed in, and the Savannah listed to starboard at an even faster rate.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry...!"

"No time to weigh anchor...!" Looking at the wreckage of the USS Savannah, Commodore Andrew Webber roared, "All ships, cut anchor chains immediately and head out to sea at full speed! We're all sitting ducks right now...!"

Under Andrew Webber's orders, the three frigates and several shallow-draft gunboats cut their anchor chains and fled frantically towards the open sea.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate Savannah was left behind, slowly sinking to the bottom of the sea under relentless shelling.

……

At this moment, Martinez, the old commander in the coast guard fortress, discovered through his binoculars that the Savannah was beyond saving.

So he ordered, "All cannons, extend your fire and drive those damned blockade fleet far, far away...!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Thirty cannons relentlessly pursued the blockade fleet, extending their firing range and further disrupting the already chaotic fleet formation.

Meanwhile, Azu personally led a coast guard fleet of eight warships through the San Francisco Strait and into the Pacific Ocean.

Without stopping for a moment, the eight warships turned south under the cover of the coast guard fortress batteries and headed for San Diego at top speed!
In the distance, General Andrew Webber could only helplessly watch the coast guard fleet sail away.

"This tiger we've kept locked up has finally bared its fangs...!!!"

(End of this chapter)