North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 189 Seize America by the throat!

At this time in 1851, the railway from Panama City to the port of Colon was under construction.

The route of this railway is basically the same as that of the later Panama Canal.

The railway would be completed in 1855, a few years later. By then, the basic conditions for the construction of the Panama Canal would be greatly improved.

More than twenty years later, in 1880, the French established the "Panama Interoceanic Canal Global Company" in an attempt to excavate the Panama Canal.

The French originally planned to excavate a natural waterway like the Suez Canal.

But when the canal had been under construction for four years and the project was almost a quarter complete, it was discovered that due to ocean currents, the sea level on the Pacific side was several tens of centimeters higher than that on the Caribbean side.

At high tide, the sea level in the Pacific Ocean can even be five or six meters higher than that in the Caribbean Sea!

In addition, Panama, located in the tropics, has extremely poor medical conditions, and malaria, cholera, and jaundice are rampant.

After a decade-long project to excavate the Panama Canal, costing over 20,000 lives and nearly $300 million, the French company was forced to announce a halt to its work.

Then, in 1904, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, with the power of the nation, mobilized hundreds of thousands of laborers to finally complete the Panama Canal.

After its opening, the Panama Canal relies on Gatun Lake and Alajuela Lake for water supply and uses a stepped lock system, allowing 32-36 ships to pass through daily.

After the Panama Canal opened, the shipping route between the eastern and western United States was shortened by more than 14,000 kilometers, greatly boosting maritime transport between the two regions.

However, the Panama Canal, once completed, imposes extremely strict restrictions on the tonnage, length, width, and draft of ships.

These restrictions on size and tonnage even severely impacted the subsequent development of the U.S. Navy and the design and construction of naval vessels.

……

Zuo Zongtang was well aware of his father's idea of ​​digging the Panama Canal, so he carefully examined the feasibility of this massive project along the way.

“Zunian, in my opinion, if we want to build this canal, we will need at least hundreds of thousands of laborers and several years of digging.”

"Moreover, it requires a huge amount of money and a large amount of machinery."

"Even more workers will lose their lives because of this...!"

Zuo Zongtang bluntly expressed his opinion: "This canal, which connects the two oceans, has blocked the throat of the Americas!"

"Whoever controls this canal controls a vital lifeline. Its strategic significance is self-evident."

"However, given the current capabilities of California and Huamei Corporation, they are probably not up to the task of excavating this canal!"

After listening to Zuo Zongtang's opinion, Azu nodded in deep agreement and said, "Indeed, the California and Huamei companies are still too weak at present."

"Opening this vital canal is simply too difficult for us right now."

"However, I estimate that in three or four years, at least before 1855, we should have the capability to open this canal."

"I hope to see this canal open before 1860."

"1855...!" Although he had been on the other side of the ocean for more than a year, Zuo Zongtang was still slightly unaccustomed to this Gregorian calendar.

"That means there are less than four years left... By then, it will probably be quite difficult!"

"Putting everything else aside, can we secure the development rights for this canal within the next four years?"

"After all, this is not American territory, nor is it California land, so we can't just do whatever we want."

Azu laughed and said, "The important matter we're going to discuss with President Lincoln in Washington is precisely this...!"
-
After crossing the Isthmus of Panama, Azou and his party arrived at the port of Colon on the other side.

As expected, the armored frigates "Zhiyuan" and "Dingyuan," which had set sail more than a month in advance, were already waiting for their arrival in the port.

After boarding two armored frigates, Azu and his party of nearly 300 people embarked on another long journey.

This was also Azu's first time visiting the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

It must be said that the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean were the world's trade centers during that era.

Whether it's the ports or the sea routes, the prosperity and bustle far surpass that of the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

No wonder this place has become the most active and concentrated area for pirates in the world.

But no matter how rampant the pirates were in this area, no pirate ship dared to harbor any evil intentions in the face of two powerful, high-speed armored frigates, and they didn't even dare to get close.

After a safe and uneventful journey of more than ten days, we finally arrived at one of the important destinations of this trip – the Port of Baltimore.

Before his trip, Azu had exchanged letters with President Lincoln and Klein.

When the armored frigates "Zhiyuan" and "Dingyuan" slowly docked at Baltimore Harbor, a large welcoming crowd had already gathered there.

Not only Klein, who came to greet them personally, but also officials personally arranged by Lincoln. There were even numerous dignitaries and onlookers.

This is Azu's first trip to the East, but his name as the young Chinese governor is well-known even in the East.

This 21-year-old Chinese man became the governor of California in less than two years after setting foot on American soil.

He invented penicillin, jeans, the foot-operated sewing machine, prefabricated houses, the compound impulse steam turbine... and so on!
Moreover, it possesses the largest gold mine in the entire state of California, the entire United States, and even the entire Americas...!
This highly legendary experience has already shrouded this young Chinese governor in an aura of mystery and legend.

When news broke that this young Chinese governor had personally set foot in the East and arrived at the Port of Baltimore, it caused quite a stir.

Many people crowded the port dock, eager to catch a glimpse of the young Chinese governor!

When Azu and his entourage appeared on the side of the armored frigate "Zhiyuan", the crowd waiting below erupted in gasps and cheers.

"Wow, is that the Chinese governor of California? He's so young...!"

"It must be him, right? Not only is he so young, but his skin is also so fair... I feel like he's even fairer than us white people...!"

"Don't all Chinese people wear queues? I don't see his queue at all...!"

"Wow, this young Chinese governor is really handsome...!"

"Look, look! The women around him are all so beautiful and sexy."

"I've heard that Chinese men can marry multiple wives. Are all these women his wives?"

"Damn Chinaman, I don't even have a girlfriend, how come he gets to have so many beautiful women all to himself!"

When Ah Zu was surrounded by a group of beautiful girls, it immediately aroused the jealousy of countless onlookers.

Whether it's a woman or a man!
"Look, you guys, that tall blonde one, she's so beautiful... If I had a wife like that... tsk tsk tsk...!"

"Compared to the others, I prefer the one with the dark blond hair and jeans...she's practically my dream girl!"

"Hehe, I still prefer the redhead, tsk tsk... those breasts, that big butt, those long legs... they're so sexy...!"

"Hmm, that brown-haired girl is also quite nice, sweet and charming, perfect as a wife...!"

"And those two Chinese women... how come they're so beautiful? Why do all the other Chinese women I see look so dark and ugly?"

……

Hearing the murmurs around him, Klein, who had come to greet them personally, quickly shouted to the band behind him, "Play music! Play music! Play music now...!"

"Beep beep beep beep... Da da da... Dong dong dong...!"

The band quickly started playing a cheerful welcoming tune, creating the most enthusiastic atmosphere to greet Ah Zu's arrival.

Ah Zu stood on the ship's railing, slightly flamboyant, smiling, and waved his white-gloved hand at the crowd below.

Then, he led everyone down the gangway slowly.

Klein quickly stepped forward, snapped to attention, and gave his boss a respectful military salute.

"The California Office in Washington welcomes the Governor to the East Coast...!"

Azu smiled and patted Klein on the shoulder: "Major, you've done a great job during your time in Washington!" "Thank you for the praise, Governor…!"

Azu changed the subject, laughing and scolding, "But you're way too extravagant! You have a monthly activity budget of $30,000, and you even had President Lincoln personally deliver a message to me that wasn't enough... I'm not as wasteful as you...!"

"Hehe...!" Klein immediately grinned and said, "Boss, the amount of money I spend is just a drop in the ocean for you... Besides, every penny I spend is well spent...!"

"Boss, your reputation for generosity is well-known in Washington... This is all thanks to me spending money on you."

"Generous?" Azu continued with a laugh and a curse, "I think it's more like a reputation for being a sucker...!"

Klein chuckled: "Impossible, absolutely impossible...!"

As he spoke, Klein began to introduce the officials and dignitaries who had come to greet Azu.

“Governor…!” Klein first introduced Azu: “This is Mr. Colin McKinley, the White House Chief of Staff and former assistant to President Lincoln!”

Azu smiled and shook hands firmly with McKinley: "Mr. McKinley, we've met before, we're old acquaintances!"

More than a year ago, when Lincoln first went to California, the only person he brought with him was Colin McKinley.

“Governor, it is my honor to see you again in Baltimore!”

Lincoln's former aide, now White House Chief of Staff McKinley, said respectfully, "Governor, I have come all the way from Washington to greet you on behalf of the President!"

"Mr. President, you are eager to have another in-depth discussion with us...!"

Azu smiled and nodded: "Please tell the President that I appreciate his kindness! After I settle in, I will go to the White House as soon as possible to meet the President!"

“Yes!” McKinley said respectfully, “Governor, whether it is me or the President, the doors of the White House are always open for you!”

Azu smiled and nodded at him again, then walked toward the second official who came to greet him.

Klein quickly introduced, "Governor, this is Senator Kurt McDonald...!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Senator!!"

"It is an honor for me to meet the legendary first governor of California...!"

……

Then came the third, the fourth, the fifth... At the very back of the welcoming line was a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.

Upon seeing this distinguished-looking middle-aged officer, Azu's eyes lit up slightly, and he already guessed who he was.

Just as Klein was about to introduce himself, Azu raised his hand to interrupt him: "Major, don't introduce yourself yet, let me guess...!"

"This lieutenant colonel, he must be Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee, right...?"

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lee showed a slight look of surprise when he saw the young governor.

"Snap...!" Robert E. Lee snapped to attention and gave Azu a crisp military salute: "Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee, Commander of Fort Carlow, Baltimore, greets the esteemed Governor!"

"Hehe!" Azu warmly extended both hands and shook hands firmly with Robert E. Lee: "Even far away in California, I have often heard of Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee's outstanding military talent and extraordinary command ability!"

Robert E. Lee was born into a military family in Virginia. His father, Henry E. Lee, was a war hero in the American Revolutionary War.

Robert E. Lee entered West Point at the age of 18 and graduated at the age of 22, ranking second in his class.

He served successively as Commander-in-Chief of the Engineers and as a staff officer to General Winfield Scott, Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He made outstanding contributions to military engineering and to the Mexican-American War.

At this time, Robert E. Lee was only a lieutenant colonel and fortress commander, and his career was not very smooth.

Wharton, who is two years younger than him, also graduated second in his class from West Point and is now a colonel and chief of staff of the Southwest Command.

In terms of both rank and actual power, Robert E. Lee was far inferior to Walton.

But next year, this Robert E. Lee will become the superintendent of West Point.

Ten years later, Robert E. Lee would become the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Army, defeating the Union Army with overwhelming odds and achieving victory against all odds.

Although the Confederate army, represented by Robert E. Lee, ultimately failed, this was not due to his command shortcomings, but rather to the complete overwhelming power of the North over the South.

The economic and war potential disparity between the North and South was too great. This was not something that one or two outstanding generals could change the outcome of the war.

Azu gripped Robert E. Lee's hands tightly and said with a smile, "Being able to see a war hero like Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee in person makes this trip worthwhile!"

Robert E. Lee was somewhat flattered: "Governor, your legendary deeds are known to all! Compared to you, my meager contributions in the war are simply insignificant!"

"Hahaha!" Azu laughed, "They're not the same thing, they can't be compared!"

"Lieutenant Colonel, I would like to visit your home at a suitable time. I wonder if I would have the honor?"

"Ah...?" Robert E. Lee was even more surprised by this overly familiar governor.

But how could he possibly refute the governor's face in this situation?

Therefore, he could only reply, "You are most welcome! It is a great honor for me to have the governor as a guest in my home!"

"Very well, very well! Then I'll have to be an uninvited guest!"

……

After the grand welcoming ceremony, Azu and his entourage checked into a luxury hotel that Klein had booked entirely.

After discussing the recent situation with Klein face-to-face, that evening, Azu, along with Vivian, Victoria, and a few guards, headed straight for Robert Lee's house.

At Robert E. Lee's house, the lieutenant colonel, along with his wife and many children, had already lined up to greet him.

Azu, beaming, stepped down from the carriage and, after a brief greeting with Robert Lee, joined the family for dinner.

After dinner, in Robert E. Lee's study, Azu finally had a face-to-face conversation with the future legendary general.

Holding a glass of after-dinner drink, Azu calmly cut to the chase: "Lieutenant Colonel, what's your take on the current situation in America?"

Robert E. Lee paused slightly, then asked, "Governor, which aspect are you referring to?"

Azu said calmly, "President Fillmore was assassinated, the Freemason headquarters was bombed, and almost all of the high-ranking Freemasons, including Army Commander Scott, perished."

"Now, Abraham Lincoln is the President of the United States."

"As is well known, President Lincoln was a staunch abolitionist leader. After becoming president, he would certainly have vigorously promoted the abolitionist movement."

"However, the forces supporting slavery remain very strong in American political and military circles."

"Including Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee, there are quite a few prominent figures who supported slavery."

"Perhaps in the near future, the two forces of abolitionism and slavery will face an even more intense confrontation."

"Therefore, America is very likely to split up, or even...go into civil war!"

Azu stared at Robert E. Lee with great interest and asked, "Lieutenant Colonel, what's your opinion on this issue?"

Faced with Azu's blunt questions, Robert Lee was surprised and fell into deep thought.

"Mr. Governor, aren't your views a bit too radical?"

Robert Lee replied carefully, “At least for now, the political situation in the United States is far from deteriorating to the point of division or even civil war…!”

“No!” Azu slowly shook his head: “I know President Lincoln too well, and I know the Southern slave owners too well!”

"The division of America, or even civil war, is only a matter of time!"

"We'll face this day sooner or later. Rather than sitting and waiting to die, we should prepare now!"

(End of this chapter)