North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 206 Shameless Acts of War
Although it was already early winter in November.

But Georgia winters are quite warm, with little chill in the air.

Standing amidst the boundless, flat, and expansive cotton fields, Azu couldn't help but marvel at the unique advantages of this land in America.

In the cotton fields, hundreds of black slaves were toiling away under the supervision of their overseers.

In Azu's ears, he could hear the shouts of the overseers, the cracking of whips, and... the screams of the black slaves!

"Gerald, how big is this cotton field?"

How much cotton lint can be produced each year?

"How many slaves and overseers are under my name?"

Gerald replied respectfully, "Your Excellency, if we're only talking about the cotton fields I manage, it's about forty thousand acres!"

"If you're referring to the total amount of cotton fields that the Freemasons transferred to you this time, it amounts to a full 150,000 acres. This also includes cotton fields managed by other nominees."

“These 150,000 acres of cotton fields can produce more than 12 million pounds of lint cotton every year, worth about three to four million US dollars.”

"These cotton fields had about 10,000 black slaves, plus several hundred overseers."

"Hehe!" Azu laughed, "So, does that mean I'm now a big farm owner and a big slave owner?"

“Yes, Your Excellency!” Gerald nodded. “At least in Georgia, you are undoubtedly the greatest plantation owner and the greatest slave owner!”

"The biggest slave owner...!" Azu shook his head slightly: "That title doesn't sound very good!"

But that's the truth, and Azu can't change it now.

150,000 acres, nearly a million mu of land, was the entire arable land of a top-class county in the Qing Dynasty.

Such a vast and fertile land requires a large amount of manpower to cultivate.

Although he disliked the title of slave owner, he couldn't just let these 150,000 acres of fertile land go to waste, could he?

Azu was completely indifferent to the treatment and fate of these black slaves.

In his view, simply releasing these black slaves would cause a series of social problems.

As time goes by, these social problems will become more and more serious, becoming one of the most intractable diseases.

Azu said to Gerald O'Hara, "Gerald, from now on, you are the steward and de facto owner of these 150,000 acres of land."

"When conditions permit, improve the treatment of these enslaved people as much as possible."

"All the cotton produced on these 150,000 acres of land does not need to be sold."

"All the cotton produced is supplied to my Huamei Company."

"Huamei Company will settle the payment for the cotton with you according to the normal market price."

"After deducting all expenses, I will leave you thirty percent of the net profit to use as you see fit!"

"Whether you pocket all of that 30% net profit or share it with others, I don't care."

Ah Zu said, "I will give you a Huamei Bank account for the remaining 70% of the net profit. You can deposit it into it every year."

"My only requirement for you is to maintain stable and high cotton yields, and your absolute loyalty to me!"

Upon hearing these words, Gerald O'Hara's face turned bright red!

His whole body was trembling slightly: "Your Excellency Earl, are you... are you telling the truth?"

"I never joke about things like this!"

Azu nodded slightly: "I never go back on my word!"

Gerald O'Hara was now truly excited: "Count... no, my respected master, from this day forward, you are the only master of me and the entire O'Hara family!"

As he spoke, Gerald, the stubborn and kind but short-tempered Irishman, knelt down on one knee before Azu without hesitation.

As a first-generation Irish immigrant, Gerald O'Hara still retains an innate reverence and obedience to the nobility.

"My Lord... I and the House of Ohara swear allegiance to you!!!"

Gerald O'Hara bowed his stubborn head before Azu.

While Gerald was holding and managing 40,000 acres of cotton fields on behalf of the Freemasons, he did earn a considerable income, but it was only 10 percent of the net profit.

With 40,000 acres of cotton fields, the annual income is around one million US dollars. After deducting all expenses, the net profit is unlikely to exceed two hundred thousand US dollars.

The commission they receive each year is only ten to twenty thousand US dollars.

Although one or two thousand dollars would be enough for the O'Hara family to live a wealthy life, that's all.

Now, Azu has promised him 30% of the net profit from 150,000 acres, which means his annual commission will immediately increase more than tenfold!
Therefore, Gerald O'Hara, without hesitation, swore allegiance to his new master.

Azu reached out and helped Gerald up, saying, "Huge profits mean huge responsibilities!"

"Gerald, that 30% net profit isn't so easy to earn!"

"If you mismanage the business, I will replace you immediately!"

"Furthermore, I send people to audit the accounts every year. If you dare to embezzle funds, hehe... I guarantee you and your family will face the most tragic end!"

……

Using the carrot and stick approach, Azu managed to subdue Gerald O'Hara completely.

After touring the vast and fertile cotton fields, Gerald O'Hara carefully welcomed his new master to his magnificent estate.

This luxurious estate is now also part of Azu's assets.

The O'Hara family is currently only acting as de facto owners and temporary residents.

"My master, this is my home... no, it's your home...!"

The entire O'Hara family, more than twenty people in total, were already standing neatly and respectfully in front of the manor gate, welcoming their new master.

With Gerald's introduction, Azu, with a smile on his face, shook hands with each member of the O'Hara family one by one.

At the very end of the line, a little girl, dressed exquisitely and adorably like a porcelain doll, timidly hid behind her mother's skirt, only peeking out her cute little head to secretly peek at Ah Zu, this stranger.

"My master, this is Scarlett, my only daughter, who is just six years old...!"

"You're Scarlett O'Hara...?" Azu squatted down with a smile, looking at the exceptionally beautiful and adorable little girl.

"Hmm...!" Little Scarlett nodded, her round eyes curiously scrutinizing the stranger in front of her, and timidly asked, "I'm Scarlett, and you... who are you?"

“Scarlett, you mustn’t be rude!” Gerald scolded indulgently. “This is our family’s new master, Your Excellency the Earl…!”

"Master...? Earl...?"

Six-year-old Scarlett had no idea what those two words meant.

In her little mind, she only felt that this stranger had a beautiful and friendly smile, which made her feel less afraid of strangers.

Azu pulled out a small pure gold tiger from his pocket and handed it to Scarlett.

"Miss Scarlett, this is a gift for you to introduce us. Do you like it...?"

Little Scarlett timidly accepted the little tiger; its bright, golden light made her very happy.

"Hmm...I like it...there are words on it...!"

As she spoke, Scarlett lifted up the heavy little tiger: "Mommy, can you help me see what's written on this?"

Alan O'Hara took the little tiger and read: "To Scarlett O'Hara, the cutest and most beautiful little girl in the world...!"

"Giggle...!" Scarlett was overjoyed. She took the little tiger from her mother and hugged it tightly, reluctant to let go.

Then, she smiled happily at Azu and asked, "Am I really the cutest and most beautiful little girl in the world?"

"Yes!"

As he spoke, Azu stretched out his hands and vigorously rubbed Scarlett's delicate and lovely face, which was as smooth as porcelain.

At that moment, Gerald and Allen were both on tenterhooks.

They were afraid that this eccentric new owner might have some strange, perverted little quirks.

Fortunately, Azu was just being quite affectionate, gently rubbing Scarlett's cheek, and didn't do anything strange afterward.

……

After a brief tour of his own estate and a meal, Azu returned to Atlanta that same day.

Then, aboard the "Zhiyuan" and "Dingyuan," they continued their journey home.

There are now eighteen branches in Georgia and Atlanta.

In addition to normal intelligence gathering and transmission, the eighteen branches in Atlanta now have an additional responsibility: to oversee the operation of 150,000 acres of cotton fields and to monitor the O'Hara family.

……

Ten days later, the small fleet consisting of the Zhiyuan and Dingyuan finally arrived at the port of Colon, located in the Caribbean Sea on the other side of the Isthmus of Panama.

Azu and his group of more than two hundred people disembarked here, preparing to travel by horse-drawn carriage across the Isthmus of Panama, which stretches for dozens of kilometers.

The Zhiyuan and Dingyuan ships, on the other hand, had to travel more than 10,000 nautical miles around South America and pass Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of the continent before they could return to California.

In the port of Colón, Azu and his group did not rush to set off, but instead sent Victoria ahead of them.

The day after Victoria left, Azu led over two hundred people to begin their crossing of the Isthmus of Panama. When the group of over two hundred people reached the middle of the Isthmus, a burst of gunfire suddenly erupted from the lead caravan.

"What happened?"

The convoy stopped immediately, and Azu frowned and ordered, "Shi Dakai, take some men and go check ahead."

"As ordered!"

Shi Dakai, accompanied by several guards, immediately rushed to the front.

A moment later, Shi Dakai rushed back and reported, "Boss, our team clearing the way ahead has been ambushed."

"Who would dare to ambush an American governor?"

Azu was immediately enraged: "Drive them back immediately!"

"As ordered!"

Ah Zu added, “Find out who ambushed us!”

"As ordered!"

"Yes, make sure to leave behind sufficient evidence!"

"As ordered!"

Shi Dakai once again led a group of men to support the vanguard that had been ambushed.

Surprisingly, there were several cameramen carrying heavy cameras in Shi Dakai's team!
Moments later, even more intense gunfire and explosions erupted ahead.

The battle was quite intense!
The Isthmus of Panama is a vital transportation route, with a constant stream of merchants and travelers coming and going.

The intense gunfire and explosions immediately attracted a lot of attention.

"What happened...?"

"It seems... someone has been ambushed!"

"Who has been ambushed?"

"I heard it's the governor's team from California...!"

"What...? Who is so audacious as to dare to ambush even the governor of an American state?"

"How should I know? Let's get away quickly and avoid getting caught in the crossfire!"

Police officers from the New Grenada Republic, who were maintaining order in the area, also drew their weapons and gathered around upon hearing the gunshots and explosions.

Even the police chief in charge of the Isthmus of Panama was alarmed.

The police chief, panting, personally led his men to Ah Zu's carriage.

"Governor... what happened?"

As a local strongman, the police chief naturally knew the identity of the important figure in front of him.

Ah Zu said coldly, "Director, I also want to know what happened!"

"As the person in charge of maintaining security in the Isthmus of Panama, shouldn't you be the one telling me why I was attacked here?"

The police chief wiped the sweat from his brow: "I'm sorry, Governor... there have been bandits operating in this area, robbing passing merchants and travelers!"

“But…!” The police chief listened intently to the dense gunfire and explosions, frowning as he said, “Those bandits may be rampant, but they definitely don’t have such powerful firepower!”

"They wouldn't dare to have such audacity as to openly ambush an American governor...!"

"Hmph...!" Azu sneered, "Chief, I'm also very curious, if it's not a bandit, then who could it be...?"

……

The intense gunfire and explosions lasted for quite some time.

A full quarter of an hour later, the intense fighting gradually subsided.

A moment later, Shi Dakai, accompanied by a group of guards, returned to Azu's side, carrying several bloodied and mangled men in military uniforms.

"Report! We've repelled the attackers!"

Shi Dakai grabbed a mangled, bloodied figure: "Boss, the army of the Republic of New Grenada ambushed us...!"

"What……?"

Azu was taken aback: "The New Grenada Republic... Army?"

"Really?" Azu exclaimed in surprise, "The army of one country ambushing the governor of another country... This is simply a shameless act of war!"

Shi Dakai grabbed the mangled, bloodied wounded man and pointed the gun at his head.

"Tell me the truth, who are you? Why did you ambush an American governor...?"

“I…we…!” The captured wounded soldier was wearing the uniform of the New Grenada Republic Army, which was undeniable.

The unusually short and stocky prisoner, panting heavily, said, "We are the Army of the Republic of New Grenada, ordered to ambush the convoy of the Governor of California, USA...!"

"What......?"

The police chief was utterly shocked: "This...this is impossible...absolutely impossible!"

But the police chief looked the wounded prisoners up and down and saw that their equipment, uniforms, appearance, skin color, and pure Spanish colonial accents were no different from those of the New Grenada Army.

Azu asked coldly, "Whose orders are you following?"

"I...I don't know...I'm just a lowly second lieutenant, how could I possibly know which important figure gave the order?"

"Impossible...!" The police chief knew that if this matter wasn't clarified today, things would really get serious!

The police chief grabbed the lieutenant prisoner by the collar and pressed his gun against the other temple.

"Tell me honestly, who exactly are you?"

“Our army would never ambush an American governor!”

This police chief is really desperate!
When one's own country's army attacks foreign dignitaries who are legally transiting the country, this is more than just a simple diplomatic incident.

This is already a blatant act of war!

The furious police chief wanted nothing more than to shoot the guy.

"What?" Azu's icy voice rang out: "Chief, are you in such a hurry to kill someone to silence them?"

"I... Mr. Governor, please don't misunderstand... please don't misunderstand!"

"Put down your guns...!" Shi Dakai was even more direct: "Men, disarm all these policemen... be careful they don't become desperate!"

"Clatter clatter clatter...!"

The guards immediately loaded their guns and surrounded the police officers with their dark gun barrels.

Then, under Shi Dakai's command, they all disarmed them.

Azu then continued, "Shi Dakai, how many casualties did we suffer? How many prisoners did we capture?"

"Report!" Shi Dakai replied, "More than thirty of our brothers in the Imperial Guard have been killed or wounded!"

"After repelling the New Grenada army, we captured more than a dozen wounded soldiers who were unable to evacuate, as well as several corpses!"

Azu nodded: "Come on, take us to see the battlefield...!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Under the protection of Shi Dakai and the Imperial Guard, Azu led a group of disarmed policemen to the battlefield a few hundred meters ahead.

The fighting had just ended, and the guards were busy cleaning up the battlefield.

Everywhere there was wisps of smoke, craters from explosions, horrifying bloodstains, and corpses and wounded groaning in agony.

The vast battlefield was a scene of utter devastation!
Traces of war stretched from both sides of the road into the surrounding dense tropical rainforest.

Azu, who was on the battlefield, had a grim face.

Under his guidance, several girls, including nurse Vivian, personally cleaned and bandaged the wounds of the injured.

More than an hour later, the battlefield was cleaned up!

All the wounded and dead, as well as all the evidence left on the battlefield, were collected by the Guards—whether from their own side or the enemy's.

The cameramen used their lenses to record the battle that had just taken place, as well as everything that followed, onto film.

Upon receiving the news, the Governor-General of the New Grenada Republic of Panama rushed to the scene in a panic.

"Governor, could this be a misunderstanding...?"

The obese Panamanian governor, covered in sweat, kept wiping his brow with a towel.

"Governor, could you please hand over these prisoners to me?"

“Governor, I will interrogate them myself!”

"I assure you, I will give you a satisfactory explanation!"

(End of this chapter)