North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 215 An unexpected encounter
The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

The California Coast Guard fleet, located outside the port of Panama, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet once again launched a fierce bombardment of the San Miguel Toro Heights.

After a full half hour of intense bombardment, the 2nd Brigade of the California National Guard, commanded by Shi Dakai, began its attack on the hill, which was less than 200 meters above sea level.

In this battle to capture the high ground, the California National Guard finally demonstrated its formidable firepower.

In addition to the firepower of the naval guns, close-range fire support was provided by 81mm mortars, followed by suppression of the defenders' firepower with HM51 heavy machine guns.

Finally, it was the infantry's turn to charge, using rifles, pistols, and grenades to clear out the remaining enemy in the trenches.

The two battalions that spearheaded the Second Brigade captured the seemingly easy-to-defend San Miglito Heights with just one charge.

The 136th Regiment of the New Grenada Army, which was responsible for covering the rear of the main force, was originally ordered to hold out for a day and a night.

But less than twelve hours later, all the positions were lost.

The 136th Regiment, with more than 2,000 men, was forced to retreat hastily after suffering over a thousand casualties.

……

Xu Lin, the company commander of the First Company who had just captured the position, was leading his men to clean up the battlefield in San Migliore.

By this time, the San Migliorto Heights had been riddled with holes after two days of intense bombardment.

Everywhere there were deep, huge shell craters, everywhere there were supplies that the enemy hadn't had time to take and had to abandon, everywhere there were traces of dark brown blood, as well as severed limbs and bits of flesh that were either human or animal.

"Company commander, tell me, why don't we pursue the enemy? If we just let them retreat, aren't we letting a tiger return to the mountains?"

When asked by his platoon leader, Company Commander Xu Lin replied, "With our firepower, we can just push straight through."

"If we rashly pursue them and fall into the enemy's ambush, wouldn't that be a losing proposition?"

"Hmm...that makes sense. You're right, Company Commander!"

"Stop flattering us, quickly clean up the battlefield, set up defenses, and be wary of an enemy counterattack...!"

"Yes, Sir...!"

……

After capturing San Miglito Heights, the California National Guard did not rush to advance inland.

Instead, they rested for another day, and then on the third day after the landing, the 2nd Brigade led the way, followed by the 1st Brigade and the Independent Artillery Regiment, advancing slowly and steadily into the interior of the Isthmus of Panama.

……

Meanwhile, in the port of Colon on the other side of the Isthmus of Panama, the home fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Paparo King was embroiled in a fierce battle.

Although the home fleet had defeated the Atlantic Fleet of the New Grenada Republic two days prior, General Paparo King felt rather helpless in the face of the fortified batteries outside the port of Colón.

With no advantage in range or firepower, they could only rely on the fleet's larger number of warships and cannons, along with the Cologne port fortress, to engage in a life-or-death exchange of fire.

After two days of fierce artillery battle, although about half of the gun positions of the Cologne port fortress were successfully destroyed, the home fleet also paid a heavy price, with five warships sunk and more than a dozen warships damaged.

When Paparo King received intelligence that another Californian army force had annihilated the New Grenada Republic Pacific Fleet and successfully captured Panama City, he felt ashamed and could no longer sit still.

On this day, under the personal command of General Paparo King, the American Home Fleet finally launched a general offensive against the Colón port fortress.

Under the relentless bombardment of dozens of warships, the Cologne port fortress was finally and completely destroyed.

However, this was only the beginning of the nightmare...!
With artillery support from the home fleet, 50,000 American troops landed in the port of Colón one after another.

What awaited them there was the main force of the New Grenada Republic, a powerful army consisting of three divisions, a cavalry brigade, and two artillery regiments.

With 50,000 against 50,000, the New Grenada Republic had the advantage of timing and location.

The U.S. Army, on the other hand, has the support of naval gunfire from the home fleet.

The two sides were evenly matched, and as soon as they engaged in battle, they inevitably fell into a fierce struggle.
-
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, California.

It was late January 1852 when Azu welcomed a guest who was both expected and unexpected.

To be precise, it was a whole family of guests, big and small.

“Mr. Darwin, I never expected that your family would arrive in my California so soon…!”

Azu tightly grasped Darwin's hands as he disembarked, and said with great joy, "Mr. Darwin, I thought you would have to wait at least a few more months...!"

“My Lord Earl, I can’t wait any longer!” Darwin’s face showed excitement when he saw the Earl of Gold Mountain again.

"After spending Christmas at home, our whole family immediately boarded a cruise ship to California."

"We just arrived in New York Harbor and heard that the United States and the Republic of New Grenada have officially declared war!"

"This completely blocks our route to California via the Isthmus of Panama."

"We had no choice but to cross the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico, which made the overland journey several times longer."

"Fortunately, the journey was fraught with danger, and we finally arrived in your California, Earl...!"

In fact, besides the Panama Isthmus, Central America also has the Tehuantepec Isthmus and the Guatemala Isthmus, which can be traversed by land.

Of these isthmuses, the Panama Isthmus has the shortest land journey and the most complete infrastructure, making it the first choice for the vast majority of people.

When the war broke out on the Isthmus of Panama, people and goods had no choice but to choose the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Isthmus of Guatemala.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Darwin shook hands with Azu directly.

Only after shaking hands did he realize that the person in front of him was the esteemed Earl.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency...!"

With that, Darwin bowed.

Along with his wife, eight children, and several servants, they all followed suit and performed the European court etiquette.

"Hahaha...!" Azu laughed as he helped Darwin up: "Mr. Darwin, this is America, this is California!"

"Here, there are no nobles, and no aristocratic etiquette!"

"We are equal friends."

Darwin was helped up by Azu: "Count, from now on, our whole family is at your disposal."

"Don't worry!" Azu patted Darwin's shoulder heavily: "Our University of California has already chosen a site and is currently under construction."

"You can stay here and research and write your theory of evolution before the University of California is built."

"Until then, I will continue to pay you the highest professor salary in the world and ensure your family's financial security."

Darwin wasn't too concerned about money.

His family is a medical family, practicing medicine for generations. Their accumulated wealth, while not that of the super-rich, is at least that of the upper class with considerable wealth.

Darwin said, "My lord, I am even more eager to discuss the theory of evolution with you...!"

"Don't worry, as long as you stay here, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future!"

……

In the suburbs of San Francisco, Azu personally selected a quiet estate and settled the Darwin family there.

In the days that followed, whenever he had time, Azu would sit down with Darwin for long talks and discuss the theory of evolution together.

Under Azu's personal guidance, Darwin's theory of evolution was rapidly perfected and enriched.

And the monumental work "On the Origin of Species" was rapidly formed during their discussions.
-
In faraway Europe, in Bavaria, lies the beautiful Posenhofen Castle.

It was deep winter, and Posenhofen Castle and its surroundings were already covered in snow, a world of ice and snow. Inside the castle, Duke Maximilian Joseph was urging his servants to pack the belongings of his family.

“Joseph, I saw in the newspaper that the United States has now declared war on the Republic of New Grenada.”

The Duchess, Princess Maria of Bavaria, looked at the chaotic Posenhofen Castle with slight dissatisfaction and asked, "Are you sure you want to go to America, to faraway California, at this time?"

"Ha!" Duke Joseph laughed loudly, "My dear lady, this is just a trivial little war!"

"Perhaps by the time we reach America, this little war will already be over?"

"Even if the war is not over yet, we still have other routes to reach the Earl of Gold Mountain's California!"

Princess Maria couldn't help but shake her head and say, "I still think it's very inappropriate to set off at this time...!"

“My dearest mother…!” Princess Sissi hugged her mother’s shoulders from behind, laughing excitedly, “The Alps in winter are just so cold and boring!”

“I’ve heard that winters in California are quite mild, so let’s go there for the winter, what do you say, my dear mother?”

“You…!” Princess Maria turned around and affectionately tapped Sisi’s small, pert nose hard: “You and your father are exactly the same, both so playful!”

"Hehe...!" Princess Sissi leaned her head on her mother's shoulder: "Mother, I can't wait to see the giant whale that's as big as a small mountain, the ferocious cougar, and the boots and belts made of snakeskin!"

"Really?" Princess Maria teased, "Could it be that our Sissi can't wait to meet that young Earl of Gold Mountain...?"

"Oh dear, Mother...!" Sisi's face flushed red instantly, and she couldn't help but scold, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Hahaha!" Duke Joseph laughed loudly, "Sissi, I think your mother is right. Have you really fallen for that young count?"

"Look at you, how many letters have you written to that handsome Earl Governor these past few months?"

"Oh dear, I didn't... Don't talk nonsense...!"

Sisi's face instantly turned bright red.

In Sisi's mind, the image of that tall, slender, and exceptionally witty young count resurfaced.

……

Two days later, Duke Maximilian Joseph and his wife, along with their seven children of all ages, a large entourage of guards and servants, and dozens of others, embarked on their long journey to California.
-
Meanwhile, Otto von Bismarck, who had just returned to Berlin, was summoned by His Majesty the King of Prussia.

"Your Majesty, what brings you to this audience?"

After bowing, Bismarck directly raised the question that had been on his mind.

Frederick William IV stood with his back to Bismarck, looking at the giant world map hanging on the wall.

Frederick William IV pointed to a distant place on the map and asked Bismarck, "Ambassador, how much do you know about America, about California?"

Why did you suddenly ask this question?
After a few thoughts raced through Bismarck's mind, he respectfully replied, "As far as I know, although the United States is isolated overseas, it is a rapidly developing and infinitely potential great power."

"Unlike Prussia, the United States has an extremely advantageous geographical location!"

"Putting everything else aside, there are no enemies worth mentioning around the United States. Even Canada and Mexico cannot pose an effective threat to the security of the United States."

"In addition to its vast territory, fertile lands, and countless mineral deposits, including gold... given time, America will surely become one of the great powers!"

"As for California, I only met that young Earl Governor once, and it was just a polite conversation."

Recalling that simple and polite conversation in Bismarck's mind, he continued, "Although we didn't discuss any specific matters, the sense that the count-governor gave me was... that he was an unfathomable person!"

"An unfathomable man?" Frederick William IV turned around, glanced at his German Confederation ambassador, and said in a deep voice, "Your summary is basically accurate!"

"It's incredible that the Earl Governor has achieved such amazing results in just two or three years."

"Moreover, he also possesses penicillin, advanced firearms, and even more powerful and advanced warships!"

"Even our Prussia placed a huge arms order of up to ten million US dollars with his Huamei Industrial."

Bismarck asked, "Does His Majesty mean... that I should be sent as an envoy to America, to California?"

“Yes!” Frederick William IV nodded. “We have already paid half of the huge sum of five million dollars for arms. I am really worried and need to send someone to investigate in person.”

"Moreover, I have heard that the United States and California have now declared war on the Republic of New Grenada, and they need to send people to examine the combat effectiveness of those advanced weapons and warships."

"Furthermore, what interests me even more is how that young count-governor was able to achieve such great success in such a short period of time?"

With that, Frederick William IV's gaze fell upon Bismarck's face: "After much consideration, I believe you, the ambassador in charge of foreign affairs, are the most suitable person to serve as envoy to America and California!"

"Moreover, you also met that count-governor once."

"Therefore, this mission is perfect for you!"

Bismarck nodded and replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I am very willing to go to America and California to personally investigate everything."

“Good, very good!” Frederick William IV walked up to Bismarck, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Remember the three tasks I have given you on your journey.”

"First, we need to assess the production status of our arms orders."

"Second, we will examine the actual combat performance of those advanced weapons and warships."

"Third, we need to examine the actual development situation in California and find out the fundamental reasons for California's achievements today."

Frederick William IV continued, "Our Prussia, if it wants to develop, must unify the whole of Germany."

"Perhaps we can learn some valuable lessons from the United States and from California."

"If we could win the support of the United States and that Earl Governor for our unification cause, that would be even better!"

Bismarck bowed and said, "As you wish, my esteemed Your Majesty!"

Frederick William IV added, “Furthermore, my distant cousin in Bavaria, Duke Maximilian Joseph, is passing through Prussian territory and will be boarding a ship in Hamburg to go to America.”

“Ambassador, my distant cousin, Duke Joseph of Bavaria, is merely a duke from a collateral branch of the Bavarian royal family, a figurehead.”

"But the purpose of his trip to America, to California, remains unclear."

"Perhaps the Bavarian royal family wants to gain the support of the United States and California through Duke Joseph's visit, who knows?"

"If Bavaria gains their support, it will more or less create unnecessary obstacles to our unification cause."

Frederick William IV continued, "If they really have such unrealistic goals, then my ambassador must prevent it from happening."

Bismarck nodded: "I understand, my esteemed Your Majesty!"

"Go!" Frederick William IV waved his hand. "Ambassador Bismarck, prepare as soon as possible. I have made arrangements for you and the Duke of Bavaria and his family to board the same cruise ship in the port of Hamburg...!"

……

A few days later, the family of Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria indeed "coincidentally" met the Prussian diplomatic delegation headed by Ambassador Bismarck on the "Grossdeutschland" ocean liner bound for America.

The two sides met unexpectedly on the luxurious top deck of the "Greater Germany".

"Your Excellency, it is truly a great honor to meet you on the same cruise ship!"

"Hahaha!" The naive Duke Joseph, thinking it was just a coincidence, laughed loudly, "Ambassador Bismarck, it is indeed an extraordinary coincidence that we are traveling to America on the same ship!"

After Bismarck bowed, he looked up and saw two tall, elegant, and beautiful young women following behind Duke Joseph.

Even a middle-aged man like Bismarck couldn't help but have his eyes light up.

"Your Grace, I've long heard that your two princesses are the most beautiful princesses in all of Europe!"

"Having seen them today, I realize their reputation is well-deserved... No, the two princesses are absolutely more beautiful than the legends describe!"

(End of this chapter)