North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 233 The knocker has arrived!
In this day and age, the shortest route from Alaska to St. Petersburg is actually the Arctic route.

However, without a professional icebreaker, taking the Arctic route is almost tantamount to suicide.

Icebergs everywhere, extreme low temperatures... they can kill you anytime, anywhere!

Azu had no other choice, but buying an Alaskan car was a big deal and couldn't be rushed; he could only wait patiently.

After the two whaling ships completed their resupply, Azu and his group prepared to embark on their return journey.

But before leaving, Ah Zu had some words to say to Wu Qingfeng.

"Qingfeng, besides developing supply ports and establishing representative offices, there is one more thing I would like to entrust to you on your trip to the Far East."

Wu Qingfeng replied, "Boss, just tell me what you need!"

Azu said, "Our company produces a wider variety of products with increasing output."

"Now, we need to continuously expand our sales market."

"In the Far East, besides China, there is another market that cannot be ignored."

Wu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and said, "Boss, are you talking about... Japan?"

“Yes!” Azu nodded and said, “Japan now has a population of thirty to forty million, which is not a small market.”

"Qingfeng, you lead our fleet. On this mission, you must open Japan's doors."

"If we can peacefully open Japan's doors, we should do so by peaceful means."

"If the Japanese won't take a toast, then we might as well give them a punishment."

"Use our powerful ships and cannons to blast open Japan's doors!"

"Your mission is to turn Japan into a dumping ground for all our industrial products, understand?"

Wu Qingfeng nodded: "Boss, don't worry, I understand!"

……

Several days later, the two whaling ships, carrying the group, finally returned to San Francisco.

When the whaling ship carrying the giant bowhead whale arrived at Clark Pier, it caused quite a stir.

Catching such a huge bowhead whale at this time of year has greatly surprised many people.

Duchess Joseph, Princess Maria of Bavaria, Princess Nene, and her five younger children were utterly shocked as they stared at the enormous mountain of flesh before them.

"Joseph...this...this really was caught by you?"

Princess Maria covered her mouth, exclaiming in shock, "This...this whale is too huge, too amazing...!"

Joseph, beaming with pride, put his arm around his wife's waist: "Well, my dear Maria, I told you I would catch a giant whale myself and give it to you!"

"Now, are you satisfied with this gift?"

Maria glared at Duke Joseph reproachfully: "What am I going to do with such a huge whale?"

“We can show off!” Duke Joseph’s smug expression deepened. “If our family takes a picture in front of this giant whale and takes it back to Europe, won’t all those noble ladies be green with envy?”

"boring……!"

Despite saying that, Princess Maria still took her family to pose for a precious photo in front of the giant whale.

……

Several days later, after spending more than two months as guests in California, the Duke of Joseph and his family finally prepared to embark on their journey home.

The Prussian delegation, led by Bismarck, was also preparing to return to Europe at the same time.

Ah Zu was reluctant to part with them and personally saw them off.

Saying goodbye to other people is fine.

But when it came time to say goodbye to Princess Sissi, the once lively and lovely girl was now a sobbing mess.

"My dearest Sisi, don't cry!"

Ah Zu gently embraced Sisi's delicate body and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, in a year or two, I will personally go to Bavaria to see you again!"

"If you still haven't changed your mind by then, then we'll be together forever!"

Sisi sobbed softly, "Are you telling the truth?"

Ah Zu nodded emphatically: "Of course it's true. Even if I had to lie to the whole world, I would never lie to you!"

“However…!” Azu continued in Sisi’s ear, “You absolutely must not go to see your Austrian Emperor cousin, otherwise… the consequences will be very serious, and it will ruin your life’s happiness!”

Ah Zu had repeated this to Qianqian several times.

Sisi nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I will absolutely not go to see that cousin...!"

"Alright!" Azu smiled and released Qianqian: "Go home in peace. A year or two will pass quickly, and I will definitely come to see you again!"

"Remember to write to me often, my dear little Sisi!"

"Mmm...!" Sisi nodded emphatically, "You absolutely, positively must come... I'll be waiting for you...!"

...When the mail ship sounded its horn, and she stood on the high ship's side waving to Azu, Princess Sissi burst into tears again!
Sisi, who was carefree and innocent since childhood, may not have shed as many tears in her entire life as she has today!

……

Even after the mail ship had sailed far from the dock and the young figure was no longer visible, Sisi remained standing alone at the stern, gazing affectionately in his direction.

Not far away, Duke Joseph, Princess Maria, Princess Nene, and several other children watched Sissi's retreating figure with somber expressions.

"Alas...!" Duke Joseph sighed softly, "It's a pity, I was originally willing to let Sissi and that Chinese count be together...!"

"But why does that damned Chinese guy have so many women...!"

"My poor little Sisi has really suffered...!"

Princess Maria's eyes were already red, and tears were welling up in them: "My Sisi is so pitiful, she just had to fall in love with a man she shouldn't have!"

“These days, Joseph, you and Sissi have been going hunting with that Chinese governor.”

"And I also intend to try to get to know the count's women better."

Joseph exclaimed in surprise, "My dear lady, I never imagined you would have such thoughts!"

"So? Who are those women? Why are they all willing to follow him?"

Princess Maria replied, “Vivian with blonde hair, Daisy with brown hair, Victoria with dark gold hair, Yuma with black hair, Monica with red hair, and a Chinese woman named Fu Shanxiang!”

"Six women in total, all of them very beautiful! Apart from Vivian, who can be considered his fiancée, the other women are currently unknown."

"Even so, these women followed him willingly and wholeheartedly."

"Why is this happening?" Joseph asked curiously. "What are these women after?"

"Sigh...!" Princess Maria sighed softly, "Perhaps it's because he's just too outstanding, making all women unable to help but fall deeply in love with him!"

Princess Maria continued, "Some of these women even converted to the Mormon Church for him."

"The Mormons? What kind of religion is that?" Joseph asked, puzzled.

The Mormon Church was founded in New York, and its influence at that time was limited to the United States. It had no influence in Europe at all, and Duke Joseph had never even heard of it.

Princess Maria glanced at Duke Joseph and explained, "The doctrine of the Mormon Church allows its followers to have multiple wives!"

"What...? There are actually such sects? Are they really still followers of my Lord...?"

At this point, Duke Joseph suddenly realized and said, "Maria, you mean if our Sissi converted to the Mormon Church, wouldn't that be...?"

"Absolutely not!" Princess Maria shook her head without hesitation. "Don't even think about it! Don't forget our Sissi's identity and bloodline...!"

"Hehe...!" Duke Joseph chuckled awkwardly, "I was just joking...!"

“But Maria, what do you think we should do about this?”

Joseph added, "Look at Sissi, she's completely smitten, in love to the core."

"I really don't want to see our Sisi looking so heartbroken...!"

"Sigh...!" Princess Maria sighed heavily. "What can we do? Unless that Chinese man is willing to marry only Sissi, I can't think of any other way."

"Ahem...!"

Just then, a soft cough sounded not far behind the couple, followed by a familiar, deep voice: "Excuse me, I was just passing by and didn't mean to overhear the Duke and Princess's conversation...!"

Joseph and Mary turned around and saw Bismarck not far away.

“Mr. Ambassador…!” Duke Joseph regarded this increasingly close friend as one of his own, and was not at all surprised to see him appear.

Bismarck bowed slightly to the Duke and Duchess before saying, "The things you are worried about, there are actually other ways to deal with them!"

"That young count-governor is indeed exceptionally talented. But in Europe, there are many outstanding young men who are worthy of the lovely Princess Sissi!"

Princess Maria frowned slightly: "Mr. Ambassador, you mean...?"

"What I mean is, if we introduce more outstanding young people to Princess Sissi, perhaps she will gradually forget about that Chinese man!"

Bismarck said in a deep voice, "For example, in our Kingdom of Prussia, there are several outstanding princes who are well-matched with Princess Sissi in terms of family background, character, and wealth...!"

Upon hearing Bismarck's words, Duke Joseph and his wife exchanged a glance.

It seems like there's no other way in this situation!
"But would our Sisi agree?" Duke Joseph asked hesitantly.

Bismarck replied, "Take your time. Time heals all wounds! Sooner or later, Her Highness Sissi will change her mind."

Duke Joseph and Duchess Joseph exchanged another glance before sadly replying, "Well, that's the only way!"

Hearing the couple's reply, Bismarck felt a slight surge of joy.

He did not want to see the marriage alliance between the Kingdom of Bavaria and California cause any obstacle to the great cause of the Kingdom of Prussia's unification of Germany.

If it could disrupt this marriage alliance, Bismarck wouldn't mind suggesting to His Majesty the King that a certain prince be married into the Kingdom of Bavaria.

This would further solidify the foundation for German unification.

Why not?
(End of this chapter)