North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 247 Just for a Way to Survive

Shi Dakai personally welcomed Feng Yunshan back to his home.

Key figures like Shi Dakai now own their own residences within the headquarters of Huamei Company.

These houses are almost all identical, with small courtyards made of blue bricks and green tiles.

From the No. 1 courtyard where Azu himself lived, they built all the way up to the No. 99 courtyard.

And new ones are constantly being built.

The core members, who were originally scattered throughout the city of San Francisco, have gradually moved into these newly built courtyards.

This not only ensures greater security but also makes management more convenient.

However, for a young bachelor like Shi Dakai, besides himself, there were only two rather old personal guards at home.

The large house felt cold and simple.

It wasn't until Feng Yunshan brought his only three Taiping soldiers to live in the courtyard that it gained a bit of life.

Feng Yunshan surveyed the austere and simple home and couldn't help but ask, "Greetings, I heard you're now a general commanding thousands of troops, how come your living quarters are still so simple?"

Shi Dakai chuckled: "To be honest, Mr. Feng, I usually live in the military camp and rarely come home, so..."

Feng Yunshan smiled with relief: "I heard that your boss is the richest man in the world. I thought he would treat his meritorious employees so harshly."

Shi Dakai replied, "How could that be! My boss is the most generous and magnanimous person."

"With the shares I received at Huamei Company, the annual dividends are enough to ensure I live a life of comfort and ease."

"Since that's the case...!" Feng Yunshan chuckled mischievously, "Then why don't you marry a few wives and start having more children soon?"

"Sigh...!" Shi Dakai sighed and said, "It's different here than in China. There are already few Han women here, and even fewer who are unmarried. Those who are even remotely attractive can be counted on one hand."

"Besides, I'm too busy with military affairs to have the time or inclination for that. Right now, all of us have been sent to military academies by the boss, training and studying day and night. Where would we find the time for that!"

"Even to pick you up today, I had to ask for leave from the military academy to be able to go out."

"Besides, I did have a wife back in my hometown... and she even gave birth to a daughter for me!"

Feng Yunshan nodded: "I know about this!"

"Ever since you were wanted by the authorities, your wife has moved back to her parents' home."

“A few months after you left for overseas, your wife gave birth to a daughter.”

"But even if your wife gives birth to a daughter, she won't dare to say anything, for fear of being implicated by you."

"However, since you went overseas, the rumors of the government issuing a warrant for your arrest have long since died down."

Feng Yunshan continued, "Since we started our uprising, the government has been too busy to care about anything else, so naturally no one has paid attention to your family's affairs."

Shi Dakai was silent for a moment before saying, "Mr. Feng, have you seen my mother in the past two years?"

Feng Yunshan shook his head slightly: "After you left, I went to your house, but I heard that your mother had already been taken away."

"It wasn't until I met Wu Qingfeng that I learned your mother had been taken away by the Wu family and was now enjoying a comfortable life in Guangzhou."

Shi Dakai knew about this, of course, but he hadn't been home to see his mother for two or three years, and he was filled with guilt.

At this point, both of them fell silent for a moment.

Feng Yunshan asked curiously, "Gentleman, what do you mean by that military academy you mentioned?"

Once this was mentioned, Shi Dakai immediately launched into a long explanation of the significance of military academies and the content of daily study and training to Feng Yunshan.

After a long while, Feng Yunshan finally understood the meaning of this military academy.

"In order to standardize, professionalize, and modernize the military, all officers must study and train in military academies until they receive their graduation certificates before they can continue to serve in the military...!"

After thinking for a long time, Feng Yunshan finally couldn't help but exclaim, "Your boss is indeed a genius!"

"With this military academy, we can train officers in an endless stream!"

"These officers are able to master the skills of marching and fighting when they take office."

"Moreover, after unified learning and training, all military orders can be strictly enforced, and even thousands of troops can be commanded as if they were one person!"

"And then there's the training of professional officers—cavalry, artillery, engineers, communications, medics…!"

"I'm starting to understand what your boss meant by 'standardization, specialization, and modernization'!"

At this point, Feng Yunshan couldn't help but slap his thigh hard: "When I get back, I will definitely build a military academy exactly the same!"

"This... Mr. Feng...!" Shi Dakai hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Seeing Shi Dakai's appearance, Feng Yunshan asked in surprise, "You're welcome! Speak freely!"

Shi Dakai sighed softly: "Mr. Feng, it's not that I don't think your idea of ​​building a military academy for the Taiping Army is good, but... I think it's too difficult to implement."

"Why?" Feng Yunshan pressed.

Shi Dakai explained, "No one knows the situation in the God Worshipping Society and the Taiping Army better than you and me!"

"The vast majority of them were illiterate poor people. If they wanted to enter a military academy for training, they would at least have to be literate, right? There weren't many literate people in the entire Taiping Army. How could this military academy be built?"

"Moreover, building a military academy requires a relatively stable environment!" "Where could a military academy be built for an army like the Taiping Rebellion, which fought across the country without a secure rear?"

"Furthermore, the Taiping Army is constantly being besieged and suppressed by the Qing government, and is exhausted every day. If all the capable officers are sent to military academies, who will be able to command the battle?"

"As for basic requirements such as teaching materials and experienced instructors, does Mr. Feng think the Taiping Army possessed these?"

Shi Dakai's series of questions left Feng Yunshan speechless.

After a long pause, Feng Yunshan finally said, "I dare say your concerns are quite correct! I was just too hasty!"

"Even if we were to establish a military academy, it would probably only be possible after our Taiping Army had established a stable base."

……

On this day, Shi Dakai and Feng Yunshan had a long talk until nightfall.

While the two were having dinner, they suddenly heard a hearty laugh outside the gate.

"I heard that Mr. Feng was honored to grace our California with his presence, but I am so late! Please forgive me!"

Upon hearing the sound, Shi Dakai reflexively put down his chopsticks, a look of joy appearing on his face. Without hesitation, he stood up straight, his military posture ramrod straight.

Seeing his expression, Feng Yunshan couldn't help but frown slightly.

With his intelligence, he certainly knew who was coming from outside the door.

But what surprised him even more was Shi Dakai's natural reaction!
Before this, Feng Yunshan still harbored the idea of ​​tricking Shi Dakai back.

But at this moment, Feng Yunshan knew clearly that he could never go back to the way things were with his younger brother, who had once been his right-hand man!

……

Amidst laughter, a tall, thin, handsome young man, dressed casually yet dashingly, appeared in Feng Yunshan's line of sight.

"Is this Mr. Feng Yunshan?"

Azu laughed heartily, quickly stepped forward, and grasped Feng Yunshan's hands in the wheelchair.

"My name is Li Zunian. I have just met Mr. Feng!"

Feng Yunshan was still not used to the governor's overly friendly and warm manner, and even less used to Western etiquette such as handshakes.

So, after Azu let go of his hand, Feng Yunshan still habitually cupped his hands in a salute to Azu.

"My name is Feng Yunshan. I have met Mr. Li..."

"Haha!" Ah Zu laughed, "I really didn't expect that the second-in-command of the God Worshipping Society, the Southern King of the Taiping Army, would actually grace my little California with his presence!"

"I've been too busy with official duties during the day to come," Ah Zu continued. "That's why I've come uninvited and disturbed your meal."

"Snap...!" After giving a military salute, Shi Dakai asked, "Boss, have you had dinner yet? How about... you just grab something to eat here?"

Ah Zu smiled and shook his head: "I just finished my work and came over. I didn't have time to eat."

Upon hearing this, the guards nearby quickly added a bowl and chopsticks.

So the three of them sat around the table and ate and chatted.

Shi Dakai always ate very simply here, but because Feng Yunshan was there, there were two more dishes.

The food was simple, but the things we talked about were anything but simple.

Ah Zu said, "About half a month ago, I received a letter from Wu Qingfeng, which mentioned Mr. Feng's medical treatment in Hong Kong."

"At the time, I was thinking, would Mr. Feng come to California for a visit?"

"I never imagined that this day would actually come true!" Ah Zu's emotions and words were completely unpretentious, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze: "I've been looking forward to this day and night, and finally Mr. Feng has arrived...!"

As he spoke, Azu raised his teacup and said, "Mr. Feng is still recovering from his serious injuries and should not drink alcohol. Today, I will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine!"

Feng Yunshan raised his teacup, gently clinked it against Azu's, took a sip, and then said, "What merit do I, Feng, possess to deserve such high regard from Mr. Li?"

Ah Zu put down his teacup and said seriously, "Mr. Feng, it's not for anything else, but for your patriotic and people-oriented spirit!"

Feng Yunshan shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I'm not afraid that Mr. Li will know, but when we went to Guangxi to preach, we didn't think about serving the country or the people at all... we were just looking for a future and a way out for ourselves!"

"Mr. Hong and I studied for two or three decades, but failed the imperial examinations repeatedly, unable to even obtain the title of a scholar. Thus, we became cynical and had no choice but to take risks and resort to unorthodox methods."

"It wasn't until I was in Zijing Mountain in Guangxi, and witnessed firsthand how those charcoal burners, miners, and tenant farmers were oppressed and exploited by landlords and officials, subjected to all kinds of humiliation, and lived inhuman lives, that I gradually developed the idea of ​​helping the world and saving the people."

"And ultimately, it was a last resort that led to raising the flag and rebelling."

Ah Zu listened quietly, and finally nodded in admiration, saying, "No matter what, I have to admire what you've done, Mr. Feng!"

“In my opinion, you are on the right track!” Azu continued.

"Hmm...?" Upon hearing this, Feng Yunshan was immediately surprised.

“Mr. Li, as far as I know, you have always been very disapproving of the doctrines and actions of our Taiping Army!”

"Why do you say that now?"

(End of this chapter)