North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 264 Lincoln, willing to sell his soul!
"The curly-haired family of the Sioux?"

Yuma was not only a native Native American, but also had conducted special research and understanding of the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes' leaders before the expedition.

The curly-haired family is the spiritual leader and core of the Sioux tribe.

The women of this family have been hereditary "shaman priests" for generations and are the guardians of the Sioux's sacred object, the "bearskin robe."

The men of this family have served as war leaders of the "Warriors' Association" for generations.

Therefore, when Yuma heard that this eleven or twelve-year-old child was actually a member of the Curly Hair family, he was quite surprised.

Boulder was equally surprised and couldn't help but sneer, "Is there no one left in the Curly Hair family? Why would they send a child like you to the battlefield?"

"Hmph...!" Mad Horse turned around and gave Boulder another vicious glare.

Youma said in a deep voice, "Since you are a member of the Curly Hair Clan, I can let you go back, and I can also return Hongyun's body to you, but...!"

Crazy Horse remained silent, waiting for Ghost Horse to continue.

Seeing how calm and composed the boy was, Youma couldn't help but take another closer look at the child.

Then, Youma said, "However, I need you to deliver a message to the Su Clan...!"

"What message?"

Youma pointed to the thousands of dejected, blood-soaked Su tribe prisoners below the hill and said, "If you want to ransom your prisoners and wounded, have your shamans and elders come to me in person to negotiate!"

"I'm giving you three days. If the Su tribe doesn't come to negotiate by then, I'll send all these prisoners and wounded to the mines until they die!"

"Moreover, the army I command will completely wipe out the entire Su tribe...!"

Yuma, expressionless, issued his ultimatum.

Then, Youma ordered, "Give this child two horses and let him go back!"

After speaking, Youma, surrounded by his guards and advisors, quickly disappeared down the hillside.

Crazy Horse stared at Youma's retreating figure, his small fists clenched so tightly they were wet with sweat.

……

A moment later, Crazy Horse appeared riding one horse and leading another.

On the horse he was leading lay the corpse of Hongyun, whose blood had long since drained away.

In the bright spring sunshine, the figure of Crazy Horse gradually recedes into the distance, appearing so desolate and lonely.

……

After this great battle, Yuma believed that the Sioux would definitely choose to compromise.

In this war, the Sioux sent almost all of their able-bodied men.

Nearly 10,000 Sioux warriors and more than 1,000 Cheyenne cavalry, a total of 11,000, were captured after the battle, with more than 3,000 captured and 2,000 seriously wounded.

These young men were not only warriors on the battlefield, but also the main force in hunting bison.

If all these able-bodied men were to perish on the battlefield, tens of thousands of people from the Su and Xiayan tribes would face starvation.

……

As expected, two days later, Youma welcomed almost the entire core leadership of the Su and Xiayan tribes.

After three days of arduous negotiations, the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes, along with California, represented by Yoma, signed the Black Mountain Agreement.

According to the provisions of the Montenegro Agreement, from this day forward, the Sioux and Cheyenne peoples will, in a certain sense, be subordinate to California and to Azu, the temporary Western Commander.

Every year, a certain percentage of Native American warriors from both ethnic groups are selected to join the California National Guard.

At the same time, some children from both ethnic groups will be selected to attend schools at all levels in California.

The Sioux and Cheyenne peoples are free to move about within the designated reserves, but they are not allowed to harass or invade surrounding towns.

Within the reservation, California has the right to mine minerals and build roads and railroads.

California will provide food assistance to both ethnic groups based on the annual food harvest.

After the agreement was reached, the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes took back their respective prisoners and wounded.

Thus, the most powerful Sioux and Cheyenne tribe alliance among the Native Americans was essentially pacified.

Having lost most of their young and middle-aged men and severely weakened, both clans are unlikely to cause any significant trouble in the foreseeable future.

……

After dealing with the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes, Youma turned his guns on the Comanche and Apache tribes!

Having learned from past mistakes, the Comanche and Apache tribes did not choose to confront the Yuma commander's army head-on, but instead opted for negotiation.

In June 1853, the Yorma signed agreements with the Comanche and Apache tribes respectively.

The terms of the agreement are similar to those of the Montenegro Agreement.

……

Within just three months, Youma pacified the Xiayan, Su, Comanche, and Apache tribes one by one.

After these four major Native American tribes were forced to sign a peace agreement, the smaller Native American tribes dared not show their faces, and the situation in the entire West quickly stabilized.

Only then did Youma lead his army back to California.
-
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Huamei Corporation in San Francisco, California.

In his office, Azu looked at the two letters from afar laid out in front of him.

One of the letters came from St. Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire.

As Azu had expected, in this letter, Tsar Nicholas I personally invited Azu, the Earl of the Gold Mountain, to travel to St. Petersburg to discuss matters concerning Alaska.

In the same letter, Tsar Nicholas I also expressed great interest in the advanced weaponry and warships produced in California.

At this point in time, the contradictions between Tsarist Russia and Britain, France, Turkey, and Austria had become increasingly acute and public.

Neither side was willing to concede, and Tsarist Russia amassed 100,000 troops on the Prut River, ready to cross and occupy the two principalities along the Danube at any time.

Meanwhile, in the Black Sea, the Russian Black Sea Fleet was also pressing closer to the Ottoman Empire, ready to annihilate the Ottoman naval forces in the Black Sea at any time.

In such a tense situation, it was obvious that Tsar Nicholas I of Russia was eager to get rid of Alaska, a piece of land that was of little use, in exchange for war funds and weapons, given the possibility of war breaking out at any time with Britain, France, Turkey and Austria.

Azu recalled the timing of the Crimean War in his previous life and felt that this trip to Europe was now extremely urgent.

Once the war actually breaks out, it won't be so easy for him to profit from it.

……

The other letter on the table comes from a beautiful but melancholic princess from afar!

The news of Ah Zu's wedding, in which he married six brides on the same day, has already reached faraway Europe.

Even Empress Sisi learned that the man she deeply loved had done such a shocking thing.

In this letter, Sisi poured out her heart to Azu in an almost desperate tone, telling him everything that had happened recently.

Under the arrangement of Bismarck and her parents, Sisi had to go on frequent blind dates with several Prussian princes.

With Sisi's stunning beauty, no matter what prince she was, he would be immediately captivated and pursue her relentlessly.

These days, Sisi, who already has someone she likes, is being harassed by her parents, but she cannot go against their wishes.

Even King William IV of Prussia personally stepped forward to publicly propose marriage to his sons and nephews.

Things have progressed to this point, and whether Princess Sissi likes it or not, the outcome is almost certain.

In the letter, Sisi, nearly in despair, could only turn to her beloved for help.

……

Azu's fingers involuntarily traced Sisi's delicate and elegant handwriting as he said in a deep voice, "You Bismarck, you Wilhelm IV, you dare to openly rob my woman like this?"

“Pfft…!” Victoria, standing behind Azu, couldn’t help but chuckle: “Princess Sissi, when did you become your woman?”

"Isn't it only natural for the Prussian and Bavarian royal families to intermarry, which is an internal marriage within the Germanic peoples?"

"You already have all six of us sisters, and now you're setting your sights on the most beautiful princess in Europe?"

Ah Zu turned around and glared at her, then reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.

While fondling Victoria's long, slender, white legs, he said, "Sissi and I are in love. Even if the whole world opposes it, I will keep my word and take her back to California!"

"Hmm...!" Victoria, her heart pounding and eyes filled with seductive allure as Ah Zu played with her, asked, "So, what are you planning to do?"

"You're not thinking of simply leading troops to Europe and forcibly bringing that beautiful princess back, are you?"

“I’m not that arrogant or outrageous!” Azu replied. “The reason why Bismarck and Wilhelm IV were so eager to force Sisi to marry Prussia was simply because of their own interests.”

"In that case, sufficient benefits would be enough to persuade Prussia to withdraw."

"As for Sisi's parents, they initially approved of my relationship with Sisi, but they were worried that I already had so many wives... But as long as I appeal to their emotions and reason with them, I believe they will eventually agree...!"

"And the Bavarian royal family, heh, not worth worrying about...!"

At this point, Azu patted Victoria's pert and plump buttocks, then changed the subject: "Make arrangements for my trip to Europe as soon as possible."

"This time, there's no need for so many people to come along, especially you all...!"

“No, anyone can skip it, but I have to go with you!” Victoria immediately hugged Azu’s neck and protested.

"Where are you going?" Azu asked.

"With me here, my sisters can rest assured. Otherwise, in that extravagant and decadent place like Europe, who knows what kind of women you might get involved with...!"

"Also, I must be personally responsible for your safety; otherwise, we won't feel at ease...!"

Ah Zu glared at her again, and seeing that she was unyielding, he could only sigh and say, "Fine, then you'll come with me...!"

……

After Azu personally welcomed Youma back to the capital and rewarded her for a few days, Azu, along with Victoria and dozens of guards, embarked on a long voyage to Europe.

Ten days later, after passing through the Isthmus of Panama, personally guarded by Zuo Zongtang, they boarded the waiting fast armored cruiser "Guilin" in the port of Colón. Escorted by two frigates, they headed straight for Baltimore in the eastern United States. Here, Azu met Klein Perry and Lilith again.

After spending a wild night with Lilith, Azu went to Washington the next day to meet with President Abraham Lincoln.

President Lincoln was now preoccupied with the impending Civil War, and looked exhausted and overworked.

Upon seeing Azu, even President Lincoln's spirits were lifted.

"Li, I never imagined you could completely pacify the entire west in such a short time...!"

With that, Lincoln raised his glass high: "Come on, let's drink to our victory in the West!"

"Clink...!" After smiling and clinking glasses with him, Azu downed his drink in one gulp before saying, "The situation in the west has basically stabilized now, so shouldn't I, as the temporary commander of the west, step down?"

Lincoln downed his drink in one gulp, and after setting down his glass, he replied in a deep voice, "Not yet! War against the Southern states is now imminent!"

"I need you in the West to unite the forces of the entire West and provide strong support for the upcoming Civil War!"

"Oh...?" Azu raised an eyebrow. "So fast? Mr. President, have you already made all the preparations for this war?"

Lincoln shook his head sadly: "War is unpredictable, and no one can say that they are fully prepared."

"All I can say is that, under the current circumstances, I have done everything I could...!"

"I now have more than 500,000 troops under my command."

"I have made every effort to prepare all kinds of war materials and weapons."

"Maintaining such a large standing army for a long time would put immense pressure on the North."

"Now, more than half of our fiscal revenue is used for this huge army."

"If we don't start a war soon, our finances will collapse first...!"

Lincoln smiled wryly and said, "So, I'm now at a point where I have no choice but to act!"

Azu pondered for a moment and said, "My arsenal is already working overtime to produce advanced military weapons for you, and some have already been delivered one after another."

"Couldn't you wait until the army has completely completed its re-equipment before starting the war?"

"In this way, the Northern Army will have a huge advantage in terms of weaponry and will surely win quickly."

"Heh...!" Lincoln continued to shake his head and smile bitterly: "I can't wait to fully arm my army with your weapons...!"

"Even with the issuance of war bonds, the national treasury is almost completely depleted, and we don't even have a place to pay next month's government employee salaries...!"

"The complaints from the northern states are already boiling over... If war doesn't break out soon, I, the president, will be the first to be ousted!"

"Only by starting a war as soon as possible can I divert everyone's attention, use this as an excuse to impose war taxes, and take the opportunity to issue more war bonds...!"

Azu toyed with the wine glass in his hand and pondered, "Has the treasury really dried up to this extent?"

"In that case, I can provide the President with some funding...!"

Upon hearing this, Lincoln, who was nearly driven mad by money, suddenly brightened up: "Li, are you serious?"

Ah Zu smiled and nodded: "When have I ever talked nonsense? I always keep my word!"

“I can provide ten million dollars… but I have conditions.”

"What conditions?"

Azu pondered for a moment and said, "I need to obtain exclusive exploration and extraction rights for oil in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico!"

"Exclusive rights to explore and extract oil?"

Upon hearing this, Lincoln couldn't help but think about it carefully.

Before the widespread adoption of internal combustion engines, the importance of petroleum was not given sufficient attention.

In those days, oil had not even been industrially extracted.

The petroleum extracted sporadically is mainly used as a supplementary energy source to coal.

For example, kerosene is refined for lighting, lubricating oil is refined for lubricating machinery, and tar is refined for ship corrosion prevention, etc.

Oil has not received sufficient attention, and oil-rich areas such as Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico have received even less attention and development.

It's like a desperate beggar clutching an antique Yuan blue-and-white porcelain bowl, completely oblivious to its value.

What Azu needs to do is to seize the opportunity as early as possible and acquire as much oil resources as possible in advance.

Lincoln couldn't understand why his staunch ally and best friend would want this exclusive right to explore and exploit oil.

They even specified Texas and Louisiana?

Could it be that these two states have discovered vast oil reserves?

As the president, I've never heard of this!
Lincoln couldn't help but ask, "Lee, the war hasn't even started yet, and the outcome is still uncertain. Texas and Louisiana are both Southern states. If we lose, won't your exclusive exploration and mining rights be gone?"

Ah Zu smiled and said, "Any investment carries risks!"

"Furthermore, I have absolute confidence that the Northern Army will achieve final victory!"

“Even so…!” Lincoln pressed on, “Then why are you so sure that Texas and Louisiana have abundant oil reserves underground?”

"If there's no oil underground in those two states, wouldn't your investment also be a waste of money?"

Azu maintained his calm smile: "Mr. President, as you know, the University of California, which I founded, has some of the world's top geologists."

"Based on their research and judgment, there must be oil underground in Texas and Louisiana."

"As for whether or not there is any, and how much... well, we'll only have to wait until we win and then let the facts prove it."

"Sigh...!" Lincoln sighed. "So, you're not actually that sure either...!"

Azu laughed and said, "If this investment ultimately fails, then consider it my support for the Northern Army...!"

“Hmm…!” Lincoln nodded: “Since it’s about support, then let’s support more. Ten million dollars is far from enough…!”

"So, Mr. President, you mean...!"

Lincoln pondered for a moment and said, "Since you are interested in oil, I can give you all the oil resources in the West and the South, all the exclusive exploration areas and mining rights...!"

"This... Mr. President, your appetite is much bigger than I imagined!"

Lincoln continued, "If it weren't for the fact that the scattered oil resources in the Northern States already have owners, or even have been developed, I could give you all the oil in the country... as long as you're willing to pay!"

"Mr. President, are you really that desperate for money?" Azu asked in surprise.

Lincoln nodded without hesitation: "Lee, don't be afraid to tell me, the federal government and I are already desperate for money! I'm even willing to sell my soul if I can get enough money...!"

"Hahaha...!" Azu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Mr. President, I don't want your soul, I just want oil...!"

Lincoln continued nodding: "Now, our Republican Party holds a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives."

“We can completely use legislation to exclusively award the oil resources of the entire western and southern regions to a single company through a bidding process!”

"Under my personal manipulation, the company that wins the bid will only be your Huamei Industrial...!"

“Mr. President, I must say, you’ve gone astray!” Azu smiled and said, “You’ve even learned to operate behind the scenes. This is not the passionate Mr. Lincoln I first met!”

"Sigh...!" Lincoln shook his head with a wry smile: "A politician who can't operate behind the scenes is not a mature politician!"

Lincoln stared at Azu and said, "Lee, I'm willing to pull all this off for you behind the scenes, so how much money can you give me... no, how much money can you give the federal government?"

Azu pressed further, "How long is the validity period of this exclusive exploration and mining right?"

"Hmm... ninety-nine years? Is that long enough?"

"As long as you give enough money, ninety-nine years isn't long enough, we can add more...!"

"Enough, enough...!" Azu said with a wry smile, "Mr. President, it seems you want to drain my purse dry all at once!"

"Sigh... I was forced into this situation, Li. I hope you can understand my predicament."

“Of course I can understand the difficulties of being a head of a family, especially in the current challenging situation!” Azu pondered, “If it’s the exclusive exploration and extraction rights for oil in the entire West and South, with a term of ninety-nine years…!”

"I think twenty million dollars is a reasonable price, what do you think, Mr. President?"

Lincoln thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly: "Fifty million...!"

"It's too high... Where am I going to get that much money...!"

"Li, don't complain about being poor. I've only just given you a $40 million arms deal, and there will be many more orders to come!"

“This…!” Faced with Lincoln’s haggling, Azu couldn’t hold back any longer: “Twenty-five million US dollars, this is my final offer!”

Forty million US dollars...!

……

After intense bargaining, the deal was finally settled for $34 million.

Moreover, half of this transaction required Azu's Huamei Company to pay in cash, while the other half would be offset by military equipment and medical supplies.

With the deal finalized, Lincoln finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

At least for the second half of the year, the salaries of federal government employees are secured.

Meanwhile, the more than 500,000 federal troops under his command were able to complete the re-equipment and be fully armed with advanced Californian weaponry.

However, $34 million is only a temporary relief for the federal government at present, and is far from enough to truly solve the fiscal crisis.

But this oil monopoly deal opened a door for Lincoln!

Lincoln pondered for a moment and said, "Li, do you think if I auction off the exclusive mining rights to all the gold, coal, iron, copper, and other resources in the country, wouldn't that solve the entire financial crisis in one fell swoop?"

“Gurgle…!”

Upon hearing this, Azu's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

(End of this chapter)