North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 265 The situation is excellent!
President Abraham Lincoln's idea of ​​going all out and selling everything left even Azu stunned.

"Mr. President, your idea is... truly terrifying!"

Azu swallowed hard and said, "Selling the exclusive exploration and extraction rights to oil, a trivial resource, is no problem. After all, it's not a very important resource."

"But gold, coal, iron ore and copper ore... each of these resources is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and is of great importance."

"If a company were to monopolize these vital resources that are crucial to the national economy and people's livelihood, it would essentially mean that it controls the lifeline of America and has America by the throat!"

"The federal government is indeed desperate for money. They could consider selling exploration and mining rights for a certain area, but the nation's vital resources absolutely cannot be controlled by a single company...!"

Upon hearing Azu's suggestion, President Lincoln immediately realized his mistake and nodded in deep agreement: "Lee, you're absolutely right!"

"I could consider selling exploration and mining rights in the southern states and the west to a company in sections, thereby solving the problem of war funding."

"But vital resources such as gold, coal, iron ore, and copper ore, which are crucial to the national economy and people's livelihood, must absolutely not be monopolized by any single company...!"

With Lincoln's political acumen and wisdom, he could have immediately grasped the key points and risks with just a little guidance.

President Lincoln couldn't help but exclaim, "Lee, is there anything in this world that can stump you?"

"I and the entire federal government are almost driven crazy by the fiscal crisis! And yet you just sat down, casually mentioned it, and it was solved so easily!"

"Li, your wisdom and vision are simply breathtaking!"

"I simply can't imagine what problem in this world you can't solve...!"

Faced with Lincoln's flowery flattery, Azu simply smiled faintly and raised his glass to him!
……

After another drink, President Lincoln changed the subject, saying, "Lee, at this critical juncture, I need you very much, and America needs you very much too!"

"But at this crucial moment, you chose to go to Europe... Is there anything in Europe that would attract you more than the impending Civil War?"

"Haha...!" Azu blushed and laughed, "In Bavaria, I have a close female friend who is being forced into marriage by her family... I once promised her that I would give her the freedom to choose...!"

"Therefore, I must make this trip...!"

"Hahaha...!" Upon hearing this, Lincoln couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing so hard he was doubled over, and even tears streamed down his face!
"Li, you really...you really are a greedy guy...hahaha!"

"You've already married six beautiful wives, and now... now you're still eyeing European beauties... Hahaha!"

Lincoln couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so heartily.

Only in front of this most steadfast ally and closest friend could he relax so much and laugh so unrestrainedly.

After a long pause, Lincoln finally managed to stop laughing: "Lee... I could never have imagined, even if I racked my brains, that your trip to Europe was... was actually for a woman...!"

"Hehe...!" Azu's old face flushed again: "It's not all about women, there's something else too...!"

"what's up?"

"This time, I am making an official visit to St. Petersburg at the invitation of the Tsar...!"

"At the Tsar's invitation, a formal visit to Russia...?" Lincoln asked curiously, "Why?"

Azu answered truthfully: "More than a year ago, I leased a small island in Alaska to build a supply port for California merchant ships."

"I heard from the head of the Russian-American company that Tsarist Russia has plans to sell Alaska...!"

“Sell Alaska?” Lincoln was even more astonished: “Given Tsarist Russia’s insatiable greed for territory, how could they possibly sell such a vast territory as Alaska?”

So, Azu analyzed the current situation in Europe for President Lincoln.

"Not only is a war within the United States imminent, but a major war in Europe is also urgently needed."

"I estimate that Tsarist Russia will declare war on Britain, France, and other countries within this year."

"Although Alaska is a vast territory, it is isolated overseas and too far from St. Petersburg."

"Moreover, this land was a desolate and icy wasteland. After Tsarist Russia occupied Alaska, it did not gain any benefits at all."

"On the contrary, because Alaska is adjacent to Canada, which is part of the British Empire, it could be easily seized by the British Empire if war breaks out between the two sides."

Azu continued, "Therefore, it's understandable that the Tsar wanted to sell Alaska."

President Lincoln then realized what was going on and said thoughtfully, "I see! But why are you interested in that incredibly desolate, icy land of Alaska?"

Azu couldn't simply answer that although Alaska may seem desolate, beneath that icy landscape lies an immense wealth of gold, oil, coal, natural gas, and so on.

This vast, desolate, icy land is actually a treasure trove of resources that is hard to come by!

Moreover, Alaska's strategic location is equally important. Especially for Azu, Alaska is a crucial link between California and China…!
Azu simply replied, "It's not because those geologists at the University of California, through their research, have speculated that there might be coal buried underground in Alaska...!"

"Mr. President, as you know, California is actually quite lacking in many minerals besides gold."

“Especially iron ore and coal mines... California’s current industrial development is severely limited due to the lack of these two key minerals.”

"Currently, we can only purchase and transport coal and steel from the East and Europe at extremely high costs."

“Alaska isn’t far from California. If there really is coal buried there… that would be a lifesaver for me!”

“I see…!” Lincoln shrugged. “Looks like you’re making another risky gamble.”

"Even if there is coal underground in Alaska, it would not be an easy task to extract it from that icy and snowy land."

"In fact, why bother with something as risky as buying Alaska? Our northeastern United States has extremely rich coal and iron ore resources."

“Who can argue with that…?” Azu shrugged helplessly. “But what can we do? The Panama Canal isn’t open yet, and California and the East don’t have convenient sea and land routes…!”

Lincoln took a sip of his drink and said seriously, "Lee, are you interested in building a transcontinental railroad spanning the east and west of the United States?"

“Of course I’m interested…!” Azu raised an eyebrow and said, “Actually, I’ve wanted to make this suggestion to you for a long time… but the federal government’s top priority right now is to deal with the separatist southern states, so I’ve been putting this suggestion off again and again.”

“You’re right. The federal government really doesn’t have the time or the financial resources to invest in the construction of the transcontinental railway right now. However… you can start construction on the western section of the transcontinental railway ahead of schedule!”

"The western section of the Transcontinental Railway...!" Azu immediately became interested: "Mr. President, you mean...!"

"I mean the western section of the Transcontinental Railroad, from San Francisco all the way to Omaha, and even to Chicago...!"

Lincoln smiled and said, "Lee, if you are willing to take the lead in promoting the construction of this railway, I can provide you with all the authorization, support and convenience!"

Azu pondered, "From San Francisco to Omaha, or even all the way to Chicago...!"

"Even if it extends to Omaha, this section of the Western Railway is more than half the length of the entire Transcontinental Railway."

"Moreover, building railways in the west faces a series of enormous difficulties."

"I need to cross the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains, traverse the desolate Sierra Nevada desert, enter the Rocky Mountains, cross the Utah Salt Flats where railroad tracks erode, and wade through the massive avalanche canyons of Wyoming...!"

Lincoln shrugged: "You seem to have done detailed research and exploration on this transcontinental railroad long ago. Otherwise, how could you be so familiar with the difficulties in building this railroad...!"

"Haha!" Azu laughed, "If you want to accomplish something this big, you should of course start preparing as early as possible."

"I did conduct research and preliminary exploration on this railway."

"They are also very interested in building this railway."

“But…!” Azu shrugged: “Mr. President, like you, I don’t have any free time right now.”

"Oh why?"

Azu replied, "With California's current strength, building the Panama Canal is already extremely difficult, let alone affording the construction costs of the transcontinental railway, not to mention the large amount of manpower and resources required!"

Lincoln pondered for a moment, then could only sigh, "It seems that we can only push this railroad forward when we have the time."

For President Lincoln and the federal government, the strategic significance of this railway was even greater than that of the Panama Canal!

The federal government's control over the entire western region is now practically nonexistent!

The United States' sovereignty over the vast West is far more symbolic than actual control.

Even if some western state were to follow the example of the southern states and openly declare independence, the American president and federal government would most likely be powerless to do anything about it!

With its current financial and material resources, the United States simply cannot afford to launch another long and costly expedition as far away as the Mexican-American War.

Not to mention the constraints imposed by the independent southern states!

To achieve true dominance and control over the vast west, this transcontinental railway is imperative, and the sooner the better.

Therefore, President Lincoln directly persuaded his staunchest ally and closest friend to expedite the construction of the transcontinental railroad. It seems this ally and friend was indeed very interested in the railroad, but equally lacked the necessary resources and capabilities.

It's such a shame!

As for Azu, he was perfectly clear about what the president was planning.

From a purely commercial standpoint, Azu strongly supports the transcontinental railway.

Only by building the transcontinental railway, connecting major eastern cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, and Washington, to San Francisco, can California truly achieve efficient flow of people, goods, and information.

The strategic significance of the transcontinental railway for California's prosperity is self-evident.

However, from Azu's long-term planning perspective, it is not yet time to start construction on this transoceanic railway.

The West, far from the emperor's reach, is now taking advantage of the fact that everyone is preoccupied with the Civil War and has no time to look westward, to conquer and seize as much territory as possible.

If the transcontinental railway were to open, the power of the United States would be projected along the railway line all the way to the Pacific Ocean…!
This railroad must not be built until we have established our advantage over the United States!
Of course, Azu's excuse was also brilliant: the Panama Canal construction project was so huge, who would have the spare capacity to build a transcontinental railway at the same time?

……

Lincoln, with a hint of regret, took a sip of his drink and continued, "Lee, if you really do buy Alaska, what do you plan to do with this vast territory?"

Ah Zu sighed inwardly, knowing that this president was trying to make a quick buck again.

California is California of the United States, and Huamei Corporation is also Huamei Corporation of the United States.

Whether California buys Alaska or Huamei Corporation buys Alaska, wouldn't that mean the United States buys Alaska?

For no apparent reason, the United States gained a vast new territory without investing a single penny or shedding a drop of blood. Isn't this like a pie falling from the sky?
Ah Zu could only temporarily decline, saying, "Mr. President, this is still in the early stages, so it's too early to say how to handle it!"

"Our Huamei Company bought Alaska from the Russian-American Company. Even if we really bought it, it should only be considered an overseas colony of the company, right...?"

Azu was subtly and overtly implying to the president that he would not automatically incorporate Alaska into the territory of the United States.

Lincoln's breath hitched slightly, and he continued tentatively, "Lee, why can't we just make Alaska an administrative district under California?"

If Alaska becomes a district of California, what's the difference between that and it becoming a territory of the United States and being incorporated into a district?
To be honest, there's absolutely no difference!

After thinking it over, Azu replied, "It's too early to talk about this now. We can talk about it when I can actually buy it!"

"Well... fine then!" President Lincoln could only shrug helplessly after getting a lukewarm response from Azu.

Lincoln still relies entirely on the strong support of this young governor.

In many aspects, including stability in the West, finances, and military supplies, this staunch ally and close friend was Lincoln's strongest support.

Therefore, at this point, President Lincoln had no other choice but to tolerate the young Chinese governor and let things take their course.

Even if Alaska became Azu's private territory, Lincoln could only swallow his anger and couldn't do anything about it!

If, at this critical moment, this ally and friend were pushed too far and completely sided with the Southern states… the resulting serious consequences would be something that President Lincoln and the federal government could not afford!

Thinking of this, Lincoln couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine!
When did this young Chinese governor in front of me develop to the point where I, the president, and the federal government are completely powerless against him?
Once this thought arises in your mind, it will inevitably grow wildly!
Between these two close allies and friends, a barely perceptible rift is quietly growing!
At that moment, Lincoln quickly put the thought out of his mind and dared not think about it further.

He quickly changed the subject, saying, "Li, since you're going to Europe this time, can I give you another task?"

Azu smiled and said, "Mr. President, what is the task? As long as I can do it, I'd be more than happy to!"

Lincoln said seriously, "The Civil War is imminent, but most European countries are wavering in their attitude toward this war."

"I hope that during your trip to Europe, you can win the support of the European powers for our federal government!"

"If we can secure substantial support, such as military supplies, or even financial and material support, that would be ideal."

"Even if we can't secure substantial support, we must at least strive to get them to side with the federal government on the surface!"

Lincoln continued, "Don't underestimate the power of superficial moral support! It's crucial for morale and fighting spirit!"

"If the European powers could stand with us, then at least morally, we would completely occupy the moral high ground and be the ones representing justice!"

“You Chinese often say that a war must have a just cause. I think you should be able to fully understand the importance of this kind of moral support!”

Azu wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Of course I understand the importance of morality! Of course I will also lobby the European powers to support the federal government!"

"However, I am but a nobody, and I cannot predict how much influence I can have or how much support I can gain from the great powers."

“So…!” Azu said calmly, “Mr. President, you shouldn’t have too high expectations of me.”

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate!" Lincoln replied.
-
As they left the White House and returned to the representative office in their carriage, Azu smiled and asked Feng Yunshan across from him.

"Mr. Feng, you listened in on my entire conversation with the President of the United States. What are your thoughts on that?"

Feng Yunshan, who had been recuperating in California for a full year and was preparing to return to China, was dragged along by his father, Azu, to the East and Europe.

For Feng Yunshan, this was an absolutely rare and excellent opportunity to broaden his horizons and get to know the world!
Feng Yunshan had set a one-year deadline long ago, at which time he would definitely return to China.

But this rare, heaven-sent opportunity, though Feng Yunshan outwardly reluctant, was deep down extremely eager to follow his ancestor and see the real, vast world with his own eyes.

Especially after witnessing California's prosperity and strength, its advanced industry, thriving technology, and the peaceful and happy lives of its people, Feng Yunshan's worldview, outlook on life, and values ​​are undergoing a dramatic transformation, drawing on what he has learned from countless books over the past year.

Originally, Feng Yunshan was just a poor, pedantic scholar who couldn't even pass the imperial examinations. He was full of complaints, believing that heaven and earth were unjust, the Qing Dynasty was unjust, and society was unjust...!
That's why he joined forces with Mr. Hong to create the absurd God Worshipping Society, and then raised the banner of righteousness to overthrow all the injustices in the world.

As for how to build a completely new country after overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and achieving great success, neither Feng Yunshan nor the entire God Worshipping Society and Taiping Army had a clear or complete plan.

It wasn't until he arrived in California, saw the outside world, and learned about the complete Western social theory system that Feng Yunshan's vision for the future new country gradually became complete and clear.

This time, Feng Yunshan, as Azu's secretary, accompanied Azu to meet the President of the United States.

After the conversation, Feng Yunshan gained a completely new understanding of his boss's strength, vision, and methods.

Originally, Feng Yunshan thought this would be a respectful visit from a subordinate to a superior, or a one-sided lecture from the President of the United States to a subordinate governor.

However, to everyone's surprise, the President of the United States treated his boss as an equal, even subservient and eager to learn!

This is absolutely impossible in China!

Even in enlightened and open-minded foreign countries, this is unheard of!

This completely shattered Feng Yunshan's entire understanding!
“Boss…!” Feng Yunshan replied, mimicking the way people in China address Azu, “I never imagined you would hold such a high position within a Western power like the United States…!”

"What surprised me even more was that the President of the United States would have to ask you for help in everything!"

Feng Yunshan couldn't help but exclaim from the bottom of his heart, "With your strength, status, methods, and vision, how could you not accomplish great things...!"

The important matter that Feng Yunshan mentioned was the five-year and ten-year agreement that Azu had made when they first met!
Azu laughed and said, "Besides these superficial things, what else did Mr. Feng see?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yunshan pondered for a long time before replying, "In the future, the entire United States will be no match for you, boss!"

"If the boss intends to interfere in domestic affairs, then neither the Qing dynasty nor our Taiping army will be a match for him!"

"Hehe...!" Azu smiled noncommittally and said, "Then Mr. Feng, will you still insist on returning to China to promote your God Worshipping Society's practices?"

Feng Yunshan remained silent for a long time before saying, "According to news from the country, our Taiping Army has 500,000 troops and has captured Nanjing in one fell swoop!"

"King Hong has renamed Nanjing as Tianjing and designated it as the capital!"

"The great powers have also submitted their credentials to the Heavenly King, confirming their neutrality!"

"The current situation in the country is excellent!"

"Therefore, I need to return to my homeland as soon as possible to offer advice and suggestions for the future development of the Kingdom of Heaven!"

As he spoke, Feng Yunshan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards his ancestor: "Over the past year, I have learned and witnessed so much here with you, boss!"

"No matter what, I want to thank you, boss, for your meticulous care over the past year!"

Ah Zu smiled slightly again, neither confirming nor denying: "Mr. Feng, since you insist on your opinion, then I will not hinder your future!"

"Once you return from Europe, I will arrange a ship to take you back home immediately!"

"I'll say it again: if in the future you find things are beyond saving, California will always have its doors open to you and the soldiers of the Taiping Army!"

"Of course, except for certain ill-intentioned and stubborn individuals...!"

(End of this chapter)