North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 281 Setting Sail Setting Sail...!
Huamei Company will be split into multiple state-owned enterprises in the future.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the study were quite varied.

Some were shocked, some were incredulous, some had known this day would come, and some were reluctant to part with it...!
Azu's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and he couldn't help but laugh, "What? You're all reluctant to part with them?"

"Ahem!" Edgar Allan Poe, Vic, and the others coughed lightly twice: "Boss, the company is yours, and you're willing to part with it, so what are we shareholders unwilling to do?"

“Boss, you’re right. Even if we leave behind some less critical assets, it will be enough for our descendants to live comfortably for generations to come. What is there to be reluctant about?”

Azu smiled and nodded: "If you all think that way, that would be wonderful."

"Wealth, for us now, is just a number. No matter how much wealth we have, we can't take it with us when we die. We still eat the same few bowls of rice every day and sleep on the same three-foot-wide bed."

"If we can make good use of the wealth we have and accomplish something extraordinary, that would be our life's pursuit."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Azu did not continue the topic, but changed the subject and said, "In addition to the policy of establishing the government that I explained before, there is another one that is of utmost importance!"

Everyone quickly perked up their ears and listened intently.

Azu continued, "This policy is about currency!"

"currency……?"

"Yes, it's currency!"

Azu added, "Right now, we in California still primarily use the US dollar. Because of the abundance of gold, gold is the de facto common currency in the market."

"But once we take back Guangdong, neither the US dollar nor gold, nor copper coins minted by the Qing dynasty, nor silver will be sufficient to fully serve as a universal currency."

"Therefore, once the situation in Guangdong has basically stabilized, we must introduce our own currency!"

Azu pondered for a moment and said, "The currencies issued by the world's major powers are basically based on the gold standard, and the value of the currency is directly tied to gold."

"Although the gold standard has its drawbacks, it is undoubtedly the most suitable standard for us at present."

"The hundreds of tons of gold lying in our vaults provide absolutely solid support for our gold standard monetary policy."

"Moreover, our gold reserves are growing at a rate of more than 100 tons per year."

"Therefore, I plan to be the first to issue gold coins in Guangdong."

"One gold dollar is equivalent to one gram of gold, and they can be exchanged for each other."

Ah Zu continued, "Now, copper coins and silver coins in Guangdong can be directly exchanged for gold dollars of equal value. We should establish the gold dollar as the sole legal tender as soon as possible!"

"After we expel the Manchus and restore China, the gold yuan will be the only legal tender throughout the country."

"In order to improve the financial system, after taking over Guangdong, East West Bank should also open branches in all major cities as soon as possible."

"And the tax system, customs and business taxes, can be copied from California's current tax system. The agricultural tax can be waived for one year, and then for the next three years it can be reduced to one-tenth of the total tax, minimizing the tax burden on farmers and quickly winning over the hearts and minds of the people…!"

That night, Ah Zu explained many policies and guidelines, and it wasn't until after midnight that he finished saying everything he wanted to say.

After everyone had said their goodbyes and left, Azu kept Shi Dakai and Wu Qingfeng behind by themselves.

Ah Zu personally poured a glass of wine for Wu Qingfeng and Shi Dakai, and handed it to them. After the three of them clinked glasses, Ah Zu continued, "Qingfeng, you grew up in Guangdong and understand the specific situation there."

"Over the past two years, I have been able to take charge independently in Hong Kong, and I have basically gained the necessary experience."

"Plus, your Wu family has deep roots in Guangzhou."

"Logically speaking, you have the advantage of timing, location, and popular support. I should let you and Gan Dang work together, one civil and one military, to oversee all affairs in Guangdong."

At this point, Ah Zu changed the subject: "But aren't you wondering why I didn't arrange it that way?"

After a moment's thought, Wu Qingfeng replied, "Boss, there must be a deeper meaning behind your arrangement. I will just follow your instructions and will not have any other intentions."

"Hehe...!" Azu chuckled, "Although you won't feel resentful, I still need to make things clear to you."

"The reason you weren't put in charge of all civil affairs in Guangdong is precisely because you were born into the Wu family, and your background is with the Thirteen Factories...!"

"Huh...?" Wu Qingfeng's face was full of surprise.

Azu continued, "Compradors like the Thirteen Factories, although they took the blame for a lot of things for the Qing government, still did too many unethical things, whether openly or secretly."

"I believe you are aware of this."

Wu Qingfeng didn't answer, but just nodded silently.

Ah Zu continued, "If I were to put you in charge of all civil affairs in Guangdong, with your network of connections, there would be countless people, including the Wu family, who would try to use their special relationship with you to collude with officials and merchants to profit from it."

“I know your personality very well. You are kind and righteous, but not ruthless enough. When the time comes, you will be torn between family ties and morality.”

"Therefore, I cannot knowingly place you in that position, knowing that you will inevitably find yourself in a difficult situation and caught in the middle."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qingfeng was immediately moved: "Boss, you have considered things so thoroughly and have such a long-term vision for me!"

Ah Zu waved his hand and said, "Once we take back Guangdong, the representative office in Hong Kong will lose its purpose. I have other plans for you."

"However, the job I've arranged for you isn't exactly a pleasant one. You should be mentally prepared; only take it if you're willing to do it, and if you're not, that's fine too...!"

Wu Qingfeng replied without hesitation, "Boss, just go ahead and make the arrangements! Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, I won't even flinch...!"

"It's not as serious as being surrounded by knives and seas of fire... but it's close enough!"

Azu said solemnly, "After we took actual control of Alaska at the end of last year, apart from the development of ice-free ports and coal mines, we have hardly carried out any effective management and development of the vast Alaska."

"Therefore, it is necessary for us to establish a governor's office in Alaska to oversee all affairs in that vast, icy land, especially resource development."

"Boss, you mean you want me to go to Alaska...?"

"Yes!"

Azu nodded and said, "Just like the Panama Governor's Office under Mr. Zuo's command, the Alaskan Governor's Office will be under your command."

"In order to guard against the British attacking Alaska from the Canadian colonies, we also need to establish a garrison force... tentatively set at the division level."

"However, unlike the Panamanian garrison division, this division in Alaska was a settlement division! It was responsible for both defending against the British and developing Alaska's various resources."

"Gold, coal, fur, whale oil, etc., are all key areas that the settlers focus on developing."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qingfeng immediately nodded emphatically: "Boss, I understand!"

"Good that you understand!" Azu patted Wu Qingfeng's shoulder heavily: "Although Alaska is a treasure trove of resources, it is, after all, a land of ice and snow, and conditions are extremely harsh."

"So you need to be mentally prepared to work hard for several years on that cold, barren land and turn Alaska into a real gold mine!"

"To expel the Manchus and restore China, we need a huge amount of funds and resources. Relying solely on the California and China American companies is far from enough."

"I hope that in the near future, Alaska can also provide a continuous stream of funding for domestic development!"

"If you can do this, you will be a great contributor to the history of China and will surely be remembered in history!"

These words stirred the passion in Wu Qingfeng, an ambitious young man!

"Boss, rest assured! Leave Alaska to me, and I will absolutely not let you down. I will definitely turn that icy wasteland into a veritable gold mine!!!"

“Very good, very good!” Azu patted his shoulder heavily again: “In that case, you will go back with us on this expedition to Guangdong. After the situation has basically stabilized, you can hand over everything and then go to Alaska to take up your post.”

"During this time, I will assemble a settlement force for you that can fight on horseback and mine on foot."

……

After arranging things for Wu Qingfeng, Azu's gaze fell on Shi Dakai: "I dare say, I kept you behind alone for one thing."

"Boss, just give the order!" Shi Dakai nodded emphatically.

“Mr. Feng Yunshan, since returning to the Taiping Army at the end of last year, according to the intelligence we have received, his situation is very bad.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Dakai immediately frowned: "How could this be...?"

"Heh heh...!" Azu chuckled coldly. "I told you long ago that, given the magnanimity of that Master Hong, he would absolutely not tolerate Mr. Feng."

"Especially since Mr. Feng's current ideas and vision are completely incompatible with the Taiping Army, how could his situation possibly be good?"

Ah Zu continued, "However, Mr. Feng is a founding elder of the Taiping Army and the God Worshipping Society. He is loyal, brave, kind, and very popular. Although he has been away recuperating for more than a year, he still has many supporters."

"I predict that the Taiping Army will soon split up due to the exclusion by Hong and Yang Xiuqing and others."

"I dare you. After you take Guangdong, you must do everything you can to get back Mr. Feng and the troops who have left the Taiping Army with him." "If necessary, you can send a surprise force out of Guangdong to bring Mr. Feng and his troops back."

Shi Dakai and Feng Yunshan were already close friends, so he nodded without hesitation: "Don't worry, boss, I will make sure Mr. Feng is safe and sound!"

Azu continued, "After you meet Mr. Feng, you can select the elite and courageous soldiers from those who follow him and train them into a new army."

"As for those who are unwilling to continue fighting, as well as the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled, they can be sent back to California to farm and live a peaceful life."

"I understand, boss!"

Ah Zu added, “As for Mr. Feng himself, you can try to partner with him, one in civil affairs and the other in military affairs, to govern Guangdong together.”

"If you work together seamlessly and bring peace and prosperity to Guangdong, then I can appoint Mr. Feng to a formal official position."

“If you disagree on the principles… then send Mr. Feng back to California, I have other plans for him.”

Shi Dakai replied, "Don't worry, boss. Mr. Feng and I share the same goals and will definitely work together seamlessly!"

"That would be best!"
-
The next day, early morning.

In the expanded port of San Francisco, more than two hundred merchant ships and warships were lined up densely on the sea, their towering smokestacks spewing out countless plumes of black smoke that shot straight into the sky!
The thick black smoke, obscuring the sky, hung in the air like dark clouds pressing down on a city, sending chills down one's spine.

Such a massive fleet made even the vast bay area seem somewhat crowded, inspiring awe in all who beheld it!
On a deserted coastal cliff on the outskirts of San Francisco, a deaf, mute, and lame old man with a cane gazes out at the formidable and powerful fleet on the sea. The light in his eyes gradually dims.

"hehe……!"

The deaf, mute, and lame old man chuckled softly, "The tide has turned, the tide has turned...!"

"That damned Chinaman, he's really come to this...!"

"How many of the world's great powers could organize such a powerful expeditionary fleet...?"

"He's only a governor now, and he's only done it in five years. He's only twenty-three years old...!"

"Heh...that damned Chinaman, he's an invincible devil...!"

As he spoke, the lame old man, leaning on his cane, turned around and walked shakily into the distance.

His intermittent soliloquy could be heard in the wind.

"It's not that I didn't want to kill him... it's that... I didn't have the chance...!"

"If that's the case... then I'll wait and see... just how far he can go...!"

……

Meanwhile, at the Clarke docks, Azu, along with a group of high-ranking officers, was seeing off the Second Expeditionary Army!

Everyone came, including Fu Shanxiang, who was six months pregnant and had a big belly!

Since finding out she was pregnant last Christmas, Fu Shanxiang's belly has grown bigger every day, and her due date is just over a month away.

Strangely enough, after Fu Shanxiang became pregnant, Vivian, Daisy, and Youma also became pregnant with Azu's child one after another.

In just six months, all four wives became pregnant, completely resolving the succession issue for the California and Huamei companies.

Pregnancy occurred at different times, and the four heavily pregnant women—Fu Shanxiang, Vivian, Daisy, and Youma—came to see off the expeditionary force, a rare and precious scene.

……

"Commander Shi...!"

Azu raised a glass of wine to bid farewell to Shi Dakai and his key generals: "I hope you all have a smooth journey and achieve great success this time!!!"

"May you have a safe journey and achieve immediate success!!!"

Behind Azu, a procession of over a hundred people raised their glasses in unison, wishing him a successful trip.

Shi Dakai and a group of senior generals from the Second Army also raised their glasses high.

"Boss, please wait patiently for our good news in recapturing Guangdong!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Dakai tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

All the generals and those who came to see them off also drank it all at once.

"Bang bang bang...!"

More than a hundred wine glasses were simultaneously smashed to pieces on the ground.

Finally, Azu opened his arms and gave Shi Dakai a tight hug: "Gan Dang, this is the first shot fired in California. You carry the hopes of everyone on your shoulders. I'm waiting for your good news!"

"Don't worry, boss! I'm on the other side of the ocean, waiting for the day you personally set foot on your own soil!!!"

……

After a brief but solemn farewell, Shi Dakai and his generals, along with Wu Qingfeng and others, boarded a steamboat and, amidst the chugging of its engine, sailed toward the massive fleet anchored not far away!

A moment later, Shi Dakai, who had boarded the flagship "Guangzhou", stood on the high bow of the ship.

The sea breeze ruffled his short hair at his temples and the black cloak behind him, making him look so dashing and spirited!
"Everyone, heed my command! Expeditionary Force, set sail...!!!"

"Beep, beep, beep...!"

More than two hundred steam-powered ironclad ships simultaneously sounded their piercing horns, shaking the sea, dispersing the dark clouds, and deeply moving people's hearts!
More than two hundred large ships simultaneously weighed anchor, and amidst the deafening sounds of horns and motors, they began to slowly accelerate, sailing out of the harbor and heading towards a distant place halfway around the world!
The fleet was so large that it blotted out the sun, and its imposing presence was truly magnificent!

Throughout history, there have been very few people who have been able to organize such a large expeditionary fleet!

This expedition, which spans half the globe, is the first of its kind in history!
……

Gazing at the departing expedition fleet, Feng Zicai, following behind Azu, said with no small amount of envy, "Boss, you're really biased...!"

"Haha...!" Azu turned around and smiled: "Old Feng, how am I being biased?"

Feng Zicai sighed with regret, "I arrived a few months earlier than Gan Dang and am a full twelve years older than him. How did this momentous opportunity to lead the expeditionary force back to our homeland fall to him?"

"During my years as a bodyguard, which part of Guangdong didn't I personally measure with my own feet?"

"How could a man from Guangxi find his way around in Guangdong?"

"I'm clearly more suitable than him to lead this expeditionary force, don't you think so, boss?!"

"Haha!" Azu laughed heartily: "Old Feng, you know very well why I didn't let you, a Cantonese, lead the expeditionary force back to Guangdong, right?"

"Uh... I guessed a little bit, but I don't know if I'm right!"

"Whether it's right or wrong, tell me!"

Feng Zicai replied, "I know Guangdong too well. If I lead the army back, sometimes I'll feel awkward and unable to bring myself to do it because of our fellow villagers... Am I right, boss?"

Azu nodded: "Yes! Old Feng, you know me very well, and you know yourself very well too!"

"However, this is only one of the reasons!"

"There's another reason!"

"What's the reason?" Feng Zicai pressed.

Azu replied, “Of your First Army, which numbers over 50,000, more than 10,000 are white men and Indians.”

"If we let you lead the First Army to fight back, it would be easy for the Chinese people to misunderstand that it is a foreign invading army."

"The Second Army, which dared to fight, had no white men, apart from several thousand Native American cavalrymen who looked like Chinese people, so it was not easy to misunderstand them."

Ah Zu continued, "Old Feng, as a Cantonese, you know very well that although Guangdong is a civilized place, the people of Guangdong are absolutely full of fighting spirit when facing foreign invaders, and they will definitely fight to the death."

Feng Zicai thought for a moment before reluctantly nodding: "Alright, boss, you're right! But even if our First Army leaves all the white officers and soldiers behind, we can still easily take over Guangdong."

Ah Zu replied, "Old Feng, don't worry! This battle is far from over!"

"In the future, the main battlefield for Gan Dang will be in the country."

"And your main battlefield is right here on this land beneath our feet!"

(End of this chapter)