North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 302 A big fight
When Azu returned to San Francisco, it was July 1856.

Since last year, more than 200,000 Taiping soldiers have arrived on the other side of the Pacific Ocean and have now completed their reorganization and training.

This includes more than 8,000 officers of various ranks who entered various military academies in California for training and study, most of whom have completed all courses and received their military academy diplomas.

The previously established policy of building up the grassroots organizations of the military down to the company level has been implemented in all branches of the armed forces.

After a year of development, the more than 300,000 California troops have been completely transformed into a regular, modern, and professional army.

In order to command this massive army, Azu also personally established the four-headquarters system that would later become known as the Four Headquarters System.

In addition to the army, the navy has also completed its three-year shipbuilding program.

The California Navy currently possesses four 6,000-ton Guangdong-class fast armored battleships, twelve 3,000-ton Guangzhou-class fast armored cruisers, more than thirty 1,500-ton fast armored frigates, and more than sixty 500-ton offshore gunboats and patrol vessels.

This fast fleet, with a speed of at least 25 knots, was powered by a composite impulse steam turbine that was decades ahead of its time, and its armor also employed advanced surface carburizing technology.

The 6,000-ton capital ships were equipped with 280-millimeter large-caliber guns with a range of up to 24,000 yards. Although they still used the broadside gun arrangement, before the appearance of the "Dreadnought" class, such a fleet was almost invincible.

The California fleet now has a total displacement of over 140,000 tons.

Although its total displacement is still far behind that of the major powers, all 140,000 tons of ships are new vessels no more than five or six years old. The fleet's serviceability, sortie rate, and combat capabilities far surpass those of this era—by at least thirty years!

Let alone the American fleet, it could easily put up a fight even against the invincible British Armada.

This fleet was also divided by Azu into the Eastern Pacific Fleet, based in San Francisco; the Atlantic Fleet, based in Cologne; and the Western Pacific Fleet, based in Zhanjiang, Guangdong.

The Eastern Pacific Fleet's area of ​​control extended from Alaska in the north to Panama in the south, from Hawaii in the west to the coast of California in the east.

The Atlantic Fleet operates primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and is responsible for protecting sea routes for cotton transport ships, iron ore transport ships, and various merchant ships. It is the main force for California to assert its rights throughout the Atlantic.

The Western Pacific Fleet, along with the Eastern Pacific Fleet, almost equally controlled the entire Pacific Ocean. Their area of ​​operation stretched from the Aleutian Islands in the north to Australia in the south, and from Hawaii in the east to the Strait of Malacca in the west—a vast expanse of sea.

All three fleets are equipped with a 6,000-ton capital ship as their flagship and each has a marine brigade.

The lead ship of the main fleet, the "Guangdong", became Azu's personal flagship and the flagship of the entire navy after it was built and launched.

After thoroughly completing the military preparations, Azu was finally ready to launch a major offensive!
……

A crucial meeting, held just before the battle, is taking place at the grand and imposing headquarters of Huamei Company.

Azu first inquired about the preparation of the weapons.

"Uncle Jiu, what's the current state of our military ammunition reserves?"

Uncle Jiu, who has been in charge of Huamei Company's military factory, is actually not even forty years old yet. After several years of learning and training, he has become a very qualified and capable assistant.

Although Uncle Nine was a generation older, he was always very respectful to his grandfather and never dared to act like an elder.

After rising and bowing slightly, Uncle Nine replied, "Boss, we have basically cut off the supply of military ammunition to foreign countries since three months ago."

"Neither the Southern Army, the Northern Army, nor the Russian Army have received a single gun or bullet from us in the past three months."

"The eleven military factories under the China Military Industry Corporation, including gun factories, ammunition factories, mortar factories, artillery factories, clothing factories, equipment factories, military food factories, etc., are now working hard to produce various types of military ammunition and supplies for ourselves."

Uncle Nine continued, "Our stockpiled military supplies and ammunition are enough to arm another fifty divisions. The ammunition and various supplies can support at least 500,000 troops for more than six months of sustained high-intensity combat."

"With our current military size, we can support normal combat for at least a year without any problem."

"Based on the new semi-automatic rifle, air-cooled general-purpose machine gun, and other new-generation equipment designed by you personally, our arsenal began trial production of a batch three months ago and distributed them to the troops for large-scale testing."

"Through two or three months of testing and continuous improvement, the new semi-automatic rifle has been finalized and named the HM56 semi-automatic rifle, and has entered the full-speed production stage."

This semi-automatic rifle was modeled after the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, which had been tested and proven to be excellent in many wars and in actual combat. It was almost a hundred years ahead of its time!

Uncle Nine then added, "The same applies to the new air-cooled general-purpose machine gun! Named the HM55 general-purpose machine gun, it has already entered full-speed production."

The new general-purpose machine gun, based on the later German MG42 general-purpose machine gun, has an excellent design, uses a large number of stamped parts, has a simple structure, is very suitable for mass production, and has a relatively low cost.

This new type of general-purpose machine gun has a theoretical rate of fire of over 1200 rounds per minute, and an actual rate of fire of 500-600 rounds per minute. It is belt-fed and has extremely fierce firepower, with strong lethality and deterrent effect.

In bipod mode, it can be used as a light machine gun with an effective range of 800 meters. In tripod mode, the effective range reaches up to 1000 meters, allowing it to be used as a heavy machine gun.

Not to mention this era, even in World War II eighty years later, this machine gun was the best, without exception!

After the HM55 general-purpose machine gun was widely deployed, even the tactics of squad and platoon infantry had to be changed.

Each squad is equipped with an HM55 general-purpose machine gun, and the three-person machine gun fire team will become the core of squad and platoon tactics and fire support.

The original water-cooled heavy machine gun, while powerful and with sustained firepower, was simply too cumbersome. In defensive combat, this heaviness wasn't a significant drawback. However, in offensive tactics, the water-cooled heavy machine gun's weakness—its sluggishness and slowness—became utterly exposed.

Uncle Nine concluded, "Under full-speed production mode, the monthly output will reach 100,000 rifles and 4,000 general-purpose machine guns."

"By the end of this year at the latest, the new semi-automatic rifles and general-purpose machine guns will be able to complete the replacement of the entire army."

“Very good!” Azu nodded and said, “But our operation can’t wait until the end of the year.”

"But even with the current level of equipment, it is more than enough to deal with the American army, whether it is the Union Army, the Confederate Army, or the militias and National Guards of each state."

The equipment level of the various branches of the U.S. military is at least twenty years behind that of the California military.

The weapons and munitions that Ah-Zu provided to the Northern and Southern armies, as well as other buyers, were still at the level of Minié rifles and hand-cranked machine guns.

As for mortars and artillery of various calibers, they are also inferior versions and significantly weakened versions, far inferior to the versions used by our own forces.

Moreover, apart from the arsenals in California, no other country in the world currently has the capability to produce matching artillery ammunition.

Once the shells that Azu sold them were used up, it was almost impossible to find other sources to continue supplying new shells.

Cannons without shells are just a pile of meaningless scrap metal.

Azu continued, "Our operation must begin by the end of this month at the latest. By the end of the year, every inch of land west of the Mississippi River will be under our complete control."

"As for our new weapons, let's use them against even stronger enemies!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.

There are only a handful of enemies stronger than the United States in the world. Apart from Britain and France, there might only be Tsarist Russia and Prussia.

After discussing the issue of arms, Azu continued, "Mr. Parker, how is our medical industry doing now?"

"Ahem!" Parker Parker cleared his throat. Although he was the father-in-law, his expression and posture were quite respectful: "Boss, we now produce more than 100 million doses of penicillin and artemisinin annually!"

“The production price of penicillin has dropped to five gold dollars, and the price supplied to the Holy See is even lower, at four gold dollars.”

(According to the exchange rate, one gold dollar equals one gram of gold, and one US dollar equals 1.5 grams of gold, so one US dollar equals 1.5 gold dollars. From now on, the gold dollar will be the unit of account; please convert accordingly.)
"The ex-factory price of artemisinin has dropped to two gold dollars, thanks to the large-scale cultivation of artemisia by many farmers."

"The total annual production and sales volume of these two main drugs has reached over 600 million gold coins."

"Even though the price has been reduced again and again, these effective drugs that are widely used around the world are still too expensive. At least many poor people still can't afford them. Only patients who are relatively well-off can afford our life-saving drugs."

"In addition to penicillin and artemisinin, our pharmaceutical factories have also widely invested in the production and sales of various special drugs, more than 20 other kinds, with a total annual production and sales volume of more than 300 million yuan."

"Our California Institute for Advanced Study and Pharmaceutical Research Center have dozens of drugs under development, which will be put into production one after another in the next few years."

“Various research institutes, research centers, and medical colleges are also conducting extensive research on various diseases. At present, even if we are not the world’s number one in this field, we are at least at the top level.”

Especially in virology, bacteriology, infectious disease, genetics, and other fields, California is undoubtedly a world leader, by no means just a fraction of the top.

In later history, professional research in this area did not begin until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Because of Azu, and because of Charles Darwin's recently published "On the Origin of Species," which is more comprehensive, systematic, and scientific than the original work, California has advanced its medical research in this area by at least fifty years.

Parker Parker continued, "We now have enough medicines and medical supplies to support a protracted war involving millions of people in preparation for the upcoming war."

"In addition, our University of California, Huamei University, medical school, military medical school, medical officer school, and other institutions have trained more than a thousand doctors, more than seven hundred military doctors, and thousands of nurses and medics in recent years."

"Compared to the future medical needs of the whole society and the whole military, there is still a great gap. But the achievements we have made in just a few years are already amazing and something to be proud of."

Parker Parker added, “If war breaks out, with the combined strength of all of California and the strong support of the church, we can provide the army with at least two thousand specialist doctors, especially surgeons who treat external injuries, as well as thousands of nurses and medics.”

In the present day and into the future, there is no doubt that the Church is the most professional, comprehensive, and largest medical system in the world.

The Red Cross has trained and employs hundreds of thousands of doctors in tens of thousands of church hospitals and schools around the world.

Globally, churches own almost two-thirds of hospitals, universities, doctors, and hospital beds!
In old Europe, this percentage was even higher, reaching over 70%.

Therefore, there is a reason why the symbol of medical institutions around the world in later generations is the Red Cross (except for those who believe in Allah).

The church is now basically under its own control, so sending thousands of doctors and nurses to support California is a piece of cake.

After Parker Parker finished speaking, Azu nodded and said, "Mr. Parker, well done! In the coming period, medical stations should be set up at the regimental level, and field hospitals should be set up at the division and corps level."

"A general hospital should also be established in the rear to receive seriously wounded soldiers who cannot be cured on the front lines."

"This task is also entrusted to you, Mr. Parker!"

Parker Parker readily agreed: "No problem, Boss!"

Then, Azu turned to Daisy and said, "Our chief financial officer, how about you talk about the financial preparations?"

After giving birth to a daughter last year, Daisy is now pregnant with her second child and is five months along, but she continues to work.

There's no other way; I wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting such a crucial task as finance to anyone else.

Only with your own housekeeper can you truly feel at ease and at ease.

Daisy put on her gold-rimmed glasses, held a thick ledger, and reported: "As of last month, June 1856, our total inventory of cash, gold, silver, stocks, bonds, various fixed assets, and equivalent amounts of various hard currencies was... 6 billion gold dollars!!!"

"One hundred and seven billion...tsk tsk tsk!!!"

Everyone present couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement.

Daisy remained unfazed and continued, "This does not include the various goods and raw materials we have in circulation and inventory, as well as other tangible and intangible assets, etc."

"If we were to convert all our tangible and intangible wealth into gold dollars, it would be at least... more than double!!!"

"If it doubles again... wouldn't that mean over 20 billion?!"

Daisy added, "If we also include the dozen or so ships full of antiques and treasures that the BOSS plundered from the Vatican's secret vaults, our Finance Department's preliminary estimate is that the total wealth should exceed 30 billion gold dollars!!!"

"Gurgle...!!!"

Everyone present swallowed hard.

Thirty billion gold dollars! ! !
This is an absolutely unimaginable amount of wealth.

Including the British royal family, the Russian royal family, and others, apart from the Vatican's hidden wealth, there should be no other organization richer than the Huamei Company!

Of course, this is under the premise that Huamei Corporation and the California government are two sides of the same coin. It is precisely because of the power, intelligence, and military strength that Azu was able to accumulate such a huge amount of super wealth in such a short period of time in this era.

Everyone knew perfectly well that such immense wealth did not belong to any one person or organization. In the near future, the vast majority of this fortune would belong to that yet-to-be-established future nation.

The vast majority of Huamei Company will be split into several state-owned enterprises in the future.

In other words, these 30 billion gold dollars will become one of the main assets of the country in the future!

Even if everyone present could only get a small slice of soup from this enormous wealth, it would be enough for them to become among the world's top billionaires.

Daisy continued calmly, "Currently, with our financial resources, supporting one or even multiple large-scale wars is not a problem!"

"Since we issued the gold dollar last year, it has replaced the US dollar, British pound, French franc, gold, silver, copper coins and other currencies as the sole dominant currency in California, Guangdong, Panama, Alaska, Hawaii and even the entire West."

"The gold, silver, US dollars, British pounds, francs and copper coins that were exchanged for gold dollars all became our foreign exchange reserves, which were mainly used for international trade with foreign countries."

"Now many foreign merchants are beginning to accept our gold dollars as the currency for trade settlement. This has led to a month-by-month increase in the issuance of our gold dollars."

Daisy continued, "Currently, the gold dollars we issue are almost equivalent in value to our gold and silver reserves."

"In the future, the land area we occupy will be many times larger, the population will be many times larger, and the amount of gold we need will also increase dramatically."

"Based on the one-to-one ratio of gold dollars to gold, if more gold dollars are to be issued, more and more gold and silver are needed."

"Otherwise, we will fall into a serious problem of gold and silver shortages and deflation."

"But all the gold we currently have in stock, even including the Vatican's treasures, only amounts to about three thousand tons."

"This should already be the world's largest gold reserve. Where can we find an even larger source of gold?"

"You know, California is already considered to be rich in gold, but the total annual gold production, whether it's our own gold mines or gold miners combined, is only two or three hundred tons."

Faced with Daisy's question, Azu shook his head and smiled: "More gold will come! North America, South America, China, Siberia, Australia, Africa... there will be plenty of places that produce gold."

"Australia, Africa, Siberia...!"

Upon hearing this, everyone realized that their boss indeed had ambitions regarding these territories.

Otherwise, what business is it of ours whether there is gold in these places?

Azu continued, "But more gold is not the most fundamental solution to the problem of currency issuance."

"With a growing population and an increasing variety of agricultural and industrial products, issuing currency based on the gold standard will inevitably lead to a fundamental contradiction of insufficient gold and supply falling short of demand."

“We are now issuing currency on the gold standard in order to establish the gold dollar as a hard currency and to establish its monetary hegemony in the world.”

"When all the people, and even the people of the world, have absolute confidence and trust in the gold dollar, that will be the time to lift the gold standard policy that binds the gold dollar to gold."

"It's too early to talk about this now; it's at least many years from now."

Azu added, "Right now, we should still focus on the imminent war."

"If there are no problems with military supplies, ammunition, medicine, finances, etc., then the final issue is the military and strategy."

Azu turned his gaze to Feng Zicai: "Old Feng, before today's meeting, the General Headquarters has already put forward a specific plan. You can represent the General Headquarters and report on the general strategy so that everyone has a clear understanding."

"Okay, boss!"

Feng Zicai stood up, gave Azu a standard military salute, and then walked to the huge map of America hanging on the wall and picked up the long baton.

The General Headquarters, also known as the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, included six military commissioners besides Azu, the Commander-in-Chief of the entire army: Edgar Allan Poe, Zuo Zongtang, Feng Zicai, Shi Dakai, Feng Yunshan, and Vic.

All supreme military affairs and decisions are made by the seven-member command committee.

Feng Zicai pointed to the American landscape on the map with his long baton and said, "Our objective this time is to seize all the territory west of the Mississippi River!"

"To achieve this goal, we will deploy the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Armies of the Army, each with an independent artillery brigade, an independent cavalry brigade and an independent engineer brigade."

"The Navy will deploy the Atlantic Fleet, along with two Marine brigades, to support Army operations along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River."

"Total troop strength for the operation: 300,000 troops from the army and navy!"

"The 300,000 people will be divided into two strategic directions, one in the south and one in the north."

"First, the Southern Strategic Direction, composed of the Fourth Army, the Fifth Army and attached units, plus the Atlantic Fleet of the Navy, together formed the Southern Army, totaling 160,000 men, with Mr. Zuo Zongtang serving as the commander of the Army."

At this point, Zuo Zongtang, who had returned from Panama several months earlier, stood up and nodded to everyone present.

"The Southern Army's mission is to capture Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and other states south of this line, including Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas. It is also to strengthen the Mississippi Line and prevent any Eastern forces from interfering with our operations."

"Secondly, the northern strategic direction, consisting of the First Army, the Third Army and attached troops, totaling 140,000 men, will be commanded by me, Feng Zicai, as the commander of the Northern Front Army."

As he spoke, Feng Zicai saluted the crowd once again.

"The Northern Army's mission is to capture Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and the states north of this line, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, and Washington!"

"While consolidating the Mississippi Line, the Northern Army also needs to form the Great Lakes River Fleet with the support of the Atlantic Fleet, and compete with the Northern government and the Canadian colonial government for control of the Great Lakes!"

"The Atlantic Fleet's mission was to cut off any attempt by Eastern forces to land on the coast and to help strengthen the Mississippi River defenses."

Feng Zicai continued, "Prior to this operation, our army had already taken control of almost all key towns and crossings on the west bank of the Mississippi River, establishing a relatively solid defense line."

"But if the Eastern Army chooses to ignore the Civil War and launch a full-scale counterattack on the Mississippi River defense line, then our forces will be severely insufficient along the thousands of miles of the Mississippi River, and we will be unable to defend one side at a time."

"Therefore, we will adopt an offensive strategy to capture key cities on the east bank of the Mississippi River, such as...!"

As he spoke, Feng Zicai pointed out several red dots on the map: "Memphis in the middle of the Mississippi River, Indianapolis in the north, Jackson in the south, etc., are all transportation hubs and logistical centers. Without the transportation and logistical support of these key cities, the Eastern Army will be unable to organize a large-scale river crossing campaign."

"At the same time, holding these key cities will also be an important asset for our negotiations with the enemy."

Feng Zicai continued, "In addition to the Mississippi River defense line, there are also varying numbers of militia and National Guard troops in the western states."

“Although these local armed forces have relatively low combat capabilities, their local mobilization capabilities are not weak.”

"Texas, in particular, has a tough and rugged culture, and its population is second only to California among the western states. Moreover, Texas has a universal militia system, requiring free white men aged 16 to 50 to undergo military training once a month."

"Currently, in addition to the state-level infantry regiments, cavalry regiments and artillery battalions, each town in Texas also has its own militia, with a total strength of at least 20,000 people."

“Texas has always had a clear tendency toward independence. If we openly seize Texas, we will definitely face fierce resistance.”

At this point, Feng Zicai looked at Azu and suddenly laughed, "I have to say, our boss is truly brilliant!"

"Before we even launched our attack, he had already mobilized various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Apache, Sioux, Cheyenne, and Blackfoot, to launch a massive invasion of Texas!"

"Now, war has broken out all over Texas, with tens of thousands of Indian cavalry rampaging, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities."

"With our military and logistical support, the Texas militia alone will be no match for the fierce Indian cavalry. When the situation becomes uncontrollable, that will be the perfect opportunity for our army to intervene, expel the Indians, and forcibly seize Texas."

Azu smiled dismissively.

In Chinese strategy, using one wolf to devour another, or using another to kill someone, are merely the most basic and insignificant tactics!
Feng Zicai continued, "The reason for launching this campaign is to suppress the Indian rebellion, and in order to ensure long-term peace and stability throughout the West, after we seize the states by force, we will establish a unified Western federal government."

"The Western federal government, like the federal government of the North and the Confederate government of the South, is an independent national entity."

"Once we reclaim China, the Western Federal Government will become part of a new trans-Pacific nation."

"And the code name for this operation is—Thunderclap!"

After finishing his report, Feng Zicai gave a standard military salute and returned to his seat.

Only then did Azu speak up: "Operation Thunderclap is meant to give America and the entire Western world a huge surprise!"

"If the United States and the entire Western powers do not interfere, fine. But if they forcibly intervene, I would not mind giving them an even bigger surprise."

Azu continued, "Except for the Army and the Atlantic Fleet, the entire military will be prepared for war and ready to expand its forces and prepare for war again at any time."

"Most of the warships, patrol vessels, and coastal gunboats belonging to the Eastern Pacific Fleet are en route to Cologne a month in advance, in preparation for temporarily strengthening the Atlantic Fleet."

"Given California's current population of nearly five million, we could easily more than double the size of the Army at any time."

California is now expanding rapidly, with more than 100,000 new people every month.

These five million people are mostly young adults, predominantly male, and are all high-quality soldiers.

All model villages and towns conduct regular military training every month, and almost all adult men are proficient in most military skills.

Almost everyone in every village and town has a gun. Although they are usually managed centrally by the village chief, militia captain, and township armed forces department, they can be distributed to people in no time if there is any disturbance.

These readily available soldiers, once equipped and given a little training, will become a powerful army!
Therefore, even if the California Army expands to 600,000 or more, there will not be much pressure.

With its state-of-the-art equipment, logistics, tactics, and training, the California Army, with its 600,000 troops, could ensure victory even against an enemy two or three times its size.

If the North and South could put aside their civil war and work together to deal with the threat from the West, then Azu wouldn't even mind conquering the entire United States.

Deep down, Ah Zu didn't actually want to take over the whole of America.

Leaving behind a fragmented America is more beneficial than harmful.

As the saying goes, a country without external threats will inevitably face internal troubles!
Without external pressure from the United States, this continent is highly likely to see its independence tendencies grow stronger.

Only external pressure from the United States can unite the people of this continent closely around the central government.

Moreover, competition drives progress. An overly comfortable external environment will only lead people to gradually become addicted to comfort and pleasure.

This may be one of the reasons why regimes that established their capitals in the south throughout Chinese history have almost all been short-lived.

Moreover, his deceased friend's last words instructed him to show mercy to America.

Both out of courtesy and reason, Azu wouldn't mind giving him face!
Azu continued, "By the end of this month, all the armies will set off one after another to the front lines."

"Taking over the west is not difficult; what is difficult is winning the hearts and minds of the people and ensuring long-term stability."

"Therefore, we will extend the methods that have worked in California to the entire West."

"The most important immigration policy must cover the entire west. The west is currently sparsely populated, and we must ensure that the Chinese population accounts for the absolute majority and becomes the dominant ethnic group within three years."

"In California, this goal has been fully achieved, with the Chinese population now accounting for more than 80 percent."

"After this, the main destination for immigrants will be the western states."

“Apart from California, the entire western region only has a population of about two million. At our rate of more than one million immigrants per year, we can completely achieve the goal of immigrating five million Chinese people within three years, making them the absolute majority of the majority ethnic group.”

"At that time, we will forcefully promote the land revolution and promote an economic system that combines public and private ownership, and it will be a natural outcome."

Edgar Allan Poe asked at the opportune moment, "Boss, how can the problem of black slaves be completely solved?!"

(End of this chapter)