North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 91 You want it? What will you offer in exchange! (6,000 words)

The following day, the long-awaited equipment and supplies from the machinery factory finally arrived at Clarke Wharf.

During this period, in addition to Chris Malone, a young engineer recommended from the East, Huamei Company also recruited about ten mechanical engineers from all over California with high salaries.

In addition, dozens of experienced mechanical technicians were recruited at high salaries, and the staffing of the entire machine factory was already in place.

Azu handed over the various blueprints he had prepared to the engineers, and then let them install and debug the equipment on their own.

Ah Zu only steps in when even the engineers encounter problems they can't solve.

Back then, Azu presented a very comprehensive list of equipment for the machinery factory. Now, with this complete set of equipment and materials, once production officially begins, they will be able to produce steam engines of different horsepower, various marine spare parts, and even firearms on their own!
While Huamei Company was busy with the construction of the machinery plant and the preparation of the pharmaceutical plant, everyone was busy.

The Rosewood Hotel, a luxury hotel converted from a private mansion, has been open for several days in downtown San Francisco, halfway up Nob Hill.

Most of the high-ranking officials of the temporary state government who relocated there, as well as the members of the temporary state legislature who are gradually moving in, are staying in this hotel.

After the lavish banquet, in the brightly lit, decadent dance hall, a group of high-ranking officials and members of parliament were embracing scantily clad, hot dancers and dancing gracefully!
Redhead Monica, as the public relations director of the Rosewood Hotel, is the most dazzling star of the entire ball, with her figure, looks, and social skills!

Wearing a dark red, tight-fitting, high-slit short cheongsam personally designed for her by Ah Zu, which has a strong oriental exotic style, her hot and voluptuous figure was accentuated, making her even more curvaceous and charming.

This elegant, mysterious, and alluring silk cheongsam alone completely outshone the elaborate and aesthetically unappealing multi-layered petticoats worn by Western white women of that era.

Monica, wearing high heels also designed for her by Azu, and holding a glass of golden Moët & Chandon champagne, moved among numerous high-ranking officials and members of parliament, navigating the social scene with ease and grace.

Finally, she took a glass of champagne, swayed her ample bottom, and plopped down next to a handsome, elderly gentleman with gray hair.

"Mr. Brosnan, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

Monica very naturally took Pearson Brosnan's arm.

This Mr. Brosnan is none other than the newly appointed Speaker of the California Provisional Senate!

Monica's fingers gently traced the wrinkles on Brosnan's old face.

The faint scent of expensive perfume on her body was also stimulating Brosnan's nerves and desires!

“Miss Monica!” Brosnan smiled and gently took Monica’s hand, which was sliding across his face. “I think an old man like me probably can’t keep you entertained for long!”

Speaker Brosnan gestured with his eyes to the younger figures on the dance floor: "Miss Monica, I think you can definitely find a dance partner who is more suitable for you!"

"Giggle!" Monica giggled softly. "Mr. Speaker, I'm not interested in those young bodies! I much prefer a mature gentleman like you with your experience!"

Brosnan's eyes remained clear and calm as he looked at Monica, who was so close to him and as beautiful as fire, and smiled, "Miss Monica, why don't you just say it? What do you want from me?"

Speaker Brosnan, in his sixties, was past the age of being passionate and unable to control his desires. Although Monica was a succubus with high sexual tension, he was no longer interested in that kind of thing.

"Hehe!" Monica laughed to slightly cover up her embarrassment. "Mr. Speaker, why are you being so unfriendly? You are a distinguished guest of our hotel, and I only hope that you can feel at home!"

"Hehe, is that so?" Brosnan still smiled. "Miss Monica, this hotel is owned by Huamei Company, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's no secret!"

Brosnan said, "Mayor Vic of San Francisco is also one of the shareholders of Huamei Corporation, right?"

"Yes, it's no secret!"

The Speaker continued, “Ever since the interim state government moved to San Francisco, the interim governor and the mayor have been at odds. The governor wants to seize control of San Francisco, while the mayor wants to sideline the interim governor.”

Monica asked in surprise, "Mr. Speaker, why are you telling me this? I'm just the public relations director of the Rosewood Hotel, and I have absolutely nothing to do with these things!"

"No, no, no!" Brosnan shook his head and smiled. "I'm not saying this to you, but to the people behind you."

"This is not a good thing for San Francisco or the whole of California!"

Brosnan smiled like an old fox: "Ms. Monica, please pass on a message to the person behind you, hoping to have a private talk with him."

"The real power in San Francisco is Huamei Industrial Corporation, and Mayor Vick is not the true owner of Huamei Corporation!"

"I hope to have a private talk with the true master of this city. And beautiful Miss Monica, you will surely be able to convey these words to your true master, won't you?"

Monica giggled sweetly: "Mr. Speaker, I really don't understand what you're saying! But I will convey your message to the general manager of the Rosewood Hotel."

As she spoke, Monica wiggled her round, plump bottom and tactfully left Brosnan's soft sofa.

Moments later, Monica, who had disappeared from the ball, reappeared on the top floor of the hotel, at the door of an inconspicuous, secluded room.

"Beep beep beep...!"

Monica knocked on the door.

"Come in……!"

Monica pushed open the door and saw Azu hunched over a large, luxurious Rococo-style desk, scrutinizing a long list.

"Hi, BOSS!"

Monica turned and closed the door, her high heels swaying as she leaned half her body against Azu.

"Didn't I tell you to get close to Senate President Brosnan? Why are you back so soon?"

Ah Zu felt the warm, smooth texture on his back and asked.

"Sigh!" Monica sighed softly, "That old man is nowhere near as charming as you, Master! I'm not going to waste my energy on that old man!"

"What do you mean by wasting effort? This is work!"

"Oh dear, I know!" Monica said helplessly, "But that old man is completely unmoved! I suspect he's long gone!"

"However, that old man still asked me to pass on a message to you, Master."

"What?"

"He said he knew that our Huamei Company controlled the entire San Francisco, and that Mayor Vic was not the owner of Huamei Company. He just wanted to have a private talk with the true owner of the city!"

"Oh?" Azu straightened up, and Monica naturally fell into his lap.

Azu glared at her, ignoring her seductive glances, and thought to himself, "This old fellow seems to be quite the cunning fox; he's not easy to deal with!"

Azu's gaze passed over Monica's snow-white peaks and landed on the long list spread out in front of him.

This list contains detailed information on all 48 members of the state legislature and more than a dozen senior state government officials.

The name of the interim governor of Burnett was prominently listed first.

And ranked second is none other than State Senate President Pearson Brosnan!

This is an old Unsa, born in old London under the Union Jack, whose family background is that of large plantation owners in southern Virginia.

After graduating from West Point, Speaker Brosnan participated in numerous wars both within and outside the United States, including the Seminole War, the Black Hawk Down War, and the Mexican-American War.

After the Mexican-American War, Brosnan retired as an army colonel, but instead of returning to his hometown of Virginia, he chose to stay in California.

When the state constitutional convention was convened, the highly respected Brosnan became the convener and host of the meeting, and subsequently became the interim president of the Senate.

In addition, Brosnan was a long-time Whig and a staunch opponent of abolitionism.

As Azu fell into deep thought, his hand unconsciously rested on Monica's slender waist, gently rubbing it.

Meanwhile, Monica's plump and full buttocks kept wiggling in Azu's arms!

Azu seemed completely oblivious: "This Speaker Brosnan is a Whig, while our interim governor of Burnett is an Independent Democrat!"

"Speaker Brosnan is a staunch opponent of abolition, and his family itself are large plantation owners with hundreds of slaves!"

“And Governor Burnett was a staunch abolitionist who was a lawyer by profession!”

"These two are completely incompatible! Yet now, they respectively control California's legislative and executive powers!"

"Perhaps... I really should have a good talk with this Speaker Brosnan!"

"Hehe!" Monica, wriggling like a water snake in his arms, let out a strange laugh: "BOSS, I thought you were a gentleman who didn't like women, but why are you reacting so strongly?"

Monica's passionate and persistent rubbing naturally triggered Azu's strong reaction.

"Boss, you know I'm ready to give you everything!"

As she spoke, Monica, whose eyes were already glazed over, licked her red lips with her hot tongue and got up to take action!
"Don't move!" Azu grabbed her waist and pulled her back into his arms.

"Smack!" Azu gave Monica's plump buttocks a hard slap.

"Mmm...!" Monica let out a very comfortable and seductive nasal sound.

Ah Zu wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "Don't try to seduce me all the time. I'm the kind of man you can only look on with envy!"

"Go, invite Speaker Brosnan to the study on the second floor. I'll talk to him there!" Monica was greatly disappointed, but could only reluctantly get up: "Yes, Boss!"

Monica, wearing high heels, swayed gracefully as she walked out of the secret room.

This room is the intelligence center arranged by Azu. All the intelligence collected by the Rosewood chain will eventually be gathered here.

What's laid out on the table now are the initial results of the "Eighteen Sites"!

Personal details of all state legislators and senior state government officials.

The tactics used on San Francisco cannot be used on state-level governments.

With the help of gangsters and Major Daniel Cameron, the entire power structure of San Francisco was wiped out, allowing their own people to seize power.

This tactic can only be used once, otherwise everyone will know that you are the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, and you will become the public enemy of all of California, and even the whole of America.

Even if he wanted to use the same trick, Azu couldn't find a suitable opportunity. Without Major Daniel's cooperation, such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wouldn't come around all the time.

Therefore, at least for the time being, the problem cannot be solved by force.

Then we'll have to resort to a war of words!

Use the traditional two-party system of American politics!
Sowing discord, forming alliances, praising the powerful while belittling the weak, flattering to kill and smearing, manipulating public opinion, framing others, manipulating puppets...!
Ah Zu had also watched "House of Cards." He felt that the current two-party politics, in terms of complexity and cunning, was far inferior to that of later generations.

With this information, Azu was prepared to get what he wanted without bloodshed.

A moment later, Ah Zu appeared in the study on the second floor of the hotel.

Soon, led by Monica, Speaker Brosnan, with his white hair and beard, appeared opposite Azu.

Faced with this surprisingly young Chinese man, Speaker Brosnan did not show the same surprise as the others!
"You are Ah Zu, Li Zunian, right?"

Brosnan reached out and shook hands firmly with Azu.

Azu smiled slightly: "It seems that the Speaker knows something about me as well!"

After pouring each of them a glass of Macallan whiskey, Monica tactfully left the study, leaving only the two men, one old and one young, facing each other.

Brosnan settled comfortably on the sofa opposite Azu, adjusting his posture to the most comfortable position, before saying, "Sorry, Lee, as people get older, they become extra cautious!"

"Because of the tragedy that happened in San Francisco some time ago, I had to conduct some basic investigations to understand the situation!"

Azu took a sip of his drink and asked with great interest, "I wonder what the Speaker has learned?"

"I understand that Mr. Li has only been in America for six months, yet he has already established Huamei Industrial Company!"

"Mr. Li's Huamei Company went from being completely unknown to being known by everyone overnight!"

"But I also know that the jeans, Eden House, and foot-operated sewing machines that are popular all over California right now are all your masterpieces, Mr. Azu!"

“I also know that Mr. Azu amassed countless riches through gold mining, bought the largest Bay Area bank in California, and numerous high-quality assets that once belonged to San Francisco’s high society!”

"I've even learned that the one who actually controls San Francisco now is not Mayor Vic, who is also a shareholder of Huamei Corporation, but Huamei Industrial Corporation, and you, Mr. Li!"

Azu shook his head slightly: "Speaker, you think too highly of me! San Francisco is currently in the legitimate hands of City Hall, City Council, the courts, and all the citizens. What merit do I, a young Chinese man, have to dare to control the entire city of San Francisco?"

"No, no, no! Mr. Li, don't be so modest. You and I both understand how power works quite well. Those who truly wield power may not be the political figures who are in the limelight!"

Azu did not answer, but simply smiled and remained silent.

Speaker Brosnan continued, "In order to understand Mr. Lee's meteoric rise, I have to find out as much as possible about everything that has happened in San Francisco recently!"

“Sigh!” Brosnan sighed and continued, “It’s a pity about Major Daniel Cameron. His father, Old Cameron, was an old friend of mine, and we were classmates at West Point!”

“I have always had a very high opinion of Daniel. His father laid a solid foundation for him in the military, and he also married Brigadier General Phillips’s daughter.”

"If Daniel continues to develop smoothly like this, perhaps in about ten years, our California will produce its first American general!"

Brosnan shook his head regretfully: "Unfortunately, Daniel was blinded by hatred and went down the wrong path! His collusion with gangsters and the massacre of the entire San Francisco could not be hidden from anyone's eyes!"

"Because of this incident, his career in the military and politics is very likely over! Even if no one holds him accountable, no one will dare to give him an important position again!"

"Moreover, I heard that he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt by remnants of the bandit gang a few days ago!"

Ah Zu asked, "Has the Speaker also heard about this?"

“Of course! It’s hardly a secret!” Speaker Brosnan sighed. “I’ve also read Lieutenant Klein’s report, but I still can’t understand why Daniel would ambush a gang.”

Speaker Brosnan asked in bewilderment, "In my opinion, Daniel's target is those powerful figures who betrayed the Cameron family. He wants to take back everything that belongs to the Cameron family!"

Why would he go to such lengths to ambush those bandits?

After thinking for a moment, Azu replied, "Perhaps, it's for that enormous sum of money?"

“No, no, no!” Speaker Brosnan shook his head and said, “I know the Cameron family too well, and I know Daniel just as well! He’s not the kind of person who can’t tell what’s important.”

"Compared to eliminating our enemies and reclaiming everything from the Cameron family, the wealth stolen by the gang is utterly insignificant!"

Speaker Brosnan continued, "So, I've always been puzzled as to why Daniel did this?"

“So…!” Azu interjected, “Has the Speaker finally figured it out? Why are you discussing these things with me?”

Speaker Brosnan replied, "I still don't understand everything, but I've thought of another possibility...!"

"What's the possibility?"

"It wasn't Daniel and his Rangers who ambushed the bandits and stole that fortune!"

Speaker Brosnan added, "I specifically went to speak with Daniel in person about this!"

"Hmm?" Azu asked in surprise, "Speaker, you've already spoken with Major Daniel?"

“Yes!” Speaker Brosnan smiled and said, “Although I am old, I still retain a curious mind!”

“Daniel told me that it wasn’t him who ambushed the gang, but the Native Americans!”

“Indians?” Azuchi said. “That’s what Major Daniel told us too, but this is just too unbelievable!”

Azu continued, "As far as I know, the Native Americans don't have that kind of fighting power, nor that kind of strategy!"

"No, no, no, my young friend, you underestimate the Native Americans!"

Brosnan said, "I fought the Indians my whole life. They were not only incredibly brave, but they also had their own wisdom and strategies when it came to war!"

"Those Indians, relying solely on spears and bows and arrows, fought against our well-equipped and well-trained army for one or two hundred years. Our army often learned bloody lessons from the Indians!"

“Fine!” Azu shrugged indifferently. “Even if it was the Native Americans who ambushed the gang and stole their huge fortune, Mr. Speaker, why are you telling me all this?”

Speaker Brosnan replied, "Mr. Lee, the reason I'm telling you this is that I hope we can unite and work together as a whole of California to completely resolve the issues of Native Americans and gangs!"

Azu nodded: "I agree with the Speaker's statement. Integrating the whole of California is indeed imperative!"

Speaker Brosnan's wrinkled face lit up with delight: "So, we reached an agreement very easily?"

“Yes, we have indeed reached an agreement on this point, but…!” Azu’s tone shifted: “Who will wield this powerful, awe-inspiring force that has been consolidated?”

“Of course…!” Speaker Brosnan paused, staring at Azu’s face, and said solemnly, “As the representative of the entire state of California, the power should naturally be in the hands of the interim state government and the legislature!”

Azu smiled and said, "I think this is where our differences lie!"

"The provisional state government and parliament have enacted the Foreign Miners Tax Law, which aims to tax all Chinese laborers!"

"The interim governor has also issued an executive order to levy an additional special security tax on top of the Foreign Miners Tax Act!"

"Our governor has raised the entry tax by a whopping 750%! This is an attempt to completely shut out Chinese laborers from the country!"

"The governor even demanded that San Francisco hand over command of the militia to him!"

Azu said coldly, "Mr. Speaker, as a Chinese person who has only recently arrived in America, I am undoubtedly a target of the state government and the state legislature!"

"In this situation, what am I supposed to do? Should I weave my own noose and strangle myself to death?"

"No, no, no!" Speaker Brosnan quickly waved his hand and said, "I think, Mr. Li, you have completely misunderstood! Our state legislature and state government have absolutely no intention of targeting any legal citizens or new immigrants. We just...!"

At this point, Azu dropped the pretense and said directly, "Speaker, politics is nothing more than the art of exchange!"

"Right now, the interim state government and legislature are trying every means to seize all power! San Francisco, on the other hand, is unwilling to give up the power it has gained and is trying every means to undermine the state government and legislature!"

"This situation absolutely cannot last! You want San Francisco to cooperate with the state government and legislature? Fine, but what do you have to offer in return?"

(End of this chapter)