Outnumbered? I'll conquer America with an unlimited number of suicide soldiers.

Chapter 58 Minor Trouble During Exploration (Please Subscribe)

Contra Costa County, Martinez Town.

As the location of the county government, this place has a permanent population of no more than 800.

In the afternoon, in the sheriff's office.

Sheriff David Martinez had his feet propped up on his desk, flipping through a newspaper, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking completely relaxed.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a gust of wind carrying dust rushed in.

Martinez frowned, looked up as if about to curse, but upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, his anger turned to joy, and he burst into laughter.

"My God, Noah, how could you, old man, finally come out of your mountain hollow?"

He and Noah met during the War of 1812, and after their discharge, they reunited during the Mexican-American War, fighting together against the Mexicans. It can be said that they had been friends for decades.

Later, he and his family settled in Contra Costa County and established the town of Martinez, while Noah went to Mount Diablo, dozens of kilometers away, supposedly to look for minerals.

Norton took off his wide-brimmed hat, dusted it off, and plopped down in the chair to the side, saying without any politeness, "I've come to ask for your help."

"As you know, I'm exploring coal mines over at Mount Diablo, and we'll be able to start mining soon."

"But a few days ago, a group of people came and started exploring Mount Diablo. Judging from their appearance, I know they're here to steal my coal mine!"

Martinez raised an eyebrow, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and said incredulously, "Just for something like this? You have dozens of strong, burly young men under you, more than I do. Just drive them away, or even better, kill them all one night, wouldn't that be better?"

"You're just as much of a brute as my men!"

Norton's lips twitched, and he sighed, "Doing it is easy, but the hard part is doing it cleanly so that no one can find any fault with it."

"David, when will the state finally approve the land ownership for Mount Diablo?"

Martinez shrugged and said helplessly, "Noah, you're putting me in a difficult position. You know the state government's current situation. Those idiot Democrats are putting all their energy into political infighting, and the State Land Office is completely inactive now."

"It's true that my uncle is a congressman in Sacramento, but as an American congressman, he really can't help you."

He paused for a moment, then suggested, "Since you've already occupied that land and the mining rights are in your hands, just do it the way I suggested before."

Norton picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, and exhaled a cloud of smoke, saying, "Come on, you and I both know that the so-called mining rights are not recognized by the federal government, and the state government is also vague about them. It can only prove that you have the biggest fist and the fastest gun here."

"Let me tell you the truth, those newcomers have a fierce demeanor and are well-equipped; they look like they've been on the battlefield."

"It's good that we won, but I'm afraid we won't, then it's all over. That's why I came to ask you about the land ownership."

Martinez then became serious. He threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out, scratching his head. "Damn it, how about this? I'll take a few men and check if those people have an exploration permit. I'll also help you find out what's going on on the other side and see if we can scare them away."

"real?"

Norton was somewhat surprised; in all the years he had known him, this was the first time he had ever seen Martinez so loyal.

"In God's name, I never lie."

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open, and a young man rushed in, panting heavily.

"Mr. Martinez, someone has reported another murder in town—an entire family wiped out!"

Martinez clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, "My God, not again?"

He got up from the chair and took his felt hat and belt off the wall nail.

"Call all the deputy sheriffs in town and tell them to assemble here right now. Tell those sons of bitches that within ten minutes, I'm going to kick their asses raw with my boots!"

The person who came out was panting heavily.

Norton asked with some curiosity, "David, what do you mean by 'again'? Has this kind of murder happened more than once?"

"Noah, how long has it been since you last read a newspaper?"

Martinez handed him the newspaper he had been reading earlier, pointing to the news headline and saying, "I don't know what's going on in Northern California lately, but from Sacramento to Monterey, there's been a constant stream of murders in every county and city."

"Some were lucky enough to survive, with one or two of them making it to the afterlife. Others were so unlucky that not only were all their money stolen, but their entire families also went to heaven."

"Alright, you can rest here for a while, or go find some fun at a tavern or inn outside. After I finish dealing with this mess, I'll take some people to accompany you to Mount Diablo tomorrow morning."

Early the next morning.

Just as dawn was breaking, the sound of clattering hooves and rude shouts echoed on the muddy ground in front of the sheriff's office.

Martinez, accompanied by several deputies, spurred his horses and left the town of Martinez, heading towards Diablo Mountain along the dusty road.

After eight hours of bumpy travel, everyone looked a bit disheveled.

When Norton finally pointed to a tawny mountain range in the distance and said, "It's just ahead," everyone, including Martinez, breathed a sigh of relief.

At the foot of the mountain, a campsite consisting of dozens of rough wooden huts came into view.

The men, dressed in dusty canvas overalls, were either repairing tools or carrying timber, while a few armed men patrolled and kept watch from a nearby high point.

Further away, closer to the mountain, a very obvious hole has been dug out, with quarried rocks and a small amount of black coal piled up next to the entrance.

"My God, Noah, your mines are quite impressive."

Martinez surveyed the camp and whistled. "Looks like it should be officially operational soon?"

Norton nodded, a hint of pride on his face: "Soon, once the purchased tracks and minecarts arrive, we can officially start mining."

The two chatted about the camp for a while longer, then Martinez said, "Alright, take me to that group's camp first, let me see how troublesome they are."

The group continued forward, and after another half hour, they arrived at the other side of the mountain.

An orderly camp appeared before them.

On the relatively gentle slope, dozens of simple but neatly arranged wooden houses are scattered, with roofs covered with tar paper or thick bark.

Wide passageways were left between the wooden houses, and the paths were even simply paved with gravel.

Martinez's gaze swept over the numerous figures in the camp. They were indeed menacing, and their teamwork was impeccable. The armed patrolmen were clearly positioned, their lines of sight overlapping, leaving no blind spots.

The camp had clearly also spotted the uninvited cavalry. Soon, several armed men approached, led by a white man who looked to be in his thirties with a stern face.

He frowned as he looked at the sheriff's badge on Martinez's chest and asked, "Gentlemen, is there anything I can help you with?"

Martinez reined in his horse, looked down at Charles, and said in a loud voice, "I am David Martinez, Sheriff of Contra Costa County."

I received a report that someone was conducting exploration activities on Mount Diablo without permission, which may involve illegal land occupation and destruction of mineral resources.

Who are you? What are you doing here? Do you have the relevant exploration permits and land permits?

The white man suddenly realized and said in a humble but not arrogant manner, "So you are Sheriff, I am Charles, an employee of Sutter Land and Mining Development Company."

He made a gesture, and one of the men behind him immediately ran back to the camp, bringing back several documents.

"This is the state government's permit allowing the company to conduct surface exploration. Please rest assured that all our actions comply with California law."

Martinez dismounted, took the documents, glanced at them casually, and said coldly, "Why are there only documents from the state government? Where are the county government documents?"

'

"What?"

Charles was stunned. "Sheriff, I've never heard of needing a county government permit for exploration."

Martinez said slowly, "Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"Sir, your company's exploration activities here lack proper permits and violate county regulations. Therefore, please immediately cease all exploration operations and leave the county. Do you understand?"

Charles didn't speak, but narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on Martinez's face for a long time.

The scene fell silent, and the atmosphere gradually became tense.

After a long while, he shrugged and said, "Alright, based on the current exploration report, the coal seam structure here is extremely complex, making mining too difficult. There's really no need to continue exploring."

"Sir, please rest assured. We will immediately cease exploration operations and organize our equipment. We will withdraw from this area by noon tomorrow at the latest to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings or trouble."

Martinez stared at Charles for a few seconds, then nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Very good. A wise choice, sir. Maintaining peace and law-abiding order in this county is everyone's responsibility. I hope you will keep your word."

"Definitely." Charles bowed slightly.

Martinez gave a few more routine words of advice, then mounted his horse and turned it around. "It's done, Noah. Looks like you've got good luck."

Norton found it rather strange.

The negotiation went too smoothly. There was no tension, no verbal conflict, and the other party didn't even have to say a few words in their defense before obediently admitting defeat and preparing to leave.

But seeing their biggest competitor about to disappear, the joy overshadowed their doubts.

Norton glanced at Charles, who had already begun directing his men to pack up, and followed Martinez on the way back.

"David, thank you so much this time. How about we stay at my mine tonight and drink until we drop?"

"Alright, then let's drink until we drop!"

As evening fell, a huge bonfire was lit in the center of Norton’s mining camp, filling the air with the aroma of roasted meat and whiskey.

Around the campfire, glasses clinked, and crude jokes and boasts rose and fell. The tension of the day vanished, replaced by a sense of confident relaxation and revelry.

"Cheers!"

Martinez was particularly boisterous, downing his drink in one gulp and putting his arm around Norton's shoulder as they reminisced about their old days of fighting.

The men he brought quickly became friends with the miners, playing drinking games and having a great time.

Soon, those with low alcohol tolerance began to collapse to the ground, drawing laughter from those around them.

As the night deepened, fewer and fewer people remained sober as the drinking continued, and the crowd slumped over, snoring gradually rising.

Martinez, supporting Norton, said to the few people around who were still barely sober, "Noah has had too much to drink. I'll take him back to his room to rest."

No one suspected anything, and they muttered their agreement.

Martinez helped the nearly unconscious Norton toward Norton's cabin. Once inside, the door closed. The utterly drunk Norton was gently placed on the bed, while the drunkenness on Martinez's face vanished without a trace.

A few minutes later, a figure slipped in and said, "Everyone is drunk, and we also found an opportunity to kill the two lookouts quietly."

Martinez nodded and said, "Put it all into that mine."

"Yes."

Martinez's men began to move, carrying the sleeping bodies from the camp to the mine.

Deep inside the mine, Norton and dozens of his men lay on the cold ground, still fast asleep.

Several large bags of gunpowder and explosives were placed at key points on the load-bearing structure of the mine. The long fuses were lit, sparks hissed, and the fuses quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Boom! Boom!!!

After several earth-shattering explosions, a terrifying roar echoed from within the mine. The mountain trembled, and hundreds of thousands of tons of rock collapsed and crashed down, completely engulfing the mine and silencing all other sounds.

Dust spread out at the foot of the mountain and lingered for a long time.

Martinez and his group, who had already moved to a safe distance, silently watched the rising dust.

Before long, the sound of hooves came from another direction. Charles and another lean, young-looking man from the East rode up.

"With such a loud noise, the plan must have succeeded?" Charles asked, looking at the dust.

Martinez nodded: "Got it, mine collapse, miners killed—a very plausible reason, isn't it?"

Zhan Tianyou blinked, then realized, "So this is the surprise you told me about at the camp, Charles? This sheriff is one of ours too?"

Charles smiled and said, "Let me introduce you. This is David Martinez. He was recently enlightened by the Lord through the concept of 'the dead fear death,' and I didn't expect it to come in handy so soon."

"I didn't expect Norton to target you, which is why I had someone urgently contact you last night."

Martinez took out a cigarette, lit it, and said, "Alright, the trouble is over. You can continue mining. I'll handle any problems that arise later."

Charles said, "It's been hard work."

Martinez waved his hand and left with his assassins.

Watching him leave, Zhan Tianyou asked, "So, how many people in Northern California are on our side now?"

Charles rolled his eyes: "How should I know? You'll have to ask my lord. But if I were to guess, there should be four or five thousand."

7