1850 American Gold Tycoon

Liang Yao and Perry's fleet sailed into Xiangshan Port and anchored there without encountering any obstruction.

Even though the coastal defense guns on the Xiangshan Fort were pointed at their fleet, all those Green Camp soldiers could do was watch from a distance as the fleet flying the Citizen flag docked at Xiangshan.

Perry was very surprised that the landing went so smoothly, and said in amazement: "They really didn't fire any artillery, not even a warning fire."

The fleets of other countries landed on the shore in a grand manner without encountering any obstruction. This was unimaginable in Perry's opinion.

The U.S. military is not considered strong among the major powers, but if warships from Britain, France and other countries approach American ports without permission, the U.S. still has the courage to fire warning shots.

At this time, Perry couldn't help but wonder in his heart, whether the landing operation of the American East India Fleet in Edo, Japan soon would be as smooth as the landing at Xiangshan today?

"The bottom line for Ye Mingchen and Xu Guangjin is Guangzhou. As long as the fleet does not reach Humen and threatens Guangzhou, they will only turn a blind eye if we land elsewhere in Guangdong."

Liang Yao knew clearly where the bottom line of these Guangdong frontier officials was and what kind of mentality they had in dealing with the invading fleet from the West.

In fact, even if the fleet directly crosses Humen, there will be no consequences.

After the Opium War, it was nothing new for the armed ships of the British East India Company to sail into the Pearl River Estuary within Humen.

"How is your relationship with Fujian officials?"

After getting off the ship, Perry suddenly asked Liang Yao about Fujian.

The Chinese immigrants in California mainly come from Guangdong, followed by Fujian. It is impossible to say that Liang Yao is not familiar with the local officials in Fujian and has no interaction with them.

Perry suddenly asked this question, which made Liang Yao a little alarmed: "The destination of our expedition is Japan, and there is no need to stop in Fujian."

Perry smiled and said: "I have been planning an expedition to the Far East and opening up the Far Eastern market for many years. The largest market in the Far East is the Qing Dynasty, not Japan. To encourage Japan to found a country is nothing more than settling for the next best thing and using Japan as a springboard and a great empire. Qing trade.”

After saying that, Perry paused and looked at Liang Yao, continuing the topic: "I heard that Formosa Mansion in Fujian (the word TW is prone to sudden death, it cannot be written directly, it is good for everyone to know clearly. Formosa Mansion in Fujian Province) Formosa was a prefecture under Fujian before it was established as a province in 1885). It is rich in coal resources and wants to send an exploration team to Formosa for exploration.

I hope you can help me unblock the relationship with the local magistrates, send people to Formosa Island in the name of scientific investigation, survey the geographical environment and mineral resources of Formosa, and submit a report on Formosa to Congress. Sa's report. "

Expedition to Japan to promote the founding of Japan and open up the Japanese market has never been the best plan for Perry's Far East strategy.

The most ideal Far East plan in Perry's mind is to occupy an island as the fulcrum of the United States in the Far East, just like the United Kingdom. This fulcrum can be used as a strategic fulcrum to expand American hegemony in the Far East, and can be used as a trade stronghold to expand from the Far East. Seize maximum economic benefits.

The weakness of the Guangdong authorities made Perry's mind become more active. He wondered whether the Fujian authorities were as weak as the Guangdong authorities.

From the perspective of the United States, Perry's idea is very forward-looking. However, with the current strength of the United States, Perry's idea can only be an idea and there is no way to put it into practice.

Hong Kong Island and Formosa Island are not only very different in size, population size and administrative divisions, but more importantly, Formosa Island has a lesson from Zheng's pattern.

Furthermore, if the United States wants to have a monopoly on Formosa, Great Britain will not sit idly by and watch America monopolize it.

"President Fillmore did not authorize us to invade Formosa during this military operation. The Qing Dynasty and the United States have just signed a friendly immigration treaty, and the relationship between the two countries is harmonious. If you have trouble with the Qing Dynasty and destroy the two countries, Neither your Excellency nor I can explain to the President or Congress the friendship between the two countries, and we cannot afford the consequences of destroying the friendship between the two countries.”

Liang Yao said to Perry with his hands behind his back, then turned and left.

Although Perry is an outstanding figure in the U.S. Navy, Liang Yao and Perry are not the same person.

Perry's goal was to make the United States a maritime hegemon like the British Empire, but in Liang Yao's heart, California's weight was much greater than that of the United States.

"Your Majesty General, it seems that this Army Colonel still doesn't want to attack his former home country." Looking at Liang Yao's retreating figure, Colonel Miller, the adjutant next to Perry, said.

"This Army colonel is more complicated than I thought."

Perry moved his eyes away from Liang Yao's back and looked at the several huge ships behind him. After a long long ocean voyage, the black tar that was painted on the ships before departure to prevent them from being corroded by sea water has become a little mottled. .

"Order the captains of each ship to check the status of the ships and repaint the ships with tar. Our fleet must arrive in Japan in the best condition!"

The Xiangshan Ship Repair Yard is large enough, and the required food supplies and coal have been prepared in advance. In order to provide better rest for the soldiers on the expedition to Japan, the Ship Repair Yard has even built simple barracks that can accommodate four thousand people.

After settling the officers and soldiers for the expedition, Liang Yao was about to take a rest. Pan Gui and Pan Guorong, the sons of Wu Shangrong and Pan Shicheng, together with Fang Jianyuan, the magistrate of Xiangshan County, came to visit Liang Yao.

"Liang Yao! You are a fatherless and kingless man who has forgotten his ancestors. You are willing to act as a hawk for foreigners and lead foreign soldiers to invade our Qing territory! You"

After Liang Yao became successful, he became a household name not only in Xiangshan, but also throughout Guangdong and even neighboring Fujian. Fang Jianyuan, a parent official in Xiangshan, had naturally heard of Liang Yao's name and life story.

Fang Jianyuan, who was furious when he saw Liang Yao, started to curse. Although Fang Jianyuan spoke very forcefully, after seeing Liang Yao in military uniform and the soldiers behind Liang Yao who were fully armed and glaring, Fang Jianyuan still felt... I was so weak that I couldn't help but my legs were shaking, and I could barely stand still.

Liang Yao took off the big-brimmed hat on his head and slapped it on the table. He walked up to Fang Jianyuan and looked down at Fang Jianyuan, who was shorter than him and had a somewhat wretched appearance. He put his left hand on the handle of the knife at his waist and patted it with his right hand. Looking over Fang Jianyuan's shoulders, his stern eyes shot at Fang Jianyuan: "County Magistrate Fang, puff up your chest, stand up straight and talk to me."

Liang Yao's actions frightened Fang Jianyuan and he almost stumbled to the ground. Fortunately, the master on the side had quick eyesight and quick hands. He supported Fang Jianyuan and whispered to Fang Jianyuan: "Your Majesty, the scholar can't explain clearly when he encounters soldiers. Don't make him angry." Without him, we are still in their barracks."

"Wasn't this guy a scholar in the Qing Dynasty before? Besides, if I don't scold him sternly, how can I explain to Governor Ye and Governor Xu?" Fang Jianyuan said, covering his pounding heart.

"Come here! Show your seat to Mr. Fang County!"

Although the conversation between Fang Jianyuan and the master was very quiet, Liang Yao still heard the conversation between the two. The conversation between the two made Liang Yao laugh.

()