1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 264 Expedition Lineup (4K)

This time Deng Lan also came with several Liang family children. Compared with the last time, the Liang family's attitude was lowered a lot this time.

It's just that in the name of taking refuge in Liang Yao, he hopes to find a job with Liang Yao to make ends meet.

This also made Liang Yao feel a lot better.

Liang Yao really lacks reliable people now, relatives and old friends, blood ties, in this era, to a certain extent, also represent loyalty and trust.

Now that the Liang family has lowered their stance, as long as the Liang family's children are capable, Liang Yao doesn't mind arranging some errands for them, starting slowly from the grassroots level of the American Group.

"I heard that Liang Sheng is still working in the mine. Your grandfather hopes that you can look at him on his face, forgive this child for being ignorant and offend you, and give him a chance to reform himself."

Deng Lan said to Liang Yao.

Looking at the son in front of him, Deng Lan had an inexplicable sense of strangeness. He always felt that the current Liang Yao was completely different from the Liang Yao he used to be in Xiangshan.

"As long as Liang Sheng realizes his mistake, everything is negotiable, and I'm not a petite person."

Liang Yao also knew in his heart that Liang Sheng was at best sent by the Liang family to throw stones to ask directions, to test his attitude and bottom line.

Now that the Liang family knew his attitude, they knew that Liang Yao's assets in California were out of their hands, and after realizing the reality, he couldn't let Liang Sheng keep mining.

Counting, from Sacramento to Nevada, this kid has been digging mines for more than a year.

"Why are there so many people on the pier?"

Looking at the strange faces on the pier, Deng Lan said with some embarrassment.

"They are all here to welcome you." Liang Yao said with a smile, "I am now a powerful figure in California, and you are my own mother. If you come to California, they will give me a little bit of respect."

"I understand. It's just that there are so many foreigners, and I don't know how to speak foreigners' language. What should I do?"

Deng Lan has been the concubine of the Liang family for more than [-] years. When Liang Weiming, the old man of the Liang family, was still working as a servant in the capital, there were quite a few people who came to visit during the festivals.

Although Deng Lan has little knowledge, she still understands this truth.

"You don't need to speak, just nod your head in understanding." Liang Yao said.

——————————————————————————————————————

In early May 1852, Perry's East India Fleet arrived in the port of San Francisco.

There are four warships in Perry's expedition to Japan this time, namely:

Flagship USS Mississippi steam paddle wheel frigate (1692 tons), crew 380 people.

USS Saskana is a steam-powered paddle-wheel wooden frigate (2450 tons), with a crew of 300.

USS Plymouth sail-powered wooden hull frigate (989 tons), 220 people.

The USS Saratoga is a sail-powered wooden frigate (882 tons), with a crew of 210.

This is also the lineup when Perry knocked off Japan in history.

These four warships are already in relatively good condition in the US Navy, but in terms of the level of warships, regardless of the two old antiques of the sail era, the Plymouth and the Saratoga.

The two steam paddle-wheeled frigates Mississippi and Saskana are not very advanced among the powers.

At the same time, both Britain and France have begun to build propeller-driven warships, and are considering phasing out paddle wheel warships.

Even for the paddle wheel warships in service, both Britain and France installed pig iron plates on both sides of their warships to improve the defense capabilities of the warships.

The two thousand-ton frigates Yangwei and Chaoyong sold to him by the Frenchman were smaller, but iron plates were installed on both sides to enhance the protection of the warship.

It can be seen from this that the American Navy in the mid-19th century was not a little bit worse than Britain and France.

But this is also a reasonable thing. After all, the military expenditure of the United States is not at the same level as that of Britain and France.

Even so, under the organization of Liang Yao, the people of San Francisco went to the port to warmly welcome Perry's fleet.

"Originally, I planned to use the Powhatan as my flagship, but unfortunately, the Powhatan broke down shortly after departure, and had to be towed back to Baltimore for repairs."

After landing, Perry said regretfully.

The Powhatan was a steam-powered, wooden-hulled cruiser, displacing a whopping 2415 tons, larger than his flagship, the Mississippi.

If the Powhatan can participate in the expedition, the strength of the East India Fleet of the United States will be greatly strengthened.

"Having the Mississippi and the Saskana is enough to deter the Japanese shogunate authorities." Liang Yao said lightly.

Not to mention the Mississippi and the Saskana, even the sailing warships such as the Plymouth and the Saratoga with a displacement of less than a thousand tons are big ships in the eyes of Little Japan.

Furthermore, the weaker the strength of the American East India Fleet, the more opportunities for Liang Yao to perform.

Whether Liang Yao can be ranked among the generals of the United States before the American Civil War, this is the only chance Liang Yao has.

As long as Japan's founding of the country is fought well, even if someone in the upper echelons of the United States is unwilling to award Liang Yaojun the rank of brigadier general, the public opinion of the people will not agree.

"I hope so," Perry murmured.

At this time, Perry's mood was similar to that when the British went to war with the Qing Dynasty, and he was also uncertain and uneasy.

Although Japan is small in the eyes of the Chinese, it depends on who it is compared with.

The so-called size and length are all compared. Being a neighbor next to China, a behemoth, naturally makes Japan look smaller.

But if Japan is placed in Europe, Japan's land area and population size can definitely be regarded as a big country with a reputation.

Even in the face of the United States at the same time, Japan is not considered a small country.

According to conservative statistics, the population of Japan during this period has exceeded 3000 million. This population data is not only higher than that of the United States, but also higher than that of the United Kingdom during the same period.

If you count the traditional hidden households, Japan's population data will only be higher.

Liang Yao could understand Perry's uneasy mood. At the beginning of the British war against the Qing Dynasty, he also had no idea.

"Our expedition will definitely return victorious!" Liang Yao said to Perry confidently.

"Are you so sure?" Perry was dubious.

"Because I know Japan better than you." Liang Yao reached out to take a document bag from Kony, and handed the document bag to Perry, "This is some information about Japan that I have collected. You helped."

This information was collected by the spies Liang Yao dispatched to Japan and the Chinese businessmen doing business in Japan.

"Thank you very much." Perry took the document bag handed over by Liang Yao and said with emotion, "I didn't expect your preparations to be so thorough. With a partner like you, I am more confident. The supply ship for the expedition is ready. How's it going?"

"They are all on standby at the port and can leave at any time."

Liang Yao pointed to the ships moored at the port for this expedition.

Perry looked in the direction Liang Yao pointed at. When he saw the James Belt and other four ships serving as supply ships and transport ships, Perry was only a little happy in his heart, and had no other superfluous feelings.

Although these ships are all large ships with a thousand tons or more, especially the James Day, the displacement has already surpassed Perry's flagship at a rough look, but these ships are all civilian ships, so there is nothing unusual about them.

But when Perry's eyes fell on the Roland, Yangwei, and Super Brave, Perry lost his composure for an instant.

Damn, this kid has three warships, and they are still covered with iron sheets!

"This is a warship? It looks like a Frenchman's warship. How did you get it?" Perry said in shock.

"In exchange for gold and the French, the American navy cannot provide protection for California on the west coast. California's coastline is very long, and British ships often cruise along the coastline of California. We Californians always find ways to save ourselves. , My global shipping company also has routes that need armed protection." Liang Yao said.

The fact that he owns a warship cannot be hidden for a while.What's more, Liang Yao didn't intend to hide it.

The United States is not the Qing Dynasty, and it is not unreasonable to have a few warships.

What's more, Liang Yao also has a very good reason to own a warship. He paid for the protection of California's coastline and the sea routes of the American Group.

For them, anything that can be done without federal money is good.

"You also hired sailors from the French Navy?" Perry asked curiously.

"That's not true. I just hired some French instructors and gunners to train the crew. Most of the crew were recruited by themselves." Liang Yao shook his head and said.

After more than a year of training, the crew on the Roland are already qualified sailors.

But it wasn't long before Liang Yao took over Yangwei and Chaoyong. Some of the crew members on board were from the global shipping company, and the other part were retired naval personnel from various countries recruited from the private sector.

The sources of California's population are complex, but complexity also has complex benefits.

That is, it is possible to recruit retired military personnel from various countries. Liang Yao even recruited more than [-] retired sailors from the British Royal Navy.

"With your three warships, I am full of confidence in this expedition!" Perry said confidently.

Previously, Perry regretted that the Powhatan he was thinking of could not participate in this expedition, but now, a Roland can fully make up for the loss of Powhatan's inability to participate in the battle.

"There is a barracks of the California militia near the pier. Navy officers and soldiers can rest in this barracks if they want to disembark. There is enough food and water in the barracks." Liang Yao said to Perry as he walked, "Since you It's here, I'm going to send a telegram to Washington."

"The telegram here can still be sent to Washington?" Perry was very surprised.

The Oregon area became a territory of the United States in 1846. There is no telegraph line in this area yet, and California officially became a territory of the United States in 1848. I did not expect to be able to communicate with Washington so soon.

"Yes, it was not long after the telegram was sent." Liang Yao replied.

"I'll go to the telegraph room with you. I want to send a telegram to the Admiralty to report the situation of the East India Fleet," Perry said.

After reporting the situation to Washington, Perry's more than [-] naval officers and soldiers boarded the ship and set off after a short rest in San Francisco.

Compared with the navy's expedition lineup, Liang Yao's army lineup is more luxurious.

The California militia took over the defense of the US-Mexico border from the Arizona and California infantry.

For the weak Mexican army, Liang Yao really looked down on the Mexican army, and a militia regiment was enough to deal with it.

Two regiments, the California Infantry Regiment and Elvis' Arizona Infantry Regiment, participated in this expedition. The Arizona Infantry Regiment had just been replaced with a Walter M1852 rifle.

Soldiers of the Arizona Infantry Regiment love their new weapons.

Of course, what makes them most happy is to be able to participate in this expedition.

Since the US-Mexico War tasted the sweetness, the enthusiasm for war in the United States has been very high from the official to the private sector, from ordinary people to soldiers.

Especially soldiers in the army, because the rate of promotion in wartime is much faster than in peacetime, and war is one of the few opportunities for them to rise.

After more than [-] army officers and soldiers from the California Infantry Regiment and the Arizona Infantry Regiment boarded the ship, the fleet headed west in a mighty manner.

The Roland is Liang Yao's flagship. The two frigates Chaoyong and Yangwei are guarding the Roland. Behind them are four merchant ships of the Global Shipping Company.

These four merchant ships are now responsible for transporting troops and supplies along the way.

Sven, who has been on the Pacific route countless times, is already familiar with this route, and even knows how many people need to consume how much material.

The first stop of the fleet is Hawaii, where the fleet will carry out the final replenishment.

After the French Navy's Pacific Fleet left Hawaii, Liang Yao, Britain and France reached an agreement, and the three parties will uphold the attitude of shelving disputes and jointly developing and jointly developing and building Hawaii.

Together, we will build the Kingdom of Hawaii into a shining pearl in the Pacific Ocean.

The islands of the Hawaiian Islands are all in the tropics, and the islands are not far apart, but the population distribution on each island is very different.

Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, also known as the Big Island, is not the most populous island in Hawaii.

Generally speaking, in the same area, the distribution of human population follows the eternal principle of "the larger the area, the more the population".

But this is not the case in the Hawaiian Islands. The island of Hawaii (Big Island), which covers an area of ​​more than 1 square kilometers and accounts for about 60% of the area of ​​the Hawaiian Islands, due to the active geological activities of the island, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur from time to time, so the population of the Hawaiian Island has always been They can't grow, and the degree of development is very limited.

Among the 8 main islands of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu (also known as Oahu Island) is the core island of the entire Hawaiian Islands, and ranks first in the Hawaiian Islands in terms of population and development.

Due to the relatively stable geology of Oahu Island and a long history of development, the fertile volcanic ash also makes the island suitable for agricultural planting and can support a larger population. Oahu Island soon became the core area of ​​the Hawaiian Islands. There are Two-thirds of the population lives on Oahu.

Britain, France and the United States competed for the Hawaiian Islands, and the focus of the competition was mainly around the island of Oahu.

Due to the influence of coastal terrain, Oahu also has good deep-water ports. One of the more famous deep-water ports is Pearl Harbor. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor during World War II. This is also the place where the Pacific War of World War II started.

Honolulu, the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii (called Honolulu by the Chinese), is also located on the island of Oahu.

Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island is also a transit point in the Pacific Ocean built by Liang Yao, providing supplies for the fleet across the Pacific Ocean.

(End of this chapter)