Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 730 The Five Nations Secret Pact
Concerned about the image of our army that we had previously cultivated, Jia Zhi decided to temporarily set aside the possibility of using fire. He would try a direct attack first and see how things went.

The U.S. Army in Detroit had a new commander. The previous commander, MacKenzie, had many talks with the new commander and always emphasized one point: if they couldn't win, they had to fight, and the only option was to fight from the city; fighting in the open field was suicide.

At this time, the rulers of the Americas, the so-called Anza people, truly felt a crisis of life and death.

In fact, according to US media reports, after the government decided to go to war, a large amount of capital fled to Europe.

Capital is not optimistic about this war, and even if it is, it is unwilling to take the risk.

The new commander-in-chief was instructed to fight, and under no circumstances should they admit defeat, at least not now.

Having failed to persuade them to surrender, Jia Zhi had no choice but to order the attack to continue. He concentrated four divisions and all of his more than one hundred cannons to bombard the city on the opposite bank of the river, while simultaneously beginning to construct a pontoon bridge.

The remaining U.S. artillery units bombarding the bridge-building troops on the river had little room to maneuver and were subjected to intense artillery suppression under the supervision of hot air balloons.

The battle lasted a day, and the pontoon bridge was successfully erected. Under cover of darkness, the American forces inside the city launched an attack in an attempt to destroy the bridge. However, the Donghua Army was prepared, lighting bonfires and repelling the American forces with a barrage of bullets.

The US night raid failed after leaving behind thousands of bodies.

The following day, our army launched another attack. The US troops held their ground by using houses as fortifications. Jia Zhi ordered the artillery to approach and fire directly.

The Japanese division once again served as the assault force, launching the first attack and charging into the city with exceptional bravery.

Their mentality is probably like this: their fathers were hired by Donghua State, and they could only get official status after fifteen years and be allocated land like normal citizens.

This made their parents cherish their status even more, believing that they could truly escape their lowly status in Japan through hard work. Now that their parents have returned to Japan, the old samurai were the lowly people.

These second-generation Japanese Americans identified with Donghua Nation more than their parents from a young age, and some differences in appearance made them even more eager to prove that they were not different.

Under the cover of artillery fire, these young soldiers stormed into the city, clearing out enemy positions with grenades and rifles.

After a day of fierce fighting, several city defenses were breached, forcing the US forces to retreat to fortified strongholds to continue their resistance. The technological gap in weaponry meant the US forces could only rely on fortifications, waiting for the Donghua Army to approach before firing.

Despite heavy casualties, the U.S. military performed quite bravely in the first two days of fighting.

The Japanese division, as the assault force, suffered over a thousand casualties on the first day, while the American casualties were ten times greater.

After nightfall, the US military launched another night attack, attempting a last-ditch effort to rely on its numerical superiority. Without this, the US military would only face defeat.

This was the only chance. After the pastor's spiritual blessing, the American soldiers quietly left their positions and slowly but firmly walked towards our positions.

Boom! The sound of the landmines exploding startled our troops, and instantly gunfire erupted on the position like a whirlwind. The American troops, abandoning thousands of men, retreated in panic. Their surprise attack failed, and they withdrew overnight.

There's no point in fighting again.

Jia Zhi ordered no pursuit, as the objective of this operation had been largely achieved. He then ordered his troops to seize the opportunity to destroy factories and mines and to send out cavalry to sweep through the surrounding area.

He issued a strict order to all departments to resolutely destroy any facilities related to industry.

Shipyards, factories, and machinery were destroyed; factory buildings were set on fire.

Within a 50-kilometer radius of Detroit, the area was transformed into an agricultural and fishing zone.

After three full days of destruction, our troops withdrew to Madison, Chicago, where they suffered another major defeat before retreating back to Madison.

During the retreat, the order to sabotage continued. The US military showed no intention of retaliating, and the local civilians had no power to resist; they could only watch helplessly.

When they left Madison, the chief of staff reported that about 10,000 locals, carrying their belongings and baggage, were following the army at a distance.

Jia Zhi was stunned upon hearing this and quickly pressed for an explanation.

Upon inquiry, it was learned that these people were all from the lowest rungs of society, the vast majority of whom were destitute. They used to have factories where they could work and earn a living, but now the factories were gone, and they would not be able to find work in the future. The little they had left had been looted by the American troops before their withdrawal. Now they chose to follow our army in the hope of starting over in a different place.

These people's logic is simple: our army is even distributing porridge. If they can do this to the enemy, those who volunteer to join will certainly be treated well.

Another point is that these people are mostly the elderly, women, and children, and they don't have much to rely on for a living. The fact that they can get paid while working for the Donghua Army gives them confidence. Considering that the city of St. Paul is also mostly inhabited by the elderly and infirm, and also has a large number of prisoners of war, Jia Zhi decided to take these volunteers with him, even if it meant paying a fortune to keep the charade going.

With the elderly, women, and children, along with over 20,000 prisoners of war, Jacques decided to occupy São Paulo and not leave. The prisoners of war couldn't be kept idle, so they had to work. The wounded were treated, but their fate was uncertain.

Believe it or not, the vast majority of these wounded survived, perhaps due to their good health or the scientific care they received.

One comforting aspect was that São Paulo hadn't experienced much warfare; most of the main houses remained intact, making it convenient to resettle the local population. The area surrounding the city was filled with excellent farmland, which, after being confiscated, was distributed to the people in the name of the Northern Commander of the Eastern China State. At the same time, all prisoners of war were told that they would be free in five years, and those who wished to stay could also receive land.

These lands used to belong to local landowners and wealthy people, but now that they have been distributed to ordinary people, the hearts of most people in the city have changed.

Most importantly, the Donghua Army is truly strong! Coupled with their repeated propaganda that they're here to punish the US government, and that they didn't intend to occupy territory last time, they'll do the same this time to avoid drawing the US government's attention. Everyone, except prisoners of war, is free to come and go.

Jacques ordered a division to remain to garrison São Paulo and established a provisional military government. A census was conducted in the city, and after registration, land was allocated. Citizens were allowed to elect their own leaders, and each district was divided into self-governing blocks. If any citizen was dissatisfied with the elected leaders, they could file a complaint with the military government.

In short, you might say it's democratic, and it is very democratic, but democracy doesn't mean you don't have to take responsibility.

After resting for several days, the uninjured prisoners of war began their labor reform. Their first task was various reform projects in the city: building a series of sturdy fortifications, clearing ditches, dredging pipes, and repairing houses. In short, they did whatever was available, prioritizing the improvement of the urban environment of São Paulo. As for building the railway, that wasn't in a hurry for the time being, since it hadn't even reached Moorhead yet.

The fighting in the north ended with Jia Zhi's voluntary withdrawal, while the fighting in the south continued. Li Heng's 50,000-strong army stormed into Atlanta, looting and setting it on fire.

The fire burned for three days and three nights before being extinguished. Not long after Li Heng's Donghua Southern Army withdrew to Little Rock, winter arrived. The uneasy mood throughout the American East Coast only began to ease due to the Donghua Army's voluntary withdrawal.

The war was the headline of major American media outlets, with the popular headline being: "The new Scourge of God has retreated, we have won, God bless America."

Upon learning of this, Jia Zhi and Li Heng were both bewildered. Are Americans' thought processes really that bizarre?

A newspaper reported on the so-called declaration of the Donghua Kingdom, calling this war a self-defense counterattack. This is a punishment.

However, the report did not have much impact, and the public went into a frenzy of celebration.

Americans have long considered themselves chosen ones, the so-called Manifest Destiny, God's favorites, and the newspapers have repeatedly brainwashed the public.

When the news reached Europe, where journalism is more advanced, the headline still used the same terminology as its American counterparts: "The Scourge of God Reappears in America."

European media didn't simply say the Americans won; instead, they reported the entire incident from beginning to end. They described how the Americans provoked the situation, and after some minor retaliation, they not only didn't back down but escalated the conflict. Even after being rebuked again by the Donghua State, they still refused to yield, even taking it to the level of Congress and threatening war. As a result, they faced large-scale punishment.

Two important cities in the Great Lakes region were reduced to the Stone Age, and Atlanta in the south was burned to the ground. The East Asians occupied the upper Mississippi River and its estuary, effectively controlling the lifeline of the United States. British newspapers gloated, saying, "You rebellious brats, if your father can't handle you, someone else can." That's roughly the gist of it. A bunch of descendants of petty thieves and criminals, thinking themselves chosen by heaven—you dare to challenge them? If it weren't for Louis XVI, that headless man, you would have been wiped out long ago.

The media frenzy didn't last long, and the Americans didn't celebrate our army's withdrawal for long either, as a fleet appeared off the coast of New York.

Under the sharp bombardment of naval guns, all targets floating at sea were blasted into fragments. Regardless of whether they were American or European ships, they were all ordered to stop for inspection; European ships returned along the same route, while American ships were sunk.

The once bustling New York Harbor was thus turned into a dead zone, but this was only the beginning. Subsequently, the Navy sent Marines to land in New York Harbor and set it on fire.

The fire got out of control due to strong winds, and the whole of New York was on fire.

After the European ships that escaped brought the news back, Europe went from initial gloating to a brief silence.

They're scared, terrified! This is just Donghua Kingdom, a small country that split off from the Central Empire. What if it were the mother country?

Just how powerful must they be to inflict such a crushing defeat on the United States? Others might not realize it, but surely the British do too?
Just then, a group of European students returned, eager to publish articles in newspapers, proclaiming the power and prosperity of the Central Empire.

Trains are a thing of the past; telegrams, telephones, countless delicacies, clean and tidy cities, elegant nobles, and people living in abundance, etc.

These students also frequently mentioned the advanced industry of the Central Empire; who would have thought that they had already installed steam engines on ships?

Although they are both cities, international students mainly live in Beijing and Guangzhou. Regardless of which city it is, it is like paradise compared to any city in Europe now.

Many international students, after returning to Europe, always complain (or boast) that they can't eat any more Eastern food, can't drink soy milk in the morning, and can't eat steamed buns, mantou, fried dough sticks, or fried pancakes.

The people of London, a culinary wasteland, could let it go; they had to swallow their pride. But the people of Paris and Rome wouldn't stand for it—they had their own local cuisine too!

As a result, the entire tone of the media changed. No one discussed the strength of the self-proclaimed Central Empire in the Far East anymore; instead, they focused on various discussions about daily life.

However, the top leaders of various European countries remained clear-headed and held an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with the matter, especially Tsarist Russia, which was the most worried.

Regardless of whether it's Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, or Protestantism, we all believe in Jesus. Therefore, we should unite when necessary.

The British advocated for a secret alliance, kept secret to avoid provoking the Eastern Empire. The Russians objected, arguing that keeping it secret was pointless and that deterrence was necessary.
The French, Prussians, and Austrians thought the British were right, while the Spanish chose not to participate and simply watched.

Unable to act alone, Tsarist Russia declared, "You guys play, I'm out." The British sneered, "Go ahead and withdraw, withdraw now."

Tsarist Russia did not back down; it shamelessly stayed and continued the meeting and discussions. The parties reached their first consensus.

The second point of consensus: Should we aid the United States? France immediately answered, "Aid my foot! Those ungrateful dogs from Dingxi deserve to be beaten to death!"

The British share this attitude, while other countries seem indifferent. Who in their right mind would go to America?

The third point of consensus was how to divide spheres of influence. Given the existing world order, Africa still had vast uncolonized territories, and each country would compete for them based on its own capabilities. If an Eastern empire intervened, it would violate the alliance, and everyone would have to fight side-by-side. Britain and France indicated this was acceptable and it was approved. Prussia hesitated to speak.

The fourth consensus is that the rivalry between Tsarist Russia and the Eastern Empire in Central Asia is unrelated to the alliance. The Urals should be the red line; once crossed, a collective statement should be made to threaten the Eastern Empire.

Tsarist Russia was furious but helpless, and everyone else agreed.

The fifth consensus was that Tsarist Russia slapped Britain in the face, stating that Indian affairs were not within the scope of the alliance.

France immediately agreed, saying that was the way to do it. Putin and Austria also felt that India was too far away, belonging to the Asian region, and that Britain could work on it, but shouldn't drag everyone else down with it.

Based on these five consensuses, the five countries signed a secret agreement. They emphasized that the agreement is limited to defense only, and that proactive attacks are not permitted.

Although everyone knew perfectly well that it was uncertain whether the secret agreement would work, at least there was some hope.

The pressure from the University of Tokyo was too great, almost suffocating.

After New York was blocked, the United States repeatedly called for European intervention, but to no avail and was instead ridiculed by European countries.

Because the Great Lakes region suffered severe damage, America's nascent industry had to rebuild itself, and it dared not locate its industries in the Great Lakes region again.

As for retaliation and counterattack, the US government's earlier threats of declaring war have never been mentioned again. Not only have they not mentioned it, but they have also sent a formal mission to request negotiations with Donghua State.

(End of this chapter)