Fiora, Ibair, and Zhu Wencong clinked glasses, yet their brief exchange had led to a friendship that transcends age.
Zhu Wencong needed people of status and capability like them, able to use their positions to accomplish many things.
In America, the hierarchy of skin color exists, unless one has a noble status or the backing of influential figures.
Otherwise, all one's achievements can easily and legally be taken by others.
The government won't bother with matters outside of white people; to them, other races are viewed the same as the Indigenous people.
In their eyes, the first-class whites are the Anglo-French, the second-class whites are the Russians, and the third-class whites are America and other Western countries.
"In your view, is there truly no suspense left in the outcome of this war,
or are you just too confident, thinking us too powerful? You haven't seen the federal army with your own eyes.
I do like your confident smile, but this war is extremely cruel and brutal, with many lives lost.
We're already facing a shortage of soldiers; there aren't enough cannon fodder to resist."
Fiora sighed.
Zhu Wencong wanted to say he knew the federal army was lacking, but under a good matching system, the Southern Army was just as lacking.
Apart from the Revolutionary War, America's military had always been engaged in wits and bravery against the Indigenous people and Mexico (Spain).
With Canada on top, the Black Palace is their masterpiece, ignore them, and there is not a single strong fighter in America!
The opponents were either tribal civilizations or colonies, defeating a bunch of half-savages was no true military achievement.
The Army was utterly confused, and the Navy was no better, with just a few rotten fishing boats during the period of the Revolutionary War.
Later, to maintain the nation's dignity, they were forced to purchase a few outdated battleships at a high cost just for appearances.
Putting it simply, the Isolationism that America had always embraced meant the nation shouldn't take action, but let the capitalists do it.
If things got out of hand, the nation would come out to clean up the mess, merely a stepmother's role.
"It's not that I'm overconfident, it's that our advantages truly outweigh those of our opponents.
Outstanding leaders, wealthy capitalists, and well-equipped military factories, these are the conditions that the South lacks.
Once we start the war machine, all who attempt to block us will be ground into dust.
In the face of the steel surge, no matter how many soldiers there are, they're just cannon fodder, and even the best commanders are powerless."
Zhu Wencong emphasized.
For the moment, the capitalists are reluctant to spend money, yet they hope this broken federation will win on its own.
The President is still considering the major issue of reelection, needing to stir up significant events to gain public support.
Facing these two unfortunate factors, the military factories cannot operate at full capacity and must wait for them to come to their senses.
The Southern Army may seem to be advancing triumphantly, but in reality, it has no logistical support, relying entirely on the army to fend for itself (through looting and pillaging).
"Let me tell you another story about when America was first established, in a state of constant division and unification.
Those who were honored as the Founding Fathers, when it came to their own interests, they simply resigned and left.
If America couldn't satisfy the interests of every individual, then America wouldn't exist.
Thus, amidst countless disputes, both factions chose a solution, compromise.
America was born through compromise, and this war is destined to end with compromise as well.
No one wants a situation where both the fish and the net are destroyed; no one wants to escalate the war. In the end, understanding comes, and compromise is reached together."
Zhu Wencong spoke of America's unique characteristic.
In the East, it would be a fight to the death, the complete eradication of the enemy, grinding their bones and scattering the ashes, without giving the opponent any chance.
In the West, power serves capital, and businessmen naturally value harmony, with both sides taking a step back.
"I understand! They will ultimately compromise, so we are confident that we can win this war.
I find that you truly understand our history and are so clear about our distinctive culture," Fiorella smiled.
Zhu Wencong, holding a wine glass and assuming an air of profundity, said, "I am a descendant of royalty, and knowing the different countries of the world is the most basic study of kingship.
Each nation has its own unique features and culture, and tailoring an approach to suit that culture is an all too simple method."
Fiorella and Ibair looked at each other, having only heard a mention from James. Everything seemed normal.
A common youngster wouldn't possibly have such extensive knowledge, such a high perspective, or such understanding of the world's changes.
"Are you a descendant of the Braided-hair Tribe?" Ibair had encountered Easterners before, but Zhu Wencong did not wear a braid.
"I am a descendant of the Ming Zhu, the Ming Dynasty you might not be aware of, probably only the French national library would have relevant documentary resources.
So the East no longer offered me a fertile ground for survival, and I had to come here alone to create my own world," Zhu Wencong briefly explained.
During this period, there were very few foreigners who understood the Ming Dynasty, as the Manchu Qing had already erased, burned, and altered anything related to 'Ming'.
The only remaining complete documentary resources were privately held or located in the French national library, which was known as the reserve Book Collection Pavilion of the East.
"Indeed, we are not very clear about it, but we deeply sympathize with your situation!
This is the land of freedom; you will find your own happiness here!" both said in unison.
"Thank you! Can we now proceed to discuss some practical matters?" Zhu Wencong looked at the two.
"Talk to us about your ideas!" Fiorella put down her wine glass.
"I have a friend in the Japanese Islands who is quite influential locally and has his own army.
According to a secret report from the Ming royal family, somewhere on the Japanese Islands, there is a reserve of silver higher than any Silver Mine in the world today!
You know that the people over there are very poor; they lack the capability and financial resources to mine the Silver Mine.
Hence, I am planning to collaborate with them; through my connections in America, I will attract enough funding to start mining the Silver Mine.
I don't want this information to leak out; after all, the situation there is a bit unstable, and there are concerns about prying eyes.
That's why I am preparing to secretly raise funds, quietly spreading the profits from the Silver Mine among us, and you can only refer friends who are trustworthy," Zhu Wencong whispered.
Fiorella and Ibair were momentarily breathless; this secret news was like a thunderclap that stunned them for a while.
The American warships had already opened Japan's doors; their country's resources were not abundant, but the Silver Mine certainly existed.
If news of an extraordinarily large Silver Mine got out, the world would definitely plunge into chaos.
At that time, America would not be able to keep the Great Powers from forcefully entering, and leaking the info would result in only getting a sip of the broth.
"I possess a Silver Mountain but lack any capability to turn the Silver Mountain into Spanish silver coins!
You must be able to feel my pain! So I need your help, and I need you to keep it a secret.
This matter must be handled quietly; we have an old saying back home: Silence brings the greatest fortune.
Once the Silver Mine is operational, meeting the federal targets will be a piece of cake!" Zhu Wencong added.