"These bastards have forgotten how to fight a war after becoming bandits. They didn't even put out sentries to guard the area!"
Sartre, who hadn't had the pleasure of firing a cannon for a long time, said with disdain as he looked at the bandits fleeing in a panic.
He was worried that this would be a tough battle, but he didn't expect that two shots would scare the bandits away.
"Sorry, I took a detour to confuse these damn bandits, so I'm a little late."
Sartre walked into Liang Yao's house under the gaze of everyone.
"No, my friend, you are right, and you came just in time. I don't know how to thank you enough."
Liang Yao, who survived the disaster, felt relieved. He stepped forward and shook Sartre's thick, calloused hands tightly to express his gratitude.
"No need to thank me, this is also my territory, and I am defending my territory." Sartre looked into Liang Yao's eyes, "Before we set out, I was worried that you wouldn't be able to hold on until this day, but now it seems that I was worrying too much, you are outstanding!"
When Flagg arrived, the residents of Sacramento were cleaning up their homes among the charred ruins with tears in their eyes, speaking the most vicious words and cursing the gangsters who destroyed their homes.
Liang Yao also suffered heavy losses in this disaster, with nearly half of his assets destroyed in the turmoil.
However, this did not hurt Liang Yao's foundation. His land deeds were still there, and that was his foundation. Moreover, he still had more than 2,800 ounces of gold as cash flow.
With these things, it is enough for him to make a comeback and start all over again in Sacramento.
The rebuilding process was never as difficult as when we first arrived in Sacramento.
However, this disaster also sounded a wake-up call for Liang Yao. He could no longer keep a low profile. He overestimated Brannan's petty mind. Brannan's magnanimity was far less broad-minded than he imagined.
Since Brannan has chosen to start a war, he will fight to the end! Let's see who will have the last laugh in California! If
you are unkind, don't blame me for being unjust!
Major Tim from California also arrived in Sacramento with two infantry companies and Flagg.
Although they were called two infantry companies, they actually only had more than 80 soldiers, less than one infantry company. Normally, the standard establishment of an infantry company in the United States during this period was about 100 people, but considering that desertion was very common in California, this was understandable.
"Hello, Major Tim."
After being introduced by Flagg, Liang Yao and Tim shook hands warmly.
The rank of major was not low in the United States at that time, and it was a relatively high-level officer. Before the Civil War, the regular armed forces maintained by the United States in peacetime were around 16,000 people, which was equivalent to more than a dozen regimental-level military units.
The biggest task of these few armed forces of the United States is not to deal with war conflicts with neighboring countries, but to deal with the Indians in the West, protect immigrants in western settlements, and expand territory and build military fortresses in the West.
Once a war breaks out, the United States will recruit a large number of militia and volunteers from the civilian population to solve the problem of insufficient manpower. This was the case in the previous Mexican-American War and the early period of the Civil War. It was not until Congress passed the Conscription Act in 1863 that the federal government reluctantly solved the problem of manpower.
As for military officers, the highest-ranking officer was only a brigadier general in the army and navy. The first major generals and lieutenant generals in the United States did not appear until the Civil War.
In addition, Liang Yao was also shocked by the arbitrary appointment of military officers in the United States during this period.
Except for the colonel, the head of the infantry regiment, whose appointment was strict and required the commission of the War Department, the appointment of the remaining officers was quite random. Majors and lieutenant colonels were basically the colonel's friends, neighbors and relatives. Compared with regular officers, they were more like the colonel's staff, giving advice to the colonel.
As for the soldiers, most of them were from the same city or town. Even the military doctors accompanying them were local doctors.
In this light, it is not surprising that the Canadian army was able to enter Washington and burn down the White House in 1812.
Through the conversation with Tim, Liang Yao learned that the colonel of Tim's infantry regiment was the mayor of his hometown and the most prestigious and wealthy person in the area.
After learning this, Liang Yao, who had just been beaten by the gangsters and lacked a sense of security, came up with a bold idea: Why not become a colonel himself? This naive idea was quickly rejected by himself. He thought things were too simple. In addition to being powerful local bosses, those colonels also had extensive connections in the political world and congresses. They were all in the same circle of interests. It was difficult for outsiders to enter their circle without channels.
What else did he have besides a little money? Political resources? None. Not to mention federal senators and congressmen, he didn't even know a single state legislator.
"These deserters were all my subordinates before. It is our negligence that caused the current situation. I apologize to you."
Tim turned his gaze away from the eleven bodies in ragged blue uniforms on the ground and apologized to Liang Yao and the representatives of the gold mining company.
"I hope you can assure me that we will definitely eliminate these deserters. However, I have a small request, which is also a request from Colonel Griffin. If the people from the War Department come to investigate this matter, can you say something good for us for Colonel Griffin's sake?"
Such serious public security incidents have occurred one after another in California, and the perpetrators are deserters. It is no longer possible for the garrison to use ridiculous excuses such as being busy fighting "unfriendly" Indian tribes to make excuses.
"You don't need to apologize to us, Major. No one would have thought that these thugs were so bold. You came just in time and helped us eliminate the eleven thugs, didn't you?"
Liang Yao knew that whether it was Major Tim or Colonel Griffin, they were not afraid of the people like them, but the War Department, which had the power to appoint and dismiss them. He was not stupid enough to argue with these soldiers.
A large number of these American officers were willing to come to the remote and wild West to guard the frontier not because they were loyal to the United States, but to kill Indians to accumulate experience and military merit for themselves.
It was difficult for soldiers to accumulate military merits to get promoted in peacetime, so Liang Yao might as well just do a favor and give Griffin and Tim a military merit and pass it on to his friends. He was now an immigrant businessman, and these things were not of much value to him.
"You are a very generous man."
Tim was very happy to hear that. He felt that his trip was not in vain and he could go back smoothly to report to Griffin.
"Give my regards to Colonel Griffin, Major."
"I will, and I think Colonel Griffin will be very pleased."
After sending Tim away, Flagg returned the 700 ounces of gold that Liang Yao had given him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't do what I promised you. The gold should be returned to you." Flagg felt very guilty. It was his principle to take money from others and do things for them. Since the work was not done well, the gold should be returned.
"There are still 300 ounces of gold that have been spent. I will try to collect the total and return it to you."
"Sheriff Flagg, please sit down. We are not in a superior-subordinate relationship. You don't have to stand and talk to me. I don't think this matter is as simple as your men being afraid of death."
Liang Yao sat down and pressed the tobacco in his pipe.
"Of course, I know my men very well. They are all my friends and fellow countrymen." Ffraig sat down and said, "As you expected, this matter is not simple. My men accepted Brannan's gold and US dollars and learned in advance that the bandits were going to rob Sacramento. But don't worry, I have put them under house arrest. I will send them to court for trial, and they will get the punishment they deserve."
Liang Yao had a blank expression on his face and didn't say much. To him, it didn't matter how Flagg dealt with these mounted policemen.
He pulled out a piece of paper from the table, thought for a moment, and then wrote on the paper: Who stole our gold, and who is destroying our homes?
"I will send more reliable people to Sacramento, and things like this will not happen again. I will also guarantee the safety of all your properties in San Francisco."
Seeing Liang Yao remained silent, Flagg grabbed the armrest of the chair and continued.
"I understand, Chief Flagg. Thank you for your concern. If you have nothing else to do, please go back."
Liang Yao, who was writing furiously, said lightly.