America 1881: Legend of the West

Secretary of War Agee was confused.

Although in his subconscious he also believed that the United States and Spain must have a war.

But when the war came, the former Northern Army officer was at a loss.

There are only 28,000 active Army troops, at least half of whom are on the border.

One of their number had recently been beaten to a pulp by the New Mexico militia.

There are fully 150,000 Spanish troops stationed in Cuba!

Ajie sat in his office with a melancholy look on his face.

He thought for a moment and hung up the president's phone.

"William, do we really want to go to war with the Spanish?" On the phone, the Secretary of War asked with some hesitation.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then McKinley's emotionless voice came:

"Yes, AJ, we are facing a war!"

"But a few weeks ago, Sherman told me that this war would not happen for the time being!" Ajie said sadly.

"The situation is different. The Maine has sunk, Ajie. Congress will soon pass a bill to start the war." The voice on the other end of the phone was still calm, "This is not up to us."

"But we don't have soldiers yet! New guns and ammunition are still being produced on the production lines of the arsenal! We don't even have a battle plan!"

If he didn't have to hold the microphone in his hand, Aijie would probably want to pull his hair right now.

"Then you can start formulating it now. I will call Army Commander Nelson Miles to set up a command."

The other end of the phone paused and continued.

But this time, it was more like an ultimatum than a communication.

"Don't forget, everyone in our country is a warrior, it's something that runs in our blood, so I don't think it's a problem."

"After the war begins, the navy will first perform their duties. You have one or two months to prepare for war. I think this time is enough."

Immediately, the call was hung up.

Ajie sat down on the chair.

He was a little desperate.

Why can such cold words be said from the mouth of Thirty Six Degrees!

A month or two, to put it lightly.

First, enough soldiers must be recruited.

Then they need to be trained, otherwise, they will die on the battlefield.

And finally their guns, ammunition, clothing, food.

How could it be ready within a month or two?

He regretted his hesitation and listened to that damn Secretary of State.

Ajie was half lying on the chair, thinking about the next solution.

Suddenly, a person appeared in his mind.

His friend, Chen Jianqiu.

Although he is Chinese, in Aijie's impression, he is no different from a wise and enthusiastic American businessman.

Chen always has a way to help him.

He had previously transported and stockpiled wood in the Rocky Mountains to save himself from bankruptcy.

If he hadn't encouraged him to participate in McKinley's political investment, he might still be just a lumber merchant in the West.

Chen Jianqiu is his "lucky star"!

He is the largest arms dealer in the United States. He has a group of Chinese people under him, so he will definitely find a way.

Ajie sat up suddenly:

"Charlotte! Charlotte!"

He called his assistant in.

"Go to Roosevelt's next door and ask where Chen is recently. I want to meet him."

The assistant took the order and left.

He soon returned with news.

Chen Jianqiu "happened" to be in Washington, and had discussed the ammunition order with Roosevelt not long ago.

The next day, Mr. Chen appeared in Aijie's office.

Wearing a suit, he walked slowly into the office of the Secretary of War.

"Chen, you are finally here."

Aijie, who had just signed the recruitment order, handed the document to Charlotte aside and motioned for him to leave the office.

Chen Jianqiu took off his hat, revealing short hair, which made him look more capable.

"Please take a seat."

After the assistant left the office, the minister stood up, walked to the door, closed the office door, turned his head and said to Chen Jianqiu.

Unlike Roosevelt's office, Aijie has a large sofa here.

He sat opposite Chen Jianqiu.

"Are you calling me here so urgently because of the order for Clark rifles from Springfield Arsenal?" Chen Jianqiu smiled, "By the way, can you smoke here?"

Aijie said nothing. He stood up and walked back to his desk. He bent down and took out an iron ashtray from the drawer. He turned around and handed it to Chen Jianqiu.

Chen Jianqiu carelessly took out a cigar, lit it, and handed another one to the minister.

But the minister took the cigar and put it directly on the table.

He stared at Chen Jianqiu intently:

"Mr. Chen, are you willing to fight for the United States?"

Chen Jianqiu looked shocked.

"Mr. Minister, why do you say this? Of course I am willing to fight for the freedom and dignity of this country." He sat up straight and said "righteously".

Aijie breathed a long sigh of relief:

"Then Mr. Chen, I hope you can take your Chinese soldiers to Cuba to defeat the Spaniards there."

After hearing this, Chen Jianqiu frowned.

He took a long drag on his cigar, hesitation on his face.

"Mr. Minister, there are no problems with guns, ammunition and supplies, but I don't have anyone on hand."

After a long time, Chen Jianqiu said.

Minister Aijie waited for a long time and almost couldn't hold back when he heard such words from Boss Chen opposite.

"Mr. Chen, you and I both know that your militiamen had a conflict with the border guards not long ago!" He simply said it directly.

After all, they are all one of his own, and they are also involved. He does not feel embarrassed about the Ministry of War matter.

Chen Jianqiu shook his head:

"Mr. Secretary, you are wrong. Those are not my soldiers. Although they are all Chinese, they are the militia of New Mexico and are under the command of the governor of New Mexico."

"I'm just a businessman in New Mexico."

Ajie almost ran out of breath and fainted again.

Who do these Chinese people listen to? Haven't you figured it out yet?

Chen Jianqiu stood up, took two steps back and forth, and sighed:

"It's not that I don't want to serve the country. You know, many people have doubts about whether the Chinese can fight for this country, but in fact, this is also our home."

He looked up at the ceiling of the Minister of War's office at a 45-degree angle, with a melancholy look on his face:

"I originally focused my heart on the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the ditch!"

"Eight hundred miles apart, the soldiers under my command are being burned, the sound of fifty strings tumbling beyond the Great Wall, and the troops are being ordered in autumn on the battlefield."

Aijie's temples ached when he heard that. He didn't understand what Chen Jianqiu was talking about, so he had to interrupt the latter: