"Are you going to use this new California law as a breakthrough?" After listening to Li Yongji's words, Li Yongchang said, "Use this excuse to go to war? ”

"Pretty much." Li Yongji nodded, "We can let the people in the Los Angeles settlement use this discriminatory bill as an excuse to hold an armed riot, and once they start to rebel against the California government, we will intervene in the name of protecting overseas Chinese and declare war on the California government." ”

"Declaring war on the California government?" Li Yongchang asked, "Didn't you directly declare war on the U.S. government?" ”

"Not for now." Li Yongji said, "We must first look at the attitude of the Americans, and at the same time, we must also look at the attitudes of the British and French. As far as I know, this civil war in the United States is still a few years away, and we don't need to get fully involved in it from the beginning. Therefore, we are only targeting the state government of California, and it is better to have a small limited intervention first. To put it bluntly, we should not completely tear our faces with the north of the United States, only fight California, but not declare war on the United States, as long as we do not tear our faces in an all-round way, then we have much room for maneuver. ”

"It's all fought, and you're not ready to tear your face with the United States?" Li Yongchang shook his head, "Even if we don't want to tear our faces with the United States, California has now joined the U.S. Federal Army, and once you use force against California, the United States will definitely declare war on us." ”

"Not necessarily." Li Yongji smiled, "The politicians in the north of the United States are quite sensible, and they will not be unclear about what will happen when they provoke a strong enemy at the critical moment of the civil war in this country, so I conclude that they will definitely endure it and will not declare war on us, but they will not recognize our rights and interests, but will put it aside for now."

In my opinion, their idea is to finish the South first, reunite the United States, and then come back to settle accounts with us when they have recovered their breath.

Pity. It would be two or three years before the Northern Army could reunite the South, and by that time our rule in California would be solidified. If they want to beat us, it's not that easy. ”

"That's right." Li Yongchang nodded, "But this is all your speculation, what if the U.S. government really declares war on us?" ”

"That's nothing." Li Yongji said, "If the U.S. Northern Army declares war on us, we can justifiably send troops to the United States, and American merchants and merchant ships in China." It can also be detained in a righteous and bright way, in the current situation of the United States. The Americans are not so stupid, after all, there are still many American businessmen in our country, and even if they want to declare war on us, they will withdraw the businessmen in advance. On the contrary, we don't have many businessmen in the United States, and if they do, they are in the western United States, and they are basically military. ”

"Simply put. Our main purpose is the territory of the western United States, I didn't understand the mistake, did I? "In other words, we are not trying to intervene in the American Civil War. Just to take the opportunity to scrape off their territories in the west? ”

"Pretty much." Li Yongji nodded, "Not only the United States, but also Mexico, I also plan to take the opportunity to go to war." In fact. I'm going to take all the western regions of North America on the Pacific side and form an autonomous region of the Americas. The Pacific Ocean has become our inland sea, with unparalleled strategic advantages, and no matter how the world changes in the future, we can guarantee a leading position for at least two hundred years. ”

"You're still going to war with Mexico?" Li Yongchang didn't hear anything else, but he heard Li Yongji say that he was going to fight Mexico, "Your Majesty, we are already going to fight with the United States, why do we have to fight Mexico?" ”

"Again, the opportunity is rare." Li Yongji said, "Mexico is now at war with the French, and with Mexico's strength, it can't beat the French at all." And after I signed a military mutual assistance agreement with the British, the French will definitely want to join this organization for the sake of their interests in East Asia, and once they join and form the Triple Alliance of China, Britain and France, then we will fight Mexico in the name of helping the French.

In the end, as long as the current government of Mexico is defeated and a new government is formed, we can ask Mexico to cede land to us, not more, just go down to the California Peninsula and form a complete California. ”

Listening to Li Yongji's words, Li Yongchang frowned, "But we currently only have 200,000 people in the Los Angeles settlement, and even if we are all armed, I am afraid that we will be more than capable of self-preservation and insufficient attack." You don't know, the environment over there is so harsh, it's all wilderness, there are almost no decent roads, and it will be quite difficult for us to attack the United States in the east or Mexico in the south.

In other words, if we just defend, or just play San Francisco, we might be able to hold it, but if we have to play Mexico, as you said, then we probably won't be able to hold it. ”

"I didn't say I'm going to go overland to fight Mexico." Li Yongji said, "On the Mexican side, we only need to send out the navy, as for the pioneer army in Los Angeles, once the war starts, they only need to go north to attack San Francisco and take the city of San Francisco."

In other words, after beating San Francisco, we will defend on the spot, as long as we hold the two cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and then continue to immigrate, and when the scale reaches 1 million, then we will win. ”

"I see." Li Yongchang nodded, "In other words, our task is only to take San Francisco, and then defend the two cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, isn't that so?" ”

"That's pretty much it." Li Yongji said, "In my plan, don't take too big steps at the beginning, don't go deep into the land, for example, Sacramento, the capital of California, don't fight first, just take San Francisco."

Then, we relied on San Francisco and Los Angeles to continue to immigrate over, and at the same time used the two cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles to use defensive counterattacks to drain the blood of the California Army, and when we were strong and their strength was weak, we would take the whole of California in one fell swoop.

After two or three years, when our immigrants in California exceed one million, we will have the confidence to declare war on the United States, and once the United States is defeated, we can demand land reparations, and I will cut off half of the territory of the western United States, and get all these places in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington State! ”

"陛xià." Li Yongchang frowned, "You have too much appetite for this plan, right?" If there were so many places, the United States would definitely not do it. ”

"It's okay, if they don't do it, then I'll convince them." Li Yongji said with a smile, "Although we are separated from California by the Pacific Ocean, as long as there are fast enough boats and step-by-step immigration." You can transport people once in half a month, and you can go back and forth in more than a month. And what about the Americans? They didn't have a railway, so they had to send troops to the west, and it would take two or three months to walk. Therefore, if the United States wants to transfer troops to the west, the best way is to transport troops by ship and bypass Cape Horn, which will take about half a month. However, when they have worked so hard to get around, my navy will be able to send them into the sea to feed the fish. There is no way to log in.

So, this is the best of times, and it is also our last chance to take the land of the Americas, and once we lose this opportunity to allow the Americans to gain a foothold in the western part of the Americas and build the railroads, then we will never have the opportunity to land in the Americas again. And once the United States has gained a foothold in the west, bordering the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, that is their geographical location. Sooner or later, it will become our worst enemy! ”

"Your Majesty, you don't have to explain so much to me." Li Yongchang sighed, "I am naturally willing to expand the territory." I'm just worried that we don't have the strength to swallow it.

That's right, according to you, it's a rare opportunity. It was the opportunity of the American Civil War to invade the coastal lands of western North America, but it was necessary to do so. It requires a huge amount of personnel and materials, especially materials, in the early stage, almost all of them have to rely on our own blood transfusion, and our pioneer corps in the western part of the Americas will have to engage in a long-term military confrontation with the Americans, which will cost a lot of money and materials, do we have the strength to do this?

Especially food, why are there only 200,000 people in Los Angeles? It's not because we can't carry more people there, but because 200,000 people is the limit. You know, we not only have to transport people over, but also grain to go over, and although the early pioneer group has planted a lot of rice and corn in the local area, it will have to wait at least half a year for it to mature, and during this time, we have to rely on transporting grain from our own country, but we don't have so many transport ships. ”

"That's why I'm going in person." Li Yongji said, "You forget, there are people behind me, as long as I go, they will help me transport the supplies." Therefore, you just need to think about sending someone over. ”

"Just thinking about giving it away?"

"Yes." Li Yongji said, "It's just right that you're here, you can stay here and help me watch over here in the future, I'll go to Los Angeles in person, in the future, you only need to organize a fleet and transport a large number of people over, don't worry about other food, weapons, or whatever, I have my own way." As for the capacity, the British have promised to send some merchant ships to us, and the French may also send some ships over after a while, and then our capacity will be greatly strengthened.

In short, there is no doubt about the colonization of the Americas, and the development of the country can be slow, but the timing is not waiting for anyone, and even if we are not ready, we must start earlier. ”

"Since Your Majesty has made up her mind, I won't say anything." Li Yongchang nodded, "However, even if we don't declare war on the United States, the California government has quite a few armed merchant ships, many of which are more than a thousand tons as far as I know, such as the kind of flying clippers with artillery, they have a lot, which is a trouble for us." It can be said that it was precisely because the California government had an armed merchant fleet that they had the confidence to enact the Chinese Exclusion Act.

The last time I went to California, although I brought a few warships, it was still a bit unsightly compared to the U.S. warships anchored in the California government, not to mention that if the U.S. warships came, it would be even more difficult for us. ”

"You can rest assured of this." Li Yongji said, "I am completely sure of the navy, because I have absolutely invincible cutting-edge warships. ”

"An absolutely invincible new warship?" Li Yongchang blinked, "Is it the Zhenyuan or the Gray Arrow No. 1?" ”

"Well, it's more advanced than these two ships, or how to say it's cutting-edge." Li Yongji nodded, "By the way, speaking of which, you should have come here on a speedboat this time, right?" ”

"Yes." Li Yongchang said, "After your speedboat came to Los Angeles, you couldn't go back because of lack of fuel, but then you sent a ship to bring in fuel, so I asked people to fill up the fuel and take this boat over." ”

"Well, I think so." Li Yongji nodded.

Indeed, after the real speedboat arrived in Los Angeles, there was no fuel for the return trip, and after hearing this, Li Yongchang was quite moved, so he begged Li Yongji to transport the fuel so that he could come back to visit his relatives.

It was after listening to Li Yongchang's words that he felt that it was not a problem for a speedboat to stay in Los Angeles for a long time, so Li Yongji specially sent a clipper boat and brought a large amount of fuel over. It took two months to arrive.

As soon as the oil ship arrived, Li Yongchang couldn't wait for people to fill up the high-speed yacht, and then he got on the high-speed yacht and spent eight days rushing to Nanjing, giving Li Yongji an unexpected surprise.

"Speaking of that ship, that's pretty good." As soon as Li Yongchang mentioned this, his eyebrows immediately fluttered, "That speed made me really understand what it means to be galloping." If our ships had this speed in the future, Los Angeles wouldn't be that far from us. ”

"All at that speed? No way. Li Yongji shook his head. The boat you are on is a boat that sacrifices load capacity, does not pay attention to cost performance, and blindly pursues speed. Why can't such a big ship carry a few people? That's because I deliberately had people modify a lot of the space into a fuel tank to increase the amount of fuel carried. In other words, continuous full speed consumption is not cost-effective at all.

And. The engine of this thing is quite complex, and while pursuing high speeds, it is also very easy to break, but we can't repair it at all. Only the entire costume can be changed. The worst thing is that we can't produce these things ourselves, and all the parts have to be imported. In other words, if the number is less, I can still support it, and the number is more. I don't have to do anything else, just serve this. In fact, three such fast yachts are enough. There's no need for more. ”

"That's right." Li Yongchang nodded, "Then what do you mean by the cutting-edge warship?" ”

"Don't be busy yet." Li Yongji smiled, "It's not easy for you to come back, come with me to meet your parents first, and wait for the reunion dinner, tomorrow, no, the day after tomorrow, I will take you to Jiaxing Military Port the day after tomorrow to see our cutting-edge warship." ”

Seeing Li Yongji selling Guanzi, Li Yongchang was helpless, but after being away from home for so long, he really missed his parents very much, so Li Yongchang put down his mood and went back to see his parents in a proper manner.

Li Yongchang's homecoming really surprised Li Zhengxiang and his wife, and the Queen Mother even took Li Yongchang's hand and asked for warmth.

Speaking of which, although Li Yongji is the youngest son, since Li Yongji recruited troops and horses to run group training on his own initiative, Li Zhengxiang and his wife suddenly felt that this youngest son was estranged from him a lot, and seemed to have suddenly become a stranger, especially after Li Yongji's status became higher and higher, and even after he ascended the throne and became the emperor, this sense of distance became even more obvious.

On the contrary, Li Yongchang, although he was later crowned king and his status was also very prominent, his temperament and attitude were familiar to Li Zhengxiang and his wife, so in comparison, he felt more cordial than Li Yongji.

Of course, Li Zhengxiang and his wife did not say these things, but they can see the difference in treating these two sons from the table.

After eating a reunion dinner, the Queen Mother Li Wang suddenly opened her mouth and mentioned Li Yongchang's marriage.

According to the Queen Mother, now Li Yongji is not only married, but also has children, you, who are the eldest brother, are engaged earlier than Li Yongji, but until now you are still single, which is too unorthodox, so I asked Li Yongchang not to leave this time, and talk about it after marrying the girl of the Shen family here.

This is also true, Li Yongchang made a marriage with the girl of the Shen family very early, but he has never really married, and now Li Yongchang is okay, but the girl of the Shen family is 18 years old, and in this era, the 18-year-old girl can be said to be an old girl.

In fact, the reason why Li Yongchang got engaged first and didn't get married was because he was worried about Li Yongji and didn't want to get married before Li Yongji.

After all, although Li Yongchang is Li Yongji's eldest brother, and he is only twenty-four years old, he still has many scruples.

Chinese are very particular about respect and order, respect before relatives, that is to say, although Li Yongji is a younger brother, but when he became emperor, the situation changed, if according to the etiquette law, not only Li Yongchang should be under Li Yongji, even Li Yongji's parents should be under Li Yongji, even if Li Zhengxiang and others have become the emperor and the empress dowager, Li Yongchang has become a prince.

In other words, the emperor, the empress dowager, the prince and the like are far inferior to the emperor in terms of power, and the military and political power of the entire empire is actually controlled by Li Yongji alone.

Especially in the army, Li Yongji only listens to him, so don't look at Li Yongji as a bit authoritative in the government, but once he leaves Li Yongji and the support of the army, that will be a mirror.

Now that Li Yongji is married and has children, Li Yongchang has no worries and can get married with peace of mind.

saw that Li Yongchang agreed to get married. Li Zhengxiang and his wife were quite happy, and immediately began to inform their in-laws that they would choose a day to complete the marriage.

When Li Yongji got married, he didn't do a big deal, which was a big pity in the eyes of Li Zhengxiang and his wife, but Li Yongji, as the emperor, said whatever he wanted, and Li Zhengxiang and his wife couldn't interfere.

Li Yongchang is different, Li Yongchang's identity is not so prominent, and he has always been obedient. Therefore, Li Zhengxiang and his wife decided to do it once this time, at least in line with the level of the prince of a big country.

After setting the date and staying at home for two days, Li Yongchang couldn't wait to ask Li Yongji to take him to see the so-called cutting-edge warship.

In this regard, Li Yongji did not talk nonsense, and took an airship directly from Nanjing to Jiaxing Port.

Jiaxing Port is actually Mojia Port in Tangjiawan, and later several 155mm howitzers were added as batteries, and the breakwater was widened. It became a real maritime port, so it was officially renamed Jiaxing Port.

However, at present, this Jiaxing port is still only used as a military port and is not open to the outside world. Twenty nautical miles from the port to the outside is within the scope of Jiaxing Port, and no ship is allowed to enter without permission.

Because there is radar. So it's fairly easy to monitor, and a lot of curious or ill-intentioned ships will be spotted as soon as they come into radar range. Then the navy will send out to block the fleet, first warn, and if the warning fails, it will open fire directly.

Soon, Li Yongji took Li Yongchang to a mooring point, and as soon as he came here, Li Yongchang saw several strange-looking steel giants moored in the distance, which made him stunned.

"This is? Hainan-level Gray Arrow No. 1? Li Yongchang shook his head, "No, the big Gray Arrow No. 1?" ”

Gray Arrow No. 1 is the Type 037 that Li Yongji got from modern society, that is, the Hainan-class frigate, after arriving in this time and space, it is also called Hainan-class, but the first one is called Gray Arrow No. 1.

"No, it's not Hainan." Li Yongji smiled and shook his head, "The big one you saw, called the Suzhou, is our new generation of Jiangwei-class frigates; The two smaller ones next to them, called Changshu and Kunshan, are a new generation of Jianghu-class frigates. These three frigates, plus three supply ships, are our Navy's Second Fleet, and they are also the main fleet that I am about to take to the United States to fight! ”

Next, Li Yongji began to talk to Li Yongchang about the parameters of these ships, which made Li Yongchang more and more surprised the more he listened.

In fact, the Suzhou is the modern Chinese Jiangwei II.-class missile frigate, also known as the Type 053H3 missile frigate.

This missile frigate was a ship that Zhang Xinda had already ordered, as early as the purchase of the Gray Arrow No. 1, that is, the Hainan-class frigate, these ships had already been set, but they had been refitted, so they were not delivered in time.

After refitting, the frigate, named Suzhou, canceled the missile launcher, torpedo launcher, and anti-submarine rocket device, and added two H/PJ-87 single-barreled 100-mm naval guns, two twin 37-mm secondary guns, and a 122-mm 40-tube shipborne rocket launcher.

The reason for this is that the Suzhou does not need anti-submarine, nor does it need prevention and control, but only needs to attack the sea and the ground, so a single-barreled 100 mm fully automatic naval gun was added, the main gun firepower was strengthened, and two 37 mm secondary guns were reduced, from the original four twin 37 mm guns to two twin 37 mm guns.

H/PJ-87 single-barreled 100 mm naval gun, is a new generation of 100 mm naval gun of the modern Chinese Navy, is to absorb the technology of the French, the maximum rate of fire can reach 90 shells a minute, against sea to ground targets, the maximum range of 17,500 meters, the effective range of 12,000 meters, coupled with the accurate fire control system, it can be said that it is quite sharp.

At the same time, in order to increase the intensity of ground attack, a 40-tube 122-mm shipborne rocket launcher was added, using Type 81 Type I rockets, with a maximum range of up to 30 km.

In other words, rocket artillery is inferior to 100 mm naval guns in terms of accuracy, but in terms of surface killing, it is quite sharp, and it is a sharp weapon for ground attack. Therefore, when attacking the sea, mainly 100 mm naval guns are used, and in ground attacks, such as ports, rocket artillery can be used.

It can be seen that the ship's sea-to-ground attack firepower is quite powerful, it can be said to be a mobile arsenal, and the environment is also good, after all, a lot of equipment has been reduced, so there can be more space to optimize the living cabin, so that the riding environment can be greatly improved, taking this ship, at least in the captain's room and VIP room, is not inferior to taking a luxury passenger ship.

As for the speed, due to the elimination of a lot of unnecessary equipment, the reduction of weight, and the use of a combination of high-power gas turbine and diesel engine, the speed has been improved, and the maximum speed can reach 38 knots at a full load displacement of 2200 tons, and the range can reach 3000 nautical miles at an economic speed of 18 knots.

As for the Changshu and Kunshan, they were both modified on two Jianghu IV ships, and the missiles, torpedoes, submarine-launched rockets and other missiles and the anti-submarine system were also canceled, and the firepower was basically the same as that of the Suzhou, with two H/PJ-87 single-barreled 100 mm naval guns and two twin 37 mm secondary guns, the only difference with the Suzhou was that it was not equipped with 122 mm 40-barrel rocket launchers.

However, precisely because there was no rocket artillery, other burdens were canceled, and high-power gas turbines were installed, which also applied to the mode of gas turbines and diesel engines, so that the displacement of these two ships was only 1200 tons, and the maximum speed also reached 38 knots.

Therefore, the definition of these two ships is mainly to attack the sea, and these three ships plus three supply ships with a displacement of 1,000 tons, plus Li Yongji's space-time trading system, are enough to run rampant in the American waters in this era. (To be continued......)