There was only one thing in the huge warehouse, something that thrilled Macio and his men.

Weapons, countless weapons!

"20,000 rifles, 30 cannons, plus 10 Makqin water-cooled machine guns, and 500,000 rounds of ammunition." Li Mo walked up to Maceo, pointed to the warehouse full of munitions, and smiled.

After hearing the detailed figures, Maceo and his men who accompanied him immediately gasped.

Cuba is not Hawaii!

The Atlantic Ocean was originally the main battlefield for the great powers, and with the blockade of Spain, the Cubans had very few weapons, even though the revolutionary army under the command of Marseillo was already the largest armed force in Cuba, but among the 10,000 troops, only some old-fashioned weapons were obtained from South American countries, and many of them were even antique-grade arquebuses!

The last time Li Enfu carried a thousand Mauser, he had already made Macio cry out excitedly, and now there were 20,000 here, as well as artillery and the Maxim machine gun that the German Army had just begun to equip, and he was speechless.

But Maceo quickly calmed down from the excited cheers of his men, the more he gets, the greater the price, he knows better than anyone the meaning of this sentence, the Americans have put forward all kinds of harsh conditions to support so little money, and now this batch of arms worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, what kind of unacceptable conditions will bring?

As if sensing Marceo's concern, Li Mo smiled freely and said: "Mr. Marseo, these are all our support for you and the Cuban people, you can move out immediately, without conditions and without a penny!" And there are 30,000 more rifles in the second batch, which again do not need money. ”

"What!"

Marseo and his men were dumbfounded, could it be that this "Hawaiian young master" became stupid after taking 30 million pounds from himself? You can still believe it if you don't want money, after all, people have a lot of money now, but there are no conditions? Could it be that there is something wrong with your ears?

Marceo was tempted to dig out his ears, but he gave up, considering that it would not be very elegant.

Seeing the surprised Maceo and his men, Chen Ping and Li Enfu, who accompanied him, had already blossomed, in fact, this batch of munitions was brought back from Wu Gang and the Yuben transport ship last time, but unfortunately most of this batch of munitions were different from the Pacific military standard equipment, so they had been left in the warehouse and were unlucky, but I didn't think that now it has become a gift to support and win over Masaio!

The young master's generous gesture is worth learning!

"If there are conditions, then my condition is that I hope that after you lead the Cuban people to obtain reading skills, Hawaii and Cuba can become strategic partners and be friendly for generations." Li Mo glared at the two arms with white eyes, and said with a smile.

What kind of condition is this? Not to mention that there are 30,000 rifles in the back, there is no calculation, and Maseo also knows that he owes a lot of favor this time. So he hurriedly said, "Dear Duke, why are you doing this? ”

Young Master Li pursed his lips, naturally he couldn't tell the real purpose, but said lightly that he did this to support the Cuban people to gain reading power, and at the same time, he also hoped that in the future, he could work with Cuba to jointly assume the responsibility of guiding the international sugar market.

Sugar?! Maceio is somewhat convinced that if he can control Cuba, then Hawaii and Cuba, which account for 50 percent and 30 percent of the world respectively, can completely monopolize the world sugar market, and the annual profits, not to mention guns, are estimated to be able to build seven or eight battleships!

But the question is, does this young master really believe that he can control Cuba? You must know where the Spaniards have hoarded more than 200,000 troops, although most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled, but there are more than 100,000 who can fight, and the situation in Cuba is complicated, and the whole body is affected, and there is a United States on the side, which has long been eyeing the tiger, I am afraid that they will not want a powerful political axe to appear in Cuba.

Could it be that this young master is preparing to use himself to contain the United States? Marseo thought of a possibility.

Without waiting for him to continue to think deeply, Young Master Li handed Li Enfu a look, and the latter hurriedly took out the documents that had been prepared, handed them over, and said: "Mr. Maceo, you guessed right, in fact, we have already obtained a piece of information, in fact, during the last Cuban Revolution, the Americans were ready to invade, but it was only because the British suddenly appeared that they did not unfold. ”

Maceo quickly took the paper, his brows furrowed into Sichuan characters.

Judging from the content of the document, this is a plan drawn up by the US political axe on the last Cuban crisis, regardless of whether this thing is true or not, judging from the plan itself alone, it has already sent chills down his spine, although he knew that the Americans coveted Cuba, but he did not expect that they would use military means!

"With all due respect, Mr. Maceo, I think the Cuban people will face a very difficult war, but I am confident that you and your Cuba will win in the end."

Hearing this compliment, Maceo smiled bitterly and shook his head, a Spanish colonial political axe and hundreds of thousands of troops have already let their people hide in the province, if you add the United States, I'm afraid.

"Mr. Marseo, I don't think you have to worry about this situation at all." Young Master Li suddenly smiled, came to Maceio's side, and took out another plan.

After opening the plan and reading a few pages, Maceo's eyes gradually lit up.

A few days later, Marseo excitedly took the first batch of weapons aided by Master Li, loaded two freighters and set off, although Li Mo said that he didn't want money, but Marseo, who always felt embarrassed, still paid 100,000 US dollars as a reward, and at the same time transferred a few plots of land near Master Li's plantation in Cuba to the other party at a low price, saying that it was a commission for hiring a freighter.

In fact, after reviewing the Pacific Army, Maceio has always hoped to let the other party help him train soldiers, and after not wanting to euphemistically put forward, Master Li agreed without thinking about it, in addition to the urgently needed army instructors, he also specially said that he would immediately send elite soldiers from the army officers who are currently studying in Germany to help him train the Cuban Revolutionary Army.

After a few days of getting along, Maceo also vaguely guessed Li Mo's intention, that is, he hoped that Cuba could drag the attention of the United States and prevent this behemoth from entering the Pacific Ocean. For this kind of request, Macio did not refuse, after all, this is a mutually beneficial thing, and the Americans have not coveted Cuba for a day or two, since there is a common enemy, and a large number of weapons can be obtained, why not do it?

On the road leading to the pier, several men kept looking up and hurrying as they talked, as if something on the pier was attracting them. Around him, there were also large groups of people with their families, wearing new clothes and rushing to the dock with happy faces.

"Lao Luo, you are well-informed, tell me why the Duke suddenly did this? Doesn't this expose the strength of our fleet? ”

"Hehe, I said Brother Zeng, don't always patronize to make money, read more newspapers!" Lao Luo said with a smile: "Our Lord Duke, this is called self-confidence, which is to let others see our foundation, so that others dare not pay attention to it!" ”

"Oh. No wonder! The man surnamed Zeng changed his words and twisted to the other side: "Boss Chen, I heard that you and your son are no longer working in the sugar factory?" Going to see the old business again? ”

"Yes, I've been fishing for a lifetime, and I'm reluctant."

"Why? How many people are red-eyed when they work in the sugar factory? ”

"Come on, you don't listen to his nonsense, the sugar factory is good, but you ask him now?" Lao Luo dismantled the stage enviously and said: "There are two fishing boats, Boss Chen!" ”

Boss Chen smiled: "The sugar factory is good, but this is not until the last time the Government Council had a batch of seized fishing boats to sell, I gritted my teeth and borrowed some money to buy two." ”

"Hiss......, two! Borrowed a lot of money, right? ”

"It's not much, mainly because the boat is sold cheaply, and the Government Council is also very willing to support our kind of small business, and even the interest is more than half less than that of the money bank." Boss Chen folded his fingers, his face full of pride: "Honolulu is surrounded by fishing grounds, and the Moon Island bought by the Duke is also a good fishing ground. I've calculated that I'll be able to pay off my debts in a year if I work hard. ”

"Hiss....... So good? Otherwise, let's follow you Boss Chen to fish. The man surnamed Zeng took a breath in surprise, although the fishing boats can't be compared with the big steamers, but the last time the government council sold them were all iron-hulled boats, each of which cost three or four thousand dollars, and you can earn back the capital in a year, this transaction is worth it!

"Huh." Boss Chen smiled and shook his head: "Fishing is a technical job, and you can't learn it in a few years, but if you really want to do something, I have a way." ”

"Oh? What's the way? Hearing this, let alone a man surnamed Zeng, even Lao Luo pricked up his ears.

"Food!"

"Grain?"

"yes, how many people are there in Honolulu? How much land is there? I don't need to talk about this, right? In addition to the Ryukyu Island, it is not possible to feed at all! When Boss Chen said this, he deliberately lowered his voice: "The last time I bought a boat, we took the path of the housekeeper of Fuda, and I heard him say that recently Master Li of the Government Council is buying farmland all over the world, and he himself has also bought tens of thousands of acres of land in Liaodong and hired people to grow grain!" ”

"What did the butler of Fuda say?"

"Of course, when have you ever seen me talk nonsense!"

"Well...... if it's really what the butler of Fuda said, it's really a way to get it, and if it is done, it is indeed a big deal, or will we sum it up together?"

"Okay."

While the three of them were talking, they came to the dock, but when they raised their eyes, they suddenly gasped!

Today's Pearl Harbor is extremely lively, and everywhere inside and outside the harbor is full of black heads, in addition to the local Chinese and natives, there are also a large number of foreign merchants and their respective country's envoys in Honolulu.

Everyone, dressed in new clothes, looked at the huge battleship docked not far away, and their faces were full of joy. For some, of course, it's more of a worry, because the Hawaiian Pacific fleet is going to grow again today!

In the distance of the wharf, the ships of the Pacific Fleet, which were usually busy with training, returned to their stations at the same time, the decks were polished, the warships were repainted, the ships were hoisted at the same time, the flags were displayed throughout the harbor, and the sailors were all dressed in white naval uniforms, standing in unison on their respective warships, looking at the waterways in the distance.

Just when the three of them were looking at so many people in a daze, suddenly, two long whistles came from afar, and at the same time, the whistles of all ships in the harbor sounded at the same time, and the crowd suddenly became restless.

A moment later, in everyone's eyes, two huge ironclads slowly appeared on the horizon, and the new partner who had returned from Argentina finally returned to Pearl Harbor!

Due to the balancing policy pursued by the British at the beginning, the two battleships ordered by Argentina were completely built according to the blueprint of the Polar Star, and even the caliber and layout of the guns were exactly the same, only the torpedo compartment in the bow showed the difference between the two ships.

This flaw has no problem for the Pacific Fleet, as early as when preparing to purchase these two battleships, the design team led by McKinson has already prepared a modification plan, the torpedo compartment will be completely enclosed and converted into a watertight compartment, and the installation of wireless power stations and so on.

In addition, the two ships were not reclassified, but continued to be called the North Star, with the Morning Star in the east and Sirius in the west as the number, so that Young Master Li finally got together the four stars in the southeast, northwest and north.

The rumbling cannon salute exploded in everyone's ears, followed by the noisy gongs and drums, and even some people spontaneously organized lion dance performances to welcome the returning warriors!

As the Daystar and Sirius slowly docked at the berth, Zhou Cheng, who was wearing a brand-new naval colonel's uniform on the deck, was already grinning to the root of his ears.

Later, when he learned that he had been appointed captain of the Daystar, he excitedly immediately threw the Long Xiao to the continuator, and rushed to Argentina overnight to receive the new ship.

Next to him was Fang Jin, who also had a happy face, he was promoted after the last war, and now he stood out from so many destroyer captains and became the captain of a battleship that everyone envied.

As the warship threw down the cable and fixed it at the pier, the two of them quickly ran to Long Guozhang and Chen Ping, put their feet together, tried to straighten their waists, saluted and reported loudly: "Report, the Venus (Sirius) has successfully returned to the ship, and I request to be rebuilt!" ”

Looking at the two new captains who were in high spirits, Long Guozhang and Chen Ping both nodded with satisfaction, the Pacific Fleet already has its own pillar strength! Immediately returned a military salute and said, "Permission to be built!" ”

With the unanimous promise of the two highest commanders of the fleet, it was announced that the Venus and Sirius were officially incorporated into the Pacific Fleet's operational sequence, and although it would take a month to refit it, it could no longer stop the cheers.

When Chen Ping, on behalf of Li Mo, announced that anyone living in Hawaii could visit any warship for free within today, the cheers became even more violent, spreading from the warship to the entire dock, and even the ordinary people who came to the dock to watch the ceremony were trembling by this gale, because they knew that their fleet had grown again today!

In addition to the excitement, people also began to take their children to the deck of the giant ship that had already been aimed at under the organization of the sailors, in addition to welcoming the return of the two ships, it was also the opening of the navy chartered by Master Li, after many days of publicity, this day has long become a festival that everyone is looking forward to!

Wandering on the wide deck, looking at a hideous cannon, standing next to the soldiers, with straight waists, listening to the explanations of the naval officers, everyone felt a sense of pride in their hearts!

This is their soldiers, their fleet! Today is the holiday of the whole of Hawaii!

It's the Hawaiian Navy!

Looking at the cheering people, looking at the people on the gangway waiting to get on the deck and have close contact with the warship, Chen Ping and Long Guozhang were even more moved by this enthusiasm in addition to secretly admiring Master Li's all-people naval plan and boosting the morale of Hawaii and all overseas Chinese.

Of course, to divert everyone's attention from another place that is also lively today, and to transfer it so meaningfully, so voluntarily and lively, I'm afraid there is only Master Li!

After the two looked at each other and smiled, they quietly disappeared from sight under the cover of the bustling crowd.

(To be continued)