Chapter 3051
Because the port facilities here are not perfect, the larger Wei Zhi cannot dock directly at the dock. It can only anchor about twenty or thirty feet away from the coast, and then use small boats to transfer the people and materials on the ship ashore.
After a lot of trouble, the Wang brothers met the local commander and old friend of their family, Army General Morgan, on the dock.
Morgan was already old at this time and his physical condition was not as good as before, but he seemed to be in good spirits. He held a cane in one hand and opened his arms in the other hand, smiling to welcome the brothers.
Morgan came here to serve as the garrison commander. In fact, it was not Wang Tom's arrangement, but his own initiative.
After occupying this place under the eyes of the Spaniards last year, Wang Tom will eventually return to Jinshan Port to handle military and political affairs, and the new stronghold on the San Diego Bay also needs someone to take charge of the overall situation. As one of the only two senior generals in the North American colonial area, Morgan naturally did his part and took the initiative to stay and be responsible for the garrison and construction of this place.
Although Tom Wang was a little worried about Morgan's physical condition, Morgan gave him reasons that he couldn't refuse.
During his time in the military before time travel, Morgan served in the Army Hospital in San Diego for three full years. Although this happened when Morgan was young, and the San Diego he lived in was completely different from the San Diego now, he was indeed more familiar with the environment of this place than others.
"No one knows San Diego better than me," Morgan said.
Of course, Tom Wang did not tell the two brothers about Morgan's secret. It is better to keep this kind of thing a little mysterious to future generations. Otherwise, the achievements that the older generation took thirty years to achieve may be forgotten by future generations. Take it for granted.
Morgan was alone when he participated in the time-travel operation, and he did not get married and have any children after time-travelling. However, he possesses two unique skills: medical skills and sniping. He has accepted many disciples in the past thirty years, and his disciples and grandchildren are too numerous to count. Nowadays, there is no shortage of juniors to serve around me, so I don’t feel lonely.
The Wang brothers are close to the water and the first is the first. They have received his guidance since they were young, and they have always treated each other as "master and apprentice". To them, Morgan was not only their father's friend, but also their uncle, and also a preacher and teacher. The relationship was quite close.
"Master, why are you not surprised at all when you see me coming?"
As soon as Wang Anbang finished speaking, he rolled his eyes and added: "Could it be that my father sent you a telegram during the past few days during the journey?"
Morgan smiled and said: "Your father said that if you disobey discipline and fail to observe military discipline after arriving here, let me arrest you immediately, put you on a ship and send you back to Jinshan Port!"
Wang Anbang knew that this was Morgan making fun of him, so he responded calmly: "Master, don't worry, I will obey your command and will never cause you any trouble!"
After the three exchanged pleasantries, Morgan took them to visit the base facilities here.
This stronghold, including the dock, covers an area of about four to five hundred acres. The west side is the port area near the sea, and the east side is the camp area.
Trenches about five feet deep were dug in the north, east, and south directions of the stronghold. Although the trench did not look wide, all the excavated soil was filled inside the stronghold, and a trench was built beside the trench. There are densely packed logs and horses standing on the earth wall. The height difference between the two sides of the trench is about more than ten feet, which is enough to cope with the charge of a small group of infantry and cavalry in wartime.
On the north side of the camp is a river that flows from east to west into San Diego Bay. The width of the river is only a few feet. Its water flow is directed into the trench outside the stronghold and becomes part of the defenses.
Morgan said the local natives called the river the "Chicano River," so the garrison is temporarily using that name. The Chicano River not only provided abundant water for Haihan's stronghold, but also served as a natural dividing line with Spanish-controlled areas.
Coincidentally, about ten miles south of the Chicano River, there is another river flowing in the same direction, which serves as the dividing line between the Hihan and the Chula tribe to the south. However, the river is far away from the stronghold and cannot be seen near the camp.
"To enter the area under our control from land, you must first cross the river. To be honest, these two rivers have saved us a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Morgan raised the crutch in his hand and pointed to the Chicano River not far away: "Don't forget that the river is not very wide, but the current is quite fast. It is not easy to swim in it."
Wang Anguo nodded in agreement and said: "In this way, it will be difficult for the Spaniards to launch a surprise attack from this direction."
Morgan continued: "After spring, we can cultivate some farmland in the east. The water here is abundant, we can grow rice, and it won't take too long to solve the local food demand problem."
"If we have extra food, we can sell it to nearby indigenous tribes and exchange it for furs and horses."
Wang Anbang asked: "Are the indigenous people here easy to deal with? How about the indigenous people near Jinshan Port?"
Morgan said: "We don't have much contact so far. I only know that they have been fighting the Spanish for many years, and conflicts will break out every once in a while... It sounds like they should be more warlike than the indigenous people near Jinshan Port, but I think it is okay. Try to trade with them, no one in this world can refuse the goods we offer.”
Wang Anbang said: "In this way, we can join forces with the indigenous people to deal with the Spaniards. This should also win their favor."
Morgan shook his head slightly and said: "It's not that easy. In the eyes of the indigenous people, we are also foreign invaders. Even if we can repair relations through trade, it will take a long time to achieve mutual trust."
Wang Anguo said: "There is no need to rush to deal with the Spaniards. We should take care of business first."
What Wang Anguo calls business is the construction project surrounding this stronghold.
If you just set up an armed settlement here, it won't mean much to the North American colonial area. What Tom Wang wants to achieve is to build this place into the second port in North America after Jinshan Port. But before there is a large enough population base, all construction work must be completed by the advance troops stationed here.
The Haihan Army stationed here is both a combat force and an engineering force. While stationed, it is also responsible for the construction of various infrastructure projects.
Wang Tom has already planned the project contents for the new year for the stronghold, which includes the improvement of dock and port facilities, site selection preparation for the San Diego Bay shipyard, farmland water conservancy projects, construction of colonial settlements, etc.
Every single item is a major project that will take many years to complete. In comparison, the existence of the Spanish is not that important, and the priority can only be ranked later.
(End of chapter)