1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 301 Promotion
Fillmore's presidential train is specially designed for Fillmore by the Atlantic Railway Company under the American Group.

The locomotive used in this special train is also the locomotive of the Pioneer series. The biggest difference between this special train and ordinary trains is the extremely luxurious and spacious carriages.

"Liang Yao is indeed a person who can often surprise people."

Fillmore read the "U.S.-Japan Treaty of Goodwill" and "Nagasaki Treaty" signed with Japan this time, as well as the post-war report submitted by Perry, and the smile on his face became brighter.

Not only did Liang Yao and Perry complete this expedition, but the results achieved far exceeded Fillmore's expectations.

Fillmore also worried that the military expenditures spent on this expedition would cause dissatisfaction among the people, and Democrats would make a fuss about it and accuse him of militarism during his term of office.

It now appears that Fillmore is completely overwhelmed, compared to the huge US$1.26 million military expenditure spent on the US-Mexico War and the US$1000 million in reparations paid to Mexico after the war.

The money spent on this expedition to Japan is not even a fraction of the cost of the US-Mexico War, and the casualties are negligible.

The 1640 million taels of silver indemnity from the Tokugawa shogunate and the Hizen domain not only covered the military expenses for this expedition, but also had a large surplus.The fly in the ointment is that this compensation is not a one-time payment, but paid in installments over 10 years.

The indemnity was paid, Japan was founded, and the Tokugawa shogunate also agreed to exchange envoys and consulates. They even obtained a concession and the right to garrison in Nagasaki.

Fillmore has nothing to be dissatisfied with. Such achievements can fully give the American people a satisfactory explanation.

"It's hard to disagree with you," Perry said, shrugging. "Colonel Leung's excellent command and dispatch skills and accurate judgment of form are amazing."

Perry recalled the experience of fighting side by side with Liang Yao in Japan, and the spectacular scene of two thousand American soldiers fighting against twenty thousand to thirty thousand shogunate troops emerged in his mind, and he couldn't help but add: "There is also extraordinary courage and courage. "

Before the first battle in Kanagawa, Perry had no idea whether the American army, which was at an absolute disadvantage in numbers, could defeat the Tokugawa shogunate army. In the end, Liang Yao made the final decision and decided to defeat the shogunate army and go straight to the river. household, forcing the Tokugawa shogunate to sign a contract to found the country.

"You don't have such a high opinion of your colleagues in the navy. You don't fear that those colleagues in the navy will be unhappy if you rate an army colonel so high this time?" Fillmore laughed.

"Your performance this time, I even think it is better than the performance of the British expedition to the Qing Dynasty."

Fillmore couldn't help but compare this American expedition to Japan with the British expedition to Qing Dynasty thirteen years ago.

As far as the course of the war is concerned, it took the British Empire nearly three years to force the Great Qing to negotiate and sign a contract. It took less than a year for the American expedition to Japan to return from the end of the war.

In terms of the victories achieved, the victories achieved by the United States in this war are no worse than those achieved by Great Britain, and even the casualties are smaller than those of the British army.

"Your Excellency, I'm just talking about the facts." Perry said sternly, "If the officers of the Navy can behave like this, I will not be stingy in praising them, or even promoting them. It's just that I have a vague feeling that I don't like Liang Yao. Tou, I always feel that something is wrong with him."

"Something wrong?" Fillmore closed the contract.

"Yes, I have been to Liang Yao's hometown this time and learned about his life experience. He was born in a gentleman's family without any military background, and he has no formal military education, but his military ability is not at all. Difference.

There are also these two treaties, many clauses were drafted by Liang Yao, it seems that he also has a certain talent in diplomacy," Perry said after thinking carefully.

"God is always so unfair. A very small number of the chosen ones are born with talents that ordinary people do not have. After the Battle of Toulon, Napoleon was only 24 years old when he was exceptionally promoted to Brigadier General. This was unprecedented in Europe at the time."

He had personally experienced some of Liang Yao's abilities. When he was the vice president, Liang Yao gave him a California star as a gift. The California star is still kept in his private mansion.

"You want to promote Liang Yao to brigadier general?" Perry asked curiously, then counted his fingers and said with a smile, "Liang Yao is only 23 years old this year, if he is promoted to brigadier general, he will be the most senior general in American history." young general."

Perry took back the word "breaking the rules" before he could say it out of his mouth. It was reasonable and reasonable to be promoted to brigadier general based on his military exploits in the conquest of Japan, and it was not considered an breaking promotion.

"After the war, it is customary to reward meritorious deeds. If there is no reward for meritorious service, wouldn't it chill the hearts of American soldiers? Who will fight for America in the future?" Perry laughed, "Why, do you think it's inappropriate?"

"I don't have such an idea." Perry shook his head and said, "Besides, it's not up to me, a naval officer, to judge the promotion and promotion of army officers."

Liang Yao is from the army, and Perry is from the navy. Liang Yao's promotion has no conflict of interest with Perry.Perry also did not object to Liang Yao being promoted to Brigadier General.

"I know what you want to say. As a general, Liang Yao is indeed too young. Besides, Liang Yao has a bad relationship with the Democrats." Fillmore said looking out the window at the grass-and-wood houses that were constantly receding.

"I hope that during my term of office, whether in the US Army or Navy, the promotion of officers is based on ability, rather than money, qualifications and connections. I will not only promote Liang Yao to be a brigadier general, but also to promote you to be the Secretary of the Navy.

Of course, I did not promote you out of selfishness, you deserve it. "

Liang Yao was too young. There must be resistance to promoting Liang Yao to the rank of brigadier general, and the resistance was still great. Fillmore was also mentally prepared.

As for the bad relationship between Liang Yao and the Democrats, it is well known.

Many of the consortiums that came to California in the early days had a background of the Democratic Party, and Calhoun, who was pissed off by Liang Yao, was even the leader of the Democratic Party.

Burnett, who was rumored to have died at the hands of native Indians more than a year ago, is also a Democrat.

The Democrats are still unwilling to believe the claim that Burnett died at the hands of the native Indians. They firmly believe that this incident must have something to do with Liang Yao, but they have no evidence and can do nothing about Burnett's death.

But none of this matters. Fillmore was a Whig, and the Whigs were originally a political party formed by a group of politicians who came together to oppose the Democrats.

The Whigs often opposed the Democrats for the sake of opposing the Democrats, and the Democrats were no different.

Especially now or during the general election, as long as it is Fillmore's decision-making, personnel appointment and dismissal, no matter whether it is reasonable or not, most Democrats will oppose it.Most of the time, most politicians are irrational, and rational politicians will always be regarded as alien and marginalized.

There would be opposition to promoting Liang Yao, as would the appointment of Perry as Secretary of the Navy.

It's just that compared to Liang Yao, Perry is white and was born in a naval family. Perry has deep experience in the navy, high reputation, and is also older. There will be less resistance to appointing Perry as the Minister of the Navy.

(End of this chapter)