Opening game, American Tycoon

Chapter 1537 Stanford who has nothing (first update, please subscribe)
After the war went on to the second summer, as the imperial army broke into the Great Valley, the war was going on in another way—the American army was retreating rapidly, and they abandoned one town after another, seemingly overnight, California became an undefended zone.

It’s not that they are undefended. They are preparing for a decisive battle with the Empire in San Francisco and other places. In addition to the extremely strong fortifications in the Bay Area, they are trying to block the attack of the Imperial Army there.

When the army is withdrawing, civilians are also withdrawing. After all, not everyone wants to live under the rule of the enemy.

However, unlike the army retreating to San Francisco and other places, civilians are retreating inland. On the Pacific Railway passing to the east, every train is full of people. The same is true, the roads are crowded with cars.

Luke and Ellis also left their hometown. Together with hundreds of other vehicles, they headed eastward along the road to Nevada. , but now they are fleeing.

Alice, who was sitting in the co-pilot, looked at Luke. She couldn't help recalling their love time. Like many people, they also met in church. When she first met him, she was only 12 years old. Then, She looked forward to the arrival of Sunday every week, because only that day they could meet each other, and not long after that, they actually became lovers.She thought to herself, maybe God put them together at that time.

Unlike the woman who recalled the past, Luke who was driving the car looked dignified. Through the car window, he could see the thick smoke rising in the distance. Like wild grass, it deepens into mournful strokes of Chinese characters in the air, as if it is continuous like suffering.

That was the result of imperial bombers bombing cities. Any city that resisted surrender would be bombed by imperial bombers, and cities were reduced to ruins under the bombardment of incendiary bombs.

The distant sky twisted and trembled in the rising heat, as if melting into the ground.Although this is a scene of nature, it seems to be predicting the future in the eyes of many people.Soon, everything before their eyes will be destroyed in the war.

"Imperial troops have taken over the entire west coast."

A man listening to the radio up front relayed the latest news aloud.

"General Peng Guoliang has arrived in the suburbs of Sacramento, and they are attacking San Francisco. The mayor of Sacramento has accepted the terms of surrender offered by the Imperial Army."

Listening to the voice coming from the car window, Luke raised his head and asked.

"Any news from Arbuckle?"

"No."

On the radio, Sacramento Mayor Flag Reisman is giving a speech to appease the Americans: "This is a temporary transition period. As long as you don't resist the imperial army, you can reduce civilian casualties as much as possible."

Some people wanted to advocate surrender, and of course some were actively resisting. Governor James Herbert called on the radio to call on the people to take up arms and use all means to resist the invasion of the empire.For such an appeal, Luke simply felt that it was a dream.

"The army has all withdrawn, and the civilians are actually allowed to resist."

Luke said to his wife,

"It's like sending us to our death. We can wait for the situation to stabilize and then come back. Actually... I think we should go to Los Angeles."

"Why go to Los Angeles, aren't they all moving to Nevada?"

"Nevada, the imperial army will eventually occupy there, and of course they will occupy Los Angeles, but I think, Los Angeles..."

After thinking about it, Luke said.

"If the army fails in San Francisco, Los Angeles will definitely surrender, so we can avoid the war, and my uncle has a clothing factory there. If we get there, we can first settle in him and find a work..."

Her husband's words made Alice think for a while, and then said.

"That's fine too, but my dear, have you thought about changing your name?"

"Why should I change my name?"

"Didn't you hear what the lieutenant said last night? All of us have to change the name of the empire. In the occupied area of ​​​​the empire, everyone needs to change their name. If we go to Los Angeles and it is occupied, you have to change your name too."

Ellis didn't know if it was a rumor, but she heard a lieutenant mention it last night, and she didn't know where the news came from.

"I just like the surname "Lu", just Luke."

"That's all well and good, but then you can't be called Irian anymore."

"Then my surname is Yi. I remember that the empire seems to have this surname, so I can just call it Yiluke."

They knew little about the Empire in the past, but now?Along with the progress of the war, they learned a lot about the empire. Of course, much of this understanding was based on rumors.

Even in American newspapers, some cartoons often appear, some pictorials of imperial soldiers raping American women, whether it is true or not, I am afraid only God knows.

"Is that not bad?"

Ellis laughed.

"It seems unnecessary for me to change my surname. Ellis, that's my name."

While they were talking, suddenly the convoy stopped
"...Why did the car stop?"

Just when they looked forward curiously, they only heard someone say.

"Run away, they're preventing men from leaving California, saying all men are to stay here to resist the Imperial Legion, only women and children are allowed to leave..."

The sudden news made everyone stunned, and people turned their heads around and fled in other directions.

Sometimes, fate is like this, and it always changes inadvertently. When Luke took his wife and fled to Los Angeles, former California Governor Leland Stanford also took his wife, son Stanford Jr. and his wife, They left San Francisco together.

In the luxurious train carriage, Leland Stanford looked at Little Stanford and said.

"Leland, we are under no obligation to die with California."

As the king of the railway, Leland Stanford never thought of dying together. Even in his opinion, even in war, personal interests are the most important.

"But Dad, if this land is taken by the Empire, we'll lose not only the railroad, but a lot of property, too. A lot of our property is in San Francisco."

Little Stanford looked at his father's puzzled question. As a state congressman, it was really difficult for him to understand his father's thoughts. Of course, he did not have the idea of ​​living and dying with California, but he was not willing to run away like this. to Los Angeles.

"Our property is not only in Los Angeles. The California railway is also ours. Our railway, our train station and the commercial streets around the station belong to us. Maybe the war will destroy a lot. But in the end, people’s lives cannot be separated from the train, the railway station..."

While speaking, Stanford looked into the distance, and another thought came to his mind.

Perhaps the war is inseparable from the railway, but when the war is over, does it all belong to him?

As a businessman, Stanford had to consider this issue, after all, it was inevitable.Even considering whether the invaders will confiscate his railway, even the official is not willing to leave the intact railway to those foreign invaders.

And the officials have already decided that when they retreat or fail, those railways must be destroyed.

Those railroads belonged to him!
Now to destroy all of this with his own hands, for Stanford, it is not a matter of willingness or unwillingness, but what will he have left after destroying all of this?
Nothing!
(End of this chapter)