America 1881: Legend of the West

The furnishings in the room are not complicated, and can even be said to be a bit simple.

There are various black and white photos hanging on the wall, some alone and some together.

The clarity of the photo is worrying, but the owner of the photo can still be determined.

Because Sergio's beard is too conspicuous.

"This is a photo of me when I was studying in the United States." Sergio proudly introduced Chen Jianqiu to Chen Jianqiu while holding a pipe in his mouth. "It was really a nostalgic time."

In this era, Mexicans who have the conditions to study in the United States must not have that simple family background.

"Your parents must be proud of you." Chen Jianqiu looked at the photos and said casually.

Sergio took a puff of his pipe and stared at the photos, as if reminiscing about something, without speaking.

"We used to be a big family." Romero interjected from the side, "Reviving the family has always been my brother's long-cherished wish."

"So I returned to my country and joined the former President Mr. Díaz and became a member of the Porfilio faction." Sergio still seemed to be stuck in memories.

"Six years ago in Tlaxcala, my brothers and I shouted 'Long live Díaz' and fought the government troops. It is not modest to say that we made a major contribution to Mr. Díaz's entry into the presidential palace."

"Hasn't President Díaz's term expired?" Abiot suddenly interjected at an inappropriate time.

Sergio shook his head: "No, he has only nominally left the position of president, but in fact he still controls Mexican politics."

His eyes finally moved back from the photo.

"Sit." Sergio pointed to the chairs next to the table and motioned for Chen Jianqiu and Abiot to sit down.

"So, you are still a 'Conglong minister'. I would like to ask, why haven't you tried to seek more development in Mexico City?" Chen Jianqiu sat on the chair and asked

Sergio held the pipe in his hand, with a wry smile on his face: "President Díaz came to power through a coup, and of course he understands what the army and officers mean."

"He assigned us to various places and constrained each other with the local chief executives, causing us to fight against each other."

"Without money, you can't support too many people." He pointed to the soldiers standing outside the window.

"They are all new recruits that I have recalled. Being able to support so many people is already the limit."

Chen Jianqiu heard some unwillingness and resentment from Sergio's words, so he tried to use words to tease him: "Then why not try to cooperate with the Archon and the others?"

"Cooperation?" Seoggio glanced at Chen Jianqiu, "Mr. Chen, the situation in Mexico, especially in border cities like Juarez, is more complicated than you think."

"Land owners, priests, soldiers, local chiefs, bandits, everyone has their own agenda and wants a piece of the pie."

confusion? complex?

Chen Jianqiu's eyes lit up.

These two words are his favorite.

Sergio continued in his own words: "As for Gutiérrez? He is the biggest hacienda owner of his generation, both before and after the title of the song."

He snorted.

"We, the people, represent the emerging forces. This country needs change, needs to learn from its neighbors in the north, and needs them to bring technology, funds and systems to save the poverty and backwardness here!"

This former American student yearned endlessly for the neighboring country in the north that had been transformed by machinery and railways.

"This old antique doesn't look down on us at all. He only wants to maintain his power here. What's ridiculous is that my innocent brother actually still misses his daughter."

Sergio glanced at Romero who was standing there, with a look of hatred on his face.

"Brother! That's love! Love is great! It can surpass everything!" Romero bit his lip in protest.

"Shut up!" Sergio slammed the table.

He still wanted to get angry, but suddenly realized that Chen Jianqiu was still by his side.

"The reason why you didn't die on the border and are still standing here talking to me is because of Mr. Chen." Sergio pointed to Chen Jianqiu next to him.

"You should be lucky to have met a well-known figure on the U.S.-Mexico border."

He waved at Romero: "You go out, Mr. Chen and I still have something to say."

Chen Jianqiu bowed and winked at Abiot, signaling him to go out first.

He understood Sergio's English and did not need an interpreter.

After the other two people went out, Chen Jianqiu looked at Sergio:

"you know me?"

Sergio smiled, with a hint of Mexican cunning:

"How could I not know you? There are not many big shots named Chen on the US-Mexico border."

"Oh?" Chen Jianqiu was a little interested, but the expression on his face still didn't change much.

"The actual controller of Roswell, the chairman of the board of directors of the Santa Fe Railroad, the controller of the Roswell Military Factory, if I remember correctly, your guns have been sold to Texas."

Sergio said proudly: "I know New Mexico better than those Americans in New Mexico."

Chen Jianqiu said nothing. He wanted to see what the Mexican soldier had planned.

"You are a famous and wealthy person. This has nothing to do with your skin color, but your pursuit of wealth." Sergio said based on his own understanding, "You shouldn't refuse a plan to get rich, right? "

"Are you referring to Juarez?" Chen Jianqiu pointed to the window and asked.

"Yes, Mr. Chen." Sergio stood up and walked to Chen Jianqiu.

"I know that you business people like the word 'investment', a certain risk in exchange for a certain return." He bent down and whispered to Chen Jianqiu, "And I am a suitable investment target. .”

"Oh?" Chen Jianqiu narrowed his eyes.

"Behind me, standing is the most powerful man in the country, Diaz."

"Although he will not give me direct help, he will turn a blind eye to the winner as long as it does not pose a threat to him,"

Sergio's voice was filled with enthusiasm: "My strength is far more than what you see."

Chen Jianqiu thought for a moment before speaking:

"What's the bargaining chip I need to pay?"

"A batch of guns, ammunition, and some funds." Sergio was very direct and took out a list from the cabinet.

"So, what can I gain?" Chen Jianqiu leaned on the back of his chair, crossed his fingers, and looked at Sergio with interest.

"I can give you special investment treatment in Juarez. You can build factories here, buy land here, including mines, and hire our cheap workers."

Sergio painted a beautiful blueprint for Chen Jianqiu.

Like a politician, he made all kinds of promises to try to get Chen Jianqiu on board.

Chen Jianqiu said nothing and waited quietly for him to finish.

He burst out laughing:

"So, why don't I talk to Gutierrez directly? If you tell me all this, aren't you afraid that I will turn around and tell him?"

Sergio laughed too, and the laughter echoed in the room:

"Mr. Chen, if you really knew Gutierrez, you wouldn't say such things."

"As I said before, these large estate owners hate all capital, hate science, and they hate all kinds of new things. Only President Díaz and us will be happy to embrace all this!"

He held the pipe in his hand and stared at Chen Jianqiu: "Do you think they will give you this opportunity?"

Chen Jianqiu stood up and took Sergio's hand that was stretched out to him.

"Deal, you will receive the gun you asked for in a few days."

After that, he turned and left the house.

Chen Jianqiu and Abiot left the station of the rural mounted patrol.

On the way, he told Abiot what happened just now.

"Boss, do you really think this person is trustworthy?" Abiot asked a little suspiciously.

Chen Jianqiu was noncommittal.

I don’t know if Sergio is trustworthy, but he is by no means an easy person to control.

He took off the ring on his hand and handed it to Abiot along with the list:

"Tell Camilla to go back to Roswell and send someone to bring this number of guns and ammunition. Remember, in two batches."

Then he continued:

"In addition, tell her to choose two hundred well-trained warriors to come over and cross the border directly to wait for us near Juarez."

Abiot remained silent and followed the order.

Chen Jianqiu glanced at Sergio's station and touched his chin.

Juarez, this is a nice place.