Chapter 38: Unequal Treaties

The arrival of the local garrison made Sven feel very discouraged. Google search reading

Sven kicked the hot cannon several times and vented his negative emotions on the cannon.

"Damn British rags! Sure enough, what the British sell to the Mexicans is not good, otherwise the Mexicans would not lose to the Americans."

The reason why he attacked Brannan's manor so hard was to avenge Brannan for buying gold mining tools from him at a low price. The second reason was to capture Brannan's manor and loot the mountains of gold and gold in the manor. treasure.

Now that the local garrison has intervened in the matter, his plan has come to nothing.

If only his cannons were more effective and blasted a gap in the wall of Brannan Manor, he would have already collected gold and silver treasures from Brannan Manor.

Liang Yao and Griffin have never met, but he knows Major Tim behind Griffin.

Of course, even without Tim present, Liang Yao would know that this was Griffin, who was also the Sheriff of San Francisco.

Major Tim wears a gold leaf epaulette with a yellow background, which represents his rank of major.

The officer in front of Tim has a yellow-based epaulette on his military uniform, which is an eagle with spread wings, which is the colonel's epaulette.

As for the Lieutenant Colonel's epaulettes with yellow background and silver glittering leaves, Liang Yao hasn't seen it yet. Maybe he didn't come because he was responsible for guarding the fortress. After all, a military fortress cannot be left without someone to garrison it.

"Colonel Griffin, you are able to bring soldiers of the United States of America here. I think you should know the cause and effect of the incident."

Liang Yao ordered a ceasefire and turned to Griffin.

"Yes, I understand, but you can't solve the problem in such a rough way." Griffin said, holding the reins of the horse under his crotch.

"I was born and raised in a civilized country. I am not a barbarian. I also tend to resolve conflicts and disputes in a peaceful way. It is a pity that Mr. Brannan shamelessly touched my breasts again and again. Bottom line." Liang Yao argued, "I think it would be impossible for you to tolerate the shameless killing of innocent women and children, right?"

Griffin sighed, it was indeed Brannan's fault in this matter.

As a dignified colonel, in front of so many people, he naturally had to express his deep disgust for the killing of women and children. Although he also looted Mexican villages and "accidentally injured" Mexican civilians during the U.S.-Mexican War, that was a war, and wars always kill people.

"Indeed, this is a very shameful behavior. I will try my best to resolve your conflicts. Put away your weapons. Violence cannot solve the problem. I think you should talk at the negotiation table."

Liang Yao only ordered his men to put down their guns and continue to be on alert, but did not put away their weapons completely.

Why can't violence solve the problem? Isn’t the border issue between the United States and Mexico solved through violent means?

Of course, it can also be resolved at the negotiation table. The border dispute between the United States and Britain in western North America, that is, the Oregon border dispute, was negotiated at the negotiation table.

Although you have also shouted the slogan of war before reaching 54 degrees 40 minutes north latitude, but in the face of the powerful Britain, you only dare to talk about it.

Griffin stayed in the military fortress all year round and rarely cared about the mundane chores outside the fortress. Sheriff of San Francisco was to him a troublesome title, nothing more.

He had never dealt with Griffin, and he didn't know what kind of person Griffin was, so he didn't dare to let down his guard.

Griffin rode up to the front of the formation and shouted, hoping to call Brannan out for a chat.

The guards in the manor were so nervous that they shot at Griffin indiscriminately without seeing clearly in their panic. Fortunately, their hands were shaking nervously and their accuracy was poor, otherwise Griffin would have been responsible for this.

This really made Griffin, who came to San Francisco as a peacemaker, very angry.

"Damn it! Don't you know me and the uniform of the United States of America?! I'm Colonel Griffin, call Brannan out!"

After Brannan confirmed that the person who came was indeed Colonel Griffin, he seemed to have seen a savior.

"God bless you, Colonel Griffin, you are the savior sent by God!"

Seeing Griffin's arrival, Brannan was overjoyed and hurriedly invited Griffin into the manor.

Griffin is not a fool. The reason Brannan can do these bastard things is probably because of something wrong with his brain. If Brannan goes crazy and takes him hostage in the castle, his personal safety will not be guaranteed.

"Come out and talk, Brannan, you have no room for bargaining now. I have done my best to get you a chance to negotiate."

After saying that, Griffin turned the horse's head and left. He didn't want to eat a peanut in this place of right and wrong.

"Let's talk. Colonel Griffin is right, we have no room for bargaining."

Little Brannan covered the newly opened wound and gritted his teeth to persuade Brannan.

Brannan is used to negotiating as the stronger party, and he has not yet been able to complete the role change. Just as he didn't realize it, his throne as King of California had changed hands.

Liang Yao had someone move the gaming table from the casino where he and Brannan were discussing business.

"Mr. Brannan, I wonder if you still remember this gambling table. Our second deal was negotiated at this gambling table."

Liang Yao's hands slapped the gaming table, as if he were tapping the keys on a piano, and the sound he made was so pleasant.

"You said you like to play a few bets at the gambling table before talking about business. Why don't we play a few bets now like last time?"

These voices were so harsh to Brannan's ears, stirring up the anger in Brannan's heart.

In a fit of rage, Brannan spat out a mouthful of old blood, and Liang Yao, who was facing Brannan, could not avoid being stained with Brannan's spitted blood.

Liang Yao calmly took out the handkerchief in his pocket, wiped the blood off his face and body generously and elegantly, and then threw the blood-stained handkerchief casually on the gambling table.

"If you have any requests, just say it directly, don't provoke my brother again."

Little Brannan patted Brannan's back with his uninjured left hand to soothe Brannan's emotions.

Brannan's current condition was simply impossible to negotiate with Liang Yao normally.

Little Brannan decided to negotiate with Liang Yao on behalf of Brannan.

Liang Yao stared at the pale Brannan. Brannan had lost his former breeze and spirit. The Brannan who had spent a lot of money on the ship, calm, confident and domineering, was no longer there.

Brannan did not dare to look Liang Yao in the eye. Like a timid child who had made a big mistake, he trembled all over, lowered his head, and nervously tugged at his sleeves.

"First, hand over the murderer who killed Cai Laixi and Nelson. I know that Nelson is the criminal who specifically planned and implemented the crimes against women and children. He deserves the punishment he deserves.

Second, pay $400,000 or 13,000 ounces of gold, part of which will be used as compensation for the victims and my dead and wounded personnel, and the other part as compensation for disturbing the citizens of San Francisco today.

Third, transfer the ownership of the port of San Francisco to me free of charge."

Liang Yao put forward his conditions.

"You are blackmailing!"

Little Brannan slammed the table regardless of the pain of his wounds.

Of these three conditions, except for the first one that he could barely accept, the other two were very harsh.

Little Brannan also knew Liang Yao's intention. He specifically asked for Nelson, the captain of their security team, just to weaken or even disintegrate their armed forces.

Nelson was one of the few capable men in their Brannan family.

As for the 400,000 US dollars, they had just sold some shops, real estate and jewelry some time ago, and they had gathered the funds to continue the business war with Liang Yao, which was also their entire working capital.

The ownership of the Port of San Francisco was the lifeblood of their Brannan family. The Port of San Francisco was currently the only external transportation channel for San Francisco and nearby areas.

The other transportation channel led to Independence City, 1,200 miles away. This channel was also the famous Western Trail, which required passing through the rugged and rolling Nevada Mountains and the Indian territory.

Except for the impoverished gold diggers in the East who took this channel back to California to pan for gold, no one would choose to take this extremely inconvenient and dangerous road.

The Port of San Francisco was crucial. It could even be said that whoever got the Port of San Francisco got California and California's gold.

This port was built on the original basis after they spent a lot of money to buy the coast and organized people to build it.

"I don't deserve it. When it comes to extortion, your Brannan family is the expert in San Francisco and even the whole of California." Liang Yao responded sharply.

"I can promise you the first point. I think we need to make some changes to the second and third points. The compensation amount will be halved. As for the San Francisco Port, we will at most transfer half of the ownership. This is our bottom line!"

Looking at Brannan, who was already somewhat mentally confused, little Bran was heartbroken and disappointed, and had to take the initiative to assume the responsibility for the Brannan family.

He wanted to fight for the last chance of survival for the Brannan family.

Perhaps after this negotiation, they are no longer the most powerful family in California, but as long as they have half of the port and certain assets, they are still a more prominent family in the local area.

As long as they have these things, they can slowly make a comeback. With the business ability of the two brothers, it is not impossible for the Brannan family to make a comeback.

Liang Yao saw through Brannan's mind. For a person like Brannan, keeping him would be a disaster sooner or later.

He had made up his mind to root out the problem. There was no room for negotiation on these three conditions.

"If we don't talk, I can also get these things. I am willing to sit down and talk to you calmly. It's all for Colonel Griffin's sake. I don't want to affect the normal life of the people of San Francisco because of our dispute."

Liang Yao's attitude was very firm. He had already regarded the $400,000 and the port of San Francisco as something in his pocket.

"I reiterate that you have no room for bargaining on the above three points."

"Mr. Brannan, you are wrong in this matter first. I still have a lot of military affairs to deal with. If it weren't for my position as a sheriff, I wouldn't want to come to San Francisco."

Seeing that the negotiations had reached a deadlock, Griffin also stood up to put pressure on the Brannan brothers.

The situation was very clear. San Francisco was about to change hands. The Brannan brothers were just struggling to survive and make their last struggle.

Liang Yao is also much more rational than the Brannan brothers. If he replaces the Brannan family's position in San Francisco, he may not cause as many troubles as Brannan and will not cause unrest in San Francisco.

Of course, he doesn't care even if Liang Yao becomes the next Brannan. As long as Liang Yao can behave himself this year, everything will be fine.

Anyway, he will be transferred next year, and he won't have to worry about the troublesome things like deserters in the barracks every day.

Whoever wants to clean up the mess in California can do it.

He is still worried about how to tell his fellow villagers where their children are going after he returns. These soldiers were brought from their hometown to California to participate in the war against Mexico.

"If you don't want to agree, no one will force you. After all, this is a negotiation. You have the right to choose to refuse or accept."

Liang Yao pressed on step by step and continued to put pressure on the Brannan brothers.

"I agree to everything, Mr. Liang, I agree to all your conditions."

It was not little Brannan who spoke, but Brannan who had been silent.

Brannan raised his head, and his eyes full of hatred and bloodshot stared at Liang Yao, making Liang Yao feel very uncomfortable.

Brannan's reaction surprised Liang Yao. He thought that the treaty would take several more rounds of negotiation, but he didn't expect Brannan to agree so easily.

Before Liang Yao could react, Brannan laughed again: "Then, Mr. Liang, let's sign the contract, the unprecedented unequal treaty in California's history."

"Brother"

Little Brannan on the side also looked at Brannan in disbelief. He couldn't believe his ears. He couldn't believe that Brannan would agree to these three harsh conditions so easily.

These three treaties, but all of them hit the Brannan family's weak spot.

He didn't know whether his brother was crazy or not. He had a bad feeling in his heart.