Chapter 542

Cortes Bay, California.

John Fremont felt insulted at the temporary camp of the American Expeditionary Force.

Just now, the envoy of the Austrian-Mexican Joint Development Company came to persuade them to surrender. Originally, the former and his officers did not intend to meet this Austrian.

Because at this time, although the US military had lost their fleet commander Robert Stockton and 95% of the Marines, John Fremont stabilized the situation with his strong leadership and great reputation.

The latter was very familiar with the California area, so he led the US Navy to specifically attack the pain points of the Austrian side.

Not only did they win consecutive victories, but they also plundered a large amount of supplies. At this time, they were full of confidence and had sufficient soldiers and food. Although there was no news from the country, he believed in the ability of President John Tyler and that the front battlefield would win. At that time, he and this isolated army would still be heroes.

Moreover, Austria had no countermeasures against the attack on the sea force, which meant that John Fremont could remain invincible without going ashore and fighting a decisive battle with the other side.

He himself could not think of any reason for him to surrender, but at this time an officer proposed.

"It doesn't hurt to listen and see what tricks these Austrians want to play. No matter how much money they offer, we will say it's too little, and we can take this opportunity to humiliate them."

John Fremont thought this proposal was good, so that his life could be more legendary.

The Austrian envoy Ashton Hoffman was the son of a Jewish businessman. After graduating from college, he served as a reserve official in Vienna for decades.

This situation was not uncommon at the time, because he was Jewish and had no relatives in the government. Fortunately, with Franz's "Talent Plan", Ashton passed the exam and stood out.

When Ashton arrived in California, his immediate boss was Baron Brooke, who was a talent-based person. He was naturally promoted because of his outstanding ability. Later, John Sina became the highest executive officer, and he received extra care because of his Jewish identity.

So Ashton took the initiative to take on this extremely dangerous task. The reason why it was dangerous was not just to find the US fleet in the vast ocean, but also because the mission he was responsible for would put him in danger.

So Ashton Hoffman, the envoy of Austria-Merco Joint Development Company, was "invited" to the temporary headquarters of this expeditionary force.

In order to humiliate his enemies, John Fremont specially selected some tall and fierce-looking soldiers to stand on both sides of the road to show his power to the other side.

However, Ashton was not afraid, on the contrary, he felt very honored.

Ashton regarded these soldiers as a guard of honor to welcome him, but when he thought that he was representing Austria at this time, he felt that the standards given by the Americans were too low.

John Fremont and a group of American officers were a little disappointed, but it didn't matter as long as they could get back on their feet in the subsequent bargaining process.

Ashton glanced around and found that the US military headquarters was simpler than he imagined. The entire military camp was built on an open ground covered with yellow sand. Tents and luggage were placed together irregularly, and there was not even a temporary wooden fence.

As long as they were discovered by the cavalry, a charge would push them all into the sea.

John Fremont seemed to have seen through the other party's mind, so he said.

"Don't look, you Austrians can't find this place. Even if you go back and tell them that I'm here, we will have moved away by the time they come.

You will only be kicked in the ass by us! Haha!"

The American officers who heard this also laughed.

"Haha!"

"You are really good at telling jokes. Archduke Karl Ferdinand will appreciate your specialty very much. It is worth at least one hundred dollars." Ashton said slowly.

John Fremont couldn't laugh as soon as he said this, because the other party said that he was only worth one hundred dollars, which was undoubtedly an insult to this great explorer, military strategist, politician, and conspiracy activist.

"What do you mean?" John Fremont said with some anger.

"I said that if you are willing to work for us, I am willing to apply to the Archduke to give you a job with an annual salary of one hundred dollars." Ashton "explained" it again without caring.

"Are you here to insult me?" John Fremont asked back.

"No, I'm here to talk business." Ashton retorted.

"Oh! How can you negotiate business like this?" John Fremont was so angry that he laughed.

"A very reasonable price." Ashton said.

The American officers around were also very angry. You know, John Fremont is the leader of this army at this time, and he is also a great pioneer and the representative of the American spirit in the world.

In addition, the most important thing is that the Austrians are now helpless with their fleet. It was the Austrian side that proposed the negotiation, so according to the thinking of these Americans, Ashton should be more humble.

"You are too arrogant! Your army is helpless with us, what qualifications do you have to be so rude in front of us?!" A naval commodore shouted angrily.

"You are the rude one, you are not qualified to negotiate. But I can give you a basic salary of fifty dollars a year. There is no upper limit!"

Ashton's words are indeed correct. The commodore really cannot represent the US military at this time.

"Austrians are like you? Maybe you can rule the world with just your mouth." John Fremont sneered.

Ashton smiled and raised his hand.

"Please allow me to show you something."

John Fremont nodded. He didn't think the other party would pull out a gun, but he still took two steps back.

Ashton took out a letter from his hand and handed it to John Fremont.

The latter took the envelope and asked.

"What is this?"

"This is a list of officers who have died or disappeared recently in your army, and the latest battle report of this war." Ashton said with a smile.

John Fremont opened it and took a look at it and then scolded.

"You are talking nonsense!"

"I'm not talking nonsense! You shouldn't have received the battle report for a long time, right?" Ashton said calmly, but the American military officers around him couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

John Fremont knew that he couldn't argue about this matter anymore, otherwise the morale of the army would be completely ruined. He quietly put the letter away and changed the subject.

"Since you are here to discuss business, how much do you think our fleet is worth?"

"Five million dollars." Ashton answered almost without thinking.

"What!" All the Americans present exclaimed in disbelief.

Because there are nearly 20,000 people in this fleet, which means that on average each person is only worth $250.

"You mean each of us is only worth $250?" John Fremont snorted.

Ashton waved his hand.

"No, you are wrong. Your entire fleet is worth $5 million, including the price of weapons and equipment."