Chapter 297: We Won!

Before the Civil War, America had never truly experienced the pain of war.

The so-called anti-war ideas and war-weariness had no place in the United States before the Civil War.

The Americas of the Americans, Manifest Destiny, expansion and conquest were the mainstream ideas in the United States during this period.

Even Treasury Secretary Corwin, the representative of the doves during this period, did not stand up and clearly oppose the American expedition to Japan. At most, he published some articles in newspapers saying that the expedition to Japan was a waste of people and money to show his sense of existence and show his identity. Still pro-peace.

Compared with the fierce anti-war attitude and sharp rhetoric during the Mexican period, Corwin's performance in sending troops to Japan surprised even his former colleagues.

After all, a war with Mexico would risk spreading to the United States, but a war with Japan in the Far East would have no such risk at all.

Furthermore, the United States also needs a war to divert internal conflicts in the United States and enhance the prestige of the current government.

Corwin himself is also a member of the current government cabinet.

This is true for the representatives of the upper class doves, but there is no need to elaborate on the hawks and the blind American people at the bottom.

Even Fillmore himself believes that the United States, which has little sense of existence in the civilized world, sometimes uses war to show its existence, inject a booster into the people, and enhance the country's national pride.

News of the return of Perry's East India Fleet reached Washington as soon as possible via Baltimore's telegraph wire.

Soon, a note was delivered to Fillmore's desk. There was only a very brief sentence on the note, so short that the sentence consisted of only two words: We won! (we won!)

"God bless America!"

Fillmore crossed himself devoutly and jumped up from his seat excitedly.

He knew what these two short words meant and how much information they contained.

Although the people in the United States who knew Japan best before the war had described to him how backward Japanese society was and how fragile the Tokugawa shogunate was.

But after the expeditionary force set off, Fillmore was still very uneasy. After all, he had never personally inspected the country, and his understanding of Japan was limited to the descriptions given to him by Liang Yao and some politicians who claimed to know Japan.

However, the success or failure of the war against this strange country is related to whether Fillmore can be re-elected.

He does not have a deep foundation in American politics, and his ability to become president is largely due to luck.

Fillmore tried his best to promote the Compromise of 1850. Although this law eased the contradiction between the North and the South, from another perspective, it can also be understood that Fillmore not only offended the factory owners and capitalists in the North, but also failed to Winning the support of Southern slave owners.

In last year's presidential election, Franklin Pierce, a Democrat who emerged as a candidate for the presidential nomination in an upset, became Fillmore's strongest contender for the presidency.

Pierce's political resume is mediocre, and his short military career has become a joke in the American military circles. New Hampshire, where Pierce is located, has never had a president of the United States before.

Not only did Fillmore not expect that such a person could become Fillmore's most powerful competitor, but even the Democratic Party did not expect it. …

"I want to go to Baltimore to personally welcome the triumph of the American army and the two generals."

Fillmore, who was so carried away, danced excitedly in the office and then explained to the secretary beside him.

"Mr. President, Mr. Liang is still a colonel."

The secretary on the side reminded Fillmore.

"He will soon be a brigadier general," Fillmore said with great certainty.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Perry and Liang Yao were his saviors. Not to mention brigadier general, even if Liang Yao wanted to be the Secretary of War, Fillmore was willing to fight for Liang Yao.

Of course, this move was not Fillmore's whim. It was also meant to humiliate his rival Pierce and Pierce's deep Democratic Party.

Except for being a nominal militia colonel once, Pierce did not have any outstanding military experience, but during the Mexican-American War, Pierce was promoted to a brigadier general in the regular army.

What is staggering is that Pierce, who had been in the army for less than ten months, not only became a brigadier general, but also commanded a unit to go to Mexico to fight in the war.

Pierce had no combat experience, commanding ability, and lack of management ability and talent. Not only did Pierce fail to make a difference on the battlefield, but he pretended to be sick and comatose on the battlefield. After the war, he became a laughing stock of shame in the American military community.

Fillmore is still very happy to make a fuss about his opponent's disgraceful past.

When Fillmore arrived in Baltimore by train, downtown Baltimore was already deserted.

Farmers in downtown Baltimore and even around the city spontaneously gathered at the port, waving the Stars and Stripes and shouting "Long Live America!" Long live the United States!

As the Mississippi sailed into Baltimore harbor, Perry spotted Fillmore surrounded by a group of politicians and reporters.

The military band that had been waiting at the port played "The Starry Flag" to welcome the return of the expeditionary force soldiers.

"Mr. President, our wish has come true, and the Far East has a place for the United States from now on!"

Wearing the uniform of a naval general, with tears in his eyes, Perry stepped off the Mississippi and excitedly handed the "Treaty of Goodwill between the United States and Japan" and the "Treaty of Nagasaki" to Fillmore.

Expanding America's influence to Asia is Perry's lifelong goal, and this goal has finally been achieved in his hands.

"This is an unparalleled great victory!" Fillmore praised after receiving the two treaties.

Then Perry turned around and held up the treaty in his hand to the crowds of people behind him, shouting: "This is a historic day. From now on, America's influence will not only be limited to the Americas, but also have a place in Asia!"

"Long live America!"

"Long live the president!"

The overwhelming shouts were like waves, one after another, and did not stop for a long time.

Looking at the boiling crowd, Perry's mouth corners showed a proud smile without concealing it.

"Where is Colonel Liang?"

Fillmore asked Perry when he saw that he had not seen another hero Liang Yao for a long time.

"Colonel Liang is dealing with the Nagasaki garrison. According to the treaty, we have obtained the right to garrison in Nagasaki." Perry replied.

"Thank you for your hard work on this expedition. You are all American heroes." Fillmore said, "I was worried that the discord between the navy and the army would affect your cooperation."

"Colonel Liang and I do have differences on some specific details, but overall our cooperation is quite pleasant. Colonel Liang is a very careful person. Without Colonel Liang's advance preparation and arrangements, this expedition would not be so smooth." Perry said.

"To be honest, Colonel Liang is the biggest contributor to this expeditionary military operation, and I am just a supporting role."

Perry's words are not false modesty, but his true thoughts.

Perry even feels that even without the participation of the navy, Liang Yao can complete this expedition with his own abilities.

"Let's go, let's talk in detail on my special train." Fillmore said to Perry.