Chapter 769: Encounter in the Mediterranean
Chapter 770 An encounter in the Mediterranean
The American veteran immediately took out a few coins from his pocket and put them on the table without hesitation: "Here are 5 US dollars. I hope it can help our French friends. From now on, I will donate another 3 US dollars every month..."
This donation may seem pitifully small, but you must know that after he retired, he made a living by helping people drive carriages, with an income of only 8 US dollars and 45 Fikio per month. With the $2 in relief from the Veterans Home, he could barely maintain his family's livelihood.
In other words, he will donate nearly 30% of his family property to France.
The "fikio" was an American copper coin of small denomination that was later replaced by the cent.
After he set an example, other American veterans followed suit and soon a small pile of coins appeared on the table.
At this moment, a short aristocratic man with a square face and a white wig on his big head pushed open the door and said loudly in accented English: "No, no matter how difficult it is for France, You can’t ask for this money, it will make your children hungry.”
Everyone turned their heads. Two veterans were obviously stunned when they saw his appearance, and then shouted with excitement and surprise: "General Noaile. It's really you!"
The person who came was none other than Viscount Louis-Marc de Noaille, brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He served as Lafayette's adjutant and participated in many battles in the American Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Yorktown, and was quite prestigious in the American military.
He is also a major sponsor of the Veterans Home and is responsible for managing the daily operations here.
The veterans in the room heard that Viscount Noailles had arrived in person and quickly stood up to salute him.
Noaile nodded to the veterans and ordered the staff of the "Veterans' Home" to return the money to them.
American veterans immediately became anxious. A veteran with stubble on his face and two fingers missing said angrily: "General, I once attacked the Yorktown Fortress with your regiment. If I hadn't been unable to pay for the passage to Europe, I would have gone to France to teach the British a lesson. Offal!"
His words were echoed, "That's right! My flintlock gun can be wiped regularly, and it can definitely blow the head of a British guy."
"I also want to let the British know how awesome I am!"
"Hey, the cheapest ticket across the Atlantic is $25..."
Viscount Noaille nodded, looked at everyone and said, "Do you really want to go to France?"
The veterans looked at each other, and a few of them seemed eager to try, but then sat down again - it was okay to be excited, but if they really ran to Europe, their wives and children would starve to death.
Viscount Noaille smiled and said: "Actually, a few of my friends have pooled together a sum of money and plan to organize volunteers to fight in France.
"You all have rich combat experience. If you join, my friends will definitely be willing to pay you some living expenses."
One veteran blurted out: "If I have $9, I'll go!"
He was immediately scorned by other veterans.
However, Noaile shook his head and said: "15 US dollars per month. If you bring your own military uniforms and weapons, you can also get a 15 US dollar allowance."
The veteran who wanted $9 said in disbelief: "Are you telling the truth?"
"Of course, I swear in the name of God. Salary can also be paid by the Veterans Home to your family. In case of disability, pension will be paid according to the standards of the United States Army."
"I believe in you." The veteran immediately shouted excitedly, "I'll sign up!"
His current income is only US$9 per month. Going to France to fight can increase his income by 66%, and there is also a pension.
This is not to help France fight the war. France is giving him an opportunity to make money!
"I'll go too."
"And me. My uniform and gun are still there!"
"I even kept the legion's flag."
"I helped old Mike and Donald sign up, and they will definitely thank me..."
The other veterans immediately started shouting.
Most of them lived in poverty after being discharged from the army. The $15 per month was a huge attraction. In a short time, more than 90 people signed up. Only 37 people participated in this "symposium", and the others signed up on their behalf.
A week later.
Noaile looked with satisfaction at the registration form for 480 American volunteers in his hand, put it aside, and began to write a report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
You know, these are just veterans from Philadelphia. According to his estimate, after the news spreads, at least 3,000 veterans from the United States will go to France to fight in the war.
Joseph invested so much money to engage in "American mercenaries", but he didn't actually expect them to have much combat effectiveness.
But as long as these veterans wearing the uniforms of the U.S. Continental Army start fighting with the British army, it will completely cut off the possibility of peace between the U.S. government and the British.
Moreover, as news of the continuous deaths of American soldiers spreads back to China, supplemented by propaganda offensives, the hatred between the United States and Britain will inevitably continue to deepen.
By then, the second U.S.-British war may break out in advance.
I just don’t know if the Canadian Legion can set a fire this time and help the US Presidential Palace be renamed the “White House”.
Check out the correct version one by one!
More than ten days later, the first batch of 500 American volunteers boarded more than a dozen merchant ships and set sail for Genoa.
…
Western Mediterranean.
Barbary Seas.
Maderno stood on the deck of the Overlook, gently stroking the chimney railing as if it were the hair of his most beloved girl.
No, even Angela had never fascinated him so much.
This French Mediterranean Fleet frigate is full of "magic" - it can speed at 12 knots in the Mediterranean and make sharp turns like a barracuda. Even if it loses its main mast, it can still maintain a speed of 6 knots, while other ships in the same situation can only turn in place. At the same time, it is equipped with only 170 crew members, none of whom are rowers!
Yes, after driving the "Leisure" back to the port of Ostend, Maderno decided not to go to sea again. There were British warships everywhere, and the food of maritime trade could not be eaten.
Then the "Special Trade Association" suggested that he join the French Navy.
He was completely confused at the time - a smuggling organization actually asked him to join the navy!
However, a naval officer soon came to chat with him, and after learning that he had served as a captain, he promised to grant him the rank of second lieutenant.
At first he was still uneasy, but when he came to the "Overlook", he soon felt relieved.
Even if this amazing warship could not defeat the British fleet, it would be difficult to sink it - in the Mediterranean Sea, if it wanted to run, it would be almost impossible for the British warships to catch up with it.
Just as Maderno was reminiscing about the past, whistles suddenly sounded all around.
This meant that the enemy had been discovered and the Overlook was about to go into battle.
He hurried into the cabin and shouted loudly for the sailors to take their positions - he was the chief boatswain, and this was his duty.
