Outnumbered? I'll conquer America with an unlimited number of suicide soldiers.

"How dare he? How dare Weber?!"

Inside an Italian-style villa on Nob Hill in San Francisco, dark velvet curtains blocked out all light. Democratic lawmakers from San Francisco gathered there, the air thick with tension and anger.

Someone slammed their fist on the table, shouting angrily, "The mayor led a mob into the county jail and announced he was going to hang a police chief who was appointed through legal procedures! Where is the constitution? Where is due process? Where is the order of civilized society?"

Another portly congressman chimed in, "Exactly! He can lynch James Casey today, and he can do the same to any of us tomorrow."

"This precedent must not be set! If civilian commissions are allowed to replace the judicial system, the entire political structure of California will collapse!"

"The American Party went too far this time!"

One of them said in a deep voice, "In my opinion, we should just gather our men and bring Casey back first. Even if he really did it, we and the judicial system should be the ones to try him."

All eyes eventually turned to the end of the long table, where an elderly man wearing gold-rimmed glasses sat.

He is a former California senator and a key figure in the San Francisco Democratic Party.

He tapped the table with his knuckles, and after everyone quieted down, he slowly said, "Gentlemen, the core of the issue is not the life or death of James Casey."

He's just a henchman. The most crucial issue now is that the American Party is trying to replace legal procedures with street violence, thereby usurping power from the entire judicial system.

"So what is your suggestion?" someone asked.

"Take immediate action."

The old man spoke with unwavering resolve: "First, mobilize all forces loyal to us, including officers from the city and county police departments, as well as the private bodyguards you have hired."

After forming an armed force, they went to City Hall demanding the immediate release of Casey and the disbandment of the vigilance committee that had formed an illegal assembly.

"Second, immediately draft a telegram and send it to the state capitol building in Sacramento, to give Governor John Bigler a detailed report on the crisis in San Francisco. It must be made clear that the American Party's actions are tantamount to armed rebellion and that we need assistance."

"To resolve this issue perfectly, the strength of the San Francisco Democratic Party alone is not enough; we must unite the Democratic Party forces across California."

Some hesitated, asking, "But wouldn't this trigger a full-blown conflict between the two parties?"

"The conflict has begun!"

The old man raised his voice, "When Webber led his men into the prison, the first shot of the war was fired. Now is not the time to consider compromise; either we regain jurisdiction, or we lose San Francisco forever!"

After a moment of silence, everyone raised their hands and passed the resolution.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

3 p.m., west side of Portsmouth Square.

A fully armed mixed force consisting of 30 city police officers, 15 county police officers, and more than 20 private bodyguards stormed in front of the city hall building and confronted members of the security committee and the citizens who had not yet dispersed.

Police Chief Blake Monroe stood at the front of the line, took a deep breath, and shouted to the sea of ​​people in the square:

"Citizens, you have violated the provisions of federal and state laws concerning insurrection, riot, and unlawful association, and have also committed the state felony of unlawful imprisonment."

"Now, lay down your weapons, go home obediently, and release Mr. James Casey."

As a law enforcement officer, I pledge to recommend that the district attorney not prosecute the majority of those involved.

If you continue to resist, you will face multiple felony charges, the most serious of which could result in the death penalty!

The crowd opposite fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"He said he would use the law to judge us?"

"Idiots, we outnumber you and have the upper hand. If anyone should be on trial, it's us judging you!"

"To hell with the rebellion! We're saving the city from chaos; you police are the root of all the trouble in San Francisco!"

Among the members of the vigilance committee, a gentleman wearing a silk waistcoat stepped forward, carrying a Sharps rifle.

His gaze swept over the dozens of police officers, his expression calm: "Mr. Blake Monroe, it is the common will of the citizens of San Francisco to bring that criminal to justice."

"You don't need to talk about laws. The laws of this city have long been undermined by you corrupt officials. After all, it's the very laws you're talking about that have allowed a criminal to serve as police chief for the past four years, haven't they?"

Monroe narrowed his eyes and looked at the gentleman who had spoken: "Mr. William Coleman, I remember you. You are the chairman of the Vigilance Committee."

"I must remind you that what you're doing now would be defined as insurrection in any state. Do you really want to be an enemy of the government?"

Upon hearing this, Coleman shouted, "You are the ones who are at odds with the people of San Francisco!"

These words were met with a deafening roar from the square. People raised their guns in support of Coleman.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and many people began to breathe heavily.

"Boss, should we retreat first?"

Monroe's confidant leaned closer and whispered, "The enemy has more than twice our numbers. If we launch a direct assault, I'm afraid all the brothers will perish here."

"Anyway, the councilors only said to bring the person back, so we'll sneak over tonight, organize an elite team, and kidnap them."

Monroe stared at the angry eyes opposite him, then glanced back at the tense faces of his men. After a few seconds of thought, he nodded.

"Order to maintain formation and gradually retreat toward Montgomery Street."

As the police force slowly withdrew, the vigilance committee erupted in triumphant cheers.

"Go back to your mothers, you cowards!"

"You should be ashamed of yourselves, you idiots!"

"Just get out of here, get out of San Francisco!"

"Tell your Democratic masters that San Francisco doesn't welcome them!"

The crowd burst into laughter, mocking the departing police officers.

In the police force, a tall, young white man suddenly stopped.

His face was clearly filled with anger, and he growled, "Fuck you!"

His teammate, who was standing next to him, turned his head curiously to look at him, only to see him fire the revolver in his hand.

boom! boom! boom!

Three shots were fired in quick succession. At the front of the guard committee, three men had a bloody flower bloom on their chests before collapsing to the ground.

The crowd froze.

boom! boom! boom!

Three more shots were fired.

Coleman's left ear suddenly disappeared, and blood spurted out. Two people next to him were shot in the head, and skull fragments and brain matter were scattered on the stone floor.

"The police opened fire!"

"Open fire! Slaughter those bastards!"

The members of the alert committee, finally realizing what was happening, shouted for cover and drew their weapons, firing back at the police.

"Fuck, Mr. Coleman is injured!"

"Fight back! Fight back! Don't let the police get away!"

Gunfire erupted instantly like a torrential downpour; lead bullets whistled through the air, shattering glass, embedding themselves in wooden planks, and breaking bricks and stones.

Monroe lunged at the back of a cargo wagon, nearly spitting blood in anger.

"Damn it, who gave you permission to fire?!"

No one answered him. In the short few dozen seconds after the gunshot, both sides fired wildly, driven by adrenaline and fear. Who cared what others were shouting?

Even if there are still rational people, in this hail of bullets, they must fire at the other side in order to save their own lives.

A dozen minutes later, the gunfire in Portsmouth Square gradually subsided.

Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, the Vigilance Committee, despite suffering more than thirty casualties, completely overwhelmed the police and captured Monroe alive.

As for the remaining police officers, only two or three managed to escape after the members of the Vigilance Committee launched a furious counterattack; the rest were all shot dead in the square.

Nearly a hundred corpses lay scattered around the square, their eyes wide open in death. Blood pooled in the cracks between the stone slabs, forming dark red streams that emitted a strong smell of rust.

Coleman tightly wrapped the torn strips of his shirt around his bleeding right ear wound, glaring fiercely at Monroe, who had been punched several times and had a bruised and swollen face.

"Well done, Chief. You have successfully turned a political standoff into a massacre."

"Tomorrow, you'd better prepare to hang yourself alongside that bastard James Casey!"

Monroe stammered, "Mr. Coleman, I didn't give the order to fire. It was my men who acted on their own."

Coleman, his eyes bloodshot, spat blood at him: "Who the hell cares? All I know is my man is dead, and I've lost hearing in my left ear. And you, and those Democratic bastards, will pay for this!"

He turned to face the square, looked at the survivors, and shouted: "Just now, you witnessed the true face of the Democratic Party!"

They only care about power, so when we ask for justice, they answer with bullets!

"Thirty-four lives, thirty-four fathers, sons, and brothers went to meet the Lord! And all this, simply because we wanted to purge the criminals from the government!"

"Now, what do you suggest we do?"

The square was deathly silent.

Then, a voice rang out: "Hang them."

Then came a cacophony of voices: "Hang them! Hang all the corrupt bureaucrats!"

Coleman raised his arms and shouted, "Citizens, be angry!"

"Citizens, shout!"

"Citizens, let's fight!"

The crowd responded to his shouts, turning into a torrent of anger that surged toward Nob Hill, toward Montgomery Street, and toward the residences of all known Democratic officials.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Fantastic, fucking awesome!"

From the perspective of the police officer who fired the shot, those watching simultaneously in Chinatown applauded.

Yes, the policeman who fired the shot was one of his former henchmen. And after being set on fire and doused with oil, he managed to escape.

"Now, the American party and the Democratic Party are going to beat the dogs out of their wits."

Guilliman, who was standing nearby, said, "My lord, there is something we must be wary of."

"What is it?" Zeng turned his head curiously.

Guilliman said slowly, "The American Party is a severely xenophobic party, and now that they control the entire city, it means they can mobilize tens of thousands of white supremacists at any time."

"Once their attention shifts away from the Democrats, Chinatown, which is entirely populated by Chinese, will be at great risk."

He stroked his chin and said, "You mean, support the Democrats in San Francisco? To keep them in check on the American Party?"

To everyone's surprise, Guilliman shook his head and said, "No, there's no need to support the Democratic officials in San Francisco. Rather, their downfall is beneficial to our subsequent plans."

"The people we're supporting are the Democrats in San Francisco and Sacramento, or more precisely, that governor."

He tilted his head and said, "Huh?"

Guilliman explained, "Removing the influence of the American Party and the Democratic Party in San Francisco will be beneficial for our future control of the city. Right now, the Democratic Party in San Francisco is basically powerless against the American Party, which controls public opinion."

At this point, we should use the name of that Democratic governor to take down the American Party and the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco.

He became interested and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Guilliman said, "Have Hosea in Sacramento meet with the governor and tell him that there is an 'armed caravan loyal to the state government' willing to help restore order in San Francisco and do their part for the Democratic Party."

"I had previously checked the information, and since the state government only recently moved to Sacramento, neither the California standing armed forces nor the state government-owned militia have been established."

Furthermore, since most cities in Northern California support the American and Whig parties, and the Democratic Party's support is mainly concentrated in Southern California, this means that the Democratic Party currently lacks the power to quell the riots in Northern California.

"If the Democrats don't want to lose San Francisco completely and become a laughing stock, they will definitely agree to Hosea."

He paused, picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and continued, "This has three advantages for us."

"First, it would provide a legitimate reason to eliminate the American Party forces in San Francisco and protect Chinatown from harm."

"Secondly, we can use this opportunity to get the governor to grant us some of our requests, such as in exchange for land rights, mining permits, and trade concessions."

"Third, it paves the way for the Chinese Self-Defense Force to become more public. As long as Hosea conscripts us in the name of the governor's authorization, the armed forces in Chinatown can legitimately appear in San Francisco."

He nodded and said, "Guilliman, then do as you wish."

"Just tell me how many men and weapons you need, and I'll send them all to you and put you in charge."

After saying that, he turned his head to look at Jianyuan on the other side.

"Jianyuan, have Su Song inform the people of the Six Guild Halls that there is a riot in San Francisco, and tell them to prepare for self-defense while also helping to build some fortifications at the street corners."

You lead our men to patrol Chinatown day and night without stopping. Anyone who dares to storm Chinatown, intending to loot, vandalize, or burn, should be shot dead on sight.

Jian Yuan bowed: "Yes, my lord."