America 1881: Legend of the West

After Chen Jianqiu put down the phone, he planned to visit Congressman Hauke.

He and this congressman were considered to be gentlemen, they knew each other, but their relationship was not very deep.

Hawke is a very upright person, but also very stubborn. Chen Jianqiu has his own way of dealing with such people.

He didn't bring any money or expensive gifts, he just carried his own small bag.

Haoke received Chen Jianqiu in his office.

Unlike the gang of idiots in the British House of Commons, American congressmen have their own offices on Capitol Hill.

As the "nail house" of the House of Representatives, Hauke's office reveals a sense of time.

After all, other people's offices often change owners, but his office has been his for more than ten years and has not changed.

Haoke did not let Chen Jianqiu go to his home.

He believed that he had always been aboveboard in his work and there was no need to be secretive, so he let Chen Jianqiu come to his office in full view of the lawmakers.

"Mr. Chen, what brought you to see me today?" Hauke ​​stood up from his seat and said to Chen Jianqiu.

"Oh, Mr. Hauke, on behalf of the Chinese people, I am here to express my gratitude for your remarks in parliament not long ago." Chen Jianqiu stretched out his hand, "By the way, I would like to send you a gift on behalf of them."

Hauke ​​looked a little proud.

"Mr. Chen, what I said in parliament was not for anyone, let alone asking for anything in return."

"I just feel that in a country where democracy, freedom and equality are the foundation of the country, it is a shame that such a bill appears! I don't want the right voices to be buried, and I don't want this country to lose its soul from now on!"

"You misunderstood, Mr. Hauke."

Chen Jianqiu took out a folded piece of paper from the safekeeping box and handed it to Hawke.

Hauke ​​hesitated and opened the paper.

This is a joint letter expressing gratitude to Hauke.

Under the letter, there are hundreds of Chinese names signed in different handwritings.

"The signatures are all representatives of the Chinese people in the United States. Some of them are workers, some are farmers, some are businessmen, some are doctors and teachers, and some are students studying at Stanford University."

“When you spoke uprightly in the House of Representatives eighteen years ago, some of them were still babies, and now they have grown up!”

Chen Jianqiu pointed to the names below and said to Haoke.

"We all sincerely express our gratitude to you. Maybe you don't think this is something worth writing about, but in the eyes of us Chinese in the United States, it is a torch in the darkness."

"There are still people in this country who were willing to speak up for the disadvantaged 18 years ago, and they are still willing to speak up for the disadvantaged 18 years later, which shows that America's conscience has not been completely wiped out."

"We know that you do this without asking for anything in return, but the Chinese community will always remember those who are kind to them."

Hauke ​​looked at these densely packed names and didn't know what to say for a moment.

He was very touched.

In fact, he does not have a particularly deep understanding of the Chinese, nor does he have many contacts, even with Wang Qingfu, who is also in the House of Representatives.

Repaying kindness is a virtue.

People who help others do not need to ask for anything in return, but no one wants the story of the farmer and the snake to happen to them.

"I will keep this gift well, thank you."

The congressman put away the joint letter and held Chen Jianqiu's extended hand.

He sighed and said regretfully: "It's just a pity that it didn't succeed in the end."

"I talked to Mr. President, and he told me that the problem shouldn't be big, but I didn't expect that the resistance I encountered in the House of Representatives would be so great!"

"Mr. President did it on purpose."

Chen Jianqiu said suddenly.

His voice was not loud, but it was like a thunder in Hauke's ears.

He was lost in thought.

"The military reform plan proposed by the Ministry of War before your proposal is basically the same situation."

"Mr. President doesn't want these two proposals to be passed, but he doesn't want to publicly stand on the opposite side before he can figure out the depth behind them, so he asked you to send these two proposals to him without prior communication. To the House of Representatives.”

"Behind the former is the army, and behind the latter is me and the Chinese community."

"He doesn't want to break up with these two for the time being, especially when he doesn't get enough support."

Chen Jianqiu said calmly.

"So, we were sold?" Hauke ​​frowned.

"That's right." Chen Jianqiu patted Haoke on the shoulder, "But as long as our goal is firm, there will be no problem."

"We should be making this country better, not worse."

Chen Jianqiu looked out the window and suddenly laughed: "But this is fine, there will definitely be ghosts and monsters coming out."

McKinley was not sure whether his little thoughts could be hidden from Chen Jianqiu, but at least for now, Chen Jianqiu should not be able to attack him openly.

The president wanted to determine Hanna's attitude first.

He was keenly aware that his former die-hard ally seemed different from before.

The senator arrived as promised.

"Hanna, do you think the military reform plan can be passed in the Senate?"

In the Oval Office of the White House, President McKinley stared at Hanna sitting in front of him and asked.

"I think it may need to be revised. The issues raised in the House of Representatives will also be encountered in the Senate." Hanna quickly replied, as if he had thought about it for a long time, "The direction is right, but it needs to be addressed." Polishing the details.”

McKinley touched his chin, and asked a second question: "If the military reform plan still fails to pass, will it affect our next general election?"

The veins in Hannah's temples pulsed.

His voice suddenly became softer.

"William, on the issue of the general election, I support you from beginning to end."

But then he changed the subject:
"However, William, you have to know that the military reform plan involves the future of the United States, so it must be passed."

McKinley nodded.

He already got the answer he wanted from Hanna.

Hanna will still support himself, but he also has his own interests.

He even represents the views of many elites in the Republican Party.

The president watched his old partner leave the office.

His head started to hurt. Damn Chen Jianqiu.

Could it be that the Chinese influence has already reached out to his old partner?
The president felt a chill running down his spine.

But if his old partner Hannah is no longer as close to him, then who else in the Republican Party is trustworthy?
McKinley suddenly thought of the envelope with the Masonic stamp.

It was that letter that gave me a reminder.

Masonic?
McKinley knew about this organization, but he was not a member of it.

Since they sent this letter to me, it means that some of them are standing against Chen Jianqiu.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Is it possible to form an alliance with them?

Just as the president was resting his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

The door opened and a head appeared in the doorway.

It was the president's secretary, George B. Cortelyou.

"Mr. President, Congressman Cahill wants to see you."

McKinley raised his head and glanced at his secretary with a confused look.

Congressman Cahill?
This person is a senator from Ohio.

Ohio is Rockefeller's territory, and it is said that this man has close ties with the oil tycoon.

What does it mean that he comes to the White House to see me at this time?
"Let him in," McKinley said after a moment's thought.

The secretary's head shrank back.

The door was opened.

After a while, the secretary appeared at the door with Cahill.

McKinley waved at Cortelyou, motioning him to leave, and then closed the office door.

When there were only two people left in the office, Cahill expressed his purpose.

"Mr. President, on behalf of Mr. Rockefeller, I would like to convey to you some of his thoughts." The congressman said.

"What's your idea?" The president crossed his fingers and placed them on his large antique desk.

"Mr. Rockefeller believes that the Chinese group headed by Chen Jianqiu is becoming a threat to the federal government, and he hopes that the president can consider taking measures earlier," Cahill said bluntly.

"Oh? Really? Is there any basis for that? You have to know that his words are not only directed at one person, but also an accusation against an entire ethnic group."

The president asked, looking intently at Cahill.

But Cahill didn't accept the challenge at all.

"Mr. President, you should know this issue better than us," he said. "As long as you stand firm, Rockefeller and the Freemasons will fully support you to continue to serve as the next president. He will bear all the campaign expenses."

"Mr. Rockefeller should know that only a united Republican Party can be competitive. I will not divide the party over these trivial matters." McKinley still did not give in.

"You worry too much, Mr. President." Cahill smiled. "As long as the Freemasons stand on your side, the presidency will not fall to others."

McKinley remained noncommittal.

"I am just conveying Mr. Rockefeller's meaning. Now that I have conveyed his meaning, I can leave." Cahill stood up and turned to leave.
"Next time, if Mr. Rockefeller has anything to say, just tell him to come over and tell us directly. There's no need to send photos and letters anonymously." The president's voice suddenly rang out behind him.

Cahill paused.

"Okay, Mr. President, I'll take your message to you."

After Cahill came out of the White House and returned to his office, he called Rockefeller.

Rockefeller was not at his Cleveland headquarters at this time.

He was inspecting one of his new refineries in New York state.

Chimneys stand in the factory area, and the black smoke from the chimneys floats into the air, giving a sense of beauty from the industrial age.

Rockefeller, with his hands behind his back, walked around the factory accompanied by many people.

The Ford company invested by Chen Jianqiu was promoting their cars everywhere, but they didn't know that this device that replaced horse-drawn carriages once again promoted the development of their own oil refining industry.

Originally, the most popular commodity was kerosene, but now there is also a demand for gasoline.

The Stone Tycoon couldn't help but want to laugh.

Chen Jianqiu, ah, Chen Jianqiu, you also have confused moments.

Just as Rockefeller was lost in thought, his assistant ran over from the direction of the office building, leaned close to his ear, and whispered to him the situation on Cahill's side.

Rockefeller turned around and waved to the group of people following him, signaling them to go back first.

"Has the president decided to form an alliance with us?" he asked, tilting his head.

"That's probably the correct explanation." The assistant thought for a moment and replied, "It seems like he has no other choice."

Rockefeller was very satisfied.

Everything seems to be good today.

"I have prepared a lot of 'gifts' for Chen Jianqiu. Don't be in a hurry. Just play with him first and we can take our time." The oil tycoon couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

"The president also said," the assistant continued.

"What else can you say?"

"He told you to stop sending him anonymous photos."

"Photos? Anonymous? What the hell?" Rockefeller was confused when he heard his assistant say that. "I have never sent him any photos!"

He looked at his assistant: "Did you send it?"

The assistant shook his head.

However, while Stone Tycoon was still pondering, another person trotted over from the office building.

He brought "good news".

The Standard Oil Trust, in New York State, was sued.

The reason was that they violated the Antitrust Act of 1890.

The defendants are all Standard Oil plants and companies in New York State, including the refinery he visited today.

Before his "gift" was given to Chen Jianqiu, Chen Jianqiu's "gift" to him arrived first. (End of this chapter)