The arrogance started from Chinatown

Chapter 649 Purchase of a Fifth State
"Did you find out what happened last night?" Ouyang Ming asked the embassy staff in the morning.

"Something happened at the Russian embassy. All the people in the embassy are dead!"

Ouyang Ming was silent for a long time before he said, "You are acting recklessly!"

He didn't even have to think about it to know who did it.

In the United States, no one would do this except Chen Zhengwei.

And he even thought of the reason, the previous Sino-Russian Ili Treaty.

The Sino-Russian Treaty of Ili signed two years ago caused a lot of opposition. From the public to the court, almost everyone opposed it.

Chonghou, who signed the contract on his own initiative, ran back to the capital without notifying anyone and was thrown into jail.

Later, he was released after donating 30 silver coins.

The Sino-Russian Ili Treaty was a significant improvement over the previous one, but it still resulted in the loss of a large amount of land and retained Russia's commercial privileges. It was also an unequal treaty.

However, Zeng Jize managed to take back a large tract of land from Tsarist Russia under the premise of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Ili, which is also commendable.

This was a rare occasion in recent decades when the Qing Dynasty suffered little diplomatic loss.

He was quite surprised by Chen Zhengwei's big reaction to this matter.

"By the way, what did the NYPD say?"

"No news yet. I've asked someone to inquire. I'll report to you as soon as I get the news!"

Ouyang Ming nodded. The death of the Russian ambassador was not a big deal, but it was not a small matter either. The envoys of various countries would definitely feel grief over the death of the Russian ambassador. It was unknown how they would react.

However, what exceeded his expectations was that the envoys from various countries hardly talked about this matter.

Now everyone knows Chen Zhengwei's character. Unless there are some necessary reasons, no one wants to conflict with him, let alone be remembered by him.

This is the deterrence brought about by the things Chen Zhengwei has done in the past two years.

What's more, Chen Zhengwei still has penicillin.

However, this time the New York police reported the news very quickly. After counting the bodies inside the Russian embassy, they discovered that three people were suspected to be missing. The initial judgment was that it was a deliberate internal conflict.

The three missing people must have fled for fear of being punished.

It is very likely related to the assassination of the Tsar.

With all the attention recently focused on the assassination of Tsar Alexander II and the rebellion in Louisiana, even fewer people paid attention to this matter.

However, the details of the assassination of Alexander II have been made public. The assassins were a radical revolutionary group called "People's Will".

In addition, after the Black Panthers occupied the city of Hancock, reporters finally interviewed them.

The reporter was arranged by Chen Zhengwei.

No one understands the importance of public opinion better than Chen Zhengwei. In the mainstream media, the Black Panther Army is a group of thugs who only know how to destroy, although this is indeed the case.

“We are no longer slaves legally, but in the eyes of many people, we are still slaves.”

"We must fight for our rights, not only for ourselves, but also for our six million compatriots."

"What we want is justice, for white and black people to stand under the same sky."

"We want to have our own city, our own congressmen, our own shops, and we want our children to be able to live without worries."

"After the Civil War, the government gave us the right to run for office and to vote, but now states are taking that away and trying to turn us back into slavery."

"So we must fight! Until someone gives us justice!"

Nathaniel's words appeared in the newspaper, which aroused the outrage among black people across the United States and gained them more sympathy.

At least other ethnic groups' views on them have changed a little.

"Too naive! No vision!" Chen Zhengwei sneered while holding the newspaper.

"In this situation, other ethnic groups must be brought into the picture. When I was in Chicago, every sentence I said involved other ethnic groups. Black people, Poles, Italians, Jews! Their situations are only slightly better than those of black people! The demands of black people are also their demands."

"Look at this one, it's all about black people, and he completely abandons attracting other ethnic groups. The support he can get from other ethnic groups is pitifully little." Chen Zhengwei smiled and threw the newspaper into the trash can.

Taking out his pocket watch and looking at it, Chen Zhengwei stood up from the sofa, holding his knees.

"Give me the clothes!"

He took the coat that Wanyun handed over and put it on.

"When will you be back?" Lin Changning said, holding the child.

Jindan never kissed Chen Zhengwei. Every time Lin Changning stuffed Jindan into Chen Zhengwei's arms, Jindan would cry as if he saw a ghost.

"It's just a trip to Oregon. You'll be back in a week at most!" Chen Zhengwei said casually.

Oregon is just north of California, and as a neighbor for so long, we have to give them a chance to get to know ourselves.

Buy some land while you're at it.

Oregon does not have many resources, mainly agricultural resources, and the other is close to the sea.

Although there are some gold, silver, copper and coal mines, the potential is not great.

In Chen Zhengwei's opinion, the most valuable thing there is the land.

There is a large amount of undeveloped land there, and the price is very cheap, a few dollars an acre and nearly $1000 a square kilometer.

However, what Chen Zhengwei wanted to buy was not a small amount. He felt that a few dozen dollars per square kilometer would be more appropriate, so he had to go there in person.

Chen Zhengwei went out and got on the carriage. Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the dock and took a group of people on board the San Francisco to Oregon in the north.

A day later, the San Francisco sailed into Portland, Oregon's largest port, just over two hours by train from Salem, the capital of Oregon.

Seeing the warship and the cannon on the bow, many workers on the dock stopped and stood there looking.

They knew where the ship came from and who owned it.

In fact, the civilians here are not averse to Chen Zhengwei.

Because last year San Francisco's population skyrocketed from over 20 to over 40, making it a prosperous big city. It also opened up trade between China and South America. Various industries have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, and ordinary people can find a good job as long as they are willing to work hard.

And this matter was supported and promoted by Chen Zhengwei behind the scenes.

Portland’s population is less than 2… The common people here often discuss San Francisco in bars, and they envy its development.

At this time, in addition to the workers, there was a group of well-dressed people waiting quietly at the dock.

Then everyone saw the gangway being lowered and a tall and strong man getting off the boat, followed by members of the security company in hunting suits who filed off the boat.

"Welcome, Mr. Chen! Welcome here, I am Governor Watkins Littlefield Thorpe!" A white old man in his fifties took a few steps forward with a warm look on his face.

“I hope this place can leave Mr. Chen with good times and memories!”

"Seeing Governor Thorpe, I think I will definitely leave good memories here!" Chen Zhengwei laughed and shook hands with the other party.

Chen Zhengwei's hands are large and dry. Although there are few calluses, they are full of strength.

Governor Thorpe felt that his hands were completely covered, and he even suspected that Chen Zhengwei's hands could pinch a person's head and lift him up.

After Governor Thorpe withdrew his hand, he introduced the other people behind him to Chen Zhengwei.

Including the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state attorney general, state Republican chairman...

After learning that Chen Zhengwei was going to invest here, almost all the important figures in the state came to greet him. Being neighbors with Chen Zhengwei, they were almost always on edge. When Chen Zhengwei was in Texas, he even had the fleet conduct exercises in the waters of Oregon to put pressure on the White House.

Celebrities in Oregon worry almost every day that Chen Zhengwei will call them suddenly.

Even though the relationship between Chen Zhengwei and the White House has eased now, they have not completely relaxed.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Chen Zhengwei has actually become a big warlord, and even the White House can't do anything to him.

Who knows what he could do, and if he really wanted to invade Oregon, no one could stop him.

At this time, Chen Zhengwei came in person to discuss investment, and they were very happy.

I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"We have prepared a banquet for Mr. Chen in Salem! Please come with us to Salem, Mr. Chen. The train is ready!"

Chen Zhengwei nodded, and took a carriage with everyone to the train station, and then got on a luxury carriage.

Chen Zhengwei only brought more than a hundred people as bodyguards this time.

After all, a man of his status always has to be a bit grand when he goes out.

Along the way, Watkins Thorpe kept introducing the natural scenery along the way.

He was not in a hurry to find out why Chen Zhengwei came. He first invited Chen Zhengwei to the banquet to make Chen Zhengwei happy, and then talked.

This is at least safer.

When he arrived in Salem, a manor was arranged for Chen Zhengwei to live in for the time being, and even the tableware, bedding and pillows were new.

The main focus is enthusiasm and meticulousness.

"Mr. Chen, you must be tired after the journey. You can take a rest first. The banquet will start at six o'clock in the evening, which is still four hours away!" Watkins Thorpe said with a smile.

"If there is anything you are not satisfied with, you can always raise it. The people arranged by the state government are right outside the manor!"

"I'm now looking forward to the banquet tonight!" Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

Watkins Thorpe wiped the sweat from his head only after the others left.

Finally passed the first level.

Even if the president came, they wouldn't be so nervous.

In the evening, the Oregon State Government Building was visited by the state's dignitaries and some of the richest people in the state.

After everyone arrived, they chatted in the hall until the time was up, and then Chen Zhengwei led them in slowly.

In addition to many gentlemen, there were also some ladies and young ladies in the hall.

The entire state of Oregon has a population of only 17, less than half of San Francisco. Chen Zhengwei feels that even the politicians and wealthy people here have a rural feel.

"This is the protagonist of today's banquet. I'm sure you all know who he is without me having to tell you. He is Mr. Chen from San Francisco."

Chen Zhengwei walked forward with a smile, and then said, "The United States is divided into the North and the South, and the East and the West. California and Oregon are close neighbors, and we are real neighbors. We have been neighbors for so long, I think I should give you a chance to get to know me!"

Chen Zhengwei's attitude was full of unbridled arrogance, and those gentlemen smiled and nodded.

Even if I feel that something is wrong, I dare not express it.

However, the young ladies looked at Chen Zhengwei with shining eyes.

Cicely Dupont's books have long been circulated here. They are the most popular books in the past two years, and almost every young lady has a copy in her drawer.

Now that they had seen with their own eyes how domineering Chen Zhengwei was, they felt that Cicely DuPont was truly blessed.

“We are closer both geographically and emotionally. California is taking off because of opportunities, and I hope to bring some changes to Oregon.”

There was thunderous applause.

Everyone was smiling but also surprised in their hearts. They didn't expect Chen Zhengwei to say such a thing.

In fact, Chen Zhengwei is very good at talking, it just depends on whether he wants to or not.

Most of the time he didn't want to.

Coupled with his body shape and temperament...so many times, other people can sense a sense of contradiction.

Chen Zhengwei attended the banquet for an hour and then disappeared in the banquet hall with the two ladies.

……

It was not until the next day that Chen Zhengwei got up from the bed and went to take a shower, feeling inexplicably unhappy.

I smoked a cigar and felt better.

After changing his clothes and going out, Chen Zhengwei had lunch with Governor Watkins Thorpe, which consisted of steak, lobster, salmon and berries.

"Governor Thorpe, I came here this time to buy some land! Oregon is very suitable for agricultural development!" Chen Zhengwei said while eating.

"How much does Mr. Chen want to buy?" Watkins Thorpe knew that the real show was about to begin.

"A lot! Oregon has a large amount of undeveloped land, and I plan to buy 50,000 square kilometers!" Chen Zhengwei looked up at the other party while eating.

Watkins Thorpe's movements suddenly froze.

You have to know that Oregon only has 25 square kilometers of land.

Chen Zhengwei wants to buy one-fifth... This is totally impossible, as it would be a monopoly on the land.

Not to mention anything else, the huge pressure from public opinion alone is enough to make him suffer.

He didn't even have to think about how the people would react if Oregon sold one-fifth of the state to Chen Zhengwei.

"Mr. Chen, I really want to help you. But 50,000 square kilometers of land is too much, it's difficult!" Watkins Thorpe looked embarrassed.

It's not just difficult, it's simply impossible.

"If it wasn't difficult, I wouldn't be here. There are many difficulties in this world, but difficulties are meant to be solved." Chen Zhengwei said slowly.

"Of course, you will get enough in return, as well as other officials. In addition, I will donate some election funds to the state Republican Party."

Chen Zhengwei raised his glass and gestured, and Watkins Thorpe quickly raised his glass and clinked it with his.

Chen Zhengwei continued, "It's difficult to sell 160 square kilometers of land to one person, but it's OK if it's distributed among individuals. For example, if there are people, each of them has acres, which complies with the Homestead Act."

"In addition, we can promote some supplementary and revised laws, such as allowing 320 acres of dry land. Then designate some land as dry land..."

"This requires federal legislation!" Watkins Thorpe said immediately.

I have to say, this is indeed a solution.

"I can handle this!" said Chen Zhengwei.

"Also, the state government can set aside some land for industrial use, or develop special economic zones, and rent it to me at a low price for a long term, which can also solve part of the problem."

Chen Zhengwei smiled at the other person.

Since he came, he was already prepared.

"Then we can also hold a portion of it through different companies! That solves the problem."

(End of this chapter)