North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 122 Kick their asses hard! (Seeking monthly votes)
Washington, D.C., the Vice President's office.

Vice President Millard Fillmore and Abraham Lincoln sat facing each other.

"Abraham, I'm so sorry, those Southerners were putting too much pressure on me!"

Vice President Millard Fillmore said with regret, “President Zachary Taylor’s health is deteriorating. I visited him yesterday. The president is now almost bedridden, and his consciousness fluctuates between lucidity and confusion!”

"I think the president doesn't have much time left, maybe just two or three months."

Vice President Millard Fillmore added, “As a close friend within the Whig Party, I have great trust in your abilities and character! Abraham, after the President’s passing, I very much hope that you will serve as Vice President.”

"However, your advocacy of abolitionism is too radical and has offended too many people. Both openly and privately, those Southerners have issued me the strongest warnings that if you were to become vice president, they would stand against me and oppose any political proposals I might make in the future."

Vice President Millard Fillmore looked grim: "Abraham, you know, the Southerners are still very powerful. If I let them oppose everything I do in the White House and on Capitol Hill, my future could be in serious jeopardy!"

"Therefore, I regret to inform you that I cannot choose you as my vice president despite such immense pressure!"

Abraham Lincoln remained silent until Vice President Millard Fillmore finished speaking, at which point he calmly said, “Mr. Vice President, if the President dies, you will automatically become Acting President until the next election in 1854, according to the Constitution of the United States.”

"Mr. Vice President, have you thought about how you will win the next election three years from now?"

“This…!” Vice President Fillmore was clearly not expected Lincoln to ask this question, and he fell into deep thought.

Lincoln continued, “Mr. Vice President, in present-day America, the Northern states have a population of over twenty million, account for more than 90% of industrial output, and own more than 70% of the railroads. Even in agriculture, the Northern states produce more than 80% of the wheat.”

"The Southern states have a population of less than ten million, 40% of whom are enslaved blacks without citizenship or the right to vote! Although they produce over 90% of the cotton, they produce very little grain."

"Internationally, the call to abolish slavery is growing louder, and our efforts to promote the abolition movement can gain widespread international support."

"The Southern states, which persisted in slavery, were isolated internationally."

Lincoln's voice was filled with unwavering resolve: "Mr. Vice President, if you want to win the next election in three years, you must stand firmly on the side of the Northern states and firmly on the side of abolitionism!"

“Mr. Vice President, if you compromise with those Southerners and prepare to be a fence-sitter, then three years from now, there is no doubt that you will lose the election very badly!”

"To put it nicely, you're now a moderate neutral party. To put it bluntly, you're now a fence-sitter who pleases neither side!"

"If you persist in this fence-sitting stance, you will gain neither the support of the northerners nor the southerners! Three years later, you will have gained nothing!"

Lincoln added, "Even during your three years as acting president, if you do not have the support of the people of the North, all your political agendas will be completely and utterly impossible to implement!"

"While I may not represent the people of the North, I believe I can represent those who are most determined to promote abolition!"

“Mr. Vice President, by choosing me as your running mate, you are demonstrating to all the people of the North that you stand firmly on their side and firmly on the side of abolitionism!”

“Mr. Vice President, choosing me as your running mate will bring you tremendous political prestige! You will also gain the support of countless people!”

“Mr. Vice President, those Southerners who oppose us are all bark and no bite! In Washington, the voice of the Northern people is still the loudest and most powerful!”

Lincoln concluded, "So, Mr. Vice President, what are you still hesitating about?"

These words enlightened Vice President Fillmore, but also surprised him: "Abraham, I didn't expect that after resigning as a member of Congress under pressure from the Southerners, your determination to abolish slavery would become even stronger!"

Abraham Lincoln nodded and said, "Yes! Since my long conversation with that gentleman in the West, in San Francisco, I have come to fully understand the mission I bear, and my resolve has been strengthened!"

"That gentleman is right. Only by abolishing slavery can our America become a free, democratic, and modern nation!"

"If we allow the malignant tumor of slavery to exist and spread on American soil, there will be no fairness, justice, or freedom whatsoever!"

“That gentleman…?” Vice President Fillmore asked curiously, “Who is he?”

"His surname is Li, and he is a remarkable Chinese man!"

“A Chinese…?” Vice President Fillmore was even more astonished: “It’s unbelievable that a Chinese person could say such a thing!”

"Yes! He is an incredible person!"

Seeing that Vice President Fillmore was still hesitating, Lincoln changed the subject: "Mr. Vice President, I am setting up a new newspaper in Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore."

"These five newspapers are all large-scale newspapers with significant investments and high circulation. It is expected that their inaugural issues will be released by the end of this month!"

"With these five newspapers, I will be able to let more people hear my voice, understand and support my political views."

"With these five newspapers, the abolitionist movement will reach a new peak!"

"With these five newspapers, I will gain more support from the people of the North!"

“Mr. Vice President, this is a tremendous political resource! If you choose me as your running mate, I will share this political resource with you!”

“Oh my God!” Vice President Fillmore exclaimed in a low voice, “Abraham, where did you get the money to start five major newspapers at the same time? As far as I know, you’ve always been a poor lawyer…!”

“That’s right, I’ve always been a poor lawyer! But I’ve secured a large investment to advance our business,” Lincoln replied.

Vice President Fillmore could not hide his shock: "A huge investment... five major newspapers, that must be at least four or five hundred thousand dollars, right? Oh my God, who would have such a big budget?"

"Well, I'm sorry, that big-money investor needs to remain a secret for now!" Lincoln said. "But, Mr. Vice President, please believe me, there are many powerful supporters for our cause behind the scenes!"

Abraham Lincoln's words clearly resonated with Vice President Fillmore.

But a lingering worry remained in his mind: "Abraham, those Southerners...!"

Lincoln interrupted him directly, saying, "I'll deal with those Southerners! Their target is me, not you! Only if I become your deputy can the power of those Southerners be balanced. If you give in and compromise this time, you will be manipulated by those Southerners for the next three years!"

This sentence finally touched the deepest part of President Fillmore's heart!

No politician wants their authority or power to be threatened or shared.

In the coming months, Vice President Fillmore is highly likely to become acting president. The word "acting" alone determines that he will inevitably become a weak president.

It is precisely because of the lack of his own team, his own power, and public support that a weak president is destined to compromise with various political forces. Otherwise, weakness will turn into lameness, and lameness may lead to impeachment...!
But deep down, Vice President Fillmore absolutely does not want to be a weak president whose authority is threatened and whose power is shared.

Therefore, Vice President Fillmore needs a strong ally.

Those Southerners certainly couldn't choose that path, otherwise they would be scorned by the more powerful Northern forces.

Of all those who represented the Northern states, Abraham Lincoln was undoubtedly the best choice.

This former House of Representative, who came from humble beginnings, was young, courageous, energetic, and determined, relentlessly pursuing his goals.

More importantly, compared to other Whig bigwigs with deep roots, Abraham Lincoln, whose roots were still relatively shallow, seemed undoubtedly easier to control!

So, after much deliberation, Vice President Fillmore finally reached out to Abraham Lincoln!
“Abraham, you have convinced me!” Vice President Fillmore clasped Abraham Lincoln’s hand tightly. “For the next three years, you will be my deputy!”

Upon hearing this affirmative answer, Abraham Lincoln breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

"Mr. Vice President, it is my honor to be your deputy!"

Lincoln remained as calm as ever: "Mr. Vice President, let's kick those Southerners' asses hard!" "Hahaha!" Vice President Fillmore laughed heartily: "That's right! Let's kick those Southerners' asses hard!"

A few months ago, the path to power that Ah Zu had planned for him finally took its crucial first step!
Abraham Lincoln, however, did not feel any relief; on the contrary, he felt that the road ahead was even longer and more difficult!
-
A similar conversation was taking place in the study of the Rosewood Hotel in San Francisco.

Mr. Burnett, the former interim governor who had been silent for a long time, knocked on the door cautiously with a nervous heart.

"Beep beep beep...!"

Hearing the knock on the door, Ah Zu said, "Come in!"

"Ahem...!" Burnett took off his top hat and tidied his clothes and appearance one last time.

Then, Burnett politely pushed open the door and entered.

“Mr. Li, it is a great honor to have the opportunity to see you again!” Burnett maintained a low profile and the most humble attitude possible.

Azu, who was exchanging information with Monica, looked up and saw former interim governor Burnett, who was holding his top hat with both hands and was unusually low-key and humble.

"Mr. Burnett, it's been a long time!"

Azu smiled slightly, stood up, and shook hands with Burnett.

Monica poured each of them a glass of wine.

Azu raised his glass and lightly clinked it against the restless Burnett.

“Mr. Burnett, we haven’t heard your name since you resigned as interim governor. What have you been up to all this time?”

Faced with Azu's question, Burnett gave a wry smile: "What else can I be busy with? I can only do what I'm used to, being a lawyer!"

"In this land, being a lawyer is undoubtedly a respected and good profession. I suppose Mr. Burnett is doing well, so why did he suddenly want to see me?"

Azu smiled faintly and said, "I don't handle any legal business here, so I'm sorry to trouble you, Mr. Burnett!"

“This…!” Burnett gave another bitter laugh: “Mr. Lee, as you know, during my time as interim governor, some unnecessary misunderstandings occurred between us!”

“Throughout San Francisco, and even throughout California, many people know about those little misunderstandings between Mr. Li and me.”

"Because of this, very few people dare to come to me for legal problems...!"

Azu said, "Really? I never imagined that my reputation would grow to the point of affecting Mr. Burnett's legal practice!"

"Now, in San Francisco and throughout California, I think no one would dare to cause trouble for Mr. Li anymore!"

Burnett said nervously, "Therefore, I sincerely apologize to Mr. Li for my past arrogance, recklessness, and foolishness! I hope to gain your understanding!"

Azu smiled slightly: "Mr. Burnett, you don't really need to apologize. After all, there hasn't been any real conflict between us. We have neither personal grudges nor any conflict of interest, is that right?"

"Yes, yes, of course, of course...!"

Burnett wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief: "It's wonderful to have Mr. Li's understanding."

"Mr. Burnett, is there anything else?"

"Uh... well, I think... there shouldn't be any more, right?" Burnett said nervously, about to get up.

The series of events that have occurred in San Francisco and throughout California in recent months have left Burnett feeling uneasy.

Whether it was Major Cameron, who commanded an elite Ranger battalion, or the cunning Brosnan, they were both played to death by this Chinese man one after another.

For a small-time lawyer like myself, with no connections and little political experience, if this Chinese man wanted me dead, it would be a piece of cake.

After receiving Azu's forgiveness, Burnett was determined to leave San Francisco and California as quickly as possible.

He no longer dared to have any hope of returning to politics or getting a state legislator seat.

Otherwise, sooner or later, you won't even know how you died!

As Burnett got up to leave, Azu calmly spoke up, "Mr. Burnett, if you have nothing else to say, then I'll tell you what's on my mind, shall I?"

"Mr. Li, is there anything else you need?" Burnett, who had just gotten up from his chair, quickly sat back down.

"I heard Allen mention that you want his support to run for state legislator and re-enter politics, is that right?"

“Yes!” Burnett said tremblingly, “But that was before Brosnan resigned and committed suicide. Now, I’m preparing to leave California…!”

“No, no, no!” Azu said, “California is now full of vitality and vitality, brimming with countless opportunities and wealth. It is not a good choice for Mr. Burnett to leave California at this time.”

"So, Mr. Li's meaning is...?"

“Mr. Burnett, if I may be so bold, your political wisdom and experience are not actually suited for a career in politics.”

Azu continued, “Mr. Burnett, I think you should leverage your legal expertise and seek development within the judiciary.”

“This…!” Burnett said, “Of course I would like to have a place in the California judicial system, but there is no suitable position at the moment, and no strong recommender.”

“Let’s get straight to the point, Mr. Burnett, are you interested in the position of Chief Justice of the State Court?” Azu asked directly.

"Huh...? Excuse me, Mr. Li, what did you say?" Burnett could hardly believe his ears.

Azu took a small sip of his drink before continuing, "The position of interim governor of California is currently vacant, and Dr. Parker Parker, who recently returned from China, is said to be the strongest contender for the position."

“Once Dr. Parker Parker becomes interim governor, he will certainly want to have trustworthy people in the state courts.”

Burnett had heard of Dr. Parker Parker before.

It is said that this Peter Parker was a medical doctor from Yale University and the first medical missionary sent to China by the Presbyterian Church in North America.

Not long after his return, Mr. Parker became the general manager of Huamei Pharmaceutical Factory and one of the core figures of the Huamei Group.

The people from Huamei Industry are, of course, the same people as this young Chinese man in front of me!
Azu continued, "As far as I know, the state court has only been established for a few months, and there is still no suitable candidate for chief judge, so the position is temporarily vacant."

"In my opinion, Mr. Burnett is a seasoned lawyer with sufficient professional knowledge. Moreover, he has served as interim governor. Both his qualifications and professional level are sufficient to serve as chief judge."

“If Mr. Burnett is willing, I think I can recommend him to the State Legislature and the future interim governor for the position of Chief Justice of the State!”

"Ah...? This...!" Burnett calmed his wildly beating heart: "Mr. Lee, are you serious? You really want to recommend me to be the Chief Justice of the State?"

Azu nodded: "Yes! I wouldn't mind recommending you for the position of Chief Justice of the State, but... Mr. Burnett, you need to give me a reason for recommending you!"

“This…!” Burnett swallowed hard. “Mr. Lee, I can swear allegiance to you immediately!”

"Hehe!" Azu said calmly, "No, that's not enough!"

(End of this chapter)