North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 177 The Most Important Person!

This conversation took place on the same day as it took place in the Oval Office of the White House.

Newspapers in major cities in the East published reports of this significant event in California immediately.

However, compared to the previous wave of public opinion stirred up by Brigadier General George Phillips, this time, public opinion has shown a clear trend of polarization.

Some newspapers publicly exposed a shocking conspiracy led by newly appointed Brigadier General Andrew Webber, and the invisible hand behind him, to instigate an attack on the Pacific Fleet and use it as a pretext to start a civil war between the United States and California.

Meanwhile, other newspapers openly revealed that California, led by that young Chinese man, was increasingly sliding towards independence, and that the entire United States must unite its forces and stop the young governor's secession plot at all costs.

This group of newspapers pinned all the blame on California, on the China United Corporation, and on the young California governor, launching an exceptionally fierce attack on the governor for his plot to launch a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet in order to achieve independence.

In an instant, public opinion across the United States was completely divided into two factions. They attacked each other, each producing so-called evidence to prove the other's conspiracy theories.

These two opposing viewpoints are evenly matched and it's difficult to determine which is better.

American society as a whole, represented by newspaper opinions, was also divided into two opposing camps.

The Freemasons formed one camp, while the non-Freemasons formed another.

The Freemasons' influence is undeniable, but the non-Freemason camp, led by the president and vice president, openly expressed its opposition and dissatisfaction with the Freemasons' practice of binding the interests of the entire United States to their cause.

President Fillmore even personally met with a group of Freemason leaders at the White House.

Among them was Winfield Scott, the highly decorated and respected Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, who also served as Commander-in-Chief during the Mexican-American War.

The outcome of this secret meeting remains unknown to the outside world.

But after the talks, newspapers representing the Freemasons launched an even more intense attack on California and the young governor, making the outcome of the talks entirely predictable.

Meanwhile, the president’s plenipotentiary envoy, Vice President Abraham Lincoln, was preparing to board a mail ship bound for the West.

Major Klein Perry, from the California State Office in Washington, personally saw him off.

The moment Vice President Lincoln boarded the mail ship, Klein, with a large group of people, rushed to the port of Baltimore.

“Mr. Vice President…!” Klein gave the Vice President a sharp salute.

Lincoln's expression was calm and resolute: "Major Klein, thank you for your tireless lobbying among numerous political figures these past few days, successfully persuading many to stand on the side against the Freemasons."

"This time, our public opinion was able to stand up to the Freemasons and be evenly matched, and you deserve much credit for that."

Klein stood ramrod straight: "Mr. Vice President, as the representative of California, this is what I should do!"

Lincoln nodded: "After I go to the West, please continue to assist the President and do your utmost to prevent the outbreak of civil war."

"Yes, Sir...!"

Klein glanced at the group of presidential guards surrounding Lincoln, then whispered in Lincoln's ear, "Mr. Vice President, you should know that there are definitely Freemasons among the presidential guards...!"

After a moment's thought, Lincoln said in a low voice, "It would be strange if they didn't have their people."

Klein added, "Therefore, Mr. Vice President, it is not safe for you to go west!"

Lincoln shook his head slightly: "They wouldn't dare lay a hand on me...!"

"No! Mr. Vice President, we cannot entrust your safety to their courage!"

As he spoke, Klein pointed to the large group of people he had brought with him: "These are our California's elite security personnel, Mr. Vice President. They will protect you and ensure your safe arrival in California."

Lincoln glanced at the twenty-odd men behind Crown, his thick brows furrowing slightly. "Is this necessary? I'm not the president. What good would it do for them to assassinate me?"

Klein glanced around, lowered his voice to a whisper in Lincoln's ear, and said, "What if the President is also assassinated...?"

Upon hearing this, Lincoln shuddered, his expression turning serious. He whispered, "Major, have you heard some rumors...?"

Klein shook his head slowly, his expression unusually serious: "There are no secrets that stay hidden forever! I have indeed heard some rumors that the most radical members of that organization are already discussing this possibility...!"

"If the President is assassinated, you, Vice President, will automatically become the new President... and your stance is well known!"

"They will absolutely not allow you to become president!"

"Therefore, Vice President, your situation is actually extremely dangerous!"

"Hoo...!" Lincoln let out a long breath: "Have they really gone this crazy?"

“We must be on guard!” Klein said in a low voice, “Mr. Vice President, our people will protect you at all times and will absolutely not give them any chance to make a move.”

After a moment's thought, Lincoln nodded and said, "Alright... but what about the President...!"

Klein shook his head with considerable regret: "We can't interfere with White House security. Besides, the president wouldn't trust us."

"Alas...!" Lincoln sighed softly, "I hope that tragedy will not happen."

Klein added, "Mr. Vice President, please pass on a message to General Andrew Webber."

"What?"

"We will do our best to rescue his family. Currently, our people have found out the location where his family is being held under house arrest, so please rest assured."

Lincoln looked at Klein in surprise: "Major, you moved so quickly...?"

"Heh, Mr. Vice President, there are very few things in this world that can't be solved with money!"

Klein smiled smugly and said, "And coincidentally, my boss is one of the richest people in the world...!"

The Freemasons, who took away Andrew Webber's entire family, always left behind various clues.

With California's increasingly sophisticated intelligence network and the help of money, it's only natural that they would follow the clues and find the whereabouts of Andrew Webber's family.

Lincoln breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Major, you must rescue General Weber's family! This way, we can not only win over a general, but his family will also be important witnesses!"

"Mr. Vice President, I understand!"

"Well, is there anything else you need me to pass on a message to?" Lincoln asked again.

"Hehe!" Klein resumed his carefree, grinning demeanor: "Could you please pass on a message to my boss as well?"

"What message?"

"The activity fund he gave me isn't enough...!"

"Hahaha...!" Lincoln laughed and patted Klein on the shoulder: "You rascal, I heard you were living a life of debauchery, spending money like water, and partying every night in Washington...!"

"How can I build relationships with powerful figures and secure benefits for California and my boss without spending a lot of money?"

"Don't you agree, Mr. Vice President?"

Lincoln scoffed, “I’m just a poor lawyer, I’ve never been rich, so I don’t understand your logic at all.”

"However, in my opinion, only those who are united by ideals and common goals are true friends."

"Your approach of using money to win people's hearts is utterly vulnerable."

Klein nodded in agreement: "Vice President, you unite noble people. But in this world, the majority are as vulgar as I am."

Upon hearing this, Lincoln frowned and was about to retort, but after a moment's thought, he suddenly realized that what he said made a lot of sense!
"Beep beep beep...!"

The cruise ship sounded its horn, signaling its imminent departure.

"Snap!" Klein snapped to attention again, giving Lincoln a crisp military salute: "Goodbye, Mr. Vice President, have a safe journey!"

Goodbye, Major Klein!

Lincoln, accompanied by a group of presidential guards and a host of elite California security personnel, boarded the cruise ship in a grand procession.

The cruise ship set sail and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Major Klein stood on the dock for a long time until the cruise ship gradually disappeared from sight before he prepared to leave with his men.

They had just left when another cruise ship docked at Baltimore Harbor. A stunningly beautiful woman in her thirties, dressed elegantly and possessing exceptional poise, looks, and figure, disembarked. Behind her followed a tall, thin, and brooding middle-aged man.

"My dearest sister...!"

This middle-aged man was none other than Tony O'Hara, who had just returned to the East... no, he should be Master Albert Parker!

He had barely opened his mouth when Susan… no, it should be Lilith Campbell, who interrupted him without any politeness: “Master Parker, our mission is over! I am no longer your sister, and you are no longer my brother…!”

"This abnormal relationship disgusts me!"

Without turning her head, Lilith climbed into the carriage that had come to greet her.

Gazing at Lilith's beautiful retreating figure, Master Pike couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Damn bitch, what are you pretending for! You've rejected me time and time again on the ship. Once we get back to the organization, I'll make you pay...!"

After the "brother and sister" left, a general with a serious face, silver hair, and two gold stars on his shoulders stepped off the cruise ship!
It was Rear Admiral Paparo King who had just arrived at the port of Baltimore!

Similarly, a special carriage was waiting for the general at the dock.

Rear Admiral Paparo King had just gotten into the car when he said to the driver, "Don't go to the fleet yet, take me straight to Washington, to the White House!"

"Yes, General...!"

That evening, General Paparo King, who had just disembarked, went straight to the White House and met with President Fillmore.

"General Kim...!" President Fillmore was overwhelmed and frowning with worry by the current chaotic situation.

Upon hearing that Paparo King was requesting an audience, President Fillmore immediately came out to greet him personally. As soon as they met, he was as if he had seen a savior, and he shook General King's hand vigorously.

"Mr. President, Rear Admiral Paparo King is reporting for duty!"

"Excellent, absolutely wonderful!"

President Fillmore exclaimed excitedly, "General King, you've arrived just in time...!"

President Fillmore personally welcomed General King into the presidential office and eagerly informed Paparo King of the current situation.

After listening to the president's statement, Paparo King's silver eyebrows furrowed tightly: "Mr. President, I rushed back as quickly as possible to report this matter to you personally!"

"Unexpectedly, I was still a step too late; that organization had already launched its operation."

“Mr. President, I am one of the people who experienced this firsthand. I am willing to testify in Congress and write articles for major newspapers.”

"I must clarify all of this as a witness and someone who experienced it firsthand!"

President Fillmore couldn't help but ask, "General, was that young Chinese governor really assassinated and seriously wounded?"

“Uh…!” Paparo King paused for a moment before replying, “Mr. President, he really was assassinated and injured…!”

Even a scrape counts as an injury, and General Paparo King didn't feel he had deceived the president.

As he spoke, General Paparo King took out a stack of photographs from his briefcase and placed them in front of the president.

"Mr. President, these are photos of the Huamei Arsenal after its destruction...!"

"These are photos from the scene where the young governor was assassinated...!"

"This is a photo of the assassin who was captured alive...!"

General Paparo King said in a deep voice, "Before returning to Washington, I also spoke personally with Brigadier General Andrew Webber, who admitted that he had been coerced into threatening the safety of his family."

"What he did was not his intention!"

At this point, General Paparo King said with a somber expression, "After this incident, regardless of the outcome, Brigadier General Weber will likely find it difficult to survive."

“Mr. President, I hope you will not pursue Brigadier General Weber’s crimes because of this… After all, he was coerced and had no other choice…!”

After seeing a series of photographic evidence and hearing General Paparo King's personal testimony, Fillmore finally believed everything the governor had written in his letter.

"General, this is very strong evidence, and should be enough to expose that organization's conspiracy!"

President Fillmore said with great satisfaction, "General, I was right about you. You are indeed an upright soldier!"

"I will arrange for you to testify in person before Congress immediately!"

"As for Brigadier General Andrew Webber's situation, I know what's going on. Once this matter is over, everyone will have a say."

“But…!” President Fillmore’s face darkened again: “I have already spoken with the leaders of that organization, and given their attitude, even if this matter is resolved, they will definitely not let it go.”

“If this continues, not only California and the Freemasons, but the whole of America will not have peace.”

"So, I'm wondering if there's any way to completely solve this problem."

“Vice President Lincoln has already gone to the West as the President’s Plenipotentiary Envoy to resolve this matter. Once he returns, I think it’s time to come up with a complete solution.”

"A complete solution...?"

General Paparo King didn't ask any further questions; he would know when the time was right.

And if you shouldn't know something, you should resolutely not ask any more questions.

I am a soldier, and politics is not my area of ​​expertise.
-
The following day, on Capitol Hill, President Fillmore indeed convened all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for an important hearing.

At this hearing, Rear Admiral Paparo King, as a witness to the incident and the most influential witness, personally clarified everything.

In addition, there is a series of photographs as physical evidence.

Faced with such compelling witness testimonies and evidence, the vast majority of members of Congress finally learned what had actually happened in faraway California.

Afterwards, Rear Admiral Paparo King personally wrote a series of communications for major newspapers, truthfully revealing the cause and effect of the facts to the public.

At this point, the balance of public opinion finally began to tilt in favor of California and the young Chinese man!

Although neither on Capitol Hill nor in the newspapers did the Freemasons' names appear out of the blue.

But even a fool would know which organization is being referred to by the pseudonym "a certain organization"!
"Snapped……!"

Philadelphia, Freemason headquarters, still in that huge room decorated with marble.

At this moment, a group of masters, dressed in dark blue suits, black top hats, and wearing scarves of different colors, sat around a huge marble round table.

The person sitting at the highest point of the chair slammed the newspaper heavily onto the marble tabletop.

"Master Pike, please explain why Rear Admiral Paparo King became a witness to the incident?"

Why are such important eyewitnesses and witnesses not included in your report?

"Why was Sean the Hidden Knight photographed after being captured alive, and then his picture was brazenly displayed on the front page of the newspaper?"

"This has completely exposed our organization's secrets to the light of day, to the eyes of all American citizens!"

"Because of your negligence, public opinion is now very unfavorable to our organization!"

"Now, there's a renewed wave of opposition against our organization in society!"

"Master Parker, this is all your doing!"

……

At this moment, Master Albert Parker was covered in cold sweat and couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Master, I...I have absolutely no knowledge of Paparo King's personal experience as a witness!"

"Sean the Hidden Knight was captured alive, but he didn't choose to commit suicide immediately. This... this shows that Sean the Hidden Knight himself has a problem with his loyalty to the organization!"

"Master, this has absolutely nothing to do with me...!"

(End of this chapter)