North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 183 Meeting of Giants
After Azu personally led the California National Guard to take complete control of the San Diego Naval Base, they immediately began screening Freemasons.

The identities of these mid- to low-ranking Freemasons in the Pacific Fleet are almost entirely public secrets, making identification relatively easy.

After the screening was completed, it was discovered that Adams, the member of the presidential guard, had already disappeared without a trace.

Last night, Adams, realizing the situation was dire after his assassination attempt on Vice President Abraham Lincoln failed, fled overnight.

The two key figures in this assassination plot were Chief of Staff Curry, who died, and Adams of the Presidential Guard, who escaped.

Azu and Vice President Lincoln, who received the news, did not pay much attention to it.

For big shots like them, the life or death of these lowly people responsible for execution is not important.

In Commodore Andrew Webber's office, only Azu and Lincoln remained, facing each other.

Both men held a glass of whiskey in their hands... not the expensive Macallan, of course, but the general's prized Chivas Regal, which was still quite good.

"Li, you don't look like someone who has just recovered from an assassination attempt!"

Lincoln, holding his whiskey, smiled and said to Azu, "When I first saw those photos, I felt something was very strange."

“There are so many photos as evidence, but there are none of them showing you with serious injuries… At that time, I suspected that you had exaggerated your injuries!”

"Am I right, Li?"

Azu smiled, raised his glass to him, neither confirming nor denying, but instead asked, "Mr. Vice President, you've come to the West in person, how do you plan to resolve this matter?"

Lincoln took a sip of Chivas Regal before saying, "In any case, Andrew Webber must be removed, whether he does so voluntarily or under duress. He cannot escape the charge of instigating internal strife."

“I heard from Klein that you guys are rescuing his family.”

"If his family can be rescued, I believe General Weber would be willing to be the most crucial witness."

Lincoln continued, "Most of the Freemasons in key positions within the American military have been replaced by me and the President."

"It can be said that the majority of the U.S. military is now under the control of the White House."

"Therefore, I believe the time has come to thoroughly weaken Freemasonry."

"We will establish a special court to conduct a public and fair trial of the entire incident, expose the crimes of that organization to the public, and hold those behind the scenes accountable."

"At the same time, we will also carry out necessary purges of Freemasons in the military and government."

"This, of course, includes the Pacific Fleet and the Southwest Command of the Army...!"

After taking another sip of whiskey, Lincoln said, "Lee, this way we can truly weaken the Freemasons and basically cut off their reach into California."

As he spoke, Lincoln turned his gaze to Azu's face: "Li, what do you think of this solution?"

Ah Zu pondered for a moment and said, "How does the Vice President plan to handle the Freemasons' plot to assassinate you?"

"This matter...!" Lincoln pondered, "After all, they didn't succeed, and we lack crucial evidence...!"

Azu shook his head slightly: "Mr. Vice President, their assassination plot against you simply failed. But are you sure President Fillmore will be as lucky as you?"

"What......?"

Upon hearing this, Lincoln could no longer remain seated. He abruptly stood up and exclaimed, "Do they really dare to assassinate even the President...?"

Ah Zu said in a deep voice, "Since you dared to assassinate you, why didn't you dare to kill the president as well?"

"Only by eliminating both the president and the vice president can they remove these two obstacles and regain presidential power."

"Otherwise, what would be the point of assassinating just one vice president for that organization?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the current president, even if he hasn't been killed by that organization yet, is already on the verge of death!"

Azu continued, “Mr. Vice President, after you have dealt with things here, you must return to Washington safely as quickly as possible.”

"Otherwise, even if you are still alive, they will seize presidential power directly in the event of the president's unexpected death."

The current situation is just like a succession struggle in a feudal dynasty!

The old emperor suddenly passed away, and the crown prince happened to be away from the capital, which created an excellent opportunity for the other princes and grandsons.

And Abraham Lincoln is currently the key heir!

Upon hearing Azu's analysis, Lincoln couldn't sit still any longer: "Lee, are you really sure the situation has become that dire?"

Azu nodded emphatically: "The situation could be even more serious! Once they seize presidential power, they could immediately declare war on California."

"Use a war to quell the internal power struggle and unite the hearts and minds of all citizens!"

"Let's use a victory to prove the legitimacy of their seizure of power!"

"Isn't this a common practice among politicians?"

In later generations, the United States, with a history of over 250 years, fought wars for over 230 years.

This involves both the vested interests of the military-industrial complex and the need of various political forces to consolidate their power through war.

Lincoln paced anxiously back and forth in his office: "Lee, you're right, I must resolve the California situation immediately and then return to Washington as soon as possible!"

"The greatest threat to America right now is Freemasonry and slavery, not your California!"

"If the United States goes to war with California, the time to resolve Freemasonry and slavery will be indefinitely delayed."

"Furthermore, the Freemasons and those forces that support slavery will seize the opportunity to grow stronger...!"

"This consequence is absolutely unacceptable, no matter what!"

Looking at the extremely anxious Lincoln, Azu couldn't help but smile slightly: "Mr. Vice President, you don't need to be so anxious."

"In order to deal with the current situation, I have also made some arrangements in advance."

Upon hearing this, Lincoln asked in surprise, "Li, what do you mean by 'planning ahead'?"

Azu shook his head: "Now is not the time for you to know, but I should be able to get you back to Washington safely."

"If President Fillmore were still alive, you would still be the vice president. Of course, you would still be a leading candidate for the next presidential election in a little over a year."

"If the President is no longer here, then Vice President, you will be the successor to the presidency!"

Lincoln's unease subsided slightly, and he slowly sat down, saying, "Lee, after hearing what you said, I'm even more curious about your advance planning!"

"The East and West are so far apart, how did you know in advance about that organization's plan to assassinate me and the President?"

"How did you plan ahead?"

Azu calmly shook his head: "I don't know their plan... I just deduced it."

"If they want to get rid of me completely and take everything that belongs to California, including Huamei Corporation, they have to seize presidential power at all costs."

"Given that organization's ruthless approach to achieving its goals, the most direct and simplest way for them to seize presidential power is to assassinate you and the president."

"In this way, the successor to the presidency will inevitably be a Freemason."

Azu continued, "It's a very simple logic, isn't it?"

"Now that we've anticipated this possibility, it's relatively easy to plan ahead."

Azu didn't dwell on the issue. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "Mr. Vice President, what's more important now is whether you're ready to succeed to the presidency."

"Uh...this...!"

Faced with this question, Lincoln hesitated: "In the year or so since I became vice president, it would be dishonest to say that I was not prepared for this day at all."

"But my previous goals were all focused on preparing for the next presidential election."

“Now that the timeline has been moved up by more than a year, I really haven’t made all the preparations for this… My own reputation and the political factions that support me are still quite insufficient.”

“Even if I become the next president, in the short term I will only be a weak president, with a governing base even weaker than Fillmore’s.” “This means that in the short term I will not be able to take drastic measures against Freemasonry and slavery.”

“Especially within my Whig party, both Freemasons and supporters of slavery wield considerable power.”

At this point, Lincoln couldn't help but rub his sunken cheeks and said, "To achieve something great is difficult, extremely difficult!"

"It is not only very difficult to put my political ideas into practice as the successor president."

"Moreover, the next presidential election, which is more than a year away, will also be exceptionally difficult."

Hearing him say this, Ah Zu, who already had a prepared speech in mind, pondered and said, "In that case, Mr. Vice President, why don't you establish a brand new political party of your own with the support of like-minded people?"

"What......?"

Lincoln was shocked once again upon hearing this!

To form a completely new political party?
What a bold idea!
Before this, Lincoln had never even considered this direction!

"The formation of a completely new political party...? This...!"

Lincoln exclaimed in utter shock, "Lee, are you serious...?"

Azu nodded: "Of course I'm serious!"

“Mr. Vice President, with your current status and prestige, you are more than capable of leading the formation of a brand new political party!”

“You are now the vice president and are very likely to become the president. No one is more suitable than you to personally take the lead in establishing a new political party.”

"At the same time, you are also a leading figure against slavery and Freemasonry. Your political ideas are so clear that they will definitely attract a large number of like-minded supporters."

"And...!" Azu smiled slightly, "You also have my almost unlimited financial support!!!"

"As long as you are willing to step forward and take the lead in establishing a new political party, no matter how much party funding you need, or how many campaign activities you need, or how many newspapers you need to establish in order to control public opinion and expand your influence...!"

"Wherever you need money, I can provide you with financial support unconditionally!"

"Gulp...!" Lincoln swallowed hard, swallowing a large mouthful of saliva. "Lee, are you serious...?"

Azu nodded emphatically: "I have been thinking about this matter for a long time, and only now do I have the opportunity to bring it up with you in person."

"The Whig Party you're in now is actually a hodgepodge!"

“Within the Whig Party, there are a large number of Freemasons and a large number of supporters of slavery. Not only is the political ideology unclear, but it is also full of internal ideological struggles and power struggles.”

"Such a hodgepodge of political parties cannot support you in realizing your political ideals!"

"Moreover, such a mixed party cannot support your candidacy for the next president."

"And the Democratic Party, haha, they are almost all a party made up of slave owners, so it is even less likely that they will support your political ideas."

Azu continued his analysis: "Therefore, Mr. Vice President, if you want to successfully run for the next presidential election and realize your political ideals, establishing a brand new political party is your only option!"

After listening to Azu's analysis, Lincoln couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The more Lincoln thought about it, the more he realized how true it was!
Lincoln felt his mouth was dry, so he downed the Chivas Regal in one gulp, got up and refilled his and Azu's glasses.

"Li, are we really going to form a new political party? Isn't that too radical, too audacious...?"

Lincoln's only concern now is whether his former supporters within the Whig Party will turn into his opponents.
In this way, at least in the short term, their political base will not only not be strengthened, but will actually be weakened!
“No…!” Azu shook his head slightly: “Mr. Vice President, you are an important member of the Whig Party. You should be very clear that the Whig Party is now on the verge of splitting apart.”

"Especially their attitude toward slavery has split the Whig Party into two factions!"

"The abolitionists, led by you and President Fillmore, and the pro-slavery faction, led by Army Commander-in-Chief Winfield Scott, are now irreconcilable enemies!"

"By the way, Mr. Vice President, you certainly know that the Commander-in-Chief is also the Grand Master of the Freemasons...!"

"Hmm...!" Lincoln nodded listlessly.

Azu said in a deep voice, "Even if you don't stand up and form a new political party, the Whig Party will definitely split."

"Instead of passively waiting for the Whig Party to split, it is better to step forward now and absorb the political factions of abolitionism into the new party."

"President Fillmore is now the leader of abolitionism within the Whig Party."

"If President Fillmore were to meet with misfortune, Mr. Vice President, you must inherit all of his political legacy as completely as possible."

"The best way to inherit the political legacy is to establish a completely new political party!"

Historically, the Whig Party split in 1852.

The reason for this was the presidential nomination contest between President Fillmore and Commander-in-Chief Scott.

Ultimately, Winfield Scott, a supporter of slavery, became the Whig Party's presidential candidate.

Therefore, the abolitionists who supported President Fillmore broke away directly from the Whig Party and formed a completely new political party.

Now, Ah Zu has simply moved this time forward by a little over a year.

Moreover, under Azu's manipulation, the future leader of the new political party changed from Fillmore to Abraham Lincoln!
In other words, President Fillmore, whose fate is now unknown, is being prepared by Lincoln to inherit his political legacy in its entirety.

Under Azu's guidance, Lincoln felt more and more that the feasibility of forming a new political party was increasing.

Lincoln took a big gulp of wine: "Lee, if we really want to form a new political party, what should it be called?"

"Democracy and republic are the foundation of modern political systems."

"The name 'Democrat' has already been taken."

"Then let's call this brand new political party... the 'Republican Party'!"

“The Republican Party…!” Lincoln nodded in deep agreement: “As a political party, that’s a good name!”

Azu smiled slightly: "So, Mr. Vice President, have you made up your mind?"

Lincoln pondered for a moment and said, "This is such an important matter. Let me think about it for two days. I will give you a definite answer before I leave California!"

Azu nodded: "Of course! If the Vice President is determined, in addition to financial support, I will provide you with all the support you need. Especially in terms of human resources, to get this Republican Party up and running as soon as possible."

“Lee, I want to know…!” Lincoln, deeply moved, couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you support me so unconditionally and without limits?”

Azu replied, “Mr. Vice President, I share your vision! I hope to completely eradicate Freemasonry and slavery, and build America into a modern and prosperous nation.”

"And you are the only one who can achieve this goal!"

"That's why I support you unconditionally and without any restrictions!"

"Of course, I also have some insignificant selfish motives!"

"What ulterior motive?" Lincoln pressed.

Azu smiled and said, "I hope to fight for fair national treatment for my Chinese compatriots throughout the United States."

"I think this selfish motive isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Lincoln nodded and replied, "America is a nation of immigrants, so this request is certainly not unreasonable!"

“But…!” Lincoln’s tone shifted: “Lee, is your ambition really limited to this?”

"Hehe!" Azu laughed, "Then, Mr. Vice President, do you think I have any other ambitions?"

"Li, I don't know if you have any other grand ambitions!"

"But someone as extraordinary as you, surely your life's ambitions wouldn't stop at just becoming the governor of California?"

Even from Washington, I've heard many rumors about you!

Lincoln pondered for a moment, then chose to speak frankly, saying, "Li, haven't you ever thought about building California into an independent nation belonging to the Chinese?!"

(End of this chapter)