North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 192 The God of Wealth's Banquet
"If they really do mobilize the home fleet without authorization, I might really not escape death...!"

Not only was Abraham Lincoln shaken, but Azu was too.

"Are those damned Freemason Round Table masters really so crazy as to mobilize a fleet to deal with the Vice President of the United States?"

Azu couldn't help but press for an answer.

Lincoln nodded heavily: "Yes! Although Paparo King is already the commander of the Home Fleet, he has only been in office for a short time and his control over the Home Fleet is still very weak."

"With the Freemasons' power in the home fleet, they can indeed mobilize a portion of their warships to intercept and sink my ship at sea."

“So…!” Lincoln smiled. “Lee, I must thank you once again!”

"Huh? Why?" Azu asked in surprise.

"Boom...!" Lincoln let out an exaggerated explosion sound, raising his hands high like a giant mushroom cloud: "What do you think?"

Ah Zu's face darkened: "I told you, I really didn't do it!"

"Haha!" Lincoln laughed. "Alright, if you say it's not, then it's not! But...!"

Lincoln then changed the subject: "But besides you, I really can't imagine anyone else in the whole of America having the means and power to completely blow up the Freemasons' headquarters."

"That's why I said you're a cunning, treacherous, and ruthless guy."

Lincoln picked up the thick, top-secret investigation report and waved it under Azu's nose: "After a month of investigation, the final results did not point to any person or force."

"Simply because the evidence that could be found at the explosion site was extremely scarce."

"Almost everything was blown to dust, and there was no evidence to prove who did it or who was the mastermind."

“So…!” Azu continued, “The investigation only vaguely concluded that someone was seeking revenge against the Freemasons for President Fillmore’s assassination?”

“Yes!” Lincoln nodded. “From any perspective, this is the only reasonable conclusion.”

Lincoln's expression was serious as he continued, "I intend to release most of the contents of this investigation report to the public."

"This time, I will completely expose the dark side of Freemasonry to the public eye."

"I will take this opportunity to launch a large-scale purge of Freemasons in the government, military, and judiciary."

"They either leave Freemasonry or leave the government, military, and judiciary."

Azu slowly shook his head and said, "This only works on Freemasons whose identities are semi-public. Those whose identities are kept secret will not be affected much."

“Indeed!” Lincoln admitted. “But that’s enough! The Freemasons are so deeply entrenched that it’s impossible to eradicate them completely in one fell swoop.”

"Of course, I have never thought about completely eliminating the Freemasons. After all, they are already a part of American history and it is difficult to completely sever ties with them."

"As long as their influence is weakened and controlled within a certain range, I don't mind letting them exist for a long time."

Azu interjected, "But in some key departments and key positions, all Freemasons' members and influence must be completely eliminated."

“For example, your presidential guard…!” Azu continued, “If there are still Freemason influences within the presidential guard… Mr. President, you probably won’t sleep soundly!”

Lincoln replied, "There are certainly Freemasons still in the Presidential Guard. But their identities are so well hidden that they are difficult to discern."

"Therefore, I plan to establish a new agency outside of the Presidential Guard to be responsible for the security of the White House and the President."

"Referring to your Guard Division, the organization I'm planning to establish will be called the Special Operations Division...!"

"Special Operations Department?" Azu was slightly surprised.

Because the Secret Service didn't exist until the 20th century.

The Secret Service came into existence decades earlier than anticipated.

“Yes, Secret Service!” Lincoln said in a deep voice, “I will select a group of exceptionally outstanding, clean-cut, and absolutely loyal personnel from within the military to join the Secret Service.”

"The current presidential guard is no longer trustworthy. I will disband them immediately after the Secret Service is established."

Lincoln added, "As for the preparations for this Secret Service, I plan to have Major Zhou take charge."

"Li, do you have any objections to this?"

"Ah...?" Azu was not expected to see this. After a moment of surprise, he pondered and said, "This... I don't think this is a good idea!"

"What if something happens to the future president? Wouldn't I be the one to take the blame?"

"Hahaha!" Lincoln laughed, "Don't worry! I won't give Major Zhou a specific position. I'll just let him be in charge of selecting and training personnel in private. If anything happens to the president, it won't have anything to do with you."

"Well...that's pretty much it."

Ah Zu, who is used to blaming others, will never take the blame for anyone.

This is a matter of principle!
Lincoln added, "If possible, I hope that Brigade Commander Shi can also stay temporarily to help me select and train Secret Service personnel...!"

Shi Dakai escorted Lincoln, who was then Vice President, safely back to Washington.

Along the way, Shi Dakai's martial arts skills, marksmanship, brave and decisive command ability, and keen insight left a very deep impression on Lincoln.

Under the series of assassinations orchestrated by Master Powell of the Freemason Solomon Temple, it would have been impossible for anyone other than Shi Dakai to protect Lincoln and ensure his safe return to Washington unharmed.

That's why Lincoln asked Azu to try to keep Shi Dakai around for as long as possible.

"Hahaha...!" Azu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Abraham, I was just thinking about how to poach your people, but it turns out you've set your sights on mine."

"Huh...? What do you mean?" Lincoln was quite puzzled.

Azu laughed and said, "I know a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, Robert E. Lee, who is now the commander of the Baltimore Fortress."

“After getting to know him, I felt that he was a talented person and wanted to recruit him to my newly established National Guard school to serve as its principal.”

"As a result, before I even opened my mouth, you were already trying to poach my Shi Dakai... Hahaha, we really are birds of a feather!"

“Robert E. Lee…?” Lincoln thought for a long time but couldn’t remember who this army lieutenant colonel was.

Then Azu said, "Brigade Commander Shi is a general in our National Guard. He has saved my life several times!"

"This time, I'm taking him with me when I go to Europe."

“I’m sorry, Abraham, I cannot leave him to you.”

"Right now, the Freemasons have suffered a major blow and are busy with internal power struggles. They will not pose any threat to your safety for the time being."

"In addition, Major Zhou Hongwen will stay by your side with some of his guards."

"Therefore, Abraham, your safety is not a problem in the short term. And once the Secret Service is established in the future, there will be even less of a problem."

Although Lincoln was unwilling, he realized that Azu was going to Europe and the security situation along the way would be more complicated, so he needed Shi Dakai more than he did.

Lincoln shrugged helplessly: "Well, Lee, it's a great pity that I couldn't retain such a rare talent as Brigade Commander Shi...!"

“Abraham, you have such a large country as America, you certainly don’t lack talent. On the contrary, my little California is a rare breed of talent…!”

Faced with Azu's exclamation, Lincoln had to admit, "Indeed! But talents like Brigade Commander Shi are still extremely rare."

"Let's not talk about that anymore...!" Azu changed the subject: "What have you thought about the Panama Canal?"

Abraham Lincoln pondered, "On my way back to Washington this time, I made a point of visiting the site to assess the feasibility of the Panama Canal."

"I must say, Li, your foresight has once again astonished me!"

"The Panama Canal is incredibly important to the United States!"

"This canal must be dug, and the sooner the better!"

Lincoln said in a very firm tone, "I have made up my mind that once the domestic political situation has stabilized somewhat, I will immediately begin working on matters related to the Panama Canal!"

"I will have Paparo King try to stir up conflict between the United States and the Republic of New Grenada. Hmm... if necessary, we can also use the methods of George Phillips and the Pacific Fleet!"

"After provoking conflict, I will declare war on the New Grenada Republic as soon as possible."

"At that time, you and I will attack from the east and west, and with New Grenada's weak military strength, we will be able to achieve victory very quickly."

"Then, I will try my best to acquire Panama's territory during the negotiations." "As for who will ultimately develop the Panama Canal…!" Lincoln hesitated slightly, then asked, "Lee, does your California currently possess the capability to develop the Panama Canal?"

Azu shook his head slightly: "Funding shouldn't be a problem! But I'm still short a lot of labor...!"

"To complete such a massive project as the Panama Canal, at least 400,000 to 500,000 workers would be needed. That's more than the total population of California right now."

“But…!” Azu’s tone shifted: “I’ve tentatively set the canal’s development date for 1855. By then, California should have all the necessary conditions to develop the Panama Canal.”

Lincoln pondered for a moment and said, “Alright, if I am still the President of the United States and you are still the Governor of California, and if everything goes according to plan, you will get the rights to develop and operate the Panama Canal.”

“Thank you, Mr. President, for your trust in me and in California!” Azu smiled.

Lincoln replied, "This was originally your idea, so if anyone should be thanking someone, it's me thanking you!"

"If the Panama Canal can be successfully completed, it will be a great blessing for the United States."

Azu smiled and said, "Abraham, don't rush into war. At least wait until I return from Europe."

Lincoln nodded emphatically: "Of course, how could this war of aggression be complete without you, the instigator...!"

"That's a very harsh way to put it. What does it mean to be the instigator of a war of aggression?"

“Aren’t you?” Lincoln laughed.

“Uh…!” Azu was speechless and could only change the subject, “Abraham, before I leave Washington, I’m going to meet with those Southerners…!”

"What...?" Lincoln exclaimed in surprise, "Why did you want to see those Southerners?"

"Li, you need to understand, those Southerners are all on the opposite side of us. Believe me, you won't have anything in common!"

Azu smiled and said, "Abraham, besides politics, don't forget that I'm also the boss of Huamei Company."

"My Huamei Company, the products it produces, including penicillin, urgently need to expand their market."

"The people of the South are also American people, and they also need penicillin to save their lives."

"And my Huamei Company also needs to make as much profit as possible in the southern market."

"Without money, how can I support your Republican Party?"

"Without money, how can I develop the Panama Canal?"

"Without money, how can I continue to support your re-election as president?"

……

Faced with Azu's question, Lincoln thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, saying, "Sorry, Lee, I thought you wanted to talk to those Southerners about political matters."

"If it's just a business matter, then there's absolutely no problem!"

“I support you in selling all of Huamei Company’s products to every slave state in the South as much as possible.”

"Make money off the Southerners to support our cause against the Southerners!"

"Haha!" Lincoln couldn't help but chuckle. "This is practically a perfect closed loop!"

"Thinking about it that way, shouldn't I thank you?"

Ah Zu laughed and said, "That's right, you really should thank me!"

Lincoln then said, "Lee, do you need me to personally invite those prominent Southerners for you?"

Azu shook his head: "No need. If you, Abraham, were to get involved, it would be too politically charged."

"It's just business. I've already asked Klein to invite as many South business leaders as possible."

"Alright! After all, my relationship with those Southerners isn't really that good...!"
-
After leaving the White House, Azu returned to the California representative office in Washington.

The wealthy and powerful Ah Zu bought an entire building directly opposite Capitol Hill to use as the office building for his representative office.

Of course, this building serves more than just an office space.

More often, it's about entertaining all sorts of people from politics, military, legislation, business, and other fields.

To this end, Azu also sent one of his best Chinese chefs to Washington.

Moreover, they have hired the best French chefs in the east.

By blending Chinese and Western influences, the California office in Washington, D.C., successfully established itself in the city through its culinary scene.

In the six months since the office was established, the California office has already gained a well-known reputation for its cuisine.

In the culinary desert of America, the food at the California office is like a spring of sweet water, attracting everyone and drawing crowds from all over.

To enjoy a meal at the California office restaurant, you need to make a reservation at least a week in advance.

Moreover, if your status and level are not up to par, California restaurants will not accept you!
Therefore, throughout Washington, countless people consider it an honor to be able to have a lavish meal at the California office!
That night, Ah Zu hosted a grand banquet for his guests in the largest hall of the California office restaurant, the "Hong Kong Hall".

Surprisingly, as a close friend and staunch supporter of President Lincoln, Azu didn't even invite President Lincoln. Instead, he hosted a banquet for senators and representatives from the slave states of the South, as well as leaders from the military, political, and business circles.

Everyone is watching closely to see what this youngest governor, this legendary Chinese man, is up to.

At a huge dining table that could seat a hundred people, the host, Ah Zu, stood up first, smiled, raised his glass, and said, "Gentlemen, first of all, let me introduce myself. I am the damn Chinaman governor you've been talking about...!"

"Hahaha……!"

Upon hearing Ah Zu's opening remarks, the group of Southern bigwigs immediately burst into suppressed laughter.

Azu remained calm and smiled, saying, "I know that everyone here has some prejudice and misunderstandings about me!"

"Actually, I understand everyone's political stance very well!"

"For everyone here, slavery is not just an economic model, but a vital way of life and an important historical legacy...!"

Upon hearing this, the leaders of the various southern slave states present immediately stopped smiling and began to look at this young Chinese man with new respect.

"I support abolitionism, but I also fully understand the people of the Southern states who supported slavery!"

Azu's rhetoric had already been tested on Robert Lee and worked quite well.

As expected, Ah Zu's words softened the expressions on the faces of the group of Southern bigwigs, as well as the way they looked at him.

Azu continued with a smile, "Although I do not support slavery, I am willing to build goodwill with the people of the Southern states!"

"Although we have different political stances, that does not prevent us from working together in business."

"Through business partnerships, I believe that my Huamei Enterprises, and the entire state of California, can contribute to the prosperity and development of the Southern states!"

"Under this common premise, I am very interested in becoming a close business partner with everyone here."

"Let's all get rich together...!!!"

"Bang... Slap slap slap slap...!"

After Azu finished his brief speech, all the leaders of the southern states present stood up at the same time and gave him the warmest applause.

For no other reason than the last four words spoken by Azu.

"Let's get rich together...!"

There is no word more attractive than this!

All the Southern leaders present knew very well what a god of wealth this young Chinese governor, the legendary owner of Huamei Company, was!
In just two years, this Chinese man led his Huamei Enterprises from being penniless to becoming one of the richest people and most powerful companies in the entire United States!

His story is so legendary that countless people connected to him have become wealthy as a result.

When they heard that this god of wealth was willing to help them get rich, how could they not be excited?

“Pah pah pah pah…!”

Enthusiastic applause resounded throughout the vast "Hong Kong Hall"!
(End of this chapter)