North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 254 Souls Fallen to Hell

In a calm voice, Azu continued, "Mr. President, if the Southern states voluntarily secede, wouldn't their votes automatically be invalidated?"

"In fact, those Southern states that chose independence will not even participate in the American presidential election...!"

"Am I right, Mr. President...!"

As he spoke, Azu calmly took a sip of aged Macallan whisky and waited quietly for President Lincoln's reaction.

"This...this...!" Lincoln's throat was dry, and he said with great difficulty, "Lee...if I had to choose between the presidency and the unity of the United States...!"

"I would rather not sit in this presidential seat than fail to do everything in my power to preserve the integrity and unity of the United States!"

"So, while your idea will certainly work and allow me to continue serving as the next president, please forgive me, I could never make such a choice!"

"I, Abraham Lincoln, would never do something like trading half of the Southern states that control the United States for the presidency, something so selfless as to sacrifice everything for personal gain!"

Azu smiled faintly: "Mr. President, of course I know you would not sacrifice everything for personal gain."

"But what if this choice is in the best interests of all the American people?"

Lincoln exclaimed in shock, "Lee, how could leading the Southern states to independence be in the interest of all the American people?!"

Azu calmly said, "Mr. President, slavery in the Southern states of the United States is the biggest obstacle to the progress of this country, and it has reached the point where it must be completely resolved."

"Mr. President, do you agree with my point of view?"

Lincoln nodded without hesitation; this was his consistent political philosophy and the consensus of the entire Republican Party.

Azu continued, "In that case, who will be the president who can completely eliminate slavery?"

"Of course it's you, and it can only be you... President Abraham Lincoln!!!"

Before Lincoln could reply, Azu continued, "If you lose the presidency in this election, you and the Republican Party are very likely to be crippled."

"And you and the Republican Party are the main driving forces behind the abolitionist movement. If you fail to recover, the abolition of slavery will be a distant dream!"

Lincoln thought for a moment, then nodded again, completely agreeing with the view.

Azu added, "Therefore, this crucial presidential election is absolutely not one we can afford to lose!"

"We must win this presidential election, no matter the cost!"

"Only in this way can you further promote abolitionism during your next term, or even completely resolve it in one fell swoop."

Azu said, "But by condoning, or even secretly forcing and supporting, the Southern states to move towards independence, when they truly become independent, not only will you be able to seize the presidency in one fell swoop, but... it will also be a golden opportunity to completely resolve the problem of slavery...!!!"

"What's the logic behind this...?" Lincoln asked in surprise.

Azu patiently explained, "No other method will work if we want to completely eradicate slavery."

"If Congress passes a law abolishing slavery, the Southern states will immediately unite and declare independence, right?"

Lincoln thought about it for a long time, and finally nodded silently, choosing to agree.

Azu calmly stated, "Therefore, the only way to completely eradicate slavery is through war!!!"

"War...!!!" Lincoln muttered, a slightly bitter taste in his mouth, silently chewing on this rather difficult word.

Azu nodded: "As the President of the United States, with your foresight and political wisdom, you should have realized long ago that the only way to completely eradicate slavery is through war!"

Lincoln remained silent again, but picked up his glass and took a big gulp.

Lincoln certainly considered using war to resolve the enormous scourge of slavery.

But he would never choose this ultimate method unless absolutely necessary.

If the North and South were to go to war, the destruction and the number of casualties on both sides... Lincoln could hardly bear to imagine the horrific scene!

Azu's voice continued: "To completely eradicate slavery, war will inevitably follow sooner or later, and the sooner the better!"

"Therefore, by secretly condoning and supporting the Southern states to become independent as soon as possible, you not only won the election for the next president, but also gave yourself a reason to declare war on the South."

Lincoln felt a bitter taste in his mouth: "The reason for going to war with the South...!"

“Yes!” Azu nodded silently: “Of course it will be cruel... but politics is a cruel game.”

"Sometimes, for the sake of long-term peace and stability, and for the long-term prosperity and stability of America, we, as politicians, have to make the most painful and helpless choices!"

Lincoln nodded in agreement, then downed his drink in one gulp. Azu stood up and refilled their glasses.

After the two of them took a big gulp of Macallan whiskey, Azu continued, "Instead of passively waiting to go to war with the Southern states, we should prepare early and take the initiative to choose the right time to go to war with the Southern states."

"Seizing the initiative is crucial in war!"

"If the Southern states do indeed become independent and form a so-called Confederation, then once you become the next president, you can immediately use this as an excuse to declare war on the Southern states!"

"Of course, the initiative regarding when, where, under what pretext, and at what time to start the war is entirely in your hands, Mr. President."

"In terms of population, industrial strength, and war potential, the North held an absolute advantage."

"Regardless of how the war unfolds in the early stages, we should firmly believe that the North, under your leadership, will ultimately achieve victory."

"The victory of the Northern States also represents the victory of abolitionism."

"This also means that America has been restored to its integrity and unity!"

"This also means that we have completely eradicated slavery, the biggest stumbling block in America's path forward!"

Azu stared intently into Lincoln's eyes and said solemnly, "Mr. President, if you can make such a difficult decision, you will make the greatest contribution to the interests of the American people!"

"And the name of President Abraham Lincoln will surely be remembered for all time!"

President Lincoln's gaze, after a period of hesitation and uncertainty, gradually hardened.

Ah Zu continued, "Of course I know that making such a difficult decision will go against your conscience and your moral bottom line!"

"But as a politician, as a leader of the American people, this is a sin we must bear!"

"Perhaps others will not understand the deeper meaning behind our actions, but... as long as we remain true to our original aspiration, and uphold the principle of seeking benefits for all the American people, our every move will eventually be understood by the world and will surely be remembered by the world!"

……

Azu finally fully expressed his thoughts and ideas.

Then he sat down, quietly savoring the wine in his glass, waiting for Lincoln's final answer.

For a long, long time... time seemed to freeze at that moment!

A full quarter of an hour passed before Lincoln finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hoo...!" After exhaling this breath, President Lincoln's tense body and nerves slowly relaxed.

But his gaze became more resolute than ever before!
"Li, your profound insight, unparalleled political wisdom, and breathtaking strategic foresight have simply instilled in me... a sense of fear!"

President Lincoln exclaimed in an ode-like tone, "Lee, the greatest fortune of my life is to have such a steadfast and reliable friend as you!"

"Whenever I encounter difficulties that I can't overcome, I always find the right answer and the strongest support from you!"

“If you were my opponent… heh!” Lincoln couldn’t help but shake his head and smile bitterly, “Then I might not even know how I died…!”

"If you were born in the United States, regardless of whether you are white, black, or Asian... I would absolutely, without hesitation, support you with all my might to become the greatest president in American history!!!"

"It's a pity you were born in China... Alas, this is a huge loss for all the American people!"

At that moment, President Lincoln even considered amending the Constitution to allow Azuma to also become President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln was now completely and utterly convinced of the young Chinese man before him, even... utterly impressed!

“Lee, you’re right!” Lincoln finally stated his decision: “Sometimes, for the benefit of all the American people, we must bear heavy sins!”

"Truth is always in the hands of a minority!" Lincoln continued. "Even if we are not understood by everyone, even if we have to walk alone on the road ahead... as long as it is the right thing to do, we must persevere to the end and do it at all costs!"

"I completely understand your line of thinking and ideas!"

"It has to be said that this is the only way to break the current deadlock."

Lincoln concluded: "I secretly condoned, coerced, and even supported the independence of the Southern states, thereby stripping them of their right to participate in American elections. And then, unsurprisingly, I became the next president of the United States."

"Once I continue as president, I will take this opportunity to declare war on the independent Southern states, eradicate slavery, and restore the integrity and unity of the United States!"

"Although countless people will bleed and sacrifice their lives because of this, countless soldiers and civilians will fall in pools of blood, although I will bear a heavy sin because of this, and even my soul will be condemned to hell forever...!"

"But this is absolutely the right thing to do, and I must stick to it at all costs!!!"

(End of this chapter)