I, Zhu Houzhao, join the US imperialist chat group

Chapter 284: Lincoln's defection to the South was exposed! The whole country was shocked! Zhu Houzhao: We want to help attack New York!

new York.

In the editorial office of the New York Chronicle, the outside world is already covered with snow.

The office was heated by the fire, and the reporters and editors were a little drowsy.

Suddenly, the editor-in-chief George Fitch walked out of the single office, and in an instant... everyone who was slacking off started pretending to be busy.

"Well, Jack, let's go to the post office and see if His Majesty Norton I in San Francisco is planning anything big recently..."

"well……"

"Walk around..."

The reporter quickly picked up his coat and prepared to go out to create a story.

"Stop! Stop pretending! Everyone, cheer up..."

"Let's discuss what news to publish on Christmas Eve and Christmas! These two important holidays are coming soon, and we need explosive and shocking news!"

Fitch naturally knew the routines of these subordinates. He directly stopped the two people who wanted to escape and slack off, and also clapped his hands to attract the attention of everyone in the editorial department.

In those days, transportation was not very developed, and in the winter everyone stayed at home to keep warm by the fire while sleeping, so there was actually not much news in the whole of New York.

"Editor-in-chief, didn't I just want to interview our American Emperor Norton?"

"Your Majesty Norton can bring us news!"

The tall reporter who was just about to slack off quickly raised his hand and expressed his opinion, and immediately thought of Norton I, the top player in San Francisco.

As one of the top stars in the United States, people often use him for fun when they need him.

"Direction... Don't let our Majesty Norton condemn the government for this or that again. People don't like to read this kind of news anymore."

Fitch naturally knew what his men were planning, but Norton I had been almost completely exploited by them over the years, and without any new angles, the newspaper's sales could not be boosted.

"Editor-in-chief, I promise that His Majesty Norton will have new news this time... Two months ago, weren't President Lincoln and his men preparing to gather troops to defeat the Confederacy in one fell swoop? We can try to ask His Majesty what he thinks about this matter and what his Majesty's intentions are for this war..."

Reporter Gao immediately gave an idea, knowing that the most concerning thing in the country now was the decisive battle between the North and the South.

"Okay... This is a good idea! It would be best to guide His Majesty Norton to express some bold opinions... For example, if this war doesn't end, His Majesty Norton will form their California army and lead the army in person... It would be best to let His Majesty Norton start recruiting soldiers... to give everyone some fun."

Since Fitch could be the editor-in-chief, he must be quite capable and knew how to create news to attract public attention, so he immediately gave advice.

"Okay..." The tall reporter hurriedly recorded his thoughts.

"There are others..."

"Editor-in-chief, I think... we should fabricate more news about the Allied Powers! For example, we can say that the Allied Powers have received support from Britain and France..."

Other reporters gave their own ideas one after another. It was not that they were looking for chaos in the world, but... the mainstream public liked to watch the excitement. Although they supported the Federation, it did not stop them from giving the Confederacy some ideas.

Besides, most of the residents of New York State are still arguing over whether to support the North or the South.

This kind of subject matter can guarantee traffic.

"All right, all right... This news..."

Fitch agreed with these ideas and gave his subordinates some advice from a higher perspective.

There is no other way, he also has to ensure the sales of the newspaper.

However... just when they were brainstorming most intensely, the door of the editorial office was slammed open, and a reporter with a red face and gasping for air appeared.

"Steve, what's going on... don't you know how to knock?"

Everyone was frightened, and Fitch frowned and subconsciously scolded.

"Editor-in-Chief! Big news! Big news! Shocking news from Richmond...President Lincoln has voted for the South!"

Steve took a deep breath, and finally couldn't hide his excitement. He announced this shocking news, and expected his colleagues to be shocked and amazed.

however……

He didn't see what he wanted to see, and everyone looked at him hesitantly.

Fitch frowned even more: "Steve, what did you say... Can you say it again, what do you mean by President Lincoln voted for the South..."

Yes, everyone has not reacted yet and does not know this concept.

Fitch also knew clearly that Steve was the reporter they sent to the battlefield.

"Hoo... Great! Editor-in-Chief... You definitely don't know how shocking this news is. Just four days ago, President Lincoln..."

Steve took a deep breath, knowing that if he didn't explain this matter clearly, people would not be able to understand the meaning of this explosive news... So, he calmed down his emotions and began to recount what happened that day. Then, even if he told it again, he still felt thrilling and unbelievable.

Two minutes later...

The editorial office became quieter and more silent.

"God... are you kidding me! Steve, you can't just make this up because you can't find any news. Even if you made it up... it can't be this explosive, right?"

The tall reporter who wanted to interview Norton I broke the silence and immediately thought the news was ridiculous.

"Steve, that's impossible... President Lincoln was loyal to the Union. No matter who surrendered, he would never surrender to the South. Would Davis accept him? Would so many slave owners in the South accept him?"

Another reporter also tried hard to determine from a rational perspective that this was fake news and made them believe it. They would rather believe that the reporter was unable to dig up any news and was deliberately making a big fuss.

"Steve... this is a good angle... but now, please read the Bible silently, put your right hand on your left chest, and swear in the name of God... this is not news, no, this is not news you made up!"

Fitch tried even harder to calm himself down and tried to figure out the authenticity of the news.

After all, it was too shocking.

"Editor-in-chief! Colleagues... I, Steve, swear in the name of God! This is absolutely what really happened in Richmond, the battlefield of the South! I was there at the time, and this is the film I risked my life to bring out! It was the photo of President Lincoln announcing the surrender of the South..."

"Afterwards! President Johnson and his people tried to block the news and put all the reporters in solitary confinement!"

"It took me a lot of effort to escape!"

"I immediately ran back, fearing that other newspapers would get the news first!"

"Editor-in-chief! The center of the battlefield is under full martial law now... I finally managed to cross the war zone... I found a horse, and traveled day and night without even stopping to get back..."

"Also, these are all the injuries I got along the way!"

Steve made assurances again and again, his expression extremely solemn and dignified. He even lifted up his trouser legs to let everyone see his wounds, trying hard to make everyone believe him.

"Is this news... true?"

"If it's true, can we get on board?"

However, even so, such shocking news still made other reporters unbelievable.

After all, this was too sudden and shocking. If the news leaked out, it would definitely shock the entire U.S. Some reporters with a little political acumen knew immediately that this kind of news was not so easy to publish.

Because they represent the Northern Confederacy.

"Steve... Let's go! Let's go find the editor-in-chief..."

"This news is no longer something I can decide! And... when there is information coming from other channels, I still can't believe it. Is this the big news you want to keep secret?"

Fitch thought for a few seconds and instantly realized that the value and danger of this news was beyond his authority.

"Oh right! Steve...are you sure that our Northern Army is completely blocking this news now?"

"Three hundred thousand soldiers in the entire Federation... it's impossible for them to keep their mouths shut, right?"

With Steve on board, Fitch tried hard to ensure the exclusivity and uniqueness of the news.

"Sure……"

"President Johnson and his men have locked up all the reporters and strictly ordered the army not to spread the news... Even some soldiers may not know the news, they only know that the situation on the battlefield has suddenly changed..."

Steve was even more serious in his assurance.

"Okay! Steve...if this news is true...then, we Americans..."

Fitch tried to prepare himself mentally, then took Steve and knocked on the editor-in-chief's office door.

A few minutes later.

The editor-in-chief also asked Steve to swear in the name of God.

Steve swore again.

"I need to go to the telegraph office... and ask them to verify the authenticity of the news."

Without saying a word, the editor-in-chief took the two of them to confirm the news.

After all, there were no telephones in this era, only telegraphs...

In addition, the editor-in-chief is an extraordinary person with connections and access to important figures in Lincoln's cabinet. With his identity... he should be able to verify the authenticity of this news.

Naturally, before they left, they also told the reporters from the newspaper to prepare the manuscript first… Originally, the manuscript was to be written by Steve, but Steve is a key figure now and cannot be used in this way.

Two hours later, New York Post Office.

The telegram they were waiting for never came back.

"Editor-in-chief! They definitely won't tell anyone now... If so, the impact will be too bad!" There was no reply in the telegram, and Steve became anxious instead.

"I'll find someone else..."

Not replying to the telegram was actually the biggest signal, and the editor-in-chief calmly sent another telegram.

This time, the Post and Telecommunications Bureau was about to close... but the editor-in-chief used his super powers to clear the way and made the leaders of the Post and Telecommunications Bureau wait with them.

Beep, beep... Then, around seven in the evening, the telegram came back.

“YET!”

When the content of the telegram was translated, there were only these three letters, but the leaders of the Post and Telecommunications Bureau felt that these three letters were of great importance, as if they had seen God at that moment.

"Oh! God! How can this be true!" The director of the post and telecommunications bureau himself couldn't believe it.

"Editor-in-chief, Chief Editor! Look... the news I brought back is correct, right?"

Steve, who had been in suspense for a whole day, had tears in his eyes when the news was finally confirmed.

"That's right, that's right...Steve, you've done a great job for our newspaper this time!"

The editor-in-chief also took a long time to accept the news. After praising Steve, he looked at Fitch and said, "Fitch, notify everyone! Everyone should work overtime tonight! I want everyone to come buy our newspapers early tomorrow morning!"

"No! Tomorrow is too late!"

"Tonight! It goes on sale tonight! Have everyone wait at the printing house!"

"We have big news this time!"

The editor-in-chief couldn't help but tremble, and he obviously realized that their newspaper would become famous because of this exclusive news.

"But, Editor-in-Chief... can this news be broadcast easily? This will greatly affect the confidence of all our federation members... and may even have an impact on the upcoming war..." Fitch felt the pressure coming.

"Can this news still be kept secret? Send it!"

"This is their federation's business, not ours!"

"We are only responsible for announcing the most truthful news to the public!"

The editor-in-chief made the final decision and looked at Steve again: "Steve, I want you to write down what happened that night overnight! This time, your name will definitely be known throughout America!"

"Yes! Editor-in-Chief!" Steve was full of enthusiasm!

And then…three hours later, the New York Chronicle published this shocking news.

Even though it was almost eleven o'clock at night, it was like an earthquake, spreading outward from New York.

The shock caused by this news directly caused New Yorkers to come out late at night in the middle of winter to discuss and verify the authenticity of the news in disbelief.

There is no doubt that Steve and his newspaper office were blocked.

Faced with the excitement and disbelief of the people of New York, the editor-in-chief, Fitch and others came forward to explain and guarantee with their personal integrity.

Then... their newspapers were sold out again, and then... after countless people knew the news, they were eagerly waiting for Steve to reveal more details, wanting to know what had happened in Richmond.

No one is destined to sleep in New York tonight.

Then... when the next day came, a news report titled "Our great President Lincoln surrenders to the Confederacy, is America going to be destroyed?" appeared on the front pages of major newspapers in New York.

All newspapers and publications were snatched up by New Yorkers.

"How can it be……"

“This is made up!”

"President Lincoln also invited President Jackson, President Jefferson, and even His Majesty Napoleon to help!"

"And... President Lincoln is already the president, and he actually feels the danger of the Union... the danger of the Union!"

"Are the people of the Federation so dark?"

Citizens who learned the news were all trying hard to know more information and more details. Although the topic of this report was exaggerated, it somehow had some fantasy elements, which made the impression it left on ordinary people even more shocking.

At the same time, this severe storm quickly spread and raged from New York to the entire United States at an incredible speed, even... Foreign envoys from Britain, France, Spain and other countries who received the news were shocked when they heard the news.

Then... within less than a day, the Confederate-occupied state of Virginia also issued a statement clarifying the fact that Lincoln had voted for the South!
The collision of the two pieces of news was like a collision between Mars and the Earth, shocking the entire United States.

……

"President Lincoln! We want to attack New York! Please allow us to..."

Just as the whole United States was in an uproar because of this news, along the Mississippi River, Xu Pengju pulled Jackson, walked up to Lincoln, and volunteered.

"Your Majesty Xiao Zhu... didn't you say you were leaving soon..."

"Going to New York now...it'll take more than two days!"

Lincoln looked at Xu Pengju and Jackson with some headache.

(End of this chapter)