The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 670: America wins again! (Please subscribe and vote)

The crystal candle chandelier in the East Room of the White House illuminated the entire room. President Buchanan sat behind a mahogany desk, on which was spread a copy of the Chinese Exclusion Act that had just been sent from Congress. A quill pen was placed next to the ink box.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jesse Bright stood to the left of the president, holding a Bible in his right hand. House Speaker William Pennington stood to the right, holding the voting record in his hand. Behind them stood the leaders of the two parties - Stephen Douglas of the Democratic Party and Thaddeus Stevens of the Republican Party.

"Gentlemen, please make way." Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune squeezed to the front row, his notebook already open. Behind him followed the reporter of the Baltimore Sun, with a camera that looked like a wooden box on a tripod, ready to record this important moment.

President Buchanan raised his swollen eyelids and scanned the room full of politicians and reporters. His eyes finally fell on John Bigler, the former governor of California, who was sitting in the corner. The old politician with a walrus beard looked extremely excited. After the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, he resigned from his post as minister to Chile and was ready to return to California to lead the Chinese Exclusion Movement.
"Today," Buchanan's voice suddenly rose, "we witnessed one of the greatest victories in the history of the United States of America!" He grabbed the quill pen and dipped it in the ink bottle. "This is a victory for American white labor! This is a victory for freedom and democracy! This is... This is a victory for Anglo-Saxon civilization!"

The President of the United States signed the document in a rush, and then put down the quill in his hand. Applause rang out like thunder, and the Democratic leader Douglas even took the lead in stomping his feet, shaking the portrait of President Washington on the wall slightly.

Greeley, a famous reporter from New York, was taking notes when he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Mr. President! Section 1 of the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits Chinese workers from entering the country. How is the federal government going to enforce it?"

The room fell silent. Buchanan smiled like a politician: "Dear Mr. Greeley, immigration control is a sacred state power. The federal government is only responsible for approving the bill and implementing it." He turned to Bigler, "I'm afraid it depends on the patriotic enthusiasm of the states."

Bigler took a step forward as if hearing a starting gun: "I have resigned as the Minister to Chile!" His voice was as hoarse as sandpaper. "I will leave for California next week. As long as the California militia takes action, the Port of San Francisco will not allow another Chinese sampan to dock!"

Applause broke out again. Buchanan took the opportunity to wipe the sweat from his forehead - this old guy's enthusiasm was a bit too high. Was he serious or just trying to make money by suppressing the Chinese?

Putting aside his doubts, the President continued, "This is a reflection of our great principle of state rights! America has won again!" He suddenly took out a roll of documents tied with a blue ribbon from a drawer, "By the way, I would like to announce that I will appoint Mr. William H. Wallace as the new governor of Washington Territory."

Stevens's cane suddenly thumped on the floor. The Radical Republican narrowed his eyes. "Wallace? The Whig who was so active in Oregon statehood?"

"That's right." Buchanan untied the ribbon and unfolded the documents. "He will be fully responsible for anti-Chinese affairs in Washington Territory. Believe me, gentlemen, this will be another victory for the United States!"

The reporter of the New York Herald suddenly interrupted: "Mr. President, Article 1789 of the bill prohibits Chinese from naturalizing citizens, but didn't the Naturalization Act of stipulate that the right of naturalization is limited to 'free whites'?"

"Yes," the American president nodded. "American citizenship is exclusive to white people. But the Naturalization Act of 1790 does not clearly define white people. How white do you have to be to be considered white? Some Chinese people are also very white, even whiter than white people from Europe. So are they considered white? Now there is the Chinese Exclusion Act. As long as you come from China, no matter how white your skin is, you do not meet the definition of 'free white people' in the Naturalization Act of 1790."

Buchanan paused, then added, "Of course, the specific enforcement is still in the state courts." He turned to Greeley and blinked, "Another victory for states' rights, isn't it?"

Douglas suddenly cleared his throat: "Article 3 allows states to restrict Chinese from purchasing land." He looked at Stevens meaningfully, "What is Pennsylvania going to do?"

The Republican leader sneered, "That's up to the Pennsylvania legislature, the courts, and the state government. But please remember that we oppose the Chinese because of their moral corruption, not because of their skin color. If they were as hardworking, honest, and gentle as black people, Republicans would never vote for the Chinese Exclusion Act!"

Wait for the Republican leader to express his position - anti-Chinese sentiment does not mean anti-black sentiment!

Buchanan then held up the signed bill and let the reporters take pictures. In the white smoke of burning magnesium powder, he caught a glimpse of reporters quickly recording in a notebook. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the headlines of major newspapers on the East Coast of the United States should publish this photo - the historic moment when the president signed the Chinese Exclusion Act.

"Gentlemen," Buchanan finally raised his voice, "Don't forget to report the main point - today, under my leadership, freedom defeated slavery! Democracy defeated despotism! America, won again!"

The late autumn of Changdao was wrapped in waves of sea breeze, and the withered yellow sycamore leaves swirled around Xianfeng's leather boots. He stood under the eaves with his sleeves rolled up. In the yard, Sushun was directing his family and Japanese maids to carry the carved wardrobe onto the carriage, while Linshu was holding the account book and counting the sandalwood boxes - all the goods to be shipped to Panama.

The sound of horse hooves approached from afar, and Senator O'Connor's gold-plated carriage turned into the manor. Chiyoko opened the brocade curtain, revealing half of her pink and white face. The Republican California Senator who got out of the car with her was holding the New York Daily Tribune under his arm, and the front page was printed with the full text of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

"Bishop," O'Connor said worriedly, "the telegram from the West Coast said," he glanced at the servant who was tying up the blue and white porcelain vase, and lowered his voice: "The Port of San Francisco no longer allows Chinese people to disembark and pass through customs."

Xianfeng said calmly: "You're moving fast enough, but can Weller, the governor of California, control the border of Washington Territory? You stay on the East Coast and go to Springfield more often. "That lawyer Lincoln should move into the White House next year."

Dust rose again on the carriage road. Huang Shiren's silk gown was covered with grass debris, and behind him followed Lei Lao Hu in shorts. This old Guangxi brother had two Colts on his waist and an oil-paper package tied to his belt - when he opened it, it turned out to be the deed to San Francisco's Chinatown.

"Brother, should we sell the stocks and bonds we have?" Huang Shiren said, twisting his mustache.

"Throw it away!" Xianfeng said firmly, "Exchange them all for gold bars, ship them to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Railway, and then ship them to Tianwang City by ship." He suddenly laughed: "The water on the East Coast is muddy enough, it's time to look to our brothers on the west." Before he finished speaking, Lei Lao Hu had already punched the pillar.

Xianfeng took out his pocket watch and glanced at it. It was almost time. If he was any later, he would miss the boat. He snapped the cover of the watch shut and said, "Let's go. General Ding's ship should have arrived in Panama by now. He should have received our goods by now, right?"

Port of Panama City.

Dingyuan's paddle wheel stirred the blue sea, making a rumbling sound. Ding Ruchang (formerly Ding Xianda, recently changed his name) leaned on the bridge railing and looked at the three warships flying the Stars and Stripes near the dock. The 32-pound smoothbore gun of the outermost cruiser "Macedonian" was facing the channel, and the muzzle was covered with rainproof cloth.

"Admiral, distance measurement completed." The first mate reported, holding the sextant, "The American ship is 270 yards away from our ship."

Chen Yucheng's leather military boots made a thumping sound as he stepped on the teak deck. He swept the American ship's deck with his telescope: "They are cleaning the cannons!" The young chief of staff of the Taiping Army's North American Expeditionary Force suddenly pointed at the "Macedonian" - several sailors were using long brushes to clean the rifling of the 24-pound secondary guns.

Ding Ruchang nodded: "It would be great if we could drive them away someday!" He turned to the messenger and said: "Raise the flag and notify the Port Authority."

Two signal flags were hoisted on the mainmast. A quick whistle suddenly sounded in the harbor, and more than 20 dock workers in red scarves poured out of the warehouse, with the leader holding a wheat cross flag. Ding Ruchang's telescope stopped at one of the men's faces - the scar from the brow to the chin was left in the Battle of Sevastopol.

"Wang Ahqi." Chen Yucheng recognized the man. "I didn't expect that he would join the Dark Hall after recovering from his injuries."

Cantonese shouts came from the shore. More than a dozen flatbed trucks loaded with boxes of important supplies shipped from the East Coast were pushed onto the dock. Ding Ruchang's mouth curled up slightly and he ordered, "Tell the engine room to add coal to suppress the fire."

Thick smoke suddenly belched out of the Dingyuan's chimney, and the paddle wheel accelerated, stirring up waves. There was a commotion on the deck of the American ship, and several officers rushed to the side of the ship to look. Chen Yucheng found that the anchor chain of the Macedonian was tightening, and sneered: "They are scared!"

The port authority boat approached the Dingyuan. The customs officer wore a Panama hat and handed over a port entry document with the seal of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Consulate in Panama: "General Ding, the American troop transport ship will arrive at the Port of Colon tomorrow." He lowered his voice, "It is carrying a battalion of federal troops and is going to San Francisco!"

Chen Yucheng clenched his sword fiercely. Ding Ruchang signed the document calmly, turned to Chen Yucheng and said, "What's the use of one or two battalions? When our cargo is delivered, we can arm at least one division on the west coast!"

At 3:30 pm, dock workers began loading cargo onto the Dingyuan. The cargo was large wooden boxes marked with "porcelain" and "caution". However, Chen Yucheng knew that the boxes were filled with arms purchased from New York and Pennsylvania by the East Coast Archbishop of the True Covenant sect through his connections.
(End of this chapter)