The arrogance started from Chinatown

Chapter 425 Impact of the Washington Treaty
"What can you do?" Chen Zhengwei threw a cigar to Yung Wing, lit one himself, and then asked.

Yung Wing said without hesitation: "The powerful countries in the world today all value education, develop industry, and have strong military forces! If Mr. Chen wants to open up a new world in the United States, it is natural that he should do the same! In order for Chinese people to gain a foothold in the United States, in addition to having guns and cannons, they must also attach importance to education and let Chinese people fill all walks of life and all classes."

"Mr. Chen has his own thoughts and is very clear about this. I see that in today's Washington Treaty, there is a clause that universities must reserve places for Chinese people," Yung Wing sighed.

If there were more far-sighted people like Chen Zhengwei in the Qing court, how could it lag behind other countries in the world?

When he returned to China, he had the idea of developing the country through education and industry.

He first gave suggestions to Hong Xiuquan, and after leaving Tianjing, he also made many suggestions to Zeng Guofan.

Now he understood that the reason why the Qing Dynasty became so corrupt was not because of other reasons, but because of its system, which must be reformed.

However, his words are insignificant and naturally cannot change anything.

Yung Wing took out a piece of paper from his pocket and said, "Mr. Chen, these are some of my thoughts over the past few days."

These contents were all written before he came, and the first one was about views on education. However, he did not expect that Chen Zhengwei had already understood this point, and there were clauses about education in the negotiations.

Chen Zhengwei took the paper, opened it and glanced at it, and found that Yung Wing had written more than a dozen points. In addition to some ideas on education, he also had some ideas on industry, military affairs, and commerce.

For example, developing industry in the west and researching and manufacturing equipment for making weapons; establishing a military academy to reform the army under Chen Zhengwei and regularize it; for example, establishing a bank to absorb deposits to develop industry.

Chen Zhengwei felt that this guy really had something, and a lot of his writings were meaningful.

He is actually an all-rounder.

It was not just a diplomatic talent as he had thought before.

"Next, when Los Angeles is being built, you can go there to help! In addition, you can also take part in school affairs!" Chen Zhengwei thought for a while and said.

The next priority is to build Los Angeles. Like San Francisco, Los Angeles has a natural port and railways, and is closer to South America, Hawaii and Asia.

Of course, another important point is that Chen Zhengwei doesn't like the humid and cold climate in San Francisco.

But Los Angeles is different. It is sunny all year round and is called the Sunshine City.

Therefore, the construction in Los Angeles will have to be given priority, and Chinese businesses there will also enjoy tax incentives... All Chinese businesses will have their taxes halved for three years.

If you want to do something fancy with this, you can even close the factory after three years and change a legal person to continue the business.

It is conceivable that development there will be very fast.

In addition, if they buy ships from the British and bring people over from the Qing Dynasty, the population of Los Angeles will surpass that of San Francisco in just one year.

So he needed someone capable, and Yung Wing looked good.

Besides, since he is so interested in education, we can throw the school matters to him first and then see how he does.

Yung Wing was delighted to hear this arrangement: "Thank you, Mr. Chen! But Mr. Chen needs to wait for me for some time. I have submitted my resignation to the Zongli Yamen and I also need to settle those students! When the new minister arrives, I will have nothing to do and can go to see Mr. Chen."

What he cared about most were the young children studying in the United States.

Now, it is because of him that those young Chinese students studying in the United States can go to school safely... If it weren't for him, it would be hard to say.

But this is not without a solution.

Chen Zhengwei once hosted banquets for those students twice, which shows how much Chen Zhengwei values those students.

If there were any changes in the Zongli Yamen and they wanted to recall those students, he felt that Chen Zhengwei would be willing to sponsor them.

Just in this matter, he felt that helping Chen Zhengwei was much more enjoyable than being the deputy minister of the Qing Dynasty.

……

That afternoon, the US President held another press conference to apologize for his previous discriminatory remarks against Chinese Americans, and said that this war was wrong and full of regrets.

……

"The Washington Treaty is signed and both sides cease fire!"

"The President held a press conference to apologize for his previous remarks!"

“This is a wrong war!”

The next morning, newsboys across the United States ran on the streets waving newspapers and selling them.

Whether it is the wealthy, the middle class, or even the illiterate lower class in the United States, everyone is paying attention to the final outcome of this matter.

Chicago, black community.

Several black people ran to John Jones's house with newspapers: "Mr. Jones, the results are out!"

Previously, Chen Zhengwei persuaded John Jones to contact black people from all over the country to support Chen Zhengwei, adding fuel to the voices in various parts of the United States.

Now that the results are out, they are naturally paying attention.

John Jones was still in his pajamas. He took the newspaper and flipped through it. After a moment, his expression changed.

"Mr. Jones, what's going on up there?" a black man inquired.

Most black people are illiterate, so naturally they don’t know what is written on it. They just heard many people talking about it on the road just now, and they thought it must be a big deal.

John Jones simply read all the terms in the newspaper.

As John Jones read out the items one by one, the expressions of the other black people changed one after another.

A large sum of compensation and the abolition of discrimination laws are fine, after all, they explicitly prohibit discrimination against blacks.

And black people also have the right to vote.

But when it comes to policy making involving Chinese people, the opinions of Chinese community leaders must be consulted, and this began to make people feel that something was wrong.

In trials involving Chinese people, one-third of the jury must be Chinese.

Judges often consider the opinions of the jury, especially when combined with the previously mentioned law that will be passed to prohibit discrimination against Chinese people... In other words, many times even if a Chinese person commits a crime, he or she will most likely be acquitted unless there is irrefutable evidence.

Otherwise, under the manipulation of someone with ulterior motives, the judge may be sued for discrimination.

Although they had not thought about it so thoroughly, they already had this feeling vaguely.

In other places, some wealthy people can see the trick at a glance.

The U.S. government also sold land at low prices to Chinese Americans to build cities, and funded the construction of public facilities, roads, hospitals, and schools in Chinese communities... and established legal aid funds...

Moreover, in western Chinese cities, Chinese companies also enjoy tax breaks?
Even universities have to give a certain number of places to Chinese people...

This battle made the Chinese move from the bottom of the American discrimination chain to the top of all ethnic groups.

After John Jones finished reading, everyone fell silent, and the other black people also fell silent.

They fought for their freedom in the Civil War, and so many died, and yet...

What did they gain?
Now black people are still at the bottom of the discrimination chain, being enslaved in the South and facing the possibility of being thrown into prison at any time in the North.

And what about the Chinese?

Some unwilling emotions arose in their hearts.

Since Chinese people can do it, why can't they?

There are only tens of thousands of Chinese in the United States, while there are more than six million blacks... After all, Chen Zhengwei personally demonstrated to them what it means to kill people and set fires and then be recruited.

……

"They can agree to such conditions. What on earth are those people in Washington doing?"

"Let those yellow monkeys ride on our heads in the future? America is our America!"

"It's absolute bullshit!" A rich man threw the newspaper to the ground, cursing angrily with his chest heaving violently.

There were many people who had the same reaction as him. Many people found it incredible that Washington could actually sign such a treaty. Wouldn’t those yellow monkeys climb over their heads in the future?
The white supremacist groups in the Southern states reacted the most.

The governments of the southern states remained silent at first, but then stood up and loudly criticized Washington for signing such an outrageous contract.

Washington was naturally extremely angry about this. If it weren't for the southern states constantly making trouble, things wouldn't have turned out like this.

The cabinet has begun to discuss intensively how to control the militia groups in the southern states.

The "National Guard" plan was also formally proposed for the first time.

The title National Guard actually appeared in 1824, and in 1825, the Seventh New York State Militia Regiment adopted the nickname.

"The National Guard has always been known for its patriotism. We can expand this name to the militia regiments in each state. I hope they can also convey this patriotism, and the unified name can also increase their sense of identity. We need to find a way to incorporate them into the existing Army." Vice President William A. Wheeler said directly at an internal meeting.

He has come into contact with many members of the National Guard, many of whom are from the upper class and now have great influence in all walks of life, including politics, business and even the army.

So he took the opportunity to make this suggestion, and at the same time he really hoped that the militia groups in each state could inherit the patriotic spirit like the National Guard.

……

Chen Zhengwei didn't care about these voices at all. After all, his goal was achieved. After hosting another banquet in Washington, he took his people away.

Nelson, Sherman, and Sheridan, as well as other prisoners, were also released.

Sherman and Nelson took the train back to Washington. They were silent all the way, looking out the window, wondering what they were thinking.

These days seemed like a lifetime ago to him.

After returning to Washington, he locked himself in his home for a day.

The next day, he first went to get his hair and beard fixed, and then went to the Army Headquarters to ask the Operations Staff to review the situation.

Unlike him, after being released, Sheridan locked himself in his home and refused to see anyone.

Obviously, this failure hit him hard.

Sherman had to summon Sheridan's staff and ask them to explain the situation on the battlefield.

"He's a military genius, but he must have a weakness! We have to find his weakness!"

"We lost once. Anything can happen on the battlefield. No one has never failed. Losing once is not terrible, but we can't indulge in failure!"

"We will finally win!"

Sherman encouraged everyone in the Army Department, and then got everyone to organize all the information on the battlefield and review it day and night.

When Sherman was sleepy, he would sleep in the office. When he was hungry, he would just eat something. His eyes were bloodshot.

After a few days, Sherman's eyes became more bloodshot, but his eyes became brighter and brighter.

He found Chen Zhengwei's weakness.

"He is a military genius. He can keenly grasp the direction of the battle, find opportunities, and then kill with one strike! This is his strength, but it is also his biggest weakness!"

"Whether it was the raid on the headquarters or the attack on the naval gunboat, he personally led his men to do it! He is very good at taking risks, and he is full of confidence in himself... and all we have to do... is set a trap for him!"

"Next time, we will never lose!" Sherman put his palms on the table. He couldn't wait to avenge his previous defeat.

But before that, he had more important things to do, such as recruiting soldiers to replenish his troops, stabilizing the Indian front, and preparing to put pressure on the southern states.

After Chen Zhengwei left Chicago, the Army had already begun recruiting soldiers by advertising in major cities. However, due to the previous public opinion war, the recruitment effect was not good.

So far, only one quarter has been replenished.

In a full half month, only more than a thousand young people were recruited.

On the contrary, the militia regiments in the southern states, such as Louisiana alone, recruited a militia regiment of 800 people in ten days, some of whom were veterans who participated in the Civil War.

……

While Sherman was studying Chen Zhengwei's weaknesses, Chen Zhengwei had already returned to New York with his men.

At this time, outside New York City, you can see horse-drawn carriages parked on the roadside, and some people wearing black gentlemen's suits and bowler hats standing next to the carriages.

Some of them were wearing a kind of soft hat... the favorite of those Chinese from the West, many people called it a thug hat.

Eastman, the boss of the Eastman Gang in New York, Abe Bernstein of Detroit, Allen Gustin of Boston, and Charles Rutman of Baltimore, these gang leaders not far from New York, were all standing beside the carriage, smoking and chatting.

After all, Chen Zhengwei is the boss of the Disciplinary Committee, and it is shocking that he did such a thing again this time.

No gang has ever been able to do this.

Therefore, they all took the initiative to greet Chen Zhengwei and express their respect.

"Here they come!" A thug came over on horseback.

After a while, a large number of carriages appeared at the end of the road.

The carriage in front stopped when it got close to the crowd. The charioteer asked about the situation and then went back to inform Chen Zhengwei.

Chen Zhengwei then led his men down from the carriage. When he saw so many carriages waiting to greet him outside New York City, he immediately became very happy.

He just likes this kind of pomp.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chen!" Seeing Chen Zhengwei approaching with a group of Chinese men in hunting suits, the gang leaders all lowered their heads and said:

"Your deeds are shocking. They are the legend of this era!"

Chen Zhengwei laughed: "Even though you are a gangster, you don't have to dress so dark, right?"

These people brought more than a hundred men with them, all of whom were dressed in the same black suits and white shirts, with only a slight difference in their hats.

"After all, this is more formal!" Eastman said with a smile.

Chen Zhengwei took out a pack of cigarettes and threw one to each person. He stood there and chatted with everyone for a while before saying, "I will be in New York these days. I will chat with you!"

So let these gang leaders disperse.

He was not planning to get too close to these gang leaders in public. After all, his identity was different now. He was a Chinese leader.

If you get too close to the gangs, ordinary people who don't understand the situation will misunderstand you.

Eastman and the others are well aware of this, so they are waiting here.

　I'll ask for a leave and update this chapter of 4,000 words today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)