The arrogance started from Chinatown

Chapter 622: The st President
Chen Zhengwei stayed in Pittsburgh for a day, then took a train to Akron and then took a horse carriage to Huntington.

It's almost the same everywhere in this era. In the city, you can still pave the roads with stone slabs or gravel, but outside the city, they are all dirt roads. Fortunately, the weather has been cold recently and it hasn't rained, so the road is not muddy, just a little bumpy.

At this time, James Garfield was waiting for news in a hotel in Huntington Town. His home was on a nearby farm, and he could hold a press conference here immediately after the results came out.

Not only him, but also his campaign team and some other people were here, such as some important figures in the Republican Party and some wealthy people who supported Garfield.

In front of them were stacks of newspapers with the voting results of each state on them. Next to them was a table that counted the votes for states that already had results.

There were also many reporters waiting outside the hotel.

Although everyone knew that he would win unless something unexpected happened, everyone was still very nervous at this time.

James Garfield sat on the sofa for a while, then stood up and walked to the window. He turned his head and smiled at the others, "This is probably the most nervous moment for me, except for when Harrison was born."

Harrison is his oldest son.

Everyone laughed when they heard this: "Now we should prepare for the cocktail party!"

Just at this time, many people came outside.

Everyone stood up immediately: "Is the result out?"

"No, it looks like a guest!" James Garfield was at the window, just in time to see seven or eight carriages crossing the street and arriving outside the hotel.

Then he saw a tall man in an orange gentleman's suit getting off the carriage.

As soon as he appeared, he attracted the attention of everyone on the street.

When James Garfield saw Chen Zhengwei, he was surprised at first, and then he couldn't suppress a smile on his face.

When the opponent appeared here, he knew he was sure to win.

Then he turned and walked quickly out the door, and the others quickly followed him.

"Mr. Chen! I didn't expect you to come here!" James Garfield's face was filled with smiles. He quickly walked to the door and held Chen Zhengwei's hand.

"I'm here to celebrate with you, the 21st President of the United States," Chen Zhengwei laughed.

"Are the results out yet?" James Garfield showed a look of surprise.

"I passed by the telegraph office on my way here!" Chen Zhengwei reached out and took a telegram from the henchman.

This was the telegram he had just had someone send to Congress at the telegraph office, and then Congress sent it back to him.

James Garfield took the telegram, read the contents, and subconsciously asked, "Is this true?"

Then the smile on his face grew bigger and bigger, and he pumped his fist violently.

Seeing his action, others immediately cheered and applauded.

"Mr. Chen, please rest in the hotel first. I need to hold a press conference!" James Garfield wanted to suppress his excitement, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Of course, it's your time next." Chen Zhengwei smiled.

"Congratulations, Mr. President!" Cicely DuPont winked at James Garfield.

"Your book takes me back to my youth when I first met Lucy. That was the most wonderful time." James Garfield said, then turned around and took his wife's hand.

"You are so lucky!" Cicely DuPont shifted her attention from the 21st President of the United States to the relationship between James Garfield and his wife.

"You are very happy too, Miss Dupont! I have read your works and they are very touching." James Garfield's wife, Lucy Webb Garfield, said with a smile.

Then the two of them entered the hotel. Others greeted Chen Zhengwei in the hotel lobby, and Chen Zhengwei nodded slightly in response.

Hearing the cheers and thunderous applause coming from behind, Cicely Dupont looked back frequently with a smile on her face.

She really likes this lively atmosphere and is also moved that the Garfields have been married for more than 20 years and still maintain such intimacy.

This made her very envious.

Chen Zhengwei casually went to the suite upstairs to rest, and the reporters flocked into the hotel to attend the press conference.

Everyone who heard the news saw some very conspicuous Chinese people when they arrived at the hotel.

Aaron, with a big bald head and a cigar in his mouth, greeted those important Republican figures.

"What do you call it?"

"Joseph Hopkins!" An old man smiled and nodded at him.

"The Republican leader of Ohio? What a great man! If you need any help in the future, just let me know! As everyone knows, we Chinese have always supported the Republican Party!" Aaron laughed.

"Mr. Chen must have been very tired on the journey. I will definitely chat with Mr. Hopkins in the evening!"

After a round, Aaron had a rough idea of the identities of the people here, and then asked his "staff", two trusted subordinates, to compile a list.

Divide these people into those with whom Chen Zhengwei should have an in-depth chat, those with whom he should chat casually, and those who are insignificant.

He will then hand over the list to Chen Zhengwei.

Of course, this is for Chen Zhengwei.

Aaron, on the other hand, was very comprehensive and could chat with everyone for a while.

"Brother Long, are you going to run for president?" Ma Zai asked when he had a chance to speak.

"These people are all big shots in Ohio. It never hurts to get to know a few more of them. Otherwise, you wouldn't know who to give money to!" Aaron said, turning his head.

"Don't keep threatening and shooting people in the future. If you have something to do, try to go through the official line. It's not convenient to kill an entire family through the official line!"

"Just like when Green bought those steel mills, he killed a lot of people and caused such a big commotion. If we just go through the official route and push a few bills, we can shut down those steel mills. If we are willing to take over, they will have to thank us!"

"Use your brain more!" Aaron poked the man's temple and turned around to greet others.

In the evening, Aaron and Chen Zhengwei went downstairs to attend the banquet.

Although James Garfield was the protagonist today, Chen Zhengwei attracted everyone's attention as soon as he appeared.

"Mr. Chen!"

"Mr. Chen!"

Everyone greeted Chen Zhengwei.

"Brother Wei, this is the chairman of the regional committee...Joseph R. Hopkins..."

"This is Creek County Executive John H. Harp..."

Aaron followed Chen Zhengwei and reminded him.

Chen Zhengwei had a smile on his face as he walked up to greet these people, but they just said a few simple words and then left. These people were not important.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman, he just chatted a little longer.

After the banquet began, Chen Zhengwei and James Garfield sat on the sofa in the corner.

Today is not only a celebration party for James Garfield, but also a celebration party for the entire team behind him. Many of them are important figures at this time.

Garfield, of course, is the most important one.

"I didn't expect Mr. Chen to come in person. It's such a pleasant surprise." James Garfield was in a very good mood and was still very excited.

"I always felt that we were friends! I should come to celebrate for my friends! So I came back from Cuba and then came here!" Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

"Of course, I'd like to be Mr. Chen's friend!" James Garfield said with a smile. "Mr. President has been very busy recently, do you know why?" Chen Zhengwei asked, changing the subject.

"Maybe you want to leave something behind?" James Garfield asked after thinking for a while. It was impossible for him not to pay attention to the actions of the United States in Colombia.

The President's intentions are easy to guess.

"Yes...so I hope you can also leave something behind during your tenure. This is a good reputation and the development you bring to this country and its people!" Chen Zhengwei laughed.

"The markets in Central and South America!" James Garfield remembered what he had talked about with Chen Zhengwei.

"Obviously, you do."

"In addition, this is the age of the ocean and the age of industrial explosion. Some countries have been eliminated in the competition. If the United States wants to go further, it should increase investment in certain areas. Industry... and the navy!"

Chen Zhengwei said meaningfully.

“It is precisely because of embracing the Industrial Revolution that the United States has developed so rapidly.”

"But this is still too slow. If we want to develop faster, we need to put in more effort."

"I will have someone investigate and then propose a bill to push for the passage of policies and funding in this area!" James Garfield said after thinking for a moment.

He doesn't know yet what Chen Zhengwei wants to do. In fact, his primary target after taking office is the American political system.

Fight corruption and strengthen supervision of political donations.

However, since Chen Zhengwei proposed it at this time, he could only agree first, and then think about Chen Zhengwei's purpose, and then find a solution that both parties could accept.

Chen Zhengwei smiled and clinked his glasses with James Garfield.

Then they talked about the overseas colonies of various countries.

"The United States is the fastest growing country in the world. Compared with the United Kingdom, we have a larger land area and a larger population, so we should have greater influence.

Our previous policies were too conservative! The Monroe Doctrine was the foreign policy of 60 years ago, and the world has been developing non-stop in the past 60 years.

With all due respect, the Monroe Doctrine is no longer relevant to this era, as the colonial expansion and intervention of European powers in America...are still continuing.

"We should be more active and more radical. We should actively interfere in those countries in Central and South America and expand the influence of the United States."

“America should be America of America!”

Although Chen Zhengwei negotiated some agreements this time, they were too few and far from satisfying his appetite, and this operation method was too troublesome.

What Chen Zhengwei needs to do is to push the United States to actively expand outward, and let the US government promote and occupy the markets in Central America and South America.

Naturally, he can get the biggest piece of the pie.

There are also countless smart people working hard for their goals.

I don't even have to pay them wages.

Chen Zhengwei chatted with James Garfield for a long time, then stood up and went to the dance floor with Cicely Dupont.

Cicely DuPont is now the center of attention at every banquet. Every time she attends a banquet, there are always many ladies and young ladies surrounding her.

There are also those young people's eyes of surprise or admiration.

Chen Zhengwei didn't mind! As long as they didn't take any action... He liked others to envy him.

……

The next day, Chen Zhengwei chatted with James Garfield for a long time, and then left Huntington and went to Chicago.

The boss of Chicago today has changed from Greater Poland to Yan Qingyou.

Chen Zhengwei stayed in Chicago for five days and then set off back to San Francisco.

Cicely DuPont also returned to New York reluctantly.

When Chen Zhengwei arrived in San Francisco, a large number of Chinese were waiting at the dock.

Those who come to San Francisco from all over the United States to find work are also curious about what kind of big shots come to San Francisco.

"It should be Mr. Chen who is back!" In the distance at the dock, a group of workers were sitting on boxes, stuffing tobacco into their pipes, compacting them carefully, then lighting them with matches and taking a few puffs in a hurry.

"The Chinese boss? I've heard of him! He's a big shot!" shrugged an Irishman who had only been in San Francisco for two months.

"He's the real mayor of this city!" another person continued.

“Everyone in San Francisco knows it.

At this time, Chen Zhengwei had just got off the boat and saw Rong Jiacai and a group of people waiting for him at the dock.

"Such a grand ceremony!" Chen Zhengwei laughed.

"Brother Wei likes grand ceremonies, everyone knows that." Rong Jiacai, accompanied by a few young people, stood beside Chen Zhengwei and said with a smile.

"There are new faces!" Chen Zhengwei glanced at the people behind Yan Qingyou, and found two of them he had never seen before.

"Xu Zichun and Lim Boon Keng are from Singapore! They are both educated and good at work. They learned how to do business from their families since they were young and they have smart brains." Rong Jiacai pulled the two young men behind him and said with a smile.

Both men were wearing gentlemen's suits and looked neat and tidy. They had been looking at Chen Zhengwei.

At this time he said respectfully:
"Mr. Chen!"

The man in front of him was extremely famous not only in the United States, but also in the entire overseas Chinese community. His name was even known in Southeast Asia.

Seeing him now, he is just as the rumors said, tall and huge, and just standing there gives people a huge sense of oppression.

Xu Zichun is about 26 years old, looks quite mature and has a very friendly smile.

Lim Boon Keng was only about 20 years old and looked like a scholar.

The families of these two people have some properties in Singapore and Malaysia.

Now that Chen Zhengwei is doing very well in the United States, the news has spread to Southeast Asia, and some people have begun to consider developing in the United States.

These two people are considered to be the pathfinders of the two families.

However, thanks to the education she received since childhood, her decisiveness and long-term vision, she soon caught Rong Jiacai's eye.

This time he brought him along specifically to pick up Chen Zhengwei, also with the intention of promoting both of them.

Of course, it's just an expression of attitude.

The rest depends on their performance.

"Yes, he looks like a handsome man!" Chen Zhengwei guessed the situation of the two people after thinking for a moment.

He also knew why the scholar brought these two people to see him.

I praised him with a smile, but didn't take it too seriously.

"How is your sister-in-law?"

"My sister-in-law is in her advanced period now, so it's not convenient for her to travel. She's just waiting for Brother Wei to come back home!"

"When I came over, my sister-in-law was having someone clean up the yard!"

(End of this chapter)