Not long after, Tang Huaide, the Chinatown general merchant who came to see Li Zhen, strode in.
Tang Huaide is an old man about fifty years old, with a long braid. He wears a black robe, and his short beard under his chin is meticulously groomed. His clothes are neat and without any wrinkles, giving him an extremely serious look. It seemed that after Tang Huaide strode in, he stood in the center of the room, clasped his fists and saluted: "Old Tang Huaide, I have met the president."
Li Zhen waved his hands and said: "Mr. Tang, please sit down."
Tang Huaide sat down as instructed and put his hands on his thighs, showing great respect.
Li Zhen asked: "How many years has Mr. Tang lived in the United States?"
When Tang Huaide heard this, he immediately replied: "I am fifty-six years old this year, and I came to the United States with my father when I was ten years old. Today, it has been forty-six years, and half of my life has been spent in the blink of an eye."
Li Zhen said with a smile: "Mr. Tang is in a foreign land, but he still thinks about me, the president of China, and comes to visit in person. This is my honor, Li Zhen."
After a pause, Li Zhen asked: "Mr. Tang, how do you feel after living in the United States for so many years?"
Tang Huaide's expression became serious and he sighed: "In the decades I have lived in the United States, I have encountered all kinds of things. The attitude of Americans towards us is like going up and down the mountain. There are ups and downs. I remember that when I was more than ten years old, When I was about twenty years old, I lived a very good time. At that time, Chinese people were respected everywhere in the United States, because they were people from the heavenly kingdom who came to the United States and were highly respected."
"However, due to the corruption of the Qing Dynasty and the decline of national power, especially after the Qing Dynasty was bullied by foreign countries, life for us businessmen doing business in foreign countries began to be difficult, and we were despised by Americans everywhere. At that time, we, We are like duckweeds without roots. We have no choice but to swallow them in our stomachs because no one makes decisions for us and no one cares about our life or death."
"During that period, people in Chinatown united and became a team to survive the difficult days."
"Later, the great president came out of nowhere, defeated Britain and France, and showed China's majesty. China's strength became stronger, and Americans' attitude towards our Chinatown gradually changed."
"The biggest change was when the president promulgated the "Message to the Nation."
"After this news reached the United States, many Americans gnashed their teeth at us, but no Americans dared to bully us at will anymore, and no one dared to despise us anymore. Some Americans even looked at us with anger in their eyes when they saw us. With a sense of fear, I have lived for more than fifty years and have personally experienced the hardships and hardships involved. This is the benefit of a strong country."
"It can be said that without a president, there will be no revitalization and rise of the country; without a president, there will be no Chinese people living in the United States who can stand up and do things. Maybe the president will say that he is a sycophant, but you really understand it. , you will be able to understand that this is a very realistic thing, very cruel, and not a lie. I remember one thing very clearly, which is about the king of the Hawaiian island country in the Pacific."
"The current king of the Hawaiian island country is called Kamehameha IV. When he did not succeed as king, he once visited the United States. On the way to New York, Kamehameha IV and his entourage first occupied a carriage while riding a train. , however, the conductor told Kamehameha IV that he had no right to occupy this carriage because he had a darker skin color. Because of his different skin color, they were kicked out and discriminated against by countless Americans."
"There are still many indigenous black people in the United States. These black people are also discriminated against. They have no status or rights and can only be left to their own devices. Why? Because they have no roots and no one to support them."
"Because of the existence of the president and the strength of China, those of us who are wandering outside can do things with our heads held high. When we go out, hold our heads high, we can proudly pat our chests and say we are Chinese, and others can only show their admiration. expression."
With an excited look on his face, Tang Huaide stood up again, bowed to Li Zhen, and said: "On behalf of the businessmen of Chinatown, big and small, and on behalf of the countless Chinese people living in the United States, I would like to say thank you to the President."
Li Zhen nodded and said with emotion: "A country, a country, only a country has a home. Without a country, how can one have a personal home?"
After a pause, Li Zhen asked: "Mr. Tang is the general merchant of Chinatown. What kind of business is he doing here?"
Tang Huaide returned to his seat and sat down, and replied with a smile: "I run a restaurant in Chinatown called Dading Restaurant. It specializes in selling Chinese food. You can eat all kinds of Chinese flavor dishes. This is for the Chinese people who are wandering outside. Among other things, the Tang family deals in silk, tea, porcelain, etc., which are shipped from China and then sold to foreigners. At present, most of the merchants in Chinatown are engaged in this kind of business."
Li Zhenxiao said: "Mr. Tang, have you ever thought about returning to China?"
"Yes, why don't you want to?"
Tang Huaide sighed softly and said: "When people get old, they all want to return to their roots. I think of my ancestors and want to go back to China to see and walk around. But there are too many things in Chinatown, and my descendants have already settled in the United States. I can’t leave even if I want to.”
Li Zhen said: "As long as Mr. Tang is willing, I believe this will not be a problem for Mr. Tang. I welcome Mr. Tang to return to China at any time."
"Thank you very much, President." Tang Huaide continued: "I came to see the President on behalf of the businessmen in Chinatown to invite the President to Chinatown. All the businessmen were extremely happy to know that the President had come to San Francisco and wanted to say something to the President. Talk, I want to meet the President. Almost all of our businessmen have portraits of the President, but they haven’t seen the President yet.”
Li Zhen said: "It is certain to go to Chinatown, but not now. I still have something to discuss with the President of the United States. I can't spare the time for the time being. So I will postpone it for two days. What do you think?"
Tang Huaide said: "As long as the President is willing to go, the time will be arranged by the President."
"sure."
Li Zhen had a smile on his face, and the two talked and wrote about things before sending Tang Huaide away.
Back at his residence, Li Zhen shouted: "Huang Qiang."
"exist."
Huang Qiang came to the study and stood respectfully.
Li Zhen said: "Immediately send two soldiers from the Sharp Knife Battalion to disguise themselves and go to Chinatown to find out. In two days, I will go to Chinatown for a visit."
"yes."
After receiving the order, Huang Qiang turned around and left.
Li Zhen sat alone, thinking about what happened in Chinatown. It wasn't that he didn't believe Tang Huaide, but he had just arrived in the United States. Everything was a black eye and he couldn't be careless, otherwise he couldn't bear the consequences. Suddenly, Li Zhen He put his hand on his forehead and said, "I really forgot something important."
Li Zhen shouted: "Here comes someone."
The soldiers from the Jian Dao Battalion strode in and raised their hands in salute.
Li Zhen ordered: "Go and invite Mr. Lincoln, the President of the United States, and Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State of the United States. Tell them that I have important matters to discuss with them, and ask them to come."
