Lincoln and Seward came to Li Zhen's residence together, but Seward had a stern face and a look of reluctance. In Seward's view, Li Zhen was like a hedgehog with thorns all over his body, and whoever touched him would be unlucky.
He touched Li Zhen twice in a row, and was stung both times by Li Zhen. Therefore, he was extremely unwilling to deal with Li Zhen. When he entered the room and saw Li Zhen, Siward did not put on a good face. After they sat down, Lincoln asked with a smile on his face: "President Lee invited us here for something important."
Li Zhen smiled and said, "I have something to discuss with you two."
Lincoln said: "Please tell me." His expression became serious, because Li Zhen was a man of considerable foresight and ability, and the things Li Zhen mentioned on his own initiative were certainly not simple.
Li Zhen took a sip of tea and said slowly: "I invited you two here because I want to discuss the slavery system in the United States with you. As the top leaders of the United States, don't you, Mr. President and Secretary of State, realize the adverse effects of slavery? .”
Seward's eyes lit up and he asked excitedly: "Does President Lee also think that slavery is unreasonable? Oh, I think slavery is extremely unreasonable."
Li Zhen nodded and said: "Of course."
When Siward heard this, he felt even more happy. His sense of Li Zhen changed 360 degrees, and he wanted to go up and kiss Li Zhen. Siward, the old man, was a person who fiercely opposed the American slavery system. With Li Zhen as an ally, the little beef between him and Li Zhen was immediately thrown out of the window, and he seemed to regard Li Zhen as a close friend.
Unexpectedly, Li Zhen on the other side of the ocean also believed that the slavery system was unreasonable.
This made Siward excited.
With Li Zhen's support, Siward believed that what he insisted on was the truth.
Lincoln glanced at Seward and asked calmly: "What does President Lee think about slavery?"
Li Zhen smiled slightly and said: "In front of Mr. President, I am just a layman. After all, I don't even understand the basic national conditions of the United States. I can only talk on paper. Mr. Lincoln is the president of the United States, and his understanding of the United States is undoubtedly the most authoritative. , Mr. President also has his own views on the slavery system. How about I ask Mr. President to talk about it first and then discuss it some more."
Siward nodded and said: "Okay, okay, that's a good statement." All the wrinkles on his face were relaxed, and when he looked at Li Zhen, his eyes were full of kindness.
Siward was filled with joy, but Lincoln couldn't figure out what Li Zhen meant.
It stands to reason that Li Zhen is an outsider. He took the initiative to discuss institutional issues in the United States and is already suspected of meddling in U.S. national affairs. However, from the perspective that Li Zhen and Lincoln are good friends, Li Zhen also reminded Lincoln. Maybe take the initiative to talk about it so that it can be discussed.
However, Lincoln made a clear distinction between his relationship with Li Zhen and the relationship between Li Zhen and the United States. He believed that Li Zhen was not an emotional person and should not help the United States because of their relationship.
Besides, Siward was present, so this was definitely not a conversation between the two.
Li Zhen must have a purpose for doing this.
In a short time, Lincoln had already made up his mind and said, "Let me tell you my opinion first."
Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Please."
Lincoln took a long breath, and then said slowly: "The current United States is divided based on the difference between slaves. It is divided into two camps, the North and the South. The North advocates freedom, democracy, industry, and commerce. The main camp is occupied by slaves. A large proportion of them are slaves. few."
"Among them, among the six northeastern states, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts are all emerging industrial and commercial agglomerations. They are very similar to the British model and have few There were slaves, mostly workers in factories. In the northwest region, due to the Northwest Ordinances formulated during the Westward Expansion Movement, free farmers developed rapidly and there was no slavery system."
"The east-west and north-west regions constitute the structure of the entire north, making the north a region where slaves are rare."
“The South is mostly occupied by white slave owners’ estates, especially the existence of a large number of slave states, which has made the slavery system deeply ingrained. These slaves are an essential tool for slave owners to make money. Once the slaves disappear, a large number of slave owners will have nothing. Labor is available and huge wealth will be lost.”
"Slave owners will not let their financial resources be cut off, so the slavery system in the South has been deeply rooted. It is very difficult to solve the slavery system in the South."
Lincoln frowned, sighed, and said: "When I became the new president of the United States, I insisted on the abolition of slavery. There are already many slave owners who are dissatisfied and have opinions on the federal government. There are many difficulties."
Seward went on to say: "All difficulties are caused by slavery. As long as slavery exists, the development of the United States will be restricted and difficulties will continue. This must be abolished."
After a pause, Seward asked: "President Lee, what do you think?"
Li Zhenlang said: "I agree with Mr. Siward's statement that slavery must be abolished."
Lincoln said: "I also agree with the abolition of slavery, but slave owners are a very important proportion of American citizens. They occupy a large number of states and are even very powerful in terms of military strength. Once coercive means are used to abolish slavery, , the result must be that the country is divided and falls into civil war."
"When a civil war occurs in a country, for the United States, the final result must be that the vitality of the United States is severely damaged, the military strength of the United States is seriously affected, and the vigorous development of the United States will be delayed for many years. Therefore, I believe that the abolition of slavery should Go slowly and gradually abolish it, don’t rush it.”
"For example, among the slave states in the South, we can divide the major slave states one by one, and then gradually bring them together to turn the slave states into our strength. Although this is a long and difficult process, but for As far as the country is concerned, it is undoubtedly a good thing. As long as you are willing to do it, I believe it will succeed."
“When I was learning Chinese, the teacher who taught me once said: The road is long and long, and I will explore it from top to bottom. For the development of the United States, I am willing to work tirelessly to abolish slavery and preserve the country’s territory. Integrity and unremitting efforts to save the lives of countless people in the country."
"Pa, pa,,."
Li Zhen applauded and praised: "Okay, what a kind heart."
Siward snorted and said, "I don't agree. This won't work at all."
Lincoln said: "Mr. Seward, I insist on my opinion. I am the president of the United States. I must be responsible for the lives of American people and countless families."
Li Zhen shook his head slightly and said: "I appreciate Mr. President's benevolence, but in my opinion, if Mr. President is really willing to take responsibility for the lives of countless people and countless families, then he should be killed with a sharp knife. Damn it, abolishing slavery by thunder is the best way."
"Oh, tell me."
Lincoln blinked, thinking that Li Zhen finally showed his fox tail.
