On the platform, countless people looked forward to it.
One of the group of people, all dressed in black, looked serious. In front of these people in black, there was a tall, thin, middle-aged man with sunken eyes and a full beard. Beside the middle-aged man, there were also There was a vicissitudes of life old man, both of whom had an imposing manner that made people around them dare not look at them. These two people were President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward.
The two came to the train station with the purpose of waiting for Li Zhen and asking Li Zhen to go to Washington with them.
Before that, the South and the North had gone to war.
It's a pity that the South took the lead one step at a time, and was better than the North in every aspect.
As a result, the North lost the opportunity.
Even though Grant led his troops to the front line, the war was unfavorable and he still could not save the situation. Now the fighting situation between the North and the South is almost one-sided, which is very unfavorable to the North. It seems that it has become a situation where the North must lose and the South must win. Because In this way, Lincoln and Seward got the news of Li Zhen's rejection and immediately ran to the train station in Massachusetts to wait for Li Zhen.
Seward stood next to Lincoln and said with a smile: "Mr. President, it is already 3:20 in the afternoon. The train should arrive at this time, why hasn't it come yet?"
After a pause, he added: "Could it be that we encountered a rollover accident?"
"Crow's Mouth."
Lincoln glared at Seward, his eyes filled with worry.
Siward smiled slightly and continued: "Actually, if the train Li Zhen was riding really had an accident, and Li Zhen and all the people accompanying him died in the accident, it would be a good thing. China without Li Zhen would not be the same. This group of elites in China will definitely be greatly affected. Of course, I don’t want anything to happen to Li Zhen, after all, we are still waiting for Li Zhen to save the situation."
Lincoln said: "Sir Seward, I regret bringing you here."
Siward rolled his eyes and said, "I don't want to see Li Zhen's face."
Lincoln snorted and said seriously: "Li Zhen's temper is very domineering and his words are a little arrogant, but you brought it on yourself. Who can you blame?" After a pause, Lincoln said again: "Li Zhen led the troops. The war is very powerful, and he can save the federation, so when Li Zhen arrives, I hope you can behave like a secretary of state and not always be at odds with Li Zhen."
"Understood." Siward affirmed.
"Woo, woo,,."
A distant whistle sounded from afar.
After a while, a locomotive came quickly with billowing smoke. After the train entered the station, it gradually slowed down and finally stopped completely. The door opened, and the passengers on the train got off one after another. It didn't take long, and there was a neat line. A group of bald-headed soldiers appeared. Lincoln's eyes lit up, and he immediately led his men to greet them. This group of bald-headed soldiers were surprisingly soldiers from the Sharp Knife Battalion under Li Zhen's command.
Behind the soldiers of the Sharp Saber Battalion were Li Zhen and his party.
After Huang Qiang saw Lincoln and Seward, he immediately came to Li Zhen and whispered: "President, Lincoln and Seward are here and are walking towards us."
Li Zhen paused and began to make calculations in his mind.
Lincoln came to see him this time, undoubtedly to ask for his help in pacifying the South.
Zuo Zongtang also heard the news, smiled slightly, and whispered: "President, if Lincoln and Seward can give us enough benefits, I think we can take action. After all, our help is not in vain."
Li Zhen nodded slightly, still thinking carefully in his mind.
In less than three minutes, Lincoln and Li Zhen met.
There was a smile on Lincoln's face, his bloodshot eyes, and the tired look on his face, all showing that Lincoln was exhausted these days and must have been extremely busy. With a smile on his face, Lincoln waved his hand and said: " President Li, I have prepared a place to rest, come with me."
"please."
Li Zhen waved his hand and followed Lincoln.
Lincoln did not express his intention, and there was no need for Li Zhen to refuse him flatly.
There is no harm in having more contact.
The group of people soon arrived at the place that had been arranged. This was a villa outside the city. The place was spacious enough to accommodate Li Zhen and his party, and it was also convenient for the three hundred soldiers from the Sharp Knife Battalion that Li Zhen brought with him. After the group moved in, , Lincoln arranged another dinner. After dinner, Lincoln invited Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, Huang Qiang, Liu Jintang and Chen Yucheng to the conference room.
Lincoln looked serious and did not hide anything. He said straight to the point: "President Lee, I invite you here this time because of the war between the North and the South. At present, the fighting situation is extremely unfavorable to the North. Our northern army is bound to lose almost every battle. Please help President Lee."
Li Zhen said: "I cannot meddle in federal affairs at will."
Lincoln said sincerely: "Back then, Princess Nguyen Lele of Vietnam asked President Lee for help, and President Lee generously sent troops. Now, on behalf of the Federation, I am asking President Lee for help. Your worries are unnecessary."
He stood up, bowed and said: "President Li, please help me."
Li Zhen waved his hand to signal Lincoln to sit down, and then said: "Mr. President, you have treated me with sincerity. Li Zhen is very grateful. Civil unrest in the Federation has affected a wide range of people. It has become a national matter. This is not a small matter. It is also happening in China now." I am busy with affairs and there are many things that need to be dealt with by me. Once I stay in the Federation to help quell the war, I will definitely not be able to return to China in a short time. Therefore, to me, this is not in line with the situation in China. Please forgive me, Mr. President."
Zuo Zongtang listened to Li Zhen's words and did not interrupt.
In fact, with Zeng Guofan's support at home, Zhao Liewen's protection, and Huang Shihai leading troops to defend Beijing, Li Zhen really didn't need to worry.
Seeing that Lincoln was about to speak again, Seward hurriedly interjected: "President Lee has been tired from riding the train all day and has not rested yet. Now, please take a rest. We will come back to discuss the specific details tomorrow morning."
Li Zhenxiao said: "That's fine."
Lincoln was unwilling and wanted to speak, but Seward kept signaling with his eyes.
Therefore, Lincoln suppressed what was in his heart and left with Seward.
Back in the room, Lincoln was full of complaints and said irritably: "Sir Seward, the country is facing a crisis, why don't you care about it? If you pull me out, the problems to be solved now can only be postponed until tomorrow. Even if Li Zhen is given a night to think about it, he will not change his mind. This matter must be fought for on our own initiative."
"Strive for."
Seward sneered: "Mr. President, what are you trying to win for?"
Lincoln was stunned and at a loss.
Siward looked serious and said with certainty: "I have understood that it is not that Li Zhen is unwilling to intervene. The reason why he did not agree is because we did not provide generous benefits. As long as we give enough benefits, we will surely impress Li Zhen." , you want to use your personal feelings to ask Li Zhen to help, this is impossible. Remember, when Ruan Lele asked Li Zhen to help, it was to give Vietnam to Li Zhen. Thinking about it from his perspective, if China is in danger, will the federation help for free? Obviously impossible."
Lincoln was dumbfounded and asked, "If this is really the case, what should we come up with?"