In late September, Li Zhen and his party arrived in San Francisco.
After spending more than half a month, Li Zhen and his party finally returned here again, because there is no connecting railway between San Francisco and Washington. If the railway were connected, it would definitely save a lot of time, but there would be delays from time to time, or It took more than half a month to transfer trains.
Back in San Francisco, Li Zhen and his party went straight to Chinatown.
Dading Restaurant, second floor.
At this time, Hong Yi, the leader of the Hongmen, and the big guys from the Hongmen, plus Li Zhen, Liu Jintang, Tang Huaide, Asaman and others who had just returned from Washington, were all sitting together.
Hong Yi looked disappointed and sighed: "The President is leaving San Francisco soon, and we can't bear to leave."
Tang Huaide said: "President, why not stay a little longer."
Li Zhen smiled slightly, shook his head and said: "All the feasts in the world come to an end. It's time to return home. We say goodbye this time. I believe we will meet again next time." After a pause, Li Zhen changed the topic and asked: "Hongmen Lord, how are things going with Mr. Scott?"
Hong Yi nodded and said: "President, please rest assured that everyone has been settled and is absolutely safe."
After hearing this, Li Zhen finally felt relieved.
When Li Zhen left Washington, he had already expected that once the news of the Scotts' departure reached Lincoln's ears, Lincoln would not give up. It was impossible for Lincoln to watch high-level officials like Scott leave the U.S. Union and would definitely send someone to To intercept, Li Zhen came up with the idea of building a plank road to cross Chencang secretly, using Li Zhen as an open line to attract Lincoln's attention.
Scott left secretly, evaded search, and arrived safely in San Francisco.
Sure enough, Lincoln finally fell into the trap.
Hong Yi frowned and said seriously: "It is not difficult for the President to leave San Francisco, because you are leaving normally, but it may be very difficult for Mr. Scott and his family to leave."
"Why." Li Zhen asked.
Hong Yi said: "Before the president arrived in San Francisco, the mayor of San Francisco had already received an order from Washington to send soldiers to garrison the port and strictly inspect people leaving the port of San Francisco. They allowed outsiders to enter, but those leaving San Francisco But we were faced with a search. I once sent people to test the port, and the person they searched was Mr. Scott. Presumably, President Lincoln did not allow Mr. Scott to leave with the president, so it was very difficult."
Liu Jintang nodded and said: "Mr. Scott has served as the commander-in-chief of the Federation for decades. He is familiar with all kinds of affairs in the Federation and is an important high-level official. If I were the president of the Federation, I would not be able to let Mr. Scott leave. "
Hong Yi asked: "President, what should we do now?"
Li Zhen thought for a while and asked: "What if we cross the border illegally? This is possible."
Hong Yi shook his head and said: "President, smuggling across the border is almost impossible."
"Why."
"Because the officials who control the port know about smuggling, they usually turn a blind eye, so some people successfully smuggle in, or sneak away quietly, but they are insignificant people, so No one checked. Now that the mayor has received an order from the president, the checkpoint has been put under martial law. The soldiers at the port did not dare to be lazy. They all stared with their eyes wide open. They were well prepared and it was impossible to escape from under their noses. Mr. Scott wanted to sneak across. It’s almost impossible to leave.”
Li Zhen frowned, his expression extremely serious.
It seems that the situation is not good.
How to do it.
Li Zhen fell into deep thought. The people present also had serious expressions. Most of them already knew what was going on, but they couldn't think of a way. After all, it was impossible for Li Zhen to take people away by force. Li Zhen only had more than three hundred people. There are tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in San Francisco. The difference in strength between the two sides is so great that it is simply not feasible.
"Report, President, there are soldiers downstairs and they want to conduct a routine inspection."
A soldier from the Jian Dao Battalion came up to report.
Hong Yi immediately explained: "President, this routine inspection is to search Mr. Scott. From time to time, soldiers come to Chinatown to search. I think the mayor wants to find Scott as soon as possible. Checked so frequently.”
Li Zhen waved his hands and said: "No problem, let them search."
The soldiers went to give orders, and soon, soldiers from San Francisco went upstairs to investigate.
Because Li Zhen made a big fuss in San Francisco, countless people remembered Li Zhen. The soldiers all knew that Li Zhen was a ruthless character, so they did not dare to go out of their way or offend Li Zhen. The officers and soldiers came in a hurry. He went in a hurry and left soon.
At this time, Li Zhen's expression became more solemn.
From this point of view, San Francisco has made plans to bring Scott back. Li Zhen thought carefully, his brows suddenly widened, and he said with a smile: "Since Washington has put pressure on San Francisco again and again, San Francisco It is impossible to let Scott leave, so we can only use other means."
Liu Jintang asked: "President, what method?"
Tang Huaide and others blinked, wondering what Li Zhen was going to do.
The corner of Li Zhen's mouth raised into a smile, but a sharp look flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Master Hong Clan, I would like to ask for your help in this matter. I will write a letter now, and you will send someone on a boat. Leave San Francisco and go to Hawaii Island to contact the great pirate Teach over there and hand him my letter."
"pirate."
Hong Yi's eyes widened with a puzzled look on his face.
Liu Jintang and Chen Yucheng looked at each other and understood in their hearts.
…
A small building in downtown San Francisco, on the third floor.
In the room, Scott and Maria sat next to each other, both of them looking serious.
With a trace of anxiety in her eyes, Maria said: "Old man, we are being arrested everywhere outside. Under such circumstances, can we still go to China with Li Zhen?" Although Maria is Scott's wife, in the final analysis , she was just an ordinary old woman who was very old, and she felt uneasy after hearing the news from outside.
Scott said: "I have to go."
Maria said: "Why."
Scott looked solemn and said seriously: "The news of our departure has caused a stir in the city. Washington has also given up on me. Once I am taken back, I will definitely be punished."
Maria trembled with fright and was frightened.
When Scott saw this, he smiled inwardly.
In fact, Scott was worried that Maria couldn't bear the pressure and ran out to see the mayor of San Francisco, so he threatened Maria and asked Maria to go to China firmly. As far as Scott was concerned, he had already agreed If you accept Li Zhen, you will not go back on your word. As for leaving the federation, the officials in Washington will definitely not agree. After all, he is an important official of the federation. But if Scott wants to leave, the federal officials have no reason to stop him.
He did not go to China to be an official, but to run a school.
As a teacher, there were no national secrets involved, so Scott felt at ease.
ps: Fourth update; call it a day, tomorrow is Monday, outbreak, hey.