America 1881: Legend of the West

"President Cleveland does not think it is a good idea to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii now."

Stevenson led Thurston into his office in the consulate.

He took out a cigar and offered it to Thurston, but the latter rejected it impatiently.

This was a very rude thing and showed that Thurston was extremely irritated.

"What's going on? Mr. Stevenson, you have always promised that the U.S. government will always support the actions of the Hawaiian People's Alliance. Everything we do is in line with the interests of the United States, right?" Se Stone put his hands on his hips and asked Stevenson anxiously.

"Thurston! I know you are in a hurry now, but I hope you will hear me out!" Stevenson did not show any irritation. He pressed his hand down towards Thurston and clicked on the button. Your own cigar.

"President Cleveland has clearly expressed his opposition to expansion and imperialism since the election. This is completely different from President Harrison!" Stevenson took a puff of his cigar. "I originally hoped that he would open up He turned a blind eye, but not long ago he made it clear to me through Secretary of State Gresham that he would not provide me with military support!"

"Does it make sense for him to oppose purely for the sake of opposition?" Thurston gritted his teeth.

"That's not necessarily the case." The ambassador added, "He has always believed that U.S. interests in Hawaii are not under great threat. You should not provoke disputes and give Britain or France a reason to intervene!"

"Then does Mr. President know that Queen Likariura is planning to abolish the old constitution and regain power?" Thurston felt like he was going to be angry to death. "If we don't do it now! Then the United States may lose its power in the Pacific forever. This pearl!”

Thurston's words grew more urgent.

"I don't need American soldiers to charge and bleed! We will figure out how to do it ourselves! We just need American sailors to land!"

He simply unbuttoned the top button of his shirt that made him feel suffocated.

"You can let the soldiers on the Boston land in the name of protecting the consulate, just like you did a few years ago!" Thurston's voice was pleading, "You have the right to do this, right?"

Stevenson fell into silence, and after a long time, he replied

"The 'Boston' is not in Hawaii now and has returned to China."

The office suddenly became very quiet, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Thurston now wanted to smash everything he could get his hands on.

These damn bureaucrats in Washington! At this time, if the "Boston" is allowed to return to China, wouldn't it mean that we have to rely on the white people in Hawaii themselves? !

He stared at Stevenson and said a few words:

"If the U.S. government does this, it will sell us all out!"

Stevenson sat back in his chair and remained silent.

The cigar in his hand soon stopped burning on its own.

"There is actually one armed ship currently docked in Hawaii with the American flag." Stevenson suddenly said.

Thurston's eyes met the ambassador's.

The two of them said the same name at the same time:

"Chen Jianqiu!"

"No, absolutely not!" Thurston just thought for a moment and then immediately rejected the proposal.

He didn't know much about Chen Jianqiu's family history in the western United States, but as a native Hawaiian-American lawyer, he looked down on any Chinese.

In his eyes, no matter how high their status was, these Chinese were nothing more than a bunch of pitiful rats-eating worms.

Most importantly, Thurston has always stubbornly believed that the annexation of Hawaii to the United States should be the conquest of this island by white people.

Just like the westward expansion movement!

The members of the Hawaii People's Alliance, which has been leading this matter, are basically all white.

How could a Chinese get involved in such a matter of subverting the regime? !

"I cannot accept asking for help from a yellow-skinned Chinese!" Thurston shook his head, "No matter how rich and powerful he is."

"Do you have a better idea?" Stevenson relit the extinguished cigar in his hand.

As one of the promoters of the annexation of Hawaii plan from beginning to end, he did not want his previous efforts to be in vain.

In addition to this reason why the ambassador is so concerned about Hawaii, he also has a large amount of business and assets in Hawaii.

In other words, Stevens himself is also one of the vested interests.

The two argued for a long time, but neither could convince the other.

In the end, the two broke up on bad terms.

After Thurston returned to the People's League, he told everyone about his conversation with Stevenson.

This time, it was everyone's turn to fall into silence.

"I will find a way to solve the Honolulu Spear Club! Maybe we can also solve this matter on our own!" Thurston vowed to encourage everyone.

"So, why don't we ask the boss named Chen for help?" The grumpy old man blew out a smoke ring and asked, "He is also an American! His armed strength impressed me deeply."

The old man with a white beard is named Duer. He is the largest plantation owner in Hawaii and also serves as the cabinet minister of finance.

Four years ago, the United States almost bankrupted the country when it decided to impose high tariffs on sugar from Hawaii.

So the only thing he cares about is whether he can subvert the kingdom.

"Duer, you have to believe me, only the armed force of the Lancers is the key! We have been in business for so long, we don't need to find that Chinese named Chen!" Thurston tried to convince the old man.

Duer muttered and said nothing more.

But after the meeting, the stubborn old man with a white beard held his pipe in his mouth and went to find Ambassador Stevenson alone.

He always felt that Thurston had a desire to monopolize power.

Stevenson also felt that Thurston was a bit disobedient.

He was a little dissatisfied.

If he hadn't asked the US troops on the "Boston" to come ashore a few years ago, he would probably still be in prison in Honolulu.

Without me, Stevenson, running around all these years, you, Thurston, are nothing!

It is really not a wise choice not to use the power that can be used but to take desperate risks.

The two hit it off.

So, after receiving Masao Kameda, the private room on the second floor of the Chinatown Tea House received the U.S. Ambassador to Hawaii.

Mr. Ambassador doesn't like tea.

But he likes to chat.

Chen Jianqiu's English proficiency even surprised him.

"You must have not been back to the United States for a long time." Chen Jianqiu took an exquisite wooden box from Li Sifu's hand, then took out a cigar from it and handed it to the ambassador, "Try a good Havana cigar."

"At the World Expo, President Cleveland recommended this product to me, so I bought a lot." Chen Jianqiu leaned on his chair and said calmly.

Ambassadors know their stuff.

The aroma of cigar tobacco soon entered his nose.

This is the best of the best.

"Yeah, I'm almost settled in Hawaii now." Stevenson lit the cigar and couldn't wait to take a puff.

Even though he kept trying to hide his attitude, he still couldn't hide his relief.

"If you like it, I'll give it to you." Chen Jianqiu pushed the wooden box to the ambassador, "I still have a lot, just tell me when you finish."

Stevenson had no reason to feel that the Chinese businessman in front of him was particularly close and pleasing to the eye.

He told Chen Jianqiu his plan:

"I hope that as an American, you can help us! On behalf of the United States of America, I thank you!" Stevenson said to Chen Jianqiu solemnly.

Chen Jianqiu had a smile on his face:

"That's natural. For the sake of the United States, I will keep my men and gunboats ready at all times!"

The ambassador was very satisfied.

The two chatted for a while, and the ambassador left with the box of cigars.

Looking at Stevenson's back, the smile on Chen Jianqiu's face became playful.

Things are getting interesting.