Chapter 311 Listening to the Rain
Chapter 311 Listening to the Rain
In late autumn, the lawn of a certain palace is still basically green, probably because it is planted with a special variety of grass, but the surrounding trees have turned red.
Shao Quanzhong came at an unlucky time today, as there was a drizzle of autumn rain. The people welcoming him on the lawn were all holding umbrellas, and it felt like the weather was just like London, but in fact it was just a coincidence.
The weather was cold, but President Johnson's attitude was fiery. He shook hands with Shao Quanzhong enthusiastically. White smoke rose on the lawn and spotlights flashed continuously.
"Shao, you came just in time. The election here is in a stalemate. The votes in several swing states are very close. I am slightly at a disadvantage, and the results have not yet been announced. I need you to be my timely help."
Listening to Maria's simultaneous interpretation behind him, Shao Quanzhong laughed, "Although this is the first time we meet, we are old friends. I heard that you made the wise decision to give up the concession. You are so considerate. I will definitely help you if I can."
Originally, Johnson had no chance in this election. But his alliance with Shao Quanzhong and sending George Dewey to take Puerto Rico at a low cost was a stroke of genius, which gave him a lot of prestige and won him the nomination, making him hopeful all of a sudden.
Johnson was delighted to see the two Americans with the rank of general behind Shao Quanzhong. "General Grant, General Emery, you are the envoys who witnessed the friendship between Qing and the United States. You have made great contributions to the Federation. I will award you medals."
Grant and Emery saluted together, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Grant didn't know that if he hadn't gone to Qing, he would now be President Johnson's competitor and he would win.
Now that the opposition camp no longer has Grant, a prestigious figure, leading the way, the outcome is uncertain.
President Johnson publicly handed Shao Quanzhong a golden key to the city of Washington, and Shao Quanzhong became an honorary federal citizen.
Shao Quanzhong and two of his American generals were also awarded medals.
These two honors were promised to Shao Quanzhong by U.S. President Lincoln, and now he finally has the chance to realize them.
Maria ordered someone to present a national gift of blue and white porcelain, and President Johnson's return gift was very unique, a set of Go made of black and white jade.
Shao Quanzhong glanced at the Federation's gift meaningfully, then turned around and gave a brief speech.
"Qinghai and the United States are friendly neighbors connected by land. Both are large countries with vast territories. Beijing and Washington are separated by an ocean, and there are no disputes or conflicts between them. The friendship between Qinghai and the United States should be a model for the world."
He grabbed a few black and white jade chess pieces from the Go jar held by Maria and said, "We are brother countries, both late-developing countries, with common goals and interests. We cannot be chess pieces, but chess players, playing games around the world and jointly leading a new world order."
Shao Quanzhong performed well on the spot and spoke fluently.
When he was the head of the militia, he was only able to fool Yung Wing, a patriot, and thus got a wife.
Now that he has a different identity, he can fool a big country by standing on this famous lawn and giving a speech.
While Shao Quanzhong was giving a speech, President Johnson held an umbrella in his hand and listened to Maria's simultaneous interpretation with his head tilted. He was very satisfied with Shao Quanzhong's ability to deceive people.
Shao Quanzhong mentioned the Go board he had just given as a gift. Not only did he understand the meaning of his gift, but his speech was obviously unscripted.
This is a truly smart liar. If he was born in the federal government, he would be an excellent politician and would definitely be able to help his own election this time.
"The Federation has a good industrial base, talent and technological advantages, and vast land. The Qing Dynasty has a large population and a vast market. This is the basis for our cooperation..."
Shao Quanzhong's speech continued, the reporters kept taking notes and the photographers kept taking pictures.
In addition to the protagonist Shao Quanzhong, the three beauties around him, Maria, Isabel and Ping'er, are also the targets of the camera.
The boat-shaped hat translated by Mao Mei was constantly captured in the camera, and it is certain that this type of military hat became popular many years in advance.
Apple had resigned from her duties as secretary and chief of guards and no longer wore a military uniform.
Once she put on the custom-made cheongsam made by the silk factory in Hailing for the royal family, coupled with the beauty of the Yangzhou courtesan, she murdered the reporters' films in large quantities. Ping'er liked this kind of occasion to show up the most, but unfortunately she didn't know foreign languages and couldn't stand behind the prince like Maria.
What am I good at? Well, it seems that the gift Johnson gave was very elegant, which made our national gift look better.
President Johnson was standing there holding an umbrella, listening attentively to the prince's speech. There was drizzle, an umbrella, a bodyguard wearing sunglasses behind him, green grass, red trees, and a corner of the white palace behind the trees...
This composition is very good. I am good at painting. I can draw President Johnson's focused look to show his elegant temperament in the drizzle. If I give it to him as a gift, it will definitely win face for the prince and let him see my ability...
After the short welcoming ceremony, both sides started the talks immediately without taking a break.
It's not that Johnson doesn't care about giving his guests time to rest. He really needs explosive news to help him at the most critical moment of the election.
In fact, the two parties had already exchanged drafts of their intention to cooperate in advance and had both of them in mind.
The main negotiator here, Zeng Jize, only finalized some details with the other party, and two hours later, the talks were declared a complete success.
Once the "Washington Covenant between China and the United States" signed by both sides is announced, it will surely shock the world and will greatly help President Johnson. Without further ado, a press conference will be held in the afternoon.
After a short break at noon, when they met again, President Johnson was presented with an ink painting of himself holding an umbrella on the lawn.
Unlike oil painting, oriental ink painting emphasizes the spirit of the image. With just a few strokes, his wise and strong image is sketched out. In the misty rain, his attentive look while listening with his ears tilted is very vivid.
President Johnson stepped back and watched, "I am very satisfied with this painting. I didn't expect that your wife is such a talented painter."
"I will hang this painting in the Oval Office as a testimony to the friendship between China and the United States."
"Oh, right, it feels a little empty. I've seen oriental paintings, and it seems like someone should have written an inscription here."
Shao Quanzhong was also very satisfied with Ping'er's ability. Although he was not well-educated, his handwriting was very good, which showed his talent.
He wrote the inscription on the spot and showed his talent.
Now Johnson was completely satisfied. He told someone to hang it up quickly, sat down at his desk with a smile, took a photo, and went to have it printed out urgently.
In the afternoon, a press conference was held, and the terms of the alliance between the two parties immediately shocked everyone.
Each reporter received a copy, and in addition to the draft of the emergency telegram that they were about to use to shoot, they also received a photo of Johnson.
This is a great opportunity to gain publicity and prestige, how could Johnson let it go?
The alliance between China and the United States was a great achievement of President Johnson. With this photo representing the friendship between China and the United States, it was expected that it would bring in votes.
Written manuscripts were sent by radio and photos were sent to various states by train.
That evening, most people in the eastern part of the Union received an emergency supplement to the New York Times with photos of Covenant and Johnson.
While the president was shocked by the huge benefits the treaty brought to the federation, the photo also added a lot of charm to him.
In the photo, President Johnson is smiling and sitting at his desk in the Oval Office.
On the wall behind him hangs a large oriental ink painting. In the painting, Johnson appears focused and intelligent, and holding an umbrella himself shows his friendliness.
In the blank space of the ink painting, there are two large characters "听雨" written by Shao Quanzhong himself.
(End of this chapter)