After a short time, Tang Huaide, the chief merchant of Chinatown who came to see Li Zhen, strode in.

Tang Huaide is an old man of about fifty years old, and he still has a long braid. He was dressed in a black robe, with a short beard under his chin meticulously groomed, neatly dressed without the slightest wrinkles, giving him an extremely serious feeling. After Tang Huaide strode in, he stood in the center of the room, clasped his fists and saluted: "Old Tang Huaide, I have seen the president!" ”

Li Zhen waved his hand and said, "Mr. Tang, please take a seat!" ”

Tang Huaide sat down as he said, his hands on his thighs, extremely respectful.

Li Zhen asked, "How many years has Mr. Tang lived in the United States?" ”

As soon as Tang Huaide heard this, he immediately replied: "Lao Yu is fifty-six years old this year, and Lao Yu came to the United States with his father at the age of ten. Today, forty-six years have passed, and half a life has passed. ”

Li Zhen said with a smile: "Mr. Tang is in a foreign land, but he still thinks about me, the president of China, and it is my honor for Li Zhen to come and visit in person." ”

After a pause, Li Zhen asked, "Mr. Tang has lived in the United States for so many years, how does he feel?" ”

Tang Huaide's expression became serious, and he sighed: "In the decades I have lived in the United States, I have encountered all kinds of things, and the attitude of Americans towards us is like going up and down the mountain, with ups and downs!" I remember when I was about ten years old and twenty years old, it was a very good time, when Chinese people were respected everywhere in the United States, because it was people from the Celestial Empire who came to the United States and were highly respected. ”

However, after the corruption of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the decline of national strength, especially after the Manchu Qing Dynasty was bullied by the foreigners, we businessmen who did business in a foreign land began to have a hard time, and we were despised by the Americans everywhere. At that time, we were like duckweed without roots, and we could only swallow it in our stomachs after suffering, because no one made decisions for us, and no one cared about our life and death. ”

"During that time, the people of Chinatown united and twisted into a rope to survive the hard days."

Later, the president was born, defeated Britain and France, and showed the majesty of China. As China's power grows, Americans' attitudes toward our Chinatown have gradually changed. ”

"The biggest change was when the president issued the Letters to the Nation."

"After this news reached the United States, many Americans gritted their teeth at us, but no Americans dared to bully us at will, and no one dared to despise us anymore. Even, when some Americans see us, there is a fear in their eyes. The old man has lived for more than 50 years, and he has personally experienced the bitterness and bitterness of this, and this is the benefit brought by the strength of the country. ”

"It can be said that without a great president, there will be no rejuvenation and rise of the country; Without a president, no Chinese people living in the United States would be able to straighten their backs and do things. Perhaps, the president will say that he is old and sycophant, but if you really understand it, you will be able to understand. It's a very realistic thing, it's cruel, it's not a lie. One thing I remember very vividly was about the king of the island nation of Hawaii in the Pacific. ”

"The current king of the island nation of Hawaii is called Kamehameha IV, and he visited the United States when he was not heir to the king. On the way to New York, King Kamehameha IV and his party occupied a car on the train, but the conductor told him that he had no right to occupy the car because of his darker complexion. Because of their different skin colors, they were chased and discriminated against by countless Americans. ”

"There are also many indigenous blacks in the United States, and these blacks are also discriminated against, have no status, no rights, and can only be humiliated. Why? Because they have no roots, no people to support them. ”

"Because of the existence of the president, because of the strength of China, those of us who are floating outside can do things with our heads held high. We go out, raise our heads and hold our chests, we can proudly pat our chests and say that we are Chinese, and people can only show expressions of admiration. ”

Tang Huaide looked excited, stood up again, bowed to Li Zhen, and said: "On behalf of the big and small businessmen in Chinatown, and on behalf of the countless Chinese people living in the United States, I would like to say thank you to the president. ”

Li Zhen nodded and said with emotion: "The country is a country, only a country can have a home, and without a country, how can there be a personal home!" ”

After a pause, Li Zhen asked, "Mr. Tang is the general merchant of Chinatown, what kind of business is he doing here?" ”

Tang Huaide returned to his seat and sat down, and replied with a smile: "Old Immortal runs a restaurant in Chinatown, called Dading Restaurant, which specializes in selling Chinese food, and you can eat all kinds of Chinese flavors, which is for Chinese who are flowing outside. In addition, the Tang family traded silk, tea, porcelain, etc., all of which were shipped from China and then sold to foreigners. At present, most of the merchants in Chinatown are engaged in this kind of business. ”

Li Zhen smiled and said, "Has Mr. Tang ever thought about returning to China? ”

"Why, why don't you want to!"

Tang Huaide sighed lightly and said, "When people are old, they all want to return to their roots. Thinking of his ancestors, he also wanted to return to China to take a look and take a walk. It's just that there are too many things in Chinatown, and the old children and grandchildren have already settled in the United States, and they can't leave if they want to! ”

Li Zhen said: "As long as Mr. Tang is willing, I believe that this will not be difficult for Mr. Tang, and I welcome Mr. Tang to return to China at any time." ”

"Thank you, President!" Tang Huaide continued: "The old man came to see the president on behalf of the merchants in Chinatown and invited the president to Chinatown. When all the businessmen learned that the President had come to San Francisco, they were overjoyed and wanted to talk to the President and meet him. Almost all of our businessmen have portraits of great presidents, but they have never seen great presidents! ”

Li Zhen said: "Going to Chinatown is for sure, but not now. I still have something to discuss with the President of the United States, and I can't spare time for the time being, so I will postpone it for two days. ”

Tang Huaide said: "As long as the president is willing to go, the time will be arranged by the president!" ”

"Definitely, definitely!"

Li Zhen had a smile on his face, and the two talked and wrote about things again before sending Tang Huaide away.

Back at his residence, Li Zhen shouted: "Huang Qiang! ”

"In!"

Huang Qiang came to the study and stood respectfully.

Li Zhen said: "Immediately send two soldiers from the Sharp Knife Battalion to change their appearance and makeup and go to Chinatown to find out. In two days, I'm going to go to Chinatown. ”

"Yes!"

After Huang Qiang got the order, he turned around and left.

Li Zhen sat alone, thinking about Chinatown. It's not that he doesn't believe Tang Huaide, but he has just arrived in the United States, everything is a black eye, and he can't have any carelessness, otherwise he can't afford the result. Suddenly, Li Zhen stroked his forehead with his hand and said, "I really forgot a big thing!" ”

Li Zhen shouted: "Someone! ”

The soldiers of the Sharp Knife Battalion strode in and saluted.

Li Zhen instructed: "Go and invite Mr. Lincoln, President of the United States, and Mr. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States." Let's just say that I have something important to discuss with the two of you, and ask them to come here. ”

The soldier should go down and then go to ask for someone.

ps: the third shift;