Two days later, Secretary of War Ai Jay announced that he had resigned because his mistakes in the Spanish-American War had caused unnecessary casualties to the army.

This came as a surprise to President McKinley.

He thought that it would take a lot of his energy to persuade this old man to quit, but he didn't expect that he had self-knowledge and ran away first.

And the attitude of those generals is to celebrate the whole world.

The damned timber merchant finally got out, and if it weren't for him, his victory in Cuba would definitely not look so ugly.

"As I said earlier, the thing where a layman guides an insider, should never happen." Miles, a decorated veteran, said to his subordinates, "I think the cabinet respects our opinions. ”

The feud between him and Ai Jay has long been a matter of public appearance.

If it weren't for this reason, it would have been him Miles, not Sheft, who would have led the attack on Cuba.

I only got one errand to attack Puerto Rico.

Now this old man who doesn't know anything is finally out!

But Miles soon realized that his words seemed to be too early.

The new candidate for the Minister of War still looks like a layman.

The man, Elihu Root, was a partner lawyer who later served on the New York State Constitutional Commission.

Agey had served in the Civil War during the Civil War, but Mr. Root didn't even know where the barracks gate was.

Rutter was offered to McKinley by Councillor Hannah after a long study with Chen Jianqiu.

This person has a very good relationship with Chen Jianqiu.

When he was a partner in the law firm, he was a guest of honor at the "Finance and Law Center", and he also did business with Chen Jianqiu.

But this man was chosen by coincidence, and he was also the person McKinley needed!

McKinley is not blind.

Although the United States won a big victory in this war with Spain.

But this was mainly due to the strength of the navy and the weakness of Spain itself.

The Army's poor performance in this war was "impressed" by Mr. President.

If the opponent is not Spain, the battlefield is not in Cuba, which is close to the United States, or there is no help from the local rebels.

The outcome of the war is really hard to say.

Therefore, he hopes to find a person with clear ideas to carry out the reform of the military system.

But how to change it, McKinley himself said that it is not clear.

At that time, Rutter, who was reforming the country's industry and commerce, seemed to be quite suitable for this job.

So, when Hannah offered McKinley the choice, the president agreed without saying a word.

As for the army commanders, although they are dissatisfied, there is not much that can be done.

McKinley's meaning is also very simple.

You want the cabinet people to take the blame, okay, no problem, I found this scapegoat for you, and now that you have a different person, you are still not satisfied, it is a bit excessive.

Aside from a few swear words in private, Sheft didn't act out of place.

The elder Miles resigned in anger.

President McKinley said he couldn't get it and immediately approved the latter's resignation.

Anyway, the war has already been fought, and if you like to resign, general, resign.

So, whether active or passive, willing or unwilling, General Myers retired honorably anyway.

Ai Jie and his two old men went to retire one after the other.

The difference is that Ai Jie's family has a lot of money and lives in his western estate.

And he was much poorer.

The general's childlessness, coupled with the failure of his previous investment, left him huddled in an apartment in New York.

At that time, there were no pensions in the United States.

This is true even for illustrious generals.

When winter came, Miles couldn't even afford to pay for heating.

The proud general could not tolerate such a downfall.

He felt that he had dedicated his life to this country and did not deserve to be treated like this.

If he continued like this, he would have to sell those medals in exchange for his next living expenses.

The federal government cannot leave him alone.

Just as Miles was about to put on his military uniform again and go to the government to ask for an explanation, there was a knock on his door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knock is very elaborate and rhythmic, but it does not seem hurried.

Miles straightened his military uniform and walked to his door.

He opened the small window in the door panel and looked out.

Miles saw a Chinese man in a fur coat.

The hat on his head looked a little out of place in the neighborhood.

And this Chinese is also watching him.

Miles knew the man.

Chen Jianqiu.

The two men dealt with each other when they were in New Mexico.

At that time, Miles succeeded Crook, who had been beaten to the ground by Chen Jianqiu and Jerónimo, as the commander of the Arizona and New Mexico Military Districts.

When Scott and Chen Jianqiu had a conflict and asked the Union army for support, Miles remained neutral.

Other than that, the two really can't talk about more friendship.

Miles opened the door and let Chen Jianqiu in.

"May I ask Mr. Chen, is there anything you came to me for today?" The general's voice was still thick and full of energy, and he couldn't see that he was old at all.

Chen Jianqiu walked into the house.

He took off his leather gloves and snorted his hands on the heat as he surveyed the furnishings in the apartment.

The furnishings were very simple, only a table and a bed, the bedding on the bed was not thick, but it was neatly folded and clean.

The floor creaks when stepped on because of its disrepair, and some dust is kicked up from time to time.

The heating pipes didn't look hot, had an icy sheen, and had obviously been wiped, but hadn't been used for a long time.

In the fireplace next to the wall, a few pieces of wood and charcoal had been burned, and there were a few embers here and there.

"General Miles, how did you end up living in such a place?" Chen Jianqiu shook his head and said with emotion.

The general subconsciously pinched his fingers.

His waist was straight.

"It's a bit small, so it's not as cold as it looks." The general said stiffly.

"The Federation should not treat a meritorious general like this, it will chill all the soldiers." Chen Jianqiu looked at Miles and said with regret, "You have done too much for this country, and it is unfair to you like this." ”

"I don't need anyone's mercy, Mr. Chen." Miles said with a blank face.

Although Chen Jianqiu's words pierced his inner thoughts, the pride of being a general made him unwilling to accept anyone's sympathy.

"No, I'm not pitying you, I'm just not worth it for you."

Chen Jianqiu said as he walked to the table.

On the table lay a thick piece of manuscript paper, pressed against a piece of angle iron.

Chen Jianqiu glanced at the papers, then turned his head and asked:

"Are you writing an autobiography? Checkmate? ”

Miles didn't speak,

Of course, he would not tell Chen Jianqiu that there was no publisher willing to publish his autobiography at all, and he even needed to print it at his own expense.

"Mr. Chen, you didn't come to me today just to see my jokes, right?" Miles took a deep breath.

"No, General, I just heard about you from someone else, so I came here." Chen Jianqiu said, "My Roswell Arms Company is just lacking a respected consultant. ”

"So, I took the liberty of coming here to ask you if you would be interested in taking on this position." He stared at Miles and said.

When Miles heard this, his heart suddenly trembled.

However, his expression did not change: "I really don't know what kind of useful advice I can give you in an arms company." ”

"There is a saying in my hometown, called 'There is an old man in the family, if there is a treasure', the advice of veterans is precious, let alone a general like you?" Chen Jianqiu said to Miles with a smile.

"Do you think I'm too difficult, so you want to give me charity?" Miles' self-esteem is still at work.

"No charity, General." Chen Jianqiu pointed to the manuscripts on the table, "If you don't mind, you can also give me this manuscript, and I will find a way to publish it for you." ”

When Miles heard this, he felt more like a handout.

"Mr. Chen, I think"

"I'll pay you $100,000 a year, plus royalties on autobiographical books, I wonder what you think?"

Chen Jianqiu sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at Miles.

"Okay!" The general replied crisply and resolutely.

100,000 dollars! That would completely improve your life, at least make yourself a little more decent.

"Then it's settled, honorable General Miles." Chen Jianqiu stood up.

But General Miles suddenly shouted out to Chen Jianqiu from behind.

His heart was still full of uneasiness, because no boss would offer a decent position to an old man, and he didn't know exactly what he was supposed to do.

"But I don't really know what I'm doing! Or rather, what can it do. Myers said.

"Don't worry, just take your time."

Chen Jianqiu replied and left here.

(End of chapter)