"They're crazy!"

That was the first reaction of federal leaders far away in Washington when they learned that Texas was going to hold an independence referendum.

But they guessed right.

The people of Texas are indeed insane.

The Chinese militia, which had left the Federation helpless, was repulsed.

They were both civil and military, and the brave and resourceful Councillor Henderson led a valiant army to disarm Austin's threat.

In the eyes of the people of Texas, Congressman Henderson is more like Sam Houston.

The latter, like Austin, can be called the "father of Texas", and at the same time, he is more brave and combative, and he is also the first president of the Lone Star Republic.

Independent-member parliamentarians excitedly held up signs in parliament with large letters: Where are the federal troops?

They demanded that the Marines who were in Texas be sent out immediately.

The army of the Federation? Let them play with their eggs!

Governors and conservative lawmakers have been bitterly persuaded that Texas simply does not have the conditions for independence right now.

At the time of the Civil War, neither the southern states nor any of them could do anything to the north.

Now declare independence, what if the federal government really declares war on the nascent republic like the Civil War?

How can it be beaten? It's impossible to join forces with those Chinese in the west, right?

The independent-leaning parliamentarian immediately scolded.

It's you worms who are in charge of the way that makes Texas so backward today.

You and the Federation wear a pair of pants and lose your courage and ideals!

The two sides scolded together, and when they saw the sparks flying straight away, they wanted to fight.

Eventually, it was Congressman Henderson who stood up.

Since he was now gaining popularity, everyone was quiet for a while and listened to him.

Henderson refuted the questions raised by conservatives.

First, on the legitimacy of the referendum, Henderson took out a copy of the U.S. Constitution and turned to one page of it:

"Article 4, Section 3, the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that 'powers not conferred on the Union by the Constitution and not prohibited by the States shall be reserved by the States separately or by the people.'" ”

"First of all, the power referred to here includes the power of the independent states. Texas, in particular, retains the power of independence. ”

"So, our independence referendum is legitimate."

"Secondly, the situation is not the same now as it was during the Civil War."

"During the Civil War, Texas was an enemy of the Northern Union after independence, and directly joined the Southern camp; And this time, we never said that we were going to be enemies of the northern states. ”

"We can still produce, do business, and even have normal diplomatic relations with the Federation."

Henderson expounded on the legitimacy and rationality of the Texas independence referendum.

He cleverly dodged some of the logical problems.

For example, if he says that he is not an enemy of the Federation, it is not certain whether the Federation will agree to it.

Then, Henderson began to stir up the emotions:

"Guys, let's take a look back at history."

"At the beginning of the Lone Star Republic, when we were fighting the Mexicans, the Federation actually ordered that the army should not intervene to rescue the Americans. In the end, we won against the Mexicans on our own. ”

"Did they help us? They don't! ”

"And when we were victorious, the members of Congress, in order to maintain the balance between the North and the South, vetoed our application to join the Union, and it was not until 1845 that they could no longer avoid the question and had to let us join the Union!"

"Did they speak for us? They don't! ”

"During the Civil War, the Northern Union declared war on us and waved a butcher's knife at our people!"

"Have they been merciful? They don't! ”

Henderson began to dig through old accounts, from the very beginning of the founding of the country to the recent past, and even compared the prosperity of the Mexican border with the economic situation of Texas, and directly pinned the basin of slow development directly on the head of the Union.

As for what to do after independence, he didn't say much.

However, Chen Jianqiu gave him a reassurance.

If Texas were truly independent, a European country would step in and support the Lone Star Republic.

At this time, the British were fighting the Boers in Africa; France was busy suppressing uprisings and rebellions in the colonies; Tsarist Russia is intensively planning to wrestle with Japan in East Asia.

Therefore, it was the German Empire that was already on the rise that was willing to provide support.

Under the leadership of the lord Wilhelm II, Germany's industrial output at this time was already the first in Europe and the second in the world, close to the combined value of Britain and France.

And the number one in the world is the United States, which is located on the other side of the ocean.

As may sound, the German Kaiser did have the Navy make plans to attack the American coast.

He always believed that if the German Empire wanted to dominate the world, it would have to go to war with the United States.

But with the great victory of the United States in the Spanish-American War, the German Emperor's offensive plan was delayed again and again, and at the same time constantly revised.

Now Texas is fighting for independence, and the Germans can't ask for it.

Although, according to their assessments, the chances of Texas independence succeeding are slim to none.

But what if.

The Kaiser didn't mind giving the Americans some eye medicine in this place, as they did with the British Empire in the Boer War.

"Mr. President! Be decisive, or the prestige of this government will be lost! ”

In Washington, Congressman Hanna said to McKinley very seriously.

"Be decisive? I'm already recruiting the militia and organizing an expeditionary force, but it all takes time, doesn't it? McKinley changed his usual calm and looked a little anxious.

He knew that Hannah's remarks showed that the Republican Party's patience with him had basically reached its limit.

A wave has not settled, and another wave has risen.

If Texas becomes independent, I'm afraid that places like California and South Carolina will also be moved.

When the time comes, it will really be a new Civil War.

"I have an idea to solve." Hanna whispered, "You can agree to Chen Jianqiu's request, and then let him deal with the Texas gang." ”

"Impossible!" McKinley flatly refused.

How can the dignified president of the United States make such a compromise?

"Besides, didn't they lose the fight not long ago?"

"That's because their battle line is too long, do you think with Chen Jianqiu's combat effectiveness on the Cuban battlefield, they won't be able to clean up those people in Texas?" Hannah's tone changed more and more obviously, "If you don't solve the problem in a short time, the consequences will be serious." ”

McKinley hesitated for a long time before agreeing to some of Chen Jianqiu's conditions.

He could persuade parliament to repeal the X-China Agreement, but the Chinese who obtained citizenship would need to be divided into batches, and there would be a limit on the number of people who could enter the country.

Moreover, it will take Chen Jianqiu to quell the "rebellion" in Texas before Washington can begin to fulfill its promises.

Hanna had no choice, and promised to talk to Chen Jianqiu first according to this plan.

At the Border Detective Agency's Washington office, Chen Jianqiu warmly entertained Hannah.

Boss Chen made kung fu tea with great interest, and while brewing, he chatted with Mr. Councillor about the Chinese tea ceremony.

Hanna couldn't help it, directly explained his intentions, and told Chen Jianqiu about the president's plan.

"I still hope you can reconcile." Hannah said sincerely, "If the balance is broken, it will be difficult to clean up." ”

"Where am I going to be embarrassed by the President?" Chen Jianqiu pushed a bowl of tea in front of the councilor, "We really can't beat the Texas army, they are very powerful!" ”

Hanna couldn't laugh or cry.

Why did he always feel that both Chen and McKinley were as angry as children in this matter.

"Well, since you mentioned it, I'll make preparations first and discuss it with Minister Root." Chen Jianqiu said.

The two chatted for a while, and the councillor took the lead in taking his leave.

"Boss, are we really going to continue to fight the Texas gang?" Chen Jianqiu's new follower, Ah Niu, walked in and asked.

"Let's talk about it first." Chen Jianqiu leaned back in his chair, "Mr. President and the Congress do not meet all my conditions, I will not stop." ”

"Hit Texas? Hehe, then I haven't really become Song Jiang? (End of chapter)