America 1881: They Call Me Legend

Chapter 591 The Downtrodden General

Two days later, Secretary of the Army Aijie announced to the outside world that because of his mistakes in the Spanish-American War that caused unnecessary casualties to the army, he took the blame and resigned.

This surprised President McKinley.

He originally thought that persuading the old man would take a lot of his energy, but he didn't expect that he had self-knowledge and ran away first.

The attitude of those generals is universal celebration.

The damned lumber merchant is finally gone, if it weren't for him, his victory in Cuba would never have looked so ugly.

"I said earlier that it should never happen that laymen guide experts." The meritorious veteran Miles said to his subordinates, "I think the cabinet respects our opinions."

The discord between him and Ai Jie had long been made public on the stage.

If it wasn't for this reason, the person who led the attack on Cuba should be Miles, not Shaft.

I only got an errand to attack Puerto Rico.

Now this old man who doesn't understand anything is finally gone!
But Miles soon discovered that his words seemed to be premature.

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

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

At any rate, Ai Jie had served in the army during the Civil War, but this Mr. Root didn't even know where the gate of the barracks was.

Root was provided to McKinley by Congressman Hanna after a long study with Chen Jianqiu.

This person has a very good relationship with Chen Jianqiu.

When he was a partner of the law firm, he was a guest of the "Finance and Legal Center", and he did business with Chen Jianqiu often.

But it was a coincidence that this candidate was chosen, and he was also the candidate that McKinley needed!
McKinley was not blind.

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

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

Mr. President was "impressed" by the poor performance of the Army in this war.

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 insurgents.

The outcome of the war is really hard to say.

Therefore, he hopes to find someone with a clear mind to reform the military system.

But how to change it, McKinley himself said he was not clear about it.

Root, who was reforming the country's industry and commerce at the time, seemed like a good fit for the job.

Therefore, when Hanna offered this candidate to McKinley, the President agreed without saying a word.

As for the army commanders, although they are dissatisfied, there is not much to do.

McKinley's meaning is also very simple.

You want the people in the cabinet to take the blame, okay, no problem, I found this scapegoat for you, and now I have changed someone, if you are not satisfied, it is a bit too much.

Apart from swearing a few dirty words in private, Shaft did not act too outrageously.

Miles Sr. resigned angrily.

President McKinley expressed his wish and immediately approved the latter's resignation.

Anyway, the war is over, general, you can resign if you like.

So, whether it was active or passive, willing or unwilling, General Myers retired with honor anyway.

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

The difference is that Aijie has a lot of money and lives in his manor in the west.

And he was much poorer.

The general has no children, and his previous investment failed, so he can only curl up in an apartment in New York.

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

This is true even for prominent generals.

When winter came, Miles couldn't even afford the heating bills.

The proud general couldn't bear to be so downcast.

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

If this continues, he can only sell those medals in exchange for his living expenses.

The federal government cannot ignore him.

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.

"Boom, boom, boom."

The knocking was very particular, rhythmic, but not rushed.

Miles tidied up his military uniform and walked to his door.

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

Miles saw a Chinese man in a fur coat.

The River Lippi hat on his head looked a bit out of place in this neighborhood.

And this Chinese man was also looking at him.

Miles knew the man.

Chen Jianqiu.

The two hit it off while they were in New Mexico.

At that time, Miles replaced Crook, who was beaten by Chen Jianqiu and Geronimo, as the commander of the Arizona and New Mexico Military District.

When Scott and Chen Jianqiu had conflicts and asked the federal army to support them, Miles remained neutral.

In addition, the two people really can't talk about more friendship.

Miles opened the door and let Chen Jianqiu in.

"Excuse me, Mr. Chen, did you come here today to ask me for something?" The general's voice was still full of vigor, and he didn't look like he was old at all.

Chen Jianqiu walked into the room.

He took off his leather gloves, and while breathing hot air on his hands, he looked at the furnishings in the apartment.

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

The floor creaks when stepped on due to disrepair, and some dust is raised from time to time.

The radiator didn't look hot at all, and had a cold luster. It had obviously been wiped, but it hadn't been used for a long time.

In the fireplace by the wall, several pieces of wood and charcoal had been burnt, and there were some embers here and there.

"General Miles, why do you live in such a place?" Chen Jianqiu shook his head and said with emotion.

The general pinched his fingers subconsciously.

His back is very straight.

"The room is a bit small, so it's not as cold as it looks." The general said firmly.

"The Federation shouldn't treat a meritorious general like this, it will chill the hearts of all soldiers." Chen Jianqiu looked at Miles and said with regret, "You have done too much for this country, this is not good for you Fair."

"I don't need anyone's pity, Mr. Chen." Miles said expressionlessly.

Although Chen Jianqiu's words hit his inner thoughts, his pride as a general made him unwilling to accept anyone's sympathy.

"No, I'm not pitying you, I just feel worthless for you."

Chen Jianqiu said as he walked to the table.

There is a thick manuscript paper on the table, which is pressed with a piece of angle iron.

Chen Jianqiu glanced at the papers, then turned his head and asked:
"Are you writing your autobiography, General?"

Miles didn't speak,
Of course he would not tell Chen Jianqiu that no publisher was 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 see me today just to see my jokes, did you?" Miles took a deep breath.

"No, General, I just heard about you from others, so I came here." Chen Jianqiu said, "My Roswell Arms Company just needs a highly respected consultant."

"So, I took the liberty to come here to ask you if you are interested in taking up this position." He stared at Miles and said.

When Miles heard this, his heart trembled.

But his expression didn't change in any way: "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 that goes, 'An old family is like a treasure'. The advice of veterans is very 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 alms?" Miles' self-esteem was still at work.

"It's not a charity, General." Chen Jianqiu pointed to the manuscripts on the table, "If you don't mind, you can also give this manuscript to me, and I will find a way to publish it for you."

When Miles heard it, he felt more like a charity.

"Mr. Chen, I think"

"I will pay you an annual salary of [-] U.S. dollars, as well as royalties for autobiographical books. What do you agree with?"

Chen Jianqiu sat on the edge of the bed, raised his head and looked at Miles.

"Okay!" The general replied very simply and resolutely.

One hundred thousand dollars!That can completely improve your life, at least make yourself decent.

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

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

His heart is still full of anxiety, because no boss will provide a decent job for an old man, and he does not know exactly what he should do.

"But I really don't know what I do! Or, what effect can I have." Myers said.

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

Chen Jianqiu replied and left here.

(End of this chapter)