Chapter 133: Going to America Again, Part 1

In March 1934, Kunming was in full spring. Li Yuxuan stood in the newly completed Arms Factory's main control room, watching rows of brand‑new rifles on the production line and nodded with satisfaction. This factory, hidden in the deep mountains of Guizhou, had taken nearly a year to finish; its scale and advanced equipment made it the finest in the Southwest.

The Director, the Chief Engineer reported, "All production lines have been debugged; the monthly rifle output can now reach three thousand."

Li Yuxuan gave a slight nod, turned to the Adjutant and said, "Send a telegram to Nian'an, tell him to prepare to go to the United States at once. At the same time, send a telegram to the Chairman saying I hope Nian'an can go to the United States to see the world."

The Adjutant looked puzzled: "Chairman, sending the young master to the United States at a time like this…"

"It's precisely the right time," Li Yuxuan said, his gaze far‑seeing. "Europe's situation is growing tense, and the United States' stance is crucial. Sending Nian'an to meet Roosevelt will benefit his future."

When the Chairman received the telegram, he was in Hongdu camp deploying the fifth 'encirclement'. After reading it, he said to Chen Bulei, "Jingxing wants to steer his son onto the political path. Send someone to accompany Li Nian'an to the United States, both to protect his safety and to keep an eye on his movements."

A month later, Li Nian'an set foot on United States soil. Standing at New York Harbor, looking at Ziyounushenxiang, the young man in his early twenties was overwhelmed with emotion.

"This is the New Continent my father always spoke of," he told his attendant.

In Washington, Li Nian'an soon met Roosevelt. When he saw the president in a wheelchair inside the White House's Oval Office, he was struck by Roosevelt's powerful aura.

"Kid, welcome to the United States," Roosevelt said with a smile, extending his hand. "Your father and I have been old friends for years."

Li Nian'an bowed respectfully, "President, my father often mentions you, saying you are one of the most outstanding contemporary statesmen."

Roosevelt laughed heartily, "Your father praises me too much. Still, when he was in New York, we did have many pleasant discussions."

A nostalgic look flashed in Roosevelt's eyes, "Your father was a rare insightful person. So, what do you wish to learn on this visit?"

"My father hopes I can study the United States' way of governing a nation."

Roosevelt smiled, "Perfect timing—we are implementing some reforms, and you can see them with your own eyes."

During the following month, Li Nian'an became a regular visitor to the White House. He followed Roosevelt daily, observing how the president carried out the New Deal.

April 5, Li Nian'an wrote in his diary:

"Today I attended a White House economic meeting with Uncle Roosevelt. Seeing those big Capitalists helpless before the New Deal was eye‑opening. Uncle Roosevelt said dealing with Capitalists is like taming a wild horse—you must put a rein on it but not strip its vitality."

"But the White House meals are truly disappointing—again egg fried with meat! We eat it every morning. Do Americans not know how to cook anything else? And the coffee is bitter and hard to swallow. I miss Family's Longjing tea."

April 10, at a Ministry of Finance meeting, Li Nian'an saw Finance Minister Mo Gensuo reporting the tax‑reform plan.

"President, we plan to raise the top income tax rate to 79% and impose heavy taxes on capital gains," Mo Gensuo said.

A consultant warned, "That will trigger capital flight."

Roosevelt answered firmly, "When ordinary workers of this Sect are still worrying about basic needs, those billionaires must shoulder the responsibilities they ought to bear."

April 10:

"Today I witnessed Uncle Roosevelt's boldness. He knew it would offend the entire Capitalist class yet persisted in raising taxes. It reminded me of a saying my father often used: 'Governing a nation is like cooking a small fish; you cannot sear it in a flash nor be overly cautious.' The Capitalists must be having a terrible headache now."

"Interestingly, Uncle Roosevelt seemed unfazed. At dinner he told me, 'The more these people act this way, the more it proves we are right.' That remark gave me much to ponder…"

April 15, Li Nian'an accompanied Roosevelt to a business leaders' forum. The atmosphere was tense.

Dupont Company President Pi Aier·Du Bang opened with criticism, "President, your New Deal is choking America's competitiveness. Excessive taxes will force capital to flee this country."

General Motors' Si Long followed, "We understand you want to help the poor, but this approach is wrong."

Roosevelt replied calmly, "Gentlemen, if this Sect's economic system only benefits a few people while the majority fall into poverty, the system needs reform."

April 15:

"Today I saw a brilliant political game. The Capitalists appeared courteous on the surface but swords clashed behind the scenes. Roosevelt sat in his wheelchair, facing the onslaught of these business magnates without flinching. Interestingly, he whispered to me privately: 'These people have forgotten that their wealth is built on the foundation of this nation.'"

"At breakfast we had egg fried with meat again; I truly miss Jinling's salted duck. Do the White House chefs only know how to make that one dish?"

April 18

"Today I inspected the Tennessee River Basin Authority with Uncle Roosevelt. Seeing ordinary people benefiting from the New Deal finally made me understand why my father wanted me to come to the United States."

Uncle Roosevelt said in his speech, "The government's duty is to let every citizen live with dignity." The words earned thunderous applause. Yet back at the White House, he told me wearily, "The road of reform has never been smooth."

April 20, Li Nian'an read in the newspaper that Dupont, General Motors and other large enterprises had jointly founded the Freedom Alliance, openly opposing Roosevelt's New Deal.

That evening, he mentioned the matter to Roosevelt over dinner.

"Uncle Roosevelt, aren't you worried about their resistance?" Li Nian'an asked.

Roosevelt smiled, "Kid, politics is like a game of chess. Their move was exactly what I anticipated."

"Then how do you plan to respond?"

"We'll see," Roosevelt said mysteriously with a smile.

Li Nian'an wrote in his diary:

"Uncle Roosevelt seemed in good spirits today, even though the Freedom Alliance's formation is a challenge for him. He said, 'Let them make a fuss; it will let the people see who truly stands on their side.' That composure reminded me of my father's demeanor before the Second Northern Expedition, when he asked the Chairman for money in Jinling."

"But today the menu finally changed, albeit only swapping egg fried with meat for meat fried with egg. America's culinary culture is truly despairing. The coffee is bitter and hard to swallow; I still don't understand why Americans like it."