Chapter 134: Going to the United States Again 2

One afternoon, Roosevelt deliberately set aside time for a long talk with Li Nian'an.

"How is your father lately?" Roosevelt asked, idly handling a Camel cigarette.

"My father is busy with state affairs in the Southwest," Li Nian'an replied cautiously in fluent English.

Roosevelt nodded: "I know, he has been preparing for a possible upcoming war. In this regard, he sees farther than many."

He turned his wheelchair and moved to the window: "Did you know? The policies I am now implementing have been inspired by your father in many ways."

Li Nian'an raised his head in surprise.

"Indeed." Roosevelt smiled, "When we discussed in New York back then, he offered many unique insights. For example, adjusting social wealth through taxation, strengthening financial regulation, and so on."

"But the opposition voices are strong now," Li Nian'an said.

"That is inevitable." Roosevelt said gravely, "Any reform will affect vested interests. The important thing is to be clear about what you are doing and why."

He produced a document and handed it to Li Nian'an: "Look at this, it's the Freedom Alliance's latest propaganda material. They claim I am destroying the United States' free economy."

Li Nian'an skimmed it quickly and said, "They only see their own interests being harmed, yet they fail to see the tens of thousands of ordinary people benefiting from the New Deal."

Roosevelt nodded appreciatively, "Well said! That is the crux of the issue."

In the days that followed, Li Nian'an observed United States politics more closely. He attended a Labor Department meeting, witnessing how the government promoted the establishment of a minimum wage system; he visited the Tennessee River basin, learning about the government‑led large‑scale infrastructure projects; he also engaged in in‑depth discussions with scholars studying the New Deal.

May 1st, he wrote in his diary:

"Today I discussed the New Deal with professors from Harvard University. One professor said Roosevelt is actually walking a tightrope between Capitalism and Socialism. That made me think that, in fact, my father's work in the Southwest has a similar nuance—developing the military‑industrial sector, pacifying local forces, and coping with the Chairman's pressure."

"I am increasingly understanding Uncle Roosevelt's difficulties. He not only has to address the economic crisis, but also faces attacks from both sides. Capitalists call him a Betrayer, radicals accuse his reforms of being insufficient. This reminds me of an ancient Huaxia saying: The doctrine of the mean is virtue, its utmost is …"

May 10th, during a private conversation in the White House, Roosevelt said to his secretary, "I originally thought Li Yuxuan was already sufficiently brilliant. I did not expect his son to be even more brilliant."

The secretary asked curiously, "Why do you say that, Mr. President?"

"Just because he can infer from one example to another, possesses outstanding military knowledge, and has unique insights into problems," Roosevelt sighed, "I really like one of his sayings: If you cannot solve the problem, solve the problem itself."

He paused, his tone turning serious: "If I were not friends with his father, I would not be able to refrain from killing him."

The secretary asked in shock: Why?

"Because he seems born to be president material," Roosevelt whispered, "Such a genius, if not a friend, must be eliminated."

Two days before Li Nian'an left the United States, Roosevelt held a private farewell banquet for him at the White House. Surprisingly, the banquet menu featured Chinese cuisine.

"This was prepared especially for you," Roosevelt said with a smile, "I hired a Chinese chef, hoping it would suit your palate."

Li Nian'an said emotionally, "Uncle Roosevelt, you're so thoughtful."

At the banquet, Roosevelt solemnly told Li Nian'an, "Tell your father, the United States will not stand by idly regarding the Far East situation. However, Huaxia also needs to demonstrate resolve to resist."

Li Nian'an nodded, "I will certainly convey it."

May 15th, Li Nian'an was about to conclude his study in the United States. Roosevelt held a farewell banquet for him at the White House.

"Kid, what did you gain from this trip to the United States?" Roosevelt asked.

Li Nian'an pondered briefly and said, "I saw a great power reinventing itself amid crisis, and I also saw the resistance reformers face. These experiences are very enlightening to me."

Roosevelt nodded, "Tell your father, the United States will always be his friend."

After the banquet, Li Nian'an wrote the final paragraph in his diary: "Tomorrow I will return home. This month‑plus experience has benefited me immensely. Uncle Roosevelt's governance philosophy, the Capitalists' resistance tactics, the everyday lives of ordinary Americans… all have deepened my understanding of power and governance."

"What impressed me most is Uncle Roosevelt's saying: The fate of reformers is to be misunderstood by everyone. That saying may also apply to my father."

"Although the United States' food is still so unpalatable and the coffee still so bitter, this experience is undoubtedly precious. I wonder how my father will evaluate my diary? How will the Chairman view my observations?"

"Perhaps this is the true purpose of my father sending me out—to let me see with my own eyes what is happening in this world."

On the ship returning to Huaxia, Li Nian'an organized his observation diary from the month‑plus. He not only recorded the specific measures of the New Deal, but also analyzed the political wisdom within.

"The reason Uncle Roosevelt could push such radical reforms," he wrote in his diary, "is that he accurately grasped the pulse of the times and won the people's support. Even when facing strong opposition from Capitalists, he still persisted on his path."

"Of course, this teaches me that reform requires not only determination but also wisdom and strategy."

Li Nian'an wrote the final paragraph in his diary:

"This trip to the United States made me realize that politics is not merely an art, but an endless game. Uncle Roosevelt's teachings have benefited me greatly. Yet I also saw the coldness behind the great power. The look in his eyes when he said that sentence, I will remember forever.

Huaxia's road is still long, and I have much more to learn. However, since we cannot solve the problem, we must solve the problem itself—my father's words have given me deep insight during my time in the United States."