Chapter 26: New York

The ocean liner had tossed about the waves for over a month, and at last the outline of land appeared. Li Yuxuan leaned on the rail, watching the coastline become clearer, his heart a swirl of emotions. When the Olympic slowly entered San Francisco Harbor, he looked at the steel skyscrapers lining the shore and the fluttering Stars and Stripes, and whispered, "Is this really San Francisco?"

Gu Weijun heard the voice and chuckled lightly: "Jingxing, why the lament?"

Arriving in the United States, surprise is inevitable. Li Yuxuan reported honestly. Compared with Berlin's heaviness, San Francisco's layout is even more open; skyscrapers are arranged with charm, streets bustle with traffic, everywhere exudes the sharpness of a burgeoning industrial civilization. Even though he comes from a later era, having been accustomed to the current styles of the homeland and Germany, he could not help but be somewhat astonished here.

After being settled in a hotel arranged by embassy staff, Gu Weijun came to find him: "Jingxing, you must first go to New York."

New York? Li Yuxuan was puzzled; he had originally planned to first meet the United States State Department in Washington.

The matter of arms procurement needs your decision. Gu Weijun handed over the list, his brows slightly furrowed. These categories of weapons are beyond my expertise. You studied them in Germany, so you should know what we need. It would be best to also negotiate the production technology; funding need not be a concern.

Li Yuxuan scanned the list, saw that most were outdated models, and thought to himself, "I'll set off at once."

The train from San Francisco to New York took three days and four nights. The next morning, Li Yuxuan stood on the platform of Niuyuezhongyangcheshan, gazing at this city even more bustling than San Francisco, and could not help but exclaim, "So this is New York? Truly spectacular."

Pedestrians filled the streets like woven cloth, people of all races came and went, horse‑drawn carriages and automobiles moved side by side without conflict, walls were plastered with colorful advertisements, and even the air seemed restless.

He followed the map to the arms dealer's office, and when he passed a street corner he saw a crowd gathered before a temporary high platform, voices booming. "What's happening here?" he asked a passerby.

The passerby pointed to the banner in front of the platform: "They're electing a New York State Senator; several candidates are canvassing for votes."

He wanted to see for himself. Li Yuxuan was intrigued. He had seen parliamentary elections in Germany, but the American scene seemed even more fervent. Candidates spoke passionately on the stage, supporters raised signs and shouted, opponents hissed, like a grand drama.

He lingered in the crowd for a moment, listening to candidates discuss tariffs, labor, overseas expansion, and thought to himself, "These issues are far from China; what we lack now are guns and cannons, the fields that feed the people."

The voting results were announced quickly. A young man with blond hair and blue eyes lost by a narrow margin, yet he still smiled at his supporters and said, "No problem, I'll try again next time!"

Li Yuxuan found the young man's demeanor extraordinary, but did not linger, and turned toward the arms dealer's office.

In the following days, Li Yuxuan ran about the New York arms market, but kept hitting dead ends.

Are the Americans' technology embargoes really this tight? He sat in a café, his mind tangled. When they heard he was a Huaxia procurement team, their attitude changed instantly: weapons could be sold, but technology was off the table. Not even the latest Bolangningjichuang or mm Field Cannon, nor the production blueprints, were shown; they only offered some obsolete surplus.

Just as he was irritated, a gentle inquiry sounded beside him: "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

Li Yuxuan looked up and saw the young man who had lost the election, now in a suit and tie, eyes bright. "Please, have a seat."

The young man sat down, ordered coffee, and sized him up: "Your English is excellent; where are you from?"

"Huaxia," Li Yuxuan replied.

"Huaxia?" the young man's eyes lit up, and he said, "My cousin's daughter once went to Huaxia."

The two chatted happily. Li Yuxuan learned that the man's name was Fu Lan Ke Lin·De La Nuo·Luo Si Fu, from a prominent New York family, a recent graduate of Gelunbiyadaxuefaxueyuan, and keenly interested in Eastern culture.

Roosevelt spoke of Huaxia, marveling at its potential; Li Yuxuan discussed German military reforms and China's new army construction, and they found great rapport.

Fu Lan Ke Lin·De La Nuo·Luo Si Fu? Li Yuxuan suddenly realized, the coffee spoon in his hand clanged onto the saucer—it was this person!

Isn't this the future president who led America to win the great war? History books say he was confined to a wheelchair for life due to polio, yet this man stood upright, vigorous and spry.

"What's wrong?" Roosevelt asked curiously.

"No problem," Li Yuxuan steadied himself, masking his inner shock, and simply thought, "Your name is most impressive."

His encounter was truly strange—having met Xie Er in Vienna, and now chatting merrily with a future American president in a New York café.

Doesn't the book say this president was unable to walk? He examined Roosevelt's legs discreetly, saw no abnormality, and thought, "History is full of variables."

The two talked from international affairs to livelihood economics; Roosevelt expressed deep sympathy for China's plight: "You need not only weapons but a system that makes the nation strong."

Li Yuxuan gave a wry smile: "The principle is known, but the road ahead is arduous."

Without noticing, the setting sun slanted, casting warm patches of light through the glass onto the floor. Roosevelt took out his Pocket Watch and said, "Sorry, I have an evening banquet."

"I should also return to the hotel," Li Yuxuan rose.

"Farewell, Li." Roosevelt extended his hand, hoping that next time they met, he would hear news of his country's improvement.

"Farewell, Mr. Roosevelt." Li Yuxuan shook his hand firmly, his thoughts in turmoil.

Watching Li Yuxuan leave, Roosevelt's attendant whispered, "Young master, why are you so interested in this person?"

Roosevelt looked out the window, thoughtful: "He's an interesting fellow; do you know his background?"

The attendant bowed and replied, "We've inquired: he's a Huaxia Army procurement officer named Li Yuxuan, studied in Germany, well‑versed in military matters."

"Such talent buried in Huaxia is truly a loss," Roosevelt tapped the table lightly, regretful, "He should stay in the United States; here he would have a field to exercise his abilities."

"Young master, is he a scientist?" the attendant asked, puzzled.

"No, he doesn't seem like a scientist." Roosevelt smiled, a sharp glint in his eye, "He appears to be a natural senior adviser—decisive, keen, and versed in military diplomacy. Such talent is rare, and he understands what I think, seeing through the relations between nations. I liked a sentence he just said: there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests."

He paused, then his tone hardened: "This man should be put to use by me, not serve that weakened Huaxia. Find a way to retain him. Offer high rank and generous salary, settle his family well; in short, I want him to stay."

"As you command," the attendant bowed in agreement.

Roosevelt straightened his suit jacket, a gentle smile returning to his face: "Let's go. Meeting him today, even though I lost the election, is nothing to worry about."

At this moment Li Yuxuan walked the streets of New York, his mind still replaying the conversation with Roosevelt, scavenging famous future quotations and insights. He was completely unaware that the future American president now regarded him as a prize. He plotted how to acquire arms technology, hoping to complete his mission and return home soon—his son back in Xikou was probably already crawling.

Neon lights along the street gradually brightened, bathing New York's night in daylight. Li Yuxuan gazed at the silhouette of the Ziyounushenxiang in the distance, suddenly feeling that this trip to the United States might not go as smoothly as imagined.