Chapter 89: Trip to the United States

Three weeks later, on the vast Pacific Ocean, an ocean liner cut through the deep blue waves and sailed forward. Li Yuxuan stood on the deck, the sea wind brushing his hair, and the hazy outline of San Francisco could already be seen on the distant horizon.

"Chairman, the United States is ahead," the young secretary Dai Yunong, who was accompanying him, said from behind, her tone tinged with uncontainable excitement.

Li Yuxuan did not turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance: "When we get there, don't call me Chairman."

"Yes, Chairman," Dai Yunong answered instinctively, then realized her mistake and awkwardly scratched the back of her head.

Li Yuxuan turned, patted the young man's shoulder: "Remember, we are here under the name of a civilian cultural research delegation. The United States has not yet formally recognized our government, so we must act cautiously."

The liner slowly entered the Golden Gate Strait, and San Francisco's layered buildings gradually became clear in the morning mist. Ziyounushenxiang stood tall in the harbor, torch raised, welcoming travelers from around the world.

A few days later, inside a private manor in Washington D. C., Li Yuxuan finally met that long‑absent old friend.

"Li, I really didn't expect you to come," Roosevelt sat in a wheelchair, his smile warm and sincere. Though his mobility was limited, his eyes remained sharp, revealing the wisdom and composure of a statesman.

Li Yuxuan hurried forward and shook Roosevelt's hand firmly: "Life is always impermanent."

"Hahaha, it's been about fourteen years since we last partied," Roosevelt gestured for the Servants to step back, then personally pushed his wheelchair to lead Li Yuxuan toward the study.

"Fourteen years have indeed passed," Li Yuxuan surveyed the study, its atmosphere thick with books; a world map hung on the wall, and the shelves were filled with all kinds of volumes.

Roosevelt followed his gaze, smiling faintly: "Are you still striving for your homeland?"

"Yes," Li Yuxuan replied, brief and resolute.

Roosevelt shook his head and handed Li Yuxuan a glass of whisky: "I've never understood you; your homeland is now unified. What more do you intend to do for it?"

Li Yuxuan took the glass, his gaze deep: "I hope Huaxia can attain genuine freedom and democracy, that the voices of Huaxia's youth are heard. That is my aspiration."

"Your aspiration is a bit lofty," Roosevelt gently swirled the liquid in the cup, his tone laced with good‑natured teasing.

"Perhaps," Li Yuxuan smiled faintly, offering no argument.

The two talked for a long time, moving from international affairs to the futures of their respective nations, from youthful ideals to the constraints of real politics. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the desk, adding a warm hue to this trans‑Pacific dialogue.

As dusk fell, Li Yuxuan rose to take his leave: "Mr. Roosevelt, I shall be going now."

"Very well, Li, forgive my limited mobility; I cannot escort you," Roosevelt said from his wheelchair, watching Li Yuxuan leave the study.

Li Yuxuan's figure vanished at the end of the porch, and James, Roosevelt's private assistant, quietly entered the room: "Young master, he has left."

"Hmm," Roosevelt said pensively, looking out the window.

James hesitated briefly: "I get the feeling you can't pull him over here."

A hint of a knowing smile curled Roosevelt's mouth: "Wrong. No one in this world is that perfect. As a human, he has weaknesses, flaws. Sooner or later he'll come to beg me. Want to bet?"

James shrugged helplessly: "No more betting, young master, we're out of money."

Leaving Roosevelt's manor, Li Yuxuan and Dai Yunong strolled along Washington's streets. The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed the Capitol's dome in gold, coating the political city with a golden sheen.

"Chairman, Mr. Roosevelt seems intent on courting you," Dai Yunong whispered.

Li Yuxuan nodded, his gaze sweeping the tall buildings on either side of the street: "He wants to find partners in the Far East, and Roosevelt thinks I might be a suitable candidate."

"Then why..."

"Why not refuse outright?" Li Yuxuan halted, watching the traffic flow before him. "International politics is like a game of chess; sometimes you must preserve ambiguous space. We need United States support now, but not at the cost of losing Self-reliance."

Dai Yunong, thoughtful, said: "So you are..."

"Buying time," Li Yuxuan continued walking forward. "Huaxia now most needs time for development. We require external capital and technology, but more importantly we must keep our own path."

In the following weeks, Li Yuxuan visited several American cities. He toured Wall Street in New York, inspected automobile factories in Detroit, and studied municipal projects in Chicago. At each stop he recorded details, pondering how these experiences could serve as references for Huaxia's development.

One evening, Li Yuxuan stood on Harvard University's campus, watching the stream of students. They clutched books, passionately debating various topics, their faces radiant with youthful vigor.

"Chairman, what are you looking at?" Dai Yunong asked.

"I'm looking at Huaxia's future," Li Yuxuan whispered. "Among these youths may lie the talent that will help us build the nation. Yunong, remember, a country's true strength is not measured by how many guns it has, but by how many idealistic, educated youths it possesses."

Dai Yunong nodded earnestly, jotting the words down in her notebook.

Meanwhile, inside Roosevelt's manor, James entered the study carrying a report: "Young master, this is Li Yuxuan's recent activity trail."

Roosevelt took the report and leafed through it carefully: "He's been to many places."

"It seems he is especially interested in American industry and education."

Roosevelt set the report down, his gaze deep: "A person with a clear goal is not easily swayed by others. James, what would you say is a person's greatest weakness?"

James thought for a moment: "Greed? Fear? Or love?"

Roosevelt shook his head: "It is ideals. Overly lofty ideals often cause one to overlook the complexity of reality. Li's ideals are both his strength and his weakness."

"Do you think his ideals will cause him to hit a wall?"

"When the gap between reality and ideals becomes too great, he will realize the need to compromise," Roosevelt said, pushing his wheelchair to the window. "But before that, we might as well give him some assistance."

"Assistance?"

"Notify the subordinates to facilitate Li's investigation, and arrange for him to meet people from the Morgan and Rockefeller conglomerates."

James looked puzzled: "If his ideals truly materialize, wouldn't that be good for Huaxia?"

Roosevelt smiled meaningfully: "Does a powerful Huaxia serve my interests? But a Huaxia that is constantly developing can become our long‑term market and partner. The grander Li's ideals, the harder they are to achieve, and then he will need our support even more."

Two months later, Li Yuxuan concluded his investigation in the United States and prepared to set out for home. Before departing, he visited Roosevelt again.

"Leaving so soon?" Roosevelt said, somewhat surprised.

Li Yuxuan nodded: "There are still many matters at home awaiting my attention."

Roosevelt pulled a Letter from the drawer: "This is a recommendation Letter I wrote to several bankers; they are willing to provide loans for your country."

Li Yuxuan took the Letter, his expression complex: "Thank you, but I want to know why you are helping me so much."

Roosevelt smiled: "Because I believe an idealistic person deserves help, and besides, aren't we good friends? As for the reason," he blinked, "perhaps one day you will understand."

On the return ship, Li Yuxuan stood on the deck, the recommendation Letter in his hand, his gaze heavy.

"Chairman, this Letter will be very helpful to us," Dai Yunong said happily.

Li Yuxuan shook his head lightly: "There is no such thing as a free lunch, Yunong. Roosevelt's help must have ulterior motives."

"Then should we accept this loan?"

"Accept it, but with our own plan," Li Yuxuan looked into the distance. "We must use every resource we can to develop the country, yet remain clear‑sighted about our goals."

"Chairman, look!" Dai Yunong suddenly pointed at the sky.

A flock of seabirds circled the stern of the ship, flying toward the setting sun. Their wings beat in the golden light, as if pointing the way forward.

Li Yuxuan smiled faintly, "Let's go, it's time to go home."

The ferry cut through the waves, heading east.