Chapter 147 Poaching
In Sheffield's eyes, Chicago was the territory of the Yankees, belonging to the northern states, and not far from major northern cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.
But in the eyes of citizens of the northeastern states of the United States, Chicago is not like this. The city belongs to Illinois, and Illinois, in the eyes of many people, belongs to the Midwest of the United States and is not considered part of the northeastern states.
Different groups have completely different understandings of regions. Take the southern United States for example. The Dixie group includes all the states in the Confederacy. In political terms, there is also a term called the Southern Base. The Southern Base refers to the states that were firmly controlled by the Democratic Party after the Civil War until the Vietnam War for nearly a hundred years, including but not all of the Confederacy. But in fact, the Greater South has more than this number.
The electrification of the South in Sheffield's plan actually included sixteen states, none of which included the Great Western states. It also included Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland, which were swaying during the Civil War. These states were all plantation-based economies at the time, but they did not break away from the United States federal government.
This division is like some people in the Republic of China think that the south is the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River, while others think it is the Yangtze River. In terms of dialect standards, Sichuan is also closer to the north. There is no unified standard.
Chicago, as Sheffield's typical Yankee territory, is actually similar to the feeling of Hubei people. Chicago is mainly agricultural to the west, and mainly industrial to the north and east.
Therefore, in order to take into account the votes of both the agricultural and industrial populations, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party often consider the balance and place the main battlefield in Chicago.
"I actually hate Illinois very much!" Sheffield had his back to Edith Rockefeller, but he could still hear the sound of the young woman changing clothes. There was nothing he could do about it.
"Let me guess. The most symbolic political figure in Illinois is Lincoln. This place is also called the Land of Lincoln. That's why you hate Illinois!" Edith Rockefeller said as she changed her clothes. "In fact, your family is second to none in the South. Why do you still hold a grudge?"
Tsk! If they had won, they would be the best in the whole United States. He should be in Moscow now. He lost contact with prostitutes. Why should he carry on with hard work? But now he can't. If two generations of heirs are incompetent, he will be the second Vanderbilt family. His opportunity has been taken away by others. He is now enjoying himself in Paris, forcing him to accept the beating of society too early.
Just as he was thinking about moving forward with a heavy burden, a pair of pajamas fell from the sky and covered Sheffield's head. He reached out and pulled the pajamas off. He seemed to be able to smell the feminine scent on it. It should be changed.
"I still think that as a supporter of the Democratic Party, you should avoid meeting the Republican candidate!" While Sheffield was speaking, Edith Rockefeller had walked up to him, changed into a rather conservative outfit, and asked, "How is it? It's wrapped tightly. Are you relieved now?"
"Well! No, what does this have to do with me!" Sheffield forced out a wry smile. Why did Edith Rockefeller always have the illusion that she was a peerless beauty? Without the photographic filter of the times, she could only be considered a 70% girl, at most considered good in a class.
"Stop it. It would be too much of a hassle to go out now. It's like I've got a little one here." Edith Rockefeller looked at Sheffield for a long time, found a bow tie from the closet and put it on Sheffield, and reminded him, "I bought it recently. It's not McCormick's."
Edith Rockefeller no longer used the term "husband" when she spoke, but Sheffield was thinking of something else and overlooked it.
Near noon, William McKinley entered the villa under the guidance of a servant, with his hair combed meticulously. William McKinley, who was in his fifties, had been a lawyer, county prosecutor, congressman and governor. He was considered a senior politician. This age was not considered old for a politician, and it was still an age where he could make great achievements. Presidents like Kennedy and Louisville were a minority after all.
As a minor, Sheffield naturally had no vision problems. He remembered William McKinley's appearance at a glance, and a name flashed through his mind. Churchill, the buryer of the British Empire. William McKinley looked like Churchill in his old age, with sharp edges and corners, a compelling gaze, and a meticulous hairstyle. He seemed to be a very strong person.
But after the actual meeting, William McKinley greeted Edith Rockefeller with a respectful and polite expression, "The last time I met John, Edith was still a lady, and now she is the first lady of Chicago."
"I'm not the First Lady of Chicago. I'm just Edith Rockefeller." Edith Rockefeller corrected him calmly, then invited William McKinley to come in and sit down. She also introduced Sheffield, "This gentleman is the heir to Sheffield United Company. He rarely leaves Texas and is currently doing business in Chicago. He is staying at my place temporarily."
Compared to Edith Rockefeller's elegance and grace, Sheffield frowned. He felt as if he was possessed by a millionaire.
"Hmm!" This introduction made William McKinley at a loss for words. Citizens of the United States have always admired politicians who dared to go to the battlefield. Naturally, he was also a soldier. He participated in the Civil War and finally retired with the rank of major. As his career went smoothly, he naturally knew a thing or two about the big landowners who had taken root in Texas.
He also knew the Sheffield family, but they kept a low profile for about ten years after the war. As the Democratic Party counterattacked in the southern states, they quickly regained their strength and were deeply tied to the Democrats. He was a Republican and aspired to be a presidential candidate. When such a person appeared in Edith Rockefeller's home, William McKinley was overwhelmed with thoughts and felt confused.
"William Sheffield, it's a pleasure to meet Mr. William. I heard that the governor has some achievements and connections in the banking industry. I believe he will be confident in the Republican primary election now." Sheffield took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with William McKinley. The power and money politics in the United States has a long history, which began since the founding of the country. It is not a problem for any candidate whose assets do not far exceed the wealth of ordinary citizens.
"Although I am determined to show greater ambitions in politics and benefit the citizens of the entire United States, my opponents are also very powerful!" William McKinley nodded slightly, actually wanting to get some useful information from Sheffield's mouth.
How could this be possible? How could a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party defect to the enemy on the battlefield? Sheffield did not say a word in front of the old political rogue. Since he knew that he might not be William McKinley's debate opponent, he did not say a word.
The three of them sat down, and Sheffield opened a novel and started reading it without caring about the content, as if your business has nothing to do with me and you can ignore me. Not fighting, not making peace, not defending, not surrendering, not dying, not leaving, this is Sheffield's current state.
Anyway, he didn't plan to say a word. No matter what William McKinley wanted to say, he would not leave. Anyway, he would just sit here. His passive resistance made William McKinley really helpless.
"William is not an outsider, Mr. William McKinley!" Edith Rockefeller slowly spoke to smooth things over for Sheffield, "If you have anything to say, just say it directly. There is nothing to be shy about."
"That's right, it's nothing more than a transaction of power for money, there's nothing to be shy about." Sheffield's voice came from behind the novel, and he really didn't consider himself an outsider at all.
William McKinley really came to seek some support. You know, the oil industry employs a lot of workers. To a large extent, if you can get the boss, you can get most of the people in the industry. So he had to visit the Rockefeller family sooner or later, and of course he would visit other industry giants in the future.
But going directly to look for old Rockefeller would make his purpose too obvious. In addition to Chicago's geographical location and Edith Rockefeller's relationship in Chicago, William McKinley chose to save the country in a roundabout way and prepared to take the woman's route.
William McKinley expounded on his views on the current economy of the United States, and at the same time paid tribute to the giants of various industries, believing that many giant companies actually played a role in developing the economy. Then he changed the subject and continued, "I believe this is not only in the interests of the North, but also in the interests of the entire United States."
While speaking, William McKinley's eyes were still on Sheffield. Obviously, the addition after this sentence was directed at this famous Democratic donor.
"Wilkins once said something similar in Arlington. Oh, and Mr. William McKinley is also from Ohio, right? Sure enough, people from the same place have similar ideas." Sheffield put down the novel and said calmly, "Protecting the interests of industry giants? That sounds good..."
"Of course, Master William. As far as I know, Sheffield United is also booming in various fields." William McKinley's eyes lit up, and he seemed to feel that there was a glimmer of hope for victory without fighting.
It has to be said that William McKinley was simply overthinking it. Sheffield would never betray the Democrats because the Southern citizens' hatred of the Republicans lasted until the Vietnam War. Was he poaching himself?
(End of this chapter)
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