America 1881: They Call Me Legend

Chapter 275 After the Fire in the 19th Century

Albuquerque, residential area.

From last night to early this morning, a fire broke out here.

The cause was that a German living in the house forgot to put out the stove before going to bed, and the fire from the stove ignited the curtains, which directly caused his house to be burned to the ground.

There happened to be several apartment buildings next to it, where some workers and civilians lived.

The fire engulfed more than a dozen surrounding buildings, including this apartment, making it even worse for these people who were not already wealthy.

The people who had not been burned to death stood blankly at the street entrance, looking at the ruins in front of them.

They are now homeless.

Several horse-drawn fire trucks were parked beside the ruins.

Several volunteers from the fire brigade were walking through the rubble, checking for hidden fires that had not been discovered. They wanted to ensure that they would not resurge.

In addition to them, a group of people also appeared at the scene.

A gentleman wearing a top hat was talking to the homeless people one by one.

Standing next to him was a reporter from the Albuquerque Morning News.

The gentleman took off his hat, put it in his elbow, and held the hand of an old white man with a dark face and a dull expression:

"I'm really sorry for what happened to you."

The old man raised his head and glanced at him, but said nothing.

"You should know me. My name is Davis. I am a Republican Albuquerque City Councilman. I hope I can help you."

Seeing that the old man ignored him, the gentleman started to look for words, "Well, do you still have a place to live now?"

When the old man heard this, he looked at the ruins behind him again and lost all energy to be angry.

His hand just fell into Congressman Davis's, as if he was beyond love.

The topic stopped abruptly and the atmosphere became even more awkward.

Davis was a little helpless and looked at an old man standing not far away as if asking for help.

"What a waste, what are you looking at me for?" Scott looked displeased and muttered in a low voice, so low that only Chen Jianqiu next to him could hear him.

"Is this the next mayor you plan to train?" Chen Jianqiu suddenly wanted to laugh.

He just arrived in Albuquerque early this morning.

First, let’s find out about his kerosene sales, and second, let’s see how the railway from Albuquerque to Roswell is being built.

As a result, as soon as he entered the city, he bumped into Congressman Scott, who was so dusty that his hair had not been combed, and Councilman Davis, who had high hopes for him.

As soon as they heard the news of the fire, they rushed to the scene.

Are these people philanthropists? No, obviously not.

These "city politicians" follow the fires in their districts almost as closely as firefighters.

In their experience, fires are a great opportunity to win votes.

Therefore, whenever there is a fire, these people will come over like flies smelling the smell of blood.

But it seems that the young city councilman named Davis is not as familiar with such operations as his predecessor Scott.

Scott was a little breathless, and he waved to an entourage not far behind him.

The entourage trotted up and stuck to the congressman's side.

"Go and tell Almons to free up the hotel room and let these people move in." Scott whispered in the entourage's ear.

The follower ran towards the street behind him like flying.

"Where's the bread? Where's the water?" Scott shouted at his back, "Let Almons get some bread and water first!"

After a while, a man who looked like a businessman came over with a carriage, which contained several large boxes of bread and several buckets of water.

Congressman Davis finally reacted. He took out the bread from the cart, scooped out water in a cup, and began to distribute it to the residents who were affected by the disaster.

Chen Jianqiu also followed behind to join in the fun.

Scott, who was walking in front of Chen Jianqiu, took the bread from his entourage and handed it to those waiting by the ruins.

"Are you comfortable being robbed by the Indians in Roswell?" he said suddenly, handing the bread in his hand.

Only then did Chen Jianqiu realize that Scott was talking to him, and he immediately looked like a bitter melon on his face: "I just had two truckloads of goods robbed before I came here."

Of course Scott knew, because there was a load of goods inside that was said to be for him.

The congressman straightened up, smiled and waved to a child in the distance who was receiving bread, but his tone of voice was impolite:

"Why are you acting like this bunch of losers now? Are you just letting those Indians rob you?"

Chen Jianqiu bent down and scooped up a glass of water, placed it in front of one of the victims, and said, "What else can I do? Those Indians are elusive. What can I do?"

"As a Chinese, it's not easy for me to earn some hard-earned money. If I get more armed or something, will I still be alive? Can those congressmen let me go?" Chen Jianqiu sighed.

"I'm very disappointed that you're like this." Scott picked up another piece of bread and handed it to a woman whose face and hands were covered in black ash.

"Thank you! Mr. Congressman!" The woman got excited and grabbed Scott's hand.

The congressman's hands suddenly turned black.

With a smile on his face, Scott took out his hand, turned his head and glanced at Chen Jianqiu, gesturing for him to follow, and then walked out of the team.

He took Chen Jianqiu to a street corner.

Scott turned his back, took out a handkerchief, and began to wipe the black dust on his hands. While wiping, he said to Chen Jianqiu:

"I have discussed it with the governor. The governor will sign a governor's order later and give you a certain establishment." Scott glanced at Chen Jianqiu and said, "You organize some militia in Roswell and incorporate them into the state National Guard."

"Will the state finance allocate funds?" Chen Jianqiu asked eagerly.

"The state has no money, you have to figure it out yourself." Scott frowned and looked at Chen Jianqiu, "Why don't you understand what I mean?"

"You Chinese people value harmony and wealth, but this does not apply in the United States, especially in the West!" Scott taught earnestly, "If you are not armed, your money is not yours, understand?"

In his opinion, if Chen Jianqiu can keep his money bag, he can keep it for Scott himself.

Chen Jianqiu looked "suddenly enlightened".

"Also! Let your militia patrol the border. If the border towns are harassed by Indians, all our votes will be gone!"

Scott finally wiped his hands clean and threw the black handkerchief directly to the ground.

"I have also chosen the militia captain for you." Scott said, "Just Abiot, he is relatively straightforward in his work!"

"Can you change the person?" Chen Jianqiu seemed to be very dissatisfied with this candidate.

"No!" Scott's eyes stared at Chen Jianqiu with a hint of coldness.

The two returned to the fire scene again.

The bread and water have almost been distributed.

News also came from the hotel that the rooms have almost been vacated, and arrangements can be made to pick up the victims.

The young Councilor Davis, who had put on his polite hat again, smiled and waved to the victims who were about to leave.

"Tell the reporter to write more vividly later, mainly describing Davis's provision of free food and accommodation to the victims." Scott called his entourage aside and ordered,

"Mr. Congressman, can my hotel in Santa Fe reopen?" Businessman Almons walked up to Scott and asked cautiously.

He owned a hotel in Santa Fe, but because he provoked the wrong people, Scott suggested that the Santa Fe Police Department closed the hotel on the grounds that it was unsanitary.

Almons didn't say a word about those people's current and future room and board expenses.

"Come find me when you get to Santa Fe." Scott put on his gloves.

First update, second update later

(End of chapter)