The area of the Federal States of America occupies half of the North Continent of the New World. It represents the entire New World in people's minds. For many ordinary people, it may be a vast territory that they cannot measure with their own eyes in their lifetime.
However, for some big figures, the vastness of the region only means that the news will be transmitted a few days later.
In Washington, ., the "capital" of the Federal States of America, a charity ball is halfway through, and it is the moment when the slightly younger guests begin to become active.
Francis Underwood, the Senator of Illinois, is sitting with Father Tywin of the Exorcist Association on a small terrace on the second floor of the banquet hall, overlooking the singing and dancing downstairs from a distance.
Underwood picked up the wine bottle on the table and personally added some wine to Father Tywin, "I heard you are going to Pennsylvania? I have been to the cathedral there. It seems that it has not been renovated for some time. Our Republican Party has some generous supporters locally and are planning to raise funds for the renovation."
It has been three months since the last renovation project of the Cathedral of Pennsylvania was completed. If you have to say it, it can indeed be regarded as "after a while."
Father Tywin raised his glass slightly to signal, "Thank you for the generosity of the believers. But there is no hurry. The winter in the north is too cold. In fact, I would rather go to Georgia. I may have to wait a while."
"Indeed, the climate there is obviously milder." Senator Underwood paused as he was about to pick up the glass. "It's a pity that Georgia is a bit far away. We haven't negotiated with some Democratic Party members in the northern states yet. The south is their territory, and our party's supporters may not be able to provide much help."
Father Tywin is an unsmiling character, but when he wants to show a smile, he still looks like a kind elder: "It will be fine. I recently received news that the senior senator from Virginia seems to be in trouble."
Each state in the federation has two congressional senator seats, each with a term of six years, but the federal Senate does not all change at the same time. Instead, one-third of them are re-elected every two years.
So, under normal circumstances, the federal senators in each state are basically a combination of "one old and one new." The one who has been in office for a longer time will be called the current "senior senator" of the state.
Senator Underwood nodded upon hearing this, "It should be time for Virginia to have a senator from our Republican Party. Even if we can't, we hope to have a Democratic politician who is more concerned about the federation to take office. Their supporters are doing more and more business with Windsor, and our proposal to increase tariffs is always difficult to pass."
Father Tywin did not continue to comment on this, but turned the topic back again: "Will his trouble be great?"
"It's difficult. The main reason is that our party does not have suitable members in Virginia. Even if Walter is impeached, the most competitive one is still their people. Virginia's tobacco is sold far to the Old Continent, and some of our party's propositions will make supporters worry."
After Senator Underwood finished speaking, he also began to test, "I didn't expect to see a familiar name in this matter. Wayne Constantine, this young man seems to be arranged by Bishop Corleone to conduct the investigation."
"Do you know him?" Father Tywin glanced over here.
"I met him on the road when I came here." Senator Underwood added slightly, "At that time, I encountered steam train robbers. He and his men solved it with skillful methods. Members of our party have been arranging to clear them recently, so I have some impression of such decisive young people."
Father Tywin checked it in his mind and thought it was reasonable: "I have also met him a few times. He used to be a sheriff in a small town in Kanks, Black Stone Town, by the way."
"Do you think he is 'professional' enough?" Senator Underwood said meaningfully.
"He is the nephew of 'Falcon' Benjamin," Father Tywin finished, turning his head to confirm, "You should have heard this name, right?"
Senator Underwood nodded, "Of course, the legendary bounty hunter when I was young is very famous in some circles."
Father Tywin continued, "Since he is his successor, he will be somewhat different from ordinary people. However, the lifespan of wild fallen ones is generally not long, and their ranks are also unstable. Even someone like 'Falcon' Benjamin has been losing ranks in recent years after being unstable. It is said that he finally died at the hands of ordinary people, and no extraordinary materials were precipitated—I specifically checked his tomb and bones. This nephew does not seem to be able to reach his former height."
Senator Underwood quickly thought of other things: "Black Stone Town? I remember that it was built by the old Whigs. Our party does not seem to have members there now..."
Father Tywin has always been direct in some ways, "Your party's previous election situation was not optimistic, so the locals in Kanks naturally did not need to actively join. But I have seen the situation there, and perhaps you can try to win them over. Maybe it will be a new vote warehouse."
Senator Underwood thought for a while: "I will consider it. There has been a long debate in Congress about whether to strictly 'demarcate' Kanks. If it becomes a state, the number of states in the federation will become an odd number again. The southerners are worried that another state against slavery will completely break their advantage, so the resistance that has erupted this time is very great."
Father Tywin raised the glass in his hand slightly, "Then I wish you good luck?"
The glasses touched lightly, "Good luck."
……
At the same time, Georgeburg.
Samuel Fisk returned to his private yacht.
Strictly speaking, this was originally a merchant ship under the Fisk family, but after the transformation, it became much more comfortable. The internal space is no longer as low and depressing as ordinary luxury yachts.
At the same time, it is convenient for the owner of the ship to carry more "personal belongings" along the way, avoiding the embarrassment of having to buy shabby carriages in other places even if he only wants to transport a few cars of daily gifts.
As the current head of the Fix family, this is just another travel tool that allows him to show his status among those slave owners who like to compare.
Samuel Fisk has now put away the kind smile he had been showing all night, and without turning his head, "Olivia mentioned that Wayne Constantine several times tonight. What is their relationship now?"
The old butler moved forward half a step: "According to Henry's previous report, Miss Olivia and Young Master Ian met him in Chicago, that is, the time when Miss Olivia encountered a 'small accident'. He is now also studying at the 'Academy'. Combining Jane's report to me tonight, Miss Olivia and Young Master Ian have had some private interactions with him, but they all seem to be normal daily interactions, and there have been no separate dates so far—although Miss Olivia has been hiding it, her current state has stabilized, and it is possible that she regards them as friends who are also wild extraordinary people."
Samuel Fisk frowned even deeper, "I saw the latest newspaper today. He seems to be very famous in Richmond recently?"
"Some church-related newspapers are creating momentum, and some people in the political world are also promoting it, but their main purpose seems to be to target the local Senator Walter Norton. Young Master Ian also said that this person's relationship with the local cathedral is not ordinary. According to the previous news, the treasurer in Richmond Cathedral was assassinated. This matter should be related to the fact that their bishop here is likely to be replaced soon. It is likely to be an extension of the internal struggle of the church, but from the current candidates, this matter has little impact on us."
"I have seen the relevant briefings." Samuel Fisk was a little impatient, "I understand Olivia. Her 'normal interactions' with the opposite sex are not like this."
The old butler thought for a while, "Do you need me to have someone 'remind' him? If it is related to the church, some things should be easier to communicate."
"This Corleone is not as easy to talk to as our Georgia bishop, and his men are probably the same. I'll wait until I get to New York City and ask about the situation in person. I hope he still has the ability to communicate normally at that time."
"Then Miss Olivia's side...?"
"You arrange for someone to pay attention to that guy. If anyone wants to use the relationship with Olivia to involve the Fisk family..."
The old butler understood, "I understand."
