1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 201 Excited (5k)

After buying 50% of the shares of the Nicaragua shipping company, Liang Yao felt a lot more at ease.

With this 50% stake in his hands, he no longer has to worry about accidental bottlenecks on the traffic artery from the Eastern Region to California.

As for the VAM agreement to bet on the merged railway company, he has full confidence in winning the VAM agreement.

The economy of the United States has begun to pick up. Before the outbreak of the Kansas Incident in 1854, the economy of the United States will usher in retaliatory growth. The railway industry is also a sunrise industry. The demand for railway transportation in the Western Development continues unabated.

Under such a big environment, if he can't turn a railway company with a first-mover advantage and a lucrative railway route into profit in four years, he will quit the railway industry as soon as possible.

When the civil war officially broke out ten years later, they could make a fortune from the war.

James, the president of the Erie Railway Company, and members of the board of directors Fish and Hunter came to see Liang Yao after meeting Vanderbilt.

James and Fish knew that every decision they made now would determine the survival of the Erie Railroad.

In order for the Erie Railway Company to survive, they must obtain Liang Yao's patent authorization, otherwise the final result of waiting for the Erie Railway Company is bankruptcy.

"Gone are the days when you could make easy money cornering the line between New York and the Great Lakes."

On the way to visit Liang Yao, James said very seriously.

"To survive, we have to make changes."

"In this round of violent storms, many railway companies will be ruthlessly eliminated. As long as the Erie Railway is willing to make changes, I believe that with the huge understanding and resources of the Erie Railway, it will not only survive, but Keep going bigger and stronger."

Fish agrees with James.

"Liang Yao's performance in California last year is obvious to all, both in business and in politics.

Although Vanderbilt has some bad personal habits, he has to admit that Vanderbilt's vision is very good. Liang Yao must have something special to be Vanderbilt's partner. "

"Let's just put down your dignity and negotiate with Vanderbilt, who is a New Yorker and a white man after all.

You now condescend to visit a wild west, a Chinese boy with the same complexion as an Indian savage?I want to go to you, our Hunter family can't bear this humiliation! "

Stubborn and self-important, Hunter left indignantly.

Hunter believes that with their energy, they are fully capable of overcoming this crisis alone, without relying on external forces to cooperate with outsiders. His views differ from those of James and Fish.

"Hunter is used to living comfortably, but he still can't recognize the current form."

Fish sighed.

"The leader of the Hunter family is so short-sighted, and his thinking is still more than [-] years ago. The influence of the Hunter family in New York will not last long."

"Hunter is more suitable to continue to be his big landlord. The new industry of railway is not suitable for Hunter."

James looked at Hunter who was going away and said.

"He's better suited with a stubborn guy like Backhouse."

After seeing off Thomas and August, Liang Yao met with Fish and James.

Fish has a head of thick black hair that he is proud of, coupled with a thick beard on his face, a large mouth and thick lips, the whole person looks like a grouper.

Thanks to his prominent family background and his own ability, Fish, who was born in 1808, is a leader among the young generation of New York state aristocracy.

Fish, who had just turned 1848, became lieutenant governor of New York in 40 and won the governorship of New York that year.

Although Fish resigned as governor of New York State at the end of last year, Fish still serves in the House of Representatives as a member of the Whig Party and is a representative of the Whig Party in New York State.

The two-party system in the United States was relatively mature by 1851, but the two parties at this time were the Whig Party and the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party, as it is known to later generations, was still a small local party at this time.

The period from 1841 to 1853 was the golden age of the Whig Party, since William Henry Harrison, a member of the Whig Party, took office and successfully ran for the ninth president of the United States.

During these 12 years, except for the twelfth president who was a Democrat, the rest of the presidents were all Whigs without exception.

Including the current Fillmore is also a member of the Whig Party.

Like the situation in Congress, the current majority party in New York State, a large ticket warehouse, is also the Whig Party, and the three consecutive governors have been members of the Whig Party.

"You two, please take a seat."

Liang Yao asked Connie to serve tea to James and Fish.

"Mr. Liang's Pioneer opened our eyes. Even the British are full of praise for the performance of the Pioneer. The outstanding performance of the Pioneer makes the United States proud."

After taking his seat, Fish put the Civilization Staff in his hand aside and said.

"Only a high-quality orbit that meets the standards can bring out the strength of the Pioneer."

Liang Yao had guessed Fish and James' intentions.

It is nothing more than to obtain the authorization to use the Pioneer number.

Not all the old nobles in New York State are stubborn and stubborn, at least the two people in front of him are not.

But those who keep a clear head and are willing to keep up with the pace of the times are still a minority after all.

Liang Yao has been in New York for a few days, but there are very few New York nobles who are willing to come to visit Liang Yao.

James and Fish were undoubtedly the two most prominent of the New York dignitaries who came to visit him on their own initiative.

"We also took a close look at the new rails used by Mr. Guo Liang, and the technicians from the Erie Railroad Company reported to us.

Your new rail is not only of high quality, but also has a longer service life and greater potential for development.

The purpose of our visit to you this time is to obtain authorization to use the Pioneer and the new rail. "

James said in a very earnest tone.

"It's time for the Erie Railroad's old-fashioned tracks that were more than [-] years ago to die."

"As for the license period and price of the patent, we can talk, and I think we will come up with an offer that satisfies Mr. Liang." Fish said.

The Erie Railroad is currently the largest of the American railroads.

Exporting the Pioneer and new rails to the eastern railway company is not so much about selling the patented technology of the Pioneer and the new rails, but rather exporting industry standards, which belong to Liang Yao's industry standards.

It's not that James and Fish don't understand this, but they have no choice.

The Yili Railway Company has missed too many opportunities in the more than [-] years of not thinking about making progress. They can't come up with a corresponding solution at present, so they can only turn to Liang Yao for help.

"A stake in the Erie Railroad and licensed railroad lines are also open to discussion?"

Liang Yao narrowed his eyes and looked at James and Fish.

General quotations cannot attract Liang Yao, and Liang Yao's current cash flow is also very abundant, holding a large amount of hard currency in his hands.

The Erie Railroad could impress him only with its shares and licensed railroad routes.

The Erie Railroad's willingness to make unsolicited requests for cooperation is a very positive sign.

"As long as it is within the scope of our authority, we can talk about it."

James gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

"The locomotives used by the Erie Railway Company in the future must be purchased from the American Group. Correspondingly, the American Group will be responsible for the sold locomotives and provide after-sales maintenance services for a period of ten years. Of course, these services need to be purchased by the Erie Railway Company. "Liang Yao made his first request.

"can."

This one, James agreed without hesitation.

The technology used by the Pioneer locomotive is too advanced and avant-garde, and the technicians of the railway company have clearly told him that the current level of the Erie Railway Company cannot be imitated.

He had no choice but to buy from Liang Yao.

"Twenty percent interest in the Erie Railroad, and a license to transfer the Chicago to Cleveland rail line."

Liang Yao made his second request.

Compared with the equity of the Erie Railway Company, Liang Yao valued the authorization of the railway route between Chicago and Cleveland more.

Chicago is currently the largest city in Illinois, and also the city with the greatest development potential in Illinois. Chicago is also the third largest city in the United States.

With the rise of the Great Lakes industrial area, Chicago will become the central city of the Great Lakes industrial area.

Liang Yao was very optimistic about Chicago's future, so naturally it was impossible to let this piece of fat go.

After the acquisition of the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad Company, the railway route from Baltimore to major cities in Ohio will be opened.

If the railway line in Ohio can be connected to Chicago, Illinois, the railway line resources in Liang Yao's hands will be no worse than that of the Erie Railway Company.

The problem is that Liang Yao doesn't have many connections in the states along the Great Lakes.

Except for some old friends and relatives of Gerwin in Ohio, the other states along the Great Lakes, including Illinois and Indiana, where the Cleveland-Chicago rail line needs to pass, have no political friends.

And to obtain the authorization of the railway route, the comparison is who has a deep background and great energy.

American states are beggar-thy-neighbor, and it is very difficult for people from other states to obtain authorization for their own state's railroad routes.

It is less hassle and easier to directly obtain authorized railway routes than to apply to the state governments for authorization.

James frowned, Liang Yao's appetite was bigger than he imagined.

After discussing with Fish, James said to Liang Yao.

"20% of the shares of the Erie Railway Company is beyond my authority. I can only promise you 10% of the shares at most. It is this 10% of the shares that I still need to fight for on the board of directors."

James said with a look of embarrassment.

"As for the transfer of the railroad route from Chicago to Cleveland, I can promise you now."

Although the stock value of the Erie Railway Company is shrinking, many shareholders have already had the idea of ​​selling the shares of the Erie Railway Company, but 20% of the shares are too much.

James may not be able to persuade shareholders to give up so many shares.

Even James himself owns only 11% of the shares of the Erie Railway Company, while Fish holds 8%.

Neither James nor Fish owned a combined 20 percent of the Erie Railroad.

The railway route from Chicago to Cleveland, in view of the fact that Liang Yao’s Delaware and Hudson Railway Company has authorized railway routes only in the coastal states, has no direct competition with the route controlled by the Erie Railway Company.

After thinking about it, James and Fish readily agreed.

With their connections, it would not be difficult to apply for another railroad route between Chicago and Cleveland.

Of course, James and Fish were so happy because neither of them knew that Liang Yao had a plan to acquire the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad Company.

If they knew about Liang Yao's acquisition plan, they would never agree to Liang Yao's conditions, transfer the railway line between Chicago and Cleveland to Liang Yao, and create a strong competitor for themselves.

Liang Yao was ecstatic when James and Fish agreed to transfer the railroad route between Chicago and Cleveland.

However, in terms of shares, he still does not want to make too many concessions.

"10% of the shares is far from what I expected. My bottom line is 15%. If it is lower than this ratio, the negotiation between us will come to an end." Liang Yao's attitude is very tough.

James and Fish wanted to continue to fight, but Liang Yao still insisted on not letting go, so he had to agree to Liang Yao's request.

"Well, after we go back, we will persuade the shareholders of the Erie Railway Company to get you 15% of the shares." The two said.

"I have one more thing to ask for your help." Liang Yao stood up from his seat, "Bank of America wants to open a branch in New York, and opening a branch requires the authorization of the local state government. I hope you can help me get it to this license."

The market in California is limited. If Bank of America is limited to a corner of California, the upper limit will not be high in the future.

If Bank of America wants to grow bigger, it must expand its business to the broader eastern market, and New York is the largest financial market in the United States, and it is also the most suitable city for opening branches and expanding business.

"No problem, it's easy."

Fish agreed, and with his connections and influence, it was very easy to get a New York state bank authorization.

The problem of ideology is not unique to the 20th century after the establishment of the first socialist state.

There were also ideological problems in the 19th century, but the ideological problems in this period were between the monarchy and the republic.

Americans are proud that their country is a powerful modern republic in the world, and believe that this system is advanced and unparalleled.

The republic is the most perfect system among the existing political systems in human society.

In the middle of the 19th century, the republic was not the mainstream, and there were not many countries adopting the republic, and even fewer big and powerful countries.

The monarchy that prevailed in most countries in continental Europe and Asia was the mainstream in the 19th century. Even in France, President Louis Bonaparte declared himself the French Emperor Napoleon III.

And next year, the president of the Second French Republic will abolish the republic and restore the monarchy, becoming the first emperor of the Second French Empire.

The Polaris was launched from Simonsen Shipyard and towed by tugboat to the wharf of the Allaire factory to assemble two huge engines.

The whole process aroused the onlookers and cheers of the American people, who were excited and proud of this behemoth that was about to launch.

Because this is the pride of the United States, the level of shipbuilding in the United States has reached a whole new level!

The United States, which has only been founded for 75 years, is now able to independently manufacture large steamships comparable to Britain and France!
The near completion of Polaris and the display of Herald are the hottest topics in America right now.

The prestige of Vanderbilt and Liang Yao, the two super-rich Americans, has also risen in the hearts of the American people.

In order to cater to the public sentiment, the New York Evening Post launched the most popular voting activity for rich people in the United States at the right time.

In this event, Vanderbilt held the top spot, followed by Liang Yao, who came in second.

Liang Yao was not interested in the "New York Evening Post" ranking, not because he thought the list was not authoritative.

On the contrary, he agrees with this list very much.

The steamship was the largest, most intricate, and most expensive industrial object of our age.

If the Polaris can be successfully tested, the United States will become the third country after Britain and France to have an independently manufactured steamship with a displacement of more than 2500 tons.

And all of this is the hard work and accumulation of Vanderbilt, these outstanding entrepreneurs in the United States, in the shipbuilding industry for decades.

This alone makes Vanderbilt the title of America's most popular billionaire.

Although Vanderbilt built the Polaris for the purpose of showing off his wealth and comparison, objectively, it was also because of his efforts that the American shipbuilding industry slowly caught up with the British and French.

As a soul from China in the [-]st century, Liang Yao can understand the mood of these Americans at this moment.

Everyone came here like this, and eventually became what they hated the most at the beginning.

The United States hates the Victorian British Empire not because it hates it, but because it is not the global hegemon that makes the world tremble.

Liang Yao held a copy of "New York Herald Tribune" in his hand, and the comments in this newspaper made him feel particularly interesting.

The monarchies of Europe are both amazed and terrified at our growing power, amazed at our progress, but terrified that these lessons will creep into their own countries and be learned by their own oppressed populace.

Polaris and Herald will allow them to see directly the superiority of American democracy.

"Scientific American" even said bluntly: An ordinary person in New York can defeat the arrogance of Queen Victoria, Russian Tsar Nicholas and Napoleon III.

Seeing this, Liang Yao smiled knowingly. It turns out that playing ideological infiltration is also a traditional art skill in the United States.

It's just that the United States in this period is still too weak, and it's purely for self-entertainment. Neither England nor France will take these remarks of the United States seriously.

For ideology to successfully infiltrate and export, a country with very strong national strength and influence is required.

Obviously, the current United States is not up to this standard, and the influence of the United States in Central America is not even as good as Britain and France.

These provocative words can only make the people of the country climax themselves.

The progress of the United States is only compared with themselves. Compared with Britain and France horizontally, there is still a big gap between the industrial level and manufacturing level of the United States.

(End of this chapter)