The arrogance started from Chinatown

Chapter 447 How could my joke not be funny? Look how happy they are laughing

"I only do things for myself!" Juan said slowly.

"Mr. Vidal, why refuse outright? There will always be some poor laborers on your plantation who can't create much value for you!"

"Mr. Chen is very influential in the United States! Selling some people to him is not a bad thing."

Juan was very familiar with the situation on the Cuban plantations. The plantation owners here did not treat the Chinese laborers as human beings at all.

Instead, they are used as livestock and exploited to the maximum extent possible.

Therefore, the survival rate of Chinese laborers here is so low. After staying on the plantation for a few years, their bones are almost squeezed dry, and even if they survive, they are full of diseases.

"I don't want to discuss this anymore!" Manuel Vidal refused directly and arrogantly.

His plantation was already short of workers, so he had no intention of selling any of his laborers.

In the previous ten years of war, many large plantation owners in Cuba supported the independence army. However, he did not want his plantation to be affected, so he chose to support the Spanish government and the governor.

At this time, they would not give up their Chinese workers just because of a Chinese man far away in the United States.

As for how much influence that Chinese person has in the United States, what does it have to do with him?
This is Cuba, not America.

Seeing that he couldn't convince him, Juan said goodbye and left after a while.

Walking out of the plantation, there was no disappointment on Juan's face. Vidal's reaction was not unexpected to him.

Juan then began contacting other plantation owners.

Vidal's refusal was within his expectations, but the refusal of others was a little beyond his expectations.

And even if someone agrees to sell, they will only sell a small part.

A frail Chinese miner with only one year left on his contract was sold for $150.

With the end of the Ten Years' War, some slaves were freed and the price of Chinese laborers increased.

Also, because most of the piglets were shipped to San Francisco this year, Chen Zhengwei wanted as many as he could.

Moreover, the piggy bank can just contact any Chinese youth in gentleman's clothes at the dock. It is not like after sending to Cuba, you have to contact an intermediary, and the intermediary will take another layer of money. In the end, the money you get is not more than sending to San Francisco.

This has also led to a significant increase in the cost of Cuban labor this year.

Juan traveled around Cuba for more than ten days but didn't gain much.

"Those arrogant Spaniards... they are in trouble!" Juan said in his manor with a smile on his face.

Around him were a dozen strong-looking men.

"They think this is Cuba... But Chen Zhengwei won't let it go!"

"Boss, what can he do? Can he even fight his way to Cuba?" said a thug with dark skin, but much lighter than that of ordinary black people.

This is a mixed race of Spanish and black people.

"Why not?" Juan asked back with a smile.

"But this is Cuba, and there are Spanish troops stationed here. Is he attacking just for a few Chinese workers?" someone else said.

"You don't understand him! Profits are not that important to him! The most important thing is that these people don't give him face and don't agree with him."

"He is a very arrogant person who puts himself at the center. He will be unhappy if others do something that he doesn't like. Once he is unhappy, he will have a tantrum."

Juan looked at the somewhat stunned expressions of his men, laughed out loud, then squinted his eyes and smoked a cigar.

Chen Zhengwei will definitely fight with those plantation owners.

The harder they fight, the greater the benefits to themselves.

No matter who wins or loses, he makes a lot of money.

After a while, Juan ordered his men, "Pack up all the Chinese laborers in our plantation and send them to him on the ship!"

“Then hire some locals to work on the plantation!”

"Also, keep an eye on Perez Farm and Watchtower Farm..." Juan planned to first take over the two nearby plantations, both of which were invested by Americans.

The last thing he needs to worry about is American investors.

……

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Chen! Your presence makes this place more dazzling!"

A man in his forties with a mustache and a very elegant demeanor came up to Chen Zhengwei with enthusiasm and stretched out his hand to shake hands with him.

"Mrs. Chen, I have heard of your name a long time ago. You are as beautiful as the rumors say."

"Perkins, you are always so good at talking." Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

George Clement Perkins, former gold miner, banker, shipping and railroad investor, and the new governor of California.

"This is my first time in politics too. Maybe Mr. Chen can give me some advice!" Perkins said.

"In that case, I think I do have some suggestions to offer!"

"Good evening, Chen!" When Isaac Smith saw Chen Zhengwei coming, he said something to the guests beside him and walked over.

With the change of state government, he also stepped down from the position of Attorney General, but he is now the chairman of the state Republican Party.

"I'm not disturbing you, are you?"

"Good evening, Isaac! Of course I won't disturb you. In fact, we can talk after the party!" Chen Zhengwei greeted with a smile, then glanced at Perkins and said.

"Of course!" George Perkins nodded immediately.

"That's good! George, you are the protagonist today, and Chen is another protagonist. Many people here want to meet him!" Isaac Smith said with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they walked into the banquet hall accompanied by Isaac Smith.

Soon, without the need for Isaac Smith to introduce them, different people came over to chat with Chen Zhengwei. Everyone's attitude was very respectful, and they spoke carefully in line with Chen Zhengwei's instructions.

Everyone knows who the last person to mess with is in California these days.

If it's someone else, you can stay away from them.

Because most people will not be aggressive after reaching a certain level, but will maintain a certain demeanor.

But Chen Zhengwei is different, you have to have a good relationship with him.

Otherwise, one day he might dislike you and have someone kill you.

Chen Zhengwei was surrounded by a group of people and talked freely: "You don't know how boring the rich people in New York are! When I was in New York, those people always liked to show off their latest custom-made clothes from Paris..."

"Then I asked them... wouldn't it be damned out of date to ship it here from Paris?"

Chen Zhengwei spread out his hands, showing a surprised expression.

Everyone burst into laughter immediately.

"So I still prefer the rich people in the West... At least we can discuss hunting and bear hunting! Oh, by the way, you probably don't know that I once fought a bear with my bare hands!"

"And then?" others asked immediately.

"I'm standing here now!" Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

"To be honest, the U.S. Army is much more powerful than a bear! Mainly because they have more people!"

Everyone laughed again.

Chen Zhengwei said to Lin Changning halfway.

"Fuck, my cheeks are almost stiff from laughing!"

"They are more tired than you!" Lin Changning said. She could of course see that those people were carefully agreeing with Chen Zhengwei, for fear of accidentally making him unhappy.

"Besides, your jokes are really not funny!" "Impossible! Aren't they all laughing happily?" Chen Zhengwei didn't believe it at all and sneered.

Chen Zhengwei always thought he was good at telling jokes.

Chen Zhengwei waved to the wealthy man beside him.

The rich man came over and Chen Zhengwei asked, "Isn't my joke funny?"

"How could that be? Mr. Chen is the humorous person I know!" the other party said in surprise.

"She said the jokes she told were not funny. Who do you think is right?" Chen Zhengwei pointed at Lin Changning on the side and asked again.

The smile on the rich man's face suddenly froze and sweat began to appear on his head.

"Hahaha, I'm just kidding you!" Chen Zhengwei laughed.

In the second half of the banquet, Chen Zhengwei found some time to chat with the new governor, mainly about the future development of California...mainly asking the state government for some policies that would be beneficial to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“San Francisco is discussing building a railway from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I hope the state can provide subsidies and tax exemptions for the construction of the railway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.”

"In addition, we need to attract funds from the East to invest in California. Compared with the East, California's development is still too slow. California has unique conditions. It is close to Central America and South America and has many deep-water ports. We should encourage those light industries and encourage their products to be exported! I think we can provide tax breaks and subsidies to new companies in California to help them open up the export market in South America! Give some help to export companies!"

Perkins was extremely surprised by Chen Zhengwei's words. He thought that Chen Zhengwei wanted to get some benefits for himself and the Chinese.

In fact, he has already prepared to provide certain support to Chinese Americans in California.

Unexpectedly, however, Chen Zhengwei made suggestions more from the perspective of developing California and cities.

This made Perkins feel very favorable towards Chen Zhengwei. Regardless of some of the things Chen Zhengwei had done, it was obvious that Chen Zhengwei had a great sense of the overall situation.

He also has more confidence in his future cooperation with Chen Zhengwei.

So when the two of them were halfway through their conversation, he called his staff and Isaac over.

"We cannot place our market in California, nor should we place it in the central United States. Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana all have advantages over us!" Chen Zhengwei crossed his legs, holding a cigar in his hand, looking very comfortable.

Others have the same attitude.

"Central America and South America are the largest markets! Their industrial base is almost non-existent! The industry is also very single. This is our opportunity!" said Chen Zhengwei.

"South America is urbanizing now, and they have a great demand for industrial goods! Whether it's some industrial equipment, or textiles, or even plates, cutlery, and books!"

"So we should encourage industry and export trade!"

"Spain and Portugal have long since declined, but they have a great influence in America. We should seize their market!" Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

When Isaac heard what Chen Zhengwei said, he felt bad and reminded him:
"Mr. Chen, are you familiar with the Monroe Doctrine?"

"Are you trying to say that the United States will not interfere in Europe's colonies in America? But we are just a private citizen, not a government entity. You can't even stop us from doing business!" Chen Zhengwei said.

"Are they so overbearing?"

Perkins and Isaac both sat on the sofa thinking, they knew that Chen Zhengwei would definitely make a profit.

However, if California can develop the markets in Central and South America as Chen Zhengwei said, it will definitely have great development, especially in industry.

This is also a good thing for California.

After everyone finished chatting, when Isaac and Chen Zhengwei were leaving, Isaac asked, "Chen, can you tell me what you want?"

Isaac wanted to know what Chen Zhengwei was going to do. He felt that there must be some other ideas behind Chen Zhengwei's idea.

He has a good relationship with Chen Zhengwei, but he is very wary of Chen Zhengwei's every word and action, which is not a conflict.

"I'm from California!" Chen Zhengwei was a little surprised why he asked this question, and then added: "Have you forgotten that the largest port in California is in my hands?"

Isaac suddenly understood.

The ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles actually fell into Chen Zhengwei's hands.

Although the San Francisco Port Customs is still under federal management, everyone knows that Chen Zhengwei has the final say.

Therefore, the more prosperous the port is, the more benefits it will bring to Chen Zhengwei.

Moreover, the more prosperous these two cities are, the greater the profit Chen Zhengwei will make.

"On this point, I stand with you. Our interests are the same!" Chen Zhengwei said with a smile.

Chen Zhengwei did not lie. His interests are consistent with those of the California government. The more prosperous California is, the better it is for him.

The better California's industrial base, the greater the benefits.

Otherwise, if he wanted to make cars, he wouldn't even have the workers to do the job.

What he didn't say was... he really hoped that the Americans would cause some trouble in Central and South America so that he could take the opportunity to intervene.

And if there is enough demand, I can expand my security company.

Therefore, promoting California's industrial development and export trade would be beneficial to him in every way.

After staying in Sacramento for a few days, Chen Zhengwei returned to San Francisco.

Not long after, it was New Year's Day.

"It's 1880! When is the New Year?" Chen Zhengwei looked at Wanyun tearing off a page of his office calendar and said thoughtfully.

"Master Wei, there is still one month!"

"Let's make it more lively this year and let the lion dance team perform throughout San Francisco. Let the people of San Francisco feel our Spring Festival!" Chen Zhengwei said after thinking for a while.

"We'll organize some activities then."

"Master Wei wants it to be more lively, and those chambers of commerce will definitely agree!" Wan Yun smiled at Chen Zhengwei.

Chen Zhengwei looked at the calendar and suddenly asked after a while: "Wanyun, do you feel that there is something missing on the calendar?"

"What's missing?" Wan Yun looked at the calendar hanging on the side with some confusion.

There's nothing missing.

"Wouldn't it be better if the calendar had some naked women printed on it?" Chen Zhengwei said.

"Master Wei!" Wanyun was suddenly at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

There was a knock on the office door outside.

"Brother!"

"Come in!"

Looking at Li Xiwen wearing trousers, vest and white shirt, Chen Zhengwei always felt that Li Xiwen had grown a lot taller recently.

"Senior brother, the Spaniards are coming." Li Xiwen said.

"Juan?"

"Brother, it's his men! He said it's related to the Chinese in Central America."

"Bring it here!" said Chen Zhengwei.

After a while, a brown-skinned man who looked like he was of mixed race was brought in and said respectfully, "Good afternoon, Mr. Chen!"

"What news did Juan ask you to bring?" Chen Zhengwei asked.

"My boss actively contacted the plantation owners in Cuba, but most of them refused."

"Our boss tried his best to redeem only 2000 people. He is now on his way to San Francisco. It will take about days to arrive in San Francisco."

"Rejected?" Chen Zhengwei narrowed his eyes and said with a smile:
"The price I offered wasn't high enough? Are they so greedy?"

"As for the specific situation, my boss said he will explain it to you in detail when he comes back!"

(End of this chapter)