American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 299 The Origins and Questions of the Farm

Arthur turned on the projector, and a clear river appeared on the screen.

"Sir, the ecosystem of the Great Stone River is one of its most valuable assets. And the key to protecting this asset lies in fighting off invaders."

"Lake trout and stream trout?" Lin Yu'an asked calmly.

A hint of approval flashed in Arthur's eyes: "Exactly. You know, throughout the American West, these two invasive species are frantically encroaching on the native cutthroat trout's habitat."

“They either prey on juvenile cutthroat trout or interbreed with them, polluting the pure bloodline. Yellowstone National Park spends millions of dollars every year to control them, but with little success.”

"The Giant Stone River is one of the very few places in the entire ecosystem that is recognized as an absolute no-go zone for invasive species."

"This is thanks to the proactive defense and elimination system established by Mr. Hunter."

“First, a selective fish ladder was built at the junction of the Giant Stone River and the downstream public waters.”

"This fish ladder is ingeniously designed; it only allows native fish that are good at jumping, such as the cutthroat trout, to migrate upstream."

"Invaders like lake trout, which are not good at jumping, will be physically blocked out; this is our first line of defense."

"Secondly, a small number of stream trout or hybrid trout fry will still seep in through tributaries and other means."

"Therefore, every autumn we hire a professional electrofishing team to carry out an ecological cleanup of certain sections of the river."

"They use specialized equipment to temporarily paralyze the fish in the river without harming them."

"Then all non-native, invasive fish will be quickly removed, and only the native cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout will be released back into the water."

"This work is costly and extremely demanding in terms of professional skills, but it is the only way to ensure the purity of this river's lineage."

"It is precisely because of the absolute autonomy granted by the Warrior Charter that Mr. Hunter is able to implement a more stringent Guardian policy here than in any of the state government's public waters."

"First, he fully implemented the catch-and-release policy here. The ranch's rule is that any native trout caught must be unhooked and photographed within 2 minutes, and then immediately released back into the water."

"Secondly, he only allowed the use of barbless fly hooks that do not harm the fish, to ensure that the fish survive intact after being released."

"Third, in order to protect the cutthroat trout during their spawning season, a section of the core river is completely closed every spring from April to May, prohibiting anyone from fishing in the water."

Arthur concluded, "Mr. Hunter firmly believes that this river is a legacy that warriors protected with their lives a hundred years ago, and he is merely a temporary caretaker."

He regarded this river as a flowing treasure, the most precious gift to leave to future generations.

"This guardianship philosophy that transcends personal enjoyment is the real reason why this river still maintains its original vitality."

Arthur paused, and the projected image switched.

The tranquil river has disappeared, replaced by a ranch map filled with sensor markers, patrol routes, and defense matrices.

"And what is needed to protect all these ideas and rules from external interference and to ensure their strict enforcement is an absolutely powerful force."

"Sir, I will now report to you on the security system that ensures all of this exists."

"The reason why the Great Stone River was able to become an isolated kingdom is that Mr. Hunter built a modern security network that combines key defenses with rapid response."

"The first is smart boundaries and drone patrols; our ranch boundary is about 32 miles (about 51 kilometers) in circumference."

“High-strength physical fencing and state-of-the-art vibration fiber optic sensors have been deployed along all key sections of the road near public roads and main entrances, totaling approximately 10 miles.”

"For more remote mountainous border areas, we rely on two industrial-grade drones with long endurance capabilities to conduct daily routine aerial photography and thermal imaging scans to monitor for any unusual intrusions."

"Then there is the core area monitoring network; the core living area of ​​the ranch includes Eagle's Nest, visitor cabins, staff buildings, airport and railway line, etc."

"A total of about 120 high-definition cameras integrating thermal imaging and night vision functions have been deployed, achieving comprehensive monitoring of core assets, and the data is transmitted to the security center in real time."

"Finally, there's the core elite rapid response team; we have a seven-person security team led by Sean O'Connor, a former Navy SEAL and head of security."

"They work in 24-hour shifts, driving modified heavy pickup trucks to conduct mobile patrols centered on the core area."

“Once the electronic boundary or monitoring system issues an alarm, they can guarantee to reach any corner of the ranch within fifteen minutes.”

"And all of them have the highest level of gun license in Wyoming, as well as the same arrest authorization as law enforcement officers on private property."

"The annual operating cost of this security system last year, including personnel salaries, equipment maintenance and system upgrades, was approximately $800,000."

"But it was this investment that ensured that Mr. Hunter's rules were strictly enforced."

"They ensured the absolute security and privacy of all ranch assets, keeping all unnecessary troubles outside the 31,000-acre boundary."

Lin Yu'an nodded slightly, a satisfied look on his face, indicating he was very pleased with the security setup.

This system did not blindly pursue full coverage, but instead used top-tier resources in the most critical areas, making it highly efficient and deadly.

Arthur turned off the projector, and the study was brightly lit again. He respectfully pushed the leather folder containing detailed data in front of Lin Yu'an.

"So, sir, you've bought far more than just land and business."

"Instead, it is a complete, healthy, and top-tier ecosystem that has been carefully protected for decades, along with matching royal privileges derived from the founding fathers!"

His voice carried a hint of relieved excitement as he delivered his final concluding remarks: "This is all that you now possess at the Great Stone River Heritage Farm."

"Based on the latest financial calculations, after deducting the high maintenance costs of the former owner's private vehicles, the ranch's total annual expenditure is estimated to be approximately $9.6 million."

"With annual revenue consistently above $12 million, this is a top-tier asset with extremely healthy operations, strong profitability, and enormous intangible value."

Just then, Arthur seemed to remember something, and he added in a slightly apologetic tone.

"Sir, please forgive my bluntness, but there is one more matter concerning the quality of life in the future, and I would like to offer you some professional advice."

"Oh?" Lin Yu'an looked up, gesturing for him to continue.

Arthur explained, "It's about the position of head butler. The person who was in charge of all the internal service teams before was Mr. Hunter's private butler, whom he brought from England."

"Mr. Philip was an exceptionally good old-fashioned butler trained at Buckingham Palace. But after the handover was completed, out of loyalty to Mr. Hunter, he chose to leave with his old master."

"Therefore, this crucial position is currently vacant."

Arthur began to explain in detail the importance of this position.

"Sir, a top-notch butler's role is far beyond that of an ordinary estate steward."

"The duties of Mrs. Gabor, the manor's steward, are more focused on execution and daily internal management, ensuring that everything is in good order."

"And a chief steward is more like your court prime minister and social minister."

His responsibilities include planning and arranging private banquets and charity events that suit your status, and managing your social calendar.

Responsible for handling all external media relations and maintaining the family's public image.

We develop and oversee the annual budget for your entire estate, ensuring that every penny is spent elegantly and efficiently.

It represents you in connecting and communicating with top suppliers, artists, political figures, and celebrities from around the world.

"Simply put, Mrs. Gabor ensures your comfort, while a head butler ensures your distinguished status."

“A top-tier farm like Great Rock River absolutely cannot be without a head steward to match it in the long run.”

"My suggestion is that once you've adapted to the pace of life here, you can consider starting a global recruitment process to find a right-hand man who can fully understand and execute your will."

Lin Yu'an listened quietly to his advice, and nodded slightly after a moment.

"I understand. I will consider it."

Lin Yu'an spent twenty minutes quietly running his fingertips across the thick report.

As his gaze swept across the complex financial statements, operational data, and personnel structure diagrams, they seemed to be automatically disassembled, analyzed, and then reassembled in his mind into a complete blueprint for an empire.

When he closed the folder, he had a clear understanding of every detail of the ranch.

Arya and Emily listened quietly, their faces filled with shock.

They knew Lin Yu'an had bought a large ranch, but only now did they truly understand what a vast kingdom they had become the mistress of. A long silence fell over the study.

Lin Yu'an's fingers gently stroked the heavy folder, the cover of which was imprinted with the ranch's emblem.

An eagle perched on a giant rock. This was the first time he had ever so directly and profoundly understood the entire texture of the land beneath his feet.

It is older, more profound, and more...perfect than I imagined.

Everything here, from the 1892 Warriors Charter to the non-GMO corn seeds, to the fly hooks that are released immediately after fishing.

Everything about it reveals the almost obsessive guardianship philosophy of its former owner, Hunter Rockefeller.

A huge question rose in his mind, and he could no longer suppress it.

Lin Yu'an raised his head and looked sharply at the top real estate agent.

"Arthur, one last question. Such a perfect work of art, a kingdom that was considered a life and a legacy to be protected. Mr. Hunter, why would you sell it?"

Arthur's face still wore that perpetually professional and composed expression. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering something.

Finally, in a deep and respectful voice, he said, "Sir, because... the Rockefeller family line has been broken."

"Mr. Hunter was a proud man who had four equally outstanding children, three sons and one daughter."

“They all grew up on this land, and each of them inherited Mr. Hunter’s love for nature and sense of responsibility towards this land.”

Arthur's eyes were filled with regret. "But fate has been too cruel to this old man."

"Fifteen years ago, his eldest son, a mountaineer, was caught in an avalanche while attempting to climb K2. When they found him, his body had been frozen solid."

"Ten years... no, it should be eleven years. His youngest son went missing in his private plane over the Pacific Ocean and has not been heard from since, not even a piece of wreckage has been found."

"Seven years ago... his second son and daughter-in-law were hit head-on by a drunk truck driver on their way home from Denver... the accident was extremely tragic."

"At that time, all his hopes were pinned on his most beloved youngest daughter, Miss Evelyn."

"She is an outstanding marine biologist, a top-notch cave diver, sunny and brave. Everyone believes that she will be the best lady in the Great Stone River."

"Until three years ago, she went on a cave expedition in China and never came back from underwater..."

"In less than twenty years, four outstanding heirs all passed away unexpectedly. Unfortunately, none of these four heirs had children."

"Six months ago, the doctor gave Mr. Hunter his final diagnosis: the medication could no longer alleviate his pancreatic cancer, and he was about to return to God's embrace."

“Mr. Hunter no longer has any bloodline descendants to whom he can entrust this ‘warrior’s legacy’.”

He didn't want to see the land he had dedicated his life to being sold off like a piece of meat to real estate developers who only knew how to overdevelop, by his distant relatives in Europe.

Arthur took a deep breath and revealed the shocking truth, "So, he decided to personally select a new qualified guardian for this land through a sale."

"That price of 230 million US dollars was not for making money at all. It was just a threshold, a threshold that filters out the vast majority of ordinary wealthy people and investment institutions."

"What he is really looking for is someone like him who can understand and continue his Guardian ideals."

Lin Yu-an, Aria, and Emily were all deeply moved by this sad and tragic story.

This was not merely a business transaction, but a poignant entrustment by an old king, whose life had been filled with glory, as he sought a new master for his kingdom at the end of his life.

"Then...why me?" Lin Yu'an asked softly.

Arthur smiled slightly: "Because you are the only bidder from the East, Mr. Hunter is very interested in you."

“I have watched almost all of your publicly available video footage. Especially in the shows ‘Living Alone in the Wild’ and ‘Living Below Zero’.”

"He saw the deep love you had for the natural land in such an extreme environment."

"I saw the respect you showed when you expressed gratitude to your prey after the hunt; I saw your philosophy of survival: 'take from others in moderation and use them sparingly.'"

He said he saw in your eyes the same love and responsibility for the land that he had when he was young.

"What particularly moved him was your reason for buying: you wanted to find a permanent home for your family."

"Instead of presenting it as an asset that could be sold at any time, like other bidders, he ultimately chose you among many wealthy buyers."

Lin Yu-an belatedly realized that these two variety shows had somehow earned him such a heavy and suffocating legacy.

But the last trace of doubt in his heart had not completely disappeared.

While Hunter's story is certainly moving, Lin Yu-an never believed in fairy tales in the world of capital.

His keen intuition told him that the value of this land might be far greater than what he had imagined.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at Arthur, asking in a seemingly casual tone, "Arthur, to be honest, are there really no developers eyeing this?"

"For example, how about building a top-notch ski resort or golf course here?"

Arthur shook his head with a wry smile: "Sir, you underestimate Mr. Hunter's influence."

“Over the past fifty years, countless developers have tried, but he has kept them out of the ranch by various legal and even forceful means.”

"Over time, the whole of Wyoming knew that 'The Rock River' was Hunter Rockefeller's private property that he could not touch."

"And what about underground?" Lin Yu'an's gaze sharpened further. "No oil? Natural gas? Or... gold? Silver? Or the most valuable rare earth elements right now?"

This is what he cares about most. If such a vast landmass contains astonishing mineral resources, then its value will need to be reassessed.

Hearing this series of questions, Arthur laughed, shrugged, and answered calmly, "Sir, I assure God, there really aren't any."

“Over the past few decades, out of curiosity, Mr. Hunt has hired some of the world’s top geological exploration teams to conduct several of the most detailed explorations of this land.”

"The result is the same—there's nothing here except lots of granite and some quartz. It's just a land of pure beauty, with nothing to offer except for its scenery and ecology."

Lin Yu'an's heart was only half at ease.

While Arthur is unlikely to lie, this doesn't mean there aren't deeper secrets hidden in the Hunter family's history.

Perhaps, something more important than gold is buried in this land? He nodded calmly on the surface, but he had already made up his mind.

I plan to have someone thoroughly investigate the history of the Hunter Rockefeller family and the ownership records of this land over the past hundred years.

He never fights a battle unprepared. Now that he has taken up this crown, he must clearly understand what lies hidden beneath it.

Arthur paused, his tone becoming more serious, and took out a separate document and letter from the folder.

"Sir, after you were finally confirmed as the buyer, Mr. Hunter left a letter just for you, which contained a hidden clause."

"A final mandate that you can choose to participate in or not. Mr. Hunter requires that your mandate be disclosed only after your purchase is completed."

"This request is about his youngest daughter, Evelyn. After losing all his children, he has always had an unfulfilled obsession."

"His youngest daughter, Evelyn, is that cave diver who collaborated with a Chinese cave exploration team three years ago."

"Travel to Guangxi, China, to challenge a legendary place known locally as 'Nine Skylights'."

Arthur's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.

"It's not a cave, but a vast, bottomless network of underground rivers. Evelyn and her Chinese diving partner are planning an unprecedented underwater crossing."

"They dived down through skylight number four in an attempt to find an underwater passage leading to skylight number five."

"When they descended to a depth of about 150 meters, an accident occurred and they have been missing ever since, their disappearance remaining a mystery."

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(End of this chapter)