In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

The lunch, which was enjoyed by both hosts and guests, lasted for nearly two hours.

In the afternoon, Wang and Li both had experimental arrangements and literature to review, so they did not stay long. After thanking them repeatedly, they took their leave.

Yang Guangming forced the remaining fruit, snacks, and half a baguette onto them so they could have something to eat if they got hungry that night.

After seeing the two scholars off, Yang Guangming carefully washed all the tableware, wiped the kitchen countertop clean and restored it to its original state, and then sat at his desk, gazing out the window at the tranquil yet vibrant Stanford campus under the afternoon sun.

The Spanish-style buildings with red tiles and yellow walls stand out against the blue sky; neat palm trees sway gently in the wind; students sit or lie on the wide lawn, discussing problems; the air seems to be filled with the atmosphere of knowledge and innovation.

Feeling the tranquility of the campus, his heart gradually calmed down.

He officially became Professor Hoffman's doctoral student, and because of his outstanding comprehension, independent thinking and strong self-learning ability demonstrated in the initial research discussions, his supervisor gave him considerable autonomy after an in-depth conversation with him.

Professor Hoffman only set the general direction and basic research framework for "exploring the application potential of artificial intelligence in complex system modeling". The specific implementation path, technology selection, time arrangement and phased goals are controlled and managed by Guangming itself.

This means that his regular academic and research pressures are actually reduced compared to the stage where he needs to strictly complete credits and follow the steps to complete his master's degree, because he has a high degree of autonomy and his time arrangement is more flexible.

With his profound knowledge accumulated over two lifetimes and his technological vision that is decades ahead of his time, he is fully capable of efficiently completing his assigned research tasks while having a large amount of free time and energy.

These precious hours and energy are the fuel he needs to implement his deep-seated "plans" concerning future technological paths, industrial development, and even the broader landscape.

On the surface, he does not seem to lack start-up capital.

His refrigerator is quietly storing over 350 kilograms of gold bars and a total of 7,000 South Sea pearls.

In the late 1970s, this was undoubtedly a huge fortune that would leave anyone speechless and even cause madness; it was a dream treasure that many people could not attain in several lifetimes.

However, although this enormous wealth belonged to him, it was as if bound by invisible chains, making it difficult to use normally and on a large scale in the sunlight.

By cautiously seeking reasonable explanations in small batches, we might be able to gradually "whitewash" some of the truth through certain specific channels.

However, it is almost impossible and extremely risky for him to invest in future business operations or capital activities on a large scale, legally, and without leaving any future problems, at this stage when he has just gained a foothold at Stanford and his network of contacts and social foundation is still shallow.

This not only involves the United States' stringent anti-money laundering laws and tax audit system, but may also attract unnecessary or even dangerous attention, such as spying from the FBI, CIA, or certain underground forces that have caught wind of money.

Therefore, he needs to find a different path, a safer, more discreet way to convert wealth that is more in line with his current status.

As for this large sum of wealth, it certainly can't remain idle in the refrigerator. Once he has more connections and access to more channels, and encounters a suitable opportunity, he will still have the chance to safely cash it out.

However, he cannot rush things; he can only proceed steadily step by step.

The most urgent task is to have a clear and accurate understanding of the specific market value of this still "dormant" wealth that we possess.

Especially those pearls that are relatively easier to sell in small quantities and are quite valuable.

Only by fully understanding the value of the assets you hold can you better plan your next steps.

Gold prices are relatively transparent and have a globally unified pricing system.

He made a special trip to the Stanford Graduate School of Business library to review recent issues of The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and related commodity trading market reports.

After soaring in the mid-to-late 1970s due to the oil crisis and inflation, international gold prices are currently fluctuating around $200 per ounce. Influenced by the ongoing oil crisis, global inflation expectations, and geopolitical instability, short-term fluctuations are relatively large.

He estimated based on the current midpoint price of about $200 per ounce: 1 ounce is approximately equal to 31.1 grams, so the price of gold per gram is about $6.43.

The gold in his space weighs a total of 350 kilograms and is worth more than two million two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars!
In 1979, this was undoubtedly an astronomical figure, enough to instantly make him a millionaire, or even one of the very wealthy.

Moreover, gold prices are expected to increase approximately fourfold within the next year. If he can sell at the peak of gold prices, he can easily become a multi-millionaire!

However, this money is currently just a number on paper; it represents enormous potential energy that cannot be directly unleashed, nor can it be safely used for consumption and investment.

He was unsure of the value of those South Sea pearls piled up like small hills.

Although he knew from his vague knowledge from his past life and his intuitive understanding from reading in this life that these pearls were of excellent quality, belonging to a rare category of natural seawater pearls, and were quite valuable, he wondered how much each one was actually worth in the current market environment.
These all require evaluation by professionals and verification by the actual market conditions.

He needs consultation and needs to understand the real, firsthand market situation as soon as possible in order to be fully informed.

Over the next few days, Yang Guangming used his afternoons when he had no classes to contact and schedule appointments with two independent jewelry appraisers and small jewelers who were well-known in the San Francisco area and were known for their good reputation, meticulousness, and reliability. These individuals were found through the business school library's telephone directory, the San Francisco local jewelry association's guild directory, and indirect recommendations from some enthusiastic alumni.

He plans to consult with each of them separately to cross-reference the assessment results and obtain a more objective market price range that is closer to the actual transaction level. He also wants to see if he can reach some small, safe trial transactions with one of them in exchange for the small amount of start-up capital needed for the subsequent plan.

For this consultation, he specially took out twenty pearls from his space—ten top-grade South Sea white pearls with a luster like satin and a color like solidified cream, and ten South Sea gold pearls with a golden color, shimmering and radiant, as if containing the energy of sunlight.

These pearls are all round and full, perfectly round, and about 15 or 16 millimeters in diameter, which is considered a large size among South Sea pearls, making them look very impressive.

Without any post-processing or polishing, they naturally exude a soft and deep iridescence, as if from the depths of the ocean. Their surfaces are incredibly smooth, and under close examination with the light, almost no blemishes, dents, or spots can be seen.

The white pearls are as warm and lustrous as moonlight, and the gold pearls are as luxurious as an emperor's crown. Their quality is so perfect that even Yang Guangming himself loves them.

He brought extra samples with a purpose: if the price was right and the transaction terms were safe and reliable, he could consider selling a small portion of them.

The President's Special Scholarship, after deducting tuition and miscellaneous fees, was more than enough to cover his daily study and living expenses at Stanford, allowing him to live quite comfortably, far exceeding that of ordinary international students and visiting scholars, so that he would not have to worry about basic needs such as food, clothing, and accommodation.

However, this scholarship was far from sufficient, even completely inadequate, to launch the initial business ideas in his mind.

He needs to prepare at least tens of thousands of dollars as readily available reserve funds to ensure the smooth and discreet execution of subsequent plans.

The first appraiser to be booked was an elderly gentleman named Robert Harrison.

His studio is located on the second floor of an old building with arched windows on a quiet, historic street near Union Square in San Francisco. You need to ring the doorbell and confirm your identity via intercom to get in.

The studio is decorated in an antique style, with dark walnut furniture, velvet-padded display stands, professional high-intensity lights, magnifying glasses and gem microscopes. The air is filled with the faint smell of leather and metal polish, creating an atmosphere of tradition, professionalism and rigor that inspires awe.

Mr. Harrison was about sixty years old, with silver hair that was neatly combed. He wore a well-fitting dark waistcoat and an elegant bow tie, looking every bit the old-fashioned gentleman.

He was a man of few words, his phrases concise and refined, but his blue eyes were sharp and shrewd, as if they could see through the surface of a gemstone and gaze upon its inner value.

After Yang Guangming briefly explained his purpose, he didn't ask any further questions, but simply gestured for Yang Guangming to place the pearls on a tray covered with black velvet.

He put on a special high-powered magnifying glass and white cotton gloves, and began to carefully examine each pearl brought by Yang Guangming, one by one, with great patience.

He picked up a pearl and slowly rotated it under a professional cool light, observing its roundness, luster intensity, iridescence, surface smoothness, and color uniformity and saturation from different angles.

His movements were slow and focused, with a kind of reverence for art. He would occasionally tap lightly with a specific tool to listen, and the whole process was silent and ritualistic, lasting for more than twenty minutes.

“Exquisite, all top-quality South Sea pearls.”

After a long while, Mr. Harrison put down his tools and the last pearl, and in a calm but undeniably professional tone, offered his sincere praise:
"These are all natural seawater pearls, reaching a size of 15-16mm, and possessing such perfect roundness, a strong silky luster, and an almost flawless clean surface."

Whether white or gold, pearls are considered top-quality treasures on the market, highly sought after by high-end jewelry brands on Fifth Avenue in New York and Place Vendôme in Paris, as well as by clients seeking unique, bespoke pieces.

He gave a professional assessment, speaking at a steady pace: "Based on the current market conditions in major jewelry trading markets in San Francisco and New York, and my personal experience of forty years in the industry, the reasonable industry price range for South Sea white pearls of similar quality to those you brought is approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per pearl."

Golden pearls, on the other hand, are produced in more demanding environments, require higher water quality, and are much rarer. Market demand, especially in the Middle East and Asia, is particularly keen on their luxurious color, and their prices are much higher than those of white pearls of the same quality, typically ranging from three to four thousand US dollars per pearl.

Of course, I'm only referring to industry prices.

If the jewelry is created through high-end retail channels and set into unique pieces by renowned designers, the final price can increase several times, or even more, due to the brand premium.

However, this huge price difference is not something everyone can profit from.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his face expressionless, but his mind was racing with calculations.

This price range is lower than the price he estimated after recently flipping through magazines. But his estimate is certainly inaccurate, and Harrison's estimate should be a highly valuable reference.

“Well then, Mr. Harrison.”

Yang Guangming looked at the other person with a calm and honest gaze and asked directly, "If I were willing to sell these pearls to you, I wonder if you would be willing to buy pearls of this quality, and what price you would be willing to offer?"

He paused briefly, then added a crucial point, one of the core needs of his trip: "Furthermore, I need a document proving the legal origin of the goods to avoid any subsequent trouble. I wonder if you can provide that?"

He emphasized the words "proof of legal origin." Harrison's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a shrewd glint flashed in his blue eyes.

As an experienced and profit-driven businessman, he values ​​the impeccable quality of the goods themselves and the substantial profit margins they can generate.

The pearls he tested were of excellent quality. Although they were not particularly valuable individual items, they were definitely best-selling products in their category, easy to sell, and in huge market demand.

He does intend to acquire it if the price is right.

As for the legal source documentation required by the person in front of him, it is not a demanding requirement for a seasoned professional like him, and it can be easily obtained.

A large portion of his customers who sell jewelry have this need, and he has long had a mature way of doing so, which can satisfy customers' requirements without causing himself any trouble.

But all of this depends on one thing: he needs to have enough profit margin!
After pausing for about ten seconds, he tapped the table lightly with his fingers and slowly began to speak:
"Young man, I understand and agree with your special request; caution is always a good thing."

I can provide you with a complete set of original, legally sourced documents, and I can also offer you a fair and competitive price.

South Sea white pearls, $1,800 each; South Sea gold pearls, $3,800 each.

He paused, then continued, "If this transaction can be completed, I can also waive the appraisal fee."

This offer is in the upper-middle range of the assessment range he just gave, which is reasonable. Although it leaves enough profit margin, it does not push the price too low.

Yang Guangming was in no hurry to agree. He needed to demonstrate in the negotiations that he was not ignorant and was not a naive young man who could be easily manipulated.

"Thank you for your offer and document security, Mr. Harrison."

Yang Guangming nodded slightly, looking somewhat dissatisfied. "However, before coming here, I did some preliminary market research and consulted some professionals."

Considering the top-quality appearance, stunning uniformity, and scarcity of these pearls in the high-end market, I believe that $1,950 per white pearl and $4,000 per gold pearl are more in line with their intrinsic value and market potential.

After all, such high quality, and the fact that five of them could be found on the market simultaneously, means their value to a merchant like you with established channels should far exceed the price per stone.

Harrison's eyes flickered as he re-examined the young Asian man before him. From the moment they met, he knew the man was a shrewd young man, hence the fair price.

He really wants to acquire these pearls of excellent quality, but it seems he'll have to use some persuasion.

The two engaged in a gentle yet firm bargaining process.

Ultimately, considering the ease of the initial transaction, the completeness of the documentation, and the value of potentially establishing a long-term relationship, both parties compromised, and the price was determined to be:
South Sea white pearls are $1,900 each, and South Sea gold pearls are $3,900 each.

Mr. Harrison will provide complete and legal documentation of the provenance and will waive the authentication fee.

Yang Guangming decided to temporarily sell five gold beads and five white beads.

This amount is neither too conspicuous, falling into the category of small, private transactions, yet it can yield a considerable amount of cash, sufficient to meet his current funding needs.

The transaction was quick, demonstrating Mr. Harrison's professional efficiency.

In addition to the prepared $29,000 cash check, Harrison also prepared several formally formatted and meticulously worded documents to prove the legitimate origin of the pearls sold by Sunshine.

Harlesen had several ways to prove his claim, and after discussing it with Yang Guangming, Yang Guangming chose to prove the legal origin of the pearls obtained through shell gambling.

As Yang Ming carefully checked the contents of the document and prepared to leave after confirming that everything was correct, Mr. Harrison, unusually, said a few more words, carrying a hint of advice from an elder:

"Young man, this transaction involves nearly $30,000, which is not huge, but it is not small either, so it needs to be handled with care."

I recommend that you deposit the check into a reliable bank as soon as possible, and... it would be best to consult a professional tax lawyer who is familiar with the tax situation of non-U.S. citizens as soon as possible.

After receiving professional advice, properly handle any potential capital gains tax issues and develop a long-term tax plan to avoid future trouble from the IRS.

They are increasingly tightening their monitoring of cash transactions and transactions involving valuable assets, paying particular attention to large deposits. Also…

He handed me a simply designed business card, saying, "If you have pearls of similar quality in the future, or other... valuable collectibles, please feel free to contact me again."

The price can be based on this quote, or negotiated according to market conditions at that time. All procedures will be completed and handled securely.

"Thank you for your reminder and suggestion, Mr. Harrison. I will consider it carefully and handle it properly as soon as possible." Yang Guangming politely accepted the business card with both hands, glanced at it, and carefully put it into his inner pocket, though he had his own plans in mind.

In the short term, he did not intend to sell large quantities of pearls to the same person again, so as not to arouse excessive attention or speculation from the shrewd old gentleman, or even trigger unnecessary investigations.

This transaction was more about understanding prices and solving an immediate problem.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Harrison, Yang Guangming glanced at his watch; there was still about an hour until his appointment with the second independent appraiser, Ms. Margaret Chan.

He first found a reputable branch of Bank of America nearby and deposited the $29,000 check into his newly opened savings account.

Watching the teller skillfully operate the system and see the reassuring number updated on the passbook, he felt a slight sense of relief.

The first "start-up capital" was successfully secured, completing a crucial step from physical assets to financial assets.

The second appraiser, Ms. Margaret Chen, was a Chinese woman in her forties, with a capable demeanor and stylish attire. Her studio was located in a modern office building in downtown San Francisco, with a simpler and brighter style, mainly in white and light wood tones.

The process and results of the identification were largely the same as those of the first one.

Ms. Chen also highly praised the quality of the pearls brought by Yang Guangming, especially commending the rich color and uniformity of the gold pearls, calling them "the best quality I have seen in recent years".

She gave a market valuation range slightly higher than Mr. Harrison's, with white pearls at $1,700 to $2,200 and gold pearls at $3,700 to $4,200.

In the conversation, Ms. Chen revealed that her clientele is more inclined towards emerging wealthy individuals in Asia, and the pearls in Yang Guangming's possession are a good match for her clients' needs.

When she learned that Yangguangming had already consulted with professionals and had a clear understanding of the value, she became more direct and decisive in her acquisition offer, seemingly unwilling to waste time in a protracted battle.

After a series of equally rational and efficient negotiations, the final transaction price was set at: two thousand US dollars per South Sea white pearl and four thousand US dollars per South Sea gold pearl.

Ms. Chen also promised to provide legally valid proof of the source of the product, and the relatively low appraisal fee was also waived.

Yang Guangming once again spent five white pearls and five gold pearls, and received another check for $30,000.

He also deposited the money into a newly opened account at another reputable bank nearby, adhering to the prudent principle of not concentrating all funds in one place to diversify potential risks.

Leaving the bank and walking in the cool, salty sea breeze of San Francisco in the evening, Yang Ming felt a long-lost sense of ease and peace.

In two separate, discreet transactions, he sold a total of ten South Sea white pearls and ten South Sea gold pearls, receiving $59,000 in cash, which he then safely deposited into two different banks.

In the United States in 1979, this amount of money, while only a fraction of what was considered corporate mergers and acquisitions or large-scale venture capital, was quite substantial, even considerable, as a secret start-up fund for an individual.

What surprised him even more was learning the price of the pearls in his hands. He now has seven thousand pearls, with an average price of about three thousand US dollars, and a total value of about twenty million US dollars!

This is an astonishing fortune that most people cannot even imagine!

He glanced back at the gradually illuminating lights of countless homes behind him, the city skyline before him resembling a dazzling jewel nestled between hills and bay.

San Francisco, and indeed the nascent Silicon Valley, was on the eve of the personal computer revolution and the rise of modern venture capital models.

On this land, which is still somewhat empty today, dotted with orchards and low warehouses, countless great companies that will influence the world's technological landscape and human lifestyles, and astonishing wealth myths will be born in the next decade or so.

The wheels of history are turning faster here, and he, an international student from the East, holding the prophet's memories of the future, has already stood on this land full of infinite possibilities, and has a relatively stable academic identity as a cover and starting point.

The next step is to figure out how to make this money work quietly and efficiently in this vibrant land, laying the first solid foundation and connecting the initial key network of contacts.

Instead of taking the bus directly back to Stanford's campus in Palo Alto, he found a nice-looking, quiet Western restaurant in the city, chose a secluded spot by the window, and enjoyed a quiet and long dinner alone, both to reward himself and to give himself some undisturbed time to think.

He ordered grilled salmon with lemon butter dressing, a classic Caesar salad, and a glass of sparkling water.

He did not drink alcohol in order to maintain absolute mental clarity when thinking.

He ate slowly, his gaze occasionally drifting to the neon-lit streets and hurried pedestrians outside the window, but his thoughts had already drifted to the not-too-distant future.

He needed this precious time alone to sort out his somewhat chaotic thoughts, digest the information he had gained that day, and plan his next steps more concretely and step by step. (End of Chapter)