1850 American Gold Tycoon

The nights in San Francisco are exceptionally bright. Thanks to the use of cheap kerosene, there are more street lights in downtown San Francisco than before.

Before the introduction of kerosene, San Francisco could only light street lamps on the central commercial street every night because the price of whale oil was too expensive, and whale oil was still in short supply all year round.

The application of kerosene symbolizes that California has become one of the first regions in the world to enter the kerosene era.

San Francisco has thus become a city that never sleeps in the true sense.

When the California Railway was first built, many people in the United States and even California sneered at Liang Yao's move, thinking that Liang Yao had money and nowhere to spend it, and he actually laid a dedicated line to a small town with a population of only 4,000 people. More than 8,800 kilometers of high-quality railways.

Except for Liang Yao himself, almost no one is optimistic about the future of this railway.

Now, the voices praising his foresight have long outweighed the cynical voices.

Thanks to kerosene, the railway's losses are slowly decreasing. More and more kerosene is transported from Los Angeles to San Francisco via the California Railway, lighting up San Francisco. Branch's night.

Kerosene has become an indispensable daily necessity for California residents.

The Tingtao Garden was as bright as day under the illumination of kerosene lamps. Liang Yaozai warmly invited Gibson and Le Goff, representatives of Barings Bank and Banque de France in California, to dinner.

These two bankers claim to be bankers, but in fact they are the representatives of British and French interests in California.

"Your Majesty Gypsy, give my regards to Her Majesty the Queen, and wish Her Majesty Queen Victoria a long and healthy life." Liang Yao first shook hands with Gibson, and then shook hands with Le Goff.

"Your Majesty Le Goff, please send my regards to His Majesty Napoleon III and congratulate His Majesty Napoleon III on his assumption of the throne of the French Empire."

"Are you a supporter of the monarchy?" Le Goff warmly shook hands with Liang Yao and sat down.

"Whether it is a monarchy or a republic, it is a good system that allows people to live a happy life and makes the country strong." Liang Yao smiled very generously and said, "Since the French people have chosen His Majesty Napoleon III, I believe that the French The Second Empire will become stronger and stronger under the leadership of His Majesty Napoleon III."

"Whether France will become more and more powerful in the future will be left to time to test, but California is becoming more and more powerful under your leadership." Gibson said with squinted eyes.

"This is all thanks to the hard-working people of California, not my personal credit." Liang Yao said, raising the goblet in his hand, "Cheers to the health of Queen Victoria and His Majesty Napoleon III!"

"cheers!"

The three clinked their wine glasses and took a sip of the burgundy red wine in the glass.

"I've heard about the fact that you and General Perry opened the door to Japan. You fought this battle really quickly and beautifully. I think the United States must have gained a lot of benefits in Japan this time." Gypsy said after putting down the wine glass.

"Compared with the benefits that the British Empire has gained from its colonies around the world, the small profits that the United States has gained in Japan are nothing to mention." Liang Yao said, "Presumably your country's royal fleet has now appeared in Edo. Bar?"

"How do you know?" Gypsy was very surprised.

"The British Empire is an empire on which the sun never sets. Where in the world can the shadow of the British Empire be missing?" Liang Yao asked rhetorically.

When the British see benefits, they are like flies smelling shit. No matter if it is delicious shit or unpleasant shit, they will take a few bites. If the British don't send a fleet to Japan to force Japan to sign a contract and open a country to them, that would be aggressive. Strange things.

"You are a smart man." Gibson said with a smile, "I don't think you came to us today to talk about Japan."

"It's true that I invited you two here today not to talk about Japan, but to talk to you about California?" Liang Yao said.

"What happened in California?"

Both Gibson and Legoff were surprised.

"Yes, it's about California." As he spoke, Liang Yao introduced Deng Wenyu to Gypsy and Legoff. "This is the Secretary of Finance of California and my cousin. The California Department of Finance hopes to obtain a sum of money from your bank." Loan. If you are worried about the California government’s ability to repay the loan and interest, Americas Group can provide a guarantee.”

"What's the amount?"

When business was mentioned, Gibson's expression immediately became serious.

"Five million US dollars." Liang Yao stretched out his five fingers and made a five sign.

"Five million dollars? Are you kidding?" Gypsy gasped.

5 million US dollars is equivalent to 1.03 million pounds. Even if Barings Bank is the largest bank in the world, the ceiling of the banking industry before the second industrial revolution was only more than 7 million pounds in liquid assets.

Not to mention the Bank of France.

Legoff immediately shrugged, saying there was nothing he could do about it and that the California government had to borrow too much money.

"If you don't have 5 million US dollars, it's not impossible to discount it in half." Liang Yao said.

"There is definitely no US$5 million, but given that the credit of America Group and the California government is good, I can apply to the head office in London to get a loan of US$1 million for the California government." Le Goff rolled his eyes. Said, "If America Group can transfer part of the California Railway's equity, I think the application for a US$1 million loan will not only be easily approved, but it may also be able to obtain more loans."

This guy is interested in California Railway's equity. Unfortunately, California's railway industry, especially the California Railway, which is related to the lifeline of California's economy, Liang Yao will never let foreign forces get involved.

"Unfortunately, it seems that we can't complete this deal." Liang Yao said with a helpless shrug.

"Your Excellency, in view of your good personal relationship with His Majesty Napoleon III, I will do my best to persuade the General Office of Paris to provide you with a loan of at least 800,000 US dollars to the California government, and you can also give the California government preferential interest." Le Goff thought. Said after a long time.

"In addition to this, we can also send an order for 30,000 sets of military uniforms, but these 30,000 sets of military uniforms must be completed within half a year. I heard that your garment factory can produce ready-made clothes with very high efficiency. As long as you are willing to take our order, the loan is easy to discuss."

30,000 military uniforms? What a big deal. Liang Yao rubbed his hands excitedly, stood up with a smile on his face, and toasted Le Goff with a glass of wine: "No problem, Mr. Le Goff. In order to thank the Banque de France for its support of California, I will give you half the market price. Sell ​​500 barrels of kerosene to the Bank of France and let’s drink to the friendship between California and France!”

Los Angeles kerosene has been a best-seller since its launch, but demand has always been in short supply. In addition, Los Angeles kerosene is given priority to be supplied to California, so the amount of kerosene available for export is actually not large.

The standard specifications of Los Angeles oil were formulated by Liang Yao himself. Since there were no iron oil barrels in this era, Liang Yao used wooden wine barrels to hold oil and even kerosene. The capacity of a barrel is 150 liters.

Of course, Liang Yao also knows that it is very dangerous to pack these flammable liquids in wooden barrels, but this is currently the most suitable and optimal packaging method considering cost and service.

As for safety issues, safety issues have never been a priority for capitalists. How to maximize profits is the primary issue that capitalists must consider.

The capitalist is willing to provide kerosene for US$2 per liter, which is already a sign of kindness. If you feel it is unsafe, you can buy whale oil for US$5 per liter, which may not be available.

A barrel of 150 liters, 500 barrels is 75,000 liters. In the California market, the price of kerosene per liter is US$2. In France, which currently does not produce kerosene, the price will only be higher.

As long as the price is lower than whale oil, it will be profitable. Liang Yao's move is no different from sending money directly to the Bank of France.

"Great! Cheers! May the friendship between France and California last forever!" Le Goff said, raising his glass high.

France is so anxious to get so many sets of military uniforms to prepare for its military expansion. Currently, Liang Yao's clothing factory can produce about 120 sets of ready-made clothes per day. Although this order has exceeded the production capacity of the clothing factory, it is still affordable by the clothing factory. within the range.

As long as the expanded production line works overtime and no other orders are accepted for the time being, the French military uniform order can still be completed.

"But the Bank of France can only provide you with a loan of US$800,000. How are you going to fill the remaining hole?" Seeing this, Le Goff could not sit still.

"It's not a big problem. I happen to be going east. We can issue bonds on Wall Street. With my own credibility and that of the California government, I think our bonds will be sold out soon.

Alas~ It’s a pity that Barings Bank missed out on a great deal. It’s hard to find such a good partner as California Government Credit, Mr. Gibson. "Liang Yao looked very pity.