1850 American Gold Tycoon

Chapter 525: None of the Yankees are good

The next day, Liang Shaoqiong did not get up until ten o'clock in the morning, served by two black and mixed-race maids.

After washing up and tidying up his clothes, Liang Shaoqiong came to Liang Yao and said to Liang Yao.

"I thought about the cotton thing all night last night.

I think that if we can steadily obtain cotton from the south, and with the low cost of labor in the Qing Dynasty, and purchase some textile machinery from California to set up a spinning and weaving factory, there will be great potential. "

"Were you still thinking about this last night?" Liang Yao said with a smile.

Liang Yao has also considered this matter. With the productivity of this era, one bale of cotton (in 1856, the southern export price averaged 60 US dollars per bale, excluding tariffs. The export price including tariffs was 0.68 US dollars per bale) could spin 500 pounds. About 300 yards of cotton yarn can be produced from 500 pounds of cotton yarn.

300 yards of cotton gray cloth, even if it is of average quality, can be sold for at least 28 pounds (about 136 U.S. dollars) in the British market. When the cotton gray cloth is processed into various cotton fabrics such as ready-made garments, cotton socks, and cotton socks, the price can be even higher.

This is still in the UK, which is the center of the world's cotton textile industry, and the price of cotton fabrics is the lowest in the world. Elsewhere, cotton fabrics simply cost more.

"Shilang Liang is right. Since the opening of the Qing Dynasty, the homespun cloth produced in the Qing Dynasty has been affected by the British foreign cloth. The five families in the surrounding areas who work as female sex workers have suffered greatly, and countless people have gone bankrupt." Pan Zhengwei said.

"If we can set up a factory, it will be a good thing for everyone."

"Last night I had a long talk with Mr. Pan. If we can set up a factory in Fuzhou and let the unemployed work in the factory, it will also solve the livelihood of many local people.

If cloth can be produced locally, British cotton can be kept out and the outflow of silver can be reduced. Rather than letting the British earn this money, it is better for us to earn it ourselves. "Shen Baozhen said.

Shen Baozhen, Shen Baozhen, you are digging the roots of the Qing Dynasty, Liang Yao thought to himself.

"It's one thing to say it, but it's another thing to do it." Liang Yao was happy to help Shen Baozhen dig up the roots of the Qing Dynasty and send it to the ground.

"Brother Shen, do you know why British rayon and fabrics are so cheap?"

"I know, I have asked Pan Lao for advice on this matter. The British use machines to weave cloth, which is very efficient and therefore the cost is low." Shen Baozhen said.

"I also buy machines, set up factories, and use machines to spin yarn and weave cloth."

Liang Yao shook his head: "This is just one of them. The British started early in the textile industry. Now the British textile industry is very mature, with a complete system, colonies all over the world, and vast overseas markets. At present, the British are encouraging Indians to breed. Cotton wants to further reduce the cost of raw materials.

If you set up a factory in Fuzhou, you currently have only two biggest advantages compared to the British, one is manpower, and the other is the domestic market of the Qing Dynasty. If you can get cheap cotton from a stable source in the south, it can be considered an advantage for the time being.

Other than that, you are at a disadvantage. But that's not my biggest concern. "

"What is the problem that my dear brother is most worried about, but it doesn't matter." Shen Baozhen said.

"There is pressure from the imperial court. The Qing Dynasty was based on agriculture. If you set up a large factory in Fuzhou, it will definitely cause criticism in the court and you will be under a lot of pressure. You should be prepared to bear these pressures. ?" Liang Yao's burning eyes shot at Shen Baozhen.

Shen Baozhen was shocked. He had been chatting with Pan Zhengwei so passionately last night that he had indeed neglected this issue.

He is not Liang Shaoqiong. Liang Shaoqiong has a lot of troops. No matter how hard he goes in Guangdong and Guangxi, as long as he does not raise the flag of rebellion, the court will not dare to touch him.

He Shen Baozhen is now an ordinary prefect. If the court wants to touch him, it is only a matter of the emperor's words.

"Shen has made up his mind." Shen Baozhen gritted his teeth.

"I am from Fujian, and I must also know the situation in Fujian. There are few people in Fujian, and there is a saying that eight mountains, one water, and one farmland are divided into eight mountains. Therefore, many Fujian people had to leave their hometowns and go to the sea to make a living, or to Southeast Asia. Or to America.

When I was a child, I saw too many people who went to sea to make a living. Some of them were my distant relatives and some were my close neighbors. Shen still vividly remembers the scene when the flesh and blood were separated.

If I can set up some factories for the Fujian people during my tenure as the prefect, the Fujian people can make a living there, and my time as prefect is not in vain and it will benefit the township. "

"Brother Shen has this determination and Liang is not talented, so he is willing to give Brother Shen some bad ideas. If this matter was definitely difficult to handle during the Kangxi, Yongzong and Qianlong periods, it is not impossible to handle it now."

Seeing Shen Baozhen's resolute attitude, Liang Yao respected Shen Baozhen sincerely. There were too few officials like Shen Baozhen in the Qing Dynasty.

"Please give me some advice, my dear brother." Shen Baozhen bowed deeply to Liang Yao.

“First, if you want to set up a textile factory, you must first set up a good ship management, and you must first have a firm grip on the navy.

Secondly, if you want to silence the little ones in the middle of the court, you must have a stable backer in the middle of the court, and you must use something to block the backer and block the mouths of the little ones in the middle of the court.

You are soft-spoken when you eat people, but you are short-handed when taking advantage of others. When your factory has more operations and becomes bigger, and the interests of the top and bottom are entangled, no matter who wants to touch you, they will have to think carefully before doing it. "Liang Yao pointed out the way for Shen Baozhen.

"It's just that the premise of all this is that your factory can make money. If it can't make money, you Shen Baozhen will be in ruins!"

"Thank you, dear brother, for your advice. I understand."

Speaking of this, even a fool can understand the stakes involved.

"My good nephew, I still need your help with something." Liang Shaoqiong said while rubbing his hands.

The resistance to him running a textile factory was much smaller than that of Shen Baozhen. The Liang family had been operating a coal mine in Baiyun for four or five years, and no one from Guangdong to the capital dared to make irresponsible remarks about him.

Since he can run Liang Shaoqiong Coal Mine, he can also run this textile factory.

The only problem is that he has to raise troops, so he doesn't have much spare money.

"What's the matter?" Liang Yao asked.

"It costs money to borrow some money from you to set up a factory, buy land to build a factory, purchase machinery, and recruit workers," Liang Shaoqiong said shamelessly.

"I don't have much spare money either." Liang Yao smiled maliciously.

"Each of these Dixie guys is richer than the last, and you still ask me, my nephew, to borrow money. Uncle, are you being short-sighted? If you need money, ask them to borrow it. Wouldn't it be wonderful to use American money to set up a factory in Qing Dynasty? ?”

"Will they lend it?" Liang Shaoqiong didn't believe that these Dixie guys would lend him money.

"We won't buy their cotton unless we borrow it. Besides, you are the Minister of War of the Qing Dynasty. Given your status, it is not difficult to borrow some money from them." Liang Yao said with a smile.

In fact, he also wanted to borrow some money from these Dixie guys. Anyway, the Dixie guys would buy military supplies and ammunition from him in the future, so the money should be treated as an advance.

The two super projects of the Pacific Railway and the Garde Railway have taken up a large part of Liang Yao's cash flow, and he has not yet been able to catch his breath. When Fillmore was in office, due to the economic boom, the federal government's fiscal revenue was still adequate. Liang Yao could also receive direct financial subsidies from the federal government ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 million U.S. dollars each year based on the progress of the project.

After the outbreak of the economic crisis, the federal government has determined that it will no longer provide direct financial subsidies for the yet-to-be-completed Garland-Germany Railway. Instead, the original direct financial subsidies will be replaced by increased land grants.

According to the Pacific Railroad Act and the Gard Railroad Act, any railroad company directly involved in the construction of the Pacific Railroad and the Gard Railroad will receive 640 acres of federal land along the way for every mile of railway built.

In the Gard Railroad Amendment Act, the amount of federal land granted was increased from 640 acres per mile of railroad to 800 acres per mile of railroad.

After returning, Liang Yao also wanted to expand his army and prepare for war, so the bigger the cash flow, the better.

Although the party was over, because the cotton business had not yet been concluded, the planters who attended the party were very anxious and did not want the cotton in stock to rot in the warehouse, so they did not leave Richmond.

At noon, Francis prepared a sumptuous lunch for everyone.

Liang Yao had other things to do and didn't want to stay in Richmond for a long time, so he decided to take advantage of the meal to discuss business and lend money.

"How do you think about the 270,000 bales of cotton?" Francis kept talking about cotton.

When Pan Zhengwei and others were about to speak, Liang Yao stopped him.

"We are also interested in buying your cotton, but we just hate it." Liang Yao looked helpless.

"What do you only hate?" Francis and a group of cotton plantation owners stared wide-eyed.

"I just hate the lack of financial resources!" Liang Yao sighed sadly.

The plantation owners all looked down upon you, saying, "If you don't have enough money, no one in America will have enough money."

"It's us who have made things difficult for Mr. Liang. Since Mr. Liang feels embarrassed, there is no need for us to continue to make things difficult for Mr. Liang." Deng En knew that Liang Yao was playing hard to get.

If Liang Yao and the others were really not interested in these 270,000 bales of cotton, they would not spend the night here and stay for lunch.

"Mr. Dunn, please allow me to explain in detail." Liang Yao explained.

"Mr. Pan, Vice Minister Liang, Mayor Shen and I all want to buy the cotton in your hands. We have also discussed and studied it. What we mean is that not only do we buy this batch of cotton, but we will also buy it from you in the long term. Buy cotton here.”

Buying cotton long term?

As soon as these words came out, all the planters present became interested.

Now life was getting harder for their southern plantation owners.

Not to mention the setbacks in the European market, the Dixie guys in the north have recently prepared to increase tariff rates.

The United States can take advantage of it. To put it bluntly, the commodity that can earn the most foreign exchange is cotton. Raising the tariff rate is basically raising the export tax rate of cotton.

At this time, someone offered me a hug and was willing to become their long-term customer. That is, someone gave me a pillow if I was sleepy. It came at the right time. That's what they want.

What's more, the West Coast market controlled by Liang Yao is a domestic market and is not affected by tariffs.

"You continue."

Francis, who was enjoying his meal, quickly put down his knife and fork and listened with great interest.

“There is just so much cotton that our dealers below cannot eat so much.

So we want to set up a factory and digest the excess cotton ourselves. Once our factory is established, the demand for cotton will only increase in the future. Your cotton is of good quality and the price is reasonable and fair. It is difficult for us to give reasons for refusing to purchase raw materials from you. "Liang Yao continued.

"But we lack enough funds to set up a factory, so we would like to borrow some money from you for turnover."

After talking for a long time, it turned out that they wanted to borrow money. When it came to borrowing money, many plantation owners immediately showed their miserly nature and backed down.

Even Francis, who was most eager to get rid of the cotton, frowned.

"It is well known that Mr. Liang and Mr. Pan have excellent credit. Minister Liang and Mayor Shen are also distinguished gentlemen in the Qing Dynasty."

It was Dunn who stood up first.

"If you can sign a contract with me to establish a long-term cooperative relationship, I am willing to lend you this money, but I don't know how much you want to borrow?"

Liang Yao raised a finger.

"One million US dollars? No problem, I can borrow it." Dunn said very generously.

As the top rich man in the South, he can still come up with $1 million relatively easily.

Liang Yao shook his head and said No.

At this time, even Dunn's expression froze: "Mr. Liang, isn't it 10 million US dollars?"

Liang Yao nodded and said Yes.

Upon hearing this figure, the planters were furious.

"Ten million dollars? Are you kidding me?"

"Mr. Liang, I didn't expect you to be such a ignorant person!"

"It seems you have no sincerity in cooperating at all. Farewell!"

"Damn it, Yankees are Yankees! None of them are good!"

What about teasing?

$10 million?

The value of this batch of cotton is more than ten million US dollars. You want me to lend you money to buy my cotton?

This was the thought of most of the slave owners present.

There were even two planters who couldn't keep their temper and left angrily.

When Pan Zhengwei saw this, he got up and sang the original song. He didn't want the deal to fall through.

However, Liang Yao grabbed Pan Zhengwei and said to Liang Shaoqiong and Shen Baozhen: "Let's go. Since the gentlemen in the south cannot trust us and question our sincerity in cooperation, there is no need for us to be an eyesore here, delay others' meals, and affect the gentlemen." appetite."

The three of them understood, put down their knives and forks, pulled off the white napkins on their chests, and stood up to leave, with no intention of staying.

As Liang Yao walked, he counted in his mind, 1, 2, 3. When Liang Yao counted to 18 and was about to step out of the door after taking two steps, he felt a little flustered and instinctively slowed down.

"Four gentlemen, please stay!"

Suddenly, Dunn's shout came from behind.

Liang Yao and others looked at each other, smiled, and paused.

"I apologize to the four of them for my stupid and rude friends. I also ask the four of you to please go back to the restaurant and continue your meal for my shame." Dunn caught up with them and bowed to the four of them to apologize.

"If the guests leave before finishing their meal, if word spreads to those Yankees, they will laugh at us."

Liang Yao nodded and reluctantly returned to the restaurant.

Dunn personally prepared new napkins and knives and forks for Liang Yao and others one by one before returning to his seat.

"Mr. Dunn, I apologize for my rudeness just now." Liang Yao apologized to Dunn.

"Don't say that, we just made a rude mistake," Dunn said.

"To be honest, I can't come up with 10 million US dollars at once, but I can still get 10 million US dollars together with my friends here.

Just your Excellency, US$10 million is not a small amount. We need a mortgage to be able to lend this money with confidence. It is best if Los Angeles Petrochemical can be used as collateral. "

Dunn seemed gentle and courteous, but in fact among the planters present, he was the one with the most eyesight and the biggest appetite.

The petrochemical industry in Los Angeles is the industry that Liang Yao relies on the most and is the most profitable industry. He wants the Los Angeles petrochemical industry as collateral for a mere US$10 million? I want to eat shit!

Not to mention US$10 million, even US$100 million, he would not consider mortgaging Los Angeles Petrochemical.

"The equity interests in Los Angeles Petrochemical are complex, and I can't make a decision on this matter by myself." Liang Yao said in a very embarrassed tone.

"Of course, if you insist on asking Los Angeles Petrochemical as collateral, that's not impossible. I can go back and convince the shareholders of Los Angeles Petrochemical. But some of these shareholders are in Guangdong, some in Nagasaki, some in Borneo, and some in Australia. What I’m worried about is that by the time I convince these shareholders, your cotton will rot in the warehouse.”

This little fox, Dunn cursed in his heart.

Although Dunn was dissatisfied with the bankruptcy of the Los Angeles petrochemical plan, he did not show it directly.

"What are you willing to offer as a guarantee?" Dunn asked, picking up a white napkin and wiping his mouth.

"Gade Railway." Liang Yao said what he could offer as collateral.

"The Gade railway is not yet completed, what about the Pacific railway?" Francis interjected, he was not satisfied with the mortgage.

"Just the Garde Railway." Dunn raised his hand to stop everyone.

After a confrontation with Liang Yao, Dunn has understood Liang Yao's character. Liang Yao is unwilling to take the initiative to take out the things for mortgage. No matter how much you say, he will find a beautiful and impeccable reason to prevaricate it for you.

"Mr. Dunn is still happy. I like doing business with a happy person like you." Liang Yao smiled happily.

"That's an exaggeration. I also like doing deals with people like you." Dunn smiled.

"I'll give you the interest on this loan based on the lowest interest rate offered by the Bank of New Orleans, with an annual interest rate of 9%. How about that?"

The Bank of New Orleans was a large bank founded by the seventh president, President Andrew Jackson, to organize southern planters. It was the largest financial institution in the South. The bank provides currency issuance, loans and savings services to several southern states. In fact, it is the central bank of the South.

Its position is similar to that of Citibank in the North and Bank of America on the West Coast.

Dunn is one of the shareholders of the Bank of New Orleans.

"Deal, for the sake of fairness, I will buy your cotton in proportion to the loan you provided." Liang Yao accepted the interest rate.

He also runs banking business himself. The current loan interest rates of major banks are between 8% and 16%. The interest rate Dunn provided him is indeed a relatively conscientious interest rate.

Shuangfa finally had some push and pull on the price of cotton. In the end, Liang Yao used his sharp tongue to cut the unit price from US$60 per pack to US$51 per pack.

Since most of the cotton is shipped to Qing Dynasty, Liang Yao can't help but feel distressed when he thinks of the current 78% tariff.

How much tax will be paid to the federal government? It will be cheaper for the federal government.

However, despite feeling distressed, Liang Yao still put away his erroneous thoughts on the tariff issue to avoid causing unnecessary trouble to himself.

After signing the contract, Liang Yao sent a telegram directly to the New York branch of Bank of America and asked Zeiss to be directly responsible for the handover between Bank of America and the Bank of New Orleans.

After all, it is a huge sum of US$10 million, so there is no room for sloppiness.

"We've been busy together for half a day, and the three of us are just going to make a small profit out of this?"

Leaving Richmond, on the special train heading to Oster, the capital of Texas. The four people completed the division of the spoils, and Liang Shaoqiong, Shen Baozhen, and Pan Zhengwei received US$1 million. The remaining US$7 million will naturally belong to Liang Yao.

Liang Shaoqiong held a check of 1 million US dollars in his hand and complained that Liang Yao was stingy, but he was happy in his heart.

One million dollars! That’s a full $1 million!

I didn't expect that this kid could really get 10 million US dollars from these old white men.

"Shilang Liang, just be satisfied. One million US dollars will buy you as many factories as you want." Pan Zhengwei said with a smile.

"Yes, it was the railway mortgaged by Liang Xiandi that allowed us to borrow such a huge sum of money."

Shen Baozhen had never seen so much money. The light paper in his hand could be exchanged for 653,900 taels of heavy silver.