America 1881: Legend of the West

Hearing what Rockefeller said, Hauke ​​immediately sat up straight.

Although in Philadelphia and the East, people called him the railroad tycoon.

But he knew that he was nothing compared to the two big guys in front of him.

Sure enough, Rockefeller looked at him.

"Mr. Hauke, I remember that I am your recommender when you enter the Freemasonry." He took another puff of his cigar and said slowly.

"Yes, Mr. Rockefeller, you have helped me a lot over the years." Hauke ​​nodded slightly.

Rockefeller walked to Hauke, took out a cigar case from his arms, pulled out a cigar from it, and handed it to Hauke.

"So Mr. Hauke, if I asked you to do me a favor, would you say yes?" he asked.

"I obey!" Hawke took the cigar from the oil tycoon's hand without any hesitation.

He knew what it meant to accept the cigar, and he also knew the consequences of rejecting Rockefeller.

"You go find a way to remove him from the Pacific Railroad board of directors! Can you?" Rockefeller stared into Hauke's eyes.

"No problem, but as far as I know, Chen Jianqiu is now on the board of directors of the two railway companies." Haoke did not slap his chest rashly, but his expression did not show any intention to back down.

"Don't worry, I will help you with funds!" Rockefeller said, "I have long wanted to invest in the railway company."

Morgan on the side had a subtle change in his expression.

He frowned slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

Edison caught the change in his expression.

But he didn't dare say anything more.

Like Hauke, they were both very prosperous outside, but here, facing two heavyweights, they were cautious about their words and actions and did not dare to say anything.

After all, Morgan is the biggest financial backer behind him.

But just because he didn't speak, it didn't mean that Morgan wouldn't look for him.

"Thomas, I heard that Chen Jianqiu, the partner and chief engineer of Roswell Electric Company, left your laboratory?"

Morgan turned around and asked about Edison.

His big nose makes him look like a simple and honest farmer from the West.

But those who know him well know that this banker is as sharp as a hunter and as fierce as a crocodile.

"Well, yes, he turned out to be an engineer in my laboratory, but he was too greedy and asked me for a huge salary increase and huge patent fees. In addition, his efficiency was not high, so I agreed Application for his departure.”

"Oh, did you know that his alternating current project was successful in Oklahoma? Their power grid can cover the entire city? One power station is enough, not one per kilometer? Huh?"

Morgan continued to ask, speaking clearly and slowly.

"Did you know that Pulitzer went to Oklahoma City for an interview and not only reported on Chen Jianqiu's election as mayor, but also reported this incident as well!"

He handed the newspaper in his hand to Edison.

Edison took the newspaper and glanced at the article written by Pulitzer:

"The level of advancement here is astonishing. A power plant is located on the edge of the city. Steam boilers burning coal and kerosene are burning, and the generator sets are running. The electricity they generate brings light to thousands of households in the city. "

Sweat broke out on Edison's forehead.

"No way, Mr. Morgan, people in those western towns can't afford electric lights!"

"But they used it, and it was very popular." Morgan had no intention of giving Edison any face.

"Thomas, we have known each other for a long time, and I have always believed in your talent." He said to Edison seriously, even though he was only ten years older than Edison.

"But you have to understand that the world of capital is cruel. Winners and losers. If my investors and I don't see any hope that DC can win, then I hope you understand what this means."

This last sentence also represents an ultimatum.

Time is running out for Edison and DC.

While these people in New York were discussing how to deal with Chen Jianqiu, Chen Jianqiu himself was on his way to Denver.

Naturally, he knew nothing about the deliberations of several people.

He is busy with another thing.

The Western Silver Banking Industry Association is holding an emergency meeting there.

Chen Jianqiu owns a silver mine in northern Mexico. So he was drawn into this association.

But this silver mine is not his main source of income. Except for a large part of the silver produced in it, which is used by his other industries, the rest flows into the market.

Chen Jianqiu is not interested in silver itself.

As early as 1873, the United States followed the British example and promulgated the Coinage Act of 1873, officially canceling the legal gold and silver price ratio.

The U.S. Treasury Department began to stop minting silver coins and returned to the gold standard.

With the implementation of the gold standard in Europe, the demand for silver as currency dropped sharply. Coupled with the endless silver mines emerging in the West, the price of silver plummeted, all the way to $1.16 per ounce.

Therefore, Chen Jianqiu is not very concerned about his silver mine, and rarely participates in the association's activities.

But this time, the invitation letter was sent with several exclamation marks on the cover. I hope he must attend. The things discussed are very, very, very important.

This aroused Chen Jianqiu's curiosity.

He decided to take a trip out of his busy schedule to see what kind of medicine the Western Silver Association was selling.

Before leaving, he also brought a comic strip sent by Little Astor from New York, which was said to be adapted from his latest work.

Chen Jianqiu arrived in Denver by train.

He has some bad memories of the city.

He had chopped people here, escaped with his life, and was wanted.

But now it's all over.

This place is no longer what it was a few years ago. The new police station is opposite the hotel where Chen Jianqiu stayed. On the reward list outside, the reward orders for Chen Jianqiu and the others have long since disappeared.

Chen Jianqiu didn't have too many regrets.

After what happened a few years ago, there is no longer a Chinese in Denver.

Even Chinese businessmen are reluctant to come here.

Therefore, Chen Jianqiu stood out a little while walking on the road.

Some people were curious when they saw him, but these people did not include the Irish.

When they passed by, they didn't dare to look directly into Chen Jianqiu's eyes.

The man looked familiar to some of them.

That is the nightmare of the entire Irish Street in Denver, it is Satan, it is the devil!

If you are brave enough, go to the police station and report it.

But their call to the police fell silent.

A few years have passed, and the number of police officers, including the police chief, has changed.

They came to the hotel where Chen Jianqiu was staying to interrogate him.

But when Chen Jianqiu took out his business card with a lot of titles written on it, the police officers immediately gave up on interrogating him.

This is obviously a respectable upper-class person, how could he be confused with a gangster!

As a result, Chen Jianqiu escaped the police's questioning and entanglement.

He had a good sleep and prepared to go to the venue in the city center the next day to attend the association meeting held there.