Chapter 43: The Astor's Fleet
"It's the Astor family's prospecting team. Their fleet encountered some problems near the windy and rough Cape Horn. Only two small boats were in good condition. They broke away from the fleet and arrived in San Francisco in advance for inspection."
After finding out the origin of the fleet, Strauss heard Taoyuan report the news to Liang Yao.
The so-called Tingtao Tower was Brannan's former coastal manor. Because the sound of the waves could be heard very clearly here, Liang Yao renamed it Tingtao Garden.
Tingtao Garden is large and luxurious, with solid walls and its own observation tower. It is built with solid materials and is condescending. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is more like a fortress than a manor.
Although Tingtao Garden suffered shelling, the buildings in the garden were not seriously damaged and only needed simple repairs to restore them to their original state.
It is far more cost-effective to move directly into Tingtao Garden than to carry out extensive construction work to build a new house.
Rather than building new residences at his residence in San Francisco, Liang Yao is more willing to invest precious manpower and material resources in the construction of commercial streets.
It's not time to chase pleasure yet. Besides, Brannan's estate is already the most luxurious residence in California.
The location of the manor is also very good. Not only is the terrain difficult, there is also a clean water source nearby, and it is relatively close to San Francisco.
The only thing Liang Yao was dissatisfied with was Brannan's decoration style, which was so fucking tasteless.
"The Astor family's sense of smell is really sharper than that of a dog."
Through the window, Liang Yao could see the two steam clippers of the Astor family fleet moored in the port.
The Astor family is an old wealthy family with strong political affiliation in the United States.
The most successful marriage of the family was with the Roosevelt family, which later became the Roosevelt family that produced two U.S. presidents.
The founder of the family, John Jacob Astor, immigrated to the United States from London in 1784, but he was not a Londoner, but a German.
The Astor family started out as a fur goods business, and this family has deep connections with China.
At the beginning of the United States' independence, Britain suppressed the United States economically. In order to break the British economic blockade, President Washington set his sights on the distant east and personally assigned the "Queen of China" to Guangzhou to conduct trade with China in order to break the British trade blockade.
Astor also arrived in Guangzhou, China for the first time on the ship, and got acquainted with businessmen and local officials from the Thirteenth Bank. He also established a deep friendship and long-term partnership with Wu Bingjian, a merchant from the Thirteenth Bank.
The famous Yihe Bank was now an industry owned by Wu Bingjian.
There is no doubt that trade with China is undoubtedly a timely help for the United States at this time.
Since then, more and more American businessmen have turned their attention to the Chinese market.
In the fifty years from 1784 to 1833, American merchant ships visited China at least 1,352 times. Many early American merchants made a lot of money from trade with China.
Astor, who was devoted to the fur business, sensed business opportunities. He arrived in China for the first time in 1801 and sold high-quality beaver skins to the Thirteenth Industry. He made a profit of US$50,000 on his first voyage. You know, this was May 1801.
Ten thousand U.S. dollars.
But soon, the clever Astor discovered an even more profitable business opportunity - opium.
He was no longer satisfied with exchanging beaver pelts for silk, tea, and porcelain from the Chinese. Instead, he exchanged opium for silk, tea, and porcelain from the Chinese, monopolizing the opium trade between the United States and China for seventeen years.
He bought opium from Turkey for $2.50 a pound and then went to Guangzhou to sell the opium for $10 or more.
Astor's first opium business was when he purchased ten tons of opium in Turkey, which attracted the attention of his peers.
In addition to Astor, Boston's Cabot family, Cushing family, Weld family, Delano family and Forbes family all made their fortunes from the opium trade.
The United States has thus become the second largest importer of opium to China after Britain.
"Are we entertaining them as landlords?" Strauss asked Liang Yao for instructions.
He has long heard of the Astor family's famous name, and he is afraid of such a powerful family that is powerful in both politics and business and can influence the decisions of Congress.
"We are the hosts and they are the guests. According to etiquette, we should indeed receive them. But it is too rude for the guests to not say hello when they arrive at the host's house. Since they are rude, we do not have to return the greeting.
By the way, have they paid their parking fees?"
Liang Yao acquired the ownership of the San Francisco Port from Brannan, and he was eligible to charge berthing fees for all ships passing by.
This fee is used to repair and expand the port and maintain its operation.
"I was just about to tell you about this. They refused to pay any fees on the grounds that the port was owned by the United States of America. They also insulted and injured the Chinese employees who went to collect the berthing fees."
"The port is owned by the United States of America? Has the United States paid a penny to build the port? Don't they have to pay berthing fees at the ports in the eastern region?!" Liang Yao snorted coldly, "Ask a barge to tow their ship away.
, inform all the shops in the city that you are not allowed to sell anything to them. If anyone dares to sell anything, I will make him disappear in California!"
"Doing this will inevitably intensify the conflict between us and the Astor family. The Astor family is very influential in Congress." Strauss reminded Liang Yaodao.
"Strauss, you talk too much." Liang Yao was a little unhappy.
"Yes, I'll do it right away."
Strauss said no more.
A prospecting team is so arrogant. If we don't keep it in check, subsequent fleets will only get worse and worse.
His ambition for gold will only grow bigger and bigger, and he will inevitably put his hand into his job.
If he wants to maintain his current status and property, he must have a tough attitude towards these unfriendly aristocratic families.
If you don't have a tough attitude, they will definitely think that you are a weak persimmon who can be bullied, and they will sit on your head and swallow up your property.
These old monopoly families are all owners who feel more uncomfortable watching others make money than themselves losing money.
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Sacramento, Boston Company's camp.
Captain Weber, who had just saved his life from death, packed his luggage.
Under the careful care of Dr. Robinson, Captain Webb successfully defeated cholera.
After regaining health, Weber realized that he was no longer the leader of the organization.
Although he is still the captain on the surface, everyone in the Boston Company respects Dr. Robinson very much.
He, the captain, is just a dispensable presence. Dr. Robinson is the real leader of this team.
It's time to leave.
Thinking of his experience in Sacramento over the past few months and his wife and children in Boston, Weber smiled with relief. At least he survived in this place.
"I congratulate everyone on successfully finding gold. I wish each of you can find more gold and be rich! Return home in glory as soon as possible!"
Captain Webb mounted his horse and prepared to go to San Francisco to find a ship for Boston.
"Captain Weber, please stay, our team needs you."
Robinson prepared some medicine for Weber.
Robinson never thought that one day he would become a team leader. His retention came from sincerity, not hypocrisy.
"No, they need you more, Dr. Robinson. You are a very good doctor. Thank you for saving me. I believe you can also become an outstanding leader."
Weber smiled and patted Robinson on the shoulder, and then said to the members of the Boston Company.
"I will be waiting for the news of your fortune in the East! You are all future rich men! Goodbye guys, I will always remember you!"
New and old employees of Boston Company bid farewell to the old captain.
They set out from Boston with a common dream, went through hardships and obstacles, took ten months to get here, and finally parted ways.
After watching Captain Webb leave, Robinson returned to his residence and was surrounded by people.
His face was very solemn.
More than thirty patients from nearby camps stood staggering around his residence, their faces full of pain.
"Dr. Robinson, please, save us!"
"Doctor Robinson, you must save us!"
"Five people died in our camp yesterday! Half of the people in the camp fell ill!"
"This place must be cursed by the devil! Only you can help us defeat the devil!"
------Digression-----
Thanks to Yi Meng Weima for the 10,000 reward and Aaroation for the 1,500 reward.
Congratulations to Yi Meng Weima for becoming the second helmsman of this book. I will add an update chapter for you after 200,000 words. (Updating the new book issue too quickly will reduce the exposure time of the new book list. I hope you understand. The current state of streaking requires a little bit of pity for the new book list.
exposure~)
Only one chapter was updated yesterday. Counting the additional update by the helmsman today, there are two chapters owed in total, which will be made up as free chapters before being released.
I asked the editor today and said that I hope to continue publishing. Thank you all for your support! I would like to bow my thanks!
Chapter completed!