1850 American Gold Tycoon

After watching Nobel's experiment in Auburn Village, Liang Yao set off for Sacramento.

Fremont and California Railroad Company shareholders and engineering team representatives have been waiting for Liang Yao in Sacramento to discuss matters related to the construction of the Pacific Railroad.

When Liang Yao was waiting for the train at the Auburn Village train station, when a train bound for Nevada arrived at the station, Coney touched Liang Yao's elbow and said to Liang Yao.

"Boss, your cousin."

Liang Yao looked in the direction Kony pointed, and it turned out to be his cousin Deng Ying.

"What is she doing here?" Liang Yao asked in confusion.

Deng Ying works for Bank of America as vice president. Bank of America has not yet opened a branch in a small place like Auburn Village. What is Deng Ying doing here?

"I'm here to deliver food to Nobel." Kony said with a smile, "Maybe it won't be long before I can eat at their wedding banquet."

"Isn't this little girl Zhongyi Robinson?" Liang Yao was still a little confused, not sure how the two people got together.

"Robinson, an old widower, is only interested in politics now, not in women or starting a family." Kony knew a lot, "That's good. That silly boy Nobel is relatively simple, and I don't have to worry about my sister marrying him. Being bullied.”

"Your sister?" Liang Yao frowned. His brain circuit could not keep up with Kony's rhythm, and his thoughts were a bit confused.

"I pursued Deng Ying, as you know, but Deng Ying was not interested in a frivolous person like me, so I accepted her as my sister." Kony said with some sadness, "Lovers eventually become brothers and sisters."

"I'm not interested in the love between your children." Liang Yao said to Kony, "Ask Pinkerton to send a few CIA people to protect her. My second uncle only has this daughter. If anything happens to her, I won't do it." Tell me how to do it."

It was already three o'clock in the afternoon when Liang Yao returned to Sacramento. Fremont and California Railroad shareholders and engineering team representatives were already waiting for him at his old house in Sacramento for a meeting to discuss the Pacific Railway.

"My team and I have been inspecting this line for more than a year. After our inspection, we came to the conclusion that building a Pacific Railway is theoretically feasible." Fremont was the first to speak. A concise opening statement.

"Building the Pacific Railroad is indeed feasible in theory." Ward, the chief engineer of the California Railroad Company, followed closely and gave a speech with high emotional intelligence.

"But in terms of engineering technology, this project is full of challenges. If it can be built, it will be a miracle in the history of railway engineering, and the Pacific Railway will also become the world's first transcontinental railway. Unfortunately, currently, the world No railway company has the ability to do this."

As the leader of the Pioneer locomotive development team, Ward now has a high voice in the American railway industry, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is an authority in the industry.

Of course, before developing the Pioneer locomotive, Ward from Belgium was a well-known railway engineer.

This is a technical assessment of the Pacific Railway from a technical perspective based on his many years of experience in the industry.

Ward has worked for a British railway company and a Belgian railway company, and has a full understanding of this industry.

"Difficulties at the engineering and technical level are only one aspect. The biggest difficulty in building the Pacific Railway is funding. Although the railway network in the United States is dense, there is no ready-made railway west of the Mississippi River, except for us in California. .

If we were to build the Pacific Railway, the railway mileage of this railway would be more than 3,000 kilometers, which is three times more than the current total mileage of California railways! The cost of this railway must be more than 100 million US dollars! And we, California Railroad, are still losing money. "

Sutter, as a shareholder, had little confidence in building the Pacific Railroad.

This project is really too big. It is a national-level project. Even a wealthy man like Liang Yao cannot afford this huge project.

"To start this project, we need a lot of start-up capital. In addition, we also need the support of the federal government." California State Senator Gervin, a shareholder of Calrail, spoke after Sater.

“It is unrealistic for us at California Railroad to undertake such a large project on our own. We need to share this project with our peers in the industry.”

The California Railroad Company has been going smoothly in the past few years since its establishment. This is inseparable from the fact that the projects undertaken by the California Railroad Company are all within the state.

From the San Francisco-Sacramento Railway, the first railway built by the California Railroad Company, to the San Francisco-Los Angeles Railway, the longest railway in California built later, to the yet-to-be-completed Sacramento-Reno-Carson Railway.

These railways all have one thing in common, that is, they are all within California. The California Railway Company has the state government to protect it. There are almost no external interference factors. The California Railway Company only needs to concentrate on building railways.

Except for the small section of the Taipei-Platform Railway in the Nevada Administrative Region, the rest of the sections are outside of California, to be precise, in the quasi-state area.

The territory is currently under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The construction of the Pacific Railway requires the support of the federal government, and it is relatively strong support.

“Currently, the fastest transportation method between California and the eastern region is the Nicaragua route. This route takes 2 months one way. However, due to the navigation capacity of the Nicaragua Canal, the capacity of this route is very limited, which is far from meeting California’s current passenger transportation and transportation needs. Freight needs.

Of course, there is also the option of going around Cape Horn, but going around Cape Horn from the eastern states to California by the fastest ship will take 6 months, or half a year. "

Liang Yao stood up and looked at the engineering map behind him. On the map, the Pacific Railway was like a thin black line, connecting California to the eastern United States.

Liang Yao pointed his index finger at the black line and continued.

“If this railway is built, it will only take a week to get from New York to San Francisco, whereas before, it would have taken half a year under the best circumstances to travel by land from New York to San Francisco.

By then, with our new gravity in California, we will attract more high-quality eastern immigrants, and our goods will also be transported to the east at the fastest speed through this railway, so that the shelves in the stores in major cities in the east will be filled with us. Quality product made in California!

In modern business competition, time and efficiency are tt

In order for the future development of California to reach a higher level and become more competitive, for the future of California, this railway must be built no matter what! "

After finishing his speech, Liang Yao sat down and added.

"I am sure that this railway will be the most commercially valuable railway in the United States. It will also be a business card of our California Railway Company and even the United States, a business card that has created a miracle of railway engineering! And we are this miracle. The founder has become the object of admiration for future generations.

Everyone, there are not many opportunities like this. I hope you can cherish this opportunity. "

Liang Yao's words made the participants present feel excited. It is indeed very difficult to build the Pacific Railway, but once it is completed, it will be a matter of fame and fortune.

"If you want to start this project, the support of the federal government is essential. Now that the presidential election is approaching, this is a very unstable factor. The relationship between the Democratic Party and us is very tense. Once the Democratic candidate comes to power, it will We're very disadvantaged." Fremont raises a very real issue.

"So we must spare no effort to support President Fillmore's re-election and strive to complete this railway during President Fillmore's last term." Liang Yao said.

"According to recent polls, President Fillmore has reversed his decline due to his victory in the Japanese expedition, and his approval rating has been rising all the way. He has surpassed his most powerful rival, Democrat Pierce. I think as long as

Not surprisingly, President Fillmore has a very good chance of being re-elected. "

This is why Liang Yao invested in Fillmore very early and even went to Japan to fight for Fillmore's re-election.

California's development has just begun, and it needs a federal government that is friendly to California.

"As long as there are enough new explosives, enough workers, and a reasonable construction plan, it will be difficult to complete this project in four years, but it is not impossible." Ward said bravely.

Being able to win the support of the federal government gave Ward a great confidence. Of course, if this project could be completed under his leadership, he would also become famous around the world. Even his European colleagues would take a high look at him, and the project was still very attractive to DeVoe.

"What about the funding issue?" Sartre was most worried about the funding issue. For such a huge project, the funds required for the project are undoubtedly astronomical. "At least we have to raise start-up funds."

"Leave the funding matters to me. You only need to do your part. You don't have to worry about the money." Liang Yao said, "Building the Pacific Railway is not a lonely effort for California Railroad Company."

Liang Yao can find a way to raise funds on Wall Street. With his current reputation and America Group as guarantee, he can still raise some money.

"Are there other railway companies involved in this project?" Ward couldn't help but ask.

"As Mr. Gervin said, it is difficult for California Railroad to complete such a huge project alone." Liang Yao said.

“I have called Mr. Vanderbilt, the former shipping king and today’s railroad king, and we will work together with Mr. Vanderbilt to complete this project.

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The California Railroad Company was responsible for the construction of the western section, from Reno to Promontory, and Mr. Vanderbilt was responsible for the construction of the eastern section, from Omaha to Promontory. Don’t forget, the American Group also has an Atlantic Railway Company in the east, and the Atlantic Railway Company will also participate in this great project. "

Although Liang Yao has focused on California's local railway construction since he got involved in the railway industry, Liang Yao has not given up on the railway market in the east. During his trip to the east the year before last, he acquired some high-quality railway companies in the east and established Atlantic Railway Company.

This company was, in a way, an insurance policy for the eastern section of the Pacific Railroad.

Liang Yao believed in Vanderbilt, but he was a cautious man and would not place all his hopes entirely on Vanderbilt, especially for a major project like the Pacific Railway that was related to the future of California. Others are unwise.

This is the meaning of the existence of the Atlantic Railway. Once Vanderbilt retreats, at least there will be an Atlantic Railway to take over and clean up the mess.

"In this way, we are still responsible for the most difficult section of the road. It can be said that Mr. Vanderbilt got a bargain." Ward said.

The reason why the Pacific Railway project is said to be difficult mainly refers to the section from Reno to Promontory. This section needs to pass through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, requiring roads to be cut through mountains and bridges to be built across valleys.

Of course, the good news is that the rail mileage from Reno to Promontory is much shorter than that from Omaha to Promontory.

"No one is taking advantage of anyone. Although the terrain of the section from Omaha to Promontory is flatter than the western section we are responsible for, it is also a barren land. In this cooperation, we will work together to carry out technical, financial, and Personnel sharing," Liang Yao said.

Liang Yao would definitely not be able to build the Pacific Railway on his own. He needs the support of eastern capital, and currently the most reliable and courageous partner he can find is Vanderbilt.

Even if other railway tycoons are rich, they may not have the courage to take on such a huge project.

"If I can win the support of the federal government and Eastern Railway Capital, this project is feasible for me." The hesitant Sartre quickly made his attitude clear.

Liang Yao put his hands on the conference table and looked around the crowd with bright eyes, "To repair or not to repair the Pacific Railway, let's vote by a show of hands."

After speaking, Liang Yao was the first to raise his hand, and soon everyone present also raised their hands, all in favor of building the Pacific Railway.

Calrail's internal opinions were unanimous, and the next step was to win support from outside forces.

Liang Yao is naturally responsible for lobbying Vanderbilt, and the federal government and Congress also need to seek supporters. After all, this is an American characteristic.

It would be difficult to do without the support of the federal government, but it may not be possible with the support of the federal government.

For such a major project, the federal government must come forward to propose a proposal and submit it to Congress for a vote. Only if Congress votes and passes it can this project be carried out.

"Fremont, my good brother, thank you for your hard work. Without you, there would be no sketch of the Pacific Railroad."

After the meeting, Liang Yao said to Fremont with great gratitude.

"I really don't know how to thank you."

Fremont couldn't help but laugh, "I am the first American to arrive in California. I have deep feelings for this land, and I don't need to say such disgusting words."

You just want our family and my father-in-law’s family to support the proposal of the Pacific Railroad in Congress. Don't worry, even if you don't mention it, I will do it. "

Fremont has long seen through Liang Yao's thoughts. He was born in a family of Zhongmingdingshi and is now a shareholder of California Railroad Company and United Mining Company. Money no longer means much to him. He has more interests. High-level pursuits.

That pursuit is California, a prosperous California.

"As long as they are willing to give us support in Congress, I can sell them 20 shares of Atlantic Railway Company at a preferential price. Atlantic Railway Company is a high-quality railway company, and now anyone with money can buy shares of high-quality railway companies. No." Liang Yao said.

If you want to gain the support of these people, you can't do it without giving them some big sweeteners. Liang Yao also hopes to become long-term partners with these American aristocratic families through benefit sharing. Of course, it would be great if part of the liquidity could be recovered by selling shares. After all, Liang Yao's current cash flow is relatively tight.

After the signing of the Land Grant Act in 1850, American railroads ushered in a golden age of barbaric growth. The railroad industry was as popular in the United States in the mid-19th century as the real estate industry was in China in the first decade of the 21st century. .

Railways and gold, two powerful economic weapons, made the United States the first Western capitalist country to emerge from the world economic crisis of the 1840s.

Atlantic Railway Company is now a large railway company with assets of more than 3 million US dollars. The sweetness of 20% of Atlantic Railway Company's shares is not insignificant, and it is tempting enough even for a wealthy family with a net worth of millions.

"You are really willing to spend a lot of money." Fremont said with emotion.

"I would give up everything for California." Liang Yao smiled, and then Liang Yao turned to look at Ge Wen, "Ge Wen, I'm afraid you have to go to Ohio this time."

"Our family is just a small family and has no influence in the Congress." Ge Wen helplessly spread his hands.

Compared with Fremont's prominent family background, the influence of Gervin's family is much inferior.

"But many steel tycoons in Ohio have a good relationship with you." Liang Yao said.

"That's also thanks to you." Gwen replied.

"Building railways requires a large amount of qualified rails. Go to Ohio and tell the steel tycoons in Ohio that as long as they are willing to support the proposal of the Pacific Railroad in Congress and the Pacific Railroad starts construction, we will give priority to purchasing the rails produced by them." Liang Yao said to Ge Wen, "This is a win-win deal."

Ge Wen nodded, "This matter is on my shoulders. I am also a member of California. I know what to do."