1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 304: Be Tough To Borrow Money

The night in San Francisco is very bright. Thanks to the application of cheap kerosene, there are more street lights in downtown San Francisco than before.

Before the large-scale application of kerosene lamps, San Francisco only lit street lamps on the central commercial street every night, because the price of whale oil is too expensive, and the supply of whale oil is still in short supply all year round.

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

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 in California ridiculed Liang Yao's move, thinking that Liang Yao had money and nowhere to spend it, and he actually built a railway line for a small town with a population of only 8 people. A high-quality railway with a length of more than [-] kilometers.

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

Now, the voices praising his foresight have long overshadowed the voices of cynicism.

Thanks to kerosene, the loss of this hugely invested railway is slowly decreasing. More and more kerosene is transported from Los Angeles to San Francisco through the California Railway, lighting up San Francisco. Branch dark night.

Kerosene has become an indispensable commodity for California residents.

Tingtao Garden was as bright as daylight under the lighting of kerosene lamps. Liang Yaozai warmly invited Gibson and Legoff, representatives of Barings Bank and Banque de France in California, to have dinner.

These two bankers said they were bankers, but they were actually the spokespersons for the interests of Britain and France in California.

"Your Excellency Gypsy, send 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 Legoff.

"Your Excellency Legoff, give my regards to His Majesty Napoleon III, and congratulate His Majesty Napoleon III on his ascension to the throne of the French Empire."

"Your Excellency is a supporter of the monarchy?" Legoff shook Liang Yao's hand enthusiastically and sat down.

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

"Whether France will become stronger in the future will be tested by time, but California has become stronger and stronger under your leadership." Gibson said with narrowed eyes.

"This is due to the hardworking people of California, not to me personally." As he spoke, Liang Yao raised the goblet in his hand, "To the health of Queen Victoria and His Majesty Napoleon III!"

"cheers!"

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

"I've heard about you and General Perry opening the door to Japan. You fought this battle so quickly and beautifully. I think the United States has gained a lot from Japan this time." Gypsy said after putting down his glass.

"Compared to the benefits of the British Empire's colonies around the world, the petty gains that the United States has gained in Japan are nothing." Liang Yao said, "Presumably your country's Royal Fleet has appeared in Edo now 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 there be no shadow of the British Empire?" Liang Yao asked rhetorically.

When the British see benefits, they are like flies smelling feces. Whether it is delicious feces or unpalatable feces, they have to go up and bite a few bites. If the British don’t send a fleet to Japan to force Japan to sign a contract with them, it will be aggressive. Weird thing.

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

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

"California thing?"

Both Gibson and Legoff were amazed by this.

"Yes, about California." Liang Yao introduced Deng Wenyu to Gypsy and Legoff, "This is the Minister of Finance of California and my cousin. The Ministry of Finance of California hopes to obtain a sum of money from your bank. Loans. If you are worried about the repayment ability of the California government, the American Group can provide guarantees.”

"What is the amount?"

When it comes to business, Gibson's expression immediately becomes serious.

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

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

500 million US dollars is equivalent to 103 million pounds. Even if Barings Bank is the world's largest bank, the ceiling of the banking industry before the second industrial revolution, its liquid assets are only more than 700 million pounds.

Not to mention the Bank of France.

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

"If you don't have 500 million US dollars, it's not impossible to get a [-]% discount." Liang Yao said.

"Five million US dollars is definitely not available, but given the good credit of the American Group and the California government, I can apply to the head office in London to obtain a loan of 500 million US dollars for the California government." Le Goff rolled his eyes, Said, "If the American Group can transfer a part of the equity of the California Railway, I think that the application for a loan of 100 million US dollars will not only be easily approved, but also more loans may be obtained."

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

"Unfortunately, it seems that we can't make this deal." Liang Yao shrugged helplessly and said.

"Your Excellency, in view of the good personal relationship between you and His Majesty Napoleon III, I will do my best to persuade the head office in Paris to provide you with a loan of at least 80 US dollars to the California government, and the California government can also give preferential interest in terms of interest." Legoff thought Said after a long time.

"In addition, we can also send an order, an order for 30000 sets of military uniforms, but these 30000 sets of military uniforms need to be completed within half a year. I heard that your garment factory can produce ready-made garments at a very high efficiency, As long as you are willing to take our order, the loan is easy to discuss."

3 sets of military uniforms?Big deal, Liang Yao rubbed his hands excitedly, got up with a smile on his face, and toasted Le Goff a glass of wine: "No problem, Your Excellency Le Goff, in order to thank the Bank of France for supporting California, I will pay half of the market price, Sell ​​500 barrels of kerosene to the Bank of France, and let us toast the friendship between California and France!"

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

The standard specification of oil in Los Angeles was 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 efficiency.

As for security, security has never been a priority for capitalists.How to maximize profits is the primary issue for capitalists to consider.

The capitalist master is willing to provide kerosene at US$0.2 per liter, which is already out of kindness. If it is unsafe, he can buy whale oil at US$0.5 per liter, which is not necessarily available.

One barrel is 150 liters, and 500 barrels equals 75000 liters. In the California market, the price of kerosene per liter is US$0.2. 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 to the Bank of France directly.

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

France is so eager to ask for so many sets of military uniforms, presumably to prepare for military expansion. Currently, Liang Yao's garment factory can produce about 120 sets of ready-made garments per day. Although this order has already exceeded the garment factory's production capacity, it is still affordable by the garment factory. within the range.

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

"However, the Bank of France can only provide you with a loan of 80 US dollars. How do you plan to fill the remaining holes?" Seeing this scene, Legoff couldn't sit still.

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

Hey~ It's a pity that Barings Bank perfectly missed a good deal. It's hard to find a good partner like the California government credit, Mr. Gibson. "Liang Yao looked very sorry.

(End of this chapter)