Chapter 157: The Captain Takes Action

At this time, Martin was just a gold digger with nothing, not yet a mining tycoon in the Gilded Age. Google search reading

In California, only Liang Yao could provide him with protection, and he had no choice.

Getting $50,000 and becoming a founding shareholder of a very promising mining company, such an outcome has exceeded Martin's expectations.

For his own future and for his family, Martin had no reason to refuse Liang Yao, and could not afford the consequences of refusing Liang Yao.

"How many original shares do you plan to issue to establish this gold mining company?"

Martin asked, biting his lip.

In his hand, he held the $50,000 check he had just received from Coney, which was all his current assets.

"20,000 shares, $100 per share."

Liang Yao said.

$2 million is more than enough to establish an Australian gold mining company. Before Australia's mineral resources were developed, Australia was an absolute poor and remote place. There were neither decent tycoons nor entrepreneurs who could show off.

The new gold mining company, which was formed by experienced old miners, entered Australia with a start-up capital of 2 million US dollars, which was undoubtedly a dimensionality reduction blow to local gold diggers.

Of course, Liang Yao could not hold all these shares.

After all, Australia was the territory of Britain, and it was impossible to monopolize this big cake. Only by giving a share to the dignitaries of the Australian colonial authorities and another share to the British Empire could he feel at ease to grab the gold in Australia.

Gibson had privately expressed his attitude to Liang Yao. As long as Bahrain Bank could participate in Liang Yao's gold mining company in Australia with a 30% stake, Bahrain Bank would fully support Liang Yao's entry into Australia and provide convenience for Liang Yao.

In terms of gold mining, Xiangshan Gold Mining Company can be said to be a unique company in the world.

Whether it is gold mining talent or gold mining technology, no other gold mining company can compare with Xiangshan Gold Mining.

Australia's new gold mining company will draw experienced miners and managers from Xiangshan Gold Mining Company to share Xiangshan Gold Mining Company's gold mining technology. This is very attractive to Barings Bank, which believes that this is a very cost-effective investment.

"I want to use my $50,000 to buy 500 original shares of Australia's new gold mining company."

Martin resolutely put down the $50,000 check in his hand.

"Very good." Liang Yao stood up and looked at Martin approvingly, "I will exchange your $50,000 for 500 original shares."

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The port of San Francisco was crowded and bustling.

Thousands of San Francisco citizens went to the port to see the Hope.

California dignitaries also appeared in the port of San Francisco early.

The Hope is not a big ship, it is just an ordinary wooden steamship with a displacement of only a pitiful 500 tons.

But the Hope has extraordinary significance to California. It is the first steamship independently produced by California. Every part of the Hope is made in California.

As the name suggests, the Hope is the hope of California and also the pride of California.

The Hope is not alone. Next to the Hope is the Sacramento, which is slightly larger than it.

Today, after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Hope will compete with the Sacramento in a water speed race to see who is better.

There are not only citizens of San Francisco but also citizens of Sacramento in the port of San Francisco. They came from Sacramento to San Francisco just to see this water speed race.

The reporter of "California Daily" had already selected the camera position at the port, set up the camera, and put the two ships in the viewfinder at the same time.

Of course, the protagonist of the photo is undoubtedly the Hope, and the Sacramento is just a foil today.

Vanderbilt, who had just arrived in San Francisco, was as happy as a child after hearing the news. It was better to arrive early than to arrive at the right time. He caught up with a good show.

"Jeremiah, what do you think of this Hope? Can it beat the Sacramento?"

Vanderbilt put his hands behind his back and examined the two small steamships, the Hope and the Sacramento, like a general inspecting his soldiers.

The Sacramento was his masterpiece four or five years ago, using the most advanced shipbuilding technology in America at that time.

"From the appearance, the Hope is a fully qualified steamship, but the speed competition is about the power of the steam engine, the quality of the fuel, and the driving skills of the helmsman, which cannot be seen on the dry shore."

Shipbuilding expert Jeremiah Simonson gave a relatively fair and objective evaluation.

He has 10% of the shares of the San Francisco Shipyard, as well as his former apprentices and workers in his shipyard.

If he rashly made a subjective evaluation, he would be ashamed if the Hope lost the race.

"Whether the Hope can win the race depends on its heart, that is, the steam engine. If the steam engine of the Hope is strong enough and can output enough power, even if there are some design flaws, it can be covered up by the powerful steam engine."

Steam engine manufacturer Theodore Secor is a steam engine only theorist.

He believes that the steam engine is the key to whether the Hope can win the water race.

Theodore is also very curious about the current level of steam engine manufacturing technology in California.

The Sacramento was built with the most advanced technology in the United States five years ago. The steam engine used on the Sacramento is still up to date today.

Liang Yao cut the ribbon for the Hope amid the cheers of the people of California.

Collins, a reporter from the California Daily, who returned to California on Vanderbilt's ship, and became famous in the American press for filming and reporting the Los Angeles tragedy, recorded this precious moment with a camera he carried with him.

"Vanderbilt, I didn't know you were coming today. If I had known in advance, I would definitely be ready to welcome you."

Liang Yao walked towards Vanderbilt, an old friend he hadn't seen for several months, and shook hands with him cordially. Vanderbilt provided him with considerable help during the Mexican land grant controversy.

"I came to California to check the profitability of the holding company. I don't need to trouble the Deputy Governor to welcome me."

Vanderbilt said with a smile on his face.

Obviously, he is in a very good mood now.

"On behalf of the people of California, I would like to thank you for your support for California." Liang Yao said.

"I just made some gold in California and helped the people of California. This is a small thing that is not worth mentioning." Vanderbilt looked at the Sacramento not far away and rubbed his hands eagerly.

"The Sacramento is my favorite boat designed by myself. In today's speed race, I want to drive the Sacramento myself."

"Of course, you are the most suitable person to drive the Sacramento."

Liang Yao agreed to Vanderbilt's request to drive the Sacramento to participate in the water speed race.