Chapter 162: Stupid Idiot

Depressed, William decided to smoke to relieve his sorrow.

He took out a Havana cigar from his shirt pocket, played with the Havana cigar in his hand, cut it open with scissors, then lit it and started puffing away.

Vanderbilt was very unhappy when he saw William smoking. He smoked himself, but he didn't like to see his children smoking.

When William's wife Maria Kissamu saw this, she hurriedly winked at William and asked him to put out the cigar in his hand. She knew that her father-in-law did not like to see his children smoking in front of him.

As the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family, Vanderbilt has supreme authority, and Maria is afraid of her father-in-law's authority.

Like Coney, Vanderbilt did not have high hopes for William, believing that William not only did not have the spirit of his youth, but was also not as smart as other children.

Such a person is obviously not qualified as a future heir to the Vanderbilt family.

However, William has given him quite a surprise in the past two years. In order to train William, Vanderbilt gave a 70-acre farm on Staten Island to the William and his wife to manage.

When Vanderbilt handed the farm over to William, he believed that everything would be fine as long as William did not bankrupt the farm.

But William's performance far exceeded Vanderbilt's expectations. This 70-acre farm that was about to close down was not only revived in William's hands, but William also annexed 150 acres of surrounding land, expanding the farm's area to 220 acres. .

William originally thought that his achievements would be enough to impress his father, but he did not expect that his father's attitude towards him would still be lukewarm.

Vanderbilt had his own considerations. Although William performed well at Staten Farm, running the Vanderbilt family business was much more difficult than reviving a farm that was on the verge of bankruptcy.

William is not yet qualified to become the heir to the Vanderbilt family.

Vanderbilt decided to give William, a weak-willed fool, a little humiliation, or a little experience.

"Billy (William's nickname), you stupid idiot, I hope you can quit smoking. If you can do it, I will give you $100,000 as a reward."

Vanderbilt said to William very seriously.

William was overjoyed when he heard this. He quickly stubbed out the Havana cigar in his hand and threw it out of the train window.

What he wants is not $100,000, but the affirmation and attention from his father.

Seeing his father writing a check, William said to Vanderbilt very honestly: "Father, you don't have to give me money. Your hopes for me are enough reasons for me to quit smoking."

The honest William did not expect that in the next second, he would face the humiliation of his father.

"Billy, have you forgotten who your father is? Your father is a cunning and profiteer. How can you easily believe the words of a cunning and profiteer? You are 30 years old this year, but you are still so immature. , here’s your $10.”

With that said, Vanderbilt threw a check for $10 in front of William.

Although William had a good temper and was honest, he couldn't stand being teased by his father in front of so many people.

He left the train carriage angrily and ran to the small terrace at the junction of the two carriages to enjoy some air in order to relieve his bad mood.

"Koni, go stay with your brother."

Liang Yao said to Kony.

Kony nodded, walked to the terrace where William was, chatted with William, and comforted his honest brother.

"My old man, I think you're going too far with Billy. You shouldn't be teasing your child in front of so many people."

Vanderbilt's old neighbor and fellow countryman Vandaze fought for William.

Vanderbilt watched William grow up, understood William's character, and believed that Vanderbilt was too harsh on William.

"Brother, Billy is the eldest son and will inherit the Vanderbilt family's family business in the future. I don't have the mental capacity to bear this. How can I safely hand over the Vanderbilt family's tens of millions of assets to his hands in the future? ?”

Vanderbilt said matter-of-factly.

Although the United States does not have the patriarchal system of China, when it comes to heirs, the laws of most states favor the eldest son.

Under normal circumstances, the eldest son can inherit more than 90% of the family property.

Vandaze said no more. He knew that his eloquence in debate was not as good as Vanderbilt's, and he did not want to bring trouble to himself.

"The Burgundy red wine you provided is very authentic. Where did you get it?"

Vanderbilt said as he took a sip of red wine.

"A gift from a French coastal nobleman." Liang Yao said truthfully.

"Speaking of the French seaside aristocracy, I remembered what my old friend Texas Governor Bell told me." Vanderbilt said, holding his forehead, "Governor Bell's ancestors were also French seaside aristocrats. He asked me to ask you what California owes to Texas. When are you going to give him the $5 million? He is an impatient person."

"Mr. Vanderbilt, you are just kidding. Although California is a newly established state, it still has its own Secretary of Finance. You should ask California's Secretary of Finance about this matter.

Five million is not a small amount, and even wealthy states like New York and Massachusetts would find it difficult to raise $5 million in a short period of time. "Liang Yao said with a smile.

Vanderbilt rolled his eyes at Liang Yao. He knew Liang Yao's position in California very well. Without Liang Yao's nod of approval, who would dare to be the Secretary of Finance of California?

"That's true. This is not a small amount. When can you raise 5 million US dollars? I will give this old friend an explanation after I go back." Vanderbilt asked with concern.

"The money has been raised. Although California is poor, 5 million US dollars can still be taken out. Governor Bell has helped California a lot. I plan to escort this money to Texas in person and visit him by the way to thank this friend who I have never met in person." Liang Yao said.

He has a plan to go to the east, so he can visit this friend in Texas on the way.

In the matter of Mexico's land donation, only the representative of Texas has stood on California's side from beginning to end and gave California strong support.

He also has a plan to build a railway. Unlike the Pacific Railway, this railway will start from Los Angeles and go to Houston, the largest city in Texas. Texas has a lot of cotton, which can provide a lot of cheap raw materials for his cotton textile mill.

The significance of this railway is not limited to the economy, but also has far-reaching political and military significance.

The Pacific Railway leads to the north, while this railway leads to the south.

From a technical point of view, the construction of this railway from Los Angeles to Houston is easier than that of the Pacific Railway.

Of course, the premise is that a small problem needs to be solved, which is that part of the railway needs to pass through Mexican territory.

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