Chapter 301: Borrowing Money Requires Courage

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

Before the use of kerosene, San Francisco only lit street lights in the central commercial street every night, because the price of whale oil was too expensive, and whale oil was in short supply all year round.

The use of kerosene symbolizes that California has become the first region in the world to enter the kerosene era, without a doubt.

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 sneered at Liang Yao's move, thinking that Liang Yao had money but nowhere to spend it, and he actually laid a high-quality railway of more than 8,800 kilometers for a small town with a population of only 4,000 people.

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

Now, the voices praising his foresight have long overshadowed those cynical voices at the beginning.

Thanks to kerosene, the losses of this railway, which was built at a huge cost, are slowly decreasing. More and more kerosene is transported from Los Angeles to San Francisco through the California Railway, lighting up the night of San Francisco.

Kerosene has become an indispensable daily necessity for California residents.

Tingtao Garden is as bright as day under the illumination of kerosene lamps. Liang Yao warmly invited Gibson and Le Goff, representatives of the Bank of Barings and the Bank of France in California, to have dinner together.

These two bankers are called bankers, but in fact they are just spokespersons for the interests of Britain and France in California.

"Sir Gypsy, please give my regards to Her Majesty the Queen and wish Her Majesty Queen Victoria good health and longevity." Liang Yao shook hands with Gibson first, and then shook hands with Le Goff.

"Sir Le Goff, please give my regards to His Majesty Napoleon III and congratulate His Majesty Napoleon III on ascending the throne of the French Empire."

"Are you a supporter of the monarchy?" Le Goff shook hands with Liang Yao enthusiastically and sat down.

"Whether it is a monarchy or a republic, a good system is one that allows people to live a happy life and makes the country strong." Liang Yao smiled generously and said, "Since the French people chose His Majesty Napoleon III, I believe that the Second French Empire will become stronger and stronger under the leadership of His Majesty Napoleon III."

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

"This is thanks to the hardworking people of California, not my personal credit." Liang Yao raised the high-heeled wine glass in his hand, "Cheers to the health of Queen Victoria and His Majesty Napoleon III!"

"Cheers!"

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

"I have heard about you and General Perry opening the door to Japan. You fought this battle quickly and beautifully. I believe that America has gained a lot of benefits in Japan this time." Gypsy said after putting down the glass.

"Compared to the benefits that the British Empire has gained from its colonies around the world, the small profits that the United States has gained in Japan are not worth mentioning." Liang Yao said, "I guess your country's royal fleet has now appeared in Edo?"

"How do you know?" Gypsy was very surprised.

"The British Empire is the empire on which the sun never sets. Where in the world can there be no shadow of the British Empire?" Liang Yao asked back.

The British see benefits just like flies smelling shit. Whether it is delicious shit or unpalatable shit, they will go up and take a few bites. If Britain does not send a fleet to Japan to force Japan to sign a contract and open a country to them, it would be a strange thing.

"You are a smart man." Gibson said with a fake smile, "I think you didn't ask us to come here today to talk about Japan."

"I really didn't invite you two here today to talk about Japan, but to talk to you about California?" Liang Yao said.

"California?"

Gibson and Le Goff were both very surprised by this.

"Yes, about California." Liang Yao introduced Deng Wenyu to Gypsy and Le Goff. "This is the Secretary of Finance of California, and also my cousin. The California Department of Finance hopes to obtain a loan from your bank. If you are worried about the repayment and interest repayment ability of the California government, the American Group can provide a guarantee."

"How much is the amount?"

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

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

"Five million US dollars? Are you kidding?" Gypsy took a breath.

Five million US dollars is equivalent to 1.03 million pounds. Even if Barings Bank is the largest bank in the world, the ceiling of the banking industry before the Second Industrial Revolution, its liquid assets are only more than 7 million pounds.

As for the Bank of France, let alone.

Le Goff immediately shrugged his shoulders, saying that he could do nothing about it. The California government wanted to borrow too much money.

"If there is no five million US dollars, it is not impossible to give a half discount." Liang Yao said.

"There is definitely no US$5 million, but given that the credit of America Group and the California government is good, I can apply to the head office in London to get a loan of US$1 million for the California government." Le Goff rolled his eyes. Said, "If America Group can transfer part of the California Railway's equity, I think the application for a US$1 million loan will not only be easily approved, but it may also be able to obtain more loans."

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

"Unfortunately, it seems that we can't complete this deal." Liang Yao said with a helpless shrug.

"Your Excellency, in view of your good personal relationship with His Majesty Napoleon III, I will do my best to persuade the General Office of Paris to provide you with a loan of at least 800,000 US dollars to the California government, and the California government can also be given preferential interest." Le Goff thought. Said after a long time.

"In addition to this, we can also send an order for 30,000 sets of military uniforms, but these 30,000 sets of military uniforms must be completed within six months. I heard that your garment factory can produce ready-made clothes with very high efficiency. As long as you are willing to take our order, the loan is easy to discuss.”

30,000 military uniforms? What a big deal. Liang Yao rubbed his hands excitedly, stood up with a smile on his face, and toasted Le Goff with a glass of wine: "No problem, Mr. Le Goff, in order to thank the Banque de France for its support to California, I will give you half the market price. Sell ​​500 barrels of kerosene to the Bank of France and let’s drink to the friendship between California and France!”

Los Angeles kerosene has been a best-seller since its launch, but demand has always been in short supply. In addition, Los Angeles kerosene is given priority to be supplied to California, and there is actually not much kerosene available for export.

The standard specifications of Los Angeles oil were 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 service.

As for safety issues, safety issues have never been a priority for capitalists. How to maximize profits is the primary issue that capitalists must consider.

The capitalist is willing to provide kerosene for US$2 per liter, which is already a sign of kindness. If you feel it is unsafe, you can buy whale oil for US$5 per liter, which may not be available.

A barrel of 150 liters, 500 barrels is 75,000 liters. The price of kerosene per liter in the California market is US$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 directly to the Bank of France.

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

France is so anxious to get so many sets of military uniforms to prepare for its military expansion. Currently, Liang Yao's clothing factory can produce about 120 sets of ready-made clothes per day. Although this order has exceeded the production capacity of the clothing factory, it is still affordable by the clothing factory. within the range.

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

"But the Bank of France can only provide you with a loan of US$800,000. How are you going to fill the remaining hole?" Seeing this, Legoff couldn't sit still.

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

Alas~ It's a pity that Barings Bank missed out on a great deal. It's hard to find such a good partner as California Government Credit, Mr. Gibson. "Liang Yao looked very pity.