Chapter 43: The Astor Family Fleet

"It's the prospecting team of the Astor family. Their fleet encountered some problems near the Cape Horn, where the wind is high and the waves are rough. Only two small boats are in good condition. They left the fleet and arrived in San Francisco in advance for investigation."

After finding out the origin of the fleet, Strauss returned to Tingtao Garden to report the news he had found to Liang Yao.

The so-called Tingtao Tower is the seaside manor of Brannan before. Because the sound of the waves can be heard very clearly here, Liang Yao renamed it Tingtao Garden.

Tingtao Garden is large and luxurious, surrounded by solid walls, and has its own observation tower. The building is made of solid materials, overlooking the view, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is more like a fortress than a manor.

Although Tingtao Garden has been bombarded, the buildings in the garden have not been damaged too much, and only simple repairs are needed to restore them to their original state.

Moving directly into Tingtao Garden is far more cost-effective than building a new house.

Compared with building a new house in San Francisco, Liang Yao is more willing to invest precious manpower and material resources in the construction of the commercial street.

It is not time to pursue pleasure yet. Besides, Brannan's manor is already the most luxurious residence in the entire California area.

The location of the manor is also very good. Not only is the terrain dangerous, but there is also a clean water source nearby, and it is relatively close to San Francisco.

The only thing Liang Yao is not satisfied with is Brannan's decoration style, which is really tasteless.

"The Astor family's sense of smell is really sharper than that of a dog."

Through the window, Liang Yao can see the two steam clippers of the Astor family fleet anchored in the port.

The Astor family is an old and wealthy family with a strong political color in the United States.

The most successful marriage of the family is the marriage with the Roosevelt family, which later produced two US presidents.

The founder of the family, John Jacob Astor, immigrated to the United States from London in 1784, but he was not a Londoner, but a German.

The Astor family started out as a fur business, and the family has a long history with China.

At the beginning of the independence of the United States, Britain suppressed the United States economically. In order to break the British economic blockade, President Washington turned his attention to the distant East and personally assigned the "Empress of China" to Guangzhou to trade with China to break the British trade blockade.

Astor also arrived in Guangzhou, China for the first time on the ship and met the merchants and local officials of the Thirteen Hongs. He also established a deep friendship and long-term partnership with Wu Bingjian, a merchant of the Thirteen Hongs.

The famous Jardine Matheson was Wu Bingjian's industry at this time.

There is no doubt that trade with China is undoubtedly a timely help for the United States at this time.

Since then, more and more American businessmen have turned their attention to the Chinese market.

In the fifty years from 1784 to 1833, American merchant ships visited China at least 1,352 times, and many early American businessmen made a lot of money in trade with China.

Astor, who was devoted to the fur business, smelled a business opportunity and arrived in China for the first time in 1801. He sold high-quality beaver skins to the Thirteen Hongs and made a profit of $50,000 on his first voyage. You know, this was $50,000 in 1801.

But soon, the smart Astor discovered a more lucrative business opportunity - opium.

He was no longer satisfied with exchanging beaver skins for Chinese silk, tea, and porcelain. He used opium to exchange for silk, tea, and porcelain in the hands of the Chinese, and monopolized the opium trade between the United States and China for seventeen years.

He bought opium from Turkey at a price of $5 per pound, and then sold it in Guangzhou at a price of $10 or even higher.

Astor bought a full ten tons of opium in Turkey in his first opium business, which made his peers look at him sideways.

In addition to Astor, the Cabot family, Cushing family, Weld family, Delano family and Forbes family in Boston all made their fortunes through the opium trade.

The United States thus became the second largest importer of opium to China after Britain.

"Should we entertain them as a good host?" Strauss asked Liang Yao.

He had heard of the great name of the Astor family. He was afraid of such a powerful family that was well connected in both politics and business and could influence the decision-making of Congress.

"We are the host and they are the guests. According to etiquette, we should indeed receive them. But it is too rude for the guests to come to the host's house without even saying hello. Since they are rude, we don't have to return the courtesy.

By the way, have they paid the berthing fee?"

Liang Yao obtained the ownership of the Port of San Francisco from Brannan, and he was eligible to charge berthing fees for ships coming and going.

This fee is just right for repairing and expanding the port and maintaining its operation.

"I was just about to tell you about this. They refused to pay any fees for the port because it belonged to the United States of America. They also insulted and beat up Chinese employees who went to collect berthing fees."

"The port belongs to the United States of America? Did the United States pay a penny for the construction of the port? Do they not have to pay berthing fees at ports in the eastern region?!" Liang Yao snorted coldly, "Ask the barge to tow their ship away, and notify all the shops in the city not to sell things to them. Anyone who dares to sell will be made to disappear in California!"

"Doing this will inevitably intensify the conflict between us and the Astor family. The Astor family is very influential in Congress." Strauss reminded Liang Yao.

"Strauss, you are a bit too nosy." Liang Yao was a little unhappy.

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Strauss said no more.

A prospecting team is so arrogant. If they are not beaten, the subsequent fleets will only become more and more aggressive.

The ambition for gold will only grow, and they will inevitably reach into his rice bowl.

In order to keep his current status and property, he must be tough in his attitude towards these unfriendly families.

If the attitude is not tough, they will definitely think that you are a weak persimmon that can be bullied, and they will shit on your head and swallow up your industry.

These old monopoly families are all masters who find it more uncomfortable to see others make money than to lose money themselves.

——————————————

Sacramento, the camp of the Boston Company.

Captain Weber, who had just saved his life from the gates of hell, packed his luggage.

Under the careful care of Dr. Robinson, Captain Weber successfully defeated cholera.

After recovering from his health, Weber realized that he was no longer the leader of the organization.

Although he was still the captain on the surface, everyone in the Boston Company respected and loved Dr. Robinson.

He, the captain, was just a dispensable existence, and Dr. Robinson was the real leader of the team.

It was time to leave.

Thinking of his experience in Sacramento over the past few months, and his wife and children in Boston, Weber smiled with relief, at least he survived in this place.

"I congratulate everyone on their successful panning for gold, and I wish each of you can pan for more gold, be rich, and return home in glory as soon as possible!"

Captain Weber rode on his horse and prepared to go to San Francisco to find a ship to Boston.

"Captain Weber, please stay, our team needs you."

Robinson prepared some medicine for Weber.

Robinson never thought that he would become a team leader one day, and his retention was sincere, not hypocritical.

"No, they need you more, Dr. Robinson, you are a good doctor, thank you for saving me, I believe you can also become an outstanding leader."

Weber smiled and patted Robinson on the shoulder, and then said to the members of the Boston Company.

"I will wait for the news of your fortune in the East! You are all future millionaires! Goodbye guys, I will remember you forever!"

The old and new employees of the Boston Company said goodbye to the old captain.

They set out from Boston with a common dream, overcame hardships and obstacles, and took ten months to get here, but finally parted ways.

After watching Captain Weber leave, Robinson returned to his residence and was surrounded.

He looked very solemn.

More than 30 patients from nearby camps stood in his residence, their faces full of pain.

"Dr. Robinson, please, save us!"

"Dr. Robinson, you must save us!"

"Five people died in our camp yesterday! Half of the people in the camp fell ill!"

"This place must be cursed by the devil! Only you can help us defeat the devil!"