stjorthotic Chapter 323 Riding the Spring Breeze and Galloping Horses
Chapter 323 Riding the Spring Breeze and Galloping Horses
Chapter 323 Riding the Spring Breeze and Galloping Horses
The first week after Larry returned to New York from Rochester was the most comfortable and busiest week he had since his rebirth.
On one hand, there are many great gains, and on the other hand, there are all sorts of trivial matters that need to be resolved.
Putting the Bausch & Lomb matter aside for the time being, the first thing Larry did upon returning to New York was to find a lawyer at the White Shoes law firm to make an advance payment of the $45 he had spent on the land purchase.
Larry finally felt relieved after receiving the land deed that the other party had already prepared. He had been anxious for three weeks.
This is a whopping 300 acres of land in New York!
Especially this part of Morningside Heights, which is the best piece of land on the Upper West Side of New York—no, even the entire Manhattan Peninsula, it can be said to have excellent feng shui.
Fortunately, the foreigners didn't understand feng shui. This basalt plateau, being the first to be bathed in the morning light and located on the high ground of the Upper West Side, had excellent feng shui and was eagerly sought after by wealthy Chinese later on.
Of course, Europeans and Americans are not without their own experts; Columbia University later chose this land as its new campus.
Now that the land belongs to Livingston, Columbia University will have to find its own way to relocate.
Even if they sell a dozen or so acres of land to Columbia University at a bargain price, the value of their remaining land could double or even triple.
Columbia University has really benefited, and they should be grateful for my help—if they're sensible, Columbia should consider appointing me as a trustee.
If Mr. Yung Wing hadn't gotten me into Yale, I could have condescended to become a young scholar at Columbia University!
Well, even though I didn't graduate from high school, I could still be a chief scientist or something!
Sigh, I can't think about this too much, because if I do, I'll feel so happy, so incredibly happy!
Larry didn't know when Columbia University would consider relocating, nor did he know when they would come looking for him—but now that he had the land deed, everything was already predetermined.
After receiving the land deed, Larry made a special trip to visit King Astor IV twice. Larry noticed that King Astor IV was a very filial son, so each time he visited, he brought the old lady generous gifts.
Charlotte Augusta Astor was delighted; like other distinguished and elderly ladies, Astor's mother also admired young and handsome boys. Each time Larry visited, the old lady personally prepared a sumptuous tea and snack, and personally kept Larry company while he drank tea and chatted.
Larry was a little reserved when he first came; but when he sat down with the old lady for the second time, the two were already as close as family.
Even King Astor IV was a little jealous of Larry's close relationship with his mother.
After the old lady left, Larry asked King Astor IV, "John, has your family land been distributed yet?"
"Oh, it was a complicated and complicated process, but it's finally over—" King Astor IV smiled.
It's easy to imagine that dividing up all the Astor family's lands was no easy task.
Larry smiled meaningfully and asked, "So you've already got all the land you wanted, haven't you?"
King Astor IV's lips curled up slightly, and he nodded, "Of course! I think my cousin William sensed something—later, during the land title transfer, his steward even tried to make some land swaps with me privately. Of course, I refused."
Larry, with a forced smile, continued to offer advice, "Now that you've got the land you wanted, John, I suggest you start paying attention to New York's public works projects—"
King Astor IV paused for a moment, but quickly understood. Larry was reminding him that he could participate in the early planning and preparation work for the New York subway and further promote this massive mega-project. "No problem! By the way, it just dawned on me later that you wanted that piece of land in Morningside Heights, probably hoping that the New York subway would reach there and your land would appreciate in value, right?"
Larry, of course, did not deny the question posed by King Astor IV, since the land was already in his possession. "I did consider it, and I'm grateful to you for that," Larry replied with a smile.
King Astor IV waved his hand and said seriously, "This is a fair deal. With such a good opportunity for land appreciation, of course we should share the benefits equally."
Larry nodded with a smile, but his thoughts drifted to something else—now that the old spendthrift had already secured his share of the land, he couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. He'd have Henry Goldman of Goldman Sachs keep an eye on him; if the old man tried to sell the land again, his chance would be there once more.
In addition, Larry injected millions of dollars of capital into the newly established Manhattan United Industries through Manhattan United Capital's corporate account.
This was agreed upon with General Electric beforehand; they would exchange $100 million for a 35% stake in the factory.
Larry personally went to GE headquarters to finalize the Manhattan Joint Manufacturing board seat with Charles Coffin.
Larry is the largest individual shareholder and the second largest shareholder of the entire Manhattan Union Industries. He can serve as a director of the company and can also appoint two directors to the board.
Larry laughed and said, "There's no rush—just save my seat for me."
President Coffin, all smiles, tentatively asked, "Mr. Livingston, the factory will open as soon as possible—we've already received requests for light installation from numerous communities in New York, Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia, and we'll be simultaneously advancing our cash register donation program while installing power grids in those communities—"
"Very good! Then the factory should start operating at full capacity from the beginning." Larry noticed the complex expression on the other man's face and asked, "Is there a problem?"
Coffin hesitated for a moment, but answered honestly, "It's people from National Cash Register Company. Their president, Patterson, heard that we were launching a product to compete with their cash registers—he's already sent a huge legal and business delegation to New York to fight the case!"
Larry had anticipated this. It was a million-dollar business a year. Cutting off someone's livelihood was like killing their parents, so he could understand why the other party was so anxious.
However—wasn't the reason I chose to hand over the electric cash register to Manhattan Union Industries back then so that you could take the fall for me?
Larry thought for a few seconds, then smiled and said to Coffin, "Mr. President, we've already gone through the patent application process; the electric cash register is perfectly legal. You don't need to worry about the patent rights or legal documents. Please remember, this is a huge profit center for Manhattan Union Industries itself, and you need to guarantee its future profitability in the company's name—"
Coffin nodded. "Of course I'll protect the company's interests—but Mr. Livingston, are you really that confident in this thing called a cash register?"
"We should be the ones with confidence!" Larry tapped his fingers on the table and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. President! This will be one of the best industrial products for power applications you've ever seen."
Coffin nodded, smiling but saying nothing.
Larry then added, "However, you need to hurry up and start producing electric fans; summer is just around the corner—this really can't be delayed."
"Yes, yes, yes! As soon as United Industries starts production, I will prioritize the production of electric fans." Coffin nodded quickly.
Larry continued, "There aren't many places where electric fans can be used yet. Remember, you should talk to big clients first, like Macy's—if you can get Macy's fans blowing cool air before the hot summer arrives, I guarantee the fans will sell like hotcakes this summer."
Reminded by Larry, Coffin nodded emphatically. He jotted down the message in his memo on the table and looked at Larry with admiration, saying, "Mr. Livingston, you're a born business genius! Oh, by the way, we're planning to officially open the Manhattan Union Industrial Complex on June 15th. Aren't you coming?"
Larry waved his hand. "No, I just want to be a quiet shareholder. Don't bother me with the things that get me in the spotlight."
On the fourth day after moving into the Dakota apartment, the small contractor had finished renovating the upstairs space, and Larry got his own safe room, an equipment room to hide things, and the large vault he had always dreamed of.
Larry settled the costs for the renovations and furniture at the Dakota apartment. After seeing everyone off and confirming that no one else was around, he locked the $15 in gold coins and diamonds sent by the Boers into his vault.
The vault was built behind a partition wall. Construction contractors often did this kind of work. The vault was designed to be very well hidden, and it was impossible to see it from the outside.
Larry locked the vault, a satisfied smile on his face.
The next day, Larry tentatively visited Goldman Sachs, only to learn that Sachs was still in Rochester and had not returned. But to his surprise, Henry Goldman had already returned!
"Mr. Livingston! Your business in Texas is going very well," Henry Goldman said to Larry in a serious tone in front of outsiders.
But after Goldman dismissed his assistants and staff, he wore an extremely aggrieved expression. "My God! Larry, how could you give the money I was supposed to receive to Sachs? Do you know that guy is a miser, the greediest man in the world? If you give him my payment, I won't get it!"
Larry chuckled and changed the subject, "Here's another chance for you to make money, want to?"
"What opportunity?" Goldman's eyes widened immediately.
"Keep an eye on Astor III for me. The Astor family just divided their assets, and he now has a large tract of land—you know, some people can't hold onto their money; they always want to cash it out!" Larry said solemnly.
Who is Goldman? He's a smart man who's extremely astute when it comes to money!
Hearing Larry say this, it fully understood what Larry meant, and puffed out its chest like a hunting dog that had smelled a bone.
"No problem, Larry! Leave this to me. I'll definitely get all those prime lands he doesn't want into your hands!" Goldman loudly assured Larry.
However, after saying that, Gao Man smiled and said, "That—commission!"
Larry immediately replied, "Don't worry, it'll be the same commission rate as before, near the Waldorf Astoria Hotel! I know 8% is already outrageous, but as long as you help me buy good land, I'm willing to pay that price!"
Henry Goldman’s eyes gleamed with greed as he hurriedly cursed and swore that he would help Larry choose the best land.
Larry smiled, but inwardly he couldn't help but think: the people at Goldman Sachs, whether it's Goldman or Sachs, their burning desire for money is truly the purest I've ever seen!
As expected of the founder of Goldman Sachs! What's that saying again? The character of the founding commander of an army largely determines the overall character of that army.
The fact that Goldman Sachs was able to grow bigger and bigger in later years is not only due to its capabilities, but also inseparable from the naked greed of its founders for money!
Who says Jewish people are useless? — It depends on how you use them.
The next morning, while Larry was still asleep, his doorbell rang.
This is not an electric bell; the Dakta Apartments still insist on using brass doorbells as a sign of tradition.
"What's the matter?" Larry asked, still looking tired, wearing his dressing gown.
"Sir! A gentleman named Matthew Browning is coming to visit you! Is now a convenient time for you?" the waiter asked with a smile.
"Matthew! He's back? That's great! Quickly, invite him up!" Larry exclaimed with delight.
Not long after, when the doorbell rang again, standing outside was Matthew, looking travel-worn.
He had a stubble beard, his leather boots were covered in dust, and he was clutching a leather suitcase tightly in his arms, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light.
Larry now felt a sense of kinship seeing him and Dunbarby looking at Mr. K and Logan. Larry quickly took Matthew's hand, ushered him into his living room, and instructed the waiter to prepare coffee and breakfast for him.
"Oh, Larry! My brother, when did you get such a nice apartment? If Mr. Potter hadn't told me your address, I would never have guessed you'd moved here—" Matthew said with a smile, looking around.
Larry chuckled and changed the subject, asking, "Is the rifle design finalized? Is everything going smoothly?"
Matthew nodded emphatically, becoming even happier at the mention of this. "Excellent! Larry, now I understand why you insisted on using Mauser's pointed bullets. The revolutionary advancements that pointed bullets represented for rifles cannot be overstated."
Larry nodded. "Where's your brother?"
"He also wants to take the opportunity to conduct some firearms tests—Mr. Dunbar will stay there to assist him! Texas is really far away, but it's all worth it."
"How's Texas? I've never been to Texas, but I really want to go there!" Larry asked with a smile.
Matthew recounted his experiences in Texas with a smile, while the waiter brought out coffee and breakfast. The two ate and chatted, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.
"What are some local specialties from Texas?" Larry asked with a smile.
Larry had only asked casually, but Matthew's face turned serious when he heard the question.
"Besides beef and cowboys, Texas's specialties are—oil!" Matthew said earnestly. "My God, I've never seen such an extravagant oil exploration effort—you know what? People there are everywhere, grabbing land and trying to claim every inch of the wilderness as their own. Because you never know when, oil wells will magically spring up in Texas—"