Chapter 512: The Members' Guests

The preliminary decision was to renovate the container terminals in the ports of three coastal cities: New York, Houston and New Orleans. As for the steel and cement needed, the United Company could manufacture them, so it was not a technical problem.

No matter how you go around it, as long as it involves sea transportation, New York's status as a metropolis cannot be avoided. This is not a question of whether the slave owners like it or not. They have to do it even if they don't like it. As for New Orleans, as the largest city in the South, it can also integrate the river transportation of the Mississippi River and connect it with inland river transportation to form a domestic transportation network.

Houston joined because of its proximity to resources and the best port for exporting oil. This requires a large amount of investment and construction. Fortunately, Sheffield, a billionaire debtor, still owes 100 million yuan, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

By now, the United Company has not only recovered all its initial investment, but also made a huge profit. In fact, it can repay the money. However, things must always be prioritized. If these creditors take the money back and the investment fails, they will lose all their money. The slave owners can avoid this danger.

Unless these creditors come to Arlington in person to ask for repayment, it proves that they are not in a hurry to pay back the money.

There are many advantages in ocean transportation: first, the transportation volume is large. The scattered goods to be transported are packed in boxes in advance, which is convenient for mechanized loading and unloading, greatly shortening the time the ship stays at the port and the time the goods are stored in the warehouse, speeding up the delivery of goods and reducing transportation costs; the unified box specifications can also load more goods on the same volume ship, increasing the transportation volume. Second, it reduces the damage of goods. Container loading and unloading can ensure that the goods are intact during transportation, almost completely eliminate the loss of goods, and greatly reduce damage and compensation.

Containers can be used multiple times, and can reduce the cost of packing and unpacking, and reduce freight costs, which is beneficial to customers. It reduces operating costs and transportation costs. Since the loading and unloading of containers is basically not affected by bad weather, the non-productive berthing time of ships is shortened. In addition, due to the high loading and unloading efficiency, the loading and unloading time is shortened. For shipping companies, it can increase the navigation rate and reduce the transportation cost of ships. For ports, it can increase the berth capacity, thereby increasing throughput.

If there are any difficulties, it is doubtful whether the current means of transportation can withstand the appearance of containers. However, there is no problem at the port alone, and there is no problem at all using large-scale loading and unloading machinery to operate containers.

The times limited Sheffield's scope of activities. He could not communicate with Europe as he did at home. Sheffield could not go there to see it with his own eyes at any time. He could only communicate through telegrams.

Which is the largest port in Europe now, Hamburg or Kiel? Sheffield couldn't help but feel ashamed of being a senior German fan, for he had forgotten such basic knowledge. But if he remembered correctly, the largest port in Europe should already be in the hands of the Germans. Germany's tendency to catch up in Europe has become increasingly obvious, and this is correct.

"I still prefer the pure life of a manor owner!" Seeing Sheffield's unfriendly gaze, Gail, knowing that he was in the wrong, smiled awkwardly as soon as he appeared, making excuses for his attitude towards life.

"You might as well grow up in Puerto Rico," Sheffield said unhappily. "Everything should be done in moderation. Let's talk about the Republicans' complaints about the tariff reduction bill. I wonder if you have any ideas for doing so."

He had said it all and persuaded them all, but they didn't take it to heart. Sheffield had no choice but to explain the current situation directly without being polite, and asked Gale, who claimed that he could deal with ten or eight MPs at any time, to take action personally.

"That's it. No problem. It's all for the benefit of all of us." Gail yawned. "I'm their important friend. Communication between friends is always smooth. If they don't agree to my terms, they won't even be able to cry. Let me tell you, look at how serious Paul is in Congress. He actually likes black people. He said that black women have tight skin. This pervert specifically picks on little girls."

Gale shook his head and spoke. When he looked up, Sheffield had already walked away. He sighed, "What a boring person. You are not as good as you used to be. At least you could have brought the French nobles back to your country."

The existence of two major parties in the country is a good thing in a sense, as it saves Gail a lot of time. At the doorstep of Congressman Paul's house, Gail sat in the car and complained to himself. As a community where a congressman lives, he had to work hard to get in, and the money he paid to bribe the community should be reimbursed by the slave owner.

After waiting for a long time, Paul's car was slowly approaching. Gail got out of the car. Just a glance made the distinguished congressman who had just got off work furious. How could he not help but wonder who the other person was.

Gale stood in front of the gate of the yard, smiling and nodding. Although his health was not as good as in previous years, his eyesight was not damaged. Seeing the congressman's car slowly stop, under the driver's puzzled eyes, Gale gave the congressman who got off the car a long-lost hug, "Oh my friend, long time no see, almost half a year, how are you?"

"This is my friend. You go back first." Paul told the driver calmly. He waited until the car left before asking, "Why are you here? Haven't you been in Puerto Rico all along?"

"This is a long story, and we need to find a place to talk it over." Gail acted embarrassed, with a strange look in his eyes, indicating that he gave up his career and came to Washington, so of course he had something important to tell him.

Honestly, who in this country can be so eager to come out and do things just by saying one thing? Except for the slave owner who welcomed him back home, there is no such person. On the one hand, Sheffield welcomed him back home and helped him gain a foothold, which made many people who fell into the pit again in Brazil grateful.

Another point is the strong strength that Sheffield himself has shown. Unlike McHale, who is unwilling to accept and always wants to prove something, Gale is very open-minded. Since most people moved to Brazil after the Civil War, there is no such thing as catching up. They are the giant companies in the southern states, so what is there to be dissatisfied with?

McHale can't catch up with the others even if he follows them. Why should he work so hard? It's not wrong to find some easy way to make money. Gail can't say that McHale is wrong for being ambitious, but he won't agree to set a goal that he can't catch up with.

Take the United Company's subsidiaries, for example. They have formed a self-sufficient closed loop, and are also linked to other giants like Standard Oil. There is no way to deal with it domestically. The Black Gold Transportation Company stationed overseas is like a cancer growing in the heart of this country.

The Black Gold Transport Company alone seems to be following the development trajectory of the East India Company. With the support of the United Company in the country, how can it compete?

Gail kept his poker face and said nothing, which made Paul feel uneasy. As a congressman, he felt that it was a bit rash for him to follow him. What if they wanted to harm him? These people with obvious black backgrounds should not be provoked. He even repented for his misstep and prayed for God's forgiveness.

The desperate look in the black girl's eyes at that time has now turned into a regret pill that hits his soul. At this moment, the car stopped, and Paul came to a place where birds sing and flowers bloom. The setting sun was emitting afterglow, which was not dazzling but very comfortable.

Paul came down tremblingly, and Gale couldn't help but laugh and said, "My friend, I just came here to see the scenery, but you seem a little nervous?"

"Gail, if there is something, we can talk about it very honestly." Paul said with a serious expression.

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Look at this sanctimonious attitude? Gail lit a cigarette and took a puff. "It's not a big deal. Just find a casual occasion to talk about it. It's too formal, right? This is not Puerto Rico, and I haven't prepared anything for you."

Gale pointed at the other party with his words and went straight to the point. "In fact, Washington has been arguing over tariffs recently, right? In fact, why are you Republicans so stubborn? Judging from the current seats in Congress, if the president wants to implement a new tariff policy, what can you do? Now it's just some superficial unity and discussion. What qualifications do you have to oppose it?"

Gail's words were a bit impolite, especially when directed at Republican lawmakers, but they were true.

"So you are a Democrat?" After hearing this, Paul felt that he had fallen into a trap.

Gail flicked his cigarette butt and shook his finger, "You can't say that. We are serious businessmen and have equal respect for both parties. It's just that I have a very important friend who is very concerned about the new tariff bill. That's why I came to Washington this time to talk to some friends in my network. You are just the first one, and there are other gentlemen I will look for in the next few years. To be honest, with our friendship, this shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Looking at Gail's burning gaze, Paul coughed softly and said thoughtfully, "It's not that difficult. Just like you said, the Democratic Party can pass this resolution and let everyone step down."

"Why have you become a widely respected congressman, Mr. Paul?" Gail said calmly, with a flash of contempt in his eyes, "This precise judgment alone is surprising enough. We can be long-term friends. Puerto Rico's prosperity and beaches are still waiting for Congressman Paul to visit. In fact, the local prosperity is inseparable from you congressmen. Without the appropriation of Congress, what will the locals eat? It is completely reasonable for you to have some special requests."

(End of this chapter)