Chapter 1538 The Choice of the Railway King (Second update, please subscribe)

What is the most important thing for capitalists?

Of course it’s money!

Even in war, for a man like Leland Stanford, his first thought was how to protect his personal property, and then his life.

Life is limited, money is eternal.

As a successful businessman, Leland Stanford is very clear about the rules of the world. This world is essentially a jungle, and its rules are pure jungle law, which means the strong prey on the weak. If you want to survive in this jungle, you can only be a jackal and make a living by plundering. Only in this way can you truly survive.

Otherwise, you will just be at the mercy of others.

Perhaps Stanford will engage in charity, but under the disguise of charity, he is still a jackal. As a successful jackal, he knows very well what he should preserve in this war.

"The world will always laugh at losers!"

Once again, Stanford stood up from a large table, walked across the room to the stained glass window, and stared at the people and vehicles moving in front of the Los Angeles Union Station below.

Los Angeles Union Station is one of the most prosperous areas in Los Angeles, and of course the heart of Stanford's railway empire in Los Angeles. Although it is far from comparable to San Francisco, it is at least a place to stay.

Watching the people running outside the window, Stanford silently lit a cigar. After taking a puff of the cigarette, his brows slightly frowned and his expression seemed a little solemn.

The downstairs is full of ordinary people coming and going. For ordinary people, their entire lives are spent struggling for a living. From youth to adulthood, then to middle age, and finally to old age, they have always endured extortion and always been struggling for a living.

This is the life of ordinary people. This is also the life of losers.

Stanford certainly would not tolerate itself becoming such a loser, reduced to being like the people on the street, struggling for a living.

But he could lose everything at any time just like them, because of this war!

"Mr. Brest."

Looking at the card in his hand, Stanford said to himself:

"Richard Brest, Mexican Railways."

This guy handed Stanford a business card at the banquet yesterday and said he would visit when it was convenient. What does he want to do?

Although Stanford didn't know the other party's intentions, he knew the guy's identity. It was well known that the Mexican Railway Company was a Ming-funded enterprise, which meant that, to a certain extent, he represented the Ming Dynasty.

Why does Daming want to contact me?

An answer popped up in Stanford's mind - railway!

What did the Ming Dynasty want? Its own railway?

The American railroad tycoon frowned as he looked out through the thick glass window opposite his desk. At this time, Los Angeles was falling in the evening. The lights in the building had been turned on. Although there was still the afterglow of the sun in the office on the top floor, it was not bright enough for reading. Stanford turned on the desk lamp and smoked a cigar silently, thinking about something.

At this moment, the telephone rang and the voice of his secretary, Miss Clark, came from the line.

"Sir, a Richard Brest came to see you and said you had an appointment."

You're here so soon?

When did we make the appointment?

Although he was a little confused, Stanford continued to speak.

"Yes, please let him in!"

When Brest walked into the room, Stanford was already thinking about the possibilities in his mind.

"Mr. Stanford, we meet again,"

Brest laughed.

“Yes, I didn’t expect it to be so slow.”

Stanford smiled at him and then said.

"It's just that I don't remember when we made the appointment."

"Mr. Stanford, I thought we had made an appointment a long time ago,"

Brest said bluntly.

"We have made an agreement since the day someone gave the order to destroy all the railways and burn all the railway bridges."

Destroy the railroad!

This was an order issued by MacArthur - requiring the US military to destroy the railway when retreating, and of course, the railway company must fully cooperate.

"We are using this method to stop your attack."

Stanford answered directly.

"As businessmen, we are also patriotic!"

"Yes, your patriotism is indeed admirable, but Mr. Stanford, a businessman should be a businessman first. You need to be responsible for your own interests. Perhaps you can destroy the railway, but what effect will that have? The destroyed railway will be repaired, but what about you?"

Brest said.

"You'll lose everything."

Brest's reminder made Stanford silent, and he would lose everything!

This is exactly what he was worried about. Yes, he could destroy the railways as MacArthur ordered, but then what? Then he would be left with nothing.

As for the title of "patriot", what is the significance?

People will always respect "Stanford the railroad king" rather than Stanford who has nothing.

"It will be difficult for me to keep my property if you come."

Stanford said directly.

"As we all know, the invasion is a division of property. The Imperial Railway Company will swallow up my railway, and I will also lose everything."

"Yes, the Imperial Railroad will indeed annex your railway. However, Mr. Stanford, both the Imperial Railroad and the Mexican Railway have shareholders, and some of them are major shareholders. Compared to annexation, we prefer cooperation, Mr. Stanford. Cooperation means that you can become a major shareholder of the Imperial Railroad. Not only will you not lose everything, but you will also have the opportunity to gain new opportunities."

Is this the condition they set?

Faced with the conditions offered by Brest, Stanford seemed a little hesitant. After all, he had not thought about betraying the United States, but the price offered by the other party was indeed very tempting.

"I need to think about this matter. This is a big matter, and it is difficult for me to make a decision at once."

Stanford's answer made Brest smile.

"Of course, you are sure that it takes time, Mr. Stanford, but you have to understand that time is running out, and sometimes, we have to make decisions quickly because opportunities are fleeting."

Facing Brest's reminder, Stanford nodded, and then he looked out the window, where the sky was already dark. Staring at the dark night sky and the brilliant lights downstairs, Stanford fell into deep thought.

At this time, many people have already got off work, including wealthy businessmen, clerks, lawyers, bankers, stockbrokers, and of course ordinary people. They have ended a busy day and are preparing to return home to reunite with their families. No matter how the world changes, for ordinary people, they are just spending one day after another.

The lives of ordinary people may seem ordinary, but in fact they are failures. Every one of them is a failure, and they are just tools used by the rich to extract wealth.

Ordinary people are just tools in the eyes of the rich.

Of course.

"But, Mr. Brest, you have offered such generous conditions, so..."

Stanford looked at the other party and asked,

"What do you want from me?"

(End of this chapter)