Chapter 268 Good Intentions
"To be honest, the Vanderbilt family doesn't have a good image every time they appear in the newspapers!" Sheffield said after a pause, "It's often associated with conspicuous consumption."
"Conspicuous consumption?" Vanderbilt II frowned slightly and looked at Sheffield suspiciously. This was obviously a new term.
"Well, conspicuous consumption!" Sheffield nodded and explained the meaning of the term, which refers to the wealthy upper class showing off and displaying their financial resources and social status to others, as well as the glory, prestige and reputation that such status brings, through waste, luxury and extravagance in purchasing items beyond their practicality and necessity for survival.
To be honest, the boundary of conspicuous consumption is not very clear. If you get greater benefits after spending a lot of money, is this consumption worth it? Because this kind of thing is always associated with collusion between power and money, Sheffield has his own judgment on whether it is worth it, but for someone like Vanderbilt II, it is definitely not worth it.
The accumulated wealth of the first two generations of the Vanderbilt family alone was nearly $200 million, which was an astronomical figure in that era. The only family that could suppress the railroad tycoon was the Rockefeller family, the oil tycoon. As for Morgan, his money was not his own. Rockefeller Jr. estimated that Morgan's property was around $100 million.
But the Vanderbilt family's wealth only lasted for 20 years. From now until 20 years later, the Vanderbilt family became an ordinary wealthy family. It survived for many years because Vanderbilt II had many real estate projects, which allowed the Vanderbilt family to live on rent for many years.
"So this is how I am seen by others?" Vanderbilt II laughed at himself. "I have lived for more than 50 years, and this is the reputation I have left behind."
More than 50 years? Sheffield was really surprised. He only thought that the other party was around 40 years old. How could he still be talking about his past youth out of thin air?
"I thought you were at most my father's age!" Sheffield smiled bitterly, and could only explain it by saying that a superior life can indeed determine many things. Harry Sheffield was the same, but why didn't the heir of Vanderbilt II see it?
If Vanderbilt II was really in his fifties, then his life could really be summed up as a failure. Although there is a saying that a prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold, this age of returning is a little too late.
"Yes, I can only talk business with people of the same generation as my children." Vanderbilt II laughed at himself. "In fact, I also know that this kind of life is unsustainable. Maybe it's because I'm old. Sometimes I think about how to pass on wealth. I have also seen my father's busy life in the past, and I know that this wealth was hard-earned. Unlike my descendants, they have hardly seen the situation at that time, so they built many apartments and buildings in New York, and then got involved in the field of chain supermarkets. But my business is not successful."
"Before you came to visit me, I thought that the considerable wealth collected from the railway every year was enough to support the operation of the family. But when I saw you, my mind changed. You are only in your twenties!" Vanderbilt II looked at Sheffield with a complicated expression, "In just a few years, you have become an outstanding representative of young wealthy people. If you hadn't appeared at Bilmore Manor, I might have felt that my sons were okay, but there is nothing to be afraid of comparison!"
"I'm so sorry!" Sheffield was stunned for two seconds, then expressed his apologies. It seemed that the third-generation heir of the railway tycoon still retained a little rationality and knew that even with huge wealth, it would be squandered.
"Let's not talk about these personal matters. Does your Panama Canal project make money?" Vanderbilt II asked a very basic and essential question.
"It's not a question of whether it makes money or not. It's a rare opportunity. For the whole country, this is a major project that has attracted national attention. In fact, as long as the federal government leaks a little information, there will be no problem with financing. Moreover, the state will back it up because it is more important to national defense than to people's livelihood. However, as a businessman, I don't want to describe it as a sure win."
Sheffield was not worried about the financing issue. It was profitable for anyone. However, he had an urgent problem now, which was to make quick money and start the next project immediately. He could not let Rockefeller wait too long. That was why he was so anxious. If he had three to five years to turn things around, what was the point of financing? Wouldn't it be better for him to keep it all for himself?
"I have a good relationship with Rockefeller Jr. He has said that the Rockefeller family received help from the Vanderbilt family in the early years. At that time, I was thinking that the New Orleans reconstruction plan could ask for help from a family with connections in the construction field, but I didn't think about the Panama issue at the beginning!"
Sheffield concealed the urgency of the matter and only told Vanderbilt II that the projects had to be focused and that if they were carried out simultaneously, capital injection would be needed. In fact, he particularly hoped that the Vanderbilt family would join in.
"I need to see a detailed written plan!" Vanderbilt II agreed very readily, but still had to say that the information provided now was completely insufficient.
"Okay, my own description always has some problems, it's good to take a good look at it!" Sheffield smiled very brightly, "I think you want to see the plan of the Panama Canal project. You can take a look, but it must be kept confidential."
In the Rockefeller Manor, Little Rockefeller saw Natalia beside Sheffield, nodded his head, asked her to sit down, and asked his wife to accompany Natalia for a walk. He snorted and said, "Should I praise your charm first?"
"There's no such thing as charm. It's just a little bit of money!" Sheffield said proudly instead of being ashamed. "But it's not shameful to use money to save some steps. Who says there won't be love in the future? Besides, fate is uncertain. There is a thing called rapport. If it exists, it exists. If it doesn't, it doesn't exist. You can't force others to become pastors just because you want to be one. Besides, pastors dedicate their lives to God on the surface. Who knows how many sins are hidden under their sanctimonious robes?"
Catholics, who dedicate their lives to God, are the epicenter of scandals. Sheffield has never had any good feelings towards these hypocrites.
"Should I thank you on Edith's behalf?" Little Rockefeller was so angry that he almost laughed. He pointed down and said, "This is the land of the Rockefeller estate. You brought another woman here? I really want to beat you up."
"Really? This really surprises me!" Sheffield said perfunctorily without taking it seriously. Just forget about the fake sister-brother relationship with the other party. They are just acting most of the time.
"But what surprised me the most was that you actually found that playboy Vanderbilt II and were able to get funds from him. It's incredible!" Rockefeller Jr. stopped talking about the deep love between the siblings and was surprised at Sheffield's operation. "How did you do it?"
"It's not like I haven't seen someone like Vanderbilt II. My father was almost like him in Paris, except that he didn't have the money to build a house worth more than 10 million US dollars. Edith is also that kind of person. It's not difficult to get in touch with her. There are two people like her among my close family members." Sheffield didn't think it was difficult. He changed the subject and said, "As for why you were able to get help from the Vanderbilt family, I have to ask you this. When your father first started his oil business, didn't he also get help from their family?"
"You haven't forgotten that it was you who gave me the idea to make good use of the power of allies. This is the ally I found. Rather than leaving such a good opportunity to me, it is better to say that many companies have a tacit understanding on this matter. It has become the subconscious thought of many people to hope that the descendants of the railway king will fall into depravity. It's just that I am different. I am in urgent need of money now. Even if it can benefit the Vanderbilt family in the future, I can't care so much now!"
Sheffield spread his hands. He thought that the other party had a lot of cash, which was exactly what he lacked at the moment. What should he do? He had no choice but to do this.
It would be better for Vanderbilt II to do some serious business than to continue his conspicuous consumption, especially since he now faces so many powerful competitors. Morgan prefers to control the power of the entire economic world. Compared with his huge influence in the economic world, the money he earns himself is actually not much.
But it is this characteristic that makes Morgan's power seem stronger than Standard Oil. If Sheffield did not think he had good vision, he would have wanted to entrust his wealth to Morgan. Morgan made his friends richer than making money for himself. In comparison, he himself did not make much money. Who would not like such a partner?
This is Morgan's unique advantage. Compared with Morgan, the Rockefeller family is more likely to monopolize the market. Therefore, the antitrust law came to the door. Sheffield can't do this either, so the current situation is that the two companies are just trying to keep each other warm.
"At Carnegie Steel, I'm being held up in the process, so you should hurry up with whatever you can do." Rockefeller Jr. thought for a moment and said, "Fortunately, Morgan is helping the British issue government bonds and can't take care of this for the time being."
"In fact, why don't you consider splitting Standard Oil into two companies? You have the dominant power anyway, and you can create the illusion of competition by fighting against each other. Then you don't have to worry about antitrust laws." Sheffield looked at the restrained little Rockefeller and wondered whether he should help him.
"You know the direction of the gate!" Rockefeller Jr. glared and ordered everyone to leave. No one could touch Standard Oil.
"Just pretend I didn't say anything!" Sheffield let it go. He really meant well, but the other party didn't seem to appreciate it.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
