Chapter 435 Proposal for a Round-the-World Voyage
Morgan's voice didn't come from the phone for a long time. Just when Sheffield was about to hang up, Morgan said weakly, "Talking like this is not the premise of communication. You know better than anyone that this is not what I meant at all."
The person involved admitted that he had caused the earthquake, but how could Morgan Jr., an excellent banker, believe such a thing? Although he did say, "Oh my God!" verbally, it was just words, and he didn't think so in his heart.
"That's it. I'm not being nosy, Morgan! You obviously have a series of talents that you can use, but you chose the most useless one." These days, telling the truth is always regarded as lying. Sheffield is used to it. He didn't argue about whether he caused the earthquake or not, but took the initiative to tease little Morgan.
Although there was a suspicion of kicking a drowned dog, it was all the other party's own fault. This kind of dark-minded banker always considered things from a conspiracy perspective. The slave owner readily admitted that he was responsible for the earthquake, but he didn't believe it. It couldn't be blamed on the slave owner for not giving the other party a chance. He couldn't help but let the other party bring it upon himself.
"Is there a problem with the funding chain? I heard something." Sheffield didn't want to end the call so soon, and began to ask about some practical matters in a roundabout way.
"No one can do anything about the losses caused by this kind of natural disaster, but lack of funds is not an issue." Morgan Jr. said in a tough tone, "If Mr. William can calm the citizens of Los Angeles and give me some time, I will be very grateful."
"That's absolutely no problem. Morgan has always been the company I respect the most. Just say one word and I'm willing to provide the best assistance I can." Sheffield said with a smile, "This kind of help is something other companies can't even ask for. How could I refuse?"
Both of them have leverage over the other, and this kind of relationship that can restrain each other is often particularly stable. Sheffield also feels that there is still a chance for the two companies to cooperate in the future, and it may be just around the corner.
"Really? Did I order my employees not to redeem their policies?" Before Morgan Jr. hung up the phone, Sheffield took the initiative to speak again. If Morgan Jr. was relieved, he could help calm the matter down.
"No need!" Little Morgan responded very calmly and hung up the phone directly. A busy tone came from the microphone.
Sheffield put the microphone back with reluctance, sighed and squinted at Evelyn, "How can the Morgan father and son be bankers with such temper? I thought he was different from his father, old Morgan. Now it seems that some things really don't make sense. His character of offending people has made him the largest banker in the United States."
"You dare to talk to the Morgan father and son like this, don't you? There are not many people like you in the United States." Evelyn praised with admiration. In Evelyn's eyes, slave owners are people who are always right in everything they do.
"Oh, that's not the way to say it!" Sheffield said modestly, "One should be humble, although I am fully capable of doing so."
Since Morgan is fully capable of honoring the insurance policy and there is no possibility of defaulting on the debt, Sheffield must take the initiative to show goodwill. After all, for the people he brought with him, this is a windfall bonus, and it is very necessary to consider the overall situation.
Even if Morgan was run on, he would not get the money on the policy in advance. It would be better to pretend to be generous and give Morgan time to deal with the California policy step by step.
"It's no more than three or four million dollars, which Morgan can definitely afford. As long as he is determined, this is even a good advertising opportunity. After this earthquake, Morgan's insurance business will be more popular. Maybe in one or two years, the losses can be offset."
Three or four million in funds, not to mention the huge scale of the Morgan Alliance, even for Morgan himself, it is definitely not a lot of money. You have to know how much money Morgan makes every day. According to the slave owner's estimation, the stumbling block of the Russo-Japanese War can only slow down Morgan's pace. It is purely wishful thinking to want to cause a crisis in the Morgan Alliance.
But competition is so cruel that delaying will not work. When others are making rapid progress while you are standing still, the comparison between the two is a sign of falling behind. The most intuitive example is that the European Industrial Revolution began to dominate the whole world, sweeping away every civilization wherever it passed.
You can't say that other civilizations besides Europe did not develop. They certainly developed according to their own paths. But compared with the speed of Europe's takeoff after the Industrial Revolution, it is almost the same as no development.
The next arrangements are banking, stock market and real estate. The United States does not have a central bank, but it did have two banks, the First Bank and the Second Bank. They were originally newly established by Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, to help U.S. states issue bonds to gradually repay debts accumulated during the War of Independence and to serve the Treasury.
However, since 70% of the shares of First Bank of America belonged to European bankers, many Americans were worried that European financial families would use it to control the United States. In addition, the market was worried that it would have policy advantages over other private banks, so it closed down amid opposition.
The Second Bank suffered a similar fate, and eventually closed down amid widespread opposition.
"Morgan won't keep arguing with me over such a small matter. He is planning something bigger. There are countless banks of all sizes in the country, and our Union Bank's main business scope is in the west of the Mississippi River." Sheffield said to Evelyn, "There are too many trust companies now, and they are deeply involved in the stock market. The prosperity of the stock market has led to a large amount of funds being invested in it. Compared with the stock value, the cash circulating in the market is pitifully small."
“You mean you’ve already smelled the economic crisis?” Evelin knew the matter was of great importance, and even lowered her voice.
"To be precise, it is in the making, or it has already begun. It just needs an opportunity to be officially triggered." Sheffield touched his chin and said, "The federal government's reconstruction of California has become a foregone conclusion. Funds will be tilted to the West Coast, which will cause speculators to flock in. From the performance of the stock market, industries related to reconstruction, such as steel, have become outstanding representatives of the hot stock market."
Now all the funds in the market are sucked into the stock market. In a sense, there are early signs of money shortage. It is not that the various physical industries are not strong, but they can't keep up with the hot stock market even if they try their best. It depends on when the trigger event will appear and it will officially explode. Others dare not say, but the slave owner is sure that Morgan can smell it. There is no need for any profound analysis. You can tell by looking at Morgan's iconic big nose, that nose is smarter than a dog.
"All United Bank needs now is an opportunity to quickly gain popularity. Although the headquarters is much more powerful than these bankers, I have to admit that our banking industry is indeed too fragmented. So many banks cannot reflect our strength at all. We need to create an economic crisis to help us eliminate some of our competitors."
Evelyn nodded. She had always believed in the slave owner unconditionally. Since this man said yes, then yes. She said, "If the economic crisis really breaks out, this will be our chance to save the citizens of the West. We will stand out from the big and small banks and become their representative."
"Well, you could say that!" Sheffield opened his mouth and reluctantly agreed with Evelyn's statement, even though he had no intention of saving the country in his heart. He just wanted to demarcate the Great West as his own leek field and was not going to let Morgan in.
It's like Sheffield thinks the Great West is a leek field, but Evelyn understands it as weeding in the vegetable garden. Of course, this understanding is also acceptable. Only by killing the weak weeds can the beneficial vegetables grow stronger.
Although Alice Roosevelt suffered from the ravages of real politics, she at least found a safe haven with the slave owners. After all, compared to others, Sheffield was really at the forefront and did everything he could. This could not be a show, unless this earthquake was created by Sheffield.
But how is this possible? Alice Roosevelt never thought that someone could take advantage of natural disasters, so naturally Sheffield's good deeds all came from the heart. Although his business development is questionable, he is indeed a good person.
"You are just like my father, busy every day." Looking at Sheffield busying around, Alice Roosevelt thought of her father in the White House and said, "Although he has a lot of energy, he has endless things to do, such as the Trust Bill, arguing with the opposition party, this earthquake, and of course, the naval power of Japan across the Pacific."
"Japan? The threat from the Japanese navy is becoming more and more obvious." Sheffield nodded. In fact, under the mediation of President Roosevelt, the Japanese felt that they had suffered a loss. They won the war, but were bullied by the united white countries. They could only give up the interests they should fight for with tears. After the Russo-Japanese War, the white conspiracy theory was prevalent in Japan for a long time, and they showed great hostility to the United States, which was the main mediator. Thinking of this, he said, "Alice, has your father ever revealed that he is going to take any action against Japan, such as an exercise, a global voyage, etc.?"
"No!" Alice Roosevelt tilted her head and thought for a moment, then answered very frankly, "Absolutely not."
"Well, we can actually organize a global voyage to show the strength of our navy. It's best to go out under the banner of peace. In fact, it's an armed demonstration. The Japanese navy looks down on our navy, so we can put the warships in front of them and let them see!" Sheffield didn't speak directly when he heard it. "Your father is so troubled, and your suggestion can bring father and daughter closer. But don't say it was my suggestion, just say you thought of it yourself."
(End of this chapter)
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