North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 236 Don't be afraid, you'll get used to it!
Regarding the issue of Wyoming's coal resources, Azu continued, "Right now, we are powerless to help the Cheyenne people of Wyoming."

"Having encountered the Cheyenne people who are unyielding to both soft and hard tactics, the matter of Wyoming can only be temporarily shelved, and we must wait for an opportunity."

"However, Wyoming's coal resources are not irreplaceable!"

Azu said, "Perhaps, at least in the near future, we will be able to find a more convenient source of high-quality coal!"

Instead of explicitly mentioning the source of the coal, Azu changed the subject and continued discussing Vale's iron ore mines in Brazil.

"My team in Brazil discovered a large area of ​​high-quality iron ore resources in the Carajás region of northeastern Brazil."

"Through simple exploration and analysis, the iron ore in the Carajás region may be the highest quality iron ore in the world."

“More than two months ago, I even wrote a personal letter to the young emperor of the current Brazilian Empire, Pedro II, expressing my desire to buy land and mine in the Carajás region.”

Azu continued, "Just a few days ago, I received a reply from His Majesty Pedro II."

"In his reply, His Majesty Pedro II agreed in principle to our request to purchase land in the Carajás region and to develop mineral resources."

"So, politically, our progress in Brazil has actually been smoother."

At this point, Azu paused before saying, "However, the problem we are facing now is that the Carajás region is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest."

"In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, there is absolutely no infrastructure, not even a single person. It is a completely undeveloped virgin land, a no-man's land!"

"It will not be difficult for us to buy the Carajás region. For His Majesty Pedro II, it is a completely worthless, barren land, and the price will be very low."

"However, if we want to develop the Carajás region, we still need to invest a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources to build a railway that leads directly to the port and to build all the infrastructure in the mining area."

Azu added, "Therefore, the development of the Carajas region is also a long-term process. At least for the next three years, we will not see any iron ore deposits in Carajas!"

"Perhaps it will be time for us to make large-scale use of the iron ore in the Caracas region after the Panama Canal is completed and the Caracas Railway is opened."

In conclusion, Azu said, "No matter what, it's always the right thing for us to do is buy the Carajás region first!"

“Ella…!” Azu’s gaze fell on Edgar Allan Poe: “I hope that you, as the Secretary of State of California, will personally travel to Brazil and meet with that young Pedro II to discuss the purchase of the Carajás region.”

Edgar Allan Poe nodded in agreement: "No problem, Boss...!"

“But…!” Edgar Allan Poe’s tone shifted: “Boss, you need to give me some details. How big is the Carajás region? What price are we willing to accept?”

Having anticipated this, Azu pulled a map from under the table and handed it to Edgar Allan Poe.

Edgar Allan Poe unfolded the map, and Azu pointed to the location of the Caracas region in northeastern Brazil.

"This is Carajás. I've marked the approximate area on the map, as well as the area of ​​land we've purchased."

Azu continued, "This is an area that is 100 kilometers long from east to west and 50 kilometers wide from north to south, with a total area of ​​about 5,000 square kilometers, or about 1.235 million acres of land."

Edgar Allan Poe was taken aback: "This mining area is so large? And the price...?"

Azu smiled and said, "Although the area is not small, it is all uninhabited primeval forest. If Pedro II does not sell it to us, it can be said to be worthless!"

"According to the American 'first-come, first-served' scheme, the price of unclaimed land is $1.50 per acre."

"Then this land of over 1.2 million acres will cost no more than two million US dollars!"

"Even if we give Pedro II a premium, three million dollars is a reasonable price."

"Ellen, I'm giving you the authority to close deals up to five million dollars. Of course... the lower the better!"

"Furthermore, we must request His Majesty to provide us with the land needed to build a railway from the port directly to the mining area."

Edgar Allan Poe replied, "I understand, Boss... I'll be on my way as soon as I'm done with what I have to do!"

Azu added, "If we could use penicillin, artemisinin, weapons, etc. produced in California to offset part of the cost of purchasing the land, that would be even better."

Edgar Allan Poe quickly realized what his boss was up to.

Edgar Allan Poe smiled and said, "No problem. Our penicillin, artemisinin, and weapons are all in high demand. They can at least offset part of the cost, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"I hope so!"

……

After finishing this, Azu's gaze fell on Vivian: "How much has California's population increased?"

Vivian immediately replied, "It is now April 1852, and the total registered population is 370,000. There are also about 100,000 Native Americans who are not registered."

"Among them, the total number of whites, including new immigrants, is 220,000; the number of Chinese has reached 130,000. There are also 20,000 blacks and other races." "Now, the number is increasing by about 16,000 to 17,000 people every month, of which Chinese account for about half."

"By the end of this year, our population in California, including Native Americans, should reach more than 600,000, of which more than 200,000 are Chinese."

After listening, Azu shook his head slightly and said, "An increase of 200,000 people every year is still a bit slow!"

Vivian asked, puzzled, "Isn't an increase of 200,000 people per year slow?"

“Including our Huamei Shipping Company, almost all ships capable of carrying people are transporting new immigrants all over the world.”

Fu Shanxiang, who has already taken charge of customs and taxation, chimed in, "Sister Weiwei is right! Boss, now there are one or two immigration ships arriving at the port almost every day."

"Our customs office is already overwhelmed with just dealing with immigration matters!"

Customs and immigration affairs involve more than just registration; for immigrant ships suspected of carrying infectious diseases, screening and quarantine are also required.

New immigrants from China have even more to do!

Every immigrant from China needs to be placed in a job. They either get a job in one of the various industries within the Huamei Company, becoming a factory worker who tightens screws.

They were either assigned to model villages to become villagers who reclaimed wasteland and farmed the land.

A small number of exceptionally strong and clean-cut individuals will be selected to join the California National Guard and become professional soldiers.

In addition to immigration, customs also needs to review and levy taxes on various import and export goods.

Moreover, customs is also responsible for investigating smuggling and identifying potential enemy agents who may enter the country...!
That's why Fu Shanxiang, who had just taken charge of customs affairs, felt overwhelmed.

Moreover, Fu Shanxiang is also responsible for the taxation of the entire state of California...!
Faced with Fu Shanxiang's slight complaint, Azu smiled and said, "Miss Fu, you'll get used to it!"

"Right now, California is severely lacking in talent in all areas. So, I'm making the most of any talented person I can find, treating one as if they were two!"

"However, this situation will soon be alleviated!"

“We have sent several batches, totaling two to three hundred people, to study at various top universities in the United States.”

“When they graduate and come back, many of them will become pillars of society. At that time, the burden on all of you will be much lighter.”

Azu added, "Also, our own universities in California are under construction at a rapid pace."

"It is expected that by the end of this year, the University of California will have basically complete infrastructure in all aspects and will be able to begin formal enrollment."

"Once we establish our own universities, talents from all fields will emerge in an endless stream, and the current talent shortage will no longer exist."

Speaking of universities, Azu then asked Edgar Allan Poe, "How is our recruitment of university professors progressing now?"

Edgar Allan Poe replied, "As early as last year, we publicly advertised for a University of California professorship in major newspapers in the East and even in Europe."

"We offer the highest professor salaries in the world, and of course, we require that the professors who apply for the positions have considerable influence and are exceptionally outstanding in their respective fields."

“Through our offices in Washington and Paris, we have now recruited more than a dozen outstanding professors in various fields.”

"Including Mr. Charles Darwin, these professors covered a wide range of disciplines, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, literature, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, astronomy, geography, and so on!"

Edgar Allan Poe continued, “Now, these professors are starting to arrive in San Francisco one after another. As of a few days ago, six professors had already arrived.”

"Because the University of California is still under construction, they are temporarily placed in Huamei High School to provide pre-college education for outstanding senior students."

"We are still recruiting professors with high salaries in the East and Europe. I estimate that by the time the University of California officially opens for enrollment, we should have more than 30 professors in place."

Edgar Allan Poe then added, “In addition to recruiting professors, the University of California is also accelerating the construction of various infrastructure facilities.”

"This includes teaching buildings, dormitories, sports fields, canteens, and other supporting facilities."

"There are also various laboratories and their equipment, libraries and a large collection of books... all of which are under rapid construction and improvement."

"By the end of this year, our University of California should be able to accommodate the first batch of 500 students."

"This is only the first phase of construction. We will continue to build the second, third, and fourth phases...!"

"Within three years, our University of California will be able to accommodate three thousand students."

"Our goal for developing our teaching staff is to reach more than 100 people within three years, which will basically cover all major disciplines."

(End of this chapter)