North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 238 Taking on Responsibilities Independently

Ignoring the shock of the crowd, Daisy continued her report: "Penicillin and gold mining income still make up the majority of our revenue!"

"Last year, our annual penicillin production reached more than 10 million vials. Although the ex-factory price has dropped to between $12 and $15 after several price reductions, it still brought in 140 million yuan in revenue for the company."

"Our gold mining operations have expanded further. Last year, we mined two million ounces of gold, which is equivalent to sixty-two million US dollars."

"The revenue from these two main businesses alone exceeds two hundred million US dollars."

"Then, all our industries, including textile mills, garment factories, machinery factories, arsenals, chemical plants, shipping companies, trading companies, hotels, banks, etc., combined, generated the remaining $60 million in revenue."

After recounting her income, Daisy continued, "Income has almost doubled, and so have expenses!"

"Compared to 1850, expenditures in 1851 increased dramatically, reaching $150 million."

"The first expense is salaries!"

"Currently, Huamei Company employs nearly 100,000 people, and its expenses for salaries, benefits, and other related items amount to a staggering 70 million US dollars!"

"Then, there are various fixed asset investments!"

"More than 20 million US dollars have been invested in the construction and continuous expansion of various industries, infrastructure, various machinery and equipment, and the construction of model villages."

"Secondly, there's the cost of raw materials!"

"In addition to the raw materials we mine ourselves, such as coal, iron, copper, and timber, we also purchase large quantities of raw materials from external sources, including coal, iron, copper, cotton, timber, and glass. This part of the raw material expenditure has reached more than 30 million US dollars."

"With over ten million US dollars remaining, public relations expenses are one of the main expenditures...!"

At this point, Daisy glared at Azu with a hint of resentment: "Just our respected BOSS alone spent millions of dollars on his money-spending spree in the second half of last year...!"

"Haha...!" Azu said with a slightly guilty smile, "My dear little housekeeper, believe me, every penny I spend is worthwhile!"

"I hope so...!"

Daisy had something on her mind that she didn't say: the money spent on Duke Joseph's family was considerable, but it hadn't shown any real value!

Daisy continued, "This expenditure of 150 million does not include the nearly 20 million US dollars in military expenses, as well as the 10 million US dollars in war expenses for the Republic of New Grenada."

"This portion of military expenditure, which is close to 30 million US dollars, is ostensibly a loan to the California government, but the California government is unable to repay it. So if it is also included in the company's accounts, then the total expenditure is 180 million US dollars."

“After deducting expenses from revenue, our Huamei Company’s profit reached $80 million in 1851.”

"Including the profits from the previous two years, the company's cash and gold on its books and in its vault totaled $150 million."

“Gurgle…!”

Everyone present couldn't help but swallow hard!
The vault of Huamei Company contained a staggering $150 million in cash and gold!

In this world, there are probably only a handful of people who are richer than Huamei Company.

Even in the U.S. Treasury, is there that much cash and gold?
In short, Huamei Company is incredibly wealthy, practically richer than a country!
In short, they're rich!!!
While everyone stared in disbelief, Ah Zu, one of the world's wealthiest men, smiled and said, "In our vault, we have 150 million US dollars in cash and gold. Don't you all think we're just too rich to spend? We simply can't spend it all?"

"Mmm...!"

The vast majority of people nodded quickly, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Ah Zu laughed and said, "Actually, compared to what we have to do, 150 million is not enough at all!"

Azu counted on his fingers and said, "We're about to start a large-scale investment in infrastructure construction: railways, ports, inland waterways, cable telegraph, municipal infrastructure, and so on. Each one is a money-devouring monster. No matter how much money we invest, it won't be enough!"

"Not to mention the construction of the Panama Canal, which cost hundreds of millions of dollars!"

"We also want to buy Alaska and the Caracas region of Brazil. Buying these regions won't cost much, but developing them will require unimaginable amounts of money!"

"In the future, we will further expand our military, which is also a money-devouring monster!"

Ah Zu laughed and concluded, "So, is the $150 million in our vault enough? Is it enough to spend?"

"Not enough, far from enough...!" Everyone shook their heads in unison.

Ah Zu continued, "Of course, everyone shouldn't be anxious. With such a large investment, the vast majority of it will generate benefits!"

"For example, railways and ports, municipal facilities, the Panama Canal, and the iron ore mines in Caracas will all generate huge benefits in the future."

"The greater the investment, the greater the return!" Azu smiled and said, "In the foreseeable future, our Huamei Company will definitely become stronger and more profitable!"

"Splash splash splash...!"

Everyone in the conference room applauded in unison, their excitement reaching its peak.

When the applause gradually subsided, Azu continued, "Speaking of infrastructure construction, Mr. Forbes, could you also report on the recent progress?"

John Forbes stood up, bowed slightly to Azu, and then said, "Boss, I have moved the headquarters of the Trans-American Railway... no, I mean Huamei Engineering Company, to San Francisco."

"Following the relocation of Huamei Engineering Company's headquarters, there are dozens of experienced engineers and hundreds of professionals in various fields."

"With these professionals, we have officially started preliminary surveying and exploration work on projects such as the Panama Canal, California railroads, ports, inland waterway shipping, and municipal facilities in San Francisco."

"Based on the current progress, we should be able to complete the preliminary surveying and exploration work for each project by the end of this year."

"At the same time, we are also recruiting professionals on a large scale in the East and Europe, especially experienced engineers."

"With your kind care and strong support, BOSS, we offer the highest salaries in the world to outstanding talents in all fields."

"Attracted by the high salaries and so many mega-projects, our recruitment efforts have progressed exceptionally smoothly. We have already recruited hundreds of outstanding talents in various fields, who are arriving in California one after another."

"By the end of this year, our Huamei Engineering Company will have gathered at least 500 outstanding talents from all fields, and more than 200 excellent engineers."

"With these outstanding talents, we can almost guarantee that most projects can officially start construction next year."

"Of course, the Panama Canal will have to wait a while longer because the project is too large and too complex."

"But we can certainly ensure that the Panama Canal project can start smoothly before 1855." "As for the transcontinental railroad project that spans the entire United States, because it involves the interests of the federal government and the states, it will require your personal coordination, Boss."

Azu nodded in agreement: "Mr. Forbes, you must have had a very tough time lately!"

"However, I have just too many projects on hand, and even if I wanted you to take a break, there's nothing I can do!"

Ah Zu smiled and said, "Well, I have a new project that I need you to implement as soon as possible."

"Ah...?" Forbes exclaimed in shock, "Boss, another new project? This... Our Huamei Engineering Company has truly done its utmost, working day and night, and we have no spare manpower or energy...!"

"Don't rush...!" Azu waved his hand with a smile: "I know that everyone in the engineering company has reached their limit."

"But this project is indeed the most urgent task. Even if we have to put other projects aside for now, we must get this one done first."

Forbes breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Azu continued, "In Alaska, Wu Qingfeng has signed a lease agreement with the Russian-American company to lease the uninhabited island of Amaknak in the Aleutian Islands for $30,000 a year."

"Although the island is less than ten square kilometers in size, it has a natural ice-free harbor and a very important geographical location, making it an excellent supply port on our transoceanic shipping route."

"Immigration work is our most important and top priority."

"So, Mr. Forbes, other projects can be put on hold for now. Let's get the port on Amacnak Island and other supporting facilities built as soon as possible."

Azu asked, "Mr. Forbes, if I require that the initial construction scale of this port on Amacnak Island be able to supply at least five hundred steamships of 1,000 and 3,000 tons per year, how long would it take to complete?"

Forbes was speechless at the sight of this impatient boss!

Therefore, he could only reply, "Boss, I must personally investigate Amacnak Island before I can answer your question!"

"After all, without any prior knowledge, I simply cannot make a reasonable assessment of the scale and difficulty of the construction."

"Haha...!" Azu laughed self-deprecatingly, "I was too impatient!"

"In that case, Mr. Forbes, you and your engineers should head to Amacnak Island as soon as possible to investigate in person."

"After the inspection, I will fully support you in providing whatever manpower, ships, supplies, and funds you need!"

"I have only one request: that the first phase of construction of the port in Amaknak be basically completed by the end of this year, so that it can provide a continuous and reliable supply for our immigrant ships and merchant ships."

Forbes quickly promised, "Boss, if the situation on Amacnak Island isn't too complicated and the construction conditions aren't too difficult, we should be able to do it!"

"that would be great!"

Finally, Azu gave Forbes one last piece of advice: "There's one more issue regarding infrastructure development in California. We must absolutely take earthquakes into account!"

Azu said solemnly, "As far as I know, the entire state of California is located in an active seismic zone. Therefore, our infrastructure construction must ensure that, in the event of an earthquake, losses in all aspects can be minimized!"

"California...? An earthquake zone...?"

Many people present were quite surprised.

For no other reason than that there are no clear records of earthquakes in the extremely short and limited history of the United States and California.

Why is my boss so certain about the California earthquake?

Little did they know that decades later, in 1906, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake would strike right on the ground beneath their feet.

That massive earthquake almost completely destroyed the entire city of San Francisco. When the earthquake struck, and in the ensuing citywide fires, hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes.

Upon hearing Azu's request, Forbes looked troubled: "Boss, earthquakes are inherently unpredictable and extremely destructive."

"If we take earthquakes into account, the difficulty and cost of existing infrastructure projects will increase significantly."

"Boss, are you really sure you want to do this?"

Azu nodded in confirmation, "That's right, do as I say! Especially our core projects and assets, make sure they survive the earthquake!"

“I understand, Boss!” Forbes said, “From now on, for all projects that start in California, we will take earthquake factors into account to ensure that we can minimize the damage in the event of an earthquake.”

……

After discussing the infrastructure issue, Azu changed the subject and said, "Now, the Isthmus of Panama is in our hands."

"We also have troops stationed on the land of the Isthmus of Panama."

"In the near future, we will also begin construction of the Panama Canal, truly transforming that 4,000 square kilometer area into a vital choke point for the world!"

"At that time, the entire Americas, and even the whole world, will have to go through the Panama Canal, which we control."

"Therefore, that piece of land is extremely important to us, and we cannot afford to lose it!"

"Therefore, we must build an efficient governing body on that 4,000 square kilometer land."

Azu continued, "The New Grenada Republic originally built a governor's residence with a strong colonial character on the Isthmus of Panama."

“We are a democratic government elected by the people, so of course we can no longer call ourselves the Governor’s House.”

"But in any case, we must send a capable person to Panama to oversee all affairs!"

"Whether it's military, civilian, or canal construction matters, I need to take on all responsibilities!"

Azu's gaze swept across everyone's faces one by one, and he asked, "You are all core members of our Huamei Group, but those who are truly capable of shouldering this great responsibility and leading independently are few and far between!"

As he spoke, Azu's gaze finally fell on Zuo Zongtang.

"Mr. Zuo, are you willing to personally take on this important task?"

(End of this chapter)