North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 275 Ambition Knows No Bounds
Samuel Langheng Clement... that name is indeed very unfamiliar.

However, later, this unfamiliar name had a rather famous pen name—Mark Twain!
In the relatively short history of American literature, Mark Twain's status is even higher than that of Edgar Allan Poe!
This child, born into a poor lawyer's family, had little formal education. After his father died when he was eleven, he began working as a child laborer to support himself.

Before becoming a writer, Mark Twain worked as a newsboy, printer's assistant, typesetter, sailor, helmsman, gold prospector, and journalist... like many poor children of his time, he struggled to survive at the bottom of society for a long time.

At that time, Mark Twain was only seventeen or eighteen years old, working as a typesetter at a newspaper, barely making ends meet with his meager income.

……

After recounting Mark Twain's life, Azu continued, "Victoria, Edison, Rockefeller, and Clement—these three men all possessed remarkable talents in their respective fields."

"Therefore, you must find these three people and bring them back to California."

"After bringing them back, I want to meet them in person...!"

Victoria carefully wrote down the three names in her notebook: "No problem, my boss!"

After explaining this, Azu smiled at Forbes and said, "Sorry, I suddenly interrupted. Please continue...!"

"Ahem... Where was I...!" Forbes was momentarily distracted by his boss and forgot where he was in the report.

"Speaking of which, if everything proceeds according to plan, the Panama Canal will be completed and operational by 1865...!"

Ah Zu smiled and reminded him.

"Yes, yes, yes...!" Forbes slapped his forehead before continuing, "According to the preliminary budget, to basically complete the Panama Canal project before 1865, at least 500,000 laborers will be needed, with a total investment of at least $300 million...!"

"At the same time, we will need to deploy various heavy engineering machinery, at least several hundred units, to ensure that the project is completed on schedule."

"Five hundred thousand laborers...three hundred million US dollars...hundreds of construction machinery...!"

Everyone present was immediately astonished upon hearing this.

Such a huge investment has almost emptied half of California's resources.

Is such a huge investment really worthwhile for a canal?
Many people couldn't help but have this question at this point!
"Ahem...!" Zuo Zongtang, who had made a special trip back to attend the year-end meeting, spoke up at the opportune moment: "Although the investment in the Panama Canal is enormous, it is absolutely worthwhile!"

"In the history of China, every canal and every mega-scale water conservancy project laid the foundation for the hegemony of successive dynasties!"

Zuo Zongtang continued unhurriedly, "The Qin state excavated the Zheng Guo Canal and built the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, thus creating the two great lands of abundance, Guanzhong and Sichuan!"

"The Qin Dynasty dug the Ling Canal, and thus unified Lingnan...!"

"The construction of the Grand Canal during the Sui Dynasty led to the great achievements of the Tang Dynasty...!"

"All such great projects benefit the present and future generations!"

"Although the Panama Canal requires a huge investment, it will lay the foundation for our global dominance for generations to come!"

Zuo Zongtang added, "Only by opening the Panama Canal can California truly connect with the eastern United States and Europe, laying the foundation for California's prosperity and strength!"

"It is because we control this vital passage that we have the capital to intervene in the affairs of the East and even Europe."

"As the boss said, in this era, it's either the East Wind prevails over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevails over the East Wind!"

"European powers have already seized the world's richest lands and all the strategic passes over the past one or two hundred years, and have already gained the upper hand."

"To turn the tide, we must find another way!"

"And the Panama Canal is our 'secret route'!"

Zuo Zongtang continued his analysis: "Three hundred million US dollars and five hundred thousand laborers, it does seem like a huge investment."

"But if the project is allocated over a ten-year period, the annual investment would only be tens of millions of dollars. Not to mention a few years from now, even with California's current financial resources, it is entirely affordable."

“By the time construction begins in 1855, I estimate that California’s population will be at least two million, and it won’t be a problem to draw two or three hundred thousand laborers. In addition, we can recruit two or three hundred thousand more from the local population and from among the Native Americans.”

"As for the necessary engineering machinery, logistical supplies, various equipment and materials, California's current production and shipping capabilities are fully capable of meeting these needs."

"Therefore, we have the financial, human, and material resources to build the Panama Canal."

"Once the Panama Canal is successfully completed, it will be a golden river that generates enormous and inexhaustible revenue!"

"As the boss said, California's gold reserves will eventually be exhausted."

"But as long as we firmly grasp the Panama Canal, it's like holding an inexhaustible river of gold in our hands...!"

"Not only will our generation benefit from this, but our children and grandchildren will also enjoy a continuous stream of benefits!"

"These are just the obvious benefits. As for the strategic advantages such as deploying troops and warships through the Panama Canal, they go without saying...!"
After listening to Zuo Zongtang's analysis, everyone present suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.

Azu concluded, "Mr. Zuo is absolutely right! So, no matter what, we must get the Panama Canal through, and the sooner the better!"

After summarizing, Azu smiled at Forbes and said, "You continue...!"

After reporting on the progress of the Panama Canal, Forbes continued, "Outside of California, the second largest project our engineering firm is working on is an iron ore project in Brazil…!"

“Our engineering team has been conducting detailed surveys and mapping of the 5,000-square-kilometer jungle area in Carajás that we purchased since the beginning of this year.”

"At the same time, we also conducted surveys and mapping of the railway line leading to the port."

"Based on preliminary exploration and mapping results, there are a series of enormous difficulties in mining the iron ore in the Carajás region and transporting it to the port by rail."

“The Carajás region is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, and iron ore development can only be possible after a railway line is built.”

"Following the boss's instructions, we also conducted an on-site survey of the Tocantins River, which is only a few dozen miles from the Carajás region."

Forbes added, "Overall, the Tocantins River does extend deep into the Amazon rainforest and has abundant water during the rainy season, making it navigable."

"However, on a stretch of the river more than two hundred miles from the estuary, the current is swift and the reefs are numerous, completely blocking the waterway...!"

"If we want to use the Tocantins River waterway, we must remove the rocks from that section of the river."

Upon hearing this, Azu nodded and said, "In that case, let's blow up all the reefs and clear the waterway...!"

Forbes replied, "Boss, even if we blow up the reefs, clearing the riverbed is definitely not a small project!"

"Moreover, the Tocantins River can only be navigable by ships of a thousand tons during the rainy season when the water volume is abundant."

"During the dry season, the Tocantins River can only be navigated by small boats of up to 100 tons."

Azu calmly smiled and said, "That's at least much easier than building a railway line hundreds of miles long in the jungle!"

“We can first mine the iron ore in Carajás via the Tocantins River. Then, we can transport the iron ore to the sea during the rainy season.”

"Of course, this is only a temporary solution! When the conditions are right, a railway line directly to Carajas will be built sooner or later."

After a moment's thought, Forbes replied, "We will follow your ideas, Boss, and conduct further on-site feasibility studies!"

"Through a year of exploration, we have discovered that the iron ore resources in Carajás are indeed exceptionally rich and of extremely high quality, with an average iron content of over 65 percent."

"Moreover, the iron ore from Carajás has medium silica, low aluminum, less fine powder, low viscosity, and good sintering properties, making it absolutely the world's top-quality iron ore."

"In addition, the iron ore deposits in Carajás are buried in shallow strata, which meet all the conditions for open-pit mining, and the mining difficulty and cost are very low."

At this point, Forbes couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "To be honest, I really can't imagine how you, Boss, who has never been to the Amazon rainforest, knew that such a blessed land existed deep within the jungle!"

Azu shook his head and laughed, "Some things can't be explained... Just consider me someone who was born with knowledge!" "Tsk tsk...!" Forbes said incredulously, "When I was still in the East, I heard many amazing legends about you, Boss... I never imagined that the legends were actually true!"

"Boss, you truly deserve to be called a person favored by the gods, personally bestowed by His Holiness the Pope...!"

"Hehe...!" Azu continued to laugh, "Mr. Forbes, you'd better get down to business. You still need to practice your flattery skills more...!"

"Hahaha……!"

The large conference room was immediately filled with cheerful laughter.

Amid the laughter, Azu asked again, "Mr. Forbes, I need a definite answer from you: before the end of 1855, will I be able to see high-quality iron ore from Carajás shipped to California?"

"1855…!" Forbes mused, "It would take at least a year to cross the Tocantins River…!"

“Build a wharf on the nearest riverbank…then lay dozens of miles of railroad tracks to Carajás…at the same time, build the necessary infrastructure for the iron ore mine…!”

Thinking of this, Forbes looked up at his boss and replied, "Boss, giving me only two years is far too tight! You know, the Amazon rainforest is extremely hot and humid, rife with plagues, venomous snakes and wild beasts, mosquitoes and rodents... the construction conditions are just too harsh!"

“Three years…!” Before he could finish speaking, Azu gave the final deadline: “In any case, the Carajás iron ore mine must be initially developed by the end of 1856.”

"Three years... Boss, our engineering company will definitely go all out!" Forbes replied solemnly.

“Very good!” Azu then turned his gaze to Zuo Zongtang: “Mr. Zuo, you will be in charge of the overall coordination and arrangement of the Panama Canal and the Carajás iron ore projects!”

"Within our organization, Mr. Zuo, you are the client, and the engineering company is the contractor. Therefore, Mr. Zuo, you must keep a close eye on the project's progress and quality. These two projects are crucial to our survival, and absolutely no mistakes can be made!"

"If you need any support, just ask! As long as it's reasonable, I'll grant it!"

"I will do my utmost...!" Zuo Zongtang stood up, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to his ancestor, and replied.

……

After discussing the Brazilian iron ore development plan, Forbes continued, "As for the third largest project outside of California, it is the railroad project to Wyoming."

"This was originally part of the Two Oceans Railway. According to the boss, the real Two Oceans Railway is not ready right now, so it has been temporarily shelved."

"But Wyoming's coal resources are also crucial for California's long-term development."

"Therefore, as part of the transcontinental railway, the California-Wyoming Railway was built first."

"After more than a year of hard work, the preliminary route survey for this nearly 1,000-mile railway has been completed."

"This railway line needs to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains, traverse the desolate Sierra Nevada desert, pass through the highly corrosive salt marshes of Utah, and cross the avalanche canyons of Wyoming."

"Therefore, the construction of this railway was extremely difficult!"

"According to the budget, this California-Wyoming railroad will require at least 30,000 workers and an investment of 35 million US dollars!"

Forbes continued, "But as long as the boss is determined, our engineering company is confident that we can complete this important railway line within three years!"

"Once this railway line is completed, the high-quality coal from the Pink River Basin in Wyoming can be transported to California in a continuous stream... The mining and transportation costs will be at least 70 percent lower than importing from the East or even Europe!"

Azu pondered for a moment and said, "This year alone, we imported a million tons of high-quality anthracite coal from Pennsylvania in the east, with a port price as high as nine US dollars... Transportation costs alone accounted for more than 60 percent of that!"

“In Pennsylvania, high-quality anthracite coal costs only three or four dollars a ton, but once it is shipped to California, the price more than doubles!”

"And the quality of Wyoming's premium coal even surpasses that of Pennsylvania's anthracite!"

"Because open-pit mining is extremely cheap, even if Wyoming's high-quality coal is transported to California by rail, the cost will not exceed three dollars...!"

Azu continued, "Low energy prices are the foundation for all industrial products to be competitive."

"Even if we have coal from Alaska to solve the coal shortage, Alaska is a land of ice and snow, with harsh mining conditions, so the amount of coal extracted cannot be very large."

"Therefore, Wyoming's high-quality coal is equally crucial to California's future."

"This railroad from California to Wyoming must be built! Thirty-five million dollars, thirty thousand workers—I'm investing in this project!!!"

"But I want to see Wyoming coal being shipped to California in a steady stream by the end of 1856!"

Forbes thumped his chest and said decisively, "Boss, don't worry! Building railroads is my forte. I have absolute confidence that there won't be any problems!"
-
After the year-end meeting, Azu met privately with Cardinal Evan, who had made a special trip back to California, in his study.

Although Evan is now only wearing an ordinary clergy robe, his dignity and sacred aura as a person of high position are awe-inspiring from the inside out, and he is imposing without being angry!
In the study, the two sat facing each other, just as before, each with a glass of wine, completely opening their hearts to each other.

After a few rounds of drinks and exchanging important information from each other during this period, Azu suddenly asked, "Uncle Evan, as far as you know, His Holiness the Pope... how is his health now?"

Cardinal Evan smiled and replied, "Your Majesty is only in your early sixties and in excellent health...!"

Ah Zu sighed softly, "Is that so...? That's truly... such a pity...!"

"Hmm...?" Cardinal Evan's smile vanished instantly. "Li, what do you mean by that?"

Azu smiled faintly, not answering directly, but instead asking, "Uncle Evan, you've been a cardinal in America for two years now, haven't you?"

“Yes!” Cardinal Evan sensed something was amiss, so he replied in a deep voice, “It’s all thanks to you that you personally secured this red robe for me before His Majesty and the Secretary of State!”

Azu continued, "As far as I know, if the previous Pope returns to the Lord's embrace, then theoretically, all the cardinals in the world would be qualified to become the next Pope, right?"

“Theoretically, that’s true!” Cardinal Even continued, “However, all popes have actually been chosen from among Italian cardinals…!”

"There are occasional exceptions, but even they haven't secured their place on the papacy!"

Azu then said, "Uncle Evan, aren't you Italian?!"

“I…!” Cardinal Evan understood what his ambitious nephew-in-law was up to.

He paused for a moment, then finally nodded: "That's right, I was born in Genoa and didn't leave until I was twelve... Although I lived in America for forty years, I am Italian inside and out!"

Azu continued, "So, Uncle Evan, do you want to sit on that supreme throne?!"

Cardinal Evan had somewhat anticipated this, but when Azu actually uttered those words, he was still deeply shocked.

Will this nephew-in-law's ambition ever end?!

Now, he's even eyeing the papal throne?

Cardinal Evan, still in shock, felt his heart pounding and his throat go dry. After downing his drink in one gulp, he remained silent for a long time before finally replying, "Lee, you should know that I have only been a cardinal for two short years."

"Whether it's seniority, connections, background, or influence within the Vatican, it's far from enough to aspire to that position."

Azu smiled faintly: "As long as the hard conditions are met, as for the other soft conditions... hehe, those are things that can be worked for and created!"

"With California's current financial resources and influence, it is your strongest backing, Uncle Evan!"

"If you don't have connections and influence, just spend a lot of money to make friends... People are all made of flesh and blood, who wouldn't like a generous and magnanimous colleague?"

"And...hehe, to be honest, Uncle Evan, I've actually been planning all of this for you for a long time...!"

As he spoke, Azu took out a thick file bag from his desk drawer and handed it to Cardinal Evan.

Azu patted the thick file folder lightly: "Uncle Evan, take a look at what's inside first, and then tell me if you're confident about sitting in that highest position...!"

(End of this chapter)