North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 56 Golden Tiger
Jason continued to examine the gold nugget for a long time before replying, "This gold nugget weighs about ten pounds. If it were ordinary gold, it would be worth at most three thousand dollars."

"But this is a nugget of gold, worth at least ten times the price, which is over thirty thousand US dollars!"

"Plus this fierce tiger-like appearance, I estimate it will need to be increased at least three times!"

"That's...!" Azu exclaimed in surprise, "One hundred thousand US dollars!"

"At least $100,000! If it happens to be at an auction and a wealthy person they like comes along, the price will go up even further!"

"Do not sell!"

Ah Zu snatched the gold nugget that resembled a golden tiger, pondered it for a moment, and whispered, "A tiger in the heart, yet a rose in the hand!"

"I feel this is a gift from heaven and earth, and I would rather die than sell it!"

Jason shrugged: "You're the boss, you call the shots. Anyway, we shouldn't be short of money now!"

"Money is still a bit of a problem compared to what I need to do! But even if I'm short of it, I'm not going to sell!"

Azu took off his coat and carefully wrapped the golden tiger inside.

Jason said, "For us gold prospectors, the first nugget we find has special significance."

"The one I have hanging on the wall is something I found in the Amazon in South America ten years ago. Although it's not as big as yours, and it's not as well-preserved, it's still my lifeline! Even when I almost went bankrupt, I never thought of selling it."

Ah Zu didn't have much empathy for the gold prospectors' peculiar obsession.

He simply had a feeling that he and this golden tiger were very compatible.

He could never have imagined that, years later, the golden tiger would become a symbol of himself!
-
A few days later, it was time for the second supply delivery.

Still in the same old place.

Captain Vic, who jumped off the ship, couldn't help but complain as soon as he opened his mouth: "Li, why did you make me buy so much grain? Right now, grain prices are skyrocketing throughout the bay area. Flour that was only eight cents a pound last year is now forty cents!"

"It's rising so fast?" Azu frowned slightly. The rate of inflation had far exceeded his expectations.

Ah Zu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Food prices will continue to skyrocket. Right now, the least valuable things in the entire Bay Area are probably gold and the US dollar!"

"What...? Gold and dollars are worthless? Li, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Azu carefully recalled his memories from later generations, during which tens of millions of ounces of gold were mined throughout California.

With the influx of gold prospectors and adventurers from all over the world, the population exploded, leading to a shortage of all kinds of goods and soaring prices.

It is now 1849, and this is just the beginning. In the next year or two, prices will rise to an unbelievable level.

With prices soaring across the board, what else could be the least valuable commodity if not gold and the US dollar?
Ah Zu patted the large barrel next to him and said, "Captain, this contains 21,100 ounces of gold...!"

“What…!”

Captain Vic was startled again and whispered in a low voice, "Lee, you said... how much?"

Ah Zu then repeated it casually!
"Oh my God! It's doubled since half a month ago, Li, how did you do that?"

Azu pointed to Blood Eagle and the others behind him: "Captain, haven't you noticed that there are more Native Americans in our gold-mining team?"

Native Americans already look very similar to Chinese people, and now that they've switched to uniform work jeans and no longer have those special outfits and headwear, it's almost impossible to tell them apart without a close look.

“What…?” Vic was utterly shocked: “Using Indian gold panning… Lee, you’re either a genius or a madman!”

"Relax!" Azu chuckled. "Captain, you've sailed transoceanic routes and seen the world, don't be so alarmed!" "Indians are people too, and people have to work. Those who can work can be used by me, right?"

Vic stared at Blood Eagle and the others with great vigilance: "This is Indian territory. They haven't looted, killed, or even driven you away?"

"No!" Azu turned around and patted Blood Eagle's strong, broad shoulder: "Look, they're nice people, easy to get along with!"

"Gulp!" Vic could hardly believe his eyes and ears.

Are the rumors about Native Americans scalping people false?

Ah Zu can testify that the rumors are true! There are still more than a dozen people's scalps lying under his bed.

"I asked you to send so much grain, it's for our Native American friends."

"Captain, believe me, as long as you accurately identify the other person's pain points and needs, everyone is actually quite easy to get along with!"

Captain Vic recalled the past few months he had spent with Azu and realized that the guy had a perfect grasp of him, making him exceptionally easy to get along with.

"I see! I get it now!"

Vic said sternly, "Lee, I don't mind that you've pinpointed my pain points and needs. But I will never allow you to treat my daughter like this!"

"what……?"

"Cough cough...!" Azu quickly coughed twice and said seriously, "Captain, although we get along very well with our Native American friends, we have been attacked by a gang...!"

"What......?"

“Listen to me! It’s the Razor Claws. They followed your ship and found our camp. So, our supply lines have become very insecure.”

"Following my ship? Damn bandits!"

"Yes! Last time you were returning, they would have caught up with you if the boat hadn't been so fast."

Vic quickly said, "Trying to hijack my ship? Not so easy! By the way, what's the casualty situation at the camp?"

"Four brothers died and about ten were injured. Some of them were seriously injured, and you need to take them back for treatment."

"Of course!"

"Also, although the supply line is no longer safe, we have no other choice but to take the risk. So you need to be extra vigilant, bring more people, more guns, more grenades, and drive faster."

"Okay, no problem!"

"How are the ships we built coming along?"

"Progress is going smoothly. It is estimated that it will be able to launch and run on near-shore routes in another month or two."

Azu continued, "I also need more guns and grenades. If we could buy cannons... you know what I mean."

"A cannon?" Vic thought for a moment, "I understand. I'll figure something out when I get back."

"Also, after that, take the time to exchange all the gold that is transported back for supplies as much as possible. Grain, iron, coal, medicine, rum... anything that is essential and will not spoil in the short term should be exchanged for gold and stored up."

Vic still couldn't follow Azu's train of thought and asked in surprise, "Li, what are you going to do now?"

"What for? Hehe, just waiting to make a fortune!"

(End of this chapter)