North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 57 Be Flexible in Your Conduct

Vic seemed to realize something: "You mean, the prices of these essential supplies will continue to rise?"

Azu nodded and said, "Prices will definitely rise, and they will rise sharply. The current price increases are just the beginning!"

Azu continued, "Gold left there is just inanimate material; it won't bring us any more value."

"However, if we exchange gold for various commodities that are destined to rise in price, then... we might earn more than we do through the hard work and many dangers of panning for gold."

Now Vic understood: "I think I'm finally following your train of thought!"

Azu continued, "Also, our paddle steamers and the galleons that are about to be launched should try to travel along the surrounding routes as much as possible."

"We need to continue building and buying ships. Only with ships can we sell our products and acquire more local resources."

“Captain, you should have a lot of connections and know many captains and crew members. Now that we have some money, let’s try to poach more of those trustworthy captains and crew members.”

"It's okay to pay them higher salaries, and it's okay if they don't have a place to live. The shipyard has enough space, so we'll build them temporary housing."

"With a ship, a captain, and a crew, we can travel to Oregon and Canada in the north, Mexico in the south, and even further south. We can also stockpile the acquired supplies and not sell them for the time being."

Vic hesitated, "Oregon is no problem, of course. But Canada, the British, and Mexico—their relations with the United States aren't very good. What if…!"

"One must be flexible in life, and the same applies to sailing!"

"When we drive to Canada, we can fly the Mexican flag; when we drive to Mexico, we can fly the Canadian flag! Doesn't that solve the problem?"

"Huh...? You can do it like that? But customs requires all sorts of documents...!"

“I’m just suggesting an idea, Captain, you’ll definitely come up with a solution, right?” Azu winked at Vic.

"Uh... of course, I think I'll have a way."

Vic was an experienced captain who had seen all sorts of shady dealings. However, he had always been too upright, and there were certain methods he disdained to use.

But after witnessing Azu's endless tricks, Captain Vic finally realized the importance of maintaining a flexible moral bottom line.

Vic thought for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead, exclaiming in annoyance, "I almost forgot something important...!"

"what's up?"

"Mr. Edgar Allan Poe asked me to tell you that the Cameron family members who are still alive suddenly disappeared a few days ago!"

"They've all disappeared?" Azu frowned. "How could this be?"

"That's right! Overnight, the Cameron family seemed to vanish into thin air, disappearing without a trace!"

Ah Zu frowned and pondered, "Disappeared overnight? Could it be that they just gave up all their businesses, abandoned the foundation they'd built over decades...?"

"No, impossible! The Cameron family is leaderless. Even if they wanted to give up, they wouldn't do it so decisively! Unless...!"

"Unless what?"

“Unless…!” Azu suddenly looked up, staring intently at Vic, and said, “Captain, you should move your whole family to the shipyard for now! Everyone in our company should stay in the shipyard as much as possible, and minimize going out except for business.” “Li, what are you thinking?”

Seeing Azu's unusually serious expression, Vic couldn't help but feel nervous.

Instead of answering, Azu said, "Buy more guns, make more grenades, and arm the shipyard workers and tailors as soon as possible!"

"Li, what big thing is going to happen?" Vic became even more nervous.

Azu looked up at the distant mountain ridgeline: "Captain, guess what a lion is preparing to fight a pack of greedy jackals to the death? What will they do before that?"

A seemingly unrelated remark left Vic completely bewildered, leaving him utterly confused and only able to shake his head.

"Heh heh, that lion will hide all its injured cubs before the life-or-death battle!"

Vic seemed to understand something: "You mean, Daniel...?"

Azu nodded: "I can't think of any other answer besides him! More than a month has passed, he should be preparing to fight back."

"Anyone in San Francisco, or even the entire Bay Area, who has ever reached out to the Cameron family or harbored any greedy intentions could become a target of Major Daniel Cameron's revenge!"

"It is precisely because Major Daniel was prepared to kill that he hid everyone in his family to prevent them from becoming targets of revenge killings!"

"Hehe, I imagine San Francisco must be quite lively right now, right?"

"The entire Cameron family has disappeared. Those who covet their wealth think the Cameron family is scared, has run away, or has surrendered! They must be eager to jump out and completely divide up this piece of Cameron family's fat meat!"

"Perhaps, their current rivalry is no longer with the Cameron family, but with each other? They'd love to bring the other down so they can have a better life!"

"They will use fabricated evidence to prove that the Cameron family owes them; they will bribe judges and the city hall to seize all of Cameron's original assets; they will resort to any means necessary, just as old Cameron did back then...!"

"They don't realize that the higher you jump and the more you eat, the faster you die!"

"A real bloodbath has only just begun!"

Azu turned to look at Vic: "Although we have nothing to do with all of this, when bloodshed breaks out, innocent people will inevitably be affected! Therefore, we must keep our guard down and wait for the right opportunity."

After listening to Azu's analysis, Vic was speechless and remained stunned for a long time.

"I'll go back immediately and move everyone into the shipyard! Buy guns, make grenades, and have everyone practice shooting...!"

Vic became very uneasy and couldn't wait to go back.

Azu quickly pulled him back: "There's no rush. I don't think Major Daniel will act so soon. He'll be like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, preparing everything and waiting for the best opportunity. It won't be too late to make a move when all the enemies have come out."

Vic was slightly relieved: "Lee, do you really think Major Daniel is that strong? That he can handle all the enemies?"

“If he had his father’s abilities, he could do it! Don’t forget, our Daniel Cameron is only in his early thirties, still very young, and he’s already a major! Only someone with exceptional abilities or a powerful background could do that!”

"Moreover, he is an active-duty major. Just based on that status alone, he is far superior to his father, a retired, disabled colonel!"

(End of this chapter)