Chapter 64 Williams & Co.
The next day.
Yu Xiao came to Shamian Island.
This island was formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. Although it is called an "island", it is actually only a dozen meters away from the land. The surrounding river water is like a natural moat. People can enter and exit directly from the stone bridges on both sides. Its geographical location is convenient and superior.
The island has an elegant environment and is shaded by green trees.
Along the way, we passed the British Consulate, the French Post Office, the De Hans Hospital, etc.
The various buildings are mainly European in style, with styles including classicism, romanticism, eclecticism, Gothic, Baroque, etc.
This is the British and French Concession in the provincial capital!
It is a paradise for foreigners.
There are many headquarters of top foreign companies here. These companies serve as the gloves for Western powers to divide up the world, and their businesses are very extensive.
Banks, arms, opium, etc.
Those that make the most money will definitely not be missed.
In addition, the types of goods sold are also very diverse, including textiles, tea, porcelain, silk, spices, medicines, watches, jewelry, etc.!
Yu Xiao's trip was not only to raise funds, but also to take this opportunity to open up channels with foreigners. This would not only enable him to better collect intelligence, but also facilitate the spread of influence overseas.
after all.
The world is big!
More than just great views!
The great colonial era was vigorous.
There is so much unexplored land around the world.
I believe that the resources and medicinal materials in these places can be used by Yu Xiao.
"Master Yu, we're here!"
When Yu Xiao got out of the car.
A brand new building appeared before our eyes.
There is an English inscription on the gate: "Williams & Co., American Company"!
As for the national flag on the building, it is neither England, France or Germany, but the star-flagged country on the other side of the ocean.
current.
England remains the dominant power.
It is also the most powerful force in Guangzhou.
Most of the trading ports in Dajing were controlled by the British.
Most of the bosses behind the opium that is currently ravaging Dajing are British aristocrats.
They imported opium from India, India and other places, or joined forces with local gentry to grow opium on a large scale. The profits they made each year were so huge that it is difficult to measure in numbers!
Although the English are the most powerful in the provincial capital.
But it is also because of this arrogance and domineering.
This group of people is difficult to deal with, and even more difficult to control. There may be fundamental conflicts of interest in the future, so there is no basis for cooperation. Yu Xiao does not want to have anything to do with them for the time being.
As for other powers?
Fran and De Hans also have high influence.
However, Yu Xiao is not optimistic about the prospects of these two countries.
In contrast.
The Star Flag Country is quite special.
The country has been independent for over a hundred years.
Although its global influence is far less than that of England at this stage, it is a country with rapidly growing industrial strength and huge potential, and it is ambitiously attempting to challenge its former overlords and old hegemons.
They have not been in Dajing for very long, but they have already had a considerable influence.
Even among the great powers and foreigners, there are factions and differences.
……
Williams & Co., an American firm.
It is one of the largest foreign companies in the provincial capital of the Star Flag Country.
rich in funds.
Good strength!
This place can not only provide Yu Xiao with a lot of funds, but also spread Yu Xiao's influence, and help acquire overseas elixirs. It may become an important tool and channel in his hands in the future!
"Wait outside for a moment."
"Yes!"
Let Wang Zhong and Lei Changfeng guard the door.
Yu Xiao walked into the foreign company and saw that the decoration was magnificent and the staff were mostly Han people, each doing their own job.
The head of a foreign company was called a "big boss", probably equivalent to the general manager of later generations, responsible for overall operations and decision-making, and usually only foreigners could hold this position.
But the middle and lower level staff, such as compradors, translators, runners, accountants, copywriters, etc.
These positions will employ a large number of Han people.
To facilitate business in the colonies.
"Are you Mr. Yu?" A man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses came over.
"I'm Pete, the senior comprador of Williams & Co., and I'm very happy to serve you."
The word comprador was originally translated from the Portuguese word “comprador”, which means a steward hired by a capitalist in the colony. In Dajing, such people usually act as trade middlemen and managers.
In today's situation.
This is a very respectable identity.
Yu Xiao specially picked out two small diamonds from the piles of jewels, jade and diamonds, and displayed them in front of Pete.
One is about the size of a quail egg, weighing about eight grams, or about forty carats.
One is larger than a quail egg, weighing about 17 grams, or about 85 carats.
no way.
Yu Xiao really couldn't afford it.
There are no smaller diamonds than this!
Peter's face changed drastically and he began to stutter: "This, this..."
"Why? If your bank won't accept it, I'll go to the Jardine Matheson next door for advice."
"Take it, take it, of course!"
Peter was panicked, afraid that Yu Xiao would leave. "However, I really can't make the decision on this matter. Please move to the VIP room and wait. I will call Mr. Williams immediately."
A quarter of an hour later.
A foreigner in his forties or fifties with blond hair, blue eyes and a hooked nose came hurriedly up to the front, accompanied by several white-haired jewelry appraisers.
"Hello, I'm the boss, Zach Williams. I've heard a lot about Mr. Yu. It's a great honor to meet you."
This foreigner speaks Chinese quite well.
And be polite on the surface.
Just this.
He is much better than most arrogant foreigners.
Zach couldn't wait to say: "We hope to conduct on-site appraisal of the two rough stones in your hands. I wonder..."
"Please feel free to do so!"
"Thank you!"
Yu Xiao did his homework and preparation.
It's not like just blindly looking for a foreign company.
Although there were foreign companies everywhere in Guangzhou at that time, many of which were stronger than Williams & Co., these companies were not Yu Xiao's most ideal choice.
There are two main reasons.
First, these foreign companies have too deep a foundation and are too powerful, which is not conducive to them gaining the initiative or even reverse control.
Second, these foreign companies involve many complicated forces, and nine out of ten foreign companies are selling opium these days, which conflicts with what Yu Xiao wants to do in the future and is not convenient.
Why choose Williams?
This starts with the Williams family.
The ancestor of the Williams family more than a hundred years ago was just a stable worker for a noble family in Devon, England. He gradually became rich because he caught up with the great immigration boom and settled in North America.
After three or four generations of development.
The Williams family is already one of the famous families in the Star-Flag Country.
The industries involved included banking, jewelry, porcelain, and kerosene, but there was no business of selling opium.
Although this family is rich, their ancestors were of humble origins, had no aristocratic blood, and were even lower-class pariahs, which is very discriminated against in the West. To put it bluntly, they are just a big nouveau riche.
The Williams family is considered superior by the people of Dajing.
But if they are placed among the Western dignitaries, they are still at the bottom of the aristocratic contempt chain.
Share the real big cake?
This kind of old-fashioned food is not allowed to be served on the table.
However, for Yu Xiao, such a force is an ideal target for support, and it is also easier to erode and gradually control it.
About half an hour later.
Zach's face was filled with excitement.
"Oh, Mr. Yu, my respected friend, the two rough diamonds you provided are not only incredibly large, but also extremely pure and of extremely high quality. They are the finest I have ever seen in my life!"
"Then let's talk about cooperation!"
Yu Xiao said calmly.
He wanted to gradually take control of Williams & Co.
However, this is a long-term plan, so let’s start with this diamond transaction!
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(End of this chapter)
