Reborn in America, I am a legendary short seller on Wall Street.

Chapter 302 Harvesting Gold, or Perhaps Land
When Larry Livingston discussed his third plan with John D. Rockefeller Jr., he demanded that Rockefeller dismiss all his men and bodyguards.

Therefore, apart from the four people present, no one else could actually hear the plan at the time. And these four people subsequently remained silent about the specifics of the plan.

This left many journalists and biographers who came afterward completely unaware of what exactly the plan entailed.

However, it is obvious that the four people, representing four different interests, each had their own needs and even had doubts about the plans at the time, but the result was clear: they were all satisfied with the plan.

This was also a significant opportunity for Larry Livingston to enter the global oil and gas industry.

However, the parties involved probably never imagined how significant and incredible the impact of their seemingly peaceful stock disposal plan would be!
It's no exaggeration to say that it changed the landscape of the American energy industry.

Some people insist that Livingston actually knew the outcome and that it was an elaborate trap.

However, based on more facts that followed, many people believe that Larry Livingston did not arrange it intentionally, but rather that a series of coincidences led him to become an indispensable part of the Rockefeller family's global expansion until he no longer needed the Rockefeller family's endorsement.

Let's go back to that time.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, the door to the third-floor private room opened, and Citibank President Stillman and Rockefeller Jr. walked out of the conference room with satisfied smiles on their faces.

Meanwhile, Larry Livingston and Saul Porter, both smiling, escorted the former downstairs.

“Mr. Stillman, those 3 shares are in the brokerage’s account. If you need to sell them, please give the order directly,” Mr. Porter said to the two men, pointing to the counter.

Stillman shook his head slightly and said with a smile, "Let's just leave it here. We don't actually plan to sell it, but holding onto these shares will save us a lot of trouble."

John D. Rockefeller Jr. was most concerned about the car on the street, but that car has now disappeared and its whereabouts are unknown.

He turned to Larry and said, “Mr. Livingston, I think I should meet the great inventor Henry Ford if I have the chance. His inventions are of great interest to me.”

Larry stepped forward to stand beside him, patting him on the shoulder like a brother. "No problem! But you know this thing is still very immature..."

"To be able to come all the way from Boston to New York, in my eyes, is already a miracle!" Rockefeller Jr. raised his eyebrows, his tone revealing excitement.

But Stillman disagreed; he glanced at the two young men and ultimately chose not to offer his opinion.

“Well, lads, we’ll see you again sometime!” Stillman took the top hat from his assistant and put it on, then tucked his cane under his arm and said goodbye to Larry and Mr. Potter.

Rockefeller Jr. turned to look at Larry, patted him on the shoulder, and followed Stillman out of the sales office, getting into the canopy carriage and leaving together.

After watching the group leave, Mr. Potter finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Larry.
"Good heavens, I'd heard you sponsored an inventor before, but it's that weird machine. Doesn't this thing even need tracks?"

Larry didn't know where Mr. K and Ford had gone. He glanced casually at the street, then turned to Mr. Porter and said, "No need, but there are still many areas that need improvement. You see, just a long trip can expose a lot of problems."

Mr. Porter frowned. “I doubt its economic viability… If users buy this horseless carriage and still have to pay far more for long-distance travel than for a train… then what is the value of this thing?”

“Do whatever you want!” Larry laughed. “This isn’t a question that can be answered, Mr. Porter. You’ll understand once you sit in one, or even drive one yourself. Besides, this thing is called a car—I invented that word!”

“Alright, cars!” Mr. Porter chuckled, patted Larry on the shoulder, and glanced at the price list. “Are you planning to look at the stocks a little longer, or come back to the office with me now?”

Larry sensed something was amiss in his words and quickly asked, "Has the fund raised all the money?"

“Oh, of course everything is in place! But for you, there’s more to it than that.” Mr. Potter winked at him.

Larry was a little confused. He had so many things on his mind lately that he didn't know what Mr. Potter was referring to...

"What are you talking about?" Larry couldn't help but ask.

Mr. Potter walked up to Lally mysteriously and lowered his voice, saying...

"Gold! Your gold has arrived. I cashed the check for the rent that old South African guy gave you, and directly cashed it into 3 Sovereign gold coins for £3 in your account. It's yours, but you'll have to think about how to store it!"

Larry raised his eyebrows, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face.

"My goodness, I really love that sparkly thing... Okay, I'll be at your office in a bit. Now, let me check where my friends are."

After saying his goodbyes to Mr. Porter, Larry pushed open the door and walked out onto the street, looking around to see where Mr. K and Ford had gone.

This matter was very important, but Larry was also very excited. One happy event after another, especially regarding gold. Although 30,000 pounds was not much, at this moment it was more important to him than hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In addition, the gold prepaid by another group of South Africans should arrive soon, as agreed upon this weekend. Larry was determined to take control of the gold paid by the Boers as well, and then transfer the portion belonging to the company to the Browning Brothers Firearms Company's account in US dollars.

I love gold! Much more than the dollar! Gold gives people an indescribable sense of security.

Larry tried hard to suppress the smirk from his lips as he stood at the crossroads, looking around for his companion.

Just then, a carriage traveling normally suddenly veered across a lane and stopped in front of Larry.

Larry was startled and subconsciously took a step back, while unconsciously placing his hand on his jacket pocket... He then suddenly realized that he had long since stopped carrying a handgun.

Previously, Larry always had Dunbar or Matthew by his side as security personnel, and he was no longer used to carrying a gun with him.

However, when the carriage door opened, a familiar face appeared and smiled at him.

"Hi! It's really a surprise to see you here today!" King Astor IV said with a smile.

“John! Oh my God, what a coincidence to run into you here!” Larry smiled and took a few steps forward, but in his heart he was thinking, “Americans all have John names these days… I just got rid of one John, and here comes another.”

Is Lao Tzu a John-like type?
King Astor IV beckoned to him, "Get in the carriage! If you have nothing else to do, I'd like to have a chat with you."

Larry paused for a couple of seconds, then nodded and smiled, "Of course it's alright! It's an honor."

Larry climbed into the carriage and sat opposite King Astor IV. His assistants and bodyguards, who had been sitting there, quickly got out of the carriage and sat in the entourage carriage behind.

The carriage started moving again, the horses' hooves clattering on the road, the pace quickening.
Larry glanced out the carriage window and asked, "Where are you going? Oh, right, I forgot to ask you, do you still have those stocks?" Larry was referring to the 14 shares of New York Fire Insurance that Astor IV was holding onto.

Speaking of this, King Astor IV's face showed a hint of resentment, and he sighed softly.

"To be honest, I don't think I'm cut out for stocks. This thing is just too complicated..."

“It’s just a matter of time before you lose money. I’ve seen that the stock of New York Fire Insurance has already rebounded. It must be because the insurance payouts related to the port explosion weren’t excessive, and insiders have started buying. In less than a month, the stock will be back to your cost price,” Larry reassured him.

But those words caused the muscles on the other person's face to twitch.

Astor hesitated for a moment, but still told Larry, "You've been telling me to hold the stock... I was going to listen to you, but... Anyway... okay, next time if you tell me to hold this stock, I definitely won't sell it."

Larry thought to himself, "No doubt about it, he must have disobeyed me, always thinking he was smarter, and then sold it."

Judging from his hesitant expression, he may have sold at the lowest point.

After thinking for a few seconds, Larry comforted him, "Everyone has their own talents, and I think your family's talent lies in the land. Instead of focusing on stocks, why not carry forward your family's traditional businesses? Why bother with stocks?"

King Astor IV's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "You're right! I've also made up my mind to never touch stocks again. I want to revitalize the land I have and then continue building hotels, at least better than my brother's."

Larry raised an eyebrow and smiled at him, "What? You're still thinking about the Waldorf Astoria?"

King Astor IV pursed his lips. "There are some things, really, that I didn't want to tell outsiders, after all, they're family matters; but if I choose to remain silent, those facts will be really hard to bear inside me. You and I were both there, so how did I handle the Waldorf Hotel incident?"

"Well done! Absolutely perfect. I haven't heard a single word of nonsense, either officially or privately. You not only eliminated the threat but also preserved the reputation of the Astor family!"

Larry thought for a moment, then added, "You have done more than enough for the Astor family, including your brother, and your contributions have been immense!"

Hearing Larry's words, King Astor IV's expression grew even more indignant. He frowned as he spoke, his tone tinged with resentment.

“Yes! It’s as obvious as Mount Gibraltar, but you know what my brother said? He didn’t even consider going back to America; he just stayed in England.”

He even felt that if I hadn't provoked the assassination attempt, his hotel wouldn't have been in danger. So, after helping him so much, I'm now the one repaying his kindness… This is truly painful!

“That’s because your brother did a bad job! You did an impeccable job,” Larry quickly reassured him.

King Astor IV leaned back in his carriage seat and said seriously, "I see it! There is no warmth in the families of the rich; profit always comes first."

"Perfect timing! Taking advantage of my uncle selling you the house recently, which also led to the family's decision—to neatly divide the assets, distributing all the land and wealth among the various families!"

“You’re going to split up… Oh, really—even though I’m an outsider—I think this should have been done a long time ago!” Larry laughed.

“Yes! It should have been done a long time ago. Today I’m going to the White Shoes Law Firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation and pre-allocation of the family’s land. It’s good to run into you; come with me to take a look…”

King Astor IV smiled and continued to Larry, "In addition, I advise you to consider my proposal: sell me your street-front shops and two properties, and I will open an even better hotel across from the Waldorf Astoria. I must make this happen."

Larry smiled but didn't say anything, thinking to himself, "You rich people are really thick-skinned. Who lays out their intentions so clearly to my face? Isn't this just inviting me to take advantage of you?"

The carriage traveled for a short while before arriving at the White Shoes Law Firm located in the Lower Town.

The term "white shoe law firm" refers to the fact that the lawyers here all wear white shoes; they specialize in real estate registration and title confirmation for wealthy individuals in New York.

In other words, they are full-time real estate lawyers for the wealthy, or you could say they are real estate agents.

King Astor IV, accompanied by Larry and his entourage, strolled casually up the stairs to the law firm on the second floor.

In the spacious drawing room, Larry immediately spotted the butler of the spendthrift Astor III, as well as another person he didn't recognize. This person was dressed in fine clothes, but he wasn't sitting on the sofa next to the spendthrift, so he was probably a representative of another Astor family.

The head of the law firm, seeing King Astor IV arrive, hurriedly came out to greet him with a smile. He first shook the king's hand and exchanged a few pleasantries, then turned to the two people sitting on the sofa and said...
"Now that the three esteemed gentlemen have arrived... well, let's begin the land title confirmation and demarcation process!"

The three families exchanged glances, but none of them spoke. After all, this was a division of the family, and at this point, only King Astor IV was a true member of the Astor family; the other two were acting as proxies.

The three families had little to say to each other and didn't know what to say.

Anyway, it's a separation, and we won't have much contact anymore...

So, at the invitation of the law firm director, the three parties sat down on three sofas, with Larry sitting on one side with Astes.

Subsequently, the real estate agents began distributing the Astor family's land, which had been repeatedly verified, to the three parties.

King Astor IV took the map and spread it out on the table, casually letting Larry look at it as well, since he had originally brought him over to be an advisor.

Larry squinted at the map and saw that a third of the Manhattan Peninsula in New York was marked with red circles, presumably all of this land belonged to the Astor family.

Larry thought to himself, "The Astor family really is the biggest landowner in New York! They own a third of Manhattan, it's fucking outrageous!"
Just then, King Astor IV moved the map closer to Larry and whispered to him,
"Help me think about which lands I should keep? Oh, and don't look at the red areas, those aren't ours..."

“Okay… wait! You mean, the red area isn’t your land? That means the rest is all yours?” Larry was shocked, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.

King Astor IV disagreed, “Not entirely, because part of the Lower Manhattan Peninsula belongs to the government, but more or less, at least half of the area you see is ours.”

“…Amazing!” Larry swallowed hard, then looked at the picture.

It was only then that Larry noticed that the red markings indicated that those were not the Astor family's lands; there was another faint blue line on the map marking their lands.

While it's not quite as exaggerated as "the rest belong to the Astor family," the area does encompass half of the Manhattan peninsula, and there are also large contiguous plots of land in Brooklyn. However, the land in Manhattan is very fragmented; it's not a large, contiguous area, but rather consists of many enclaves and irregularly shaped plots.

Just then, Larry spotted a large tract of empty land on the Upper West Side, all belonging to the Astor family! It was also the same piece of land he had seen from his car that morning.

(End of this chapter)