Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

Chapter 709: The Value of the Red Center Group's Weightlifting Championship

"Whoa—!! Fast! Too fast, too fast—!!"

"Beep—!! Beep beep!!"

With both hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, Zhuo Ge honked the horn as he drove a four-wheel-drive car back and forth across the field, shouting excitedly.

This guy's outfit is basically a different style of Native American tribe, emphasizing a return to wildness.

And now, he was sitting in the most advanced invention of the era. In just a few tens of minutes, he tamed this iron horse and turned the steering wheel at will in the open space.

The vehicles of this era were still in their infancy, quite rudimentary, and lacked any real speed or maneuverability. But the feeling, so different from riding a horse, still amazed Drago, who burst into laughter inside the vehicle.

“You’re really something…” Ren took a sip of steaming hot black tea, his eyes half-closed. In the distance, the field was covered in dust and grass clippings because of Zhuo Ge’s reckless driving. “Before you went to sea, I heard that you were going to get into the timber business and even started a company.”

"If I'm not mistaken, we've only been at sea for about two and a half months. You've started two new companies, fought a battle with the army and won, and now you're dealing in oil... How come it feels like two hundred years have passed?"

Zhang Renfeng smiled sheepishly, "It has nothing to do with me. It's mainly thanks to Tao and Igor."

The two intelligent people he had praised were now sitting beside him.

Tao didn't react much, instead rapidly scribbling something down with a pen. It seemed that Drogo's uninhibited approach had given him some new ideas about the upcoming product.

Igor, on the other hand, let out a long sigh and downed the finest wine in his cup in one gulp.

A considerable amount of time has passed since the Takagi War, but judging from what Ren has seen and heard, it remains a topic of great interest to the people of the whole country.

The negotiations held at their hunter's cabin were ultimately accepted to some extent.

News of this landmark defeat had quickly spread nationwide, leaving no room for media manipulation. They had no choice but to accept the deal—simply put, they accepted the $20000, considering themselves the Native American tribe, and thus officially becoming legally recognized residents of the Hightree region.

Therefore, the Native Americans, as the "owners," have the right to decide which company should be given the right to extract the oil from their land.

The newly established Sanyuan Heavy Industry's first bite was a super-large order.

"I'm a little curious, how did you manage to set up such a large company?" Ren asked. "Equipment, technology, personnel... Don't tell me that someone in your Red Center Gang happens to know all this?"

Because there were so many extraordinary people in the gang, Ren had no choice but to ask this question.

“How could that be?” Zhang Renfeng waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t understand, as long as we know people who do.”

……

After the captain's death, these loyal old crew members lost their livelihood.

In truth, after so many years with the captain, they had amassed a considerable fortune and had no fear of starving. But what tormented them more was the feeling of having nothing to do and being unwanted. Aside from killing, they knew practically nothing else.

Zhang Renfeng did not bring them under his command. He knew very well that these old buddies were committed to Istavo for life and would never follow any other boss.

Therefore, the cooperation model between the two parties is more like that of "partners." The Hongzhong gang provides the ships and entrusts them to transport some goods overseas for sale. The profits from the sales are split 50/50. In fact, neither side is short of money at the moment; they just see it as giving themselves something to do. After all, Istavo originally made his fortune in the shipping industry, and these individuals are all used to the turbulent life at sea, so it's a win-win situation.

The cotton that had been piling up in the warehouse and was almost moldy was finally sold off on this ship and exchanged for US dollars.

At the moment, Zhang Renfeng hasn't even figured out the domestic market yet, so he's not in a hurry to expand overseas. He's just taking this as a small, casual move amidst his busy schedule.

----

Because of the captain's position, Ren and his group held a fairly high status within the Red Gang.

Apart from those who hadn't joined, they were basically all his own people. Igor also told them the whole story of how he set up the company.

"...Angel Eyes sent the news of the oil beneath the tall trees back to White Torch Town immediately. At that time, I foresaw that this war would eventually revolve around oil, and everyone would want a piece of it, so we had to prepare for it as soon as possible."

“I never thought that Lao Zhang would lose to the army, so assuming he wins, he can buy some more time. The government is a very large and bloated institution. They need a lot of time to process information and make decisions, especially after a major defeat. They become hesitant and afraid to make immediate conclusions.”

"They actually delayed for a full three weeks."

“In the past three weeks, I contacted East Bird Bank through Mesvid Bank, and they were very interested in it.”

"So, with the help of the bank and the resources of the entire state of New Orleans, we acquired valuable technical personnel—all of whom were hired at high salaries from other oil development companies. As for the equipment, it was even simpler; the plants in San Quintak and LaGras could produce some of the parts. As long as we had the design drawings, we could assemble it ourselves."

"Within New Orleans, there are also some people in the oil business, but they are relatively small and cannot compete with the Cheddar family. In this process, they also helped out a bit... Of course, these favors will have to be repaid when they grow bigger in the future."

"As for the oil refining process, that's even more convenient. The Cheddar family is in this business. Their family is completely finished, and their skilled workers and technicians have nowhere to go and are extremely anxious."

“We just beckoned with our fingers, and they pounced on us like bachelors seeing a beautiful woman.”

"At this point, we have the manpower, the equipment, and the money, but we also need a spokesperson of sufficient stature."

"Henry Heissen is a perfect fit. He has always had a good public image and reputation. The last surviving member of the Heissen family, a visionary investor... He saw the decline of kerosene lamps and thus made a very astute investment in the oil industry."

"As for these legal procedures, they are not my responsibility. Jimmy handles everything related to contracts and clauses."

"Snapped!"

Igor clapped his hands. "All done."

"A machine named 'Sanyuan Heavy Industry' has been assembled."

……

“You are truly…” Ren finished his cup of black tea in one gulp, unable to suppress the surprise and admiration in his eyes, “A wonderful magician.”

Chapter 710: Let's turn White Torch Town into White Torch City!

"So, you now have three companies in total?" Ren counted on his fingers. "One is in the timber business, one is in oil extraction, and the other... what was it again?"

“【Sanyuan Electric Manufacturing Company】.” Igor nodded in the direction of the man next to you. “The man next to you is the company’s key technical personnel and founder.”

“You’ll see it at night.” Zhang Renfeng’s tone was very excited, like a child who had received a good toy and couldn’t wait to show it off to his friends. He waved his hands and gestured, “Some parts of Baiju Town have already been equipped with electric lights, and the cost is very cheap. As soon as night falls, the electric lights will turn on on time, illuminating the whole town, making it no different from daytime.”

It couldn't be explained in a few words, so Tao gave Ren an electric lantern. When he turned the knob and saw the light, he exclaimed in amazement. Completely different from flames or burning light, it provided the same brightness without the burning sensation when the back of his hand touched it.

Currently, this thing can completely replace the market for kerosene lamps, and there's no worry about selling it. With trains passing through the hubs, it's being transported to all parts of America, and money is flowing in like it's been printed, so there's no need to even consider any market strategy.

"When I had some free time, I did an interesting statistic." Igor thought for a moment, then pulled the numbers out of his mind. "Old Zhang, do you remember the Cactus Tavern?"

For Igor, the Cactus Tavern held a special significance, much like the Red Bird Tavern did for Zhang Renfeng. It was here that he was kidnapped by Laro, and the story of the horse and the mule began. Ultimately, he used a great fire to sever his ties with the Zolael family, rising from the ashes to be reborn.

“I’ve been there several times.” Zhang Renfeng had a pretty good impression of the tavern and laughed, “I remember… when we first arrived in this town, we often met there.”

"Previously, this tavern was open until 9 p.m. But since they installed electric lights, they've been open until 11 p.m. or even midnight, and it's still packed. And the same goes for other shops. With electric lights, the town's 'sleep time' has been delayed by about three hours."

"Uh..." Zhang Renfeng scratched his head. Faced with Igor's enthusiastic explanation, he had been completely out of the loop and hadn't grasped what the other was trying to say. He felt a little embarrassed. "So?"

“Mr. Zhang, didn’t you visit Brightlight City before?” Tao explained from a different angle. “I remember that city used to have a festival called ‘Brightlight Festival,’ right?”

“That’s right.” Zhang Renfeng nodded. “But that was just to celebrate William Hysen’s birthday.”

"You can think of it as Baiju Town celebrating the Lantern Festival every day now. These extra three hours are a novelty for the residents, and some have even spontaneously organized themselves to hold markets that are only open at night, as well as some entertainment activities, which can greatly improve their quality of life."

"These nighttime activities allow residents' money to circulate, creating a positive cycle... which is very beneficial to the city's development."

Three companies operating under the Sanyuan banner were all located in Baiju Town, controlling the timber, electrical appliance, and oil businesses respectively. Not only did they have the seasoned operator, Igor, but they also had the Donghao Bird Bank providing substantial financial support. The residents of Baiju Town were truly riding the wave of the times; it would be difficult for them not to become wealthy.

With more money in their pockets, people need somewhere to spend it, and the increasingly prosperous night markets are a great place to do so.

"Besides that, there's something else I haven't mentioned because I've been so busy with you outside."

“Before the Lunar New Year, I had the government conduct a survey, and the current population of Baiju Town is 9296.”

Igor sighed. "Just a few days ago, I did another count, and those who are homeless and wandering the streets weren't included. Now, in White Torch Town, there are already 13427 adults."

"What?!" Zhang Renfeng gasped in shock. "How could you have so many babies in just a few months... Even if you gave birth like crazy, you couldn't possibly have this many."

"As far as I know, the salary, job opportunities, and overall environment in Baiju Town are much better than those in towns of similar size."

Seeing that Drago had had enough fun and parked the car to the side, Tao also closed his laptop. "There are many people from nearby towns, and even some from other states, who work in White Torch and want to save money to buy a house here and settle down."

"As towns develop better and better, it is only natural for the population to increase."

Regardless of its past, Baiju Town now boasts three industries: building materials (timber), electrical appliances, and petroleum. Furthermore, its location at a railway transportation hub makes it like a bicycle with a rocket strapped to its back.

With such powerful forces and so many contributing factors, it would be difficult for the industry not to develop.

There is no clearly defined and uniform working hours in towns and cities; it is not necessarily eight hours.

But at least it ensured that you would be paid for the length of time you worked—which was quite an ideal deal compared to other factories of the time. This was because most factories in the south were still managed at the level of the Heisenberg family, with 24-hour shifts, meager wages, and the only option was to work until you died.

This town used to be rife with deeply entrenched interest groups and intricate networks of relationships, which weighed heavily on ordinary people, making it hard for them to breathe. Their daily lives were already a constant struggle, leaving no time for leisure. The arrival of Zhang Renfeng and his group brought about a thorough cleanup of the town.

Apart from Sheriff Gordon, almost every position that could be named had been replaced.

Having learned from past mistakes, Dunn and his family now live a very low-key life. Even though he is now the mayor of this town and holds considerable power, he doesn't dare to put on airs. Following his example, his subordinates naturally follow suit, creating a very positive social atmosphere in White Torch Town.

Thus, the story of this town, following its course, drifted like the wind to every corner of this land, becoming a "paradise" in the eyes of many strangers.

----

“After tonight’s grand exhibition, there will definitely be even more people flocking to this town.” Igor downed his drink in one gulp, the bottom of the glass landing on the small round table with a thud, like a judge’s gavel falling.

He wiped the residue from the corner of his mouth with a hearty laugh, his eyes full of high spirits, and said in a very confident tone, "Old Zhang, it's about time."

"Let's turn White Torch Town into White Torch City."

Chapter 711: A Game of Creation, or a Game of Making Money?

Expansion.

Zhang Renfeng was not surprised by this. Every time he returned to Baiju Town, he always felt that it was much more lively than the last time.

The area gradually gained popularity, and what used to be just a few shops is now filled with all sorts of stores, making it almost impossible to find a place to stand. It's not much less impressive than cities like San Quintac or Lagras.

He had initially thought that expansion wouldn't begin for at least three or four years. He hadn't expected it to be on Igor's agenda so quickly. It seemed the town's development speed had far exceeded his expectations.

"After the expansion, these extra people will have a place to be resettled and can be converted into labor."

Igor sketched a diagram in his notebook, using the interconnected hexagonal structures of a honeycomb to represent the current state of White Torch Town, and said, "After the exhibition in a little while, orders will definitely come in like snowflakes. We need more factories to produce parts."

"The factories in Lagras and San Quintac can temporarily solve some of the production problems, but it's not a long-term solution to always rely on other people's production lines. In the long run, we need to have our own production lines to feel secure."

"I plan to focus on expanding an industrial zone, a residential area to house our workers, and..."

"Wait a minute," Zhang Renfeng interrupted him, asking suspiciously, "Do we have that much money in our accounts? A factory isn't just about building a shell; there's also the supporting equipment, and all of that adds up..."

Zhang Renfeng felt somewhat guilty because he roughly understood that the word "industrial zone" that Igor mentioned carried significant weight. It would take real money to build it. He had been away on campaigns for a long time and hadn't managed the team's expenses, so he didn't know how much money was left in his account.

“Indeed, the initial investment will be quite large,” Igor admitted. “But it’s necessary. Once it’s built, there will be no shortage of buyers.”

"Manufacturing is the backbone, while finance is just the lifeblood."

At this point, Igor's tone became serious, "We currently have too much blood and too little backbone. This is not a good thing if it continues."

……

“Donghao Bird Bank has provided us with a lot of funding, but most of their investments are financial injections. Apart from the increase or decrease in numbers, there is no ‘real’ help.” Tao saw that Zhang Renfeng did not understand, so he explained further to him, “In the long run, we will be assimilated by them little by little and become part of the numbers game.”

"Let me put it simply, Lao Zhang." Igor picked up the half-empty bottle of brandy and asked, "How much is a bottle of this?"

"7 dollars?"

“Yes, $7. This bottle of wine starts with the grain in the field, is brewed into wine, bottled, transported, sold, and finally bought by me. This process generates $7 in value. It’s tangible and visible.” Perhaps for the sake of demonstration, Igor picked up the bottle and took a sip. “...I just took a sip, and if you do the math, I probably drank off a few cents of its ‘value’.”

"I believe that physical objects create value."

"But people in the bank believe that 'value' creates value."

"Eastern Bird Bank is the largest bank in America. They don't produce any 'physical goods'. They use capital allocation power, market mechanisms, and political influence to shift from 'creating things' to 'creating money.' In the end, the digital game is about directly creating money."

"The Illuminati follow the same path. They are simply two massive monopolistic organizations vying for the various powers needed to make money. One of them feels it can't compete and wants to bring in outside help to eliminate the other. That's all."

“We are that external aid. The banks have injected a lot of capital into us, partly because they hope we can eliminate the Illuminati, this formidable enemy. On the other hand, they are also waiting for everything to be over so they can easily bring us under their control. They are using a lot of financial figures to continuously dilute our influence.”

"This……"

Zhang Renfeng was speechless.

He had never been involved in the financial world's power struggles, but now it seemed that this war without gunpowder was not only mentally taxing but also quite brutal.

If there weren't someone with a sharp mind leading the way, he wouldn't even be aware that all of this was happening.

Most people are actually at a similar level to him, so if they fall into the rules of the numbers game, then everything is over.

Only a few skilled individuals, or even those who invented the rules of the game, will profit from it, draining them dry!

"That's why I want to expand the industrial zone. With real industry as our foundation, we'll have a strong base and the capital to negotiate with them. Banks want us to work for them. We can do the opposite, using our developed real industry to control finance and make their big numbers work for us."

"This is a process of constant negotiation, and once you embark on this path, there is no way to avoid it."

Igor looked up at the distant sky and murmured, "We want to create a world where people can hold their heads high and live as if it were their right."

----