Chapter 6 Inventory

Outside the window, the biting cold wind blowing from the Arctic Ocean, mixed with somewhat shivering snowflakes, brings with it a bone-chilling chill. Although it is still early in the day, the dense shade of the trees in the courtyard has been transformed into a dim expanse by the overcast sky. The window is wide open, allowing not only the wind and snow to enter the room, but also the penetrating cold.

Standing in the vault with his arms crossed, Li Zicheng sighed helplessly.

Ah!

After a duration of two and a half months, the treasures within the submarine, including the computer, mobile phones, and books from that aircraft, were completely cleared out by myself. Ultimately, the gold was wrapped in lead ingots and transported to New York by train. Since then, it seems that I have become increasingly relaxed, or more accurately, my days have become increasingly dull.

This vault door was installed by an insurance company in New York two months ago at a cost of several tens of thousands of dollars. The former wine cellar has been completely transformed into a robust vault, featuring thick reinforced concrete and an inner layer of two-inch thick steel plates, along with a dial-type fully mechanical combination lock that makes this vault exceptionally secure

At 90%, only over 4 million pounds remain, with 1 pound exchanging for 4.5 dollars

After a sigh, Li Zicheng stood up and walked straight to the bedroom, heading towards the basement. The primary reason he purchased this villa was due to the wine cellar, which spans over 200 square meters. The wine cellar extends deep underground, and after two months of renovations, it has transformed into an underground vault, divided into two halves by a steel safe door that is embedded into the granite walls of the cellar.

Money

Today is New Year's Eve

Extending his hand, he watched the snowflakes fall into his palm. For the first time, Li Zicheng could feel the meaning of life. ... But ...! ... There is no money! And - pictures - books

Lying on the sofa, trying to bury himself completely into it, Li Zicheng looked at the ceiling and sighed deeply. This villa located in the Upper East Side cost several tens of thousands of dollars, yet it felt utterly devoid of any sense of home.

After securing a mortgage with £1.35 million in bonds from eighteen banks in New York, he took Ah Si to Miami, where he purchased a sailing yacht. He spent a month learning to operate the yacht, and for the next two and a half months, he single-handedly navigated the yacht daily, transporting boxes of gold, bonds, and barrels of film from the submarine to the warehouse in Miami.

1913, 1914, 19......

For the first time, Li Zicheng discovered that he had finally found a value in life, no longer needing to waste time idly. He realized he could accomplish many things, and perhaps even become a tycoon in industry. At that time, maybe...

The only photograph, occasionally magnified, shows the serious expression of the father and the kind face of the mother. Tears frequently slide down my cheeks. Did they know they were involved in an air disaster? ... Did they ...? ... The longing for his loved ones made Li Zicheng's entire demeanor appear extremely dejected

Counting the German nouns on the steel barrels, Li Zicheng stood in front of a barrel labeled "Chemical Products" and couldn't help but ponder that the dye industry in the United States is currently very backward. Almost all chemical dyes in the world are monopolized by Germany. If he were to open a dye company, perhaps he could...

After leaving the vault, Li Zicheng kept murmuring this number to himself, which represents the quantity of bonds that can be used as collateral for a loan, a mere five million pounds.

As a Chinese person, I have finally experienced the kind of "difficulties at every step" that a Chinese individual faces abroad. Starting a business is not possible, establishing a factory is unfeasible, and purchasing a house is out of the question. In summary, the continuous exclusion of Chinese individuals by American society constantly reminds me of one fact: I am Chinese and cannot continue to stay in the United States

Looking at the steel barrels in front of me, filled with patents, blueprints, and development data microfilm, it feels as if I am gazing into my own future. What will these bring me? ... Wealth, status ... . ... Countless thoughts surge in my mind, yet none of these seem to be the most important.

five million, five million

In this state of utter boredom, I spent 6,000 dollars to "purchase" a place at New York University to study law, specifically to secure the opportunity to take the bar exam.

Taking the key from his neck, Li Zicheng opened the vault door after entering the password. As he pushed open the vault door, the first thing that caught his eye was a row of "lead ingots" inside the vault. After transporting the gold to Miami using a yacht like an ant moving its home, he had encased the gold in a layer of lead to facilitate its smooth entry into the United States. Later, he brought it to New York, and even now, he had not removed the gold from its lead casing.

The entire person was sunk into a wide sofa, and the mobile phone that was once held in hand had long since slipped onto the sofa without him noticing. Li Zicheng's gaze unconsciously drifted to the window, allowing the dusk to envelop it layer by layer. Since the snow began to fall in the afternoon, the weather had turned even colder, yet sitting indoors, unwilling to go out, he remained dressed in relatively thin clothing, even though the chill had become quite piercing.

Perhaps I can start a company

Recently, I have felt that I have truly become very idle, especially after the initial busyness came to an end. This aimlessness and the days of simply eating and waiting for hunger to return have nearly driven me to madness

Upon thinking of this, my gaze turned towards the framed attorney license from New York on the wall. Before arriving in this time and space, I also held an attorney license from California, and it was indeed for this reason that the company had hired me at that time

Especially a week ago, after hiring Thomas Lee's cargo ship, which took four days to remove the "cargo" left on the deserted island, I found myself exceedingly bored, spending my days idly eating when hungry and waiting to eat again. Although the Upper East Side is home to the wealthy of New York and I have acquired this mansion, as an Asian, I find it impossible to integrate into the circles of the Upper East Side residents.

Despite the biting cold due to the open window, Li Zicheng showed no intention of moving or adding more clothing. He simply sat on the sofa, lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he gazed out the window, seemingly pondering something.

Walking from the snow-covered ground to the balcony, he sat down on a chair beneath the balcony. A newspaper, perhaps one he had casually tossed on the table a few days ago, caught Li Zicheng's attention

If one wishes to return to their home country to pursue a career, a substantial amount of money is required. However, how can the issue of funding be resolved? Walking deeper into the vault, I gaze at the dozens of thin steel boxes coated in gray paint; these boxes mostly contain bonds and jewelry.

As long as one stays in the United States for a day, the Chinese Exclusion Act forces one to live a life of merely eating until hungry. Is it really the case that one must live such a purposeless life for an entire lifetime?

It is not possible; I must find a way to acquire some money, to obtain a substantial amount of money! Without money, it is fundamentally impossible for me to make a significant impact domestically, without money...

After a long contemplation with the book, suddenly a word burst forth from Li Zicheng's throat

Ah...

At the moment he saw this news, Li Zicheng felt his eyes brighten, perhaps...

Hiding his body inside the sofa, Li Zicheng picked up his phone again. His eyes were fixed on the screen; although the phone contained quite a few photos, there was only one picture with his parents. This was all there was!

Thinking of oneself as a Chinese person, especially in light of the discrimination against Chinese people by some Americans, Chen Moran could only manage a bitter smile of helplessness. Even his villa was purchased through a compatriot with American citizenship via the Huigong Hall, and he signed a perpetual lease agreement with him. As a Chinese person, he did not even have the right to purchase property, let alone start a company

A few minutes later, looking at the somewhat disordered bonds that he had flipped through, his eyes were filled with disappointment, as the number of redeemable bonds was far less than he had imagined

Imagining the future, Li Zicheng could not help but feel a surge of excitement in his heart. This...! ... This is an opportunity! Everything that heaven does has its purpose; perhaps, perhaps this is the mission for which I have come to this era

Late winter

When this thought suddenly arose in his mind, Li Zicheng couldn't help but be taken aback. Returning to the country, perhaps returning home is a good choice. It is now 1912, and in two years, the First World War will break out. Isn't the First World War the best opportunity for the development of Chinese industry? If he were to return home, perhaps he could utilize the technical data within these steel tubes to accomplish something.

Am I really going to spend my entire life like this, cooped up in a mansion, eating until I'm full and waiting until I'm hungry again

Charlie Schwab has been appointed as the President of the United States Steel Corporation with an annual salary of one million dollars

Perhaps... perhaps I really should return to my home country

You can forget about becoming a lawyer and * picture * book

A delicate and translucent Italian crystal table lamp stands upright on the table, yet no one goes to turn it on, contrasting with the window drapes fluttering in the wind and snow, resembling a tall black silhouette. The air inside is quiet and desolate, as the chill and dusk intensify simultaneously

Perhaps it is simply that I am too bored

Can ... ...

One can produce textile machines, spinning machines, and even various types of machinery. In that case, perhaps one can contribute something to this disaster-prone country over the next few decades. While one may not have the ability to change history, one can still strengthen the industrial capacity of this nation within one's means. Consequently, twenty-five years from now, the war of resistance may not be won so arduously, and the sacrifices may not be as great. While one may not have the ability to change history, one can still strengthen the industrial capacity of this nation within one's means. Consequently, twenty-five years from now, the war of resistance may not be won so arduously, and the sacrifices may not be as great.

It is inconceivable that Americans in this era would accept a Chinese lawyer to defend them, while Chinese people do not have the habit of hiring lawyers. This lawyer's qualification certificate of mine can only...! ... Hmm! Let's see!

As I pondered my "assets," I found myself unknowingly walking into the courtyard. At that moment, light snow was falling from the sky, and a biting cold wind blew directly at me, instantly clearing my mind. I breathed in the slightly chilly air.

Every festive season brings an increased longing for loved ones! But what about one's own family?

Gazing at the snowflakes swirling outside the window, Li Zicheng felt as if he could hear the sound of firecrackers coming from Chinatown. Today is February 17, 1912. For Americans, this is an utterly ordinary day, but for Chinese people, this day is the most important day of the year

On both sides of the underground vault, 186 steel barrels are neatly arranged on double-tiered racks. The true wealth is contained within the large barrels, made of stainless steel and standing at waist height, where decades or even centuries of a nation's technological patents and blueprints are quietly resting in fully sealed steel barrels.