Chapter 5: Returning to the Country
Of course, Yan Guang can also gather some rabble, the kind that has guns but no artillery. The problem is, if that is the case, what is he going back to China for? It would be better for him to remain a wealthy man in the United States.
If it were when he first arrived in the United States and heard that there could be such an income every year, Yan Guang might have happily treated everyone in the hotel to a grand feast, but now...
Ten thousand US dollars is equivalent to thirty thousand silver dollars, or three hundred Mauser 98K rifles, or six hundred Hanyang rifles. The former is insufficient for a battalion, while the latter is slightly more than a battalion. After establishing the long-held aspiration of restoring the Han and overthrowing the Qing, Yan Guang's method of converting money has shifted from food to firearms. If it were Maxim guns, one could purchase thirty units; if it were Danish Madsen guns, one could buy sixty units
However, there is nothing that can be done. I have only been in this world for a little over six months, and for the first few months, I was hiding in the rented apartment working on those inventions. After making some money, I took a passenger ship to London to buy rubber stocks. There was hardly any time to make friends
It seems that after I finish dealing with things at home, I will need to buy a ticket back to China
What is most frustrating is that Sun Yat-sen and Song Jiaoren were overly idealistic, while at that time, China was lacking practical talents.
"I hope I won't be as unfortunate as my ex and encounter a shipwreck..." For some reason, this thought suddenly popped into Yan Guang's mind
And five million dollars is equivalent to "fifteen million silver dollars?" Yan Guang sighed.
Upon returning to the United States, Yan Guang first sought to understand how well the patents he had developed were selling. The news he received was quite positive; the sales situation was far better than expected. Therefore, by the end of this year, when dividends are distributed, Yan Guang is likely to receive more than 10,000 USD, rather than the several thousand USD he had previously anticipated.
After purchasing a ticket to China, considering the domestic situation was not very stable, Yan Guang went to a gun shop and bought five handguns. Although the shop owner recommended the Belgian FN company's Browning M1900, Yan Guang ultimately chose the Mauser pistol, also known as the "broom handle" pistol, out of nostalgia for his childhood memories and trust in the German brand
As soon as Yan Guang left the hotel, the hotel owner handed over the business to his assistant and then rushed alone to the stock exchange at https://www.hetushu.com.com, intending to sell all the stocks he had purchased yesterday. However, when he arrived at the stock exchange, he discovered that the rubber stocks he had bought just yesterday had actually increased significantly in value today
The plan to sell all the stocks was naturally declared over, and the hotel owner also intended to buy some rubber stocks. However, at that moment, he inquired and discovered that all the rubber stocks had already been sold out. If he wanted to buy, he would have to wait for those rubber companies to issue new stocks or for new rubber companies to open.
According to the recent calculations, fifteen million silver dollars are insufficient to even form two divisions, and the annual maintenance cost for a single division alone requires two to three million. Furthermore, in the event of conflicts with others, the losses in equipment and ammunition are beyond what Shi Guang dares to calculate any further
Upon thinking of this, Yan Guang sat up. "Indeed, do I still have to do it myself? The nine hundred thousand dollars invested in stocks will easily multiply five, six, or even seven or eight times by next year, which means I will at least have five million dollars in hand by then..."
After handling matters in the United States this time, I will return to China for a visit... After all, China is my homeland
Several hundred US dollars, over one thousand silver dollars, although a mosquito is small, it is still meat; moreover, the purchasing power of these silver dollars is equivalent to sixty to seventy thousand RMB in later years
# # # # #
Yan Guang has very few belongings in the United States, most of which are tools purchased during the time of invention. To be precise, these items are not worth much, and some of the tools are quite large. If these items were to be shipped back to China, the cost would likely exceed that of purchasing them in China. Therefore, their ultimate fate is to be disposed of in the second-hand market in the United States
Moreover, in this era, establishing a new-style army requires at least 7 to 8 million silver dollars. Simultaneously, calculating military pay at 10 dollars per soldier, a division of over 10,000 soldiers would need at least over 1 million dollars annually. Additionally, there are daily expenses for food (which can be waived, but must be provided during mobilization for combat), clothing, and the wear and tear of equipment and ammunition during routine training.
"At least before the Xinhai Revolution, I must come up with a way to make a fortune!" Standing up from the bed, Yan Guang clenched his fist in a determined manner, a pose that was precisely noticed by the hotel attendant who had been drawn in by his loud voice.
After purchasing the tickets for the ship from London to the United States on the second day at https://mhetushu.com, Yan Guang left the hotel under the farewell of his sorrowful-faced boss
"Oh my God!!! Just kill me!!!" Yan Guang cried out, holding his head, startling the assistant who had just replaced the hotel owner.
Fifteen million silver dollars may seem like a considerable amount, and indeed it is, but when one considers that the cost of a battleship in this era is seven million five hundred thousand dollars... (The Nevada class from 1911, and in 1913, the United States designed a new battleship, with the low configuration costing twelve million dollars, the medium configuration costing sixteen million five hundred thousand dollars, and the high configuration costing nineteen million dollars)
The Tongmenghui was a mixed assembly, comprising revolutionaries such as Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and Huang Xing, as well as individuals like Chen Qimei, who represented a less admirable faction. Moreover, the latter constituted a significant portion of the Tongmenghui, while the remainder consisted of a group of opportunistic pseudo-revolutionaries seeking independence.
"Huh, now I can be considered a three-gun shrimp." After firing over one hundred rounds to practice his marksmanship, Yan Guang holstered three handguns on his body
China, crossing the entire Pacific Ocean
Such a small amount of money is insufficient even to maintain a battalion-level army for a month, let alone to establish one. However, if it is merely for personal expenses or for running some small-scale enterprises, it would be adequate. For instance, it could suffice for a small textile factory or a cement plant.
After arriving at the dock in a carriage, Yan Guang looked at the crowd of people who had come to send off their loved ones and realized that being all alone seemed a bit too lonely
The Beiyang government had advantages in this regard. It can be said that a significant portion of the talents in China during this era were under the leadership of Yuan Shikai. Moreover, the Beiyang faction was more united compared to the Tongmenghui. If it were not for Yuan Shikai's ambition to become emperor, which ultimately led to his own downfall...
The wailing, akin to a mental assault, and the current posture naturally led the attendant to believe that Yan Guang was mentally unstable. When the innkeeper returned after investing some spare money in stocks, the attendant recounted everything he had witnessed to the innkeeper. Upon hearing Yan Guang's words, the innkeeper sat down heavily on the ground, filled with deep regret.
After dealing with these items at the flea market, Yan Guang had several hundred dollars more in hand
However, even if Old Yuan does not bring about his own demise, I cannot possibly seek refuge with him..." Lying on the bed, Yan Guang let out a sigh. "Even if I were to run to Beiyang to seek support, what do I have now besides money? Competing in intelligence? Moreover, Yuan Shikai already has enough people under him; even if I were to go over, I would only be marginalized..."