Zhu Wencong entered a small shop on the black market, which had now become a trading point for silver mine stocks.
At the moment, lines after lines formed at the entrance; today was the second week's profit distribution day.
Compared to the queue from the first week, the number of people had doubled, and the capital invested had followed suit.
The stock market is always about chasing rises and killing falls; the people simply have no subjective thoughts of their own.
"They must be crazy! Even foreigners are getting involved. Don't they fear becoming penniless?" Su Yanqiao couldn't comprehend the grand scene below.
Zhu Wencong sat in his chair, quietly sipping tea, unconcerned with the matters below.
Joining the hustle and bustle is not in the nature of Easterners, while Europeans and Americans alike enjoy the excitement, especially when it comes to making money.
"Haven't you noticed how our people change their character drastically after coming here?
Once honest and kind farmers become adept at eating, drinking, prostituting, and gambling upon arrival, indulging themselves to the fullest.
Rich lands always breed numerous lazy people, so they don't think at all about tomorrow or the day after that.
Aside from the native Indigenous people, all others in America are immigrants from countries around the world.
Whether they possess good or bad backgrounds, people who set out to sea often bear a spirit of adventure and exploration.
Each great voyage is, in fact, a gamble with fate. Under such circumstances, do you think they fear failure?" Zhu Wencong retorted.
Su Yanqiao fell silent; Americans indeed love risky ventures and are never afraid of danger.
From the very beginning of their nation, they dared to wage war against England, the world's foremost Great Power at the time, and emerged victorious, securing independence.
It's like a novice defeating the ultimate boss before even leaving the starting village; what they unlock is not wealth, but confidence.
This invincible confidence forever accompanies the Americans, endowing them with unparalleled courage and pioneering spirit.
Su Yanqiao looked straight at Zhu Wencong. "I feel like the true heir to this invincible confidence isn't Americans, it's you!
Although you were confident before, you weren't as confident as you are now. I'm somewhat at a loss for words.
You don't fear failure at all and are extremely familiar with the changes in the world. You're like their God.
Those people below are your loyal followers, and you have bestowed wealth upon them..."
"No, no, no! Once thousands go bankrupt, I'll be the target of everyone's condemnation." Zhu Wencong hurriedly waved his hands.
"Hehe! I think you already have a countermeasure in mind. I remember what you told me before.
You just need to highlight The Successor, and then everyone will selectively forget the countless failures and follow in their footsteps.
They will transfer their hatred towards that Successor, filled with envy, jealousy, and animosity.
That tactic, if I remember correctly, is called 'killing someone with a borrowed knife'!" Su Yanqiao suddenly recalled.
Zhu Wencong remained silent, his wealth unknown to others as long as he doesn't flaunt it.
Now is the time to push that Successor forward, let him attract all the fire and become the vent for everyone's rage.
If he has any brains, he will definitely leave the country by ship overnight or head off to the thirteen colonies of North America.
There's nothing that can be done for the brainless; after all, this lesson is deeply touching and unforgettable for a lifetime.
"Brother... it seems you too have changed," Su Yanqiao whispered softly.
"As our ancestors rightly said, 'One must fend for oneself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy him!'
You should know that when some people make money, others lose money; this is an eternal truth," Zhu Wencong sat beside Su Yanqiao.
Su Yanqiao slumped her little head onto Zhu Wencong's shoulder, growing increasingly disgusted with the world.
The weight of Eastern Confucianism left her breathless, and the savagery of the Western law of the jungle was even more brutal.
"Boss... sorry!" Luo Chu pushed open the door and immediately closed it behind him.
"What's the matter?" Zhu Wencong turned and asked.
"That foreigner... Zhan Mu desperately wants to see you, he's pushed in his entire fortune." Luo Chu spoke from outside the door.
Zhu Wencong exchanged a look with Su Yanqiao, thinking how convenient it was to have a pillow offered when one needed to rest, or to have steamed buns provided when one was hungry.
"Announce him!" Zhu Wencong said with a proud smile.
James hurried over, beaming with a triumphant smile, looking as though he had made a lot of money.
As one of the earliest investors and the one with the largest shares, James had already achieved economic independence.
"God of Wealth! God of Wealth! I've gone all-in with my entire fortune to make a fortune with you!" James hurriedly said.
"Where did you learn to call someone 'God of Wealth'?
I told you I would make you rich, but next, I'm planning to crash the market. What do you think?" Zhu Wencong gave James a look.
"Yes! Yes! God! I absolutely love you! This is exactly how it should be played!
Taking advantage of this heat, it's the best time for us to cash out and escape. They will never see it coming.
The stock price cannot rise any further, we must pull out now, or all investments will turn to zero.
You said it before! Be greedy when others are fearful, and fearful when others are greedy." James was utterly excited.
"Then you'll need to find more bagholders, otherwise, you won't be able to run.
You know we Easterners are very poor; you'll have to do the job of persuading those White people.
Only with their participation, can we retreat safely and earn even more money," Zhu Wencong explained.
James fully agreed with Zhu Wencong's reasoning, as the number of participating White people isn't large, and they needed to push harder.
Luo Chu, Sun Ji, and others could only fool Easterners; they were utterly incapable of persuading the White people.
"The problem is, how would they know I've made money?" James didn't have Zhu Wencong's gift of the gab and couldn't move the White people as a group.
"I'll bribe the news agency for you, to fully profile you as a successful investor, a wealthy man worth tens of thousands.
I really envy you. Look, to have both fame and fortune is such incredible luck and pride.
You've achieved the American Dream, become rich overnight, admired by thousands!" Zhu Wencong flattered him.
James stood tall and proud, wondering when he had become a successful American who had realized the American Dream.
No longer would he need to work as a high-level employee; from now on he would turn things around and start his own company as the boss.
Zhu Wencong watched James strut about, holding a teacup, preparing to quietly enjoy the show.
Su Yanqiao covered her mouth and giggled to herself; the higher Zhu Wencong elevated James, the harder James would fall later on.
"So, are you planning to become a factory owner? I dined with the Governor and Mayor a few days ago, do you want me to introduce you?
They are actively developing the state and city's infrastructure and industry and urgently need the support of a large number of industrialists," Zhu Wencong inquired.
"No, no, no! I don't want to be an industrialist, life as the mint director is too painful!
I've seen it clearly! Industrial ventures make just a bit of hard-earned money; it's only in finance where you can make a fortune.
I think your vision is very good, so I want to invest with you," James decided to join forces with Zhu Wencong.
Zhu Wencong's face showed an expression of disdain; Americans indeed didn't like engaging in industry, the Germans were more down-to-earth.
"Sure! We can cooperate more in the future!" Zhu Wencong didn't agree outright.