Chapter 42: Chapter 41: Ten Thousand Rubber Tree Seeds

Andrew Jackson listened to his subordinates' reports regarding the implementation of the Indian Removal Act. In his eyes, the Indians should never have had legal status; those weak, savage tribes ought to have been crushed by the mighty American military.

However, the blood of the Indians excited him. It was a pity he could not personally peel off their scalps, a fact that made him feel his skills were growing rusty.

Andrew Jackson thought of his predecessors. Whether it was George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, those great presidents could massacre Indians with impunity. Why was it that in his era, Andrew Jackson had to find excuses to kill them? It was damn frustrating.

But Andrew Jackson was, after all, the President. Utilizing the Removal Act to reduce the Indian population was surely a mission bestowed upon him by Heaven.

Yet, at the mention of the Indians, Andrew Jackson thought of that hypocritical and conceited banker.

"Damn that fool Biddle! If it weren't for that damned Removal Act, the government wouldn't have so much debt. Damn that bastard Biddle—he was merely collecting the debts he was owed, yet he expects me to apologize to him!"

The costs of the Removal Act were enormous, and many within the U.S. government were dissatisfied, including Andrew Jackson and his "Kitchen Cabinet."

"But now, Biddle's prestige has reached its zenith; everyone calls him the God of Wealth. Based on current revenues, the U.S. government's income this year will hit a historic high. And Mr. Biddle can be said to have played an indispensable role," Martin Van Buren replied.

Even the members of the Kitchen Cabinet, whom Andrew Jackson trusted most, tacitly accepted this fact, because the returns from land sales were simply too staggering.

"To hell with the God of Wealth! That idiot actually built himself a temple! Biddle deserves to vanish from this world just like the Indians. Martin, believe me, he will destroy this country!" Andrew Jackson roared hysterically.

Martin Van Buren did not respond, because even he now believed in Biddle's theories.

"As long as property prices are high enough, we could sell New York and buy all of Europe! I will achieve what even Napoleon could not!"

However, for the Indians west of the Mississippi River, the Removal Act was an absolute catastrophe.

The Indians called their migratory path the "Trail of Tears."

Among the Cherokee alone, thousands perished on that trail.

Of the 45,000 Indians forced to migrate, fewer than 20,000 successfully completed the journey.

Yet, to Andrew Jackson's surprise, it was precisely his policy of forced expulsion that allowed American land transactions to continue heating up.

At the same time, economic experts and speculators, including Friedrich List, joined this massive army of property speculators.

Land in Chicago had risen 45-fold; meaning the land Franz had purchased for $200,000 was now worth $9 million.

Although land prices in other parts of the United States did not rise as extravagantly as in Chicago, the entire country was in a state of extreme optimism, believing that land prices nationwide would eventually follow Chicago's lead.

The primary reason Friedrich List joined the speculative army was that while working for the Austrian Cabinet, he had received news that Baron Bruck had received a sum of money, possibly from the Imperial Family, to purchase land in America.

Furthermore, as the Consul General of the United States to the German Confederation, Friedrich List had access to information regarding the American situation.

The land fever had spread across America. Naturally, Friedrich List had no reason to pass up this opportunity; he wagered his entire savings and his assets in America, even taking out a loan in Prussia.

Within Prussia, this advisor was held in very high regard.

In particular, his method of preventing Austrian power from extending further into Northern Germany was considered nothing short of art.

However, some officials were highly dissatisfied with Friedrich List's greed, believing such a man had impure motives—helping Prussia for money today, but potentially betraying them for money tomorrow.

But William III remained unmoved. He felt that while such men were profit-driven, from another perspective, as long as there was sufficient interest, they were the most loyal of subjects.

***

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz was writing a letter at his desk; this one was addressed to Archbishop Raucher.

Although Raucher believed Franz was a born saint, he still viewed him merely as a child.

Thus, Franz had to resort to the trickery of "divine revelation." Franz claimed to have seen angels in his dreams, who led him to a stone monument, and that he was merely faithfully recording the inscriptions upon it.

Franz had already completed three previous letters: one sent to Brazil, one to Mexico, and one to India.

Of course, when writing those three letters, Franz did not need to play the part of a mystic.

The missionary efficiency of the Church in this era was too low. Franz had no choice but to reform it and bring it up to date. Although this still didn't fool himself, it was a "dimensionality reduction strike" against the common people of this era.

The adventurer Costa finally met his mysterious patron, but to his surprise, this generous patron turned out to be a woman.

Judging from her attire and temperament, it was clear this lady was extremely wealthy. If he could secure her favor, he wouldn't have to spend the rest of his life in those damn tropical rainforests searching for those damn treasures.

Consequently, he was extremely attentive to Talia throughout their journey, but as an "old maid" of this era, Talia remained completely unmoved.

Firstly, Talia had no interest in marriage; secondly, she had been cast out by her family, so the issue of continuing the lineage did not exist. Furthermore, she owed the Imperial Family an absurd amount of debt, though Franz and Madame Sophie might not demand repayment.

Most importantly, the crude man before her did not suit her tastes at all.

Talia had been born into a noble family and had lived in the palace; her standards were terrifyingly high.

She liked refined men, not greasy middle-aged men.

And how could Costa, an adventurer who spent his years sleeping under the stars and eating on the road, ever be associated with the word "refined"?

Realizing he could not capture her attention, Costa had no choice but to return to the main topic.

"Madam, I have obtained the treasure of the City of Gold—"

Before Costa could finish, Talia glared at him. He immediately realized his mistake; since the lady was technically unmarried, he gave an awkward smile and pivoted.

"Miss, I have already obtained the map to the City of Gold. Within that city lies a city cast in gold by the Incas. As long as we can bring back a few gold bricks, you will recover your investment. But we will provide you with a hundredfold—no, a thousandfold return, making you the wealthiest person in the world!"

Legends of the Amazonian City of Gold had circulated for centuries, and thousands had died seeking it.

But legends were merely legends. Talia had no interest in them, and she interrupted the boasting Costa.

"I want ten thousand rubber tree seeds. In exchange, I will sponsor your expedition with one hundred thousand florins."

Costa was somewhat bewildered. "Miss, what do you want rubber tree seeds for?"

"To fill my garden."

Costa was speechless. "You truly are a person of exquisite taste."

***

(End of Chapter)