"To be honest, every time the Vanderbilt family appears in newspapers, it doesn't have a good image!" Sheffield said after a moment of silence, "It's often associated with conspicuous consumption."

"Conspicuous consumption?" Vanderbilt II frowned slightly and looked at Sheffield suspiciously. This was obviously a new term.

"Well, conspicuous consumption!" Sheffield nodded and explained the meaning of this term, which refers to the wealthy upper class showing off and showing off to others through wastefulness, extravagance and extravagance of items beyond what is necessary for practicality and survival.

Show one's financial resources and social status, as well as the glory, prestige and fame that this status brings.

To be honest, the boundaries of conspicuous consumption are not very obvious. If you get greater benefits after spending a lot of money, is this kind of consumption worth it? Because this kind of thing is always related to collusion with power and money, is it worth it? Sheffield has its own

Judgment, but like Vanderbilt II, it is definitely not worth it.

The leaders of the first two generations of the Vanderbilt family alone have accumulated wealth of nearly 200 million U.S. dollars. This is an astronomical figure in this era. The only people who can stabilize the railroad kings are the oil kings Rockefeller family. As for Morgan, his money is not

Personally, Rockefeller Jr. estimated that Morgan's wealth was around $100 million.

But the wealth of the Vanderbilt family actually only lasted for twenty years. From now until twenty years later, the Vanderbilt family will become an ordinary wealthy family. It is still surviving.

For many years, this was related to the fact that Vanderbilt II had many real estate projects, which allowed the Vanderbilt family to live on rent for many more years.

"So this is how I look in the eyes of others?" Vanderbilt II laughed at himself, "I have lived for more than fifty years, and I have left such a reputation."

More than fifty years? Sheffield was really surprised. He just thought that the other party was around forty. At such an old age, he still dwells on the youthful past of a friend he made out of nothing?

"I thought you were at most the same age as my father!" Sheffield showed a wry smile. He could only explain it by saying that a superior life can indeed determine many things. The same is true for Harry Sheffield, but Vanderbilt II

Why haven’t you seen the heir?

If Vanderbilt II is really over 50 years old, then his life can really be summed up by saying that he has accomplished nothing. Although there is a saying that a prodigal son returns with no money in return, this age of turning back is still a little too late.

.

"Yes, I can only negotiate business with people of the same age as my children." Vanderbilt II laughed at himself, "Actually, I also know that this kind of life is unsustainable. It may be because of my age.

Now, I sometimes think about how to pass on wealth. I have also seen my father’s busy life in the past, and I know that this wealth is hard-won. Unlike my descendants, almost none of them have seen the situation at that time, so they built in New York.

I bought a lot of apartments, built a lot of buildings, and then got involved in supermarket chains, but my business can't be said to be successful."

"Before you came to visit me, I thought that relying on the railroad to collect a lot of wealth every year would be enough to keep the family running. But when I saw you, I changed my mind. You are only in your twenties!" Vander

Bilt II looked at Sheffield with a complicated expression, "In just a few years, you have become an outstanding representative of young rich people. If you don't show up at Biltmore Manor, maybe I will feel okay with my sons.

But I’m afraid of comparison!”

"I'm sorry!" Sheffield was stunned for two seconds, and then expressed his apology. It seems that the third generation heir of the railway king still retains a little sense, and he also knows that even with huge wealth, he will still be defeated.

over.

"Don't talk about these personal matters, is your Panama Canal project profitable?" Vanderbilt II asked a very basic and essential question.

"It is not a matter of making money or not, it is a rare opportunity. For the entire country, this is a big project that attracts national attention. In fact, as long as the federal government leaks a little bit of information, financing will not be possible at all.

There is a problem, and the state has to cover it, because compared with people's livelihood, it is also very important to national defense, but as a businessman, I don't want to describe it in terms of guaranteed profits."

Sheffield is not worried about financing. He makes money for everyone, but he has an urgent problem now, which is to make quick money and start the next project immediately. He cannot let Little Rockefeller wait too long, so he is so urgent. If there is a three

Five years have passed, what kind of financing? Wouldn’t it be nice to take it all to yourself?

"I have a very good relationship with Rockefeller Jr. He has already said that the Rockefeller family was helped by the Vanderbilt family in the early years. At that time, I was thinking that the New Orleans renovation plan could involve families with connections in the construction field.

, but I didn’t think about Panama’s problem at first!”

Sheffield concealed the urgency and only told Vanderbilt II that the project must be focused and that if it was carried out at the same time, it would require an injection of funds. In fact, he now particularly hopes that the Vanderbilt family will join in.

"I need to see the detailed copy plan!" Vanderbilt II agreed simply, but still wanted to say that the information provided now is not enough.

"Okay, I always have some problems with my own narrative, so you might as well take a closer look!" Sheffield smiled brightly, "I think what you want to see is the plan for the Panama Canal project. It's OK, but it must be kept secret."

In the Rockefeller Manor, little Rockefeller saw Natalia next to Sheffield. She had a nose that was not a nose and eyes that were not eyes. He nodded, motioned to sit down, and asked his wife to accompany Natalia for a walk. He hummed and said with a smile.

, "Should I praise your charm first?"

"It's nothing more than a little bit of charm!" Sheffield said, not ashamed but proud, "But it's not shameful to use money to save some steps. Who said there won't be love in the future. Let's talk about fate.

This thing is not accurate. There is a thing called eye fate. If you have it, you have it, and if you don’t, you don’t have it. You can’t force others to be pastors just because you want to be a pastor. Moreover, pastors dedicate their lives to God. Who can

Do you know how many crimes are hidden under their sanctimonious robes?"

Catholics, who devote their lives to God, are a concentrated area for scandals. Sheffield has never had a good impression of these hypocrites.

"Then should I thank you on behalf of Edith?" Little Rockefeller was so angry that he laughed, pointing down and said, "This is the land of the Rockefeller Manor, and you just brought another woman here? I really want to beat you up.

."

"Really? This really surprises me!" Sheffield said perfunctorily, not taking it seriously at all. Just save the plastic brother-sister relationship, as he spends most of his time acting.

"But the most surprising thing to me is that you actually found the playboy Vanderbilt II, and you were actually able to get funds from him. It's incredible!" Rockefeller Jr. stopped mentioning it.

They are affectionate as siblings, but were surprised by Sheffield's operation, "How did you do it?"

"It's not like I haven't seen people like Vanderbilt II before. My father behaved like this in Paris, but he didn't have the money to build a house for more than ten million dollars. And Edith

They are also the kind of people. It is difficult to get in touch with them. There are two people like this among the close family members." Sheffield did not think this matter was difficult, and changed the subject, "As for why he was able to get from Vanderbilt

The family got help, I have to ask you about this. When your father first started running the oil business, didn’t he also get help from their family?”

"You have not forgotten that it was you who came up with the idea to make me good at using the power of allies. This is the ally I found. Rather than leaving such a good opportunity for me, it is better to say that many companies have a tacit understanding of this matter. I hope

The degeneration of the descendants of the railroad king has become a subconscious thought for many people, but I am different. Now I urgently need money. Even if it may benefit the Vanderbilt family in the future, I can’t control so much now!"

Sheffield spread his hands. He has a lot of cash, which is what he currently lacks. What should he do? This is the only way.

For Vanderbilt II to continue conspicuous consumption like this, it is better to do some serious business, and the competitors he faces now are so powerful. Morgan prefers to control the power of the entire economic world, compared to his power in the economic world

Despite his huge influence, the money he earns himself is actually not that much.

But it is this characteristic that makes Morgan appear to be more powerful than Standard Oil. If Sheffield didn't think he had a good eye for it, he would want to entrust his wealth to Morgan. Morgan would rather make money for himself than to make money for himself.

His friends are getting rich, but he himself doesn’t make much money in comparison. Who wouldn’t like such a partner?

This is Morgan's unique advantage. Compared with Morgan, the Rockefeller family is much more self-indulgent. Therefore, antitrust laws have come to the door. Sheffield cannot do this, so the current situation is,

Aren't the two companies signing up for a team to keep warm?

"At Carnegie Steel Company, I'm going through the procedures and I'm being held up. You should hurry up if you can." Young Rockefeller thought for a moment and said, "Morgan is helping the British issue public bonds right now, so he can't take care of it for the time being.

This way."

"Actually, if you don't think about splitting Standard Oil into two companies, you will have the initiative anyway and create the illusion of competition by yourself, so you don't have to worry about antitrust laws." Sheffield looked at the restrained young man.

Rockefeller, wondering if he could help the other party.

"You know the direction of the gate!" Young Rockefeller glared and issued an eviction order. No one could touch Standard Oil.
Chapter completed!