From legendary short seller to god of American capital

Chapter 78 Mysterious Visitor

Monday, October 1.

At 3:30 p.m., Larry accompanied Mr. Wallace to Hartford again, where Colt's carriage and entourage were already waiting at the train station.

They were greeted by Mr. Harper, the test director. Behind him, five luxurious four-horse carriages were parked on the side of the station square. A row of Colt employees dressed in black suits stood in neat rows, with their sidearms faintly visible in their open suit pockets.

The police officers in gray uniforms on duty in the square stood far to the side, showing no intention of approaching.

Even the solemn atmosphere caused passengers preparing to enter the train station to keep their distance, leaving the Colt company's horse-drawn carriage area in the square unusually empty.

Larry clicked his tongue at the sight, thinking to himself that capitalists in this era are truly the hidden bosses of the local area.

Politicians treat them as honored guests, tens of thousands of locals depend on them for their livelihood, and even gangs that swagger around in the slums avoid them, fearing that their gangs might be wiped out overnight.

This was just a small Colt; Larry couldn't even imagine how much power those large trusts, like Morgan Trust or Rockefeller's Standard Oil, had.

When Mr. Harper saw Wallace, a touching smile appeared on his face, as if he hadn't seen an old friend for twenty years. He then embraced Mr. Wallace tightly.

The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, while Larry stood behind them carrying luggage and a small leather suitcase full of documents.

"Our bond underwriting team from Paine Weber in New York will be arriving in Hartford at 5 p.m. Mr. Harper, as you know, it takes much longer to get here from New York than from Boston," Mr. Wallace said with a smile.

Mr. Harpa smiled and raised his hand, making a nonchalant expression. "It's only fair. We can arrange accommodation for you to help you recover from your journey."

Mr. Wallace smiled and declined, "No, no, sir, let's wait for them here together."

Mr. Harper nodded and waved behind him. Soon, three makeshift parasols, a small tea table, and portable chairs were set up in the open space of the small square. Mr. Harper invited Wallace and Larry to sit and wait. As soon as the two sat down, fragrant tea and refreshments were served.

"Sweet, or milk, sir?"

An employee asked Larry with a smile.

"Add a piece of sugar, please!" Larry nodded to him.

During the two hours of waiting for his colleagues in New York, Mr. Harper kept Wallace chatting, while Larry just sat to the side drinking tea, both relieved that he didn't have to engage in awkward conversation with the two of them and feeling a little bored.

He had a very fulfilling two days.

While in Holliston, it took him almost a full day and a half to calm his parents down. He had to use all his words to convince them that the "trading" he was doing was actually a legitimate business, a sophisticated way to make money through reasoning and probability, rather than gambling or falling into a new scam.

This isn't to blame Larry's parents for worrying unnecessarily; New England is the most conservative and Puritanically oriented region on the East Coast. Larry's parents were ordinary people who prayed to God with every meal, so naturally they didn't have such an open mind or a correspondingly big heart.

The Puritans were somewhat like fundamentalists in Christianity. Why did the earliest Puritans travel across the ocean to the Americas? It was because they rigidly demanded that their every action conform to the requirements of the Bible. This extremely harshness made them extremely disliked by the surrounding dignitaries and other believers.

The Puritans had a strange tenet: only hard work could please God, and rest and entertainment were blasphemous. Speculation and lending were simply demonic acts.

If a person becomes rich by growing more grain and fishing, it is a gift from God; but if a person makes a lot of money by lending money at high interest rates, hoarding and speculating, what difference is there between such a person and those Jews who were abandoned by God?

Although the Puritans had become much more moderate 200 years later, they still retained a great deal of conservative inertia.

Larry had never dared to tell his parents about his profits because the contrast was too great, and he was afraid his parents wouldn't be able to handle it.

In his past life, Larry's parents were the most honest and hardworking farmers in China. They toiled until the 80s, finally seeing their son become a low-level township official. Then they would tell him: "I quit my job and went into business. I became a millionaire selling roasted sunflower seeds..."

Your parents would definitely think you're crazy.

Considering his parents' ability to cope, Larry had to proceed gradually.

On Sunday night, he returned to Boston from Holliston and, not having time to go back to his apartment, simply checked into a hotel near Mr. Wallace's house.

Early Monday morning, Larry hired a carriage to pick up Mr. Wallace as promised, and after the two boarded the train, the breakfast that was delivered did not include any seafood.

Larry's steady and thoughtful approach earned Mr. Wallace's silent approval.

But Larry didn't have time to check Carnegie Steel's stock price. At that time in 1892, even in the most technologically advanced United States, you had to read stock ticker tapes to find out the latest stock quotes.

However, Larry is confident that the investment will be profitable. Although he feels a little uncomfortable, business is business, and that has nothing to do with anything else.

The group waited patiently until 5:30 p.m. before the train from New York finally arrived.

Mr. Wallace and Larry were already waiting at the exit to greet them.

The first to disembark from the train were the wealthy passengers from the first-class carriage. Four elite individuals, wearing top hats, tailored suits, and carrying leather suitcases, walked out of the station hall.

Mr. Wallace immediately embraced them with smiles.

These four people are the bond underwriting team of Paine Weber.

As Mr. Wallace greeted and chatted with them, Larry also put on a warm smile and took the opportunity to introduce himself.

After exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Wallace invited his four colleagues to ride in a carriage in the small square. But when the leader leaned closer and said a few words to Mr. Wallace, Mr. Wallace's eyes immediately lit up.

So everyone waited in place. Soon after, another middle-aged gentleman with gray eyes and a sprightly demeanor emerged from the exit. His clothes were noticeably more luxurious, and he wore gloves and carried a jeweled cane. His air of authority was completely different from that of Mr. Wallace and the four members of the bond underwriting team.

Accompanying him was a young waiter with neatly combed hair, carrying a leather bag and a large amount of messy luggage on his back, who was closely following behind the gray-eyed gentleman.

Mr. Wallace took two quick steps, extended his hands, and greeted the middle-aged gentleman with a smile, "Mr. Charles Coster, welcome to Hartford. It is my honor to work with you."

The middle-aged man with gray eyes hesitated for a moment when he saw Mr. Wallace's outstretched hands, but he still took off his gloves, handed them to the young waiter beside him, and then gently shook hands with Mr. Wallace.

Larry blinked, watching as Mr. Wallace's flattered smile spread across his face, and as he led the gray-eyed middle-aged gentleman toward the Colt executives in the small square.

Larry thought to himself, "Mr. Wallace's figure is quite supple! And this middle-aged gentleman with gray eyes named Charles Scott is clearly someone of great importance."

Could he be a director or general manager of Paine Weber Company?

Wallace led the way, followed by the gray-eyed middle-aged gentleman who put his gloves back on and strode ahead. Next came his personal secretary, and then four colleagues from the New York headquarters and Larry followed behind.

When Mr. Harper saw the crowd arrive, he stood up from his small chair and opened his arms to welcome them.

But Mr. Wallace took two quick steps and whispered a few words in his ear, and Mr. Harper's expression immediately changed. Gone was his previous businesslike politeness; his face now showed obvious awe.

As the gray-eyed middle-aged gentleman approached, Mr. Harper immediately extended both hands. "Welcome, Mr. Coster! It is an honor for Colt Company to have you in Hartford."

The gray-eyed gentleman removed his gloves and handed them to the young waiter beside him before nodding and smiling, shaking hands with Mr. Harper.

Larry noticed that, up to this point, Mr. Coster had not uttered a single word.

But Mr. Harper wore an expression of utter entitlement and hurriedly led Mr. Coster to the first carriage, personally opening the carriage door. "Sir, you and your secretary will ride in this carriage."

The middle-aged man with gray eyes put on gloves, nodded, and sat down in the carriage as if it were the most natural thing in the world.