Seeds of Ten Thousand Rubber Trees

Andrew Jackson listened to his subordinates report on the implementation of the Indian Removal Act. In his eyes, the Indians should have no legal standing; those weak, barbaric tribes deserved to be crushed by the mighty military of the United States.

However, the blood of the Indians stirred him. It was a pity he could not personally scalp them himself, a skill he felt had grown rusty.

Andrew Jackson recalled his predecessors. Whether it was George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, these great presidents could slaughter Indians freely. Why, in his own era, did Andrew Jackson have to find excuses to kill them? It was damnation itself.

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

Yet, at the mere mention of Indians, Andrew Jackson was reminded of that hypocritical and conceited banker.

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

The costs of the Removal Act were astronomical, and many within the United States government were dissatisfied, including Andrew Jackson and his Kitchen Cabinet.

"But Biddle's reputation has reached its zenith; everyone calls him the God of Wealth. Based on current revenues, the United States government's income this year will hit a record high. Mr. Biddle is truly deserving of the credit," Martin Van Buren replied.

Even the members of the Kitchen Cabinet, whom Andrew Jackson trusted most, tacitly accepted this fact, for the profits from land were simply too exaggerated.

"To hell with the God of Wealth! That idiot even built himself a temple! Biddle and the Indians alike should vanish from this world. Martin, believe me, he will destroy this country!" Andrew Jackson roared hysterically.

Martin Van Buren did not answer, for even he now believed in Biddle's theory.

"As long as housing prices are high enough, selling New York would be enough to 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 path of migration the "Trail of Tears."

The Cherokee tribe alone saw thousands perish along the trail of tears.

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

Yet, what Andrew Jackson did not expect was that his forced expulsion policy was precisely what kept land speculation in the United States heating up.

At the same time, economic experts and speculators, including Friedrich List, joined this massive real estate frenzy.

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

Although land prices in other parts of the United States had not risen as dramatically as in Chicago, the entire United States was in a state of extreme optimism, believing that land prices across the country would eventually follow Chicago's lead.

The most important reason Friedrich List joined the real estate frenzy was that, while working in the Austria cabinet, he had received news that Baron Bruck had received funds, possibly from the royal family, to purchase land in the United States.

Moreover, as the Consul General of the United States to the German Confederation, Friedrich List was well-informed about the situation in the United States.

The land fever had spread throughout the United States, and Friedrich List naturally had no reason to let such an opportunity pass. He staked all his savings and his assets in the United States, even taking out a loan in Prussia.

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

In particular, his method of preventing Austria's influence from extending further into North Germany was nothing short of art.

However, some officials were deeply dissatisfied with Friedrich List's greed, believing his motives were impure—that he might help Prussia for money today, only to betray it for money tomorrow.

But William III remained unmoved. He felt that while such a man was mercenary, from another perspective, as long as there was sufficient profit, such a person would be the most loyal of subjects.

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz was writing a letter at his desk, addressed to Archbishop Rauscher.

Although Rauscher felt Franz was a born saint, he still regarded him merely as a child.

Thus, Franz had to play the trick of divine revelation. Franz claimed he had seen angels in his dreams, and that the angels had led him to a stone tablet, of which he was merely the faithful recorder of the text.

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

Of course, when writing the previous three letters, Franz did not need to resort to such supernatural charades.

The proselytizing efficiency of the church in this era was too low, so Franz had to reform it and keep pace with the times. Although this still could not fool himself, it was a dimensionality-reducing strike against the common people of this era.

The adventurer Costa finally met the mysterious patron, though he had not expected this generous benefactor to be a woman.

Judging by her attire and temperament, this lady was clearly very wealthy. If he could latch onto such a rich woman, he would not have to spend the rest of his life searching for that damn treasure in the damn rainforest.

Therefore, he showered Thalia with flattery along the way, but Thalia, an old maid of this era, remained completely unmoved.

Firstly, Thalia had no interest in marriage; secondly, she had been cast out by her family, so there was no issue of carrying on a lineage. Furthermore, she owed an outrageous debt to the royal family, though Franz and Sophie might not necessarily make her repay it.

Most importantly, this vulgar man before her was not at all to her taste.

Thalia had grown up in an aristocratic family and later entered the royal palace; her standards were terrifyingly high.

She preferred a refined man, not a greasy middle-aged uncle.

And how could Costa, an adventurer who had spent years sleeping in the wild, ever be associated with the word "refined"?

Finding he could not capture her attention, Costa had to steer the conversation back on track.

"My lady, I have obtained the treasure map of the City of Gold..."

Before Costa could finish, Thalia glared at him. He immediately realized his mistake—that the lady before him was not yet married—and quickly offered an awkward smile, changing his tone.

"My miss, I have obtained the treasure map of the City of Gold. The City of Gold contains a city built of gold by the Inca. As long as we can bring back a few gold bricks, you will recoup your investment. We will return your investment a hundredfold—no, a thousandfold—making you the wealthiest person in the world!"

Legends of the Amazon City of Gold had existed for centuries, and thousands had lost their lives for it.

But legends were just legends, and Thalia had no interest in them. She interrupted the rambling Costa.

"I want 10,000 rubber tree seeds. For this, I will sponsor your expedition with 100,000 Florin."

Costa was somewhat surprised. "Miss, why do you want rubber tree seeds?"

"To enrich my garden."

Costa was speechless. "You truly have refined taste."

Seeking votes, seeking support.

In a few more years, the protagonist will be able to go out and beat people up.