Chapter 17 Preparation

  In the blink of an eye, Christmas was approaching. James did not rush to urge Mr. Daniel to go to Africa. He had enough time to wait. The teacher who had been traveling for many years also needed to rest, and the preparations for this trip would also take a certain amount of time.

  James is already preparing to start a factory in the northern part of the United States, and his inspection of the northern region this year has given him a general idea.

  The Howlett family has a solid foundation in farming and animal husbandry and has accumulated a lot of wealth, but there is still a blank in the industrial field. He plans to join forces with Herbert Fernon and Tom, the owner of the equipment factory, to enter the American heavy industry field.

According to my memory estimates, the American Civil War will break out in four or five years. Before that, a certain industrial foundation must be laid out. Taking advantage of the large-scale demand for iron and steel machinery during the Civil War, the first batch of original funds will be accumulated, and timely Give help to the northern army and seek certain political capital.

  However, what worries him the most is the state of Victor Logan. The awakening of mutant genes has profoundly affected Victor's character and spirit since he was a child.

James has been carefully observing Victor's living conditions. His fierce and domineering appearance and taciturn character make almost no one dare to approach him, but the desire for hunting from the depths of his blood makes this man run more and more. Looking for a way to vent in the depths of the forest, James knew he had to find a way to contain Victor's animal nature. He needs a sane helper, not a bloodthirsty beast.

  ……………

   "Do you want to open a factory?" Herbert Vernon came out of the construction site in a somewhat disheartened face, and was surprised to learn that Mr. Howlett Jr. wanted to enter the industrial field.

"Let's go to the United States! You need to know the current situation in the United States. There may be a war one day, and all the investment may be in vain by then!" Mr. Fernon looked at James with some puzzlement, and he became more and more I think this young man is just a prodigal son who thinks about it.

  First of all, he had to dig such a big cellar and didn’t know what to do, and then he had to go to the United States to throw money. The old Howlett’s family fortune in his life might be ruined by this grandson in a few years.

   "Yes, Mr. Feinon, I plan to open a factory in the United States, and the specific direction is still under consideration. The Feinon family has a solid foundation in the field of engineering. I wonder if they intend to cooperate with me?"

James smiled and said to Fenon that he understood what this fat man was thinking. In fact, James did not want Fenon to join in on a large scale. Not his style.

   "If you don't plan to take a share, I can continue to cooperate with you through employment, including future factory construction and certain technical support. How about it?"

   "If that's the case... I can still help!" Feinon agreed cheerfully with a twinkle of small eyes that were deeply piled up with fat. Immediately afterwards, he said with a trembling smile: "Don't worry! So many big businesses take care of me, and I will definitely give you the best price! It is definitely more cost-effective than going to the United States to find a contractor."

  This cunning fat man was planning in his own mind. It would be impossible for him to invest money to play with the rich young master, but how could he let go of the big business that could make money?

  …………

  An adult coyote was strangled by a thick hand, and the nails on the fingertips, like tiger claws, were deeply embedded in the coyote's flesh. It whimpered twice and stopped struggling.

  Victor had a satisfied expression on his face. He was no longer satisfied with hunting herbivores such as deer, deer, and antelope. No matter which side's flesh and blood was cut by his own or the sharp claws of the beast, he was full of fascination.

  In addition to facing James, a monster that destroys the environment, the animals in Lager Forest also have to be careful of the hunting of Victor, a beast.

  Victor strolled in the direction of the manor. In order to hunt the beasts and stay away from the range that humans might enter, he had to go deeper into the Rag Forest. The area was deserted, but broken tree trunks and rubble let him know that something extraordinary had happened here.

Just from the cracks and scratches on some big tree trunks, it can be regarded as the result of an adult brown bear's madness, but the cobweb-like cracks radiating from a few boulders and the almost recognizable fist prints in the middle let Victor know , he is not the only one with special hobbies and abilities.

  The forest and the rain are the easiest to wear away the smell. Victor looked around for a long time and sucked his nose from time to time, but he didn't get a trace of human smell. He continued on the way back somewhat unwillingly, but his eyes were slightly excited.

  …………

"Of course there is no problem in providing equipment purchase channels and technical training. If I heard correctly, Mr. Howlett, you don't object to my joining, do you?" Tom, the owner of the machinery factory forging training equipment for James, said carefully, He seems to have completely different ideas from Dudley Fernon.

   "Yes, Boss Tom, sorry your full name is..."

"Tom Wedell, Mr. Howlett, it's more comfortable to call me Tom." Boss Tom said indifferently. He is not an industry giant like Herbert Vernon, and in this era, large machinery factories can The business he received was very limited, and compared to a powerful place like the Howlett family, he could only be regarded as the owner of a blacksmith shop.

   "I have to say that your proposal surprised me, Mr. Tom, this is not an investment direction that most people are optimistic about. May I ask why you chose to join?" James asked with great interest.

"I have been in Edmond all my life. I know what kind of person your grandfather was, and I have always heard that you were very smart and knowledgeable since you were a child. Moreover, the drawings and designs you gave me... Although until now I don't understand what it is for, but I can see that it is not an ordinary object, if I can become a partner with you, then it is worth taking some risks!"

Mr. Tom Wedel said quite sincerely, James' smile became more and more intense, he stood up and held out his hand to Boss Tom: "Let's talk about the specific details, your main support is in terms of technology and channels. It will make you fight for your fortune, and your family and future generations will thank you for this decision in the future."

  James showed unclear confidence, and Boss Tom explained the progress of some equipment casting, and promised that all the manufacturing will be completed before next fall.

  After sending Boss Tom away and returning to his study, he looked at the map of North America hanging on the wall and drew red circles on several cities in the United States. Even though he had a long lifespan, he was still full of urgency. There are too many and too strong things to face in the future, but even if the Wolverine fighting alone is a hundred times stronger, it will not be able to catch it. The wolf is the most powerful animal only when it is in a pack. A lone wolf is doomed to wander miserably.

Thanks to the joining of Mr. Daniel, this Christmas has been quite lively. Mr. Howlett is now basically unable to move on his own, and his voice is getting smaller and smaller. James estimates that he can only survive this Christmas and not wait for the next one. up.

  Mother Elizabeth has been silent for many years, and has been mentally unstable, and even asks to reserve a place for John and Tony on such festivals. Every seemingly illustrious family has unknown sufferings.

  After the grandfather and mother symbolically attended the Christmas dinner, they were sent back to their respective rooms by the servants. O'Hara listened to Daniel talking about his travel knowledge and experiences, laughing nervously or happily from time to time. Looking at the snow-covered Rocky Mountains outside the window, James felt in a daze that if the world didn't have so many challenges and crises, it would be a joy to live in such a quiet way.

  (end of this chapter)