His Excellency the Count of Grandet

Although the Aubrion family is so weird that it makes people speechless, Ferdinand didn't plan to talk to them at all, so naturally he wouldn't take it to heart; and Charles felt that he would settle the family's every minute matter, as long as they dared to come——

So neither of them mentioned it to anyone else.A group of people continued west until Louisiana circled north and entered the Arkansas area.

By this time, it was midsummer.Cottons all over the mountains and fields are already budding and blooming. Looking from a distance, a piece of deep red cotton bolls is swaying in the wind, like an undulating ocean——

Because of prehistoric geological activities, the Arkansas area has fertile soil and dense water networks, which are very suitable for farming.Its name means "people who live down the river," referring to the Mississippi River.After the Spaniards and French arrived here, it was developed into a large manor, all planted with cotton.

"They look like they're growing well," said Shire.He was not very good at growing cotton, but it was easy to tell if the plants were healthy or not.

"Of course! Otherwise, would I dare to take you to see it?" Mr. Tyson—one of the big manor owners who had previously negotiated with Shire about the purchase intention—replied so proudly.

"You must be joking." Charles smiled, "Even if you don't come to see it, just the tone of assurance you patted on your chest gave me enough confidence."

This was very pleasant, and Tyson laughed out loud. "Now I understand why you can bring your business to us—with your mouth, you can do everything right, right?"

"You praise me so much, I really can't help but say something good—" Charles joked casually, "You are going to get me to sign my seal here, with such a scene, and with such words? Perhaps Want a better price? What do you think?"

"Is this a good word?" Tyson asked back, but there was no anger in his tone, "But if this means that you are willing to consider both the signature and the price, then I really have to admit it."

Charles shook his head exaggeratedly. "What you said just now - the omnipotent mouth and so on, should be applied to yourself!"

The two of them were courteous to each other, and the others either chimed in or rolled their eyes inwardly—yes, it was Victor who rolled their eyes.Tyson is not the only owner of a cotton plantation in the United States, why should Shire waste his time so much?

——Don't doubt, this is a narrow-minded and possessive guy who is jealous again.

But Victor also knew that although Charles had always had a good temper, it was best not to interfere with Charles' business at this time, otherwise the consequences would be unpredictable.So he muttered a few words in his heart, maintaining his usual expressionless face——

Now that things have happened, he can only hope that the work can be done quickly!

Shire didn't notice Victor's thoughts for the time being—it was really difficult to distract him from his work—he was still discussing the cotton variety with Tyson. "Are you planting local varieties here?"

"Most of them are," Tyson replied. "There are some South American varieties in the foothills and plains. But they grow too slowly. Maybe I should plant them in a different way." Very unexpected.

"That is to say, you have those cotton samples in your hand?" Charles was slightly curious.The type of cotton determines the length of the fiber, and the length of the fiber determines the quality of the woven fabric.Low yield is one thing, good quality is another.

"Of course, there are all of them. I'm going to take you to see them!" Tyson affirmed, and at the same time praised himself in his heart for his preparedness——

In the previous time, he had a preliminary understanding of Shire's personality and knew that Shire paid attention to details, so he specially prepared everything he could think of in advance.After all, rather than looking for many small buyers, he would certainly prefer to sell all his cotton to Shire at once.

The first saves time, the second saves energy, and the third can make more money-why not do it?

"That's not in a hurry." Charles just wanted a reply, he didn't really say that the wind is the rain, and he will see it soon. "Can you tell me about the beautiful scenery of this place?"

"Of course!" He had already decided to win over Shire, a big client, so Tyson would naturally not object to the opportunity to perform. "If you come in September and October, it will be spectacular—the cotton is ripe and fluffed, it is simply a sea of ​​platinum!"

Charles counted the time in his mind.

It is now June; the meeting place for the return trip is scheduled to be in Boston, and they will pass through the Arkansas area, and it will be July at the earliest.Including the time spent in the Atlantic Ocean, it is already August in France.It's not too late for Bordeaux grapes to ripen, but the army's wine buying time is a bit tight.If he really stays in the United States until September and October, then he can only spend Christmas when he goes back.

But before Charles could speak, Victor vetoed it for him. "That's good advice, but our time has always been precious."

Tyson heard that this was a refusal, and he didn't take it as a disobedience. "Of course I can understand," he nodded and said, "You are all people who do great things!" Anyway, as long as the sales of cotton are settled, he doesn't care about other things.

And Ciel gave Victor a sideways look at an angle Tyson didn't notice.Tyson can't hear it, can't he hear it?Victor definitely felt that his work in the United States was no less than that in France, so he naturally didn't want him to stay in the United States any longer.

But Ciel didn't say that directly.Instead, he pointed to a ravine in the distance and asked, "Is the land over there also yours? Why isn't cotton planted?"

Tyson didn't even have to look in that direction to laugh. "You are not the first person to ask this question—although the other end is also black soil, but the terrain is too complicated, high and low, and it is a bit difficult to level it up as a manor." He paused and said, "But you want to If you want to see it, of course there is no problem. In fact, the scenery in the valley is good, it’s just a test of foot power.”

"Is that so?" Charles was thoughtful, but he didn't show it, but just smiled: "It seems that I will disturb you for a few more days."

When he heard about the location of Cotton Garden before, he thought it was a bit similar, and it looked even more like it on the spot; but he was still not sure if it was the place he thought——

If he remembers correctly, there is a very famous mine in the Arkansas area, so famous that when you mention Arkansas Americans, you will think of it——

Diamond Mine!

Cotton is found in many places, but not diamonds!

This is one of the reasons why Shire chose Tyson as its cotton partner.Anyway, he had to watch the scene once anyway, and it would be better to have more opportunities.If he has diamonds, even if he earns, he doesn’t lose money if he doesn’t, right?

Shire's calculation can be described as crackling, but Tyson was completely kept in the dark.Because the place was inaccessible, they gave up early when they saw that it was not suitable for growing cotton.At this moment, hearing Charles' tone, he felt that Charles really wanted to go for a visit, so he assured him, "Isn't that better? Just let me show my respect as a landlord!"

This day the host and guest enjoyed themselves.In the next few days, under the leadership of Tyson, a group of people went around the manor roughly and finalized the details one by one.On the one hand, Tyson feels that Shire must have perfectionism, but on the other hand he has to admit that such an attitude is beneficial to both parties, especially when Shire is not stingy in charging a high price for his high demands.

"I'm really worried, after working with you, can I still do business with other people!" Tyson said to Shire after confirming all the contract content and only the tariff issue. "I've never negotiated with someone more reliable than you! I can think of anything!" He had heard that Shire was shrewd earlier, so he thought it was a derogatory term, close to the kind of penny-pinching; Can only be gathered into one feeling——

People like Charles are born to make money!At least Shire is the first one who dares to invest in encouraging him to grow those low-yielding cottons!

"It's hard to say. Maybe in the eyes of some people, I'm just spending money lavishly." Charles said this, with strong hints.

Tyson was amused. "Look what you're talking about!" he said, waving his hands. "Indeed, when it comes to spending money, you're one of the best people I've ever met. But first, you have so much money, and second You can make more money with it—what's the problem? At least from my point of view, I wish I could spend it like you; I can't count on earning it!"

Victor, who was listening on the side, felt that his knee was shot into a sieve every minute.God knows, he just slightly expressed his dissatisfaction that Charles was too busy to touch the ground no matter where he was!The industrialist is too busy, even if he has been processing the financial documents sent from China, there is not so much to do!

But because of Victor's complaints, Charles decided to stay in Arkansas for another two days.Tyson had already taken them to the Valley once, but to no avail.Since Victor has objections, they can just go there again as two of them.No diamonds, at least no one, right?

This played into Victor's hands.It's too inconvenient to be in other people's manors; moreover, he has learned a lot from his mistakes, so he specially brought a change of clothes when he went out this time.So soaked once more—this time in a cascade play—he hugged Shire contentedly, water rippled around them.

Ciel leaned against the lake, and didn't want to say anything about Victor's appearance like a big dog protecting his food.At first glance, it looks like a Tibetan Mastiff, but is it actually a Husky? "It's almost time, let's get up and go back." He really wanted to go back to Paris now - although it was probably all about cheating, having a bed is much more convenient than going out in the wild, right?

Although Victor is reluctant, he also knows that this is the truth.In fact, he missed the bed as much as Charles, because although the outdoors are exciting, they can't be fully enjoyed.As a result, he let go of Shire, and just took a step towards the shore when he let out a low voice: "Ouch!"

"What's the matter?" Charles stood up behind Victor and asked after hearing the words.

"I got caught by something," Victor replied while moving his foot away, "probably a stone... eh?" The water was clear and shallow, so the situation under the water's surface could be clearly seen. "I seemed to be dazzled by some light just now..." He bent down muttering, and picked up a handful of stones.

When Charles heard that he was silent, he couldn't help stretching his head to look.I don’t know if I don’t look at it, but I’m startled when I see it——

What is that little thing that is mixed in the dark stones and reflects the sunlight strongly?

……diamond?diamond!

The author has something to say: Shire: Go out and step on diamonds, what kind of shit luck!

Victor: Honey, all my diamonds are for you!

Guillaume: Wait, is there something wrong with giving diamonds?

Ferdinand: Not quite +1

Alphonse: Not quite +2

Papa Grandet: Not quite right +3

……

Francois: Whatever you say, everything is right, my father-in-law!

Guillaume: ... What is the father-in-law?Even your name is wrong!