Australian Storm 1876

  Chapter 21 Danger is Coming

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  Queensland Autonomous Office

The assets of the Ludendorff ranch seized by the State Attorney's Office were publicly auctioned in a small side hall. There were not many gentlemen present, with only a dozen in total.

  In addition to a few staff in the prosecutor’s office, and a few state councillors who accompany the real buyer’s greetings, no more than 5 potential buyers can be counted. Three of them are members of the Royal Gold Mine Owners Association.

  Although the return on investment of pasture is very low, but the victory is stable, it seems to be a suitable investment channel.

  The premise is ~ on the basis of not expensive.

  State Attorney Jim Sturgers looked at the old European-style wall clock on the wall. It was almost 2:00 in the afternoon. He gave a light cough and signaled that the prosecutor’s assistant Armstrong could start.

"Dear sirs, please be quiet. In accordance with the spirit of the British Empire, the state prosecutor accused Ludendorff, a German rancher, with serious crimes such as mass robbery, murder, disrupting public order and obstructing public transportation. The evidence in the case is conclusive and in accordance with law. All his private property shall be confiscated and public auction shall be conducted, and all proceeds shall be turned over in accordance with the law, except for compensation to the victims, in order to punish serious crimes..."

  The prosecutor’s assistant Armstrong was talking. State Immigration Director Mr. Xford accompanied He Shoutian from outside the door, looked around, and sat down in an empty chair next to him.

  Speaker Mr. Edward sat in front of the well-dressed Sir Dennis chatting, looking back, his eyes gloomy.

  The auction has already started, he can’t say much.

  The entire Queensland Dominion Council has 69 members, of which 26 are in the capital, Brisbane, who are leaders in various industries and self-government offices.

  For example, Mr. Xford, Commissioner of Immigration, Sir Dennis, Chairman of the Huang Family Gold Mine Committee, and Rancher Smith, are all members of the State Assembly.

  Many parliamentarians hold public positions, which is also helpless.

  After all, the entire Brisbane is so big. Excluding Chinese and other ethnicities, there are only more than 30,000 people with pure British Isles and Australian dominion descent. In China, it is the population of a small town.

  The remaining Queensland Autonomous State councillors are scattered in other cities and wilderness towns. Most of them hold important public positions and it is usually difficult to get together.

  Today’s auction has only one target, the Ludendorff Ranch with an area of ​​37,200 acres, with about 52,000 sheep and more than 1,000 cattle.

  The prosecutor’s assistant Armstrong briefly introduced the situation and announced that the official auction had begun. The starting price was 3,000 pounds, and each increase should not be less than 500 pounds. The higher the price.

   "I give out 15,000 pounds..."

  After a short silence at the beginning, everyone was stunned by a shocking bid, and they all looked back.

The tall Li Fushou walked in Shi Shiran from the outside and gracefully bowed to the state prosecutor Jim Sturges. Jim Sturges graciously returned his salute and glanced at Edward quickly. speaker.

  Just as everyone was stunned, Li Fushou smiled and said; "Isn't this an auction being held? Why stopped, please continue."

  He Shoutian, who was sitting in the chair, almost screamed in surprise. Li Fushou looked over calmly and motioned him to pay attention to the occasion.

   Then, sit down beside He Shoutian.

   "Oh... ok, who else is willing to continue bidding?"

   Armstrong came back to his senses and asked other people about their purchase intentions, but everyone present fell into silence, and no one answered for a long time.

  Everyone is here to pick up the bargain. The price is so high all of a sudden, who can catch it?

In the vast area of ​​Queensland, the land is not valuable, and cattle and sheep are not valuable. The combined value of such a herd is not more than 2,000 pounds. A sheep is worth only a few pennies, and an acre of land is even less than one shilling. .

  The value is the farms with mature breeding facilities, as well as a large number of cowboys and skilled personnel that can be used by them, which can create a steady stream of money for the rancher, and the market can earn 700 to 800 pounds a year.

  Years when the market is bad, there may be large losses.

  The real value of Ludendorff Ranch should fluctuate between 14,000 and 16,000 pounds, and the difference will not be too much.

  If it is a dryland pasture located in the hinterland of Queensland, it is only one-third or less of this price, and it will never add a pound.

  The gold mine owners and ranchers who came to bid are all thinking of picking up cheap. This price is shouting at the gate of life, and people vent immediately.

  The game is dead!

  The strongest Sir Dennis shrugged his shoulders indifferently and said softly; “Since this gentleman wants it so much, just take it.”

   "Thank you." Li Fushou responded with a smile.

  Armstrong, who presided over the auction, asked again loudly; “The second time for the Ludendorff Ranch auction, is there anyone willing to pay a higher price?”

  "Gentlemen, this is the last chance. The Ludendorff Ranch auction inquiry is the third time. If you are interested, please seize the opportunity."

   "pop"

Armstrong knocked on the auction mallet in his hand and extended his hand to announce; “According to the rights granted by the laws of the British Empire, I announce that the Ludendorff Ranch, which was sealed by the State Attorney’s Office, will be auctioned off by the respected Mr. Lee. To win the pound sterling, you need to pay the corresponding tax to obtain the complete property right. Congratulations again."

   "Thank you, and thank you all for joining us."

  Li Fushou stood up and thanked him. He clearly saw Speaker Edward's face turned pale, and he just pretended to be ignorant.

  This small auction ended in a hurry. Li Fushou got his wish and acquired Ludendorff Ranch and merged it into his Red River Valley Ranch. The area of ​​the ranch suddenly increased from 130,000 acres to 167,200 acres.

  This also makes Red River Valley's pasture area rank among the top 5 in Queensland, and ranks fourth in terms of coverage.

  Large area is useless. The value of this lush pasture in the Red River Valley is much higher than those arid and rainless areas in the hinterland of Queensland.

  With crisscross rivers, surrounded by mountains, rich in mineral resources, and close to the state capital, Brisbane, the value of all pastures in Queensland ranks first.

  The entire Brisbane city extends from the southeast to the southwest. Except for a large-scale Smith ranch, it is adjacent to the edge of the city and belongs to the category of Red River Valley ranch, presenting an enveloping arc.

  From the geographical point of view, it is like Brisbane wearing a hat, this hat is the Red River Valley Ranch.

  President’s Office

  The voice of Speaker Edward's roar and anger came clearly, accompanied by the sound of broken porcelain and falling of books, making female secretary Helen shocked, not knowing what happened.

  The most sensible way now is to go out for a short time on business, such as going to the state attorney’s office to get an important document.

  In a mess in the office, Speaker Edward lost his noble and elegant demeanor, and his expression became furious.

  From today’s auction, he has confirmed one thing;

  Governor Frank has hooked up with potential Chinese forces, and at least reached some tacit understanding. This is very bad news.

  As the main competitor of Queensland's upcoming election campaign, Edward is currently in a bad situation.

  The current governor Frank is a mediocre guy, but he has been in power in Queensland for many years and has his own basic board. The Chinese power to Frank is the last straw to overwhelm the camel.

  Edward felt cold all over, and he didn't dare to think about it anymore.

  Immigration Director Wexford issued a certificate of naturalization for Chinese workers. As long as 6 months have passed, they have the right to vote, which means that the certificate of naturalization issued before the end of February will have a ballot in each hand.

  These votes will divert Edward’s long-term efforts, let his political ambitions go to waste, and stay away from the desired lifelong title of nobility. This is a fact that Edward is absolutely unacceptable.

  Also...Why did that Oriental Li Fushou appear in the auction?

  Where are the omissions in the plan?

  Edward panted and sat down, like a wounded beast with a dangerous light in his eyes.

  The attack at noon was caused by him, and he supported two large barrels of black powder and dozens of gunmen. The rancher Smith, who had already been scared, dared to attack again.

  Otherwise, this hillbilly from Kimbres, how could he have the courage to attack his powerful neighbor again, almost like looking for death.

  The Edward family owned large ranches, trading houses, and gold mines in Queensland. Almost all profitable businesses had to intervene in order to maintain a decent and luxurious life of the nobility.

  To count on the salary of politics, the whole family has to drink Northwest Wind.

  Due to the extreme shortage of whites in Queensland, politicians are not restricted from engaging in commercial activities, which will inevitably lead to the corruption of power and money collusion, which is determined by human nature rather than good wishes.

  The Edward family has a huge influence in Queensland and is closely related to the British Empire's South Pacific fleet. It is almost an unshakable behemoth.

  Once you are looking at someone, whoever is bound to be unlucky.

  (End of this chapter)