America 1919

Chapter 1607 - 590: There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

The Silver Group is not a company or a conglomerate, but a small group within Congress made up of senators from the seven silver-producing states!

These seven states are all in the western United States, namely Utah, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, Arizona, and Colorado.

They concentrate over 80% of the nation’s silver enterprises, employing nearly 5,000 people.

When it comes to the Silver Act, the seven states’ one-seventh representation in the Senate, 14 seats, plays an important role.

According to later statistics, during this "Purchase of Silver Act" period, the Silver Group made a profit of over $1.5 billion!

"Do you want to go against the Silver Group within Congress?"

Cameron Block instinctively thought Donnie wanted to compete with the Silver Group.

"They have long formed an entrenched chain of interests internally, which is simply impossible to break!"

Cameron Block reminded Donnie.

The Silver Group has been formed for decades, with tangled internal relations, quite complex, and even several presidents before had failed to divide the Silver Group.

Cameron Block was truly worried that Tang Fei, in a moment of impulsiveness, would take action against the Silver Group.

Donnie waved his hand and said: "What are you thinking, I am fully aware of the tangled interests within the Silver Group, and I have never thought of provoking their interests.

I might even have to cooperate with them!"

Cameron Block was taken aback, looking at Donnie somewhat confusedly.

Donnie did not waste any words, directly calling Jessica Dole to bring the map over.

Jessica Dole brought the map, and Donnie pointed his finger below the United States.

"Mexico!"

Cameron Block’s tone heightened, with excitement in his voice.

Tang Fei nodded and said: "That’s right!"

Mexico also has a title, known as the "Silver Kingdom," with later explorations showing that Mexico’s silver reserves have reached 37,000 tons.

Meanwhile, one of the world’s largest silver mines, the Sojito Silver Mine, is in Mexico.

And Mexico’s current rulers, Aguirre and Escovar, are supported by Donnie.

So, as long as Donnie wishes, the Sojito Silver Mine in Mexico could very likely change hands.

Currently, the holder of the Sojito Silver Mine is Fresnillo Mining, a mining company registered in London.

This mining company also controls another silver mine in Mexico, located in Zacatecas, Mexico.

The Fresnillo Silver Mine is also the oldest historical silver mine.

It started operations as early as 1554.

Most interestingly, this mining company does not belong to that family.

In its early days, Spain was a maritime hegemon and conquered Mexico, so the Fresnillo Silver Mine was controlled by the Spanish government.

At that time, Spain established a mint in Mexico, using locally produced silver to make silver coins, with Spanish dollars also known as Mexican dollars.

About 2/3 of the silver coins were shipped across the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic to the Board of Trade in Seville, Spain, while the remaining 1/3 were transported across the Pacific Ocean to Manila, Philippines, for purchasing goods like silk and porcelain from the East.

After Mexico’s independence, the Spanish "Real" became the new "Eagle Dollar," but the money still came from the original Fresnillo Silver Mine, just "wearing a different coat."

Western powers, to gain financial privileges in the East, also issued and promoted their silver coins in the East, such as Britain’s "Trade Dollar" and Japan’s "Dragon Dollar," while local warlords minted their coins to seek benefits, but these silver coins fell short in the currency battleground against the "Eagle Dollar."

After the decline of Spain’s maritime dominance, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands rose in succession.

Coupled with the frequent changes of power within Mexico.

It has already led to chaos among Mexico’s mining companies.

If you really need to delineate clearly.

It can be clearly delineated indeed.

For instance, among Fresnillo Mining Company, behind them are mainly British nobles and the Mexican regime.

"Even if you have supreme power in Mexico, obtaining the mining rights for Mexico’s silver mines is not an easy task."

Cameron Block analyzed for Donnie.

"There are three problems here; first, although Aguirre and Escovar are supported by you, they certainly have their own interests and will not easily hand over the silver mines to you!

Second, the Silver Group in the United States will also not welcome a newcomer, especially of your scale; to them, your involvement would disrupt their internal balance.

Third, the British nobility is not that easy to deal with; your involvement would essentially take away their interests!

By then, if they collaborate, they might even destabilize your position in Mexico!"

Donnie nodded, speaking: "So, as I just mentioned to you, power requires the support of the majority.

That’s why I invited Nevada’s senator, Kapitman, to Los Angeles for a vacation!"

Kapitman, not only a senator from Nevada, but also has served as Chairman of the United States Foreign Relations Committee.

Of course, Kapitman is also an important member of the Silver Group.

Cameron Block thought for a moment, understood Donnie’s intention.

In the afternoon, Kapitman arrived in Los Angeles, and Donnie received Kapitman in his study!

"Mr. Pitman, I’d like to properly thank you for the matters in Las Vegas earlier!"