The times in Chicago had changed.
When the Chicago Daily Truth announced on its front page that Allen Williams had taken control of the Mississippi and Eastern Railroad Company, everyone realized that the era when the Eastern Railroad Alliance could do as it pleased in this city was likely gone forever.
Three days later, the Mississippi and Eastern Railroad Company held a new board meeting.
In the conference room, Allen, the company's new owner, sat in the main seat that had originally belonged only to Charles Reeves.
Reeves, meanwhile, willingly sat at his right hand.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
Allen smiled, his gaze calmly sweeping over each of the directors, whose expressions were complex.
"I think we don't need to waste time on some trivial procedures."
Allen's smile faded, and his tone was unyielding.
"I now propose that Mr. Charles Reeves continue to serve as the company's Vice General Manager and Chief Engineer. I believe no one understands better than him how to make trains run. Does anyone have any objections?"
The conference room was silent; no one raised an objection.
Allen looked around, a smile playing on his lips.
"Very good."
"Then, for the second motion, I will continuously grant the company a special debt-to-equity fund totaling fifty thousand dollars. This will be used for the comprehensive renovation of our existing tracks and locomotives, and to enhance the security level of all our transfer yards."
Fifty thousand dollars!
This figure made everyone present gasp.
This amount was more than the company's total profit over the past five years.
"My philosophy is simple, gentlemen."
Allen looked at them one by one, saying earnestly,
"The core of a railroad company should be its tracks and locomotives, not stocks and dividends. From today onwards, all profits of this company for the next three years will be reinvested in construction.
We will turn every dollar into sturdier sleepers and more powerful steam engines. We will build the Mississippi and Eastern Railroad into the safest, most punctual, and most efficient freight lifeline in all of America. Does anyone have any questions?"
Everyone exchanged glances, not knowing what to say, as the controlling shareholder had just taken over the company and provided a continuous loan of fifty thousand dollars.
Now that he was voluntarily requesting no dividends, the minority shareholders felt it improper to object.
Seeing that the scene remained silent, Allen stood up directly.
"It seems no one has any objections, so the meeting is adjourned. Mr. Reeves, please stay; everyone else can go about their work."
When only the two of them remained in the office, Reeves spoke in a voice almost like a dream:
"Allen... fifty thousand dollars... you... you really are going to invest that much money?"
"Of course, Charles. Besides, it's a debt-to-equity fund, which will directly convert into shares, so I won't lose out."
Allen's tone became friendly.
"I told you, I hate failure. And I hate failure caused by aging equipment even more."
"But what about your return?"
"No dividends for three years means your investment won't see any short-term returns."
Allen smiled, a nonchalant expression on his face.
"Short-term gains are for speculators."
"But we, Charles, are builders. Our returns are in the more distant future."
A knock sounded on the office door.
Allen's bodyguard, Flynn, led in a dusty but fierce-eyed man.
It was Bill, who had traveled overnight by train from New York.
"Allen!"
Bill gave Allen a big hug as soon as he entered, his voice still as clear as a bell.
"You rascal! You actually carved out a territory in Chicago!"
"Let me introduce you, Bill," Allen said, "This is the partner I mentioned to you, Mr. Charles Reeves. The true soul of this railroad company."
"Mr. Reeves, I've heard much about you!"
Bill enthusiastically extended his thick hand.
"Hello, Mr. Bill."
Reeves also stood up and shook his hand.
One was an idealistic engineer, the other a grassroots slaughterhouse overlord.
Two people who would never have intersected, stood together somewhat awkwardly, brought together by Allen.
"Charles, Bill," Allen said, "From today onwards, you two will be my most important right and left hands in Chicago."
"Charles, you are responsible for everything on the tracks."
"Technology, engineering, dispatching. You must ensure our trains are always on time, always safe."
Then Allen turned his gaze to Bill.
"Bill, you are responsible for everything under the tracks."
"Under the tracks?"
Bill was a bit confused.
"Yes."
"Your mission is to guard the Union Stock Yards, our most important source of goods."
"You are to make friends with those ranchers, drink with them. Use your best methods to ensure that every head of cattle from our clients is transported onto our trains as quickly, at the fairest price, and in the safest way possible."
"Charles, you are responsible for making the trains run. And you, Bill, are responsible for ensuring the trains always have something to pull. You two will jointly manage this lifeline of our West. Understood?"
Reeves and Bill exchanged glances.
Both saw admiration for Allen in each other's eyes.
After establishing this stable management system in Chicago, Allen knew it was time for him to go home.
The day before he left, Vice Bank President Harris of Chicago City Bank visited again.
"Mr. Williams."
Harris's tone was more respectful than ever before.
"I received a letter from Mr. Sloan, which he asked me to deliver to you."
Allen took the letter and opened it.
There were no threats, no curses in the letter.
Only one sentence.
"You won this round. I look forward to our next encounter."
Allen smiled, casually tossing the letter into the fireplace.
"Mr. Harris, please also convey a message to Mr. Sloan for me."
"Please speak."
"Tell him, I also look forward to it."
The next day, as Allen boarded Reeves' company's special train for his journey back to New York, he felt incredibly relaxed.
The logistics base in Chicago was stable.
The production factory in New York, under Catherine's management, was generating profits at an unprecedented speed.
The political front in Washington had also successfully laid the most important groundwork.
His trip west not only resolved an imminent supply chain crisis, but more importantly, it placed a crucial strategic piece for his future business empire.
Looking out at the vast western plains rapidly receding past the window, Allen believed that his name and canned goods would soon conquer every corner of this continent along these railroad tracks.