La Cruz was in his early thirties, but he looked older than he was. He has thick brown hair and a weathered face. He was tall and thin, but his muscles were strong, his eyes were piercing, and his waist was straight.

The Englishman took off his hat, bowed deeply to Guan Zhuofan, straightened up, and said loudly: "Your Royal Highness, I have admired your name for a long time, and it is a great honor for me to be able to serve you. ”

This old man is actually one of the earliest foreigners who had "business dealings" with Guan Zhuofan overseas. When he was in Shanghai, Libin ordered breech guns for Xuanjun, and on the British side, it was this La Cruz who handled it, and the two sides were "happy to cooperate". Libin describes him as "reliable and realistic".

When Lucas of Citigroup's European Division campaigned for the cooperation between the Chinese and British navies, La Cruz was also powerful. Lucas describes him as "tough and honest".

Kwan Zhuofan decided to set up "Citigroup Mining Company" in South Africa, and the reason why he chose La Cruz as the general manager is an important reason. There are two equally important reasons: first, La Cruz is British; Second, he was very similar to Dickdo, who served as the "assistant chief instructor" of the Chinese Navy, and was "someone in the DPRK" -- La Cruz's uncle and the new British colonial minister.

The British Colonial Department, which governs all overseas territories of Her Majesty's government except India and the Protectorate. The Cape Colony, which runs South Africa, is under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office.

Another reason is also important: La Cruz has been to South Africa several times for the wool business, and is very familiar with the situation in South Africa. It is suitable for both people and land.

After greeting each other, the three of them sat down separately.

La Cruz got straight to the point: "Your Royal Highness, I am very grateful for the trust you have placed in me. But. To tell you the truth, I'm not worried that I'm not up to the task and I'm not going to live up to your trust. ”

Guan Zhuofan said with a smile: "Mr. La Cruz, you are too modest. Well, why do you have such concerns? ”

La Cruz frowned slightly and said, "South Africa is a very barren land, among the many overseas territories of Her Majesty's Majesty. The Cape Colony was the most backward and poorest, with little decent growth. The only export product that is somewhat competitive is wool. ”

"However, both in quantity and in quality. The wool of South Africa cannot be compared with places like Australia and New Zealand, and it is not even comparable to the British mainland. ”

After a pause, he shrugged his shoulders. Continued: "Because the margins are too small. I have given up on buying wool in South Africa. Your Royal Highness, I have never heard of any significant reserves in South Africa other than wool, copper, iron, and coal. ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly and said, "Mr. La Cruz, I want you to find it." Not copper, iron, not coal. Rather, diamonds and gold. ”

Diamonds and gold?!

La Cruz's mouth was slightly open, and he couldn't close it for a moment.

Guan Zhuofan said: "Mr. La Cruz, you brought a map of South Africa, right?" ”

La Cruz came back to his senses and said, "Yes." He stood up, put the map of South Africa he had brought with him on the table, and spread it out.

The three of them gathered in front of the map.

Guan Zhuofan said: "There are two places, I ask you to pay special attention. ”

"One is here," Guan Zhuofan pointed lightly on the map with a pencil, "south of the Far, west of Bloemfontein, latitude 28°44'31'S, longitude 24°46'19'E." I think we're likely to find diamonds here. ”

La Cruz's mouth opened slightly again: how could this Royal Highness know that he could "find diamonds" here? Even the exact latitude and longitude marked? It's incredible! He...... Not kidding, right?

Or, he has already found the diamond there?!

Guan Zhuofan seemed to know what he was thinking, and said solemnly: "I'm not kidding, Mr. La Cruz, I have indeed found the diamond there." Moreover, there is ample evidence that there is a much larger vein of diamonds buried beneath the surface – and it's up to you to find it. Well, this place, do you know? ”

La Cruz froze, looked at the map carefully, and said, "Your Royal Highness, I have not been to this place, but I have been to Bloemfontein. Well, Your Highness, this place is probably very desolate, there are no decent towns around, and there should be no definite tenure, neither of the Cape Colony nor of the Republic of the Orange Free State - you see, there is no mark on the map. ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled: "It will soon be lively here—as long as you find the diamond vein." Well, I gave this place a name and it was called 'Kimberley', which is a transliteration of the Chinese 'Kimberley'. In Chinese, 'Jin' means gold and money, and 'Baili' means a lot of profit. ”

"What a good name, Your Highness," said La Cruz. I hope God willing, once it goes smoothly, 'Kimberly' can live up to its name." ”

Guan Zhuofan nodded and said, "'True to the name', you said it very well." Well, this second place, here, a little bit south of Pretoria, at 26°08' south latitude and 27°54' east longitude. ”

There are also detailed latitudes and longitudes?!

Lacruz stared at the map and said, "This place, when I went to Pretoria, should have passed by." However, despite its proximity to Pretoria, it is still very desolate and there are few towns nearby. In fact, Your Highness, Pretoria itself is very backward, and as the capital of the Transvaal Republic, there are neither schools, nor banks, nor even a decent road. ”

"This part of South Africa, the further north you go, the poorer it gets, the Republic of the Orange Free State is poorer than the Cape Colony, and the Transvaal Republic is poorer than the Republic of the Orange Free State -- the country founded by the Boers is hardly a civilized country."

Guan Zhuofan said in an appreciative tone: "Mr. La Cruz, you really know South Africa very well, Mr. Li and Mr. Lucas's recommendation is not wrong, you are indeed the most suitable person for the general manager of Citigroup." ”

La Cruz first nodded to Libin, then turned his head and said to Guan Zhuofan: "Your Highness, thank you for your praise and trust. Well, this place, do we also have hope of finding diamonds? ”

"No, here, we're looking for gold."

Once again, Mr. La Cruz's mouth was slightly open.

"As in the 'Kimberly' region, there is evidence - sufficient evidence that there is a considerable amount of gold buried beneath this place. I can't say exactly how big it is, but it seems to be big enough to change the economic and political landscape of the entire South African region. ”

La Cruz opened his mouth, not knowing what to say of His Royal Highness's dreamy words. After thinking about it for a while, he finally held back this sentence: "Your Highness, what name do you plan to give this place?" ”

"Ah, Mr. La Cruz, thank you for reminding me. I have two friends who have provided me with important information about the gold mines in this area, one named John and the other named Nestor. Well, this place, if a gold mine is really discovered, in honor of these two friends of mine, it will be called 'Johannesburg', do you think it is okay? ”

"Very good. But, Your Highness, I take the liberty of asking, why don't you arrange for John or Nestor...... Sir, is he the General Manager of Citi Minerals? But...... Chose me? ”

"That's a good question, Mr. La Cruz. First, whether it is personal character or management experience, you are a trustworthy partner; Second, these two friends of mine are purely technical people who don't seem to have the talent to do complex management work; Thirdly, none of them are British. ”

La Cruz was silent for a moment, then stood up straight with a solemn face, bowed slightly to Guan Zhuofan, and said, "I understand." Your Royal Highness, I will do my best to fulfill your entrustment. ”

"I fully believe what you say, Mr. La Cruz. Now, let's look at some of the specifics of these two places. ”

"First of all, 'Kimberly'. Mr. La Cruz, as you have just said, that this place belongs neither to the Boer Free Commonwealth of Orange nor to Her Majesty's Cape Colony, what will be the reaction of the Boers and the British, your countrymen, the Government of the Cape Colony, the London Colonial Office, and, of course, your uncle, Your Excellency the Chancellor of Atwood, if 'Kimberly' really 'lived up to its name'? ”

*(To be continued......)