Chapter 32 Revisiting New York

Zhang Hainuo's last visit to New York had caused tremendous panic among the government and residents here, although no American had seen the true face of this German submarine commander. This time, as he passed by the Statue of Liberty with the Fast Number, few people cast their eyes on such an unremarkable medium-sized ocean freighter and the young European standing at the bow enjoying the view.

At this time, the Ottoman Empire was known as the "sick man of Europe." In Zhang Hainuo's impression, Americans always treated visitors from different countries differently, and naturally, they wouldn't be particularly courteous to a declining aristocracy like Turkey. However, when the American officials who came aboard to check various customs documents and shipping papers found that most of the crew on this ship were Europeans, their tone softened a lot, though still far from friendly. With Germany's defeat and the decline of the British Empire, America's influence in the international arena had risen to a new height. The successful bet on the outcome of the Great War at the last moment had greatly boosted Uncle Sam's confidence and self-esteem.

"Embert Link, Austrian?" Holding the fake passport that Zhang Hainuo had paid a high price to forge in Istanbul, the American official, wearing a hat very similar to the one used by the Union Army during the American Civil War, asked coldly. Although America had hardly fought directly with the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I, Austria-Hungary was still one of the pillars of the Allies and widely regarded as one of the main instigators of the war.

With the end of World War I, the once-mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire had split into many small countries, and present-day Austria had become a purely landlocked country with a far weaker national strength than before the war. In the eyes of the Allies, Austria was no longer a threat, and their current goal was to weaken Germany's war potential as much as possible and prevent the merger of Germany and Austria, both German-speaking countries.

For this reason, the American official did not pick apart Zhang Hainuo's "Austrian identity." Moreover, this "fake" passport was actually filled with false information in a blank genuine passport, and then stamped and sealed with special tools. In an age without internet technology, the likelihood of being exposed in the United States with such a passport was minimal.

"Yes, Austrian businessman, owner of part of the cargo on the ship!" Zhang Hainuo replied in his English, which was considered "extremely impure" by the British. Under the exam-oriented education system, most Chinese students could read and listen, but their spoken English was very limited. This was why Zhang Hainuo could understand American broadcasts but was mocked by the British officer he captured last time.

After carefully checking various customs documents, shipping records, and cargo on board the ship and confirming everything was correct, the American official, with a contemptuous look, asked, "How long do you plan to stay in New York?"

How long to stay probably isn't within your purview as a small customs officer! Zhang Hainuo thought. He replied calmly, "Sir, we are businessmen! If all goes well, we can dispose of this batch of goods within a week. As for departure, it naturally depends on when the ship is loaded with cargo again!"

"Hmm!" The American official, of average build, with a beard that was obviously shaved just that morning, had nothing more to say. Unlike Istanbul, where it was impossible for customs officials to accept bribes from shipowners, this was New York. However, before he left, he still unfriendlyly warned, "This is a country of democracy and the rule of law. You'd better not do anything that violates American law!"

Zhang Hainuo had no interest in arguing with such a dull American junior official. After instructing Simon and Giselle to stay on board to watch over the cargo and crew, he and Otto first contacted the office of the cargo owner in New York provided by the owner of the textiles, asking them to come and pick up the goods as soon as possible. After that, the two of them visited several chambers of commerce in the dock area, inquiring about the prices of leather, sherry, coffee beans, barley, and butter in New York. The results showed that leather and sherry were profitable, but the prices of barley, butter, and coffee beans were similar to those in Turkey. Due to the influence of Brazil, a major coffee-producing country, the price of coffee beans in the United States was even lower than in Turkey.

However, Zhang Hainuo's goal was not to make a fortune from these small quantities of goods but to genuinely present himself as a legitimate businessman in the eyes of others.

By evening, the Turks had taken away the textiles, and barley, butter, leather, sherry, and half of the coffee beans had all been sold. The hold of the Fast Number was suddenly much emptier, and Zhang Hainuo also had a thick stack of dollar bills in his hand. Although the pound sterling was still the most widely circulated currency in the world at the end of World War I, the dollar was clearly more capable of becoming the world currency due to its national strength and influence.

On the fourth day of Fast Number's arrival at New York Harbor, Zhang Hainuo finally got down to business. It wasn't too hot in early June in New York. He wore a pure white silk shirt inside, a beige casual jacket outside, a pair of high-quality gray trousers, and a pair of low-top leather shoes with laces. This outfit had cost him £500 to have custom-made at the best tailor shop in Istanbul.

Of course, Otto and Blatz also had new outfits prepared before they left Istanbul. In addition, they had prepared a set of ordinary seaman's uniforms and a set of civilian clothes for each crew member. Regardless of sailing at sea or entering a port, those remaining on the Fast Number could no longer wear the uniforms of the German Navy!

After changing clothes, Zhang Hainuo and Otto each carried a small black suitcase, and Blatz still played the role of a tough bodyguard, although he was better at wielding a spatula than a gun. After disembarking, they directly hailed a taxi at the dock. Unlike the primitive car Zhang Hainuo drove on Lügen Island, this taxi at least looked like a car, with narrow wheels and a lack of streamlined design in the carriage.

"Where to, gentlemen?" In Zhang Hainuo's impression, New York's taxi drivers were either chubby or had a cigarette in their mouths, dressed very casually, and sometimes even looked a bit sloppy. However, the image in the movies often gave a misleading impression. The American driver sitting in the driver's seat of this taxi had meticulously combed hair, wore a dark blue suit jacket, and had a competent face without a hint of world-weariness.

"Manhattan, Broadway!" Zhang Hainuo said in English. He knew that Broadway was not only home to world-renowned theaters but also the busiest commercial district in all of New York. Since it was the most prosperous area, major jewelry stores and established antique dealerships were naturally indispensable. When signing the sales contract with Junma Bicycle, Zhang Hainuo casually inquired about antique shops and jewelers in New York to the local representative. The person told him that between 5th and 6th Avenues on 47th Street was renowned as New York's Diamond District, where most of the largest jewelry stores in the United States had set up branches or established their headquarters. As for antique shops, there were at least five of them near 47th Street, all of which were well-established brands.

"Which street?" the driver asked again. After all, Broadway stretched over 20 kilometers, and the fare would obviously vary depending on the destination.

"Fifth Avenue!" Zhang Hainuo didn't intend to let this unfamiliar taxi driver know his actual destination. In a foreign land, who knew if this could be someone pretending to be innocent?

"Eight dollars!" The driver immediately quoted a fare.

"OK!"

Having only been in New York for three days, Zhang Hainuo had only a rough understanding of the prices here. Naturally, the dollar was worth much more than it was in the early 21st century. Eight dollars seemed like a high price, but they were still at the southern docks of Brooklyn, and Manhattan Island was still out of sight, making the distance a bit far.