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But if it really has that much value, it's not easy for the average person to maintain control of it.

Allen Zhang immediately had the Beggar Gang Disciples reinforce and secure the oil well pipes, adding guardrails around them. The nodding donkey installation would take at least a day, so there was no rush. With the oil resources in hand, there was no worry about not making money. All that was needed was to wait for the refinery or the oil company personnel to contact him.

Allen Zhang also directly took out twenty thousand dollars and gave each of the Beggar Gang Disciples present a bonus for their work, and he further deployed more people to guard and maintain the ranch.

During this time, he also received a message from old George.

Old George: The private auction will be held at about 3:30 this afternoon; your gold mask will also make an appearance. The attendees will include celebrities from all walks of life, movie and television stars, channel resource merchants, company directors. Do you want to come and have a look? You might find something you like, and I don't think you'll lack the money to buy it. You could also expand your network.

Allen Zhang: How did you know that I've struck oil at Green Field Manor Ranch?

Old George: ???

Did I ask you?

Old George was shocked: What? You've struck oil?

Allen Zhang: That's right, at the moment I'm still figuring out how to deal with the oil from my three oil fields.

Old George: You're not telling me you're already a billionaire, are you?! How much oil do you have?

Allen Zhang: Not much, just a few million barrels.

Old George: ...

Mad, damn animal!

I've been toiling away from dawn till dusk managing the pawnshop business for decades, and after all these years, do my feelings matter less than an oil field you just dug up?

Old George was so angry he could burst a lung.

Watching a down-and-out client turn into a billionaire was a heavy feeling indeed!!

I still remember the first time the General Sect Leader visited the pawnshop; I even mistook him for a beggar shopping for a Zero-Dollar Purchase.

How long has it been, and now he's a billionaire? Is your life on cheat mode?

Old George, suppressing his envy and hatred, replied immediately: Then you've got even more reason to attend this auction! When those people hear you've got oil resources, someone will definitely ask for your business card, offering to sell you luxury villas, private islands. With your network and resources, you could change female stars every day if you wanted!

When you have the rice, the chickens will come knocking on your door.

Allen Zhang: I do have plans to buy a private holiday island. I didn't have the funds before, and now I have just over ten million dollars in cash. Oil is valuable, but it's a continuous profit resource and it'll take decades to cash out. I can't convert it to dollars in a short time.

Listen to that, just over ten million dollars.

My entire net worth is just a few tens of millions in real estate, and a million dollars is already tough to get out.

Old George, barely containing his resentment: Then you could sell it all to an oil company or a refinery.

Allen Zhang: You're right, but wouldn't it be better if I had the money to buy a refinery directly? I could make even more money, saving the middleman's cut.

Old George: ...

You damn... Are you speaking human language?

I'm seriously discussing with you how to handle the oil field, and you, with your big wallet, just want to buy this and that! Why don't you buy a seat in congress while you're at it?

Anyway, Los Angeles is not without Chinese legislators. If you give them a few million dollars in a lump sum, they would certainly be happy to make room for you, after all, you're a major investor. In a capitalist society, having money makes you God.

Anyway, they're in their positions essentially to make money; they'll embezzle a few hundred thousand at most each year, any more they'd have to pay taxes.

If you're capable, you might even become the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles!

Well said! But Allen Zhang had no intention of entering politics.

He only needed to invite Los Angeles legislators to act as consultants for the Foundation, providing them with tens of thousands of dollars a month in salary, buying them off. What difference would it make compared to holding a position himself?

After talking with old George for a while longer, they agreed to attend the auction and network with influential people.

Perhaps they had some dirt that could be exposed, yet another resource handed to him without spending a dime.

Allen Zhang asked the Beggar Gang Disciples to install the nodding donkey, and then prepared to return to Los Angeles.

In response to Old Karl's inquiries, the General Sect Leader could only sigh helplessly, "Can't help it, it's social obligations."

Old Karl looked at him speechless.

You little pretender.

Just a few hours ago, you were the picture of modesty, and now you're exuding the air of a nouveau riche.

But if your family owned three oil fields worth 500 million US dollars, you wouldn't be able to resist showing off either.

If I don't show off, how would others know I'm rich? There's no need for stealthy wealth!!

Compared to high-income Black athletes and movie stars, the General Sect Leader was more restrained.

With money in hand, he didn't think of buying mansions or sleeping with female stars, because compared to spending money for thrills, the General Sect Leader preferred freeload.

Allen Zhang greeted the Beggar Gang Disciples, leaving the ranch to them, and drove away, returning to the urban area of Los Angeles.

Following the coordinates sent by old George, he arrived at the city center for the private auction. He parked at a nearby parking lot and sent a message to George, who quickly came over with a few colleagues.

Exchanging warm greetings and introductions, Allen Zhang understood these were the heavyweights of Antique Street, adept at managing pawnshops.