North America 1773: Do Britain and America even deserve to be called great powers?

Chapter 44 Betting on Both Sides

That afternoon, when Andrew Gage's carriage stopped in front of the North Warehouse, it brought with it a languid atmosphere typical of the colonial upper class.

He didn't get out of the carriage, but simply had a servant bring the two boxes to Li Wei.

A long, rectangular sandalwood box, when opened, contained a roll of parchment tied with a red ribbon.

It's a land title, for Oak Bay Estate and the surrounding 300 acres of land, now owned by the Li family.

In another, slightly smaller brass box lay a perpetual trade license made of thick parchment, stamped with the Governor's House's deep red wax seal, and next to it the coat of arms of the Royal Navy.

It is a permanent trade license, held by Levi's Oriental Trading Company.

With this certificate, Livy's "Sea Dragon" and subsequent ships could freely dock in the thirteen colonies of North America, pay only the King's taxes, no longer be exploited by local exorbitant taxes, and enjoy the protection of the Royal Navy.

"My uncle said that a respectable businessman needs some respectable credentials."

Andrew leaned out of the car window and yawned. "Now, you're more respectable than ninety percent of the businessmen in Boston."

Li Wei, standing outside the car window, accepted the two items without any further formalities.

"Please give my thanks to Mr. Thomas. To celebrate my official receipt of the permanent license, I would like to host a thank-you dinner at the estate in ten days to express my gratitude to Boston for its welcoming attitude towards the East."

A flicker of curiosity crossed Andrew's blue eyes. "Oh? Who are you inviting?"

Levi handed the box to Fiona behind him, "To all friends who are willing to do business with me. Of course, that includes you, Your Excellency Andrew, and your friends as well."

When Levi entered the warehouse, he had Fiona hand the land deed to the Boyle couple, who were already waiting nearby.

Boyle's hands trembled, and he could barely hold the paper that represented a huge fortune.

"My God... sir, this... this is too precious..."

"From today onwards, you will move to the manor."

"Boyle, you're in charge of renovating the estate's warehouses and cellars. I want to turn it into Boston's largest tea and silk trading post. The accounts must be crystal clear."

He looked at Mrs. Boyle, Martha.

"Madam, you are in charge of the estate's internal affairs, recruiting servants, and purchasing supplies. I need a reception room that can accommodate the Governor himself. The money can be obtained from Fiona."

"It must be completed within eight days!"

Unlike her husband, Martha did not lose her composure; she simply curtsied, her calm eyes gleaming.

"As you wish, sir. However, such a large estate is somewhat wasted on merely serving as a warehouse."

"Oh?" Li Wei looked up.

"The land in Oak Bay is very fertile," Martha said softly, without the timidity of Boyle.

"We could grow some things. The ladies in the city have recently taken a liking to buying fresh vegetables and eggs from the countryside, as they feel it's more 'healthy.' This could become a small but stable source of income for the business."

Li Wei tapped his knuckles lightly twice on the table.

"Excellent suggestion, Madam. I'll leave this matter entirely to you. You can directly consult Fiona for advice on these matters."

Martha, having received affirmation, smiled, a smile that was truly captivating.

After everyone left, Fiona brought Levi a glass of milk, looking worried but hesitant to speak, her expression clearly troubled.

"Fiona, it's just the two of us now. I've told you, you're family, you're an initial investment, you don't need to act like this in front of me."

"Mr. Li, what if Samuel, in order to save himself, pushes us to the 'Sons of Liberty'?"

Li Wei put the milk he was holding aside and gently smoothed Fiona's furrowed brow with his slender hand.

"He won't. He can only keep his position in the Sons of Liberty by protecting me."

"But……"

"There are no 'buts'. If he's not given important responsibilities, how can we be sure the Sons of Liberty won't be trading him next?"

"At this moment, Samuel and I are actually in the same boat! He seems to have a choice, but in reality, he has no choice!"

……

Just as Oak Bay Estate was undergoing extensive construction, a heated debate was taking place inside a secluded silversmith's workshop at "Sons of Liberty."

"How could you do this! This goes against the very purpose of all our struggles!"

"Samuel, and you, Silas, you have betrayed freedom!"

A tall man wearing a leather apron slammed his fist on the worktable, making the silverware on it clang.

He was Paul Revere, a renowned silversmith in Boston and one of the most respected radical leaders in the organization.

"To save a so-called 'ally,' we're going to sacrifice a comrade? Even if he's made a mistake, we should be the ones to judge him, not dump him on the British like livestock!"

Revel's question silenced everyone present.

Samuel stood opposite him, his young face etched with weariness and struggle.

"Paul, this is...this is the only way. That Easterner was right, revolution is not..."

"Don't mention that Asian to me!" Revel interrupted him.

"A speculator of unknown origin, a cold-blooded animal whose mind is only on business and prices! We are fighting for freedom, not engaging in dirty dealings!"

"But his intelligence saved us!" Samuel finally couldn't help but raise his voice.

"Just yesterday! He sent word that the Lobster Soldiers were going to raid our printing shop on Chestnut Street tonight! If we hadn't been warned half a day in advance, everyone in our printing shop would be arrested now! All the equipment would be confiscated!"

This news instantly changed the atmosphere in the workshop, and discussions began to rise.

"Is this true, Samuel?" an older member asked.

"Absolutely true. Our comrades and that precious printing press were safely moved two hours before the British arrived. Now they are continuing to print our pamphlets at their new outpost outside the city!" Samuel's voice was hoarse with excitement.

"Yes, we sacrificed a cowardly man on the verge of betrayal, but we saved a vital printing press and a dozen loyal brothers! Tell us, Paul, was this 'trade' worth it?!"

Paul Revere opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

He can criticize the despicable means, but he cannot refute the correctness of the result.

The debate eventually fizzled out.

But Li Wei's name was imprinted in the hearts of the core members of "Sons of Freedom" in a more complex and profound way.

He was like a sharp scalpel, precisely removing the festering sores from the Sons of Liberty; the process was bloody, but the body was preserved.

Li Wei became the most special piece on the chessboard.

The Governor's Office considered him a loyal and efficient hound, capable of sniffing out rats in the gutter.

The "Sons of Liberty" see him as a blade plunged into the heart of the enemy, capable of delivering the most crucial intelligence.

Li Wei made both sides feel that he was under their control, yet neither side could truly see through him.

He used a list to gain a legitimate identity and wealth.

He then used another piece of intelligence to solidify his value and influence in the shadows.

The two lines, under their own control, run parallel without conflict, supporting each other.

They were just waiting for the Oak Bay Estate dinner a few days later, anticipating another round of probing from both sides.