America's Road to Wealth

Something about Hudson's Bay Plaza.

Abel found Rudy Giuliani and Pete Vallone Sr.

Later, he informed Bloomberg.

This project, before telling those two old men.

He already told Bloomberg.

Bloomberg has also turned around.

He has been confirmed as the candidate of the Elephant Party to participate in the New York election this year.

Don't tell Bloomberg about this kind of thing afterwards.

It may cause certain misunderstandings between the two parties.

Abel doesn't know what Bloomberg thinks specifically about Abel's approach.

But on the surface, Bloomberg supports Abel in doing so.

Probably Bloomberg also knows this.

It would be difficult for him and Abel to swallow the super project of Hudson's Bay Plaza in one bite.

It involves too many aspects and is too complex.

If it could be eaten by one or two people, it would probably have been built long ago.

".look here."

Bloomberg placed a thin document on the table.

“This is what Bloomberg is investigating, the entire lot adjacent to the project, and their owners.”

"Honestly, after I saw the exact numbers, I felt a little bit numb."

"Without reclamation, there would only be 10.5 hectares of land. But these 10.5 hectares of land have 215 owners."

Bloomberg looked at Abel: "Do you know what this means?"

What does it mean?

Of course Abel understood, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"It means that just the demolition is enough to waste too much energy and spirit."

Those 10.5 hectares of land on Manhattan Island certainly have owners.

On Manhattan Island, there would be no land without an owner.

This small island transformed from a peninsula has been prosperous for more than two hundred years.

For one hundred years, it served as the financial center of the entire United States.

In the last fifty years, it has even been directly upgraded to one of the world's financial centers.

How could such a place have no owner of even one square foot of land?

The reason why this 10.5 hectares of land is the last hot land on Manhattan Island.

This is because in the planning of the last century, this old city has not seen any new buildings for forty years.

It has not been remodeled and remains the same as it was decades ago.

This is completely different from the prosperous and modern image of Manhattan.

According to the city government's plan, New York wanted to tear it down and rebuild it in the early 1990s.

But there are too many interests involved, and too many owners are opposed.

In the end, nothing happened.

It became one of the abandoned urban reconstruction cases placed in the city's official archives.

As time goes by, a new century arrives.

Manhattan Island is becoming more and more prosperous.

As the last old neighborhood on the island, it is close to the seaside.

Any ship entering or leaving Manhattan Island can see this area.

Next to the skyscrapers are old neighborhoods that look very dilapidated.

This contrast makes it more and more prominent and eye-catching.

Many foreign tourists visited Manhattan Island by boat for the first time.

They were all surprised at such a prosperous place.

The stronghold of capitalism.

It's the 21st century, why are there still such dilapidated neighborhoods?

Just look at the cityscape of the entire island of Manhattan.

It all needs to be transformed.

This is why these 10.5 hectares of land need to be transformed.

That's why it can be transformed.

But the problem is

Who can take care of these 10.5 hectares of land and the exaggerated more than 200 owners?

Abel also didn't know how the New York City Government managed the situation in parallel time and space.

He had a guess.

Maybe it was the reason for the super financial crisis after 2008.

Although the financial crisis has passed, the United States has also been severely weakened.

Same thing in New York.

In that general environment, it may be the financial crisis that prompted the city government to want to improve New York's economy.

Finally, we began to be willing to make great efforts to rectify this problem. Due to the overall economic reasons, various parties began to support the decision of the city government.

Or maybe it was during that big crisis.

Many of the more than two hundred owners went bankrupt and had to sell their most valuable land.

In short, in parallel time and space, the renovation of this old land was only put on the agenda after 2008, and only reluctantly started after 2011.

Thinking of this, even Abel felt a headache.

"Okay. Michael." Abel said:

"So, how do you think we should start?"

"Let's start by convincing the owners of the land." Bloomberg proposed the stupidest way.

But it might also be the best way.

“Form a dedicated lobbying firm.”

"Let this person from the lobbying company go talk to the owners of these lands."

"Whether it's buying the land directly from them. Or letting them take shares and use the land as shares to join a new development group."

"Or any other method that can be used."

"As long as we are willing to cooperate, we can talk about anything and love New York," Bloomberg said.

"If you don't want to cooperate"

The founder of Bloomberg revealed himself as a competent capitalist.

"Then he is our enemy. Our commercial enemy."

"Facing the enemy, I think we can use any method to fight it."

"God will approve of it."

"Understood." Abel didn't have any good ideas.

Unless at this time, a foreign aircraft carrier fleet arrives next to Manhattan Island.

Otherwise, even the White House's intervention will be useless.

"You can't come forward to form this company." Abel thought for a moment and said, "You have more important tasks this year. The promotion of our cooperation is even more important."

"It's not easy for me to show up either."

"If I were to form this company, it would make our work more difficult."

"Those guys will definitely raise the price higher because everyone thinks I'm rich."

Bloomberg laughed:

"What does "everyone thinks you are rich" mean? You are already rich, dear Mr. Smith."

Abel shrugged, "That's what it means anyway. We need another collaborator, a collaborator who can get things done."

"When the time comes, I can provide the money from behind, you can promote it from behind, and our collaborators can do things from the front."

"I think this model can make it more efficient."

Bloomberg agrees.

The founder of Bloomberg said:

"The triangle is the most stable of all shapes. I agree with you."

"So..." Abel thought for a while, "Michael, who do you think we should choose to be our collaborator?"

Bloomberg mentioned a last name.

Hearing this last name, Abel thought for a while.

He suddenly felt that it might be more suitable to let this family do it.

"Will they agree?" Abel asked another question.

But Bloomberg waved his hand and said, "It depends on your ability. My dear partner, you are obviously more familiar with them than I am."

Abel thought about it carefully, and it seemed that it was really the case.

"All right."

Abel said:

"I will try to contact you. But I don't know if our beloved prosecutor is willing to accompany us through this muddy water."

"I'll wait and see~" Bloomberg smiled.

Abel is not only talented in finance.

He has another advantage in business and doing things.

That means he is very mobile.

Whatever you think of or want to do, you will do it quickly and execute it soon.

This is actually an advantage.

He just finished discussing it with Bloomberg at noon.

In the afternoon.

He went to find the potential third-party collaborator.

New York, Manhattan District Attorney's Office Building. In a cafe next door.

“I love this cafe’s Blue Mountain coffee. They make it so flavorful.”

In the cafe, Robert Morgenthau talked to Abel.

Sitting opposite the prosecutor was Abel.

Next to the Attorney General, Ms. Peggy Morgenthau, Assistant U.S. Attorney of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Abel didn't know why this old guy brought his granddaughter with him every time he talked to him.

Is it just because he once expressed a certain meaning to his granddaughter?

Abel didn't know, he smiled:

“Compared to the bitterness of Blue Mountain, I still prefer Geisha from Colombia or Ethiopia.”

"oh?"

Robert's thick, thick eyebrows, which were all white, were raised.

"Peggy also likes Gesha. She said she likes the smell of grass and flowers."

"Uh" Abel couldn't help but look at Peggy.

I found that the latter was also looking at Abel himself with a faint look.

"Okay. Then we have a common hobby, Peggy." Abel smiled at Peggy.

Paige smiled back at him, but didn't speak.

As soon as the opening remarks were over, Abel immediately turned the matter to the main topic.

"Robert." Abel said, "I have something to ask you."

Robert smiled: "Of course. Who would be fine and find a great prosecutor?"

"Everyone who comes to me has something to do, but no one ever wants to drink coffee and chat with an old man when he is lonely. Oh, except for my cute little Peggy."

Abel thought to himself, you and I are not that familiar.

"Southern Manha Island, Hudson Bay City Plaza." Abel ignored the old guy's "self-pity."

Abel said, "Are you interested in joining?"

"join in."

Robert's voice finally became a little more solemn, "Do you already have a team? This is no small matter."

Obviously, having been a prosecutor in this city for 25 years.

Robert is more familiar with the city than any mayor of New York.

It only takes one simple sentence from Abel to know what Abel is talking about.

"Yes, we already have a team." Abel opened his eyes and told lies.

“A team that’s strong enough to make this happen.”

"Robert. How much property does the Morgenthau family have? Don't you want to leave more blessings to your descendants in addition to these properties?"

Robert said calmly:

"We are a clean and judicial family, and every bit of our property is obtained reasonably and legally."

"but."

The old guy changed the topic, "After all, we have a large population, and not everyone is suitable to work for justice in the United States. There are always some children who need to find something to do."

"so.."

Robert looked at Abel, "Do you understand what I mean? Mr. Smith."

"Understood." Abel laughed.

"Tell me who is on your team." Robert said:

"If it's suitable, maybe we will join, but there must be a prerequisite, that is, Morgenthau can withdraw at any time."

"Okay." Abel was also very happy and said directly:

"There are only two people on this team right now. Me, Bloomberg."

Robert: ".I take back what I just said."

"Then what if I change this rhetoric."

"In this team, there is one of the richest men in the world, at least the richest man in New York. There is also a future mayor of New York City."

"The future mayor of New York City." Robert pondered for a moment, "Bloomberg may not succeed. His competitors are also very strong. New York is no better than before. The Elephant Party is no longer the only one."

"As for the richest man."

Robert looked at Abel with a smile, "Are you talking about yourself? Dear Mr. Smith?"

"Both Buffett and Shrub have invested in Smith Capital."

Abel was expressionless:

"Among them, Buffett subscribed for 4% of Smith Capital's shares with US$16 billion in stock and cash."

"Dear Mr. Morgenthau. I currently own 92% of the shares in this company."

"In addition, I have close to US$15 billion in custody funds in Smith Capital."

"In addition to Smith Capital, I also have a bank that ranks among the top fifteen in the United States."

"I also have MGM, and I have Elizabeth's Back Garden, and a bunch of other companies."

"When Forbes updates his broken list this year, I think Forbes will tell you who the richest people on the planet are."

"So fast?" Robert was obviously shocked by Abel's words.

The old man knew that Abel was rich.

But I didn't expect him to be so rich.

"Warren Buffett, he chose you too"

Obviously, all of Abel's rhetoric is not worthy of Buffett's trust.

In the minds of the older generation of Americans.

Buffett, with his prudent investment style, is more worthy of their trust in this field.

So does Robert.

"Morgenthau can join." Robert's tone changed again.

"But only if Bloomberg can really succeed."

"As long as Bloomberg succeeds."

"Then what you're talking about is really hopeful."

Abel took a deep breath.

This reaction from Robert Morgenthau.

It was a possibility that he had expected.

These old men and old fellows are all masters who will not let go of the eagle before they see the rabbit.

It is difficult for them to make up their mind easily just because of some rhetoric or lobbyists' encouragement.

Unless they can see the hope of success.

Or let them see that there is a great chance of benefit.

These people will really choose to end.

Perhaps Bloomberg also knew this, which is why the founder of Bloomberg did not come forward personally.

Just let yourself do it.

Thinking of this, Abel nodded.

"Yes. But by then, Morgenthau may not be our top priority collaborator."

Abel said: "As long as Bloomberg is really successful, more people will want to be our collaborators."

Robert smiled:

"Morgenthau doesn't mind being just one of the collaborators. I think no matter how many collaborators you have, you will consider letting us join."

This old guy!

Abel's teeth were itching because what this old guy said was right.

Who calls that 10.5 hectares of land, it's on Manhattan Island.

Who is on Manhattan Island, at least until this old guy retires or dies.

When it comes to justice, Morgenthau has the final say.

The clearing work of that 10.5 hectares of land is bound to encounter a lot of judicial problems.

If it weren't for the old guy, big problems might really arise.

Just like Robert said.

Even if Bloomberg succeeds.

In this matter, Morgenthau must also have a place.

"Okay." Abel breathed out, controlling his desire to slap the old guy.

"Then just wait a little longer. I think if we wait a little longer, we will become collaborators on this matter."

"We're looking forward to it." Robert continued to smile.

"alright."

The old man suddenly stood up and said, "I still have some work to do, so I have to go back and take care of it."

Paige also stood up.

But her grandfather pressed her shoulders and sat back on the chair.

"You young people, let's talk. If a year later, we really become collaborators on this matter, Peggy and her father will also be responsible for this matter."

"As the main collaborators in the future, you should be familiar with each other."

"Young men, let's talk."

After speaking, Robert did not give the two of them a chance to refuse, turned around and left the cafe leisurely, walking towards the prosecutor's building next to him.

In the cafe.

Abel and Peggy sat across the table, the atmosphere was slightly awkward and quiet.

The silence lasted for several minutes.

Abel felt that it was not okay to stay like this.

He took the initiative and said, "Peggy, how have you been lately?"

"not bad."

"Not bad, how good is it?"

"." Paige looked up at Abel, her beautiful blue eyes seemed to be able to speak.

It seems to be saying that your topic is boring.

"Hahaha~"

Abel laughed.

I don’t know why, but I was chatting with Paige.

He especially liked it, teasing her out of her quiet academic temperament.

Maybe this is a heartfelt challenge from a scumbag to a top student.

After this opening remarks, the two of them could finally have a little chat.

But he didn't stay long before Abel got up and left.

Firstly, he didn't want to provoke a serious judicial magnate like Morgenthau.

Secondly, Peggy's eyes always made him feel like she could see through everything.

A beautiful woman who is not easy to mess with and is a bit too smart.

Abel's idea was to avoid it if he could, and he didn't have any bad intentions.

After bidding farewell to Peggy Morgenthau, I got into the Cadillac Escalade in the motorcade.

Abel couldn't help but stretch.

Today’s more formal work is all done.

After thinking about it, Abel said to the driver Andy: "Let's go to Woolworth Building."

Woolworth Building was Smith Capital's first office location.

Later the company moved to its current location in the Smith Building.

But at the Woolworth Building, Abel bought the rights to a "tarmac".

From there, he can take a helicopter and travel about 500 kilometers within the radiation range of New York City.

The job is done.

He wanted to visit No. 13, Royal Point Road, New York, which had been transformed into Elizabeth's back garden.

Go there and relax.

Take advantage of the fact that it doesn't snow now.

Going by helicopter is best.

But unfortunately, halfway through the drive, it started snowing again in Manhattan.

The convoy had no choice but to turn around and head directly to the pier in Manhattan.

If you can’t take a helicopter, it will be the same if you take a yacht instead.