Chapter 392: California’s Dilemma

What Steven was worried about did not happen in the end. He thought that Li Changhe would go out for a walk after arriving in Los Angeles, so he gave him special instructions.

But in fact, Li Changhe did not go out.

At this time, Li Changhe was in the hotel, reading the newspaper on the table.

Compared with the mainland and Hong Kong, his understanding of the United States in the 1980s was relatively one-sided.

"Ervin Johnson is dating Hollywood actress Rachel"

In an English newspaper, there was a piece of gossip about the current rookie of the Los Angeles Lakers.

"What a pity! It's too late!"

Looking at the news in the newspaper, Li Changhe shook his head with emotion.

It is now June of 80, and if he remembers correctly, the Los Angeles Lakers had fallen into the hands of Jerry Buss last year.

If it were someone else, he might still have a chance to buy the Lakers, but unfortunately it was this guy Buss. Once he got the Lakers, he would definitely not be willing to sell it.

Li Changhe doesn't have any special feelings for the Lakers, and he is not a basketball fan.

The reason why he wanted to buy the Lakers was because he planned to use the Lakers to enter the upper class of Los Angeles.

In Europe and the United States, sports are a very important culture in these countries, and the identity of a team owner allows him to quickly integrate into the top level of the city of Los Angeles and even California.

Of course, he also knows that the basketball market in the United States is not very hot right now, which is far different from football.

The real popularity and rise of American basketball had to wait until Stern came to power and then slowly promoted basketball to become the second largest sport in the United States.

But the Lakers had a bad start, especially in the city of Los Angeles.

For Li Changhe, if he wants to develop in the United States, he must choose a base, and Los Angeles is the base he has chosen.

The reason for choosing Los Angeles is not only because California will be the Silicon Valley of the Internet in the future, but more importantly, California today is the most suitable place for Eastern capital to settle down.

In the United States, both the east and west sides are close to the sea, and the east coast, which is close to the Atlantic Ocean, far surpasses the cities on the west coast both economically and politically.

The Trans-Atlantic Economic Circle has already been completely formed. The Anglo-Saxons and the Jews are fighting within this circle, and major financial groups are the kings of the mountains. That is the battlefield for the top level of the entire United States.

In comparison, the situation in California and Los Angeles is different.

The rise of California benefited from World War II. Because of the war with Japan, the economy of the West Coast developed due to military industry and war logistics.

California's military industry emerged during this period.

However, with the end of wars, especially the end of the Vietnam War, California has become desolate in the past decade or so, its pillar military industry has begun to decline, and industrial manufacturing across the United States has been sluggish.

There is no way. Without war, there will be no market.

Without market, there is no profit.

Although the Cold War provided them with some business, it was still far less than the orders during the war.

At this time, California was in a transition period with the military industry in decline and the Internet not yet emerging.

But they were confused about which way to turn.

Therefore, California during this period was filled with an atmosphere of decadence, and the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States was also an opportunity for California.

Because for California, the market and economic prospects brought by a huge country across the Pacific Ocean are enough to make them excited.

The East Coast can surround the Atlantic Ocean and establish an Atlantic Economic Belt with Europe. So why can't the West Coast surround the Pacific Ocean and establish a Pacific Rim Economic Belt with China across the way?

So Li Changhe is very clear that for a long time to come, the environment and atmosphere in California will be very good for him as a Chinese.

This atmosphere refers to the political atmosphere at the top level.

So, although the financial center of the United States is on Wall Street in New York, the base that is truly suitable for Li Changhe is still on the West Coast, in California.

What's more, there are a large number of Chinese immigrants here, and it will be the first choice for Chinese immigrants in the future.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a very suitable chess piece to be located in California.

In addition to using basketball culture to expand influence in California's political and business circles, another benefit is sportswear.

You should know that Nike’s development is precisely because of taking advantage of the NBA.

But it's too late to acquire the Lakers now.

It’s not that Li Changhe doesn’t remember this, but at this time last year, even if he knew it, it would be useless.

The funds were still in silver futures and had not yet been converted into cash, so it was impossible for him to take out tens of millions of dollars to make the acquisition at that time.

And at that time, there was no way to acquire it, and he couldn't ask Bao Yugang to help him acquire it.

After all, Li Changhe had never left the country at that time. It was ridiculous for him to use tens of millions of dollars to buy a basketball team for no reason.

"Since the Lakers can't do anything, we can only go to Chicago to see."

Putting down the newspaper, Li Changhe shook his head.

The Lakers have no hope, but in Chicago, there is still a basketball god who can help him intercept.

Since Nike can occupy the entire American basketball sports equipment market with Jordan, why can't his Bosak?

Boom boom boom!
Just as Li Changhe was reading the newspaper and thinking, there was a knock on his door.

Li Changhe then opened the door, and standing at the door were Ming Wang and others.

"boss"

After several months of intensive training, Ming Wang and his colleagues can now speak fluent English.

"How's it going? Is the matter done?"

Li Changhe asked with a smile.

Ming Wang raised the box in his hand.

"Boss, everything is here."

After entering the house, Ming Wang opened the box, which contained a whole box of pistols and magazines.

"I checked and chose the Colt M1911 pistol. Each person was given two guns and four magazines."

"In addition, Xiao Ding is hiding behind us and is carrying an AK and some bullets."

Li Changhe nodded: "Have you prepared the record?"

"It's all done. We applied for a security company and paid the money."

Ming Wang nodded and said.

Many people in later generations felt that there was an abundance of guns in the United States and gun battles could be seen everywhere.

But that is for later generations.

In fact, in the United States in 1980, gun control was still relatively strict. At that time, the United States had not yet reached the point where guns were rampant, and civilian gun ownership required relatively strict application and inspection.

This is also the reason why Li Changhe asked Ming Wang and others to come one step ahead, to first set up a security company and then get a batch of arms for himself in a legitimate way.

Well, the strict control applies to civilians. For wealthy people like Li Changhe, it is relatively easy to get a gun license as long as they spend money.

"Then send it out. We'll leave for Chicago tomorrow."

Then the next day, after breakfast, the group rushed to the airport again.

There were two more people in the team, and Steven knew that they were Li Changhe's bodyguards. He was the one who helped them with their gun business.

With a private jet, Li Changhe and his friends' journey became more convenient.

More importantly, Ming Wang and his men can bring guns on the plane at will.

Noon, Chicago, Marriott Hotel.

"Hey, Vic!"

As soon as the group walked into the hotel, a group of people came to greet them in the lobby.

The person who came was Jim from Chase Manhattan Bank.

When Li Changhe came to the United States this time, he also hired Jim from Manhattan Bank for help.

Although he brought his own team this time, he cannot rely solely on his own team. These people can only be said to be on his side.

In the United States, he still needs the help of local securities brokerage firms and banks, and Jim plays this role.

"Jim, we meet again." Looking at Jim with messy hair, Li Changhe said with a smile.

However, compared to the high-spirited look when he left, Jim now looked rather dejected.

"Jim, what's the matter with you?"

Looking at Jim who was no longer as high-spirited as before, Li Changhe asked with a smile.

In fact, he had already guessed what had happened.

As expected, Jim said to Li Changhe sadly: "Vic, the price of US bonds has risen!"

"All lost?"

At this moment, Li Changhe asked Jim with a smile.

The other party had previously followed Manhattan Company in shorting U.S. Treasury bonds. Whether the price of U.S. Treasury bonds fell or remained unchanged, they had room for profit.

However, U.S. Treasury bonds, which had been sluggish for several years, began to rise at this time. For these short-selling dealers, the rise in U.S. Treasury bonds meant their losses.

There is no doubt that Jim lost money.

What Li Changhe wants to know now is how much he has lost?

I can’t afford to lose the commissions I earned in Hong Kong Island.

"No, I still believed you and kept some money. But even so, I lost two million dollars. Most of my wealth was thrown in."

Jim said sadly at this moment.

Li Changhe shook his head.

There was nothing he could do about it. He had already reminded the other party, but unfortunately the other party didn't believe him.

"Actually, I'm fine. It's the company that suffered the most serious losses."

"This time, the company will have to pay out nearly $300 million."

Jim said helplessly at this moment.

"Oh?"

"Come on, go to my room and tell me the details."

Li Changhe said with a smile.

Manhattan Bank lost 300 million US dollars, which is not a small amount.

The opportunity is coming!

After hearing this, Jim looked at Li Changhe speechlessly.

Why did Li Changhe look so happy even though he lost money?
In the hotel room, Li Changhe also learned the whole story.

When he was in Hong Kong Island, Li Changhe knew that Manhattan Bank had invested heavily in shorting U.S. bonds, but he was not aware of the inside story.

Now, after Jim's explanation, he realized that Manhattan Bank did not take the initiative to do it, but provided securities financing to a company called Drysdal.

Not only did we provide them with financing without any guarantees, we also acted as their agents and helped them purchase securities in the market.

The loss of 300 million US dollars by Manhattan Bank made Li Changhe laugh like crazy.

Because of Manhattan Bank's agency acquisition, Manhattan Bank became a direct trader in the market, that is, the seller recognized Manhattan Bank.

As the price of U.S. Treasury bonds rose, Drysdal went bankrupt and had no money to pay compensation. The creditors only turned to Manhattan Bank, after all, Manhattan Bank was the first trading party.

As a result, Manhattan Bank became Drysdal's scapegoat and victim and had to pay compensation to its creditors.

"Jim, I am really surprised now. Who can make such a genius decision?"

"The profits were distributed to Drysdal, and the losses were compensated by your bank. This is really too charitable."

"Could it be that the other party is David's grandson?"

Li Changhe said with a smile at this time.

"Okay, Vic, that joke isn't funny at all."

"Kyle has been fired, and the entire investment department has been implicated."

"To be honest, if you hadn't provided me with the business at this time, I might have been on the list of people to be fired."

Jim said helplessly.

The loss of $300 million was enough to cause their entire investment department to be closed down by Manhattan Bank.

After all, this was $80 million in , real US dollars.

If it wasn't for the fact that Li Changhe brought business to Manhattan Bank at this time and specifically asked Jim to do it, and the commissions he had earned for the investment department in Hong Kong Island before proved his ability.

Jim would indeed be fired from Manhattan Bank.

"That means there is no one in charge in your department right now, right?"

Li Changhe put away his smile at this time and spoke seriously.

"Currently the bank is dealing with compensation issues. The entire investment department is a mess and no one is willing to come."

Jim said helplessly at this moment.

"Jim, if you perform well again, do you think you can become the boss of the entire department?"

Li Changhe asked Jim seriously at this time.

Now Jim is a senior manager in the investment department, but to the outside world he is actually a middle-level manager and cannot be considered the boss of the entire investment department.

In the United States, senior managers in banking and securities departments are worthless. Just like in the future, at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, everyone in charge of outbound negotiations will be called a vice president.

There are at least 8,000 vice presidents in companies like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. It sounds very impressive, but in reality, they are just sales managers.

"what?"

"Vic, stop kidding."

Jim said at this time, shaking his head.

Li Changhe said seriously: "Jim, I'm not kidding. If you can make hundreds of millions of dollars for your bank, do you think you have a chance to become the boss of your department?"

"One hundred million dollars?"

"Of course, if I can make 100 million US dollars, I can definitely become the boss of our department."

"Especially at this time."

Jim also said seriously at this moment.

"Jim, if you believe me, you can go to your bank and make an investment plan, and invest in oil with me!"

"Believe me, as long as you invest enough money, you will definitely get enough profit this time."

Li Changhe said to Jim with a smile at this time.

The oil market is a big market. Like the gold market, it is a big market that accommodates hundreds of billions of dollars.

With such a large market, Li Changhe can definitely bring Manhattan Bank along to play.

"oil?"

"NO, Vic, the company won't agree."

"In fact, we have evaluated your business. The price of oil has nearly doubled from last year to now, and the impact from the Middle East has gradually disappeared."

"To be honest, I don't understand why you still want to invest in oil at this time?"

Manhattan Bank's investment department actually evaluated Li Changhe's business and felt that it had little prospects.

The price of oil has almost doubled. At this time, there is not much value in continuing to invest in oil.

However, Li Changhe hired Jim's team, and with the attitude of making every penny count, Manhattan Bank took over the business.

But Jim knew it would be difficult to get them to invest.

After listening to this, Li Changhe smiled and said, "Jim, you are considering the current situation."

"Have you ever considered a war in the Middle East?"

(End of this chapter)