America's Road to Wealth

Not long after Smith Media was established, Abel Haoyan wanted to acquire NBC TV stations.

More than four months have passed.

For more than four months.

Neither Abel's nor Smith Media's contacts with GE were fruitful.

Just like Warren Buffett said.

General Electric takes this powerful public opinion mouthpiece very seriously.

After four months of hard work, Abel gradually understood one thing.

That is in a short period of time, before General Electric has completely declined.

It is estimated that it is really impossible to acquire NBC TV station.

Especially after he became one of General Electric's major shareholders, owning more than 5% of the shares.

He understood this even more.

So by this time, Abel's mind had actually changed.

From his previous belief that he was bound to win the NBC TV station, he gradually changed to the idea of ​​​​preparing with both hands.

The so-called two-hand preparation, the first-hand preparation is that he will continue to keep an eye on the NBC television station and wait for an opportunity to win it whenever he has the opportunity.

The other preparation is to prepare if NBC cannot be obtained. Smith Media’s own television network will also begin construction.

Don’t think this is difficult, in fact it can be done now.

In parallel time and space, under the current existence of the four major TV networks.

Columbia and Warner Bros. have formed a joint television network, the fifth largest television network referred to as The CW.

Although this fifth largest TV network has never surpassed the top four, it still covers 95% of users in the United States.

Abel feels that he can definitely take the CW route.

You can even combine streaming video platforms such as Naifei, Hulu, Youtuotie and Amazon to create a new era TV network.

However, this latter combination is not yet very realistic.

The main reason is that the current network broadband conditions are not yet supported, and it will take another year or two.

Probably after 2003, when the Internet bandwidth in the United States could support online videos with a resolution of about 480p, it was the time for these streaming video platforms to go online.

Before this, Abel felt that if Smith Media really couldn't win NBC TV station immediately.

Next, he is preparing to launch a major acquisition in the television industry.

You must know that although the four major TV networks now dominate the industry.

But in fact, the United States also has a large number of local TV stations, both cable and wireless.

Smith Media can completely cover the country with its signal network through acquisitions and mergers and increase its ratings.

But this takes time, and in a market where the Big Four are close to monopoly, it also requires more money.

This is why Abel wanted to directly acquire NBC TV stations once and for all.

If we can directly win NBC, it can save Abel a lot of time.

Now that the difficulty lies here, Abel already has ideas in this regard.

After thinking about it, Abel said to Sullivanston: "Forget it. It's not appropriate tonight. I will talk to Jeff Immelt later. But not now."

Sullivanston nodded indifferently. He came here just to remind Abel.

Abel seems to be very dedicated to his media empire.

Buffett said at this time: "I personally think that you don't need to invest in such a focused way in the media. You can completely diversify your investments and become the major shareholder of all media groups."

Abel knew what Buffett meant.

Buffett is saying that if Abel really wants to be a media boss.

Abel doesn't have to go to the end personally.

You can invest in shares, such as holding a large number of shares in companies such as News Corporation, and become the major shareholders of these companies, thereby indirectly influencing and controlling these media.

Buffett himself does this. The stock god has a large number of shares in major media groups in the United States.

This allows these media groups to be very cautious when reporting on Buffett, as long as it does not involve the media group's own interests.

Buffett also used this method to indirectly control and influence public opinion against himself.

Many American tycoons do this, and this approach is actually the most trouble-free.

However, many of what Abel wants to do later will involve the self-interests of these media groups.

For example, if Abel wants to push Alexander to power in the future, it doesn't matter if Alexander is a donkey or an elephant.

Alexander's competitors will definitely use their own media groups to attack Alexander.

In situations where this level of self-interest is involved.

It is difficult for ordinary major shareholders to affect the position of the media group.

The typical example is King Maga. There are so many media groups in the United States, but from the beginning to the end, only News Corporation has supported him.

Others are either neutral and donkey-leaning, or simply firmly in the donkey party camp.

Maga was able to take the stage for the first time, in large part because Xipo relaxed her vigilance at that time.

The old witch looked down on maga a little at that time, and at the last moment the red neck stole her home.

If Xiba had been prepared and used the Yin soldiers at that time, Felabkan's red neck would definitely not be able to win.

Abel didn't want his father to be in this situation when he came out to choose.

Because even News Corporation and Maga later began to part ways.

The so-called allies only depend on whether the benefits of betrayal are sufficient.

Therefore, Abel still firmly wants to hold his own media group.

Only what is in your own hands is truly reliable.

That's why he doesn't want to be like Buffett, who can only influence but not completely control.

"I know what you're thinking." Abel said with a smile:

"But Warren, I'm still so young. If I don't vent my energy, Wall Street will suffer. If Wall Street suffers, I might suffer too. So I have to pick something fun to distract some of my energy. Energy, you understand."

After hearing this, Buffett actually felt that Abel's words made sense.

But the stock market god got it wrong. He thought Abel was venting his experiences on the good girls in Hollywood.

"Hmph, I don't care about you. As long as you can make Smith Capital make money!" Buffett muttered.

"Hey, here we are. Oh, Warren and Sully are here too." Another person joined the small circle.

Abel looked up and found that little Laura's father was here.

But Neil didn't come alone. He brought with him an acquaintance of Abel's - Davis Brown.

Davis Brown is an old man in his seventies, about the same age as Buffett.

Seeing Neal and Davis Brown appear, Sullivanston and Buffett looked at each other.

The stock god said softly: "Hey, yes, Neil. It seems you want to talk about some Texas things. Let's go first."

Neil Bush and Davis Brown both laughed.

Sullivanston greeted his wife directly and left with the Buffetts.

Suddenly there were only a few Texans left on the scene.

Abel smiled and shook hands with Davis Brown, "Hello, Mr. Brown, nice to see you again."

"Me too." Davis Brown smiled happily and shook hands with Alexander and the others.

After the greetings were completed, Abel looked at his father-in-law.

Neil Bush said softly: "Davis wanted to talk to you about Smith Capital. George knew about it and asked me to bring him over."

Abel smiled and nodded, and he looked at Davis Brown.

The identity of this old man is not simple. He is the founder family of the Texas Consortium and one of the families behind the scenes.

As the youngest and weakest consortium among the top ten consortiums in the United States.

The internal power of the Texas consortium is very decentralized, unlike the Rockefeller family to the Rockefeller consortium, the Morgan family to the Morgan consortium, and the DuPont family to General Motors.

It is estimated that there is no real leading family, and the financial aspect is very weak.

Only then can the Texas consortium, one of the representatives of the military-industrial complex, be ranked at the bottom of the top ten consortiums.

Last year, Abel was not yet established.

The Texas consortium launched an investigation into him.

Abel was a little happy at the time, feeling that he could finally hold her in his lap.

However, the Texas consortium's inspection was actually just an inspection

After the inspection, the quotation they gave made Abel very dissatisfied.

Later, after Abel grew up a little, the price he gave made the Texas consortium even more dissatisfied.

The two parties did not get together in the end.

Shrub, who existed as a middleman at that time, instead walked together with the Smith family.

Now a year later, Davis Brown comes to visit again.

Abel didn't know if it was what the Texas consortium meant.

But today, with the support of Shrub in governance.

With Smith Capital as the center, I have also united a group of capital.

Although it can't be called a consortium, Abel is no longer eager to find someone to hug him like he was last year.

Abel himself can be considered a pretty good thigh now.

At this moment, he looked at Abel, who was standing with little Laura in high spirits.

Davis Brown felt somewhat regretful.

I regret not having the Texas consortium lend a "helping hand" to Abel when he was still very weak.

He regretted not drawing Abel over to the Texas consortium's camp earlier.

As Abel grows, the Texas Consortium increasingly feels that Abel is actually the most suitable new member for Texas.

the reason is simple.

It's been said before.

Due to factors left over from history, the financial strength of the Texas consortium is the weakest among the top ten consortiums in the United States.

Financial strength is weak, when the United States launches a tide of dollars and scavenges the world.

Compared with other consortiums, the Texas consortium will gain much less.

Over time, even if you have the strongest military strength, you will gradually become working for nothing.

Everyone will feel resentful if they work for a long time in vain. Not to mention one of the leaders in the powerful military-industrial complex.

In a parallel time and space without Abel.

It may be precisely because of this reason.

After pushing George to the stage, these guys went crazy.

A coffee cup that costs thousands of dollars, a toilet that costs tens of thousands of dollars, and an imported goat that costs millions of dollars eats it like crazy

The Texas consortium, which had no financial benefits, enjoyed this aspect.

But the trillions of dollars in military spending has also dragged the United States, the most powerful country, into an abyss.

Financial capital can look for opportunities to find new hosts, and high-tech capital and energy capital can also find opportunities to escape.

The military-industrial complex that lives and dies with the United States will indeed die together.

Now in 2001, the Texas consortium has yet to taste the taste of coffee cups that cost thousands of dollars apiece.

At this time, they still particularly want to supplement their financial sector.

As Smith Capital became more and more powerful, it was finally officially put in front of everyone's eyes.

After a long discussion, Davis Brown came to Abel.

Davis Brown looked around and found that they were all Abel's own people.

The old man spoke softly: "First National Bank of Dallas, First City National Bank of Houston, Republican National Bank of Dallas and Texas Commerce Bank."

"They each hold 33% of the shares. In addition, Hughes Aircraft has 5%, Texas Instruments has 15%, Tannic has 5%, and LTV has 5%."

"In exchange for 40% of Smith Capital and 49% of the shares of American Pacific Bank of Commerce."

"In addition, Smith Media and Pacific Energy, we will invest cash in shares, and the price will be based on the latest market value."

Davis Brown looked at Abel, as if he wanted to carefully observe Abel's expression.

"This is our latest offer."

"In addition, after the deal is concluded, we will support you in restructuring these four banks and three other insurance companies."

"As long as you agree." Davis Brown said softly: "A brand new, huge financial group will appear in your hands. It will not be much worse than Mellon and Wells Fargo!"

Davis Brown's persuasive voice made Neil Shrub very moved after hearing his conditions.

At this moment, Abel's father-in-law wished he could take his place and receive such a level of attention from the Texas consortium.

Neil, who has been doing business in Texas all year round, knows this deeply.

Once Abel agrees to these conditions, Abel will immediately become one of the core figures within the Texas consortium.

Still the most important ones!

To be honest, Neil wanted to agree for Abel at this moment.

Because the Shrub family did not expect that the Texas consortium would be so willing to invest heavily this time.

In fact, even Abel did not expect that they would be so willing this time.

If only these conditions had been offered to Abel last year.

Abel felt that he must have obeyed immediately.

Then he will definitely start to lead the Texas consortium, striving to become the leader of the consortium in the shortest possible time.

But that was a year ago.

At that time, Abel had not yet shown his cards to Wall Street.

At that time, Abel had not yet started to establish his own business.

Now, now he himself has become a representative of certain forces.

Buffett, Bloomberg, Sullivanston, Robert Morgenthau, a handful of Wall Street titans

Smith Capital, American Pacific Commercial Bank, American Pacific Energy, Smith Media

These giants and the companies behind these giants, as well as the companies owned by Abel himself.

Together, they can be regarded as princes in this country.

If you include Shrub and Abel's current influence on the United States, Abel already feels that he is not much worse than the Texas Consortium, which is at the bottom.

At most, it is inferior to some aspects of background and depth.

After all, the Texas Consortium has experienced hundreds of years of development, and the history of some families and companies in the consortium can even be traced back to the Civil War.

But Abel felt that he should give himself another ten years.

I can definitely do better than the Texas Consortium.

That being the case

Of course Abel would no longer think about joining any consortium.

Not to mention the bottom Texas consortium.

Even if it is Morgan and Rockefeller at this time, or California and First Citigroup.

He won't even be tempted.

His period of weakness is over.

Now, Smith is the syndicate himself.

Abel took a deep breath, and then let it out gently.

"Huh~"

Then his face showed the "Apollo smile" that Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of the American edition of Vogue magazine, has been crazily touting for some time.

"Dear Mr. Brown, dear Davis. I am glad that you and your friends value my businesses and companies so much."

Abel smiled and said: "But I'm sorry, now they are not just my company. They all have their own shareholders. If you want to buy shares, I need to convene a shareholders' meeting and get their approval before I can accept your shares." Invest in shares.”

Davis Brown's face quickly darkened.

That’s right, Smith Capital is indeed no longer Abel’s sole proprietorship.

Many people in the upper class of America know this.

Shrub, Buffett, PNC and Bloomberg, plus a Smith.

Smith Capital now has five shareholders and half a Mellon. Davis Brown knew this.

But Davis Brown also knows that although Smith Capital now has so many shareholders.

But whether it is in terms of shareholding or voice, Smith Capital still has the final say.

Including accepting other people's investment, Abel can also speak his mind.

Abel said this now, Davis Brown knew that this guy was rejecting him.

To be honest, the leaders of the Texas consortium, including Davis Brown, really never thought that Abel would refuse directly.

At most, they just thought that Abel might bargain to get more benefits.

Now Abel directly refused like this.

Davis Brown couldn't help but said: "Why? Mr. Smith, you were not like this last year."

"The me last year is who I was last year, and the me this year is who I am this year." Abel smiled at him:

"Three hundred years ago this was even a barbaric land. There was no America, no Americans, nothing."

"Two hundred years ago, the United States appeared, but it was just a weak country in a corner of the world, and no one took it seriously."

"One hundred years ago. When the atmosphere was tense among the European powers, the United States was just a forgotten New World country."

"What about a hundred years from now? Now that the Red Bear has collapsed, we are already the most powerful country in the world."

"I went to New York in October 1999. It's October 2001 now."

"Exactly two years."

"I have achieved my current status, wealth and influence in two years. So, what if you give me another two, five, or even ten or twenty years?"

Abel was under the watchful eyes of Davis Brown and his relatives.

He said in a very soft voice: "From now on, Mr. Brown, I am the consortium. I don't need to rely on anyone else. I hope you can understand."