America’s Road To Wealth

   "I agree with Mr. Smith."

   Facing Abel's gaze, Davis Brown was the first to speak among the five old men.

   "6.9% of General Dynamics shares can only bring us hundreds of millions of dollars in dividends every year."

   "Except for this little money." Davis Brown said: "This little share, it has brought us no other benefits. Those Virginians, they are very hostile to us."

  In the military-industrial complex of the United States, the west and the south have a strong voice.

   Two of the representatives are the California Consortium and the Texas Consortium.

  Due to propaganda reasons, these two consortiums are considered by ordinary people to be symbols of the military-industrial complex.

   But in fact, the "workers" in the military-industrial complex, the forces in the eastern United States, also occupy a large share.

  This community of interests spreads all over the United States.

  This is where its strength lies.

  Because it symbolizes the interests of "everyone".

  In the same industry in the world, General Dynamics, which ranks sixth, belongs to the eastern sphere of influence.

  Its headquarters is located in Baltimore, Virginia, which is the site of traditional East Coast giants such as Rockefeller and Morgan.

   "I agree too."

   The relationship with Davis Brown, Rodriguez McKison, who has always been good, also said:

   "We worked hard to get the 6.9% stake. But until now, it has not been of much use to us."

   “The opportunity to trade it for a better, possible future. I see it as an investment, and I agree.”

  Of the five old guys, two agreed.

   Among the remaining three people.

   Martin Elkins hesitated, while Delin Richardson watched Martin's reaction.

   Liam H.L. Hunter of the Hunter family whispered at this time:

   "I also agree. The reason I agree is that I am optimistic about the future development of Gulfstream Aerospace."

   "It has its own aircraft production company. It has its own patented technology, and its own customer reputation and customer base. If you can get it, you may not be able to make money, but you will definitely not lose money."

  Among the 5 people, three people voted for it.

  Martin Elkins is no longer silent, nodded and said:

   "Then this time, just do as you say, Mr. Smith."

   "That's what I mean too." As soon as Martin spoke, Delin Richardson also said.

"Believe me."

  Abel looked at the core figures of the five Texas consortia, "You will not be disappointed."

   As long as these 5 people agree.

   Then Abe can use the 6.9% General Dynamics shares held by Hughes Aircraft Company.

  Use these shares as an exchange, plus other resources, to obtain as many shares as possible in the hands of General Dynamics, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.

  This kind of capital operation is of course handed over to the financial core of the major consortiums.

  Now the financial core of the Texas consortium, the management right, has been mostly handed over to Abel.

  The work in this area is naturally in charge of Abel.

   After finishing the matter, Abel spoke again:

   "First National Bank of Dallas, First City National Bank of Houston, Republic National Bank of Dallas and Texas Commercial Bank."

   "There are three other insurance companies that will merge and reorganize with Pacific Commercial Bank in the future."

   "Everyone is here today, and I would like to ask for your opinions. That is the merged financial group, what name should it use better."

   As soon as Abel's voice fell, Martin Elkins was the first to speak.

   "I think Bank of Texas is a good name, and that's a good name."

  Davis Brown hesitated for a while, but did not speak.

  This matter is actually a trivial matter, just a name.

   No matter what it is called in the end, it will always be the financial center of the Texas consortium.

   Even with the Texas name. It can't change Abel's influence and control over it in the future.

  Whether it is called the Bank of Texas or the Bank of New York, the essence cannot be changed.

   Liam H. L. Hunter said softly:

"I think Bank of the Pacific, the name is very good. After all, the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world. Using Texas or other names in Texas may make bank customers outside of Texas feel uncomfortable. Makes people think it’s a regional bank.”

  The Texas consortium is willing to hand over its banks and insurance companies to Abel for reorganization and merger.

  In addition to exchanging shares in Abel's core industries such as Smith Capital and Pacific Commercial Bank.

   On the contract side, of course there are some other requirements.

  In the contract, there is a part of the content of gambling.

   The content of the bet is that the restructured financial group must break through the original positioning of a regional bank within a certain period of time in the commercial bank.

  The original Dezhou banks, the bulk of their business, has always been in Texas.

   At most, it radiates to two or three other surrounding states, and it is an out-and-out regional bank.

  The Texas consortium hopes that after Abel takes over, they can make them bigger and change this situation.

  This is also the reason why the Texas consortium is willing to merge with Abel.

   "How about Smith Bank?" Abel suddenly smiled and said, "I think this name is better."

"of course."

   Before the old guys could question, Abel smiled and explained:

   "I didn't want to be named that because my last name is Smith."

   "As we all know, Smith is the surname that most people have in the United States. Among every 100 Americans, at least one person has the surname Smith."

   "It's a very popular surname. Using it as the name of our banking group will allow the largest number of Americans to identify with it."

   "At least 2 million Smiths, when choosing deposits, will have a greater willingness to deposit their money in our Smith Bank."

   "Of course." At this point, Abbott paused, looking at the others, he continued to smile and said:

   "Or Johnson Bank, or Williams Bank, Brown Bank, Jones Bank."

  After hearing what Abel said, the five old men fell silent.

   Firstly, this is Abel's opinion.

  Secondly, what Abel said makes some sense.

  Who has the surname Smith, it is indeed the most common surname in the United States.

   About 1% of Americans have this last name.

   Johnson and Williams came next, as well as Brown, Jones and the like.

  Use the surnames of the most Americans to name popular banks.

  This reason is barely tenable.

   The problem is... Abel's last name is also Smith.

  If this name is used, outsiders will definitely think it is Abel's bank at first glance.

   Even if in fact, Abel does occupy the largest part, he also occupies absolute dominance.

   "Williams, Brown, whatever."

   Liam H. L. Hunter said softly.

   "There are already too many banks with these two names."

   Especially Brown Bank, there are at least dozens of large and small Brown Banks in the United States.

   It seems that people with this surname like to open a bank.

   "I vote for Smith Bank." Liam H.L. Hunter said very simply.

  The remaining four old men of the Texas consortium couldn't help but look at the patriarch of the Hunter family.

  Among them, Liam has always been the one who talks the least.

  For more than ten years, Liam's performance has been very low-key.

  Generally, they only agree, rarely like today, they talk a lot.

   This has something to do with the strength of the Hunter family.

  But today, Liam's performance was obviously a little lively.

  Davis Brown took a deep look at Liam.

  The patriarch of the Berang family also said softly:

   "I also agree, Smith Bank is a good name. If it were me, I would also deposit money in it."

   "I agree too." After Davis agreed, Rodriguez McKison once again showed his friendship with the Brown family.

  Among the five giants of the Texas consortium, Davis Brown and Rodriguez McKison are obviously on the same side.

  Martin Elkins and Delin Richardson, they have a good relationship.

  Liam H.L. Hunter may not belong to which faction, or he may be in the middle.

   But now suddenly an Abel is inserted.

  Liam H.L. Hunter's actions today are obviously abnormal.

  Davis and the others can detect it, and of course Abel can too.

   "Then it's settled." Abel smiled and said, "The name of the merged banking group will be American Smith Financial Group!"

   After solving these two matters, Abel talked with the five old men about other matters.

   Pretty much the same thing as these two things.

   It seems very important, but in fact it is not too important.

  The dinner of 5 old guys was also settled in this Houston mansion of Abel.

  Abel entertained them.

   This can also be regarded as a high-level dinner inside the reorganized Texas consortium.

  After dinner, the old men bid farewell and left.

  After sending them away, Abel was planning to go to the back to enjoy the beautiful little canary he raised.

  He saw Liam H.L. Hunter's convoy among the five old men suddenly turn back.

  Standing on the balcony on the second floor of the main hall of the mansion, watching the Hunter family's convoy.

  Abel chuckled and whispered, "Our Mr. Hunter obviously has some ideas."

  Beside him, stood the personal bodyguard Edward, as well as Alan Baker and David Jones.

   Hearing the words of the boss, these words are related to business. Edward has always been ignorant.

  The head of the security department of Rock Security, the captain of Abel's bodyguard, he is very clear about his boss' affairs.

  Edward is only concerned about Abel's security work, and some daily life matters.

  Edward is not responsible for other matters, and Edward has always been deaf.

  His clever approach is also one of the reasons why Abel is willing to trust him and reuse him.

  It's about business, so Alan Baker and David have to speak up.

  The leader of the Smith Intelligence Group said softly:

   "The situation of the Hunter family has not been very good in the past few years. The oil crisis is imminent. The sugar industry has been severely invaded by Cargill. Mr. Hunter has an idea, which may be related to this aspect."

"BOSS." David said with a smile: "Mr. Liam H.L. Hunter, his youngest son, Mr. Luke Hunter, passed the interview at the end of last year and successfully entered the Pacific Bank of Commerce, which is now the Greater Los Angeles Senior Manager, Business Loan Operations, Pacific Commercial Bank Branch, Orange County, Region."

  Edward and Allen represent two aspects of security and business respectively, and they are the two most trusted by Abel.

  And David Jones, he is responsible for a wider and wider field.

  Smaller ones, what kind of cook or what kind of tableware should be used for the birthday party of Alicia Smith since she was a child.

   Larger ones, such as the investment operation of Smith Capital and so on.

   These David Jones can touch.

  If Abel is the ancient emperor of China.

  These three people, one is the captain of the Ouchi guards, the other is the supervisor of Huangzhuang and Huangdian, and the last one is Li Lianying, Liu Jin, Wei Zhongxian and the like.

"Okay. I understand." Abel said softly: "Then let me see what our Mr. Hunter wants to do. By the way, tell me something about the Hunter family, David .”

  With a smile on his face, Abel welcomes Liam H.L. Hunter, who has gone and returned, into the main hall of the villa again.

   "Did something fall?"

  Abel asked with concern.

   "Ah... sort of."

  One of the big names in the southern United States.

   Once the richest family in the United States, the patriarch of the Hunter family said with a smile:

   "Leave some advice for Mr. Smith."

"Oh?"

  Abel raised his brows, "What kind of suggestion? I very much hope to hear it."

   "Houston First City National Bank, and three insurance companies, each with 3% of the shares."

   "Tenneco 2% stake, Texas Instruments 5% stake."

   "I hope to hand over these shares to Mr. Smith."

  Liam H.L. Hunter looked at Abel seriously, and whispered his "suggestion".

   After saying this "suggestion", Abel's expression on the surface remained unchanged.

  My heart is very excited.

  The reason is very simple, if you can get these shares.

   That means that I have stronger control over the core industry of the Texas consortium.

   means that his attack on the Texas consortium can be smoother.

   "I have to say." Abel withdrew his smile and looked at Liam H.L. Hunter seriously.

   "Mr. Hunter, these suggestions of yours are very very very very very attractive to me!"

   In order to emphasize his interest, Abel uses multiple "very".

   This made Liam H.L. Hunt burst out laughing.

   "Ah... so my advice seems to be working," Liam said.

   "Very effective." Abel said with certainty.

   "Cash and shares are fine."

  He said to Liam H.L. Hunter: "Besides, Smith Financial Group will invite Mr. Luke Hunter to be one of the presidents of the group after the reorganization."

   "Also." Abel looked at Liam H.L. Hunter and continued:

   "I heard that Luke's wife gave birth to a boy some time ago. Oh, that's a good thing. I just gave birth to a daughter some time ago. Maybe they can be friends since childhood?"

   Liam H.L. Hunter was taken aback. The old man thought for a while, feeling a little dazed.

  He didn't hear that the daughter of the bush family gave birth during this period.

   Isn't Laura Bush only 17 years old?

   That old fellow Herbert, it is impossible for her to get pregnant out of wedlock, right?

  Suddenly, Liam had a flash of inspiration.

  The old guy thought of this handsome young man in front of him at the end of last year, one of his mistresses gave birth to a daughter.

  The illegitimate daughter was his first child, and it is said that she was even recognized by the Smith family.

   Even the legendary shrub family reluctantly nodded in private.

   Because this incident was too outrageous, it is still a joke among the upper-class families in Texas.

  That is, the shrub family. They didn't pay much attention to this aspect. The family itself made a fortune, and they relied on various marriages to get high from the beginning.

  If it was replaced by other real Texas giants, they would definitely not let this matter go lightly like the Shrub family.

   Even let the illegitimate daughter have a surname and a middle name so outrageous.

   Let your first grandson marry an illegitimate daughter?

  Even if it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it will still be more than ten years later.

  Liam H.L. Hunter still hesitated in his heart.

  But Liam looked at Abel's plain and serious expression, and the old guy gritted his teeth, "Oh! Of course that's okay. Children, you should know more friends since childhood, shouldn't you?"

   "Haha—" Abel laughed loudly.

   Liam doesn't want his own first grandson to marry an illegitimate daughter.

  Abel didn't want to send his daughter out so early.

   This is just a bait thrown by Abel, just an attitude.

  It is used to highlight his attitude toward Liam H·L·Hunter.

   is a kind of speaking technique.

  Because in fact, the two parties' rhetoric did not confirm the meaning of marriage.

  The child is still so young, and there are too many variables in the future.

Of course.

  If the status of the two families does not change much when the children are about the same age.

  When the children grow up, things like marriage are possible.

   In this regard, Abel is very open.

   Even he is personally supportive of it.

  The reason is also simple.

   After all, Abel has so many fertile fields, and he still likes to plow the fields so much.

  The field is fertile, and he plows it diligently.

  The seeds are of good quality, worth hundreds of millions each time they are scattered.

  It is strange that he didn't have many children after that.

  There are many children. As a father, he certainly hopes that they/they will have a bright future and life.

   Marriage is a good choice.

   What's more, the method of marriage is also very suitable for maintaining his relationship with other allies.

   This is just like the princes and princesses in ancient China.

   Except for the wife of the direct heir, who will be more particular.

  The spouses of other children can be used by the emperor to exchange the loyalty of his subjects, or to win over generals, or to negotiate peace with neighboring countries, etc.

  Little Alicia is Abel's first child, and Abel dotes on and loves her very much, that's right.

  But little Alia was born in such a family, it can be said that she was born with a diamond spoon.

  As long as Abel does not fail, little Alia will enjoy the best things in the world since she was a child.

  In exchange, it is reasonable to lose the freedom to choose a mate.

  If you can choose.

  Believe that 99.999999999% of men and women on this planet

  They are all willing to use their freedom to choose a spouse in exchange for the life that only 0.00000001% of them can enjoy.