Chapter 183 Aircraft, Yacht and Island

The banquet on the evening of December 24th was generally uneventful.

In addition, all the participants are important members of the core families of the Boston consortium.

No one discussed matters of interest with Milo.

Milo knew very well that it was not that they did not want the benefits.

Otherwise, old Adams would not have come out to meet him, a junior.

The fact that they didn't discuss it at the banquet might be because they haven't reached a consensus in private.

Or maybe they wanted to talk to Milo separately and in private.

Although they are a consortium, sometimes even one person's own ideas can influence each other.

What’s more, it is such a huge interest group.

Every mountain, every family, and every person has their own different interests.

Milo's rise was so fast that many people in Boston haven't adjusted their mindset yet.

Many people still regard him as a core member of a family on the fringe of the consortium.

Just like the original Paladin.

This situation naturally occurs.

Compared to our own people like the Boston Consortium.

On the contrary, people outside are actually more accepting of Milo's speed of rise.

Because they didn't know the original Milo.

In short, Christmas Eve passed like this.

The next day was Christmas.

The Christmas atmosphere in New England has always been ranked among the best in the United States.

This is the earliest place in North America to celebrate Christmas.

It is also the place where Thanksgiving was first born.

Whether it is the various families of the Boston consortium or the ordinary people below.

Everyone had a merry Christmas.

After Christmas, Haley prepared to go to San Francisco immediately.

She remained in Boston for only three days, leaving Blackburn House in Plymouth on the 26th.

The reason is that she will officially take office on January 1st next year, and she needs to go there in advance to adapt.

This was a very legitimate reason, so legitimate that everyone except Milo could understand it.

No one else in the Blackburn family doubted it. After all, at that time no one had thought that Haley was pregnant.

Milo, on the other hand, chose to stay at home until the 27th.

“It’s actually not as mysterious as outsiders imagine.”

Old Blackburn said to his grandson with a nostalgic expression, "The last time I was invited was ten years ago. The reason they invited me to join was because I became the whip of the Elephant Party at that time."

The so-called Bilderberg Club was originally a secret meeting organized by the Dutch to bridge the increasingly serious conflicts of interest among white people in Europe and North America after World War II.

But then, as Western Europe grew weaker, the United States grew stronger.

Until the United States establishes its position as the leader of the Western world.

The conference was led by Europe and participated by the United States.

It has become a meeting initiated by Europe and only the United States has the final say.

"Ed from Lawrence and little Arthur from Adams were also invited this time."

“I think you can go together,” said Blackburn Sr.

"Of course." After thinking for a moment, Milo answered and then asked, "Is there anything you want me to pay attention to?"

Old Blackburn thought for a moment and reminded softly, "This meeting seems to have been proposed by the British. During the breaks in the meetings, the British like to play some... well, things that you may not like. You can choose not to play or participate, but I hope you don't bother them."

"Understood."

The meeting will be held tomorrow, on that small island in the Caribbean.

The invitation letter said three days.

It starts on the 28th and ends on the 31st.

But before leaving for the Caribbean, Milo first went to General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport in Boston.

The Boeing 747-400Combi he ordered from Boeing has arrived.

His private jets have always been leased under long-term contracts.

Later, when the company grew to a considerable size, he bought two Boeing 737s.

Later, as his wealth increased, he bought another one that matched his status and wealth.

Although the Boeing 747 was launched on the market in the 1970s, it has been almost 30 years since then.

But to this day, it remains the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

You know, Airbus' A380 hasn't come out yet.

The cabin is divided into two floors and can accommodate 350 to 400 people. As a private jet, you can even hold a party in it.

Since 1990, Boeing has stopped manufacturing 747 models other than 747-400.

The aircraft Milo purchased was the Boeing 747-400Combi, which can be converted between full passenger and passenger-cargo configurations.

This way, there is enough space to entertain guests, and large items such as cars and horses can be transported to where you want them at any time.

Normal delivery would not be so fast, which is why Boeing delivered so quickly.

That's because this newly produced Boeing 747-400Combi has an empty interior.

In other words, it is just a flying aircraft embryo before it is decorated.

Even the test flights are still underway.

Boeing has its own luxury private jet modification subsidiary.

But Milo wanted to modify it himself, so he planned to let Boeing deliver it first.

He then hired someone to carry out the internal reforms.

The design drawings for the interior modifications are out.

There are bars, dance halls, restaurants, cinemas, bedrooms and even a small swimming pool, and all of them are built according to the most luxurious standards.

It can be said that once the modification of this aircraft is completed.

Maybe it is not as good as Air Force One in some aspects, but the luxury of its interior is beyond the reach of the President of the United States and even most corporate CEOs.

All in all, the cost is actually not outrageous.

Including the money for purchasing the aircraft, it does not exceed 150 million US dollars.

The future maintenance costs will definitely be high.

It's like this anywhere in the world, the cost of maintenance is definitely much higher than the cost of selling it.

However, since he chose such an airplane as his vehicle, Milo naturally would not care about the maintenance costs.

And as a wealthy man, he has plenty of ways to transfer these expenses.

For example, after the aircraft is completed, it will be leased to listed companies MCA Group or TBS Group.

Or integrate and re-list the media group in the future.

Then within the group, it was stipulated that the aircraft could only be used by him.

In this way, not only can a considerable amount of maintenance and upkeep costs be saved every year.

You can also make some extra money by “renting out” the aircraft.

Seems excessive?

Come on, that's how those people play.

Not to mention Europe and the United States, even China will do this in the future.

For example, this is how Lao Ma’s private jet is made.

Generally, rich people play with cars, richer people play with yachts, and super rich people, of course, play with airplanes.

When we arrived at the airport, the Boeing 747-400Combi was parked on the largest private apron.

After a tour, I went in to take a look.

Milo personally feels that it is big.

It looks big from the outside, and even bigger and more spacious from the inside.

But since it hasn't been modified yet, it's just like that.

After owning the largest private jet currently available, Milo began planning to own a yacht.

A few months ago, he decided on a whim to order a custom-made sailboat from Brunswick, a five-masted clipper.

The clipper ship was invented in the United States and was once the fastest ship on the sea for a long time.

Even in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when steam ships were used on a large scale, they were still active at sea.

Especially the five-masted scissor ship. Once the five sails are spread, the momentum of riding the wind and waves is unmatched.

The excessive speed has also caused many accidents.

The most typical example is what happened to the famous clipper ship Prussia when it crossed the English Channel in November 1910.

A British steamer underestimated its speed and illegally cut in, so the two ships collided.

However, with the development of technology, clipper ships were gradually eliminated after World War I.

Although it has set many new records, it is ultimately no match for ships.

Some were scrapped or destroyed in accidents, and the rest were converted into exhibition ships, training ships, fishing boats, etc.

However, some of them have been converted into yachts.

It was only natural for Milo to customize one.

This is perfect for showing your personal style.

He has always had a bad taste, and he plans to buy a retired Iowa battleship to convert it into a yacht.

The United States completed the construction of a total of four Iowa-class battleships. They are the battleships with the longest hull, the most powerful main engine, the highest speed (reaching 33 knots), and the last to be retired in the world.

The last Iowa was retired in 1992.

And they are all well preserved and have not been dismantled like other abandoned warships.

By the way, the signing ceremony of Japan’s unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II, took place on the Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri.

Among the four completed Iowa battleships.

Among them, the Wisconsin is currently docked in the port of the Sword Bay U.S. military base in Massachusetts.

Milo has been looking for someone to take down this 270-meter-long, 33-meter-wide, 57,000-ton fully loaded ship and convert it into his own private maritime armed palace.

If you want to buy it, there are too many people you need to take care of.

He even thought about keeping some of the weapons on it, such as the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 20mm Phalanx close-in defense systems that were added after the modification more than a decade ago...

Even if only these two weapon systems are retained, this is a converted luxurious armed private palace.

When facing some small countries in Africa, Europe and the Pacific, it can definitely be called a force that can destroy a country.

It’s very exciting just thinking about it.

So even though it was very difficult and would definitely cost a lot of money, Milo had always wanted to make it.

December 28th.

When another blizzard hit Boston.

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The Central American Caribbean region south of Florida is sunny.

A clifftop viewing platform on Little St. James Island.

Milo pointed to the huge ship cruising in the distance, turned around and asked the people behind him, "Is that the Eisenhower or the Carl Vinson?"

"It seems to be neither. It looks too new. Maybe it was commissioned just last year, Stannis?"

Ed Lawrence answered him uncertainly.

It was already the afternoon of the 28th.

At noon, Milo, Ed Lawrence, and Arthur Adams Jr. arrived at Little St. James Island.

They did not come on their own, but boarded a warship from the Boston naval port last night and set off overnight.

Arrived near the Caribbean at daybreak and was brought here by a small boat at noon.

Soon after they arrived, they saw the appearance of a huge ship and fleet.

The ship surrounded by the warships was actually a brand new aircraft carrier.

Yes, an aircraft carrier.

To be precise, it is an aircraft carrier formation.

The reason they appeared here was to conduct a small military exercise.

But in reality, everyone knows its main duties in the neighborhood.

is responsible for the security of Little St. James Island for the next three days.

Because for the next three days, part of the real ruling class of the Western world.

They will gather on this small island with a land area of ​​only more than 300,000 square meters.

Guba, which has always been at odds with the Americans, is not far from here.

It would be a huge joke if a missile fell from the sky during the meeting.

And Zipperton, who has been confirmed to be re-elected, will also attend this meeting.

Just now, Milo was discussing with Ed and little Arthur what model this aircraft carrier was.

“Not the Carl Vinson, not the Eisenhower, and not Stennis.”

Little Arthur narrowed his eyes and looked at the two young men. "It's the USS Washington, which was completed after maintenance a few months ago."

Milo nodded and looked at the huge sea beast in the sunlight in the distance.

I thought to myself, this is indeed the time when America is at its most powerful.

Aircraft carriers were launched one by one, with one entering service almost every two years.

Each of the old aircraft carriers has been well repaired and maintained, and looks as good as new.

Think about it now, and then think about how they will appear rusty in the news photos in the future.

The contrast to the decline of national strength is really stark.

After looking at the aircraft carrier, the three of them turned back and walked towards the depths of Little St. James Island.

Little St. James Island is a typical Caribbean island in the shape of an X.

Many villas and related facilities have been built on the island, but this place is only used for meetings and entertainment this time.

At night, when resting, the three people from Boston chose to return to the Massachusetts National Guard warship that brought them here to sleep.

Although the furnishings are not as luxurious, sleeping may not be as comfortable as in the villas on the island.

But now I am safe and can sleep comfortably.

The three of them walked and talked.

As we were preparing to enter the island, we visited one of the small villas that served as a bar.

Milo, Ed and others saw a pair of British brothers who often appeared in American media newspapers.

Charles and Andrew.

The current heir to the House of Windsor and the Queen's second son.

There were four women accompanying the two middle-aged men.

They looked like they were heading into the bar.

Of course, the two men also saw them.

Charles, who was walking in front, was indifferent.

But when Andrew saw this, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he walked up and whispered something in his brother's ear.

Charles then turned around and smiled: "Mr. Blackburn? Ah, and Mr. Adams, good afternoon!"

They were still parked at the door of the bar and hadn't gone in.

Obviously he was waiting for the three people to come over.

Milo and Ed exchanged a look, and the latter shrugged at him.

At this time, Adams' little Arthur had stepped forward and shook hands and hugged the Windsors.

Obviously an old acquaintance.

Then came Milo and Ed, with the focus on Milo.

"Mr. Blackburn, I'm Charles Windsor. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, but I didn't expect to meet you here. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Andrew Windsor, nice to meet you, Mr. Blackburn."

"I'm Milo Blackburn, and it's a pleasure to meet the two princes. This is Ed Lawrence, he's the chief financial officer of Raytheon."

"Oh, is that Lawrence from the Lawrence family?"

"yes."

“…”

A few pleasantries.

Milo was a little confused as to why the two brothers were so enthusiastic towards him.

But Milo couldn't help but glance at the four women around Charles and Andrew several times out of the corner of his eye.

Rather than being women, they are more like... girls, or even young girls.

One of them in particular looked to be no more than eleven or twelve years old.

Damn, these two brothers are just as the legend says.

Besides, Zipperton will be here soon, so this won’t really become some kind of island.

Just as he was thinking this, suddenly, Andrew whispered to him: "Mr. Blackburn, thank you very much for what you did a few days ago."

Milo was slightly stunned, a little unresponsive, but smiled and said, “It’s just a small matter.”

At the same time, I tried hard to think about what happened in the past few days.

And it's something related to myself, Windsor, or Britain.

Soon, he thought of it.

He felt it should be more than a week ago.

On the American media side, it is related to the British royal scandal that has been exposed wildly.

The cause was an American tabloid.

They claimed to have taken a photo of the princess on a date with Charles' recently divorced ex-wife.

The photo is a bit blurry, but you can see that the woman and the man are kissing.

The woman looks an awful lot like the former princess, but the man is definitely not Charles.

Logically speaking, the two should have divorced a few months ago.

Even if it was revealed that the former princess was dating someone else, there would be nothing to complain about.

You allow Charles to have lovers everywhere, but you cannot allow the princess to fall in love freely after the divorce?

But not long after that, another American tabloid broke the news before the two divorced.

The former princess has already dated the man in the photo.

So a scandal was formed, and the American media had long been a little tired of Milo's news appearing in the newspapers every day.

When this kind of news appears, it is like a cat smelling fishy smell to them.

Naturally, everyone rushed to report the news crazily.

Public opinion spread back to Europe, and there was also an uproar in the UK.

At this time, the New York World, which had just resumed publication in New York, published clearer photos.

It was the photo of the former princess kissing someone else.

And it's a completely clear version.

In the clear version of the photo, you can see the appearance of the two people clearly.

Obviously not the former princess. And the editor of the tabloid that published the photo himself admitted that it was fake.

He saw the photo taken by a reporter in the newspaper, and it looked very similar after being blurred.

Plus there was no news, so I wanted to make a big news, and finally made a big news...

After this news came out, the British royal family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Milo thought that this might be what Andrew was grateful for now.

(End of this chapter)