Chapter 304 American Iron Triangle

It was a week later that Lee Boo-jeong returned to the San Francisco villa that the Star Group had prepared for her and her brother Lee Jae-young.

Of course, she had already contacted him by phone and other means before that.

Report safety to family members.

Otherwise, if she had been missing for a week, even if Li Zairong was worried that she might snatch his inheritance rights, he would not be so excessive as to ignore the disappearance of such a sister.

Long after talking to Hayley.

Lee Boo-jeong informed her brother and sister-in-law that she and Prosecutor Haley had a very pleasant conversation and had become good friends.

So I'm going to stay at Prosecutor Haley's house for a while.

Just one sentence made Lee Jae-young suspicious. When did Lee Boo-jeong have such a good relationship with the Americans?

Wasn't it mainly me who was in charge of the connections and contacts between my father and the Star Group in the United States? For a moment, Li Zairong fell into doubt and anxiety.

He called his staff over, but due to insufficient information, they were unable to help him analyze anything.

Finally, his newlywed wife, Lin Shiling, suddenly whispered, "Fuzhen... could it be that the gentleman has taken a fancy to her?"

"That gentleman?"

Li Zairong was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "You mean Milo Blake? Ben"

"Yes." Lin Shiling nodded, "But this is just my association, maybe it's not true..."

Li Zairong frowned and looked at the staff officer.

The final conclusion is that what Lin Shiling said might actually come true.

Because that person's reputation among women can be said to be very famous.

He is famous for being a playboy and a collector.

Lee Boo-jeong is not bad looking, and there is a Japanese Sumitomo Junko in front of her.

South Korea is so close to Japan, it is hard not to think of this possibility.

Finally, wait for Li Fuzhen to come back.

Lee Jae-young asked his newlywed wife to ask Lee Boo-jeong privately.

"You mean..."

Facing Lin Shiling, who looked a little embarrassed, Li Fuzhen smiled, a smile that was three parts ridicule, three parts coldness, and four parts indifference, "This should be what my brother wants to know, right?"

Lin Shiling sighed and nodded.

"Yes." Li Fuzhen admitted it directly.

"I am his lover now. One of his lovers. You can go back and tell him so."

Let’s not talk about the Li family, because of the uproar caused by Li Fuzhen’s words.

Milo here.

After August.

Schneider's situation is the same as that of the California consortium, and things are getting worse and worse.

Edward finally showed up.

"The Wilson family needs your help."

My cousin is very straightforward. His greatest strength is that he knows his own worth.

"At the same time, this is also a good opportunity for you to enter the California Consortium and influence it. Dear Milo, I believe you will never miss this opportunity."

People say it so directly.

No euphemism at all.

Milo was also direct.

He smiled and got straight to the point: "Dear Edward, this is exactly why I am still in San Francisco."

"Normally at this time, I would have been in New York."

Edward shrugged in a very American way, and almost all Americans like this little gesture.

"And what will you do, my dear Milo? You have been here all the time, and I am sure you are well aware of the general situation."

Milo nodded slightly: "I know a lot about the situation, but I don't know the most detailed information. I need more reliable information before I can make appropriate suggestions."

"For example, what assets does the Wilson family have, what assets does the California consortium have, the amount of funds raised and the upper limit, etc."

Edward nodded: "It's as it should be. Let me tell you."

"The problems that have been discovered now..."

Milo listened quietly as Edward spoke.

At the same time, compare the information he says with the information he has.

It was found that the overlap reached 70 percent.

The remaining thirty percent, of course, is confidential information of the Wilson family.

For example, the actual number of shares the Wilson family holds in a certain company, etc.

Even ClA cannot find this information.

Other people’s intelligence agencies certainly won’t be able to fully understand it.

This kind of secret is what a family relies on for survival and is also the most critical back-up plan, which can often lead to a turnaround.

Of course, Milo knew that, too.

What Edward said was definitely not complete, perhaps there were still some things he was unclear about.

It is also possible that he deliberately chose to keep some things that he thought unnecessary to say.

But no matter what, this information alone is already very valuable.

After Edward finished his story, Milo couldn't help but shake his head and sighed:

"It seems that the others have determined that after dear Schneider fell ill, there is no one left in the Wilson family who can support the overall situation and they can be slaughtered at will."

According to Edward, except for the companies controlled by the Wilson family which have absolute control, all other companies have undergone changes, the only difference is whether they are obvious or not.

This is true for the Wilson family, not to mention the entire California consortium that is centered around the Wilson family and unites other families and shareholders.

The Wilson family is the trunk of the towering tree of the California consortium.

Now the main trunk is on fire everywhere, and people in other branches are in a panic. It is not impossible that they will voluntarily or be forced to change their allegiance.

The current situation of Litton Industries is the most typical example.

In terms of funds, the Wilson family has urgently raised $38.3 billion, half of which is funds mobilized by banks.

According to Edward, the Wilson family is still urgently trying to raise funds, and $38.3 billion is definitely not the upper limit.

"Milo, this is the situation. What do you think is the best thing for us to do now?"

Facing Edward and the gaze of Paul Wilson behind him, Milo said without hesitation:

"There is war everywhere now. Your funds are not enough to protect all the companies. You must give up some and focus on stabilizing the foundation."

"Otherwise, the consequence will be the loss of control over most of the company. The Wilson family will only be able to survive on dividends in the future and will lose its influence at the highest level."

"Well... just like the Mellon family now."

What happened to the Wilson family at this time.

More than 20 years ago, the same thing happened to the Mellon family of the Mellon Group.

The Mellon family certainly did not renew themselves and withdraw from the core of the Mellon Group.

That was more than 20 years ago, when Richard, the core figure of the Mellon family at the time, suddenly passed away due to illness.

Subsequently, the Mellon family’s rights in the consortium were quickly invaded.

Exactly the same as the Wilson family today.

The difference is that the Mellon family did not introduce foreign aid, and eventually they were squeezed from a core family to a marginal family.

So much so that the Mellon Group bears their family's name.

But their family, apart from the dividends, can only play the role of a mascot in the consortium...

Maybe it’s also because of the Mellon family’s experience.

The Wilsons didn't want to become the next Mellon.

Paul Wilson and others would be willing to let Edward come to Milo for help, even at the cost of giving up some of their core interests.

This view is also the main view within the Wilson family now.

But, here comes the problem.

Which companies should be abandoned and which ones should be kept?

"Milo, we understand this principle, but which assets should we give up?"

"Edward, it actually seems complicated to decide which companies to give up and which to keep. After all, the California consortium owns too many companies and shares."

“But in fact, it is also very simple. If you divide the assets into several levels, you will know how to deal with them.”

Milo said this with a faint smile, and both Edward and Paul Wilson were perked up and looked at him with burning eyes.

“Is it divided into core assets, backbone assets and investment assets?”

Paul Wilson, who was relatively unfamiliar with Milo, couldn't help but ask.

Milo shook his head and said, "It's not just this conventional distinction. In this special period, we need stability and we also have to consider the next few years."

“So we have to classify them into healthy assets, risky assets, and seriously non-performing assets.”

“Of course, there is another premise, which is to separate the assets of value and financial investment and not include them in these three levels.”

This is quite meaningful. Milo was not in a hurry. He just waited quietly for Edward and Paul Wilson to sort out their thoughts.

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a long time.

The older Paul Wilson gradually figured it out.

He frowned and asked Milo, "You mean, if a core asset is a non-performing asset or a risky asset, we should give it up?"

Milo: “Yes, that’s what I mean.”

After getting a positive answer, Paul Wilson's brows furrowed even deeper.

Milo knew why he was struggling, so he gently reminded him, "Dear Paul, you have to know that times are changing. Every industry has a cycle, and it is impossible to be a sunrise industry forever. If you don't seek change, you will only be dragged down and bring risks to the entire family."

"Of course, some industries are not sunset industries, but the companies under the Wilson family are in very poor operating conditions. If we cannot see good benefits in the short term, we can choose to give up. It is not a pity. Recovering funds and protecting ourselves is more important."

“Now, you don’t have that much time to wait until those risky assets or bad assets recover!”

Hearing Milo's words, Edward and Paul Wilson thought of one company after another.

These companies are all in line with Milo's opinions.

For example, Litton Industries, Newport News Shipyard, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, California Steel, California Railroad, etc.

These core companies are all risky assets or non-performing assets, but they are all core companies of the consortium.

Litton Industries' original net profit margin was extremely low, only a few percent.

You have to know that it is an arms company. It is ridiculous that the profit of a military-industrial enterprise is so low.

This is also the reason why so many shareholders support the reform of Litton Industries.

Although shipyards and steel companies rank tenth and fifteenth respectively in the relevant fields in the United States, they are involved in both military and civilian applications.

However, the civilian shipbuilding sector has been making losses, and military ship orders are not so easy to grab.

Once the California consortium weakens, it will be difficult for them to win orders from the US government.

The huge employee salaries will cause them to lose money or even go bankrupt in a short period of time.

Therefore, these two companies should be classified between risky assets and non-performing assets.

All in all, it is the last and most core enterprise of the California Consortium and the Wilson family.

The only banks that we absolutely cannot give up are Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

"If we really want to move these core companies, the family will have strong objections."

Edward said with a bitter face.

Milo smiled and said, "It depends on how you convince the family members and test their ability to distinguish right from wrong."

Edward and Paul Wilson looked at each other and said helplessly, "This is the only way."

“But there is still a very critical issue.”

"If we really want to deal with it this way, the total amount of risky assets and non-performing assets, as well as valuable and financial investment assets, is very large, and it will be difficult to find a buyer in a short period of time."

"And in this special period, even if there are buyers, they will try their best to lower the price, and our losses will be huge."

Milo did not hide anything and said directly:

“If all these assets are really listed, you can show them to me first. I can buy some of them depending on the situation, or I can find other friends to buy them together and help the Wilson family.”

"We will definitely not deliberately lower the price. We will follow the actual price. I can guarantee this."

As soon as Milo finished speaking, Paul Wilson and Edward looked at each other.

The two thought, waiting here.

Milo didn't mind their offensive looks. He smiled and said, "Maybe it's a little cruel. But I personally think that this is the best option for the Wilson family. After all, we are a family."

Paul Wilson's cousin, Schneider Kim Wilson's sister, and Milo's grandmother.

Technically speaking, Milo is also one-quarter Wilson.

It's better to keep the wealth within the family than to have it bought by the enemy.

These assets are in the hands of Milo or the Boston consortium behind him. When the Wilson family's company wants to cooperate, it will be very easy.

"I definitely have no objection. If the family discusses it at that time, I will bring it up." Edward nodded heavily and then asked another question.

"By the way, Milo, I have another question. If these assets are cleared, how can we use the funds to achieve the greatest effect?"

"For example, how should we best use our family's funds and the funds at the consortium level?"

This issue involves the core strategy for dealing with this crisis.

After Milo pondered for a long time, he said to the two: "In fact, if there is enough time, a cross-shareholding structure like the six major Japanese conglomerates would be very suitable, but the enemy will not give us so much time now."

“So I suggest making full use of financial platforms.”

"The Wilson family used its own funds to increase its stake in Wilson Financial, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and California Reinsurance Company. They were willing to pay a premium for the acquisitions or to inject capital into the companies through private placements."

"As long as we firmly control these four major financial platforms, the amount of funds that can be mobilized will be enormous."

"The assets held by these four major financial platforms can be handled according to the strategy mentioned earlier, and after the funds are recovered, they can increase their holdings in the companies they want to retain."

"As long as these four financial companies don't have any problems, we can get through this crisis smoothly, and we will have time to slowly reorganize the structure later."

"Of course, from then on, the right to speak for the Wilson family and the entire California consortium will also be concentrated in the hands of the heads of these four major financial companies."

Edward and Paul Wilson looked at each other subconsciously, and a series of thoughts popped up in their minds.

"Milo, thank you!"

"I know what to do. Please wait for our news."

Edward thanked Milo solemnly.

"You're welcome, we are a family." Milo waved his hand and said with a faint smile.

Afterwards, Edward and Paul Wilson left in a hurry.

Milo tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking for a moment.

He gently picked up the red phone on the table and pressed the button.

"Please put me through to Ed in Lawrence."

"Ed, this is Milo. If you have time, I hope you can come to California soon."

"Please put me through to Claude in Lowell."

"Claude, this is Milo. I hope to play golf with you in California in a couple of days."

"Get through to Arthur at Adams."

"Arthur, this is Milo. Peggy said she wants to meet you in California. Can you come?"

“…”

After making several calls back to Boston.

After thinking for a while, Milo picked up his personal cell phone.

"Hey, dear grandpa. Did you miss me?"

"Haha, one thing, are Texans interested in trying some California oranges?"

"Oh, I have a big plan. A super big plan. Do you want to hear about it?"

I called a few more people in California.

Milo finally let out a breath.

It is said that the triangle is the most stable

Maybe the iron triangle can be formed this time? (End of this chapter)