Frank was secretly doing something in New York without telling Reeves. It was naturally impossible to keep such a big thing completely secret.
Even Hamilton, the chairman of the Nightingale Club, noticed something was wrong. He personally sent an informal email to Ribbs, inquiring in a tactful way about the progress of the New York Thorne Group's project.
To Liebs, the success or failure of these projects was unimportant; it was just a matter of making a little less money, so he didn't pay much attention to them. He was more concerned about the political situation in Illinois.
A few days after Reeves returned to Chicago, Illinois Governor Morgan sent his assistant to find him.
The governor's assistant walked into Reeves' office politely, bowed slightly, and said:
"Mr. Speaker, the Governor has asked me to convey his sincere greetings to you and to reiterate his gratitude for your contributions to the stability and prosperity of Illinois. At the same time, the Governor has an urgent matter concerning the state's defense capabilities, and he has considered that only with your generous support... can it be resolved."
Ribs was a little impatient after hearing this high-sounding talk, and replied directly: "Alright! Stop talking nonsense and get to the point."
"Ahem!" The governor's assistant paused, looking directly at Reeves. "The National Guard's missions have recently increased significantly in frequency and intensity, especially in response to interstate crime, drug smuggling, and major public safety incidents... However, the state budget... especially equipment procurement, has encountered some problems... The Guard urgently needs to add five high-performance general-purpose helicopters..."
Finally, Reeves understood that it just meant money!
Seeing that Reeves remained silent, the assistant continued, "Governor Morgan sincerely requests that you make a generous donation, either personally or through your foundation, to the National Guard specifically for the purchase of the first five helicopters... The Governor promises that this act of kindness will receive the widest public praise and... the respect it deserves."
Ribbs leaned back in the wide chair, the cigar burning slowly between his fingers.
Five helicopters, starting at at least $150 million! Is the National Guard strapped for cash? So they're taking advantage of him?
A vague feeling of unhappiness welled up in his heart. He hated being treated as a money bag, and he hated this condescending "request" even more.
But the political influence of the "Governor of Illinois" and the National Guard represented by him made Reeves understand that he certainly could not offend him.
He also remembered that Governor Morgan mobilized the National Guard for "timely" support when dealing with the Crips and rescuing Ao Guanhai.
Now, it was his turn to return the favor. He understood the nature of the exchange of interests better than anyone else.
After a brief consideration, Ribbs quickly suppressed his displeasure.
He pulled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, his voice steady and calm, "Please tell Governor Morgan that it is my unshirkable responsibility to contribute to the public safety of Illinois. The National Guard's air power is related to the safety of the people of the entire state. This favor... I will help."
"Mr. Speaker! The Governor will surely be deeply pleased! On behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the Guard, I extend my highest respect to you!" The Governor's Assistant smiled. "I'll send you the specific donation process and details on how to connect with the arms company!"
After finishing speaking, the governor's assistant turned around with satisfaction and left Ribbs' office.
…
Not long after, Reebs received a document from the governor's assistant. He wanted to forward the email to Alfred and let him handle the subsequent tedious donation process.
But the moment he opened the file, a name in it caught his attention - General Dynamics.
Ribbs paused and glanced at the contents of the document with interest.
"General Dynamics... one of the five largest arms manufacturers in the United States. Governor Morgan has introduced me to an interesting 'friend'."
"Speaker, are you saying..." Alfred adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze behind them sharp and focused, "that this helicopter purchase deal be viewed not just as a mandatory donation, but also as... a stepping stone to enter the inner circle of General Dynamics?"
"A stepping stone?" Reeves sneered.
He looked at Alfred, his eyes filled with disdain for worldly rules. "Alfred, we're spending over $150 million, and that's it? This amount is enough to build a small steel barrier in any corner of America. We're spending the price of a 'barrier' just to buy a few toys for the National Guard?"
He stood up and slowly walked to the huge French window. "General Dynamics... Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Grumman... one of the five largest arms companies on par with them. Governor Morgan has stumbled upon something interesting and pointed us in the right direction. Now that we've spent so much money, we can't just be suckers! A few mere Little Birds are nothing to me. An arms company like General Dynamics has the real power to shatter the rules!"
He turned and ordered, "Alfred, contact General Dynamics. Don't go looking for a regional sales representative; that's too cheap. Go directly to the highest-level business leader you can reach, or even better... an executive with access to their core strategic leadership."
"Tell them," Reeves' tone carried an air of pressure that brooked no refusal. "Chicago's Chancellor Reeves has limited interest in the business behind these five helicopters. But he is very interested in learning more about the cutting-edge equipment that truly represents America's top military industrial strength."
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