Chapter 361 Happy Birthday
Arriving at the military camp on the island, Neil, who was responsible for the island's security, came to see Hadi. The formal military camp was still under construction, so they temporarily lived in military tents.
A 600-ton patrol ship and several 50-ton patrol torpedo boats were parked outside the military port. Hardy initially bought three "Radlo" class escort destroyers, two of which were sent to the Southeast Asian base and one to the Persian Gulf base.
Most of the other patrol ships and patrol torpedo boats were also sent there, mainly because there were pirates there and these ships could play a role.
However, the warships on the Cayman Islands would seem too thin, and Hardy thought that a few more warships should be purchased.
Originally, I wanted to increase the strength of the security company, but now I have a territory, which is equivalent to a country. How can the national army be so shabby?
Moreover, when the Cayman army becomes strong, it can also feed back to the security companies. In the future, the security companies will be the Cayman army, and the Cayman army can also become a security company.
Soldiers from other countries lack actual combat experience. In the future, HD Security can participate deeply in wars and gain rare practical experience, which can be used to train its own army. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
Since it is the military,
We should at least get a few more warships.
The first thing he thought of was an aircraft carrier.
Then Hardy shook his head.
That thing was simply a gold-eating beast, and he couldn't afford to play with it. Although he had the thought in his mind for a moment, it quickly faded away.
The United States is such a powerful country, but it only dares to maintain a dozen aircraft carriers now. You'd better forget it.
Another thing is that I guess they won’t sell it either.
The United States is still very cautious about aircraft carriers.
If he couldn't buy an aircraft carrier, then he could buy a few destroyers. He remembered that destroyers were on the list of military supplies for sale. He would go back to check the model and then have a good chat with Williams. It would be best if he could get them cheaper and give him the lowest internal price.
After three days on the island, Hardy returned to Los Angeles. Now Hardy is still a logistics material dealer for the US military. He called Colonel Adam Beach to inquire about the situation. Because he had established connections with the Hongmen, he now sells a portion of the materials every month.
No matter whether it is a blanket or a tent, in fact, as long as it is an object, it has its value. It is just a matter of how to break it down into smaller pieces and sell them.
Hardy found what he wanted on the weapons list. Aircraft carriers were not needed, and cruisers were too bulky and unnecessary. Destroyers were enough. Finally, Hardy chose the "Fleycher-class destroyer."
The Frycher-class destroyer has a full load of 3,050 tons, is 114.8 meters long, and has a crew of 353. From the launch of the first ship in 1942 to the discontinuation of production of the last ship in 1945, the United States produced a total of 175 Frycher-class destroyers in more than two years.
This is equivalent to producing six or seven such battleships every month, and the United States does not only produce this type of battleship. One has to admire the powerful construction capabilities of the United States at that time.
The Fletcher-class destroyer is a relatively advanced battleship with a comprehensive radar system and relatively strong firepower, including main guns, torpedoes, and anti-aircraft guns. Unlike frigates whose main function is protection, destroyers are more suitable for combat.
Hardy called Rear Admiral Williams and told him that he wanted to buy a few Frych-class destroyers. "You know my Cayman Islands is a self-governing territory, so we can have our own army. Forget the army. The Cayman Islands are only over 200 square kilometers, and we can't have an air force. We can only develop the navy. I plan to buy a few Frych-class destroyers. I hope the admiral will give me a cheap price."
"How many Hardies would you like?" Williams asked.
"Four, we can't afford more," said Hardy.
Maintaining a warship is not just about leaving it there. It requires various maintenance of the ship, maintaining the navy, and being responsible for logistics, which costs a lot of money every year.
"Okay, I'll ask Beech to check out the condition of those warships. Some of them are in poor condition. We plan to use them as target ships or dismantle them. We can sell them to you at a lower price, which is better than dismantling them." Williams said.
"Okay, I'll wait for Biqi to come over." Hardy said.
In fact, the two of them have already understood each other tacitly. What Williams meant was that he would pick out the four ships with the best performance for you and then sell them to you as scrap goods. As for the price, it would naturally be the scrap price. Beechcraft would do this job well.
Beech is here.
Hand Hardy a list.
There are reports on four Frych-class destroyers on the list, which say they are in a semi-scrap state and are no longer worth returning to the factory for repair. It is recommended that they be used as target ships or dismantled.
Finally, he quoted a price that even surprised Hardy.
US$1.08 million per ship.
You have to know that building these destroyers would cost tens of millions of dollars each, and the military's minimum price for foreign sales is 3.6 million.
1.08 million is really the scrap price among the internal prices.
Hadi notified HD Defense Company to prepare to receive these warships.
Busy, busy,
Time flies and it is February.
The film "Beauty and the Beast" is completed. This is the first milestone film to combine live-action and animation.
Hardy, Taylor and the main creative staff watched the film in the film studio's screening room. It was a typical fairy tale movie with a simple but interesting story and rich and soft colors. Taylor was bright and charming in the movie, and the other animators were adorable.
There were many jokes during this period.
This is a film especially suitable for children.
"How's the preparation for the premiere going?" Hardy asked Edward after watching the movie.
"We are making every effort to prepare for it. The venue has been chosen to be the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. We want it to be the most magnificent and grand as you requested."
Edward knew in his heart that this was a birthday present prepared by his boss for Taylor, so he spared no expense in getting it.
"How is the issuing company preparing?"
"On the day of the premiere, 850 theaters across the United States will play the film together," Edward said.
Ever since the U.S. government cracked down on film companies and introduced the Paramount Act, film companies have been forced to separate production, distribution, and theater chains. Hardy had no plans to buy a theater chain, but he still saw an opportunity.
Hardy asked Edward to contact MGM and a large number of second- and third-rate film companies to set up a joint distribution company. As long as you have a lot of film sources, you still have the right to resist controlling the theaters.
Now, Hardy Cinema and MGM hold the dominant position in this independent distribution company, and the distribution of movies is negotiated with the movie chains. Now the rules have gradually been formed. With this distribution company, Hardy Cinema's distribution capacity has suddenly jumped to the level of being on par with or even surpassing other major movie companies.
It was a brilliant move to overtake on a curve.
......
today.
It's Taylor's birthday.
today,
It is also the premiere day of the movie "Beauty and the Beast". As night falls and the lights shine brightly, both sides of the road outside the Hollywood Chinese Theater are all hung with festive lights, flashing colorful lights all the way.
Many people sighed that it was more grand than Christmas.
At the entrance of the National Grand Theatre, a long red carpet was laid out, blocked by fences on both sides, and flowed out into the middle corridor, which was now filled with people on both sides.
On one side are the enthusiastic audience, who are actually the atmosphere team members responsible for cheering when the stars come.
On the other side were reporters holding up guns and ready to take pictures, and there was a TV station with a camera. The station logo was ABC TV. Today's premiere would be broadcast live, and with Hardy's connections, the number of stars coming today would be no less than that of the Oscars Awards ceremony.
It starts at 6:30 pm.
Groups of celebrity guests entered the venue, and when people saw the celebrities coming, they kept screaming and shouting their names.
"Ingrid Bergman."
"Vivien Leigh."
"Deborah Kerr."
"Greta Garbo."
"It's Ava. Ava Gardner."
......
Because there were so many guests, the entrance ceremony alone took more than an hour. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard in the distance, and a white luxurious European-style carriage slowly came over. It had four white horses and a white carriage inlaid with gold trim, which was no less luxurious than the British royal carriage.
The carriage stopped at the edge of the red carpet, the door opened, and Hardy got out first. Everyone around knew that the main person of today had arrived. Hardy stretched out his hand into the carriage, and the gloved hand was placed in Hardy's palm.
Elizabeth Taylor came down the stairs wearing a princess dress. Her slim waist and plump breasts made her look cute and mature. Her face was so delicate that it was amazing. Tonight, Taylor was a real princess.
“Bang~!”
At this moment.
A ball of fireworks exploded in the sky. People didn't expect there would be fireworks and were all attracted by the beautiful fireworks in the sky.
Bang bang bang bang~~~!
Fireworks continued to be set off, lighting up the night sky of Hollywood.
Taylor held Hardy's arm and walked along the red carpet with a satisfied smile on her face. Reporters took photos crazily to capture this gorgeous moment.
......
Today's premiere was very grand, and ABC TV broadcast it live. After the show, the movie began playing. The Hardy Pictures icon appeared on the movie screen, followed by a passage.
"Today is Elizabeth Taylor's birthday, and this film is just to wish Taylor a happy birthday!" ~~ Jon Hardy.
Sob.
The movie hadn't even started yet, but this one sentence alone received countless applause.
I guess what happened today will be recorded in the history of movies. After all, no matter what the reason is, this kind of thing is very romantic.
fairy tale movies,
It has always been suitable for all ages, and people watch it with a relaxed and happy mood. It has to be said that the combination of real people and animation production is really novel.
The movie ended with another round of applause.
After the premiere, a cocktail party was held at a big hotel. The guests went to the cocktail party together. It was a very relaxing party. Everyone ate, drank, chatted and exchanged feelings. During the party, a huge five-layer cake was launched.
Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Taylor.
Taylor's 18th birthday party was gorgeous and grand.
After the cocktail party, everyone left. Taylor did not go home, but got in Hardy's car and went to Hardy Manor.
In the bedroom.
Taylor looked at Hardy's shy face and said, "Hady, I'm finally 18 years old."
Hardy smiled and lowered his head, kissed Taylor on the ear, and whispered, "Next, I will celebrate your birthday alone and complete your coming-of-age ceremony."
Taylor had drunk a little wine and her face was flushed. When she heard Hardy's words, her face became even redder. However, she did not dodge, but bravely went up to him and kissed Hardy.
Hardy reached into the princess's dress, lifted tiny Taylor to his chest, and began to waltz to the music in the room.
A pink butterfly is fluttering.
Elizabeth Taylor, a beautiful girl like an elf, completes her transformation from a green onion.
18-year-old girl.
Birthday,
Yes,
Very happy.
......