Hardy found Bill and asked, "How much cash do you have now?"
"Ask Simon about that," said Bill.
Simon was called over and saw Hardy bowing respectfully, "Mr. Hardy, you are here for me."
"How much money is in the account now?"
"The total is more than 635,000." Simon quickly reported a number.
During this period, Bill's business was developing very smoothly, making a lot of cash from bootlegging, usury, brothels, underground boxing rings, and especially the slot machine and pinball machine business.
"Prepare 500,000 for me," said Hardy.
Hardy made more than 2 million dollars from stock trading last time, but he plans to take part of it from the gang. The money from stock trading comes from a legal and formal source, while the gang's cash is black money, which needs to be laundered if it wants to be converted into bank money.
It is easy to turn legal money into dirty money, but it is difficult to turn dirty money into legal money. This time I went to see Siegel, and it was a good opportunity to spend the money.
Henry and Matthew each carried a suitcase downstairs, and the three of them got into Hardy's Packard sedan. There was also a Ford in the back, with four guys in black suits sitting in it. They were Henry's men.
The convoy headed toward Highway 5.
Hardy was not going to take a plane this time. The flying experience was too bad these days. Los Angeles to Las Vegas was only more than 400 kilometers, so he decided to drive there.
It was already evening when Hardy and his convoy drove into downtown Las Vegas.
It is now July, the hottest season in Las Vegas. There are almost no people on the streets during the day, but the city comes alive at night.
At this time, the city's neon lights are flashing, and the streets are bustling with people. It is the busiest time in the casino.
"Boss, are we going directly to the hotel where Mr. Siegel is?" Henry asked.
Hardy thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the new casino first."
The convoy drove two or three miles out of the city and arrived at the Flamingo Casino construction site. Although it was already dark, construction was still going on. Hardy got out of the car and stood outside to take a look. The current casino has changed a lot compared to when he came three months ago, and it is still on a large scale.
But Hardy knew that decoration often takes more time and costs more money than framing, not to mention that Siegel's requirements were so high.
"Let's go to the hotel."
In the luxury business suite, Hardy met Siegel. After being exposed to the wind and sand for several months, Siegel still looked very energetic.
Siegel gave Hardy a hug.
The two of them sat down on the wide rattan chairs on the balcony, from where they could see the mountains in the distance, and the evening breeze felt very cool on their bodies.
Siegel handed Hardy a cigar, and the two lit it. Siegel complained, "Things are a bit bad. Those guys came over and said that I had delayed the construction period too long and far exceeded the original budget. They didn't plan to continue investing and let me figure it out on my own."
"Those guys just want to make a quick buck. They never consider that only the best products and services can attract more users. Is there anything else that can attract people to Las Vegas except the sand and the hot climate?"
"There are a lot of ordinary small casinos in the city, about 30 or 40 of them. Some of them have been open for more than ten years, but they are still the same, serving only small gamblers. I don't see how they will develop in the future."
"I want to create a real tourist leisure and entertainment resort that can attract high-end customers. They are the main consumers. Only when the customers have money can we make money. Do you think there is a problem with my concept, Hadi?"
Siegel looked at Hardy and asked.
Hadi smiled.
To be honest, he felt that there was nothing wrong with Siegel's idea, especially from the perspective of future generations, his concept was very correct.
However, all the investors that Siegel had recruited before were gang leaders, and most of them were a group of short-sighted guys who were used to making quick money and hoped to see high returns as soon as possible.
Of course.
Siegel had his own problems.
He did fool those people and described a beautiful blueprint to get those bigwigs to invest money. But a year later, when they came to inspect, they found that it was still a big construction site. How could they not be angry?
Siegel is a gang leader, but the people he deceived also have prominent backgrounds, all from other big gang families. Before leaving, they threatened Siegel that he should figure it out on his own and that they would not continue to invest.
And if they give him another six months at most, they will see the casino open, otherwise there might be a falling out.
Siegel had been worrying about funding these days and wanted to give Mayer a try. During the conversation, Mayer mentioned Hardy.
First it was the film investment, then the security company. Siegel suddenly discovered that this little brother of his, whom he recruited by accident, had caused such a big fuss in such a short time.
He didn't talk to Mayer, but called Hardy after hanging up the phone.
After listening to Siegel's complaints, Hardy smiled.
"I am very optimistic about the Las Vegas project and believe it has a bright future. I brought $500,000 in cash and a check for $1 million."
Siegel smiled.
500,000.
This is definitely a huge sum of money in this era.
"With this money, can we complete the final project?" Hardy asked.
"Oh, that should be about the same."
"Hardy, I decided to give you 18% of the shares, what do you think?" Siegel said.
Hardy made some calculations in his mind.
500,000 accounts for 18%, which means that Siegel set the total share capital at 8 million.
Depend on,
It seems that the 500,000 yuan I have is probably not enough.
Siegel took a puff of his cigar and said:
"I registered the casino and obtained the license, but I didn't determine the shares. A few days ago, I prepared a share certificate and asked them to look at the progress of the project and sign the certificate. All these guys turned against me."
Hardy felt a little complaining in his heart.
Originally, those big guys each invested hundreds of thousands, thinking they could become major shareholders. Who could have imagined that you would increase the total share capital to 8 million, with each person only owning about 10%. It would be strange if they didn't turn against you.
When he first arrived, Siegel said that those people turned against him because they saw the progress of the casino. Now it seems that the root of the problem was not that, but that they were dissatisfied with their shareholding ratio.
I even felt that I was fooled by Siegel.
Play like this.
No wonder those gang bosses are looking for someone to kill you.
If it weren't for the fact that you are my boss and have done me a favor, I would have wanted to find someone to chop you up!
"18%, okay." Hardy nodded.
Siegel smiled.
He felt that he had done the right thing by supporting this younger brother in the beginning. Look at him now, he supports himself more.
"Hardy, are you interested in going to New York with me?" Siegel suddenly asked.
"What are you going to New York for?" Hardy asked curiously.
"My good friend Don Vito Corrion is going to celebrate his 54th birthday in a few days. I plan to go to New York to celebrate for him. Are you interested in accompanying me?" Siegel said.
Hardy was shocked.
don vito corrion.
Isn't this The Godfather?
Hardy has watched the movie "The Godfather" more than once. "The Godfather" is known as the pinnacle of gangster movies and the bible for men.
When he came to this world, he initially thought it was a historical time and space. Later, when he read in the newspaper that Vito Corrion had married his daughter, he realized that he had come to a dimension similar to the world of the movie "The Godfather".
If I meet the Godfather, will it reveal the true face of this world?
Hardy was looking forward to it.
"I have heard of Mr. Corrion's name. I heard that he is a respected godfather. I really want to visit him and send him birthday wishes," said Hardy.
Siegel smiled and nodded. "Okay, tomorrow we'll get the share agreement and notarization done, and then we'll set off for New York."
the next day.
Siegel received $500,000 in cash and a check for $1 million, while Hardy received a stock certificate. He is now one of Flamingo's shareholders, holding 18% of the shares.
Siegel gave the money to his girlfriend, Virginia Hill.
Hardy frowned slightly.
But he didn't say anything.
In the movie, Miss Virginia Hill was eventually found to have embezzled a large sum of money, but Siegel trusted her very much, and Hardy had no evidence and could not make groundless accusations.
"Virginia, you take care of the construction site. I'm going to New York and will be back in three days at most."
The woman agreed reluctantly.
Siegel kissed the woman and boarded the plane with Hardy.
As for Henry Matthew and several of his men, Hardy let them drive back to Los Angeles by themselves. After attending the Godfather's birthday party, he would fly directly back to Los Angeles from New York.
The model of this passenger plane is D-3, which is the -47 transport aircraft in World War II. It can accommodate more than 30 people and has a long flight distance. It only needs to refuel once from Los Angeles to New York.
on the plane.
Siegel and Hardy sat in the first class cabin. Siegel chatted with Hardy about the past, allowing Hardy to understand a lot of inside information about the gang.
"I have known Vito since I was a child, and later we became partners. We have done many things together. Do you know the current Mafia Committee? It was Vito who came up with it in the beginning. He is a very shrewd man."
"At that time, gangs from all over the country were fighting each other for their own interests, and the losses were huge. Later, he called together all the gang families and established a committee. We promised not to attack each other, not to kill law enforcement officers and provoke the government's nerves. If any family had any problems, they could submit them to the committee for discussion and resolution. The Mafia finally stabilized internally. At this time, everyone realized that we made much more money than before. The previous internal struggles were too serious and damaged too much interests."
"The committee now has 24 families, located in major cities across the United States. There are five major families in New York. One day, Vito said to me, Sigel, you should establish your own family. Why not go to the West Coast, which is a golden land."
"I brought a group of my people to Los Angeles, set up a company, and acquired a piece of land. I like Hollywood very much. I have made a lot of friends here. Except for Mayer, only a few people know my identity. Others just think I am the owner of a film company. Haha, that feeling is very comfortable."
Hardy thought of the feud between the big families in the Godfather movie and asked: "Can the Commission really solve all the disputes within the Mafia?"
Siegel chuckled.
"No organization can resolve all disputes. Some unnecessary minor conflicts can be resolved through the committee so that they do not develop into a fight between two families, thus reducing unnecessary losses."
"But if it involves major interests, no one will bring the problem to the committee to solve it. Whether it is the five major families or the families between cities, they will also start a war for the sake of interests. Don't forget that we are still gangs at heart."
"Never think of the gangs as good people!"
......