"Paul... okay, I understand."
Upon hearing this devastating news, even though Xia Yu was somewhat prepared, he still couldn't help but be stunned for a few seconds.
Last time I saw you off, I never imagined that today we would be separated by life and death.
Paul, who had extended his life by an astonishing fortune for over 30 years, ultimately passed away at the age of 65 due to complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"Our family is about to set off."
After saying he would go to the United States to see his friend off on his final journey, Xia Yu sighed deeply after hanging up the phone and then called Lao Qian, who was waiting in Germany, to ask them to come to Germany.
"I'm sorry, Doctor, a close friend of mine has passed away. How about we proceed with the formalities?"
Back at the factory, Xia Yu apologized to Helixi.
"That's really unfortunate. Please accept my condolences, Mr. Sherlock. Let's begin."
While comforting Xia Yu, Dr. Hesinger gestured to him that he could inspect the goods at any time.
Following the staff as they boarded the 206a and U-99 submarines, the acceptance process at Xiayu progressed rapidly, based on their introductions and system feedback.
Night fell quickly, and the heavy cranes at Kiel Harbor lifted the two submarines, which had passed inspection, into the hold of the barge.
They will then be towed to Pointe-Noire, just like the two 206A ships before them, and will begin operations next year after months of testing and training.
"beep"
After watching the tugboat pull the barge away from the port with its horn blaring, Xia Yu also took a helicopter back to Mecklenburg.
Liv was already waiting on the Fisher with little Yuzu in her arms. Once he arrived, the family of three would officially fly to the United States.
A 10-month-old baby eats and sleeps, happily oblivious to birth, aging, sickness, and death, while adults are more likely to mourn the deceased.
Lying in bed until late at night, Xia Yu finally fell asleep, unable to stay awake any longer. When he opened his eyes again, they had already refueled in New York and were continuing their flight towards the West Coast.
A few hours later, standing on Seattle soil once again, he felt a sense of loss and change.
Without that Stuka, he wouldn't have met Paul, let alone visited the city where Microsoft headquarters is located multiple times.
Perhaps this is fate. Even though they worked in different industries, their shared interests and side hustles made them good friends, and Paul, who never married or had children, became the godfather of Paul's son.
The convoy sent by Jody picked up the family of three and drove to Mercer Island, where Paul had lived most often during his lifetime.
The villa complex, consisting of nine mansions, was valued at $116.2 million, but no matter how high the value, it was no different from other inheritances; it was all disposed of to recoup funds.
Relatives should inherit what is rightfully theirs, pay inheritance tax as required, and engage in charitable activities as appropriate.
Other wealthy people may do charity to avoid taxes, but Paul has no wife or children, his sister takes a portion, and he genuinely does the rest as charity.
The private memorial service was attended by many people, including his friends and many of the organizations that Paul had funded.
Paul invests in everything he can, not only in his interests but also in cutting-edge medical and scientific technologies.
Unfortunately, he didn't live to see the results of these projects, which he had started, but Paul's spirit will continue to be passed on.
After passing through the crowd of mourners, I arrived at the main building of the villa complex, where a pure white coffin was placed in the center of the lobby on the first floor.
Paul lay there with his eyes closed and his hands folded together, as if he had simply fallen asleep.
Yes, his sleep was forever.
"Mr. Sherlock, huh?"
After entertaining a friend, Jody, who wasn't very familiar with Xia Yu, came over and said something.
"And this is Mr. Xia De."
She looked at the sleeping little pomelo in Xia Yu's arms and asked.
“It’s us. I brought him here to see the Godfather one last time.”
Xia Yu nodded and said.
"Then please come to the study, Paul has left a message for you."
Jody gestured for him to speak.
From the onset of sudden complications to his passing yesterday, the wealthy man, sensing his impending doom, spent the last two weeks of his life alone.
During this period, he also made some arrangements for his affairs after his death.
For example, there are some things Paul still wants to say to his godson whom he didn't have time to watch grow up.
They soon arrived at the study on the second floor, where Xia Yu, who had chatted with her friends, saw that the TV was on, and Qiao Di picked up the remote and pressed play.
"Hey, Sherlock, and my dear godson, little Shad, I'm sorry I have to go first."
Paul, wearing an oxygen tube in his nose, appeared on the television screen, and all he could be heard was him trying to stay awake and say something.
“Your father bought my Haiyan ship and the Wurkan marine research team, and promised me that he would increase investment in deep-sea exploration. Little Xia, you have to help me keep an eye on him.”
Hearing this, Xiaoyouzi groggily opened his eyes. He looked at the TV screen and the person on it looked somewhat familiar.
He could understand some words in German and French, but he was completely clueless about English; the little guy couldn't understand a word at all.
He'll understand when he grows up; this video is for Xia Yu, an adult, to see right now.
"...I always wanted to leave you something. Your father isn't short of money; he might even be richer than your godfather in the future. So, I'll leave you the aviation legacy and combat armor museum that I'm so worried about. Jody doesn't like my collection, so he won't care about it..."
Upon hearing this, Jody pursed her lips. This was the first time she had seen this video, and she hadn't expected that even after her brother died, he wouldn't forget to criticize her.
But her brother was right; she really did hate those iron lumps that only burned oil.
If she were to inherit the FHC Museum, she would definitely sell off all the collections inside. But since Paul has made the arrangements, then we should follow her brother's will.
Paul actually wants to pass his museum on to Little Yuzu.
Xia Yu was shocked. He had already taken over the other party's deep-sea exploration business at a price far below market value. He never expected that the other party would leave the FHC Museum, which has a large number of World War II and Cold War fighter jets and armored vehicles and is valued at several hundred million US dollars, to his son.
This seems to be the most appropriate approach.
With Xia Yu's unparalleled operational experience in military equipment museums, the FHC Museum, which currently requires continuous investment from Paul to maintain operations, can definitely be turned around and become profitable.
More than money itself, this is what Paul would have liked to see.
"This was a decision I made after returning to the United States following the opening of your aircraft carrier museum. In the following months, I obtained a special weapons and equipment business license from the ATF, and my collection can finally be legally used for live ammunition," Paul said excitedly in the video.
A tank that can fire a cannon is a real tank; otherwise, it's no better than an excavator!
Unfortunately, Paul, who was suffering from a terminal illness, did not have the energy to promote the reform of FHC, so this task had to be handed over to his godson.
Or rather, while the museum is nominally run by Xiaoyouzi, the actual person in charge is Xia Yu.
The reason they didn't leave it directly to Xia Yu was because they were friends, and he wouldn't accept it, nor could he accept it.
There's nothing wrong with Chinese Americans opening gun shops and shooting ranges in the US, but a military equipment museum this large is still too sensitive.
But if everyone were a little boy whose mother was of German descent, those politicians who were always finding ways to make things difficult for him would be at a loss. Not to mention that it's only natural for a godfather to give his godson a gift; Sirius even gave Harry Potter a broom!
"Little Shad, I hope that with your father's help, you can develop FHC into the number one military equipment museum in the United States. That would be the best way to repay your godfather."
Finally, Paul solemnly declared that the video was now over.
"That's right. My brother packaged FHC into a foundation, and the beneficiary has now been revealed: it's our Mr. Shad."
As the disposition and beneficiary of Paul's estate, Jody confirmed the outcome of the disposition of the FHC Museum.
High-net-worth assets such as valuable paintings, mansions around the world, private jets, and yachts will definitely need to be disposed of to pay taxes.
However, all the museums that Paul has invested in, whether private or public, will be converted into tax-exempt public charities in order to continue operating.
Of course, tax exemption is only useful if it can make money or continuously invest money in it. However, FHC has never been profitable since its establishment. Only the Midas touch Xia Yu can turn something rotten into something magical.
"Thank you for your kindness, Paul, but..."
"Don't refuse. This is what my brother left to Xia De. If I leave it to him, it will only lead to the same fate he said: bankruptcy."
Jody was very self-aware; she didn't want this hot potato!
“Then I will accept it on behalf of little Xiad, but we’ll discuss everything after Paul’s funeral.”
Xia Yu only wants to see his friend off on his final journey; everything else can wait.
"Yes, the funeral is the most important thing right now."
Jody agreed.
In the United States, funerals generally consist of two parts: mourning and burial.
The mourning ceremony usually lasts for several days, from the opening of the coffin to the closing of the coffin.
On the day of the burial ceremony, Xia Yu, Paul's brother-in-law, Gates (who had resolved their past grievances and reconciled), former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and Paul's two nephews served as the coffin-carrying team, together lifting the coffin onto the vehicle.
Upon arriving at the cemetery, the six people moved the coffin to the burial plot that Paul had chosen for himself.
The relatives and friends who came with him threw the fresh flowers they were holding onto the coffin, and as shovelfuls of soil were scattered down, everyone said goodbye to Paul.
His life, neither short nor long, ended with some regrets, but his legendary experiences will surely be repeatedly mentioned, and his last wish…
"Woo"
The world's only airworthy Stuka swooped down and roared over the cemetery, while the Allen, which came to bid farewell to its former owner, circled in the sky.
Paul's last wish will be fulfilled, just like the reborn Allen, which is also Xia Yu's promise to his deceased friend.
Instead of rushing back to Afica, Xia Yu, carrying his son, and his wife arrived at Paine Airport.
Previously in New York, he had joked with the Forborough branch manager about asking for favors when developing the North American market.
Xia Yu's work has always focused on Afica and Europe, leaving him no time to cross the Atlantic and venture into the US.
His original plan was to use his wife's identity to open a branch of a tank museum in the United States when the time was right, but his deceased friend gave his son a big gift instead.
This way, Xia Yu doesn't need to go around in circles; he can directly enhance the existing Aviation Heritage and Combat Armor Museum.
The price of a regular admission ticket remains the same at $12, but the value-added services must be on par with the Afica Tank Museum.
The second phase of the project is difficult to replicate in the United States. FHC has no shortage of antique aircraft, but they need to be deweaponized like modern fighter jets. So let's just maintain the original flight demonstration days!
"Mr. Sherlock, is this our new boss?"
Seeing Xia Yu and his group walk in, James, Paul's personal pilot in his MiG-29UB, looked at Xia De, who was chewing on his little hands, and asked.
"Yes, he's the boss, and we're all just employees."
Xia Yu agreed with James's statement. It was really going against the natural order for a father to work for his son, but what could he do when his son had such a good godfather?
"The aviation department's operations will remain as they are for now. Wait, what's that?"
Xia Yu recognized all the employees at FHC and they knew him well. Just as he was about to get straight to the point, a large machine parked in the workshop caught his attention.
“That’s a B-29 that Paul acquired six months ago. It’s in very good condition, but it’s missing an engine. We plan to restore it to be the third airworthy B-29.”
"Steve, the former head of the aviation department, is currently hospitalized," answered Kevin, an aeronautical engineer newly promoted by Paul, stepping out from the crowd.
The U.S. has over 40 B-17 Flying Fortresses (including static display aircraft), but the B-29 Superfortress is extremely rare.
This bomber, the only one to actually drop nuclear bombs in combat, was also the mainstay of the LeMay BBQ. Unfortunately, because it was not included in the list of World War II surplus materials, it did not flow into the civilian market in large quantities like the P-51 and B-25.
Therefore, there are only two airworthy B-29s in the world, and the number of them on static display in major museums is no more than two.
Paul acquired the best-condition aircraft besides the one that was airworthy, but the original Wright R-3350-57AM was of poor quality and hard to find.
The FIFI, commemorating the Air Force and the Kavanaugh Flight Museum, was replaced with fans from an A-1 Skyraider and a Fairchild C-119 after its original engines were scrapped, costing over 3 million dollars.
Well, the museum's $12 ticket revenue only covers the staff's salaries; Paul has to subsidize the fuel costs of the armored vehicles and antique machines.
Paul getting this B-29 is just the first step; at least another 10 million will be needed to get it flying.
In response, Xia Yu, a player who was accused of using cheats, said he wouldn't even accept 1 million.
Or rather, original parts for the Wright R-3350-57AM are basically not available on the market. You can get them for free, just by using some scrap metal.
Now, Xia Yu needs to acquire a few Douglas A-1 Skyraiders and remove their piston engines to install on this B-29.
The Americans don't allow private aircraft to have strike capabilities, so let's fly to Afica and drop 9 tons of M69 barbecue sauce... no, I mean cluster incendiary bombs to roast potatoes.
This visual effect is far more impressive than simply dropping 9 tons of iron bombs. Add to that the gimmick of being "the world's only combat-ready B-29," and it's no wonder it's making money.
"I'll take care of the engine. We don't have the original, but we have plenty of replacements with similar power."
After saying this, no one thought Xia Yu was bragging; the resources of the curator of the global T-0 level weapons and equipment museum are beyond your imagination.
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