Chapter 52: Strategizing, Seven Hundred Million, Shares (4000)
The pain of the poor is having no money, while the pain of the rich is not having enough money.
Once a person has money, reputation, power, and connections will flock to you.
This is society.
On the viewing platform exclusive to VVIPs on the luxury Cruise Ship, in the swimming pool, over a dozen models in bikinis were playing in the water.
Under the Sun Umbrellas, on lounge chairs, eight or nine billionaires were sipping Champagne and drinks while enjoying the pleasing scene.
Compared to these old men who were past fifty, some even in their late sixties, Tang Song, who was not yet thirty, was truly unique among them.
He held a green Coconut, drinking the coconut juice through a bamboo straw, enjoying the pool view while chatting with a white elder beside him.
The host of this gathering was the Vice President of the Bank of America.
As a shareholder of this super Cruise Ship, the Bank of America was very concerned about the distinguished guests on board.
Their standard for measuring distinguished guests was simple: deposits determined the bank's service attitude.
The Bank of America, which once ranked among the top three in the Federation's banking industry and was backed by the California Syndicate, had always treated its clients with a haughty attitude.
Unfortunately, after World War II, the Bank of America declined significantly, and its market share in the banking industry was squeezed out by Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.
Not only the Bank of America, but even the California Syndicate behind it had lost its former glory.
Before World War II, the California Syndicate's most profitable Business was the Arms Business.
The first, second, and fourth ranked Arms Companies in the Federation all once belonged to the California Syndicate.
Unfortunately, after World War II, Stark Industries rose abruptly. Howard Stark and Tony Stark, father and son, quickly occupied 46% of the Federal Department of Defense's procurement share with their advantages in weapon innovation.
Don't underestimate this number; relying solely on this 46% market share, Stark Industries' current market value exceeds one hundred billion US Dollars.
The remaining 54% of the procurement share is divided among dozens of large and small Arms Companies across the entire Federation.
Among them, Hammer Industries, with its price advantage, occupied a 14% share.
The Arms Companies of the California Syndicate combined have a market share of less than 20%.
With their financial backer declining, the Bank of America naturally wasn't doing well either.
The haughty demeanor changed style and began to fawn.
Every year, the Bank of America recruits a batch of Interns from various universities, offering monthly salaries of over 30,000 US Dollars.
However, the prerequisite is that their appearance and temperament must be up to standard. The main role of these Interns is to serve as companions at the rich gatherings organized by the company.
Several of the Mermaids in the pool were the Bank of America's so-called "Managers."
Tang Song, as a distinguished VIP client of the Bank of America, had deposits exceeding nine figures in his Bank of America Account.
He could be said to be the absolute core of this temporary small gathering; this gathering was held specifically for him.
After all, being a billionaire and having deposits over a hundred million are two completely different concepts.
"Mr. Tang, compared to Firearms, the Pharmaceuticals industry is destined to be the future trend. A mature drug can bring billions of US Dollars in annual Profit!"
A somewhat bald, fat old man raised his Champagne and toasted Tang Song, saying, "Currently, our company is working on conquering bone cancer and several other types of cancer.
Once successful, the annual Profit will be enough to buy this Cruise Ship. Tang, if you are interested, I can recommend you join the Board of Directors."
Tang Song raised the Coconut juice in his hand and lightly clinked glasses with the fat old man: "Mr. Ross, I haven't been involved in the Pharmaceuticals industry yet, but the prospects are indeed good. I'll visit your company sometime when I have time!"
Tang Song was unhurried, making polite conversation with the fat old man.
The fat old man was named Dempsey Ross, the President of a Pharmaceuticals company.
His purpose in deliberately getting closer to Tang Song was for Investment. The Pharmaceuticals industry is undoubtedly extremely profitable.
However, the initial Investment requires truly enormous initial investment. The Funds invested in the success of a new drug are usually at least nine figures or more.
Whether it succeeds depends on fate, not to mention the time it takes, which is measured in years.
This is also why Dempsey was seeking Investment everywhere. In terms of burning money, the Pharmaceuticals industry, especially in new drug research and development, is second only to the internet industry.
After learning that Tang Song planned to go to Italy for an Arms Business bid, he had been very enthusiastic.
After exchanging contact information with Tang Song, Dempsey tactfully walked towards the swimming pool.
Tang Song held the Coconut, watching his receding back, his eyes flickering.
He was indeed interested in the Pharmaceuticals industry, but his target was not a Pharmaceuticals company merely limited to California.
He had better options.
"Boss, Mr. Kane is on the phone!"
After seeing off the fat old man, Tang Song was embracing a young model, glistening with sweat, and discussing the "price" of a popular star with a famous film Director. The Bodyguard who had been standing not far away walked over. He had a tall and straight figure, wearing a black Suit, paired with Sunglasses, and an Earpiece hanging by his ear.
The Bodyguard bent down and handed a Satellite Phone to Tang Song. Tang Song patted the thigh of the girl in his arms, got up, walked a short distance away, and answered Kane's call.
The Bodyguard stood three meters away from Tang Song, vigilantly observing the surroundings.
"Boss, it was successful!" Kane's voice came through the Satellite Phone.
"We took down two of Kingpin's underground banks, a total of 740 million US Dollars!"
"The Super US Dollar Plan was also very successful. the FBI is cracking down on Kingpin's various Businesses, trying to force him to reveal the source of the Super US Dollar!"
"I wonder if the Federation's Crime Boss can withstand the FBI's pressure?"
Tang Song smiled and waved to a passing rich man, talking to Kane unhurriedly.
Kingpin is a ruthless character in the Marvel World. Not to mention his abilities, just look at the enemies he has provoked.
Daredevil, Spider-Man, Punisher, Iron Fist, Fantastic Four...
Many villains have fallen when facing one Superhero, but Kingpin, facing multiple Superheroes, still reigns as his Crime Boss.
This is his capability and skill. As the King of New York's Underworld, the Federation's Crime Boss, Kingpin's personal wealth ranks among the top hundred in the entire Federation.
But a large part of the source of this money is illicit, making it unsuitable for depositing in banks. Not only the FBI, but the IRS is even more like a mad dog, keeping a close eye on him.
Therefore, Kingpin has private Warehouses specifically for storing Cash throughout New York, which serve as his personal underground banks.
These locations are very hidden, and even Kingpin's trusted Subordinates only know one or two locations, some not even one.
These underground banks and Warehouses are permanently guarded by dozens of elite Gunmen.
Manpower is not the key. In New York, except for a few Superheroes who don't know any better, no one dares to provoke Kingpin.
Kingpin also wouldn't have thought that someone would dare to rob his underground banks, which was why he was arrogant enough to have his Subordinates deposit some of the Super US Dollar directly into the underground banks. But Kingpin didn't expect that Tang Song had already had people tamper with these Super US Dollars beforehand.
These Super US Dollars were smeared with refined Qingfu Juice by Tang Song's orders.
Qingfu Beetle, a legendary insect name, also known as Fuchan, Wowo, Pumeng, Yufu, Yubo, etc. When the Qingfu Beetle gives birth, the mother and child will inevitably gather together after separation.
If the mother's Blood or the child's Blood is applied to money, the money with the mother's Blood or the child's Blood will fly back after being spent, hence the saying "Qingfu Returns Money."
This minor magic art is not even considered entry-level in the Jambudvīpa World, but it can evade detection by modern instruments.
Because of this minor magic art, Kingpin exposed two of his underground banks and lost seven hundred million.
"Seven hundred million US Dollars, I suppose our Mr. Kingpin will be heartbroken for a while!"
Tang Song hung up the phone and smiled as he handed the phone to the Bodyguard beside him.
Seven hundred million US Dollars, Kingpin was more than just heartbroken. How heavy is the weight of seven hundred million US Dollars?
Let's put it this way, the person who has been on the dark web of the Underworld with the highest Bounty for years, a certain bald, one-eyed man, has a cumulative Bounty amount of only 20 million US Dollars.
Seven hundred and eighty million US Dollars can buy the lives of 39 S.H.I.E.L.D. Directors.
This sum of money is enough to make anyone rich and comfortable for several lifetimes.
When the news leaked out, the entire New York Underworld went almost crazy. Not to mention the Police Officers and the FBI, even Kingpin's prestige couldn't deter these Gang members who were crazy for money.
However, tens of thousands of Gang members, plus all the Police Officers in New York, searched for half a month but found no trace of this money.
It is said that Kingpin smashed the heads of two of his trusted Subordinates because of this.
...
Having made a fortune, Boss Tang held a fishing rod and was fishing in the pool below.
The Carbon Fiber sea fishing rod only had a fishing line, and an Apple was tied to the fishing line.
The Apple was suspended in the pool, and Mermaids vied to nibble on it, their postures graceful.
Beside him, on a sun chair, a blonde, blue-eyed girl with a curvaceous figure leaned over and fed Tang Song chilled Ruby Grapes.
"Mr. Tang, this is the Entry Ticket for the Auction held the day after tomorrow!"
A white-haired, flushed old man in his fifties walked up to Tang Song, sat on a sun chair beside him, and handed him a black card with gold embossing.
The old man speaking was Barlow, a Senior Vice President of the Bank of America and also a member of the Bank of America's Board of Directors.
He was also the organizer of this rich gathering.
Barlow originally intended to connect billionaires, finding Investment for those who lacked Funds and finding Investment opportunities for those who had money but lacked connections.
As for what the Bank of America would gain, compared to money, Barlow valued connections the most.
After learning that Tang Song was interested in participating in the upcoming Auction, this Vice President directly obtained a ticket through his own connections.
Although the Bank of America was not the organizer of the Auction, the venue was partly owned by the Bank of America.
Even a Cruise Ship captain could get an Invitation, let alone him, a shareholder.
Getting an Invitation was effortless for Barlow.
"Thank you, Mr. Barlow!" Tang Song smiled and took the Invitation from Barlow's hand.
"I also heard from a crew member that there was such an Auction and was a bit curious. I still don't know what items will be at this Auction?"
Barlow shook his head and said, "The organizer of this Auction is very mysterious. Many items and participants will only board the ship when it reaches International Waters. It's not very clear what exactly will be auctioned."
"Mr. Tang, if you are interested in Auctions, we partner with Sotheby's and Christie's Auction houses. They hold several high-profile Auctions every year. I will have your personal assistant notify you then!"
"I have always been very satisfied with the Bank of America's service," Tang Song said with a smile, exchanging pleasantries with Barlow.
Barlow accompanied Tang Song, chatting with a smile, and the conversation gradually turned to Investment Business.
"Mr. Tang, besides the Arms Business, I wonder if you are interested in other Investments!"
Tang Song smiled and glanced at Barlow: "I am interested in purchasing Shares in two companies and want to do it discreetly. I wonder if the Bank of America has the connections?"
After Tang Song stated his Plan, Barlow scratched his somewhat balding head, looking a bit troubled.
Tang Song's request was a bit difficult for him. This Asian rich man, judging by his words, was interested in two companies: Oscorp and Hammer Industries.
The former has a market value of 200 billion, and the latter also has a market value of several tens of billions. Both companies are old-established companies and do not easily accept external Funds.
Barlow said with a bitter smile, "Tang, it's a bit difficult to become a shareholder of these two companies unless they have a Funds shortage or you can offer conditions that would tempt them!"
Tang Song was not surprised by Barlow's answer. Both companies are quite famous in the Marvel World, especially Oscorp, which dominates the biological field.
Spider-Man, Lizard, Electro, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus...
The Superheroes and Supervillains born because of this company are too numerous to count.
This is also why Tang Song is interested in Oscorp, and there is another reason.
Oscorp's complete biological research system, mature market network, and scientific research talent.
Tang Song has been coveting them for a long time.
Although he is acquainted with Norman Osborn, he doesn't mind becoming a Director of Oscorp.
Tang Song opened his mouth and held a chilled Grape.
"The Bank of America has financial dealings with a Director of Oscorp. Tang, if you are really interested in Oscorp's Shares, I can help you arrange a time!"
"That would be too much trouble, Mr. Barlow," Tang Song's face lit up with a smile, and he extended his hand towards Barlow:
"Compared to Citigroup, I still prefer the Bank of America. How about this, I'll transfer my two Accounts at Citigroup to the Bank of America. I hope Mr. Barlow will put in extra effort!"
Barlow's face, exposed to the scorching sun, excitedly broke out in sweat as he clasped Tang Song's hands:
"Mr. Tang, rest assured, the Bank of America will diligently serve every distinguished client!"
Barlow cautiously chatted with Tang Song until Skye returned with Fox and several Bodyguards, carrying large shopping bags.
Only then did Barlow get up to leave.
"Mr. Tang, the crew member you met is quite famous in certain areas on the ship.
If you are interested in a female crew member on the ship, you can directly find him. He can even arrange some special distinguished ladies for you..."
Barlow whispered to Tang Song as he left.
(End of Chapter)