Chapter 392 Assassination! 9/11 Begins!
Outside the hearing room, Xu Cang had just left the venue when he heard hurried footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Xia Shuyue who had caught up with him.
Xu Cang stopped and looked at Xia Shuyue who was rushing over, his eyes moving downwards: "Why are you walking so fast? You're wearing high heels."
"I could walk on stilts when I was a kid, so what's with high heels?" Xia Shuyue rolled her eyes and caught up to Xu Cang: "Xu Cang, why didn't you answer him directly just now? What's so good about Japan? If you don't want to come, then don't come. The people here are a bunch of psychopaths."
Just now, Xu Cang was criticized by thousands of people in the meeting, which made Xia Shuyue extremely dissatisfied, and thus her impression of the Japanese dropped to freezing point.
She was never afraid of any expansion of the attack. It was clearly the Japanese side that was expanding the attack on Xu Cang.
Xu Cang smiled and said, "I'm not angry yet, why are you angry?"
Xia Shuyue pouted her lips, which was rare: "They are so annoying."
"Let's go, and talk while we walk." Xu Cang smiled, pointed to the aisle ahead, and was the first to go down the stairs.
Seeing that Xu Cang was calm, Xia Shuyue's anger subsided a little and she followed Xu Cang's footsteps.
After going down the stairs, the two walked side by side on the path.
This is a backyard-like area of the venue, quite secluded and completely different from the messy scene inside the venue just now.
"Shuyue, do you know Cooper lock?" Xu Cang suddenly asked.
"Cooper lock? What's that?" Xia Shuyue frowned: "Cooper, is it a person's name?"
Xu Cang smiled and said, "Yes, it's a person's name. D.B. Cooper. In the 1970s, he handed a note to the flight attendant on Northwest Airlines Flight 305, claiming that he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 and four parachutes. After the plane landed in Seattle, the ground staff took the ransom and parachutes onto the plane according to his wishes. He released all the passengers and some crew members, and then ordered the plane to continue taking off. After the plane took off for the second time, he opened the gangway door at the tail of the plane, relied on a parachute, and jumped from the sky holding the money. He has been missing since then."
Xia Shuyue frowned even more tightly: "Why are you telling me this?"
"Shu Yue, many of the seemingly unreasonable regulations of civil aviation actually have various painful lessons behind them. Before the 1970s, airport security checks in the United States were non-existent, and many airports did not have security checks. It was after the Cooper hijacking case that the FAA required airport security to install metal detectors. This is the Cooper Rule."
Xu Cang continued: "At the same time, Boeing also modified the configuration of the 727 based on this incident, setting it so that the rear ramp door cannot be opened after takeoff."
Xia Shuyue looked at Xu Cang. She could see something else in Xu Cang's eyes, and she couldn't help but feel a little worried: "Xu Cang, you said this..."
"Shu Yue, many regulations and concepts tend to become outdated over time. Before that, the importance of civil aviation security checks was not taken seriously. After the Cooper case, security checks were taken seriously. However, after 30 years, a problem has arisen, that is, people's narrow understanding of the purpose of hijacking."
"Xu Cang, I don't understand."
Xu Cang smiled and said, "It's okay, you'll understand soon. The understanding of civil aviation on hijacking caused by the Cooper case thirty years ago is outdated. Now we need a new Cooper to solve the case, even if the price will be very painful."
At the end, Xu Cang sighed heavily.
After all, the lesson was too painful.
"Let's go." Xu Cang pointed to the car parked at the back door and said, "Let's go back to the hotel and take a short rest. We still have to take a flight for more than ten hours."
Xia Shuyue nodded, and just as she caught up, she heard Xu Cang's phone ringing, as if it was the notification tone of a received message.
Xu Cang took out his cell phone and saw that it was a message from Xiao Lingyun.
Xiao Lingyun knew that he should be at a hearing at this time, so he did not call directly, but sent a message to ask if it was convenient for him to talk.
Xu Cang called him back directly, and the call was connected soon: "Why, you're not sleeping yet? It should be quite late in the United States, right?"
That’s right, Xiao Lingyun had already flown from Europe to the United States in advance, earlier than Xu Cang.
The next period of time will be a critical time for Xu Cang to build his own business empire. He must ensure that Xiao Lingyun is in charge of the United States instead of giving remote commands from Europe.
"What are you playing at? People in our business are on call 24 hours a day. There is never any day or night, only times when you make money and times when you don't." Xiao Lingyun said, "Xu Cang, I just got out of Google."
Xu Cang's eyes narrowed: "Where's the apple?"
“Apple has been there.”
"What do you mean?" Xu Cang asked in a deep voice, "Are they willing to accept our investment?"
"Yes, of course. Google and Apple are in very bad situations right now. You can accept not changing their management rights and only want dividends. This is simply the best investment. How can you not accept it?"
Which investors are most popular?
That is, don't worry about anything else and just invest money. There is only one requirement, which is sufficient dividends.
Xu Cang is in this role now, how could he not be liked by Google and Apple?
“How much equity are they willing to accept?”
Xiao Lingyun said in a rather flat tone: "They all said that if you can insist on not changing your management rights, then they will accept you as their largest shareholder."
Xu Cang hesitated for a moment and said, "Ling Yun, do you think this is feasible?"
"Xu Cang, if you just think these two companies have promising future prospects and just want to make money, then it's fine..."
"But it's a pity that we don't change their management rights at all." Xu Cang suddenly sighed.
Those are Google and Apple. If you invest in them now when they are at their lowest point, you will naturally make a steady stream of profits in the future. However, if you don't take advantage of this opportunity to control these two companies, Xu Cang feels sorry for his identity as a reborn person.
However, the two companies are likely to refuse to accept the investment if they are asked to hand over management rights.
Moreover, Xu Cang did not think that he would be able to understand business matters simply because of his rebirth. He also needed the current Google and Apple teams to manage Google and Apple for him.
Obviously, Xu Cang's current reaction is somewhat different from his previous statement.
"Xu Cang, have you changed your mind?"
"Ling Yun, talk to them again later. I can leave their management rights alone, but you must give me a veto power." Xu Cang said solemnly.
Xu Cang can ignore what they do, but he must control what they cannot do. Most of the time, this will not affect the daily management of the company. However, there needs to be a rope to tie them up at all times so that they maintain awe of Xu Cang.
Otherwise, over time, there will be a risk of being completely sidelined.
"A veto power. It seems that you still want to put a collar on them." Xiao Lingyun said with a smile, but then changed the subject: "This matter may not be easy to handle. In my conversation with them, I feel that they have high requirements for autonomy. Just asking for a veto power may not seem to be asking for much, but I don't think they will agree to it. "
"It's okay, they will soon see the reality."
Not long after, the U.S. stock market collapsed, and both Google and Apple suffered. At that time, they should have recognized the reality, and the initiative would be in their favor.
"Do you want me to go over now?" Xiao Lingyun asked, "I just left Google not long ago."
"No need, wait a little longer, you can go back and have a good rest." Xu Cang said with a smile.
"What's the point of resting? I can't sleep after 12 o'clock, and I have to adjust to the time difference, so I can't go to bed too early." Xiao Lingyun asked, "Then when should I go?"
Unconsciously, Xiao Lingyun began to rely more and more on Xu Cang in terms of investment opportunities.
"You'll know when the time comes. Not just Google and Apple, but also the micro-small businesses I listed for you to pay attention to."
Xu Cang listed some small businesses and projects for Xiao Lingyun. These had good prospects for future development. Affected by the upcoming 9/11 incident, these businesses and investment projects would be affected by the US stock market and suffer heavy losses. This was a good opportunity for Xu Cang to buy at the bottom.
Xu Cang's idea is probably the same as that towards Google and Apple. He will not interfere in the daily management of those companies, but will retain a veto power.
If the trip to Europe gave Xu Cang a solid starting point, then the next period of time will be the time to truly build Xu Cang's empire.
Xiao Lingyun remembered those companies, but he had hardly heard of any of them, so he didn't know how Xu Cang knew about them.
These companies are not large in scale. Even if they invest, the investment in a single project is not large, but the number is large, and the overall scale can reach hundreds of millions of dollars. Of course, the joint investment of Google and Apple accounts for the largest proportion, followed by the reinsurance company in Munich, Germany, and finally these small companies.
In fact, Xu Cang really felt that more than 2 billion US dollars was not enough.
However, it would be difficult for him to sell all his assets to gamble this time.
This is too easy to arouse other people's doubts.
If we wait any longer, the next big opportunity will be seven years later in 2008.
Fortunately, Xu Cang is still young and he can afford to wait.
This time, two billion dollars is enough to fight for a future.
"I've noted it all down. I'll talk to them separately at the right time as you say."
However, to be honest, Xiao Lingyun did not understand what Xu Cang meant by "the right time". However, Xiao Lingyun could sense that a storm was about to come, although he could not figure out where the source of this breath was.
"Just write it down." Xu Cang chuckled, and then said, "Go back and rest. If you can't sleep, just close your eyes and rest."
Xiao Lingyun was puzzled: "Why do you keep asking me to rest? I didn't come to the United States from Europe just to lie down and sleep."
"Because soon...soon you won't be able to close your eyes for a long time." Xu Cang said softly.
…
Time flies. It is 10 o'clock in the evening on September 11th, Tokyo time, and in less than half an hour, Southwest Flight 3102 will depart from Tokyo and return to Guam Airport.
Xu Cang and Xia Shuyue were both in first class and had a dedicated security check channel, so the process was very fast. Therefore, Xu Cang did not come too early, only half an hour early.
After Xu Cang and Xia Shuyue entered the plane, Xu Cang couldn't help but flash a trace of surprise on his face. Logically, the passengers should have been boarding by this time, but when Xu Cang boarded the plane, both the jet bridge and the cabin were quiet.
"No one, empty plane?" Xu Cang stepped into the cabin and looked around. There was indeed no passenger in the cabin.
"This..." Xu Cang stood in the front cabin crew room and asked the chief steward casually, "Apart from us, is there anyone else on this flight?"
The flight attendant was a blonde beauty, as tall as Xu Cang. She was unusually tall. After hearing Xu Cang's question, she smiled in a standard way: "Our economy class seats were all reserved by a tour group, but they seemed to have something urgent to do and gave up on the flight. Because it happened suddenly, we were unable to sell any more tickets, so it became the scene you saw, sir."
Airlines will not waste any seats on the plane. If someone cancels their ticket or something, the airline will definitely try to sell that seat again.
However, according to the chief flight attendant, the charter flight plan for the tour group was changed too suddenly, and even the airline did not have time to sell the tickets.
"Give up on chartering a plane, are you that rich?" Xu Cang said with emotion.
Although, generally, larger travel agencies have agreements with airlines and can get cheaper tickets, but it seems too generous for this travel agency to not take up these 100 seats.
"Sir..." The flight attendant gently pointed to Xu Cang's seat: "Your seat is over there. Although there is no one in our economy class, there will still be several other passengers in the first class."
Xu Cang nodded and joked: "It turns out that we didn't charter the plane."
The flight attendant smiled softly and bowed: "Have a pleasant journey, sir."
Xu Cang did not suspect anything, entered the first class cabin, pulled down the luggage rack, and wanted to put his luggage in. However, he found four large black bags in the luggage rack he opened, and when he looked back, there were also four in the luggage rack opposite.
"Life raft?"
Because this flight involves flying over water, a life raft must be equipped, and the life raft is a large bag when folded. However, the color should be orange, and the size should be larger than these independent bags.
Although he was a little confused, Xu Cang didn't think much about it. He flew international routes, especially those involving crossing water. Maybe there were some regulations he didn't know about, which required some additional equipment. These bags were used to hold those equipment.
After putting away his suitcase, Xu Cang found his seat according to his ticket.
Xia Shuyue, who followed behind, was also a little shocked when she came in. After Xu Cang explained it to her, Xia Shuyue finally understood.
I've never experienced such an empty cabin before, it's magical.
After putting away her things, Xia Shuyue found her seat according to the seat number indicated on her ticket.
This time, Xu Cang and Xia Shuyue did not sit together. Xia Shuyue's seat was behind Xu Cang to the right, and she could see the back of Xu Cang's head as soon as she raised her eyes. This position was requested by Xia Shuyue herself, and Xu Cang didn't know what she was thinking.
Just as Xu Cang sat down, he heard a dull sound of footsteps from outside the cabin, and then a middle-aged white man with an extremely sturdy figure slowly walked in. This man was the guy who passed through the VIP channel at three in the morning. He should have been holding a cane, but at this moment his cane had disappeared, and he walked with a dragon-like and tiger-like step, which was extremely oppressive.
The white man was wearing a thick green coat, which made Xu Cang feel a little strange. It was indeed past summer, but the weather had not yet turned completely cold, and such heavy clothes always felt out of place with the outside world.
After the white man entered the first-class cabin, he looked down at his ticket and finally sat down in the seat behind Xu Cang's left.
Xu Cang only took a glance and quickly looked away. The most important thing was that he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure from the cabin door.
"Richard?"
The visitor was none other than Richard Bair, president of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association.
Apparently, Xu Cang had not expected Richard to be on the same plane with him, and he could not help but exclaimed slightly: "Why are you here?"
"Xu Cang, long time no see." Richard Baier laughed: "Japan Airlines Pilots Union has applied to us for membership, and I came to see the situation. However, I seem to have missed the fun. I heard that you pissed off a lot of people at the hearing this morning, and I really want to see the faces of those people."
"What's so good about this?" Xu Cang said with a smile, patting the seat next to him: "Sit here first."
Richard Baier looked at his ticket, then at the sign above his seat, and pointed to a seat in the corner of the first-class cabin: "My seat is over there."
"It's okay, there probably aren't many people here, come over and sit down first."
Richard Bayer put his luggage away first, then sat down next to Xu Cang: "I didn't expect you to go to the United States. Are you going to transfer to the United States?"
"Yeah, you too?" Xu Cang said.
"Yes." Richard Bayer sorted out his clothes and said, "First, I'll go to the United States to meet an old friend, and then I'll go to Canada to visit the Bombardier union."
"Bombardier's union?" Xu Cang was stunned: "It was me before..."
Xu Cang once asked Richard Bayer to help him in the campaign against Bombardier.
Now that Bombardier has cash flow problems, it is estimated that there will be problems with salary payments, and naturally the relationship with the union is not good. Xu Cang wants Richard Baier to talk about it and let Bombardier's union make more efforts to create some trouble for Bombardier.
I didn't expect Richard Bayer was still doing this.
"Nominally, the Bombardier union is not part of the pilots' union and has little to do with us, so I can exert some influence on them, but they may not listen to me completely. I have to go there in person and reach a practical and effective agreement with them." Richard Baier smiled and said, "It seems that Bombardier's situation is not very good now. I may not be able to push it into the abyss, but I can still be the nail that nails it in the coffin."
It was clear that once Bombardier showed signs of collapse, the union's violent backlash would be the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Xu Cang said seriously: "I will repay this help in the future."
"If you want something in return, then come and take over the association." Richard Bayer laughed, but soon waved his hand: "Forget it, I was just joking."
Speaking of this, Xu Cang thought of the previous conversations with the chief engineers of EASA and FAA , and couldn't help but say: "Richard, I talked with EASA's chief engineer Bull Gerington and FAA's chief engineer Jamie Harrison before. They offered me extremely generous conditions and required me to promise not to take over the association."
Richard Bayer was stunned for a moment, then his eyes narrowed slightly and his voice turned low: "It should be more than just generous conditions. If you don't agree, you may get into big trouble."
Xu Cang did not respond to this sentence, but just seemed silent, revealing his conflicted heart.
Richard Bayer saw Xu Cang's solemn expression, but did not force him: "Just follow your heart in this matter. I will not and cannot force you to do anything."
Xu Cang lowered his head: "I know."
Richard Bayer patted Xu Cang on the shoulder: "It's okay, don't feel any psychological pressure. By the way, what are you going to the United States for?"
"Pratt & Whitney!" Xu Cang adjusted his mood a little: "Pratt & Whitney is very dissatisfied with the development progress of the PW8000 engine and urgently asked me to come over."
"They should be anxious. The Trent 1000 is close to commercial use. This is very stressful." Richard Baier nodded, expressing his understanding of Pratt & Whitney's feelings. "Okay, I'll go sit in the back and we'll talk later. At first, I thought this flight of more than ten hours would be boring, but having you here can help me relieve some of the pressure. I'm a little tired, so I'll go to the back and rest first."
Xu Cang smiled slightly: "Well, go ahead."
Richard Bayer stood up and was about to leave when Xu Cang suddenly grabbed him.
"Huh?" Richard Baier was a little surprised: "What are you doing?"
Xu Cang pointed to the large black bag on the open luggage rack and said, "What is this? Is it necessary equipment for flying across water?"
"Ah?" Richard Bayer frowned. He looked up at the big black bags and tilted his head in confusion: "I don't know, who cares."
Xu Cang curled his lips but did not ask any further questions. He was just saying it out of curiosity.
Richard Baier shrugged and walked back to his seat.
After Richard Bayer left, Xu Cang remained silent for a long time, always maintaining the same posture.
From the moment he entered the cabin, he felt a sense of uneasiness in his heart, but he didn't know where this uneasiness came from.
"Is it because of the coming of 9/11 that I am uneasy?" Looking at the watch, it should be around 9:00 am on September 11th in the United States, and the 9/11 incident is about to begin. Even though he has experienced it, such a major event that changed the world pattern still aroused Xu Cang's mind.
However, what Xu Cang didn't know was that the burly white man in the seat behind him on the left sat down, staring at Xu Cang like a hawk. His heavy coat moved slightly, inadvertently opening a small gap, revealing his inner clothing, but at his waist, there were some black parts stuck on the belt.
It was the...handle of a pistol.
…
At 8:17 a.m. local time on September 11, Boeing President Lance Tamir emerged from a black luxury car at the lower entrance of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, USA. He was here to attend a mediation meeting on the Bombardier dumping case hosted by the U.S. Trade Commission.
However, it was obvious that Lance Tamir was not very willing to attend this so-called mediation meeting.
Mediation? Lance Tamir wanted Bombardier dead, so why would he mediate?
However, I still had to give face to the Trade Commission, so I had no choice but to come here.
As soon as he got out of the car, Lance Thamel complained to Boeing's Chief Information Officer Ferris Hayes, who was with him: "Will this last long?"
Ferris Hayes followed and said with a smile, "Just go through the motions. If you don't want to talk, you don't have to respond to them. I'll do the talking."
Lance Tamir was very satisfied: "I don't want to say anything to Bombardier. There is nothing much to say. You can speak at the meeting. I only have one request. I will not accept mediation and let Bombardier honestly accept the tariff sanctions."
Ferris Hayes understood what Lance Tamir was thinking and nodded quickly.
Lance Tamir raised his head and squinted at the sky.
At this moment, the early morning sky in Manhattan is azure blue with a few scattered clouds. The sunshine shines on people, making them warm and comfortable.
"What a nice day!" Lance Tamir felt better. "Let's go up there. The view is better there."
…
At 8:23 a.m. on September 11th, U.S. time, the phone at the American Airlines Southeast Reservation Center office suddenly rang.
The operator who had just taken over yawned, thinking that someone needed to book a flight, and said mechanically: "Hello, this is..."
However, her words were interrupted by a hurried female voice: "I am Beni Ogg, the flight attendant of Flight 11. I am talking to you through the in-flight phone. Our plane is being hijacked. Please help us call the police immediately. Please help us call the police immediately!"
