Volume 4: White Devil Chapter 200: Blatant Arbitrariness
John Wilson Bullock Jr. shook his head hard, trying to wake himself up from the hangover from the reunion with his old comrades in the past two days. His comrades when he served in Germany gave him a grand party, but he couldn't be happy because along with the grand party, they also told him some bad news.
In Europe, the United States seems to be building two large military bases, but not for the U.S. Army, but for the Air Force, one in Italy and the other in Spain.
This means that no matter how many troops are stationed at those two bases, it has nothing to do with him, a former lieutenant colonel who left the Army to start his own business, because he can only bid. But even if you use a toilet to , you can understand that the chances of his company getting the business are almost zero. After all, the Air Force gives priority to its own people, and there are many contractors who are former Air Force officers.
To make matters worse, the U.S. Army has increased its garrisons in South Korea and Japan. Although his company claims to be responsible for all mail and express delivery business for the U.S. Army's overseas garrisons, in fact, the company does not belong to him alone. It is a collaboration between several founders, and each of them has his own territory. His home ground is Germany, and most of his connections are concentrated here. As the other party's business grows and his own business declines, it means that his voice in the company will also change with changes in performance.
"Soviet Union, come on! Why can't you have another 81 military exercise?" Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse.
1981 was a good year for him. A Soviet military exercise scared all the heads of state in Europe so much that they almost knelt down and begged the Americans to station troops in their countries to avoid waking up one day to find hundreds of Soviet soldiers standing outside their doors shouting "Ura" at them.
It was also at that time that he left the military and started doing business. Relying on his connections in the U.S. Army and his father-in-law's family background in Germany, he was able to co-found the Knight Express Company with several like-minded military friends. Naturally, the company became a contractor for the U.S. Army and took over the Army's express delivery business at overseas bases.
At that time, Germany, with more than 100,000 American soldiers, was the company's most important market, just as indispensable as his position in the company.
But who could have imagined that the Soviet Union, which scared the whole world, would decline so quickly.
Germany now has only more than 70,000 American soldiers. If it does not complete the transformation as soon as possible, it will not be long before those bigwigs in the Pentagon with huge appetites will be dissatisfied with him because of the shrinking profits. By then, he will almost be kicked out.
"Mr. Block, a man named Tommy Hawke called." Outside the bedroom door, the personal assistant knocked gently and spoke.
Wilson Bullock thought about it for a moment. He felt that he should have heard of this name, but he had no impression: "Who is he?"
"The former president of SSD at Stanford University in California said that he happened to meet a girl who claimed to be your daughter Sandra at a film industry gathering. She was almost taken advantage of by an unscrupulous director in Los Angeles. He was very surprised to learn that you are Sandra's father, so he called to confirm. If she is your daughter, he will teach the director a lesson. If not..."
"Don't you need to call Sandra to confirm this kind of thing?" Wilson frowned, walked over to open the door, stared at his assistant with dissatisfaction and asked.
The assistant nodded slightly: "I asked Sandra, she is indeed in Los Angeles, and is indeed auditioning for a movie."
"Why can't she learn from her sister and go to law school and become a lawyer? I know that sooner or later she will get into trouble in the film industry, just like her mother did when she was young." Wilson took the phone from his assistant and dialed back the number. After a man on the other end said Hello, Wilson spoke with a fake smile:
"Let me hear it. Which guy from SSD helped my daughter with a small favor?"
"Sir, I'm Tommy Hawke, a Stanford 1987 SSD alumnus. I'm at your service at any time." Tommy introduced himself modestly on the other end of the phone: "I just happened to meet a famous..."
Wilson said with some disapproval, "It's my daughter, Tommy. My assistant just told me. Thank you. When I have time to go to California, I will thank you in person. Sandra was indeed spoiled by her mother, but that's not a reason for her to be provoked by bad people."
There are always people looking for opportunities to expand the fraternity's social network. This young man who calls himself Tommy may also have this idea. Wilson is not opposed to this behavior because he would do the same, but the SSD members who graduated from Stanford and the SSD members who graduated from West Point seem to have little intersection.
"Of course, I understand. I gave that guy a good beating. He probably won't have to think about touching a woman for a week." Tommy said on the computer.
Wilson smiled and said, "Just one week?"
"I know it's not enough to calm your anger, sir, but considering that he lent me 200 million and I know him well, not being able to touch a woman for a week is already very, very serious for him." Tommy explained seriously on the other end of the phone, "And I guarantee that he just had this idea and has no chance to put it into action."
"I think... I remember who you are, Tommy. After all, there are not many alumni in SSD who are as young as you and have so much money." After hearing what Tommy said, Wilson tried to think hard and understood why he felt that he had heard of this name before.
This young man's name appeared many times in internal magazines, including the Veterans Association's charity activities, some personal interviews, donations within the fraternity, etc. It seemed that this guy appeared in internal magazines every now and then.
"I'm flattered by what you said." Tommy smiled and said on the other end of the phone, "You are a well-known figure in SSD. My SSD best friend at West Point Military Academy said that when he was in school, he would personally wipe the commemorative photo of you in the Hall of Honor every day."
"I'm past the age of liking to be flattered, Tommy." Although Wilson knew that the other party was a wealthy young man, he still had no interest in chatting with him. After all, they were in different industries.
Tommy paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then said, "I'm not going to continue to flatter you, Mr. Block. I'm just reminding you in time before ending this call because we're brothers in SSD. Your business may be in big trouble."
"You may not know enough about me. I'm never afraid of trouble." Wilson was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Tommy to say such a thing, but his face was calm and he responded lightly.
"Rear Admiral Joseph Smith is planning to leave the Navy Department and set up an overseas transportation company to provide convenient services for American soldiers overseas. From what I understand, some bigwigs in the Pentagon are very interested in his ideas."
"Are all the Stanford guys as fond of talking nonsense as you? Are your intelligence work at Stanford better than ours at West Point?"
"It's not Stanford, it's the Naval Academy. Two young people from the Naval Academy SSD helped Mr. Joseph Smith with entrepreneurial ideas. One is called Tony Leon, the former chairman of the SSD Naval Academy Chapter, and he is currently serving on a cruiser. The other is called Eric Smith, the former vice chairman of the SSD Naval Academy Chapter, and he is currently serving on the USS Kennedy. By the way, the second one named Eric is Mr. Smith's youngest son."
"Why do you know their plan so well?" Wilson frowned and asked in confusion when he heard Tommy mention the detailed names and it didn't sound like a joke.
Tommy said calmly, "Tony Leon, should have been called Tony Hawk, he is my brother."
"You know what? I like chatting with the young people in SSD. It always reminds me of my younger self. I just finished my work in Germany and am preparing to fly back home. I mean, maybe I can thank you in person for saving my daughter." Wilson said, looking out the window.
Tommy said, "Can I bring a reporter with me? I mean, when I go to visit you, can I ask my reporters to help you interview me? I have two TV networks, and the reporters are greedily collecting all kinds of news or interviews they can find. Experts like you who know everything about the situation in Germany are like honey to them."
"Of course, no problem. I also like to chat with people about Germany. After all, I have been here for 20 years."
"Thank you very much. I have one last question. Your daughter misunderstood me. She didn't think I saved her. Instead, she thought I had some intentions towards you and deliberately approached her."
"I'll remember to explain it to you."
After he hung up the phone, he turned around and looked at his assistant: "Call Washington and let someone know that a major general named Joseph Smith from the Navy Department in the Pentagon is going to leave the Navy Department and prepare to start a transportation company?"
The assistant went to the living room to make a phone call. Half an hour later, he came in and said to Wilson Bullock, who was shaving in front of the mirror:
"Sir, from what I understand, they are indeed planning to start a transportation company, and there are unconfirmed rumors that two assistant chiefs of operations in the Navy Department are likely to hold shares."
"Shit! That kid wasn't bragging. Help me book the fastest flight back home. I need to go to Washington first... No, to Los Angeles. I need to find out what kind of transportation business can steal our orders."
On the viewing terrace of Made in Paradise Films in Los Angeles, when Tommy hung up the phone, Stephen was staring at Tommy with a stern face and asked:
"So, now I'm the unscrupulous filmmaker who tried to rape his daughter in the eyes of Mr. Wilson Bullock? And you're going to teach me a lesson on his behalf and make me unable to touch a woman for a week?"
"Yes, I'm going to call Mr. Page and have him teach you a lesson." Tommy said to Stephen with a smile.
Stephen crossed his arms: "Very good, I want to see it."
"Mr. Page, call your wife and ask her to prepare twenty girls for Stephen's little party tonight. I will pay the bill. If the girls can make Stephen's golf club uninterested in women for a week, I will pay 20% more." Tommy said to Mr. Page who was standing not far away.
After listening to Tommy's words, Stephen hesitated for a moment and said to Tommy, "Can I choose the girl myself?"
"No, Mr. Page, pay attention to the other party's offer. If the total price exceeds 60,000 yuan, help Stephen replace it with a street item. After all, the inflammation of the club can allow him to rest for a week." Tommy reacted immediately and added to Mr. Page who was dialing the number.
Stephen cursed with a smile, then said to Tommy curiously, "Can't you be more civilized? You can always speak out loudly about things like the golf club with confidence? Also, just now in the room, you bragged directly to that girl named Sandra about fooling around with other women. Although Otilia and Diane were chatting, I'm sure she should have heard it. Do you understand what I mean? Although Otilia doesn't have a tattoo, she is also an important member of CS."
"Don't worry, she knows I'm just bragging. Last time I boasted to her that I had an affair with Sophia, but she didn't believe it at all." Tommy patted Stephen's shoulder: "But thank you for your thoughtful reminder."
"But everyone in this room knows that you're not bragging, buddy, except her and Zoe. What if... what if the girl you hurt told Ottilia that you really were fooling around, how would you explain it to her?" Stephen asked in confusion when he saw Tommy's disapproving expression.
Tommy does look like a braggart in front of all women, but in fact, every boast he makes will come true. If Ottilia really finds out one day that Tommy's words are not just bragging, but facts...
"She won't believe it. My father-in-law told her that he had arranged a bunch of private detectives to monitor me. If I betrayed her, his beloved daughter would leave me immediately. Even if Ottilia doesn't believe me, she will believe her father." Tommy hesitated for a long time before looking at Stephen and giving his answer:
"But in fact, my father-in-law and I have sworn that we will never hurt each other and will always stand up for each other in times of crisis, help each other clear their grievances, and prove each other's innocence. I have helped him more than once."
“…” Stephen looked at Tommy speechlessly.
He thought that he had countless friends around him, but when it came to shamelessness, no one could compare to Tommy. Before this, he had never heard of anyone being able to form an offensive and defensive alliance with his future father-in-law on the matter of cheating, and swearing to help each other prove their innocence.
"By the way, you wanted to try to date this girl named Sandra, right?" Tommy seemed to remember something and asked Stephen, "I can help you."
Stephen sighed, "You've helped me so well, Tommy. You've made a very deep impression on that woman's father. In order to avoid him breaking my third leg, I have already put an end to my thoughts about her."
"You're welcome." Tommy looked at Stephen: "I can still help you."
After the call, the two returned to the studio. Ottilia was still discussing with Diane Lane the New York Broadway musical that they were both interested in. Matt Dillon had already said goodbye and left. He didn't have much psychological pressure because he didn't need Tommy's approval because he had already got Stephen's promise.
Sandra Bullock no longer had any interest in the movie because of what Tommy said before. She came over to greet everyone politely and was about to leave. But as soon as she opened her mouth, she saw that disgusting jerk looking at her with a smile:
"Ms. Bullock, I think you don't have to leave so quickly. Instead, wait for your father to arrive tomorrow, finish the interview with Zoe, and leave with him."
"Are you always so hasty in making interview appointments? I haven't even had time to prepare questions." Zoe was stunned when she heard Tommy's words. Although she had not officially resigned to help Tommy start the work and there was no need to question Tommy's work arrangements now, it was obvious that Tommy's decision seemed a bit too hasty.
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what questions you ask him. What matters is what he asks me." Tommy glanced at Zoe and said, "It's just to fill up the show time anyway."
Sandra originally thought Tommy was joking, but when she called her father, her father's assistant told her that they were indeed preparing to return home, and not to Washington, but to Los Angeles.
It was impossible that her father cared about her situation. Ever since she insisted on studying performing arts like her mother, he completely ignored her and turned his attention to his younger sister who was willing to follow his advice and enter law school.
It could only be this guy named Tommy Hawke who could interest his father.
This made Sandra feel as if Tommy's previous nonsense was not a joke, that he was not interested in her, and that he didn't need to rely on herself to get along with his father.
Wilson Bullock met Tommy at noon the next day. He didn't even want to waste time waiting until the evening to have dinner with Tommy because he had received confirmed news that Joseph Smith was indeed planning to start a freight company, and the other partners in his company were all as clueless as he was.
The connections of our people in the Pentagon are not as good as those of a young man who graduated from Stanford University? This kind of thing cannot happen in the Arabian Nights.
As for Zoe's interview and camera recording, it took place during the meal. While eating, Wilson smiled and answered Zoe's impromptu questions.
When the interview was over, without Tommy even having to say anything, Wilson took the initiative to say that he would introduce Zoe to some of her comrades in Germany, so that she would have the opportunity to interview them up close after she arrived in Germany.
After the meal, Tommy asked Paige to take Zoe and Sandra to the Broadway Theater in Los Angeles to watch a musical with Ottilia, while he and Wilson Bullock returned to the terrace of BT TV's headquarters to drink coffee.
"It's not a good feeling to know that someone is going to take away my business, even though Joseph Smith is my close SSD brother." Wilson Bullock looked at the scenery of the San Fernando Valley and said, "But what makes me feel worse is how did you know this?"
"I wrote the plan." Tommy looked at Wilson Bullock calmly, "My father will invest in my brother and hold 15% of the shares of the company."
"I thought about it, why tell me that I deserve your respect more than your father?" Wilson smiled.
"I just want to ask Mr. Block to help my news network open up in Germany. Your connections in those German military bases are unmatched. You even do material business with East Germany. What I mean is that my news network wants to gain a foothold in both East and West Germany and turn news interviews into a business. The only person I can find who is the most reliable and trustworthy is you. After all, you mentioned in the internal magazine that you have some trade business in East Germany." Tommy said frankly.
Wilson was amused by Tommy: "So stealing my business means you trust me. And what kind of transportation business do you have that makes you so sure you can steal my orders?"
"Nothing, I just provided an idea, and the details were all conceived by my brother and Mr. Joseph Smith." Tommy said very calmly, as if the idea he provided was just a trivial matter not worth mentioning:
"The idea is to do passenger and cargo air transport business at large U.S. military bases overseas. Each base will open one passenger flight and one cargo flight per week. For example, take off from the Stewart U.S. Army Base in Germany and fly directly to New York or Philadelphia. This will prevent the U.S. soldiers who protect the world from wasting their precious vacation time on trivial matters such as transfers or rushing to international airports. This will allow them to spend a few more hours with their families. A few hours of vacation time for soldiers is already very precious."
Tommy didn't need to say more. Just these few words were enough to make sweat quietly seep out of Wilson Bullock's forehead.
He is a former officer from the military. He knows that the bigwigs in the Pentagon will never reject this idea. Not only will those bigwigs not reject it, but the giants in the industry and those large defense contractors will even take the initiative to promote this business and make it come true.
According to regulations on overseas garrisons, the infrastructure costs of U.S. military bases overseas are paid by the host countries. The United States has 1,701 overseas bases with more than 500 garrisons, and at least 600 to 700 of them are considered large. If large-scale passenger transport is to be allowed, the airports at the bases will definitely need to be expanded. As soon as the large defense contractors that contract the U.S. military's infrastructure business learn of this idea, they will immediately begin lobbying. The passenger and cargo business may be disdained by the real giants, but they will definitely take the airport expansion projects of 600 to 700 overseas bases into their hands. Add them together, and it will be an astronomical figure.
Moreover, this idea brings together many contractors, and companies in the industry that have the opportunity to make money will help Joseph push forward, rather than Joseph having to operate it alone.
Large defense contractors with deep backgrounds got the most lucrative infrastructure business. As the initiators, people from the Navy Department got the passenger and cargo business of the military's overseas bases and became the originators of the whole idea. Let's put it this way, if Joseph Smith ran a company for a few years and helped those big guys make a lot of money, he might be able to return to the Pentagon at any time. By then, he might be regarded as a capable subordinate by the big guys and be assigned a powerful position.
Passenger and cargo transportation requires the purchase of aircraft. Since those countries will pay the bills anyway, the bigwigs in the Air Force Department and the aircraft manufacturing factories behind them can also make a fortune.
Then there are the chief officers of the army bases, who also pocketed money.
In short, everyone can make money, and the U.S. federal government cannot refuse such a win-win situation, because the United States does not need to pay the bill. It only needs to ask the countries where troops are stationed to increase their military spending to gain the friendship of the military bosses in the Pentagon. The U.S. federal government has no reason to object.
"Those countries may...may not be willing to increase military expenses for stationing troops, because the Soviet Union can no longer hold on and does not need to pay high military expenses." Wilson Block tried to give a reason for opposition, but he felt a little weak.
"Even the Soviet Union couldn't hold on, so who do you think would dare to say no to America? Our soldiers have protected those countries for so long, so it's only natural for them to collect some interest." Tommy said:
"You can think more boldly. Maybe there is no need for a real freight business. Just sign the contract. Even if the Soviet Union disintegrates, the order will still be effective. Those countries will have to pay according to the contract. They have no choice. I just want a legitimate reason to help everyone in the army make some pocket money."
Wilson Bullock had nothing to say. The fact that the other party could generously tell him his general ideas showed that Joseph Smith had been preparing for it in private for a long time and many links had been completed. Even if he returned to Washington to try to remedy the situation, it would probably be too late.
"Thank you for helping my news network expand its business in Germany. I hope my news is timely for you." Tommy took a sip of coffee and seemed ready to end the meeting.
"I think we have different views on the word 'timely'." Wilson smiled bitterly and said, "You are really a kind-hearted person. You are helping the officers come up with a reason to blackmail the military funds of various countries without asking for anything in return?"
"It's not blackmail, it's win-win cooperation." Tommy corrected the word in Wilson's words:
"Those routes are operated by each country's own airlines, and the ticket revenue belongs to them. However, for the sake of safety, they need to purchase aircraft whose safety is approved by the US military. After all, there are some differences between US soldiers and ordinary passengers."
After hearing what Tommy said, Wilson felt that he was really old. He just relied on his military background to make some money and had to worry all the time. Look at the young people in front of him. It doesn’t matter whether the airport is built or not, and it doesn’t matter whether the routes are opened or not. They just ask those countries to provide military funds directly and openly, and they have sufficient reasons. The other party dare not refuse. After all, which country dares to refuse? The US military can definitely let the local US troops have a small outburst to let the other party feel the dissatisfaction of the American soldiers who have come from afar to guard their country.
Tommy continued, "As for whether it is timely, I can't say. After all, I just met your daughter. Or, if my reporters in Asia and Europe can get your care, I think you have a chance to join in and get a share of the pie. After all, the preparation work for such a large business cannot be completed in a day or two."
"What kind of care?" Wilson hesitated after hearing Tommy's words and asked.
"If a war breaks out in the next two years, my reporters must always get more timely news than other reporters. Apart from the Associated Press, if there are other short-sighted foreign reporters trying to steal my business, I need your friends in the military to be willing to help me with the excuse of preventing leaks. Please ask them to find a room and sit down until we finish sending the news before releasing it." Tommy said with a smile.
Wilson sighed: "Rely on military bases to expand your news network."
"Yes." Tommy did not deny it.
Wilson sighed again: "How much of a share can I get?"
Tommy took out a business card that he had prepared long ago, and gently pushed it in front of Wilson along the table with two fingers:
"This is the call from Mr. Joseph Smith's assistant. If you can contribute to persuading Germany to pay protection money, I think it should be a number that will satisfy you."
