The Hurst family's mansion is not far from Simon's manor. In less than five minutes' drive, Simon and Janet arrive at their destination.
It is also a large manor. Just as the car stopped in front of a simple villa, the waiter quickly stepped forward and opened the door.
Simon and his wife get out of the car and can already see the graceful figure in the villa hall.
Except for the waiters, there was no host to welcome the guests. As they looked at each other, Janet came over with a smile and said in a low voice, "maybe it was intentional."
Simon saw that one of the previous guests was led to the parking space by the waiter, and there were guests coming behind, so he didn't stay outside. He shrugged his shoulders slightly and took Janet directly to the villa.
They stepped into the villa gate and looked around.
At this time, there were about 20 guests in the hall chatting together in groups of three or five, including some faces Simon knew, such as the mayor of New York, David Dinkins, who found Simon and his wife appeared at a glance.
Since the Hurst family is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party, it's not surprising that David Dinkins is here.
Simon didn't see the host's house. Seeing David Dinkins and some people who had just chatted with him coming, he welcomed them with a smile.
David Dinkins also came with his wife. They said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Simon. They introduced a couple of old wives and said, "Simon, this is Mr. John guttflund, chairman of Salomon Brothers, and his wife Lisa."
Salomon Brothers is a famous Wall Street investment bank with the same reputation as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in this era. To be exact, Solomon brothers is stronger than Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Of course, this is only now.
Simon reached out and shook John guttflund. "Nice to meet you, John."
"Hello, Simon. I've been looking forward to seeing you." John guttflund also showed great enthusiasm, released Simon's hand, shook Janet again, and said, "Hello, Mrs. westrow."
Janet shook hands with goodfreund and said with a smile, "just call me jenny."
After the introduction, David Dinkins looked around and said, "I remember William was here just now."
John guttflund, as if suddenly noticed it, also looked around and said, "it seems Tom Murphy is here. They're next door."
Tom Murphy is the chairman of metropolitan / ABC Group.
Simon could roughly guess what Hurst and Murphy were going to talk about, but said, "I'll just wait. John, David, what were you talking about? "
David Dinkins also did not continue the topic just now. The Hurst family can neglect the young super rich, but he has no such capital. He said, "Oh, Simon, what do you think about the" new world order "plan that the president has been promoting recently?"
Before Iraq invaded Kuwait at the end of July, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad personally promised Saddam that the United States would not interfere in the dispute between Iraq and Kuwait.
However, when Iraq successfully occupied Kuwait, the Bush administration immediately forgot its promise. Not only within a week of the outbreak of the Kuwait war, it quickly launched the "Desert Shield" plan to confront the Iraqi army, but also Bush began to lobby his own "new world order" plan at the United Nations, calling on the United States and European countries to maintain the world order The stability of the oil market, sending troops to the Middle East, driving the Iraqi army out of Saudi Arabia and further destroying the regime of Saddam Hussein.
When other guests in the hall found Simon, they came over and heard David Dinkins mention the war in the Middle East. For a moment, they gave up the idea of greeting Simon and listened to what the young man would say.
Cerxi capital has made huge profits by relying on the operation of crude oil futures market in the past half year. Naturally, the guests at the scene know that some of them are investors of cerxi capital. If Westeros can reveal some valuable information, they will definitely make it tonight.
Simon glanced faintly over the crowd and said, "I think this war is probably inevitable."
Another guest in the crowd couldn't help asking, "so, Simon, do you think oil prices will continue to rise?"
Recently, the international crude oil price has been close to $40 a barrel, basically reaching the highest point in Simon's memory.
"It should go up a little more, but I heard that the White House is planning to open up the federal crude oil reserve to stabilize oil prices, and the plan may be finalized in the near future."
Simon's remarks are all news in recent newspapers, so someone retorted: "it's said that there are only 20 million barrels. If we calculate the daily consumption of millions of barrels of crude oil in the federal government, it can't last even a week."
"The key is to stabilize the situation," Simon shrugged. "Besides, I haven't paid much attention to it recently."
The crowd continued to test a few words, and they were disappointed that they could not get any useful information from Simon.Simon doesn't have the impulsive vanity of being surrounded by people, and, though only a few words, he has actually revealed some useful information, two of which are sure to be found by the intuitive audience.
First, war is inevitable. Second, Simon is no longer concerned about the crude oil futures market. As for the second point, Simon is no longer concerned about it, which obviously proves that it is not feasible to continue to speculate in the crude oil market.
In recent months, numerous global crude oil futures brokerage companies, securities departments of energy companies and hedge funds that were misled before the war have closed down because of huge losses. Crude oil futures trading has dropped to a freezing point, and the market can not be reactivated in the short term, so it is difficult to carry out large-scale hedging arbitrage.
However, perhaps even those who have found these two points will first consider the credibility of Simon's words, and then add their own will.
Just like the previous operation of crude oil futures market and the further operation of Japanese financial market, there are not a few people who can hear the operation of cersei capital, but no one has been able to obtain such huge profits as cersei capital from the beginning to the end. The fundamental reason is that too many people believe in their own judgment rather than follow others' operation.
Even if the other party has created a series of miracles, there are always people who think that maybe this time someone will make a big fall.
Cersei capital was able to establish a long position with a scale of more than 10 billion US dollars when the crude oil price was still falling rapidly. Considering the risks, other hedge funds would reduce the proportion of positions and leverage even if they followed up, so as to avoid risks as much as possible. The results can be imagined.
Simon continued to chat with David Dinkins and others for a few minutes, and finally a middle-aged man with a fat figure and some baldness appeared. It was William Hurst III, the third generation leader of the Hurst family.
Coming to Simon, William Hurst III looked at the young man in front of him with an apologetic smile and explained, "I'm so sorry, Simon. I was just talking to Tom about something."
Because of his slightly obese figure and his easy to put down defensive smile, William Hurst III can hardly feel like the heir of a century old media family.
Simon also showed a sincere smile, shook hands with each other and said, "it's OK, Mr. hurst."
William Hurst III continued to say hello to Janet. He introduced a sharp eyed old man in a black suit and said, "Simon, and Jenny, this is Tom Murphy."
Simon and Janet greet the metro / ABC chairman again.
After greeting, William Hurst III asked them with a smile, "what are you talking about?"
So a group of people talked about the topic just now.
However, just after a few words, a waiter came to William Hurst III's ear and said a few words. The middle-aged man said to the public, "I'm so sorry. I need to leave. Let's talk first."
The waiter didn't lower his voice. In fact, it was Mr. Buffett who whispered.
Seeing that William Hurst III and Tom Murphy went out together, many people subconsciously fell on Simon.
It's fair to say that it was just a few minutes after Hurst III's appearance. Now this kind of undisguised discrimination can not even be described as impoliteness. It's not too much for Simon to leave at once.
Probably because of two generations, Simon found that he had some lack of emotion and was indifferent to many things. Moreover, with the accumulation of his wealth and status, this indifference seems to be more and more serious.
Although he knows that he should be angry at this time, William Hurst III's neglect has not really caused many negative emotions in Simon's heart. He is just a little curious. Since the Hurst family invited him tonight, he should have made friends and should not be so impolite.
Or William Hurst III didn't think it was impolite.
For a super media family that even the president of the United States dare not easily provoke, the Hurst family does have such arrogance.
Just a moment later, William Hurst III and Tom Murphy returned, along with a middle-sized, shaggy old man, Warren Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway.
See three people talking and laughing toward his side, Simon also took the initiative to come forward.
Before Simon could speak, Janet said, "Hi, Warren, do you remember me?"
Janet's sudden opening surprised Simon, Hurst III and Murphy. Hurst III, who had been smiling, frowned imperceptibly.
Simon was puzzled for a moment, and soon remembered what Catherine had occasionally said about Janet a few years ago. Women seemed to be very powerful when they were at Columbia University.
Warren Buffett looked at Janet carefully and said with a smile, "I remember. You're the little girl from Columbia University."Janet leaned her head on Simon's shoulder and said, "I'm Mrs. westrow now. Look at my man, Warren. Don't you think your investment theory is Grantaire saving gold?"
"Hello, Simon," Buffett shook hands with Simon and continued to say to Janet, "I didn't expect you to marry westero. However, according to my observation in recent years, Simon's rising rhythm can only be described as a miracle. I don't think I can create a miracle, so I'd better save gold coins slowly."
William Hurst III then said, "Warren, do you know each other?"
Warren Buffett nodded, still witty, and said, "yes, this Mrs. westrow, I gave a speech at Columbia University, but she was very upset. "
"Oh, what a coincidence."
Let's talk and laugh. Maybe Warren and Murphy have something to talk about and take the initiative to go elsewhere.
When William Hurst III was free, he seemed to finally remember and said to Simon, "by the way, Simon, let me introduce some guests to you."
Simon naturally agreed.
The Hurst family has accumulated a hundred years of heritage, and it is displayed incisively and vividly at a small party. The people who appear in this villa tonight are basically dignified figures from all walks of life in American politics and business. In the process of social intercourse, guests are constantly arriving.
Finally, I had a chat with a congressman who was said to be interested in restricting foreign investors from buying American enterprises. Simon and Hurst III stepped aside. Janet had just taken the initiative to avoid.
"Merrose will join hands with several other members to submit his own motion next month. We really can't let the Japanese continue to buy our country's assets. Just as it happens, this should help you to acquire MCA. Panasonic is worried that the acquisition may be rejected by the Ministry of justice, and it will definitely not be able to fight you. "
"I hope so."
Hurst III directly determined that Simon intended to buy MCA, and he did not deny it. However, Simon did not show too much interest in the proposal just proposed by that member.
In recent years, there have been calls in the United States to prevent Japanese companies from acquiring American enterprises. However, with the openness of the US capital market, Simon does not think such a bill can be introduced, and indeed there is no relevant bill in his memory. Hollywood belongs to the entertainment industry, and the Ministry of justice can not exercise its veto power under the pretext of "national security".
When William Hurst III saw that Simon was not enthusiastic about this, he turned to the topic and said: "regarding the 20% equity of ESPN, Simon, metropolises / ABC and Hurst group are originally very good partners. We hold mutual shares and can play a better complementary role. Moreover, you should know that metro / ABC not only has veto power over the purchasers of this equity, but even if you buy it, you won't get any say, so I hope you can exit. Well Maybe we can have other cooperation opportunities in the future. "
Although he had planned to give up the 20% shares of ESPN, listening to Hurst III's empty promise to withdraw himself from the competition, Simon was no longer polite and said, "in fact, William, there is a good opportunity for cooperation now."
William Hurst III paused, then showed an interested expression: "tell me about it."
"I started an Internet company in Silicon Valley that provides Internet information services. Maybe you've heard of it. Its name is igritte. As it happens, the San Francisco Chronicle is also in San Francisco. I hope igritte can get some news content from the San Francisco Chronicle. "
William Hurst III had an obvious hesitation on his face.
The San Francisco Chronicle is a very important newspaper of Hurst group. Its position on the west coast is second only to the Los Angeles Times, and it can bring tens of millions of dollars of profits to Hurst group every year. What's more, the competition between American print media platforms is, to a large extent, the competition of exclusive news. If the news content of the San Francisco Chronicle is shared with igritte, William Hurst III will definitely refuse at any other time.
However, William Hurst III also understood at this time that this was probably the chip proposed by westero to withdraw from the ESPN equity competition.
Remembering the discussion with Tom Murphy at the beginning of the party and contacting Simon's request at this time, William Hurst III could not help feeling more dissatisfied with the young man in front of him.
In a word, Hurst group learned earlier than Simon that Reynolds nabesk was about to sell its ESPN shares. However, before it had time to make a final decision, westero communicated with metropolises / ABC and Reynolds nabesk about these shares.
The senior management of Hurst group originally thought that in the absence of other competitors, if they wanted to buy the equity, they could probably keep the price within $170 million. After all, few investors would be interested in the 20% shares that are completely lack of voice.
However, due to the sudden involvement of westero, the current offer is less than $200 million, and Reynolds nabesk is not willing to sell it at all.
The reason why Hurst group wants to buy these shares is mainly for a tax relief agreement obtained after the sale of part of the group's cable TV assets in the first half of the year. The agreement stipulates that Hurst group can purchase another cable TV asset of the same type within one year, which can be exempted from the income tax of the previous asset sale.The 20% share price of ESPN TV station has risen from the expected $170 million to $200 million, which has completely offset the tax exemption of less than $20 million in the tax relief agreement. This is also the reason why Hurst III can't help airing Simon after his arrival today.
Now, the young man has raised a chip to get him out of the competition.
After a moment's consideration, William Hurst III did not refuse directly. If westero could not withdraw from the deal as soon as possible and continue to pester, the news came that the 20% share price would only be higher: "Simon, I need to think about this matter carefully."
Simon raised his hand to Hurst III and said, "sure, William. I'll be in New York for a few days. I'm looking forward to hearing from you."