Hollywood Hunter

The mansion of the Hearst family is not far from Simon's manor. Simon and Janet arrived at their destination within a five-minute drive.

It is also a large manor. Just when the car stopped in front of a rustic-looking villa, the waiter quickly stepped forward and opened the door.

When the Simons got off the car, they could already see the handsome figures in the villa hall.

Except for the waiter, there was no host outside the villa to greet the guests. The two looked at each other, and Janet leaned in with a smile and said in a low voice: "It may be on purpose."

Simon saw that a guest car who had arrived earlier was led to the parking space by the waiter, and there were guests coming from behind, so he did not wait too much outside the door, shrugged his shoulders slightly, and walked directly into the villa with Janet .

The two stepped into the door of the villa and looked around.

At this time, there were probably more than 20 guests in the lobby chatting together in groups of three or five. Among them were faces that Simon knew, such as David Dingkins, the mayor of New York, who saw the Simons and his wife at a glance.

Since the Hearst family are hard-core supporters of the Democratic Party, it is not surprising that David Tinkins is here.

Simon did not see the host's figure. He saw David Dingkins and the few people who had just chatted with him walking over, and he smiled and greeted him.

David Dingkins also came with his wife. The two greeted Simon and his wife, and introduced an old man and wife beside him: "Simon, this is John Gutfer, chairman of Salomon Brothers. Mr. Lund and his wife Lisa."

Salomon Brothers is a well-known Wall Street investment bank in this era with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. To be precise, the current Salomon Brothers is stronger than Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Of course, this is only now.

Simon reached out and shook John Gutfrende. "It's nice to meet you, John."

"Hello, Simon, I've long been looking forward to seeing you." John Gutfrende also showed great enthusiasm, let go of Simon's hand, and shook Janet again, and said: "Hello, West Mrs. Luo."

Janet shook hands with Gutfrende and said with a smile: "Just call me Jenny."

After the greetings, David Dingkins looked around: "I remember William was still here just now."

John Gutfrende seemed to notice this incident suddenly, and looked around as well, and then said: "It seems that Tom Murphy is here. They went to the next door."

Tom Murphy is the chairman of the Met/ABC Group.

Simon can roughly guess what Hirst and Murphy are going to talk about, and it doesn't matter: "I'll be fine after a while. John, David, what were you talking about just now?"

David Dingkins did not continue the topic just now. The Hearst family can neglect this young super-rich. He does not have this kind of capital, saying: "Oh, about the'new world order' that the president has been promoting recently. Plan, Simon, what do you think about this?"

Before Iraq invaded Kuwait at the end of July, the US ambassador to Baghdad personally promised Saddam that the US would not interfere in the dispute between Iraq and Kuwait.

However, when Iraq successfully occupied Kuwait, the Bush administration immediately forgot its promises. Not only did it quickly launch the "Desert Shield" plan to confront the Iraqi army within a week of the outbreak of the Kuwait War, Bush then began lobbying himself in the United Nations. The "New World Order" plan called on the United States and European countries to send troops to the Middle East in order to maintain the stability of the world oil market, drive Iraqi troops out of Saudi Arabia and further destroy the Saddam regime.

At this time, other guests in the hall came over after spotting Simon, and hearing David Dingkins mentioning the war in the Middle East, they temporarily dispelled the idea of ​​coming forward to greet Simon, listening to what the young man would say.

Cersei Capital has relied on the operation of the crude oil futures market to make extraordinary huge profits in the past six months. Guests at the scene naturally know that some of them are investors of Cersei Capital. If Westeros can reveal some "gold content" information, they will definitely make a worthwhile trip tonight.

Simon glanced lightly across the crowd and said: "I think this war is probably unavoidable."

Another guest in the surrounding crowd couldn't help but ask: "So, Simon, do you think oil prices will continue to rise?"

In the recent period, the international crude oil price has approached $40 a barrel, basically reaching the highest point in Simon's memory.

"It should go up some more, but I heard that the White House is planning to open up the Federal Crude Oil Reserve to stabilize oil prices, and it may finalize a plan in the near future."

Simon's remarks are entirely news in recent newspapers, so someone retorted with words: "It is said that there are only 20 million barrels. If calculated by the federal crude oil consumption of millions of barrels per day, it can't even support a week."

"The key is to stabilize the situation," Simon shrugged and said, "Also, I have not paid much attention to this matter recently."

Everyone continued to test a few more words, and they were a little disappointed that they could not get any useful information from Simon.

Simon doesn't have the kind of vanity that shows off impulsiveness after being surrounded by people, and even though it's just a few words, he has actually revealed some useful information, and the intuitive and keen audience will definitely be able to spot two of them.

First, war is inevitable, and second, Simon no longer pays attention to the crude oil futures market. Those who are interested can make the layout based on the previous point. As for the second point, Simon has no longer paid attention to this matter, which obviously proves that it is not feasible to continue speculating in the crude oil market.

In recent months, countless crude oil futures brokerage companies around the world, securities departments of energy companies, and hedge funds that had pushed the wrong direction before the war have all closed their doors because of huge losses. Crude oil futures trading has dropped to a freezing point, and the market is unlikely to be any longer in the short term. Be active again, so it is difficult to carry out large-scale hedging arbitrage.

However, even those who have discovered these two points will first consider the credibility of Simon's words, and then incorporate their own will.

Just like the operation of the crude oil futures market before, and the operation of the Japanese financial market in the future, there are not a few people who can detect Cersei Capital’s operation methods, but no one has been able to obtain the same huge profits as Cersei Capital from beginning to end. The reason is that too many people trust their own judgments more than they will follow the actions of others.

Even if the other party has created a series of miracles, some people will always think that this time some guy will fall into a big somersault.

Cersei Capital was able to establish a long position with a scale of tens of billions of dollars when crude oil prices were still falling rapidly. Other hedge funds took into account the risks, and even if they followed up, they would often reduce the proportion of positions held and reduce the leverage in order to avoid risks as much as possible. , The result can be imagined.

Simon continued to chat with David Dingkins and others for a few minutes, and finally a middle-aged man with a bald figure appeared, and it was William Hirst III, the third-generation head of the Hearst family.

When he came to Simon, William Hurst III looked at the young man in front of him and explained with an apologetic smile: "I'm so sorry, Simon, I just talked to Tom about something."

Because of his slightly fat body shape, coupled with the smile on his face that makes it easy to put down his guard, William Hirst III can hardly give people the feeling of heir to a century-old media family.

Simon also smiled sincerely, shook hands with the other person, and said, "It's okay, Mr. Hurst."

William Hirst III continued to greet Janet and introduced the 60-year-old man with sharp eyes in a black suit beside him, and said, "Simon, and Jenny, this is Tom Murphy."

Simon and Janet greeted the chairman of the Met/ABC Group again.

After a greeting, William Hirst III smiled and asked everyone, "What are you talking about?"

So a group of people talked about the topic just now.

However, just after a few conversations, a waiter came over and said a few words in the ear of William Hirst III. The middle-aged man said to everyone: "I'm sorry, I need to leave, let's talk first. "

The waiter did not specifically lower his voice, everyone actually heard the other person whispering that Mr. Buffett had arrived.

Seeing William Hurst III and Tom Murphy greeted him, many people's eyes fell on Simon subconsciously.

If Hurst III appeared just a few minutes later, it would be a fair word, and now this unabashedly different treatment can even be described as impolite. The host was so negligent, it would not be too much for Simon to leave immediately.

Probably because of his two lives, Simon discovered early on that he lacked emotions and was very indifferent to many things. Moreover, as his wealth and status continue to accumulate, this indifference seems to have a tendency to become more serious.

Although he knew that he should be angry at this time, William Hirst III’s just negligence really did not trigger much negative emotions in Simon’s heart. He was just a little curious. Since the Hirst family invited himself tonight, it should be You should not be so rude if you have a good heart.

Or, William Hirst III did not think this was a rude.

For a super media family that even the President of the United States dare not provoke easily, the Hurst family does have such arrogance.

In just a moment, William Hurst III and Tom Murphy returned again, and there was also an old man with a medium figure and disheveled hair. It was Warren Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway.

Seeing the three people talking and laughing and walking towards him, Simon also took the initiative to step forward.

Before Simon could speak, Janet next to him had already spoken this time: "Hey, Warren, do you remember me?"

Janet's sudden opening made Simon, Hirst III, and Murphy a little surprised, and Hirst III, who was smiling, frowned unnoticeably.

Simon was puzzled for a moment, and quickly remembered some of the things that Catherine had occasionally said about Janet a few years ago. Women seemed to be the kind of masters when they went to Columbia University.

Warren Buffett looked at Janet carefully and said with a smile: "I remember, you are the little girl from Columbia University."

Janet tilted her head against Simon's shoulder and said, "I am Mrs. Westeros now. Look at my man, Warren. Do you still think that your investment theory is not Grande's gold coins?"

"Hello, Simon," Buffett stepped forward and shook his hand with Simon, and continued to say to Janet: "I didn't expect you to marry Westeros. However, according to my observations in recent years, Simon's rise is completely rhythmic. It can only be described as a miracle. I don’t think I can create a miracle, so let’s save gold coins slowly.

William Hirst III said at this time: "Warren, do you know?"

Warren Buffy had a characteristic head and still had a funny tone. He said, "Yes, this... Mrs. Westeros, I was very saddened by a speech at Columbia University that year."

"Oh, this is a coincidence."

Everyone joked, Buffett and Murphy probably had something to talk about, and took the initiative to walk 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 Hearst family has accumulated a century of heritage and demonstrated it vividly at a small party. The people who appeared in this villa tonight are basically the big and powerful figures from all walks of life in the United States. In the process of socializing, There are still guests arriving.

Finally, I had a few conversations with a congressman who was said to intend to restrict foreign investors from acquiring American companies. Simon and Hirst III stepped aside, and Janet had just taken the initiative to avoid them.

"Meroth will join several other congressmen to submit their own bills about next month. We really can't let the Japanese continue to buy our country's assets. It just so happens that this should give you a good help in acquiring MCA, Panasonic Concerned that the acquisition case may be rejected by the Ministry of Justice, it is definitely not yours."

"I hope so."

Hearst III directly identified Simon's intention to acquire MCA, and he did not deny it. However, Simon did not show much interest in the proposal of the congressman just now.

In recent years, there have been calls in the United States to prevent Japanese companies from acquiring American companies. However, with the openness of the US capital market, Simon does not think such a bill can be introduced, and there is indeed no relevant bill in memory. Hollywood belongs to the entertainment industry, and the Department of Justice also It is impossible to exercise the veto power under the pretext of'national security'.

William Hirst III saw that Simon was not enthusiastic about this, and turned to the main topic: "As for the 20% stake in ESPN, Simon, Metropolis/ABC and Hearst Group were originally very good partners. We The two parties hold each other's shares and can play a better complementary role. Moreover, you should know that Metropolis/ABC not only has the right to veto the purchaser of this equity, even if you buy it, you will not have any right to speak. Therefore, I hope you can withdraw. Hmm... Maybe we can have other cooperation opportunities in the future."

Although he had already planned to give up the 20% of ESPN shares, hearing that Hearst III wanted to withdraw himself from the competition just as a bad check, Simon was no longer polite, saying: "In fact, William, now there is a good one. Cooperation opportunities."

William Hirst III paused, then showed an expression of interest: "Tell me."

"I started an Internet company in Silicon Valley that provides Internet information services. Maybe you have heard of it. It's called Eaglet. It just so happens that the San Francisco Chronicle is also in San Francisco. I hope Eaglet can learn from the San Francisco Chronicle. "Get some news content."

There was a clear hesitation on William Hirst III's face.

The San Francisco Chronicle is a very important newspaper under the Hearst Group. Its position on the West Coast is second only to the Los Angeles Times. It can bring tens of millions of dollars in profits to the Hearst Group every year. Moreover, the competition between American paper media platforms is largely a competition for exclusive news. The news content of the San Francisco Chronicle will be shared with Igreat. If it is other time, William Hirst III will definitely immediately Refuse.

However, William Hirst III also understood at this time that this was probably the bargaining chip Westeros proposed to withdraw from ESPN's equity competition.

Thinking of the discussion with Tom Murphy at the beginning of the party, and contacting Simon's request at this time, William Hirst III couldn't help but feel a little more dissatisfied with the young man in front of him.

Speaking of it, Hearst Group learned about Reynolds Nabisco’s imminent sale of ESPN shares earlier than Simon, but before it had time to make a final decision, Westeros and the Met/ABC and Reynolds Nabisco launched a communication regarding these shares.

Hearst Group executives originally believed that in the absence of other competitors, if they wanted to buy this equity, they might be able to pressure the price to less than 170 million US dollars. After all, not many investors would have a 20% stake that lacked the right to speak. Interested.

However, because of the sudden involvement of Westeros and the current offer is less than $200 million, Reynolds Nabisco is not willing to sell at all.

The reason why Hearst Group wants to buy these shares is mainly for a tax relief agreement obtained after selling part of the group’s cable television assets in the first half of the year. The agreement stipulates that Hearst Group will purchase another cable of the same type within one year. Television assets can be exempted from the income tax payable on the previous asset sale.

The price of 20% of the shares of ESPN TV has risen from the estimated 170 million US dollars to 200 million US dollars, which has completely offset the tax exemption amount of less than 20 million US dollars in the tax relief agreement. This is also after the arrival of Simon Hirst III today. The reason why I can't help but hang him.

Now, the young man actually put forward a bargaining chip that wants him to withdraw from the competition.

After thinking about it for a while, William Hirst III still did not directly refuse. If Westeros can't withdraw from the deal as soon as possible and continue to struggle, the news comes out, the price of the 20% shares will only be fired higher: Simon, I need to think about it carefully."

Simon raised the red wine in his hand to Hearst III and said, "Of course it's okay, William, it just so happens that I will be in New York for a few days. I look forward to hearing good news from you."