Chapter 137: I Trust The Professor’s Choice
Professor?
Fred’s mind immediately flashed to the face of a young Chinese male.
“Oh~” Fred drew out his voice, his expression becoming even more enthusiastic.
Fred had originally wanted to agree, but he didn’t immediately do so; on one hand, he was worried there might be a catch, and on the other, it was his businessman’s instinct to hold out for a better offer.
Don’t say that America has no “official position” culture; Chinese descent people or Chinese people who say that are those who haven’t participated in America’s political-business revolving door or official-business collusion.
Anyone engaged in the biopharmaceutical or chemistry industry has to deal with officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The other side can save you tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of US dollars with a single decision, and you’ll know why these companies give high executive positions to officials who retire from Washington, where they can lie down and collect money.
For Fred, going from a small real estate businessman in New York to connecting with someone like Nixon, even if just a former vice president, was already upward socializing.
Nixon now even wanted to push him as the Elephant Party’s presidential candidate; regardless of whether it succeeded, just stepping onto this path was a huge temptation for Fred.
“Randolph is the best Chinese person I’ve ever met! If he’s introduced by the professor, then I completely trust you.” Fred’s expression was exaggerated, his tone excited, his eyebrows dancing.
Robert raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing this candidate inwardly.
Naturally, it wasn’t that just because Lin Ran said so, the Nixon team would immediately decide to push Fred.
Their resources were limited, but not so limited that they could only bet on one person.
There was still over a year until the 1964 US presidential election; in that more than a year, they would select three to five candidates, observe them throughout 1963, and ultimately choose the suitable one.
The candidate had to be weak, weak like Lin Ran said, the worse the loss the better, to prove that Nixon’s loss wasn’t due to his ability, but not too weak, not so weak that he couldn’t even pass the Elephant Party primary candidate stage.
It was a case of not too strong and not too weak.
Under Robert’s scrutiny, he discovered that Fred had strong adaptability.
He had met the other man before the fundraising dinner, and the other’s fawning attitude then was completely different from his current holdout-for-a-better-offer face.
The other’s reaction upon hearing “professor” overlapped somewhat with Robert’s impression.
“Yes, sir, you have to cherish this opportunity the professor fought for you.” Robert stared into the other’s eyes, his grave tone applying pressure.
“Among New York City’s real estate businessmen big and small, there are plenty like you; looking across all of America, there are even more.
Fred, you are not irreplaceable; the only thing that sets you apart from others is that the professor recommended you.
So you have to cherish this opportunity.
Of course, if you don’t want to participate in the presidential election, then pretend I wasn’t here today.” Robert continued.
You still want to hold out for a better offer? Really think you’re indispensable? Robert, as a Washington political animal, was not only proficient in negotiation art but also knew what merchants like Fred were thinking.
In Robert’s view, Fred was just a small real estate businessman, though in reality, the other’s net worth wasn’t small.
In current New York, Fred’s net assets were over 5 million US dollars, and there were roughly about 30 real estate businessmen with similar net worth.
Robert dealt with families like Astor, Rockefeller, and Rudin year-round, which was why he saw the other as a small real estate businessman.
Fred hurriedly said: “The professor and I are very good friends; I’m thinking of having him be my son’s mentor.”
Fred’s wife was Scottish, so their family believed in Protestantism; they were all members of the Presbyterian Church, a branch of Protestantism originating in Scotland.
Fred’s wife came from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, where the Presbyterian tradition was particularly strong.
They were all active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Queens, New York; old T attended Sunday school here as a child, and his first marriage was held in a Presbyterian church.
So according to Presbyterian tradition, old T was baptized as a child.
Therefore, Fred said “mentor” rather than godfather; in fact, the mentor here could be seen as a role similar to a “godfather.”
“Of course I have the will, but Robert, you’re only telling me that Mr. Nixon hopes I become the Elephant Party’s candidate, but you haven’t told me what to do.
Or does the professor plan to set aside White House work to personally assist me in the presidential candidacy?” Fred asked.
Fred certainly wanted to run, but Nixon letting him run, a loser like Nixon letting him run, and it was at the professor’s suggestion.
With Fred’s political wisdom, he couldn’t fathom the real situation.
Under Robert’s pressure, he could only throw the question back to Robert: what do you want me to do.
After hearing this, Robert was speechless; the professor helping you? The professor was already a red person by the president’s side, the top spokesperson bet on by Rockefeller, Morgan, and Hearst; even Nixon couldn’t offer chips to move him to help you run?
He really couldn’t imagine how crazy such a world would be.
“Fred, you need to take three steps now. The first, which you’re good at, is to discuss economy, real estate development, and urban reconstruction on television, radio, and other programs; not only show your business achievements but also demonstrate your understanding of the national economic situation.
This country’s economy is terrible; the lives of the bottom people are too hard. Because you build low-rent apartments, you can see a lot of the bottom people’s living conditions; you can empathize with them; you need to speak for them in the media; you have many ways to help them, but because you’re just a real estate businessman, what you can do is limited. Haven’t you already reduced apartment rent by 30% for Chinese descent people? That’s what you’ve already done.
The White House should do more for them, but the White House has done nothing.
If you enter the White House, you can do more for them.”
This was truly something Robert made up on the spot, just a suggestion for Fred, which Fred’s son would take to social media sixty years later and make a big splash.
After hearing this, Fred pondered: “Not enough.”
Robert said: “Of course not enough; I was just giving an example.
In short, you need to appear on various programs; go on the ones you can, and we’ll arrange the ones you can’t, to shape an image of a successful businessman who cares about the country and has solutions.
The second point is that you need to run for office; win a New York City councilman or state senator position to fill your political resume.
The latter is too difficult and not feasible now anyway, so set your goal on the New York City councilman election.
This you have to do yourself; if you can’t even pass this stage, Mr. Nixon doesn’t want to help a loser!”
State senate elections are every two years; November 6, 1962, was the New York State senate election, and Fred had no time.
City council elections are not synchronized with state elections; New York City councilman elections are usually held in odd years, i.e., November 1963, giving Fred ample time window to prepare.
“So the help you’re giving me is just a little media resources?” Fred expressed doubt.
Robert said: “In October and November during the intensive campaign days, Mr. Nixon can come to campaign for you.”
Upon hearing this, Fred shook his head repeatedly: “No need to trouble Mr. Nixon; it would be best if the professor comes; if the professor can’t, I’d prefer Mr. Nelson Rockefeller.”
Nixon was now like box office poison; Fred just wanted to freeload his resources, not have him personally campaign.
The Nelson Rockefeller he mentioned was an important member of the Rockefeller family, governor of New York State, and Elephant Party member.
Robert suppressed his anger: “Mr. Fred, Mr. Nixon still has appeal in Brooklyn and Queens; if you really want to run, you’ll soon start the councilman election and recognize Mr. Nixon’s appeal.
Also, let me add: if the professor is really as close to you as you say, I believe he would be willing to wear an NASA badge and record a video for you in October to campaign.”
This meeting was far from pleasant, especially compared to Robert’s memory.
Even a seventh-rank official bows before the prime minister; a fallen prime minister is worse than a dog, so this seventh-rank official had even less face.
“Fred is completely a profit-driven, short-sighted merchant with no moral view.” In the villa at 518 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California, Robert sat on the sofa and said indignantly.
Sitting across from him was Nixon: “What we need is a suitable tool.
As long as he plays this role well and paves the way for us to return to the White House, does it matter what kind of person he is?
Once we’re back in the White House, pinching him will be a trivial matter.”
After hearing Robert out, Nixon didn’t care about Fred’s attitude at all and continued: “I’ve accepted the partner position at March, Stern, Baldwin, and Todd law firm; we’ll head back to New York immediately and start preparing from New York for six years from now.”
March, Stern, Baldwin, and Todd was a veteran law firm established in 1869; later, Gao Xiqing, CEO of China Investment, worked at this law firm.
“Fastest by mid-next year; as soon as he has an advantage in polls, we need to start acting for him.
For a newcomer like Fred, resources need to be concentrated in key states like New Hampshire, California, and Ohio, winning delegate support through party caucuses to establish early advantage.
So we absolutely can’t wait until after next year’s New York City councilman election to start.”
Veteran politician; the map of America’s 51 states was etched in his mind; he knew who he could use in each state, who might be useful, down to whether each district was red or blue—he could rattle off the answers.
“Sir, do you really trust the professor’s choice that much?” Robert hesitated.
Nixon asked: “What do you think of the professor’s strategy?”
Robert said: “There is no better strategy; I went back and thought it over repeatedly, and I couldn’t think of a better method.”
Nixon nodded: “Then I trust his choice.
For politics, character is the least important factor.
Robert, you served as Poulson’s administrative assistant, so you should know well that achieving your purpose is the most important; whether the means are proper is secondary.”
Robert Finch met the then-newcomer congressman Nixon while serving as administrative assistant to California congressman Norris Poulson in Washington D.C.
Poulson was now consecutively in his eighth year as mayor of Los Angeles; during his tenure as mayor, he aggressively pushed urban demolition and expansion, having very bad relations with unions and minority ethnic group communities; he was a real hardliner, achieving his goals by any means.
Just thinking about it shows that demolition work naturally offends a group of people; the benefits are long-term, the downsides immediate. Poulson’s most famous campaign was the forced demolition of Chavez Ravine, a low-income community mainly of Mexican descent, with residents mostly worker families having tight community ties.
Poulson instructed police to forcibly evict these Mexican descent residents refusing demolition; this eviction was also dubbed the “Chavez Ravine War” by the media—using “war” to describe it.
“Okay, I understand; I’ll keep a close eye on him,” Robert said. “The only worry is what if Fred doesn’t want to run.”
Nixon laughed: “A businessman can’t refuse the White House’s temptation.
I guess he’s consulting with the professor on the phone right now.”
Nixon guessed half right.
Because Lin Ran worked at NASA, Fred couldn’t reach him right away.
It wasn’t until evening, when Lin Ran returned to his residence, that he had time to call Fred back.
“Professor, did you recommend me to Nixon to run for America president?” After brief pleasantries, Fred eagerly asked.
At that moment, he was standing by the phone in his villa living room, his face full of expectation, hoping for an affirmative reply from Lin Ran.
After thinking left and right all day, a flame had ignited in his heart.
But Fred himself couldn’t judge whether to extinguish this flame or let it burn.
Lin Ran answered on the other end of the phone: “Correct, I recommended you to Nixon.”
With Fred’s inner doubt resolved, an even bigger one arose: “Professor, why? I’m just a real estate businessman; why recommend me to run?”
Lin Ran said: “You should be very clear about Nixon’s current situation, right?”
Fred said: “I know; I had my secretary carefully collect recent news about Nixon today; his situation is bad, lost the presidential election, and just lost the California governor election a few days ago.”
Lin Ran said: “Yes, Nixon has lost too much; he’s lost confidence in himself.
He wants to find someone to assist, help the other run; on one hand, to verify how much influence he still has in the Elephant Party and public opinion; on the other, no one is likely to beat Kennedy in the presidential election two years from now; he needs this election to prove his previous presidential election failure wasn’t due to his ability.”
After hearing this, Fred subconsciously asked: “Since it’s a loss, why did you still recommend me, professor?”
Lin Ran said: “This is also a good thing for you.
Rest assured, Nixon will definitely go all out to help you win the party primary; once you become the Elephant Party’s presidential candidate, you can strive for political status—senator, congressman, or New York City mayor, etc., you can aim for them.
Even stepping back ten thousand steps, this gives you nationwide exposure.
No one knows New York real estate businessman Fred, but during those months of the presidential election, everyone will know Elephant Party candidate Fred T.
This has a hundred benefits and no harm for you; I thought of us as partners, so I recommended you; if you’re not interested, I’ll turn down Nixon for you.”
After hearing this, Fred began fantasizing about being the Elephant Party candidate, commanding on television and dominating; he’d watched the Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate and complained to his son that their debate skills were terrible, not even as good as high school debate.
He thought of having the chance in 1964, two years later, to sit in the television live broadcast studio competing with Kennedy, and he started getting excited,
“Professor, I’m interested; thank you for this opportunity.” Fred feared Lin Ran would hang up.
Lin Ran said: “Good then; anyway, just do your own thing well.
This is a rare chance to enter Washington from New York; though Nixon isn’t what he was, he still has very strong influence within the Elephant Party and can help you a lot.”
Fred hurriedly agreed: “I understand; I will fully respect Mr. Nixon and follow his opinions.”
After hanging up, Lin Ran looked at the phone in the apartment arranged for him at Redstone Arsenal, thinking: does this count as manipulating the America election?
He also thought of a problem: because Kennedy would be assassinated next year, would Nixon see Lyndon Johnson rise and want to use Fred to replace himself?
And what if Fred won the 1964 presidential election? Or if Fred performed too well, leaving a profound impression on America’s Elephant Party voters, leading to Fred and Nixon fighting it out in the party in 1968—that would be interesting.
As T’s father, Fred was quite skilled in media marketing and personal image building.
A veteran conservative politician like Nixon might not necessarily outplay him in the live television broadcast era.
Lin Ran realized this fun he’d stirred up was a bit big.
But it had nothing to do with him; he just gave a suggestion; at least currently, this suggestion was good for all sides.
In a world where no one is hurt now, the hurt might happen in the future.
New York, Randolph Building; Chen Jingrun was here to meet America’s greatest Chinese descent mathematician besides Lin Ran—Shiing-Shen Chern.
“Dehui, this is still our first time chatting alone.” Shiing-Shen Chern sat in the somewhat cramped living room and smiled: “Last month at the International Congress of Mathematicians, we only chatted briefly for two sentences.”
Shiing-Shen Chern was very good at socializing; more precisely, America’s top Chinese descent scientists were all very good at socializing.
Chen Jingrun was an exception, but he wasn’t yet a top mathematician; at best, a newcomer in the New York mathematics community.
“Yes.” After saying that, Chen Jingrun didn’t know what to say; he could talk eloquently about mathematical problems, but between differential geometry and number theory, it was really hard to chat about math things.
“Dehui, I want to ask about one thing: does Randolph have an issue with me?” Shiing-Shen Chern asked.
Begging for monthly votes, stock market losses are killing me, one more chapter later!
