Chapter 176: 175, For The Refinery, Gambling Match With The Oil Tycoon
The newly established United Casino Company in Las Vegas, Taishan Paradise, became the weather vane for activating the entire city.
The United Casino Company, composed of five casinos, created a business miracle with astonishing speed through a series of impressive business tactics.
Other casinos watched with envy and even attempted to imitate it.
But this was not easy.
This was a disruptive enterprise operation model.
Airport—Casino—Mall—Resort—Shopping Center—Entertainment Center.
It was very complex and involved many problems, so complex that many casinos only tried a part of it and gave up halfway.
Some were learning bit by bit, transforming their casinos to be like Taishan, signing long-term airplane ticket agreements with Taishan Airport, and beginning to attract tourists from nearby cities.
These changes were inevitable. Fang Wen was pleased to see them; the overall prosperity of Las Vegas was a good thing for Taishan Paradise. More customers would generate more profit, thus allowing for a faster listing.
And now, he was returning to China. Whether it could achieve what he desired still depended on Taishan Paradise’s own fortune.
Of course, more crucially, he had made an exquisite cake, and to ensure the cake would not be pilfered by insects and rats, it needed to be shared so more people could guard it.
Besides his own portion, there were other stakeholders.
For the gang, he chose Al Capone, a bankrupt former Chicago gang big shot with a deep foundation and a strong desire to make a comeback. 10% of the shares and management of the gang gambling hall business were enough to make him contribute to the development of Taishan Paradise.
Al Capone was the person among the company’s shareholder directors who dealt with the gangs.
John Harvey, holding 5% of the shares, was the representative among the shareholder directors who maintained the company’s legal rights.
Besides these two, the cake could still be divided.
The listing plan for Wall Street required a portion of equity in exchange for the listing support of a financial company.
This was of course not free. The financial company would purchase a portion of the shares in advance to become an original shareholder and enjoy premium profits after the stock issuance.
Taishan Paradise would also allocate a portion of its profits to establish a public welfare fund to support Las Vegas’s security and charitable activities, as well as political donations for certain cooperating councilors.
Furthermore, there were also interest exchanges with some tycoons who were optimistic about Taishan Paradise.
August 16th.
Fang Wen headed to the VIP lounge in the northwest corner of Taishan Paradise.
Zhao Jiu followed closely behind, with staff pushing a luggage cart carrying a heavy suitcase.
As they walked, Fang Wen communicated with Zhao Jiu.
“The VIP system is good. We’ll use ‘VIP’ in English, the abbreviation for ‘very important person’, but the details are more important. I have some suggestions.”
Zhao Jiu, who was already studying English, replied earnestly, “General Manager, please let me write it down. Otherwise, when you return to China, it will be difficult for me to seek your guidance.”
After Zhao Jiu fetched paper and pen, Fang Wen stopped and articulated the VIP customer theory he had received in the future.
“I fully agree with the VIP system you designed, but we must confirm the content and details of this system and execute them diligently.”
“Mm,” Zhao Jiu nodded and began writing with his pen.
Fang Wen continued:
“First, there must be a dedicated area. You’ve achieved this, but it needs to be clearly marked for everyone to see. The place names should be ‘High Roller Room’ or ‘VIP Room.’ This is a way to display status and prestige, which tycoons will like. The Chinese name for gambling hall you used is not suitable here.
Second, provide high-end clients with a more private, luxurious, and personalized gambling experience. The VIP lounge should not only offer high-limit table games but also be equipped with value-added services such as exclusive customer service, private rooms, catering, and entertainment performances. These services must have a standard so that these tycoons know what to expect. Although they have money, they also care about the specific consumption and usage of the money they spend.”
Up to this point, it was merely a supplement to Zhao Jiu’s ongoing attempts.
The main points were about to follow.
“Third, even tycoons have their own classes and circles, and you cannot treat them all the same. I suggest you use two methods to establish their status levels. 1. A membership system, such as Silver Card, Gold Card, Diamond Card, etc. Different membership cards enjoy different discounts and services, and some VIP lounges are only accessible with higher-tier membership cards. Membership level upgrades are usually related to factors like the client’s gambling capital, spending amount, and loyalty.”
Fang Wen paused, then continued: “The membership card system is our evaluation of our distinguished clients’ status, but sometimes it doesn’t fully reflect their standing. It’s best to add another system to complement it. 2. An invitation system. Clients who are actively invited by Taishan Paradise, these invitations are usually based on factors like the client’s social status and influence. You can create another type of card, called an ‘Invited Black Card,’ which is a level of prestige even higher than a Diamond Card.”
After Zhao Jiu finished writing down what Fang Wen said, he showed a surprised expression.
“General Manager, I estimate that American tycoons will really like what you’ve designed. Silver Card, Gold Card, Diamond Card, and Invited Black Card. Just these four types of cards can create different statuses. They won’t even need to declare their identity; just showing their card will suffice. The problem is, what if these are counterfeited or impersonated?”
This question indicated that Zhao Jiu had understood.
Anti-counterfeiting was indeed important. The cards represented identity and could be used for consumption within Taishan Paradise, making them the key to the entire system.
If the cards were forged or impersonated, it would lead to doubts about the system and make it unusable long-term.
Fang Wen had already considered this. He explained, “Go to the Denver Mint. They use red and blue fiber banknote paper, which contains colorless fluorescent fibers, allowing US Dollars to be anti-counterfeit. I’ve had someone inquire, and they have anti-counterfeit commemorative coin services and can also produce anti-counterfeit cards on our behalf.”
So the General Manager had already made arrangements. Zhao Jiu gladly wrote this down.
Afterward, the two continued their walk and entered the VIP building.
The VIP building, constructed according to Zhao Jiu’s ideas, had not yet met Fang Wen’s requirements.
It was merely based on the methods of exploiting human desires that he had discovered when he opened Fugui Casino in Shanghai: the best food, beautiful women, and service.
It vividly displayed the “elite” treatment.
Although crude, it met the basic desires of tycoons who spent money to enjoy themselves.
He imagined it would be better once all aspects were perfected in the future.
Led by Zhao Jiu, Fang Wen arrived at Room Number One of the Heaven.
This room number, very much with an Eastern characteristic, was thought up by Zhao Jiu, and it is also the VIP lounge with the highest gambling stakes.
Fang Wen entered and saw four players engaged in a gambling match.
They were completely focused and showed no concern for outsiders entering.
It seemed to have reached a critical moment, and disturbing them now would not be a good idea.
Fang Wen simply chose to watch the gambling match from afar.
The four were playing Five-Card Draw, the most popular game at the time.
It is also an American poker style that has been popular since the Cowboy era.
Five-Card Draw translates to “five cards” in Chinese, and the actual rules are similar to Showhand, or American Showhand.
As for the specific rules.
Fang Wen, having established Taishan Paradise, of course knew them.
At the start of the game, everyone agrees on the chips, then places chips of the same value into the pot to gain the right to the cards.
Then, one player deals, giving five cards to each person.
In the first round, players will continue to bet; those who call continue, and those who fold forfeit the current hand.
In the second round, players who continue will exchange cards from their hand with community cards, exchanging between one and five cards, or none at all.
After the exchange, betting continues; those who call remain, and those who fold exit.
At this point, the remaining players should reveal their cards and compare their ranks.
The winner will take all.
It can be said that Five-Card Draw has more variables than Showhand and is much simpler than Texas Hold’em, ending in just two rounds and three betting stages.
Just as Fang Wen was recalling the rules of Five-Card Draw, the four players’ game also concluded.
The win or loss seemed substantial, and one tycoon pounded the gambling table forcefully, “Damn it, I lost an oil field.”
After saying that, he left in a huff.
Of the three at the table.
Two had folded in the first round and suffered no losses, so it was not a big deal.
The winner, however, with a face full of smiles, gathered the chips and a contract from the table towards himself.
This was something the dealer should have done, yet he handled it himself, revealing his distrust of outsiders and his hands-on personality.
Zhao Jiu whispered in Fang Wen’s ear, “This is Getty.”
Getty is Edwin L. Paul Getty; Zhao Jiu, finding it troublesome, simply used his surname as a shorthand.
Fang Wen nodded and walked over, “May I join you?”
Getty looked up at Fang Wen and asked, “Are you Fang Wen, the owner of Taishan Paradise?”
His words also piqued the interest of the other two tycoons, who all turned to look at Fang Wen.
“Yes,” Fang Wen replied, sitting down with a smile. “I have something I want to discuss with you, why don’t we talk while we play?”
“If you can guarantee fairness in your own casino, I have no objections,” replied Edwin L. Paul Getty.
Fang Wen nodded. “I guarantee it.”
With this assurance, the four players’ gambling match continued.
This time, the winner, Edwin L. Paul Getty, was dealing.
He announced, “The ante is $1,000. Does anyone want to raise?”
This ante was already very high, being the foundation bet for Room Number One of the Heaven. The other two tycoons did not raise and each contributed the $1,000 ante.
Fang Wen gestured, and Zhao Jiu brought over a large stack of chips, approximately $100,000, and placed them on the table.
Fang Wen took out two $500 chips with black rims and red circles, tossing them into the pot, and the hand began.
After everyone was dealt five cards.
They each picked them up to view.
Fang Wen’s hand consisted of a pair of 9s, a 6 of diamonds, a Jack of hearts, and a Queen of clubs.
According to the rules of Five-Card Draw, a straight flush is higher than four of a kind, which is higher than a full house （, three of a kind and a pair ）, a flush, a straight, three of a kind, two pair, a pair, and a high card.
To continue now, one would have to exchange cards to get a better hand.
One could keep the pair of 9s and aim for two pair, three of a kind, or four of a kind.
One could also keep the J and Q to make a straight.
In reality, the chances of winning were not high. Fang Wen was here primarily for business and did not have the same gambling drive as the other three. He chose to fold.
One of the other three also folded, leaving only one opponent to play against Getty heads-up.
Getty was having a very good run that night; after two rounds, he had formed a flush and beaten his opponent, taking all the chips.
Getty, having won two hands in a row, was very pleased and initiated a conversation with Fang Wen.
“What kind of cooperation do you want?”
“I heard you’re opening a refinery in the Philippines, and I want to open another one with you in South Asia,” Fang Wen stated his idea.
Getty, in a good mood, frankly revealed his thoughts: “I know your situation. The Japanese are currently blockading the sea surface, and any fuel transported to China by Mobil or Standard requires communication with the Japanese navy. My refinery will also be exclusively for the Japanese in the future, which is the greatest interest. Can you bring me a larger market?”
As he spoke, he called out the ante for the next round, which was still 1000 US Dollar chips.
Fang Wen pondered.
As expected of an oil tycoon, his consideration of interests was clear, but he certainly hadn’t considered the future.
He threw out 1000 US Dollar chips and replied, “My view is different from yours. Although Japan is currently primarily attacking China, they cannot obtain oil and gas resources from China. Southeast Asia has the oil and gas resources of British Burma and Dutch East Indies （ Indonesia ）, and they will eventually move south for these resources.”
Getty, dealing the cards, said, “Sorry, I can’t give up immediate profit for future predictions.”
Fang Wen placed his hand on the cards.
“The future is indeed vague. I can pay the price. Zhao Jiu, show Mr. Getty the items.”
Zhao Jiu opened a large suitcase, filled with ancient Indian gold ornaments, reflecting a soft luster under the light.
The three tycoons looked at the gold, their attention drawn to it unconsciously.
Currently, the Roosevelt Administration’s cancellation of the gold standard has caused gold prices to continue to rise, while the value of the US Dollar has fallen.
Therefore, gold has become even more attractive.
Getty asked, “How much do you have?”
“900 kilograms, with a purity of up to 94%, and they are all ancient craftsmanship.”
Fang Wen said, gesturing for Zhao Jiu to push the cart and display it in front of the three tycoons.
The 94% purity was determined by someone Fang Wen had hired. He hadn’t expected ancient Indian gold ornaments to have such high purity, which could only mean their gold mine quality was very good.
The three tycoons examined the gold ornaments and exchanged thoughts.
“I think this batch of gold is good and has collection value.”
“Gold prices have risen another 3%, and the US Dollar has fallen 4%. This situation will likely continue.”
“Roosevelt has just taken office. In the future, exchanging currency for gold and oil will be the way to preserve value.”
Getty did not make an immediate decision but found paper and pen to calculate on the spot.
According to his calculations, gold is currently 0.987 US Dollars per gram, so 94% pure gold would be worth 835,000 US Dollars.
He shook his head and said, “This is not enough. 800,000 US Dollars is not enough for me to offend the Japanese and open another refinery with you in South Asia.”
“Then what do you need?” Fang Wen asked.
Getty smiled: “I am very interested in the shares of Taishan Paradise. How about we have a gambling match? If you win, you only need to pay this gold and cooperate with me to establish a new South Asian refinery. If you lose, you give me an additional 15% of Taishan Paradise’s shares.”
Fang Wen’s face remained expressionless, but he was somewhat surprised.
He knew the gold might not be enough and had considered using some of Taishan Paradise’s equity to pay the remaining balance for the cooperation.
But he hadn’t expected it to be resolved through a gambling match.
This was more advantageous to him.
He nodded in agreement.
“Okay, how do you want to play.”
