Chapter 152: 151, Investing For The War Of Resistance, Las Vegas Plan
Regarding the money issue, Fang Wen considered it carefully.
In this war-torn era, having no money is absolutely not feasible.
But it was also necessary to consider the approaching war-torn era, currency devaluation, and investment issues.
If it were peacetime, Fang Wen could invest this sum of money in supermarkets, gaining a cash flow with each one opened, and with the three-month credit period funds from cigarette sales, it could quickly form a nationwide chain.
But no, China is in chaos now, and once the money is invested, someone will find a way to take a cut.
As the saying goes, it’s easy to see the King of Hell but hard to deal with the little ghosts—that’s the reason.
But leaving this sum of money idle in the warehouse for 3 months is also a huge waste.
Could it only be deposited in a bank to earn that little interest?
Fang Wen certainly didn’t want that.
He was considering if there were other ways.
How about investing the money abroad and using the foreign profits to support the domestic side?
But a few years later, World War II would break out—where would be safe then?
Fang Wen looked at the right side of the map, the United States.
But in America this year, what would be a good investment?
Fang Wen knew nothing about the history of America in the 1930s, but he had channels to get information.
Like Neil, and the Americans in Shanghai.
Neil had already gone to the United States, so he couldn’t be asked temporarily.
Fang Wen thought of another person, the gang underling whom Al Capone had sent to Shanghai.
This kind of person thought it was easy to make a fortune in Shanghai, but probably didn’t expect there to be so many gangs there too.
He didn’t know how this person, who had hit walls everywhere, was doing now.
Fang Wen picked up the telephone and called Zhao Jiu.
“Zhao Jiu, how is that American arms dealer you brought last time doing now?”
Shanghai Zhabei, Fugui Casino.
Zhao Jiu picked up the microphone and replied: “General Manager, if you didn’t mention it, I would have almost forgotten about him. I’ll have someone inquire and call you back soon.”
After hanging up, Zhao Jiu sent a underling to inquire, and called back after getting the news.
“General Manager, it’s clear now. He thought Shanghai was a place to come and go as he pleased; he tried to sell that batch of munitions without even paying respects at the dock, got shot in retaliation, and the stuff in the warehouse was robbed.”
“Is he still alive?” Fang Wen asked.
“He’s alive, staying in Guangci Hospital in the French Concession; heard he was shot in the leg, but they spared his life.”
“If he can walk, bring him over; I have something to discuss with him.”
“If the General Manager wants to see him, he’ll come whether he can walk or not—a featherless phoenix is not as good as a chicken. He’ll go to you today.”
Zhao Jiu took on the task.
Fang Wen hung up the phone.
And considered another matter.
These silver dollars have purchasing power domestically but are worthless abroad.
How to convert them into US Dollars or British Pounds?
This was also a big problem; HSBC Bank was unwilling to exchange silver dollars for US Dollars, and other foreign banks were the same.
So he could only check if domestic banks had any connections.
He then called his high school classmate Min Bangren’s office phone.
The phone connected, and Min Bangren’s voice came through.
“This is Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank; I am Min Bangren.”
“It’s Fang Wen.”
“Hey, old classmate, you finally thought to call me.”
“I’ve been a bit busy lately; how about I treat you to a meal today—do you have time?”
“Of course I have time. I know you don’t enter the city, so I’ll come to you. Right away.”
The phone hung up, and just over forty minutes later, Min Bangren drove his small car over.
In Shanghai, being able to drive a car meant pretty good conditions.
It seemed he was doing well at Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank.
Fang Wen didn’t take him out to eat but had the cook prepare a few Cantonese dishes at home.
Once the dishes were served, Fang Wen poured wine for Min Bangren, ended the pleasantries, and got straight to the point.
“Min Bangren, I have a small trouble; do you think you can solve it?”
“What small trouble?” Min Bangren picked up some food with chopsticks and asked casually.
“Is there a way to exchange silver dollars for US Dollars? Or other currencies would work too.”
“Yes, how much?”
Fang Wen thought for a moment: there were 5 sales cities daily, plus the surrounding areas they radiated to; one delivery truck could collect 2000—3000 silver dollars in a day.
The five cities together had over ten thousand silver dollars in income.
He replied: “Probably a few thousand silver dollars a day—not a lot, but it’s steady every day.”
Min Bangren looked at Fang Wen in surprise: “Exchanging a few thousand silver dollars a day isn’t a lot? You’re my God of Wealth.”
“So you have a way to exchange it?” Fang Wen was also surprised.
“Of course, cats have their paths, rats have theirs—how could someone in banking not have this skill?” Min Bangren replied proudly; the best part of classmate gatherings was showing off.
He told Fang Wen that to obtain large amounts of foreign exchange, there were mainly two channels.
One was banks controlled by the National Government exchanging with foreign banks.
But that method didn’t benefit the public; the exchanged foreign exchange didn’t flow to the people.
Small banks like Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank couldn’t benefit from it either.
So there was only the other method: money houses or private money changers.
Among the people, money houses or private money changers also provided exchange services between silver dollars and foreign currency. These channels’ exchange rates might fluctuate based on market supply and demand, thus differing from official rates.
Besides higher rates than official ones for the price difference, the exchangers’ reputation and reliability were very important; encountering scammers could easily lead to fraud losses.
Therefore, a reliable foreign exchange dealer became an important resource for Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank to attract clients.
After hearing Min Bangren out, Fang Wen nodded.
Min Bangren’s channel could be used for silver dollar exchanges, but couldn’t rely on him entirely.
His father-in-law in Guangzhou also had a similar exchange system and could help exchange some.
This way, the silver dollars could be converted to US Dollars.
It could also help resist the collapse of the Republic of China’s monetary system a few years later.
Plus, using the exchanged US Dollars to invest in the United States would be killing two birds with one stone.
No, even more: purchasing machinery and equipment and military supplies from America—multiple gains.
Afterward, Fang Wen settled the silver dollar exchange matter with Min Bangren and saw him out.
No sooner had he sent Min Bangren off than the people Zhao Jiu sent brought that American gang arms dealer over.
Zhao Jiu’s underling helped him off the shuttle bus, saw Fang Wen seeing them off, and said respectfully: “General Manager, the man is here.”
Fang Wen sized up the gang arms dealer.
After some time apart, the man looked dispirited, long gone was the high spirits he had upon arriving in Shanghai.
Having been shot in the thigh, he was on crutches—quite pitiful.
Fang Wen nodded: “You can go back; give my regards to Zhao Jiu.”
“Yes, General Manager.” Zhao Jiu’s Green Gang underling got on the shuttle bus very honorably and left.
Fang Wen conversed with the gang arms dealer in English.
“I heard about your situation; you have nothing left now—want me to send you back?”
The man showed a trace of gratitude but toughened up and spat tough words: “When I get back and tell Al Capone, he’ll definitely send people for revenge.”
Fang Wen smiled inwardly; such talk was the same East or West—gangs were always tied to revenge.
He had no interest in getting involved in the feud between Shanghai and Chicago gangs, and got straight to the point.
“I can send you back, but I want to talk about some things first—about the situation in America.”
The man nodded eagerly in agreement.
Then, crutches in hand, he sat with Fang Wen in a nearby small tavern.
Fang Wen asked: “What businesses are making money in America right now?”
This question, the other had insightful views on.
“Great Depression—any profitable business, we gangs get involved. Like tobacco: many workers can’t afford branded cigarettes, so we provide hand-rolled cigarettes. That’s simple—just one cigarette machine to produce. And whiskey: since the Prohibition in 1920, selling illicit liquor has been our gangs’ biggest source of income.”
Fang Wen showed an interested expression and interrupted: “Can I invest in your liquor business? Like expanding operations?”
The gang arms dealer shook his head: “Unfortunately, in February this year, Prohibition was repealed. If not for that, I wouldn’t have been sent to the Far East to find new business.”
So that’s how it was; Fang Wen now understood why the Chicago Gang came to Shanghai.
Selling illicit liquor was the gangs’ biggest economic source; with Prohibition gone, anyone could open distilleries, and no matter how ruthless the gangs, they couldn’t stop everyone.
He replied: “Alright then, tough times for everyone—what other profitable businesses do you have?”
“We’re preparing to enter the gambling industry, movie filming, and beauty and hairdressing.”
The gang arms dealer revealed the recent transformation path of American gangs.
Apart from beauty and hairdressing, Fang Wen thought the other choices were spot on; in the future, the legal gambling industry and Hollywood movie industry would definitely be highly profitable.
He poured wine into the other’s wine cup—a mild but potent Shaoxing yellow wine.
After sharing a few cups and waiting for the other to get tipsy, Fang Wen then asked.
“Where are you planning to open the casino?”
“Nevada. Last year Nevada legalized gambling; the Hoover Dam construction brought in hordes of workers. We like an emerging city, Las Vegas, and plan to build a casino there.”
Las Vegas?
Fang Wen certainly knew the place.
The world’s largest gambling city in the future.
But what was Las Vegas like now?
Fang Wen continued asking: “How many casinos does Las Vegas have?”
“It’s not big, but there are lots of dam workers; besides drinking, those workers gamble, and casinos can satisfy them, taking every coin from their pockets.” The gang arms dealer boasted proudly in his drunken state.
Then he slumped over the seat and fell soundly asleep.
Fang Wen summarized the information gained from this man.
America was now in the Great Depression, with many industries in slump.
This situation gave gangs room to grow, plus Prohibition, letting them earn overflowing profits.
But now without Prohibition, gangs were preparing to transform.
Casinos were just one option; a gambling city built in the desert this year, besides serving Hoover Dam workers, seemed to have no prospects.
But in reality, this desert gambling city would become America’s biggest money pit.
Nevada legalized gambling only 2 years ago—Las Vegas land should be very cheap.
Fang Wen couldn’t help smiling, looking at the soundly sleeping gang arms dealer before him.
He recalled that he had asked Neil to get the V-1710 engine—a month had passed with no news.
It seemed Neil couldn’t get it.
In that case, he needed to go to America himself—not just for the V-1710 engine, but also Las Vegas land, even building a luxury grand casino there to raise funds for the War of Resistance.
Also, after finishing America business, go to Europe to finalize the d.332 airplane purchase.
No, the order was wrong.
Didn’t the d.332 manufacturing company, France’s Dewoitine Company, want him to do a long-distance flight to prove their airplane’s performance?
That being so, go to Europe first, fly the d.332 to America—that would be more appropriate.
After making the plan, Fang Wen began implementing it.
First, naturally, tell his wife.
Hearing her husband was going abroad again, Kuang Mingzhu didn’t stop him; instead, she proactively took on company operations management.
Fang Wen was very pleased with his wife’s attitude and immediately began arrangements.
Communication with France’s Dewoitine Company, the d.332 manufacturer, went smoothly.
Mainly because Fang Wen, this test pilot, could purchase the airplane directly after the test flight.
This was very tempting for a research-oriented aircraft manufacturer.
Not to mention Fang Wen’s offer to buy more d.332 series airplanes later.
After receiving the flight invitation from France’s Dewoitine Company, Fang Wen prepared to head to Europe.
But this European trip, he needed to bring one more person.
This person wasn’t for the European trip but was crucial for opening a casino in America.
If he was willing, Fang Wen felt the America plan was as good as done.
He was Zhao Jiu.
June 5, Zhao Jiu got up early as usual.
He glanced at his new fling on the bed and got up without a care.
Did a set of punches, went out for a stroll and breakfast, then returned to Fugui Casino.
The casino didn’t open during the day; he mainly handled street-level matters.
Though his underlings’ squabbles on the street had no oil, they were matters of face for him as Green Gang manager.
But today, an important guest came outside the casino, so he had to pause what he was handling.
He hurried out of the casino and directly got into a black car, closed the door, and asked with concern: “Why did you come? And to Zhabei—there are lots of Japanese here.”
“Seems they’ve forgotten me; no one from the airport side has been sent again. Don’t worry, I’ve disguised myself specially, and I’m driving a very special car—Japanese can’t catch up.” Fang Wen replied, very confident in the bulletproof armored car he and Howard had carefully modified.
This was a beast modified with a piston engine and front and rear rotary aircraft machine guns.
Fang Wen was confident that if he encountered Japanese agents chasing and blocking again, he’d give them a bloody lesson.
But his purpose here was mainly for Zhao Jiu.
Thus, the car slowly drove off, and he talked with Zhao Jiu in the car.
“Zhao Jiu, I can see you’re an ambitious man; Shanghai isn’t suitable for you.”
“General Manager, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“Green Gang rules are strict; even if you stay here till old, you won’t become Green Gang boss. Ever thought of changing places?”
“Go where?”
“To a new city, doing the casino business you love.” Fang Wen replied.
