Chapter 140: Gifts from the Heart

Virginia, located on the East Coast, is just over 600 kilometers from New York. Hardy made the trip with only Henry accompanying him, and they met Brigadier General Darrell Williams at his apartment.

Before Hardy's arrival, Brigadier General Williams had researched Hardy's background and was quite surprised by what he discovered.

Since retiring from the military in 1945, Hardy had built a successful empire, owning several prominent companies including HD Security, HD Pictures, and Playboy Magazine.

Despite being in his 50s, Brigadier General Williams was a fan of Playboy.

"Have you served in the military?" the Brigadier General asked, extending his hand to shake Hardy's.

"Yes, General," Hardy replied.

"It's impressive to see someone so young achieve such success," the Brigadier General remarked.

"The support of veterans like you has been crucial to my success, General," Hardy said modestly.

After they settled in, the Brigadier General inquired about the old godfather's condition and then transitioned to business. "I'm familiar with HD Security. I even took my daughter to see the 'Los Angeles Bank Robbery' documentary after seeing all the reports."

"I'm considering purchasing a transport plane, partly due to the needs of HD Security. Since our main operations are in Los Angeles and we plan to expand to other major U.S. cities, having a transport plane would be ideal," Hardy explained.

"What type of plane are you interested in, and how many do you need?" the Brigadier General asked.

"I'm looking to buy C-53 and C-47 aircraft, and if possible, a B-29 transport aircraft as well," Hardy said.

The C-53 and C-47 are Douglas Aircraft models. The C-47, with its large cargo door, is suited for shipping, while the C-53, a military transport plane with passenger seats, can be used for transporting people without modifications.

Brigadier General Williams responded, "We do have C-53s and C-47s available for sale. According to the report, there are 120 C-53s and 200 C-47s up for grabs. Many airlines are interested in them."

"As for the B-29, it's relatively new and not slated for decommissioning yet."

Hardy realized he might have been overly ambitious. He had envisioned flying the B-29 across the Pacific to Japan, but it seemed unrealistic.

"How much will the military sell these aircraft for?" Hardy asked.

"The prices haven't been finalized, but our logistics department reports that the C-53 will be around $38,000 and the C-47 about $36,000 each," Brigadier General Williams said.

Hearing these prices, Hardy was immediately interested. Considering that new aircraft cost nearly $200,000, the military's prices were a bargain. Even as second-hand planes, their performance would still be excellent and easy to maintain.

"General Williams, could you order some for me?" Hardy asked with a smile.

After a moment's consideration, Brigadier General Williams said, "C-53s and C-47s are in high demand. How about I order five of each for you?"

That made ten in total. Hardy was tempted to request more, recognizing this as a rare opportunity. Even if he didn't use them all, he could resell them for a profit.

"I really appreciate your help, General. By the way, do you know Brigadier General Bob Ernst?" Hardy inquired.

Upon hearing the name, Brigadier General Williams' expression darkened. "Why do you ask about Bob Ernst?"

"I'm not personally acquainted with him," Hardy replied. "But I heard that someone contacted him to help purchase 50 planes. Additionally, his son-in-law is reportedly buying $200,000 worth of oil paintings."

Brigadier General Williams' eyes widened with interest. "Is this information reliable?"

"Very accurate," Hardy confirmed.

Williams had looked into Hardy's background and knew that the Logistics Support Bureau was undergoing restructuring after World War II, with several departments being streamlined. Brigadier General Williams was competing with Bob Ernst for the position of deputy director, a position that would significantly enhance his career.

Private transactions like these, involving bribes and backdoor deals, were not uncommon. If Hardy's information was accurate, it could severely damage Ernst's prospects and boost Williams' chances of promotion.

"Tell me everything you know," Brigadier General Williams said eagerly.

Hardy leaned in and shared the details. Williams took out a small notebook to jot down the information meticulously. 

After closing the notebook, Brigadier General Williams smiled triumphantly. If the information proved accurate, Bob Ernst's career could be in jeopardy, paving the way for Williams' promotion.

Williams, now more cordial, asked, "Hardy, are ten planes enough for you?"

"Not quite. I'm planning to start my own airline. The more planes, the better," Hardy said.

"I'll do my best to secure more for you. How many do you want?" Brigadier General Williams asked.

"All available if possible," Hardy replied. "The military is selling 120 C-53s and 200 C-47s. If you can get them all, that would be ideal."

Williams agreed, "I'll try my best to help you with that."

Delighted by the prospect, Williams invited Hardy to stay for dinner. During the meal, Hardy brought up another matter. "General, I understand you oversee the Veterans Affairs Department as well. My company, HD Security, is interested in hiring veterans and retired officers. If possible, we'd like to employ about a thousand veterans each year."

Brigadier General Williams was thrilled. Helping a thousand veterans find employment would be a significant achievement. "Thank you for this opportunity. Finding good jobs for veterans is crucial, especially now. I'll ensure you get the best candidates and will arrange for a tax incentive certificate for your company."

As HD Security grew, Hardy anticipated needing more staff. Even with a thousand new hires annually, it might not be enough as the business expanded.

Shifting topics, Hardy said, "General, there's one more thing I'd like your assistance with. My company, still in its early stages, would benefit from having respected generals as consultants to guide us."

"The consulting fee is $20,000 per year, with additional benefits," Hardy added sincerely.

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