Chapter 42-43

Chapter 42: Lowell Lockheed

Bruce casually selected the last few ornaments and instructed, "Elliott, divide these items. Package those for Alexondra and Nasstya separately, and have Gus and the others deliver them."

"Right away, sir," the butler Elliott meticulously arranged for the servants to assist the Burberry specialists in organizing, while reporting methodically, "During your absence from New York, Miss Kusakina stayed over twice. I've followed your instructions to deliver fresh flowers and greeting cards daily. Moreover, Mr. Evelyn has arranged for her to stay at 15 Central Park West. He mentioned he would report the other details to you."

"Excellent, Elliott. It seems I can't do without you. Remember to remind me to give you a raise," Bruce said contentedly, sipping his whiskey. Such a meticulous personal butler, truly worth his annual salary of $200,000, saved him a lot of trouble.

"I'm just fulfilling my duties, sir," the butler Elliott nodded humbly, maintaining his smile.

"Thank you for your service, Albert. My finance officer will coordinate with you for the settlement," Bruce then shook hands with Albert Barclay, the manager of the Burberry New York flagship store's VIP service department, who was all smiles and excessively polite, not even broaching the topic of payment.

These luxury brands, which in China would set up long security lines to restrict entry and put on an air of superiority, were humbly enthusiastic in Bruce's presence, even going so far as to deliver boutique items to his doorstep for selection, a clear testament to the power of capital. Of course—such services are only available to a select few ultra-wealthy individuals and celebrities.

"Archibald, my friend, you seem in good spirits," Bruce finally said, patting Archibald Evelyn's shoulder and giving him a once over.

The newly appointed deputy director of Citibank's private client division had arrived at the airport to welcome Bruce, indicative of his dedication to this significant patron. Hearing Bruce's remark, he responded with a polite smile, "Thanks to you, all is well."

"We don't need to be so formal, Archie. I trust you to handle the trivial matters. Have your people coordinate with mine," Bruce said, curious about his intention, which clearly had a purpose.

"I prefer to handle them myself for clarity," Archibald said carefully, then gingerly took out an exquisite invitation from his briefcase and placed it in front of Bruce. "There's also another matter. An important figure from the group has extended an invitation, and they insisted I deliver it to you personally."

Bruce's gaze fell on the invitation on the table, a hollowed-out card adorned with an ancient pattern, its simple yet refined design fully reflecting the taste of the host. He casually opened the invitation to read, "You are cordially invited to a fashion charity dinner at 7 PM on September 9th at the Park Hyatt Banquet Hall, Midtown Manhattan."

The signature was a beautiful handwritten line: Your friend, Lowell Lockheed (lowell_r_lockheed).

Holding the invitation, Bruce scrutinized it thoughtfully, lost in thought, not speaking for a while. Archibald, appearing nervous and somewhat uneasy, whispered, "Mr. Lockheed is a member of the Citibank group…"

"No need to elaborate," Bruce interrupted, waving his hand dismissively and continuing to play with the invitation in his hand, lost in contemplation. From the very beginning of setting his sights on Citibank, he had never relaxed his focus on this vast conglomerate, being intimately familiar with every key figure, far more than the average person, so how could he not know the identity of the person extending the invitation.

Lowell Lockheed, a member of the Citibank board of directors—probably what Archibald was about to mention.

In the United States, no matter which direction you extend upwards, you can't bypass monopolistic syndicates and backroom politics. Apart from the well-known Morgan Financial Group and Rockefeller Financial Group, Citibank is also at the forefront.

In fact, the relationship between these syndicates is much closer than one might imagine, especially today in the age of rapid development, almost describable as "you are in me, and I am in you," with Citibank, for example, owning numerous enterprises jointly controlled with Morgan Financial Group, Du Pont Financial Group, and Chicago Financial Group.

As the core of such a super-monopoly, each member of Citibank's board is a significant figure, with their extraordinary backgrounds and distinguished status evident from just a few examples: Roberto Hernández Ramirez, Chairman of the National Bank of Mexico; His Excellency Gerald R Ford, the former President of the United States known for his pardon of former President Nixon, remained an honorary director of Citibank until his passing.

A glimpse of the leopard through the tube, a glimpse of the whole picture.

The magnates of Citibank wield unimaginable power. And Mr. Lowell Lockheed is no exception, serving not only as a director of Citibank but also as the chairman of the board of Lockheed Martin Corporation, controlling 40% of the global defense market, with a third of the Pentagon's annual procurement budget spent on its orders, virtually monopolizing the production and launch of all U.S. military satellites, an undeniable and uncontested "world's top arms giant."

Indeed, Citigroup Inc's rapid development is due to its economic strength, comprising Citigroup Inc and major companies and enterprises closely related to arms manufacturing. Its controlled Boeing Company and United Aircraft Corporation, aside from producing large civilian airliners, have historically been major U.S. military contractors, manufacturing jet bombers, intercontinental missiles, rockets, and space launchers, earning astonishing profits from military orders each year.

And Lockheed Martin, a giant with annual sales exceeding $50 billion, naturally maintains a close relationship with Citibank, possibly through Lowell Lockheed himself.

Such a significant figure, seemingly unconnected to him, suddenly sending an invitation? And it's clear he's been closely monitoring his movements, with the invitation arriving in his hands the moment he landed in New York.

Bruce's mind raced with countless possibilities, his gaze lingering on the words "ACCR fashion charity dinner," aware it represented the American Cancer Research Foundation. Yet, ultimately, Bruce gave up guessing, confident that all would be revealed in due time.

"Please convey my thanks to Mr. Lockheed for the invitation. I will attend punctually." Regardless, it was an excellent opportunity to connect faster with the core of Citibank.

After being interrupted, Archibald, who had stood respectfully silent by the side, was relieved by Bruce's response, promptly smiling in agreement, then proceeding to coordinate with the finance officer, Kit Leslie. Including the billion-dollar loan, the two had many matters to discuss.

Chapter 43: Money is the Mother's Milk of Politics

As September arrived in New York, the city began to simmer with heat, but it remained within a bearable range, overall comfortable and livable.

Seated in his new Rolls-Royce Phantom LWB, Bruce, alongside Fowler Marcos, was meeting a new client. Their understanding of America's political landscape was still vague and lacked a comprehensive, in-depth grasp. Therefore, a professional political consultant was needed.

The guest in front of them, carefully selected from Fowler's extensive network, was a candidate for this somewhat unconventional interview.

"Mr. Lapira, please feel free to drink whatever you like," Bruce offered, setting down his glass of whiskey and taking a deep draw from his cigar, gesturing towards the luxurious bar and fridge in the car.

"Thank you, Mr. Lee. But I'm getting on in years. Although I used to enjoy these indulgences, my body protests now, unable to withstand them," spoke Tim Lapira, a political science professor from James Madison University. Despite being in his sixties, his hair remained jet-black. His face, lined with wrinkles, could not hide his lean and keen demeanor, appearing in excellent condition.

Politics is a technique, and consultancy is a business.

Today, American elections have evolved into highly specialized games, from the presidency to senators and governors. Supporting candidates at all levels is a meticulously divided, astonishingly profitable campaign industry with over 40,000 practitioners.

These professional election experts, known as political consultants, provide candidates and their campaign committees with services including polling analysis, media outreach, direct mailing, fundraising, event and opposition strategy analysis. Their shared characteristic is extensive connections, astuteness, and their professional record measured solely by the number of times they have successfully helped clients clinch victory.

Tim Lapira is one such distinguished figure, having served double-digit numbers of governors and senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties. He knows the electoral situation of each state like the back of his hand and treasures every politician's background, capable of providing genuinely high-level consulting services.

He excels in promoting whatever his patrons pay him to advocate, able to twist arguments in any shape, adept in playing both left and right. Notably, Tim once served as the chief advisor to Bill Clinton.

So, Tim Lapira can be summarized in one sentence—he has no ideological inclination, only pragmatism. It doesn't matter what you advocate or what his own opinions are. He can genuinely split his brain in two, turning away no one.

"That's a shame," Bruce shrugged, watching the other. "So, Mr. Lapira, I believe Fowler has already informed you of my needs. What do you think I should do now?"

"I've heard you've invested a substantial sum in the election, and I believe you've done very well in that regard. We can slowly work on the specifics." Tim Lapira spoke calmly and confidently. "Regarding your current situation, I have two small suggestions, if you're interested?"

"Of course," Bruce nodded. The extravagantly priced car was exceptionally comfortable, feeling stable and quiet even on the bustling streets of New York, an ideal place for discussions, as secluded as it was from the outside world.

"The first suggestion is that after the conventions of both parties, you should consider making appropriate investments in the Republican candidate this time. It's a common practice for big players like yourself, ensuring you never find yourself in the awkward position of a failed investment," Tim Lapira said with a smile, pausing slightly.

This year's Republican National Convention was set in Cleveland, Ohio, two days after the Democratic Convention, on September 12th. On that day, they would nominate their new presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Tim Lapira's suggestion was evidently to bet on both sides, a unique betting method in American elections. Although it raises the cost, it ensures one doesn't lose out due to backing the losing side.

It's almost like cheating, improbable in a real gambling scenario, yet not uncommon in the realm of money-driven elections. Of course, it also illustrates the high return on political investment, with double the input ensuring a return.

"Good, continue," Bruce's interest was piqued, flicking ash off his cigar.

"The second suggestion is that you should start looking for lobbying firms you like," Tim Lapira spoke confidently, evidently well-versed in these matters. Being an expert in studying lobbying and interest group politics, he naturally held ample confidence.

Lobbying isn't just a representative political phenomenon in American congressional politics; it's also an unimaginably vast industry.

When legislators take a break, lobbyists representing various interest groups typically stand in the corridors of Congress, waiting for legislators to enter or leave the chamber, so they can plead their legislative demands. And in Washington, legislators always manage to spare a few minutes from their hectic schedules to chat with visitors. Well-connected lobbyists often appear at lunches and receptions attended by legislators.

In Congress, nearly every topic of discussion has its corresponding interest group. As soon as a bill is introduced, many groups attempt to influence policy decisions and even the agenda itself. Beyond providing legislative advice, these groups actively take measures, hiring "lobbyists" with extensive connections in government to exert influence on government officials and lobby for their clients' interests during the legislative process.

These lobbyists often come from lobbying firms representing the lobbying industry, starting from A Street near the Capitol building and continuing in alphabetical order through K Street, which is precisely ten blocks away from Capitol Hill. This area houses some of the most influential lobbying groups and companies in America.

These professional lobbying firms don't just serve domestic interest groups but also cater to foreign governments, truly embodying the saying, "where there's milk, there's a mother."

In Washington alone, there are over 30,000 full-time and part-time lobbyists. Most of them have previously served in the U.S. federal government or congressional offices, giving them the opportunity to forge relationships with staff from both parties in the White House and Congress, thereby advocating for their clients. This means, on average, each member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives is surrounded by over 60 lobbying consultants.

You can imagine how massive this industry is. Incomplete statistics show that in 2015 alone, various interest groups spent over 3 billion dollars on American lobbying firms. This figure includes not only domestic telecommunications companies like Google, spending tens of millions each year, but also companies with Chinese capital backgrounds such as Cheung Kong Holdings and Huawei.

It's worth noting that all these lobbying activities are legal. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1998, lobbying firms employed by other institutions and paid service fees to influence the decisions of legislative or executive branch personnel. If they reach a certain number of interactions within a short period, these lobbying firms need to obtain a government-issued lobbying license to practice. Licensed companies must regularly report the details of their lobbying projects to the government.

This means that if lobbying activities don't meet the above conditions, they might not even need a license, indicating the vast scope for operation.

"So, what should I do?" Bruce asked, his interest piqued after Tim Lapira briefly but vividly introduced some basic information about lobbying firms.

"From financial and political scholars to ordinary people, everyone likes to discuss how American conglomerates influence politics. Still, few can tell us which companies spend huge sums on lobbying and why they spend so much," Tim Lapira said with a smile. "For most companies, lobbying is a long-term game. If you're prepared for a long-term investment, you might want to find one or a group of lobbying consultants who are adept at seizing the right moment. They can help you establish relationships with policymakers and institutional representatives, including Congress and the White House. When something that might affect your business plans occurs, they can take swift and accurate action."

"Thank you, Tim. It looks like we'll have a long-term collaboration. Fowler will coordinate with you on the specifics," Bruce said, a satisfied smile on his face as he shook hands with the older man.

"Mr. Lee, you won't regret this decision," Tim Lapira said calmly, checking his surroundings and preparing to leave the car.

"Aren't you going to discuss your fee?" Bruce asked.

"I've always believed that as long as you fully demonstrate your value, you will surely reap the rewards," Tim Lapira laughed heartily, revealing a shrewd and cunning expression.

"It seems I couldn't agree more," Bruce laughed, signaling Gus in the front seat to use the intercom to instruct the driver on the other side to stop the car. He then watched the old man step out briskly and disappear into the crowd.

"This is a skilled hunter; we need to keep a close eye," Bruce remarked, watching Tim Lapira's retreating figure. "We need to personally vet each lobbying consultant, keep a tight grip on them, ensuring they work diligently and don't bite the hand that feeds them."

"I understand. I'll keep a watchful eye," Fowler said, his eyes gleaming coldly, evidently resolute.

The luxurious car continued its smooth journey through the streets, heading towards Bruce's ultimate destination for this trip.