Chapter 213: Wool

Many promotional games and contests have come and gone: card games, computer game lotteries, New Year collections, mobile phone picture collections, and red envelope games. There's always a catch—some words or images are almost impossible to collect. Why? Because event companies don't want to give away too much money. If everyone easily won big prizes, the cost would be astronomical.

Penguin and other companies can't tolerate the financial strain.

The simplest method is to limit the availability of certain words or images.

Hardy observed Coca-Cola's promotional strategy and knew what they were up to. For an average person, there would be no way to counteract such tactics. But Hardy isn't just anyone; he's Jon Hardy.

Play dirty.

Why discuss rules with an opponent? Why reason with someone who doesn't follow them?

Seeing that Walter Mack didn't fully understand, Hardy explained:

"It's quite simple. If 12 bottle caps can be exchanged for 1 U.S. dollar, and Coca-Cola sold around five to six billion bottles last year, do the math. If the patterns were evenly distributed, they'd have to spend around forty to fifty million dollars in prizes."

Walter Mack's eyes widened. "So, Coca-Cola would spend five cents per bottle. With that volume, it's not enough to cover the prize redemption."

"Exactly," Hardy said with a smile. "They'll control the number of the two constellations to limit the number of prizes. Do you know what we should do?"

Walter Mack's excitement grew. "We should expose Coca-Cola's scheme. Once the public realizes they're being deceived, their reputation will suffer, and their sales will drop."

Hardy shook his head. "That's not enough. Even if we expose them, Coca-Cola will simply explain it away, and people will eventually accept it. Their sales will still overshadow ours."

"I have a better plan. We can use this issue to make Coca-Cola suffer a significant loss. We'll force them to cancel their reward redemption activity, damaging their reputation severely. This will give Pepsi a golden opportunity to catch up."

Walter Mack looked at Hardy in surprise. "Can we really make Coca-Cola suffer and force them to cancel the redemption?"

"Yes," Hardy assured him. "I'll handle it. You just focus on production and sales, and prepare for a potential surge in demand. Consider expanding our production base."

Walter Mack nodded, understanding Hardy's intent. "I'll do my part, Mr. Hardy."

After Walter Mack left, Hardy called Bill.

Bill's life had been thriving lately. As the boss of the Los Angeles underworld, he managed over a thousand people and numerous businesses, earning millions annually.

When Bill saw Hardy, he greeted him respectfully. "Boss, what can I do for you?"

Hardy poured a glass of wine for Bill. "I hear you've been enjoying yourself recently. Is it true you've been seeing a celebrity?"

Bill chuckled. "Kristin Tina. She was a child star and did a few movies, though she's done less acting as she's gotten older. We met her at a cocktail party and became friends."

"I know Christine Tina. She's worked with Elizabeth Taylor before. Is she of age?" Hardy asked.

"She's 18 now," Bill said quickly.

"That Christine is short. I thought she was under 18," Hardy commented.

"Well, you know, I like shorter girls. They're cuter," Bill said with a grin.

"As long as she's of age, don't break the law," Hardy said.

"I've always been a law-abiding citizen," Bill replied with a laugh.

"Actually, Christine hasn't had much work in the past two years. I'm considering investing in a movie for her. Can you help with that?" Bill asked, looking anxious.

"Sure," Hardy agreed.

Spending money to support women was something Hardy had done before. Since Bill was using his own money, Hardy saw no reason to stop him.

Bill smiled. "Boss, I know you're good with movies. What kind of project would suit her? Do you have a suitable script?"

Hardy thought for a moment. "You might want to invest in a TV series instead. TV series are becoming increasingly popular, and it might be better for her career to become a TV star."

"Here's an idea: invest in HD Pictures to get a script and make Christine the lead. Even if the show isn't a blockbuster, it will still generate income from TV broadcasts. Plus, you can use the revenue to launder money at the casino. What do you think?"

Bill nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great. I'll invest in a TV series and discuss it with Edward."

Currently, a TV series called "Fairy Wife" was airing on ABC TV. The lead actress, once an unknown, had gained significant fame.

"By the way, what else do you need from me?" Bill asked.

"There are two things. First, I plan to take down the Mafia's Selton family in San Francisco and establish our dominance there," Hardy said.

Bill became serious. "I've been gathering information about the Selton family. They control a few blocks in the peninsula and East Bay. The gang scene in San Francisco is even more chaotic than in Los Angeles, with various groups including the Tang Gang, Mafia, Latino Gang, Russian Gang, Brazilian Gang, and several smaller gangs."

"The Selton family is one of the top families in San Francisco, alongside the Tang Gang. The Mexicans are fragmented into three groups, often competing with each other. There are four or five Latino gangs and numerous other gangs, making the situation very chaotic."

Hardy nodded. As the original largest city on the west coast, San Francisco's complex power dynamics were to be expected.

"I've had Henry and the others search for the Selton family patriarch. Henry recently discovered that he's been hiding in a private estate in Florence, Italy," Hardy said.

"What's your plan? Should we send someone to kill him?" Bill asked.

Hardy shook his head. "That would be too obvious. I'll have Henry report the location to the FBI. They'll notify the Italian police, who might let him slip through. Meanwhile, we'll discreetly inform the FBI of his location. Do you think they'll be at odds with each other?"

"Definitely," Bill agreed.

Hardy continued, "Regardless of whether the Selton family patriarch is killed, there will be chaos in San Francisco. We'll have our security company work with the police to arrest the Selton family under the guise of maintaining order. At the right moment, we'll seize their territory, and the Selton family will be no more."

Bill was excited. "The boss's plan is brilliant. If they don't go down this way, it will only show they have extraordinary luck."

"Also, contact the Tang Gang in advance. We have a good relationship with them in Los Angeles. We don't want any misunderstandings in San Francisco. Business cooperation should remain possible," Hardy said.

"I understand, boss," Bill replied. As long as the Tang Gang didn't interfere with the Los Angeles company's expansion, other smaller gangs would be deterred. With time, the Los Angeles Gang would establish its foothold in San Francisco.

"Will there be any reactions from other Mafia families?" Bill asked.

"I anticipate that the Selton family has ties with the Basini and Tataquilia families. The 'Venetian' casinos of other Mafia families are under construction. This will be a test of the Mafia Committee's reaction and the response from other families," Hardy said with a smirk.

Bill looked at Hardy, impressed by his deep thinking. "You're always so strategic. Aren't you worried about becoming overly stressed?"

Hardy's gaze fixed on Bill. "What's that look?"

Bill quickly forced a grin.

"Oh, and there's one more thing: a money-making opportunity for you," Hardy said.

Bill's interest was piqued. "What's the business?"

"Wool."

Bill was puzzled. "What does wool have to do with anything?"

Hardy picked up a Coca-Cola bottle cap from the table. "Coca-Cola recently launched a promotion where bottle caps can be exchanged for prizes."

Bill examined the bottle cap with interest. "I saw the ad. It says 12 caps can be redeemed for 1 dollar. I have a guy who collects these caps obsessively. He just puts aside every bottle cap he comes across."

"That guy doesn't need the money, but he enjoys collecting," Hardy noted.

"Have you spotted an opportunity here?" Hardy asked.

"What opportunity?" Bill wondered, not seeing the potential.

"A bottle of Coke costs 5 cents, so 12 bottles amount to 60 cents. With 12 caps, you get 1 dollar. Do you think Coca-Cola is losing money?"

Bill considered this and agreed.

"Exactly. Coca-Cola won't lose money," Hardy said. "But there's a trick. Coca-Cola claims all 12 constellations can be exchanged for 1 dollar, but there are very few patterns. They control the number of these constellations to limit the number of rewards."

Bill's eyes lit up with realization. "Boss, making bottle caps is simple. We could set up a factory to produce the limited-edition bottle caps and sell them. This could be very profitable."

"Not just in Los Angeles, but across other cities as well. We could wholesale them to local gangs. With enough volume, this business will definitely make money," Bill said excitedly.

"Precisely. The Los Angeles company will stay out of it, but we'll secretly wholesale. Local punks in other cities can handle the rest," Hardy instructed.

"Got it. I'll arrange for someone to make bottle caps—10 million each of Gemini and Maiden. We'll shut down production after that and distribute the caps across major cities in the U.S. in about half

 a month," Bill said.

"You'll be well-paid. After all, you're contributing to our cause. The more caps we sell, the more we'll make," Hardy said.

Bill's eyes shone with determination. "I'll get started right away."

As Hardy watched Bill leave, he knew that they would soon be making a substantial profit.