Chapter 318: Assembling Armors and Weapons for Entry into Japan

The Hardy supermarket chain's Hollywood store has opened with great success. In fact, two additional stores in Los Angeles and two in San Francisco are also set to open within the next month or two. This expansion marks only the beginning. Hardy's plan is to use these initial stores to train the management and logistics teams for the supermarket chain.

Once this experience is refined, the Hardy Group will leverage its substantial capital to rapidly expand the supermarket chain across the United States. In the future, the Hardy chain could rival major players like Costco, Trader Joe's, Kroger, Kmart, and Albertsons, all of which collectively number between 5,000 and 6,000 stores.

Hardy has another strategy in mind: instead of renting locations, he intends to purchase land and build the supermarkets himself. This not only eliminates rental costs but also serves as a land investment. As the supermarkets grow, they will offer additional services, such as KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Panda Express. These can initially be part of the supermarkets and later be spun off into separate brands, expanding across the U.S. and globally.

The future will see these fast-food giants become Fortune 500 companies, even though they have not yet emerged.

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A few days later, Hardy conducted inspections of all his industries in Los Angeles, much like a lion surveying its territory. Regular inspections are necessary to ensure that everyone remains diligent and committed. Lack of ambition is a corporate taboo.

At HD Security, Hardy listened to Lanster's report. Over the past four months, HD Security has expanded beyond California, entering other cities and establishing a strong presence with the help of local criminal families that have ties with the Hardy Group. The primary clients are banks, as traditional gangster activities like robbery are becoming less profitable and less desirable compared to legitimate business ventures.

The security company has worked closely with these local gangs to prevent robberies. If a robbery is attempted, the gangs provide intelligence, and HD Security coordinates with local police to carry out effective crackdowns. This has led to a smooth expansion of the business.

The focus is also on defense companies. "The base is still under construction and will be completed in about six months. For now, we are using civilian ports for warships and buying oil at premium prices," Lanster reported. "We've approached several shipping companies to promote our security services, but only those within the group are willing to cooperate. The others find our rates too high."

Hardy responded with a smile, "Don't worry, this is just a developmental phase. We'll support our shipping company's income to sustain base operations. As other companies face issues, they will eventually turn to us for our services."

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Next, Hardy visited the film company, where Edward updated him on the progress of the film, brokerage, and record companies. Hardy Films has been focused on producing high-quality films rather than a high quantity. Currently, the company has "Red Dead Redemption," "This Killer Is Not So Cold," "Human and Ghosts Are Not Ending," "Across the World," and "Song in the Rain" in its lineup. An animated live-action film, "Beauty and the Beast," starring Taylor, is in post-production.

Edward mentioned that "Enthusiasm" is in preparation, with suitable directors and actors available. Hardy advised selecting carefully to ensure the film becomes a classic and hopes Monroe can become an instant hit.

Hardy then shared a new story idea about an archaeology professor named Indiana Jones who aids the U.S. Army in breaking a German code and searching for treasure. He handed Edward a brief story outline. Edward agreed that it would make a great film or TV series and suggested Clint Eastwood for the role of Indiana Jones.

The two agreed on the direction for the project.

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Hardy then visited other companies, including the TV factory, Hardy Mining Company, toy factory, Marvel Corporation, airline company, Global Times headquarters, and ABC TV station. He then flew to San Francisco for a crucial meeting with Giannini, the president of the Bank of America California Consortium.

During their lunch, Hardy shared his investment plans for Hong Kong and Japan. Giannini expressed concerns about Japan, given its history and current economic challenges. Hardy explained that Japan's complete industrial system and the impact of post-war economic sanctions present a unique investment opportunity. With the growing Cold War tensions, he believes the U.S. government will soon deregulate Japan, leading to economic recovery.

Giannini was impressed by Hardy's strategic thinking and agreed to support the idea. Hardy also proposed involving other consortia, like Rockefeller and Morgan, to strengthen the investment effort.

Japan, with its strong local consortia and large population, offers significant potential. By involving multiple American consortia, Hardy aims to create a powerful synergy that will enable him to dominate the market and prevent future challenges from local competitors.

Hardy's plan is to equip himself with the right resources and partners, enhancing his competitive edge in the market.