Chapter 1418: The FBI steps in

As the only one of the four major grain merchants of later generations to be established only in the twentieth century, ADM's growth has been inseparable from Duane Andreas.

Although ADM grew rapidly over the 67 years between 1902 and 1969, it was only good, not great, following business logic.

It was not until 1970 that ADM's total assets reached just 450 million US dollars.

The year 1970 was a watershed.

That was the year Duane Andreas, through a series of measures, took a strong position in ADM, and ADM then entered the fast lane of development.

Because Duane Andreas deeply understood the rationale behind 'combining politics and business to develop a company', in 1948, at the age of thirty, he generously invested in Hubert Humphrey, who was then short of money, to support him in his campaign for Senate.

With his strong support, Hubert Humphrey got through the most difficult period and became more and more successful. With the support of more capital, he rose higher and higher in the political arena, and even served as the 38th Vice President of the United States from 1965 to 1969.

After Duane Andreas joined ADM in 1970, he immediately sought help from Hubert Humphrey, who had continued to serve as a senator after losing the presidential election.

Hubert Humphrey was a good friend of Duane Andreas, and used his power to push for the government to enact laws to support the development of the sugar industry on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Duane Andreas, on the other hand, had already achieved great success in investing in high-sugar corn products before that.

The combination of power and capital was once again a success.

Duane Andreas began to lead ADM on a big leap forward, using his power to boost the company's development time and time again.

Fifteen years later.

ADM's total assets reached 4.579 billion US dollars, ten times what they were fifteen years ago!

Of course, ADM's achievements could have been even higher, but unfortunately 'the political charmer' Hubert Humphrey died unexpectedly of illness in 1978, depriving Duane Andrews of his greatest help.

Even though he continued to save and re-establish relationships afterwards, they were not as good as those when Hubert Humphrey was still around.

After all, Hubert Humphrey was supported by him when he was down and out. How can a relationship shaped by helping someone in need be comparable to one that is just icing on the cake?

What's more, not just anyone can reach the heights of Hubert Humphrey. To invest in the right person, you need not only outstanding vision, but also a huge dose of luck.

So after Hubert Humphrey's death in 1978, the growth of ADM slowed down somewhat.

However, its momentum for development is still among the fiercest.

This is related to the style of doing things he has cultivated over the decades.

He is a true capitalist who will stop at nothing for profit and repeatedly trample on the law.

In capitalist America, the government itself serves the interests of capital. As long as there is enough capital, the law can be repeatedly stepped on and ground into the ground. Countless lawyers, lured by the allure of green US dollars, will do their utmost to make the law riddled with loopholes!

In the United States, the only people who can suppress the capitalists are even more powerful capitalists!

...

After receiving Xia Yu's order,

Peter Lynch immediately gathered a think tank to formulate a linchpin plan.

And after the linchpin plan was complete, he intended to give Duane Andres one last chance to turn back!

ADM headquarters.

The acquisition team once again arrived at Duane Andres' office.

The head of the acquisition team, Stanford Rex, came straight to the point: 'Mr. Andres, you should understand why we are here. 1.36 billion US dollars, transfer all of the 67.9% equity held by your family to us!'

After saying this, Stanford Rex put the prepared acquisition agreement in front of Duane Andres.

However, Duane Andres's face turned cold, and without even looking at it, he pushed the acquisition agreement away and said resolutely, 'Manager Rex, as I said, I will not sell ADM, and we have nothing to talk about!'

After saying this, Duane Andres's heart kept churning. He knew that Stanford Rex was threatening him.

ADM's total assets were 4.579 billion US dollars, of which total liabilities were 2.574 billion US dollars, and net assets were 2.005 billion US dollars.

Last year, ADM's turnover was also 3.823 billion US dollars, and its net profit reached 134 million US dollars.

The price set by Stanford Rex valued ADM at exactly its net asset value!

ADM is a private company, and its financial reports are kept very secret and not released to the public, but Stanford Rex obviously knew about them.

Stanford Rex looked at him deeply without changing his expression, and said again, 'Mr. Andres, we are offering a 20% premium, 1.63 billion US dollars, and this is our final offer.'

'I hope you will think about it.'

'No need to consider it. I won't sell even if you double the premium!' Duane Andres snorted and rejected without hesitation.

'Knock, knock!'

Stanford Rex tapped his fingers on the table and said in a slightly heavier tone, 'Mr Andres, you have been in business for more than 40 years, you should understand very well that assets that can be held in your hands are the only assets that belong to you.'

'We are the ones who have come to you, wanting to be friends.'

'With this money, you can enter other industries, and we are willing to help you. This is a bright path for you.'

After saying this, Stanford Rex paused for a moment. After seeing Duane Andres's wandering eyes, he smiled and said, 'You should understand even more that there are some things that you cannot stop. If they are meant to happen, they will happen.'

Duane Andres' pupils suddenly contracted, and he stared at Stanford Rex, who calmly met his gaze.

A wave of anger rose in Duane Andres' chest, his face changing constantly. Finally, he thought about the 67.9% stake held by the family, and he was not afraid of anyone taking it away, so he hardened his heart and his face instantly turned cold.

'President Rex, I will not sell ADM, and no one can take it away!'

Stanford Rex laughed, stood up slowly, straightened his suit, told his subordinate to hand him a business card, and then lightly dropped a sentence before turning and leaving.

'Sixteen years ago, ADM belonged to the Dennis family, and they must have said at the time that they would never sell.'

With a cold face, Duane Andres watched Stanford Rex leave, and finally couldn't hold back any longer. With anger all over his face, he smashed the pen holder on the table to the ground.

'Bang!'

'Damn it, you threatened me!'

'Your Polaris Consortium is very powerful, but there are others that are more powerful than you. If you push me, the worst that can happen is that I sell the company to another consortium!'

After a few angry words, Duane Andres' anger subsided a little.

But despite what he said, the pressure in his heart did not diminish one bit.

After all, the Polaris Consortium had a formidable reputation. It had participated in the dismemberment of the Chicago Consortium, and had allied with the Mellon Consortium to defeat the Cleveland Consortium.

Compared to the Polaris Consortium, the Andreas family was just a child.

The threat from Stanford Rex must be taken seriously.

After pondering in his office for nearly an hour, Duane Andreas immediately made a phone call, asking his son Darnell Andreas to drop what he was doing and come to his office as soon as possible.

His son Darnell Andres, who was already 45 years old, was his right-hand man and the best member of the family. His position as heir was already unshakable.

He had also worked at ADM for 16 years, and had been the vice president since he joined in 1970.

ADM said that it had grown under his leadership, but it was more like the credit went to the father and son.

Soon, Darnell Andres hurried back.

What Duane Andres had not counted on was that the attack by the Polaris Consortium would not fall on ADM, but on his son Darnell Andres.

Just the next day, the FBI, under the US Department of Justice, entered ADM and arrested 32 employees led by Darnell Andres!

The reason for the arrest was malicious manipulation of food prices!