America: My Time

Chapter 1300 The Calculations Behind the Split and Integration

Chapter 1290 The Calculations Behind the Split and Integration

John knew perfectly well how many people were plotting against Lancelot, even though he wasn't in the US. After all, he had been the one driving many of these events. His reaction this time, along with Morgan's counterattack, had cost Lancelot and Donkey dearly. John wasn't worried about being plotted against himself; he was worried about Allen, since Allen was the one most likely to be schemed against.

Why didn't John avoid talking about it from others? Because there was no need. Women like Naoko and Lee Boo-jin are well aware of the madness of high society, and Lee Boo-jin knows exactly how crazy South Korea is right now. Compared to that, Japan is a little better. As for the entertainment industry, it's even more so. You can't expect to get anything without putting in the effort.

At this point, Allen was beginning to understand the subtle hint John was hinting at in his words. In the US, many things could become hidden dangers, but in Japan, everything was completely different. In the US, those cunning and treacherous individuals would act with impunity and break the rules, but in Japan, there were far fewer such concerns. After all, the Japanese weren't as concerned about these things. Japan's openness in this regard was far more extreme than that of Europe and America; it's just that they were much better at keeping it secret, preventing it from escalating into the open!

Smith realized at this point that the matter must involve serious issues, otherwise John wouldn't have been so cautious and wouldn't have pressed for more information. People in the United States had already begun to make arrangements, and even John had to be careful. It seemed that President Richardson was really going to have to pay a heavy price.

"John, when do you think Oil Pacific Capital will make another move? Will it be after the New Year?" Smith also had some concerns and reservations about the Asian financial crisis. After all, because of John, many people were eyeing him, and he had no way to refuse them.

"This is inevitable. Otherwise, why do you think these guys would be so eager to trade with me and let me acquire these assets? I believe they will make another move, and the situation will be even more chaotic. After all, they have had more time to prepare and are also imposing many restrictions on me. Before they can act, they will definitely force the Europeans to complete the transaction."

As he said this, a faint, cold smile appeared on John's face. Although these guys' schemes had caught him off guard, they wouldn't have a significant impact on him. These guys had no idea how astonishing their contingency plans were over the years, or how insane their hidden assets were!
Most importantly, these guys don't understand Standard Chartered Bank's situation, nor do they realize how impressive their network is across Asia. John's assets in Asia over the past decade are far more than what they see; there are still considerable hidden assets, especially in the banking sector.

John believes that the new year will be the craziest time for those guys, and it will plunge the whole of Asia into an even crazier crisis. After all, these guys already have more 'ammunition' in their hands. Their previous harvesting war was very profitable. If they strike again and attack the weaknesses of Asian countries, they can naturally get even more benefits!

Seeing Smith's thoughtful expression and Lee Boo-jin's worried look, John shook his head and said, "Dad, don't get involved in this matter. Refuse any advice from anyone. And if anyone asks you questions, don't give them any answers. There are quite a few people watching us right now."

"John, if they make another move, you still have the energy to deal with it. The situation in Japan isn't over yet, and the same goes for South Korea. There are also many things happening in the US, and even in Europe, there are issues that need to be addressed. How will you handle them?"

Upon hearing this, John smiled calmly and said, "That's why I'm splitting and consolidating again. If I don't do this, the problems I face will be even more serious. Only by reassuring these guys will they continue to act, and only then can I more easily complete the split and consolidation. They have their calculations, and I have mine. You don't think that the previous split and consolidation was really without any problems, or that no one will cause me trouble in the future, after all, I transferred a lot of assets!"

"Are there still problems with your previous plans?" At this moment, Smith's expression became serious, and a faint unease appeared in his eyes. If someone were to settle scores with him later, it would not be good for John, nor would it be good for the Bayard family!

"Yes, if those guys are determined, they will definitely find out the problem, after all, the amount of assets I transferred is huge. And don't forget that I've really fallen out with Donald. While Leighton was in power, they didn't dare to make a move, but it's not certain when someone else comes to power. This time I've really offended Donald to the death, so as long as they come back to power, they will definitely target me. Do you think I wouldn't make better arrangements and more preparations! One split and consolidation might leave some clues, but doing it again can eliminate all the previous hidden dangers. Moreover, Morgan, Rockefeller and those old guys will cooperate with me, as will those guys at the Federal Reserve. This is another reason why I gave up 'Dream World' and 'Nvidia,' and one of the reasons why I accepted their 'goodwill'!"

"But this will plunge your businesses into even greater chaos, and it might not even recover for a year or two. Is it worth it? Even if you have concerns, there's no need to do this. You can simply transfer the funds to your family foundation and charitable foundation. Even if those guys have ideas, it won't matter!"

"No, it seems like a good choice, but it would put me in a more passive position. Doing so would give those old guys more opportunities, and even give them a chance to erode my assets. In comparison, offshore funds, combined with family funds and charitable foundations, are the best and safest choice. Even if there is a period of chaos, it's nothing. I can afford this loss. Most importantly, after the split, everything from the past will be wiped out. Morgan, Rockefeller, and the Federal Reserve will all help me."

This wasn't just something John said casually; it was the condition John agreed to settle with Morgan this time. It was the condition he received in exchange for giving up 'Dreamworld' and 'Nvidia,' as well as what Donkey and Laugh Tale had done.

Another split and consolidation will naturally disrupt everything and affect John's development. Even if some are unwilling to accept it, they have no choice but to agree, after all, it's a decision made by the American conglomerates. Anyone who dares to oppose it is an enemy of the conglomerates. Not to mention Lexington and the White House, even if you add oilfield capital, they wouldn't dare to oppose it. Human greed knows no bounds. Under the lure of such enormous profits and with John's development hindered, how could those old guys in the US disagree? Even if they only give John a loophole, what's a little extra benefit if they get everything they want? Moreover, this deal offers them even more advantages.

"Is this the reason you spun East West Bank off from Chengxin Bank this time?"

John nodded and said, "That's right, that's one reason. The current Chengxin Bank is too powerful, making those old guys uneasy. So it's better to split East West Bank off; this weakens its strength, putting those old guys at ease, and allowing Oilfield Capital to operate with peace of mind. Otherwise, they'll fear I'll undermine them and target them. You don't think those Wall Street bastards are unguarded. Standard Chartered Bank alone has already made them uneasy; if Chengxin Bank continues to expand, do you think they'll be at ease, especially at this time!"

Hearing this, Smith understood somewhat. A powerful and reputable bank like Standard Chartered Bank frightened those old guys, making them worry that John might deliver a fatal blow to them in the US at a crucial moment. American financial groups had such concerns, and even the Federal Reserve had such concerns. Similarly, the Europeans were also afraid, after all, Standard Chartered Bank was even more powerful.

"Does Standard Chartered Bank also need to be split up?" At this moment, Smith frowned slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes!
"That's right. Standard Chartered Bank will also be split up next, as will Barings Bank and those banks in the UK. Standard Chartered's assets in the UK will return to normal, and all the acquired banks will be spun off. A strong Standard Chartered will make those guys uneasy. This is just the beginning. Crédit Agricole in France will also be spun off to become a European asset management company!"

"Hiss!" Everyone gasped. John's words made them feel an incredibly crazy atmosphere. It was too terrifying for them to believe. If this split were to be completed, Standard Chartered Bank's assets in Europe would be reduced by more than half, which would be a huge blow to its vitality!

“John, do you know what you’re doing? Isn’t this crazy?” Smith’s eyes revealed even more unease; John’s decision worried him immensely. If it were just the sale of 'Dreamworld' and 'Nvidia,' he could accept it and gradually understand it, but such a split in the banking sector was something he couldn’t comprehend.

"Crazy? It is indeed a bit too crazy, but how can those old guys be at ease if we're not crazy? How can we grow and expand so quickly if we're not crazy? Short-term gains and losses are not important; what I want are long-term benefits! Crédit Agricole will control a portion of European asset management outside of the UK, and Barings Bank will control a portion of British asset management. After this Asian financial crisis, Hurricane Investment will also transform into an asset management company and control a portion of US asset management! Other assets in Asia will be partially managed by Standard Chartered Bank. As for the assets in Japan, some will be partially managed by Shinsei Bank. As for South Korea, John is also prepared; First Bank in South Korea will also be used to manage South Korean assets."

There's one more thing John didn't mention: the development of East West Bank, the development of Integrity Bank, and his own hidden banks in Europe will all silently absorb a portion of their assets for management. This frantic splitting and consolidation will erase all traces of John's previous asset splitting efforts.

Of course, the cost is also high. Such a frantic split will cause short-term chaos and lead to losses, but John doesn't care. There are gains for every losses. With this split, those old guys will be even less aware of John's assets and the situation of the major banks. The chaos is just the surface; more importantly, it's preparation for the next financial crisis and for the next expansion.

"John, if you do this, Standard Chartered Bank and Sinotrans Bank will be severely damaged. Aren't you worried that they might collapse?"

"No, I'm not worried, because the Asian financial crisis was the best way to resolve the crisis. All those losses can be recovered from the Asian financial crisis, so I can still bear this loss! It's a win-win situation for everyone. What I'm doing will put everyone at ease and reassure them. After the split, Standard Chartered's headquarters will not remain in the UK, but will be moved to Hong Kong. The assets in the UK and Europe will simply remain as they are."

"Will the British agree to your arrangement?" Smith asked with concern upon hearing John's words. This was a bank, and a multinational one at that. How could the British accept such an outcome?

"Yes, they will definitely accept it. After all, it's good for everyone. Standard Chartered Bank has changed its nature, but the British assets haven't been touched; they've simply been transferred to Barings Bank. What reason do they have not to accept it? Besides, it's beneficial for them, and they don't want to see Standard Chartered Bank become powerful. The Europeans will choose to ignore this and tacitly cooperate with everything I do, since this is exactly what they want to see!"

John's words made Smith nod. For those people, whether in the US or Europe, they preferred to see a John with limited power, a conglomerate in disarray, rather than an overwhelmingly powerful one. Although John had always been a member of the American conglomerate, he hadn't truly transformed into one. This time, however, John was transforming into a conglomerate, and into one that was becoming increasingly ruthless and terrifying.

Once John gets moving, those old fogies will quickly understand his intentions and the real story behind this restructuring. They'll also welcome this outcome; no one will dare to interfere with John at this time or under these circumstances, or even hinder his plans. This is why John dares to stay in the capital—everything is progressing as he expected, and there's no need for further action!
(End of this chapter)