America: My Time

Chapter 167 Confrontation
Chapter 167 Clash

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

“The boss is right. I’ve confirmed it, and I’ve also asked Morgan. They both admit it’s true. Rockefeller and his team have completed their work on Sikorsky, and we’re ready to take over anytime we’re willing!”

“It seems they’re trying to force me, afraid I’ll back out, which is why they’re in such a hurry to sell Sikorsky. Or maybe they have a deeper scheme. Have they contacted the Japanese bank yet? What did they say? Do they have any objections to this loan?” At this moment, John’s expression became even more serious.

"Boss, that's what Morgan said too. This time, the Sikorsky deal wasn't just Rockefeller's effort, but their combined efforts that made it pass so quickly. They're pushing really hard, and Morgan says they can't do anything about it! In Japan, Mitsubishi Bank, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, and Mitsui Bank have all said they can cover the funding needed for the Sikorsky acquisition."

"Mitsubishi Bank!" He didn't want to concentrate too many loans in the hands of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank and Mitsui Bank, so he chose Mitsubishi Bank, which he had just been in contact with. Mitsubishi Bank was backed by the Mitsubishi Group, and it was worth winning them over. If Mitsubishi also participated in this financing, he wouldn't have to worry about the stock price.

Plans can change in an instant. I originally thought that Rockefeller would not be able to reach an agreement with Sikorsky quickly, but it seems that I was wrong. The other party had already seen through me, and they may have reached an agreement with Sikorsky when they notified Hurricane Investment. They were just waiting for my reply.

"This incident must be remembered. This time it turned out for the better, but it might not be the same next time. When venturing into new industries, we must be cautious and careful, and we must never make the same mistake again!" It has to be said that John felt very heavy-hearted after seeing this fax. His opponent had truly seen through his plan and knew that he couldn't resist the temptation of Sikorsky. This mistake must never happen again.

"Explain our difficulties to Mitsui and Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, and then inquire with Mitsubishi Bank to see if they can send someone to Shanghai to discuss the Sikorsky acquisition!"

John paused briefly, then continued, “Tell Rockefeller that I haven’t finished dealing with things in China and can’t return to the US anytime soon. If they’re not in a rush, give me two more months to settle things in Asia before returning to the US to sign the contract. If they really can’t wait, they can come to Shanghai and we can sign the contract in China. Contact my father and have him look into Sikorsky’s situation and notify the think tank team to conduct a detailed assessment of Sikorsky.”

John was well aware that his opponents were still testing him. The more this was the case, the less he could afford to be hasty, to be led by the nose, or to fall into their trap. As long as he remained calm, everything would be fine. On the contrary, if he panicked, serious problems would arise, and those bastards from Rockefeller might even sabotage him in the Sikorsky affair.

This is a test of patience. Whoever gets impatient first will be on the defensive. Although I attach great importance to the acquisition of Sikorsky, the more so, the more I must restrain myself. Even if my competitors have figured out that I need Sikorsky, as long as I don't appear too eager, everything remains under my control. I am the acquirer. No matter how good the bait, as long as I don't take the bait, they can't do anything to me. I absolutely cannot relinquish the initiative to them!
"Boss, shall we continue this afternoon?"

John knew what his secretary was thinking and calmly said, "Continue. This matter can't be resolved in a short time. We're not in a hurry; we have plenty of time. Sikorsky isn't as tempting as we imagine; we don't absolutely need it. The investment in China is the most important thing. If Rockefeller and the others can't wait, they can come to China and talk to us. There's no need for us to rush back!"

This is a confrontation, a confrontation with Rockefeller and his team, and even Morgan. The more this is the case, the more calm I need to be. As long as I don't panic, everything is under control. No matter what the other side is up to, as long as there is no deal, anything is possible.

"Let's go eat. We'll continue after we eat. You don't need to be nervous. Just do what you need to do. There's no need to worry too much. It's not us who are in a hurry right now, it's them. They came to us of their own accord, not us who have to beg them!"

John was confident about this matter. At most, he would only lose an opportunity to acquire Sikorsky. Although it would have some impact on him, it wouldn't be too serious. It was different for Rockefeller. They were a team. If the deal failed, even Rockefeller would have to pay a price. Moreover, he was also deciding when to raise funds for Dreamworld and Nvidia. So the initiative was always in his own hands!

Not everyone possesses John's confidence; at least, his secretaries lack it. To them, John was Rockefeller, a financial magnate in the United States. Such a response seemed arrogant enough, but it was their boss's decision, and they couldn't change it; they could only obey. Compared to the unease of his secretarial team, the people accompanying John were even more nervous. They needed to relay this information back—this was no small matter, but a momentous one. Although these people didn't know what Sikorsky was, they knew Rockefeller, one of the financial giants of the United States!

Why were Rockefeller and his ilk in such a hurry to hand Sikorsky over to John? Didn't they know Sikorsky's importance? They did, but they were more concerned with money and their own calculations. Selling Sikorsky would generate transaction fees. After all, Sikorsky was a company that produced both military and civilian helicopters, so it couldn't be truly privatized. Even if John acquired it completely, it would eventually go public, bringing profits. Not to mention, it would force John to expedite the IPOs of Dreamworld and Nvidia. These numerous interests were what made them so eager. They saw Morgan's gains and were so tempted, hence their scheming! Of course, what other calculations were hidden behind the scenes, only they themselves knew.

After lunch, John's secretarial team dispersed to handle the various matters that had been previously handled. Only Naoko and her entourage remained with him. Upon returning to the antique shop, the staff had been waiting for a long time, as they did not have much time to eat.
The afternoon selection was much easier than the morning selection. The antique shop was well-prepared, having chosen all the suitable pieces and displayed them for John to see. Unfortunately, time was a bit short, and the antique shop could only prepare a limited number of items, though the quantity was still astonishing. The five million cash check issued in the morning was not enough, and in the end, they had to issue another cash check for over a million.

If he could wait a few more days, the antique shop could prepare more stock. However, John wouldn't have much time to focus on antiques anymore, as he needed to deal with Sikorsky's acquisition attempt! Although the sudden acquisition disrupted his plans, the opportunity was right in front of him, and he couldn't let it slip away.

Back at the hotel that evening, the secretarial team was already waiting and had contacted all parties. Regarding Japan, Mitsubishi Bank, upon learning of John's tight schedule, immediately agreed to send professionals to Shanghai to discuss the loan with him; this was an acquisition of Sikorsky, and the risk was virtually nonexistent.

When Rockefeller learned that John didn't have time to return to the United States, a shadow fell over their hearts. Why? They were puzzled. Why couldn't John spare even this little bit of time when he was clearly interested in Sikorsky? Was he really that busy, or did he have other plans?

"Gentlemen, do you think there's something wrong with this? I have a feeling something's not right. Although we all know that John, that rascal, has made big investments in China, it's impossible that he can't spare any time. This is Sikorsky, what do you think he's thinking?"

"I think he's testing our patience. Those bastards Morgan might have told this kid about what happened between us before. He's deliberately getting revenge on us and trying to embarrass us!"

"No, impossible. Although John is young and impetuous, he would never do such a thing. I would believe it if he wanted to test our patience, but it's impossible for him to deliberately stay in China and make us go there to discuss cooperation with him just to embarrass us. He's not that stupid. If he were, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today!"

"Perhaps he sensed our scheme, realized his own shortcomings, and didn't want to be led by the nose by us!"

"If that's the case, does he really not care about Sikorsky? Anything can happen in two months. Is the investment in Asia really that important? Could there be other problems, or is this kid just stalling for time?"

"Delaying time? Although the current economic climate is not ideal, Sikorsky is not in that category, and if it were to be sold, many companies would be willing to take it over. I really can't understand why he would do this!"

“I think it’s really because he can’t leave. His investments in China are huge, ranging from automobiles to semiconductors, as well as food and clothing. If he just lets go of such a large investment, I wouldn’t feel at ease either. Naturally, I would keep an eye on things in China and let go only when everything is on track. Besides, we’re the ones who took the initiative to approach him!”

(End of this chapter)