Reborn in America, I am a legendary short seller on Wall Street.

Chapter 151 An Encounter with Henry Ford
Larry was stunned when he heard the name "Waldorf Astoria Hotel".

I thought to myself, "So this is one of the most famous hotels in American history, the Waldorf Astoria!"

I had just been thinking that the Empire State Building would eventually replace it, and that this building was "unlucky".

Now I realize that the Empire State Building should be proud to be built on the site once occupied by the Waldorf Astoria.

According to Larry's memories from his previous life, the Waldorf Hotel witnessed many important events in American and world history. For example, Li Zhongtang, the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang during the Qing Dynasty, would stay at the hotel when he visited the United States a few years later.

Many famous figures from the United States and the world will stay here in the future.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel will become one of New York's landmarks.

At this thought, a sudden realization struck Larry. He had originally come here to find bargains and hoard land, but he had unexpectedly discovered that this place was actually the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

But if we look at it another way, since this is the world's most luxurious hotel, it will naturally drive up the price of surrounding land and property.

This is currently the most promising prime real estate in New York!

With that in mind, Larry looked around to see if there were any plots of land or properties for sale nearby.

Looking across Fifth Avenue, one could see a low-lying grove of trees, clearly now an extension of a park, without any tall buildings. Besides that, there were several dilapidated-looking buildings nearby, possibly for sale.

Thinking of this, Larry's heart pounded. He thought to himself, if he hadn't suddenly decided to come and see the "original site of the Empire State Building" today, he would never have known that this was the Waldorf Astoria Hotel!

Thank goodness!

If I have money again, I'll look for opportunities around the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, without saying anything else.

If you can buy property, buy property; if you can buy land, hoard land. In short, it's worth spending any amount of money on this place!
.
That night, Larry stayed alone in the hotel, constantly thinking about buying land. However, being unfamiliar with the area, he had no idea how to purchase such land. In addition, New York's property taxes were not cheap, and he would have to leave room for taxes when buying land or property in the future.

Another thing is that when buying land, it's best to request installment payments, which will give you the maximum flexibility.

The thought of buying land in New York stirred Larry's interest again. He felt he had taken a bit too big a step since his rebirth, even going so far as to plan to buy land near the Empire State Building...

This is something I can't think about too much; the more I think about it, the more excited Larry gets.

After thinking for a while, Larry suddenly stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room.

Money, it's all about money!
We still don't have enough money! It's easy to see that even the cheapest land on Fifth Avenue isn't something we can easily acquire.

There are too many rich people in New York, how could it be my turn to buy such a large piece of land?
Fortunately, I don't have many extravagant desires.

Even a small, run-down building near the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, or a half-acre plot of land nearby, would be enough for me!

Real estate is the most complex thing, but if done well, it can be a long-term, fixed income.

Unlike liquid assets like stocks, owning a piece of land or a property in New York City makes everything much easier! Things like bank loans and joining local high-end clubs might not be achievable for someone simply because they're rich, but owning a property on Fifth Avenue is absolutely no problem.

As Larry thought about this, he felt even more strongly that he should discuss it with someone.

I must visit Mr. Porter tomorrow and ask him about how to buy land or property in New York.

In addition, you can now ask Mr. Wallace. He knows that I am interested in New York real estate, and he also has his own experience in buying property.

Thinking of this, Larry couldn't sit still any longer and hurriedly opened the door and walked to Mr. Wallace's suite across the street.

Knock on the door! Knock on the door! Knock hard on the door!
But there was no response from inside.

Larry frowned, took out his gold-cased pocket watch, and saw that it was already past eight o'clock in the evening. Why hadn't Mr. Wallace returned yet?

Where can he go?

Suddenly, Larry froze!

He looked incredulously at Mr. Wallace's door, then suddenly remembered that he had discussed with the four bondholders the night before about going to some Velvet Private Club...

Larry remarked that when Mr. Wallace talked about going to "spend money," he never looked at him, probably because he thought Mr. Wallace was too young. Larry found Mr. Wallace quite ridiculous at the time.

However, now that his premonition has come true, Larry is no longer laughing!
No, why didn't you take me with you when you went out to play?
What Velvet Private Club? I have no idea what kind of place that is!
So, Mr. William Wallace! You should take me to see it!

I've been in America for so long, and I still...

As Larry thought about it, he felt like crying for the first time.

Still somewhat unwilling to give up, Larry knocked on the door again, and with a heavy heart, confirmed that Mr. Wallace was indeed not there.

Looking up at the hotel corridor, Larry suddenly felt as if the world was so vast and he didn't know where to find a Velvet Private Club...

Larry was feeling uneasy, so he wandered to the elevator and took it to the bar area on the first floor of the hotel, hoping to have a drink and a cigar to pass the long night.

The bar area of ​​the Astor Hotel is a coffee shop during the day, and it was originally a private area for hotel guests and Wall Street elites to conduct business negotiations.

Larry arrived early, and there weren't many people in the two rows of booths yet.

"Waiter, what kind of wine do you have? Bring me a glass!"

Larry sat down in the high-backed booth, frowned, and snapped his fingers.

A young waiter in a red vest hurried in, bowed respectfully, and then asked, "Sir, are you a VIP guest of our Astor Hotel?"

Larry didn't say anything, but casually slapped his room key on the ground.

The waiter in the red vest smiled even more brightly when he saw the room key, which was for a suite. "Sir! For the hotel's VIPs, we have specially prepared French cognac and Scotch Highland whisky, which is most suitable for gentlemen to drink in winter. I wonder which one you prefer?"

“I want it strong!” Larry said coldly.

Seeing that the customer was in a bad mood, the waiter in the red vest quickly agreed and left.

Larry looked up at the sky and almost silently hummed a Chinese song from his past life.

"What use is this iron rod to me? What use is this change to me?" After singing it once, Larry sighed softly, thinking to himself, "It's just a glass of whiskey, why is it taking so long!"
Larry was about to stand up and go outside to urge them when he saw a familiar figure flash by in the aisle next to the high-backed booth.

Although the man was just passing by and appeared in Larry's sight for less than 2 seconds, Larry recognized him as Henry Ford!
Larry was stunned. He thought to himself, "Shouldn't Henry Ford be in Boston? How come he's in New York now?"

Could I have misread it?
Larry carefully stood up and peeked out from the booth to see that the person had already walked to the last row of booths.

The figure from behind is indeed Henry Ford!

Moreover, he paused noticeably when he entered the booth, as if he were greeting the people inside.

Larry had a sudden thought and wanted to follow them in to listen to their conversation, but coincidentally, the waiter just happened to come over with a glass of whiskey to serve him!
Drinking in the private booths of the hotel right now isn't like drinking in a bar; it's accompanied by side dishes and even a series of rituals.

Larry thought for a couple of seconds, then quietly instructed the waiter in the red vest, "I want a classic cocktail! Mix it up and bring it to me. Also, once you're done, just put the drink on my table. I'm going to the restroom."

As he spoke, Larry casually pulled out a $20 bill and placed it on the waiter's tray.

Upon seeing the advance payment for the drinks and the tip, the waiter beamed and took the drinks out.

Larry tiptoed over to Henry Ford's booth and strained his ears to hear what the other man was saying.

"Sir, you will absolutely not regret investing in my car project. It's a very mature project. Our prototype car is already finished and sitting in the workshop. In addition, the factory buildings are under construction. This project is both stable and profitable, with no problems whatsoever!" Henry Ford's voice came through the high-backed booth.

Larry was startled, thinking to himself, "Ford, this is not fair! We agreed that you would invest $5000 and technology to own 10000 shares of stock with a par value of $10 each. Why are you looking for other investors now?"

A strange voice came from inside the booth, saying, "But didn't you just say that your car factory was already set up? If I were to invest, why would my name appear on the shareholder list?"

Henry Ford said, “You can have me hold the shares for you for now… wait, don’t rush, let me explain. I told you about this car project two months ago, but at that time there was no progress on the factory, and the technology was not finalized. But things are different now. The factory is confirmed to start production. To be fair, although I will temporarily hold the shares for you, you will gain a great deal of certainty. At least you don’t have to worry about not being able to launch the first models of cars!”

As they were talking, they heard the rustling sound of blueprints being flipped through in the booth next to them.

After a pause of about ten seconds, Henry Ford said,

"This is our first-generation mature model. The final trial assembly has already begun at the assembly plant. The reason I took some time out of my busy schedule to come see you is because you are the most technically savvy investor I've met, and you understand the greatest potential of the automotive industry. Now that I can give you a product that has already been finalized into production drawings, wouldn't that better demonstrate our sincerity?"

After a moment, clearly having carefully examined the blueprints, the man opposite said, "Alright, Mr. Ford, I can accept it if you hold it temporarily, but you'll have to come up with a fair price."

“Fifty thousand dollars! 15% equity!” Ford said decisively.

Upon hearing his offer, Larry gave a silent, cold laugh.

Meanwhile, the man next door who was discussing things with Henry Ford let out a cold snort without any attempt to hide his displeasure.

"Mr. Ford, I feel like you're taking advantage of me! Do you think I'm some kind of idiot from Queens? Or do you think my money grows on trees?"

Hearing that the other party was angry, Mr. Ford quickly explained, "...Mr. Gore, please don't be angry, this is a fair price!"

A series of heavy taps on the table interrupted Henry Ford's speech, before the man's voice continued.

"Henry Ford, don't think you're the only one making cars now. As far as I know, whether it's New York, Pittsburgh, or Detroit, there are already many people inventing cars just like you. What price are they offering? What price are you offering? $5. I could have run a business on my own elsewhere and still get 20% of your stock!"

"But the blueprints for this car already exist..."

“Nothing is acceptable. Let me tell you, I can buy ten similar blueprints from an inventor like you for $50,000!” the other party replied angrily.

Henry Ford paused, and after a moment, he said softly, "...Or you could name a price?"

"Twenty thousand US dollars, 15% of the shares, and I also want it reflected on the roster!"

“No, no way… It’s definitely impossible to be on the shareholder register. The other shareholders don’t know that I’ve been in contact with other investors… Besides, your offer is too low…” Henry Ford’s voice was somewhat panicked.

The man snorted heavily. "That's your problem... You've already finalized the factory shares with someone else, and you're still looking for investors. If I were your partner, I would be disappointed, Mr. Ford!"

Henry Ford paused for a good ten seconds before muttering, "Or you could name a more reasonable price..."

“Thirty thousand dollars for 20% of the shares. I can keep you out of the shareholder list and have you hold the shares on my behalf, but we need to sign a contract, and I need a lawyer to notarize it!”

After a moment, Henry said, "...No, Mr. Gore, you haven't said enough!"

The man stood up impatiently, and Larry could hear his footsteps as he walked away...

Immediately afterward, Henry Ford's voice of obstruction and apologetic laughter came from across the booth.

After a long pause, the person's voice returned.

Henry Ford sighed softly, as if making a decision, and said, "Then it's as you said, $3 for 20% equity!"

The man snorted and muttered, "I'll have a lawyer sign the nominee shareholding agreement and get a notary to certify it."

After saying this, the two began to discuss the details of the nominee shareholding agreement. Ford promised that as long as Ford Motor Company could transfer its shares, it would immediately register the other party's name on the shareholder register.

The two discussed for another ten minutes or so before the man named Gore finally left the booth, satisfied.

Larry saw a tall, burly man walk out of the corridor.

But Henry Ford next door remained silent. From the high-backed booth came the rustling sound of blueprints being rolled up. After a while, Henry Ford finally spoke, muttering angrily.

"If it weren't for the fact that I have to pay up the capital next Monday, I wouldn't have been able to come up with that $5000. Otherwise, how could you, you damn guy, have gotten away with this?"

As he spoke, Henry Ford stood up and walked out of the booth.

Larry smiled and silently walked back to his booth.

There, a large glass of "classic cocktail" was already prepared and placed on the table. It was made with highland whiskey, sugar, bitters, and orange peel.

In addition, there was a small plate of smoked oysters, a small plate of cold-cut reindeer meat, and a plate of stuffed mushrooms filled with foie gras and truffle bits, grilled and drizzled with port wine sauce.

Larry was in a great mood. He took a sip of his cocktail, ate a few slices of reindeer meat with a fork, and smiled.

I thought to myself, "Mr. Ford! This time you've been ruthless, so don't blame me for being ruthless too!"
(End of this chapter)