Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

While Wang Huanbo was tackling technical challenges at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill in Beijing and dealing with the beasts in the courtyard, far across the ocean in the United States, the Wang Jinshan family's commercial behemoth, guided by the "secret plan" left behind by Wang Huanbo before his return to China, was adjusting its course and sailing into a new sea that seemed to be full of storms but actually held hidden opportunities.

In the early 1950s, while the United States was enjoying the benefits of postwar prosperity, a chilling current known as "McCarthyism" was quietly spreading across the political and social spheres. The tentacles of the Committee on Un-American Activities extended in all directions, and an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust permeated the air, posing a potential threat, especially to Chinese scholars, entrepreneurs, and even ordinary employees with ties to "Red China."

At Carrefour headquarters, Wang Jinshan sat behind his large desk, his brow furrowed as he looked at several reports. One was the supermarket's quarterly performance report, showing a significant slowdown in growth, with some regions even experiencing slight declines. Another was a risk assessment from his lawyer, highlighting the potential scrutiny and implicit discrimination that Chinese-owned businesses might face in the current political climate. A third report was a message from Situ Meitang, a prominent figure in the Hongmen (Triads), reminding him to keep a low profile recently, as the Hongmen could offer some protection but couldn't withstand the prevailing circumstances.

"Dad, things aren't looking good." The eldest brother, Wang Huanfa, pushed open the door and came in with a worried look on his face. "Several state legislators have started to propose bills targeting 'foreign capital.' Although they haven't said it explicitly, the target is subtly aimed at us. There are also some uneasy voices among the suppliers."

Wang Jinshan took a deep drag on his cigar. Amidst the swirling smoke, he recalled his youngest son Huanbo's earnest conversation before his departure. "Dad," Huanbo said, "there are bound to be hidden worries beneath America's prosperity, especially for Chinese businesses like ours. In the next few years, there may be headwinds. For Carrefour to become 'too big to fail,' relying solely on connections with the Hongmen is not enough. We need to 'dig deep, store up grain, and bide our time.'"

"Huanfa," Wang Jinshan tapped the table, "Huanbo's prediction was correct. McCarthy's influence is likely to linger for a while. Carrefour's expansion plans will be slowed down for now. The focus will shift to internal optimization, improving the operational efficiency and customer experience of existing stores. At the same time, we will strengthen the ties between our American farms and suppliers, making them indispensable to us."

Wang Huanfa nodded: "I understand. Also, I think we can try the 'surrounding the cities from the countryside' strategy that Huanbo mentioned. We should accelerate the establishment of medium-sized supermarkets around large cities and in small and medium-sized towns, avoiding politically sensitive central areas."

"Okay. Also, Huanbo said that 'logistics and security are the lifeline,' and we need to strengthen those further. How are Blackwater and Shunfeng doing with Nianhua?"

Mentioning Situ Nianhua, Wang Huanfa's face showed admiration: "Uncle Nianhua is truly amazing! Blackwater Security has now recruited many veterans, especially those who have seen blood on the European battlefield. They are extremely disciplined and professional. The warehouses and transportation lines they are in charge of have a higher level of security than banks. SF Express's truck fleet has already covered major cities on the East Coast, and its delivery efficiency far exceeds that of the post office and its competitors. With them protecting us, Carrefour's supply chain is as stable as a mountain."

It is precisely thanks to this robust logistics and security system that Carrefour has been able to maintain stable prices and product freshness, firmly securing its position in consumers' minds, while competitors (such as the emerging Walmart) struggle with transportation costs and product spoilage. Although Walmart's Sam Walton rose to prominence with his "everyday low prices" strategy and keen site selection, he is unlikely to surpass Carrefour's "efficient logistics + safe experience" moat in the short term and can only remain second.

Wang Jinshan nodded in satisfaction and then asked, "And on your end? How's the McDonald's and farm acquisition plan progressing?"

Wang Huanfa's spirits lifted: "McDonald's is expanding rapidly, and franchisees are responding enthusiastically. Following Huanbo's advice, we've acquired farms in the Midwest and South on a large scale, establishing Golden Dragon Edible Oil Company and Huaqing Food Company. Leveraging Mason's father's connections at General Motors, we obtained a large quantity of agricultural machinery at low prices, significantly improving production efficiency. Now, we're not only McDonald's largest supplier, but also supply grains, oils, and processed foods throughout the United States." He lowered his voice, "More importantly, we now control hundreds of thousands of acres of land and tens of thousands of agricultural workers and food factory employees. Members of Congress from both parties are now proactively contacting us, hoping to win these votes."

A glint of light flashed in Wang Jinshan's eyes. His youngest son was thinking too far ahead! This wasn't just about increasing the family's wealth; it was about weaving a vast network of political connections. Under the shadow of McCarthyism, this network was the best shield.

"Excellent! According to Huanbo's plan, the next step is Hong Kong and Southeast Asia." Wang Jinshan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant bay. "We'll proceed steadily in the US. The East is the real stage for the future. Inform Nianhua and Huanshuang to launch the 'Eastern Project'."