chapter 85

Charlie Lee's Bold Moves

After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, Charlie Lee made his way back to the hotel, settling by the window as he waited for Ben and the team's arrival. The hours passed slowly, the night creeping into the early morning, but finally, the twenty-member team arrived, each one eager to begin the next phase of their operation. Charlie instructed the housekeeper to prepare a late supper, and after they ate, the team gathered to discuss the plans for the upcoming meeting.

"Priority should be given to the mineral deposits and railway transportation lines," Charlie said, his voice steady and authoritative. "As for farms, they should be close to…"

His focus remained firmly on oil and minerals, the backbone of his strategy. While animal husbandry was important, it was a secondary consideration for him.

"Acquiring farms is a way to hoard land, but it also serves another purpose," Charlie continued. "We need to ensure future supply chains for McDonald's and Subway. Vertical integration—having control over production, research, and development—is the future. An animal husbandry industrial park is essential for long-term growth."

As the discussion continued, Charlie turned to Ben, a hint of impatience in his voice. "By the way, has the survey company found the information we need?"

Ben, engrossed in his food, wiped his mouth before responding. "We've hired three survey companies, but it's going to take time to get everything we need."

"Don't rush," Charlie said with a calm gesture. His fingers drummed on the table as he added, "Once the deal with Morgan is finalized, we'll have them prioritize surveying the land we've acquired."

"Got it, boss." Ben finished his meal and was soon ushered off by the housekeeper to rest. They all knew the coming days would be filled with data collection, research, and long hours, so tonight was their last chance to relax.

The following day, Charlie led the team to JP Morgan's headquarters. Juliana, Morgan's representative, greeted them, accompanied by an executive director who seemed to hold a position of significant authority. Based on the director's deferential attitude toward her, Charlie quickly deduced that Juliana held a position at least as high as a board member, if not more. It was no surprise—given that finance was historically a male-dominated field, especially at Morgan's level of influence.

With a nod from Charlie, the team quickly moved into action. They were led to three different conference rooms, each abuzz with activity. Documents filled the tables, and telephones rang constantly. Charlie's think tank was already at work, verifying asset information and conducting on-site checks.

Despite the trust Charlie had in JP Morgan's documents, he knew better than to take things at face value. The industries he was acquiring could be fraught with hidden problems. He didn't want to risk purchasing "garbage" industries, especially with such a large-scale operation. His team would be thorough—there could be no room for error.

The deal spanned 28 days, and during this time, Charlie's acquisitions grew substantially. The team secured over 800 assets across seven states, a massive expansion of Charlie's influence. Six hundred of Charlie's graduates were soon boarding a cruise to Liberia, under the leadership of Samoa, where they would oversee operations for the Aegis Bureau. Liberia, as an independent political entity with the support of the U.S. government, was a strategic ally.

The acquisitions were vast. Charlie had secured the Chicago Northwest Railway, San Antonio Railway, Galveston West Railway, and Midland Railway. These railway lines gave him significant control, especially the 20-plus lines owned by Chicago Northwest Railway Corporation. Combined with the existing assets from ACE, Charlie now controlled a sixth of the railway lines radiating out from Chicago.

However, not all was as it seemed. The most crucial arterial railway lines were still controlled by the Central Railway Corporation and United Railway Corporation. These were the major east-to-west routes, and Charlie knew that acquiring them was no simple task.

Ben, ever pragmatic, voiced what was on his mind. "Even if they go bankrupt, you can't just walk in and take these lines. Do you really think the government would allow that? Plus, they're in the hands of the Forbes and Vanderbilt families, two of the most powerful railway magnates in America."

Charlie, frustrated but composed, muttered to himself, "Not yet. But things are changing. With the Great Depression in full swing, many of these corporations will buckle under the pressure."

Ben, ever the optimist, silently thought that if Charlie's influence grew quickly enough, it might just be possible to seize control of these crucial arteries.

For now, though, Charlie knew he had to play the long game. "Merge all the railway lines into ACE and conduct an accounting review. Also, has anyone asked about the McDonald's franchise lately?"

The mention of McDonald's was enough to make Ben's eyes sparkle with excitement. "A lot of people are asking when we'll open up the operating rights."

Charlie had anticipated this. McDonald's was already showing far more potential than even his think tank had predicted. The demand for clean, fast, and affordable food was growing at an unprecedented rate, far surpassing expectations.

"It's time to open up the first 50 locations in each state. We're going to dominate the market," Charlie said, his tone firm. He had no intention of letting the opportunity slip through his fingers. McDonald's had to make money if he was going to stay afloat.

Ben nodded. "I'll get started on it right away, boss."

They also turned their attention to land acquisition, focusing on the valley between San Ines and San Rafael, which had been a prime location for both pastures and grape plantations before Prohibition. Charlie made it clear that they would invest heavily in the area, securing three-quarters of the valley—3,000 acres of prime land.

"Hire experienced winemakers and establish a professional horse farm in the best pastures. The rest of the land should be used for beef cattle and free-range chickens," Charlie instructed. He was determined to make the most of every asset.

Ben quickly responded, "California's agricultural conditions are perfect for growing vegetables and fruits. Lettuce will thrive there."

Charlie nodded, satisfied. "Good. Let's make sure we get a variety of produce into our supply chain. We need to control every step of the process."

The discussion then shifted to another piece of land—ASAH Ranch, near the main thoroughfare of Salwan in Santa Barbara County. The ranch, known for breeding high-end cattle, was another acquisition on Charlie's radar.

"Is the distance between the two places far?" Charlie asked, his mind racing through logistics.

Ben looked at the map. "Less than 100 kilometers."

"Great. We'll build a professional slaughterhouse and experimental field to manage our food supply chain under the golden arches," Charlie decided. This would be the foundation for the future of his fast-food empire.

Beyond these acquisitions, there were also massive holdings in Northern Texas, Arizona, Southeastern Russia, and Alaska, amounting to a staggering 180,000 acres. This vast land base would require a tremendous amount of management, and Charlie knew he had to scale up his operations.

"We need more survey companies and equipment. I want to know every inch of land and every resource we control," Charlie ordered.

The land acquisitions had cost him a pretty penny—$60 million for the ranches and another $36 million for the rail lines. The most expensive of these, the Chicago Northwest Railway, alone had cost $13 million. But for Charlie, the price was justified. With such vast land holdings, it was crucial to make sure the resources were properly assessed.

In Alaska, the land was cheap—only $8 per acre in some areas, a result of the region's harsh climate and its lack of significant population. But the U.S. Geological Survey had identified potential oil reserves, and Charlie had no intention of letting that opportunity slip away.

"We'll start by surveying Alaska," Charlie ordered. "And if the Geological Bureau says there's oil, then we'll start drilling."

His tone turned more serious as he thought about the labor costs. "This is going to be expensive," he muttered.

Back in New Mexico, the mining operations were proving fruitful. Talon open-pit copper mine, Chintai open-pit copper mine, as well as the Henderson and Aurora molybdenum mines in Colorado, were adding to his haul. The cost for these operations had reached $8 million, with molybdenum being the most valuable resource. It was used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, and its rarity made it highly sought after.

While Charlie had focused on these domestic operations, he knew that South America could provide more opportunities, but for now, geopolitical concerns with Mexico meant that it wasn't the right time.

"All the minerals need to be incorporated into FSC. And make sure to compensate minority shareholders generously," Charlie directed, fully aware of the political implications of his actions. "We have to maintain a good public image."

He understood that while the Morgans, Rockefellers, and other powerful families had their influence, his ethnicity made things far more complicated. He had to be careful not to make enemies too quickly, especially with the media watching. If he alienated the wrong people, it could bring unwanted scrutiny and make his rise to power even more difficult.