Chapter 92

Strategic Moves and Bold Decisions

The continuous influx of revenue from the Golden Arch franchise has ensured the steady development of the industries under Charlie Lee's name. At present, the capital he holds is not immediately necessary for significant investments or operations.

In the first phase of the project, the franchise fee amounted to a hefty $14.7 million, with net profits reaching 20% after deducting expenses for store construction and equipment.

However, this was just the beginning. The real financial commitment began the moment the franchise agreement was signed, leading to nearly $110 million in land lease fees—a much larger financial outlay.

Each store in the city occupies no less than 2,000 square feet, with an annual rental fee of $30 per square foot. The car restaurants, which are typically smaller, occupy around 600 square feet with an annual rental fee of $20 per square foot.

The ratio of stores to car restaurants in the city is approximately 2:1, reflecting the fact that suburban land is cheaper. Furthermore, the franchise fee is a one-time charge, with McDonald's holding the right to unilaterally terminate the contract if certain conditions are met. This flexibility allows McDonald's to cancel the agreement if the franchisee fails to meet their performance standards, a condition that has been carefully designed to maintain the brand's integrity and profitability. To put it bluntly, McDonald's reserves the right to say, "You can do it, and if you can't, you can't."

According to the think tank's projections, states with strong economic capacity can support 150 stores, while other states can handle up to 100 stores. This number is expected to grow each year, driven by urban development and population growth.

In the long term, when McDonald's expands nationwide, the annual rental income could reach $300 to $400 million—an astonishing figure that seems almost absurd, but achievable with the right strategies in place.

Additionally, the development of pastures, beef production, vegetables, flour mills, and transportation infrastructure will create a self-sustaining cycle, benefiting the entire business ecosystem.

For Charlie Lee, this means he does not need to worry about cash flow. Even in cases where a large sum of money is needed, his shares in the Golden Arch franchise serve as collateral, allowing him to secure loans from various banks.

And this is just the beginning. The full potential of the Subway project, which has yet to be fully launched, will further elevate his financial standing.

Meanwhile, Charlie Lee's dealings were not limited to franchise expansion. West, a figure who had long been involved in collecting and curating rare treasures, was still holding onto numerous items, some of which were worth millions of dollars. He had once considered donating them to various national museums, but the sheer value of these treasures, coupled with his emotional attachment to them, made it difficult to part with them.

"I was thinking of donating them to national museums around the world," West said, pausing to take a sip of his wine. His eyes wandered off as though reminiscing about the past. "Everything here has its own history, and that history is part of the nation's legacy."

Charlie, always looking for opportunities to gain an advantage, smiled and replied, "Why not let me take care of them for you first? We can donate them later, after they've been properly curated. Who knows? Maybe they'll contribute to world peace."

West chuckled dryly at the mention of world peace. "World peace? That's something we'll never see in this lifetime. Perhaps the next generation might have a chance, but as long as there are people, there will always be conflict. Unless the world becomes truly unified, peace will remain an elusive dream."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, amused by West's philosophical musings. "You're probably right. But I'll still take care of them for you, for now. The world could use a little peace, and if your treasures help with that, all the better."

West, in turn, found himself amused by Charlie's willingness to embrace such an outlandish idea. Despite their differences, he couldn't help but respect Charlie's boldness and unconventional thinking.

"You're different from the typical Chinese businessman," West mused, leaning back in his chair. "I've dealt with many of them, but you—you're something else."

Charlie gave a casual shrug, playing along. "Call it what you like. I prefer to think of myself as a man of action rather than words."

Their conversation shifted from donations and history to more immediate business matters. West had long been considering the future of his vast collection, but his involvement with Charlie Lee had begun to influence his perspective.

"Have you ever thought about taking a break from all this, West?" Charlie asked casually. "I have a farm near Santa Barbara. The climate is perfect, and the environment is peaceful. You could live there, ride horses, herd cattle, hunt, swim—do whatever you want, without the stress of city life."

West's eyes lit up, a smile forming on his lips as he considered the offer. "Herding cattle, growing vegetables, riding horses… It doesn't sound impossible. In fact, it sounds like a life worth living."

For someone of West's age, the constant hustle of city life had become less appealing. He had grown weary of the chaos and distractions, and the idea of a peaceful existence surrounded by nature seemed like a welcome change.

Before meeting Charlie, West had planned to sell off his treasures in batches, some through auctions and others donated to museums. The money from these sales was to be used to support his later years, with a portion dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Habsburg family.

However, since meeting Charlie, West had become more hesitant about parting with his collection. Something about the young man intrigued him, and he found himself drawn to the possibilities that Charlie's vision offered.

When did West first take notice of Charlie? It was when he had heard about Charlie's decisive actions to dismantle Capone's influence in Chicago. At first, West was intrigued by Charlie's boldness and approach to business, which stood in stark contrast to the typical Chinese mindset of caution and tradition.

But as time went on, and as West observed Charlie's growth, he began to see more than just a sharp businessman. Charlie was compassionate, bold, ruthless when necessary, and above all, incredibly decisive in moments of crisis.

Charlie's ability to employ people effectively, his constant development of new ideas, and his fearless attitude toward challenges made him a force to be reckoned with. He was shameless, too—a trait that West couldn't help but admire. After all, it was Charlie's audacity that allowed him to walk away with a $20,000 pocket watch and call it a "good deal."

"What do you plan to do with all of these treasures?" West finally asked, curious about Charlie's intentions.

Charlie grinned confidently, his smile almost devious. "Steady. Everything in time. But trust me, there's a bright future for these treasures. We'll make sure they're showcased to the world, not just hidden away."

West's haughty demeanor softened, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and approval. "Well, it seems you have a bit of conscience after all."

Charlie nodded. "Yes, I do. And don't worry, we'll make sure these items are properly preserved. Perhaps even with a world-class exhibition hall dedicated to them."

The old man's thoughts drifted, imagining the kind of lifestyle he could have in a peaceful rural setting, away from the pressures of city life. The idea of leisurely days spent riding horses and fishing appealed to him more than he had expected.

"How soon can we make this happen?" West asked eagerly, already picturing himself in that idealized life of peace and solitude.

Charlie promised to make it happen as soon as possible, though he didn't mention that the property he had in mind didn't yet have the luxury accommodations that West was envisioning. Charlie was willing to make the necessary arrangements to give the old man a decent living space, as West was a man of dignity who wouldn't settle for less.

As they continued their discussion, Charlie felt a sense of satisfaction from the exchange. Not only had he secured West's collaboration, but he had also made an ally who, despite his age, could offer valuable insights and experience.

Charlie turned his attention back to business matters, recalling his earlier thoughts about the Los Angeles Aegis Division and the pending design. He quickly grew irritated at the delay in receiving the building plans and ordered a follow-up.

After a few minutes, his assistant returned, explaining that the design had been delayed due to the busy schedule surrounding McDonald's operations. Charlie's patience wore thin as he realized the plans had been sitting at the office for weeks without anyone noticing.

"Hasn't the design been finalized yet?" Charlie asked, his tone sharp with frustration. "How long does it take to complete a simple drawing?"

Moments later, his assistant, now visibly nervous, returned with the plans. Charlie's anger subsided as he saw the blueprints, although he was still displeased with the delay. The building, designed as a cylindrical structure with various defense features, was certainly unique.

"What exactly is this design for?" Charlie muttered as he examined the blueprints.

The structure was to be a secure, fortified building with advanced features such as underground facilities for weapons development, and isolated zones for dangerous materials. It was a strikingly militaristic design for what was intended to be a research facility.

Charlie's mind raced as he considered the implications of such a structure. Was it meant for a covert project?

"Well, it seems like we're on the right track," he said, deciding to move forward with the project despite the unconventional design.

With the immediate matters resolved, Charlie signed the necessary documents, including the check for taxes, which were always meticulously calculated.

As Sunil handed him the tax bill, Charlie smiled. "You really don't leave anything to chance, do you?"

Sunil chuckled softly. "Not a cent, boss. You wouldn't want to face the IRS over a simple mistake."

Charlie signed the check and handed it back, his mind already shifting to the next challenge. There was much work to be done.