Chapter 116 The Strategic Expansion of Think Tanks

Time has become an increasingly valuable resource, and the work of think tanks has become more demanding. Ben, one of the key members of the think tank, is consumed by the endless flow of materials every day. His core team members, too, are finding themselves overwhelmed with tasks, prompting them to consider expanding their workforce.

According to Ben's plan, they aim to increase their team size by at least 500 new members. Presently, the organization operates in a multi-tiered structure. Ordinary members are promoted to a position on the Council, while the "eagle eye" group at the periphery is responsible for the first round of information screening. After that, the ordinary members conduct a second screening. The Council is tasked with dealing with more routine matters, carrying out a third round of information verification, and liaising directly with the brain—the core decision-making unit.

The brain, made up of nine core team members, serves as the strategic intelligence hub of the think tank, directing and overseeing all operations. It is the absolute centerpiece of the organization's power structure.

One day, as Ben was reviewing a mountain of documents, he was interrupted by the arrival of Maiton, a colleague from the outer ranks. "Ben, the boss is looking for you," Maiton informed him.

Ben nodded and quickly issued a few orders while still engrossed in his work. "Maiton, get Colt to expedite the contacts. Graun needs to have Burke send more personnel to assist with the Los Angeles branch's construction. Also, inform Papol that the first batch of McDonald's stores is ready for completion—have Lawrence send someone to oversee the arrangements."

"Understood," Maiton replied and left the room.

As Ben continued his work, he passed by Sanier, the financial officer, and asked, "Sunil, bring me the information about Union Bank." A thick paper bag filled with reports was handed to him.

Ben's mind was clearly in full operational mode, as he moved quickly between tasks. By the time he reached the door to his boss's office, he had completed everything he needed to address for the moment.

"Boss," Ben said, entering the office where he found Lawrence sprawled across the couch, looking utterly exhausted.

"I was just about to inform you that the McDonald's project is finished," Ben remarked as he sat down across from Lawrence.

Lawrence, in a state of distress, replied weakly, "Let me off the hook for today, Ben. I'm dying over here."

Ben looked at him, then turned his attention to Charlie Lee, the head of the organization. Charlie had a more serious look on his face.

"We have a solid funding base," Charlie began, sharing the latest developments. "The second batch of McDonald's stores has completed its first trial, bringing us about $100 million in revenue. Additionally, the first batch of Sabaiwei stores has been fully established, with 3,920 outlets generating $78.4 million in revenue."

Charlie paused for a moment, allowing the financial impact to sink in. "That gives us nearly another $200 million. By the way, what's the situation with the Barker Burger chain?"

Ben raised an eyebrow. "They announced a temporary closure due to a labor shortage. The streets are full of workers, though, so this excuse doesn't quite hold water."

Charlie leaned back, considering the implications. "This could be one of their conditions for compensation, though it might also be a tactic to compete with McDonald's down the line."

Shifting the conversation, Charlie asked, "What's the status of the Union Bank acquisition?"

Ben quickly laid out the details. "The bank's assets are solid, but their bad debt rate is alarmingly high—56%. They're carrying over $11 million in debt, and the board is demanding an additional $13 million in equity transfer funds."

Charlie's tone was firm. "What's the offer from the first bank?"

"Five million dollars," Ben replied, having already anticipated the answer.

Charlie didn't hesitate. "Increase it to nine million—total twenty million. Tell them to sign the agreement tomorrow morning."

It was clear that Charlie wasn't going to allow the bank to slip away. Without a substantial capital injection by the morning, Union Bank would face bankruptcy, and its directors would have no choice but to accept the deal.

"By the way," Charlie continued, "has Hughes reported to Skunk?"

Ben nodded. "Yes, he arrived on the fourth day. He handed off the promotion for his film to his team, but they've done remarkably well. 'Hell's Angel' has earned nearly $2 million at the box office in just half a month. Everyone who had been waiting for Hughes's failure has now turned their tune, wanting to collaborate."

"Seems like his passion for aviation might surpass his love for movies," Charlie said with a smile, pleased with the unexpected success.

Ben then moved on to another critical matter. "Boss, I'd like to update you on the future development of our think tank."

Charlie listened attentively as Ben outlined his three-tiered structural proposal, emphasizing the differentiation of power. "This is a very sound idea," Charlie said after hearing Ben's analysis. "Let's move forward with it."

The new organizational structure would consist of the nine-person "Intellectual Brain," which would govern a Council of 99 think tank members. Beneath them, a team of around 500 elite individuals from various sectors would be brought in. The think tank would also form a new business investigation division called "Eagle Eye," a group specifically focused on intelligence gathering. Charlie, however, had quietly arranged for fifty special Aegis guards to be integrated into this division to monitor activities discreetly.

As Ben continued to lay out his strategy, Charlie nodded, understanding the weight of the decisions. These changes were critical to the organization's continued growth and influence.

The following morning, Charlie led the team to United Bank for a meeting with its board members. Standing before the long conference table, Charlie's voice rang out with confidence. "Nine million dollars is the highest offer you'll receive. If you reject it, you'll find yourselves in bankruptcy by tomorrow."

The board members exchanged nervous glances. They had little choice but to accept the deal. Within hours, the lawyers of both sides finalized the terms, and the acquisition of Union Bank was complete.

A press conference was scheduled for noon to announce the deal. Charlie was adamant that the bank's restructuring should proceed smoothly. "In these three days, operations should continue as normal. If anyone withdraws funds, process the transactions without delay."

Charlie understood that this acquisition was only the first step. The next phase would involve restructuring the bank and pushing it into expansion, which was essential for the organization's broader goals.

Ben raised a critical question about the future model for the bank. "What about setting up a third-party financial investment company to guarantee funds, while operating independently in various states?"

Charlie was intrigued. The challenge lay in how to navigate the complex legal landscape, as banks were not allowed to operate across state lines. "We'll act as a financial platform, facilitating investment, but the actual projects will be separate. Our goal is to guarantee the flow of capital into the bank."

Ben raised a concern. "Should we consult Sanier on this? She's an expert in financial law."

Charlie agreed. "I'll have the elk consult with her. We need to get it right."

Back at the club, after discussing the strategy with Samuel, Charlie faced some tough questions. "Do you understand the risks, Charlie?"

"Of course," he replied, though the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him. "But right now, it's difficult to attract depositors. People would rather hide their money than trust the banks. We can't afford to wait forever."

Sanier who had been listening carefully, raised a practical point. "Do we need to invest a lot of money to develop this?"

Charlie paused, reflecting on the question. "No, we don't need to invest much at this stage. Our current liabilities are manageable, and we can bear the debt. The bank isn't the bottleneck—it's the market. We need to wait for the right opportunity."

He thought about his profitable ventures, including Jin Gongmen, which was generating a steady $300 million annually. Other industries, such as public utilities and mining, were thriving. Even ACE, a transportation company, had balanced its income and expenses, despite the challenges faced by its railway division.

"For now, I think it's better to focus on our existing ventures and avoid taking unnecessary risks," Charlie concluded. "Let's wait for the right time to enter the financial market again."