Chapter 85: Processed News is Like Aged Wine

[Chapter 85: Processed News is Like Aged Wine]

Watching Lena leave, Ian approached.

He walked over to Crips and said nothing, with Crips silently following behind him.

As they walked down the luxurious avenue, Ian took in the scenery around him.

In this upscale neighborhood, Crips' appearance stood out a bit too much.

He whispered, "You can make the call."

Crips replied quietly, "I didn't mean to track you; I just had some things that are better said in person. You mentioned before, with things related to illegal matters, we should avoid discussing them on the phone."

"Alright, let's hear it," Ian said as he and Crips stopped by a fountain.

Crips said, "I found the whereabouts of those guys."

The so-called 'those guys' referred to the bank robbers; sometimes the mob managed to find people easier than the police. After all, in America, one of the police's basic tactics for solving cases was to seek help from the mob.

"Address," Ian replied.

Crips handed him the address, "What do you plan to do?"

Ian tucked the address away, "That's not your concern."

Crips immediately lowered his head, saying, "Kenwal sent people here."

Ian looked at him with cold eyes, saying nothing.

Crips helplessly continued, "I sold Kenwal out; he won't just let this go. Now, Bates Killers gang would mean to war with the Crips Gang, and we don't have enough manpower."

Ian was surprised, "Not enough manpower?"

The Crips Gang had thousands of members, and he was being told there weren't enough people?

Crips lightly shook his head, "Gangs have their management structures; most members are just thugs who can't handle serious situations. When it really comes down to it, there are only a few hundred we can count on, and among them, there are probably only a handful of experienced hands. I lost nearly twenty good men, so it's tough to deal with them."

Ian blurted out, "How did you lose them?"

Crips looked at him in disbelief, "You killed them."

Ian replied, "..."

He hadn't realized those guys were actually good hands.

After thinking for a moment, Ian said, "Do you need me to arm more people with cash, or do you want me to help deal with them?"

Crips regarded him, "Can you step in?"

That counter-question was quite insightful.

Crips hoped Ian would indeed take action because he could never quite understand how Ian managed to pull off those things in the past.

But Crips couldn't directly say, "Boss, step in, let me confirm your strength again," so he simply turned to a counter-question instead.

Ian actually had the intention to intervene.

As Gaskill had said, to make people like Crips truly obedient, one had to instill such profound fear that they had no will to resist.

Last time, he might have thought it was a case of his men being careless, but this time, Bates Killers gang would certainly not be careless.

If he managed to resolve this again, it would absolutely crush Crips' spirits.

So Ian softly said, "Tell Kenwal you are willing to pay compensation and offer an apology. Just drag it out for a bit."

Crips paused in surprise, "What do you mean?"

Ian looked at him with a smile, saying, "Good news has to strike while the iron's hot. Continuous violent events will bore the readers... The Palos Bank incident still has steam, and right now, there's no need to dilute it with more big stories."

Crips stood there wide-eyed.

In his eyes, a powerful gang and a vile violent incident reduce to a reportable story?

The only reason Ian didn't want to make a move now was simply that he didn't want to waste the momentum of the Palos Bank robbery?

Even knowing who Ian was, Crips still wanted to shout: "Crazy! Maniac!"

After a long while, he finally replied, "Alright, boss, I'll do my best to stall."

...

Delaware.

WND News Network Chairman's Office.

Ian sat in the office with his newly appointed secretary, Shani, a red-haired beauty.

A young man around thirty with curly hair stood before Ian, speaking respectfully, "You arrived just in time. Yesterday, WND secured a great advertising deal, and our projected profit for this year could reach $6.5 million."

This young man was Jason Francie, the founder of the WND News Network, who still owned a 5% stake.

When Ian acquired WND, he promised that Jason would still run the news network; he kept that promise, providing only news and not getting involved in the site's management.

Ian remained indifferent to the $6.5 million figure.

The true value of the media lay in its influence, not its profitability.

If a media outlet could show a profit of $4 million on paper, the under-the-table dealings could generate $40 million or more.

Under Gaskill's influence, Ian's developmental direction had shifted towards an investment and financial operation path centered on media influence.

Film, finance, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, transportation, energy, even arms...

As long as it was an industry that media could touch, Ian could extend his reach.

So he simply gestured for Jason to sit down.

He poured a drink for Jason himself and smiled, saying, "What I want from WND is not profit, Jason. I want rapid growth, so what you need to figure out is how to spend money to expand our influence! I want WND's valuation to exceed $100 million before the end of the second quarter!"

Jason laughed, "I like your way of thinking. Most shareholders pursue quick profits; only those with vision are willing to invest... but isn't your request a bit excessive?"

You bought WND for $40 million, and now, within just a few months, you want it valued at $100 million?

To note, Ian didn't invest that $40 million; he outright purchased it, meaning this growth was based on operational growth rather than investment-based growth!

Ian replied, "I still have a few big stories yet to drop... I found the whereabouts of the Palos Bank robbers."

What?

Jason was taken aback.

But then he shook his head, "That's still not valuable; this information couldn't possibly be worth that much money."

"That's why I'm talking about operations! We need to know how to operate!" Ian smiled as he pat Jason's shoulder, "You're an excellent site manager, but you're not an outstanding journalist; you're still not that good at making use of the news. Do you know how marketing works before a movie is released?"

Jason nodded lightly, "Of course."

"Good news is the same. Processed news will be like aged wine, richer and more fragrant!" Ian said with a smile, "We can warm it up, make it hot!"

"How do we do that?"

Ian whispered into Jason's ear, and Jason's eyes lit up with excitement.

He looked at Ian with adoration, "You're a genius, BOSS!"

...

A day later.

WND News Network issued an announcement.

News Network CEO Jason Francie publicly stated that they would pay a high price to acquire information about the whereabouts of the Palos Bank robbers, and anyone who could provide a clue would receive $200,000 immediately.

He stated that the reason they were looking for these robbers was twofold: first, to honor Ian Carr's commitment by paying the previous interview fees, and second, to write a book about the robbers and release a joint autobiography.

Once the news broke, it immediately sent shockwaves around the world.

No news? Just create news!

Even old news could be processed and utilized.

The heat surrounding the Palos Bank robbers was still fresh, remaining a hot topic. After all, the case was packed with elements of robbery, car chases, gun battles, and on-site interviews -- an ongoing gold mine to dig into.

In such circumstances, one could certainly continue using it and squeeze it dry.

...

Naturally, the public reacted with uproar.

Some angrily accused that this would cause robbery to be seen as a new means of pursuing wealth.

Jason Francie stated, "Isn't that already part of daily life?"

Some questioned: "If the police catch them first, will the money go to the police?"

Jason Francie said, "Of course! But the premise is that we get to interview them."

Some expressed jealousy: "Why don't I rob a bank? Would you publish my autobiography?"

Jason Francie quipped, "Maybe write your autobiography before robbing? Today's news demands speed!"

Some raised doubts: "Where is Butterfly? Where is Butterfly?"

To which Jason Francie responded, "Butterfly isn't fighting alone! Every great journalist can be a Butterfly!"

Just as every great journalist can remain anonymous or become a signature.

The crowd replied, "No, we don't have AIDS!"

...

Jason Francie's speech boosted WND's traffic once again, and many people thoroughly criticized Jason for being shameless in business, recycling old stories.

But those in the business elite didn't think so.

From this incident, they saw a prospectively successful young man willing to go to any lengths to make money, lacking in scruples.

When a businessman could put everything aside for profits, it indicated he had immense investment value.

And Jason Francie's plan to write a book with the robbers itself indicated that WND and the Los Angeles Herald were exploring new revenue methods.

Thus, just the appearance of this news boosted the valuations of both WND and the Los Angeles Herald, further elevating Ian Carr's fame.

Now, the valuation of Carr Media had surpassed $500 million, with a debt ratio of 30%.

To which Gaskill commented: "A 30% debt ratio is not a standard for an exceptional entrepreneur.

An excellent operator should have at least a 70% debt ratio, and a fantastic operator can reach 120%... though the latter carries significant risks; one misstep could lead to bankruptcy and imprisonment."

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.