"Just at the beginning of this month, there was another large-scale conflict between the Yugoslav Federation and local armed forces in Kosovo. European countries hope that the federation can directly intervene to avoid the continued deterioration of the regional situation. However, Washington does not want to interfere. Boss, you know, because recently The federal economic situation continues to improve in 2018. According to the fiscal data since October last year, this year may be another fiscal surplus year for the federal government in nearly 30 years since 1969. If it can come true, it will be a great influence for the Democratic Party in this year’s central district election. It will be very beneficial. And if a war breaks out, even the slightest move may consume the small surplus."
East Coast of the United States.
This is Monday, February 16th.
In a manor in the northern suburbs of Greenwich, Simon and Celia Miller sat across from each other in the study.
After listening to the woman's general introduction, Simon looked up from a draft of a military contracting agreement in front of him and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, Bill should be very anxious recently. Since all European countries want us to take action, a regional war can just divert attention, isn't it? ?"
Celia Miller understood what her boss meant and smiled: "This is just a small matter. A federal fiscal surplus year every 30 years has a very symbolic meaning for the people. And, personally, Boss, I think the Republican Party’s involvement in Mr. President’s private life is starting to have the opposite effect.”
Celia told the truth.
However, Simon also knew that things would develop later and Clinton would have to launch a war to divert domestic attention from his impeachment in 1999.
Thinking like this, Simon glanced at the draft agreement in his hand again, shook his head and said: "We don't confirm it, but it is too conspicuous to add 2,000 people to the Kosovo area at one time. I will give you another 1,000 at most, and let the Pentagon take care of the rest." Other companies pick.”
Celia was a little confused when she heard this.
Simon glanced at the woman across from him and said: "Celia, you have to understand that the commercial operation of the private army in the Westeros system is just a facade. The pursuit of profit is definitely not our goal. This is just to facilitate the affiliation with the government system. The fundamental purpose is to not attract attention. If 2,000 people are sent out at once, it will attract attention from many aspects."
"But, boss, in fact, we are already very noticeable?"
"That's why we have to be more restrained," Simon said: "In short, there are only 1,000 people. The rest, hehe, I know it is also because our quotation is relatively cheap, but the Pentagon is pursuing more than just cost-effectiveness."
Celia thought about it for a moment and said, "Boss, if we give it up directly, we won't get any benefits. How about subcontracting the remaining 1,000 people?"
"Subcontract?"
Celia nodded: "We act as the middleman and choose other military contractors. This is also a big favor."
Simon was right when he thought about it. Westerners did not understand Simon's deep-rooted Eastern doctrine of moderation. Giving up the order for nothing would only make other contractors think that Weijia Private Army was not confident enough, so he nodded: "That's it. Do it. Also, how are things going in Africa recently?"
Celia jotted down a few notes on the memo in front of her. When she heard her boss's question, she raised her head and said: "Kagame is expected to be elected leader of the Rwanda Patriotic Front in the election at the end of the month. Although he still lacks a presidential title, he has basically already It is the actual controller of Rwanda. Last year, Rwanda assisted Kabila in overthrowing Mobutu, the leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because the Rwandan armed forces refused to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the war and occupied a large amount of land, the two sides are now at war with each other and a conflict may break out at any time. "
After the Rwandan civil war four years ago, although the Victorian private army withdrew neatly, business capital still successfully took root in Rwanda.
Considering the subsequent layout of "whoever gets the battery gets the world" and the memory that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an important mining site for cobalt metal, an important battery material, the Westeros system's layout in Africa will only deepen.
According to Celia's description, the next war caused by the conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is likely to be the Second African World War that once involved a large number of African countries. The death toll of this war in living memory far exceeds that of the Rwandan genocide, but no one knows the exact number because no authoritative organization is interested in counting this number.
Simon can only wait and see what happens.
Because fundamentally speaking, this is actually a re-division of the interests of various countries in the Central African region after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Without the support of the behind-the-scenes forces, it would be difficult for a group of indigenous people who do not even have enough to eat to sustain a long-term Five years of large-scale melee with tens of millions of casualties.
Celia was told to pay close attention to the situation in Africa, and the two chatted about other things. The woman left, and Joseph Schlapp and Paul Spaihts, the two main persons in charge of the political lobbying affairs of the Westeros family, entered together and began. Another meeting.
This time it’s about this year’s midterm elections.
The voting day for this year’s midterm elections is still November 3, which is still nearly 10 months away. However, the campaign for the midterm elections has already begun last year.
With the current size of the Westeros system, it is impossible to avoid this matter.
However, the content of this meeting was not about how to manipulate elections to support one's own candidates, but about the control of public opinion.
Simply put, Simon needs candidates in every state to avoid using businesses related to the Westeros system as a campaign topic as much as possible.
Whether it's the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.
Simon doesn't want to see anyone saying good things about the Westeros system. In short, just shut up.
Hatred of the rich is a certain nature that most ordinary people cannot change at all.
When it comes to elections, there are always some topics to talk about, and once the Westeros system is used as the topic, in order to cater to the majority, the tendency of public opinion will almost inevitably turn to attacks on the Westeros system, even if most of them are just empty words for the election. Vernacular, but if you talk too much, in order to further cater to the public, you always have to deliver some of it.
Simon wants to avoid this tendency as much as possible. And the best way is to shut up.
It’s best not to talk about it.
"You each set up a dedicated team to take charge of this matter. If there is a candidate who crosses the line, you will first suppress it through the connections within the system. If it is ineffective, support the opponent's competitor. In addition, there is also the media level. If any media deliberately Guide relevant public opinion and take timely measures. In short, I need the word Westeros to be as invisible as possible during the entire election process and not become the focus of the topic."
The meeting with Schlapp ended and it was already dusk.
After seeing the two off, Simon took a helicopter and rushed to Manhattan.
This spring's 1998 Autumn and Winter Fashion Week opened on February 12. Melisandre's most important CK brand show in North America was held on Valentine's Day, February 14. Simon was still on the West Coast with his family at the time and was unable to attend in person. , tonight as usual, I am still supporting a small brand of my own, Anna Sui.
After being acquired by Melisandre, Anna Sui has developed rapidly in the past two years. Although it is still small, it is one of the most watched emerging brands in the industry, and because of its unique style, it has many die-hard fans.
As for Simon, it was more of an evening pastime, accompanying the women to join in the fun.
But I can’t say which woman specifically.
Even though he has unknowingly released a lot of things in the past two years, Simon still has a lot of women in the fashion industry.
Anna Sui's show was scheduled for seven o'clock in the evening. Simon arrived in Manhattan and first met up with Chen Qing, who had returned to North America with him last time, to have dinner together.
Let’s talk about another thing by the way.
"Probably last Friday, the firewall was officially launched. Many media companies and retail media teams who thought they had just found a way to make money on the YouTube platform were deceived. Haha, but we were not affected and got the license over the weekend. As for For others, if you don’t have connections, it will probably take a few months to review the content, qualifications, etc. Ordinary retail investors will be cleared directly.”
Inside the dining room of the Fifth Avenue Apartments.
Simon listened to Chen Qing talking enthusiastically, but he didn't have much feelings about these small businesses. He just warned again: "You should speed up the training of local teams. I have communicated with Bezos a few days ago. China's As long as the team shows corresponding potential, Igret's various businesses will be gradually spun off and handed over to them in exchange for shares."
Chen Qing nodded, but then asked: "Boss, do you want to sell the developed data center business? Doesn't this involve core cloud computing technology?"
"This will be later, but it will still be given out," Simon said: "There are actually no deep barriers to cloud computing technology. What Yigrit has is just time and scale advantages. Moreover, even if it is sold, Yigrit We will still maintain our shareholding, and we will continue to control some key technologies, but the name Yigrit will gradually withdraw from China."
"Boss, I don't quite understand, why do you need to make such a clear distinction?"
"The water is very deep here..."
"Ah, here you go again, boss, you like to use this sentence to frustrate us recently."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Well, frankly speaking, I'm too lazy to explain it to you. I'll just think about it myself."
"I actually understand, and my boss has revealed something before. However, if China and the United States really turn to competition in the future, what will happen to the many other industries we invest in China?"
"If you think this way, it means you don't understand it thoroughly."
"Yeah, yeah, I understand, the water is very deep." Chen Qing hummed and hahaed a few more words, and stopped asking questions. She planned to think about it in private, and then said: "By the way, boss, I was in China a few days ago. I couldn't find an opportunity. This time, regarding the domestic self-media teams, I called some to participate in this fashion week to see the world and increase my reputation. Do you want to meet the boss tonight?"
"Um?"
"There are three here this time, Yu Xiaomin, Xie Qingmai and Jing Xiaosui. If the boss watches the video, he must have seen them before. They are all beautiful and very capable."
"Then let's meet."
"There are also two sisters, Lin Zhao and Lin Zhi, who have been in New York for a while. The boss seems to have forgotten them?"
"Well, everyone calls, everyone comes."
"hehe."
"I forgot to ask, what happened to the two sisters?"
"Lin Zhao cheated to death, and then, in order to save his sister from suffering, I used to save the son of that family in exchange for their second daughter. It's outrageous to say that, that couple is really Too patriarchal.”
Simon looked at Nizi's hateful expression across from him, and suddenly asked with great interest: "Did you save her?"
Chen Qing blinked: "What?"
Seeing her pretending to be confused, Simon probably understood and didn't care. He just said: "Take it easy, don't leave any sequelae."
Chen Qing was no longer confused. She giggled twice and said, "Don't worry, boss, these sisters will never go back in this life. By the way, Lin Zhao and Lin Zhi, these two names are very big. Do you know, boss?" ?”
"Um."
Chen Qing's eyes were filled with little stars: "The boss is so knowledgeable."
"stop."