The news suddenly spread on March 20. In the afternoon of that day, the Russian Kremlin suddenly announced the dissolution of the government and the reorganization of the cabinet. The most important thing and the most unexpected thing among many people was Yeltsin’s nomination of Russian Energy Minister Sergey. Kiriyenko becomes the new Prime Minister of Russia.
Simon is one of those who got the news in advance. However, for the Russian political world, this incident caught many people off guard. Sergey Kiriyenko, who was nominated as prime minister, received the news that he was to be nominated as the new prime minister only that morning when he was summoned by Yeltsin for an interview. You can imagine the reactions of others.
Just Kiriyenko's 36-year-old age gave the global media considerable focus, so many people did not notice that among other related personnel adjustments, a short middle-aged man who had previously served as deputy director of the presidential office Yeltsin appointed him as the new head of Russia's Federal Security Service.
Compared with the uproar surrounding Kiriyenko's nomination as prime minister, another appointment was so low-key that no one was promoted to military rank as is customary.
Simon then received the news that this was the client's own request, which was consistent with the past.
However, now that he had taken such an important step, Yeltsin knew that he did not have much retreat. Perhaps he was worried that Simon would misunderstand the matter of military rank, so he specially asked someone to send a message to explain.
March 21st arrived in a blink of an eye.
Saturday.
Next Monday will be the 70th Academy Awards ceremony. "Titanic", which has swept all previous potential awards, is no longer in great suspense, unless the Oscar jury wants to risk the world's disapproval.
In addition, in the North American film market, "Titanic" and "Blair Witch" are still the leaders. Among them, "Blair Witch" successfully exceeded 100 million in the box office week from March 6 to March 12, becoming the first in North American film history. Two pseudo-documentary films that grossed over 100 million at the domestic box office.
In fact, from "The Ghost Story" to "The Blair Witch Project", because the production threshold is very low, Hollywood has already had many pseudo-documentary films released quickly. Unfortunately, only these two films from Daenerys Entertainment not only made a splash Splash can even be said to be two super dark horses.
As for the reason, in addition to the quality of the film itself, the more important point is that Daenerys Entertainment and even the entire Westeros system have increasingly strong and deep resources for film promotion and distribution.
As far as publicity is concerned, the investment in publicity and distribution of the two films is not high, but the exposure provided by the entire Westeros system for the two films is definitely more than what other major studios spend tens of millions of dollars on. The effect may not be achieved, let alone those second- and third-tier small film companies that can only eat soup after following the giants.
Simon is on the east coast this weekend.
A golf course on Martha's Vineyard across the ocean from Long Island.
On Saturday morning, Simon was invited to take some time to come over and play ball with others. On the other side were the Clintons, who had come to spend the weekend on a rare break.
Of course, it is impossible for the two most powerful people in the world to meet, one economically and one politically.
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Clinton half-jokingly mentioned the recent events in South Korea.
Because of a small eavesdropping incident, Simon directly killed the second largest chaebol in South Korea. The impact of this incident is definitely not insignificant. Even if the South Korean government has made the greatest compromise, privately, it still cannot help but complain to Washington. Not only that, in North America, facing the increasingly powerful Westeros system, it is inevitable that some people will be ready to take action under the sorrow of more or less rabbits and foxes. .
On the court, Clinton very lightly sold some names of people who were ready to move to Simon, and then mentioned the Westeros Company's recent resumption of holding reductions.
Because of the news of holding reduction suddenly released on Tuesday, the Nasdaq index, which had been recovering continuously, fell continuously in the following days, with a cumulative decline of 7% in one week. The White House is currently sprinting for another fiscal surplus in the United States after 29 years. Year, Clinton was inevitably nervous about the Westeros Company's insistence.
Now that Clinton has surrendered, laughed off the Korean matter, and proactively given himself some names, Simon of course wanted to repay Li, saying: "Bill, the goal of Westeros Company's reduction this time is the same as the last time. Likewise, I hope that the new technology industry can have a relatively healthy development environment, instead of suddenly and irrationally rising and falling rapidly. I think you don’t want to see Nasdaq collapse again before you leave office. ?"
Clinton shook his head and said: "Of course I don't want to, Simon, the problem is, you should also know what I expect."
"I believe this reduction in Westeros Corporation's holdings will only be beneficial to the White House's economic goals."
Clinton was confused: "How to say?"
"After last year's financial turmoil, coupled with the Federal Reserve's continuous interest rate hikes, the U.S. dollar is returning. You should recognize this, right?"
"That's right."
Simon said: "So, my suppression of the new technology market will definitely make the funds flowing back to North America go to other areas of the federation, such as energy, or medical care. Compared with the Internet industry, which is still growing and difficult to generate profits, those mature fields, It’s more likely to create jobs and profits in the short term, isn’t it?”
Clinton thought for a moment and said with a smile: "Simon, I think there is something wrong with it."
"Um?"
"Industries such as energy and medical care are already quite mature. Even if they can see benefits in a relatively short term, they are certainly not as attractive to capital as the Internet." Clinton stared at Simon: "So, I still think that those funds should be allowed to flow to new technologies. Well, just like a reservoir with very little water, the water will flow back faster, right?"
Simon could only smile and nod, without any embarrassment about being exposed: "Maybe so."
The two came to another hitting point, finished one ball, and continued to move forward. Clinton then continued: "So, at least before October, Simon, don't make a second reduction, okay?"
When Clinton said this, his tone unknowingly became a little more serious.
Simon shook his head directly: "I have my plan, Bill."
Clinton slowed down again and looked over: "Simon, the Westeros Company has already accumulated a large amount of funds. You don't need more money, so why do you still do this?"
"You know, Bill, this is not a matter of money. I hope that the development of the federal Internet industry can be healthy and lasting, rather than ups and downs in the short term."
Clinton simply stopped and stared at Simon again: "Okay, Simon, can you tell me how much you plan to reduce your holdings next?"
"It's not about reducing the holdings," Simon said: "I hope to keep the Nasdaq within a reasonable index. At least for this year, I think within 3,500 points is a relatively healthy state."
This Monday, the Nasdaq index once reached a high of 3,619 points. Due to the news of the reduction of Westeros Company's holdings, the Nasdaq index had slipped to 3,283 points at the close of yesterday's Friday, which was in line with Simon's expectations.
Clinton was a little angry at Simon's rejection. However, being in Washington and accustomed to bargaining, he was not in a hurry and started walking forward again while saying, "Simon, how about 4,000 points?"
If the Nasdaq market is compared to a reservoir, every 100 points higher actually means more corresponding funds are accumulated. As for the current situation, more funds are flowing back to the United States, flowing through the stock market, then transferred to various industries, and finally aggregated into US fiscal data.
The fiscal year cycle in the United States is from October to September of the following year.
Clinton's goal is to get a beautiful annual financial report in October in order to stimulate the mid-term elections in November. For this goal, he even gave up on Yugoslavia despite pressure from many aspects, and even some of his own pressure. Naturally, Simon's reduction plan cannot be destroyed by the use of force.
Based on the rising speed of the Nasdaq Index in the first quarter, if Simon ignores it, the Nasdaq Index may reach 4,000 points again before the end of the year. It will also be easy for the Nasdaq Index to reach 4,500 points throughout this year. .
Simon also understood the rules of the game in Washington. He said 3,500 points, just waiting for Clinton to bargain. Seeing what he said, Simon did not argue with the president and nodded: "No problem."
In fact, speaking of it, 4,000 points did exceed Simon's expectations. However, Simon also understood that if the beautiful annual financial report expected by the White House was messed up, Clinton would definitely jump in. The couple in the White House did not have a clear position, just like Sheila. In order to run for office, she was able to point the finger at Wall Street, which had been heavily funding her.
What's more, the Democratic Party suffered a huge defeat in the congressional election at the same time as the 1996 presidential election. This time it urgently needs to make a comeback. If Simon does not retreat at all, not only the White House, but also the entire Democratic Party will take action.
As for the excess, we will get it back next year.
After the mid-term elections, there is still some time before the next presidential election. In 1999, it is very suitable for the Westeros system to carry out various financial operations.
People always instinctively press forward. When Clinton saw Simon agreeing so simply, he felt for a moment that the request he just made was a bit low. Perhaps, 4,200 points, or even 4,500 points, was not without room for negotiation. However, thinking about the character of the young man next to him, coupled with the terrifying wealth Simon possessed at this time, Clinton still had some admiration in his bones, so he gave up.
The president can only be in office for eight years at most. Even if Hillary is added, the political life of the Clinton family cannot be permanent.
Simon Westeros' wealth, at least to him, is permanent. He shouldn't offend him too much. After all, he will definitely rely on him in many places in the future.
With this in mind, Clinton changed the subject to a lighter topic and talked about his upcoming visit to China in June. This was a return visit to last year's visit. He hoped that Simon, who knew China very well, could give him some advice. .
Simon responded with equal ease.
After playing ball and declining the Clintons' invitation to lunch, Simon returned to Manhattan by helicopter.
Melisandre's Christie's auction house held a lunchtime charity reception at the Gramercy Hotel in Washington, D.C., as a warm-up for an art auction in the evening.
Simon was not interested in the evening auction, but because of Sofia, he came over at noon to join in the fun.
Having just arrived at the Gramercy Hotel where the reception was held, Sofia came up to her dressed in a full dress. She held Simon's arm and whispered in his ear: "There is a mysterious guest at noon."
Simon followed Sophia into the elevator. Hearing the ambiguity in the woman's tone, he smiled and said, "Have you finally found my alien tribe?"
Sofia patted Simon's arm lightly, but still didn't reveal the answer, and said, "You'll find out later."
Simon was not in a hurry, but talked about something else: "I have seen that the stock prices of many luxury brands have been falling recently. Does this have an impact on Melisandre?"
Since the beginning of the year, the new technology market has rebounded rapidly. The luxury goods sector, which has been popular in the past few years, has continued to decline. In North America, for example, two star luxury brands, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen, which were listed in the past few years, Because the annual or quarterly financial reports at the beginning of the year did not meet expectations, the stock price has almost halved for several months.
In the final analysis, it is still the influence of the general environment.
Last year, the new technology bubble burst in the United States, followed by a financial crisis in the second half of the year. As a result, the upper middle class and even the top rich, who are the main consumers of luxury goods, tightened their purse strings.
When Sophia heard Simon ask, she obviously had no worries and said with a smile: "Don't you always value long-term development more?"
"Just asking, maybe taking advantage of this downturn, you can start some more mergers and acquisitions?"
“There are no merger and acquisition plans for the time being, I still plan to make our existing brands bigger,” Sofia said with a smile: “The recent decline is originally because the luxury goods industry has been raised too high in the past few years and there is a bubble. But it’s actually a good thing for us.”
"Um?"
"If current luxury brands want to develop well, they must adopt a global strategy. Melisandre is huge, so she has considerable advantages in this regard. The bursting of the bubble of luxury brands this time has just suppressed the excessive flow of funds to this field. , small and medium-sized brands will not be able to compete with us if they do not have enough funds.”
"Um."
"What about you," Sofia asked again, "How was your chat with Mr. President this morning?"
"It's quite boring. I actually don't want to talk to him at all."
"What's wrong?"
"Getting along with people in Washington is often inseparable from bargaining. I hate bargaining the most."
Sophia chuckled and said: "How many people envy this kind of opportunity."
"I think the opportunity to play with Simon Westeros should be worth more than Clinton, so I still get the short end of the stick."
"Haha, that's right too."
The two came to the charity reception hall chatting and laughing. Even though they noticed that the temporary security measures at this reception were a bit strict, many guests still did not expect Simon Westeros to appear. Most people thought it was for another rumor that had been circulated in advance. A mysterious guest suddenly caused a commotion.