Chapter 878: Crazy Poor
"Time flies so fast." Guests gathered in the banquet hall of Dream Castle.
From the beginning, there were only a few dozen people attending the 'dinner party', and now it's hard to get a ticket, and an invitation card has been sold at a sky-high price of nearly ten thousand dollars on the black market.
The Christmas dinner at Dream Castle has become one of the top social events in the United States every year.
The great people who can only be 'seen' in newspapers and radio broadcasts appear here one by one.
"If a stone falls now, do you think it will hit a millionaire or a multi-millionaire?" Jonathan asked boredly while standing in the corridor on the second floor.
"I think it's more accurate to be a billionaire." Li Zitao pointed to Paul Mellon who was waving to the two of them down the corridor.
"I think it's better to put away the stone." Jonathan shrugged helplessly, throwing away the 'stone' rolled into a tablecloth in his hand. '
Although the Astor family and the Mellon family belong to the top rich families, they are not very familiar with each other.
Besides, Paul was much older than them, so it would be too impolite to make such a joke with the other party.
"It's really difficult to be a decision maker." Jonathan said with some frustration.
Since he became Astor V, he is no longer the Jonathan he used to be. Whether at home or outside, he must always pay attention to his words and deeds.
Only in the presence of Lawrence and Charlie can they relax a little, which also makes their relationship stronger and stronger.
"Charlie, so you're here." The two were looking at the various living beings below, and Marshall, who was proud of the spring breeze, came from behind.
"Today is too busy, I need to find a place to have a drink." Li Zitao said, holding up the vodka in the glass.
"Give me a glass too, I've had enough of these mouthwashes." Handing the champagne in his hand to the waiter, the other party quickly changed it to vodka for Marshall.
"Have you heard?" Marshall asked, leaning over the railing.
"What?" Li Zitao didn't realize it for a while, what did he hear?
"The fleet that bombed the Japanese mainland was discovered by patrol boats, and the Astor was severely damaged and could not return safely.
We had to choose to sink it in deep sea because it must not fall into Japanese hands...that would be a shame. "
The last two words Michelle held his breath and let out a low growl with his throat, his raised chest seemed to represent his anger.
The loss of the Astor is like a heart-wrenching pain to the military.
That's what they spent real money on, which they got from Mobil just now, and according to the agreement between the two parties.
Once it is damaged during the war, Washington will pay for it and compensate a large amount of compensation.
"It's really a sad story." Li Zitao said with a smile.
"Come on!" Michelle pointed at him angrily and scolded with a smile: "Can't you be perfunctory?"
Li Zitao's expression could not be seen as 'sad'.
"Okay!" Li Zitao said in a serious tone with a straight face, "I hope the compensation from Washington can be paid as soon as possible."
"You bastard." Michelle raised her fist and hammered him on the shoulder.
This was not the answer he wanted, but the reason why he came to Li Zitao on his own initiative.
The recent days in Washington are not easy!
It's not that they want to renege on this account, and they won't do it anyway.
If all kinds of support for Washington during the war were met with deception and denial, Roosevelt should have prepared his resignation speech.
However, in the recent period, Washington has successively provided huge financial assistance to the Soviet Union, China, and European countries headed by the United Kingdom.
Even if the Federal Reserve starts its machine, the continuous printing of money cannot keep up with the speed at which Washington is spending money.
But these aids are necessary, and will bring practical benefits and international influence to the United States.
Therefore, the Washington government wants to discuss the issue of compensation for the "Astor" after the war.
"Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, it will be difficult for me to explain to the board of directors." Hearing the intention of the other party's visit, Li Zitao said with some embarrassment.
After taking a sip of the wine, Michelle sighed in relief, and said, "Of course I know, Charlie...No one is easy in this war."
Putting a hand on his shoulder, Michelle looked at him sincerely, "The Allies cannot fail, Charlie...We must all believe in this and work hard to achieve it."
"You are the Chief of Staff of the Army. It is said that the number of soldiers recruited has reached 2 million...Can't they send someone else?"
"I think they are afraid that you will refuse, not everyone is like you and me." Michelle pointed between the two of them.
People who didn't know that look saw how close they were.
"I need to communicate with the board of directors before I can give you an answer. That's not a small amount." How can it be small when it involves tens of millions of dollars?
Even if Michelle, the chief of staff of the army, was the lobbyist himself, it would not be possible to erase it with a single sentence.
"Of course, I'll wait for your good news." Michelle raised her glass.
...
Seeing the back of Michelle leaving, Jonathan, who has been serving as the background wall without interjection, smiled; "What are you going to do?"
"Of course it was pushed on you." Li Zitao said naturally.
"What?" Jonathan was a little confused. Does this matter have anything to do with me?
"Didn't you say that you would buy it back if it sank?" Li Zitao said in an unusual tone, "Now it is yours."
"How much?" Jonathan understood a little bit.
"It's the same as you thought, pay with compensation, now it's your problem." Li Zitao looked at him pretending to be complacent.
"You know, my salary is very high." Jonathan said deliberately.
"One-tenth." As a man of status, how could he do something for nothing.
"Enough." Jonathan readily accepted, but frowned again: "The current situation in Washington is indeed as he said, and it is not easy to get money."
"Then give it an appropriate interest rate, isn't that what you are good at?" Li Zitao also felt that it was impossible to get the money back now.
Washington is now eager to break a penny in half, so there is no money to pay the compensation for the "Astor".
However, the interest due on the arrears must still be paid.
It was perfect for this villain to let Jonathan do it. Anyway, he could get the big head no matter what, and he didn't have to face Roosevelt's nagging complaints.
As one of the Big Three, Li Zitao never imagined that he would be like a woman nagging about one thing endlessly.
Li Zitao has experienced this kind of experience many times, and now it's time for someone else to bear it for him.
At this time, Jonathan didn't know what kind of hobbies the great Mr. President had, and he was still thinking about how to get Washington to agree to their conditions.