America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 393 The Local Snakes in California

California is long and narrow, with a total area of ​​more than 15 square kilometers.

Traditionally, Americans refer to the Bay Area with San Francisco as the core area as Northern California, and the area dominated by the Los Angeles metropolitan area as Southern California.

California Pacific Electric, the substation where the accident occurred is located in Yorba Linda, Southern California.

It's located in northern Orange County, California, and its biggest celebrity ever was Richard Nicholson.

This name may be unfamiliar to some people, but I believe many Chinese people have seen that famous historical photo.

Despite its small population, Yorba Linda is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, with an average annual household income of more than $12.

This data can be said to be the highest among the current American cities.

It is also because most of the people who live here are relatively wealthy.

After the California Pacific Electric accident, it was difficult to suppress news related to it.

While Abel was in his Cadillac monster, the convoy set off back to downtown Los Angeles.

Yorba Linda City, in the local police station.

Hupps, CEO of California Pacific Electric, is in a conversation with the Yorba Linda Police Chief.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shupes." Mr. Director said to Shupes with a tired face, obviously not rested:

"It's as simple as that. It was your workers who were tired and that caused this accident. It could have been prevented, but it's too late to say anything."

Shupes was silent for a while, and did not respond to Mr. Director's words, as if he was waiting for something.

Mr. Director was not angry either. He was fat and sitting on his seat, juggling with a pen.

He knew what Shupes was waiting for, in fact even Mr. Director himself was waiting.

About ten minutes passed.

Mr. Director was a little bored waiting, when he wanted to go out and have a look.

His office door was opened.

A few elite agents in suits and leather shoes walked in from the outside.

Shupes and Mr. Chief looked at each other.

Among several elite FBl agents, the middle-aged captain Tan Ji, the leader, came in, stood up and said to Shupus:
"The result has come out. I'm sorry...Mr. Shupes, the result is an accident caused by an employee of your company who made a wrong operation."

"Unfortunately, the few employees who made mistakes have been burned into charcoal blocks in the explosion. We can only find their remains that have turned into carbon. DNA data tells us that they are indeed the few employees of your company. staff."

Hearing this news, Shupes couldn't help closing his eyes.

Mr. Director behind the desk shrugged in Shupes' direction.

It means that even FBl's investigation results are the same as theirs.

Shupes opened his eyes, and he said to the local police station and FBl agents:
"Thank you very much for your investigation. But I think I need to make a call now."

Both FBl and Mr. Chief made a gesture of asking for permission.

Shupes went straight out.

In the police station, he found an empty house, took out his mobile phone and started calling.

"Hello, is that Mr. Brown?"

"Well, how's the situation, Hupes."

"The results of FBl and the local police department are somewhat unfavorable to Cal Pacific Electric."

"Stocks are in terrible shape. Shupes, they're down 28.9%."

"I know. But Mr. Brown, Cal Pacific Electric, is clearly being targeted."

"What does Smith say? He is the chairman, and the stock has fallen. His loss is the biggest."

Shupes replied softly: "I called him. He promised to help. Mr. Brown, I have always had a guess, could it be..."

"Don't say it. Shupes, don't say it. Because even if it's true. It can't be said. It's the game, understand? We can deal with it. But we can't say it, at least not by us. "

Shupes was silent for a moment, and responded softly:

"I see, Mr. Brown. But what should I do in the present situation?"

"You're the CEO. Mr. Shopes. It's up to you, understand?"

"But..." Shupes said anxiously.

"I know you're in a hurry. But Shupes, it's not the worst. It was just an accident, an accident that no one wanted to happen. So don't worry too much, maybe it'll be all right?"

Shupus was silent again, and the other party's voice continued to ring on the other side of the phone:

"Let's leave it at that. I'll go to Davis to discuss it. But... sometimes people need to rely on themselves, do you understand what I mean, Shupes?"

Yorba Linda City Police Station, in a room with only one person.

Shupus had a wry smile on his face: "Understood, sir."

"Okay. Good-bye, then, Shupes."

"Goodbye, Mr. Brown."

After being hung up, Shupus fell into deep thought while holding the mobile phone with a busy tone of "beep——".

Ten minutes later, his cell phone rang.

"Hey……"

"Mr. Shopes, the lawyers for those people are here. And the prosecutor from Yorba Linda."

"I see. Let our lawyers, talk to them. I'll go back now."

"Ok."

Shupes hung up the phone, but instead of leaving in a hurry, he looked out of the window in the small room.

Outside is the cloudless sky, the blue is boundless and directly connected to the space, as if you can see the deep universe.

"I'm not going to be Kenneth..." Shupes murmured.

Things quickly turned against Cal Pacific Electric.

1 month 10 day.

The Yorba Linda local police department, together with FBl detectives, attended the press conference of California Pacific Electric.

press conference.

Calpacific Electric CEO Hughes apologized to the public and vowed to compensate the victims.

this afternoon.

Daliso Corso, director of the California Federation of Labor-Cio, on behalf of 13 energy workers unions in California, launched a questioning of California Pacific Electric.

The AFL-CIO questioned why Cal Pacific Electric paid additional compensation only to victims of the substation explosion and fire.

However, the seven workers who were working in the accident substation and were killed did not express anything at the press conference.

Neil Shrub, deputy communications manager for Cal Pacific Electric, waited for a reaction.

Many members of the 13 energy workers unions in California showed up and walked the streets outside the Pacific Electric headquarters.

At night, even at the entrance of the city's official residence in Yorba Linda, and near the governor's mansion in California, there were traces of energy workers walking on the street.

That night, the news spread throughout the United States through various TV stations and newspapers.

All of a sudden, most Americans knew that a power company in California had an accident.

The accident killed workers and burned the homes and property of many nearby residents.

Originally, this kind of news had a greater impact.

But most Americans, except those with relevant interests, have seen it and seen it.

Not too many people will pay attention.

But this power supply company, it is actually Abel Smith's company.

Abel Smith is its largest shareholder and chairman of the company.

This news also became that the power supply company of the richest man in the world exploded, killing people and causing a big fire.

The number of people who followed this social news suddenly doubled dozens of times.

The news, which was not very eye-catching at first, was also fueled by some promoters.

It has become one of the news that many Americans have focused on in the near future.

The more people who pay attention, the greater the pressure on California Pacific Electric.

Hupes called Mr. Brown again.

"...I already know the situation. Shupes, there is no need to guess. Holmes once said that the biggest beneficiary is the biggest suspect."

Shupes sneered, but said in a gentle tone:

"But Mr. Brown. People outside are scolding him now. From this point of view, isn't he the biggest beneficiary?"

"This is just an appearance. Shupes, I know you are in a hurry. But don't worry, we... oh, someone is looking for me. Let's talk about it first, and I will talk to you later."

Hang up the phone with Shupes again.

Mr. Brown in the mouth of the CEO of California Pacific Electric.

Former California Governor, current California Attorney General Mr. Jerry Brown.

The elderly white man, smiling, looks at Wells Fargo Chairman John Stumpf.

There was also Miss Keira Wilson, who brought a handsome young man to her eyes.

Without waiting for Keira Wilson, or John Stumpf to speak up.

Jerry Brown was already laughing. He picked up the red wine glass in his hand and raised it towards the young man between the two:
"Oh! God! Apollo who walked the world, I want to salute you, sir. Dear Mr. Smith, it is so good to see you!!"

That's right, the young man who appeared in front of Jerry Brown.

It is Mr. Abel Smith, the richest man in the world today, the chairman of Smith Capital, the chairman of Pacific Commercial Bank, the chairman of Smith Media, and the chairman and director of more than 300 other companies.

On these commercial titles, if you have to list them carefully.

The handsome young man in front of him is also the current chairman of the National Rifle Association, the permanent honorary director of 69 charitable foundations and associations in the United States, the honorary director of the New York Cultural Relics Preservation Association, the Manhattan Marine Animal Protection Association and other organizations. , and even the permanent honorary chairman.

If you print on A4 paper, even use a small font.

Even a piece of A4 paper cannot print the various positions and titles of the young man in front of him.

"Hello. Mr. Brown, I'm Abel Smith."

Abel smiled and shook hands with this enthusiastic old man, "Dear son of California, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Haha..." Jerry Brown smiled happily, "Me too. Jerry Brown, it's very nice to meet you, dear Mr. Smith."

The hands of the two were quickly held together, and they did not separate for a long time.

If Shupus was here and saw this scene.

The CEO of Calpacific Electric, the psychological exercise must be very interesting.

This is South Pasadena, which is located in the northeast suburb of Los Angeles. It has a long history and beautiful scenery. It is an old white community in the United States, and the social security is very good.

It is a suburb of Los Angeles, very close to Los Angeles.If you drive, you can reach downtown Los Angeles in half an hour.

Many people think that the elite of Los Angeles live in Beverly Hills.

That's actually wrong.

The real elite in Los Angeles, and even the real elite in California.

Those top rich people, and the family of California local snakes like Jerry Brown.

Many of their estates and villas are here in South Pasadena.

Beverly Hills looked more like a home for upstarts than South Pasadena.

Just like in New York, several places on Long Island are actually the lairs of old rich people.

Manhattan, the economic center of the European and American world, is actually the place where the newly rich like to live.

South Pasadena is one of the "Long Islands" of Los Angeles.

The villa where Jerry Brown and Abel are at the moment is Keira Wilson's home.

Tonight's reception was held by Keira's father, Slade Wilson, one of the largest land snakes in California, after he returned from recuperation after a successful operation in Houston.

In this cocktail party, those real big shots in California.

Including the current Governor of California Davis, the current Attorney General Jerry Brown, the current President of the State Senate and the President of the House of Representatives, etc., all attended.

From the identities of these guests, we can see the influence of Slade Wilson in California.

In addition, from Abel's point of view, this reception can also be regarded as a gathering of the top executives of the California consortium.

And as Abel's "acquaintance" here.

Slade Wilson's daughter Kayla, and Wells Fargo Chairman John Stumpf.

These two people acted as Abel's welcome guests at this reception.

These two people will take Abel, or help Abel introduce the California consortium, and those local local snakes in California.

This actually shows that Slade Wilson attaches great importance to Abel.

There are two "welcome guests", one is his daughter and the other is his most capable subordinate.

My fellow guests, there are no real fools.Naturally, they can see this too, including Jerry Brown.

This is one of the reasons why Jerry Brown smiled so brightly at this time, and when he met Abel, he acted so sincerely.

The two shook hands for more than 20 seconds.

People who don't know will definitely think how good the relationship between the two is.

But in fact, this one of California's local snakes.

He had already had a small fight with the Qianglong from Texas and New York on Pacific Electric.

In the front is the strong dragon in a weak position.

The company that was acquired at a huge price, as the largest shareholder and chairman, can't even get the right to manage the company...

In the back... who will win the game, the winner has not yet been decided.

Fighting back to fighting, on the surface, everyone is of course smiling, shaking hands and chatting like good friends, and talking.

Looking at the two people who seem to be "hit together".

Kayla and Stumpf act as lubricants. Kayla may not be mature enough in this respect because she is young.

But Stampf, who has been able to serve as the chairman of Wells Fargo Bank for so many years, certainly cannot be a parallel importer.

Immediately after they shook hands and parted, Stumpf laughed and said:
"Good evening, Jerry. You've been saying you wanted to know Mr. Smith. Now it's finally yours."

"Yes." Jerry Brown said with a smile, "I picked up a penny when I went out this morning. Such good luck has now come true."

In many parts of the United States, there is a superstition that if you go out in the morning and pick up a penny, you will be lucky for the whole day.

Yes, Americans are just as superstitious.In terms of superstition and taboo customs, it is by no means less than that of the ancient oriental countries.

Do you think it is possible to say that a country that is not superstitious is not superstitious?

"Me too." Abel also responded with a smile, "When I went out today, the wind was blowing from the south."

In Texas, farmers and ranchers believe that if the south wind blows when they go out in the morning, they will have good luck for the whole day.

This is a little custom in Texas, similar to picking up pennies.

But the latter is a custom across the United States, most areas have.

Both of them were very polite, exchanged pleasantries, chatted, and talked a lot.

The time spent together was at least more than 10 minutes.

It was Keira Wilson who took the initiative and took Abel to meet other guests.

Wait for Abel and others to leave Jerry Brown.

Two old women in their 60s, a handsome guy in his thirties, and an old white man in his 60s surrounded Jerry Brown.

"Hey...Jerry."

One of the two old women said with a chuckle:
"It looks like you guys had a really good chat just now. It doesn't look like there is a conflict."

"Ha... who can say otherwise." Another old woman also said with a smile.

Instead, the young man and an old white man just smiled and did not speak.

Jerry Brown looked at the two old women who had similar tastes, and shook his head helplessly:

"Nancy, Diane. One thing I must correct you is that I have no conflict with anyone. Peace, kindness, and tolerance. That has always been my motto."

Both old women laughed, but didn't say anything.

The old white man among the four spoke.

"Jerry. It seems that Mr. Wilson attaches great importance to him." The old white man's voice was very soft.

Jerry Brown nodded slightly.

Can let Slade Wilson's only daughter Keira Wilson, and Slade's most trusted Stumpf accompany.

Undoubtedly, the kid from Texas must be very important to Slade Wilson.

At this moment, the old woman named Nancy who spoke first, suddenly said to the handsome man who had been smiling and saying nothing:
"Gavin, maybe you can go over and have a chat with him. You are both young, equally handsome, and young and promising. Maybe you will have something in common."

The handsome Gavin Newsom smiled helplessly, "Compared to him, I am not young at all. He is only under 22 years old, and I am almost 40 years old."

"22 years old... God. Who would have thought he would be so young if no one reminded him. Oh, my bastard son, he just happened to be 22 years old. But that bastard only knows fly. Ye. Zi, at night Go to the strip, dance, girl club!"

Another old woman, Diane said through gritted teeth.

Ignore the points of attention of the two women.

The old white man Gordon Getty whispered to Jerry Brown:

"Jerry, there has to be a result. No, maybe we can compromise."

Jerry Brown didn't respond, he just looked not far away with deep eyes, and was accompanied by Keira and Stumpf.

A handsome young man who keeps chatting and laughing with the important members of the California consortium.

Compromise?
Maybe, but that has a premise.

For someone like Jerry Brown.

Even if it is a compromise, it needs to be beneficial.Or if there is no compromise, there will be unacceptable disadvantages.

Otherwise, why would Pat Brown's son compromise with an outsider in California?

(End of this chapter)