National Tide 1980.

Louis Cong always ate on time. He lived in seclusion in his castle like a king, and he never ate early or late for anyone.

It was still a while before dinner, so even though Kong Deqi was a little hungry, he could only ask the butler for a drink mixed with gin, along with some nuts and fruit.

Then, just like every summer when he came over, he showed his father the photos he had taken in the past few months and told him about his recent life and experiences.

"You seem to be doing quite well lately. It seems you're happy living alone after leaving your mother."

After talking about his son's life, Louis Cong's stern face softened.

Then he started asking about his son's job.

"How's your job at that Wall Street bank going? You don't have any of your colleagues that you dislike, do you? I mean, those white guys?"

"No, isn't Mr. Kang Xin, the bank's vice president, an old friend of yours? He takes good care of me. He often gives me pointers on how to make money by taking advantage of fluctuations in international exchange rates. With his help, no one would be foolish enough to mess with me."

Kong Deqi spoke cautiously, fearing that his words might trigger a bloodbath.

When he was in middle school, the captain of the rugby team, who was a year ahead of him, once threatened him in the bathroom because of his mixed race, but he resolved the situation with twenty dollars.

He originally thought he had resolved the issue very well, and later mentioned it to his father as a successful social example.

Unexpectedly, just three days after he told the story, the football captain was disabled after being hit by a truck in a "tragic accident".

After this incident, he no longer wanted to be a source of "misfortune" and didn't want his father to pay too much attention to his private social circle, so he quickly changed the subject to work.

"However, the international market environment has been unfavorable recently, with international exchange rates fluctuating. If we don't use our brains and take risks, we won't make much money in business. If we want to achieve stable returns and pursue the same high income as moneylenders engaging in illegal trading, we have to join forces with others to set up schemes and prey on those in the exchange rate market. I'm currently learning this from Mr. Kang Xin."

These words were exactly what the father wanted; Louis Conn was the kind of father who most wanted his son to be a carnivore.

Appreciating these words, his arm relaxed, and he withdrew his cold, sharp gaze.

However, using this topic as a starting point, the real test of teaching has only just begun.

"What's your view on the future of the US economy? Young man..."

"We're still in recession, and the recovery is weak. Finances are deteriorating, and unemployment is high. It's all very bad. The president is very anxious, and there are rumors that he's going to send troops to Iraq. If that really happens, it will definitely cause oil prices to soar, which will be good for your business, won't it? The thought of you making a fortune from it makes this situation acceptable."

What Kong Deqi said was just a recitation of what was written in the newspapers.

But Luis Cong was very pleased that he was able to keep up with political changes and connect them to his family business.

After all, in the eyes of the Confucian family, only those who pay attention to politics and can make money through politics are true businessmen.

"That's very well said. What do you think of our president? Can he do it?"

"He is a conservative and pragmatic person who can achieve cross-party cooperation, so I think he would be a good president. However, his livelihood policies are at odds with Congress, and there are significant differences. He knows what he should do, but unfortunately, he may not be able to actually accomplish it. If we want to make the rich richer and stop the poor from striking, then sending troops may be the only option."

After saying this, Kong Deqi felt thirsty and quickly grabbed his drink, taking two large gulps.

It should be said that the questions Louis Con posed to him were not difficult and were entirely within his expectations.

But the problem is that there are always some questions in this world that have no right answer, or rather, all answers are right.

Kong Deqi had no idea whether his opinion would satisfy his father.

Sure enough, Louis Cong came to nitpick his oversights this time.

"You've overlooked an important point: George H.W. Bush had considerable diplomatic advantages."

"Oh, really? But what does that mean?"

"This means he will bypass Taiwan and further improve relations with the mainland. The mainland's interests will be deeply intertwined with the White House's, entering a honeymoon period."

"You mean the Republic? How is that possible?"

"What's impossible? Do you think different political parties are an obstacle? They're nothing in the face of interests. Besides, George H.W. Bush served as a diplomat in mainland China for several years, and he had very close relationships with those people there, did you know that?"

Looking at his son's surprised face, Louis Conn casually took a cigar from the cigar box next to him.

Then, he lit his cigar with a small, exquisite lighter before continuing, “Alright. Now let’s talk business. You might not know this, but since the Song Dynasty, the Chinese have been very fond of doing business with foreigners. Back then, because the Song Dynasty’s land borders were blocked by foreigners, they could only travel by sea. The Song emperors established more than twenty ports, and over four hundred kinds of Chinese goods were continuously shipped abroad from these ports, making a fortune for both sides… Now, following Nixon, George H.W. Bush also intends to encourage American businessmen to invest in the mainland, to make money. This will become an opportunity that cannot be missed in the new era, an opportunity that will benefit us. You should know that there are many Chinese people now, a lot of money, a lot of business, and even more fools. Whether it’s spending money or making money, it’s a transaction between smart people and fools. Even in a win-win situation, there will always be a winner and a loser. If we can also get involved appropriately, I’m sure we will gain more from the mainland than others…”

Louis Kong was so outspoken that Kong Deqi and others, convinced he wasn't joking, also spoke their minds directly.

"Dad, do you also want to invest in mainland China? But how? Your background... I mean, isn't our family quite famous in mainland China? Are you sure you want to leave here and take such a risk?"

"Fool, of course I wouldn't be stupid enough to just grab a suitcase full of money, fly over there, and ask to do business on the mainland. We'll have a protective layer to shield us from danger. For example, I'll invest some of the money in Zhao's Foremost Shipping Company. You know, what a country needs most to develop its import and export trade is shipping, ships, and ports, right? So this investment of mine will definitely make money. Shipping and shipbuilding are undoubtedly the industries that the mainland needs most right now. Besides, Zhao's daughter works for the US government. My hiding behind them is the best protection in itself. It will allow me to avoid the attention of both governments."

At this point, Louis Kong took a deep drag on his cigar. "And you, you're almost at the age where you can take on more important responsibilities. If you'd like, I can invest some money in your bank to set up a fund to invest in mainland China, and you can be in charge of the investment business in mainland China. What do you think? Of course, you must always remember that we're going there to make money, not to invest."

"Me?" Kong Deqi was truly surprised that his father had included him in the calculation.

This was the first time he had been given such an opportunity in person, and he couldn't help but feel excited and eager to try.

However, upon further reflection, he felt somewhat fearful. After all, from childhood to adulthood, he had never heard a single good word about the mainland from his father or any of his relatives.

The thought of leaving the familiar America that sheltered his family and going to a poor, backward place where his family had been driven out by war decades ago filled him with dread. “Dad, if I could, I wouldn’t want to go.”

"why?"

"Because I'm afraid of dying. What if they find out his identity? Will they just execute him as a spy? I'm not like you, hiding behind the Zhao family."

Kong Deqi frankly stated that unfamiliarity is enough to instill fear, and he is more afraid of the unexpected than the possible.

However, to his surprise, his father, who had always doted on him, seemed to have little concern for his safety this time.

"No, I've thought it all out. You have dual citizenship, right? You can go using your Italian citizenship, and your investment company can be registered in the British Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Not only will no one be able to find out who you are, but you'll also get tax exemption."

"Dad, what if I really don't want to go? What will you do? Lock me up? Or get the bank to fire me?"

Kong Deqi was really angry. He couldn't understand why his father insisted on forcing him on this issue.

Of course, he might also be a bit arrogant because of his favored status.

After all, he was the only person in the world who was not afraid to go against his father's wishes, and the only one who dared to offend Louis Cong.

Surely his own father wouldn't personally extinguish the Kong family's lineage.

Just as he had imagined, his father's face showed disbelief and anger at this point in the conversation.

However, to his surprise, Louis Cong quickly controlled his expression and revealed some things that he had never expected.

“Child, there’s no need to be so angry. If I couldn’t guarantee your safety, of course I wouldn’t let you take that risk. You should know that many people from Taiwan have been to the mainland, including generals who fought against them in the past. But nothing happened.”

"Also, there's something else I want you to know. Our Kansas oil fields are almost depleted. Maybe in five years, maybe in seven, our Northwest Oil Company will be an empty shell, with no more oil to sell. Do you know what that means? Our family, no, my father and I, will be facing a situation where we can't even keep up with our savings. And do you know how much it costs me to run this fortress? If we don't expand our sources of income now, I'm afraid I won't leave you anything when I die."

"What? Our oil field is almost out of oil?"

Kong Deqi froze abruptly, his hand holding the glass involuntarily stopping in mid-air, the amber liquid rippled and almost spilled over the rim.

He only dared to defy and act shamelessly because he relied on his father's unique favoritism and because he was the only heir of the Kong family.

But when he heard the words "oil field depletion" and "living off one's savings" from his father's mouth, his mind went blank. All his arrogance and resistance vanished instantly, leaving only utter shock and bewilderment.

In his mind since childhood, his father, Louis Kong, was a symbol of omnipotence. The underground castle in Houston, the oil fields all over Texas, and countless hidden industries and connections were the sky above his head that would never collapse.

He never imagined that this seemingly impregnable and inexhaustible empire of wealth would one day run out of resources, nor did he ever imagine that one day he would face the situation of falling from grace and having his fortune run out.

Who would willingly go from being a chosen one, a rich second-generation heir, to being a burdened second-generation heir abandoned by fate?

He opened his mouth, his throat dry and tight, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a weak, trembling voice to confirm again.

"Dad... are you telling the truth? How could such a large family business like Northwest Petroleum... how could it just disappear like that?"

Looking at the incredulous expression on his son's face, Louis Kong tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his tone becoming more serious, without a trace of jest.

“I would never joke with you about the life and death of my family. This is the final conclusion after repeated calculations by geologists.”

He paused, stubbed out his cigar, and then laid bare the harsh reality in front of his son, explaining the rules of American tax law.

"By then, even if I still have gold, cash, and collectibles, do you think we can rest easy just by keeping these things? You know American tax law better than I do. The exorbitant estate tax, property tax, and capital gains tax mean that once I'm gone, if you inherit these assets, the taxes alone will wipe out most of your fortune. Even if you want to sell assets and cash out, the IRS will be watching you like vultures, skinning you alive with every transaction. When the oil fields become unprofitable and the castle becomes a bottomless pit that devours gold, we won't have a continuous source of income. In less than ten years, everything the Kong family has accumulated will be gradually eroded by the rules of this country."

Seeing Kong Deqi's face grow paler, Louis Kong's voice held a touch of coldness born of experience as he revealed the truth about the struggles of Chinese people in America.

"You grew up in America, attended the best schools, worked in a Wall Street bank, and had people like Kang Xin looking after you, so you think we've really integrated here? Silly child, white people will always see us as outsiders. Chinese people in America face severe discrimination and have never truly felt safe. We have no political connections, no natural protection from our ethnic group; our only armor is enough, enough solid wealth. If we have less money, we lose our status. If we lose our status, those we've offended before, those eyeing our assets, will come and tear us apart. This world has always been a dog-eat-dog world. We Chinese people abroad can only rely on wealth to protect ourselves and our family line."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp yet filled with a father's earnestness, completely shattering his son's hopes and fears.

"The mainland is not a trap, but our Kong family's only new way out. There are many people there, a large market, and relaxed policies. With George H.W. Bush actively trying to befriend us, it's the perfect time. I'm having you represent us under an Italian identity, with the company registered in the Cayman Islands, to isolate us from all risks. In fact, you don't even need to venture deep into the mainland; you can just keep abreast of things from Hong Kong. We're not going to invest in charity, nor are we going to claim ancestral roots; we're going to secure a source of wealth that can be passed down for three generations, to give the Kong family a new way to survive."

Kong Deqi sat on the sofa in a daze. All his previous timidity, resistance, and anger were shattered by the series of realities his father had thrown out.

However, that was not all. What surprised him even more was that Louis Conn revealed a family secret to him.

"There's something quite secret I need your help with. You're my only son, the only remaining member of the Kong family. No one else can help with this except you. I don't trust anyone else, so I can only rely on you."

"what's up?"

"I need you to go to Hong Kong and keep an eye out for someone. This person is named Song Xiuwen. He died long ago in Taiwan, and that was originally a long-forgotten story. But now, it seems that a female celebrity named Teresa Teng is inquiring about him. Teresa Teng was also from Taiwan, but now she only travels between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Japan, and rarely returns to Taiwan. My people sometimes have a hard time keeping track of her whereabouts. So I need you to contact this female celebrity, find out about her interpersonal relationships, and preferably find out why she is doing this."

"What does this mean to you? Why is it so important? Since it happened so many years ago, can't you forget it?"

"No, I can't tell you what exactly happened because of your psychological capacity. My son, all you need to know is that this matter is the guarantee of our Kong family's prosperity. If you really find a breakthrough, our family can enjoy at least another hundred years of prosperity."

Kong Deqi remained silent for a long time. Looking at the old man in front of him, whose hair was gray but whose eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's, he realized for the first time that his father was not forcing him, but entrusting the future of the entire family to him.

The turbulent emotions gradually subsided, replaced by a heavy yet clear understanding.

This time, he no longer had the right to say "no." (End of Chapter)