Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 996 No, I succeeded.
Investing in Broadway? How to invest?

As Hideki Hanyu asked the question, he glanced at Grace Hayes, the Broadway actress standing next to Peter Peterson.

No wonder this Wall Street shrew would bring a Broadway actress with him; it turns out he's expanded his business to Broadway.

Hideki Hanyu wasn't in a hurry to talk about his own affairs first; he wanted to hear what good investments Peter Peterson had to offer.

Seeing that Hideki Hanyu was willing to listen, Peter Peterson immediately began his introduction.

"This survey on Broadway is the optimal combination I have compiled after a long period of research, which includes a variety of investment products."

For example, in the theater industry, you can invest and hold shares for the long term to obtain stable dividends.

You can also make short-term investments or anticipated investments, investing only for the profit of a specific period.
Investment can be in a combination of multiple theaters, a small number of theaters, or a single theater.

Besides theaters, you can even choose to invest in a particular production.

besides……"

Peter Peterson gave a lengthy presentation on a whole host of investment products.

Upon hearing this, Hideki Hanyu couldn't help but admire him. This guy truly lived up to his reputation as a Wall Street elite. No matter what field of investment he was involved in, he was adept at mixing various elements to create new concepts.

However, by the end, Hideki Hanyu also felt a sense of familiarity.

He asked, "Peter, these investments you're talking about are pretty much the same as the anthology investments for Hollywood movies, aren't they?"

Peter Peterson quickly explained, "With my investments, you can directly invest in theaters, or even become the owner of a theater."

In Hollywood's anthology investment model, you can only invest in film projects, not become the owner of the production company.

However, at this point, Peter Peterson lightly patted his forehead, looked at Hideki Hanyu and smiled, "I almost forgot, Mr. Seraphim is already the owner of Universal Pictures."

Then Peter Peterson made another recommendation.

“Mr. Seraphim, for a wealthy person like you, diversified investment of funds is very necessary. In recent years, the number of Broadway audiences has been rising, and its influence is not limited to America.”

Investing in Broadway through my portfolio, while not offering the returns of high-risk products, is stable and long-term, making it a truly high-quality investment.

Hearing Peter Peterson's constant praise for investing in Broadway, Hideki Hanyu didn't believe even half of it.

Wall Street investors always use the most appealing phrases in their pitches.

These Wall Street brokers and middlemen are all cunning old foxes who will devour people without spitting out the bones. As long as they have money, there's no one they won't dare to cheat.

Not to mention him, even the American government would be deceived.

Don't let Peter Peterson's casual remark fool you; the resources required to connect the entire Inner Broadway and integrate numerous theaters into a single portfolio are not to be underestimated.

This project could not possibly be managed by Peter Peterson alone; it must involve a huge alliance of interests behind it.

It's easy for Hideki Hanyu to invest money, but if he really loses it, he might not know who to target if he wants to cause trouble, and even if he does, he probably "can't afford to mess with" them.

After all, dealing with one person is easy, but dealing with a group of people is a very troublesome thing.

Of course, such investments come at your own risk, and if you lose money, you can only accept your bad luck.

Thinking of this, Hideki Hanyu asked directly, "If your Broadway investment portfolio is so good, it should be very popular. There's no need for you to ask me to promote it."

Hearing Hideki Hanyu's words, which were a direct question, Peter Peterson remained unfazed and adopted a flattering expression.

"The reason is simple: this investment portfolio has a set threshold, and not just anyone can participate in the investment."

We have specific requirements regarding investors' funds, identity, and asset background.

That's why I'm specifically recommending it to you, not because our portfolio is unpopular, but because there are simply too few investors of Mr. Seraphim's caliber on this planet.

When Hideki Hanyu heard this, he couldn't help but want to applaud Peter Peterson.

No wonder the other party is so successful in America; their salesmanship alone is something that not everyone can do.

First, he went on and on about his investment products, and then, on top of that, he praised Hideki Hanyu.

By leveraging each other's strengths, the quality of the Broadway investment portfolio he recommended was elevated, and Hideki Hanyu felt that being able to invest in this product was a recognition of his status and strength.

If Hideki Hanyu were truly a nouveau riche in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor and fond of vanity, he might very well have been completely fooled by Peter Peterson.

Unfortunately, the scumbag had lived two lives. Although he wasn't exactly a cunning old fox, he wasn't as young and naive as he appeared. So even though he was secretly pleased, he wouldn't immediately agree to invest just because of a few words of flattery.

However, he did not immediately refuse on the surface. Instead, he took advantage of the other party's eagerness to attract investment and used it as bait.

“Peter, we are old friends who have had successful collaborations. Not long ago, I entrusted a large sum of money to Blackstone Group for management through you.”

So I really trust my old friend's recommendation, and I also have a great interest in Broadway.

You might not know this, but the movie "Driving Miss Daisy," which was released at the end of last year, grossed $130 million at the North American box office, and won an Oscar, is the one I adapted from the Broadway rights.

but……"

When Hideki Hanyu got to this point, you could clearly see the joy in Peter Peterson's eyes.

Clearly, the other party felt that Hideki Hanyu's statement indicated he was already interested in Broadway's investment portfolio products.

Besides Peter Petersen, Hideki Hanyu also noticed...

When he mentioned the movie "Driving Miss Daisy," Broadway actress Grey Hayes, sitting across from Peter Peterson, suddenly became fervent in her eyes.

Of course, when he said "but," everyone knew that what came before was just a prelude, and the most important thing was the turning point in what followed.

Peter Peterson's eyes immediately lit up with joy, fearing that Hideki Yuzuru might offer some reason, such as recent financial difficulties, to reject him.

However, since Hideki Hanyu wants to go fishing, he won't refuse now.

He changed the subject, his expression slightly troubled.

“But Peter, the investment portfolio you mentioned is too numerous and too complex. Based on your description alone, I can hardly decide which products to invest in. How about we schedule another time so you can bring more detailed information and we can discuss it further?”

Upon hearing that Hideki Hanyu wasn't refusing, but rather wanted to see the materials for a detailed discussion because he was having difficulty making a choice, Peter Peterson immediately felt relieved.

He immediately smiled and agreed, “Of course, but when does Seraphim have time?”

Hideki Hanyu thought for a moment and said, "Today is the 27th. I am going to the United Nations headquarters on the 29th to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award. However, I need to start preparing for the award ceremony tomorrow and also give interviews to the media partners. So the time can only be after I receive the award."

Peter Peterson immediately stood up and said, "Of course there's no problem with the timing. I would like to congratulate Mr. Seraphim in advance."

I must say, you are the most unique businessman I have ever met. You have a huge amount of wealth, but you are most famous as a writer.

"Your picture books and the novel Bridget are loved even by my little granddaughter." Peter Peterson's words seemed to carry a certain sincerity.

Clearly, the fact that his granddaughter likes Hideki Hanyu's works is not just empty talk.

Hideki Hanyu feigned surprise and said, "That would be my honor. If you don't mind, I'd like to give your granddaughter a commemorative edition of my new picture book when it's released next month."

Peter Peterson said happily, "I wouldn't mind at all. If it were an autographed edition, I think my granddaughter would like it even more."

Hideki Hanyu assured, "No problem, it will definitely be the most special version."

Hideki Hanyu was not just being polite; maintaining his personal relationship with Peter Peterson would greatly benefit his career in America.

Don't let this old man's current status as a Wall Street shrew in the American business world fool you; he was once a big shot who served as America's Secretary of Commerce and the CEO of Lehman Brothers.

The Blackstone Group, which he later founded, will become the world's largest publicly traded investment management company in the future, and has also given rise to behemoths like BlackRock.

Steve Schwarzman, a partner at Blackstone Group, is hailed as the real-life "King of Wall Street".

It doesn't matter if you don't know this name. This person also has a Chinese name, Su Shimin. The "Su Shimin College" at Tsinghua University was co-founded with investment from Su Shimin and Tsinghua University.

Therefore, Peter Peterson's network of connections and resources are not to be underestimated, whether in the political or business world.

"In that case, I won't bother Mr. Seraphim any longer. I hope you have a good time. I should go back and prepare the detailed investment information in advance."

Seeing that the investment was promising, Peter Peterson prepared to take his leave.

But Hanyu Hideki hadn't even asked about the other party's purpose yet, so how could he let them leave?

He immediately stood up and said, "Peter, please wait a moment, there's something else I'd like to ask you."

Peter Peterson remembered that Hideki Hanyu had indeed said he needed to talk to him, and immediately sat down again. "Sorry, I forgot for a moment."

Hideki Hanyu said, "It's okay. Actually, a friend asked me to ask you about this."

"I wonder which friend it is?" Peter Peterson asked.

Larry Fink.

The moment Hideki Hanyu uttered the name, he noticed a visible change in Peter Peterson's expression.

However, the change was fleeting, and Hideki Hanyu couldn't guess what the other person was thinking based on that alone.

Peter Peterson asked, "What did Larry Fink ask you to ask me?"

Hideki Hanyu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "He wants to know what BlackRock would need to pay if it wanted to operate independently?"

Upon hearing Hideki Hanyu's words, Peter Peterson immediately sneered, "Heh, let him ask me that question himself, or let Steve Schwartz ask me that question."

Hideki Hanyu was not affected by Peter Peterson's attitude, and continued to help Larry Fink test the waters.

“In my view, BlackRock and Blackstone have different operating philosophies and investment areas. Rather than turning BlackRock into another Blackstone, it is better to let it develop independently. I think this is a win-win choice for both Blackstone and BlackRock.”

Peter Peterson asked with a smile, "I didn't expect Mr. Seraphim to know so much about us."

Hideki Hanyu shrugged. "I'm just relaying what's said. As for whether it makes sense or not, I think you, as a seasoned investor on Wall Street, know better than I do."

Hideki Hanyu's words silenced Peter Peterson.

After a moment, Peter Peterson spoke up, “Your account may make sense, but Wall Street is not a place for reason.”

Hideki Hanyu smiled and said, "Wall Street, money never sleeps."

Peter Peterson smiled and nodded, "Everything in this world has a price tag."

"Although I don't completely agree with what you said, I understand what you mean."

Hideki Hanyu knew that Larry Fink's request to him had been fulfilled.

Larry Fink asked him to sound out the situation, not to actually get him to do it, but to persuade him immediately, or to get the conditions for BlackRock's independence from Peter Peterson.

Larry Fink simply wanted Hideki Hanyu to find out if Whiteride had any possibility of independence.

Peter Peterson's answer is that everything has a price tag, which proves that BlackRock can become independent from Blackstone, but it needs to meet the price tag for independence.

As for the price tag and how much it will cost, that's not something Hideki Hanyu should worry about; that's something Larry Fink should be dealing with next.

"I had a very pleasant meeting with Mr. Peter tonight."

Having received his answer, Hideki Hanyu didn't intend to linger at the charity gala and rose to shake hands with Peter Peterson.

Peter Peterson also stood up to shake hands, saying, "Me too."

After they let go of each other's hands, Hideki Hanyu politely shook hands with Grace Hayes again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hayes."

"It is my honor to meet Mr. Seraphim."

However, just as the two finished exchanging pleasantries and were about to let go, Hideki Yuzuru felt Grey Hayes's fingers quietly trace two lines in his palm.

Hideki Hanyu's expression remained unchanged, and after saying goodbye to Peter Peterson, he left with Christy Durrington as if nothing had happened.

However, Hideki Hanyu was unaware that Peter Peterson gave a strange smile right after he left with Christy Durrington.

He murmured in a voice only he could hear.

"It was quite a surprise. I deliberately revealed my schedule for today, thinking that Larry Fink would come to me personally, but he actually invited Hideki Hanyu instead."

I'm just curious why Hideki Hanyu agreed to help, and what use is Larry Fink to him?
Given Hideki Hanyu's assets, BlackRock is of absolutely no value to him.

Is it really just because of friendship?

Haha, I didn't expect to find people on Wall Street who value friendship.

At this point, Peter Peterson turned to Grey Hayes and asked.

"As agreed, I created an opportunity for you, but judging from the results, it seems you failed."

Grey Hayes, however, gave a charming smile.

"No, I succeeded."

(End of this chapter)