hollywood billionaire

Chapter 533 Moderates and Pragmatists

"Yes, that's true."

“That was in 2009, just before Christmas—oh, sorry, Thanksgiving. The David Rubinstein Courtyard at Lincoln Center had just opened. The center was hosting a big party and invited many guests, and since my name was on the plaque, I naturally had to greet each guest, exchange pleasantries, and encourage them to become donors to Lincoln Center when appropriate. So, by the end of the day, I was drenched in sweat and completely exhausted.”

"I walked out of the center, starving. It wasn't that the food at the party was bad, but that I simply didn't have time to taste it. So I decided to just find a restaurant nearby and make do with whatever I could find."

"At that moment, I saw a huge sign across the street that read 'Bar Boulud.' It was packed with customers, and the aroma of wine and cheese wafted over, so I thought, well, why not have dinner there? So I went over, and right next to the front door, there was a flowing-haired gentleman in a chef's uniform leading a group of customers out, chatting and laughing with them in the thickest French accent I'd ever heard. I leaned closer to listen, and they were discussing which restaurant had the best wine service on the French Riviera."

“That’s when I said to myself, okay, this might be the best French casual restaurant I’ve ever eaten at in New York, and it might become my regular choice because it’s close to where I live.”

"And the final result did not disappoint me."

"But how could you not know that was Chef Daniel?"

Han Yi, listening attentively to David Rubinstein's story, smiled and asked, "I must say, David Rubinstein is truly a born podcast host. There's no affected broadcasting tone; his speaking style is simple and unpretentious. His rhythm, tone, and gestures are all perfectly controlled. It's like an uncle you rarely see chatting about interesting things happening far away in your backyard—full of relaxing and warm appeal. Such expressive ability is undeniably a talent."

"If you used to frequent Daniel's restaurant."

“Because the restaurant is called Daniel, not Boulud!” David Rubenstein spread his hands, his exaggerated tone eliciting laughter from the table. “I don’t know Daniel’s last name, I only know that their Pennsylvania roast duck is so delicious it’s speechless, and their Atlantic red mullet is simply irresistible. That’s all a man needs to know when he walks into a restaurant, right?”

“That’s right,” Han Yi replied with a smile.

"More importantly, I met Chef Brüder that day, had a very pleasant conversation with him, and established a genuine friendship. This friendship has lasted for seven years and will continue for a long time to come."

“Yes, David and I have become good friends.” Standing a few steps behind Han Yi, Daniel Brüder nodded. “My restaurant is on 65th Street, and David’s house is a little further north. I often run into him when I jog every morning.”

“When have you ever jogged every day, buddy?” David Rubinstein scoffed. “The real question is, have you ever jogged in your entire life?”

“Of course! I’m jogging… to buy groceries.” Even after living in the United States for twenty-three years, Daniel Bruder’s French accent remains a badge of honor that the chef proudly displays at all times. He made a gesture of swinging his arms back and forth, which drew another round of laughter from everyone.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Han, Member of Parliament Goodratt... the best wine list on the French Riviera comes from Le Cap restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. If we're talking about all of France, then it's Epicure at the Bristol Hotel in Paris. Perhaps this is something you two can remember and experience on your next trip to France."

On December 10, 2016, after seeing off the Nadler family and Congressman Keehun, the luxury apartment, which had been uninhabited for a long time but became unusually lively on the eve of Christmas, welcomed its third group of guests: David Rubenstein, head of the Carlyle Group, Republican Congressman Bob Goodlaughter, and Daniel Brüder, who came specially to cook a seven-course traditional French dinner for them.

Having already achieved great success and now getting older, Daniel Brüder almost never accepts similar private catering invitations anymore, and he even rarely cooks at his own Daniel restaurant. This is a major reason why Daniel lost a Michelin star, dropping from three to two.

But tonight's guest lineup is definitely worth Daniel's effort and energy, and he'll have to go back into the kitchen again.

"I definitely will, thank you, Chef."

Han Yi, who had never been to France and had no plans to go there for wine tasting, responded with a polite smile.

“I completely agree with you, Chef.” Republican Congressman Bob Goodlaught, who has lived on this enchanting blue planet for sixty-four years and is no stranger to Europe, had much to say. “I remember it was the first summer after I beat Bowles, and Mary Allen and I were traveling to France. The night we left Paris, we had dinner at Epicure. I remember it was their first or second time receiving three Michelin stars, and to be honest, it remains one of the best meals I’ve ever had…except, of course, my wife’s cooking.”

"The selection of cheeses is dazzling, as are the wines... from champagne at the beginning to sweet wine at the end, all of them are top-notch."

“Agreed,” David Rubinstein echoed.

“Mr. Han, Mr. Han, next time you come to Paris, you must visit Epicure restaurant and be sure to try their wine pairing set menu.” At this point, Bob Goodrat looked around the table and then made a three-point gesture with his right hand. “This is a sincere recommendation from three people who have lived on this earth for more than half a century and know what is good and what is bad.”

“That will be the first thing I do upon landing in Paris.” Han Yi did not offend the congressman.

“It’s really amazing, really… You’d think drinking that much would get you drunk, but no, it only gets you drunk to the perfect degree… Sorry, guys, I tend to talk a lot when I’m drunk.” Bob Goodrat swirled his wine glass and downed the leftover wine from the previous course. “Chef, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“It has nothing to do with it, Mr. Congressman. I’m glad to see that you also like our wine pairing.”

“It can only be described as perfect.” Bob Goodratt sighed with satisfaction, then raised his arm toward Daniel Brüder, “Please, chef.”

“Very well.”

Daniel Brüder clasped his hands together on his chest, leaned forward slightly, and began introducing the next course.

“Mes amis, please allow me to present you with a creation that perfectly blends Eastern and Western culinary philosophies, the final main course of the evening, and undoubtedly the highlight of the night—Charles Bauer Ranch Wagyu Sirloin Steak.”

“We select premium Wagyu beef from the renowned Charbauer Ranch in Texas, with marbling as exquisite as marble. We use traditional Japanese binchotan charcoal for grilling, which reaches a high temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius to instantly lock in the juices. Interestingly, we creatively replace the traditional spinach leaves with thin, crispy crepes, reshaping the classic Florentine style—like dressing this ‘beef aristocrat’ in a Parisian haute couture gown.”

Daniel's French accent was strong, but his witty jokes were easy to understand, and the three people sitting around the round table laughed knowingly.

"Please take a look at this black garlic Bordeaux sauce. We have cleverly combined aged black garlic with classic Bordeaux sauce to create a complex flavor reminiscent of caramel and aged balsamic vinegar. The delicate white radishes next to it are slowly simmered in beef broth, and they are like tiny sponges, brimming with the essence of the meat juices."

Daniel Brüder continued, waiting for the three waiters to simultaneously pour the thick sauce from the silver pots into the diners' plates.

"I suggest you taste it plain first, then add a sauce. This 2009 Château Lafite Rothschild Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with it, and the tannins in the wine help to balance the richness of the Wagyu beef."

"Bon appétit, mes amis."

Bob Goodrat carefully cut off a piece of beef and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, he squinted slightly and raised his fork to salute the chef.

"Nothing can compare to American beef, and no American beef can rival Texas beef... Chef, where in Texas is the Charbauer Ranch located?"

“West, Mr. Councilor,” Daniel Brüder replied, “about three or four miles southwest of Midland.”

“That’s right.” Hearing this answer, Bob nodded with a matter-of-fact expression. “Anywhere west of Fort Worth, the beef quality is the best.”

"Have you ever been to Texas, Yi?" David Rubenstein asked casually as he leisurely sliced ​​meat.

"Not yet," Han Yi shook his head, "but I've always wanted to go."

“You should go. That old saying is true; everything is bigger in Texas. The produce… is incredibly abundant.” David put a piece of beef in his mouth. “And… surprisingly to many, Texas is actually a very culturally inclusive place.”

"Is that so?" Han Yi keenly sensed a hidden meaning in David Rubinstein's words.

“It’s absolutely true. You see, you can tell from the name itself. Charbauer Ranch was founded by a German-American. That’s the most mainstream, traditional white American type you can find. But they weren’t trapped in the past, not even in the ranch business. To outsiders, everything there seems to have remained unchanged since the founding of the Republic of Texas.”

"But that's not the case, is it? People adapt to the times and to constant change. Smart ranchers bravely embraced this change, which is why they started importing cattle breeds from Japan and began producing Wagyu beef, and that's why they became so successful. They sourced the highest quality beef from around the world, won the favor of French celebrity chefs, and finally made it to this table."

“Yi, Texans are smart and open-minded. Don’t let the media and their biases tell you a different answer.”

"I will not accept any other answer."

David Rubinstein's reference to Texas refers to the United States, and the German-American-owned ranch there cleverly echoes Bob Goodrat, whose paternal lineage is English and whose maternal lineage is Baltic Germanic. As for Wagyu beef...

Having already understood, Han Yi continued speaking, following Rubinstein's lead.

"I want to go there, meet the people there, and see for myself."

“The Texans will be happy to welcome you, Mr. Han.”

The shrewd chairman of the House Judiciary Committee was perfectly aware of the back-and-forth between the two. He smiled and made his point clear.

"You've been doing a fantastic job in Hollywood lately."

"I've only just started working on some projects that I'm passionate about," Han Yi said modestly. "I didn't expect it to attract so much attention."

"But if you don't get noticed, it means you're not doing the right thing."

“That’s true,” Han Yi agreed. “Moreover, people tend to be more wary and hostile towards newcomers.”

“It’s natural for people to react this way because you’re entering their comfort zone, where they eat, work, sleep, and build their entire lives around it.”

"Yes, but I came to their comfort zone calmly, seeking opportunities for coexistence and shared prosperity, rather than starting a zero-sum game."

Han Yi knew that this was an answer Bob Goodlaughter would accept. This congressman, born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, who had spent his entire career representing Virginia's 6th Congressional District in the House of Representatives and inherited Caldwell Butler's political legacy, was a textbook example of a moderate Republican.

From 1977 to 1979, he served as an assistant to Republican Representative Caldwell Butler, who was also serving as the Representative for Virginia's 6th Congressional District. In the United States during the 1970s and 80s, Caldwell Butler was a highly prominent politician. During the Watergate scandal, as a Republican, he publicly opposed Nixon's fraud and criminal activities and ultimately voted in favor of two impeachment resolutions, making him a symbol of integrity and courage in the public eye, and a representative figure of bipartisan cooperation.

Bob Goodluck, who succeeded Caldwell-Butler, consistently adhered to the same moderate approach—generally acting in accordance with the party's will, but not excluding cooperation with Democrats on specific political issues. Of course, compared to Caldwell-Butler, Goodluck's long term did not witness extreme political upheavals like Watergate, thus his reputation within the party is much more positive than his predecessor's.

This is why he was able to remain chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the 115th Congress, where Republicans held a majority, with little objection from either side of the aisle. After all, given the significant reduction in seats, Democrats preferred a communicative politician like Bob Goodlaughter to lead the party. He was far better suited as the Republican leader in Congress than Orrin Hatch, who had bet heavily on Donald Trump from the outset; Jason Chaffetz, who had relentlessly attacked the former First Lady for eight years; and the newly elected, oddball MAGA faction.

Bob Goodluck's political stance in this Congress is essentially at the very center of the Republican spectrum, slightly to the right. On the one hand, as a Republican, he has spearheaded efforts to reduce the authority of the Office of Congressional Ethics and prevent any congressional office staff from speaking to the media, allowing members of Congress more freedom to collaborate with lobbying groups without fear of criminal charges, drawing strong criticism from Democrats. On the other hand, he has publicly advocated for tax increases to balance the federal budget, drawing attacks from the party's extreme conservatives.

He publicly praised the next president's initiative to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. He wanted to enact legislation restricting immigration, reducing the number of new immigrants legally obtaining residency by 25% to 70%, but was willing to compromise, agreeing to provide a pathway to residency for DACA beneficiaries and not excluding a new generation of skilled or resource-based immigrants from legally obtaining U.S. citizenship. Goodratt advocated shifting the U.S. immigration system to a merit-based system rather than a family-based or diversity-based lottery. He supported the reallocation of visa quotas, prioritizing highly skilled workers and investor immigrants to meet economic needs.

In summary, Bob Goodratt is a staunch advocate of the older generation's American Dream, recognizing it as a republic founded by immigrants, but whose founders and leaders must be, and can only be, white immigrants. He believes that, provided this condition is met, qualified, good, and legal immigrants of other ethnicities can also contribute their sweat and wealth to achieve the so-called American Dream.

Han Yi perfectly fits all the requirements.

He is good, lawful, and has enough wealth to squander on this land.

Moderates, in a sense, are pragmatists.

“Mr. Han, I’m glad to hear you say that. Many people twice your age don’t understand this—going to someone’s home and trying to tell them how to speak, think, or live is absolutely unwelcome. The only thing a good guest should do is to blend in.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” Han Yi looked at David Rubinstein with a relaxed expression. “With Mr. Rubinstein’s help… he is my mentor in the American Dream.”

“Oh, come on, Yi, I’m not some kind of mentor… I’m more like a tour guide.” David Rubinstein laughed and shook his head.

“I think you’ve chosen the best mentor on this continent.” Bob Goodratt ignored David Rubenstein’s modesty. “Follow in his footsteps, and you’ll soon be living the American Dream.”

"Successfully operating my business in the United States is one of my primary goals at present."

Han Yi disliked discussing ideologies and doctrines with politicians on Capitol Hill, but sitting with Republicans, you had to grit your teeth and accept their seemingly warm and friendly, yet actually condescending, so-called concern—Bob Goodratt was no exception. For them, America remained that mountaintop city high in the clouds, the ultimate dream of all immigrants worldwide.

This is why moderate Republicans, to some extent, are not exactly pragmatists.

Because if one were truly a pragmatist, one would see that this country is plunging from the mountaintop to the foot of the mountain, and not just at the beginning of the descent, but already halfway down, beyond saving.

"Alright, we've talked a lot, drunk a lot, and had a great time today. Now let's get down to business and help you settle in this promised land."

Bob Goodrat could also sense Han Yi's ambivalence, but as a moderate, he didn't care. As long as the lobbyist offered a sufficiently generous price, he was willing to take it all.

"Mr. Han, what are your specific views on the Music Modernization Act?"

"How would you like it modified to be more friendly to startups and new players?"

(End of this chapter)