1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 616: Invitation from the Dassault Family!
Early in the morning, Adjani drove Sophie Marceau to Marina's company.

Then we went to Marina's office.

"Hey, why is our Miss Ajani here so early in the morning?"

Seeing Ajani come in, Marina pretended to be surprised and joked to her.

Ajani sat down expressionlessly, staring at Marina fiercely.

"Isa, what's wrong with you?"

Seeing Ajani's expression, Marina felt a little panicked.

It would be difficult for her to offend Ajani now. After all, the woman in front of her was Victor's canary.

She and her lover Al both depend on Victor for food.

"Marina, tell me, what does it mean that you always bring Sophie to Victor?"

Ajani asked Marina in a cold voice at this moment.

She has always been sensitive and suspicious. She didn't think it was a big deal before, but now Marina has been appearing in front of Victor with Sophie Marceau one after another, and Sophie Marceau even unexpectedly slept in his villa last night. No matter how dumb Ajani is, she can notice it.

She had actually found out on the way here that Sophie Marceau accidentally slept in the guest room last night.

Ajani also believed that it was an accident, but that didn't mean that there was nothing wrong with the little girl.

When Marina heard Ajani's question, the smile on her face disappeared.

What is supposed to come will come.

It's time to talk to Ajani about this issue.

Then Marina walked over and closed the door.

"Isa, I think we need to have a serious talk."

At the same time, Li Changhe also stepped into their temporary residence in the French Company.

"Tell me, how was the recent talk with the French business department?"

After Li Changhe sat down, he looked at the representatives of his major companies and asked calmly.

Although he did not participate in direct negotiations, it does not mean that he did not pay attention to the progress of the matter.

"Boss, the site selection for the hotel is going smoothly. We are currently leaning towards the Champs-Elysees, which is the most prosperous commercial district in Paris. It is also on the central axis of the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. For us, it is the best location for the hotel."

"But there is one thing, Boss. We may need to work harder on the design, and the cost of purchasing land will increase a lot, because high-rise buildings are not allowed in Paris."

"They have height laws that limit building height to 37 metres, so if we want to build a world-class hotel, we have to increase the land area."

"This will increase our land purchase costs in disguise, but the upside is that construction costs can be kept down."

Rhodes, the person in charge of the real estate hotel, was the first to speak to Li Changhe.

"That can't be helped. Not to mention Paris, I don't see many tall buildings in the whole of Europe."

Li Changhe also expressed his understanding at this time.

Although Europe and the United States are both developed regions, unlike the United States where there are skyscrapers everywhere, Europe is not keen on skyscrapers.

In Paris at this time, it is difficult to even find a few high-rise buildings like the Empire State Building. The tallest building is the Montparnasse Tour, which is 210 meters high. It is the only one in the city and the second tallest building in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.

And this is because he built it early. If it had been built two years later, he would not have been allowed to build it.

"Boss, there is one more thing. I think we can build the hotel and the group's headquarters building separately."

"If we choose the Champs-Elysees as the hotel's address, it will be a busy commercial district, but not an office district."

"According to information provided by the French government, they intend to prepare a new business district, La Defense, in the Hauts-de-Seine department in the west of Paris, which is currently in the preparation stage."

"They invited us to participate as well, and we thought that instead of integrating the hotel and the group's office building together, it would be better to build them separately."

"And the distance between the two sides is actually not far. Going west along the Champs-Elysées, it is only about five kilometers past the Arc de Triomphe. This way we can share our construction costs."

Originally, according to Li Changhe's intention, the European Group's headquarters was to be built together with the Mandarin Hotel.

But now Rhodes has given different advice.

"La Defense?"

Li Changhe looked at the map of Paris on the side, and Rhodes pointed it out to Li Changhe.

"Boss, the most important thing is that commercial buildings are allowed here. I think if we want to build our own commercial building, La Défense is the best location."

"But the time may be delayed because La Défense is planning a new district and we need to build in accordance with their plan, so it is expected to take three to four years to start construction."

Rhodes said seriously.

Li Changhe stood in front of the map and began to think.

He didn't know much about Paris and didn't know the status of La Defense. He was just wondering whether this so-called new district would be feasible.
If you bet right, there is no doubt that the land here will be very valuable in the future.

But if you bet on the wrong number, needless to say, it's just a pure waste of money.

"You mean, commercial buildings will be allowed here?"

Li Changhe asked thoughtfully.

Rodri nodded: "Yes, that's what their person in charge said. This place will be built into a satellite city of Paris and become a full-time business district."

“I think the concept they came up with is somewhat similar to Central.”

"I think we can put the headquarters of the European Group here. When the commercial building is built, we can not only use it ourselves, but also rent it out to others."

Rhodes gave Li Changhe a serious suggestion.

For Hutchison Whampoa, this is a business adventure that requires an early bet, but Rhodes, with his many years of experience in commercial real estate, feels that there is still great potential for La Defense.

"Okay, since you are so sure, then talk to them according to your ideas."

"Anyway, they have extended the time, so there is no financial pressure on us, so we can just take it first."

Li Changhe thought about it and felt that it was still possible to place a bet.

As long as this thing is done well, it will be equivalent to the China World Trade Center in Beijing and Lujiazui in Shanghai. It will definitely be a big profit.

Although he didn't know La Defense, he remembered that there were indeed not many skyscrapers in Paris as a whole. In other words, this height limit law would probably still be enforced even in the future.

In this way, commercial CBDs like La Defense, which allow the construction of high-rise buildings, do have great potential.

"Okay, boss, I will do my best to plan it."

When Rhodes heard Li Changhe's affirmation, he immediately responded excitedly.

For him, this may be a major opportunity in his career. If he does well, it is not impossible for him to become the head of the European branch.

"Boss, these are some of the products we plan to purchase from France. In addition to agricultural and industrial products, we also focus on their pastries."

Soon, one department after another began to report to Li Changhe. Li Changhe looked at their report results and nodded calmly.

The team that Wei Li formed this time was indeed good in terms of ability. There were no useless people who were just sitting there doing nothing. Therefore, the results they produced were all recognized by Li Changhe. Of course, only a part of the team was having a meeting here, mainly the real estate, hotel and supermarket teams under the Landmark. For example, the power team was now inspecting nuclear power plants across France with the Kadoorie family.

After the meeting, Li Changhe returned to his temporary office. At this time, his secretary Anna knocked on the door gently and walked in.

"Boss, I just received an invitation from the Dassault family."

Anna respectfully placed an invitation in front of Li Changhe.

Li Changhe took the invitation curiously.

"The Dassault family?"

"They sent me an invitation?"

Li Changhe was indeed very surprised. He had no connection with the Dassault family, and after all, he was not involved in arms.

The Dassault family is the family behind the famous Dassault Aircraft Manufacturing Company. Famous fighter jets such as Mirage and Rafale are all produced by Dassault.

However, Li Changhe couldn't figure out what connection he could have with the Dassault family?

The other party suddenly invited him out?
"Boss, the person who came is the steward of their family. He said he wanted to meet you in person. I didn't know what you meant, so I sent the invitation in first. Do you want to see him?"

Anna asked softly at this time.

Li Changhe thought about it and nodded: "Bring him in."

He also wanted to see what kind of medicine the other party was selling.

Soon, an elderly man walked in.

"Hello, distinguished Mr. Victor, I am Monte, the butler of the Dassault family."

"I am entrusted by Mr. Marcel of our family to sincerely invite you to attend our family's dinner in three days."

Monte invited Li Changhe with aristocratic etiquette.

After listening to this, Li Changhe felt somewhat confused.

"Mr. Monte, let me ask you something out of curiosity. I have no connection with the Dassault family. I wonder why your family would invite me to the dinner?"

Monte seemed to have known that Li Changhe would ask this question.

"Mr. Victor, Mr. Marcel has heard of you for a long time and has always wanted to meet an outstanding young man like you. In addition, some members of the great French families will attend the banquet that day."

"Mr. Marcel thinks that there must be someone here that Mr. Victor needs, and there are some things we want to help Mr. Victor solve."

Hearing Monte's words, Li Changhe smiled and said, "Okay, I understand. Please go back and tell Mr. Marcel that I will be there on time."

After Anna sent Monte away, Li Changhe sat there and began to think.

The implication in the other party's words was very clear. Some people wanted to see Li Changhe?
Marcel must be around 90 years old now, right?
Li Changhe felt that it was a bit fake that such a person wanted to meet him.

So, the Dassault family is here to act as a matchmaker for others, or is that so?

Li Changhe sat there, thinking constantly.

In fact, the best answer to this kind of thing lies in the domestic political ecology of France.

Just like the United States has the Donkey Party and the Elephant Party, France also has two political forces, the left and the right.

The left wing is Mitterrand and his people, and the right wing is the forces that Charles de Gaulle used to have.

Are the Dassault family left-wing or right-wing?

Li Changhe knew without thinking that he was right-wing, because the Dassault family's position had nothing to do with Mitterrand and others, and was even on the opposite side.

Because Mitterrand supported nationalization, and Dassault Aircraft was the property of the Dassault family.

and many more!

At this moment, Li Changhe suddenly caught a glimpse of inspiration in his mind.

Mitterrand's nationalization!
Yes, after Mitterrand came to power, he vigorously promoted nationalization. Historically, the Bossac Group was nationalized by Mitterrand, and it was transformed from a private enterprise into a state-owned enterprise.

So, has Dassault Aircraft been nationalized?
Given Dassault Aircraft's position in the French military industry, it is impossible for it to be outside the scope of nationalization. If Mitterrand wants to take action against these big French capitals, Dassault Aircraft will not be able to escape.

But to put it bluntly, nationalization means seizing the private properties of these families. Would a military-industrial family like the Dassault family, which occupies an important share of the industry, agree to be nationalized?
It goes without saying that they would definitely disagree.

Therefore, the Dassault family and Mitterrand must be standing on opposite sides now.

At this time, they suddenly invited him to a banquet. Li Changhe felt that the timing was a bit subtle.

"Anna, come in."

At this time, Li Changhe called out again and asked Anna to come in.

"Boss, what do you want?"

"Please help me collect newspapers. Collect all the economic newspapers published after Mitterrand came to power. And by the way, select the reports about the nationalization direction of the Mitterrand government."

"I want to see all the information in the shortest possible time."

At this time, Li Changhe gave Anna a serious instruction.

"Understood, Boss, I'll do it right away!"

Seeing Li Changhe's serious expression, Anna knew that this must be a big deal, so she immediately turned around and went out to do it.

At the same time, Monte, who left Li Changhe's company, quickly returned to a villa in downtown Paris.

This villa is where Marcel, the current head of the Dassault family, lives.

Soon, Monte hurried into the villa, then came to Marcel's study and knocked on the door gently.

"Come in!"

Following an old voice, Monte gently pushed open the door.

The first thing that caught my eye was an extremely old man.

This person is Marcel Dassault.

Facing this old man, Monte did not dare to be careless at all. The other party was 89 years old this year, but he still firmly grasped the power of the family and the company.

Sitting opposite Marcel was a young white man who looked to be less than 40 years old.

"Sir, the invitation has been delivered to Mr. Victor. He has agreed to attend the appointment on time in three days."

After Monte entered the room, he spoke respectfully to Marcel.

Marcel nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Monte, you can go out first."

After Monte closed the door, Marcel looked at the young man opposite.

"Peter, has the Rothschild family really decided to cooperate with this young man?"

(End of this chapter)