Ultimate Firepower

Chapter 673 Erecting a Ladder

Panetta is much busier now than before. Although he used to hold a high position of power, now he is truly one of the giants of the United States.

Leaving aside the question of whether Gao Yi can see Panetta anytime, Panetta would take a long time to answer a phone call.

"I just chaired a very important meeting and couldn't get away. So, any major developments?"

The fact that Panetta was willing to explain things to Gao Yi first shows that he truly treated Gao Yi differently.

"A hidden threat has been discovered in the President's inner circle: a woman named Margaret Richie."

"Her? It's actually her? Are you sure?"

"It was said by the leader of Zilch. I can't be sure, but I think we should at least investigate and take control of the situation. Here's what happened: the leader of Zilch surrendered to me. He's backed by Jeffrey, and Jeffrey is backed by the former president."

Panetta clearly didn't pay much attention to the last few words, because they were meaningless; the whole world knew who was behind the president's assassination.

"Okay, I understand. Do you have time tonight? Let's meet around nine o'clock, oh no, ten o'clock."

"I have time, where shall we meet?"

"Washington, the exact location will be decided later, let's leave it at that for now."

Panetta hung up the phone, and Gao Yi calmly put away his phone, saying to Xin Feng, "Alright, that's basically it for us."

"Didn't we say we'd meet tonight? It's 5 PM now, so you have five hours. You need to find a safe place to wait during that time. Also, what do you think we'll talk about tonight?"

Gao Yi sighed and said, "It's nothing more than how to retaliate. Of course, we can't send out any special agents for this kind of thing. In the end, it will definitely fall on my shoulders. There's nothing we can do about it. That's what we do."

Xin Feng glanced at his watch and said, "Why don't we go to the headquarters on the dark web? That would guarantee our safety."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Gao Yi and Xin Feng started walking back, but they hadn't gone far when Gao Yi received another call from Panetta.

Gao Yi answered the phone and heard Panetta say in a low voice, "I just reported your discovery to the President. He was very pleased and then invited you to a charity dinner tonight, which starts at six o'clock."

"It starts at six o'clock, but it's already five o'clock," Gao Yi said urgently. "I'm in New York."

"The dinner will also be held in New York. It is the Al Smith Charity Dinner, an annual event with great influence. The President's experience last time he attended was not very pleasant, so he will attend this year as President. You will attend as a guest invited by the President. There is enough time, and it is okay if you are late."

Gao Yi sighed and asked, "Will you attend?"

"I won't be attending. I'll be in Washington. Someone will pick you up when you arrive. Tonight will be a gathering of New York's top celebrities, and many high-ranking officials will be there. You don't need to worry about security. Also..."

Panetta paused, then lowered his voice and said, “Prepare some money, and also get yourself a suitable identity. The reason you received this invitation was actually because I suggested it to the President, do you understand?” “I don’t quite understand.”

Gao Yi really didn't understand what Panetta meant by doing this.

Panetta whispered, “The Al Smith Charity Gala is the most influential charity gala in New York and the most influential charity gala in the United States. Moreover, this charity gala is neutral; as long as you have enough status, position, and money, you will receive an invitation. In other words, this gala is neither blue nor red. Although you went with the president, it doesn’t mean you are one of the president’s people. To put it more bluntly, if you are a businessman, and you only cooperate with power, instead of being tied to a particular person, then you may be able to enter this circle.”

"What circle?"

"America's high society."

"Uh, is it mandatory to participate?"

Gao Yi hesitated for a moment, but Panetta immediately said, "You have to go! Because at least you still have a chance to get into this circle, but I have absolutely no chance, do you understand what I mean? Pure power may retire, but wealth will not. As long as you get into this circle, you can get rid of the situation of being tied to the president."

Panetta was clearly in a good position to talk, which is why he called Gao Yi again so quickly and explained things in such detail.

Gao Yi suddenly realized.

One moment he was thinking about retiring, about finding a way out for himself, and now Panetta has delivered that way out to him.

Of course, it's not certain whether he can get in. Gao Yi wants to get in, but this circle may not accept him.

It's related to skin color, and it's also related to Gao Yi's background. It's too difficult to climb from the underworld to the elite circle. However, Panetta was right when he said that Gao Yi still has a chance.

Panetta doesn't want to be purged after leaving office. He said he would entrust his affairs to Gao Yi after his death, and now paving the way for Gao Yi is proof that he has begun to take action.

Gao Yi said in a low voice, "I understand."

"A few hundred thousand is enough for the charity gala. Don't spend too little, but definitely don't spend too much either. As a newcomer, all you need to do this time is knock on doors. What you need to do is make friends with those powerful figures. It's not about building relationships with them, but about creating conflicts of interest. With your current strength and resources, prioritize contacting those in finance on Wall Street. The president's relationship with the financial circle is actually not that great. As long as you show goodwill to the financial circle, they will understand what you mean."

Panetta has taught too much in such a short time, and Gao Yi asked anxiously, "But won't this anger the president?"

"No, he understands the rules better than anyone else. This is the reward you deserve, and it's also the reward I deserve. Of course, you shouldn't offend the president's base. You already have a good relationship with the military, and there won't be any military personnel attending tonight's dinner. There will also be relatively few people from the military-industrial complex and industrial system. But if you have the opportunity, you must show them goodwill and offer them direct benefits."

"How should we give it? How should we offer benefits?"

"Give them orders, leverage your influence. Your biggest advantage is your extensive reach. Your international background can be incredibly valuable. Also, for at least the next three years, you can make things very convenient for them, understand? The CIA and the Department of Homeland Security are your backers, the military is your ally. Seize the opportunity. You can offer a huge amount of benefits to many people over the next three years. So, people from all circles will be very enthusiastic about you tonight. But whether you can truly integrate into their lives, whether you can turn these two or three years of convenience into long-term benefits and friendship, depends on your abilities."

After Panetta finished speaking, he said earnestly, "Don't let me down. Do a good job. My retirement depends on you."

(End of this chapter)