The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Chapter 389: Threats bring pressure

BlackRock headquarters on Manhattan Avenue, New York.

The meeting on the espionage case had just ended, and Larry Fink returned to the office and asked the legal director to form a team of lawyers to rush to Los Angeles immediately.

The court summons has been sent over there.

Robert Capito came in hurriedly, waited for the legal director to leave, and said, "The families of Haas and Anderson have been found, and the security department has sent someone to protect them."

Larry Fink finally got some good news: "Well done."

Capito was not so optimistic and added: "Our people found out that Eugene has a sister named Natalia who he doesn't have much contact with. She is studying at New York University."

Fink interrupted, "Control it now... Protect it!"

"Our people went to New York University and found her instructor and classmates." Capito's face was extremely serious. "The instructor said that Natalia had taken a leave of absence due to family matters. My people found her rented apartment, but no one was inside. Her valuables and daily clothes were taken away. Her phone was unreachable. I asked the telecom company for help, but they couldn't locate her."

It's not hard for Fink to think: "The cell phones and SIM cards were destroyed."

There was a knock on the door, and the assistant came in with a copy of The Wall Street Journal and said, "Boss, there's the latest report."

Fink took it and found a striking headline on the front page of the newspaper.

"Russia has made a huge breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence!"

This is extremely bad news for BlackRock.

The Russian threat theory is deeply rooted in Europe and the United States. It has continued from the Cold War to the 21st century and will become even more deeply rooted in the next twenty years.

After decades of consistent propaganda, even if Yeltsin stood next to Latzbeck like a clown and was laughed at by Latzbeck in person, for these people who have come all the way from the Cold War, no matter what Russia does, it is threatening the so-called democracy and freedom.

The assistant said, "Last night, the headline of the 'Trump News' program on Fox 11 was similar news."

Fink nodded slightly and read the article.

"According to accurate information obtained by our correspondent in Moscow, The Moscow Times and several Russian websites have published reports that the Siberian Computing Research Institute has made a huge technological breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence. Our reporter is still investigating the specific content..."

"During this period of time, the Russian side has made such a major breakthrough, which is hard not to remind people of the wiretapping case made by BlackRock against Twitter, in which the FBI has confirmed that Russian spies were involved."

Fink saw this and said to his assistant, "Immediately get someone to collect news from Russia."

The assistant quickly made a phone call.

By the time Fink and Capito had read the newspaper story, the assistant had received several emails.

He quickly opened it and showed it to the two presidents.

The photos in the email were all taken by a friendly partner of BlackRock in Moscow.

Related news has been published in many Russian newspapers and websites.

The assistant said: "By the way, the Russian authorities and the Siberian Institute of Computing have denied this news."

Fink waved his hand: "Russian official news is not credible. Their credibility is even lower than that of the pigs in the White House."

Capito agreed: "There's no way they'll admit it."

Looking at this, Fink thought of a possibility: "Could Eugene really be a Russian spy? Using BlackRock to obtain important intelligence." He didn't know the situation in Russia and could only guess: "Perhaps the anti-government forces are spreading smokescreen.

Kapit reminded: "The Russian threat theory is a mainstream political line recognized by both parties. No matter which one it is, it is extremely disadvantageous to us."

Fink frowned: "This will make BlackRock's situation even more difficult."

“When it comes to Russia, the media is completely biased in favor of Twitter,” Capito said.

Fink thought for a while and said, "You accompany the legal team to Los Angeles, and I will go to Washington. These two places are the key. Other things can be put aside for the time being."

Capito responded, “Yes.”

…………

Washington Dulles International Airport.

Hawke, Edward, Raul and the other two came out of the terminal. Twitter's public relations director Hearst was already waiting at the exit.

After getting in the car, Hurst talked about the current progress of the work: "I have talked with Chief of Staff Andy Card, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Brad, and Director of the Security Council Christo. They all expressed their support for Twitter. Andy arranged a meeting between you and George Walker at 4 o'clock this afternoon. The time is only fifteen minutes."

"Well done." Hawke praised first, then said: "Fifteen minutes is enough."

Hearst joined Twitter at the beginning of the year. He was previously the editor-in-chief of a political and economic media outlet and a political broker in Washington, with extensive connections. Hawke not only hired Hearst as the director of the public relations department, but also hired two former government officials at high salaries as special advisers to Twitter.

Hurst added: "Both California senators are members of the Donkey Party. Although Barbara Boxer's position has wavered, she is unwilling to comment on this matter. I have won the support of two congressmen from California's 27th and 13th districts whose constituencies include Los Angeles."

There are more than 50 congressmen in California, and 15 of them are related to Los Angeles. Hawke thought for a moment and said, "Arrange for me to meet with the two congressmen tomorrow afternoon or the morning after tomorrow."

"Tomorrow afternoon," said Hurst.

"Okay." Hawke thought for a moment and said, "Make an appointment for me with Elizabeth Carter from Peterson Strategic Consulting... and the company's head tonight. Tell them that Twitter has important business to discuss with Peterson Strategic Consulting."

Hearst understands the reason for this: "The AI ​​Manhattan Project is gaining popularity, and the Russian media is joining in the fun. We need to push Congress to set up a special working group as soon as possible."

The group came to Pennsylvania Avenue and entered the Hilton Hotel, and Hawke stayed in the presidential suite on the top floor.

He had a long discussion with Hearst during lunch, then took a break and arrived at the White House a little earlier.

After a series of security checks, Hawke entered a reception room under the guidance of his old acquaintance Andy Card.

Not long after, George Walker walked in with Brad, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Kristo, the director of the Security Council.

Hawke had met them more than once and went up to shake hands with each of them.

George Walker sat in the main seat and said directly: "Tell me about your AI Manhattan Project."

"Artificial intelligence will be widely used in the future, and will play a decisive role in industries ranging from industry to the military to the service industry..." Hawke took out the thick AI Manhattan Project and began to brag about it.

How can we get strong recommendations from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House without bragging?

First, brag a little and get the funds, and the plan may achieve a breakthrough in 30 years.

After boasting about artificial intelligence, Hawke turned to the most critical point: "There is definite news from Moscow that the Russians are developing artificial intelligence. They obviously realize the key role of this technology in future competition, so they used spies to use the BlackRock Group to eavesdrop on Twitter's plans and technologies."

Security Council Director Christo continued: "The evidence provided by the FBI shows that the captured spy has admitted that the action came from the instructions of the Russian side."

Jennifer found so-called evidence of Eugene's involvement with Russia in his office and home. Eugene himself admitted to the espionage activities. There is no suspense in this case.

This case is only about stance and interests, not about truth or falsehood.

Andy Card stressed: "Russia has vigorously denied and issued statements one after another, but Russia has always been untrustworthy and their words are no different from farts. They cannot be trusted."

Brad, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, was a little puzzled: "Are the Russians really that strong in electronic information technology and programming?"

Hawke was prepared and reminded, "Kaspersky, a world-renowned information security leader, is a Russian company headquartered in Moscow and has many super laboratories under its umbrella."

Brad remembered: "Yes, Kaspersky is a giant in the global information security industry."

Hawke added: "Mr. President, the current situation is very clear. The Russians are ahead of the United States in the field of artificial intelligence, at least not inferior to us. According to the Russians' usual practice, this technology will soon be applied to the military field, which will actually threaten our interests in Europe!"

George Walker was thinking about this.

Hawke slowed down a little so that the commander-in-chief, whose mind was not very quick, could follow his train of thought.

After a short wait, Hawke continued, "Europe is where our core interests lie. Now that Russia controls Europe's energy lifeline and gains an advantage in information and intelligence technology, we will all be affected."

He stressed: "Europe is America's Europe, not Russia's Europe."

Every political figure here represents a large group of interest groups, and the situation in Europe and Russia is of great importance.

George Walker is currently fighting the war on terror and has no time to deal with Russia, but no matter how you look at it, Russia is America's number one competitor.

Hawke said: "The AI ​​Manhattan Project is a huge strategic project that is no less than the Manhattan Project. Twitter is the main body, but it requires the cooperation of dozens of supporting manufacturers and companies..."

After hearing the last sentence, Brad Smith, commissioner of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, understood the message and said, "We must ensure America's strategic advantage in global competition. Informatization and intelligence are the future trends, and America needs a Manhattan Project in this regard."

The Security Council's Christo agreed: "We must have what Russia doesn't have, and we must maintain our absolute lead in what Russia has."

The time was almost up, so Hawke said goodbye 15 minutes before the end of the day.

He walked out with Andy Card, and they discussed the matter as they walked.

George Walker was bound to have internal discussions.

Hawke returned to the hotel and received a call from Andy Card before dinner.

George Walker made the decision to initiate a national artificial intelligence strategy proposal in the form of a presidential executive order, and to push the AI ​​Manhattan Project into the congressional process to promote artificial intelligence research and development, establish technical standards, and ensure America's global leadership in the field of artificial intelligence.

(End of this chapter)