The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Chapter 390: Deadly Enemy
The AI ​​Manhattan Project entered Congress for review in the form of an executive order proposal, and officially took the first step towards success.

At eight o'clock that evening, Hawke and Hurst arrived at Peterson Strategic Consulting Company together.

The company's owner, Peterson, and top strategic planner and partner, Elizabeth Carter, came downstairs to greet them.

Peterson is over 60 years old and has worked in Washington all his life. He has extensive connections, but his eloquence is average.

Elizabeth was good at persuading others and became Peterson's partner.

The firm provided strategic planning services to George Walker during last year's election.

Hawke needed someone who was extremely familiar with the situation in Washington to lobby Congress for the AI ​​Manhattan Project.

Both sides quickly got to the point.

"BlackRock's Russian spy case and Twitter's AI Manhattan Project are now the hottest news in the United States. It has spread throughout the District of Columbia, which is conducive to the advancement of the plan." Elizabeth was dressed in black, which contrasted sharply with her cold white skin.

She asked directly: "I want to know what stage the plan has reached."

Hawke told the truth: "The White House will push the plan to Congress in the form of a presidential decree to become a formal proposal."

Elizabeth was somewhat surprised: "It's much faster than I thought."

Hawke reminded: "Because Russia threatens Europe all the time, it is related to the core interests of the American upper class."

Elizabeth understood immediately: "Thanks to those barbarians for their help. I will collect relevant information from the Russian media and remind the bigwigs in Washington that their interests in Europe may be threatened at any time."

The Russian threat theory is not only popular in Washington, it is also politically correct.

Peterson then gave Elizabeth a look, prompting her to be more proactive and get the business.

Elizabeth quickened her pace a little: "It is inevitable that the proposal will enter Congress. I have a suggestion. It would be best to get the support of the regional congressmen."

Hurst continued: "I have already persuaded two congressmen from California's 27th and 13th districts to support the plan. Congressman Bernardson from the 13th district is related to the Ferguson family, a major shareholder of Twitter, and he currently serves as a member of the Appropriations Committee."

The complicated relationships between these big families are also the basis for Hawke to launch a series of plans.

As for Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman and James Murdoch, Twitter has not yet reached a formal agreement with the Peterson Company, so there is no need to say anything for the time being.

Hawke said: "The next step is to lobby Congress to pass authorization and set up a special panel under the Appropriations Committee as soon as possible."

"Yes, this is a necessary procedure," Elizabeth said, changing her tone and stance. "We need to provide a detailed project plan, budget, and the social benefits that can be generated, such as the jobs created, technological innovation, and so on."

Hawke gestured to Edward, and when he took out a thick document, he said, "Twitter has made a detailed plan. This is a long-term plan that will continuously create social benefits and drive dozens of downstream manufacturers."

As long as the plan is approved, the pace will be controlled by Twitter and "results" will be achieved.

Elizabeth nodded slightly and continued, "The plan needs to be reviewed by the special committee members to ensure that the project is in line with federal interests. The next stage is to start lobbying and communication. Through a professional team like Peterson, we can lobby relevant members with voting rights, push the Budget Committee to hold a hearing, submit relevant written materials, and finally pass it in one fell swoop!"

She added: "Federal proposals need to be submitted in February, and generally the results will be announced before October. However, the division and confrontation between the two parties have become more serious in recent years. Many proposals have been caught in endless wrangling due to party relations. It is normal for them to last for several months or half a year, and some will even be rejected."

Hawke said directly: "If you can push Congress to pass this plan, Twitter will give you generous rewards."

Lobbying expenses can be directly included in the AI ​​Manhattan Project funding.

Peterson stated: "We will do our best to ensure that the plan is passed before February next year."

Hawke stood up and shook hands with Peterson and Elizabeth one by one: "I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

The two sides quickly signed an agreement, and Twitter submitted a complete set of plans and budgets, and also explained the political resources provided by Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman and James Murdoch.

Peterson Strategic Consulting has formed a special team led by Elizabeth to be responsible for this plan until the project is successful.

Elizabeth specifically found Hawke and told him the key point: "I have planned the people to lobby first, mainly the Elephant Party. Currently, there are also conflicts between the establishment, moderate and conservative factions within the Elephant Party. If you can deal with George Walker, Andy Card, Brad Nathan and others, you will win the support of a group of people."

She wrote a name on the whiteboard: "My first target is Vice President Cheney, a representative of the conservatives, who has a tough stance on foreign affairs. To some extent, Cheney is the one who really promoted the war on terror. Due to the involvement of Russian spies, the AI ​​plan is likely to gain his support."

Hawke nodded in approval.

Elizabeth wrote down a new name: "Sidney McCain is a representative of the moderates. His grandfather is a former four-star admiral of the Navy. He is also a hawk. He ran for the nomination in 2000 but lost to George Walker. This year, he cooperated with another strategic consulting company to set up a research group to study the possibility of participating in the next election. He needs the support of the media platform. We are likely to persuade him and use his influence to expand support."

Hearing that he was going to run in the next election, Hawke had a vague impression that this guy seemed to have lost to Black Charcoal. Elizabeth continued to write on the whiteboard, saying, "The next one is Tom Emmer, the third person in the Elephant Party, the whip of the majority party in the House of Representatives, and has great influence. He helped George Walker win votes in last year's election. George promised to give him the position of Secretary of State, but in the end, Condolee Rice took office."

Hawke felt that this situation was somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere. After careful recollection, he remembered the American TV series he had watched in his previous life and reminded: "Will Tom Emo bear a grudge against George Walker for this? Will he stab him in the back? Why did he choose us?"

"Although it seems that Tom Emo is still promoting George's policies in both houses, politicians are all standard creatures of interest, so this possibility is not impossible." Elizabeth knows these politicians too well: "I have considered this, so I put him in third place. Tom Emo's revenge must be based on an advance."

It wasn't difficult for Hawke to guess: "He wants more than just revenge, he also wants to make a profit?"

Elizabeth fully agreed: "I have dealt with him many times. He is a shrewd man who only cares about profit. He will not simply spend huge resources to seek revenge. He wants to seek revenge and profit at the same time, which requires propaganda tools. He currently prefers the two major media groups of the Party, News Corporation and Twitter."

She hadn’t finished her words yet: “Tom Emmer’s wife owns a non-profit charity foundation that provides international child aid. A necessary donation…”

"That's up to you guys, and once that's done I or someone else at Twitter will be in touch with Tom Emmerich and his wife," Hawke said.

"Understood." Elizabeth stopped here for now. "This afternoon, I have an appointment with Congressman Bonassen from California's 13th District to discuss the establishment of a special task force as soon as possible."

Hawke was about to leave: "Hurst will be in charge of contacting you."

Peterson was waiting outside and walked Hawke downstairs.

He didn't return to the company until Hawke got into the car.

When I arrived at the office area, I found that except for a few administrative staff, everyone else had been called by Elizabeth to the conference room for a meeting.

Peterson found a chair and sat down. He had confidence in Elizabeth.

As long as we can complete the Twitter deal this year, our performance will be very good.

…………

Washington Square Hotel, a Cadillac came from a distance and stopped in front of the hotel.

The assistant got out of the passenger seat and opened the back door.

Larry Fink got in the car and ordered, "Go to the National Club."

After the assistant got in the car, the driver drove onto the main road.

The assistant handed Fink a report and said, "Boss, the news is completely confirmed. Twitter's chairman Hawke Osmond has come to Washington. He did not deliberately hide his whereabouts. He went to the White House yesterday afternoon. There are reports that George Walker and several White House officials had secret consultations with Hawke. The specific content may be related to the AI ​​Manhattan Project."

Fink didn't look at the report, but asked, "Anything else?"

The assistant said, "He went to Peterson Strategic Consulting last night."

"A lobbying firm with a pro-Red stance." Fink speculated: "Is this so-called AI Manhattan Project really not an empty shell? Twitter is hiring a lobbying firm to promote it?"

The assistant quickly said, "The latest news is that Twitter has signed a contract with Peterson Company, and strategic planner Elizabeth Carter will be in charge."

When Fink heard the news, he became more and more suspicious that Eugene Kropov was really a Russian spy.

The Cold War era was a critical period of Larry Fink's growth, and he was inevitably influenced by overwhelming public opinion.

For people of this era, the memory of the Russians is engraved in their bones.

Arriving at the National Club, Fink went straight into a billiard room where there were only two people, John Edwards, who was forced to withdraw during last year's election, and his assistant.

Fink explained his purpose.

Edwards holed the red ball with one shot and said, "This matter involves Russian spies. Whether it is the Russian side that released the smoke screen or the opponents of the great emperor are making trouble, anti-Russia is the consensus in Washington. I can't come forward, and I won't help you connect."

He straightened up, leaned his golf club on the ground, and advised: "You did a terrible job. You didn't even know that Russian spies had infiltrated, which resulted in the passive situation today. Europe is where our core interests lie. The FBI will make this espionage case a solid case, which is in the interests of most people in Washington. I'm giving you a suggestion. Let's settle this case as soon as possible."

Fink smiled and said, "I want to calm down, but it's not easy to do."

Edwards asked, "Can we find a middleman to arrange a meeting with Hawke?"

Fink shook his head: "You don't understand. BlackRock and Twitter are sworn enemies."

(End of this chapter)