America: My Time

Chapter 1433 Rejection
Chapter 1423 Refusal

The situation in Hong Kong was escalating, but no one could persuade Standard Chartered Bank, and everything remained the same. However, John in Beijing had already taken action. With the changing situation in the United States, John also needed to accelerate his plans. After Western Energy received a probe from Morgan, John had no choice but to act.

Although Morgan meant no harm, John didn't want his plans to be controlled by others. Energy was important, but that didn't mean he had to submit to others' control. America's energy resources were indeed tempting, but no matter how tempting, he couldn't be led by the nose. While it seemed Morgan was orchestrating everything, John knew it was the work of the old Rockefellers. Under these circumstances, John naturally wouldn't let their schemes succeed!
It seems that these old guys like Rockefeller have no ill intentions and just want to acquire the assets they need to sell. However, John is unwilling to accept this outcome, let alone give them such an opportunity. It may seem like a good deal, but there are many problems hidden behind it. He still remembers what happened with Western Energy. So no matter how tempting the assets these guys offer, John is unwilling to accept them.

Others may not know, but John knows how cunning those old guys are in the energy sector. Most importantly, what they're offering isn't the assets John originally sold off, but rather assets with potential risks. Under these circumstances, how could John possibly get involved, or give them such an opportunity?

If the impasse were to be broken, external forces would naturally be needed. Regarding asset sharing, John preferred to cooperate with South Korea and gain control of their energy resources. After all, Asian Energy controls the resources of Sakhalin Island and can achieve self-sufficiency. However, there are too many problems in the United States. Soon, there will be more changes in electricity and energy, which makes John wary. Entering the game now may seem to bring considerable benefits, but in the long run, there are significant troubles behind these benefits. John is well aware of how troublesome the electricity problem in the United States will be in the future, and how many problems those bastards have with the assets they gave him. Under these circumstances, he naturally does not want to enter the game.

"John, are you sure you don't want to accept the cooperation in electricity and gas? In the long run, it would be quite beneficial." After being rejected, Morgan, at the request of the old guys like Rockefeller, had to take the initiative to call John to discuss the matter and find out John's true thoughts on all of this.

"No, I don't have that much energy to put into the US right now. You know how vicious those guys are. You should know perfectly well how Western Energy was broken up back then. I don't want to repeat the same mistake. Once I made a mistake, I will never make it again. No matter how eloquently those guys talk, it's useless. I won't accept it, and Western Energy won't accept it. I'd rather put my funds into energy and electricity in Canada. At least that way, I can ensure my own electricity security and not be held hostage by others."

Upon hearing John's words, Morgan sighed. He instantly understood John's concerns. He knew how rapidly Western Energy had initially developed, but those old guys were incredibly greedy, forcing John to abandon his plans in the power and gas sectors. It was perfectly normal for John to have reservations now.

“John, those old guys from Rockefeller have already said that there won’t be any more problems this time. No one will target your energy plans anymore. You can confidently accept this deal!”

"If all of this were decided by you, Morgan, I might believe it. But this time it was the idea of ​​those old guys, Rockefeller. I don't believe a word of their promises. They've done plenty of things like crossing the river and burning the bridge. So no matter how good they sound this time, I won't accept it. Why don't I use that time and energy in Canada? There are no hidden dangers there, and there are good benefits too. It can also help me improve myself. As for the electricity and gas in the United States, it has nothing to do with me. I won't accept it, at least not now."

John's answer made Morgan sigh inwardly. Losing credibility and integrity would have a significant impact on future cooperation. While John seemed to be criticizing the old Rockefellers, he was actually also criticizing him. After all, it was Morgan who had approached John to discuss this matter again. Doing this time and again would damage even the best relationships. No one wants to be told what to do, especially when it comes to long-term asset planning. Morgan's actions were a bit excessive; such things shouldn't have come from his mouth!
Morgan sighed and said, "John, if I didn't want to bother you, I would have preferred not to. But the current situation forces me to heed the advice of those old guys and talk to you. After all, your plans in South Korea have greatly impressed them. They all see this as an opportunity, and they believe that the assets South Korea can offer are just as valuable as those in the United States. Moreover, in their view, the assets in South Korea cannot compare with those in the United States!"

“What they said does make some sense. The assets in South Korea are indeed not as good as those in the United States, but there are no hidden dangers in South Korea. However, it is completely different in the United States. Those old guys are masters at discarding their partners after they have served their purpose. How can I trust such a partner? So, for my own benefit, I cannot accept their ‘good intentions’! Compared to the benefits from the United States, I would rather accept the deal from South Korea, since everything is under my control.”

John's assets in the United States would allow him to pay less tax, since there are taxes on overseas funds that want to flow back to the United States. However, John has never thought about bringing his overseas funds back, and he doesn't need to do so. His assets in the United States are more than enough to meet his needs. There is no need for him to accept these old guys' toxic assets and the hidden schemes behind them. That is why John resolutely refused.

“John, these old guys may not be trustworthy, but they’ve shown enough sincerity at this moment. You should consider their feelings and give them a way out. After all, they haven’t made any statement about things in Hong Kong yet, so you need to be prepared. An exchange of benefits is the best option!”

“Mr. Morgan, I know all that you’re saying, but I won’t accept their energy cooperation in electricity and gas. I don’t want to continue investing in US energy. Compared to US assets, I’d rather accept overseas asset cooperation, at least I won’t be schemed against by these old guys, especially assets in Asia, which are less risky! If these old guys are willing to cooperate, I’d prefer to accept deals in farms, retail, healthcare, and ports!”

"It's difficult. It might be possible in the fields of farms and ports, but it's almost impossible in healthcare and retail. Those old guys won't give you that opportunity. After all, you've already established a significant presence in these two areas, and even if these companies are publicly listed, they won't accept it."

Morgan's underlying message was simple: publicly listed retail companies had no chance, let alone unlisted ones—it was even less likely. Nobody wanted to see John expand further in those areas; they preferred his energy strategy. Morgan's words made John realize it was a trap, a conspiracy—these old guys were planning to rip him off in the electricity and gas sector. If it were a deal, they wouldn't offer important power plants or similar assets, but rather the power companies. "Since that's the case, I have nothing more to say. I have no interest in further developing my energy footprint in the US. As for the ports, I believe Morgan's strength won't disappoint me. Besides, you know Quantum Mining has undergone another restructuring. I need to focus more on industry, not energy. Compared to cooperating with them, I prefer Japan and South Korea. Asia is much simpler and more direct!"

When John had put his mind at that point, Morgan knew that further words were futile. John had made up his mind not to be influenced by him, so he gave up trying to persuade him. He understood that he couldn't continue, or it would only damage their relationship. John's cooperation with South Korea and Japan was indeed simpler and more direct, with fewer hidden dangers. Neither the South Koreans nor the Japanese would try to take advantage of John in such deals. But the situation was completely different in the United States.

Not to mention John didn't trust those old guys like Rockefeller, even Morgan himself didn't want to trust them. These old guys were all too insidious and cunning. Believing their promises would only be asking for trouble. These guys wouldn't keep their promises because they simply didn't have the sincerity!

"Alright, I was just helping them talk to you about cooperation. Since you don't agree, that's the end of it. I've given them an explanation. What happens in the future is none of my business. The port issue has been resolved, and the US shipping network is complete. You can make the deal anytime you want, and those guys are willing to accept a share swap. It's up to you to decide!"

Morgan quickly changed the subject, not wanting to continue arguing with John about the jaundice. At times like these, Morgan had to be extra vigilant and careful, not daring to give anyone the opportunity to criticize him or scheme against him.

"That would be best. As for the share swap, I have no problem with that. Since you've already brought it up, I'll naturally give you face. However, I can't give them any more benefits, so they have to show some sincerity!"

Although John didn't mention what kind of sincerity he was offering, Morgan understood that if these old guys really wanted to get something out of it this time, they would have to show some sincerity. The era of not wanting to give anything is over. You have to give to receive. It's impossible to get something for nothing anymore!

"John, is it true that Alcoa is planning a large-scale investment in China?" Just then, Morgan Stanley suddenly asked this question, clearly indicating that someone had already taken notice of Alcoa.

"It's true. Although they are just going to complete a new round of asset restructuring, the investment plan has always existed. Not only Aluminum Corporation of North America, but also Copper Corporation of America will increase their investment in China. This is their future development direction. Compared with the United States, the labor costs and other costs in China are much lower. Under such circumstances, I am naturally more willing to accept the cooperation request here than to do business with those old guys."

John's answer shocked Morgan. He had thought John would find an excuse or reason and would never respond like that, but he was wrong. John did just that, and he did it with such confidence that it completely broke them down, leaving them all in a daze.

"So you're saying you're going to focus on industrial development and strategic planning?"

"If I didn't do this, did I have any other choice? Would those old guys have given me any other choice? If only those guys hadn't been so scheming and plotting, I wouldn't be in this dangerous situation now, and I wouldn't be facing this immense pressure. They forced me to do all of this; it has nothing to do with me!"

Although John's words sounded reasonable at first glance, upon closer inspection, they were nothing but sophistry. A truly careful consideration revealed them to be a joke; only a fool would believe them. In this contest, John had the upper hand. Unfortunately, on this matter, both of them had no choice but to accept John's version of events!
The one who holds the initiative now isn't those old guys, but John. In their eyes, all they want to see is the outcome; other issues are irrelevant to them. The more John understands how crazy and dangerous the current situation is, the more cautious he must be, lest he give the enemy a chance to ambush him.

Although Morgan was unwilling to accept all of this, it wasn't a question of whether he wanted to accept it or not, but rather that they had no chance to refuse. This was the inevitable trend, and the initiative had never been in their hands. If these guys could just calm down, things wouldn't be so complicated, and John wouldn't have so much pressure. Even when facing these old guys, John had enough methods to deal with them!
(End of this chapter)