America: My Time

Chapter 1555 Struggle for Interests
Chapter 1545 Struggle for Interests

John was well aware of Morgan's views, which were also the consensus of all the upper echelons of the United States. They all felt that there was no need to invest more in research and development in the military industry, nor did they care about the loss and generational gap of military talent in the United States. They only saw the immediate benefits and only saw the economic benefits. This was the achievement of Richardson. He did indeed reverse the US fiscal deficit, but the US manufacturing industry was seriously outflowing.

Putting aside other areas, this is the case in the military industry. In order to reduce costs, some of Gulfstream Aerospace's components are no longer manufactured in the United States, but have been transferred to Mexico where labor costs are cheaper. Now, the consortium led by John has established a complete industrial chain in Mexico to reduce production costs in the United States and alleviate the pressure on Gulfstream Aerospace.

If he himself has made such a choice, one can imagine what other military industrial enterprises will do. As for those guys in the military, John has even less faith in them. It is precisely because of their greed that they have dragged the strength of the US military to a ridiculous state step by step.

Just imagine, if the United States doesn't even have its own complete industrial chain in the future, what development or progress can it talk about? It's a joke to think it can control the world by relying solely on the power of finance and the dollar. The best example is the fate of the British. But the United States is now entering such a crisis, and those guys are unaware of it.

Of course, the struggle between the donkey and the elephant goes without saying. It was precisely because John understood the true situation in the United States that he said those words to Morgan. But Morgan's answer did not satisfy him. He understood, but the lack of ambition was abnormal. Perhaps these old guys had focused their funds and energy on medicine.

Thinking of this, John smiled calmly and shook his head, saying, "Yes, there are indeed no problems in the short term, but things might change in the long run. I can't convince everyone, so I can only go my own way. Those guys from the donkey have been criticizing me for moving the company out, but why don't they talk about the suppression I've been subjected to? I may not care about the US, but do you think they'll listen to my advice? They won't. Now these guys are messing around in Oregon. If they continue like this, it won't just be my problem. Whoever breaks the agreement first will have to bear the consequences!"

“John, don’t worry, there won’t be any problems in Oregon. I can assure you of that. After all, that was the agreement we made. They’re just trying to put some pressure on you and get you to step in and resolve the current issues. You’ve made a big fuss about things this time, making them feel threatened, and with a deep-seated fear!” As he said this, Morgan gave John a deep look, expressing his thoughts.

"Fear. How could all of this have happened if they hadn't gone too far? They always wanted to take more benefits from me. They broke the rules first, and they never treated me as an equal. Perhaps twenty years have made them used to it, making them think that as long as they make a little noise, I will always compromise. Unfortunately, times have changed, and I am no longer the boy I once was!"

John emphasized the words "era" and "youth," which greatly shocked Morgan. This was a reminder that he should not live in past glory, that the era was no longer in their hands, and that he was no longer a youth; everything had fundamentally changed.

Having completed the asset restructuring, John no longer needed to worry about anything else. At least, those old guys couldn't get away with targeting him through assets; he had everything planned out in greater detail and meticulousness than those old men. Now, if anyone wanted to gain benefits from John, they would have to rely on their abilities, not on so-called face or coercion!
"They will understand. I believe they will learn from this lesson. After all, your development speed was too fast, and in the past they all treated everything as instinct, which is why this happened." At this point, Morgan sighed and then said, "To be honest, I couldn't accept such changes at first either. It was only through repeated understanding that I gradually accepted them. However, Rockefeller and the others did not understand your true layout in Asia and around the world. Their understanding was limited by the information they had."

"That's why I said they're old and out of touch with the times. They insist on controlling everything. The most important thing in semiconductor chip manufacturing is design; factories don't necessarily have to be in the US. Given the arrogant attitude of American workers, do you think they could compete with Asian companies, let alone wage a price war, even if given the opportunity? Japan is the best example. As for oppression, that's only temporary, not permanent. Their initiative to cooperate with South Korea is the right idea, but they shouldn't be so greedy. I didn't want to monopolize everything, but these old guys do. It's not just about kicking me out; it's just that their thinking is too outdated, too arrogant, and too self-righteous!"

"Yes, our thinking can't keep up with the times. Without your keen insight, we can't perceive the changes in the world and the times in time. We've witnessed you get to where you are today, but who could have imagined that in just twenty years you would have reached this level and stood at the pinnacle of American conglomerates."

"This isn't my problem; it's because they can't change their mindset. I've warned them before, but they just won't listen. Back in the gaming world, I warned them, but they wouldn't listen to anything and ultimately had to give up. Now these guys still want to play the same old game and try to monopolize everything. Aren't they just asking for trouble? Even I can't do this much, so why do they think they can!"

"You're right, perspectives are important. It's time for us old guys to step down and let the younger generation take over. Otherwise, in this rapidly changing world, we won't be able to keep up. But finance is our bottom line, and it's also America's bottom line. You should understand that some things cannot be done." At this moment, the Morgan tycoon was reminding John, or rather warning him, not to cross that line, after all, their first conglomerate was centered around banks!
"I know, and I didn't intend to challenge your bottom line. Otherwise, how many of the top ten giants on Wall Street do you think would still be around? During the Asian financial crisis, I could have easily targeted them, but did I? I also don't want to see the United States weaken, as that would affect my interests. However, judging from the current situation, if you don't make changes, the weakening of the United States is not impossible. Simply using financial means to shift one's own crisis is impossible. Times have changed, and people's hearts have changed. Even the best methods will be seen through. Once or twice might be acceptable, but no one will accept it any longer. Don't tell me you don't know why the Europeans created the Euro; it's to get rid of our financial exploitation of them. And you're not unaware of the changes in the British attitude; everything they're doing is showing their wariness of us."

Although John reluctantly joined the Federal Reserve family, his position was awkward; everyone was wary of him. However, this didn't change John's pessimistic view of the US and his bearish outlook on the dollar. The reason is simple: when faced with problems, these entities don't prioritize resolving their own issues and contradictions; instead, they directly shift the crisis elsewhere—that's the biggest problem. One could say John had the foresight to understand the situation of his time, but Morgan, Rockefeller, and even the entire US upper class didn't see it that way. They believed that a powerful nation like the US could easily transfer its crises through plunder, disregarding the feelings of others, and utterly disregarding the possibility of Russia's collapse—who could possibly be a match for the US then?
“John, we know all that you’re saying, but there are many things we can’t solve. For example, do you think we can resolve the conflict between the elephant and the donkey? So we can only go with the flow and choose what’s advantageous to us. If that day comes, perhaps none of us old folks will exist!” Morgan said with a slight smile. Although his expression remained calm, his heart was not so simple.

"Yes, that's why everyone sees it that way. So I have no choice but to go my own way and keep opening up new markets, otherwise I'll eventually be affected. I can also tell you clearly that no one can cross Oregon's bottom line. If donkeys and elephants play with fire and get burned, don't blame me for being ruthless. Anyone who dares to reach out will die. There's no room for negotiation."

When John uttered these words with absolute certainty, Morgan was moved. A look of shock flashed across his face. He had not expected John to say such murderous words, leaving no room for negotiation.

"John, is this really necessary? They just want to save face!"

“Yes, absolutely. Oregon will be my base of operations. Otherwise, why would I pay such a high price? I don’t want anyone to interfere with my plans and arrangements. You can target me in other ways, even provoke me repeatedly in the business world, and I can accept that. But Oregon is my bottom line, and no one can accept it. You should know that the conflict between me and Old Martin, and between me and the Bayard family, is already irreconcilable. So Oregon is my bottom line.” At this moment, John did not hide his conflict with his family. After all, this was normal among the major families in the United States. It was just that John was too extraordinary, developed too quickly, and his strength surpassed the family’s century-long accumulation, which was what shocked people.

"Alright, I'll tell them that as long as they have a shred of rationality, they won't do anything to provoke your bottom line. Business competition is about using methods and strength, but promises made cannot be broken. Oregon will definitely be there on time, and I believe no one will dare to play tricks on you."

John nodded and said, “That’s for the best; it’s good for everyone. I’m not someone who doesn’t know how to share, and I understand the saying that hoarding things will kill you, but Oregon is different. I need to build my own territory; it makes me feel safe. I believe you all understand that I’ve always had a very low sense of security, and I hope you can understand.”

John's conversation with Morgan was another deal of interest, or even a deal of power. Although he spoke calmly with John, the old guys in the US heard everything clearly. Morgan couldn't have been unprepared, and the old guys like Rockefeller wouldn't completely trust him either.

Of course, John knew this, but he pretended not to know anything. Only in this way could he reassure those old guys and put their minds at ease. Although these guys couldn't target him directly now, they could still annoy him if they wanted to. If the donkey really went all out to target him, it would cause him considerable trouble.

John was well aware that in the struggle for profits, any means were acceptable. However, he wanted to warn these guys not to cross his bottom line. Business competition was fine, even taking a small loss himself was no big deal, but Oregon's bottom line was inviolable. No one could change that; John was using this opportunity to make this matter public!
In truth, both John and Morgan were well aware of all this. Many things couldn't be said too bluntly, otherwise neither side would have a way out. John's assertive stance naturally led Morgan to cooperate.

"You can rest assured that this time no one will do anything foolish. Anyone who dares to cause trouble will bear the consequences themselves, and we will absolutely not interfere again. You have your plans, and we have our own arrangements. Mutual understanding is the best outcome!"

Although Morgan said that, it was impossible. Where there are people, there is conflict; where there are interests, there are conflicts. These old guys couldn't just stand by and watch John make a fortune while they got nothing. Naturally, they wanted a share of the profits, or even wanted to seize the market for themselves. This time was the best proof of that!

"Hello, I'm fine, everyone's fine! I don't want to make enemies of everyone. Like Japan, as long as they don't cross my bottom line, I won't bother with the Koreans; after all, normal business cooperation is still necessary. But this time, let's be clear: don't make any more mistakes, or it won't be my fault!"

(End of this chapter)