America: My Time

Chapter 753 Favor
Chapter 743 Human Favor

“You’re absolutely right. We were wrong. We shouldn’t have underestimated John, we shouldn’t have been so greedy, and we shouldn’t have suppressed this little guy. So in their eyes, we are just old-fashioned people who are unwilling to embrace the future. We are the obstacle to the progress of the times.”

"That's absolutely true! Of course, you weren't without opportunities. At least the White House gave you chances, but unfortunately, your abilities were limited, and you didn't seize them. If you had won the semiconductor battle, neither the White House nor the government would have intervened; they would have remained neutral. But you lost. You didn't have the ability, yet you were incredibly greedy. Who can you blame but yourselves? To protect your own interests, you constantly suppressed John and emerging forces, forcing John to leave for overseas. From that moment on, you stood on the opposite side of the United States. But instead of developing, you continued to act recklessly."

“Morgan, I can’t accept this. Did we force that little fox John to go overseas? It was his own idea, his own scheme. Even without us, he would have done the same. We were just his shield. Did we force Phoenix Comics to leave? Did we force Quantum Mining to leave? And semiconductors? Those were all his own choices. Even in the automotive industry, it wasn’t our fault. John had planned it all along. Even that showdown in Britain was that little fox’s scheme. We are the victims!”

"Rockefeller, everyone knows what you're saying, but John had reasons, excuses, and they were quite sufficient. You, however, didn't. You've consistently undermined America's stability, consistently suppressed younger generations, and hindered America's development. This is an indisputable fact. No matter how eloquently you speak, it's useless; the facts won't change. You are the victims. If you weren't so greedy, how could you have become victims? If you hadn't been blinded by profit, you wouldn't have fallen into John's trap. Didn't John give you any chances? He gave me many chances, but you ignored them all. Nothing else..." "Take Western Energy, for example. John fulfilled your demands, taking over the Permian oil field, which was considered a liability. You all agreed to John's requests at the time, and even the White House intervened. You should remember that. But did you ultimately keep your promise? No, John took on the Permian burden himself for the sake of Western Energy's development. Do you really think no one saw how much resistance Western Energy faced in the US? Western Energy's expansion into the Middle East, Asia, and Europe—was it merely for expansion, or because of your suppression? It's hard to say, but you have to pay the price for your mistakes."

"I admit we made a mistake, but are you going to launch a crackdown on us today? Or do you want to deliver a fatal blow?" At this point, Rockefeller knew that there was no point in saying anything more; the situation was irreversible. So he decided to listen to the other party's thoughts and decisions.

"No, I don't mean to target you, nor do I intend to target you. Rather, you need to give everyone an explanation. Don't dwell on past glories. This is no longer the era we knew. Times have changed. If you can't adapt to the new era, you'll be eliminated by it. Now it's about what John thinks, what the White House thinks, and what those beneficiaries protected by the rules think. You are breaking the rules, which puts you on the opposite side of everyone. Admittedly, you are powerful, but when all the beneficiaries protected by the rules stand up, you will be powerless to resist."

As soon as Morgan finished speaking, Rockefeller nodded and said, "That's right, you're absolutely right. We shouldn't have stood on the opposite side. We did make a mistake, but I don't know if you intend to wipe us out completely or if you have other plans!"

“You should know that my word doesn’t count. I won’t stand against you unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you go too far, someone has to pay the price. But who will bear it all depends on your own performance and whether John can accept it. You don’t think that John, that little fox, is just setting up this scheme without any other preparations, do you? I’m only saying this to you out of respect for our ancestors. John’s men are already ready to go. If you don’t satisfy him, you might not even have a chance to exist.”

"Impossible! He wouldn't dare to have such thoughts or take such actions. The White House would not allow it, and the United States cannot withstand such an impact!" Rockefeller retorted without much thought. In his view, it was impossible. If John really dared to do such a thing, he would be a sinner against the United States and would be punished.

"Nothing is impossible. You've all got your knives at John's throats. What else do you think is impossible? Don't think you're the only ones who can overturn the table and ignore the rules. He has that ability too, and he has every reason to. John has all the information about what you did back then. As a media mogul, you don't think John would dare to expose all of this, do you? As long as the American people accept it, then it's not a problem! Wake up! Don't extinguish your last chance. I don't want to see that happen, and neither does the White House. That's why the old man stepped in. This is your last chance!"

"Alright, I give up. I'll cooperate with your actions and won't make things difficult for you and the White House. But what others do is beyond my control. Besides, since you were prepared all along, you should know about the situation in California!"

"Good, I'm relieved to hear that. As for California, do you think they have any chance of survival? Did they really think the US would let them be so arrogant and unrestrained? We don't even need to lift a finger; John will handle them. Every move you make is under John's control. Now those guys have been eliminated. You underestimated John's reaction!" Upon hearing Morgan's words, Rockefeller smiled bitterly, "You're right. I did underestimate John. Everyone was deceived by him, even by the Bayard family. Those guys might have been unhappy with John's actions, but they absolutely shouldn't have reacted that way. Unfortunately, we were all blinded by profit, forgetting even the most basic principles of a family's survival. So our defeat is not unjust; it's all our own fault!"

At this point, Rockefeller sighed again, shook his head, and said, "Morgan, tell me, who are you trying to target with all this? Who will be the ones you settle scores with? I need to know!"

"No, you're wrong. We don't want to settle scores with anyone; we just want to warn those people not to be too arrogant and presumptuous. This is America, not a place where they can act recklessly. Wrongdoings have consequences, no matter what. As for their assets in America, they have to hand them over; they have no choice. This isn't my decision, but everyone's decision, the White House's decision. That's one of the reasons Old Man Shi came here!"

"Hahaha, I never imagined that we guys would unknowingly fall into such a crisis. We really are getting old, we can't even see the situation clearly anymore. Times have changed, we were really too self-righteous and too arrogant!"

“Rockefeller, times have indeed changed, and no one wants to go back to that chaotic era. John's presence here today is already the best possible attitude, so you don't need to worry too much. We will do our best to persuade him. But there's one thing I hope you understand: don't resort to any more underhanded tactics. If you do, it's beyond our control. John can't keep giving us face forever, and favors eventually run out. This time, your Rockefeller connections have been exhausted quite a bit. Old Martin will also be there; otherwise, I wouldn't be confident we could persuade John. This is the limit of what I can do, and the limit that Old Martin can do!”

Human relationships are a complicated thing. When Morgan finished speaking, Rockefeller nodded in understanding. This time, they had exhausted their favors with Old Man Bush, as well as with Old Man Martin and the Bayard family, and even with Morgan. The price was too high, high enough to break Rockefeller's heart.

“I understand. What you’re worried about won’t happen again. Rockefeller won’t stand against everyone. This time, I was the one who was wrong. I was blinded by profit. I will talk to those guys!”

"That's for the best. Nobody wants to make a big fuss. As long as they're willing to give up their unwarranted ideas and pay the price, things can still be settled. At least nobody wants to start another conflict and cause unnecessary trouble and crisis. Our biggest enemy, the Russians, still exists. They are the ones we need to pay the most attention to."

"I can only do my best, but I can't guarantee the outcome. You know those guys aren't so easy to persuade. After all, they all have crazy ideas and are unwilling to fail. Otherwise, John wouldn't have been targeted repeatedly in the US. It's not entirely our fault. The situation in Europe is the same. Those guys' pursuit of profit is far beyond your imagination. You've had contact with them before! Human greed isn't so easy to overcome, and they're not Rockefellers who have so many scruples."

(End of this chapter)