Reborn in America, I am a legendary short seller on Wall Street.

Chapter 216 Grasping the Direction of Public Opinion
The specific content of this article in the World News Daily is as follows:

Recently, some unsettling rumors have been circulating in our city's business circles, concerning a prominent figure from across the Atlantic. This young and wealthy man has amassed astonishing fortunes in his homeland and colonies, and his name is often associated with a certain brilliant yet cold mineral. Upon arriving in our great republic, he, with his characteristic imperial governor-like arrogance, checked into the city's most luxurious hotel suite, behaving like a modern-day Crois (Note: the ancient Lydian king, renowned for his immense wealth).

However, what this gentleman brought with him seemed to be more than just his bulging wallet; he also brought with him a business philosophy that was incompatible with the fairness, integrity, and spirit of contract that we in New York—and indeed the whole of America—cherish.

According to several reliable businessmen who have maintained close contact with this column, this gentleman is negotiating for some of the city's best real estate projects. His methods are so sophisticated that any honest entrepreneur would blush. At the heart of his strategy appears to be carefully crafted misinformation, selective concealment of facts, and the use of unequal financial power to intimidate and exploit. He seems to view Fifth Avenue in Manhattan as yet another piece of "territory" outside his African mines, which he can arbitrarily seize, and the local property owners as indigenous chiefs he can manipulate at will.

We can't help but ask: Is this the "virtue" that the old world's aristocratic class was so proud of? Is this the business principle followed by those gentlemen who relied on their ancestral privileges and charters to talk about "civilization" and "progress" in Parliament?

A person's wealth may buy them a first-class ticket, the best room in a hotel, and a group of sycophants.

However, what wealth can never buy or replace is integrity and a good reputation. These qualities require years of cultivation, but can be destroyed by one or two dishonest acts.

New York's business world is not a wilderness. We have witnessed the rise of countless tycoons who relied on vision, diligence, and, most importantly—unwavering integrity. We watch with vigilance any attempt to pollute our business environment using colonial methods.

We urge every business owner and businessman in this city to be vigilant and ethically questionable when dealing with outsiders who may have impressive backgrounds. Always adhere to ethical boundaries and thoroughly review the terms of every document. Do not be misled by superficial prestige or exorbitant prices. Remember, a truly trustworthy partner's most valuable asset is their signature, not their checkbook.

We will continue to monitor this matter.

Larry was absolutely blown away after reading this report!

Who says pornography is bad? Who says that authors of pornography can only be called "writers" and not "authors"?

This news article eloquently demonstrates that even yellow journalism can be written with the flair of a Pulitzer Prize winner, and can produce masterful prose.

The article makes no mention of the other party's name, but it subtly hints at Cecil Rhodes' identity in various places.

What "a prominent figure from across the Atlantic," what "his name is often closely associated with a certain brilliant yet cold mineral," what "the arrogant demeanor of an imperial governor"...

These all point to diamonds, debilt, and Cecil Rhodes, the then-colonial officer of the Cape Colony in South Africa.

Anyone in the upper class with even a slight understanding of international business would immediately recognize this person as Cecil Rhodes.

Of course, most ordinary people don't know, but that's the beauty of this article, because ordinary people will be curious and inquire—who exactly is this shameless guy?

The more curious the public is, the greater the potential impact of this article!
However, in Larry's view, the most ingenious part of this article is not this, but the "opposition" that the author subtly guides.

For example, titles like "Old World 'Gentlemen'" and "Aristocratic Virtues" can evoke a natural distrust of old European aristocrats among the American public!
Furthermore, the claim that he "relyed on ancestral privilege and a charter" strongly suggests that his success was not entirely due to his own efforts, but rather partly due to privilege. Of course, this isn't entirely true, but it's certainly effective in stirring public sentiment!
The phrase "speaking eloquently about 'civilization' and 'progress' in parliament" satirizes the person's hypocrisy.
The phrase "another piece of 'territory' outside its African mines that it can occupy at will" equates the United States with a colony, provoking strong public resentment.

Of course, the core and most ingenious argument of this article is to set "wealth" against "morality," thus severely undermining Cecil Rhodes's very foundation!

After reading this article, Larry was full of praise and amazed!
This article takes a clear stance and is full of moral criticism, which is precisely the distinctive style of "yellow journalism".

Moreover, every satirical metaphor, every comparison between the New World and the Old World, and every "call to the public to be vigilant" is extremely inflammatory.

To be honest, after reading this article, Larry even considered changing his major in college to journalism.

Wow! Guiding public opinion is truly a complex subject.

Larry finished reading, a smile of admiration on his face, and handed the newspaper back to Mr. Potter, asking with a smile,

"Mr. Potter, this article is truly well-written, but will the other party be able to see it? Or rather, how can we get him to comply?"

Mr. Potter smiled and said casually,

"Oh, it's very simple. My friends in the media have arranged similar reports, and 13 similar articles will be published within two weeks. Whether they can be seen or not, these articles will become big news in New York for a while."
.
Thursday, April 21st, one week later.

The reading room of the Imperial Glory private club in London.

Early in the morning, Cecil Rhodes sat behind a heavy mahogany desk, leisurely savoring his authentic English breakfast tea.

English Breakfast tea is a type of black tea, a blend of Indian Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon, and Kenyan teas. It has a rich flavor and high caffeine content, and is best enjoyed with milk and sugar. It is often paired with a hearty full English breakfast, providing a satisfying energy boost for the refined English gentleman.

After finishing his morning tea, Mr. Rhodes exclaimed, "The morning tea in the British Empire is still the best. I can feel the necessity and great achievements of Queen Victoria in conquering the world!"

Cecil Rhodes always adhered to British etiquette, and when drinking tea, he would only hold the teacup by the handle and would never hold the teacup by the body with his fingers!
After setting down his teacup, Cecil Rhodes looked with satisfaction at the messages his subordinates had sent back from South Africa and around the world.

The New York housekeeper reported that Mr. Porter, who rented out five shops on Fifth Avenue, had sent people over several times to inquire when a formal contract could be signed.

The housekeeper's informant in New York said that Mr. Porter had been extremely busy lately, seemingly anxious about not being able to rent out his shop on time, as the April rental season was about to end. Cecil Rhodes scoffed; this was exactly what he wanted. He wanted to drag things out until May, then go back and take advantage of the off-season to pressure Mr. Porter to lower the rent.

"Hmph! $2.5 in rent every year, plus gold coins!! Damn Yankees, wishful thinking."

After reading the work briefings from various places, Mr. Rhodes became even more interested and began browsing the newspapers that had just been delivered from New York by cruise ship.

Rhodes habitually browses the financial section first, searching for any news related to his mining empire or international diamond and gold investments.

The first thing he saw was an article in the New York Times titled “Mr. Rhodes quells indigenous riots with ‘extraordinary efficiency’: thousands of South African miners gladly accept new work projects.”

Rhodes was startled and quickly focused his attention on the article, only to find that it used praise of him to expose his brutal military repression in South Africa. The so-called "happy acceptance" was also a satire of the near-slavery labor system he established in the mines.

This article is extremely malicious because it is entirely self-praise, but secretly reveals all his shameful deeds in South Africa.

Cecil Rhodes frowned deeply. He was immune to such reporting because his actions were often maliciously denigrated by newspapers outside the British Empire.

Rhodes angrily threw down the newspaper, then picked up a copy of the *New York Herald*, and soon saw another article:
A true patriot! Mr. Rhodes cleverly extends the empire's territory, and "indentured laborers" pave a new path to wealth for blacks.

Rhodes was stunned when he saw this title...

After a stunned silence of more than ten seconds, he quickly continued reading the article:
The article describes the so-called "indentured labor" as slavery, and the report also "glorifies" the exploitation of black laborers to enrich themselves and the cunning acquisition of land from local tribal chiefs who did not understand English.

After reading this article, Rhodes shouted a curse!
He suddenly had a premonition that this was not a coincidence and that there would inevitably be similar reports.

Sure enough, similar articles appeared in other newspapers mailed from the United States, but some of these articles were actually satirical under the guise of positive reporting.
Some articles are much more direct, using the tone of serious reporting to directly attack themselves.

For example, the article "Beneath the Throne of This 'Empire Builder,' Is It Ideals or Bones?" accuses the author of building his wealth and status on the lives of countless Africans.

Another article, titled "Blood Diamonds: The Brutal Truth Behind De Beers," directly targets the secrets behind De Beers' mining operations in South Africa.

As Cecil Rhodes flipped through the pages, his eyes widened until he came to the article "The 'Old World Gentlemen' and the Business Ethics of the New World." His thick fingers gripped the edge of the newspaper so tightly that it made a rustling sound as if he were about to tear it to shreds.

After reading the article, Rhodes went from pure astonishment to sudden, angry realization.

Rhodes's shrewd mind told him that this seemingly insignificant report, which did not name names, was the beginning of everything.

A surge of blood rushed from his thick neck to his cheeks and broad forehead, turning Rhodes' skin bright red. He could even clearly feel the veins in his temples throbbing.

“Slander! Shameless slander!!” Rhodes growled in a low voice.

These articles not only questioned his business credibility, but more maliciously, they attacked what he valued most—his sacred image as an "empire builder" and "civilization spreader."

Prior to this, Rhodes had never faced such a public and insidious accusation in the United States or anywhere else in the world.

In his mind, the American business world should be dominated by people like J.P. Morgan, a place where money and power can be used to negotiate, not this kind of... this kind of vicious slander in the gutter.

After venting all his emotions, Cecil Rhodes suppressed them, settling into a cold and dangerous calm.

Rhodes's gaze was no longer unfocused, but rather fixed on an intangible point as if he were aiming at prey.

He now understood that this was not an accident, but a war!
Someone in New York set a trap for him, attempting to tarnish his reputation and defeat him in subsequent business dealings!

“I cannot stand idly by! My reputation is my passport, the foundation upon which I can raise millions of pounds from the City of London! I must go to New York myself to put out this fire!”

Thinking of this, Rhodes slammed his fist on the table bell to summon the waiter, and ordered his private secretary, who had rushed over, in an almost roaring voice:

"Get me the next train to Southampton! Then book the fastest ferry ticket to New York! First class! Now!"

The private secretary was a little confused, not knowing why Mr. Rhodes' temper had become so volatile, but still turned around to make the arrangements as he instructed.

But Rhodes stopped him, his brow furrowed and face flushed, and said, “Send a encrypted telegram to my butler in New York! The message is…”

Urgent! I've been informed of a malicious defamatory report in the local newspaper. Find all sources and compile a list of suspects before I arrive, at all costs. Calm down our landlord with whom we are negotiating, and our potential business partners; inform all contacts that it's all a lie. I'll be there shortly!

(End of this chapter)