America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 643 Paul's Journey

Parking lot outside the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

By now, all the Wall Street giants who had come to attend the meeting had gotten into their cars and driven away, leaving only Ernst and Buffett nearby.

"Are you really not going to the White House New Year's Eve dinner tonight?" Buffett turned to Ernst and said, "You know, not only in New York, but every brick in Washington is engraved with the veins of the American economy."

Ernst nodded slightly and said with a smile, "I understand. The intertwining of finance and politics has always been the key to determining the future."

However, there was one thing he didn't say: those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

From the very beginning, his goal was not to be like Buffett or Bill Gates, who considered it success simply by getting through that door.

His goal has never changed: not only to squeeze into that room that represents power, but also to have a place in it.

For Buffett, the intertwining of finance and politics means connections, relationships, and support.

For him, however, it was not the Garfield family that controlled finance and politics, but rather the opposite.

"Speaking of which, aren't you the same?" He wasn't the only one who refused the White House New Year's Eve dinner; the old man in front of him did the same.

"I've attended so many events, one or two absences won't make a difference." Buffett really doesn't need these kinds of fame and fortune events to develop his network and profit from them anymore.

"But for you, this is your first time being invited."

Ernst smiled but didn't reply. The two chatted for a few more minutes, talking about Long-Term Capital Management.

This acquisition of Long-Term Capital was led by Ernst Asset Management, which holds a 55% stake.

However, once Berkshire Hathaway has absorbed the gains from this period of volatility stabilization, it will sell its stake in Long-Term Capital Management and make it wholly owned by Ernst Asset Management.

"I've already spoken to Jane Fraser, so you can just talk to her directly when the time comes."

Buffett paused for a moment, then said, "Looks like you're really going to take a vacation."

Ernst shook his head, looking like he'd gotten a good deal but was still being smug. "I'd better keep a low profile for the time being."

Buffett knew that his big harvest was coming, and he wanted to keep a low profile as much as possible.

The two shook hands and said goodbye, but before leaving, Buffett, sitting in the car, still praised, "Your vision and perspective truly surpass those of your peers. You are a well-deserved leader of the younger generation in America."

"I prefer your title to the name of the stock market guru."

After saying goodbye to Buffett, Ernst drove straight to Kennedy Airport.

There, Anne was already sitting in his private jet, waiting for him, ready to fly to California.

It was past 8 p.m. when the convoy entered the gates of Whitney Farm.

The farm was bustling with activity. A roaring bonfire was lit in the small square in front of the villa, and the leaping flames illuminated the night sky and the smiling faces around them.

It's New Year's Eve, and the whole family is having a bonfire party. All the branches of the Arlington family are gathered here.

Since Ernst became successful, many relatives who used to only get together once every two or three years have started visiting more frequently.

Upon seeing Ernst return with Anne, he naturally showered her with concern and affection.

Her maternal grandmother, Arya, and mother, Svetlana, especially held her hands tightly and wouldn't let go.

John looked Anne up and down, his eyes practically screaming with satisfaction. He boomed, "Excellent! What a beautiful girl! The Kennedys' children are truly exceptional!"

His voice was loud and clear, almost echoing throughout the entire square, as if he were afraid that others wouldn't hear the name Kennedy.

"Ernst, I heard you were attacked a few days ago? Are you alright?" a distant uncle asked with concern, but there was a hint of probing in his eyes.

"Yes, Ernst, you'd better be careful! You're the pillar of our Arlington family now!" another cousin, whom Ernst didn't remember much, chimed in, his tone clearly flattering.

Everyone knows about the attack he was attacked.

Seeing Ernst alive and well, many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ernst responded to everyone's greetings with a faint smile, saying casually, "It was just a minor incident, but it's been resolved."

Whether these people's concern and concern are directed at him personally or at the family foundation he established, no one knows.

Even if Ernst knew, he wouldn't care.

He'll keep raising them if he can, since he doesn't have much money to his name right now.

He has no obligation to support someone, no matter how good the relationship is.

The arrival of the two made the bonfire party even more lively, with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

However, what made him and Anne a little embarrassed was John's flattery.

He used to want to recount Ernst's achievements one by one and attribute them to how he educated Ernst when he was a child.

I've said it too much, and I'm probably tired of it, so I've quieted down recently.

But Annie came today, giving him another chance to show off.

Ernst understood this as well; after all, she was a woman from the Kennedy family, a high-status position that the Arlington family had never dared to dream of before.

As the party drew to a close, Ernst, John, and Paul went to his study.

These three can be said to be the three most influential and powerful members of the Arlington family right now.

Actually, it's mainly Ernst and Paul Arlington. One of them is the backbone of the Arlington family, and all the changes in the Arlington family now are due to him.

The other is the most powerful member of the Arlington family in official circles, and also a representative of the younger generation.

As for John, he simply benefited from Ernst's fame and became a spokesperson for the older generation.

"A few days ago, Jerry took me to Willie's private cocktail party, and we had a great talk," Paul said first, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement, his eyes sparkling.

He leaned forward slightly, and said in a low voice, somewhat excited, "If Willie leaves, I'll likely become the mayor of San Francisco. At least from the San Francisco faction's perspective, there won't be any problems."

In the recently concluded midterm elections, Paul was successfully elected as the Treasurer of the City of San Francisco, nominated by Willie Brown.

If an internal consensus can be reached, it is almost a certainty that he will replace Willie Brown as the next mayor of San Francisco.

This is the mayor of San Francisco, not the mayor of Visalia, where the Arlington family is from.

By becoming the mayor of San Francisco, Paul had essentially entered the core political circle of the United States.

"That's wonderful! Paul, you're still young, your future is limitless!" John's booming voice rang out again, filled with excitement and pride. "Who knows, maybe one day, our Arlington family will produce a governor of California!"

His voice was exceptionally loud in the quiet study, as if he could already see Paul taking charge of California in the future.

Paul noticed, however, that Ernst's expression wasn't particularly happy; his eyes were deep and unfathomable.

Paul's smile faded, and his tone became serious. "Ernst, you can just say what's on your mind. We're family."

He was certain that the other person's worries were related to his own.

Ernst took a sip of red wine, glanced at Paul, then at John beside him whose laughter had abruptly stopped, and slowly said, "If possible, I would like you to enter the judicial system."

"Why?" John asked first.

He simply couldn't understand why Ernst would make Paul give up such a promising future, abandon a political path that seemed bright at the moment, and start over in an unfamiliar judicial system.

Paul frowned as well, though he didn't immediately raise any questions, his eyes were filled with confusion.

He didn't understand Ernst's intentions, since entering the judicial system meant that all his efforts over the past period had been in vain.

Ernst didn't hide anything and said directly, "The Brown family has sided with me."

The two were not too surprised by this. Although Ernst had not told them about these things, they could tell that the two sides were at least in a cooperative relationship.

Otherwise, the Brown family wouldn't have used their connections to help Paul when he was running for treasurer, and wouldn't have introduced him to Willie Brown to help him with his campaign.

"While Willie Brown isn't a member of the Brown family, they've always been the closest allies," Ernst said, looking at Paul. "His control over San Francisco goes without saying, doesn't it?"

Paul nodded. In this midterm election, Willie Brown and Jerry Brown's people combined had more than half of the seats in almost every category, from government officials to the city council supervisory board.

The entire city of San Francisco can now be described as a two-man show by Brown, whose influence has permeated every corner of the city.

"At this point, whether you become the next mayor of San Francisco or not is of little significance to me or the Arlington family."

Ernst spoke calmly, analyzing the current political situation in California: "Los Angeles is West Coast territory. They've been operating there for years and have deep roots. You can't open up any avenues there anytime soon. And the governorship of California is out of the question anytime soon, at least not for the next twenty years."

"The current California governor election has just concluded, and Jerry Brown will undoubtedly return for two more terms. With his experience and influence, he has virtually no rivals in California politics. Trying to seize the California governorship would be too time-consuming and exhausting."

"This is our current base of support, which means that no matter who becomes the mayor of San Francisco, the current situation will not change."

He got up and walked to the window, looking out at the dark night sky and the faint glow of the campfire in the distance. "If I marry into the Boston Consortium, we can establish two powerful political forces on the East and West coasts."

"On the contrary, our influence in the judicial system is relatively limited. This is a clear weakness and a potential threat to our future development."

He turned to look at Paul, his eyes filled with expectation. "I have a good relationship with the powerful families in California right now, and with the support of the Brown family, you'll have a high starting point in the judicial system and you'll climb the ladder very quickly."

"With your abilities and background, you could even become the California Attorney General within ten years."

"Moreover, you are a lawyer by training, which gives you a natural advantage in this area, making it easier for you to adapt to the rules and workings of the judicial system than others."

"If we were to take another step and become a Supreme Court Justice, in the long run, the benefit to the family would be no less than that of sitting in the White House."

"Shouldn't he go to the Court of Appeals instead of becoming a prosecutor?" Paul didn't even consider whether he should give up his current position. In the judicial department, how to maximize his interests was something that Ernst was very satisfied with.

"There's no need. Although the federal appeals court is the most legitimate route, the California Attorney General has a smoother path in the rise of power."

There are basically three paths to becoming a Supreme Court Justice.

The most prestigious and orthodox path is that of judges on the Federal Court of Appeals, considered a golden springboard for Supreme Court justices, with 60% of justices rising through this route.

The remaining 40% are either state Supreme Court judges or state attorneys general, who follow the local judicial elite path.

However, this approach is only feasible in large states like New York, California, and Texas; it's not even worth considering in smaller states.

Another option is a recommendation from a senior official in the Department of Justice or a presidential aide.

These three approaches, particularly the path to the Federal Court of Appeals, are more akin to the impoverished scholars of the Ming Dynasty who entered the cabinet before joining the government.

The other two types are officials who rose through the ranks by accumulating real power, and their power accumulation was much smoother.

The key point is that with the Brown family in the administration, if they could also control California's judicial system and combine that with their economic control, they could make all political forces in California bow down and completely control the state.

Therefore, taking this step is a move that allows for both offense and defense.

A brief silence fell over the study. After a long while, Paul finally raised his head and looked at Ernst. "I'll listen to you."

"But what about my current job? Should I resign?"

Ernst shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "No rush."

"Taking up to this position will also be beneficial to you; at the very least, this position will become a bargaining chip in the future."