American Gossip King

Chapter 207 The Opening of Davis Prison

Upon returning from South Korea, the first thing Ian did was go to Gaskell.

Look at the old man, look at Lena, and look at the son.

I checked on my son first. The little guy is almost three months old, and he's so cute with his chubby little head.

A pair of large, light blue eyes stared at Ian, clearly inherited from him.

Holding his son, Ian sat on the sofa, playing with him and discussing work with Gaskell.

"Linuo Bank is still too small," Ian said directly. "It's time to consider upgrading Linuo."

Each bank has its own fixed target ceiling. Linuo Bank currently only has 40 billion in assets under management. Lending you 10 billion is already the limit. If you want to continue to increase the amount of loans, Linuo Bank itself needs to reach a higher level.

If Linuo Bank can control 300 billion in assets, then Ian could easily lend out 80 billion.

Gaskell laughed and said, "That's not easy. Do you have any ideas?"

"How about buying Palos Bank?" Ian asked.

Gaskell shook his head slightly: "I can't possibly use Lino's money to buy it."

This is true.

While it's possible for private banks in the US to use assets under management to expand their operations, this doesn't mean there are no restrictions.

The key is that you must have a certain level of profitability and a proper capital allocation ratio, etc.

Linuo Bank's current profitability is average, largely due to the low interest rates paid to Ian, while the proportion of loans is increasing.

This means that Linuo Bank no longer has the funds to acquire other banks.

When it comes to funding, Ian also has a bit of a headache.

Carl Media has been making acquisitions and its size has increased dramatically, but its debt has also increased significantly.

Currently, the total assets of the Carl Group are valued at around 265 billion, while all liabilities add up to 235 billion, with annual interest expenses alone reaching 12.21 billion.

If you calculate it that way, Ian's corporate dividends are barely enough to cover interest payments, let alone the bank's expansion plans.

After thinking for a moment, Ian said, "There's some funding in Afghanistan."

"Huh?" Gaskell looked at him in surprise. "What did you say?"

Ian then gave a brief overview of his cooperation with Afghanistan, leaving the old man completely bewildered.

Fake!

Ian, you're getting more and more awesome, huh? You even dare to do business with Afghans?

But believe it or not, it's a really lucrative business!

At least ten times the profit!

According to the agreement Ian reached with Afghanistan, Afghanistan would give Ian a large sum of money to help with the business, and then he could exchange the profits for weapons, food, and medicine to send over.

He did this through the Cripples Gang, and they recently completed the first transaction worth five million.

The problem is that although the profit margin is high, the scale is small!

Ian doesn't care about those few million anymore.

However, Gaskell knew Ian quite well.

Since Ian had already decided to do it, Gaskell couldn't very well try to dissuade him.

He asked Ian, "How much money is it?"

Ian shrugged. "I'm not too sure either, they didn't say. The key is that these guys are cautious, they won't give me a lot at once, but I estimate it won't be less than ten billion."

The Afghans are much stingier than the Syrian terrorists who did business with the Chinese. Think about it, the Syrian terrorists wanted to spend 15 billion without even meeting them, but the Afghans wanted to make a deal first and confirm their sincerity before they were willing to continue investing.

I hate doing business with poor people!

Afghanistan is so poor and stingy!

Gaskell said, "This money can't be used directly for bank expansion; you'll need to open a few more companies. Let me help you figure something out, and hopefully, someone can take the blame!"

Ian knew this couldn't be rushed, so he nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

The discussion was almost over, and it was getting late.

Ian was about to leave when he saw Lena's hungry eyes.

She held Ian's hand, her eyes filled with desire.

My body has recovered, and my hunger level has increased.

Gaskell noticed the stirrings of desire in his wife's heart and smiled, "I'm going out for a drink. You keep Lena company."

As he spoke, he walked out of the house, leaning on his cane.

Only Ian and Lena remained in the room.

Lena held Ian in her arms. Having given birth, she was noticeably fuller-figured, and the deep affection in her eyes burned like a raging fire.

She pulled Ian toward the bed, and at that moment Ian felt like he owed more than just 20 billion...

This made his heart skip a beat: "Honey, take it easy..."

Lena glared at him fiercely: "You owe me a lot of money, and you have to pay it back... with interest!"

"Fuck!" Ian was pushed onto the bed by Lena in despair.

That's how arrogant the banker's wife is; she even calculates interest on this.

The thing is, I don't just owe you; there's Kate, Scarlett, Britney, Jessica, and a whole bunch of others too...

At that moment, Ian deeply understood what it meant for heaven to be hell.

So much so that when I left the next day, my legs felt like they were floating.

Women who have given birth have an unusually large appetite!

........................

Davis Prison, Los Angeles.

After months of intensive work, Ian’s private prison was finally completed.

It is located on a plot of land outside Los Angeles, converted from an old hotel, adjacent to California Highway 1.

The tall walls, electric fences, and armed guards in the watchtowers create a unique and beautiful landscape here.

Guests here can enjoy a pleasant stay at the Davis Prison Hotel. They live in specially designed hotel rooms surrounded by thick iron fences, with diligent guards on duty at night. During the day, they can play basketball, go for a run, and live a relaxed and enjoyable life.

When you have free time, you can work at a clothing factory to make clothes, since it's close to California Highway 1. You can also organize outings, contribute to the construction of national infrastructure projects, and serve the community.

The people living here lead very fulfilling lives.

After leaving the Gaskells, Ian's first stop was Davis Prison, to check out his new "hotel".

In the warden's office, Ian sat in the warden's chair, looking at the reports on the screen.

The newly appointed warden, Icabod Kraft, is a former prison guard who previously worked for MTC—one of the three largest prison companies in the United States.

Warden Kraft was experienced in management and known for his kind and gentle manner.

Under his management, there were no prison breaks, and he demonstrated excellent operational skills, generating substantial profits for the prison. Although his management resulted in severe physical damage and chronic malnutrition among many inmates, it ultimately brought them immense spiritual fulfillment.

They no longer have to worry about having nothing to do. Every day after "getting off work," their daily routine consists of fearing and cursing Kraft.

After confirming that he was a high-ranking manager at the concentration camp level, Ian poached him with a large sum of money.

Sitting in the warden's seat, Ian looked at the data in his hand and said, "The occupancy rate is only 26% right now?"

Kraft smiled and said, "After all, it's just opened, and the initial customers are all construction workers. But don't worry, the California authorities have promised to ensure an occupancy rate of over 90% by the end of this year. I've already contacted the local judges, and they will try their best to prioritize us and send prisoners here. Of course, this also depends on whether there are enough prisoners."

"They will," Ian said casually. "Americans never disappoint when it comes to crime. Give those judges some money, and they'll do their best to get us sentenced."

Kraft respectfully poured Ian coffee: "I've made contact with the nearby lumber mills, and they're willing to release some business to us. Our operations will expand again soon. Davis Prison will become your steady cash cow."

Ian smiled: "I like this part, but we need to take care of the Cripples' gang a bit."

The latest novel is first published here!

"Of course, I won't neglect what you asked me to do," Kraft said with a smile. "By the way, I suggest we build a VIP prison in the jail. They'll have a better life there, but of course, they'll have to pay for it."

Although Ian specifically requested to take care of the Cripples Gang, money still had to be spent, even if it was his own employees' wallets, he still had to squeeze them, right?

Some people have money but no connections, while the crippled gang should be grateful for their connections.

Ian nodded. "That's a good idea, but under what pretext?"

"What about human rights? Prisoners also have human rights and an obligation to receive good care."

Ian nodded repeatedly: "That sounds good. We should treat these lost sheep with the warmth of spring."

Money brings spring breezes, no money brings winter winds.

At that moment, Ian laughed and said, "I admire your business acumen in prison management. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Come on, let's go take a look. We should at least meet our clients."

So the two got up and left the warden's office building, heading towards the wind farm.

Several heavily armed prison guards followed closely behind the two, and Ian walked along like this.

Upon arriving at the wind farm, one can see the prisoners gathered in small groups.

Some were playing ball, some were smoking on the sidelines, their eyes filled with murderous intent, cruelty, or despair and bewilderment.

Ian, like a leader offering words of comfort, walked with a smile all the way.

On a bench not far away, a few young people were talking. When they saw Ian, their eyes lit up and they waved to him.

It was Gan Lun and his two companions involved in the Palos bank robbery.

They were sentenced last year and imprisoned for three years. After the construction of Davis Prison was completed, Ian took the three of them.

Seeing the three of them, Ian smiled and walked over: "Hi, how are you guys? How's it going here? Eating well?"

Gan Lun exclaimed excitedly, "The warden takes good care of us. I no longer have to worry about my backside. Thank God, your prison is finally finished. It's a pity we won't be getting a pardon for long."

There was a strange sense of helplessness in me, a kind of resentment that my time in prison was too short.

Ian laughed and said, "It's alright, Davis Prison will always welcome you."

The three young men chuckled foolishly together.

Ian said, "You can talk to Kraft about anything. As long as it's important, he'll pass it on to me. Remember, you're now considered unofficial staff at Carl Media. Do your job well."

The three young men nodded excitedly at the same time.

After exchanging a few words with them, Ian continued his inspection of the prison with Kraft. Looking at the other inmates, Ian remarked, "Looks like there are gangs here too?"

This can be judged from the ease with which the prisoners gathered together.

"It's mainly the Cripples Gang, MS, and the Fucheng Boys," said Kraft.

Although Madman Git was killed by Ian, MS did not perish. It simply withdrew from the core area but still exists, and is even fighting against the Crippled Gang, providing a constant stream of material for Carl Media's news and Davis Prison's clients.

Ian said, "Don't let them cause trouble, especially keep the cripples in check. Tell them they only get basic necessities, but if they dare cause trouble in prison... do you know that the best soldiers aren't afraid of the enemy, but of their own superiors?"

Kraft smiled. "You're quite right, Mr. Carl. We must make them fear us more than they fear the enemy."

He was happy that his boss's support for these people wasn't without limits.

Ian didn't say anything more, but continued walking inside the prison, looking at each cell.

Some prisoners didn't want to go to the wind farm, as it was a risk for them, so they stayed quietly in their rooms, reading books or something else.

Arriving at a relatively secluded prison, Ian saw a refined-looking young man sitting there, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and reading a book.

Ian looked at him and said with a puzzled expression, "This person looks familiar."

Warden Kraft immediately said, "Ryan Galbraith, Enron's accountant."

"Ah! No wonder it looked familiar." Ian suddenly realized.

Enron's accounting fraud and eventual bankruptcy inevitably meant that someone had to take responsibility, and Galbraith was the scapegoat pushed out.

As for what he actually did, that's no longer important.

Ian said, "Davis is a serious crime prison, how could there be economic criminals there?"

Kraft chuckled, "He's very capable, and prisons need professional accountants. It just so happens that Davis Prison isn't full yet, so I took him over and gave him some special treatment."

Ian murmured, "The Shawshank Redemption."

Warden Kraft immediately said, "There are no sewers here for him to crawl through."

"It doesn't matter if it does, that would be good news."

Warden Kraft: "..."

However, private prisons do not lose their operating rights because of one or two prisoner escapes.

Ian looked at the young man and said, "Someone like him is worth keeping; I might need him someday. How many years is he sentenced to?"

"It hasn't been long, a year and a half. He started going to jail last year and will be released next February."

Ian gave a soft "hmm".

He turned to Kraft: "Prison is a good place; it possesses the most valuable information and the most outstanding all-round talents. Kraft, I hope you understand that money isn't our only goal. Valuable information and excellent talent are equally important. If necessary, I hope this place can provide me with good, specialized personnel, so you should take appropriate care of such people. This might reduce the prison's profits, but you will earn my gratitude!"

Kraft nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, boss, I won't let you down!"

(End of this chapter)