Manhattan Reborn 1978

new York.

Manhattan.

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse on the corner of 49th Street and Third Avenue.

After a burst of laughter, David casually made a gesture of invitation to the three Woods ~

Mr. Wood smiled and nodded, picking up the cutlery.

David continued: "About how eager and greedy people are for their own material needs and spiritual needs."

"I won't go into too much detail~"

"Let me talk about the next major factor that causes inflation to rise rapidly!"

"Strong consumer demand has led to an increase in commodity production prices and production costs!"

"I said just now that the essence of finance is the continuous circulation of money~"

“Because people have endless demands for their own desires, there is a rise in commodity prices caused by consumer demand + rise in production costs + rise in raw material prices + workers’ demands for increased income = for the sake of their own profits, companies can only choose to let themselves produce products, the overall cycle of price increases~"

"This cycle, without any interference from external factors, is the most desirable and ideal economic model of benign inflation that all economists hope to see."

“Therefore, only by allowing all the currencies in the entire market to circulate in an orderly and rapid manner will the entire market enter a period of high-speed and healthy growth~”

"but!"

"It is undoubtedly very difficult to maintain this ideal state."

"External factors can never be accurately predicted..."

"It is precisely events like the sudden oil crisis in the past few years that caused the United States to pass the peak stage of economic development and enter the decline stage of the economic cycle, and immediately entered the fast lane of decline to the bottom~"

“So, the third main reason, the sudden unexpected factor, caused stagflation. The simplest, crudest, and most direct way to solve this problem is... to raise interest rates + send money to the people! "

David raised his glass, took a sip of red wine, and said with a smile: "Having said this, we have to mention that the government now wants to control inflation by raising interest rates, buying and selling financial bonds, etc."

“We can only use the Federal Reserve Bank of America to cooperate with various commercial banks to recover those over-issued rice dollars from domestic and international financial markets~”

"But this method cannot quickly return the rice dollars flowing from the mainland to overseas banks to domestic banks in the United States in the short term~"

"I think Mr. Yasuda, you should know a lot about this situation, right?"

Yasuda Fengichiro was slightly stunned, thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Yes!"

"In the past few years, the island government has used methods such as lowering interest rates and purchasing corporate bonds and government bonds to deal with short-term inflation."

"But the effect is not very obvious~"

David smiled, shook the red wine glass a few times, and continued: "So, the island country's economy has been stimulated by war needs, infrastructure needs, Olympic needs, island reconstruction needs, and export market needs in the industrial transformation period, and it has given birth to continuous multiple A prosperous era with rapid economic growth!"

"Uh...yes!"

"You also know about the prosperity?"

"Yes~"

David simply put down the red wine glass, crossed his legs, put his hands on his knees, and smiled.

"From the perspective of overall national economic development, the island government is learning from the United States' development strategy of transferring manufacturing and heavy industry, which is an excellent policy strategy."

"However, it seems that some people are missing a very crucial point!"

"Oh?"

"Can you... tell me?"

"Hahaha~ Of course!"

David turned to look at Mr. Wood with a smile and said, "The United States entered a period of industrial transformation more than ten years ago."

“High-tech industries such as computers, semiconductors, precision instruments, biomedicine, and petroleum refining have gradually replaced traditional industries such as coal, steel, textiles, and manufacturing, which require a large number of workers but have low corporate revenue and profits. "

"According to the data I have collected, in recent years, about 70% of labor-intensive companies and factories in traditional industries have relocated to these states and counties in the eastern United States."

"Hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises related to computers, semiconductors, high-tech precision instruments, etc. soon popped up in the Boston area and areas near New York, replacing the relocated factories and companies in these traditional industries. .”

"but.."

"These small and medium-sized enterprises and companies have very poor ability to resist risks, and their capital chain is also extremely fragile."

“This has resulted in small and medium-sized entrepreneurial enterprises that should have shouldered tax responsibilities, but when they encountered some business risks, they were unable to obtain sufficient loans from banks to withstand the risks. In the end, they had no choice but to be swallowed up by large companies or be absorbed by large companies. Bankruptcy~"

"That's why the New York City Government shut down in 75 and almost declared bankruptcy."

Mr. Wood nodded slightly with a calm face and said: "It was the same when I was the governor of California~"

"More than a decade ago, many factories and businesses moved away from California, leaving behind a large number of unemployed workers."

“The Silicon Valley area southeast of San Francisco is home to an overwhelming number of small and medium-sized enterprises and companies~”

"But these companies do not help at all to absorb these unemployed workers. Instead, they often need local governments to coordinate bank loans for them to barely survive."

"As for paying taxes...hehe~"

"It's even more impossible to talk about~"

David smiled and picked up the juice cup and asked Mr. Wood.

“So, during your last term as governor, you enacted tax cuts for high-tech small and medium-sized companies?”

"Hehe~"

Mr. Wood raised his eyebrows, glanced at the "Invisible Man" Mag Ludwig, smiled and nodded.

"That's right!"

"These unprofitable high-tech companies can only pay taxes of a few hundred meters per year at most."

"Only by allowing them to get through the most difficult initial stage of entrepreneurship and successfully grow into a large company like HP, will there be more possibilities~"

"Well, your idea is really great!"

"I respect your heart and vision!"

"Hahaha~Thank you!"

Mr. Wood laughed very happily, raised his wine glass, touched David's juice glass lightly, and drank all the wine in the glass with a tilt of his neck.

. . .

Seeing the "tacit understanding" between the two of them, Yasuda Hoichiro turned around and winked at Toshiki Wada beside him. The two stood up, said hello, and walked to the bathroom of the steakhouse.

David turned his head and watched the two people leave, then asked Mr. Wood with a smile.

“Are you ready to run for president in two years’ time?”

"Yes!"

"Oh~"

The smile on David's face did not change, but he asked a "sharp" question that surprised Magdu.

"Please forgive my presumption!"

"I remember President Kennedy spending days and nights barely sleeping during his response to the Cuban Missile Crisis."

"But your age and physical condition..."

"Do you doubt your ability to deal with similar situations?"

Mr. Wood seemed to be stunned by David's direct and clearly questioning questions~

He tried hard to keep the smile on his face, and while rapidly thinking of a suitable answer in his mind, he immediately denied it.

"Absolutely not!"

"And I want to tell you, David~I...will not let age become an issue in my participation in the general election this time!"

"I will not ridicule or ridicule my competitors for being young and inexperienced for political purposes~"

"Papa papa ~ hahahaha~"

"Wonderful!!"

While applauding Mr. Wood's answer, David used his slightly exaggerated laughter to cover up the shock and confusion flashing in his eyes~

Mag, who was sitting next to him, also clapped along with David and said to Mr. Wood.

"Your wit and humor can greatly improve people's favorability in debates."

"Thank you!"

Mr. Wood also smiled complacently and nodded to Mag. He picked up the wine glass again and signaled to David.

"Thank you, I found another perfect answer!"

David's eyes narrowed into thin slits, he smiled even more happily, picked up the juice cup, and said.

"No! I want to thank you, Mr. Wood!"

"Your excellent answer gave me another friend!"

"friend!?"

"Hahaha~ good!"

"Here's to you, David! My friend!"

"Here's to you, Wood! My friend!"

"Ding ~"

A red wine glass and a juice glass collided crisply in front of Mag.

He didn't know what the two of them were thinking in their hearts at the moment. .

But he knew that today's meeting allowed both David and Wood to initially recognize the identity of each other's allies~

Moreover, Mag was very keen to notice from David's laughter and behavior just now. .

. . .

After David and Wood put down their cups.

Mr. Wood glanced casually in the direction Yasuda Kaguichiro and the two left, and said with a smile.

"Are you very optimistic about the future economic development of the island country?"

David picked up the tableware again, put a piece of carrot as a side dish into his mouth, and smiled.

"Yes!"

"After experiencing World War II, the island country received strong support and help from the United States. In just ten years, it restored its national strength to the level before the outbreak of World War II."

"In the 60s, the island countries relied on a lot of obsolete technologies from our country and continued to optimize and upgrade them, gradually taking away the international market share of many of our domestic related industries~"

"Today, more than half of the market share of our domestic home appliance market belongs to some new brands from the island country~"

"In addition, after the last energy crisis, the government came forward to organize and match up, so that the resources of the island country's high-tech semiconductor companies were integrated together, catching up with the research and development progress of our country's semiconductor industry~"

"So, it is not difficult to speculate based on these circumstances..."

"The rise of export-oriented high-tech industries in island countries will only be a matter of time."

"And, they also have an advantage that we don't have!"

"Oh? What is it?"

"Internal unity!"

"..." Mr. Wood's expression became strange after hearing this answer.

David smiled, put another tomato slice into his mouth, and said with a smile.

"What I mean by internal unity is that when they have a common goal, the cohesion they display is much stronger than our domestic consortiums... It's much stronger!"

"but!"

"This so-called internal unity, in my opinion, is precisely their biggest weakness hidden deep in their hearts!"

"Um...why?" Mr. Wood put his arms on the table and asked with confusion.

"Hehe~"

"Actually, the theory about inflation and economic stagflation I just mentioned just explains to you an analysis of the economic cycle system that economists have summarized through years of research~

"It contains some views of Keynesianism and New Keynesian economists' ideas on how to deal with inflation~"

"But there are still a few more critical points that I haven't finished yet~"

"Industry is the backbone of a country's economic development!"

"Manufacturing is the vital organ of a country!"

"If our country's industry and manufacturing industry suffers massive cuts and enters a recession..."

"It will make the country's overall development enter a stage of lower risk resistance from real to weak~"

David glanced at Mr. Wood who was deep in thought, put another small piece of steak into his mouth, and said.

"Banking is the country's internal blood circulation regulator."

"The financial industry is the blood that continuously provides sufficient nutrients for the country's economic development!"

"The essence of finance is that money is constantly flowing in various markets and generating value!"

"But in the financial market, what is the most important thing?"

"confidence!"

“Confidence in market expectations!”

"When people are confident that the market is improving, funds will flow into the country from various channels and continue to enter the market with hot transactions."

"What about the other way around?"

"When inflation continues to rise, people's incomes stagnate or even decrease."

"Then for investors in the market, their confidence in the market will gradually be lost~"

"Just like the run on Wall Street in 1907!"

"A very small trust company caused a financial disaster on Wall Street..."

"Although, some people have paid the price for their greed and stupidity!"

"But what about the innocent people and those implicated in the crisis?"

"Who... will pay attention to their life and death?"

"Hehe~"

David put down the tableware in his hand, paused, stared into Mr. Wood's eyes, and whispered.

"if.."

"I mean, what if!"

"If you successfully win the intra-party election and enter the next stage of the presidential election."

"I want to make some suggestions for you!"

Mr. Wood frowned, stared at David with burning eyes, nodded and said: "Okay!"

"Um.."

"First of all, I want to say!"

"On how the country can get out of this current predicament..."

"Don't listen to too much advice from academic economic experts and scholars during the election campaign!"

"These people have been arguing back and forth for several years, but they have not been able to come up with a feasible solution to the problem of inflation + economic stagnation~"

"So, I think you should start by paying attention to the lives and income of ordinary people~"

"Then formulate your own campaign ideas and strategies from the aspects of how to improve their employment, living conditions and increase income!"

"Secondly! I want to say~"

"President Warren White's move to distribute large amounts of cash to the people has undoubtedly had a very optimistic effect on boosting domestic consumer demand~"

“Moreover, when this money enters the commodity market, the value generated is more direct and effective than measures such as lowering bank interest rates and purchasing corporate bonds and government bonds!”

"but!"

"If the government distributes cash to ordinary people for a long time, the disadvantages will be very obvious."

"Price, in the economic cycle I just mentioned, will directly cause the inflation index to slowly increase."

"So, how to reduce domestic commodity prices?"

David raised his hands to Mr. Wood and said with a smile: "Internally, we need to increase more government investment + create more jobs + reduce unemployment + reduce useless government expenditures + a series of measures for large and medium-sized enterprises , tax cuts for small businesses.”

"For the outside world, we need to increase taxes on certain commodities that have a huge impact on the trade deficit index!"

"Gradually relax redundant controls on domestic export companies and increase necessary controls on import companies!"

"In addition, the continuous increase in bank interest rates has caused the excess rice dollars that have flowed abroad in the past few years to quickly flow back into domestic loan-issuing banks."

"Let these banks lend money to some domestic enterprises or companies that have development potential but have problems with their capital chains."

David shook his two fists in front of Mr. Wood's eyes and said with a smile.

"With these campaign ideas, I believe your advisory team will be able to help you come up with a speech theme that is more in line with your overall campaign ideas and more sympathetic to the public!"

When David said this, he suddenly felt his toes being lightly touched by Mag Ludwig.

He did not lower his head to look at the situation at his feet, but quickly summarized to Mr. Wood.

“Start with the economy and arouse ordinary people’s dissatisfaction with the bad life of the past few years, so as to win their strong resonance. This is your best strategy for success!”

"Are you better off than you were four years ago?"

“Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

. . .

Kaguichiro Yasuda walked over to David and sat down opposite him with an apologetic smile.

Toshiki Wada, who came back with him, quickly glanced at Wood who lowered his head to think, and sat down silently.

Mag Ludwig raised his cup with a smile, replacing David who stopped to rest, and smiled at the two of them.

"A few years ago, I happened to be with..."

. . .

During the rest of the lunch period, Mag Ludwig displayed his extremely excellent eloquence in front of Kaguichiro Yasuda. .

But the silence between David and Mr. Wood also made Yasuda understand that they might have missed something. .

10 minutes later, at the door of the steakhouse.

Mr. Wood took the initiative to hold David's hand and smiled sincerely.

"It is undoubtedly the luckiest thing in my life to see you when I come to New York this time~"

"Haha~ I have a nickname, Lucky Boy!"

"Hahahaha~"

Mr. Wood laughed and patted David's right hand, shook his head and said: "If I didn't have to rush back to California today to deal with some important things... I would definitely chat with you for days and nights!"

David couldn't help but smiled and shook his head, jokingly saying: "That won't work~"

"At your age...if you don't sleep for days and nights..."

"Hahaha~"

Mr. Wood was amused by David's "sharp" topic that came back to him, and he laughed again~

He stepped forward in a very intimate manner, hugged David gently, and whispered.

"Thank you!"

"Haha~ You're welcome, my friend!"

"Hahaha~ok! My friend!"

"If you have time to go to California, please let me know!"

"Okay~ I will!"

"Um.."

Mr. Wood smiled and nodded to David, then cast a reconnecting look at Mag Ludwig, turned around, got into his car, and drove away slowly.

Seeing how he "ignored" Yasuda and the two, David couldn't help but reveal a "happy" smile.

. . .

Astaire K. Wood, gone.

David imitated Wood's appearance just now, took Kaguichiro Yasuda's right hand, and said with a smile.

"Feel sorry!"

"After Mr. Wood and I talked about some things, we unintentionally ignored you and..."

"It's ok!"

Yasuda Fengichiro shook his head in a very generous manner and said with a smile: "I am an uninvited guest..."

"Hahaha~"

"Man, if you say that, then I will invite you again!"

"Let's do it~"

"I happen to be free in the afternoon, what about you? Do you have time?"

"Let's change places and have a good chat?"

Kaguichiro Yasuda smiled and declined: "Thank you for the invitation!"

"I have indeed made arrangements for the afternoon..."

"Oh..Okay~"

David nodded with a rather regretful look on his face, thought for a moment, and asked again.

"How long do you plan to stay in New York?"

"Um...about a week~"

"Then tomorrow night, we are going to hold a small party at Mag Ludwig's new home!"

"Attendants include Guy Luther, the president of Princeton University, Ferry Cripps, the vice president of Columbia University, and..."

A surprised smile appeared on Yasuda Fengichiro's face, he glanced at Mag Ludwig and nodded in response.

"Ok, no problem!"

"We will definitely attend the party tomorrow night as promised!"

"Ok!"

"Shall we meet tomorrow night?"

"goodbye!"

----

Manhattan.

42nd Street, Wildfire Bar.

After David got out of the car, he smiled at Mag Ludwig who followed him.

"Let's go sit with me at home!"

"I'll call Odis Parker over later. I have something I want to hear your views on."

Mag nodded as if he had expected this, and smiled.

"Haha~ Okay!"

"We were scheduled to have dinner with Congressman Charlie Wilson."

"That guy also called me this morning and said he had to return to Washington on very urgent matters."

"Oh?"

As David walked up the stairs, he turned back to Mag and asked: "I remember that Jackson O'Sullivan because I had to deal with it..."

"That's right!"

"Well... they are both anxious to go back. Is there something big going on in Washington?"

Mag paused, frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head.

"After I answered the phone call from the two of them this morning, my full attention was attracted by the fact that Janet was pregnant and accompanying Wood to meet Mr. Nixon."

"What happened in Washington... I need to make a few calls to find out~"

"ok~"

"Come on, let's go in..."

David walked to the door of his house and happened to see Susan and Cui Yingying, carrying one item after another. .luggage? ?

He scratched his head with his hand, looked at the smiling Susan with some confusion, and asked.

"What are you doing?"

"Haha~ moving!"

"Um...Yeah..." David spread his hands to Susan, indicating that he was still a little confused. .

Susan smiled and nodded to Mag who followed, walked up to David, took his arm, and smiled.

"Polly and I decided to let Cui Yingying officially move in!"

"move.."

David blinked his eyes quickly several times, and out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Cui Yingying coming out of a bedroom, her face flushed, and he swallowed his question in an instant. .

Seeing his appearance, Susan narrowed her eyes with a smile and asked in a low voice.

"What do you want to say?"

"Um...welcome!"

"I applaud with both hands! A warm welcome!"

"Hahaha~"

"How is it? Cui Yingying!"

"Am I right?"

"..."

David and Cui Yingying, who came closer, looked at each other for a few seconds, and both couldn't help but laugh at Susan's "three domineering questions."

Mag, standing behind David, felt like an "eyesore". .

So he consciously smiled and nodded to Susan and Cui Yingying, and quickly walked out of the door without forgetting to say to David.

"I'll go downstairs to contact Odis Parker first."

"Wait a minute, let's come up together!"

"..ok!"

David watched Susan "can't wait" to close the door, and only had time to shout into the crack of the door as a response~

Seeing his "dumb" look, Susan couldn't help but push him and smiled.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Forehead.."

David spread his hands with a confused look on his face and said, "What?"

Susan stepped forward with a smile, hugged David, and said softly: "David, welcome home!"

"..."

David was stunned for two seconds, and then he wrapped his arms around Susan and whispered in her ear: "This is our home!"

"..Um!"

"Cui Yingying, I've been waiting for a long time!"

"Go ahead!"

"..good!"

David let go of Susan, kissed her deeply on the lips, turned around and walked to Cui Yingying, opened his arms to her, and smiled.

"I'm ready, how about you?"

"..Um!"

"Hahaha~"

"Welcome to our family!"

"..." Cui Yingying lowered her head, bit her lip, and said nothing.

David looked back at Susan, and with her "encouragement", he generously stepped forward and hugged Cui Yingying directly.

Cui Yingying, who was a little stiff all over, put her arms around David's neck and whispered in his ear.

"Thank you!"

"Hahaha~"

"It's not so easy to thank me!"

"It will take you a lifetime to prove it!"

"..good!"

Cui Yingying seemed to have completely let go of all the burdens in her heart after saying these words. She closed her eyes and hugged David tightly~

Under Susan's gaze, a series of tears quietly slipped from the corners of her eyes, and soon wet the coat on David's shoulders. .

David hugged her whole body, turned to look at Susan, made a face, and smiled.

"I declare now!"

"After Cui Yingying joins us, in this family, you can never carry out surprise attacks without telling me again!"

"do you know?"

"Hahaha~"

"You think beautifully!"

"Hahaha~"