Rebirth of America, this is my time

Chapter 171 Lawrence Rockefeller’s Perspective

Spring 1977, New York.

Sleepy Hollow Country Club on the Hudson River was born in 1911. Its predecessor was the luxurious estate of the Vanderbilt family. After his descendants took over, they transformed it into a private club. The club, covering an area of ​​more than 300 acres, has a 27-hole golf course, ten clay tennis courts, four squash courts, a large indoor horse farm and supporting outdoor horse areas, stables and horse boarding centers.

Most of the time, this place is only open to members, but today, under the gray sky, there are only a few people. Lawrence Rockefeller, who is nearly 70 years old, is wearing a white sports suit, holding a golf club in his hand and constantly making false swings. Carefully measure the trajectory of the ball and the force of the ball.

Beside him, two middle-aged white men in suits and ties were clasping their hands in front of them, reporting respectfully.

Boss, after Jimmy took the oath, your brother took a special plane directly back to New York. He went directly to Fifth Avenue, and he was accompanied by Megan Marshak. It is rumored that he had already listed Marshak The will confirmed the identity of her designated beneficiaries.”

This news shocked my swinging hand.

The silver-haired Lawrence Rockefeller raised his head, his energetic face full of surprise and shock, Nelson included that flesh and blood in the Rockefeller family's will?

Wow - does he really want to be a disgrace to our Rockefeller family?

That kind of Hollywood little girl can just play around!

Does he still want to take her to the Rockefeller family's grave? If he has this idea, then we Rockefellers will have no shame in staying in America!

The words of dissatisfaction were like a tide, washing over the nerves of the two middle-aged white men who reported the news.

At this moment, they dare not say a word, let alone put forward any suggestions or ideas, because they know in their hearts that the grievances and hatreds in wealthy families can never be sorted out and become chaotic. Even if they have loyal masters, no one knows their masters. Will there be a change in the relationship with my brothers and sisters in the future? They may be dissatisfied with each other today, but what about tomorrow? If someone gives up some benefits, it may change the impression of his blood relatives on him, even if it is only superficial.

The dull gourd-like reaction made Lawrence Rockefeller shake his head.

What does my other good brother think of this matter?

Lawrence Rockefeller is the fourth child in his family. He has one sister and two brothers, and two younger brothers. So far, his eldest sister has passed away, and his eldest brother has also passed away due to pancreatic cancer and is still active in society. The eldest brother is John, the second brother Nelson, himself, and the youngest brother David, who is currently a director of Chase Bank.

The good brother he talked about was John Rockefeller III, the eldest grandson of the family.

At the mention of him, the two subordinates hesitated.

Boss, your eldest brother said he is old.

“I don’t want to allocate my limited energy on these boring things.”

He said that if Mr. Nelson and Megan Marshak were truly in love, then he would bless them and wish them well until the end.

Haha—— Lawrence Rockefeller laughed.

John doesn't care, does he?

Since he thinks there is no problem with Marshak being included in our family's will, then there is no need to report this kind of thing to me in the future! After all, I am just an ordinary member of the Rockefeller family. I am doing my best to protect myself. The honor of the family! As for other things? I have no right to interfere!

As he spoke, he turned his head back and swung the club.

There was only a 'pop' sound, and the sound of a metal pole cutting through the air.

The golf ball that had been resting on the turf moved in response and jumped out.

In just a few breaths, the white ball disappeared.

The next second, there was another 'click' sound.

Lawrence Rockefeller smashed his golf club on the ground and walked away without looking back.

The smooth movements made the two people reporting on the work look at each other, glanced at each other, and finally took off to catch up. They followed the boss back to the shuttle bus at a trot and arrived at the single-family villa provided by the club for distinguished guests. In the rest room, Lawrence Rockefeller, who took off his sports coat under the service of a servant and wiped his cheek with a hot towel, spoke again.

What about other things?

I want to hear some good news that will cheer me up.

This request made the two subordinates overjoyed, and they spoke hurriedly.

Boss, there is a lot of good news. For example, the fund you manage has outperformed all market funds with an annualized rate of return of 12%... Also, for example, your investment territory continues to expand. Last year, there were several more The company was successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq...

Although people always think of Standard Oil, the world's largest oil company, when they mention Rockefeller, after Standard Oil was split up, Rockefeller channeled his funds to various industries through family trusts. They spent a lot of money on real estate, medical care, culture, etc., and made countless monopoly profits, and the operator of this was Lawrence Rockefeller.

As early as 1937, he founded an investment company belonging to the Rockefeller family. His first business was to buy Eastern Airlines from General Motors because he had stepped on the post-war civilian airlines. With the development of the aviation industry, in just a few years, this company became the most profitable airline in America, monopolizing all routes from New York to Florida.

When this investment was successful, Lawrence Rockefeller instantly became a star on Wall Street.

But he didn't care, because the surname Rockefeller was inherently a star.

After his first investment was a big success, Lawrence Rockefeller fell in love with this behavior of throwing money. After some searching, he felt that technology was the future, so he set his sights on the semiconductor industry. One company is called Thermo Electron Corporation. Its patent is a high-voltage neutron vacuum tube, and its products are mass spectrometers, chromatographs, spectrometers, etc.

The second company invested in is called Coherent. This company's products include solid-state lasers, gas lasers, semiconductor lasers, etc.

The third company invested in is Evans and Sutherland, a manufacturer of computer graphics modules and displays. Its products are projectors and image processors.

The fourth company is called Intel...

As Lawrence Rockefeller continued to work in the field of science and technology, he felt that the name of a private investment company was no longer good-sounding, so he specifically changed the name of his investment company to Venrock. The company's name is also very meaningful. It is a combination of the words 'venture' and 'Rockefeller', which means that it is a venture capital company owned by the Rockefeller family.

Although this change is meant to hide one's identity, how could someone with a bloodline like Rockefeller's be hidden? Whenever Lawrence Rockefeller took a fancy to a company, their founder would be ecstatic to accept the investment and offer his shares with both hands after receiving the business card.

The whole process is like rolling a snowball, and it will get bigger and bigger with just a push.

Perhaps because what you want is what you get, Lawrence Rockefeller now has no idea about those continuous successes. When his subordinates reported to him incessantly, how much money the funds and companies under his name made in the past year. When he saw the money, the numbers that looked like waste paper made him wave his hands.

Stop, stop, stop.

I don't want to hear any financial reports.

It's boring.

How about something interesting?

It's more interesting than what kind of women my brother kept, how much money he paid to those women, and how those women were included in the Rockefeller family tree and included in the Rockefeller family cemetery!

Lawrence Rockefeller threw the hot towel to the maid beside him.

But that slightly Martian attitude made the two subordinates nod their heads rapidly.

Yes, yes!

Of course!

The two said: Boss, a big thing has happened recently in our country's latest video game industry. Destiny Game, which has led the trend of the times in the past two years, suddenly encountered a joint attack from Warner and Philips. The purpose of launching its own new products this summer is to seize Destiny Games’ market share in the field of electronic games.”

‘? ’

The news stunned Lawrence Rockefeller for a second.

Then he asked doubtfully: Are you sure?

Warner and Philips actually teamed up to attack a company?

Don't they feel ashamed?

We are sure because this is the latest news today. Two subordinates replied.

Publicly. They added: Both parties have issued press releases.

‘…’ This fact made Lawrence Rockefeller narrow his eyes.

He motioned to the maid to get him a glass of rum, then waved to his subordinates to follow him. After getting into the conference room in the club lounge, waiting for the two people to come up with the specific source of the news, and after watching the news broadcast purchased by Warner and Philips, the angular old man suddenly touched his cheek and said: What if If I remember correctly, the video game industry is very popular recently?

Yes. Two subordinates nodded: At present, the outside world is very optimistic about this industry.

Everyone thinks that the output value of this industry will surpass Hollywood in a short time.

If nothing else happens, they may become the next publicity outlet.

“Telling the story of our country to the world.”

Are you paying attention to this game of destiny? Lawrence Rockefeller asked with interest.

Yes. Two subordinates nodded: They have two founders, one is named Ethan Jones and the other is Evelyn Johnson. Their entrepreneurial experience is very interesting...

Seeing that his boss became interested, the two subordinates started chatting.

When Lawrence Rockefeller learned that Ethan Jones's first public appearance was to beat up his former employer and current partner, he immediately laughed out loud while pinching the frame of his reading glasses. After waiting for two subordinates to tell him that Ethan Jones not only refused to pay Philips video game patent fees, but also destroyed Philips' market share in the video game industry, the lean old man directly took off the bridge of his nose. glasses, throwing them aside.

This company is quite interesting. Contact them and invest in them.

As for the timing... let's put it after the release of new products from Warner and Philips.

If they are defeated by Philips and Warner, then you should lower the investment price. If they survive the siege of Philips and Warner, then increase their valuation appropriately, even if... …It’s a reward for them.”

Okay, let's go. I'm going to stay here for a while. I haven't swum for a long time...

With Lawrence Rockefeller's wave, the two subordinates who came to report quickly resigned.

After leaving the club, the two of them felt a little chilly on their vests.

The moody attitude of their boss made them a little nervous.

but--

Fortunately, I passed the test. One of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Um!

Another person nodded and said: The better news is that we no longer have to report his family affairs to the boss! Every time I tell the boss about Mr. Nelson's sexy news, he will have a gloomy face! That look is like a drug addict. The bloody tiger is so scary!”

I can't help it. Who makes the boss always think that Mr. Nelson's behavior is embarrassing the family? The guy who spoke first took over the conversation, and the next second he decisively stopped the topic, Okay, let's not talk anymore. Let’s discuss this matter, it has nothing to do with us! What we have to do now is to send money to areas that the boss is interested in! Right?”

Yeah... This suggestion was approved by another person.

Amidst the roar caused by the accelerator, the two people quickly left the manor riverside.

And after they follow the boss's request and keep paying attention to the game of destiny...

The Rockefeller family summer home in Woodstock, Vermont, summer 1977.

what are you saying?

Can't make it in the Destiny Game?

Lawrence Rockefeller, who was taking off his ski equipment, looked at his two subordinates with surprised eyes and asked unexpectedly: Is it because the game of fate was successful?

Because of that Star Wars thing?

But this can't be the reason for them to refuse our investment, right?

Didn't you tell them who owns the Wenlock company?

They're still going to say no after hearing my name?

Lawrence Rockefeller was in disbelief.

“Or maybe they took money from Morgan and Goldman Sachs in advance?”

The continuous questions made the two subordinates a little embarrassed.

They laughed and shook their heads, saying: No, no, no, Boss, Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman also wanted to enter, but they were all rejected...

WTF? Lawrence Rockefeller was shocked.

Why? He didn't understand.

Who is behind the Destiny Game? Why did these two young men dare to reject us? What were the reactions of Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman after they were rejected? Aren't they surprised? Lawrence Rockefeller was eager. want to know the answer.

Under his questioning, two subordinates also told the truth.

“Boss, here’s the thing, Evelyn Johnson, the founder of Destiny Games, is a student of Vinton Cerf, the current DoD celebrity. At the same time, Destiny Games is a company owned by former Stanford President Fred Terman. We grew up under the support of children, so when we invested, we followed the rules of insiders and sent an inquiry to Fred Terman and asked whether the company he supported needed funds. Then Fred Terman said that the children wanted to We operate independently, so...we will report...

This news made Lawrence Rockefeller frown.

He thought quietly for a while and said, Fred is Vannevar's student, right?

Yes, he is one of Dr. Vannevar's three favorite students. During WW2, Dr. Vannevar named him to take charge of our country's top-secret Radio Research Laboratory. After the war, Stanford's Electronic Research Laboratory DoD also paid for Fred to establish it. Now, although he has retired, he still personally manages Stanford's Systems Engineering Laboratory, which was the starting point of electronic warfare. He is also a founding member of our National Academy of Engineering...

Yes. Lawrence Rockefeller nodded slightly and continued: If I remember correctly, one of his students who founded HP seems to be in DoD as well?

Yes, David Packard was the deputy secretary of DoD before. He was promoted by General Electric, Lockheed and Raytheon. He did a good job in defense procurement, and those three companies were very satisfied.

Oh—I see— Lawrence Rockefeller laughed.

He nodded and said: Since Fred thinks those two young people have done a good job, there is no need to bother them anymore. Even if they are really short of money, our funds will not be used.

I thought they started from scratch...

Haha... Young people nowadays are really interesting. Each one's background is deeper than the last.

The boss gave up and the two subordinates breathed a sigh of relief.

He nodded and left the scene quickly.

And just when they thought that this matter was over...

In the fall of 1977, Lawrence Rockefeller Snow Mountain Ranch in Wyoming.

The emperor, galloping through the reserve of more than 1,100 acres, summoned his ministers.

I recently discovered that the personal computer industry is developing very well.

Different from the self-entertainment of insiders in the past two years, personal computers have gradually entered people's homes and are no longer a toy for engineers to show off their skills.

When the public begins to accept this product, it will have the attributes of a consumer product, and will have the value and significance of long-term investment...

The best among them is a California company named Apple.

You go find out and vote for it.

I think it can become the industry leader in the personal computer field.

When this order appeared, after spring and summer, two subordinates who were celebrating autumn suddenly felt that they might no longer be able to see the winter sun...

because--

Boss, this company may be a bit difficult to invest in, the two said cautiously.

Why? Lawrence Rockefeller looked unhappy. If I remember correctly, this is the second time you have rejected me this year? Please give me a reasonable reason.

otherwise……

Just get out of here.

... The direct threat made the two subordinates a little overwhelmed. They pursed their lips and said: Boss, this company has shares in Ethan Jones, and one of its founders is Steve Waugh. Zniak's father is also a senior engineer at Lockheed at Stanford Research Park...

When two subordinates said that Apple might not make the investment, Lawrence Rockefeller frowned. After a moment, he shook his head with a smile.

The reason is not valid.

Because in our country, no one can monopolize a market.

“Standard Oil has been broken up, so other companies still want to play natural monopolies?”

nonexistent!

You can just communicate directly with Apple this time. There is no need to ask Fred for advice.

I, Lawrence Rockefeller, have given him face once.

If he wants to protect the Destiny Game, then we won't touch it.

others……

“Let’s all make money together!”

The boss's order made the two of them nod their heads like chickens pecking at rice.

And just when they followed the boss's wishes and asked their employees to fly to California to discuss investment matters with Apple, Lawrence Rockefeller stopped them again——

The competitor of Destiny Games is Warner Communications?

Yes.

Call Steve Ross and ask him if he has detailed information about Ethan Jones. You must do all you can to win this project... Of course, don't worry too much, Steve Ross will not refuse. It was my request, after all, he had taken my money before...

Oh, by the way, if you see Ethan Jones, say hello to him for me.

Although this young man is a bit arrogant, his stuff is really good.

Lawrence Rockefeller looked at his subordinates with a smile.

The spring-like smile made the two subordinates nod their heads.

Okay, Boss.

We will definitely buy apples for you!

Note: ① The story of Nelson and Megan Marshak of the Rockefeller family is a scandal. The content is that Nelson met Megan, an intern of the Associated Press, when he was the deputy commander. After several contacts, Nelson invited her to be the His deputy. Even when I return to New York, I will take it with me. When Nelson finally died, Megan was the only one beside him. Because the death was relatively sudden, it was common sense that an autopsy would be performed, but no one in the Rockefeller family agreed, and the matter was left unresolved. ② Thermoelectric’s current name is Thermo Fisher, a giant. ③Coherent merged with other companies in 2022 and is now called Coherent Corp. It is also a giant in the laser industry. ④Evans and Sutherland's graphics technology was very powerful at that time. They did a good job in computer visual effects in Hollywood. Of course, in the end they were beaten by Industrial Light and Magic.