The Tyrant Billionaire

Each person had a list in their hands, ready to discuss one by one. Hardy pointed to the first name on the list and said, "Yokosuka Naval Shipyard, located near Tokyo Bay, and one of Japan's four major shipyards. How much do you think it's worth?"

At this point, a representative from the Mellon Foundation spoke up, "Back when Japan was building the Yokosuka Shipyard, they purchased equipment from our shipbuilding company under the Mellon Foundation, and we provided guidance. If I remember correctly, the total investment in the Yokosuka Shipyard back then, converted into U.S. dollars, was about 45 million dollars.

"As for the current value, even with damages, it's still worth at least 8 million dollars." The Mellon representative gave a very low estimate.

No one objected. This price was indeed already quite low.

Hardy thought for a moment and said, "How about we set it at 3.85 million dollars?"

It was as if he were saying, "Shut your mouths, I'll name a price, and we'll close the deal right away."

Everyone's eyes widened.
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Whoa.

That was barely a fraction of the original price; it was incredibly ruthless.

However, These capitalists felt even more excited, every cell in their bodies trembling with joy.

The feeling of driving the price down like that was simply exhilarating.

After all, they were the buyers, and the lower the price, the less they would pay and the more they would profit.

The group continued.

Hardy read the second name.

"Yokohama Mitsubishi Shipyard, located in Yokohama, has produced several aircraft carriers and battleships, with shipbuilding capabilities no less than Yokosuka's. What price do you think we should give it?"

"4.5 million dollars?" The vice president of Morgan Stanley ventured.

Well, he went straight for the bottom price. This guy seemed to have figured out Hardy's real intention—to drive the prices down hard so they could all make money together.

"How about 3.68 million?" Hardy asked.

"Agreed!"

"That's a good price."

"Write it down." And so, the pricing continued.

Kawasaki Shipyard, 3.55 million dollars.

Kure Naval Shipyard, being too close to Hiroshima, which had been devastated by the atomic bomb and was still in ruins, even 1 million dollars seemed overpriced.

Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard, the twin of Kure Naval Shipyard, also suffered from the atomic bombing, and no one wanted to buy it either.

Asano Shipyard.

Sasebo Naval Shipyard.

Once the shipyards were priced, it was time for the aircraft manufacturers. American defense companies had no interest in Japanese planes—after all, Japanese planes were soundly beaten by American ones on the battlefield, and American aircraft manufacturers saw no value in Japanese counterparts.

Prices were even lower.

Next were military automobile companies.

Military steel companies.

These people worked busily and energetically. As evening approached, Hardy arranged for dinner, and after eating, they resumed their discussions on pricing.

They worked late into the night, and finally, a price list for the U.S. seizure of Japanese military industrial assets was completed. The total came to 570 million dollars.

They had already driven the prices as low as possible, but with over 300 companies involved, each business was only worth about a little over a million dollars on average.

"Gentlemen, it's quite late now. Let's rest for the night and continue discussing how to deal with these companies tomorrow, shall we?"

Everyone agreed.

They left in high spirits.

The next day, they arrived early to continue.

After everyone sat down, Hardy said, "We all know that the actual value of these companies is much higher than the prices we've set. Now, there are two issues: first, we need to push Congress to approve these prices, and that requires all seven of us to act together."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Whether it was Rockefeller or Morgan, they all had significant influence in Congress. And with several other major financial groups involved, how likely was it that Congress wouldn't approve?

It would be easier than electing a president, after all.

"Another thing," Hardy continued, "is how to divide the profits. My suggestion is that we divide the shares equally among us. That way, we can form a united front. What do you all think?"

If everyone purchased companies separately, choosing the ones they favored, Hardy felt their collective strength would be diluted.

It would eventually turn into everyone fighting for themselves.

Hardy's idea was that they all hold a certain percentage of shares in these companies, creating a deeper cooperation and synergy, allowing everyone to profit. The future management of these companies could be handled by a single entity.

At this point, the vice president of Morgan Stanley spoke up, "Mr. Hardy, I agree with you. Joint investment and shared ownership is the most beneficial approach. However, there's one problem—if we divide shares in over 300 companies, it would be too obvious. Both the U.S. and Japanese governments would become very wary of us.

Any form of monopoly would attract government scrutiny.

While this cross holding model may not seem like a traditional monopoly, it still resembles a financial conglomerate, essentially creating a new conglomerate in Japan. The U.S. and Japanese governments might find that hard to accept."

But Hardy had already thought this through. In fact, this new conglomerate formed through cross holdings was something Hardy had deliberately created, with the intention of promoting offshore companies.

"Gentlemen, are you all aware of my appointment as the Baron of the Cayman Islands?" Hardy asked.

Some smiled. "Of course, we've heard about it. The newspapers even mentioned Mr. Hardy's rumored relationship with Princess Margaret. We were all curious, but out of politeness, we didn't ask. Are you going to clear things up for us?"

Hardy quickly waved his hands.

"That's just gossip and rumor."

"What I really want to say is that after becoming the Governor of the Cayman Islands, the territory has gained autonomous rights, including authority over administration, legislation, taxation, and foreign affairs."

"In the future, I plan to turn the Cayman Islands into a place with no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, no capital gains tax, and no property tax."