Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 176, page 175: A Bet with an Oil Tycoon Over a Refinery
The newly formed casino conglomerate in Las Vegas, Tarzan Land, has become a bellwether for revitalizing the entire city.

The five casinos formed a joint casino company, which created a business miracle with lightning speed through a series of impressive business strategies.

Other casinos were envious and even tried to imitate them.

But it's not easy.

This is a disruptive business model.

Airport – Casino – Shopping Mall – Resort – Shopping Center – Entertainment Center.

It is extremely complex and involves many issues, so complex that many casinos only tried a part of it before giving up halfway.

Some are gradually learning and transforming their casinos to resemble those in Taishan, signing long-term ticket agreements with Taishan Airport and starting to attract tourists from nearby cities.

These changes are inevitable, and Fang Wen is happy to see them happen. The overall prosperity of Las Vegas is a good thing for Taishan Amusement Park. More customers will generate more profits, thus allowing it to go public faster.

Now that he's going back to China, whether he can achieve what he wants depends on the fate of Taishan Amusement Park itself.

Of course, the most important thing is that he made a beautiful cake. In order to ensure that the cake would not be stolen by mosquitoes and rats, he also had to distribute the cake so that more people could take care of it.

Besides their own share, there are other stakeholders.

The mobsters chose Al Capone, a bankrupt former Chicago mob boss with a strong background and a powerful desire to make a comeback. The 10% stake and management of the mob casino business were enough to make him contribute to the development of Tarzan Amusement Park.

Al Capone is one of the company's shareholders and directors who has dealings with gangsters.

John Harvey, who holds 5% of the shares, is the representative among the shareholders and directors who protect the company's legal rights.

Besides these two, the cake can also be divided.

A Wall Street listing plan requires giving up a portion of equity in exchange for the financial company's listing support.

This is certainly not free; financial companies will invest in advance to purchase a portion of the shares, becoming original shareholders, and then enjoy the premium after the stock is issued.

Tarzan Land will also set aside a portion of its profits to establish a charitable fund to support security and charitable activities in Las Vegas, as well as political donations from certain willing members of Congress.

There were even funds used for exchanging favors with wealthy individuals who were optimistic about Taishan Amusement Park.

8 month 16 day.

Fang Wen went to the VIP lounge in the northwest corner of Taishan Amusement Park.

Zhao Jiu followed behind, with staff members pushing a luggage cart with a heavy suitcase on it.

During the journey, Fang Wen and Zhao Jiu exchanged ideas.

"The VIP system is good; in English, we can use VIP, an abbreviation for very important person. But the details are more important, and I have some suggestions."

Zhao Jiu, who was already learning English, replied earnestly, "General Manager, please let me write this down. Otherwise, it won't be easy for me to ask you for help after you return to China."

After Zhao Jiu brought out paper and pen, Fang Wen simply stopped and explained the VIP customer theory he would be receiving in the future.

"I strongly agree with your VIP system design, but you need to confirm the content and details of this system and implement it carefully."

"Hmm." Zhao Jiu nodded and picked up the pen to write.

Fang Wen continued:
"First, you need a dedicated space. You've achieved that, but you need to sign it out so everyone can see it. Name it High Roller Room or VIP Room. This is a way to display status and prestige, which wealthy people will appreciate. The Chinese name you used for the casino isn't suitable for this place."

Secondly, provide high-end clients with a more private, luxurious, and personalized gaming experience. VIP rooms should not only offer high-stakes table games but also be equipped with dedicated customer service staff, private rooms, catering services, entertainment performances, and other value-added services. These services should be standardized so that wealthy clients are well-informed. While they have money, they are also very concerned about the specific spending and purpose of their money.

This is just a supplement to what Zhao Jiu is trying to do.

Now comes the important part.

"Third, even among the wealthy, there are different social classes and circles; you can't treat everyone the same. I suggest you use two methods to establish tiered memberships for them: 1. A membership system, such as silver, gold, and diamond cards. Different membership cards offer different benefits and services, and some VIP rooms are only accessible to higher-level members. Upgrading membership levels is usually related to factors such as the customer's betting amount, spending, and loyalty."

Fang Wen paused for a moment, then continued, "The membership card system is our way of evaluating the status of our valued customers. However, it sometimes fails to reflect their true status. It would be best to add another system to complement it: an invitation system. Customers who are actively invited by Taishan Amusement Park are usually invited based on factors such as their social status and influence. You can create another type of card called the Special Invitation Black Card, which is an even more prestigious card level than the Diamond Card."

After Zhao Jiu finished recording what Fang Wen said, he showed a surprised expression.

"General Manager, I reckon the wealthy in America will love this design you made. Silver, Gold, Diamond, and a special invitation black card—just four cards can create different identities. They don't even need to reveal their identity; they can just show the card. The problem is, what if someone counterfeits it?"

The fact that this question was raised indicates that Zhao Jiu understood.

Anti-counterfeiting is indeed very important. The card represents identity and can be used for purchases at Taishan Amusement Park, which is the key to the entire system.

If the cards are counterfeited or misused, the system will be questioned and cannot be used in the long term.

Fang Wen had already considered it. He explained, "Go to the Denver Mint. They use red and blue fiber banknote paper, which contains colorless fluorescent fibers, making the US dollar tamper-evident. I had someone inquire, and they offer tamper-evident commemorative coin services and can also make tamper-evident cards."

It turned out that the general manager had made all the arrangements, and Zhao Jiu happily noted this down.

The two then continued their journey and entered the VIP building.

The VIP building, constructed according to Zhao Jiu's ideas, has not yet met Fang Wen's requirements.

It was simply based on the methods he discovered while running the Rich Casino in Shanghai, which targeted human desires: the best food, beautiful women, and service.

It perfectly embodies the attitude of someone who is superior to others.

Although crude, it satisfies the basic desires of the wealthy to spend money and enjoy life.

I imagine it will be even better once everything is improved.

Led by Zhao Jiu, Fang Wen arrived at Room No. 1 of the Heavenly Class.

This room number, which has a very distinctive oriental feel, was conceived by Zhao Jiu and is also the VIP room with the highest betting amount.

Fang Wen went inside and saw four card players playing a game.

They were completely absorbed in their work and showed no concern for outsiders entering.

It seems we've reached a critical juncture; disturbing us now would not be a good idea.

Fang Wen simply watched the gambling game from a distance.

The four of them were playing the currently popular Five-Card Draw.

It is also an American poker game that has been popular since the Western cowboy era.

Five-Card Draw translates to "five cards" in Chinese, and its actual rules are similar to Stud Poker, or American Stud Poker.

Specific rules?

Fang Wen was certainly aware that Taishan Amusement Park was being established.

At the start of the game, everyone agrees on a chip stake, and then throws the same amount of chips into the common pot to gain the right to play.

Then one player deals the cards, five cards to each player.

In the first round, players will continue to bet. Those who choose to call will continue, while those who don't call will forfeit the hand.

In the second round, the continuing players will exchange their cards with the community cards, either 1 to 5 cards or none at all.

After the cards are swapped, continue betting; those who call stay, those who don't concede.

At this point, the remaining players should reveal their cards and compare their values.

The winner will take everything.

It can be said that Five-Card Draw has more variables than Stud Poker, but is much simpler than Texas Hold'em, and can be finished in just two rounds and three bets.

Just as Fang Wen was recalling the rules of the Five-Card Draw, the four-player game ended. The stakes seemed high, and one of the wealthy men slammed his fist on the table: "Damn it, I lost an oil field!"

After saying that, he stormed off.

The three people at the table.

Two players folded in the first round, so they didn't suffer any losses and it wasn't a big deal.

The winner, beaming, gathered the chips and a contract from the table to his side.

This was something the dealer should have done, but he insisted on doing it himself, which shows his distrust of outsiders and his insistence on doing everything himself.

Zhao Jiu whispered in Fang Wen's ear, "He is Getty."

Getty is Edwin L. Paul Getty; Zhao Jiu, finding it too troublesome, simply used his surname as a shortened form.

Fang Wen nodded and walked over: "Can I join you?"

Getty looked up at Fang Wen and asked, "Fang Wen, the owner of Tarzan Amusement Park?"

His words also piqued the interest of the other two wealthy men, who both looked at Fang Wen.

"Yes." Fang Wen sat down and said with a smile, "I want to talk to you about something. How about we talk while we're having some fun?"

“If you can guarantee fairness in your own casino, I have no objection,” Edwin L. Paul Getty replied.

Fang Wen nodded: "I promise."

With this response, the four-person betting game continued.

This time, the winner, Edwin L. Paul Getty, dealt the cards.

He called out, "A $1000 ante. Anyone want to raise?"

This was already a very high base bet, yet it was the minimum bet for the top-tier room. The two wealthy individuals did not raise their bets, each placing a $1000 base bet.

Fang Wen beckoned, and Zhao Jiu brought over a large stack of chips, nearly $100,000, and placed them on the table.

Fang Wen took out two black chips with red circles, each worth five hundred dollars, and dropped them into the community pot. The game began.

Five cards were dealt to each person.

They each picked it up and watched it.

Fang Wen's hand consists of a pair of 9s, a 6 of diamonds, a Jack of hearts, and a Queen of clubs.

According to the rules of Five-Card Draw, the order is: Straight Flush > Four of a Kind > Full House (Three of a Kind and a Pair) > Flush > Straight > Three of a Kind > Two Pair > Single Pair > High Card.

If you want to continue at this point, you need to change your cards and get a bigger hand.

You can keep a pair of 9s, and pair them with two pairs, three or four of them.

You can also keep JQ to form a straight.

In reality, the odds of winning were not high. Fang Wen was mainly here to discuss business and did not have the gambling spirit of the other three, so he chose to give up.

One of the other three teams also withdrew, leaving only one player to play singles against Getty.

Getty had a really good run of luck tonight. After two rounds, he hit a flush to beat his opponent and take all the chips.

Getty was very happy after winning two games in a row and took the initiative to talk to Fang Wen.

What do you want to collaborate on?

"I heard you're opening a chemical refinery in the Philippines. I'd like to open another one with you in South Asia," Fang Wen said, expressing his idea.

Getty was in high spirits and made no attempt to hide his thoughts: "I know your situation. The Japanese have blockaded the seas, and even Mobil and Standard fuels have to communicate with the Japanese navy to be shipped to China for sale. My refinery will also be exclusively supplying the Japanese in the future, which is where my biggest profit lies. Can you bring me a larger market?"

As he spoke, he announced the ante for the next round, still $1000 in chips.

Fang Wen pondered in his heart.

As expected of an oil tycoon, he has a clear understanding of profit, but he certainly hasn't considered the future.

He tossed out $1000 and replied, “I have a different view from yours. Although Japan is currently mainly attacking China, they cannot obtain oil and gas resources from China. Southeast Asia has oil and gas resources in British Burma and the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), and sooner or later they will move south because of these resources.”

As Getty dealt the cards, he said, "I'm sorry, but I can't give up immediate benefits for future predictions."

Fang Wen pressed his hand down on the cards.

“The future is indeed uncertain, but I am willing to pay the price. Zhao Jiu, show the item to Mr. Getty.”

Zhao Jiu opened the large leather trunk, revealing a trunk full of ancient Native American gold ornaments that reflected a soft luster under the light.

The three wealthy men looked at the gold and were unknowingly drawn to it.

Today, the Roosevelt administration's abandonment of the gold standard has instead led to a sustained rise in gold prices and a decline in the value of the dollar.

Therefore, gold has become more attractive.

Getty asked, "How many do you have?"

"900 kilograms, with a purity of up to 94%, and they are all ancient handicrafts."

As Fang Wen spoke, he beckoned Zhao Jiu to push the cart and show it to the three wealthy men.

The purity of 94% was determined by someone who tested it. Fang Wen never expected that ancient Native American gold jewelry would have such high purity, which can only mean that their gold mines were of very high quality.

The three wealthy men examined the gold jewelry and exchanged glances.

"I think this batch of gold is quite good and has collectible value."

"Gold prices have risen another 3%, and the dollar has fallen 4%, and this situation is likely to continue."

"When Roosevelt first came to power, the only way to preserve value was to exchange currency for gold and oil."

Instead of making a decision immediately, Getty found paper and pen and did the calculations on the spot.

According to his calculations, gold is currently worth $0.987 per gram, so 94% pure gold would cost $83.5.

He shook his head and said, "That's not enough. $80 isn't enough for me to offend the Japanese and for you to open another refinery in South Asia."

"Then what do you need?" Fang Wen asked.

Getty smiled and said, "I'm very interested in Tarzan Amusement Park's shares. How about we make a bet? If you win, you just need to pay this amount of gold to cooperate with me in building a new South Asian refinery. If you lose, you give me an additional 15% of Tarzan Amusement Park's shares."

Fang Wen's face remained expressionless, but he was secretly delighted.

He knew that gold might not be enough, and he also considered using a portion of the shares in Taishan Amusement Park to pay the remaining balance of the cooperation agreement.

But I never imagined it would be resolved through a gambling game.

This is more advantageous to oneself.

He nodded in agreement.

"Sure, how do you want to play?"

(End of this chapter)