Chapter 1358: Chapter 465: Mexico Turmoil (Part 2)
Donnie politely exchanged pleasantries.
After both sides subtly mentioned their past acquaintance, Donnie got to the point of his visit.
“Mr. President Calles, I came to Mexico this time to discuss two matters with you!”
With a smile, Calles said, “Mr. Block, we are good friends, so feel free to speak your mind. As long as it’s something I can do for you, there won’t be any problem!”
Donnie chuckled, “You should know that I own the largest casino in Atlantic City, USA, and all the private liquor throughout the United States goes through me. So, I hope to collaborate with you in these two industries.”
Calles noncommittally said, “I wonder how Mr. Block intends to collaborate?”
Donnie replied, “I want to build a luxury casino in Mexico that can attract all of Mexico’s wealthy people. Additionally, I want to reach a collaboration agreement regarding Tequila, so that from now on, all of Mexico’s exported Tequila will be handled by my company, and you will only be responsible for production!”
Calles said with a smile, “Mr. Block, I am very willing to cooperate with you, but there might be some things you are unaware of.”
Donnie knew that the negotiations with Calles would not go smoothly, so he asked with a smile, “Then I hope Mr. Calles can enlighten me!”
Calles said, “Let’s talk about the casino business first. Although gambling is not banned in Mexico, all the casinos, large and small, are actually under the control of Monroe. The Mexican Labor Party is Mexico’s largest party, and even I am reluctant to provoke Monroe lightly. So, this matter might disappoint you, Mr. Block.
As for the Tequila cooperation, I’m sorry to apologize again, everyone in Mexico has their eyes on Tequila. If I choose to cooperate with you, Mr. Block, it would be equivalent to gifting Mexico’s national liquor, and I can’t bear the wrath of the entire nation.”
The two cooperation plans proposed by Donnie were completely rejected by Calles!
Calles claimed that Donnie did not understand the situation in Mexico, but in reality, Donnie was very familiar with it.
Speaking of the casinos in Mexico, they are indeed under Monroe’s control, but in reality, Calles is the one who can truly wield control over this matter.
“Mr. President, according to my plan, Mexico’s casinos will officially be divided into two shares, one for the Mexican national government and one for the American Surf Hotel. However, there will be an additional secret share, deposited into your account at Breton Bank, Mr. Calles. I can assure you of the safety of this account!”
Donnie tried to persuade Calles.
Calles was indeed tempted by Donnie’s suggestion, but soon, Calles refused Donnie’s proposal again.
If the Surf Hotel were to build the most luxurious casino in Mexico, it would undoubtedly attract countless wealthy Mexicans to spend there. Calles knows the situation of the Surf Hotel; although it is a part of the gray industry chain, it still strictly adheres to business rules.
And in Mexico, even without this most luxurious casino, they aren’t lacking customers. More importantly, they can use their power to disrupt so-called rules, setting their own standards as the rule.
“I’m very tempted by your proposal, Mr. Block. If the nationwide casino business were really up to me, I would be more than willing to cooperate with you, Mr. Block. Unfortunately, I can’t make the final decision on this!”
Donnie took a deep breath, completely fed up with these warlords, trying to talk business, but it’s just not possible, each of them greedier than a bottomless pit.
“How about this, I can also make other concessions. For example, I’ll leave the casino loan business to Mexico. Mr. President can then assign this business to someone you trust. Just this business alone, I believe, can generate at least tens of millions of US Dollars annually!
And I can make a promise to you, Mr. Calles, that no matter what happens in Mexico in the future, as long as you want to leave this country, you will still be able to live a comfortable life in the United States.”
Dictators like Calles generally don’t have a very good end.
In order to ensure his future ruling position in Mexico, Calles took two actions at this stage. The first was to support his puppet president to take office, and the second was to reorganize the Mexican Labor Party into the Institutional Revolutionary Party to break Monroe’s control over the Labor Party.
In fact, Calles managed to accomplish both of these things.
However, not everyone was willing to become Calles’s puppet, so in 1934, when Lazaro Cardenas was pushed to the presidential position, Calles thought he could control Cardenas like before. However, once in power, Cardenas abolished a series of casinos and brothels owned by Calles’s political allies. At the same time, he secured support from lower-ranked military officers, the underprivileged, and the church to counter Calles. In 1936, Calles was accused of conspiring to blow up a railway and was wanted, eventually going into exile in the United States.
As a dictator, Calles may or may not have considered such an outcome, but he indeed had multiple bank accounts overseas.
Including an account at Breton Bank.
Calles began to seriously consider Donnie’s suggestion. This time, he didn’t reject Donnie right away but replied, “I’ll seriously consider this matter!”
Donnie nodded and began discussing the second issue: “Mr. President, regarding the Tequila issue, we are also willing to make concessions. You can grant us the exclusive license for Tequila in Mexico, and regarding this matter, we are also willing to put a 10% profit dry equity into your account. Additionally, we can guarantee to keep part of the profits in Mexico to develop the country’s basic infrastructure!”
Since Calles indicated a willingness to consider the casino matter, he didn’t outright reject this issue either and showed that he would consider it seriously.
Though both issues weren’t immediately settled, the mere fact that Calles was willing to consider them was a reason for Donnie to celebrate.
In fact, Calles had already prepared a celebration program for Donnie.
Under Calles’s guidance, Donnie, Dwight Morrow, and another person went to the underground of the Presidential Office.
“Mr. Block, this is the most confidential location within the Presidential Office!”
Calles walked ahead with a smile.
Donnie couldn’t judge whether this was indeed the most confidential place, but he could tell, the security measures here were top-notch. After a long corridor and dozens of guards, they reached the core area.
A luxuriously built place beneath the Mexican Presidential Office.
Dozens of scantily dressed women, a table full of lavish food, fine wine…
When Donnie returned to the hotel, it was already the next day.
At that time, Henry Dale, who had come to Mexico with Donnie, asked him, “Boss, how did the talks go with Calles yesterday?”
Donnie rubbed his temples, drank a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and said, “There has been progress, but I can’t confirm whether he really wants to cooperate with us.”
Henry Dale asked, “Should we start having our people enter Mexico City in batches?”
After thinking for a moment, Donnie said, “Go ahead and let them come in!”
“Understood!”
Following this was a ball organized for Donnie by Dwight Morrow, attended by all the local dignitaries in Mexico.
The leader of the Labor Party, Monroe, also came to the event.
The portly Monroe, holding a wine glass, came up to Donnie, his smile resembling that of a grossly overweight villain in an American comic.
“I’ve heard that Mr. Block wants to build the most luxurious casino in Mexico?”