Chapter 1380: Chapter 476: Portugal’s Highest-Level Reception for Donnie
Donnie laughed and said: “I am just a bit tired of being in the United States and remembered that I haven’t seen Mr. President for a long time. Plus, I have some very good friends in Europe, so I thought I’d go out for a walk. If Mr. President has any official business, please don’t delay your duties for me!”
Up to now, Donnie has been very satisfied with Carmona’s performance. This is the kind of relationship that should exist between cooperative allies.
Unlike over there with Calles, who always had to play some tricks with me. Now it’s as though the civil war in his own country is giving Calles a headache!
“Haha!” Carmona laughed heartily and said, “Portugal’s matters are being watched over by Salazar and the others. I am very at ease, and I also thought of taking a good break during this period. Just as you arrived, Donnie, I can have a good rest!”
Carmona also gained power through a coup and similarly started his dictatorship, but compared to many other dictators, Carmona was much happier.
After Salazar came into prominence, Carmona peacefully transitioned his power to Salazar. During this period, Carmona served as Portugal’s president until his natural death, and Salazar remained Portugal’s prime minister, responsible for Portuguese affairs.
During WWII, Salazar adopted an opportunistic attitude, first declaring neutrality, providing the Azores as a base for the anti-Fascist Allies and maintaining traditional friendly relations with the United Kingdom, while also drawing closer to the Axis Powers, thereby preserving Portugal’s peace.
After the war ended, Portugal was led by Carmona and Salazar and immediately sided with the United States.
After Carmona’s death, Salazar became Portugal’s president until he suffered a stroke and was unable to manage affairs and only then passed his power to his confidant.
Eventually, four years after Salazar’s death, Portugal experienced the Carnation Revolution, which overthrew the regime established by Carmona and Salazar.
People liked to refer to the era of Carmona and Salazar’s rule in Portugal as a dictatorship without dictators!
This time Donnie’s visit to Portugal indeed had no urgent matters.
Currently, there are two major banks in Portugal, Venus Investment Bank and Breton Commercial Bank, both of which are Venus Banks in Portugal.
Venus Investment Bank is responsible for investment business in Portugal, while Breton Bank cooperates with Portuguese banks to handle government affairs throughout Portugal.
To placate the emotions of Carmona and Salazar, both Venus Investment Bank and Breton Commercial Bank hold shares from the Portuguese government.
With these two banks, coupled with the business of Portuguese banks, eventually, both banks do not merely engage in extraction from Portugal, but indeed contribute to Portuguese development, giving Carmona and Salazar no reason to object to Donnie’s business.
Of course, these are the bright sides of these two banks, but as monopolistic entities, they also have their dark sides. For instance, any emerging enterprise in Portugal with potential must allow Venus Investment Bank to take shares, or else face government-level administrative pressures, demanding compromise or disappearance.
Moreover, traditional industries, such as the Portuguese banking sector, also need to accept shares from Breton Commercial Bank, otherwise, government forces will appear from behind.
It can be said that if development follows the current strategy, in more than ten years, Portuguese companies with notable names will have intricate connections with Venus Investment Bank and Breton Commercial Bank.
Under such management, when Salazar passes away, even if Portugal erupts in a Carnation Revolution, it will still be challenging to destabilize Donnie’s business in Portugal.
So now, Donnie truly has little to attend to in Portugal, even if there were issues, they would be internal matters.
Every month, Donnie receives secret letters from Bobby Mozelle, Westglenn, and his own covert organization in Portugal. Bobby Mozelle and Westglenn indeed gain some grey income in Portugal, but it is within the allowed limits, unless they cooperate to deceive him, not only that, they must persuade Carmona and Salazar to cooperate, to achieve such ends.
In maintaining good external and internal development, Donnie is simply preparing to use Portugal as his temporary resting place while entering Europe.
After finishing the banquet with Carmona, Donnie went to Lisbon to the most luxurious hotel, Vanilla Hotel, built by Venus Investment Bank and Portugal Vanilla Hotel Group.
After resting for a night.
Caldwell Ingram, the U.S. ambassador to Portugal, came to see Donnie.
Donnie regards Portugal as his private territory, so naturally, he would have Coolidge appoint a Republican as the U.S. ambassador to Portugal.
In fact, before becoming the U.S. ambassador to Portugal, Caldwell Ingram was an executive at Venus Bank. Specifically, Caldwell Ingram is not only an American official but also Donnie’s subordinate.
“Caldwell, have you gotten used to Portugal in these three years?”
Donnie chatted with Caldwell Ingram, wearing pajamas and smiling.
Caldwell Ingram replied: “It was indeed unfamiliar when I first arrived, but fortunately, the environment here is similar to Atlantic City, and after several months I got used to it. Moreover, if I were to say I’m not satisfied here now, I would definitely be deceiving you!”
Though Portugal’s land area doesn’t match Mexico’s, under Carmona and Salazar’s rule, it is relatively more peaceful than Mexico, plus Venus Investment Bank and Breton Bank support its development here, so although the environment is not comparable to Atlantic City, it’s better than many other places.
Furthermore, as the U.S. ambassador to Portugal and also having risen from Venus Bank, in reality, Caldwell Ingram’s power in Portugal surpasses that of an ordinary U.S. ambassador.
Here he is like a local emperor!
“Haha!” Donnie laughed heartily after hearing this: “You’re right, I really appreciate your sincerity!”
“Mr. Block, quite a few Portuguese businessmen are aware that you are in Lisbon, and some have found me through connections, hoping to meet you!”
To Donnie, Bobby Mozelle, Westglenn, and Caldwell Ingram presented his unified interests, but to them, the three are separate entities.
As long as they are individuals, they have their interests and their factions.
Those mentioned by Caldwell Ingram likely are Portuguese businessmen who cling to him.
“I think we should leave it be, Carmona and Salazar are both very cooperative, and we don’t need to make them worried!”
Donnie smiled.
Caldwell Ingram recalled Donnie’s previous actions in Mexico, where Donnie met with Mexican businessmen in Mexican waters, and immediately after leaving Mexico, an internal revolt broke out.
Presumably, Carmona and Salazar also worry about Donnie meeting their Portuguese businessmen.
Even understanding Donnie’s concern, Caldwell Ingram felt slightly disappointed because they are all people related to his interests, and he hoped to show these people he could arrange a meeting with Donnie Block!
Donnie said: “Alright, on my behalf, choose a batch of red wine to send them!”
Upon hearing Donnie say this, a smile instantly appeared on Caldwell Ingram’s face, as what these people wanted was simply an attitude from Donnie.
“Thank you, Mr. Block!”
Donnie waved his hand and laughed: “It’s not a big issue, it’s all deserved for you!”
Caldwell Ingram replied: “Mr. Block, it’s you who granted me everything I have now, I will always remember it!”