Chapter 383: Chapter 383: Gradually Becoming a Rogue Rabbit
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"Everything~~!"
Huge fireworks exploded over Hollywood, illuminating the city with a dazzling brilliance. It was the "Walk of Fame Carnival Night," and hundreds of thousands of people had gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. The air was filled with music and excitement.
Marilyn Monroe graced the stage with her captivating performance, her voice enchanting the audience. Suddenly, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.
In recent days, several major Hollywood television networks had approached the government, expressing the difficulties Hollywood was facing and seeking support. Hardy's influence, combined with the need for cultural expansion, had caught the attention of President Johnson. As a result, Congress approved a tax exemption plan for Hollywood studios.
Major Hollywood film companies were now preparing to expand into foreign markets with a series of strategic plans. In the near future, they would unite to create a powerful force abroad, maximizing their profits.
Regarding theme parks, a consensus had been reached to vigorously develop Hollywood's tourism industry. Today marked the completion of the Avenue of Stars, a new landmark that would become a must-see for visitors.
Every year on this day, the "Avenue of Stars Carnival Night" would be held, celebrating the unveiling of new stars and offering a grand festival for everyone to enjoy.
The Global Times and ABC had heavily promoted the event, including celebrity concerts, which drew an enormous crowd. Hollywood Boulevard had never been more alive. People drank, danced, listened to music, and reveled in the festivities.
Hundreds of star-embedded tiles adorned the Avenue of Stars, where celebrities could leave their handprints and signatures. Among the first to be honored were Ava Gardner, Hedy Lamarr, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe.
The night saw the presence of hundreds of celebrities. ABC broadcasted the opening ceremony live, and the ratings soared. The celebrations continued until two in the morning, when the crowd finally began to disperse.
At Hardy Manor, Elizabeth Taylor was experiencing the aftermath of an intense evening. Her voice was hoarse, but she clung to Hardy, whispering in his ear, "Do you know what people are calling you now?"
"What are they calling me?"
"They're calling you the Patron Saint of Hollywood, Hardy. I'm so proud to be your woman."
Taylor was right. After the McKinsey incident, Hardy's reputation in Hollywood had only grown. He wasn't just the owner of a film company or the chairman of the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild. People now believed that as long as Hardy was around, Hollywood had a bright future.
"Christmas is just a month away. Will you be leaving?" Taylor asked.
"I'm not sure," Hardy replied. With so many responsibilities, he couldn't make any guarantees.
The next morning, Hardy picked up the newspaper and was taken aback by the headlines.
"Yesterday, in the Changjin Lake area, the UN forces and the army engaged in a large-scale frontal battle. This was the first major confrontation between the U.S. Army and the opposing forces since the Peninsular War."
The report continued, describing the intense battle between the U.S. Marine Corps, various U.S. Infantry Divisions, and the opposing forces. Hardy knew that this battle would be a turning point.
The battle shocked many, and it marked the beginning of General MacArthur's fall from grace, especially after his infamous declaration that the soldiers would be home for Christmas dinner.
In early December, Hardy bid farewell to the women in his life and took his private jet to Japan. Although there was nothing pressing in Japan, he handled a few matters before heading to Hong Kong to see his son.
Upon arriving in Japan, the person in charge of supplying war materials reported to Hardy, "Boss, the fighting is fierce, and the U.S. military is complaining that our supplies are not arriving on time. Some soldiers, used to dining carts, are unhappy with the unappetizing rations. Many combat units are requesting additional dining carts."
Hardy responded, "Why are these soldiers so soft? When I was fighting, I survived on rations for years. And now, after just two months, they're complaining?"
The person in charge shrugged, "Our logistics have spoiled them. Now that it's freezing cold, they want better, warmer meals."
Hardy sighed. "If they're asking, have Toyota produce them. But I don't think it'll be very profitable."
"Toyota's production capacity is limited, and they can only make about a dozen dining carts a day. Do they want us to expand production?" the person in charge asked.
After some thought, Hardy shook his head. "Expanding production would cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. These dining carts won't have much market value after the war. There's no need to invest more. Just keep producing them at the current pace."
With that settled, Hardy inspected his other ventures. Everything was running smoothly under the supervision of professional managers.
During this time, Hardy closely followed the developments in the Peninsular War. The Global Times had war correspondents embedded with the military, providing timely updates.
As the situation unfolded, it became clear that the powerful U.S. Army was being pushed back by the opposing forces. This development shocked both Americans and Japanese alike, as it defied all expectations.
Hardy stayed in Japan for a few more days before heading to Hong Kong in mid-December. Han Yezhen, overjoyed at his arrival, greeted him with their baby in her arms.
"Oh, my son has grown so much!" Hardy said, holding his son and playing with him.
The little boy, now three months old, was growing beautifully. He had inherited his mother's black hair and eyes, but the strong bridge of his nose was all Hardy's.
That night, after the baby had fallen asleep and the nanny had taken him to his room, Han Yezhen and Hardy enjoyed a long-awaited reunion.
"I've missed you so much," she whispered.
After their intimate time together, Hardy teased, "You won't get pregnant again, will you?"
"It's okay, I'll have another if I do," Han Yezhen replied, holding him close.
With her parents back in the United States and her father in China, Han Yezhen was managing the household with the help of a housekeeper, several servants, and bodyguards. She continued to pursue her business interests, often bringing the nanny along to the museum to care for the baby without interruption.
Recently, investment enthusiasm in Japan had been soaring, with more people taking out mortgage loans than ever before. The museum was receiving tens of thousands of antiques each month.
Over the next few days, Hardy balanced his time between managing his business interests and spending time with his son and Han Yezhen.
Thanks to the U.S. embargo, many companies were struggling, but the Hardy Group was an exception, enjoying a period of rapid growth. The Group had effectively monopolized the raw materials market, allowing them to control several industries indirectly.
Monopoly, after all, was the most profitable business. In just a few months, Hardy's trading company in Hong Kong had made tens of millions of dollars in profit.
Hardy instructed Victor to use this material monopoly to expand industrial investments, further strengthening their hold over Hong Kong.
Christmas arrived swiftly.
On December 24th, the Global Times published a news report:
"On Christmas Eve, U.S. forces evacuated Xingnan Port by sea, marking the end of the month-long battle of Changjin Lake. According to preliminary statistics from the U.S. military, this battle resulted in over 20,000 casualties, with the U.S. forces withdrawing from the northern area of the 38th parallel. All of General MacArthur's previous victories have been nullified."
The report detailed the failed campaign led by MacArthur, who had once boasted that the war would be over by Christmas, with soldiers home for dinner. But instead, the United Nations forces found themselves fleeing in defeat.
The report sent shockwaves through the United States. Americans were stunned that their military had been defeated by an eastern nation still recovering from war. The Japanese, too, were bewildered, unable to comprehend how the mighty U.S. Army had suffered such a resounding loss.
European nations, including Britain, France, and Italy, were equally shocked. The battle of Changjin Lake had reshaped global perceptions, forcing the world to reassess the eastern forces. No longer the underdog, this new force was becoming a formidable player on the world stage.
The failure of the campaign left MacArthur furious and humiliated. He began formulating an even more ambitious plan, even going so far as to suggest the use of atomic bombs. But while MacArthur's ideas grew more extreme, the rest of the world was keen to avoid escalating the conflict into a third world war.
After Christmas, Hardy returned to Japan. Despite the defeat, MacArthur refused to back down, continuing to push for more significant engagements. The U.S. Congress had already allocated an additional $3 billion for supplies, which kept Japanese factories in full production mode. The signs of Japan's economic recovery were becoming more evident.
In the midst of these developments, Hardy received a message from Henry through a secret channel. The pharmaceutical companies' experiments in Africa were nearing completion and were ready to be announced.
Hardy knew that the climax of this strategic round was approaching. After the climax would come the harvest, and he couldn't help but wonder what Japan would look like after this pivotal moment.
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