Bab 190: Chapter 190: Conspiracy and Conspiracy
One hundred million!
This figure stunned everyone present. In this era, what does a hundred million represent? The US GDP last year was just over 200 billion dollars, and this investment alone amounts to one-thousandth of that GDP.
Even a million dollars is considered wealth in this period.
Hardy's proposal of a 100 million yuan investment plan was nothing short of astonishing.
In reality, Hardy's '100 million' plan involved multiple layers of thought.
This one hundred million isn't just for a simple casino; it's for a comprehensive casino amusement complex, including casinos, hotels, villas, resorts, and various entertainment facilities. It also encompasses supporting infrastructure, such as increased direct flights to Las Vegas, his hospital plan, and even university plans.
Hospitals and universities require significant investment, so Hardy won't be foolish enough to fund these alone. By dividing the expenses and managing them, he ensures that the investment is well-distributed.
Additionally, the large investment means that those who want to participate will need to commit a substantial portion of their assets, firmly binding them to this venture. It will create a new circle of influence.
Moreover, Hardy is setting a high entry threshold. If anyone wants to enter the Las Vegas market in the future and cannot match the scale of this new hotel, they might as well stay away, as they won't be able to make money.
After the opening ceremony, the casino stewards left and immediately reported back to their family heads. This was a major development.
Emilio Basini, patriarch of the Basini family, one of the five major gangs in New York, frowned and fell into deep thought upon hearing the report from his subordinates.
He had been closely monitoring Hardy's activities.
He sees the Corleone family as a rival, and Hardy, a friend of the Corleone family, has taken over Siegel's former territory and power.
In his mind, Hardy had already become an adversary.
With the Hardy Hotel now open and thriving, the daily casino revenue is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 dollars, potentially reaching 10 million yuan annually. This does not even account for the "2-hour lottery draw" activity, which reportedly earns more than the casino's daily revenue, potentially totaling 20 million dollars.
Reports also indicate that Hardy's proxy investment company, established by Bill of Los Angeles, has already absorbed tens of millions of dollars.
Every aspect of this revenue makes Basini envious.
The more Hardy earns, the more frustrated Basini becomes.
Why?
Because without Hardy, the Flamingo Casino, now Hardy Hotel, should have belonged to them. The conflict between their four major families and the Corleone family, and Hardy's involvement, allowed the Corleones to retain the casino.
Basini suspected that Hardy was behind the restaurant bombing and had personally intervened in New York to help the Corleone family during the assassination of Vito. In the ensuing chaos, while attempting to kill Siegel and seize property, Hardy ended up gaining the most.
Raymond's people and the Irish North Shore Gang in Los Angeles were wiped out by Hardy, allowing him to unify Los Angeles and become the largest underground power there. He also acquired the Flamingo Casino.
Initially, Basini had a 13% stake in Flamingo but used it to support the Corleone family's drug trade. Now, he had lost a significant business opportunity.
Hardy Hotel's annual revenue can generate a profit of 30 million dollars. With Basini's 13% stake, that would have been 4 million dollars in income.
In contrast, the drug business operated by the Basini family nets only two to three million dollars a year, involving constant risks.
The Corleone family, with their 39% share in three casinos, now earns over 10 million dollars annually—legally.
Legal income is far more valuable than illegal earnings, especially in a country with stringent financial oversight. Black money needs laundering, and if there are problems with the business, the income will stop. Casino income, however, remains profitable even amid family troubles.
Basini seethed with jealousy.
All his long-term plans to pressure the Corleone family and corner them ultimately allowed Hardy to grab the biggest prize, leaving Basini with only scraps.
If Hardy's new casino project succeeds, it could further cement his dominance, potentially diminishing Basini's influence and that of other families in the Mafia committee.
Basini knew he had to act fast.
He picked up the phone and called Philip, head of the Tatakilia family, to discuss the stakes.
"I refuse to invest in Hardy's property. Hardy Hotel is easily earning 20-30 million dollars a year. If we hadn't given our Flamingo shares to the Corleones, we'd also be making a substantial profit," Philip said.
Basini noted the dissatisfaction in Philip's voice but remembered that they had previously agreed to support the drug trade in exchange for their shares.
"Should we just let Hardy rake in all that money in Las Vegas?" Philip asked.
"I have a plan. Let's rally some investors and build a large casino in Las Vegas ourselves. That way, we can still make money," Basini suggested.
Philip showed interest. "That's a good idea, but it will require a significant investment."
"Then we need to find more investors."
Basini then contacted Kolob, head of the Strache family. After a lengthy discussion, Kolob agreed to the plan.
These three families—Basini, Tatakilia, and Strache—were the original shareholders of the Flamingo Casino and had formed a close alliance.
Finally, Basini called Tirio Cuneo, patriarch of the Cuneo family. After discussing his thoughts, Cuneo said, "I've heard about the new casino from the report. Have you seen it on Las Vegas TV?"
"I've seen it," Basini replied.
"I think the success of Hardy's casino is largely due to the promotion by Las Vegas TV and the lottery. Without the TV station, even opening a casino might not succeed."
Basini frowned. It seemed plausible that Hardy's success was partly due to the TV station's promotion. Without such support, a new casino might fail.
Hardy runs ABC TV, the largest network in the U.S., which other investors cannot easily access.
Alternatively, they could collaborate with other TV stations to compete with Hardy's business. However, such a move would be confrontational, and Hardy is not someone to be challenged lightly.
Hardy's security force, HD Security, has expanded to a formidable 2,500 personnel, acting as his private army in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. They even have a small branch in New York.
Basini realized that even with a new casino, success wasn't guaranteed.
The only viable option was to cooperate with Hardy.
This realization was infuriating.
Basini said, "Cuneo, this isn't just about making money. If the Mafia families invest in Hardy's new casino, it will diminish the influence of other families in dealing with him in the future. Don't forget, Hardy is an ally of the Corleones."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before Cuneo said, "I'll consider it. Let's leave it at that for now."
Cuneo hung up and gazed at a painting on his wall—a famous 1827 work by French painter Théodore Géricault, depicting a shipwreck and people struggling to escape from the stormy sea.
Cuneo and the Corleone family had no personal grudges. The previous alliance was for drug trade benefits.
Without tangible benefits from Basini and with Las Vegas offering substantial rewards, Cuneo knew where his interests lay.
After a moment's thought, he decided to call the old godfather, Vito Corleone.
"Vito, this is Cuneo," he said with a smile.
"I haven't heard from you in a while. You used to invite me for drinks," Vito responded warmly.
"Do you have time this weekend? Let's go hunting at my country manor," Cuneo proposed.
"That sounds good. It's been a while since I went out," Vito agreed.
"Cuneo, I heard Hardy is planning a 100 million dollar investment in a new large casino. Are the Corleones interested in investing?" Cuneo inquired.
The old godfather replied with a smile, "Of course, I plan to invest. I believe it will be a profitable venture. After all, I already earn tens of millions annually from Hardy Hotel. Legal income, you know."
Cuneo noted the emphasis on "legal."
"How much are you considering investing?" Cuneo asked.
"It depends on Hardy's approach. I would invest more if he's receptive. However, the more shares we take, the less there is for others," Vito said.
A billion-dollar investment isn't easy for many families to manage. Even contributing five million would only represent 5% of the shares.
Cuneo paused before saying, "Vito, Basini just called me. He proposed building a new casino ourselves."
Vito responded with a famous quote, "A country has no permanent friends, only permanent interests."
This was a renowned quote by 19th-century British Prime Minister Palmerston, reflecting the essence of British diplomacy.
Bab 191: Chapter 191: United Mafia Forces
The call between Basini and Cuneo ended with Basini realizing the severity of the situation. Hardy's proposed investment promised benefits for others, but it also posed a threat to Corleone's home turf.
From their conversation, it was clear that other Mafia families would prioritize profit over loyalty. If Hardy's investment succeeded, it could shift allegiances, with profit taking precedence over past grudges and rivalries.
Basini knew he had to act quickly. He reached out to Philip and Strache, urging them to use their connections within the Mafia Twenty-Four Committee to hinder Hardy's plans as much as possible.
In Las Vegas, Hardy fielded numerous calls from Mafia family heads. The first was from the Lucchese family patriarch, who controlled Miami and had previously assisted Hardy with the Victor situation.
"Mr. Hardy, I understand you plan to invest 100 million dollars in a new casino?" the Lucchese patriarch inquired.
"Yes, I'm looking to build a new complex with that investment," Hardy confirmed.
The Lucchese patriarch was taken aback. "Could you elaborate on this investment? What's the expected return?"
Hardy grinned, ready to showcase his vision.
"This isn't just a casino. It's a massive complex including a casino, two luxury hotels, a shopping street, large malls, high-end restaurants, a performance center, a sports field, and a conference center. Additionally, there will be a hospital and a university nearby. The hotels will feature 2,000 rooms, the casino will accommodate over 5,000 guests, and other facilities will serve more than 50,000 people."
"The performance center will host world-class events such as the 'Victoria's Secret Angel Lingerie Show' and the 'Miss World Beauty Pageant'. We plan to draw 5 million tourists annually, significantly boosting revenue."
"And if each visitor spends just $100, that's a potential revenue of 500 million dollars. Does this still seem like a hefty investment to you?"
The Lucchese patriarch's skepticism turned into excitement. The projected returns far outweighed the initial investment.
"Are you sure you can attract 5 million tourists?" he asked.
"Possibly more," Hardy replied confidently.
Hardy invited the patriarch to Las Vegas for a firsthand look. "Seeing the Hardy Hotel's daily operations might give you a better perspective than any phone call."
Hardy also mentioned plans to incorporate TV betting lotteries, a lucrative addition that further enticed the Lucchese patriarch.
"Alright, I'll come over," the patriarch agreed, eager to see the potential.
Hardy's strategy of inviting the Mafia family heads to inspect the Hardy Hotel served as both a screening and a display of his power. By hosting these influential figures, Hardy was effectively securing their allegiance or, at the very least, ensuring their investment.
The news of Hardy's invitations spread quickly, reaching Basini and others. Basini, alarmed by the development, contacted other familiar patriarchs to discourage them from attending, suggesting that they could also build casinos and invite everyone to participate later.
Meanwhile, the old godfather of the Corleone family, along with Mike and Tom, discussed the evolving dynamics.
"Father, the relationship among the families is shifting," Tom reported. "Since the last attack, the committee families have united more closely. Basini's influence has grown, but now Hardy's invitation to Las Vegas is causing a shift."
The old godfather, observing the situation, acknowledged Hardy's tactics. "Hardy has disrupted the previous balance of power with a more attractive offer. His ability to break the previous alliances and lure families with significant benefits is impressive."
Mike, reflecting on Hardy's strategy, commented, "Hardy has shown remarkable skill in leveraging profit to shift loyalties. His approach has left Basini and the others scrambling."
The old godfather agreed and decided to support Hardy. "Tom, go to Las Vegas tomorrow. Support Hardy's venture and invest as much as possible. His actions are beneficial for us."
Tom left to prepare for the trip, while Mike expressed concerns about the broader implications. The old godfather reassured him, "Hardy's moves are calculated. If Basini and the others fail to respond effectively, they will face significant consequences. Hardy's rise might lead to advantageous developments for us."
As flights from around the world landed in Las Vegas, the Mafia patriarchs arrived, including representatives from the Lucchese, Borello, Bruno, Marcelo, and Cuneo families. Notably absent were Basini's allies and those closely tied to him, signaling their reluctance or opposition.
Hardy was pleased with the turnout. The presence of over half the major families showed a strong shift in allegiances. He instructed Bill to organize a gathering at the Hardy Hotel, where the visiting patriarchs could witness firsthand the profitability of his investments.
Bill, tallying the attendees, noted the significant presence of influential families, emphasizing the impact Hardy's casino could have on the Mafia's power dynamics.
"This is a game-changer," Hardy mused. "With these families on board, we're set to reshape the landscape."
The visit promised to solidify Hardy's position and further destabilize Basini's influence, showcasing the power of profitable ventures in the Mafia world.
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