AHumanMadeMOFO
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Chapter 109: I Want to Acquire a Bank
🕑 Added 2024-12-24 15:11:50 +0000 UTCWhile Wilfred Malick reported to the Council of Nine on his meeting with Josh, explaining how Josh had taken control of the remnants of Hydra's forces in Europe, praising his personal abilities, and persuading the other Council members to add Josh to the Council, Josh himself was not sitting either.
To forge iron, one must be strong. To truly gain enough influence within the Council, Josh's current financial strength and influence alone were still somewhat insufficient.
Although he had made a considerable profit from the war in Europe, the truth was that the money he had made from trading supplies was nothing compared to the huge "economic recovery pie" in post-war Europe. It was not even comparable to a mosquito's leg.
After all, the real economic predators had not yet sunk their teeth into it.
If you want to take food out of the mouths of those predators, you can't do it without enough allies.
There was no contradiction between these two goals. He could simply borrow outside power.
What kind of power?
Of course, it was the strength of other conglomerates.
Since Josh's business was centered in Chicago, it would be foolish not to use the influence of the Chicago conglomerate.
"Josh, you're a rare visitor!" In the office of the Owner of the Leibler Building, John Leibler looked at Josh in surprise.
Josh had been back for over a month, and the wealthy people in Chicago all knew that he had made a fortune in Europe and contributed to the early end of the war.
But most people didn't have a clear idea of how much Josh had made in Europe. Because they were not directly involved in any financial dealings or investments with him, they hadn’t deliberately inquired about his actions overseas.
Moreover, since his return to Chicago, Josh had spent most of his time with his wife and children, keeping a low profile. Even someone close to him, like John Leibler, wasn't very familiar with his current situation.
This revealed that the Chicago's Corporations were not as sensitive to capital as the other Corporations.
It might also explain why, in Josh's previous life, after World War II, Chicago's Corporations were gradually overshadowed by other Corporations and became second-tier Corporations.
"Haha, wasn't it because Margaret just had a baby? I haven't had a chance to visit you, Uncle John. Now that the baby is almost a month old and healthy, I'm practically invisible around the house," Josh said with a touch of humor.
"Tsk, why do I get the feeling that you're showing off in front of me? Don't you know how much I want grandchildren? Hmph, If only my two brats valued family as much as you do!" Hearing Josh's words, John Leibler couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Older people, regardless of the country, always want a house full of children and grandchildren.
John Leibler, now in his sixties, had a forty-year-old eldest son, Linus, who was accomplished and had taken over most of the family business. However, his dedication to the business meant that he had never married, let alone had children.
And his second son? A useless playboy. Though he had married twice, they were only weddings with no children.
With his two sons in such situations, how could John Leibler, who desperately wanted grandchildren, possibly be happy?
"HaHa, Uncle John, you're too kind. You're Margaret's Uncle, so of course you're also the children's grandfather," Josie said politely.
"Speaking of which, haven't the two children been baptized yet? Why not have them acknowledge Linus as their godfather?" John suggested thoughtfully.
"If Margaret agrees, I have no objection!" Josh replied, a little surprised but quickly agreed.
Most Bavarians and Austrians were Catholic, and Josh's parents were no exception.
Although Josh himself was not religious, his previous self had indeed been a Catholic.
Margaret, though was not a Catholic, was a Protestant, so their children could technically be baptized, which would also require a godparent.
Godfathers and godmothers were not just honorary titles; they were responsible for the spiritual and sometimes material well-being of their godchildren.
In the U.S., godparents often had legal guardianship second only to the biological parents.
In other words, if the biological parents have an accident, the godparents are responsible for raising the child...and they are only responsible for raising the child, but they do not have the right to control the godchild's property.
Therefore, in most cases, the presence of a godparent is still a great help to the child.
To give a well-known example in the United States in the original world of Josh, it is the actress who played Pepper, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Although her father is a producer and her mother is an actress, in fact, both of them have achieved very ordinary results in Hollywood.
But why is it that Gwyneth Paltrow, who has always been known in the industry for her bad temper and difficult personality, has been able to receive all kinds of resources since she was a child, and at the age of 26 she was able to outshine a group of incredibly talented actresses to win an Oscar?
That was largely due to her godfather, Steven Spielberg, a top-notch director.
Josie had never considered it before, partly because he wasn't religious and partly because he felt his children didn't need such help, given his own system.
But now that John Lebel had brought it up, there didn't seem to be any reason for him to refuse.
After all, letting his children recognize Linus, the Leibler heir, as their godfather would strengthen the ties between the two families.
It wasn't a bad thing for the child to recognize the Lebel heir as its godfather, and it would also bring the two families closer together.
But only if it's Linus; if it were David, the second son, both Josh and Margaret would have refused outright.
Obviously, John Leibler understood this very well and didn't even mention the troublemaker.
"Haha, since you didn't object, it's settled. I'll have Linus talk to Margaret. He's always treated her like a sister!" John Leibler said happily. "By the way, what brings you here today?"
"Uncle John, I'm here for one simple reason - I want you to act as an mediator to help me take over the Continental Illinois Bank!" Josh finally revealed his purpose.
John Leibler, still basking in the joy of discussing the children, was stunned when he heard Josh's words.
Take over the Continental Illinois Bank? Is this kid out of his mind?
