After Bill left, the butler arrived with a tray and a letter.
"Mr. Hardy, you have a letter," the butler said.
Hardy was surprised to receive a letter. He picked it up and discovered it was from Victor in Hong Kong.
The letter was thick, containing dozens of pages. It wasn't just a work report but a detailed account of Victor's activities over the past two months.
Despite the convenience of telegrams, Victor opted for a more secure method to convey sensitive information.
In the letter, Victor described his progress in Hong Kong. Upon arrival, he rented a prominent facade house in a busy district, aiming to establish the Hardy Group's presence. Hardy appreciated this move; maintaining a strong public image was crucial.
Victor leveraged his connections with the consulate and organized a reception that attracted key figures from Hong Kong's political and business circles, successfully smoothing the way for future operations.
Hardy nodded in approval. Victor's worldly experience and sharp mind were precisely why he was assigned to this task. Skilled individuals often come from diverse backgrounds, and Victor's resourcefulness was evident.
Victor detailed his efforts in acquiring antiques. Initially, the collection was modest, with a few dozen pieces daily. However, when penicillin arrived, Victor sold some to a local hospital, signaling that he had a significant supply. This attracted two major buyers.
Hardy reviewed the transactions. The first buyer, a middle-aged man named Mr. Kong, brought in two full trucks of antiques. Victor's appraisal was initially high but adjusted downward for this transaction. Despite the lower price, Mr. Kong was willing to sell and indicated he could supply more antiques if needed.
Hardy was aware that some individuals exploit national crises for personal gain, such as selling cultural relics. Historical accounts mentioned similar activities during periods of upheaval.
Hardy felt a mix of anger and concern. He had initially bought Chinese cultural relics to preserve them, considering it both an investment and a way to protect heritage. The increasing acquisition of these treasures had become a significant part of his interests, reflecting his commitment to preserving Chinese culture.
Hardy decided to accept the antiques but at a reduced price, instructing Victor to offer more than a 30% discount and issue payments via Wells Fargo checks, which could only be cashed upon arrival in the U.S. Each check would be numbered for tracking purposes.
He wrote these instructions and handed them to a bodyguard for dispatch to the telegraph office.
Next, Hardy called Mark Keane, President of the Global Times. "Has the newspaper established a branch in Hong Kong yet?"
"Not yet, boss. We only have a branch in Japan," Keane replied.
"Set up a branch in Hong Kong immediately. The Hardy Group has a company there, Hardy Auction Company. It will be beneficial for the newspaper to have a local presence. Once established, send reporters to cover China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and other regions."
Though Keane was unsure of the exact reason for the urgent setup, he agreed promptly.
Hardy then contacted John Ston, President of Wells Fargo. "John, the Hardy Group is expanding into Hong Kong and Japan. It's essential for Wells Fargo to open branches in these locations."
"Hong Kong and Japan? You're focusing on the East?" Ston asked.
"Yes. While current conditions may not be as favorable as in Europe, they are likely to improve, and there are fewer competitors compared to Europe, where each country has numerous banks."
"I understand, boss. I'll arrange for branches to be opened in both Hong Kong and Japan," Ston assured.
In the evening, Hardy received a call from Heidi Ramah, inviting him to dinner. He agreed.
Dinner was at Heidi's studio, a casual and relaxed setting compared to a formal villa. To Hardy's surprise, Heidi cooked the meal herself.
"I attended a noble girls' school where I learned how to be a proper lady, including cooking," Heidi explained with a smile.
"Congratulations on the box office surpassing 10 million. What are your thoughts?" Hardy asked.
"I'm thrilled. It's a dream come true," Heidi responded.
Hardy shook his head. "It might not be your highest dream. The film company has applied for Golden Globes and Oscars. Taylor's 'This Killer Is Not So Cold' and your 'Human and Ghosts Are Coming' could be nominated."
"Really?" Heidi asked, excited.
"Certainly. I'm arranging for some influential support," Hardy said. Meyer, the chairman of the Oscar jury, and Hardy's role as the chairman of the actors' union made securing awards feasible.
Heidi, thrilled, showed her excitement with a kiss.
Later, as they lay in bed, Heidi turned on the TV, adjusting the stage to a show called "Vampires and Werewolves." Heidi, from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, found the show frightening but intriguing.
Hardy noticed the program was from Columbia TV, not ABC. NBC and Columbia TV had been ramping up their investments to compete with ABC's prime time, which had resulted in increased viewership for other channels.
With ABC's ratings down to 67%, Hardy realized it was time to introduce a new show. He had planned the "Super Draft" program but had previously delayed it due to high ratings.
"William, let's launch the 'Super Idol' audition show this year. It will energize the American entertainment scene," Hardy declared.
Irina, hearing this, was enthusiastic. "The 'Super Draft' will overshadow other programs and set a new standard."
Hardy outlined the details: the "Super Idol" show would focus on singing, open to all ages between 12 and 28, regardless of nationality. It aimed to find talented singers and potentially sign them to record deals, creating future revenue streams for the company.
"I'll arrange suitable judges for the show. I have candidates in mind," Hardy said, concluding the discussion.
The next steps were clear: it was time to make a significant impact on the entertainment industry.