"It's not necessary, not necessary at all," Johnson said, wiping the sweat from his brow. He had just finished a yoga class led by a Brazilian instructor with a soft physique, and now he was drenched in sweat.
"It's all about buying a piece of land—100 mu, to be exact. You don't need to go through the mayor for this," he continued.
"No, 100 mu, not 10 mu. Did you hear that wrong?" Sean replied, feeling a bit uncertain. Had this old man just overstepped?
"100 mu is still land outside the city. Even commercial land isn't worth much. You can just approach Deputy Mayor Chaplin Brady about this matter. I'll introduce you later," Johnson explained. "Your situation is both complicated and straightforward."
"First, the construction for the security company's residence and training site needs approval from the Office of Sustainable Development, which handles long-term planning. Then it goes to the Mayor's Office of Environmental Cooperation for an urban environmental impact assessment. After that, it must align with the city's land use planning and the regulatory detailed planning laws. Finally, it goes to the city planning bureau and the construction management bureau for administrative licensing and law enforcement inspections."
Clearly, Johnson was showcasing his expertise. He was also emphasizing that his consultancy was worth the $20,000 monthly fee—and that he was not just a personal trainer.
"The residence for the security company isn't an ordinary building; it will significantly impact the environment, sanitation, and safety. If you try to handle this alone, well, let's just say you'll discover what it means to be thorough!" Johnson added with a hint of sarcasm.
"Do you really think U.S. bureaucracy is gone?" he chuckled.
Given that live ammunition training would be involved, some legal connections were necessary to ensure the process went smoothly. Otherwise, local residents could sue Sean at any moment.
Listening to Johnson, Sean could only shrug. Regardless of his past experiences, he didn't grasp the intricacies of American bureaucracy and decided to leave it in Johnson's capable hands.
Fortunately, he found that capitalist officials were generally reliable when it came to business dealings; otherwise, securing funds from investors would be much more challenging.
There was one more thing Johnson hadn't mentioned: although Sean had considerable power, his surface-level assets were only a few million dollars, which wouldn't get him a seat at the mayor's table. To gain attention, one needed at least a net worth of over ten million or significant influence in Newark's public sphere.
With the assistance of a parliament member, the approval processes moved swiftly. Within days, all necessary approvals were finalized for a location 30 kilometers west of Newark, nestled between a swamp in Essex County and the Audubon Sherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a sparsely populated area with a large open space—ideal for the project.
Thanks to the Essex County District Attorney, most legal issues were resolved. As long as Sean didn't venture into the reserve for unauthorized activities, everything should proceed smoothly.
Meanwhile, the architectural plans Sean requested were completed. The design was simple, modeled after military bases used by the U.S. around the world. Additionally, over 1,000 square meters were set aside for Sean to build a villa.
Yes, Sean finally decided to create a 'home' for himself. For safety reasons, the distance from the city didn't concern him; being next to his security company made him feel secure. He doubted anyone would dare disturb him there. He imagined that when the alarm sounded, hundreds of American soldiers would rush out, ready to defend.
Of course, building the villa would be quite an undertaking, requiring about six months, while the military base construction would be much quicker. Aesthetics didn't matter; the focus was on strength and safety—simple and durable.
As construction began, Sean found himself feeling a bit bored. He didn't need to visit the 'laboratory' since the blending master he'd brought back from Chinatown had already started producing new wine, expanding Sean's 'smuggled wine' product line and providing him with some freedom.
...
Meanwhile, Saul had identified suitable locations for fitness centers in five nearby cities. Except for Jersey City, which would host a large store of over 3,000 square meters, the other four cities—each with populations exceeding 100,000—would each have stores of more than 1,000 square meters.
"If we follow Newark's business model, even with all five stores under construction simultaneously, a startup capital of $500,000 will be more than enough," Saul said excitedly. "We can continue expanding into the surrounding areas!"
"Wait, are you planning to default on rent and equipment costs and play the empty-handed wolf?" Sean frowned at Saul.
"What's wrong with that?" Saul looked confused.
"No! That's illegal," Sean asserted, his tone serious. "You're a lawyer! How can you even think of that?"
"I won
"I won't let you engage in illegal activities. I'm a decent businessman. Do you understand what that means?"
Saul stared at Sean, his expression shifting from confusion to contempt, and he spat dismissively.
"Right," Sean said, suddenly inspired. He grabbed his phone and called Jonas. "Saul has already found five nearby stores. Give the crew a heads-up, and I'll send you the addresses shortly. Let them handle it."
Once he hung up, Sean noticed Saul looking at him with disdain, as if he had committed a grave offense.
"What are you looking at?" Sean asked, slightly defensive. "I'm just making sure that no one thinks I'm an easy target. If they see my gym expanding, they might try to raise the prices. I'm protecting my interests! Besides, if there's any trouble, it's really the local gang's business. Even if Jonas is involved, what does that have to do with me, Sean?"
"I bought the properties from them," Sean added nonchalantly. "This way, I'm helping the homeowners out of a tough situation—otherwise, their property values would plummet!"
"If you were a politician, you'd definitely be a presidential candidate!" Saul remarked, impressed despite himself, giving Sean a reluctant thumbs up.
"No," Saul blinked, frowning. "Wait, did you just say you bought them? I thought you were renting!"
"Of course, I bought them. Those houses are often surrounded by gangs and are unsafe for renting. If the owners don't sell, they'll just be left with worthless properties," Sean replied matter-of-factly. "It makes perfect sense."
Saul shook his head, still trying to process Sean's boldness. "You really think you can just buy your way out of this?"
"Why not? It's all about securing my future," Sean replied confidently. "I'm not just building a security company; I'm establishing a stronghold. This is a smart investment."
Saul paused, contemplating Sean's perspective. "Well, if you believe it's going to work, then I guess it's worth a shot. Just be careful about how you play the game."
"Always," Sean assured him. "I'm just making sure I set up everything right from the start. It's not just about the business; it's about creating a safe environment for myself and my future endeavors."
With that, they both turned their attention back to the plans ahead, each feeling the weight of their ambitions and the intricacies of their growing enterprise.