Title: The Fall of Wall Street
On September 20, 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged from a high of 386 to 362, signaling the beginning of a massive stock market crash. Amid the chaos, speculators and financial experts rushed forward, insisting that this was just a temporary setback. They reassured the public that the stock market was still strong and that the greatness of America would prevail.
In the opulent office on the second floor of the Aegis Club, Charlie Lee, who had been surviving on just four hours of sleep a night for the past five days, sat exhausted. His eyes, though tired, gleamed with excitement. "It's happening," he murmured.
Li Zitao, sitting on the corner sofa, jumped up in confusion. "What's happening? What fell?"
"Everything is falling. If we play it right, we could make a fortune," Charlie Lee replied, his voice steady despite the initial excitement.
"A fall… a big fall," Li Zitao muttered, processing the realization. His face suddenly lit up with ecstasy. "It really fell?"
Charlie Lee's cautious nature had guided him into this opportunity, while his erratic memory had allowed him to take a crucial step toward a legendary rise. The Great Depression had arrived a month earlier than it did in the history he knew, and whether it was sheer luck or the influence of an unseen hand behind the scenes, he wasn't sure. But now, all he had to do was wait for the consequences of this collapse to unfold.
Charlie Lee decided to hold off on heading to New York, leaving the finer details to experts like Ben, his trusted associate. What mattered now was how to use the vast amount of money he was about to make. After some reflection, he turned his attention westward—to California and Los Angeles.
The name "City of Angels" kept echoing in his mind. Over time, Los Angeles had overtaken Chicago as the second largest city in America, home to Hollywood, the Avenue of Fame, Las Vegas, and Beverly Hills. Hollywood, in particular, had an almost magnetic pull on Charlie Lee. The glamour of this city, with its promise of fame and fortune, was too tempting to ignore.
But it wasn't just the allure of Hollywood that drew Charlie Lee's attention. It was his ambition. As he became more familiar with the American landscape, he understood the influence of the large consortia in the Midwest, led by families like the McCormicks, Woods, and Krone, which controlled much of the American economy. The Chicago-based consortia had their hands in industries like agriculture, livestock, and meat processing.
In March 1929, Time magazine featured Cyrus Hall McCormick, head of the McCormick family, whose wealth was a staggering $420 million—just the wealth of the McCormick family alone. Charlie Lee knew that these Midwest consortia wielded immense political and financial power, and that their influence wasn't something he could challenge at this moment.
On the other hand, the western United States had potential. The Homestead Act had transformed the region into a land of opportunity, rich with private farms, emerging industries, vast mineral resources, and fertile soil. Hollywood was not the only attraction; the western region, with its burgeoning industries, offered a fertile ground for his ambition.
Charlie Lee's mind raced with ideas. The establishment of a Chinese consortium, one that could rival the influence of the Midwest powers, began to take root in his thoughts. Hollywood, Disneyland, the potential of the western lands—these were the building blocks of his new vision.
As time went on, the stock market continued its dramatic fall. Tuesday, September 24, 1929, dawned bright and sunny. On Wall Street, the hustle and bustle of the financial district continued, despite the looming collapse. Investors, stockbrokers, and financial managers went about their business, speaking of "temporary setbacks" and "market corrections" as if they hadn't just witnessed the beginning of a monumental crash.
"Hi, Carl. How's the market today?" one broker asked.
"Two of my client's stocks are falling. I had to deal with him all day yesterday. It's frustrating, but it's just temporary, right?" Carl replied with a shrug.
"Good morning, Marian. What happened with the shares I recommended?"
"I can't believe Kutz sold his shares in American Radio. He's out of his mind. That was a golden opportunity!" Marian exclaimed.
"Yeah, he'll regret it," another broker added. "I'll never help him again."
The elite crowd continued their conversations, oblivious to the storm brewing outside. But when the New York Stock Exchange opened at 11:00 AM, all hell broke loose.
Within moments, the market spiraled into chaos. The first phone calls came in, and the shouts of panic filled the air. The stock market had begun to plummet at a terrifying rate. Fear and anxiety spread like wildfire across Wall Street, and the bright sun that had shone that morning now felt distant, as though it had been consumed by the storm.
"Here comes the feast," Charlie Lee's associate, Maiton, said with a grim smile. He had been waiting for this moment, and now it was here. The stock market was in freefall.
"Throw it all away! All of it!" people screamed, scrambling to sell their stocks.
The chaos was palpable. People were no longer the poised, confident professionals they had been just hours earlier. They were now desperate, frantic, their clothes—worth hundreds of dollars—no longer mattered as they scrambled for a way out of their financial ruin.
Outside the gates of the New York Stock Exchange, thousands of people gathered, waiting for the final verdict. More than 5,000 people gathered within two hours, their faces filled with dread. Many of them were facing bankruptcy, unsure of what the future held.
Police officers, mounted on horseback, arrived to maintain order as the authorities feared an uprising. The traders in the NYSE, while frantic, continued their work, managing to process the transactions one by one. But the damage was done. The Dow Jones had fallen 29% in a single day. The next morning, the U.S. Finance Minister acknowledged the risk in the stock market, and further declines followed.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, at the Shield Club, a celebration was taking place. Charlie Lee raised a glass, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "To $100 million!" he declared, and the room echoed with cheers.
But Ben, his associate, was quick to remind him that this was only the beginning. "I can't wait to see what happens next," Ben said.
Charlie Lee, however, wasn't so sure. He knew the stock market collapse was only the first step in a larger game. What mattered now was what came next. He gave the staff a half-day off, letting them reunite with their families while he prepared for the next phase of his plan.
The next morning, the Chicago Tribune reported the shocking headlines: "Wall Street Elites Queuing Up to the Rooftops." The news was a grim reminder of the panic that had gripped New York. Many of the club's employees, who had enjoyed their "wonderful holiday," arrived at the club in a frenzy.
Charlie Lee yawned as he opened the door, greeting his employees. "Hi, guys," he said nonchalantly, despite the gravity of the situation.
"Boss, we love you!" they shouted, kissing him on the cheek, one by one. Charlie Lee quickly turned away, muttering to himself, "I haven't brushed my teeth yet."
As the days passed, the reality of the stock market crash began to settle in. But Charlie Lee, having weathered the initial storm, was ready for what came next. He couldn't rely on memory alone anymore—he would have to trust Ben and his other professionals to guide him.
For Charlie Lee, the coming days were crucial. Every second brought him closer to an unimaginable fortune. But, at the same time, it was a time for reflection. "Thank you, America. Thank you, God," he murmured as he looked toward the future.
Now, the moment of truth had arrived. His ambition was about to unfold in ways he had never imagined, as the financial world trembled before him.
Title: The Great Depression and Charlie Lee's Bold Moves
On September 25, the stock market continued to plummet uncontrollably. As panic spread, everyone was selling off their assets in a frenzy. Meanwhile, in the office of No. 23 Wall Street, five serious-faced men sat at the table. Four of them were New York's most prominent bankers, and sitting opposite them was Richard Whitney, the vice president of the New York Stock Exchange. At the center of the table was Thomas Lamont, the largest shareholder of the Morgan group, who had called them together. Together, they controlled a fortune totaling $6 billion.
"Mr. Lamont, things are getting worse. People are losing all faith in the stock market. We can't let this continue," Richard Whitney's deep voice resonated through the room.
"Every hour, millions of shares are being sold. If this keeps going, people will lose confidence not just in the market, but in the entire economy," one of the bankers said with an anxious expression.
Everyone knew the danger—they were facing a potential panic that could trigger a full-blown financial collapse.
"We need to act quickly and restore confidence in the stock market," Thomas Lamont said firmly, banging his fist on the table.
By the end of the meeting, the bankers had decided to inject $250 million into the stock market to prop it up and instill some optimism.
Soon after, Richard Whitney returned to the trading floor and shouted to the brokers, "J.P. Morgan has decided to buy 25 million shares of American Steel!"
The room buzzed with excitement as he then announced, "Mr. Rockefeller is buying 20 million shares of Ford!"
At the sound of Whitney's voice, the market, which had been crashing, showed a brief sign of recovery. The massive sell-off slowed, and for a fleeting moment, the downward spiral halted. Although this reprieve was temporary, it provided some hope.
Both the bankers and the general public believed that the worst was over and that the market would soon recover.
However, when the news of the rescue reached Chicago, Ben, a local financier, grew uneasy. His think tank had differing views on the situation. Jonny believed that the intervention by Morgan and Rockefeller would restore confidence in the market, with their names symbolizing stability. But Malton, a more cautious strategist, warned that the market bubble had already burst, and even the financial giants couldn't prevent the inevitable collapse.
Ben's uncertainty was evident as he stared at the news in front of him. "So, what should we do? Do we still hold on to our investments, or should we sell?" his associate, Li Zitao (now Charlie Lee), asked him calmly.
"No, we hold," Ben replied, surprised by the question.
Li Zitao, without hesitation, responded, "There's no point in hesitating. We either stay in the game or get out entirely. If we don't get involved now, we might as well be left with nothing."
Ben walked out, leaving Li Zitao to reflect on his words. With a quiet determination, Li Zitao focused on the bigger picture. A $5.57 million investment had the potential to either secure his future or lead to ruin, but it was a risk worth taking.
As October 1 approached, the stock market seemed to stabilize momentarily due to the funds injected by the bankers. The think tanks kept a close watch, nervously waiting for any signs of a deeper crisis.
Then, a seemingly insignificant event ignited a new wave of panic. A peddler from the Bronx read a rumor about the Bank of the United States and rushed to the New York branch to sell his shares. He was turned away, and as he left, he spread the word that the bank was refusing to allow people to sell. Within an hour, 25,000 depositors showed up, and by the end of the day, $2 million had been withdrawn from the bank.
The Bank of the United States, which had once been a symbol of strength and prosperity, had been struggling with real estate investments and had been covering its losses with fraudulent accounts. The next day, branches across New York, including in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, were hit by massive runs. Within days, the bank collapsed, and its failure triggered a full-blown panic.
The news of the collapse spread quickly, and people began questioning the stability of the entire banking system in the United States. Within hours, the stock market dropped again, but this time, the nation was no longer focused on the market's decline—it was more concerned with the sweeping financial disaster that was engulfing the country. The Great Depression had begun.
Meanwhile, in the affluent neighborhoods of New York, the outward appearance of wealth and luxury began to unravel. Inside the grand villas, couples fought, smashed furniture, and the once-perfect lives began to collapse. Every day, more families fell victim to the financial chaos. Desperation and despair took over as more and more individuals chose to end their lives, unable to bear the mounting pressure.
Famous economist Phil, a man who had once been at the top of his profession, drank his final glass of wine and ended his life in his lavish office. His death was just the beginning, as suicides among bankers and investors became a daily occurrence. Unemployment rates soared, bankruptcies increased, and the streets were filled with the haunting sound of broken dreams. Alcohol consumption surged as people tried to drown their sorrows, and the once-wealthy wandered the streets, lost and aimless.
In a shabby room in District 22, Charlie Lee sat with his feet propped up on a creaking bar, humming to himself. Outside, Huang Yifang's voice called from the hallway, "Boss, I've got a call for you."
Charlie picked up the phone, and his friend Nuki immediately began complaining. "Lee, you capitalist swine! You're about to drain my pocket money!"
Charlie chuckled, brushing off the complaint. "I'm just trying to find new buyers for the beer in the warehouse."
"You better watch out, Lee," Nuki continued, his voice teasing, "If you're not careful, I'll kick your ass."
"Yeah, sure," Charlie replied with a grin, unfazed by Nuki's playful threat.
The ongoing chaos in the streets was something that no one could ignore, not even the most powerful individuals. Prohibition had become irrelevant as people were no longer concerned with the rules. Even former temperance agents had stopped enforcing the law, as they were more worried about their own jobs and the security of their families.
As the economy worsened, Charlie Lee saw an opportunity to thrive. He used his connections to navigate the shifting tides of the market, investing when others were too scared to act. He started his own business, capitalizing on the growing demand for bodyguards in an increasingly dangerous world. People were willing to pay for protection, and Charlie was there to provide it.
Meanwhile, the market crash and the financial crisis were taking their toll on the city. Gamblers who had lost everything in the stock market roamed the streets with weapons, threatening anyone who they thought had taken their money. The situation was volatile, and Charlie knew that his position was precarious.
In times of crisis, the gap between the wealthy and the poor only grew wider. While many were losing everything, others, like Charlie, were finding ways to profit from the chaos. The Great Depression was wreaking havoc on the economy, but for a few individuals like Charlie Lee, it was a time to seize opportunities.
Ben, too, had played his part in the crisis. Through careful decision-making and strategic investments, he had weathered the storm. But the meeting that had taken place earlier, where Morgan and Rockefeller had used their wealth to rescue the market, was now a distant memory. The financial giants had acted out of necessity, but they did not escape the wrath of public perception. The capitalists had quickly realized that to save themselves from the blame, they would need to throw money into the system and offer a lifeline to the American economy.
Despite their efforts, no one could prevent the looming disaster. The financial bubble had burst, and even the wealthiest could not escape its consequences. As the depression deepened, Charlie Lee remained focused on his business, protecting his interests and preparing for the next phase of this unpredictable journey.
Title: A Glimpse of the Great Depression
The Great Depression had a devastating effect on many, but in the 22nd district, life remained unusually peaceful. The neighboring 24th district, home to Black families such as the Samoans, was equally comfortable. These districts, unlike many others, had an abundance of food, old yet warm houses, machine guns, and bullets to defend themselves, not to mention sizable cash reserves that provided confidence for the future.
With Halloween approaching, there was no sense of celebration. The mood was heavy with panic and despair. The usual festive atmosphere was nowhere to be found, even if people wanted to celebrate. There was only an overwhelming sense of uncertainty in the air.
Charlie Lee, sitting in his newly acquired "louse" (a type of car), made his way to a crowded club. Upon arrival, he respectfully greeted those gathered and headed upstairs to the office.
"Ben, have you selected the right target?" Charlie asked as he entered, his eyes scanning the room where a group of people leisurely sipped coffee and beer.
"Boss," Ben rose from the sofa and pulled up a chair next to Charlie.
Charlie sat on the sofa, passing a stack of white papers filled with various analysis data. These were lists of suitable industries he had requested, prepared by Ben.
"What I need is not data, but your advice," Charlie said, taking the papers back from Ben with a sense of frustration. He had hoped for a clearer direction but felt no relief from the analysis in front of him.
Ben was momentarily dumbfounded, his exhaustion mounting. These were the industries he had painstakingly researched, calling contacts and digging through networks to finalize this list. They were promising sectors, temporarily down due to the economic downturn but once popular among investors. To see them dismissed so easily was infuriating.
With a sigh, Ben started to list companies. "General Motors, UUS, American Radio…" he trailed off. There was no need to explain further, as Charlie had shown little interest in the reports.
Charlie, trying to mask his uncertainty, kept his demeanor calm. He nodded along, occasionally hearing names he recognized. "General Motors sounds good. They made a fortune from war production and remain a strong player in the auto industry. But what about the others?" Charlie asked, not particularly familiar with them.
Ben sighed again. "They may not be as famous, but they hold potential. Even with declining stock prices, most of them are controlled by wealthy families who can weather the storm. These companies have strong foundations and will recover when the economy picks up."
Charlie was silent for a moment, scanning the list. "Well, that sounds promising." His eyes settled on a name. "What about this one? The Freeport Sulphur Company?"
Ben, glad to finally be speaking about something with real potential, nodded. "FSC is a small company based in Dezhou, primarily focused on manganese mining, supplying the raw materials needed for the iron and steel industries. It's a niche with good prospects."
"How many shares do they have?" Charlie asked, curious.
Ben quickly answered, "420,000 shares, making up 36% of the company."
Charlie leaned back, his mind already at work. "What if we buy more shares? Maybe 65 percent?" he mused, the thought of securing a controlling stake intriguing him. "We could also branch out into copper mining. Ben, I trust your judgment."
Ben, relieved to see Charlie's interest in Freeport, nodded. "That would give us a strong hold over the company. As for copper, it's a solid long-term investment, especially with the growing demand for industrial metals."
Charlie agreed. "Great, let's move forward with that. And about the other companies? Keep an eye on them, but let's prioritize Freeport and copper for now."
Ben nodded, and the conversation shifted to other matters. Charlie wanted to know the state of their current stock holdings.
"We still have 132 stocks in hand," Johnny chimed in eagerly, clearly excited to report. "They're down right now, but we stand to profit once the market rebounds."
Charlie, raising a hand to stop Johnny's eager report, turned his gaze to Ben. "What's the current value of those stocks?"
Ben hesitated but then sighed, clearly worn out. "At current prices, the difference is $130 million."
Charlie smiled, appreciating the efforts of his team. "Alright, good work. Keep me updated, and let's stay focused."
The room fell silent for a brief moment as Ben's team digested the boss's words. Charlie's directness had become somewhat of a trademark. He preferred not to get bogged down by complex reports, instead focusing on the profits that were yet to come. His team, while occasionally frustrated by his no-nonsense approach, understood that his decisions had made them all wealthy.
As they pondered their next steps, Ben and the team knew that with Charlie at the helm, their fortunes were tied to the eventual recovery of the economy. His bold investments in industries like Freeport were part of a larger strategy that combined shrewd business sense and a keen eye for opportunities.
Later that day, Charlie returned to the 22nd district and held a meeting with the owners' representatives in a makeshift barracks. The goal was to present a new business plan that would revolutionize the district's economy. Charlie had long believed that the key to prosperity lay in fast food—an industry that, despite its saturation in many areas, still held untapped potential in some regions.
"Fast food—diversified offerings, low prices, and quick service. This is how we will expand rapidly," Charlie outlined passionately. He spoke of setting up a unified brand with consistent store décor, training, and messaging.
The owners' representatives listened intently, taking notes as Charlie continued. "The food doesn't need to be gourmet, just clean, fast, and affordable. We'll focus on convenience and speed—our motto will be 'fast, fast, fast.'"
Charlie's words were clear and emphatic. As he spoke, the room filled with a sense of purpose. This wasn't just about food; it was about creating a business model that could thrive, even during the depression. He explained how deliveries would be handled by local people, particularly focusing on the Samoan community, who had earned his trust.
"Safety and reliability are paramount. We'll use our own people to manage deliveries, ensuring jobs are created and our services are secure," Charlie added. One of the owners' representatives, Huang Yifang, spoke up, suggesting that the Samoan community take charge of the city's food delivery.
Charlie agreed. "That's a good idea. We'll use the community to create jobs and keep things safe."
As the meeting wrapped up, Charlie's mind was already racing ahead. The business model was in place, but there was much more work to be done. The Samoan families would play a key role in the success of this venture, providing not only labor but also a sense of ownership in the business.
With the plan for fast food deliveries in motion, Charlie returned to his office and checked in with his team. There was still a long road ahead, but with the right people in place, he was confident they would succeed.
And as for the rest of the world outside the district, Charlie knew it was only a matter of time before the Great Depression would ease, and those who had positioned themselves wisely would emerge victorious.