Chapter 758: Goldman Sachs' Transformation

……

Pym on Fifth Avenue is a three-star Michelin-starred French restaurant favored by the wealthy in the surrounding area, and the signature dishes 'matsutake foie gras' and 'scallops' are a must-order for almost every diner.

"I prefer the red wine beef and the confit duck to the signature dishes. Blankfein laughed.

"Meat is the eternal pursuit of human beings!"

After nodding in agreement, "Charles, what is your pursuit?"

Looking at the other party's scrutinizing eyes, Charles Prince said with a calm expression: "I don't really understand what you mean?"

Blank Fein smiled faintly, "Among the people involved in this plan, the Schiff family is because of some personal grudges in the family, plus the covetousness of Bruce Kuo's assets. Citi is trying to consolidate its position as the world's largest financial conglomerate. Although the Dutch ING Group is involved, they are accustomed to seeing the wind and taking advantage of it, and if there is a risk, they will be the first to withdraw. ”

“… Chevron wants Unocal oil and gas reserves in the United States and Asia to instantly reduce a strong competitor; Halliburton Energy wants the Majinu oil field in Iraq, which is almost eaten by Bruce Go; Kongscart wants to buy the matrix to enrich its own content; and General Electric wants both to make money and Pacific Energy Group to expand its business in the power industry and utilities. ”

“… Richard Bruce Cheney, if he wasn't the former CEO of Halliburton Energy, and we gave him enough price code, I'm afraid he wouldn't have joined in. Barclays Capital, like the Dutch ING Group, is a hyena that just wants to take advantage of and will be the first to flee when it encounters a crisis. ”

After a pause, "Charles, what role does Bear Stearns intend to play in this operation?"

"Blank, you seem to have missed the Goldman Sachs you represent!"

"Goldman Sachs is a lion, we eat meat. Blankfein laughed.

Charles Prince's eyes moved slightly, and his right hand holding the knife lifted upwards to penetrate the steak on his plate.

"We at Bear Stearns are also going to eat meat, and we are going to eat the fattest pieces. ”

"There's a lot of meat in a cow, but not everyone can eat the best steak. Blank Fein said.

"If we don't satisfy everyone, I'm afraid there won't be such an action next time. Therefore, in the strong people should also estimate the needs of other members. What's more, we are the strongest people in our own right, and we are able to eat steak. ”

The two looked at each other and suddenly laughed at the same time.

"Blank, our opponent is not a cow, but a tiger with long teeth, which is not so easy to deal with. ”

"So what, shorting LinkedIn has already made us a fortune, although it doesn't take too much. But Tim George's Excellence Network is doing well. When it hits the market, we'll be even more rewarding. Therefore, even if we have nothing else to gain from now on, Goldman Sachs will not lose by participating in this time. ”

Charles Prince nodded slightly, "It seems that you are not optimistic about the next action?"

"Bruce Guo is not that easy to deal with. The reason why we succeeded in the front was to catch him off guard. Now that we have moved from the dark to the light, it is unlikely that we will repeat the story in between. As for the lawsuit against Phoenix and Merrill Lynch for alleged monopoly, if the information I got is correct, it is also unlikely. ”

"Blank, looks like you know a lot?" Charles Prince's eyes flashed.

"With Bear Stearns' information channels, it is not difficult to understand if you want to. ”

"But I want to satisfy my curiosity right now!"

"Well, for our sake as friends and allies. … According to the information I got. Bruce Kwok has prepared me for a wide range of financing for his new company. And this financing list includes Roosevelt, Morgan, Kennedy, Bush, Blackstone, Carlyle, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Fortu family, and maybe more. But that's all I know so far. But that's amazing enough. If Bruce Guo really pulls these people into the list of shareholders of the new company, then our alliance not only does not have the slightest advantage over these people, but has obvious disadvantages. The so-called 'monopoly' will become a joke. ”

Charles Prince was silent for a long time before he slowly asked, "In that case, is Goldman Sachs planning to bet on both sides?"

"No, we're only betting on the side with the better odds of winning!"

"So in Goldman Sachs' view, which side has a better chance of winning?"

"It looks like we're still on our side at the moment!"

"Really?" Charles Prince had a mocking smile on his face, "Blank, if you tell me this, aren't you afraid that I will tell the people of Citi and the Schiff family?"

"Afraid?" Blankfein shook his head, "Goldman Sachs doesn't need to be afraid of anything. And for the sake of this alliance, we have made our own contributions, and there is no need to feel guilty, let alone afraid. And, Charles, are you really going to say it?"

Charles Prince shook his head.

"I don't want to end up without a friend around me. But I'm curious, why are you telling me this, not ING or Barclay?"

"I trust you more than they do!"

"I need to say 'thank you'. ”

"Thank you, no need. If you feel the need, we can go to Bruce Guo together. The new company after the merger of Phoenix and Merrill Lynch will undoubtedly be the new darling of the capital market, and if we can get the original shares, then we will definitely be able to make a lot of money in the future. ”

Charles Prince took a sip of the coffee on the table, "What are you going to do with Schiff and Citi here?" It's good to bet on both sides, but if you want to get the most benefit, unless the other party is stupid to death." But whether it's Bruce Go, Citigroup and Schiff Alliance, none of them are stupid. ”

"Betting on both sides is certainly not advisable. But wouldn't it be nice to keep the choice? at least to get the last chance to choose the winner. ”

"I need to think about it. Charles Prince said after a long silence.

Although the 2001 Golden Armageddon made him leave Citi. But strictly speaking, there is no personal grudge between him and Guo Shouyun, just for the sake of profit. If he can get more benefits from Bruce Guo this time, he will not hesitate to betray the alliance between Schiff and his old club.

The phrase 'man does not destroy heaven and earth for himself' is the truth that Wall Street has been held up as a guideline for hundreds of years!

"Of course. But you have to make a decision early. Otherwise, the news spread, and Bear Stearns might not even have the opportunity to drink soup. ”

Charles Prince nodded, and after dinner, he left with a heavy heart.

Blank Fein watched him go away, and after a moment of silence, he took out his mobile phone from his pocket and found Guo Shouyun's number and dialed it.

"Blank, I hope this call should be good news. ”

"If it weren't for the good news, I wouldn't bother you right now!"

"Oh?"

"I had dinner with Charles Prince of Bear Stearns in the evening. I want to pull him into our alliance. ”

"Did he say yes?"

"Not yet. But when the news of Phoenix Merrill Lynch's financing comes out, I think he will lean towards us. Blankfein affirmed.

"This is really good news. Blank, it seems like pulling you over was the right decision. … But I heard that you had a meeting this morning at the Schiff family's private club, and did they come up with any new tricks against me?"

"Bruce, your messaging channel is amazing!"

"Thank you for the appreciation. But I've been cheated by you!"

"The Schiffs have been planning for a few years, and if they can't even figure out LinkedIn, they won't survive for a century. But Goldman Sachs didn't make much money from shorting LinkedIn. ”

"I don't care about the past. Guo Shouyun knows very well that it is most beneficial for him to grasp the big and let go of the small now. Compared with LinkedIn, the merger of Merrill Lynch and Phoenix is the big deal now.

“… Tell me about today's meeting, please?"

Blank Fein replied, "They're going to go to Connelly, the wife of Treasury Secretary John Snow, who is a member of the Federal Trade Commission. ”

"It's still the same old 'monopoly'. Guo Shouyun said disdainfully.

"They don't have a better way than that. But Bruce, if the merger of Phoenix and Merrill Lynch does go to Congress for review, things will get complicated. How sure are you that you can win?"

"It's not 100 percent, but it's 70 percent sure. ”

Blank Fein nodded, "The Thunder Fund has made so much money for them over the years. They really won't refuse that. ”

Guo Shouyun smiled, "Blank, since you're so confident, why don't you tell me the information I need?"

"Bruce, remember that the deal between us was Goldman Sachs getting a stake in Phoenix Merrill Lynch, but it's not time yet. ”

"You're as strict as ever. Guo Shouyun said.

"That's my strength!" After a pause, "Schiff and Citi are ready to do it, how are you going to deal with it?"

"The soldiers will block the water and cover the earth, and there is always a way to deal with it. ”

Guo Shouyun nodded, "If it's possible, Bear Stearns will bother you." ”

"Yes... Bruce, there's something I think you should think about?"

"What's the matter?"

"You should know that Schiff and Citi also have industrial companies such as Kongscat, General Electric, Chevron, Halliburton Energy and so on. I think it's possible that if you give up some interests and pull them into our camp, it will be more beneficial to the next battle of Phoenix Merrill Lynch, or even Schiff and Citi. ”

"Thank you Blank, I'll think about this seriously!"

"That's good... That's all I have to say, I'll hang up if it's okay. ”

"Okay, goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

Hanging up the phone, Guo Shouyun threw away his mobile phone, and suddenly smiled: "This is really a bit unexpected! But it's finally good news." ”

As for Blankfein's proposal to compromise with Kongscat, General Electric, Chevron, and Halliburton Energy, he left it behind after listening to it. He is not a, and he is beaten by others and frequently shows goodwill. In fact, if it weren't for the informers around him, he wouldn't even forgive Goldman Sachs!

Of course, bringing Goldman Sachs into the board of directors of Phoenix Merrill Lynch is also a pitfall. It's just that it takes two or three years to see the power.

"When the time comes, let you return twice as much as what you have eaten me. ”